Hyvää uuttavuotta! Gott nytt år! Happy New Year!

Goodbye 2010

Welcome 2011

It's a new year and a new start and with that new start I am "relaunching" The Sin Bin Chronicles.

I want to thank those of you for reading in my first year. Over 3,000 views and the site was only active from May until October. I hope you all have enjoyed the site and continue to return.

As for what The Sin Bin Chronicles will include for this coming year I don't know... we'll see where the hockey world takes us.

Coming to JLA? Expect traffic delays

If you are planning on making the drive downtown to check out the Red Wings this weekend when they take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (Friday) or the Pittsburgh Penguins (Sunday) you might just want to plan ahead.

MDOT (Michigan Department of Transportation) is projecting traffic delays due to a construction project to southbound Lodge Freeway (that would be M-10 for those of you not familiar with Detroit). There will be detour signs posted; however, fans use to taking southbound Lodge may want to take northbound I-75 to southbound I-375 and exit at Jefferson Avenue.

So go ahead and get downtown a little early. While there check grab dinner or maybe check out one of the casinos. Don't forget to practice pronouncing players names and check out the video project going on behind section 111 for the season opener

Red Wings take on Rangers

After haveing three games in three days it feels like forever since we have seen the Red Wings play. Even though it has only been since Sunday night; but to those that have been waiting all summer for Red Wings hockey it was a long start to the week.

At least we get to watch the game tonight though, right?

Well maybe not so right.

The game tonight being played at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers is not being televised. So unless one of the teams decides to air the game on their website it looks might come down to digging out the radio to listen to WXYT 1270-AM to at least hear the game.

Don't have a radio other than in your car? Don't feel like sitting in your car all night to listen to the game? You're in luck! You can listen to the game on the web.

UPDATE: As pointed out by Tomi Seppala via Twitter the game will be coverd by MSG so there is a chance the game will be aired online.

Picture of the Day: Ilari Filppula

Red Wings Alumni Game TOMORROW!!!!

NHL 2K11 Tour comes into Hockeytown

2K Sports is out promoting their soon to be released NHL 2K11 video game; and have taken cover star Ryan Kesler of the Vancouver Canucks along for the ride.

The NHL 2K11 bus rolled itself into Keslers hometown Detroit (born in Livonia, Michigan) on August 10th and 11th.

Here are some pictures for the August 11th stop at GameStop on Grand River in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Name the connection: Miroslav Satan, Darren Haydar, Antti Pihlstrom

What do these have in common? Okay so they play hockey, in the NHL. That is kind of a given on a hockey blog though isn't it?

Want a hint?

Here is the full list:

Antti Pihlstrom
Barry Legge
Bill Brydge
Darren Haydar
Dave Thomlinson
Fred Robertson
Gerry James
Hugh Currie
Matt Pettinger
Miroslav Satan
Ron Sedlbauer
Ron Tugnutt
Sammy McManus
Scott Lachance
Stephane Quintal
Terry Take
Brian Curran
And for fun lets add myself to this list because I too fit the connection.

Any guesses?

We all were born on October 22 (years differ).

Thanks to those over at the NHL Digest you too can go though and locate which NHL players you share a birthday with. Be sure to check out the NHL Player Birthday Calender over at NHL Digest

Jussi Jokinen = All Star?

Well someone sure thinks so.

Just came across a Twitter page that is dedicated to the idea of getting Carolina Hurricane Jussi Jokinen into the 2011 NHL All Star Game. The fact that the 2011 All Star Game is in Raleigh, North Carolina I am sure would just be a bonus to the self proclaimed Caniacs.

Also the Twitter page links to a Facebook group page in support of Jussi "The Juice" Jokinen's All Star Bid.

Going, going, gone!

It is upon us, the dawning of the Free Agent Frenzy and already it feels like it has begun.

Last night the Nashville Predators traded soon-to-be Unrestricted Free Agents Dan Ellis and Dustin Boyd to the Montreal Canadiens for Sergei Kostitsyn. It looks as if signed Ellis will be part of the Goalie 1A/1B combination in Montreal along with Restricted Free Agent Carey Price (this after the Habs traded the rights to goaltender Jaroslav Halak to the St. Louis Blues earlier in the off season).

Will there be more trades today? My guess is probably. Now that the Habs have a head start to talk to Ellis and his agent odds are he will probably sign. Ellis had this to say via Twitter:

Very excited about the trade! Its an honor to be part of a team with such great tradition and passion! Hope we can figure something out!

and...

