Rest in peace, Reg

The recent passing of former NHL player Reg "The Ruffian" Fleming struck a chord with Moody, Hound Central 4.0's roving Southeast correspondent.

Here's Moody's recollection:

"I had the chance to meet him during an old timers charity game at a local rink back in Michigan. I had just graduated from high school, so I wasn’t very good at recognizing players. I had a few cards and one of them was a Tall Boy Reprint of Fleming.

"Armed with a Bic pen (Most of my early sigs were with ink pens), I snagged the players as they came off the ice. Mr. Fleming came off and, as I asked who he was in order to rifle through a stack of cards to find his, he patiently waited and happily signed the card for me.

"He may have played well before my time, but his signature is one of the first that has launched my interest in vintage autographs. As tattered as the card may be, it still sits on the top of my most memorable successes."

Like looking at pictures?

Good. Check out these five galleries from the 2008-09 hockey-hounding season down here in Hockey Bay:

April 8, 2009: Pittsburgh Penguins
March 18, 2009: Toronto Maple Leafs (my favorite)
March 7, 2009: St. Louis Blues
Feb. 23, 2009: Boston Bruins
Feb. 18, 2009: Chicago Blackhawks

Flashbacks 06.10

It's been nearly three weeks since the last installment of this summer space filler. How about a mixture of team and player reports from Hound Central 3.0, 2.0 and 1.0?

April 2, 2008: Atlanta Thrashers
Oct. 27, 2007: Buffalo Sabres
Feb. 20, 2007: Florida's Eddie Belfour
Oct. 29, 2006: San Jose Sharks
Feb. 17, 2006: Hall of Famer Stan Mikita

Update: 10 Big Sigs

Before the 2008-09 hockey hounding season down here in Hockey Bay, I predicted that these items would be added to the collection.

Let's see how I did:

No. 10: Montreal's Saku Koivu on the Canadiens' legends jersey - Did not obtain

No. 9: Dallas' Brad Richards on a Stars puck

No. 8: San Jose's Dan Boyle on a Sharks puck

No. 7: A team-signed Boston Bruins jersey

No. 6: New Jersey's Martin Brodeur on a replica jersey

No. 5: Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby on Colin's #87 Penguins jersey - Did not obtain.

No. 4: Columbus' Rick Nash on Blue Jackets and Team Canada pucks

No. 3: Pucks from Chicago's Patrick Kane (Blackhawks, London Knights and Team USA) and Jonathan Toews (Blackhawks, Team Canada and University of North Dakota)

No. 2: Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk, Nicklas Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski and Henrik Zetterberg on Red Wings pucks

No. 1: Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin (provided he stays), Columbus' Fredrik Modin (provided he stays healthy) and Toronto's Pavel Kubina on our Tampa Bay Lightning 2004 Stanley Cup Champions items. - Not a single item.

Looking back, it wasn't a great season, but it wasn't bad. Though Crosby signed during his visits to Hockey Bay, I missed getting him to sign. Perhaps, too, I overshot on the goals for the Red Wings. And Koivu signed a Canadiens team helmet instead.

The biggest disappointment, though, was not adding to the Tampa Bay Lightning 2004 Stanley Cup Champions items. One would think that the No. 1 item on the 10 Big Sigs campaign would take precedence, but a combination of players not traveling to Hockey Bay (Khabibulin and Modin) and simply forgetting (Kubina) worked against me.

Still, I'm happy to have added what we did. I'm sure, too, that this project will return for the 2009-10 hockey hounding campaign. This time, though, I'll have to keep my eyes on the prize, won't I?

Revisiting my picks

Having suffered through a 0-for-Western-Conference sweep in my first -- and rather poor -- upset-heavy attempt at this NHL playoff's picks, I feel obligated to take a realistic approach to the conference semifinals.

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins (1) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (4)
Bruins in six games

Washington Capitals (2) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (3)
Penguins in seven games

Western Conference

Detroit Red Wings (1) vs. Anaheim Ducks (4)
Ducks in seven games

Vancouver Canucks (2) vs Chicago Blackhawks (3)
Blackhawks in six games

Flashbacks 04.22

Like reading about or looking at hockey autographs? Me, too.

