2012 - Page 68 of 114 - Last Word On Sports

MLB Mid-Season Report: Teams

Posted on June 30, 2012November 4, 2021 by Mark Modeski

With the impending All-Star break, next weekend will mark the half way point in the MLB season. While a distinct pack of great teams and horrible teams has started to take shape, one thing that makes baseball so great is that any team can turn things when you least expect it.

I want to take some time here to take a glance of some of the more interesting teams in the first half of the season. Some have been what could only be called “impressive”, others a disappointment, and then there are some teams that look like they’re positioned to take off.

The Post-Season Squad:

New York Yankees: The highest payroll in major league baseball looks poised to lock down the AL East for yet another season. Despite some unfortunate injuries, the Yankees have managed to put together one of the best records in the majors. As much as I hate to say it – look forward to seeing these guys in October.

Texas Rangers: Texas many not have a team as juiced up with top talent like say the Yankees, but they have solid chemistry within the clubhouse. While they’re currently stuck in a deadlock heat at the top of the AL West with the Angels, I think that this team will sink into a solid groove in the second half of the season and win the AL West.

Washington Nationals: Not sure I would’ve believed I would be putting these guys as one of the tops in the majors this time a few years ago, but here we are. The top pitching squad in the majors (3.12 ERA, W44-L31), has managed to offset mediocre team offence. Washington is starting to pull away with the NL East, and I am not sure any other team in that division has what it takes to catch them.

Teams to Watch-Out for:

Baltimore Orioles: I am not sure why Baltimore has managed to put up the record they have to-date (42-34). Their team pitching and hitting is not outstanding by any means, but I think what Baltimore lacks in raw talent they make-up for in heart and clutch-play; these are the key ingredients that tend to make-up championship teams.

Toronto Blue Jays: I am probably a little biased on this one, but all of the right pieces are there. Toronto had a lot of buzz surrounding it in the off-season, but they haven’t really lived up to expectations. Recently however, the team hitting has come to life in a big way, and is now one of the top-scoring teams in the league. If the starting rotation can get healthy again and start producing like they did earlier in the season, Toronto could be a force to be reckoned with.

Pittsburgh Pirates: Pittsburgh right now is like the Baltimore Orioles of the NL – not a ton of raw talent, but a lot of heart. That being said, the Pirates pitching staff has been fairly impressive to-date, with one of the lowest team ERA’s in the league (3.49). If the they maintain the path they’re on now, and Cincinnati doesn’t get too hot, I think they’ll be good for the division – or at the very least maybe a wildcard spot.

San Francisco Giants: I don’t think San Francisco is guaranteed a playoff spot, but if they keep playing the way they are, I am pretty sure they’ll find themselves active in October. Pitching has been key to the Giants success to-date, and as long as this holds up I think they could clinch up the NL West.

The Disappointments:

Boston Red Sox: Boston’s offense has been alive all season, and is one of the tops in the majors; however, injuries have plagued their pitching staff and they have one of the worst team ERAs in the league. Given that they have one of the majors highest payrolls, the ROI is definitely not there yet.

LA Angels: The Angels have been on a mission over the last few years to pick-up any and all of the big free-agents available, and have slowly been turning into the Yankees of the West (doing what it takes to buy a championship). While they sit in a second-place position in the AL West, given the talent and payroll, I think the fans were probably expecting more.

Philadelphia Phillies: I think a lot of people are vexed about the performance of the Phillies this year. They just don’t seem to have the same killer instinct that we saw last year. Halliday being out of the starting rotation for the last while has also not helped things.

We’ll keep an eye on these teams as the season rounds out. Some teams have a way of turning things around and surprising you when you least expect it. Teams that are on top, fall apart. Teams in the basement go on miracle runs. Stay tuned… a mid-year player report is coming soon!

… and that is the last word.

NHL Free Agent Watch: The Goalies

Posted on June 30, 2012November 5, 2021 by Ben Kerr

1) Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils
2011-12 Salary: $5,200,000
2011-12 Stats: 59 GP, 31-21-4, 3 SO, 2.41 GAA, 0.908 Sv%

The main, the myth, the legend Brodeur has done it all in the NHL. The surefire hall of famer is the NHL’s alltime leader in games played, wins, and shutouts. This spring, Brodeur proved he still has it, taking his New Jersey Devils to the Stanley Cup Final. It is a surprise Brodeur is even on this list as most assumed he would re-sign with the New Jersey Devils. However, negotiations with the Devils are apparently going poorly as for the first time in his career, Martin Brodeur has hired an agent. Pat Brisson has indicated that his new client will test the market if a deal with the Devils is not reached by July 1st. Now 40 years old, Brodeur no longer has the endurance to play 70-75 games per season like he did in his prime, however this sure fire hall of fame is still an excellent starting goalie.

2) Scott Clemmensen, Florida Panthers
2011-12 Salary: $1,500,000
2011-12 Stats, 25 GS, 14-6-6, 2.57, 0.913 Sv%

Clemmensen was Brodeur’s backup in 2008-09 when he had his best season in the NHL. Brodeur suffered an elbow injury that year leading to Clemmensen getting an opportunity to play 40 games, and putting up 25 wins. Clemmensen continues to be a dependable NHL backup, starting 25 games and putting up 14 wins in Florida. While it is doubtful he will ever be an NHL starter, Clemmensen is the best backup on the market this year. Clemmensen is a big goalie who is effective at using his size to cut down angles. He takes up a lot of net and is good at setting himself up and getting square to the shooter. He has decent, but not great rebound control. The main issue that keeps Clemmensen from being an NHL starter is that he is below average in his puck tracking and lateral movement and can be beaten on cross ice plays.