Hello and Bonjour to all my recent followers! Have not taken French since 9th grade so please give me some leeway!

after an influx of followers on his Twitter account after the announced trade (you can find Dan Ellis on Twitter @dellis39 ).

In other hockey news yesterday the Dallas Stars officially announced that they do not have any plans to offer Mike Modano a contract. After such great send offs both in Dallas and in Minnesota (where the played his last game this past season and even threw on a North Stars jersey) it is possible he will retire. There is no topping the way the fans in both cities treated him (except maybe going out with a Stanley Cup win but then you don't have that individual acknowledgment that he received).



It is possible that this image from the game in Minnesota vs the Wild is the last image we will have of Mike Modano playing in the NHL. Kind of reminds me of another famous picture of a players final step...



Tomorrow's Free Agent Frenzy brings with it the hope for the future and the memories of the past of those players decide to leave the ice.

NHL Draft 2010 Round One

*Team Taylor vs Team Tyler - Team Taylor may have taken the first overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft however that means Taylor Hall is headed to Edmonton to play for the Oilers while Tyler Seguin will head to Boston to play for the Bruins. Which team do you really think won?

*Most Americans ever drafted in the first round of an NHL Draft with 11

*3 Russians, 1 Swiss, 1 Finn, and 0 Swedes in the first round. Remember last year Sweden set their record of having seven Swedes drafted in the first round (Including second overall pick Victor Hedman to the Tampa Bay Lightning) How Swede it use to be.



*Mikael Granlund of Finland was the highest drafted European trained player (9th to the Minnesota Wild)

Where did they go?:
1. Taylor Hall (Canada) to the Edmonton Oilers via Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
2. Tyler Seguin (Canada) to the Boston Bruins via Plymouth Whalers (OHL)
3. Erik Gudbranson (Canada) to the Florida Panthers via Kingston Frontenacs (OHL)
4. Ryan Johansen (Canada)to the Columbus Blue Jackets via Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
5. Nino Niederreiter (Swiss) to the New York Islanders via Porland Winterhawks (WHL)
6. Brett Connolly (Canada) to the Tampa Bay Lightning via Prince George Cougars (WHL)
7. Jeff Skinner (Canada) to the Carolina Hurricanes via the Kitchener Rangers (OHL)
8. Aleksandr Burmistrov (Russia) to the Atlanta Thrasers via Barrie Colts (OHL)
9. Mikael Granlund (Finland) to the Minnesota Wild via HIFK (SM-liiga)
10. Dylan McIlrath (Canada)to the New York Rangers via Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
11. Jack Campbell (US) to Dallas Stars via U.S. National U-18Team (USHL)
12. Cam Fowler (US) To Anaheim Ducks via Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
13. Brandon Gormley (Canada) to Phoenix Coyotes via the Moncton Wildcars (QMJHL)
14. Jaden Schwartz (Canada) to the St. Louis Blues via Tri-City Storm (USHL)
15. Derek Forbort (US) to the LA Kings via Tri-City Storm (USHL)
16. Vladimir Tarasenko (Russia) St. Louis Blues via HC Sibir Novosibirsk (KHL)
17. Joey Hishon (Canada) Colorado Avalanche via Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
18. Austin Watson (US)Nashville Predators via Peterborough Petes (OHL)
19. Nick Bjugstad (US) Florida Panthers via Blaine High School
20. Beau Bennett (US) Pittsburgh Penguins via Penticton (BCHL)
21. Riley Sheahan (Canada) Detroit Red Wings via Univ. of Notre Dame (CCHA)
22. Jarred Tinordi (US) Montreal Candiens via U.S. National U-18 Team (USHL)
23. Mark Pysyk (Canada) to the Buffalo Sabres via Edmonton Oil Kings (WHL)
24. Kevin Hayes (US) to the Chicago Blackhawks via Noble and Greenough School
25. Quinton Howden (Canada) to the Florida Panthers via Moose Jaw Warriors (WHL)
26. Evgeny Kuznetsov (Russia) to the Washington Capitals via Traktor Chelybinsk (KHL)
27. Mark Visentin (Canada) to the Phoenix Coyotes via Niagara Ice Dogs (OHL)
28. Charlie Coyle (US) San Jose Sharks via South Shore Kings (EJHL)
29. Emerson Erem (US) Anaheim Ducks via Medicine Hat Tigers (WHL)
30. Brock Nelson (US) New York Islanders via Univ. of North Dakota (WCHA)

Tune in today for the rest of the 2010 NHL Draft live from the Staples Center in LA.

