SB Nation - Brendan Shanahan

Wednesday Links: The Goblin lives to coach another day edition

averagejoe — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:00:25 -0000

A home win? What is that? Now let's get a road win again tonight.

Blues news

Blues win! At home! Exclamation points! [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
Were the Flames star-struck? Who knows. I'm just glad they lost. [Vancouver Sun]
Brett Hull is, and always will be, the man. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
Some quotes throughout the day — did you know the Blues told Brendan Shanahan he was traded in a five-second phone call? [Belleville News-Democrat]
Here are some pictures from last night. [Blues]
The Blues are back in action tonight, taking on the hated Chicago Blackhawks. [CBS Sports
Patrick Kane will play tonight against the Blues. [Chicago Breaking Sports News]

Hockey news

Here are your results for last night. [Yahoo! Sports]
Eight games tonight, but really one worth watching. [Yahoo! Sports]
FIGHT! Everyone loves a good throw down, here are the Puck Daddy Top-10 of the aughts. No love for the Cam Janssen/Aaron Downey fight? [Puck Daddy]
What's ailing the Sharks? For once it's not being in the playoffs. [Fear the Fin]
The 12 Days of Christmas gets a Vancouver makeover. [Nucks Misconduct]
Canadiens goalie Jaroslav Halak might be on the move. [TSN]
Gary Bettman tells the Board of Governors they won't have to cover the Coyotes' losses. That means, of course, they will. [TSN]
Guess what? The Canadian media loves Sidney Crosby. [TSN]
More notes from the first day of the BOG meetings. [ESPN]
Brian Burke will carry the Olympic torch. [ESPN]
Michael Leighton, who is not that good, has been claimed off waivers by the Flyers. [ESPN]

Other links

This map looks pretty accurate said every one of my neighbors. [Pic
You've heard of Letters to Santa, well this is Letters to Walken, as in Christopher Walken. [Letters to Walken]
The year in viral videos. Enjoy. [Videogum]

Video

Donut King knows who he wants to take over the Blues when Andy Murray gets fired: this guy.

That's it for today. Come back for the GDT. I'm off work so I'll be there.

Monday Links: Getting good at shootouts edition

averagejoe — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:00:27 -0000

Monday is here again. Back to the grind.

Blues news

The Note take on the Colorado Avalanche tonight. Unfortunately, it's at home. [CBS Sports]
The Blues are getting confident in shootouts. That's nice, but how 'bout the team wins in regulation. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]

Hockey news

Red Wings and Senators won on Sunday. [Yahoo! Sports]
Lots of games on a Monday night. Way to go up against the NFL, Gary. [Yahoo! Sports]
Your standings for Monday. Although the Blues are still last in the Central, they have played two fewer games than just about everyone else. [NHL.com]
The NHL is considering renaming the post-season awards. That's a big fail. [Puck Daddy]
From CCR comes this article about Brendan Shanahan. Dude can hold a grudge. Do you think Craig Janney does? [NJ.com]
Teemu Selanne has a broken hand. [TSN]
Dan Carcillo will get four days to think about what he has done. [TSN]
Rick DiPietro allowed three goals in first action of the season in a rehab start. [ESPN]
The Thrashers future is now — and by that Scott Burnside means if they don't sign Ilya Kovalchuk, they have no future. [ESPN]
With Cam Ward coming back from injury, what happens to Manny Legace? [Canes Country]
A look at how the media views the same play. [Japers' Rink]

Other links

This is just funny. [Pic]
A year in Jesus sightings. [Buzzfeed]
If you take public transportation, you might appreciate this. [Holy Taco]

Video

It's always good when people fall down. And mess up. And are just morons.

Gametimelinks(at)gmail.com GDT tonight. Don't forget.

New Jersey Devils Morning News, Dec 5

TibbsBeastoftheEast — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 13:34:28 -0000

Devils notes: Jay Pandolfo, Johnny Oduya to return - (The Bergen Record)
Devils pull out win over Lightning in final minute - (Fire & Ice)