3) Jonas Gustavsson, Toronto Maple Leafs
2011-12 Salary: $1,400,000
2011-12 Stats: 36 GS, 17-17-4, 4 SO, 2.92 GAA, 0.902 Sv%

The “Monster” saw his free agent negotiating rights traded from the Leafs to the Winnipeg Jets at last weekend’s NHL draft. He spent the season platooning with James Reimer in the Maple Leafs net. Gustavsson came to the NHL in 2009 highly hyped as the best goalie not in North America. He has failed to deliver on his promise, and has not proven to be capable of being an NHL starter. Gustavsson has not shown consistency in the NHL as he can follow up a run of great games with a run of poor games. Gustavsson’s biggest issues continue to be his poor rebound control, and poor puck handling. He also seems to have trouble letting go of bad goals, as one goal against can sometimes quickly turn into two or three. He is however a decent backup, and has ideal size for an NHL goalie, and good lateral movement.

4) Chris Mason, Winnipeg Jets
2011-12 Salary: $2,100,000
2011-12 Stats: 16 GS, 8-7-1, 2 SOs, 2.59 GAA, 0.898 SV%

Mason is an experienced backup and former starter. He struggled last season in Winnipeg as seen by his well below average save percentage. Mason quite simply lacks the consistency needed to be an NHL starter, however he can be an effective backup. He has good butterfly technique and takes away the bottom of the net well. He can however be beaten up high. Mason also lacks quick lateral movement in the crease. He will probably be looking at a backup job offers on July 1st.

5) Curtis Sanford, Columbus Blue Jackets
2011-12 Salary:$600,000
2011-12 Stats: 32 GS, 10-18-4, 1 SO, 2.60 GAA, 0.911 SV%

Prior to this past season Sanford had been toiling as an AHL journeyman for the prior two seasons after leaving the Vancouver Canucks in 2009. Sanford showed that he can be an adequate backup and even outperformed Columbus starter Steve Mason. Sanford performed admirably on a weak Columbus club, and will be looking for another team to take him on as a backup for next season. Sanford seems like the perfect tweener goalie, he dominates the AHL, but he’s a little too inconsistent when given the opportunity in the NHL. He has decent rebound control and a good glove but sometimes struggles with his lateral movement in the crease.

It really is a thin group of goalies available this year. However it could get a little deeper depending on the decision of two veterans in the 41 year old Dwayne Roloson, and the 39 year old Johan Hedberg. It is unclear how much these guys have left in the tank at this point, however they might make decent backups if they decide to return to the NHL for another year.

Feel free to Leave your comments below and follow me on twitter @LastWordBKerr.

Pirlo the Key to an Italian Victory Over Spain

Posted on June 30, 2012November 5, 2021 by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

*Editor’s Note: We would like to welcome Mitchell Tierney to the writing team at LastWordOnSports. Mitchell is an avid fan of international football and hockey*

After the 2010 World Cup in South Africa it seemed that the international career of then 31-year old Italian Midfielder Andrea Pirlo had come to a disheartening conclusion. Pirlo and his Italian National team exited the tournament with a whimper after finishing in last place with only 2 points in a Group F, which included New Zealand (Ranked 100th in the world by FIFA), Slovakia (39) and Paraguay (22). Furthermore, the once legendary Pirlo who was named man of the match in the 2006 World Cup Final against France, only played in one match and didn’t even start playing 34 minutes as a substitute against Slovakia.

Fast forward to 2012 and very few people would have predicted that at 33 it would be Pirlo who would be leading the Italians all the way to the European Cup Final. For Pirlo it was a breath of fresh air that transformed him back into the best player in Italy and possibly the best player of Euro 2012. Pirlo left the club he has been with since 2001 on a free transfer to join Turin-based club Juventus. With Juventus winning the Serie A title, and going undefeated during that time Pirlo was able to regain some of the confidence that had alluded him since that disastrous 2010 World Cup.

When Italy face Spain in the European Cup Final at the Olympic Stadium in Kiev the majority of the narrative will take place in the middle of the pitch. This is the place where Italy have been the most dangerous in their last two matches, versus England in the Quarter Finals and Germany in the Semi Finals. The Italian midfield of Daniele De Rossi, Claudio Marchisio, Riccardo Montolivo and Pirlo has been the most underrated in the tournament becoming the key to victory in every match for Italy despite an almost equally solid backline.

However, of all these names it has been Pirlo who has been the most important for the Italians both in Midfield and overall thus far. In the first match against Spain, the only foresight as to what we might see in the final, Pirlo cut through the Spanish midfield to play a through ball that fell perfectly on to the feet of Italian Striker Antonio Di Natale. In the second game of the tournament Pirlo struck a ball from the upper right corner of the box past Croatian goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa for the tournaments only goal from a direct free kick. His efforts earned him man of the match. Pirlo once again produced from a dead ball against Ireland when his corner kick connected with Antonio Cassano in the 35th minute.

During the knockout stage Pirlo, like the Italian team around him, stepped up his performance. Against England he was the man of the match for the second time in the tournament. He was by far the most dangerous player on an Italian team that dominated possession for most of the 90 and extra time. A large part of his dominance can be attributed to England who decided to give him all the time in the world to gain confidence on the ball. While England, somehow, were not hurt by Pirlo’s work during open play they certainly felt his quality during penalties. His Italian team trailing in England in penalties Pirlo stepped up to the spot and calmly chipped the ball over diving English goalkeeper Joe Hart to get his squad back on track and disintegrate the confidence of the English goalkeeper.

Going into the Semi Final against a heavily favoured German squad Pirlo was already considered an Italian hero and would have probably been named the player of the tournament even if his side had been eliminated. But Pirlo, nor his Italian compatriots were ready to except that fate. Pirlo may have saved the game before it ever really began, clearing an early German attempt off the line into the safety of Italian keeper Gianluigi Buffon. Pirlo’s real stamp on the game came in the 20th minute. The goal, Mario Ballotelli’s first, was largely credited to Antonio Cassano. However, upon review Pirlo played the same if not a bigger role in the finished product. It was his sublime ball that found Italian left back Giorgio Chiellini who put it through to Cassano who’s cross found the head of the Manchester City man. Once again, even after the warning that was the England game Germany did not close down Pirlo nearly enough and it ended up costing them dearly.

