Puckoffeh’s Top 50 Draft Prospects for the 2015 NHL Draft

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Jessegill3

I won’t claim to be an expert on ranking players for the 2015 NHL draft, but by using a variety of ranking sources like the Central Scouting Bureau, the Hockey News, tsn.ca and others I developed a formula to come up with a ranking system using the experts themselves based on 2020 maximum points a player could accumulate depending on where they were ranked on each individual list. Here are the top 50 that came from that formula that I believe offers a fairly accurate representation of where a person can expect these players to be drafted give or take a few positions. There will always be surprises and like any die hard hockey fan I can’t wait to see what will transpire when the NHL draft does get underway. Click on each players individual name to access their eliteprospects.com profile page.

Rank	Total Rank Pts	Player	Pos.	Nationality	Current Team
1	2020	Connor McDavid	C	Canadian	Erie Otters (OHL)
2	2010	Jack Eichel	C	American	Boston University (NCAA)
3	1988	Noah Hanifin	D	American	Boston College (NCAA)
4	1987	Dylan Strome	C	Canadian	Erie Otters (OHL)
5	1980	Mitchell Marner	C	Canadian	London Knights (OHL)
6	1964	Ivan Provorov	D	Russian	Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
7	1957	Lawson Crouse	LW	Canadian	Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
8	1939	Zachary Werenski	D	American	University of Michigan (NCAA)
9	1932	Mikko Rantanen	C/W	Finnish	TPS (Liiga)
10	1928	Pavel Zacha	C/LW	Czech	Sarnia Sting (OHL)
11	1913	Mathew Barzal	C	Canadian	Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL)
12	1910	Timo Meier	RW/C	Swiss	Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
13	1907	Kyle Connor	C	American	Youngstown Phantoms (USHL)
14	1856	Nick Merkley	C	Canadian	Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
15	1850	Jakub Zboril	D	Czech	Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
16	1844	Yevgeni Svechnikov	LW	Russian	Cape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)
17	1841	Thomas Chabot	D	Canadian	Saint John Sea Dogs (QMJHL)
18	1824	Jeremy Roy	D	Canadian	Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL)
19	1802	Colin White	RW/C	American	U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)
20	1776	Jake DeBrusk	LW	Canadian	Swift Current Broncos (WHL)
21	1676	Jansen Harkins	C	Canadian	Prince George Cougars (WHL)
22	1669	Paul Bittner	LW	American	Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
23	1643	Joel Eriksson Ek	C	Swedish	Farjestad (SHL)
24	1624	Travis Konecny	C/RW	Canadian	Ottawa 67’s (OHL)
25	1547	Garbiel Carlsson	D	Swedish	Linkoping J20 (SuperElit)
26	1541	Brandon Carlo	D	American	Tri-City Americans (WHL)
27	1463	Oliver Kylington	D	Swedish	Farjestad (SHL)
28	1435	Daniel Sprong	RW	Netherlands	Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
29	1427	Denis Guryanov	RW/LW	Russian	Ladia Togliatti (MHL)
30	1381	Brock Boeser	RW	American	Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
31	1333	Noah Juulsen	D	Canadian	Everett Silvertips (WHL)
32	1255	Jacob Larsson	D	Swedish	Frolunda (SHL)
33	1227	Ilya Samsonov	G	Russian	Stalnye Lisy Magnitogorsk (MHL)
34	1120	Filip Chlapik	C	Czech	Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
35	1109	Jack Roslovic	C/RW	American	U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)
36	1104	Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson	C	Swedish	Omaha Lancers (USHL)
37	1099	Jeremy Bracco	C/RW	American	U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)
38	1086	Vince Dunn	D	Canadian	Niagara IceDogs (QMJHL)
39	1081	Jordan Greenway	LW	American	U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)
40	1071	Ryan Pilon	D	Canadian	Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
41	1055	Jonas Siegenthaler	D	Swiss	ZSC (NLA)
42	1036	Thomas Novak	C	American	Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
43	1035	Travis Dermott	D	Canadian	Erie Otters (OHL)
44	1000	Nicolas Meloche	D	Canadian	Baie-Comeau Drakkar (QMJHL)
45	982	Anthony Beauvillier	LW/C	Canadian	Shawinigan Cataractes (QMJHL)
46	959	Mackenzie Blackwood	G	Canadian	Barrie Colts (OHL)
47	956	Mitch Vande Sompel	D/F	Canadian	Oshawa Generals (OHL)
T-48,49	939	Julius Nattinen	F	Finnish	JYP-Akatemia (Mestis)
T-48,49	939	Zachary Senyshyn	RW	Canadian	Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
50	919	Christian Fischer	C	American	U.S. National U18 Team (USDP)

Players Drafted in the 90’s Still in NHL during 2014-15 Season

Posted on May 24, 2015 by Jessegill3

69 players drafted from 1990-1999 played in the NHL this season. A few of these players have also decided to retire, their names will be listed in italics. We will take a look at who’s decided to hang them up this year out of this group and the impact each player has had on the game over their career and how they fit into the NHL at this point.

1999 Draft Class (15)

D Barret Jackman – Drafted 17th overall by the St. Louis Blues – Born: 1981 – First NHL Season: 2001-02 – Played 2014-15 Season with the St. Louis Blues with 15 points in 80 games, the same Blues team he has spent his entire 13 year NHL career and winning the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2002-03. He will suit up for a new team next year as he wasn’t offered a new contract by the Blues and became an Unrestricted Free Agent this summer signing with the Nashville Predators. – hockeydb.com profile link
F Ryan Malone – Drafted 115th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 2003-04 – Played 2014-15 Season with the New York Rangers with no points in 6 games and 24 games with the AHL affiliate Hartford Wolfpack before retiring. Has run into substance abuse problems the past few seasons, derailing the once top six forwards career. He has since retired. During his career he was a all-rookie team member during the 2003-04 season and also won a silver medal with team USA in 2010. hockeydb.com profile link
RW Brian McGrattan – Drafted 104th overall by the Los Angeles Kings – Born: 1981 – First NHL Season: 2005-06 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Calgary Flames with no points in 8 games and also 16 games with the AHL affiliate Adirondack Flames. Has spent his career as a fourth line enforcer and it looks like his chance to get into many more NHL games is going to be limited for the rest of his career. He signed with the Anaheim Ducks this past offseason and is expected to spend most of his time with the AHL San Diego Gulls.hockeydb.com profile link
C Chris Kelly – Drafted 94th overall by the Ottawa Senators – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 2003-04 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Boston Bruins with 28 points in 80 games. Chris Kelly has spent time with hockeydb.com profile link
G Rob Zepp – Drafted 99th overall by the Atalanta Thrashers in 1999 and later on re-entry 110th overall by the Carolina Hurricanes in 2001 – Born: 1981 – First NHL Season: 2014-15 – Played 2014-15 Season his first at the age of 33 with the Philadelphia Flyers getting in 10 games with a record of five wins, two losses a 2.89 goal against average to go with a .888 save percentage. Zepp also played 47 games with the Flyers AHL Affiliate the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. Zepp is one of 12 goaltenders to make their NHL debut after the age of 33 according to this NHL.com article. His trek after junior hockey included four seasons where he played in the East Coast Hockey League, three seasons in the American Hockey League including the current, two seasons in Finland’s top league Sm-Liiga and seven years as the starting goaltender for the Berlin Polar Bears of Germans top league DEL. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Radim Vrbata – Drafted 212th overall by the Colorado Avalanche – Born: 1981 – First NHL Season: 2001-02 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Vancouver Canucks with 63 points in 79 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Martin Erat – Drafted 191st overall by the Nashville Predators – Born: 1981 – First NHL Season: 2001-02 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Arizona Coyotes with 32 points in 79 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
LW Daniel Sedin – Drafted 2nd overall by the Vancouver Canucks – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 2000-01 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Vancouver Canucks with 76 points in 82 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
C Henrik Sedin – Drafted 3rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 2000-01 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Vancouver Canucks with 73 points in 82 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Jordan Leopold – Drafted 44th overall by the Anaheim Ducks – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 2002-03 – Played 2014-15 Season with the St. Louis Blues, Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild with 4 points in 42 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Martin Havlat – Drafted 26th overall by the Ottawa Senators – Born: 1981 – First NHL Season: 2000-01 – Played 2014-15 Season with the New Jersey Devils with 14 points in 40 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
G Craig Anderson – Drafted 77th overall by the Calgary Flames in 1999 and later on re-entry 73rd overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2001 – Born: 1981 – First NHL Season: 2002-03 – Played 2014-15 Season with with the Ottawa Senators with 35 regular season and 4 playoff games. Anderson had a .923 save percentage during the regular season with a 14-13-8 record and a 2.49 goal against. In the playoff he went 2-2-1 with a .972 save percentage and a 0.97 goals against. – hockeydb.com profile link
LW Henrik Zetterberg – Drafted 210th overall by the Detroit Red Wings – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 2002-03 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Detroit Red Wings with 66 points in 77 games. Zetterberg also had 3 points in 7 playoff games. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP during the 2007-08 season when the Red Wings last won the Stanley Cup. – hockeydb.com profile link
C Derek MacKenzie – Drafted 128th overall by the Atlanta Thrashers – Born: 1981 – First NHL Season: 2001-02 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Florida Panthers with 11 points in 82 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
G Ryan Miller – Drafted 138th overall by the Buffalo Sabres – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 2002-03 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Vancouver Canucks with a 29-15-1 record, .911 saver percentage and 2.53 goal against. He also played in 3 playoff games going 1-1 with a 2.31 goals against and .910 save percentage. – hockeydb.com profile link

