Yeah, me, too

I know we're dab smack in the dog days of summer, when thoughts of baseball, beaches and back-to-school bargains fill our minds, but I still can't get my mind off of hockey.

Watching Colin play, I suppose, has a lot to do with it. But so do the autographed pucks and cards, snagged during the 2008-09 campaigns final days and over the summer, I still have to put away. And, from what I hear, NHL players will be skating soon, prepping for training camps.

Bottom line, though, is that I'm not alone.

An overwhelming majority of Hound Central 4.0 readers who took part in the last quiz -- which asked whether they were missing hockey -- were looking forward to the 2009-10 NHL season and the corresponding hockey-hounding campaign.

Question: Jonesin' for hockey?

Yes: 15 out of 18 votes cast (83.3 percent)
No: 3 out of 18 votes (16.7 percent)

The three dissenting votes? Must've been Loafs fans.

And, really, can you blame them?

The secret to success

Now that we're in the dog days of summer -- the NHL Draft and the opening of free agency behind us -- we have plenty of time to play general manager of an NHL team. We can ask ourselves whether our team's top pick will be NHL-ready or will he need more seasoning? Another big question, I believe, is can a pressing need be filled with a free agent.

Either way, we can only fantasize -- from a hockey fan's viewpoint, that is -- that we can call the shots as we build our NHL team. To me, though, the most-pressing decision any GM can make is how the team is put together. Does one build through the draft or stock the lineup with free agents? Maybe a combination of both?

According to Hound Central 4.0 readers, it takes a combination of both -- shrewd draft picks and sensible free agent signings -- to build an NHL club. Pretty sound advice, don't you think?

Question: What's the best way to build an NHL team?

Bit of both: 16 out 27 votes cast (59.3 percent)
Through the draft: 10 out 27 votes (37 percent)
Free-agent signings: 1 out 27 votes (3.7 percent)

Less than convincing

Now that we find ourselves mere hours away from the first overall pick being made in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft in Montreal, Hound Central 4.0 readers are far from certain that the New York Islanders will, indeed, select John Tavares.

Of the 14 votes cast (a low number, curiously), only eight felt that the Isles will pick Tavares to lead them to the promised land. Sure, it's a majority, but it's hardly a ringing endorsement.

So, what going to happen? Hard telling. We'll have to watch the draft at 7 tonight on Versus to find out.

Question: Will the New York Islanders take John Tavares first overall?

Yes: 8 out of 14 votes cast (57.1 percent)
No: 6 out of 14 votes (42.9 percent)

Now, while you still have on your general manager/player personnel hat, feel free to take part in the latest Hound Central 4.0 poll, which asks what is the best way to build an NHL team.

No surprise here

Eyebrows didn't even flinch this time. Going in, I knew, without even a hint of doubt, that Hound Central 4.0's readers would show off their hockey IQ. Know what? I wasn't disappointed.

An overwhelming majority, picking with their heads more than their hearts, said John Tavares would be picked first overall at next Friday's NHL Entry Draft in Montreal. Hands down, too.

The margin of victory? Not even close. Huge, even. Then again, that was a given. Not even Victor Hedman and Matt Duchene combined could top the Next One of 2009.

The $10 million endorsement deal question now -- across the hockey spectrum, including here at Hound Central 4.0 -- is whether or not Tavares lands on Long Island or, perhaps, elsewhere. I know there's a few Loafs fans who think he'd look real good in blue and white.

It won't be long now.

Question: No. 1 overall pick

John Tavares: 20 out of 36 votes cast (55.5 percent)
Victor Hedman: 10 out of 36 votes (27.8 percent)
Matt Duchene: 6 out of 36 votes (16.7 percent)

Could've been Joey

With only one of 25 votes picking the Boston Bruins over the San Jose Sharks as the biggest choke in the 2008-09 NHL playoffs, one could surmise that it was a Sharks fan or player who felt the sting of the latest Hound Central 4.0.

One unproven theory could be that it was San Jose's Joey Thornton, a former member of the Bruins organization, who cast the sole vote against the Sharks, the Western Conference's top-ranked team, being the biggest disappointment of this season's playoffs. If it was (and, really, I doubt it), Jumbo Joe needs to get some counseling for his denial.