Check out these installments from past hockey-hounding campaigns:

Jan. 16, 2008: Colorado's Joey Sakic
Nov. 4, 2007: Hall of Famer Phil Esposito
April 16, 2007: Cup winner Glenn "Chico" Resch
Sept. 24, 2006: Dallas' Mike Modano
Nov. 26, 2005: Los Angeles' Yutaka Fukufuji

Got lots of time? Find hundreds of more adventures at Hound Central 3.0, Hound Central 2.0 and, most certainly, Hound Central 1.0.

As always, thanks for stopping by.

Playoffs picks

For as long as I can remember, rooting for the underdogs in any playoff series carries great appeal. Still, though, one should be realistic, calling upon intellect, insight and, more importantly, gut instincts.

With that in mind, here are one hockey hound's best guesses at how the 2008-09 NHL playoffs, which begin tonight, will shake out right on through to early June. As you can see, I'm predicting a few upsets:

Opening rounds

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins (1) vs. Montreal Canadiens (8)
Bruins in five games (Bruins win 4-0)

Washington Capitals (2) vs. New York Rangers (7)
Capitals in six games (Capitals win 4-3)

New Jersey Devils (3) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (6)
Devils in seven games (Hurricanes win 4-3)

Pittsburgh Penguins (4) vs. Philadelphia Flyers (5)
Penguins in six games (Penguins win 4-2)

Western Conference

San Jose Sharks (1) vs. Anaheim Ducks (8)
Sharks in seven games (Ducks win 4-3)

Detroit Red Wings (2) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (7)
Blue Jackets in seven games (Wings win 4-0) (Oops!)

Vancouver Canucks (3) vs. St. Louis Blues (6)
Blues in six games (Canucks win 4-0) (Oh, well)

Chicago Blackhawks (4) vs. Calgary Flames (5)
Flames in five games (Blackhawks win 4-3)

Conference semifinals

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins (1) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (4)
Bruins in seven games

Washington Capitals (2) vs. New Jersey Devils (3)
Devils in five games

Western Conference

San Jose Sharks (1) vs. Columbus Blue Jackets (4)
Sharks in four games

Calgary Flames (2) vs. St. Louis Blues (3)
Flames in six games

Conference finals

Eastern Conference

Boston Bruins (1) vs. New Jersey Devils (2)
Devils in seven games

Western Conference

San Jose Sharks (1) vs. Calgary Flames (2)
Sharks in five games

Stanley Cup

San Jose Sharks vs. New Jersey Devils
Devils in six games

Conn Smythe winner: Zach Parise

Hello, Tony O

Though Colin may have gotten more than 300 autographs on his hand-drawn team sheets over the course of the 2008-09 hockey-hounding season, none were bigger, in my opinion, than this card signed by Hall of Famer goalie Tony Esposito.

I'd heard that Esposito was a frequent visitor to Lightning games and would sign single items as he walked across the plaza at the St. Pete Times Forum.

On Thursday, after hounding the visiting Washington Capitals, we finally put the information to good use. Our patience, I believe, was rewarded.

Next time, though, I'll carry Blackhawks and Canadiens pucks.

Tick, tock, tick, tock

Time's running out, kiddies, if you'd like to win this Chicago Blackhawks puck signed by Eddie Olczyk in Hound Central 4.0's Win this Auto contest for March.

There are five entries, so far. I'd like to think this puck, obtained when the Blackhawks visited Hockey Bay earlier this season, is worth a few more.

I mean, how many other hockey hounding sites offer its readers nice stuff like this? Any? If so, let me know.

All you need to do, in 100 words or less, is share your favorite story about the Chicago Blackhawks. Doesn't sound too hard, does it?

Interested? Start writing now. You're down to hours. The contest closes at 11:59:59 tonight.

Anyone? Anyone?

As it stands, southweststalker will win this Chicago Blackhawks puck signed by former NHLer turned TV guy Eddie Olczyk at month's end. He's been the only one, so far, to enter Hound Central 4.0's Win this Autograph giveaway for March.

Don't you think there needs to be a little competition?

You know, I don't mind running these giveaways, even to the point of now trying to snag a big-name autograph for that purpose. But, here I am again, halfway through a month, begging for entries.

What's up with that? How many other hounding blogs are giving away an autographed puck?

What we're looking for here is a short story, meaning no more than 100 words, about your best Blackhawks memory.

Really, folks, it's that simple.

As always, and you know I mean this, thanks for reading.