1998 Draft Class (20)

D Robyn Regehr – Drafted 19th overall by the Colorado Avalanche – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Los Angeles Kings with 14 points in 67 games and announced his retirement at the end of the season. Regehr a big shut down defenceman who was born in Brazil and spent his early childhood in Indonesia before setting with his parents in Saskatchewan. Regehr finishes his career with 199 points in 1090 games to go with 18 points in 67 playoff games, One Stanley Cup with the Los Angeles Kings in 2013-14 and he was also a major part of the Calgary Flames run to the finals in 2003-04. He spent 11 seasons with the Calgary Flames to start his career before being traded to the Buffalo Sabres where he spent part of two season before being traded to the Los Angeles Kings where he spent part of three seasons. He was slowing down a bit near the end of his career but was still very effective. Internationally he has won gold with Canada at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, and Silver at the 1999 World Juniors and 2005 World Championship. At the age of 19 Regehr became the youngest player ever nominated for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy for perserverence, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey. – hockeydb.com profile link
G Jason Labarbera – Drafted 66th overall by the New York Rangers – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 2000-01 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Anaheim Ducks with a 2-0-1 record 2.61 goals against and .909 save percentage in only 5 games, spent majority of the season with AHL affiliate Norfolk Admirals playing 34 games with a .912 save percentage and 2.62 goals against. – hockeydb.com profile link
C Brad Richards – Drafted 64th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 2000-01 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Chicago Blackhawsk with 37 points in 76 games and turning things up for the playoffs. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Simon Gagne – Drafted 22nd overall by the Philadelphia Flyers – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Boston Bruins with 4 points in 23 games. Has gone on record saying he would like to play again next NHL season. – hockeydb.com profile link
LW Alex Tanguay – Drafted 12th overall by the Colorado Avalanche – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Colorado Avalanche with 55 points in 80 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
C Mike Fisher – Drafted 44th overall by the Ottawa Senators – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Nashville Predators with 39 points in 59 games and 1 point in 3 playoff games. – hockeydb.com profile link
C Manny Malhotra – Drafted 7th overall by the New York Rangers – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 1998-99 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Montreal Canadiens with 4 points in 58 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Brian Gionta – Drafted 82nd overall by the New Jersey Devils – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 2001-02 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Buffalo Sabres with 35 points in 69 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Chris Neil – Drafted 161st overall by the Ottawa Senators – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 2001-02 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Ottawa Senators with 7 points in 38 games and no points in 2 playoff games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Andrei Markov – Drafted 162nd overall by the Montreal Canadiens – Born: 1978 – First NHL Season: 2000-01 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Montreal Canadiens with 50 points in 81 games and 2 points in 12 playoff games. hockeydb.com profile link
C Scott Gomez – Drafted 27th overall by the New Jersey Devils – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the New Jersey Devils with 34 points in 58 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Rob Scuderi – Drafted 134th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins – Born: 1978 – First NHL Season: 2003-04 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Pittsburgh Penguins with 10 points in 82 games and no points in 5 playoff games. – hockeydb.com profile link
C David Legwand – Drafted 2nd overall by the Nashville Predators – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 1998-99 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Ottawa Senators with 27 points in 80 games and no points in 3 playoff games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Bryan Allen – Drafted 4th overall by the Vancouver Canucks – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 2000-01 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Montreal Canadiens with 1 point in 5 games and also with the AHL affiliate Hamilton Bulldogs for 36 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Francois Beauchemin – Drafted 75th overall by the Montreal Canadiens – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 2002-03 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Anaheim Ducks with 23 points in 64 games and 8 points in 15 playoff games. – hockeydb.com profile link
LW Erik Cole – Drafted 71st overall by the Carolina Hurricanes – Born: 1978 – First NHL Season: 2001-02 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Dallas Stars and the Detroit Red Wings with 39 points in 68 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
C Pavel Datsyuk – Drafted 171st overall by the Detroit Red Wings – Born: 1978 – First NHL Season: 2001-02 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Detroit Red Wings with 65 points in 63 games and 5 points in 7 playoff games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Brad Stuart – Drafted 3rd overall by the San Jose Sharks – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Colorado Avalanche with 13 points in 65 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
C Vincent Lecavalier – Drafted 1st overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 1998-99 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Philadelphia Flyers with 20 points in 57 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Michael Ryder – Drafted 216th overall by the Montreal Canadiens – Born: 1980 – First NHL Season: 2002-03 – Played 2014-15 Season with the New Jersey Devils with 19 points in 47 games. – hockeydb.com profile link

1997 Draft Class (15)

C Joe Thornton – Drafted 1st overall by the Boston Bruins – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1997-98 – Played 2014-15 Season with the San Jose Sharks with 65 points in 78 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
LW Patrick Marleau – Drafted 2nd overall by the San Jose Sharks – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1997-98 – Played 2014-15 Season with the San Jose Sharks with 57 points in 82 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
LW Brenden Morrow – Drafted 25th overall by the Dallas Stars – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Tampa Bay Lightning with 8 points in 70 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
C Olli Jokinen – Drafted 3rd overall by the Los Angeles Kings – Born: 1978 – First NHL Season: 1997-98 – Played 2014-15 Season with Nashville Predators, Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues with 10 points in 62 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Andrew Ference – Drafted 208th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Edmonton Oilers with 14 points in 70 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Shawn Thornton – Drafted 190th overall by the Toronto Maple Leafs – Born: 1977 – First NHL Season: 2002-03 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Florida Panthers with 5 points and 50 penatly minutes in 46 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Scott Hannan – Drafted 23d overall by the San Jose Sharks – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1998-99 – Played 2014-15 Season with the San Jose Sharks with 7 points in 58 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
LW Matt Cooke – Drafted 144th overall by the Vancouver Canucks – Born: 1978 – First NHL Season: 1998-99 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Minnesota Wild with 10 points in 29 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Eric Brewer – Drafted 5th overall by the New York Islanders – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1998-99 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs with 11 points in 44 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Daniel Cleary – Drafted 13th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks – Born: 1978 – First NHL Season: 1997-98 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Detroit Red Wings with 2 points in 17 games. hockeydb.com profile link
G Scott Clemmensen – Drafted 215th overall by the New Jersey Devils – Born: 1977 – First NHL Season: 2001-02 – Played 2014-15 Season with the New Jersey Devils appearing in only 3 games, while playing the majority of the season with the AHL affiliate Albany Devils. – hockeydb.com profile link
G Roberto Luongo – Drafted 4th overall by the New York Islanders – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Florida Panthers appearing in 61 games with a 2.35 goals against and a .921 saver percentage. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Marian Hossa – Drafted 12th overall by the Ottawa Senators – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1997-98 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Chicago Blackhawks with 61 points in 82 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
LW Jason Chimera – Drafted 121st overall by the Edmonton Oilers – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 2000-01 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Washington Capitals with 19 points in 77 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Brian Campbell – Drafted 156th overall by the Buffalo Sabres – Born: 1979 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Florida Panthers with 27 points in 82 games. – hockeydb.com profile link

1996 Draft Class (8)

D Zdeno Chara – Drafted 56th overall by the New York Islanders – Born: 1977 – First NHL Season: 1997-98 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Boston Bruins with 20 points in 63 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
C Matt Cullen – Drafted 35th overall by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks – Born: 1976 – First NHL Season: 1997-98 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Nashville Predators with 25 points in 74 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Craig Adams – Drafted 223rd overall by the Harford Whalers – Born: 1977 – First NHL Season: 2000-01 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Pittsburgh Penguins with 7 points in 70 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Willie Mitchell – Drafted 199th overall by the New Jersey Devils – Born: 1977 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Florida Panthers with 8 points in 44 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
C Dainius Zubrus – Drafted 15th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers – Born: 1978 – First NHL Season: 1996-97 – Played 2014-15 Season with the New Jersey Devils with 10 points in 74 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Michal Rozsival – Drafted 105th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins – Born: 1978 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season for the Chicago Blackhawks with 13 points in 65 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
C Daniel Briere – Drafted 24th overall by the Phoenix Coyotes – Born: 1977 – First NHL Season: 1997-98 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Colorado Avalanche registering only 12 points in 57 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Chris Phillips – Drafted 1st overall by the Ottawa Senators – Born: 1978 – First NHL Season: 1997-98 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Ottawa Senators a team he has spent his entire NHL career spanning 17 seasons, injuries limited him to just 3 points in 36 games with past season. – hockeydb.com profile link

1995 Draft Class (3)

RW Shane Doan – Drafted 7th overall by the Winnipeg Jets – Born: 1976 – First NHL Season: 1995-96 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Arizona Coyotes, his 19th season with the franchise and remains the last original Winnipeg Jets player still in the NHL, where he played his rookie season before they moved to Arizona. He has been captain of the Coyotes since the 2003-04 season. He’s been an instramental part of the Coyotes throughout their entire time in Arizona and has consitently put up decent point totals with his best output being 78 points in 80 games in 2007-08. If he can play a few more seasons and step up his production he will get close to 1000 points. Doan currently sits with 898 points in 1394 games. Prior to his NHL career, Doan along with future NHLer regulars Jerome Iginla, Darcy Tucker, Hnat Domenichelli, Tyson Nash, and Brad LukoWich were part of back to back WHL and Memorial Cup Championships teams in 1994 and 1995. Those teams were coached by Don Hay who also coached Doan during the Phoenix Coyotes 1996-97 season. Internationally Doan has been the Captain for team Canada several times at world championships and has won Gold twice in 2003 and 2007 to go along with Silver medals in 2005, 2008 and 2009. He also represented Canada at the 2006 Olympics but the team did not medal. Doan is also second cousins with Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price. Doan is definitely on the down turn of his career but can still contribute some offence to go with his leadership ability on a young Coyotes squad. – hockeydb.com profile link
RW Jarome Iginla – Drafted 11th overall by the Dallas Stars – Born: 1977 – First NHL Season: 1995-96 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Colorado Avalanche with 59 points and 29 goals in 82 games. Iginla has slowed down a bit from his prime years were he put up over a point a game, but he is still putting up right around 30 goals every year which is a pretty solid accomplishment for a 37 year old. After getting traded from the Dallas Stars with Corey Millen for Joe Nieuwendyk back in 1995, Iginla spent his first 17 NHL seasons with the Calgary Flames, which included the first year were all he got into was 2 playoff games, but still put up 2 point. Around the 2013 trade deadline he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who he played with for the remainder of one season and the playoffs, before signing with the Boston Bruins the following year. He only spent one year in Boston before signing a 3 year deal with the Colorado Avalanche. To this point in his career Iginla has 1226 points with 589 goals in 1392 games, which are very solid numbers. He has scored 28 or more goals 15 times, 35 or more 8 times and has even topped 50 goals twice. He has taken home some hardware over his career in 2001-02 he won the Art Ross as League MVP, Maurice Richard Trophy as top goal scorer and the Lester B. Pearson Trophy for leagues most outstanding player judged by the NHLPA, which has since been renamed the Ted Lindsay Award since 2010. The 2003-04 season saw him win his second Maurice Richard Trophy as top goal scorer and also the King Clancy Trophy for his humanitarian efforts being heavily involved in all the Flames Community programs and donating $1000 to charity for every goal he scored that season. Then in 2009 he took home the Mark Messier Leadership Award for being a superior leader and contributing member of society. He was the face of the Calgary Flames franchise for a long time taking over the reigns when Theoren Fleury was traded away and was a fan favourite there for so many years. His combination of skill and toughness througout his career made him one of the games greatest power forwards of all time. Internationally he has represented Canada several times and has lots of hardware to show it. He’s won Olympic Gold in both 2002 and 2010, a World Championship Gold in 1997, Gold at the 2004 World Cup of Hockey and a World Junior Championship Gold in 1996. He was also a memeber of two Memorial Cup teams in 1994 and 1995 during his time with the WHL’s Kamloops Blazers. The only thing Iginla is left to chase is a Stanley Cup getting ever so close in 2004 when the Flames lost to the Lightning in 7 games. – hockeydb.com profile link
D Stephane Robidas – Drafted 164th overall by the Montreal Canadiens – Born: 1977 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Toronto Maple Leafs with 7 points in 52 games. Robidas signed a three year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs last summer and was expected to be a steady veteran presence on the blue line to help guide along Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner, he’s been okay, but has definitely slowed from his prime and provided very limited offence after being injured, it appears his career will wind down once his contract is up. He’s a shadow of the player he was back in 2009-10 when he put up 41 points in 82 games with the Dallas Stars. He’s spent 16 seasons in the NHL, spending three with the Montreal Canadiens, parts of 11 seasons with the Dallas Stars and parts of a season with both the Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks to go with the past season with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has racked up 258 points in 937 regular season NHL games and will likely get close to if not reach the 1000 game mark next season. He has represented Canada a couple times at World Championships, but has no medals to show for it. He did play in the 2009 NHL All Star Game and has had a very solid career for a guy picked in the 7th round of a draft. – hockeydb.com profile link