Greene steps up again; Rolston rifles one - (Fire & Ice)
Devils’ rookies have an impact in comeback win over Tampa Bay - (Fire & Ice)
Devils defenseman Colin White questionable for Saturday’s game with lower-body soreness - (Fire & Ice)
Live post: Downie PPG ties game a 3-3 in third; Zharkov earns first NHL point - (Fire & Ice)
Steve Yzerman at The Rock to see Devils-Lightning - (Fire & Ice)
Peters knows he needs to play better; Pikkarainen showing improvement; Lemaire: Kids need to play - (Fire & Ice)
Devils will hold out Pandolfo and Oduya until Saturday; Brodeur to start, Pelley back in - (Fire & Ice)
Breaking an ice ceiling: Female hockey broadcaster from NJ cracks NHL barrier - (The Star Ledger)
NJ Devils rookie defensemen Matt Corrente and Mark Fraser are two tough customers
Injury late in game could sideline NJ Devils defenseman Colin White
NJ Devils capitalize on power play to take 3-2 victory over Tampa Bay Lightning
NJ Devils-Tampa Bay Lightning: As they played
Brendan Shanahan recalls some emotional days with NJ Devils
Did Ilkka Pikkarainen get the message when NJ Devils sent him to minors?
Neither Jay Pandolfo nor Johnny Oduya will return to NJ Devils lineup
Devs beat adversity, Lightning - (The New York Post)
NJD Notes 12.04: Lemaire quotes - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Pandolfo, Oduya sit out one more
Devils Beat Lightning With Goal in Final Minute - (The New York Times)
A BIG GOAL; With countless records under his belt, New Jersey's Martin Brodeur ... - (Kelowna.com)
Red Wings-Devils Preview - (SportingNews.com)
Defeat is plenty of a penalty for Tampa Bay Lightning in 3-2 loss to New ... - (Tampabay.com)

LOWELL DEVILS
Devils Upend Sound Tigers, 5-1 - (LowellDevilsHockey.com)

MISCELLANEOUS
NHL scores with Shanahan - (Toronto Sun)
Gross: NHL wise to hire Brendan Shanahan - (The Bergen Record)

New Jersey Devils Morning News, Dec 4

TibbsBeastoftheEast — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:24:18 -0000

Up next: Lightning at Devils - (The Bergen Record)
Jacques Lemaire puts Devils through tough practice - (The Bergen Record)

Optional morning skate today - (Fire & Ice)
Shanahan was shocked to be let go by Devils - (Fire & Ice)
Lemaire hopes difficult practice will get Devils back on track - (Fire & Ice)
Pandolfo and Oduya might return against Lightining - (Fire & Ice)
Devils get a late start to practice after poor performance Wednesday - (Fire & Ice)
Brendan Shanahan on NHL Hour today, expected to take job with league - (Fire & Ice)
Jacques Lemaire puts Devils through tough practice - (The Star Ledger)
Former NJ Devils forward Brendan Shanahan named NHL vice president of hockey and business development - (The Star Ledger)
NJ Devils post-practice report: No decision yet on Jay Pandolfo, Johnny Oduya's status for Friday - (The Star Ledger)
NJ Devils practice, early report; Jay Pandolfo, Johnny Oduya skating - (The Star Ledger)
Devils bear down after rare defeat - (The New York Post)
Cangy: Light at End of Tunnel - (Msgnetwork)
Devils-Lightning Game Preview - (Msgnetwork)
Pandolfo, Oduya possible for weekend - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Lemaire gets back to basics - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Lightning-Devils Preview - (FOXSports.com)
NHL Standings - (Yahoo NHL)
Devils' players stats - (Yahoo NHL)
Devils Team Report - (Yahoo NHL)
FanHouse MUVPs: Eastern Conference - (fanhouse.com); Andy Greene
Lightning-Devils scouting report - (The Tampa Tribune)
Winter break NHL picks review: Eastern Conference - (Gauntlet)
From The Mouth Of Chris Pronger - (Interchangeable Parts)

VANCOUVER 2010
Who should start for Canada? - (NHL.com)
Making the cut - (Varsity)
Olympic Hockey Preview: Czechs get older, Slovaks get wiser - (National Post)

MISCELLANEOUS
Brendan Shanahan conference call trascript: a novella with a short note about Steve Yzerman's retirement advice - (MLive.com)
Shanahan joins NHL's front office - (National Post)
Devils hockey legends to face Jersey City cops in benefit game for children of slain police officer - (NJ.com)
Martin Brodeur Welcomes Baby No. 5! - (Celebrity Baby Scoop)

Friday Links: That. Just. Happened. Edition.

averagejoe — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:00:25 -0000

More photos » by Paul Sakuma - AP

Hugs for everyone! (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Browse more photos »

After last night (this morning?), I'm contemplating naming my first-born child Carlo. Boy or girl.

