The Sheet Blog: Could Dallas make history icing a Finnish Five in Round 2?
Congrats to Peter DeBoer and the Dallas Stars on an incredible first-round victory over the Colorado Avalanche in a series that went back and forth and ultimately led to a thrilling Game 7. And in the process DeBoer set the record for most Game 7 wins with nine.
One small note about DeBoer and Game 7s, because I’m sure you’re curious: the last time DeBoer lost one in his career was the OHL final in 2000 as his Plymouth Whalers fell to the Barrie Colts 4-2. New Jersey Devils coach Sheldon Keefe opened the scoring in that one (Keefe was an incredible player in junior) and DeBoer’s leading scorer that season for his Whalers was…Mr. Game 7 Justin Williams.
And while I may be in the minority on this point, I LOVED these two teams meeting in the first round before either team got more banged up than they already were later in the playoffs. The first round is always the best hockey, and the more bangers we can get to kick things off the better. And if that means starting with what could have been a conference final, so be it. Sign me up every time. Sure, it’s tough watching Colorado exit the postseason early considering they were a legit pick to win it all, but how great was that series? I wish every playoff season could start like that.
As many have mentioned, part of what made Mikko Rantanen comfortable in Dallas during a tough adjustment period were the other four Finns in Dallas. And speaking of which, now that we know Miro Heiskanen is going to return at some point in the second round: does DeBoer make history and start The Finnish Five? I can’t see DeBoer breaking up the Granlund – Hintz – Rantanen line, so all that’s needed is for Heiskanen to pair with Esa Lindell.
Come on, Pete, you know the assignment.
Will Sabres sharpen roster with aggressive offseason?
While I don’t think the Buffalo Sabres are going to turn a frog into a prince with one kiss, I do think they’ll take steps this summer to inch themselves closer to a playoff spot. It would not surprise me if Kevyn Adams broke with his philosophy of building through youth exclusively and started to move younger players for established players – like he did last summer shipping out Matt Savoie to get Ryan McLeod. The feeling is it’s time to use some of their young assets, and the Sabres boast many, to construct a competitive roster.
Who leads when the PWHL heads west?
Now that Vancouver and Seattle have been officially announced as expansion markets in the PWHL for season 3, the question quickly becomes: who’s going to run these teams? One person I wonder if they speak to is agent Spencer Gillis, who represents several PWHL players and whose father Mike was one of the most successful GMs in Vancouver Canucks history.
Only a few 2003 vintages left in cellar
With the retirement of Marc-Andre Fleury, the field narrows for who will ‘win’ the 2003 NHL Draft. Or rather, who the last man standing will be. Ryan Suter, Brent Burns and Corey Perry remain active in the league.
Interestingly, the 2003 Draft has also already spawned a number of hockey broadcasters – Paul Bissonnette of Spittin’ Chiclets/TNT, Nation Network teammates Jay Rosehill of Leafs Morning Take and Maxim Lapierre of La Poche Bleu, Brian Boyle (NHL Network), Nate Thompson (Energy Line with Nate + JSB), Anthony Stewart (NHL Radio), Jimmy Howard (Red Wings Analyst), John Mitchell (Avalanche analyst), Marc Methot (TSN), Shane O’Brien (Missing Curfew) and Shawn Belle (Hello Hockey).
It also produced one Canadian country music star, Chad Brownlee, whom the Canucks selected in the sixth round.
The ’03 draft also featured one player whose son will be a top pick in the upcoming WHL Bantam Draft – Dave Liffiton’s boy Thor, a high-end defenseman, should hear his name called early (and what a name!).
While we’re at it, file under ‘If you’re wondering’; the last player from the 2002 draft to suit up in the NHL was Duncan Keith, while the winner from 2001 was goaltender Craig Anderson.
Still skating from the 2006 draft are Jordan Staal, Claude Giroux, Nick Foligno, Brad Marchand, James Reimer and the ultimate wildcard Jonathan Toews if he returns next season.
Juggernaut clashes loom in major junior
The finals in all three CHL leagues are almost set.
Gavin McKenna and the Medicine Hat Tigers take on the Spokane Chiefs in the WHL, the London Knights play Oshawa in the OHL and Moncton faces off against the winner of Memorial Cup host Rimouski and Shawinigan. Game 7 goes Tuesday.
The Moncton Wildcats only lost a single game through the playoffs through three rounds. Not a surprise when you consider they’re coached by the ‘winning machine’ Gardiner MacDougall.
Rink Fries
If anyone had any doubts about Soo Greyhounds power forward Brady Martin perhaps being the big mover on draft day, his performance at the recent U18 Men’s World Championship put them to rest. Teams took notice of how his physicality has taken a major leap, and with every team looking for a skilled player who brings physical intangibles, Martin has probably moved himself into the 5-10 range now…if you’re the agent for Cole Perfetti, do you call Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to talk about Calgary’s Matt Coronato deal?…it didn’t get much attention, but the D pair of Lian Bichsel + Alex Petrovic was excellent against Colorado.
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