New York Rangers star Henrik Lundqvist was crowned the Vezina Trophy winner on Wednesday night as the League's top goaltender, as NHL shooters rarely slipped one by him.
During his acceptance speech, it was Lundqvist's turn to slip one by someone -- the censors. Listen to the casual, under his breath F-bomb from King Henrik as he mulled his next thank you (Warning: NSFW for strong language. Obviously.)
Jonathan Quick, whom Lundqvist defeated for the Vezina, infamously dropped F-bombs after the Los Angeles Kings won the Stanley Cup and during their parade celebration at Staples Center. Actor Matthew Perry opened the show by jokingly mentioning to Quick that the show was on a 7-second delay in case he decided to get salty again.
It's always the pretty ones you really have to worry about ?
in 2010, photos change, words not so much. MLS Superdraft breakdown - you know you’re not getting that here. But every year the draft marks the beginning of a new soccer season. Beyond the MLS hot stove, it means the first USMNT game of the new year is around the corner, with the Gold Cup just [...]
It's a Wednesday edition of Marek vs. Wyshynski beginning at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT, and we're talking about the following and more:
Special Guest Stars: Andi Petrillo of Hockey Night in Canada joins us from Vegas to talk NHL Awards; and Dave Burstyn of McKeen's joins us to talk NHL Draft.
? In which Marek and Wysh discuss Erik Karlsson's contract and Josh Harding's deal.
? Bobby Ryan on the block, Jordan Staal off the block?
? The return of Hologram Bill Masterton!
Question of the Day: Give us one lock and one upset for the NHL Awards.
Terry Byrne talks exclusively with TIAS about the relaunch of the New York Cosmos (and that book about his buddy)
—- This is what we know. The New York Cosmos are back with intentions on being the 20th MLS franchise in 2013. It?s run by famous industry names like Paul Kemsley, Terry Byrne, and famed advertising executive [...]
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero seems intent on making some big moves this offseason.
After making noise by trading one of the best two-way centers in the NHL in Jordan Staal last night to the Carolina Hurricanes, Shero wound up with two first-round selections, which he used to bolster the Pens' defensive depth by drafting both Derrick Pouliot and Olli Maatta.
Now, it appears as though Shero may not be done.
According to The Score (a Toronto-based sports network), Shero may have just leaped into the Ryan Suter sweepstakes and is interested in acquiring his negotiating rights from the Nashville Predators.
Report: The Pittsburgh Penguins are actively pursuing the rights to Nashville Predators D-man Ryan Suter. - thesco.re/LI5kjT
CSN Philadelphiaalso reported Pittsburgh's interest in Ryan Suter's negotiating rights just a few hours ago.
These rumors were surely fueled by the announcement that Ray Shero had shipped veteran defenseman Zbynek Michalek (and his $4 million cap hit) to Phoenix for goalie prospect Marc Cheverie and the 81st overall pick in this year's draft (the Penguins would go on to draft Oskar Sundqvist with that pick) following last night's opening round of the draft.
To sum up Pittsburgh's moves, Shero managed to dump $8 million worth of cap space in Jordan Staal and Zbynek Michalek, bringing back prospects Brian Dumoulin and Marc Cheverie, draft picks and Brandon Sutter (whose cap hit totals less than $2.1 million).
Now, with over $14.5 million in cap space, Pittsburgh could be in a great position to acquire Suter's rights and sign the 27-year-old All-Star to a long-term deal at a considerable price.
Should Shero manage to pry Suter away from the apparent front-runner Detroit Red Wings, he will have instantly turned his Penguins squad into legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
With plenty of defensive prospects in the Penguins' system as well (Derrick Pouliot, Simon Despres, Olli Maatta, Brian Dumoulin and Joe Morrow to name a few), Suter would provide top-notch mentorship going forward.
And imagine a power play consisting of Sidney Crosby, James Neal, Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang and Ryan Suter. What a potent attack that would be!
It could be that thought that pushed Shero to get busy on Friday night and clear the necessary cap space to bring in a top-tier free agent like Ryan Suter.
With the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom, the number of active NHL 94 players decreased yet again. This is obviously the most important reason why Teemu Selanne should continue his NHL career ? you know, along with the whole being really good for the Anaheim Ducks and Hall of Fame numbers things.
