NHL 09 Custom Covers

It has been well documented by now how jazzed I am for the pending release of NHL 09 next month. Those of you who have been coming around here for a while also know that I like to put together custom covers. So with that in mind, here is my custom cover thread for NHL 09.

It took me a little longer than I had hoped to get these ready because I made my own template this year. The good news is that the hard work is over and new covers will be relatively easy to produce. So... if you want to request a cover you can leave a note in the comments or e-mail me and I will get to it as soon as I can and then add the finished product to this post. Additionally, if there is a particular image you would like me to use feel free to attach it in the e-mail or include a link in your e-mail or comment. Enjoy!

Update:
Pascal Leclaire added. Martin Brodeur and Brenden Morrow are on the way!

Luongo Tells Fans To Shove It

Okay, so not really, but the Canucks heart and soul is going to skip the All-Star game in Atlanta despite being voted in to start by the fans. TSN is reporting that the Canucks have given Luongo permission to skip not only the All-Star game, but also their first game after the All-Star game so that he can be with his wife, who is pregnant with the couple's first child.

Luongo says, "Thanks but no thanks." to the All-Star Game.

I think this is a great move by the Canucks to get their big man some rest before the playoff drive really kicks in. This team is only going to go as far as Luongo takes them and getting him a week or so off could really pay off for Vancouver down the road. I'm sure the NHL would love to have Roberto in Atlanta, but the NHL can't complain too much since Luongo will also be missing one of his team's games and not just the All-Star game. Besides, in a perfect world this opens the door for Pascal Leclaire to get the start for the Western Conference. I'll take just about anyone though, as long at it's not Hasek.

Breakout Passes: The Pensblog Is Mightier

In what I am hoping to make a Wednesday staple... it's time to take a little online stroll and see what is going on in the world of hockey.

• There has never been a better time to get to know The Pensblog. Check out their Pens first half recap while you're at it. You owe it to yourself to read this blog if you are a hockey fan. The Pensblog is the first thing I read in the morning (if I don't stay up late enough to catch the new post the night before) and the boys have been in world class form since the Winter Classic.
• James Mirtle has announced his All-Stars (no Pascal Leclaire?), and also took a crack at reducing the impact of shootouts on the game.
• Teemu Selanne was seen working out at my old home rink in Anaheim.
• Greatest Hockey Legends takes Vincent Lecavalier to school.
• California is a legit hockey environment, dude!
• Jarome Iginla... he's a decent player.
• Brad Boyes has paid his dues.
  

NHL Team Of The Month: October 2007

Well, the first month of the NHL season is in the books. Here's my starting 6 based on their performance in October:

• Center: Sidney Crosby (11 GP, 5 G, 12 A, 9 PPP)
  
• Right Wing: Jarome Iginla (12 GP, 8 G, 11 A, 4 PPP)
  
• Left Wing: Rick Nash (11 GP, 9 G, 6 A, 8 PPP)
  
• Defense: Brian Rafalski (13 GP, 2 G, 9 A, +5, 8 PPP)
  
• Defense: Dion Phaneuf (12 GP, 3 G, 6 A, +10, 5 PPP)
  
• Goalie: Pascal Leclaire (8 GP, 6 W, 1.25 GAA, .953 SV%, 4 SO)

Comments:

• I went with Sid at center because I think he has been better than his numbers indicate (which is sick considering he is 5th in scoring despite having games in hand on everyone else at the top of the scoring list), and he was saddled with Mark Recchi on his wing for much of the early going. Hopefully he'll see more time on the ice with Malkin (Geno has been a beast so far this season) going forward and he'll have more nights like his recent 4 point outing against the Wild.
  
• You could make a case for Henrik Zetterberg at left wing and it would be hard to argue, but I think Nash has been more valuable to Columbus and has decidedly less talent around him. That gives him the edge to me.
  
• Rafalski and Phaneuf have both been lights out, as I would expect. Hopefully Rafalski will start to get a little more love from the hockey world now that he is out of New Jersey.
• Pascal Leclaire has been a revelation. There's no way he can keep this up for a full season, but for the first month he has clearly been the best keeper in the league. Enjoy it while it lasts Jackets fans!