Returning to the final it was Pirlo who troubled the Spanish the most the first time around and it could very well be that same tale when they meet in Kiev with the title on the line. The Spanish have to find a way to get one of their midfield three to shadow Pirlo or convince Torres, Fabregas or Negredo, whomever plays the Centre Forward role , to track back and take away the space that Pirlo has so far been readily granted. On the Italian side of things it will be curious to see what formation Italian manager Cesare Prandelli, the most astute tactician in the tournament, will start against the Spanish. Will it be the 4-1-3-2 formation that the Italians used to great success against the Germans in the Semi Finals? Or will it be the 3-5-2 formation used against the Spanish earlier in the tournament. Could it even be a new formation that Prandelli dreams up to try to secure his squad their first Henri Delaunay Trophy since 1968 when the beat Yugoslavia 2-0 during a replay? It will all be revealed on Sunday.

However, with a 3-5-2 formation the Italians could probably cause the Spanish the most trouble by clogging up the midfield and allowing Pirlo more time and space on the ball as he would become more difficult to mark. The back three would include Giorgio Chiellini on the left with Andrea Barzagli in the centre and Federico Balzaretti on the right. In the midfield Italy should line up Pirlo centrally with Riccardo Montolivo and Claudio Marchisio to his right while Daniele De Rossi and Christian Maggio to the left. Upfront the Strikers remain the same with Antonio Cassano lining up alongside Semi Final hero Mario Ballotelli.

…and that is the Last Word.

Feel free to comment below.

Fan Post: NHL Free Agent forwards

Posted on June 30, 2012November 5, 2021 by Ben Kerr

*Editor’s note: Fan of the site, Maksim Vasilyev, decided to write a counterpoint to my article on the top 10 UFA forwards, which you can find here. The following is Maksim’s own take on the player’s in question. This is a fan piece and has not been edited by our editors. We hope you enjoy it. If you would like to write your own piece, contact us at [email protected]*

1) Zach Parise, New Jersey Devils, Left Wing/Right Wing
2011-12 Salary: $6,000,000
2011-12 Stats: 82 GP, 31 G, 38 A, 69 Pts, 32 PIMs

Zach Parise is an outstanding player no question about it, but he can’t grow a beard. Lets not hold that against him too much though. This UFA market is a bit slim and could yield a big contract for the tenacious winger. Jump to Inlouwetrust.com for some great details on Zach here. What Zach misses in size, he makes up with grit, determination, and ridiculous will to beat you to the puck. For most of his career and the reason we all know about him, besides his dad, has been all about scoring. This past year we saw his game mature a bit, the impact? How about Stanley Cup Finals. Parise has elevated his defensive game to a new level. Playing almost 2 minutes of SH time per game and scoring 7 short handed points. This new defensive game has had an impact on his offensive numbers, only 69 points, as it usually does to all the players. This may seem low, but he is only 27 years old (The sizzle of most NHL players) and has shown he can score 40+ goals before. He is not a 90 point guy by himself, but oh-my would he ever light the lamp playing with a skilled center like Crosby/Datsyuk.

2) Olli Jokinen, Calgary Flames, Centre
2011-12 Salary: $3,000,000
2011-12 Stats: 82 GP, 23 G, 38 A, 61 Pts, 54 PIMs

Jokinen is a solid player that has had more than 60 points 5 times in 13 seasons. A knock on him is that he is 33 years old and is not exactly the Flash on skates. His deep profile can be found at flamesnation.ca over here. The forward spent tons of time playing on
the 1st line (next to Flames local folk here Iginla) and his stats show the results. He was still a minus player and was really a “lets settle” #1 center for the Flames. He can benefit from the improved offensive production jump this season (compared to last season when he only had 50pnts) and since there are slim pickings, look for a pay upgrade. The center position is hard to fill and he does have good experience with a big body. 6’3 and 215 pounds is what you call a big boy and this big boy can be very effective on the powerplay. He really needs a good winger that can finish playing with him as Olli can create space with his big frame. As all Euro players he has good ice vision and does pass well. Calgary really needs an upgrade down the middle; I don’t think they can afford to let him go just yet.

3) Shane Doan, Phoenix Coyotes, Right Wing
2011-12 Salary: $4,550,000
2011-12 Stats: 79 GP, 22 G, 28 A, 50 Pts, 48 PIMs

Heart. Respect. Leadership. Those are the attributes you look for in your captain and hope your young guns grow to be. Doan is the ultimate captain in NHL right now. He is not only an awesome human being off the ice, but is an incredible player and captain on the ice. His leadership skills were rewarded at the NHL Awards when Mark Messier himself (arguably top 3 captains of all time) presented his own award to Shane. This is the guy you want on your team in playoffs. He will fight tooth and nail. Playing on a less than perfect team in Phoenix he has managed to still produce and constantly get Coyotes into the playoffs. Doan has probably about 1-2 more season left in him where he can score 60 points, but can really be solid 2nd line winger. He is physical and very affective along the boards. He can score and skates very well for a 220 pound guy. Grit and heart is what you get with this guy and you can’t have enough of it on your team. I think he will stay with Coyotes, it has been his home for so long, but may jump ship to a team that can help him achieve his one goal that has eluded him so far. A team that can help him win the cup.

4) Alex Semin, Washington Capitals, Right Wing/LeftWing
2011-12 Salary: $6,700,000
2011-12 Stats: 77 GP, 21 G, 33 A, 54 Pts, 56 PIMs

An enigma, a superstar, pure talent, and a lazy Russian. Those are all of the phrases and terms that have been thrown around by puck media and fans alike past few years about Semin. Alex really is everything Don Cherry would say Russian players are. He is the perfect and easy target for people to pick on the Russian player stereotype, but I think who ever lands him will have the last laugh. His success came when he played with a skilled center (Backstrom). Past few years Washington has had trouble finding a true #2 center and causing Semins numbers to dip heavily. Alex has one of the best shots in the league. He can dazzle razzle and put the biscuit in the basket with the best of them. A true sniper in ever sense of that word and if you have him play with a skilled center, watch out…40 goals in the bag. His career totals tell you a story. 197 goals and 211 assists (rare for players to have as many goals as assists) tell you that he loves to score more than pass. The big negative to his game is that he is not effective in the corners and even though he is 6’2 and 200 pounds, will not be getting dirty to fetch the puck. His defense game is always a question with lazy skating, floating around, and lack of urgency. This talent will not go for cheap, but may carry another tryout 1 year contract for 6-7 million. He has the best hands out of all of the UFAs and will have to prove he can “show up” with those hands every single night.