Veikkaaja Magazine (terrible translation here; better synopsis here) reports that Selanne has decided to continue his NHL career for one more season in Anaheim.
Barring some freak Sami Salo-esque injury, he'll tell the Ducks formally in July or August.
Now, keep in mind this is one report. Other recent ones are a little cloudier about Selanne's return.
"Sel�nne answers to Ducks by July. They'll let him choose a desired post-retirement job in the organization. Mentions Robitaille's Kings job. No, doesn't mean Sel�nne retires now. He just said that he has the opportunity once done. Wants to do sales/consulting/representation with Ducks."
Saw him a couple days ago, before he went back to Finland. He looks good. BM thinks Teemu is waiting to see what the team does over the 'next three weeks'. He's used to this process by now.
So the signs are pointing to another year of Teemu in the NHL. He has 663 career goals, and scored 26 last season; he's chasing Jaromir Jagr (665), Luc Robitaille (668), Mario Lemieux (690) and Steve Yzerman (692) and Mark Messsier (694) on the all-time list. You're all on notice.
In his first match back from suspension, Wayne Rooney provided all the offense England needed to advance to the quarterfinals at Euro 2012.
The fiery forward headed home the game-winner to lead England past Ukraine 1-0. In the other Group D match, Zlatan Ibrahimovic?s spectacular volley lifted Sweden over France, 2-0, to give the English the top spot in the group.
On Monday in Group C play, there exists a scenario in which Italy could beat Ireland to finish with five points, yet still not advance to the Euro 2012 quarterfinals. If Italy wins and Spain and Croatia draw, 2-2, to create a three-way tie for first place in Group C, Spain and Croatia will advance.
Do the 2012 NHL Awards lack a little buzz this year?
Perhaps. Which is weird, because some of the races for the awards are unpredictable and, in some cases, history could be made.
So if you're on the fence about tuning in for the Awards on Wednesday night, here are 10 reasons why it could be worth your time.
1. Will Henrik Lundqvist pull the Hart/Vezina sweep?
The New York Rangers star is up for both the Hart Trophy for regular-season MVP and the Vezina Trophy for the NHL's top goaltender. The latter, one assumes, he should have in the bag ? Lundqvist has been nominated four times for the award; plus, Jonathan Quick and Pekka Rinne may split the vote from the Western Conference GMs.
But can he win the Hart? Only three goalies have ever pulled off that sweep: Jacques Plante in 1961-62; Dominik Hasek twice, from 1996-98; and Jose Theodore in 2001-02.
The MVP is probably in Evgeni Malkin's Shrek-ish hands, but you never know.
Speaking of which ?
2. Evgeni Malkin's Speech
From 96.1 KISS-FM, this tribute to Malkin interviews should whet your appetite for what should be an Obama-level oration when Malkin accepts the Hart Trophy.
3. The Philosophy of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins vs. Gabriel Landeskog
The Calder Trophy vote this season was a fascinating one, and not just because The Nuge and The Kog were stellar candidates. It's a vote that speaks to the very philosophy of what makes for a successful season and an impactful player.
RNH was the League's best rookie offensively ? tied for first among rookies in points with 52, averaging a rookie-best 0.840 points per game in 62 games. He scored 23 of his 52 points on the power play, and didn't see any action shorthanded.
Landeskog tied Nugent-Hopkins in points and was second to Matt Read (24) in goals with 22. He played all 82 games, got better as the season went along and was a major factor in the Colorado Avalanche's push for the playoffs during the voting period. He was a physical force and set a Colorado record with 270 shots on goal.
Nugent-Hopkins was the more dynamic rookie during a shorter time frame. Landeskog was in it for the long haul and was the more complete player.
Datsyuk has been voted a Selke finalist for the fifth consecutive year, matching the streaks of Montreal's Guy Carbonneau (1986 through 1990) and Bob Gainey (1978 through 1982). He can match Gainey in another way if he bounces back to capture the Selke this season, after having his run of three trophies end last season: His fourth Selke will tie Gainey for the most in NHL history.