Sorry, but the Sharks were, indeed, the poster boys for playoff upsets. Though Boston's loss disappointed Bruins Nation, it wasn't nearly as gut-wrenching as San Jose's first-round collapse.

Question: Biggest choke

San Jose Sharks: 24 out of 25 votes cast (96 percent)
Boston Bruins: 1 out of 25 votes (4 percent)

Tuning in Versus

A few years ago, news that games wouldn't be broadcast on ESPN brought about dread for the hockey-watching public. Instead of a well-known national sports network, the league inked a deal with the Outdoor Life Network.

Very few people had heard of the network. Even worse, not everyone had the channel in their cable package. The NHL, we were afraid, was relegated to second-tier status.

Guess what? It's turned out okay. OLN, as it was known back then, has now become Versus. And, if you ask Hound Central 4.0 readers, the network is doing a pretty good job with its playoff coverage. Nearly 60 percent of those taking part in Hound Central 4.0's latest poll looked favorably upon Versus.

My only beef with Versus' playoff coverage -- and it's likely not their fault -- was the scheduling of Eastern Conference games within an hour on the same night. Though it's easy to understand that the network wanted complete Pittsburgh-Washington games, I'd much rather have watched the Boston-Carolina series.

Question: NHL: on Versus?

Good: 17 out of 29 votes cast (58.6 percent)
Bad: 12 out of 29 votes (41.4 percent)

Poll: Vinny's staying put

In an e-mail over the weekend, I learned that the Tampa Bay Lightning will host “Beyond the Blue Line” open houses this summer for fans. These open houses, held in the Lightning locker room, offers face time with the team’s owners, hockey brass and coaches.

Another thing I noticed was that none of the sessions were scheduled for late June or early July. While some may believe this time is set aside for NHL draft preparations, I can't help but wonder if an impending decision on Vinny Lecavalier's future with the Lightning will fill those days as well.

Seeing that his new contract and its no-trade clause kicks in July 1, the team must decide whether it wants to tie up a sizable chunk of the salary cap in a single player.

If it helps the Lightning brass with its decision, a majority of Hound Central 4.0 readers have already made the call: Vinny Lecavalier, the face of the franchise, will not be traded.

Question: Will the Lightning trade Vinny Lecavalier?

No: 20 out of 33 votes cast (60.6 percent)
Yes: 13 out of 33 votes (39.4 percent)

A tie-breaker?

What Hound Central 4.0 readers couldn't decide, the first round of the NHL playoffs will. For the time time ever, we had a tie among the winners of the last poll, which asked who would win the 2008-09 season's Jack Adams Award, awarded to the NHL's top coach.

Of the four choices, two rose to the top -- Boston's Claude Julien and Columbus' Ken Hitchcock. Each collected 13 of the 36 votes cast.

Though the voting took place at the close of the regular season, it's still a pretty close call. Julien led a somewhat surprising squad to the top of the Eastern Conference standings. Hitchcock guided the Blue Jackets to their playoff appearance.

Given that Boston and Columbus find themselves on opposite ends of the first-round sweep spectrum, perhaps that gives the nod to Julien. Simply getting there, I'm afraid, isn't good enough.

Question: Jack Adams Award winner?

Boston's Claude Julien: 13 out of 36 votes cast (36.1 percent)
Columbus' Ken Hitchcock: 13 out of 36 votes (36.1 percent)
San Jose's Todd McLellan: 6 outs of 36 votes (16.7 percent)
St. Louis' Andy Murray: 4 out of 36 votes (11.1 percent)

If you haven't already, take part in the current Hound Central 4.0 poll: Will the Lightning trade Vinny Lecavalier? Cast your vote at the top of the sidebar. Don't be shy, either, about checking out past polls.

Don't forget, too, to test your knowledge at Hockey Quiz No. 9.

Brodeur is better, but ...

More than anything else, recent history most likely played a role in Hound Central 4.0's latest poll -- asking who was a better goalie, New Jersey's Martin Brodeur or Hall of Famer Patrick Roy.

Given that Brodeur eclipsed Roy's career wins mark (551) just a few weeks ago, it's easy to understand by readers overwhelmingly gave the nod to Brodeur. Thirty-eight of the 63 votes cast indicated that Brodeur was, indeed, a better goalie than Roy.