1994 Draft Class (3 Currently Active, 1 Retired Mid Season)

LW Patrik Elias – Drafted 51st overall by the New Jersey Devils – Born: 1976 – First NHL Season: 1995-96 – Played 2014-15 Season with the New Jersey Devils and tallied 34 points in 69 games. Elias saw his production drop significantly this past year. He’s always been a skilled player who plays more of a finesse game. He’s never hit 100 points, but came very close in 2000-01 with the Devils when he had 40 goals and 96 points. In 19 seasons with the Devils he has racked up an impressive 1017 points in 1224 games and has also brought home two Stanley Cups in 2000 and 2003. Internationally Bronze has been the colour for Elias, with the Czech team’s he’s played for placing third in the 2006 Olympics and 1998 and 2011 World Championships. He is the Devils team leader in multiple categories including regular season and playoff goals, assists and points. And the single season point record with 96 to go along with a number of other records listed here. – hockeydb.com profile link
LW Eric Boulton – Drafted 234th overall by the New York Rangers – Born: 1976 – First NHL Season: 2000-01 – Played 2014-15 Season with the New York Islanders with 2 goals and 30 penalty minutes in 10 games. For a guy who’s played 648 career NHL games you might not be as familiar with a guy like Eric Boulton, but he’s grinded out a pretty solid stay in the NHL spending his first four seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, before spending the next six with the Atlanta Thrashers, followed by a year with the New Jersey Devils and his current three year stint with the New York Islanders. Boulton has seen a lot of time in the press box over his career and only got into 10 games with the Islanders this past season, his 1419 career penalty minutes have him sitting 166th all time. The Halifax native has dropped the gloves 157 times in the NHL 142 regular season and 15 preseason bouts. He’s also won his fair share of fights during his career and has fought some of the leagues toughest included the late Bob Probert and Wade Belak to go along with bouts against Georges Laraque, Tie Domi, Brad May, Sandy McCarthy, Donald Brashear, Chris Neil, George Parros, Shawn Thornton, Cam Janssen, Eric Goddard, Jared Boll, Mike Rupp, Krys Barch, Colton Orr, Todd Fedoruk, Milan Lucic and may other, having slugged it out with most multiple times. He has also dropped the mits with current hockey analyst P.J Stock four times. I would like to see those two on the same panel when Boulton retires. If that isn’t ironic enough for you he also was the last player who fought former NHL disciplinarian and current Toronto Maple Leaf president Brendan Shanahan. His fightcard at hockeyfights.com – hockeydb.com profile link
D Bryce Salvador – Drafted 138th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning – Born: 1976 – First NHL Season: 2000-01 – Played 2014-15 Season with the New Jersey Devils, but only got into 15 games with 2 assists because of a back injury. The Devils captain since 2013 Salvador has proved to be a steady stay at home defenceman who can dish out hits and provide leadership, he’s never been one to rack up huge point totals, but he has logged solid minutes on the blueline over his career. Salvador intends to come back with Devils next season, but as a 39 year old UFA Defenceman coming off of a back injury time will tell if he gets a deal. His career started with the St. Louis Blues back in 2000-01 where he developed his reputation as a tough Defenceman to play against with three fights in his first 15 games. He spent seven seasons with the Blues before being dealt to the Devils during the 2008 trade deadline and has spent the past eight years in New Jersey. He is only the third black NHL player to be named a team captain along with Jerome Iginla (Calgary) and Dirk Graham (Chicago). – hockeydb.com profile link
G Evgeni Nabakov – Drafted 219th overall by the San Jose Sharks – Born: 1975 – First NHL Season: 1999-2000 – Played part of 2014-15 Season with the Tampa Bay Lighting before retiring mid season. When you think of how solid the San Jose Sharks goaltending was from 2000-2010, you immediately think of Nabakov, he started his career bringing home the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 2000-01, but he never won a Vezina over his career, he was however very close during his best season in 2007-08 when he won 46 games and had a 2.14 Goals Against Average, good enough for first team All Star honours, but ironically not enough to beat out fellow retiree Martin Broduer for the Vezina Trophy, just 7 votes shy according to hockeyreference.com. When contract negotiations broke down between Nabakov and the Sharks after the 2010 season due to Salary Cap limitations, he wasn’t able to find another NHL team willing to offer him what he was looking for, so he decided to a long term deal with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL, however that deal was terminated in Decemeber of that year after he played 22 games, reportedly for family reasons, but his 8-8-5 record with a 3.02 Goals Against and .888 Save Percentage probably didn’t help matters. Nabakov then negotiated a contract with the Red Wings in January of 2011, but as anyone who followed hockey at the time will know he ended up having to clear waivers and was claimed by the New York Islanders, who he didn’t report to and was suspended for the rest of the season by, but worked out a deal to play with them the following season eventually becoming their starting and helping add stability to the crease on Long Island for the next three seasons as their starter. After the Islanders went out and signed a younger Jarloslav Halak for the 2014-15 season, Nabakov signed on to be the Tampa Bay Lightnings backup goalie, after a poor 3-6-2 record he was placed on waivers at the start of February and decided he would retire, but not before the Lightning traded him to the Sharks for future considerations so he could retire with the team he started his career and made a name for himself with. Internationally Nabakov has represented both Kazakstan and Russia. He brought how a gold medal with Russia at the 2008 World Championships. Having played in 697 NHL games with a record of 353-227-86 a 2.44 GAA and a .911 Save Percentage Nabakov had career numbers nobody can scoff at and good enough for 18th on the all time win list, but with Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Miller and Marc-Andre Fleury not far behind he’ll likely settle into 21st after the next couple seasons. – hockeydb.com profile link

1993 Draft Class (1 Player Currently Active)

D Kimmo Timonen – Drafted 250th overall by the Los Angeles Kings – Born: 1975 – First NHL Season: 1998-99 – Played late in 2014-15 Season getting in 16 regular season games with the Chicago Blackhawks but registerd no points and has been used sparingly in the playoffs after being traded from the Philadelphia Flyers, returning from blood clots in his lungs and legs that had kept him sidelined the entire season prior to the deal. It’s likely closing in on the end of a solid career for a 10th round pick who broke into the NHL with the Nashville Predators and after eight seasons with them spent seven seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers before being traded to the Chicago Blackhawks in the 8th season with the Flyers where he did play for them. Timonen has scored over 40 points 8 times in his 16 seasons and over 30 points 12 times making his a very consistent point producer from the blue line. His 571 points in 1108 regular season games are very respectable numbers. His diminishing role and health will likely lead to his retirement this summer, although he might see if he can latch on for one more season. He has played in five All Star Games. Internationally with Finland he’s won medals at four Olympics with Bronze in 1998, 2010 and 2014 along with Silver in 2006. He has also won Silver at World Championships in 1998, 1999 and 2001. – hockeydb.com profile link

1992 Draft Class (1 Player Currently Active)

D Sergei Gonchar – Drafted 14th overall by the Washington Capitals – Born: 1974 – First NHL Season: 1994-95 – Played 2014-15 Season with the Dallas Stars before being traded to the Montreal Canadiens for Travis Moen. Gonchar’s offensive pace has slowed significantly from his hay day only putting up 14 points in 48 games this season. He is currently the all time point leader among active NHL defencemen with 811 regular season points in 1301 games and sits in 17th place when retired defenceman are included 12 points behind Red Kelly for 16th, 16 points behind Doug Wilson for 15th and 33 behind Gary Suter for 14th. If Gonchar who is currently an Unrestricted Free Agent finds a NHL team next year climbing up to 15th on the list wouldn’t be out of the question. He’d need another 2 solid seasons to likely reach Suter, which is doubtful. In his prime Gonchar was one of the best point producing Defenceman the games has seen and a force on the powerplay putting up 50 or more point seasons 8 times in his 20 year career and over 40 points 10 times. He topped out at 67 points twice. His career has saw him star with the Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins and also put in solid years with the Ottawa Senators before slowing down with the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens. He won a Stanley Cup in 2009 with the Penguins. Internationally Gonchar has brought home Olympic medals twice with Russia a Silver in 1998 and Bronze in 2002. He also has a Bronze at the 2007 World Championships followed by a Silver in 2010. – hockeydb.com profile link