5) P.A. Parenteau, New York Islanders, Right Wing
2011-12 Salary: $1,250,000
2011-12 Stats: 80 GP, 18 G, 49 A, 67 Pts, 89 PIMs

Who is this man and how did he score 67 points? Did anyone say that NHL players sizzle at 27-31 years of age? P.A. Parenteau did not join NHL 2-3 years after the draft, in fact he would not have been even drafted in this years draft, because there is no 9th round anymore. Took a long time for this man to get a starting gig and he worked very hard to get this chance at this success. Parenteau was one of the best bargains of 11-12th season in NHL. His salary was only 1.2 million and he showed a return of 67 points, while I am no banker…that’s some very good math right there. You would be hard pressed to find better return anywhere in NHL. Here is a good break down of his last season. The bad thing for NHL Salary Cap and NHL standings bottom dwellers aka NY Islanders is that he is due for a raise. Obvious comparison here is that he has almost the same amount of points as Parise. Will his paycheck yield Parise-esq cheddar? I don’t think so, but he should land at around 4/4.5 cap hit. The main criticism here is that he has benefited from Mr.JT91 aka John Tavares (who is a bargain himself at cap hit of 5.5 million). His skill set is still not proven with only 2 full seasons in NHL. He benefits from the current UFA market and will grab the most he can from a desperate GM with lots of $$ to spend. He goes to the highest bidder or should I say Calgary?

6) Jiri Hudler, Detroit Red Wings, Left Wing
2011-12 Salary: $4,250,000
2011-12 Stats: 81 GP, 25 G, 25 A, 50 Pts, 42 PIMs

Hudler is a small player who relies heavily on his speed and quick but very accurate shot. He had a sort of a resurrection season with 25 goals playing with Zetterberg and Filppula. Detroit will not pay him more than 3/3.2 million and this means his career with the Red Wings is over. One thing that most people probably will not assume about Hudler’s game is his net presents. He will be looking for the dirty goals and his small size makes him hard to find for guys like Chara. Hudler has ran to money before, with his short stint in KHL, and will most likely settle with the team who is desperate enough to pay him with the hopes that he breaks 60 points. I think Hudler is another Leino. Buffalo seriously over spent on a player that just won’t hit the numbers they expect. The same speaks of Jiri. The teams will bet that he is hitting his stride at good hockey age of 28 and will sprout/blossom into a 30 goal scorer. Look for him to get paid as much, but he will be lucky to see 25 goals again.

7) Ray Whitney, Phoenix Coyotes, Left Wing
2011-12 Salary: $3,000,000
2011-12 Stats: 82 GP, 24 G, 53 A, 77 Pts, 28 PIMs

Remember when they said Larionov is too old to play at age 40…41…42…43. The same could be said of Ray Whitney. He is a very talented set up man with an accurate shot. His vision is his asset and just like Larionov he can still bring it at a ripe age of 40 years old. Two years before 11-12 season, it looked like his career was winding down to a slow and steady burn…like a candle flame that has been deprived of oxygen. Both seasons were productive with 58 and 57 points, but the minutes got smaller and most of the points came from the PP. Last year, he did not miss a game; in fact he has missed 9 games total in the last 4 season, and put up team leading 77 points. Veteran that can still play could be a key acquisition for a team on a brink of a Stanley Cup run. I would not be surprised if he got a nice pay raise as he showed that he is not injury prone and that he can still play at an ultra high 1st line minute pace. Who will be interested in his services? Every team will be interested, but I expect a team that is looking to add depth for a good run at the cup to snatch him up with a two 4/4.5 million year deal. Oh and last thing…his plus/minus was plus 26 last year.

8) Jaromir Jagr, Philadelphia Flyers, Right Wing
2011-12 Salary: $3,300,000
2011-12 Stats: 73 GP, 19 G, 35 A, 54 Pts, 30 PIMs

Everyone knows who Jaromir Jagr is and what he can do. Everyone saw that he can still do his Jagr thing…you get my butt but not the puck thing. He had 54 points and 20 of them came from the PP. I don’t see him playing 1st line minutes, unless it is with Giroux again, due to lack of speed that he clearly lost with his fine like wine age of 40 years old. His huge rear and his skill set is still super affective weapon on the power play. You need a good power play to win in this league and in the playoffs. A veteran like him will not take less cash and will not be playing for Blue Jackets. He wants a good team and a good pay. Apparently, he can teach the young guns what it means to be dedicated to hockey with late night workouts and religious dedication to skating during between games. So that’s a plus too. I can see him playing with a team that has talent; he does not want to carry a team and wants to enjoy the game. Maybe a come back tour with the Penguins? Add a little bit more drama between Philly and Pittsburg… Drama is not Jagr’s style? Right? RIGHT? !

9) Andrei Kostitsyn, Nashville Predators, Right Wing/Left Wing
2011-12 Salary: $3,250,000
2011-12 Stats: 72 GP, 16 G, 20 A, 36 Pts, 26 PIMs

Another Russian…more problems? Just when you had Malkin and Datsyuk show how good and dedicated Russian players can be, just before the draft filled with Russian talent, you have this guy (helping Canadian media question Oilers #1 pick of Nail Yakupov). Andrei got in trouble with the Nashville Predators because of his late night partying before NHL playoff game, rightfully so I may add. But what does he have to offer? He is a fairly big guy with a good shot, but he has never been a game breaker. Third line duties is where I would see him spend the rest of his NHL career unless he gets hot, similar to his brother (Sergei had 23 goals with a 24.7 shooting % in 10-11), where he has a 20+ shooting percentage and scores 30/35 goals. He CAN score and has some size to push people around, but it seems like he has the Russia-itis and lack of effort leaves everyone thirsting for more. Has only broke 50 point mark once in his career and might dangle with north of 40 points again. The only benefit he has is that he can score 20 goals from the 3rd line. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers replaced Prust with Kostitsyn and we all know Torts can get any player to play for him. His paycheck will be slightly inflated due to poor UFA talent, but I bet he will not be anything but a bottom 6 player with slim to none top 6 upside.