Even though I'm a Roy fan, having cast my vote for the former Canadiens and Avalanche goalie, the objective fan in me has to agree with the majority. Beyond the career wins mark and an impending record for career shutouts, Brodeur is the better goalie of the duo.

Having said that, though, Roy has made a greater impact on the sport and the position. Any goalie using the butterfly style will attest to that.

Question: Who's better?

Martin Brodeur: 38 out of 63 votes cast (60.3 percent)
Patrick Roy: 25 out of 63 votes (39.7 percent)

Disdain for dealers

When it comes right down to it, the results from Hound Central 4.0's latest poll were hardly surprising: Very few hounds feel anything but disdain for autograph dealers.

Of the 61 votes cast in the poll, which asked for one's opinion of autograph dealers, an overwhelming majority blamed them for ruining our hobby. In contrast, only a handful sided with a person's right to earn a living. Thirteen votes indicated an ambivalence toward the issue.

How deep is the disdain? Not even a combination of the two dealer-friendly choices failed to make a dent in collectors' collective disregard. The love, I'm afraid, just isn't there.

Despite these highly unscientific findings, I sense that dealers won't be going away anytime soon. Given today's economy, no collector has the right to deny another's attempt at making a living. They're husbands and fathers, trying to provide the basic necessities of shelter and food for their families.

To be honest, I like having dealers around. Sure, it's fun to poke fun at their ignorance. But, thanks to their presence, it's easy to work a crowd of players, either cherry-picking a team's top stars or creating an orderly procession.

Sure, there's a sentiment that autograph dealers have made this hobby a bit more difficult. Still, though, we all go home with autographs. In my viewpoint, their multilevel usefulness makes them tolerable.

Ethically, the end justifies the means.

Question: Autograph dealers?

Ruined the hobby: 42 out of 61 votes cast (68.9 percent)
Who cares? 13 out of 61 votes (21.3 percent)
Just earning a living: 6 out of 61 votes (9.8 percent)

Hands down, it's Ovie

To be honest, I thought the most recent Hound Central 4.0 poll -- which asked whether Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby or Washington's Alex Ovechkin is the tougher autograph -- would be closer. I was wrong.

Of the 51 votes cast, Ovechkin pulled away from The Next One as being the more difficult to have sign an item -- any item, really. It's no surprise, either, that both would draw this honor. Great players always draw a crowd above the usual hounding suspects.

Thankfully, I've been fortunate to have had Ovechkin and Crosby sign pucks in the past. Recent trips, though, haven't proved as fruitful. I'll get another chance for Crosby tomorrow.

What was surprising, however, was the number of responses. This poll had, by far, the greatest participation.

Thanks. And, please, give yourself a Standing O.

Question: Tougher autograph?

Alex Ovechkin: 29 out of the 51 votes cast (56.9 percent)
Sidney Crosby: 22 out of 51 votes (43.1 percent)

By a whisker

In the end, it came down to the final vote on the final day. Upon the completion of the latest Hound Central 4.0 poll -- asking which team was better, Boston or San Jose -- only one vote separated the teams.

After two weeks in the closely contested poll, Hound Central 4.0's readers had made their razor-thin decision: The Boston Bruins are better than the San Jose Sharks.

Twenty-three of the 45 votes cast in the poll picked the Bruins, despite a nationally televised drubbing by the Sharks in the days before the poll's closing, capping a comeback that saw San Jose take a quick 5-0 lead in the early voting.

I suppose, too, I should ask Colin, Hound Central 4.0's official voter, how many times he picked the Bruins.

So, are the Bruins better than the Sharks? On paper, I doubt it. San Jose's depth and talent is a touch better than Boston's solid team play and goaltending. And their teams' last meeting gave the Bruins a taste of what could happen later this spring.

Until then, we'll just have to see how it all plays out.

Question: Who's better?

Boston Bruins: 23 out of 45 votes cast (51.1 percent)
San Jose Sharks: 22 out of 45 votes (48.9 percent)

Shrewd moves?

Back in their days, New Jersey's Brendan Shanahan and Vancouver's Mats Sundin were holy terrors on the ice. Big, tough and talented, they demanded an opponent's undivided attention. These days, though, that isn't the case.

Both missed the start of the 2008-09 campaign, sitting on the sidelines until, one, they decided they wanted to play, and, two, both found teams that were willing to offer them pro-rated contracts.