Blues news

The Blues really did win. Seriously. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
You stay classy Evgeni Nabokov. The Sharks goalie blames Marc-Edouard Vlasic for not blocking Carlo Colaiacovo's shot. [San Jose Mercury News]
The Blues stopper line is playing a lot, but not more than it should. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]

Hockey news

Lots of games on Thursday. Here are the results. [Yahoo! Sports]
Friday night will be kinda quiet around the league. [Yahoo! Sports]
Brendan Shanahan will be joining the NHL front office. [National Post]
It's official: the Blackhawks have signed Toews, Kane and Keith. [ESPN]
The Second City guys reflect on the Big 3 signings. [Second City Hockey]
Jonas Gustavsson has heart surgery. [ESPN]
Matt Moulson gets his first career hat trick. [TSN]
Preparation for the Winter Classic is underway. [TSN]
Jiri Tlusty, famous for showing his dong on the internet, has been dealt to the Hurricanes. [TSN]

Other links

Can you believe that people tried to use comic books to sell shit to kids? OH YEAH! they did. [Cracked.com]
Here is a Web site devoted to single-purpose Web sites. Need the Price is Right sound? Go here. [Urlesque]
Christmas light we can all appreciate. [Tosh.0]
The guy who writes Comcast descriptions enjoys his job. [WTF Comcast]
What did Craig do before his massive list-site? [Users]
Chruch signs are sometimes funny. Mostly because of vandals. [Manofest]

Video

This video may not be for everyone and it's very NSFW (language) but it made me laugh.

This video, is for everyone. Enjoy.

Poor College Student has the weekend shift. gametimelinks(at)gmail.com

Brendan Shanahan skates into the sunset

Bruce McCurdy — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:10:51 -0000

More photos » by RYAN REMIORZ - AP

FILE - In this June 13, 2002, file photo, Detroit Red Wings' Brendan Shanahan holds the Stanley Cup after beating the Carolina Hurricanes. Shanahan, a member of three Stanley Cup championship teams with the Red Wings, announced on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2009, that he is retiring from the NHL, after 21 seasons and an almost certain Hall of Fame career. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Ryan Remiorz, File)

Browse more photos »

If you judge the man's career by the individual awards he received, Brendan Shanahan was the equal of Ethan Moreau. One King Clancy Memorial Trophy apiece, nothing else.

Leadership and humanitarian contribution are all well and good, but individual awards do not begin to cover the breadth, and the depth, of the hockey player that was Brendan Shanahan. Power forwards are poorly served by those awards, and Shanahan was one of the finest power forwards of his or any era. One could argue he was the player Cam Neely might have been had he stayed healthy.

18 minutes a night, game after game, season after season, Shanahan was as consistent as they come. He put up huge numbers across a very broad spectrum over the years: 1524 GP (11th all-time); 656 goals (also 11th); 1354 points (23rd); 2489 PiM (22nd); 5086 shots on goal (6th); 237 powerplay goals (5th); 109 game-winning goals (4th). But his individual successes were dwarfed by those of his teams: the 3-time Stanley Cup champion won gold medals representing Canada in the Canada Cup, the World Championships, and the Olympic Games, joining several exclusive clubs in the process. More on this later.

Shanahan first came to prominence at the '87 World Juniors, when he was one of the top performers on a Canadian team whose run to a certain medal and possible gold was derailed by the infamous Punch-Up in Piestany. It was to be the only international bauble to escape Shanny.

First though was the rise to prominence in the NHL. Drafted second overall (behind Pierre Turgeon) out of London Knights that summer of '87, Shanahan proceeded directly to the NHL, never playing another game of junior or any in the minors. I picked him in my "keeper league" fantasy pool that same fall so followed his career as closely as possible as he worked his way up the charts. As a rookie in New Jersey he scored just 7 goals and 26 points but took no prisoners, posting 131 PiM. He would reach triple digits in that category for 13 consecutive seasons and 17 of his first 18. By his second season he added scoring to the mix, reaching 20 goals for the first of 19 consecutive seasons, as well as the 50-point plateau which he would miss only in the lockout-shortened season (1995-95). By Year 3 those totals surged to 30 and 72 and Shanny was on his way as an elite power forward.

For a star the man moved around quite a bit in the first half of his career. His value can be seen in the quality of players for whom he was exchanged: Scott Stevens was awarded to New Jersey as compensation when Shanahan signed as a restricted free agent in St.Louis in 1991; the Blues later dealt him to Hartford in '95 with Chris Pronger coming the other way; a year later the Red Wings put together a package including Paul Coffey and Keith Primeau to bring Shanny to Detroit where he settled down for the next decade. By any measure Stevens, Pronger and Coffey rank among the top handful of NHL defencemen over the past 30 years.