NHL Free Agent Frenzy: The Best Kept Secrets

Posted on June 30, 2012November 5, 2021 by Ben Kerr

This week, I have been looking at the Unrestricted Free Agents leading into the start of NHL Free Agency tomorrow. On Tuesday I wrote about highly sought after rookie, Justin Schultz. On Wednesday I took a look at big name RFAs who didn’t get qualifying offers, and followed that up with looks at the Top 10 Forwards, and the Top 7 Defencemen available as UFAs. Today I am going to look at the players that fall under the radar. The best of the group of muckers and grinders, who play important roles for teams. As hockey fans we should all know that it is often the role players who make the difference. Where would the Devils have been in the playoffs without Ryan Carter and Stephen Gionta? Where would the Kings have been without Dwight King and Jordan Nolan? These players may not be big names, and may not get signed for huge money on July 1st, but they are guys who can really add to a lineup and might just make the difference in a highly contested playoff game down the road.

Brandon Prust, LW/RW, New York Rangers
2011-12 Salary:
2011-12 Stats: 82 GP, 5 G, 12 A, 17 Pts, 156 PIMs

Prust is a rare and valuable commodity in the NHL. He is a top notch fighter who can play a regular shift without being a liability on the ice. Prust has excellent size, and is a quality skater for someone of his size and reputation for dropping his gloves. Prust is quick on the forecheck and lays punishing hits on defenders. Defensively responsible, Prust is even used regularly on the Rangers’ penalty kill units. I wouldn’t count on too much offence out of Prust, as he is unlikely to repeat his 2010-11 season where he scored 13 goals and 29 points as he had an unusually high shooting percentage that season, he can however put up 5-8 goals per season with bottom 6 ice time.

Daniel Winnik, FWD, San Jose Sharks
2011-12 Salary: $1,000,000
2011-12 Stats: 84 GP, 8 G, 15 A, 23 Pts, 52 PIMs

Winnik was part of a trade deadline move that sent T.J. Galiardi and himself to San Jose for Jamie McGinn, Mike Connolly and Michael Sgarbossa. A versatile player, Winnik has experience at all three forward positions. He is however best used as a winger, but can fill in as a centre if injuries arise. An effective penalty killer, Winnik uses his size and positioning to cut down passing and shooting lanes. Nearly 1/4 of Winnicks ice time last season came on the penalty kill. Offensively he’s a determined grinder who will win board battles down low, and go to the front of the net. Best used in a bottom 6 role, Winnik can also provide some offence as he typically puts up 8-12 goals and over 20 pts per season.

Jay McClement, C, Colorado Avalanche
2011-12 Salary: $1,500,000
2011-12 Stats: 80 GP, 10 G, 7 A, 17 Pts, 31 PIMs

Jay McClement is an effective bottom 6 centre. He took over 850 faceoffs last year and was at over 51% in the circle, a good ratio for a player who is best used in a defensive role. Listed at 6’1″, 205lbs, McClement has size and is not pushed around in board battles, or in his defensive responsibilities. While he doesn’t back down in these situations, you also shouldn’t expect a bruiser who goes looking for the huge hit or to be involved in a fight. McClement was an important penalty killer for the Avalanche, leading the team with over 3:00 of shorthanded ice time per game. He is a decent skater, and coupled with his defensive awareness is effective on that side of the puck. Offensively McClement can chip in some offense, as he is typically around 7-10 goals and 15-25 points per season. He will help a team on their third or fourth line.

Aaron Rome, D, Vancouver Canucks, Shoots Left
2011-12 Salary: $800,000
2011-12 Stats: 43 GP, 4 G, 6 A, 10 Pts, 46 PIMs.

Rome is an effective third-pairing defenceman. He plays a physical game and is not afraid to throw a big hit from time to time. He can also provide some offense from the blue line as he possesses a decent shot from the point. Rome is not the fleetest of foot and that prevents him from being a top 4 defenceman but he can certainly help a team in their bottom pairing. Rome missed time this past season with a broken hand, a thumb injury, and a knee sprain. His ability to stay healthy is a bit of a question mark after also missing time in the 2010-11 season with a sprained knee, as well as during the 2010 playoffs with the ever mysterious “upper body injury”.

Tom Kostopolous, RW, Calgary Flames
2011-12 Salary: $1,100,000
2011-12 Stats: 81 GP, 4 G, 8 A, 12 Pts, 57 PIMs

Kostopolous is an effective bottom line winger. He is a decent skater who gets in on the forecheck and pressures defencemen into coughing up pucks. Kostopolous seems to create offensive opportunities with his strong forecheck, but he is not blessed with the offensive skill to convert those opportunities into goals on most occassions. Defensively responsible, Kostopolous has good anticipation and awareness, and can be an effective penalty killer. He is a leader and has a team first mentality. Kostopolous is a willing fighter who often comes to the defence of his teammates, however I can not recall ever seeing him actually win a fight as he often ends up looking like a human punching bag. Despite this Kostopolous is still a valuable roll player, and can play a big part on a team’s third or fourth lines.

Dominic Moore, C, San Jose Sharks
2011-12 Salary: $1,200,000
2011-12 Stats: 79 GP, 4 G, 21 A, 25 Pts, 54 PIMs

Moore has bounced around the NHL, playing for San Jose, Tampa Bay, Montreal, Buffalo, Florida, Toronto, Minnesota, Pittsburgh and the Rangers, in his 8 season NHL career. Moore is the ideal 3rd line centre and is the best player listed in this article. He wins faceoffs with regularity as he was 55% on the dot last year. He is a strong skater who uses his speed, agility, and ability to change directions quickly to aid both his defensive and offensive games. Moore can provide offence in a third line role as he has scored at least 25 points in each of the last four years, topping out with a career high 45 points in the 2008-09 season. This Harvard alumni is an incredibly intelligent hockey player with an ability to read the play effectively and great anticipation. This helps Moore in the offensive end of the ice as he is able to find and exploit openings in coverage, and in the defensive end as he is able to cut down passing lanes and create turnovers.

