One word: Certainly

Technically, I could hold the only two entrants to a serious violation of the "no more than 100 words" rule April's Win this Auto contest for a 2008-09 NHL Victory oversized card signed by Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk. Because I'm a nice guy (most of the time, that is), though, I'll cast that rule aside.

When it comes to deciding the question of whether Kovie deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as Washington's Alex Ovechkin and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, I'm not sure 1,000 words would be enough to adequately present a cogent argument.

But it was Bill, with his voluminous response, who wins the card, not so much for the depth and breadth of his entry, but for the extended analysis.

Rather than repeat Bill's winning response, you can read it here.

Now, if Bill will send me an e-mail, available at my profile, we'll get this card, signed during Atlanta's final visit to Hockey Bay during the 2008-09 NHL season, ready for delivery.

Don't forget, too, to enter May's contest.

Flashbacks 04.14

Now, I know most of you come here looking for tales of our hockey-hounding adventures. But, did you know there are hundreds of hounding reports from seasons past available at Hound Central 3.0, Hound Central 2.0 and the one that started it all, Hound Central 1.0?

Now that the hockey-hounding season has ended down here in Hockey Bay, I'll do my best to provide you with some must-reads from previous campaigns to tide you over.

Here's the first random sampling:

~ Jan. 10, 2008: Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin
~ Sept. 16, 2007: Hall of Famer Bill Barber
~ March 27, 2007: Florida Panthers' Martin Gelinas
~ Dec. 9, 2006: Anaheim's Teemu Selanne
~ Dec. 28, 2005: Hall of Famer Ray Bourque

Programming note

Want to see what Sidney Crosby's road-trip autograph looks like? Check out the updated gallery for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Photographs of items signed by Crosby and Jordan Staal have been added.

And, if you folks don't mind, I'm going to call it a day. Nearly 12 hours of blogging is enough for me. There's plenty to read.

Better days ahead

One of these days, I'm going to learn to lower my expectations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Rather than a dozen-plus pucks and a full book of cards, I need to become more realistic. Or, ask for the day off from work so I have more time.

Sadly, it goes beyond the Penguins' Big Four: Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Marc-Andre Fleury and, to an extent, Jordan Staal. Of that group, only Fleury, who's quite the animated character, is the most approachable. The others? Forget it, I'm afraid, when there's a crowd of hounds.

Yesterday's trip for the Penguins, limited to the team's morning skate, severely tested my philosophy that one autograph is better than none. Though another dozen autographs were added to the collection, including the trio of pucks shown above from defenseman Phillippe Boucher, it was disappointing to once again whiff on Crosby.

Oh, well, they'll be back in April. Maybe I'll have better luck then.

I have myself to blame, somewhat, for the omission. Rather than join a pack of hounds who ran to an underground parking garage to intercept the Crosby Express, I held my ground. As a result, I missed out. And because of an overzealous valet, so did those who ran.

As for the others, I was simply too slow for the short time, measured in seconds, and few autographs that Malkin and Fleury did sign.

While it's understandable that Pittsburgh's top-shelf stars would employ such extreme measures and attitudes, I couldn't get how this trickles down to teammates. Mark Eaton and Kris Letang, the only Penguins I got to to sign cards, picked the darkest part of the images.

C'mon, guys, there's no need to be schlubs.

Thankfully, the day wasn't a total loss, as these items joined the collection:

~ a Team Russia puck from Sergei Gonchar;
~ Hockey Bay hero Ruslan Fedotenko on a Penguins puck and a Tampa Bay Lightning photo collage;
~ A third autograph on the work-in-progress right-handed goalie glove project and a Penguins puck from Mathieu Garon; and
~ Getting a "kick" out of legendary announcer Mike Lange.

Don't forget, either, to check out the Penguins gallery. In light of the day, I tried something a little different.

Gallery: Pittsburgh Penguins

Want to know one way to round out a lackluster day in hounding photos? Show a few items that other Hockey Bay hounds secured from members of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

A tip of my old, roughed-up Cooper SK600 to Andy and Chris F., two of Hockey Bay's top hounds for their assistance:

See what happens when you hustle. You get not one, but two autographs from center Sidney Crosby, just like Chris F. did over the course of two days.

Center Evgeni Malkin, or "Gino" to his friends and hounds, signed this McFarlane SportsPick base for Andy.

Center Jordan Staal, who tries to avoid hounds as much as he can, didn't get past Chris F., who had him sign his McFarlane SportsPick base.

Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury signed this wallpaper image, from his days with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, for Andy, who was on his game, so to speak.

Not sure why, but defenseman Sergei Gonchar signs a Sidney Crosby replica jersey. Then again, knowing how difficult it is to snag Crosby's signature, I suppose any on a Crosby jersey works.

Winger Ruslan Fedotenko, who scored the Tampa Bay Lightning's Stanley Cup-winning goal in 2004, renews acquaintances with fans.

