The Detroit Red Wings have been one of the most successful teams in sports the past two decades, qualifying for the playoffs an incredible 18 years in a row, winning six conference titles and four Stanley Cups.
One of the primary reasons for their consistent success is a player development system that is second to none in the NHL. I remember watching the Stanley Cup teams of the late-90's, and even the 2001-02 team, and foolishly thinking that once they lost players like Steve Yzerman, Brendan Shanahan and The Russian Five (my goodness, those teams were stacked) they would eventually fall back to the pack and have, at the very least, a couple of down years. Not even close.
Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our daily look at the previous night's action. During the offseason, we'll look at some of the storylines and moves taking place around the league three times per week. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.
Rangers Part Ways With Zherdev
After being awarded $3.9 million in his arbitration hearing, the New York Rangers decided they would rather part ways with Nikolai Zherdev, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent, than invest nearly $4 million in a streaky, one-dimensional forward. He has the talent, but he's been somewhat of an enigma his entire career, and his one-year stint in New York was no exception. Newsday's Steve Zipay reports that Zherdev's top priority is to find another NHL team before turning to the KHL as an option. He has his flaws (inconsistency being the big one) but he should still be able to sign on with another NHL club in need of offense.
The news that Sergei Fedorov is, reportedly, leaving the NHL after 18 years to join Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL is somewhat disappointing to me, seeing as how he was always one of my favorite players growing up in the early 1990's. One of the best two-way players to ever lace up a pair of skates, and part of the Red Wings' famed "Russian Five" line, Fedorov was also involved in some hockey's finer advertising campaigns, including the days when ESPN actually acknowledged the existence of the sport.
In a set of first round playoff series that look, at least on paper, to be more competitive than usual, the most hard-fought battle might be the one between the Devils and the Hurricanes. The teams entered the postseason at opposite ends of the spectrum -- the Devils waded through March like they were wearing cement boots, while the Hurricanes, despite losing their last two of the season, finished remarkably hot.
Tom Gulitti is the Devils beat writer for the Bergen Record and, as the voice of Fire & Ice, one of the best beat bloggers in the league. He took some time out to speak with FanHouse about the Devils and their first-round matchup.
In news that is sure to delight the rest of the Eastern Conference, the New York Rangers have claimed forward Sean Avery on re-entry waivers, as reported by TSN. There was some speculation leading up to the announcement that a number of teams might consider a claim before the Rangers, but the Avery-to-New York reunion was destined to happen.
Lately, it's become all the rage for fans and players around the NHL to pile on Penguins captain Sidney Crosby. The latest player to jump on the pile was Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk, who responded to Crosby's criticism of Alex Ovechkin for his often times over-the-top goal celebrations.
On Saturday night, legendary Canadian hockey analyst Don Cherry offered up his opinion on Ovechkin, and, well, if you're familiar with Cherry, it shouldn't be much of a shock. Video after the jump.
Typically in the sports world, coaches get too much credit when things are going well, and too much blame when they aren't. When a team isn't meeting expectations, the easy thing to do is fire the coach and bring someone in who will "change the message" or something like that.
On it's surface, the coaching change made Monday by the New York Rangers smacks of this type of desperate management.
For the second game in a row Jamie Langenbrunner scored the game-winner in overtime, leading the Devils to a 4-3 come-from-behind win against Pittsburgh. Langenbrunner has now scored two goals in three consecutive games, while registering seven points.
It's the Devils' eighth win in a row, as they overcame a 3-1 deficit with eight minutes to play in regulation. Brendan Shanahan started the rally for the Devils with a power play goal, while Langenbrunner was credited with the game-tying goal with 30 seconds remaining when his centering pass deflected in off of Ryan Whitney's skate.
Brendan Shanahan made his season debut for the New Jersey Devils on Monday night, and it didn't take him long to make an impact. At the 1:38 mark of the second period, the 39-year-old forward beat Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne from right on top of the crease, giving the Devils a 1-0 lead on their way to a 3-1 win over the Predators.
Shanahan registered nearly 14-minutes of ice-time, while firing six shots on goal. His tally came on the power play, which is where he should make his biggest impact for a New Jersey team that entered play on Monday ranked 15th in the league with the man advantage.
Scott Clemmensen stopped 31 shots to pick up the win for the Devils, while Brian Rolston recorded a pair of assists.
FanHouse's Adam Gretz takes a look at his top 50 players in the NHL. No. 8 is Detroit Red Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg.
Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our daily look at the previous night's action. During the offseason, we'll look at some of the storylines and moves taking place around the league three times per week. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.
Lately, it's become all the rage for fans and players around the NHL to pile on Penguins captain 
Typically in the sports world, coaches get too much credit when things are going well, and too much blame when they aren't. When a team isn't meeting expectations, the easy thing to do is fire the coach and bring someone in who will "change the message" or something like that.
With 21 games left in the regular season, the struggling New York Rangers have decided to make a change. No, this one doesn't involve 
For the second game in a row 