1991 Draft Class (0 Player Currently Active)

1990 Draft Class (2 Players – 1 Currently Active, 1 Retired Mid Season)

RW Jaromir Jagr – Drafted 5th overall by the Pittsburgh Penguins – Born: 1973 – First NHL Season: 1990-01 – Started 2014-15 Season with the New Jersey Devils and finished with the Florida Panthers putting up 29 points in 57 games with the Devils and really came on strong after the trade to the Panthers with 18 points in 20 games. He signed a 1 year contract extention with the Panthers in April. Jagr is a veteran of 21 NHL seasons and would likely be approaching some of the all time scoring records had he not spent a three year hiatus from the NHL playing in the KHL for Omsk Avangard combined with the various lockouts throughout his career. He’s played for 8 different NHL teams to date the Pittsburgh Penguins, Washington Capitals, New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, New Jersey Devils and Florida Panthers. He is currently fourth on the all time points list with 1802, If he plays 2 more seasons there is a good chance he will retire second, only 48 back of Gordie Howe for 3rd and 85 back of Mark Messier for 2nd. On the all time goals list with 722 he’s 5th and only 9 away from catching Marcel Dionne for 4th all time and 19 of off Brett Hull’s 3rd place total of 741, where he’ll probably finish as Gordie Howe’s 801 or Gretzky’s 894 seam to be out of reach. He’s 5th all time in NHL playoff points with 199 in 202 games and being 15 back of Glenn Anderson it’s doubtful he’ll pass him unless he makes it to the playoff the next 2 years and puts up decent numbers. How dominant was Jaromir Jagr over his career you ask? From 1981 to 2001 only two other players won the Art Ross as the leagues top scorer Wayne Gretzky and Jagr’s former teammate Mario Lemieux. Jagr’s 5 Scoring Championships were in 1995 and then 4 straight years from 1998 to 2001. He raised the Stanley Cup with the Penguins twice in 1991 and 1992 and has won numerous other honours throughout his career. Internationally with the Czech Republic he has won gold at the 1998 Olympic Games and Bronze at the 2006 Olympic Games to go with numerous other medals at World Championships and other international events. When he decides to retire he will go down as one of the greats point producers of all time, who with his ability to control the puck and keep it away from players with his size to help create and finish plays being one of his greatest assets. – hockeydb.com profile link
G Martin Brodeur – Drafted 20th Overall by the New Jersey Devils – Born: 1972 – First NHL Season: 1991-92 – Played part of 2014-15 season with St. Louis Blues getting in 7 games with a 3-3 record, 2.87 GAA and .899 Save % before retiring when the teams other goaltenders Jake Allen and Brian Elliot where both available. Had spent 21 seasons with the New Jersey Devils winning 3 Stanley Cups in 1995, 2000 and 2003 before playing his 22nd and final season as a fill in with the St. Louis Blues. Throughout his career he was won the Calder for Rookie of the Year, Vezina as Best Goaltender of the year four times and Jennings for having the least team goals against in the league for a year five times. Internationally he has helped Canada win Olympic Gold twice in 2002 and 2010 along with winning silver twice at the World Championships in 1996 and 2005. He also holds down a good amount of the all time goaltending records with 691 regular season wins, 125 regular season shutouts and more, for the full list click here. Broduer will be recognized as one of the greatest goaltenders off all time and has recently signed on to become the assisiant general manager of the St. Louis Blues – Story Link. – hockeydb.com profile link

AHL’s Western Shift, the new Pacific Divison

Posted on February 5, 2015 by Jessegill3

As many hockey fans already know there will be five American Hockey League teams making California home next year to create a new Pacific Division in the AHL. The NHL’s Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks will all have their AHL affiliates moving West to California for the 2015-2016 Season, significantly reducing the travel time for their call ups and allowing them to keep a closer eye on their prospects. I’ll be taking a look at some of the benefits the move will make for each of the teams affiliates.

Calgary Flames

The Calgary Flames who will take the Adirondack Flames from Glens Falls, New York a city of 14,700 (2010 Census) with a metro region of only 128,774 (2009 Estimate) to the significantly bigger market of Stockton, California a city with 300,899 people and 710,731 in their metro according to 2014 estimates. We’ll start our overview with the market the Flames are abandoning after just one season, Glen Falls, which has a fairly long history of minor professional hockey since the doors opened on the 4,794 seat Glen Falls Civic Center in 1979, that same season the Adirondack Red Wings, the former farm team of Detroit Red Wings played their first of 20 season before suspending operation in 1999 and later becoming the San Antonio Rampage in 2002, the Florida Panthers AHL affiliate.

An United Hockey League team served the market from 2000-2006 first named the Adirondack IceHawks and later renamed the Adirondack Frostbite after being purchased by former Los Angeles Kings head coach Barry Melrose and ESPN sportscenter Anchor Steve Levy.

The AHL returned to the market in 2009 when the Philidalphia Flyers moved their farm team out of their own city to Adirondack retaining the Phantoms moniker there until 2014 when they moved to nearby Allenstown, Pennsylvania to play at the newly built 8,447 PPL Center as the Leigh Valley Phantom.

After the Flames sole AHL season in Adirondack raps up, the ECHL’s Stockton Thunder will relocate to Adirondack after the Flames finalized their purchase of the team to be their ECHL affiliate. The Thunder have played in Stockton since 2005 after moving from Atlantic City. The Thunder were currently affiliated with the New York Islanders after former partnerships with the San Jose Sharks, and Flames fans will love this one, the Edmonton Oilers on multiple occasions.

The 9,737 waterfront Stockton Arena has been home to the Thunder since part way through their first season in 2005 which they played in front of an average of 6343 fans leading the ECHL that season. Their average attendance peaked the following season at 6780 and has dropped off ever since hovering over 4400 this season which is still among the league average. The Thunder still drew significantly more in a lower league than the just shy of 3600 the Adirondack Flames have averaged at the gate to this point of the season. I would anticipate the new Stockton AHL team may return to the earlier attendance numbers their ECHL team drew and will probably average closer to 7000 or more with a higher level product on the ice, making it a very profitable move for the Flames. This combined with the fact that Stockton is close to half the travel distance of Adirondack. Obviously connecting flights are likely with travel from smaller markets, but at 994 direct flight miles (1600km) from Stockton to Calgary compared to the 1960 direct flight miles (3155km) from Adirondack it will make it significantly easier and more cost effective when bringing minor leaguers up to the NHL. I can see the Flames happy with their main farm team in Stockton for years to come after previous stops in Adirondack, Abbotsford, Quad City (Moline), Omaha, Lowell, Saint John, Salt Lake, Moncton, Denver, Oklahoma City and Birmingham since 1980.

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers are moving their farm team the shortest distance of the five teams ending up in California. After a five year stint in Oklahoma City, the Barons will move 1221 miles away (1965km) and make Bakersfield, California their new home for the 2015-16 AHL Season. The move shouldn’t be a huge shock either with average attendance for the Barons highest in their first season at only 4155 at the 13,399 seat Cox Convention Center which opened back in 1972. Those totals have been in a decline ever since with a small rebound this season from last, averaging just under 3500 so far this season. The Oilers will be the only one of the five organizations moving their farm team to a smaller center with Oklahoma City having 610,613 in the city and a metro population of 1,319,677 compared to Bakersfield at 363,630 in the city and 839,631 in the metro, all 2013 estimates. It appears that having the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder consistently selling out the 18,203 seat Chesapeake Energy Arena and dominating the local sports page along with having the Thunders NBA D-League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue move into the Cox Convention Center this season has left the Barons in a situation where there is too much competition for the cities entertainment dollars with already poor attendance. They shouldn’t have that same problem in Bakersfield with the city being far enough north of the major sports teams in Los Angeles and only having a NBA D-League team of their own the Bakersfield Jam which will hardly compete for crowds as they choose to play out of the Dignity Health Event Center which only seats 500 as a cost saving measure. The Jam do consistently sell out, leaving lots of room for the new Bakersfield AHL team to grow on the steady attendance numbers the ECHL Bakersfield Condors have been able to put up as the main tenant at the 8,800 seat Rabobank Arena which opened in 1998. The Condors have average anywhere from 4513 in 2003-04 to 5848 in 2006-07 and just under 4800 this season. It would be safe to assume that with a more competitive AHL product the Oilers farm team should be able to hit numbers a lot closer to capacity at Rabobank Arena, probably closer to the 7000 mark, which would put them near the top of the league, significantly stronger attendance than their time in Oklahoma City. The travel distances for prospects to get to Edmonton from the farm team will be a little shorter with the team saving 999 miles (1608km) in flight distance with the move. The Oilers have had quite a few other minor league affiliates since 1979 including Houston, Wichita, Moncton, Nova Scotia (Halifax), Cape Breton, Kansas City, Hamilton, Iowa, and Springfield. The Bakersfield Condors will continue on in a new city, relocating the ECHL team to Norfolk after the Ducks move their AHL team from Norfolk to San Diego. The move to Bakersfield should be a definite win for the Oilers organization and a profitable one compared to Oklahoma City.