Win this Auto: Eddie Olczyk

You've watched him play in the NHL. You've seen him star in commercials for the NHL Network. He's a frequent face and voice on hockey television and radio shows.

He's none other than Eddie Olczyk, and this is your opportunity to add to your autograph collection.

In Hound Central 4.0's Win this Autograph contest for March, all you need to do is tell me, in 100 words or less, your favorite Chicago Blackhawks memory.

Need some ideas? It can be a win or a loss. A shutout by Tony O or Darren Pang. A hat trick by Bobby Hull or Stan Mikita. Babysitting Patrick Kane or Jonathan Toews.

Keith Magnuson -- God bless his soul -- scores bonus points.

Okay, folks, how about some entries? Submit them in the form of a comment. The contest closes at 11:59:59 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31.

Check back in a few days, too, for the winner of February's contest for a dozen autographed cards.

Pack lightly

My anticipation only grew in the weeks leading up to the Chicago Blackhawks visit Tuesday. After having only one other attempt -- a mighty-swing-and-a-miss about five years ago outside a locked-down Cambridge, Mass., hotel -- let's say I was more than ready for this season's visit to Hockey Bay.

Not only was I pumped, but my puck-laden hounding bag was at its heaviest of the campaign. On a day when quality certainly topped quantity, I could've saved myself a ton of time by leaving more than half at home. The Blackhawks, save for one, didn't sign multiple pucks. It's been awhile since that happened.

The biggest letdown was the absence of goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who was hurt in Monday's practice in Chicago. A few Lightning Stanley Cup mementoes needing his fanciful Cyrillic signature will have to wait.

Beyond that, we have no complaints at all. We added another 33 autographs, including nine pucks, in two trips.

This is a talented team. The players are young. We'll all have plenty of time to collect our autographs.

Worthy of HoundCenter highlights:

~ Winger Patrick Kane taking care of a fellow Buffalo kid;
~ Captain Jonathan Toews paying homage to his college days;
~ Defenseman Brian Campbell changing his mind about signing;
~ Defenseman Cam Barker (or is it Cameron?) signing four cards; and
~ Thirteen players filling up Colin's team sheet.

Signing pucks, shown above, were:

Top row: Dustin Byfuglien, Martin Havlat and Cristobal Huet
Bottom row: Duncan Keith and Keith Seabrook

Signing cards were, from left, Troy Brouwer, Adam Burish and James Wisniewski (Yes, Wisniewski card is creased. Too much erasing.)

Don't forget, too, to check out the Blackhawks photo gallery.

Top Shelf: Patrick Kane

All day long Tuesday, I heard that Chicago's Patrick Kane was, for the most part, a strict one-per signer, even taking the time to study a person's face before signing their item. Given the crowd he attracted, I would have been content with just one autographed puck.

I suppose sharing the fact that we both hail from Buffalo (I lived at Albany and Barton on the city's west side during the late 1960s) -- naming my old public and high schools went a long way toward my getting the Blackhawks and London Knights pucks signed.

Optical disillusion

You have to trust me on this one, but the silver paint pen does look good on these University of North Dakota pucks. Really, it does.

Especially when the signature comes from Chicago captain Jonathan Toews, a former Fighting Sioux.

For some reason, though, Hound Central 4.0's normally reliable scanner doesn't like the combination of silver on green as much as I do. It's a shame, too.

Again, trust me. It looks nice.

Change of heart?

From what I heard, hotel check-in time proved the best time to snag autographs from the Chicago Blackhawks. Arriving about 5:30 p.m. Monday for Tuesday's 7:30 p.m. game with the Lightning, most very player signed, including All Star defenseman Brian Campbell.

Seeing that I didn't get this puck signed until Tuesday afternoon, as Campbell made his way to the St. Pete Times Forum for the game, I should consider myself lucky.

More than one person told me earlier Tuesday, during morning skate traffic, that Campbell announced that he fulfilled his signing obligations in Monday's opportunity. This Ottawa 67's puck, I suppose, shows how quickly things can change.

In the interest of full disclosure, Colin's presence helped. Had Campbell not signed his team sheet, there's no guarantee he would have signed.

Well, what is it?

Not that it will be too much of a surprise, but I'm a bit confused. All four of these cards, signed yesterday by Chicago's Cam Barker, tell me that his name is, indeed, Cam Barker.

