Outside the norm

Though we added only six signatures to the Slovakian team jersey over the 2008-09 hockey hounding campaign, it's hard to complain when Detroit's Marian Hossa is one of them. It's too bad, though, that Big Poppa Pump's distinctive signature, one of 11 collected on the jersey over the past two NHL seasons, is a bit sloppy.

While Canadian and USA jersey projects are popular, as well as those for Czech Republic, Finnish Russian and Swedish players, this particular effort represents another solid expansion of a project that's just outside the mainstream of hockey collecting.

Here's who signed over the past season during visits to Hockey Bay:

~ Colorado's Peter Budaj and Marek Svatos;
~ Detroit's Hossa and Tomas Kopecky;
~ Montreal's Jaroslav Halak; and
~ Tampa Bay's Andrej Meszaros.

Next season, we'll be looking to add, at the least, Buffalo's Andrej Sekera and Washington's Milan Jurcina. The list will grow, I presume, once the Lightning's 2009-10 schedule is released and I can run through rosters.

Likely candidates, based on my best guesses, would include Edmonton's Lubomir Visnovsky, Los Angeles' Michal Handzus, Minnesota's Marian Gaborik and Branko Radivojevic, and Vancouver's Pavol Demitra. Tampa Bay's Vladimir Mihalik seems like a lock, too.

It all adds up

It's funny how deep a player's collection can extend. Take Pittsburgh goalie Mathieu Garon, for instance.

From his days with the AHL's Manchester Monarchs to yesterday before the team's morning skate when he signed this Penguins puck, we've accumulated eight from him: Edmonton Oilers, L.A. Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Hamilton Bulldogs, Manchester Monarchs, Quebec Citadelles and the 2005 AHL All Star Game.

Sounds like a lot, doesn't it, for a guy who's bounced around a bit? Then again, goalies are a major part of our collection.

Garon also signed the right-handed goalie glove, shown above, joining Minnesota's Josh Harding and Florida's Tomas Vokoun.

Certainly, I can relate

Though the latest Win this Autograph contest featuring this puck signed by Minnesota's Mikko Koivu drew six respectable entries, it took bonus points awarded for mentioning Gump Worsley to make Hound Central 4.0 reader Ryan Heighton of Peterborough, Ontario, Canada, the winner of December's contest.

Here's excerpts from his comical story:

"My Dad was the one that first got me into graphing, and when I was 7 he took me to a card show in southwestern Ontario. We were going to see a few ex-North Star players (I was a big fan at the time because they had just had the Stanley Cup run vs. the Pens).

"We were walking around, waiting for them to announce that the autograph tables were set up, and I turn around and see the Gumper, and I was so excited that I yelled at the top of my lungs 'THERE'S GUMMPPPPP!!'

"Ninety percent of the people at the show turned and looked at me, and I don't know if my Dad was ever more embarrassed, but the Gumper was really cool about it and shook my hand and chatted with my Dad and I!"

Thanks to quick communication, the puck has been mailed, at my expense, as a reward for his story. Thanks again, Ryan, for reading.

Don't forget, too, to check out January's contest for Islanders legend and Hall of Famer Denis Potvin. All you need to do is tell me, in 100 words or less, what you'd do with your day with the Stanley Cup.

Finally, some entries

You know, I thought the opportunity for a puck signed by Minnesota's Mikko Koivu would draw quite a few entries into Hound Central 4.0's Win this auto contest for December. It wasn't until today, though, that we had our first two contestants.

I'm not going to beg, but all it takes is a short story related to Minnesota hockey. Of course, it's better if the tale relates to hockey hounding. Were they just as good in your NHL city as they were in Tampa? If so, that works. Who was good? Who wasn't? Did you get Gabby?

I'm not looking for Chaucier, Hemingway or even P.J. O'Rourke, either. Keep it to 100 words, more or less, please.

By the way, November's winner of the autographed Steven Stamkos Lightning promo card hasn't touched base yet. It looks like I'll have to revisit those entries.

If you're rmillerfan, though, send me an e-mail through my profile.

See what I get for thinking?

Gee, I thought at least one person who be willing to share a hockey story from Minnesota in exchange for this Wild puck signed by Minnesota's Mikko Koivu.

Need some ideas? I'm more than happy to help. Hmmm. Let's see.

Okay, here are three:

~ Minnesota hockey stories could be about Mike Modano, one of the North Stars better decisions. How about Brian Lawton, who, shall we say, didn't work out too well? Easy fodder, I'd say, in either case.