Koivu Jersey Foul UPDATE

I received an email this morning about the Mikko Koivu Jersey Foul on the shop.nhl.com third jersey.

A request has been submitted to the Operations Department to "research this matter further and correct this error". However, it will take 3-5 days to add the second "k" to Koivu's first name.

Even the NHL makes Jersey Fouls

Really? "Miko" Koivu? Is the second "k" taking up too much space to spell out "Mikko"?

The NHL can't even get the name of FIRST (permanent) captain in the history of the Wild right? One would think some where along the lines someone, somewhere had to have gone over and proof read, or even just read the listings.

How has no one affiliated with the site caught this mistake?

Anteeksi Mikko.

***Special thanks to Bryan Reynolds over at Hockey Wilderness for capturing a screen shot of the lovely jersey foul brought to you by the official Shop.NHL.com site for the Minnesota Wild for me.

This week in WTF are you thinking...

This past week left some fan bases wondering "what the..."



The Detroit Red Wings announced that they reached an agreement with forward Todd Bertuzzi. Saying Bertuzzi is not a fan favorite in Hockeytown is a bit of an understatement. Fans were first shocked that he was brought back (it's not that he was horrible and I think in the play offs it looked as if he had finally found his place). What shocked fans was the two year $3.875 million no trade clause contract.



Up in Minne-so-ta the Wild managed to send their fans in to a panic when they announced the team had re-signed James Sheppard. The forward signed a one-year deal for just over $800,000. Not bad, still leaves plenty of room for the free agent frenzy that will hit July 1 and maybe, just maybe, he is working some of those kinks out of his game this summer.

The biggest "W-T-F" moment came from North of the boarder Montreal.

Halak.

In case you you have not heard about Halak's rights being traded to the St. Louis Blues for two prospects (Lars Eller and Ian Schultz). The trade prompted a fan freak out frenzy on Twitter enough to shut it down and cause mass "fail whales" on the social media network. Even after it had started to calm down Halak was still a trending topic WORLDWIDE on the social networking site. That means as many people in the entire world were talking about Halak being traded as they were the World Cup and the vuvuzela annoyance.

At least this piece of gold made it to the Internet...

How to battle hockey withdrawl

It’s that dreaded time of year. June.

The Stanley Cup has been handed to the Chicago Blackhawks; and The Cup is off on another whirlwind global tour (that I am sure does not involve a cab ride in Buffalo).

Now we wait. The 2010-2011 season does not start for a little over three months. Not a long time - but feels like eternity.

Here are some of my How-to-survive-what-seems-like-a-slow-agonizing-wait-for-the-first-puck-drop-of-the-regular-season suggestions:

Watch “vintage” games on NHL Network though out the summer (some are more vintage than others).

Tune in on June 23rd to the NHL awards show live from Las Vegas (List of Awards and finalist http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=62242 ).

Then get all your hockey buddies together and watch the 2010 NHL Draft on June 25-26 ( http://www.nhl.com/ice/eventhome.htm?location=/draft/2010 ).

Keep up on all the frenzy starting July 1st as the Unrestricted Free Agents hit the open market with the guys at “ProHockeyTalk on NBC” either on Twitter @PHTonNBC or on their website:
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com

Read War and Peace.

Keep your cool. On hot summer days grab your skates (or a few bucks for rentals) and head to your local ice rink for either an open skate or a pick up game.

Find some replays on line and become an expert.

Check out www.isitoctoberyet.com

Watch “Slapshot”

Find out when your favorite (or local) teams prospects and training camps start and get your gear, a hand full of Sharpies, and your camera ready.

Blake Geoffrion signs with Predators

The Hobey Baker winner has confirmed via Twitter that he is signing a two year deal with the Nashville Predators and there will be a press conference on Tuesday.

Eyes on the Prize

I realize in sports you do little things ( or big things ) to try and knock the other team off their game mentally; however, you're not suppose to distract your own team - especially not your goaltender!!!

What is Washington's goal?

So it appears right now that Jose Theodore will not be returning to the Washington Capitals next season.