Shanahan reached his individual peak in St. Louis where he put up back to back seasons of 51 and 52 goals. In 1993-94 he was All-World, posting 52-50-102 with 211 PiM, career highs all, while leading the NHL in shots on goal (397) and shorthanded goals (7) and making the season-ending First All-Star Team for the first time. I remember attending this game where I essentially isolated on "my" guy from my seat in the high end zone for the entire game. Shanny broke a 1-1 tie early in the third, but it's the empty netter that I remember in detail. Oilers down 2-1 but on the powerplay, goalie out for the 6-on-4, faceoff in Blues' end, 53 seconds left. St. Louis sends out Shanahan to not only kill the penalty but take the faceoff, just another one of those value-added things you don't expect from a winger. Can't recall who the centre was for the Oilers, but when the puck dropped Shanahan lifted the guy's stick clean as a whistle as he spun to his left, picked up the disc with his right skate, kicked the puck on to his stick as he completed his 360 and sifted a 180-foot shot right into the empty net. Total elapsed time: 3.6 seconds. One of the best empty-netters I've ever seen. In the end it turned out to be the game winner when Louie DeBrusk of all people notched a late consolation goal.

Another memorable Shanny performance closed that '93-94 season. The Blues met the Winnipeg Jets, featuring another top power forward of the day, Keith Tkachuk (a player whom I have always detested for various reasons). On this occasion Tkachuk caught Shanahan with a vicious high stick, really raked him and opened a wicked cut above his lip which resulted in a nasty scar. Shanahan bled profusely, went off for repairs, came back for the third period still leaking, and proceeded to score two goals to put the game on ice. Then he turned his attention back to Tkachuk, jumping the Jets star and whaling the tar out of him. The message was loud and clear: Do Not Mess With Brendan Shanahan.

That spring of '94 Shanahan was a key player as Team Canada won its first world championship in 33 long years. It was Brendan's second gold medal on the international scene, adding to a trophy case that already included Canada Cup gold from 1991.

Next on the agenda was the Stanley Cup. Mired in their own decades-long drought, Detroit had been coming close, making the SCF but being swept by the Devils in '95, then winning the President's Trophy with a record 62 wins in '96. The Wings brain trust felt they were a little too soft up front so targeted Shanahan as their man, landing him early in the '96-97 season. It was a perfect fit; with the veteran Shanahan in a support role the Wings won back-to-back Cups in '97 and '98.

Alas, around this time I parted ways with Shanny on my fantasy team, being suckered in a weak moment by a shiny bauble named Sergei Samsonov who had just won the Calder Trophy. Short-term pain for long-term gain I figured, but I figured wrong as Shanny outpointed Sammy in each subsequent season. Never mind the other 19 things he could do for a hockey club that Samsonov couldn't; even in a points-only hockey pool Shanny proved to be the better bet.

In real life Shanahan settled down in Detroit for a decade, where he was a constant force, missing just 20 games over that entire span. His goal totals ranged from 25 to 41 and basically fluctuated with his shooting percentage, as his shots on goal were virtually constant year over year: 266, 288, 283, 278, 277, 260, 280, 289 ... the man was a shooter through and through.

His career reached another pinnacle in 2002 when he helped Team Canada break another decades-long jinx, winning the Olympic gold medal for the first time in a half-century. He then completed a remarkable double when the Red Wings reclaimed the Stanley Cup. Shanahan and team-mate Steve Yzerman became just the second and third men to accomplish this feat, previously accomplished by the great (and greatly underrated) defenceman Ken Morrow in 1980.

Shanahan joined a couple of other exclusive groups in the process, including the "Triple Gold Club" which consists of 22 players (and entirely too many Swedes) who have won Olympic and World Championship gold as well as the Stanley Cup. Only five players have won those three plus a Canada/World Cup: Slava Fetisov, Igor Larionov, Joe Sakic, Scott Niedermayer and Brendan Shanahan. That's pretty elite company.

During the lockout that torpedoed the 2004-05 season Shanahan headed a two-day summit of players and coaches which made 10 recommendations to the NHL and the players association to improve the flow of play. Many of these changes were adopted when play finally resumed.

After a final 40-goal, 80-point, 100 PiM season in which the Wings won the President's Trophy but were upset by Edmonton in the playoffs, Shanahan made one last appearance for Team Canada at the Worlds. Although his appearances were limited by playoff commitments, he had represented his country in 1987, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2002 and 2006: a World-class player for two decades.