~ For old-schoolers, who are just as welcome as most everyone else here at Hound Central 4.0, any entry about Gump Worsley or Cesare Maniago scores bonus points.

~ Entries could even be impassioned pleas for a future Winter Classic in the Land of 10000 (Frozen-over) Lakes. Where could it be held? Inside the Mall of America?

While I'm at it, Hound Central 4.0 has yet to hear from the Steven Stamkos contest winner. Rmillerfan has until month's end to claim his prize. If not, we'll revisit the original entries.

Win this auto: Mikko Koivu

If you believe that I only limit my hounding mistakes to getting doubles of cards, let this puck signed by Minnesota's Mikko Koivu stand as Exhibit A that I'm equally adept at getting doubles of pucks.

In fact, Koivu signed this one, as well as another, when Minnesota was in Humidity Bay to play the Tampa Bay Lightning. But, as always, my mistake creates an opportunity for Hound Central 4.0 readers during December's Win this Auto contest.

How do you enter? It's simple.

Tell me, in a 100 words or less by Dec. 31, about your favorite Minnesota hockey story. It can be about the Wild, North Stars, Golden Gophers or high school team. Answers must be left in the form of a comment.

I'll pick a winner in early January and, upon receiving an address, will ship this puck, at my expense, to the lucky reader.

Just asking

Who has the better hockey name: Nashville's Radek Bonk or Minnesota's Cal Clutterbuck?

A truly Wild day

It took an all-day team effort Saturday, but Hound Central 4.0 posted its first 50-plus-autograph day of the 2008-09 NHL season when the Minnesota Wild traveled to Humidity Bay to play the Lightning. From pucks to cards to a jersey and a right-handed goalie catching glove, the 51 autographs we added that day set a benchmark for the rest of the season.

As usual, we had our best luck with the Wild's bigger names before and after the team's morning skate. Time after time, this represents the best opportunity to get your items signed. Expect crowds, too -- there were at least 20 people waiting on the Wild that morning.

Still, though, when you post numbers like we did, it's hard to complain about much. Here's a breakdown of our day-long hounding adventure:

~ 26 cards, including four each from Marc-Andre Bergeron, Andrew Brunette, Kim Johnsson and Nick Schultz, as well as a 2007-08 AHL Top Prospects card of Cal Clutterbuck (what a great name, eh?) , who had been called up the day before;
~ 20 pucks, including three each from Eric Belanger and Bergeron;
~ Colin's hand-drawn team sheet, which we count as a single item, though it has 20 signatures;
~ Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire and assistant Mario Tremblay on a Canadiens jersey;
~ an 8x10 from Schultz; and
~ a right-handed goalie catching glove from Josh Harding.

Signing pucks (above) were:

Top row: Nicklas Backstrom (not to be confused with Washington's Nicklas Backstrom), Derek Boogaard and Marian Gaborik
Middle row: Josh Harding, Mikko Koivu and James Sheppard
Bottom row: Kim Johnsson and Antti Miettenin

Among those signing cards (below) were:

Top row: Nicklas Backstrom, Kim Johnsson and Mikko Koivu
Bottom row: Mike Ramsey, Nick Schultz and Stephane Veilleux

It's all relative

Though some people may question my decision to get three signed pucks from Minnesota's Eric Belanger (top row) and Marc-Andre Bergeron (bottom row), I'm more than happy any time an NHL player is willing to sign a hat trick.

The only defense I can offer, I suppose, is to look at where these guys are -- making at least six figures as a part of the Wild's roster -- and then look at where we are -- sitting in front of a computer at a desk.

Get my point?

Short and sweet

Chances are, most autographs from professional athletes -- no matter the sport or league -- can be best described as scratches and squiggles. Sometimes, though, a player's signature, even if it is a bit abbreviated, does look pretty good.

Take Minnesota's Andrew Brunette, for example. Though it's far from letter-perfect -- a rarity within our hobby -- there's enough there on either puck to easily decipher the writing of his cool-looking autograph.

Two in one day

It's always a good hounding day any time you can add two Canadiens legends -- Minnesota coaches Jacques Lemaire (bottom left), a Hall of Famer, and Wild assistant coach Mario Tremblay (top right) -- to a working Montreal jersey. I hope to fill the Habs logo by season's end.

Room for 20

If I've said this once, I've said it a thousand times: If your child wants to be a hit with NHL players, have him draw or color a team sheet like Colin did this morning for the Minnesota Wild.

Most every player commented on Colin's artistic abilities. In the interest of full disclosure, though, I must admit I drew the outline of the logo, but Colin was the one who applied the colors.