6. The Ottawa Upsets?
Neither Paul MacLean nor Erik Karlsson of the Ottawa Senators could be considered the front-runner for the Jack Adams or the Norris Trophy respectively. But both have their unique charms for voters, which means the potential is there for an upset.
For MacLean, his coach of the year candidacy rests on his likeability (undeniable) and the fact that the Senators were seen by many as a conference cellar-dweller that he led to the postseason instead. Probably not enough to get around the considerable roadblock of Ken Hitchcock, but he has a shot.
Karlsson's path to the Norris is more direct: Hope that Zdeno Chara and Shea Weber split the "total package" vote, and that enough members of the PHWA see his offensive accomplishments as spectacular and his defense as respectable.
7. Old Guy vs. Sob Stories
Joffrey Lupul had his career threatened in 2010 by two back surgeries and a blood infection. Max Pacioretty suffered a significant concussion and neck trauma after being driven into the stanchion by Zdeno Chara, and getting stretchered off the ice.
Both players worked their way back to the NHL, with career-best results in 2011-12.
Daniel Alfredsson is ? old. But dedicated. And the Masterton Award is intended for "the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey." Being a career Ottawa Senator ? that's all of those things, no?
8. Please Give Jonathan Quick a Cocktail and an Open Mic
If there's nothing else we've learned in the wake of the Los Angeles Kings' Stanley Cup championship, it's that the Conn Smythe winner is a [expletive] blast when he's [expletive] loose and there's an [expletive] mic on. Sit him with Roenick.
9. How Nice Is Matt Moulson?
The New York Islanders forward has a chance to become the nicest man in the NHL. He's up for the Lady Byng, after a season in which he earned six penalty minutes in 82 games while scoring 36 goals. How gentlemanly!
He's also up for the NHL Foundation Award, given annually to "an NHL player who applies the core values of hockey -- commitment, perseverance and teamwork -- to enrich the lives of people in his community."
Why? Oh, because he created the 326 Foundation with brother-in-law Jon Quick to benefit the Islanders Children's Foundation and the Kings Care Foundation. This year, Moulson donated $500 for each of his career-high 36 goals for a total of $18,000 to the 326 Foundation.
He also raised money for Hockey Fights Cancer and helped out the Wounded Warrior Project, too.
If he wins either award, we bet he'll allow a sick kitten to accept on his behalf.
10. Finally, Please Tell Us Nickelback Is Using Massive Amounts of Pyro
Even those hockey fans that didn't recoil upon hearing Nickelback would be the line musical guest at the NHL Awards are in the "I can stomach them I guess" party. So we ask ? nay, beg ? of you NHL Awards producers and Nickelback: Give us pyro. Massive fireballs and explosions. Flames licking the faces of the front row VIPs.
Anything to distract us from the Nickelback happening on stage. Hey, it worked for hair metal.
The New York Rangers are considered the front-runners for Rick Nash, both because the Columbus Blue Jackets captain would be willing to move to Broadway and because the Rangers have a plethora of assets that could interest Columbus.
While the Rangers have never exactly been spendthrift, Nash does carry a $7.8 million cap hit through 2018. As Larry Brooks of the NY Post pointed out on Sunday, Rangers GM Glen Sather might be at the same point Los Angeles Kings GM Dean Lombardi was this season ? make the bold move for now, repercussions be damned.
Future moves would be restricted in taking on this contract commitment to Nash, but even more so with a new collective bargaining agreement under which cap likely is to be recalculated and regulations likely are to be restrictively redefined (e.g., terms limits and front-loading) beginning next season.
Del Zotto will become a restricted free agent on July 1. McDonagh, Stepan, Anisimov and Hagelin will become restricted free agents next summer. Then, after two more seasons, Henrik Lundqvist, Ryan Callahan, Dan Girardi (and Marian Gaborik) are eligible to become unrestricted free agents while Kreider will be restricted.
Does Sather interpret all this as a window closing after two years, thus prompting him to make a bold move now, the way Los Angeles GM Dean Lombardi did in acquiring Jeff Carter's strangling contract a few days before the deadline? It's impossible to know at this moment.