Well, it's safe to say that neither has set the NHL, or their teams, afire with their return. That's to be expected, however, given their last starts to the campaign. Any potential rewards, it seems, will come down the road, when experience, as much as skill, earns valuable ice time at critical junctures in a game.

Maybe that's what Hound Central 4.0 readers were thinking when they overwhelmingly deemed Shanahan, the winner of three Stanley Cups, a world championship and Olympic Gold, as a better signing than Sundin.

Question: Best signing?

New Jersey's Brendan Shanahan: 23 out of 37 votes cast (62.2 percent)
Vancouver's Mats Sundin: 14 out of 37 votes (37.8 percent)

Bonus poll

Sunday's impromptu poll, inspired by Super Bowl XLIII, produced a dead-even heat between the four readers, including Colin, who stumbled upon the hours-only question.

Question: Who wins Super Bowl XLIII?

Pittsburgh Steelers: 2 out of 4 votes cast (50 percent)
Arizona Cardinals: 2 out of 4 votes (50 percent)

Now, we all know the Steelers took a thrilling 27-23 victory over the Cardinals. But, did you know that I correctly picked the champions and the final score in Sunday's homily? I missed my MVP pick of Ben Roethlisberger, though. I'll take two out of three any day.

Really, was there any doubt?

When it comes to scoring goals, there's no one more prolific than Washington's Alex Ovechkin. The man is no stranger to red lights. Any shift, any game, can become a highlight. One-timers. Triple dekes. Showing off in skills competition.

At least that's what Hound Central 4.0's readers believe in the latest poll, which asked what NHL sniper would be the first to hit 50 goals. In a landslide, it was Ovechkin, picking up 20 of the 34 votes cast.

How convinced are readers? Ovechkin's numbers topped the combined votes of the other three choices -- Philadelphia's Jeff Carter, Boston's Phil Kessel and Buffalo's Thomas Vanek.

Barring injury, I wouldn't be surprised to see Ovechkin get 60 goals. I believe he's just getting warmed up.

Question: First to 50 goals?

Washington's Alexander Ovechkin: 20 out of 34 votes cast (58.8 percent)
Philadelphia's Jeff Carter: 8 out of 34 votes (23.5 percent)
Boston's Phil Kessel: 3 out of 34 votes (8.8 percent)
Buffalo's Thomas Vanek: 3 out of 34 votes (8.8 percent)

I'm sticking with paint pens

When silver Sharpies first came on the market a few years ago, hockey hounds rejoiced at the thought of never again having to use messy paint pens. The distinctive silver ink would flow freely on pucks, photos and other dark-colored objects.

For a variety of reasons -- inconsistent quality, chief among them -- my love affair with silver Sharpies lasted less than a month. Besides being unreliable, I found the markers to be affected by heat, cold and humidity.

In short, I couldn't trust the marker to provide a quality autograph.

It seems, too, that a majority of Hound Central 4.0 readers agree, as 25 of the 40 votes cast indicated a desire to chuck, rather than adore, silver Sharpies.

It's a shame, too. The blue Sharpies work so well, that they're synonymous with our hobby. But until Sharpie can solve the problems with consistency and quality, it's my guess, too, that hounds, like myself, will continue using their paint pens.

Question: Silver Sharpies?

Toss 'em: 25 out of 40 votes cast (62.5 percent)
Love 'em: 15 out of 40 votes (32.5 percent)

Can Burke help the Buds?

There's nothing like the Toronto Maple Leafs to ignites passion in all hockey fans. For lovers of the Buds, Toronto is the center of the hockey universe. For Leaf haters, such as myself, it's easy to root against the chronic underachievers. And even for the ambivalent, the mere mention of the Leafs elicits more than a shrug of one's shoulders.

Still, though, the Leafs are hoping they took a step toward mediocrity recently when they handed the reins to hockey man Brian Burke. Will he be able to turn around this moribund franchise? Well, that depends upon who is asked.

Nearly 48 percent of Hound Central 4.0 readers taking part in the most recent poll believed that Burke would, indeed, restore order to Loafs Nation. Even those who don't care weighed in, representing nearly 40 percent of the votes.

