AGRI Biz

The race for the playoffs is extremely tight in the Western Conference. With four bottom-half teams realistically having a shot at making the playoffs, and a fight atop the standings, the final ten games of the season will be as important as ever. Veteran playoff teams like the Red Wings will be fighting for the eighth spot, while newbie teams like the Coyotes will be challenging for the top spot in ...

If we could all accomplish a fraction of what Bob Clarke did in his career, I’m sure we would all be content with our lives. "Clarkie," as he is affectionately referred to by fans and friends, was playing for the Flin Flon Bombers of the Saskatchewan Junior League and had put up impressive numbers. However, he was rarely scouted, as few teams sent scouts to Western Canada in the 1960s. Clarke ...

Some rules are made to be broken. Some are made to be ridiculed. So, in light of the recent General Manager meetings in Florida, where the NHL Rulebook is subjected to its yearly scrutiny, let’s bring the rulebook out once more. If the GMs and Board of Governors can analyze it like lawyers analyzing a contract, we certainly can be lawyerly too. (Unfortunately, we don't all get to lounge in Florida ...

  * - Division leader 1. *Washington Capitals – 103 It’s tough to find a weak spot in the Capitals’ game. With a 14-game win streak, this team is not slowing down. Some say they are a one-man team, with Ovechkin leading the way. However, without him in the lineup this season, the Caps have gone 6-2. The Capitals lead the league in goal differential with a plus-79 rating. 2. *New Jersey Devils – ...

á I have been writing for Bleacher Report for a year-and-a-half now, with over 415 articles written, 230,000 article reads and more stats that I can spew out, like IÆve been doing ever since I started writing. IÆve had my share of popular articles and hardcore controversy. IÆve had articles that have seemed to kill my reputation and others that have unfairly bolstered it. But overall, IÆve had a pretty good time ...

Philadelphia Flyers Plus: 1. Offensive Depth: Despite losing Mike Knuble and Joffrey Lupul, the Flyers gained a full season (hopefully) of Danny Briere and Claude Giroux. The statistics should equal out, if not surpass, the production of the departed Flyers. 2. Top three defenders: The Flyers have the best top three defense corps in the Eastern Conference. Just think of the look on Alex OvechkinÆs face when he found out that heÆll have ...

á Washington Capitals Plus: 1. Semyon Varlamov: The young goalie who had his coming out party in the Æ09 postseason will be starting in net for the first time in the regular season.á Will he respond the same way in an 82-game regular season as he did in a shortened playoff run?á I think so.á Key stat: Varlamov had a .918 save percentage and a 2.53 GAA in the CapsÆ playoff run. 2. Ovie ...

Boston Bruins Plus: 1. Offensive Depth: With impact players on their first, second, and third lines, the B’s are one of the deepest offensive teams in the league.  Devoid of superstars up front, the Bruins are able to make up for it by having numerous scoring lines.  Key stat: The Bruins had seven players with 20-plus goals. 2. Coaching: One of the best coaches in the league in Jack Adams Trophy winner Claude Julien ...

Chicago Blackhawks   Plus 1. Offseason moves: By signing Marian Hossa and being able to keep Versteeg and the rest of the RFA's (despite the horrible screw ups of the team), the Chicago Blackhawks secured their chances at a Central Division crown for the first time in ages. If there is any team that has the talent to dethrone the Detroit Red Wings, it's the 'Hawks, who have finally come back to life. ...

Calgary Flames Plus: 1. Coaching: Although I still think it is a really a-hole move by Brent Sutter to leave New Jersey in the midst of a contract to coach Calgary, brother Darryl could not have chosen a better candidate.  With two World Junior Championships and some quality seasons in Newark, Brent Sutter has shown he is a quality coach who can lead an NHL team to the postseason. 2. Improvement: Although they ...