It's an interesting point. Brad Richards, the Rangers' free agent prize last summer, is 32. The rest of the roster is a smattering of players in their prime (Lundqvist) or entering it (Girardi) or young talent on the rise. The window is there for them to win now, yet should they take advantage of adding that kind of salary commitment given the other decisions Brooks lays out here?
Aaron Portzline of the Dispatch told us on the podcast this week that he sees Nash ending up with the Rangers. For now, it appears that Sather's more concerned with the team's offensive output than it's room against the cap.
The 2012 NHL Draft is upon us. Many hockey fans know these prospects well. Others are aware there's a guy named "Nail" and some other dudes among the top picks. Please allow Puck Daddy's 2012 NHL Draft FAQ to fill in the gaps.
Who is this person?
Nail Yakupov, right wing and a native of Nizhnekamsk, Russia.
How do you say ...?
Nah-eel Ya-ku-poff
So wait ? it's not pronounced "Nail", as in "Fail For"?
Nope, sorry.
Can we just all agree to call him "Nail" anyway?
Sure, because he's down with it, according to the Edmonton Sun: "He's cool with it being pronounced Nail, and he expects he'll end up being called that throughout his hockey career."
OK, so Jeff Marek can say "Nail hammered on the boards" on Sportsnet, and we can all giggle?
Yes.
And if he's drafted some dreg of the NHL, we can still go with "Nail Gets Screwed"?
No, sorry, then it reverts back to "Nah-eel."
Damn. OK, so where did he play?
Yakupov played for the OHL Sarnia Sting for two seasons after a year in Russian junior. He scored 170 points in 107 games, which is decent, we suppose.
What does he do to make scouts drool on their wrinkled suits?
The consensus No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 Draft, Yakupov has drawn comparisons to Pavel Bure for his speed, shot and for the overall outstanding qualities in his game. And who's making such lofty comparisons? Scotty Bowman, no less. He's a fierce competitor on the ice and an engaging personality away from the rink. Did we mention his blazing speed?
What does he do to make scouts pop antacids?
The "Russian Factor" is the primary one, but it probably doesn't apply to a first overall choice with two years in the OHL. Beyond that, it's probably just headaches over how much this kid is going to earn now and down the road.
Is he on Twitter?
Sorta? He has one cyber-squatted, uh, "reserved" for him @NailYakupov. There hasn't been a tweet yet and he has close to 2,200 followers. UPDATE: Huzzah, he is on Twitter at @nail10_1993.
Celebrity he most resembles?
The love child of that werewolf from "Twilight" and Zach Parise.
1. Being first overall must mean something to you?
"Being at the NHL draft already means a lot. And of course being the first overall pick is an honor. It would be great, of course. But still, someone who is picked in the sixth round, for example, will still get the same chance as you. Both will be given an opportunity to show what you've got. When you're drafted, you're given a chance. And then it's up to you what you do with that chance. Only time will tell."
2. Do you think that fact that you are Russian will hurt you? There is the so-called "Russian Factor" present at the draft.
"I don't think it will hurt me. I honestly don't think it matters. As far as someone being afraid that Russian players will leave, that's why we are playing here. And it's not even my first year, but my second one already. You also have an agent who talks to scouts. As for me personally, if I am given a chance to try myself in the NHL, I will certainly try myself in the NHL. Yes, if you are playing in the KHL, then teams are afraid when they pick you. But if not, like I, I would rather try to play in the NHL. It is never too late to go back to Russia. But I can't control what someone may be afraid of. I will just do the best that I personally can, whatever depends on me, to be the best player, to be the number one draft pick."
3. Did you have a favorite NHL team growing up?
"I really liked some player. Pavel Bure was my favorite. I still remember him play. As for teams, I really like watching Vancouver, Pittsburgh and Detroit play. But I just like any hockey. I watch hockey at home regardless of what teams are playing."
Where will he be drafted?
That would be No. 1 overall. Even if the Oilers move the pick, the trading partner will be moving up to snag him.
Obligatory YouTube
Nail Yakupov, shooting on Canada at World Juniors. Awesome:
That's quite the interview. Would you say he ... 'nailed it'?
Jim Fox played nine seasons with the Los Angeles Kings before becoming one of the voices of the team with Bob Miller in 1990. �Needless to say, he bleeds purple, gold, black and silver.
