Scott Niedermayer: Hall of Fame career ends

Scott Niedermayer has retired.

No, this isn't a joke. (Remember 2007 anybody?)

In 1989, the Toronto Maple Leafs traded a 1st round draft pick in 1991 to New Jersey for Tom Kurvers.

Kurvers didn't do anything for Toronto and they traded him.

But New Jersey made use of the pick and beat the Sharks into drafting Niedermayer 3rd overall.

Boy, the Leafs really screwed that one up.

Niedermayer emerged into a top defenseman, playing alongside hard checking Hall of Fame defenseman Scott Stevens

( pictured on left)

Niedermayer won Stanley cups with the Devils in 1995, 2000 and 2003 (won against Anaheim, his future team, and his brother Rob's team)

In 2005, he was signed as a free agent by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
Now playing with brother Rob, Teemu Selanne, and rookies Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, he emerged into a top Mighty Duck defenseman.

In 2006, the team was renamed the Ducks, and with the addition of all star defenseman Chris Pronger, the Ducks won their first Stanley cup (Niedermayer's fourth).

Afterward, Niedermayer's age dropped in. He almost retired after his cup win with Anaheim, but he played for 3 more years. With the departures of Chris Pronger (Philadelphia) and Francois Beauchmin (Toronto), he started to decline, and on June 22nd 2010, he finally retired.

A Hall of Fame career perhaps.

Hamhuis Flying to Philly, Ryan Parent becomes a Predator again

Veteran defenseman Dan Hamhuis is heading to the city of Brotherly Love.

Going on their way to Nashville is a conditional pick in 2011 and defenseman Ryan Parent.

Hamhuis is 27. He was drafted in 2001 in the 1st round, 12th overall. He began his career in 2005.

Parent is making his second bow in Nashville, as he was traded to Philadelphia in 2007 in what was a deal that sent Peter Forsberg to Nashville.

Hamhuis had 24 points in 2009-10.

Jaroslav Halak has the Blues

The Price is right for Montreal.

Jaroslav Halak is heading to St. Louis.

Halak's stats are as follows                

GP   W L  OT MIN GA SO GAA SV%

 101 56 34 7  5758 251   9  2.62 .919      

Heading to the Habs is Lars Eller, who was a 1st round draft choice in 2007, and prospect Ian Schultz.                              

The New Captain of the Leafs: Dion Phaneuf

The Mats Sundin era is long over.

But it's time someone took his place.

After two seasons with the "Mats, oh yeah, he was that guy who was supposed to lead us to a Stanley cup championship... so we're just going to mope" attitude, no more will be seen.

Then, on January 31st 2010, two trades fixed up the Leafs.
The first brought veteran goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere to the Leafs from Anaheim for Jason Blake and Vesa Toskala.

The second brought all-star Norris trophy finalist, Calgary Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf, along with useful Swede Fredrik Sjostrom and minor leaguer Keith Aulie, in exchange for Matt Stajan, Ian White, Niklas Hagman and Jamal Mayers.

As a result of the Leaf's poorness earlier in the season, the team failed to make the playoffs and finished second last, their draftpicks for rounds 1 and 2 in Boston's hands.

So can Dion lead a new age of Leafs, including Tyler Bozak, Nazem Kadri and Christian Hanson?

The question is up to Dion Phaneuf.

"King" of Defence: Rob Blake retires

After 21 years in the NHL, 1998 Norris trophy winner and part of the 2001 Colorado Avalanche stanley cup champs, Rob Blake is hanging the skates up.

In a career that spanned from 1989 to 2010, he played with 3 teams: Los Angeles (from 1989-2001,2005-2008), Colorado (from 2001-2005) and San Jose (2008-2010).

He was the captain for Los Angeles, and the current captain for San Jose.

STATS

Blake finishes the NHL with 240 goals, 537 assists and 777 points in 1270 games.

A virtual key to the hall of fame is expected in 2013.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: 2010 Stanley Cup Champions

After 49 years the Blackhawks win it all.

In overtime it was tied 3-3 and Andrew Ladd tipped it to Patrick Kane and Kane shot it in.

The light didn't even go off, but it was true. The Blackhawks were drinking out of the Holy Grail of Hockey. It was close, though. The Flyers played well, as did their players Ville Leino and Michael Leighton, both waiver castoffs.

CONN SMYTHE TROPHY 2010

Winner: Jonathan Toews

Toews deserved the Smyhte as noted in the top 10. An excellent preformer beyond

Dale Hawerchuk, this guy is like either Bobby Hull or in a more modern comparisson, Michel Goulet.
Toews had 68 points this season. He also led the playoffs this season.

A quick congrats to the Chicago Blackhawks, and I hope you enjoy your summer.

Thanks, everybody.

Philadelphia 3 Chicago 1

Phiadelphia is starting to show some signs of flight. Kris Versteeg rocks too, he was second in Calder finalists.

Another thing, Pat Quinn, if you are reading this, listen to me.
Jaromir Jagr is the best European player in hockey history. He played with one of the greatest players of all time, Mario Lemieux.

( For idiots that can't figure out who is who, get off this blog, because it's for hockey fans only!)

Pat, this would be the perfect linemate for Sam Gagner and Taylor Hall. Sign this guy to a two year deal till he turns 40. Better not let him run out. Omsk sux, that's why John Grahame came to the Avalanche. And with Grahame here, Peter Budaj is gonna leave.

Currently, it is the end of the 2nd period, and all updates are here at Hockeyland.

Currently... the Flyers suck

The Philadelphia Flyers have messed up big time.
Mistakes I made in last time's post:
-Brian Boucher should not be on the list.
-Jeff Carter and Mike Richards should be higher.
-Leighton should be lower.
Current score:
Chicago 1
Philadelphia 1
(Carter scored an own goal)