San Jose Sharks

The San Jose Sharks will be the only NHL team to share the same arena with their AHL team next season when the Worcester Sharks moves from Massachusetts to California. The Sharks will be able to keep a very close eye on their prospects while sharing their arena and training facilities with them and call ups will be nothing more than a paper transaction. If another hockey team isn’t found for Worcester there will be a lot of empty seats in the 12,239 seat DCU Center which opened back in 1982 and doesn’t have another major tenant. This should be an ideal spot for another ECHL or even another relocation of an AHL team down the road with 182,544 in the city and 923,672 in the metro area. It’s not expected the city will have a team next fall, but it’s likely the will end up with a team by the 2016-17 season. Despite having a solid sized arena the attendance was lacking for the AHL Sharks in Worcester filling only 28-38% of the seats as their annual average attendance from 2006 until now. The peak was a mere 4602 their first season, dipping to under 3400 this season. Worcester has been home to an AHL team since the IceCats who were affiliated with the St. Louis Blues and New York Islanders first played in 2004 before moving to Peoria in 2005 and later Utica in 2013 as the Vancouver Canucks farm team. The IceCats had slightly better attendance numbers over the years with a peak average of 6800 and low point of 4391 over their time in Worcester, so there has been steady support in the market over the years all be it not what it could have been, since 6800 is still only 56% of capacity. Not having the farm team a 2645 Mile flight (4257km) away is going to be a huge change for sure. The 17,562 SAP Center is always near capacity for Sharks games, but if will be hard to say how the San Jose market will embrace the minor league team. Sharing the same rink may work, but I think it would be smart to look outside of San Jose who as of 2014 Estimates had 1,000,536 people in the city and 1,975,342 in the Metro and see if they can capitalize on strengthening the Sharks brand throughout the San Francisco-San Jose-Oakland area which has a 8,469,854 combined area population in that same 2014 estimate. It may be significantly cheaper to keep the team playing in the Sharks home area, and even though teams have failed in the past in both Oakland and San Francisco, some home dates for the AHL team at the same 11,089 seat Cow Palace just south of San Francisco in Daly City where the Sharks played their first two season, and a few more games at the 17,200 seat Oracle Arena in Oakland could lead to a better permanent spot for their AHL club. That’s just my food for though on it as I think moving the minor league team into the northern cities can only benefit the Sharks exposure through the region. The Sharks have spent a decent amount of time in each of their former affiliate cities spending at least five years in each of Kansas City, Kentucky and Cleveland before spending nine in Worcester. The real winner in this move will be fans in San Jose who have a harder time either getting their hands on or possible being able to afford tickets to the Sharks games, giving them the cheaper option of watching their minor league affiliate. It’s doubtful it will impact the Sharks nightly attendance.

Los Angeles Kings

The Los Angeles Kings are bringing their farm team back to the greater Los Angeles Area out to the suburb of Ontario, California which is home to 167,500 as of a 2013 estimate, but more importantly on the outskirts of the 18,081,569 estimated 2011 population of the Los Angeles Metro Region. Fan support has been no problem in Ontario for the Reign over their time in the ECHL having topped the league in attendance five of their seven seasons and ending up in second the other two years. Their average of 6929 over those seasons is very impressive by ECHL standards and last seasons 8158 average should be easily attainable with an AHL team. It wouldn’t be a stretch to expect the Reign to regularly sell out the 9,736 seat Citizen Business Arena which opened in 2008. Keeping a close eye on their farm team and making call ups will be very easy for the Kings with it now being about 37 miles (60 km) away compared to the 2578 miles (4149 km) in the air to Manchester, New Hampshire. The Reign were the ECHL affiliate for both the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings and the Winnipeg Jets, they will carry on as an ECHL affiliate as the Manchester Monarchs, with the AHL’s Monarchs adopting the Reign moniker in Ontario. Over 14 AHL seasons in Manchester the Monarchs averaged 6963 fans, however, they haven’t had more than a 5900 average since 2007-08. Their highest numbers were in 2003-04 with a 9140 average, but the decline in fan support over the past few years made the move that much easier for the Kings organization to make. Manchester’s Verizon Wireless Arena built in 2001 does have a few more seats than Citizen Bank Arena with 9852, but it’s unlikely the ECHL team will fill that to capacity very often. Since 1967 the Kings have had 16 other farm teams located in 13 different cites Springfield (4 times), Denver, Seattle, Porland (Oregon), Salt Lake, Fort Worth, Binghamton, Houston, New Haven, Phoenix, Fredricton, Long Beack, and Lowell. The move to Ontario, California is a huge win for the Kings organization.

Anaheim Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks farm team will move back to the same city that hosted their first minor league affiliate, a short 96 mile (155km) drive south to San Diego, California, where the IHL’s San Diego Gulls served as the Ducks farm team from 1993-95. The ability to monitor their players and make quick call ups will be significantly easier than from their current affiliate in Norfolk, Virginia which is 2331 miles (3751km) away by air. According to the Ducks website, the new team name, logo and colors will be announced at an event they will host to celebrate the team’s arrival called San Diego’s Hockeyfest. San Diego is one of the large US markets that doesn’t currently have any professional hockey in it, but has had a long history of ice hockey teams playing in several leagues including the WHA, IHL, WCHL, ECHL, WHL and PCHL. San Diego even had a Roller Hockey team from 1993-1996 playing in the RHI. The last Professional ice hockey team to lace up in San Diego was 2006 when the Gulls team folded after being unprofitable despite average attendance of 5821 in their final season, good enough for third best in the 25 team league. The highest season attendance average of any San Diego ice hockey team is held by the IHL Gulls during the 1992-1993 season where they averaged 7728. One would hope that the new AHL team in San Diego should be able to draw closer to 8000 or more in the 12,920 seat Valley View Casino Center which has hosted the cities hockey teams since it opened in 1966. San Diego has 1,435,895 people in the city and 3,095,313 in the Metro according to 2014 estimates, so there is no lack of potential draw for the team despite having the NFL’s Chargers and MLB’s Padres, two professional sports teams to compete with in San Diego. The situation was different with no major sports teams in Norfolk which has 246,392 in the city and 1,672,319 in the metro making for a viable argument that it’s a comparable market for entertainment dollars for an AHL team. However, over 15 years in Norfolk and only 3 of which were as the Ducks farm team the Admirals average attendance was only 4519, with a low of 3855 in 2009-10 and a high of 5451 in 2012-2013. All of the Admirals games were played at the Norfolk Scope which opened in 1971 and seats 8701. The fact that the Gulls through their 15 years in the IHL, WCHL and ECHL averaged 6087 fans from 1991-2006 and never averaged lower than 4591 which is still higher than the Admirals average over their 15 years, drills home the fact that San Diego is a more viable AHL market than Norfolk. The Ducks since 1993 have also had previous affiliations with Baltimore, Cincinnati, Portland (Maine), Iowa and Syracuse. Norfolk won’t be left without a team in their market as the Bakersfield Condors will be relocating their ECHL after the Oilers set up their AHL team in the city. It will be great to see San Diego get a pro hockey team back after a 9 year hiatus, and if the support is strong enough I feel it could set the city up as a viable expansion option down the road.

Related Articles and Links for all 5 teams

Former and Current NHLers playing overseas in 2013-14.

Posted on May 2, 2014 by Jessegill3

Click here to follow the link to the information I shared on larry-fisher.com showing all former and current NHLers who played in Europe in 2013-14. I may have missed one or two and if you find any please let us know so we can make it as complete as possible.

First Round NHL Playoffs Predictions (and expectation for the rest)

Posted on April 15, 2014 by Jessegill3

Below you will find what I feel is going to happen in the NHL playoffs. There are lots of close match ups so it should be interesting to see how many come true and which ones I look foolish on.

Western Conference

(1st Central) Colorado Avalanche (52-22-8-112 PTS, 250 GF, 220 GA, +30) vs. (Wild Card 2) Minnesota Wild (43-27-12-98 PTS, 207 GF, 206 GA, +1)

Prediction: Avalanche in 5. The Avs finished the season 7-1-2 asnd I don’t see them slowing down against the Wild. Minnesota has a good squad, but the Avs under Patrick Roy have been a force to be reckoned with this year to finish first in arguably the top divison in the league over contending teams like St. Louis and last years champs the Chicago Blackhawks.
Season Series: 3-0-1 Avalanche, 1-3-1 Wild
Goaltending: Colorado has the edge in the the battle of Russian netminders, Simeon Varlamov vs. Ilya Bryzgalov. Varlamov has been solid all year and Byzgalov has been good since coming to the Wild, but I can’t see him taking them past the Avs in the first round. I don’t see Niklas Backstrom or Josh Harding coming of the injured reserve before this one is done either. Darcy Kuemper offers the Wild another option should Bryzgalov falter.
Forwards: Colorado has a slight edge with Matt Duchene, Gabriel Landeskog, Ryan O’Reilly, Nathan MacKinnon and Paul Stastny vs. Jason Pominville, Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu, Matt Moulson, Mikael Granlund and Dany Heatley who has been less than stellar this season with only 28 points in 76 games.
Defence: Minnesota has a slight edge with Ryan Suter anchoring the D but not by a lot. The Avs do have quality on the point and Erik Johnson will be relied upon heavily. Tyson Barrie is an Avs Dman that could also see increased ice time leading the teams D with a +17 in the regular season.
Powerplay: Colorado 19.8% (4th) vs. Minnesota 17.9% (15th)
Penalty Kill: Colorado 80.7% (24th) vs. Minnesota 78.8% (27th)

(1st Pacific – 1st Western Confernce) Anaheim Ducks (54-20-8-116 PTS, 266 GF, 209 GA, +57) vs. (Wild Card 1) Dallas Stars (40-31-11-91 PTS, 235 GF, 228 GA, +7)

Prediction: Ducks in 4. Okay maybe the Stars will steal a game, but honestly the Ducks are going to roll through this one. They have way too strong of a team and will be rallying to win one for Teemu Selanne who is set to retire. As the top team in the West they should be expected to make it to the final and potentially win the Stanley cup.
Season Series: 2-1 Stars, 1-2 Ducks
Goaltending: Anaheim has the slight edge, but not by much. Having 3 solid options in John Gibson, Frederik Andersen and Jonas Hiller against 2 solid options for Dallas in Kari Lehtonen and Tim Thomas means both teams won’t have to worry about changing their netminder should any falter early. The Ducks Gibson played 3 games for the Ducks near the end of the season posting a perfect 3-0 record with a 1.33 GAA and a .954 Save percentage with 1 shutout. It might seem odd to use a 20 year old goaltender in the playoffs when you have 2 other goalies with GAA under 2.5 and both with over 20 wins, but don’t be suprised if it happens.
Forwards: Anaheim because they have the more established Ryan Getlaf and Corey Perry leading the way compared to Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn in Dallas. All four are elite NHLers should provide much of the offence in the series. The Ducks Teemu Selanne should also be motivated in his final NHL Playoffs.
Defence: Anaheim again with Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm and Francois Beauchemin a step above a grouping that highlights Alex Goligoski, Trevor Daley and Sergei Gonchar.
Powerplay: Anaheim 16% (22nd) vs. Dallas 15.9% (23rd)
Penalty Kill: Anaheim 82.2% (13th) vs. Dallas 81.4% (21st)

(2nd Central) St. Louis Blues (52-23-7-111 PTS, 248 GF, 191 GA, +57) vs. (3rd Central) Chicago Blackhawks (46-21-15-107 PTS, 267 GF, 220 GA, +47)