Greg Zanon, D, Boston Bruins, Shoots Left
2011-12 Salary: $2,100,000
2011-12 Stats: 56 GP, 3G, 5A, 8Pts, 18 PIMs

Zanon was traded by the Minnesota Wild to the Boston Bruins at last season’s deadline. Listed at just 5’11” Zanon is a little undersized for his role as a stay-at-home defenceman. He makes up for this with his fearless play and work ethic. One of the best shot blockers in the NHL, Zanon gets into great position and is not afraid to put his body on the line in an attempt to help his team win. Zanon is a decent skater with good first step quickness and mobility. This helps him to defend against the rush, and to get to loose pucks. Zanon makes a good first pass out of his own zone, however he should not be relied upon to put up any sort of offensive numbers at the other end of the rink.

Paul Gaustad, C, Nashville Predators
2011-12 Salary: $2,500,000
2011-12 Stats: 70, 7 G, 14 A, 21 Pts, 76 PIMs

Listed at 6’5″ 212 lbs, Gaustad is a huge presence on the ice. One of the best faceoff men in the NHL, Gaustad took 1150 draws last year and was 57.3% on the draw. Effective at both ends of the ice, he is a valued commodity around the league as evidenced by Nashville’s willingness to trade a first round draft pick to get him at the trade deadline. Offensively Gaustad is an irritating presence in front of opposing goaltenders, and is difficult to move from the front of the net. He creates effective screens and can put up some offence scoring in tight as he typically finishes with between 7-12 goals per season and 20-35 points. Gaustad is also effective in the defensive end of the ice and on the penalty kill as he takes up a lot of space on the ice, and causes turnovers with his long stick. While not a true heavyweight, Gaustad has shown the ability to drop the gloves on occassion and has been especially diligent in this regard after being called out by his coach for not going after Milan Lucic following the much publicized hit on Sabres goalie Ryan Miller.

There we have it, eight under the radar players for the opening of NHL free agency tomorrow. These players won’t get a lot of press, and won’t be considered the “sexy” choices in free agency, but they just might provide some of the best value for the dollars spent this July.

As always feel free to leave your comments below and follow me @lastwordBkerr

Hill Becomes First Player in 81 Years to Hit Two Cycles in Same Season

Posted on June 30, 2012November 5, 2021 by Max Warner

Aaron Hill joined some very rare company when he hit for his second cycle of the 2012 season last night against the Milwaukee Brewers. In fact, it was the second cycle in the past twelve days for the Arizona second baseman, who also hit for the cycle in a June 18 interleague game against the Seattle Mariners.

Hitting for the cycle is extremely rare. Hitting for the cycle twice in the same season, let alone twice in one player’s career, is just plain silly. To put Hill’s accomplishment in perspective, he is only the second player in the past 112 years to hit for two cycles in the same season. The last man to accomplish that feat was Floyd Caves “Babe” Herman for the Dodgers… the Brooklyn Dodgers, in 1931. In 2010, statisticians calculated the probability of a cycle occurring in Major League Baseball as one per 17,000 player games, or approximately 2.5 times over the course of a 162 game schedule. At the start of this season, only 293 cycles had occurred since the founding of the first major league, the National League, in 1876. Aaron Hill has almost single-handedly accounted for the number of cycles which could have been statistically expected in the approximately 42,500 total individual player games in MLB this season.

The skill set required to hit for the cycle is truly unique. A hitter must have the contact skills to hit safely in four at bats in the same game, must have the power to hit a homerun and a double, and must have the speed to leg out a triple. Classic power hitters typically lack the contact skills and agility required for a cycle, while good contact hitters often don’t possess the power to drive the ball and collect the three requisite extra-base hits. Hill’s accomplishment on Friday was even more impressive given that he saved the most difficult hit, a triple, for last.

There is, of course, some good fortune required to collect a single, double, triple and homerun in the same game. It certainly helps when you get three at-bats against Randy Wolf and his batting practice fastball, as Hill did last night. Wolf has already allowed a whopping 113 hits this season, and sports a 5.78 ERA. On June 18, Hill also had the good fortune of facing Hector “Long Fly” Noesi in his first three at-bats, who has a 5.50 ERA and is on pace to surrender over 30 round trippers this season. But none of this should take away from the extreme difficulty or rarity of Hill’s accomplishments. We are not likely to see another Major League player accomplish this feat again in our lifetime, if ever.

I cannot finish this discussion about Hill without mentioning how, as a Blue Jays fan, it irks me that Hill rediscovered his game as soon as he was traded away by Toronto last season. Hill murdered the Jays’ offence with his .205 batting average in 2010, and his Omar Vizquel-esque .584 OPS in 2011. In August 2011, he was traded with John McDonald for fellow struggling second baseman Kelly Johnson. There is no doubt that Hill needed a change of scenery last year, but part of me feared that he would rediscover the hitting stroke that allowed him to belt 36 home runs in 2009, the most ever by a Jays’ second baseman. Johnson has been doing his best Aaron Hill impersonation (circa 2010) this season, posting a .695 OPS and playing terrible defence at second. Hill, meanwhile, has been hotter than the Arizona desert, posting and .883 OPS and making many Jays’ fans rue the day that he was shipped out of Toronto. After watching Hill hit for two cycles in less than two weeks, I’m beginning to think that maybe, just maybe, the Blue Jays made the colossal mistake of trading the best second baseman they have had since Roberto Alomar.

…and that’s the Last Word.

