2015 Stanley Cup Predictions - Round 4

The only thing consistent about these playoffs for me is the unpredictability of these series. I went O-2 last round which I guess CHI/TB fans can thank me later. I don't think I have a prediction jinx like other bloggers and broadcasters do, but it's still good enough to notice that the President's Trophy curse still holds up. The New York Rangers have folded up while blogs are already talking about tearing down and trading players. NHL Radio's "Boomer" Jim Gordon is already speculating that they will have some trouble having given up a lot of draft picks in recent years to build for today.

So, Tampa Bay and Chicago are two hockey franchises that are strong and passionate about their teams. The bigger cities have already tossed around the typical stale taunt of low-ratings turnout, but I'm not concerned how this will play out nationally. The biggest ratings will be at the Cup-clinching games, but they'll still be great now that they're off basic cable and directly on NBC.


Stanley Cup Championship Final

Chicago v. Tampa Bay

I'm not going to bog people down with advance stats or "CORSI", but rather use my own intuition in my final attempt to predict something well enough this season.
The main focal point of this contest rests within the Lightning "win at all costs" offense with the Hawks "domination" of a defense. Keith and Seabrook have things locked down on defense.

Also, the other key matchup is the Corey Crawford vs Ben Bishop goalie comparison. Corey struggled in the first series but rebounded to a 9-4-1 record. Bishop was steadier with a 12-8 record, but gave up 15 goals in the last series.

Look for Brad Richards to make a story for himself on the ice and North American media to talk about him once raising the Cup over his head. He was once a member of the TB Lightning and now he's playing against them as a member of the BlackHawks.
Prediction: BlackHawks in 6

Cover Boy Stamkos Signs Extension with TB Lightning

AP Photo

The one guy that has the potential to score 50 goals a year and only after just completing his 3nd year as a professional in the National Hockey League has signed his first contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning. He's re-upped with TB for another five years and reportedly to have it $37.5 million dollars.

He's quickly becoming the media darling in a lot of hockey media areas whereas Ovechkin has underachieved and Crosby has been injury prone. Stamkos has even generated talk as to being the best hockey player in the NHL within the year. While it's quite the lofty accolade, the pundits who are quick to label him the next great superstar may want to check and see what it did to Alex and Sid. But he's still not going to get paid like the top superstars, according to the article written in the Rogers Sportsnet website.

Even though Stamkos scored a major raise coming out of his entry-level deal, the $7.5-million annual cap hit he'll carry is less than Alex Ovechkin ($9.53 million per year), Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin ($8.7 million each) received in their second NHL contracts.

But that's not going to stop Stamkos from being who he is and determined to make a winning franchise from their slumping stages. To make money, Tampa Bay needs to win. Assuredly, the high scoring offense of three powerful forwards like the Lightning have, they can at least come half way and show the fans their commitment to winning every year.

But as they pay out the money to Stamkos, just what will happen to the Lightning and some of the other albatross contracts belonging to Lecavalier and St. Louis. Will they have to be moved? It's still a possibility that new GM Steve Yzerman, who grew up with the value of one-team loyalty in hockey, can find a way to keep all three franchise guys as well as a young Hedman on defense.

We'll see what Stamkos does now that even after being a highly rumored RFA this off-season, the EA Sports cover boy is going to have to prove himself this upcoming season if the sports pundits want him to be looked at in the same caliber as Crosby or Ovechkin.

[Via: Rogers Sportsnet]

Slovak Extraleague Holds Their Own Against NHL

Since you know I am a Slovak culture enthusiast and often take a look at the sporting levels. The Slovak Extraliga is the top pro league in Slovakia to which one of my fantasies was always that the NHL would one day engage in exhibition games with the Slovak Extraliga. Today, this has come true.

I have heard a lot of criticism about the professional hockey leagues in Europe and their comparison to the level of play in the National Hockey League. The consensus is that the NHL is the top elite league where the best hockey players in the world go to play. But hockey fans and bloggers often comment about the drama and action of European leagues as they continue to gain notable popularity. But the Slovak Extraliga is not on the very top of premier leagues, only to be overshadowed by the Russian KHL, the Swedes and the Finish leagues.

HC Slovan Bratislava is the defending Slovak Extraliga back-to-back champs, so this would make it a natural first choice to build a relationship of exhibitions with. So, in order for the American hockey ambassadors to get used to the international ice sizes, Tampa Bay is burdened with the task of challenging other representatives in this unique form of hockey diplomacy.

Evgeny Artyukhin made it 1-0 for the Lightning in the first period before Slovan tied the score when Marek Uram got a goal in the second. Martin Kulha scored a power-play goal in the third and Lecavalier evened the score for the Lightning on a two-man advantage, sending the game into overtime.

For this result to happen, only one conclusion could be seen. I think that the Slovak Extraliga talent to take the Lighting as far as they did only signifies the growing strength of the team and perhaps put the League on the international conscious.

[Via: NHL.com]

Stamkos Signs on Dotted Line for Tampa Bay

The new era in Hockey Bay, Florida has officially begun as the new face of the franchise signs a max rookie contract.

"It is with great pleasure that we formally announce the signing of Steven today," vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said in a statement.

And they will certainly have enough pleasure to burn when Stamkos torches defenders with his skills. And if the picture to the right is any indication, I believe he can also burn a hole in opposing players' confidence by using the "Stamkos Stare(tm)".

"It is obvious to all of our staff in a brief period of time that Steven is a very special young man with great potential. His work ethic and eagerness to learn have been very impressive. We believe with our veteran leadership that Tampa Bay is the perfect scenario for Steven to grow and mature as a player and person on and off the ice."

When I read that, it makes me wonder what crosses Vinnie Lecavalier's mind. Will he now have to settle for a back seat again while someone else becomes the fan favorite? He has been known to pout, even to the point of publicly feuding with the current ex-coach Torts.

As far as Stamkos goes, he is not the household name that people who don't follow hockey as much would know. Just how much do Tampa Bay plan on promoting their newest #1 overall draft pick? Will we see him in Reebok or Gatorade commercials?

[Via: TSN.ca]