Sunday morning homily XXIV

Maybe I'm getting more conservative with each passing year, but I can certainly do without the highly suggestive Go Daddy commercials shown on the NHL Network. While watching the Loafs-Senators game last night, I had to tell Colin to quickly cover his ears as one aired.

Perhaps you've seen it. It's the one where one co-worker buys his buddy Dougie's domain name. Then Dougie's wife's. Then Dougie's dog's. Mercifully, Dougie, the offended party, so to speak, secures his mother's domain name. In celebration, Dougie tells his buddy that he already "did" his mother. See what I mean?

The commercial ends with a fetching young woman, who overheard Dougie's comment, disgustingly calling him a pervert. Unfortunately, Colin heard that part.

"Daddy, what's a pervert?"

Yeah, that's exactly what I wanted to do on a Saturday night.

My point goes beyond Colin's question, too. Look at the names and euphemisms being used. The poor guy's name last name is Humpas, hence the co-worker's registration of Mother Humpas. His dog's name is Mr. Winky. See what I mean? Again?

Trust me, I'm not being a prude. As I write this, the 15-year-old in me smiles at the sophomoric genius of the double entendre. I just wish the NHL Network would realize that kids watch these games. I'd rather have Colin watch a commercial for Bakugan or McDonald's than that nonsense.

It's one thing to run these commercials after 9 p.m., when most good little boys and girls are tucked in their beds. Running these spots before then, and putting parents across North America in one as well, shows a lack of awareness of the entire viewing market.

Can't wait. Can you?

If I didn't already have the day off, I'd use a vacation day or personal time this Wednesday to follow along with the wheelings and dealings of the NHL trade deadline. To hockey fans, it's like a national holiday, no matter where they live.

So, who will be the biggest name on the move? Ilya Kovalchuk? Marian Gaborik? Mark Recchi? Chris Pronger? Jay Bouwmeester? Tomas Kaberle?

Tell you what. Any NHL team needs a veteran defenseman, drop me a line. The pro-rated minimum works just fine.

5 Big Sigs

It's going to be a busy week here in Hockey Bay, as the Pittsburgh Penguins, St. Louis Blues and Carolina Hurricanes all pull into town:

~ Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby on Colin's Crosby replica jersey;
~ Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin on Penguins and WJC-Russia pucks;
~ St. Louis' Keith Tkachuk on Blues, Winnipeg Jets and Boston University pucks
~ St. Louis' Patrik Berglund on a Blues puck and a 2008-09 Victory update rookie card; and
~ Carolina's Eric Staal on a 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee jumbo card.

Who's the best young forward?

When it comes right down to it, creating this list of the top young forwards for the 2008-09 season was fairly straightforward. In fact, the top four are hockey household names.

But rather than complain about the lack of movement within the list, and, really, that shouldn't be a complaint, why not embrace the talent that these top-shelf players bring to the game?

Are there some surprises? Certainly. It raised my eyebrows when my research and rating formula left off Chicago's twin young stars, Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews. Sure, they're talented and have restored credibility to the moribund Blackhawks franchise. But, there are players who are simply better. In time, I suspect they'll climb up the ratings.

You'll also note that, once again, Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk didn't make a the top-five list. Now, if this was a list of the NHL's most exciting players, well, then, that's a different story. But until he remembers that hockey is a two-way game, and improves his minus-12, he falls far short of having an all-around game.

Rather than dwell on that, let's take a look at who are the top five young forwards, defined as being 25 years old or under as of Oct. 4, in the NHL:

No. 5: Paul Stastny, center
Colorado Avalanche
22 years old (12.27.85)
Drafted 44th overall in 2005
The skinny: Coming from famous hockey bloodlines, there's no doubt about his abilities. He averaged more than a point-per-game (71 points, including 24 goals in 66 games) last season and is aware of his defensive responsibilities (plus-22). He's the Avs' go-to guy.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 4: Jason Spezza, center
Ottawa Senators
25 years old (6.13.83)
Drafted second overall in 2001
The skinny: The only reason he dropped a spot from last year's rankings is the trio of players in front of him. Logging 92 points, including 34 goals, in 76 games reaffirms his status as one of the NHL's elite players, no matter his age. At plus-26, his defense is only getting better.
Last season's ranking: No. 3

No. 3: Evgeni Malkin, center
Pittsburgh Penguins
22 years old (7.31.86)
Drafted second overall in 2004
The skinny: Welcome to the first of three no-brainer picks. Simply put, on any given night during the season, Malkin, who had 106 points in 82 games, has the skills and growing experience to be the best player in the game. His play last season when teammate Sidney Crosby was injured is the stuff of legends.
Last season's ranking: No. 5

No. 2: Sidney Crosby, center
Pittsburgh Penguins
21 years old (8.7.87)
Drafted first overall in 2005
The skinny: Only a high ankle sprain kept Sid the Kid from providing Washington's Alex Ovechkin with some competition for postseason hockey hardware. Still, though, he posted 72 points, including 24 goals, in only 53 games. Had he played a full 82-game season, there's no doubt he would have posted a 110-plus-point campaign.
Last season's ranking: No. 4

