Feb
29
2008
When Brian Campbell’s agent, Larry Kelly, informed the Buffalo News that his client was playing his last game as a Sabre on Monday, it was only a question of where the two-time All Star defenceman would end up at, and what was coming back in return. Less than 12 hours later, it turned out to be San Jose for RW Steve Bernier and a 1st round draft pick. Many Sabres fans were outraged that we could have gotten a lot more for a player such as Soupy, but let’s not beat around the bush. It was either get the best deal possible before 3pm or get nothing at all if we couldn’t sign #51 before July 1st. Continue Reading »
Feb
28
2008
Today, you get a trade deadline assessment of the NJ Devils. Why? Because they’re my favorite team, I own the site(Joe who own the site?), and I’m going to be writing regularly about the Devils. So there.
The Devils have won by being the Devils this year. Timely goal scoring by taking advantage of opponents’ mistakes, solid defense, and great goaltending. That combination has them back up at the top of the East, where they’ve been pretty much anchored for the last fifteen years with just a couple of hiccups, 1996 mainly, in between. After the jump, how the Devils will fair after a quiet trade deadline from Lou Lamoriello. Continue Reading »
Feb
28
2008
The Ottawa Senators threw a curve ball to the league yesterday firing head coach John Paddock and replacing him with General Manager Bryan Murray. This was another head scratching move by a Canadian team in as many days and begs to ask the question; is it Johnny’s fault that NO ONE on this team can stop a puck?
Continue Reading »
Feb
27
2008
Now that we can all breathe after the madness that was the trade deadline we can all sit back relax and start evaluating the big winners and losers. Today we look at the enigma that is the Montreal Canadiens. Continue Reading »
Feb
27
2008
Time to play the game everyone plays this time of year. That’s right, it’s trade deadline winners and losers. It’s pretty simple, after the jump, we’ll assess most of the contenders and any team we felt won or lost on this, the day of the NHL’s trade deadline. More after the leap. Continue Reading »
Feb
26
2008
- Hale has officially joined the team. He’ll be writing as he pleases, but will regularly update us from the world of hockey collectibles, as it’s kind of his thing.
- You can now get up to the minute updates from Marty’s Better. Take a look on the left of the screen and you’ll see instant updates via the Marty’s Better Instablog 9000. This extremely high tech piece of equipment Twitter widget has been added so that we can send updates and thoughts to the site as we see fit. This will be especially useful when we’re at work in a situation where we can’t write up a full piece on something, or if we just need to jot down a thought that won’t be requiring a full blog.
- Two to three new writers will be joining the club next week. One will be writing pretty exclusively on the NY Islanders. Another will be writing a feature called “Hockey Hunks.” Yes it’s a girl, and she’s very passionate about her hockey players. The last one has yet to decide exactly what he’ll be focusing on.
- I’m trying to recruit two writers who currently write for other sites on the Sabres and Flyers. If anyone knows a Ranger fan who can also spell has the skill to regularly contribute, drop us an email via the “contact us” page up top.
Feb
26
2008
Good Morning boys and girls it’s your boy Hale here saying peace, pucks and player movement as the trade deadline is fast upon us. The trade deadline hits at 3pm EST and many rumors continue to swirl out there involving Marian Hossa and Brad Richards. They will be the main chips today as league gm’s try and make a big splash.
However it is rarely the marquee player that leads a team to a cup. Over the years it has been the Butch Gorings that have lead teams to a cup and not the Ryan Smyths or Peter Forsbergs of the world. Funny how the market always seems to correct itself and those draft picks you trade always seem to come back and bite you in the rear. Remember the draft picks that Tampa acquired 10 years ago. The two picks that they eventually used to draft Vinny Lecavalier and Brad Richards. So buyers beware!!! Also to all fans out there..never and I mean ever get a jersey of a rental player not under contract. Those Ryan Smyth Islander jerseys and Keith Tkachuk Thrasher tee shirts are not exactly flying off the shelves
More to come later
Hale
For your veiwing pleasure please enjoy the work of Pascal Morency
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJJ7ptwYUxk
Feb
25
2008
First, we’ve decided to hold off on the “home stretch” pieces until after the deadline. We’ll reassess everything after tomorrow’s deadline and see where everyone stands. We’ll also update the Atlantic and Southeast divisions after all the other divisions are done.
Today, I’d like to address the “Mats Sundin Situation,” as I’m now referring to it as. When I woke up this morning afternoon, I read a very scathing assesment of Sundin’s character, Leafs fans’ attitudes, and management’s unrealistic need to long for the past. While I agree that 1) Leafs fans are impossibly hard on their players and have no ability to wait for teams to develop and 2)Leafs’ management is so incredibly shortsighted on what it takes to build a winner, I strenuously object to any question about the character of Mats Sundin. That’s right I “strenuously object.” After the jump, I try as hard as I can to defend Mats(yes, it’s plural) Sundin’s character. Oh yeah, we’ll also dive into fifteen years of Leaf futility. Woot. Wish me luck. Continue Reading »
Feb
23
2008
Obviously, the playoffs are broken down by conference record, with only the division winners guaranteed a spot. However, we here at MartysBetter.com have decided to break things down by division, analyzing each team with a prediction as to what they’ll do down the final stretch, and whether or not they’ll make the playoffs. Finally, I’ll give my prediction as to how far each team can go in the playoffs. Today, we head for warmer climes to the Southleasteast Division.
Continue Reading »
Feb
22
2008
Obviously, the playoffs are broken down by conference record, with only the division winners guaranteed a spot. However, we here at MartysBetter.com have decided to break things down by division, analyzing each team with a prediction as to what they’ll do down the final stretch, and whether or not they’ll make the playoffs. Finally, I’ll give my prediction as to how far each team can go in the playoffs. Today, because it’s my favorite division, I’m starting with the Patrick Atlantic Division. Continue Reading »