NHL Free Agency Watch: Morning Shocker out of New Jersey

Posted on June 29, 2012November 5, 2021 by Ben Kerr

Darren Dreger of TSN is reporting that there seems to be an issue with the new contract that most expected would be signed by Martin Brodeur and the New Jersey Devils.

For the first time in his career Brodeur has hired an agent, and he’s gotten a big name, Pat Brisson who is the co-head of Creative Artists Agency. Brisson is one of the most powerful and well respected agents in the game. Sports Business Journal named him the 12th most powerful agent in all of sports, not just hockey.

This comes as a huge shock, as it was expected Brodeur would sign his usual contract extension with the only club he’s ever played for.

Brisson has reportedly said that if a deal is not done with the Devils, Martin Brodeur will be testing free agency on July 1st.

The sure-fire Hall of Fame goalie would immediately become the number 1 goaltender on the market, as this year’s free agent goalie class is mainly limited backup goalies, and AHL journeymen.

We’ll have more on this as it unfolds.

Feel free to leave your comments below and follow me on twitter @lastwordBKerr

… and thats the last word.

Fort Erie Race Track Excitement!

Posted on June 29, 2012January 8, 2021 by Dwayne Edwards

Fort Erie Race Track is all set for the big stage starting this weekend, culminating with Canada Day. Sunday at the Fort there are nine races with the feature being the first stake race of the year. The Rainbow Connections covers five furlongs on the turf course. The big purse of $125,000 has once again caught the interest of some nice fillies from Toronto as trainers and jockeys from the big city will be on hand for the Canada Day Festivities.

Canada Day is always a busy day at the Fort Erie Race Track. From past experience, it closely rivals opening day as the busiest day of the year – The Prince Of Wales Day! Now that the Queen’s Plate has concluded, and was won by Strait of Dover, congratulations go out to Justin Stein, Daniel Vella and Canyon Farms. But it’s now time to figure out the field and prep for The Prince of Wales Stakes. The 2nd leg of Canada’s Triple Crown is run three weeks after the first leg and is one mile and three-sixteenths and Fort Erie dirt oval.

This brings the big question for Strait of Dover, the new King of Woodbines polytrack; will he show up to try to win the Triple Crown on Fort Erie’s dirt track? He has had no success on dirt thus far in his life, with his only attempts coming at Hastings Race Course in Vancouver. This is going to be a tough call for Vella and his connections as Dover has never been beaten on the polytrack and has never hit the board on the dirt. Are they in it for the money or in it for the love/prestige? We all know how prestigious and hard it is to win the triple crown, for some owners it is all they strive for. Of course, they don’t want to lose money but are in the game for “moments”, and a chance like winning the Triple is too good to pass up.

July 15th is set, and quite possibly is the last running of The Prince of Wales Stakes. Time to get dressed up, girls get a chance to wear their favorite hats to cheer on and show their support for the greatest track in the world!

Fort Erie Race Track

NHL Free Agent Watch: Top 7 Defencemen

Posted on June 29, 2012November 5, 2021 by Ben Kerr

I started my NHL Free Agent Watch on Tuesday by looking at Wisconsin product Justin Schultz who is set for free agency. On Wednesday I looked at the RFAs who were not qualified by their respective clubs. Yesterday, I looked at the Top NHL Free Agent Forwards and today I will continue on with the Top Group III UFA defencemen who are scheduled to be available in the NHL’s annual Free Agent Frenzy. Much like the forwards, there is one key UFA defenceman who stands above the rest and is widely considered the prize piece of this year’s UFA defence crop, and that is Ryan Suter. There is a small tier of impact defencemen under the age of 30 right behind him, and after that things thin out quickly.
1) Ryan Suter, Nashville Predators, Shoots Left
2011-12 Salary: $3,500,000
2011-12 Stats: 79 GP, 7 G, 39 A, 46 Pts, 30 PIMs

The former 7th overall pick, Ryan Suter has developped into one of the top 2 way defencemen in the NHL. Suter put up a career high 46 points last season. To put this in perspective, only 11 defencemen in the NHL scored 45 or more points last year. And only 1 defenceman had more than 53 points. Suter is a workhorse defenceman, who plays a ton of minutes, in all situations. He has a great all around game and can be relied upon no matter what the score or who the opponent is. Suter’s biggest asset is his extremely good hockey sense. He reads the play quickly and effectively and makes good decisions all over the ice. Suter has great vision and passing ability, and his first pass is important in kick starting the Predators transition game. These passing skills also translate to the PP where Suter and Shea Weber have formed an outstanding one two punch on the point for the Predators. Suter has a heavy shot which is usually kept low and on target. Defensively Suter possesses great positioning, and while he doesn’t through the big hits of his teammate Shea Weber, he engages physically in battles along the boards and in front of the net. He’s been a key cog for the Predators since being drafted, and will be a major loss should he decide to go to another club on July 1st.

2) Matt Carle, Philadelphia Flyers, Shoots Left
2011-12 Salary: $3,800,000
2011-12 Stats: 82 GP, 4 G, 34 A, 38 Pts, 36 PIMs

The strength of Carle’s game is as an offensive blue liner. Carle is calm and poised with the puck on his stick and he has a great first pass out of the zone, which helps activate the Flyers transition game, and leads to offensive chances. Carle is able to use these passing skills in the offensive zone as well, as he makes smart plays from the point. He pinches in at the right times and keeps plays alive for his team. Carle certainly doesn’t have the hardest point shot in the league, but he keeps it low and accurate which can lead to rebound and tip in opportunities for his team. Defensively, Carle had to play most of this season without his normal defence partner as Chris Pronger missed much0 of the year suffering with post concussion syndrome. While this led to Carle being on the ice for more goals against than he had been the past two seasons, he still acquitted himself reasonably well. Defensively he is good positionally and plays a strong steady game. He continues to improve his skating and agility and is beaten less frequently off the rush than he has been in previous season. He can however have some trouble with big forwards outmuscling him on the boards. Carle is a legitimate top pairing defender playing 23 minutes per game for the Flyers last season, and is capable of being used on both the Powerplay and Penalty Kill.

