Clemente’s Corner: The Legacy of Jack Adams

Here’s a quiz question that could stump even the biggest hockey fan: Name the only person in history to win the Stanley Cup as a player, manager and general manager? 

Stumped? The answer is Jack Adams. 

If that name is familiar it’s because Adams has a trophy named after him: the Jack Adams Award. It is given each year to the coach who has “contributed the most to his team’s success.” 

Who was Adams?

Why does he still matter?

Should collectors even consider chasing his cards?

These are the questions I was searching the answers for when I read recently that Adams’ rookie card had turned 100 years old.  

Continue reading “Clemente’s Corner: The Legacy of Jack Adams”

Snap Shots: Tons of Trades

Snap Shots is three days late, but better late than never, as they say. I had a busy weekend selling at a sports memorabilia convention, then other things got in the way. Such is life. But I still wanted to chip in my two cents about what went on around the NHL over the past seven — make that 10 — days. Two players skated in their 1,000th games, and set some interesting records in the process. Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal scoring record got a little closer to being broken, and, of course, there was the NHL trade deadline. 

Continue reading “Snap Shots: Tons of Trades”

Blake’s Takes: The Final Edition

After almost four years of writing for Puck Junk, I’m officially announcing that I’ll be taking some time away. This will be my last column. It could be my last one forever. I’m not sure.

That doesn’t mean I’m not going to go out with a bang. In this week’s column, I’ll dig into one of my favorite fan moments, an intriguing contract extension, and a few other takes.

I’ll close with some thoughts about my last few years writing for Puck Junk. It’s been a ride. Let’s get down to it.

Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: The Final Edition”

Blake’s Takes: Coaches and GMs Ousted

Last week wasn’t kind to coaches and GMs around the league, as two of them are out of a job. I’ll share my thoughts on those two vacancies. More importantly, I’ll shed some light on two of my favorite positive storylines around the NHL and share a video that should provide you all with some laughs.

Happy Monday!

Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Coaches and GMs Ousted”

Blake’s Takes: Hockey is in Full Swing

We enter week two of NHL games and my fantasy hockey team looks better than ever. My takes this week have some variety. From players with damaged reputations, extensions, and major business deals, these takes have it all.

Happy Monday!

Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Hockey is in Full Swing”

Blake’s Takes: Extensions for Everyone!

This week’s set of takes is all about extensions. With training camp beginning, many teams did some last-minute negotiating, signing superstar players and coaches to new deals.

Other than the many extensions, I’ll share my thoughts on an injury that makes me sad and a cool new initiative down in the desert.

Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Extensions for Everyone!”

Blake’s Takes: Offseason Madness Continues

The second wave of offseason craziness was just as hectic as the first. Massive contracts were signed across the league. There were also a few blockbuster trades that involved the games’ best players.

In this week’s column, I’ll give my two cents on some of my favorite transactions from the last week or so. I’ll also talk about some of my favorite puck junk I acquired over the last week.

Happy Monday!

Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Offseason Madness Continues”

Blake’s Takes: Scheifele Suspension Upheld

Last week’s hockey news was dominated by Mark Scheifele’s hit on Jake Evans that resulted in a four-game suspension. There was a heated debate on Twitter over the severity of the suspension. Scheifele appealed but the suspension was upheld. Outside of Scheifele’s suspension, there were a few other gems in the hockey world that I’ll share with you all. That includes huge steps in diversity and my favorite play of the week

Happy Monday!

Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Scheifele Suspension Upheld”

Blake’s Takes: The 2021 NHL Playoffs Are Underway

We are in the midst of the first round of the 2021 NHL Playoffs. Some teams have already been eliminated, and some teams are still fighting for their playoff lives. Regardless, this is what we’ve been waiting for. 

This week’s takes will focus on a few of the most notable postseason storylines, including a noteworthy suspension, a serious injury, and an unsurprising playoff standout.

Happy Tuesday.

Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: The 2021 NHL Playoffs Are Underway”

Blake’s Takes: Marleau Makes History

It was a rather quiet week in the hockey world. That gave me the opportunity to write about some of my favorite random things I saw throughout the week. That includes Stanley Cup championship rings, NHL records being broken, and very difficult goals to swallow.

Happy Monday!

Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: Marleau Makes History”