Twenty members of the Minnesota Wild, including such big names as Marian Gaborik, Nicklas Backstrom, Nick Schultz and Jacques Lemaire took care of the rest.

Sunday morning homily V

Now that the puck has dropped on the 2008-09 NHL season, bringing a collective and contented smile to hockey fans from Florida to Finland, please allow me to share my three wishes for the days ahead:

~ Here's to hoping that every player, from your favorite team's stars to the career minor-leaguer enjoying his cup of NHL coffee, stays healthy and remember that our favorite sport is still a game. Sure, hockey is a rough-and-tumble sport, and injuries are part of the process. While bumps and bruises are expected on the ice, I certainly wouldn't mind a season free from serious injuries.

~ That civility reigns supreme in the stands and outside visiting team hotels. From the loudmouth woman in Section 126 at the St. Pete Times Forum who shrieks at each and every opportunity (yes, Alicia, I'm talking about you) to the overzealous dealers who mob every player, regardless of their stature or experience, the lack of manners being shown by these folks only reinforces the mistaken belief that you won't be held accountable for your actions.

~ As Colin takes the first few strides in his fledgling recreational hockey career, that each game we attend provides a valuable teaching moment on the right way to play the game. Though hard hits and fisticuffs are a part of hockey's fabric, so are end-to-end rushes, tape-to-tape passes and mind-boggling glove saves. In our house, skill defines the game.

Same old, same old

As much as a year can make a difference, it's certainly disappointing that so little has changed within the play of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Having had the "pleasure" of watching the Bolts' home opener last night, in which the Lightning gave up four unanswered goals, including the game-winner in overtime, I grew increasingly frustrated as the Lightning, rather than playing to win, stumbled through the third period as though they'd be happy with a tie.

I'm sorry, but from where I sit, if you don't play to win, you lose. And if the Lightning keeps playing as poorly as they did last night, it's going to be another long, and woeful, season.

5 Big Sigs

With both the New York Islanders and Minnesota Wild coming to town this week, it'll be easier to spread the wealth, so to speak:

~ Islanders rookie Kyle Okposo on an Isles' puck;
~ Islanders forward Doug Weight on Isles, Hurricanes and Blues pucks;
~ Minnesota's Marian Gaborik on a Wild puck;
~ Minnesota's Nicklas Backstrom on a Wild puck; and
~ Minnesota's Brent Burns on a Wild puck.

It'll be the Habs in their 100th

When you get right down to it, any predictions for the upcoming NHL season are nothing more than wishful thinking. Yes, you can do research. You can talk with fellow fans. And, if you're lucky enough, you can even talk to some players.

Still, though, no one knows. Players get injured or traded. A team's chemistry may never materialize. A top pick can become a big flop.

Yet, year after year, we put together, on the Internet, a piece of paper or the darkest recesses of our minds, a set of projections for the season ahead. Talk about optimism, eh?

So, for the record, here are Hound Central 4.0's picks. Remember, too, that they're certainly open for your debate:

Eastern Conference

1.) Philadelphia Flyers
2.) Montreal Canadiens
3.) Washington Capitals
4.) Pittsburgh Penguins
5.) New York Rangers
6.) New Jersey Devils
7.) Boston Bruins
8.) Carolina Hurricanes

Just missing: Buffalo Sabres

Western Conference

1.) Detroit Red Wings
2.) Anaheim Ducks
3.) Chicago Blackhawks
4.) San Jose Sharks
5.) Dallas Stars
6.) Calgary Flames
7.) Nashville Predators
8.) Edmonton Oilers

Just missing: Minnesota Wild

Conference champions

Eastern: Montreal Canadiens over Philadelphia Flyers in six games
Western: Anaheim Ducks over Calgary Flames in five games

Stanley Cup Finals

Montreal Canadiens over Anaheim Ducks in six games

Conn Smythe winner: Montreal's Carey Price

Annual awards

Presidents' Trophy
Detroit Red Wings, 112 points
Hart Trophy (MVP)
Alexander Ovechkin, Washington Capitals
Pearson Award (players' MVP)
Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins
Art Ross Trophy (top scorer)
Sidney Crosby, 128 points
Maurice Richard Trophy (top goal scorer)
Alexander Ovechkin, 58 goals
Calder Trophy (top rookie)
Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lightning
Norris Trophy (top defenseman)
Dion Phaneuf, Calgary Flames
Vezina Trophy (top goalie)
Carey Price, Montreal Canadiens
Lady Byng Trophy (sportsmanlike)
Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Selke Trophy (top defensive forward)
Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers
Jennings Trophy (lowest GAA)
Carey Price and Jaroslav Halak, Montreal Canadiens, 2.13 GAA
Masterton Trophy (perseverance)
Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins
King Clancy Trophy (humanitarian)
Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins

Bonus predictions

No. 1 pick: John Tavares by the New York Islanders
First coach fired: Tony Granato, Colorado Avalanche, or Alain Vigneault, Vancouver Canucks
Biggest trade: Patrick Marleau for Simon Gagne
Biggest cut: Jeremy Roenick, San Jose Sharks
Fighting majors: Daniel Carcillo, Phoenix Coyotes, 17, with one three-game suspension
Shutout leader: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils, eight

Who's the best young defenseman?

Of all the "best young" features that Hound Central 4.0 will produce this week, this one -- profiling the top young defensemen in the NHL -- contains the most surprises. And the most names

While most of the names will be familiar, more familiar names have fallen off the top five listings. And it's not just because they're older than 25, as of Oct. 4. Nope, the winds of change were brought about by changes to Hound Central 4.0's formulaic criteria for defensemen.

Beyond scoring, games played and plus-minus, the staples for past editions, this season's rankings incorporate more defensive-minded statistics into the equation: blocked shots, hits and a player's giveaway/takeway score.

As you'll soon see, it led to a nearly widespread shuffling in the rankings. No longer on these lists: Pittsburgh's Ryan Whitney, Nashville's Shea Weber and Tampa Bay's Matthew Carle, three of last year's top five.

Instead, they've been replaced by some surprising names, players who play a more complete game:

No. 5: Dan Hamhuis
Nashville Predators
25 years old (12.13.82)
Drafted 12th overall in 2001
The skinny: While it's easy to get lost in the shuffle of the Predators blueline, Hamhuis stood shoulders above teammates Ryan Suter and Shea Weber. He likes to hit (162) and posted a respectable 27 points. Only a minus 4 kept him from fourth place.
Last season's rankings: n/a

No. 4: Duncan Keith
Chicago Blackhawks
25 years old (7.16.83)
Drafted 54th overall in 2002
The skinny: Over time, the Blackhawks have been blessed with great defensemen: Pierre Pilote, Chris Chelios, the late Keith Magnuson, Doug Wilson, Bob Murray and, yes, Bobby Orr. It's time to add Keith's name to the list. Look beyond his 32 points and plus-30. Marvel at his 115 blocked shots and plus-11 in giveways/takeaways. This guy is good. Real good.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 3: Brent Seabrook
Chicago Blackhawks
23 years old (4.20.85)
Drafted 14th overall in 2003
The skinny: Well, if Keith makes the list of Chicago's top defensemen, I better add Seabrook as well. He loves to hit. He loves to block shots. And, like Keith, he pitches in offensively. What more can I say? The Blackhawks are blessed on the blueline.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 2: Dan Girardi
New York Rangers
24 years old (4.29.84)
Signed as a free agent in 2006
The skinny: If this isn't the biggest surprise on the list, I don't know who else I could name. Ulf Samuelsson? Seriously, though, this kid is flying under way too many radars. If you haven't heard of him by now, you will soon enough. A Memorial Cup winner with the London Knights, he's not afraid to sacrifice his body -- 179 hits and 123 blocked shots. Twenty-eight points in a full 82-game season only help his cause.
Last season's ranking: n/a

No. 1: Dion Phaneuf
Calgary Flames
23 years old (4.10.85)
Drafted 9th overall in 2003
The skinny: As much of a surprise as Girardi may be, there's should be little debate as to who is the best young defenseman. Hands down, it's Phaneuf. He can skate. He can score. He plays the point on the Flames' power play. His mile-wide mean streak (194 hits) can scare the living snot out of you, too. I only hope that being the cover boy for EA Sports' NHL09 doesn't prove to be a jinx.
Last season's ranking: No. 2

Ones to watch

These young defenseman, in alphabetical order, have either already made, or will soon make, their presences felt on NHL bluelines. I won't apologize for the length of this list, either. The NHL is deep in young defensemen:

Jay Bouwmeester, Florida Panthers
25 years old (9.27.83) / 3rd overall in 2002 Draft
The skinny: Really, I expected more out of Jay-Bo last season. Hence, his fall from the No. 3 spot on last year's list. Perhaps the arrival of Bryan McCabe, as well as a season under the belts of the Panthers young core, will help both the team and Bouwmeester. Age alone knocks hom off next year's list.