Here's some telling analysis: Combining the Who cares? with the No votes produces a majority (52.2 percent) that does not want or care if the Loafs have any success. It must stink being a Loafs fan.

Question: Will Brian Burke make a difference in Toronto?

Yes: 11 out of 23 votes cast (47.8 percent)
Who cares? 9 out of 23 votes (39.1 percent)
No: 3 out of 23 votes (13.1 percent)

Alive and well

Beyond the uber-rare rookie card and the occasional four-color autographed patch card, the main reason why I collect hockey cards is to build up hounding stock. Because of this, I get more excited when I pick up a card of, say, New Jersey's Jay Pandolfo than I do when I get yet another for New Jersey's Zach Parise.

I'll also admit to following some of their values. Did you know that both of these 2008-09 O-Pee-Chee Winter Classic cards of Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby are "worth" $25-$60 each, according to the December 2008 issue of Beckett Hockey.

It just goes to show that not all investments, so to speak, have to be in stock markets, undeveloped waterfront land or any of the precious metals.

It was nice to see, too, that an overwhelming majority of Hound Central 4.0 readers taking part in the most recent poll also take the time and spend their hard-earned cash to collect hockey cards. Twenty-three of the 28 votes cast indicated that hockey card collecting is still drawing strong interest across the hockey landscape.

Granted, my hockey card purchases have been curtailed this season, focusing on the more low- to middle-price products that add to our hounding reserves while enjoying the sweet bonus that comes along.

Question: Do you collect hockey cards?

Yes: 23 votes out of 28 cast (82.1 percent)
No: 5 votes out of 28 (17.9 percent)

Oh, the indifference

Though the New York Rangers and their fast start might make them the talk of the Big Apple, those taking part in Hound Central 4.0's latest poll show little confidence that the Blueshirts have what it takes to be considered a legitimate contender.

Fifty percent of the 32 taking part believed that the Rangers are not for real. Another 12 voters didn't care what the team did. Combined, a stunning 87.5 percent of participants don't have much faith in the Rangers.

Another telling indictment: Only four true-blue Rangers fans wore their hearts on the voting sleeves.

As of today, the Rangers have posted the most points (28) in the Eastern Conference, trailing only the San Jose Sharks (31) for the NHL lead. Still, though, the Rangers have played a few more games than some of their closest competitors -- Boston, Pittsburgh and Washington.

There's only one way to find out, in fact, whether the Rangers are for real. We'll have to wait until April for that answer.

Question: Are the New York Rangers for real?

No: 16 votes out of 32 cast (50 percent)
Don't care: 12 votes out of 32 (37.5 percent)
Yes: 4 votes out of 32 (12.5 percent)

Twin terrors

Now that Halloween costumes, decorations and the all important candy is 75 percent off, this might be a good time to start thinking about next year's costumes. Superman? Maybe. SpongeBob SquarePants? Hardly. Little Bo Peep? Doubt it.

Here's an idea. How about being a hockey player?

Readers taking part in Hound Central 4.0's lastest poll even picked two players as good Halloween costumes -- Dallas' Sean Avery, known for his yapping, ability to get under one's skin and a summer intern stint at Vogue, and Boston's Zdeno Chara, who, at 6 foot 9, is one of the league's most physically imposing and intimidating players.

Question: What NHL player would be a good Halloween costume?

Dallas' Sean Avery: 7 votes out of 18 cast (38.9 percent)
Boston's Zdeno Chara: 7 votes out of 18 (38.9 percent)
Minnesota's Derek Boogaard: 3 votes out of 18 (16.7 percent)
Toronto's Ryan Hollweg: 1 vote out of 18 (5.5 percent)

Clipped Wings

To me, the Detroit Red Wings are like the New York Yankees of hockey. You either love them or, if you're like me, don't care too much for them.

Sure, I respect their collective talent. I just wish they would show their human element (our innate ability to make mistakes, or in this case, have the Wings lose) a little more often.

It's no surprise, either, that a respectable majority of Hound Central 4.0 readers share similar sentiments toward the Red Wings. Twelve out of 17 votes cast in the most recent poll predicted that the Red Wings, the defending Stanley Cup champion, will become the Dead Wings this season.

Question: Detroit Red Wings?

Dead Wings: 12 votes out of 17 cast (70.6 percent)
They'll repeat: 5 out of 17 (29.4 percent)