Prediction: Blackhawks in 7. This one could go either way, these teams are both contenders. I am giving the defending Champs the edge, and with Patrick Kane back they will be tough to beat. St. Louis does have Ryan Miller between the pipes and he will have to be on his game for the Blues to win this series. The Blues also hold the special teams advantage, so if the Hawks end up in the penatly box the Blues will also more likely win.
Season Series: 3-2-0 Blues, 2-1-2 Blackhawks
Goaltending: Advantage St. Louis – Ryan Miller is a little bit better than Corey Crawford, but not significantly.
Forwards: Chicago – Patrick Sharp, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa are a more established group and a definite step up from Alex Steen, T.J. Oshie, David Backes and Jaden Schwartz
Defence: This one is a draw with Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Nick Leddy, Niklas Hjalmarsson leading the way for Chicago and Alex Pietrangelo, Kevin Shattenkirk, Jay Bouwmeester and Barret Jackman the core group for St. Louis.
Powerplay: St. Louis 19.8% (7th) vs. Chicago 19.5% (9th)
Penalty Kill: St. Louis 85.7% (2nd) vs. Chicago 81.5% (19th)

(2nd Pacific) San Jose Sharks (51-22-7-111 PTS, 249 GF, 200 GA, +49) vs. (3rd Pacific) Los Angeles Kings (46-28-8-100 PTS, 206 GF, 174 GA, +32)

Prediction: Sharks in 6. Even though I am tipping my hat to the Kings for Goaltending and D. The Sharks are strong on special teams and put up alot more offense than the team with the NHL’s lowest goals against in the Kings, which gives the Sharks a slight edge even if the Kings won the season series. I also think the Sharks are due for a solid playoff run.
Season Series: 3-1-1 Kings, 2-2-1 Sharks
Goaltending: Kings – Niemi is good, but Quick is a bit better. They both do have Stanley Cups to their credit also.
Forwards: Sharks – The Sharks but not by much. I’ll take Pavelski, Thornton, Marleau, Couture and Burns over Kopitar, Carter, Williams, Richards, Gaborik and Brown. Some may disagree.
Defence: Kings – Doughty, Voynov, Regehr and the rest of the Kings D make any goaltender look decent so I give them the advantage over another solid group that includes Boyle, Demers and Vlacic.
Powerplay: Sharks 17.2% (19th) vs. Kings 15.1% (27th)
Penalty Kill: Sharks 84.9% (7th) vs. Kings 83.1% (11th)

Eastern Conference
(1st Atlantic – 1st Eastern Confernce – 1st NHL) Boston Bruins (54-19-9-117 PTS, 261 GF, 177 GA +84) vs. (Wild Card 2) Detroit Red Wings (39-28-15-93 PTS, 222 GF, 230 GA, -8)

Prediction: Bruins in 5. I don’t see the Red Wings giving the Bruins a lot of trouble. The Bruins have a 92 goal better differencial this year, and despite there being a lot of people in the sports world who actually think the Red Wings have a chance, I think they will be terribly mistaken. The Bruins are the best team in the NHL this year and the odds makers have them as the favourite to win the cup, as much as I don’t like to say this being a Leafs fan, but they are the team to beat this year. I could care less that the Red Wings won the season series this is playoff time.
Season Series: 3-1 Red Wings, 1-3 Bruins
Goaltending: Bruins get this with Tukka Rask over Jimmy Howard in a landslide. Howard isn’t bad. Rask is just that damn good. Leafs fans can thank John Ferguson Jr. for trading the franchise goalie away for a season and a half of Andrew Raycroft. It’s enough to make we want to cry myself to sleep.
Forwards: Bruins by a little bit, David Krejci, Patrice Bergeron, Jerome Iginla, Milan Lucic and Brad Marchand are all know playoff performers. Second year players Reilly Smith and Carl Soderberg have also been impressive this season. Reilly Smith should be pumped to play against his brother Brendan on the Bruins. Loui Eriksson not as much as expected, but he could turn things up in the playoffs. The Red Wings still boast a pretty impressive squad up front with Henrik Zetterberg (Recovering and likely missing first few games), Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, and of course Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar have been very impressive since being called up from Grand Rapids. Nyquist so much so that he lead the team in goals with 28 in only 57 games.
Defence: Bruins get the edge here with Zdeno Chara, Johnny Boychuk, Dennis Seidenberg, Andrej Meszaros, Matt Bartkoswki, Dougie Hamiltonand the offensively gifted Torey Krug. The Red Wings are fairly solid as well with Niklas Kronwall, Danny DeKeyser, Jakub Kindl, Kyle Quincy, and Brendan Smith who will no doubt be motivated to shut down his brother Reilly and the Bruins.
Powerplay: Bruins 21.7% (3rd) vs. Red Wings 17.7% (18th)
Penalty Kill: Bruins 83.7% (8th) vs. Red Wings 83.1% (12th)

(1st Metropolitan) Pittsburgh Penguins (51-24-7-109 PTS, 249 GF, 207 GA, +42) vs. (Wild Card 1) Columbus Blue Jackets (43-32-7-93 PTS, 231 GF, 216 GA, +15)

Prediction: Penguins in 5. I can see the Blue Jackets stealing one game. The didn’t beat the Penguins once during the regular season.
Season Series: 5-0 Penguins, 0-5 Blue Jackets
Goaltending: Blue Jackets by a litte bit. Bobrovsky last years Vezina winner is a little better than Fleury but I wouldn’t say significantly.
Forwards: Penguins with Crosby leading the way as Malkin still appears to be on the shelf for this series with a foot injury. The supporting cast of Kunitz, Neal, Jokinen and Stempniak should give the Blue Jackets more than enough to handle. The Blue Jackets are lead by Ryan Johansen and Brandon Dubinsky, and playoff verteran Nathan Horton will be out with an Abdominal Injury after only skating in 36 games after coming back from a Shoulder injury in Januray.
Defence: The Penguins are a little more solid in this category with Letang back in the lineup, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Niskanen and rookie standout Olli Maata stacking up nicely against the Blue Jackets James Wisniewski, Jack Johnson, Fedor Tyutin and company.
Powerplay: Penguins 23.4% (1st) vs. Blue Jackets 19.3% (11th)
Penalty Kill: Penguins 85% (5th) vs. Blue Jackets 82.1% (15th)

(2nd Atlantic) Tampa Bay Lightning (46-27-9-101 PTS, 240 GF, 215 GA, +35) v (3rd Atlantic) Montreal Canadiens (46-28-8, 100PTS, 215 GF, 204 GA, +11)

Prediction: Canadiens in 7. Really this series is a toss up. I think Montreal will win on the strength of Carey Price and recently aquired Tomas Vanek. I wouldn’t be shocked if Steven Stamkos and company came out on top either. This is a series that’s should go at least 6 or 7 games.
Season Series: 3-0-1 Lightning, 1-1-2 Canadiens
Goaltending: Honestly I want to give this one to Montreal because I think Carey Price is without a doubt an elite goaltender, but if Ben Bishop comes back for the Lightning it is a very even match up leaving me to call this one a draw. Both teams have decent secondary options with the Canadiens having Peter Budaj, Dustin Tokarski and even veteran Devan Dubnyk available. The Lightning counter with Andres Lindback and Latvian Olympic standout Kristers Gudlevskis who had an impressive 38 save win in his first start.
Forwards: The Canadiens, by a small margin with Thomas Vanek, Max Pacioretty, David Desharnais, Tomas Plekanec, Brendan Gallagher, Brian Gionta, Alex Galchenyuk, Lars Eller and solid playoff performer Daniel Briere stacking up nicely against the Lightning who will rely on superstar and the top sniper in the league when he plays a full season Steven Stamkos and he’ll look for Ondrej Palat, Valtteri Filppula, Tyler Johnson, Teddy Purcell, Alex Killorn and former Rangers Captain Ryan Callahan to add needed secondary scoring.
Defence: The Canadiens take this category as well but not by much. It will be a battle of P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov against Victor Hedman who had a breakout offensive year and Matthew Carle who both teams relied on heavily during the regular season.
Powerplay: Lightning 18.5% (14th) vs. Canadiens 17.2% (20th)
Penalty Kill: Lightning 80.7% (23rd) vs. Canadiens 85.1% (4th)

(2nd Metropolitan) New York Rangers (45-31-6-96 PTS, 218 GF, 193 GA, +25) v (3rd Metropolitan) Philadelphia Flyers (42-30-10, 94 PTS, 236 GF, 235 GA, +1)

Prediction: Rangers in 7. This one should be close but I don’t expect a strong defensive squad like the Rangers to drop a series to the Flyers.
Season Series: 2-2 Rangers, 2-2 Flyers
Goaltending: Rangers win this as King Henrik Lundqvist and Cam Talbot are a stronger tandem then Steve Mason and Ray Emery and the Rangers only let in a league’s 4th best 193 goals compared to the Flyers 235 during the season.
Forwards: I’ll call this one a draw with the Rangers bringing Marty St. Louis, Mats Zuccarello, Derek Stepan, Brad Richards, Derick Brassard, Rick Nash, Chris Kreider, Carl Haglin and company up against the Flyers Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Scott Hartnell, Brayden Schenn, Matt Read, Vinny Lecavalier, and company. The most interesting will be the story line of former longer term linemates St. Louis and Lecavalier squaring off against each other in the playoffs for the first time in the first season apart from a Tampa Bay Lightning team they won a Stanley Cup for 10 years ago.
Defence: The Rangers get the nod in this one also but not by a wide margin. Ryan McDonagh, Dan Giradi, Marc Staal and crew have been solid all year and should continue to provide excellent support for their goaltenders. The Flyers also have a solid group of defenders in Mark Streit, Kimmo Timonen, Andrew MacDonald, Braydon Coburn, Nicklas Grossman and Luke Schenn.
Powerplay: Rangers 18.2% (15th) vs. Flyers 19.7% (8th)
Penalty Kill: Rangers 85.3% (3rd) vs. Flyers 84.8% (7th)

Predictions for the rest of the way – I will still post 2nd round predictions. I just figured I’d make an early prediction based on my first round picks coming true.

