Hockey cards, collectibles and culture
This was a weird week in the NHL. The most notable story was an odd scandal involving the league’s least-valuable team. That doesn’t mean there aren’t takes to be made. I’ll check in on players around the league that are flying under the radar that deserve your attention.
Last week was really all about the Battle of Alberta. The Flames and Oilers faced off twice and neither game was a disappointment. This week’s column is better suited to be a review of a boxing match than a hockey column. I’ll dive into all the punches thrown and gloves dropped up in Western Canada as well as share my thoughts on one of my new favorite hockey-related beverages. Happy Monday!
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: The Battle of Alberta Strikes Again”
Last week, we saw two of the game’s best players reach tremendous milestones. We also saw a milestone reached off the ice. And, as is tradition this season, another team in the hunt for the playoffs fired their coach. Read all about it below!
The takes are hot this week. We’re in the midst of the World Juniors and there have been plenty of storylines from the tournament thus far. The All-Star Game rosters were just released and I have a lot to say about that. I’ll also take a look at another gem of a press conference by the one and only John Tortorella.
Continue reading “Blake’s Takes: All-Stars and World Juniors”
For this week’s Blakes’ Takes, I share my thoughts on Roman Josi’s monster contract extension. I take a look at a few teams that have lost their stars due to injuries. Also, you can find my takes on the most surprising teams of the year and one scorching hot start.
Last week was a surprisingly busy week in hockey. Although, the news that was reported last week was closer to what TMZ would report on rather than NHL.com. Regardless, this week’s takes will consist of a drug-related suspension, a few new uniforms, and some fun predictions of our newest crop of captains!
The St. Louis Blues did it. They won their first-ever Stanley Cup. This week’s Blake’s Takes looks at how the Blues conquered hockey’s Mt. Everest and who the key players were along the way. I also highlight the first few major moves of the offseason.
The Stanley Cup Finals continue. The Blues are now down 2-1 to the Bruins after Jake Binnington’s worst game as a pro. Torey Krug has put the Blues on notice and the Bruins’ powerplay continues to roll. We also have some exciting news in the AHL and ECHL.
This week, I take a look at the fall of both top-seeded teams.. I also highlight Steve Yzerman’s return to Hockey Town and some key playoff roster moves.
Sixteen wins. This is what it takes to win the hardest trophy in sports. Although regular season success is often used by analysts to predict post-season play, only one President’s Trophy winner has taken home the Stanley Cup this decade, the 2012-13 Chicago Blackhawks. Sometimes, the wear and tear of an 82-game regular season proves to be too much. The team which raises the cup in June must have enough mental and physical resolve, and undoubtedly some luck, to power itself through two months of grueling hockey. Below are the five teams that have the personnel and coaching to seriously contend for the Stanley Cup.