3) Jason Garrison, Florida Panthers, Shoots Left
2011-12 Salary: $675,000
2011-12 Stats: 77 GP, 16 G, 17 A, 33 PTS, 32 PIMs

Garrison really broke out this season with the Panthers in his second full NHL season. He has an absolute rocket of a point shot, and used it to score 16 goals this year. With Brian Campbell setting him up, Garrison was a major weapon on the Florida powerplay. Garrison is also an underrated passer, as he has decent vision and makes crisp passes both to start the rush and in the offensive zone. Many will look at Garrison’s numbers, and the fact he was not well known before this season and think that he is a pure offensive defenceman and that his defensive game is suspect. This is not the case. Garrison is a physical defender who clears the front of the net and wins a lot of board battles in his own end of the rink. He is also a good shot blocker, and is a sound positional defender. Garrison was used in all situations this year, and was a key contributor to the Panthers’ penalty killing units. He averaged 23:41 in ice time per game this season. Teams may be concerned that he only has two and a half NHL seasons under his belt, but they shouldn’t be. While it will be tough to replicate the 16 goals he scored this season, Garrison is a true top 4 defenceman who would be a valued addition to any club.

At this point in the rankings, there is a very clear drop off in the level of talent available on the free agent market. The following defencemen are flawed in one or two key areas, however they do represent players capable of playing over 20 minutes per game for a good NHL club, and could be used to fill holes for many teams.

4) Filip Kuba, Ottawa Senators, Shoots Left
2011-12 Salary: $3,700,000
2011-12 Stats: 73 GP, 6 G, 26 A, 32 Pts, 26 PIMs

Kuba, now 35 years old, had a renaissance last year with the Senators after a disasterous 2010-11 campaign. At even strength, he teamed with Norris Trophy winner Erik Karlsson and his reliable defensive play allowed Karlsson the freedom to have the season he did. Kuba was also a key contributor to the Senators second powerplay unit, and the most used player on their penalty kill. Kuba was a workhorse last season, who played over 23:30 per game for the Senators. Offensively, Kuba is still a very good passer who can exploit openings given to him by the opposing team. Defensively he is sound positionally, blocks shots, cuts down passing lanes, and gets the breakout started quickly and efficiently. Kuba may not be as quick as he once was, but he did show last season that he still has decent mobility. He continues to have trouble with big, strong forwards and battling them in the corners and in front of the net can sometimes be a problem. Right now, Kuba is still a capable top 4 defenceman, but with a 35+ contract and some signs of decline, teams should be wary of the length of deal that they offer Kuba.

5) Bryan Allen, Carolina Hurricanes, Shoots Left
2011-12 Salary: $3,150,000
2011-12 Stats: 82 GP, 1 G, 13 A, 14 Pts, 76 PIMs

A good old Kingston boy, Allen played solid minutes for the Hurricanes last season, coming in at just under 20 minutes per game. Unlike the other defencemen on this list, Allen does not possess a lot of offensive skill. He is however a top 4 defensive defenceman. At 6’5″ 226 lbs, Allen is a huge physical specimen who is tough to beat in board battles. Allen clears the front of the net, and is not afraid to mix it up with anyone. He brings an element of size and toughness to the table and is an effective shutdown defenceman. Paired with a solid puckmover, Allen should bring a team stability on the back end, and the stay at home defensive presence that will allow the right partner to take more offensive chances.

6) Sheldon Souray, Dallas Stars, Shoots Left
2011-12 Salary:
2011-12 Stats: 64 games, 6 goals, 15 A, 21 Pts, 73 PIMs

After being unceremoniously dumped into the AHL by the Edmonton Oilers, and having a bitter, public feud with the organization, Souray joined the Dallas Stars last summer. The now 36 year old defenceman had a resurgent year for the Stars putting up solid offensive numbers and playing over 20 minutes per game for the Stars. Souray still has the rocket of a point shot that made him one of the most feared powerplay weapons in the league a few years ago. In the offensive zone he knows how to get open and to find shooting lanes for his dangerous shot. Defensively Souray is a physical player in his own end of the rink and is willing to battle for pucks down low and clear the front of his net. He does however lack some mobility and can be beaten off the rush by quick forwards. Souray would be a nice addition to any team looking for help on the Powerplay . Another candidate for a 35+ contract, teams should be wary of Souray’s injury history, especially his multiple wrist and hand surgeries.

7) Sami Salo, Vancouver Canucks, Shoots Right
2011-12 Salary: $2,000,000
2011-12 Stats: 69 GP, 9 G, 16 A, 25 Pts, 10 PIMs

Salo’s 69 games played this season were the most for the injury prone defender since the lockout. He averaged over 20:00 per game and was used in all situations by the Canucks. Talent has never been an issue for the Finnish defender as he is clearly a top 4 defenceman when healthy. Now 38 years old though, the questions about his eventual decline and if he will be even more susceptible to injury loom large. Salo still possesses the absolute cannon of a point shot that helped him score 9 goals for the Canucks last year. His big one timer is a weapon that would help almost any powerplay in the NHL. Defensively, Salo plays a smart positional game and uses his strong instincts and quick stick as his best assets. He is also good along the boards, and is able to clear traffic from the front of the net. The key here will be limiting the length of his contract to just one year, as signing Salo for any longer than that is risky given the 35+ nature of the contract.

While there are a number of other decent defencemen available I feel that these seven are the only UFAs who should be relied upon for top 4 minutes in the NHL next season. The early signings of Barrett Jackman, Brad Stuart, and Dennis Wideman have really thinned the crop this year. Beyond Suter there is no other defenceman available who could be the number 1 guy on a cup contending team. And beyond the second tier of Garrison and Carle, we are into a group of players who while they could be nice additions to a club are mainly complimentary pieces.

The rest of the available UFA defencemen not listed here are mainly depth pieces and I will look at them tomorrow in a piece on bottom 6 forwards and bottom parining defencemen available.

As always feel free to leave your comments below and follow me on twitter @lastwordBKerr.

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Year: 2012

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NHL Free Agent Watch: Top 7 Defencemen