No. 1: Alex Ovechkin, left wing
Washington Capitals
23 years old (9.17.85)
Drafted first overall in 2004
The skinny: Let's see, he won the Art Ross Trophy (112 points), the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy (65 goals), the Hart Memorial Trophy (league MVP) and the Lester B. Pearson Award (most outstanding player, as voted on by NHL players). What I found most impressive was a commitment to defense, evidence by his plus-28. Though I'd still build a team around Crosby, Ovechkin keeps making that decision more difficult.
Last season's ranking: n/a

Ones to watch

C'mon, now, did you really believe that Kovalchuk, Kane and/or Toews wouldn't make some Hound Central 4.0 list of the game's top young forwards? I may be stupid, but I'm not an idiot. Again, the names are presented in alphabetical order:

Nicklas Backstrom, Washington Capitals, center
20 years old (11.23.87) / fourth overall in 2006 Draft
The skinny: With Ovechkin as a linemate, there's no reason why No. 8's abilities and passion for the game won't rub off on Backstrom. He can score and remembers that hockey is a two-way game. In time, he's likely to move up the list.

Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks, right wing
18 years old (11.19.88) / first overall in 2007 Draft
The skinny: Last season's Calder Cup winner will have to prove that last season's offensive efforts (72 points, including 21 goals, in 82 games) were no fluke. His defense (minus-5), however, needs a little work. still, though, he's a bright young talent. Extra points, too, for being a Buffalo kid.

Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings, center
21 years old (8.24.87) / Drafted 11th overall in 2005
The skinny: It's too bad that Kopitar doesn't play for a stronger team. That way, his glaring minus-15, after two straight minus-12 seasons, wouldn't be held against him, in terms of favorable all-around play. Still, though, 77 points, including 32 goals, in 82 games isn't anything to sneeze at. As the Kings' mature, Kopitar's game will only get better.

Ilya Kovalchuk, Atlanta Thrashers, left wing
25 years old (4.15.83) / first overall in 2001 Draft
The skinny: It's like I keep saying: Kovie is one exciting player -- when he's in the offensive zone. In the Thrashers' defensive zone, well, that's another story. Until he commits to improving his defense, he'll be viewed as a one-dimensional player. That's a shame, too.

Ryan Getzlaf, Anaheim Ducks, center
23 years old (5.10.85) / 19th overall in 2003 Draft
The skinny: In hockey terms, this guy's a stud: 82 points, including 24 goals, in 72 games and a plus-32. He's big, strong and should define the NHL's power forward position for many, many years. Teammate Corey Perry isn't too bad, either.

Peter Mueller, Phoenix Coyotes, center
20 years old (4.14.88) / eighth overall in 2006 Draft
The skinny: His rookie-season numbers (54 points in 81 games) were pretty good, all expect one -- a minus 13. Once he works on that, there's no stopping his rise to among the elite players.

Tomas Plekanic, Montreal Canadiens, left wing
25 years old (10.31.82) / 71st overall in 2001 Draft
The skinny: A sleeper pick, it's my guess that most folks here in the states couldn't tell you much about Plekanic. Solid scoring (69 points, including 29 goals, in 81 games) and defense (plus-15) should raise his profile around the league.

Jason Pominville, Buffalo Sabres, right wing
25 years old (11.30.82) / 55th overall in 2001 Draft
The skinny: Here's a kid who truly picked up the pace last season, finishing with 80 points, including 27 goals. Though his plus-minus fell from the 2006-07 season, he still finished a plus-16. And, no, I'm not playing favorites here. This kid, like teammate Derek Roy, are certainly worthy of inclusion.

Derek Roy, Buffalo Sabres, center
25 years old (5.4.83) / 32nd overall in 2001 Draft
The skinny: Last year was Roy's coming-out party, picking up 81 points, including a career-high 32 goals, in 78 games, and finishing with a plus-13. He's not the tallest player (5-foot-9) in the NHL, but he's got one of the biggest hearts.

Eric Staal, Carolina Hurricanes, center
23 years old (10.29.84) / second overall in 2003 Draft
The skinny: Bottom line, the Hurricanes live or die with Staal. It's hard to believe that at 23, he's been in the NHL for four seasons. He rebounded nicely, posting 82 points in as many games, from his Stanley Cup hangover season in 2006-07. Although he was a minus-2, it was his best showing yet.

Jonathan Toews (pronounced TAYVES), Chicago Blackhawks, center
20 years old (4.29.88) / third overall in 2006 Draft
The skinny: Just like his buddy Patrick Kane, expectations are running high for Toews. Fifty-four points in an injury-shortened 64-game season shows he has the offensive skills to become a big star. A plus-11 is surprising, too, given his tender years. He, too, is destined for the top-five list.

Feel free to check out last season's top young forwards.