Capitals' are faced with either going with their two young gun netminders in Semyon Varlamov and Michael Neuvirth or bringing in another veteran from Unrestricted Free Agency.

Some of the available goalies the Capitals' have to pick from:

Evgeni Nabokov (San Jose)
Dan Ellis (Nashville)
Chris Mason (St. Louis)
Marty Turco (Dallas)
Ray Emery (Philadelphia)
Johan Hedberg (Atlanta)
Antero Niittymaki (Tampa Bay)
Vesa Toskala (Calgary)
Andrew Raycroft (Vancouver)

Personally I would go with picking either Dan Ellis, Marty Turco, or Antero Niittymaki for the position in Washington.

Dan Ellis is testing the market after the Predators re-signed Pekka Rinne for a 2 year $6.8 million contract. The two of them made a great goaltending combination that finished the season just two points behind the Detroit Red Wings (and 12 points behind the division lead Chicago Blackhawks) in the central division.

Marty Turco has only won one game inside of Joe Louis Arena in Detroit in his entire NHL career; however, the Capitals being in the Eastern Conference and not the Western Conference like the Dallas Stars that stat isn't going to play much of a roll (unless the teams meet in the Stanley Cup Finals - that might me awkward). Turco (along with Martin Brodeur) is one of the best puck-handling goalies in the NHL and lets face it getting the puck to Alexander Ovechkin or Nicklas Backstrom good things tend to happen.

Antero Niittymaki brings with him two Olympic medals. Winning the bronze medal in the 2010 Vancouver and the Silver medal (and tournament MVP) in 2006 when he was the starter for the Finnish team. Also important for the Capitals' (being in the Southeast division) Niittymaki has a career record being 17-0-0 against the Atlanta Thrashers.

Help Bäckström design a new mask

For those that do not know I write for The Hockey Writers about the Minnesota Wild. I came across this awhile ago and have forwarded it on via twitter and facebook but thought it was time to pass it on here as well.

If you have kids or know any kids (under 18) that love hockey and are creative (or even if not let them still have a shot who knows) Niklas Bäckström of the Minnesota Wild is having a contest to create a new mask design.

Here is the offical link with detailed information: http://wild.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=527141&navid=DLMINhome

How do you frustrate a Red Wings fan?

You find a picture on your cell phone from the 2008-2009 season with Marian Hossa and Ville Leino.

Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award: The goaltenders Kryptonite

Sports and curses/jinx go together like peanut butter and jelly or for those north of the boarder like gravy and cheese curd on french fries.

So when I was looking over the history of the “Roger Crozier Saving Grace Award” I couldn’t help but think this thing is jinxed.

For those that are not familiar with the award it is awarded by the National Hockey League to the goaltender who ends the season with the best save percentage (with at least 25 games played). Eight players have won the award since its inception in 1999-2000.


The list of winners is as follows:
Ed Belfour (1999-2000)
Marty Turco (2000-2001)
Jose Theodore (2001-2002)
Marty Turco (2002-2003)
Dwayne Roloson (2003-2004)
Cristobal Huet (2005-2006)
Niklas Backstrom (2006-2007)
Dan Ellis (2007-2008)
Tim Thomas (2008-2009)
Tuukka Rask (2009-2010)

So you’ve just had the best save percentage in the entire NHL what are you going to do? - Nothing? At least in the NFL if you win you go to Disney World

Lets look at the post lock out era goalies to win because lets face it the game has changed since then. Each of them had a finonimal season only to end up replaced.

Huet is currently playing in the Stanley Cup Finals right now; however, I use the term playing lightly as he is sitting on the bench collecting a HUGE pay check while the rookie kid from Finland, Antti Niemi, has taken his place on the ice.

Backstrom and the Wild have been plagued with goaltending problems (mostly injuries and lets not forget the fire that destroyed the teams equipment earlier this season) so I‘ll go light on them.

Ellis won the award and then had to split a season with Pekka Rinne the following season for lackluster play and only 11 wins for the season. He’s now testing the free agency market this summer as Rinne has taken over as starter for the Predators.

Tim Thomas. The amazingly heartfelt story from the 2008-2009 season who went on to win not only this award but the Vezina Trophy for the top goaltender of the season - he made the 2010 Team USA Olympic roster but never saw ice time and was replaced by the rookie Tuukka Rask as the starter for the Bruins.

Which brings us to this years winner - Tuukka Rask. - History will be made… or maybe jinxed.