Brent Burns, Minnesota Wild
23 years old (3.9.85) / 20th overall in 2003 Draft
The skinny: Quietly, Burns put together a solid offensive campaign (15-28=43, 8 PPG, 4 GWG) within Minnesota's defense-first system last season. Because of that, expectations will be higher this season. There's plenty of room for improvement on the defensive side of his game. Patience will pay off here.

Braydon Coburn, Philadelphia Flyers
23 years old (2.27.85) / 8th overall (Atlanta) in 2003 Draft
The skinny: Though slightly prone to turning over the puck, there are few holes in Coburn's game. Points (36) and power play goals (5) are plentiful for a defenseman. A plus-17 shows he's not a defensive liability.

Tobias Enstrom, Atlanta Thrashers
23 years old (11.5.84) / overall in 200 Draft
The skinny: A pleasant surprise out of camp last year, he brought some offensive pop (5-33=38) to Blueland's blueline. He'll block shots (106), but shies away from hitting (21). Thrashers fans must drool at the thought of Enstrom and Zach Bogosian (No. 3 overall in 2008) on defense.

Tom Gilbert, Edmonton Oilers
25 years old (1.10.83) / 129th overall in 2002 Draft
The skinny: Though he's not a big hitter (27), Gilbert has no problem laying down to block shots (159). With 13 goals among his 33 points, scoring isn't a problem. Greater concentration to defense will round out his game.

Mike Green, Washington Capitals
22 years old (10.12.85) / 29th overall in 2004 Draft
The skinny: When I started researching this list, I figured Green would pose some serious competition for Phaneuf as the game's young top defenseman. It wasn't even close. Granted, Green posted a ton of points (56, including 18 goals). But he logged less than 100 hits (94) and blocked only 68 shots. He's kind of sloppy with the puck, too.

Erik Johnson, St. Louis Blues
20 years old (3.21.88) / 1st overall in 2006 Draft
The skinny: Just another key part in the rebuilding project going on in St. Louis. Another season of tutelage under Eric Brewer, Barret Jackman, Jay McKee and Al MacInnis will only hasten the maturation process. Another instance where patience will be rewarded.

Jack Johnson, Los Angeles Kings
21 years old (1.13.87) / 3rd overall in 2005 Draft
The skinny: With Jonathan Bernier, Drew Doughty (No. 2 overall in 2008), Alexander Frolov and Anze Kopitar, Johnson joins a talented nucleus with the Kings' young lineup. His talents will become better known as the Kings' fortunes improve.

Brian Lee, Ottawa Senators
21 years old (3.26.87) / 9th overall in 2005 Draft
The skinny: Given the departures of Wade Redden and Andrej Meszaros from Ottawa's defensive unit, the University of North Dakota product stands a chance of cracking the Senators' opening-night lineup as a rookie. If not, he'll do it soon enough.

Andrej Meszaros, Tampa Bay Lightning
25 years old (10.13.85) / 23rd overall in 2004 Draft
The skinny: In surfing the Web recently, I ran across some blog comments that thanked the Lightning for taking Meszaros off the Senators' hands. Mez, as they call him, wasn't as good as everyone believes him to be, that his game suffered after Zdeno Chara signed with Boston. I don't buy that. In fact, I look forward to watching this kid blossom into a premiere blueliner.

Matt Niskanen, Dallas Stars
21 years old (12.6.86) / 28th overall in 2005 Draft
The skinny: When your teammates are Mike Modano, Brenden Morrow, Jere Lehtinen, Sergei Zubov and Marty Turco, it's understandable that a player like Niskanen might go unnoticed. Though he could improve the physicality of his play (47 hits and 62 blocked shots), he brings enough offense (7-19=26 and a plus-22) to the table.

Paul Ranger, Tampa Bay Lightning
24 years old (9.12.84) / 183rd overall in 2002 Draft
The skinny: As fortunate as Chicago is to have Keith and Seabrook, Lightning fans should start singing the praises of Ranger and Meszaros (And, really, Carle will turn out to be a fine defenseman). Ranger, with 31 points in 72 games, won't face the pressure to play a 10-year-veteran game this season. Hopefully, offseason shoulder surgery won't impede his progress.

Marc Staal, New York Rangers
21 years old (1.13.87) / 12th overall in 2005 Draft
The skinny: It's like I said last year, let's all sit back and enjoy today's version of the Sutter brothers roam and reign among NHL rinks. It won't be long before all four brothers -- Eric, Marc, Jordan and Jared -- will rack up a million air miles between them every season. Maybe they'll let their folks use them.

Feel free to check out Hound Central 3.0's best young defensemen.