Off the Post
Rolling league news dice on the ice.
September 2010 - Present -- By NICK CARROLL
February 2010 - March 2010-- By BRENDAN MALONE
September 2009 - Novemeber 2009 -- By ADRIATIK SELIMAJ
38 postings
1 page views
Off the Post Blog - Feb 2012
2/1/12 2:42 AM
An Ode to Scott Hartnell It’s really hard to think of Scott Hartnell as anything but a clown. From his curly red jew-fro (or excessively long, curly red hair if we’re going to P.C. route), the memorable, Neanderthal playoff beard he rocked in the 2010 playoffs, or the fact it’s been questionable whether he can actually ice skate and he never shuts up on the ice, it’s really hard to take Hartnell seriously. In recent years, it seems like he’s even been overlooked in Philadelphia. Despite scoring over 20 goals in three of his four seasons as a Flyer (making significant contributions in the Flyers’ Stanley Cup run in the 2010 playoffs, even on top of the facial hair), Hartnell came into the season with decreased ice time. On a team known for...The Return of Crosby and the Departure of Boudreau
11/30/11 12:03 AM
As a Flyers fan, I feel like I was born with a hatred for Sidney Crosby. I detest the man and almost everything he represents. His presence in the game overshadows every other star player not named “Ovechkin,” and his behavior on the ice has often been annoying. Much to my dismay, though, the NHL needs Crosby. When Crosby came back this week, the league received a jolt in its star power as large as any since he entered the league. ESPN actually sent reporters to Pittsburgh to cover the game, and it immediately received the Versus treatment. Crosby’s return did not...The Shootout Format Needs to be Addressed
11/15/11 10:28 PM
When the NHL locked out, it had a legitimate problem with its game. The game was corrupted by clutching and grabbing, slowing down the league’s pace and creating a very dull product. When the league tried to make the game more entertaining, it introduced the shootout. The shootout eliminated ties and brought a flair to the game, allowing players to show off their individual personalities and skill in a team sport. Now, in the seventh season of the shootout, evaluating the practice is overdue. Above anything else, the biggest problem with the shootout is that it is not real hockey, and it plays a significant role in the standings. Penalty shots do not indicate whether a team is actually better on a particular day. The shootout caters to certain players whose...It's Time to Think Differently about Ovechkin
11/9/11 3:03 AM
Alexander Ovechkin had no other choice but to be a star. When the Great 8 entered the league, he immediately became the league’s most prolific goal scorer, netting 52 as a 20-year-old rookie, then 46, then an astounding 65 in 2007-08. Despite the hockey media anointing Sidney Crosby as the next Gretzky before he was even drafted, it seemed as if Ovechkin was quickly becoming the face of the league, and a much more likeable player as well. Ovechkin, combining unmatched physicality with the skill of legend, was a fan favorite. He revitalized a downtrodden Capitals fan base and, with his carefree, innocent-yet-intense style, had a national following. In a sport filled with modest, personality-free stars, Ovechkin presented a fun alternative. However, the last few...On the Topic of Realignment
11/2/11 12:43 AM
Right now, the Winnipeg Jets (who play a little north of Minnesota for those who are geographically impaired) are in a division with the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning and Washington Capitals. Obviously, this is a problem. The NHL needs realignment for next season, and several plans have surfaced over the past few months. Over the weekend, though, one plan finally seems to have gained some traction. According to CBC, the proposed restructuring, which some teams claim has a 50 percent chance of being enacted, would establish two conferences, both with one seven-team division and one eight-team division. Another important wrinkle is that the first two rounds of the playoffs would be played within each division, with four teams from each...
is a member of the 