West Quarter Final – Round 2 – Avalanche vs. Blackhawks – Blackhawks in 7 / Ducks vs. Sharks – Ducks in 6
East Quarter Final – Round 2 – Bruins vs. Canadiens – Bruins in 6 / Penguins vs. Rangers – Penguins in 7

West Final – Round 3 – Ducks vs. Blackhawks – Ducks in 6
East Final – Round 3 – Bruins vs. Penguins – Bruins in 6

Stanley Cup Final – Round 4 – Ducks vs. Bruins – Ducks in 7

NHL Trade Deadline – Breakdown

Posted on March 5, 2014 by Jessegill3

NHL Trade Deadline Trades (since February 28th,2014)

65 Players traded, 36 Draft Picks, 33 Total Trades with 27 of 30 Teams in on the action. The San Jose Sharks, Toronto Maple Leafs and the Winnipeg Jets where the only 3 teams not to make a deal.

Anaheim Ducks

IN – D Stephane Robidas, F Andre Petersson, 5th Round Pick (2014), 3rd Round Pick (2015), 4th Round Pick (2014)

OUT – G Viktor Fasth, F Dustin Penner, D Alex Grant, Conditional 4^th Round Pick (2014)

Boston Bruins

IN – D Andrej Meszaros

OUT – 3rd Round Pick

Buffalo Sabres

IN – G Michal Neuvirth, D Rostislav Klesla, F Chris Stewart, F William Carrier, F Hudson Fasching, D Nicolas Deslauriers, 1st Round Pick (2015), 2nd Rouck Pick (2014), 2nd Round Pick (2016), Conditional 3rd Round Pick (2016),

OUT – G Ryan Miller, F Steve Ott, F Matt Moulson, F Cody McCormick, F Brayden McNabb, F Jonathan Parker, 2nd Round Pick (2014), 2nd Round Pick (2015), 3rd Round Pick (2015)

Calgary Flames

IN – 3rd round pick, 2nd Round Pick (2014)

OUT – F Lee Stempniak, G Reto Berra

Carolina Hurricanes

IN – F Andrei Loktionov, Conditional 3rd Round Pick (2017)

OUT – F Tuomo Ruutu

Chicago Blackhawks

IN – D David Rundblad, D Mathieu Brisebois, 3rd Round Pick (2014), 5th Round Pick (2016)

OUT – F Brandon Pirri, 2nd Round Pick (2014)

Colorado Avalanche

IN – G Reto Berra

OUT – 2nd Round Pick (2014)

Columbus Blue Jackets

IN – F Dana Tyrell, D Matt Taormina, D Nick Schultz, F Matt Frattin, 2nd Round Pick, Conditional 3rd Round Pick, Conditional 7th Round Pick (2016)

OUT – F Marian Gaborik, F Jonathan Marchessault, F Dalton Smith, F James Livingston, 5th Round Pick

Dallas Stars

IN – G Tim Thomas, Conditional 4th Round Pick (2014)

OUT – G Dan Ellis, D Stephane Robidas

Detroit Red Wings

IN – F David Legwand

OUT – F Patrick Eaves, F Calle Jarnkrok, 3rd Round Pick

Edmonton Oilers

IN – G Viktor Fasth, 4th Round Pick (2014), 5th Round Pick, 5th Round Pick (2015), 3rd Round Pick (2015)

OUT – G Ilya Bryzgalov, D Nick Schultz, F Ales Hemsky, 5th Round Pick (2014), 3rd Round Pick (2015)

Florida Panthers

IN – G Roberto Luongo, G Dan Ellis, F Steven Anthony, F Brandon Pirri, F Mark Mancari, 5th Round Pick (2015), 5th Round Pick (2014), 3rd Round Pick (2015)

OUT – G Jacob Markstrom, G Tim Thomas, F Shawn Matthias, F Marcel Goc, F Eric Selleck, 3rd Round Pick (2014), 5th Round Pick (2016)

Los Angeles Kings

IN – F Marian Gaborik, F Brayden McNabb, F Jonathan Parker, F James Livingston, 2nd Round Pick (2014), 2nd Round Pick (2015)

OUT – F Matt Frattin, F Hudson Fasching, D Nicolas Deslauriers, 2nd Round Pick, Conditional 3rd Round Pick, Conditional 7th Round Pick (2016)

Minnesota Wild

IN – G Ilya Bryzgalov, F Matt Moulson, F Cody McCormick

OUT – 2nd Rouck Pick (2014), 2nd Round Pick (2016), 4th Round Pick (2013)

Montreal Canadiens

IN – F Thomas Vanek, D Mike Weaver, G Devan Dubnyk, Conditional 5th Round Pick (2014)

OUT – F Sebastian Collberg, Conditional 2nd Round Pick (2014), 5th Round Pick (2015), Future Considerations

Nashville Predators

IN – F Patrick Eaves, F Calle Jarnkrok, 3rd Round Pick, Future Considerations

OUT – F David Legwand, G Devan Dubnyk

New Jersey Devils

IN – F Tuomo Ruutu

OUT – F Andrei Loktionov, Conditional 3rd Round Pick (2017)

New York Islanders

IN – F Sebastian Collberg, F Matt Mangene, 3rd Round Pick (2014), 2nd Round Pick (2015), Conditional 2nd Round Pick (2014)

OUT – D Andrew MacDonald, F Thomas Vanek, Conditional 5th Round Pick (2014)

New York Rangers

IN – D Raphael Diaz, F Martin St. Louis

OUT – F Ryan Callahan, 1st Round Pick (2015), Conditional 2nd Round Pick (2014), 5th Round Pick

Ottawa Senators

IN – D Patrick Mullen, D Alex Grant, F Ales Hemsky

OUT – F Jeff Costello, F Andre Petersson, 5th Round Pick (2015), 3rd Round Pick (2015)

Phoenix Coyotes

IN – F Martin Erat, F John Mitchell, 2nd Round Pick (2014)

OUT – D David Rundblad, D Mathieu Brisebois, F Chris Brown, D D Rostislav Klesla, 4nd Round Pick (2015)

Philadelphia Flyers

IN – D Andrew MacDonald, 3rd Round Pick

OUT – D Andrej Meszaros, F Matt Mangene, 3rd Round Pick (2014), 2nd Round Pick (2015)

Pittsburgh Penguins

IN – F Lee Stempniak, F Marcel Goc

OUT – 3rd round pick, 5th Round Pick (2014), 3rd Round Pick (2015)

San Jose Sharks

IN – None

OUT – None

St. Louis Blues

IN – G Ryan Miller, F Steve Ott, F Eric Selleck

OUT – G Jaroslav Halak, F Chris Stewart, F William Carrier, F Mark Mancari 1st Round Pick (2015), Conditional 3rd Round Pick (2016)

Tampa Bay Lightning

IN – F Ryan Callahan, F Jonathan Marchessault, F Dalton Smith, 1st Round Pick (2015), Conditional 2nd Round Pick (2014)

OUT – F Martin St. Louis, F Dana Tyrell, D Matt Taormina

Toronto Maple Leafs

IN – None

OUT – None

Washington Capitals

IN – F Dustin Penner, D Rostislav Klesla, F Chris Brown, G Jaroslav Halak, 3rd Round Pick (2015), 4nd Round Pick (2015)

OUT – G Michal Neuvirth, F Martin Erat, F John Mitchell, 4th Round Pick (2014)

Vancouver Canucks

IN – G Jacob Markstrom, F Shawn Matthias, F Jeff Costello, 5th Round Pick

OUT – G Roberto Luongo, F Steven Anthony, F Raphael Diaz

Winnipeg Jets

IN – None

OUT – None

A look at the Professional Sports Landscape in North America

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Jessegill3

This page takes a look at which markets professional sports team in the NHL, NBA, MLB, NFL, CFL, MLS and NLL call home. It might surprise a few people just how many professional mens teams certain markets actually have. In Canada, Toronto is the only city with a team in each of the 6 professional sports with a CFL team, since there aren’t any NFL teams north of the border. Ontario is also the province with the most teams with 9, followed by Alberta with 6. In the United States, California has the most professional sports teams with 18, 8 of those in the Los Angeles Metro, with the San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland area just behind boasting 7 teams. The New York City Metro has the most sports teams of any city in North America with 10 and soon to be 11 when the New York City FC club joins the MLS in 2015. In Summary, Canada has 6 provinces with teams, while the United States has professional teams playing in 27 states, leaving both countries with teams in only half of their provinces, territories and states.

Canadian Sports Teams (7 NHL, 9 CFL, 1 NBA, 1 MLB, 2 MLS, 4 NLL)

Alberta – 2 NHL, 2 CFL, 2 NLL (6 Total)

Calgary (3) – Calgary Flames (NHL), Calgary Stampeders (CFL), Calgary Roughnecks (NLL)
Edmonton (3) – Edmonton Oilers (NHL), Edmonton Eskimos (CFL), Edmonton Rush (NLL)

British Columbia – 1 NHL, 1 CFL, 1 MLS, 1 NLL (4 Total)

Vancouver (4) – Vancouver Canucks (NHL), BC Lions (CFL), Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS), Vancouver Stealth (NLL) *Stealth play out of Langley, BC a suburb of Vancouver

Manitoba – 1 NHL, 1 CFL (2 Total)

Winnipeg (2) – Winnipeg Jets (NHL), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)

Ontario – 2 NHL, 1 NBA, 1 MLB, 3 CFL, 1 MLS, 1 NLL (9 Total)

Hamilton (1) – Hamilton Tiger Cats (CFL)
Ottawa (2) – Ottawa Senators (NHL), Ottawa Red Blacks (CFL)
Toronto (6) – Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto Raptors (NBA), Toronto Blue Jays (MLB-AL), Toronto Argonauts (CFL), Toronto FC (MLS), Toronto Rock (NLL)

Quebec – 1 NHL, 1 CFL, 1 MLS (3 Total)

Montreal (3) – Montreal Canadiens (NHL), Montreal Alouettes (CFL), Montreal Impact (MLS)

Saskatchewan – 1 CFL (1 Total)

Regina (1) – Saskatchewan Roughriders (CFL)

American Sports Teams (23 NHL, 29 NBA, 29 MLB, 32 NFL, 16 MLS, 5 NLL)

Arizona – 1 NHL, 1 NBA, 1 MLB, 1 NFL (4 Total)

Phoenix Metro (4) – Arizona Coyotes (NHL), Phoenix Suns (NBA), Arizona Diamondbacks (MLB-NL), Arizona Cardinals (NFL-NFC) *The Coyotes and Cardinals both play in Glendale, AZ a suburb. The Suns and Diamondbacks both play in Phoenix, AZ.