At last night's Blackhawks-Lightning game, a scoring change in Chicago's second goal awarded an assist to Cameron Barker. Same guy, full name.

Since when do hockey players, outside of common names, use their full names? It's their name, I suppose, but still?

Proven formula

As always, Colin's team sheets were a big hit. A respectable number (13) of Chicago Blackhawks, including Patrick Kane, Brian Campbell, Brent Seabrook and Cristobal Huet took the time Tuesday afternoon to sign for Colin.

The highlight, though, was a fairly animated conversation between Eddie Olczyk, a former Blackhawk and current TV analyst, and the Goofy Dude about the virtues of doing well in school.

Other signers were Cam Barker, Marc Bergevin, Troy Brouwer, Aaron Johnson, Antti Niemi, Joel Quenneville, Matt Walker and James Wisniewski.

Gallery: Chicago Blackhawks

Yes, it was disappointing that Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin, who backstopped the Tampa Bay Lightning to the 2004 Stanley Cup, didn't make the trip. Most of the team, though, did its best to lift spirits:

If winger Patrick Kane was hoping his hat would hide his identity, it didn't work. Thankfully, he didn't hold it against us, signing at least one for nearly everyone at gametime.

All Star defenseman Brian Campbell, who said late Monday that he was done signing for the trip, took care of hounds at gametime.

Defenseman Brent Seabrook made the day for quite a few hounds.

Coach Joel Quenneville wishes a happy birthday to a Chicago native and Hawks fan.

Former Blackhawk and current TV analyst Eddie Olczyk signs Colin's team sheet. That's Colin's noggin barely showing through the greenery.

Sunday morning homily XXII

In an ideal world, every player -- from Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby to Washington's Alex Ovechkin to even Tampa Bay's Marek Malik -- would not only honor every request for an autograph, but they'd also ask if there's anything else they could sign for you.

We all know, though, that isn't the case. Especially with the game's top stars. As much as I would like to have top-shelf players fill The Vault with each and every item I'd ever want signed, it's unrealistic to expect even the sloppiest of scribbles.

It doesn't matter if you're a hound or a dealer, no one likes hearing "No" to their request for an autograph. But, it does happen. Quite a bit, too.

That doesn't mean, though, that the player or a team member should be continually badgered to the point of having to contact hotel security. It makes no difference to a player if you share the same birthday. Or if you bought that player's jersey to celebrate the occasion. As hard as it is to hear, no means no.

To push back to a point that one's actions, brought about by selfish desires, ruin it for others is not a very smart strategy.

Yes, it stinks hearing "No." But when you do, and, trust me, this comes from experience, it's always best to walk away. A hard lesson? Perhaps. But it's one that needs to be learned.

Shooting blanks

I couldn't help but get a chuckle out of Toronto's Brad May and his refusal Thursday to sign blank 8x10 pieces of photo paper.

"I don't want my autograph appearing on a picture of boobs," said May, who had no problems signing a puck for me. "You just don't know how it's going to be used. That's why I don't sign those."

Given his refusal, as well as Atlanta's Eric Perrin wanting to know what the pieces of paper were for, I won't be surprised to see more players passing on requests.

Something tells me, too, that I'm not done writing about this. I'm curious as to what the NHL and the players association think about this. As a journalist, and not just a blogger, I'm obligated to find out.

5 Big Sigs

It'll be a pretty busy week down here in Hockey Bay with the Chicago Blackhawks and New Jersey Devils coming to town. Here's what we're hoping to add:

~ Chicago's Patrick Kane on Blackhawks and London Knights pucks;
~ Chicago's Jonathan Toews on Blackhawks and University of North Dakota pucks;
~ Chicago's Nikolai Khabibulin on Lightning Stanley Cup items (didn't make the trip);
~ New Jersey's Martin Brodeur on his replica jersey; and
~ New Jersey's Zach Parise on a University of North Dakota puck.

Let's play nice, shall we?

Can it be true? Chicago-based hounds taking their "turf" -- and the Blackhawks -- a little too seriously? At least that's what I'm hearing on the hockey-hounding grapevine.

C'mon now? What do you think? I imagine I'd be grumpy if I had to hound in subzero temperatures. I was miserable in Boston's cruel winters, and they aren't nearly as bad.

Still, though, there's little need to block others from getting an autograph. Right? Thought so.

Besides, nonsense like that happens only in Philly.