Fox was on Fox Sports West with Patrick O'Neal during the Kings' Stanley Cup parade through Los Angeles on Thursday when the emotions over seeing this team finally win its first Cup since 1967 overcame him:
This video's just another reminder that for all the catcalls about celebrity bandwagonism regarding the Kings, there are plenty of fans (and alumni) who have been waiting a lifetime for what they witnessed on Monday ? and around L.A. on Thursday.
Mere seconds after the Los Angeles Kings were crowned champions on Monday night, waves of Stanley Cup winner swag hit online retailers and stores around LA.
That included the one piece of gear that's our annual obsession here at Puck Daddy: The official Stanley Cup champions hats.
This season's New Era hats ($32) aren't black, which is a understandable from a graphic standpoint but disappointing from a Los Angeles Kings standpoint. One imagines this was going to be a one-template-fits-all design for the New Jersey Devils or Los Angeles Kings, meaning that it would have been the second drab gray hat for a Devils' Cup champion. But thanks to Steve Bernier, that's immaterial now.
For a point of comparison, here are the last two Stanley Cup champs hats from the Boston Bruins and the Chicago Blackhawks:
At a minimum, the Kings' Cup hats are an improvement over the Bruins lids, which look like rejected designs from a corporate picnic.
Despite not being the slick black hats we pictured in our minds' eye, the 2012 lids are solid. The white threading, the "CHAMPIONS" font, the balance of the whole thing ? it's something every Los Angeles fan can wear with pride until the Lakers' next champions hat.
But what say you?
Pass or Fail: The Los Angeles Kings' 2012 Stanley Cup champions official hat.
Bonus question: Do you have a favorite Cup champs hat?
Related Stanley Cup playoffs video on Yahoo! Sports
It took an impressive final round of one of the toughest majors tournaments in recent history, but Webb Simpson was able to finish as the 2012 U.S. Open champion.
With a 68 in his final two rounds, the 26-year-old earned himself a nice payday of $1,440,000.
Former U.S. Open winners Graeme McDowell and Jim Furyk were in the hunt the entire day, but neither could get the necessary birdie on 18 to send the tournament to an 18-hole playoff.
McDowell and Michael Thompson will each get $695,196 for finishing in second place. Furyk must settle for $276,841 after a bogey on the final hole.
Still, the players at the top were not the only ones to receive a payday. With a total purse of $8 million, there was plenty of money to go around.
Tiger Woods had a good start to the weekend, but finished seven strokes over par to tie for 21st place with five other golfers. After all of the tournament wins and endorsements in his career, the $86,348 he earned will hardly make a dent in the bank account.
Despite the struggles by Woods, a few other veterans with multiple U.S. Open titles had successful runs at the tough course at Olympic Club.
Two-time champion Retief Goosen quietly worked his way into the top 10 by shooting even par over the last three days. Fellow South African Ernie Els used two eagles to finish in ninth place, his ninth career top-10 finish at this prestigious tournament.
Goosen will leave with $163,594, while Els should be happy to take home $200,280.
The only other former winner to even make the cut on this challenging course was 2007 winner Angel Cabrera.
Cabrera struggled throughout and finished 12 strokes over par, tied with five others in 46th place.
Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson was only able to make $18,593 after finishing in 65th place.
Here is a complete breakdown of payouts courtesy of ESPN:
Pittsburgh Penguins GM Ray Shero seems intent on making some big moves this offseason.
With the retirement of Nicklas Lidstrom, 
Do the 2012 NHL Awards lack a little buzz this year?
4. Who Will Be Best Dressed? 
8. Please Give Jonathan Quick a Cocktail and an Open Mic
The New York Rangers are considered the front-runners for Rick Nash, both because the Columbus Blue Jackets captain would be willing to move to Broadway and because the Rangers have a plethora of assets that could interest Columbus.
The 2012 NHL Draft is upon us. Many hockey fans know these prospects well. Others are aware there's a guy named "Nail" and some other dudes among the top picks. Please allow Puck Daddy's 2012 NHL Draft FAQ to fill in the gaps. 
Three Questions with 
At a minimum, the Kings' Cup hats are an improvement over the Bruins lids, which look like rejected designs from a corporate picnic.