California – 3 NHL, 4 NBA, 5 MLB, 3 NFL, 3 MLS (18 Total)

Los Angeles Metro (8) – (2 NHL Teams) Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks / (2 NBA Teams) – Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers / (2 MLB Teams) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (AL), Los Angeles Dodgers (NL) / (2 MLS Teams) LA Galaxy, Chivas USA * The Kings, Lakers, Clippers and Dodgers all play in Los Angeles, CA. The Angels and the Ducks both in the suburb of Anaheim, CA. The Galaxy and Chivas USA both in the suburb of Carson, CA.
Sacramento (1) – Sacramento Kings (NBA)
San Diego (2) – San Diego Padres (MLB-NL), San Diego Chargers (NFL-AFC)
San Francisco/San Jose/Oakland Region (7) – San Jose Sharks (NHL), Golden State Warriors (NBA) / (2 MLB Teams) San Francisco Giants (NL), Oakland Athletics (AL) / (2 NFL Teams) San Francisco 49ers (NFC), Oakland Raiders (AFC) / San Jose Earthquakes (MLS) *The Sharks play in San Jose, CA. The Warriors, Athletics and Raiders play in Oakland, CA. The Giants play in San Francisco, CA. The 49ers and Earthquakes play in Santa Clara, CA.

Colorado – 1 NHL, 1 NBA, 1 MLB, 1 NFL, 1 MLS, 1 NLL (5 Total)

Denver (5) – Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Rockies (MLB-NL), Denver Broncos (NFL-AFC), Colorado Rapids (MLS), Colorado Mammoth (NLL) * The Rapids club plays out of Commerce City, CO a suburb of Denver.

District of Columbia – 1 NHL, 1 NBA, 1 MLB, 1 NFL, 1 MLS (5 Total)

Washington (5) – Washington Capitals (NHL), Washington Wizards (NBA), Washington Nationals (MLB-NL), Washington Redskins (NFL-NFC), D.C. United (MLS)

Florida – 2 NHL, 2 NBA, 2 MLB, 3 NFL, 2 MLS (Both Future) – (11 Total, 9 Current)

Jacksonville (1) – Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL-AFC)
Miami (4, 1 Pending Stadium) – Florida Panthers (NHL), Miami Heat (NBA), Miami Marlins (MLB-AL), Miami Dolphins (NFL-AFC), Miami (MLS – Pending Stadium) *The Panthers and Dolphins play in Sunrise, FL a suburb. The Heat and Marlins both play in Miami, FL.
Orlando (1 Current, 1 Expansion in 2015) – Orlando Magic (NBA), Orlando FC (MLS – 2015)
Tampa/St. Petersburg (3) – Tampa Bay Lightning (NHL), Tampa Bay Rays (MLB-AL), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFL-NFC) * The Lightning and Bucks both play in Tampa, FL. The Buccaneers play in St. Petersburg.

Georgia – 1 NBA, 1 MLB, 1 NFC (3 Total)

Atlanta (2) – Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Atlanta Braves (MLB-NL), Atlanta Falcons (NFL-NFC)

Illinois – 1 NHL, 1 NBA, 2 MLB, 1 NFL, 1 MLS (6 Total)

Chicago (6) – Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), Chicago Bulls (NBA), Chicago White Sox (MLB-AL), Chicago Cubs (MLB-NL), Chicago Bears (NFL-NFC), Chicago Fire (MLS) *The Fire club plays out of Bridgeview, IL a suburb of Chicago.

Indiana – 1 NBA, 1 NFL (2 Total)

Indianapolis (2)– Indiana Pacers (NBA), Indianapolis Colts (NFL-AFC)

Louisiana – 1 NBA, 1 NFL (2 Total)

New Orleans (2) – New Orleans Pelicans (NBA), New Orleans Saints (NFL-NFC)

Maryland – 1 MLB, 1 NFL (2 Total)

Baltimore (2) – Baltimore Orioles (MLB-AL), Baltimore Ravens (NFL-AFC)

Massachusetts – 1 NHL, 1 NBA, 1 MLB, 1 NFL, 1 MLS (4 Total)

Boston/New England area (4) – Boston Bruins (NHL), Boston Celtics (NBA), Boston Red Sox (MLB-AL), New England Patriots (NFL-AFC), New England Revolution (MLS) * The Bruins, Celtics and Red Sox all play in Boston, Mass. The Patriots and Revolution play in Foxborough, Massachusetts just south of Boston.

Michigan – 1 NHL, 1 NBA, 1 MLB, 1 NFL (4 Total)

Detroit Metro (4) – Detroit Red Wings (NHL), Detroit Pistons (NBA), Detroit Tigers (MLB-AL), Detroit Lions (NFL-NFC) *The Red Wings, Tigers and Lions all play in Detroit, MI. The Pistons play in Auburn Hills, MI a suburb.

Minnesota – 1 NHL, 1 NBA, 1 MLB, 1 NFL, 1 NLL (4 Total)

Minneapolis/St. Paul (4) – Minnesota Wild (NHL), Minnesota Timberwolves (NBA), Minnesota Twins (MLB-AL), Minnesota Vikings (NFL-NFC), Minnesota Swarm (NLL)

Missouri/Kansas – 1 NHL, 2 MLB, 2 NFL, 1 MLS (6 Total)

Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas (3) – Kansas City Royals (MLB-AL), Kansas City Chiefs (NFL-AFC), Sporting Kansas City (MLS) * The Royals and Cheifs play on the Missouri side, Sporting Kansas City plays on the Kansas side.
St Louis, Missouri (3)– St. Louis Blues (NHL), St. Louis Cardinals (MLB-NL), St. Louis Rams (NFL-NFC)

New York/New Jersey – 4 NHL, 2 NBA, 2 MLB, 3 NFL, 2 MLS (inc. 1 Future), 2 NLL (15, 14 Current)

Buffalo (3) – Buffalo Sabres (NHL), Buffalo Bills (NFL-AFC), Buffalo Bandits (NLL)
New York City Metro (10 Current, 1 Expansion in 2015) – (NHL – 3 Teams) New Jersey Devils, New York Rangers, New York Islanders / (NBA – 2 Teams) New York Knickerbockers, Brooklyn Nets / (MLB – 2 Teams) New York Yankees (AL), New York Mets (NL) / (NFL – 2 Teams) New York Giants (NFC), New York Jets (AFC) / (MLS – 1 Current Team, 1 Future Team) New York Red Bulls (Current), New York City FC (2015) *The Devils play in Newark, NJ. The Rangers and Knickerbockers both play in Manhattan, New York City, NY. The Islanders will be playing in Brooklyn, New York City, NY along with the Nets starting in the Fall of 2014. The Yankees play in the Bronx, New York City, NY as will New York City FC. The Mets play in Queens, New York City, NY. The Giants and the Jets play in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Red Bulls play in Harrison, New Jersey.
Rochester (1) – Rochester Nighthawks (NLL)

North Carolina – 1 NHA, 1 NBA, 1 NFL (3 Total)

Charlotte (2) – Charlotte Bobcats (NBA), Carolina Panthers (NFL-NFC)
Raleigh (1) – Carolina Hurricanes (NHL)

Oklahoma – 1 NBA (1 Total)

Oklahoma City (1) – Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA)

Ohio – 1 NHL, 1 NBA, 2 MLB, 2 NFL, 1 MLS (7 Total)

Cincinnati (2)– Cincinnati Reds (MLB-NL), Cincinnati Bengals (NFL-AFC)
Cleveland (3) – Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA), Cleveland Indians (MLB-AL), Cleveland Browns (NFL-AFC)
Columbus (2) – Columbus Blue Jackets (NHL), Columbus Crew (MLS)

Oregon – 1 NBA, 1 MLS (2 Total)

Portland (2) – Portland Trailblazers (NBA), Portland Timber (MLS)

Pennsylvania – 2 NHL, 1 NBA, 2 MLB, 2 NFL, 1 MLS, 1 NLL (9 Total)

Philadelphia Metro (6) – Philadelphia Flyers (NHL), Philadephia 76ers (NBA), Philadephia Phillies (MLB-NL), Philadelphia Eagles (NFL-NFC), Philadelphia Union (MLS), Philadelphia Wings (NLL) *The Union MLS club plays out of Chester, PA a suburb of Philly.
Pittsburgh (3) – Pittsburgh Penguins (NHL), Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB-NL), Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL-AFC)

Tennessee – 1 NHL, 1 NBA, 1 NFL (3 Total)

Memphis (1) – Memphis Grizzlies (NBA)
Nashville (2) – Nashville Predators (NHL), Tennessee Titans (NFL-AFC)

Texas – 1 NHL, 3 NBA, 2 MLB, 2 NFL, 2 MLS (10 Total)

Dallas Metro (5) – Dallas Stars (NHL), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Texas Rangers (MLB-AL), Dallas Cowboys (NFL-NFC), FC Dallas (MLS) * The Stars and Mavericks both play in Dallas, TX. The Rangers and Cowboys both play in Arlington, TX a suburn of Dallas. FC Dallas plays in Frisco, TX a suburb of Dallas.
Houston (4) – Houston Rockets (NBA), Houston Astros (MLB-AL), Houston Texans (NFL-AFC), Houston Dynamos (MLS)
San Antonio (1) – San Antonio Spurs (NBA)

Utah – 1 NBA, 1 MLS (2 Total)

Salt Lake City Metro (2) – Utah Jazz (NBA), Real Salt Lake (MLS) * The Jazz play in Salt Lake City, UT. Real Salt Lake play in the metro of Sandy, UT.

Washington – 1 MLB, 1 NFL, 1 MLS (3 Total)

Seattle (3) – Seattle Mariners (MLB-AL), Seattle Seahawks (NFL-NFC), Seattle Sounders (MLS)

Wisconsin – 1 NBA, 1 MLB, 1 NFL (3 Total)

Green Bay (1) – Green Bay Packers (NFL-NFC)
Milwaukee (2) – Milwaukee Bucks (NBA), Milwaukee Brewers (MLB-NL)

Welcome to my site!

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Jessegill3

This site will be focused on Sports, mainly hockey and is currently under development.