Shanahan moved on for two solid seasons with the Rangers before signing with New Jersey midway through last season to end where he began. He broke in with the Devils at 18 and played his last games with them at 40. Announcing the end of his wonderful career earlier this week, Shanny retired from the NHL with at least one unofficial record, having compiled no fewer than 9 "Gordie Howe hat tricks". Brendan Shanahan brought a lot of game, and he brought it every night.

New Jersey Devils Morning News, Nov 18

TibbsBeastoftheEast — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:44:41 -0000

Shanahan announces retirement - (Fire & Ice)
Lemaire proactive with Devils’ practices - (Fire & Ice)

Elias not thinking about Olympics, yet; Parise unhappy with Pronger cross checks (corrected) - (Fire & Ice)
Devils getting ready to go to Nashville; Injured players staying home - (Fire & Ice)
No rest for Lemaire; Elias, Langenbrunner, Clarkson, Salvador not practicing - (Fire & Ice)
Looking for rest, NJ Devils instead hit the ice for practice after lazy road loss - (The Star Ledger)
NJ Devils GM Lou Lamoriello praises Brendan Shanahan - (The Star Ledger)
Former NJ Devils, NY Rangers forward Brendan Shanahan announces his retirement - (The Star Ledger)
Jacques Lemaire: NJ Devils must avoid a letdown after loss to Flyers - (The Star Ledger)
Two winning streaks are over, but NJ Devils are driven to start another - (The Star Ledger)
Shanny hangs 'em up - (The New York Daily News)
Lemaire keeps Devils on their toes - (The New York Post)
Shanny retires, up for league job - (The New York Post)
Shanahan Retires After 21-Year Career - (The New York Times)
Fischler: The Law of Averages - (Msgnetwork)
Cangy: Elias Contributes - (Msgnetwork)
Brendan Shanahan announces retirement - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Thursday Night Party - (NewJerseyDevils.com)
Impact! NHL.com's online magazine - (NHL.com); Lou Lamoriello
'Shanny', Burke helped turn Devils around - (NHL.com)
Brendan Shanahan announces retirement - (NHL.com)
Bowman: Shanahan the "missing piece" - (NHL.com)
Chase recalls Shanny's halcyon days in St. Louis - (NHL.com)
NHL Standings - (Yahoo NHL)
Devils' players stats - (Yahoo NHL)
Devils Team Report - (Yahoo NHL)
The NHL without Brendan Shanahan is sadly now a reality - (Yahoo NHL)
Fantasy Pool Look: Bergfors becoming big force - (The Hockey News)
NHL Power Poll: Are Devils really this good? - (Sporting News)
Shanahan leaves impressive off-ice legacy - (Globe and Mail)
Shanahan To Retire: Thank You Shanny - (Bleacher Report)
Brendan Shanahan Retires: Great Player, Entertaining Person - (fanhouse.com)

LOWELL DEVILS
Lowell Extends Winning Streak To Five - Top-ranked offense helps tie franchise mark for consecutive wins - (LowellDevilsHockey.com)
Eagles' grad Eckford named American Hockey League POW - (BCHL)

TRENTON DEVILS
Cyclones, Penalties Doom Devils 3-1 - (TrentonDevils.com)

AROUND THE NHL
News of Hockey, 11/17/09: Shanahan Retires; Naslund Unretires and Joins Forsberg in Sweden - (The New York Times)

VANCOUVER 2010
NHL.com's Olympic roster selections - (NHL.com)

MISCELLANEOUS
West Kelowna's Curtis Gedig the newest Ohio State Buckeye - (Kelowna.com)
Newark's newest venture offers a jolt to Devils fans - (NJBIZ)
Gedig and Szczechura commit to Ohio State for 2010 NCAA season - (BCHL)

Wednesday links: Eight is too much edition

averagejoe — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 11:15:16 -0000

Do the Blues still play hockey? I sure do miss them.

Blues news

You know those big books your parents used to use to look up "home" phone numbers? The Blues are on the cover of one. [Blues]
The Blues have eight healthy d-men. Don't think for one second that the team won't stay that way for a few games. [St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
Kelly Chase talks about playing with Brendan Shanahan. I'm just going to go ahead and say it, the fans love for Shanny lasted way, way too long for how little time he spent here. People still wax nostalgic about a man who played just four out of 21 years wearing the 'Note. [NHL.com]
Alex Pietrangelo should stay, but the Blues are being tight-lipped about what will happen with the youngster. [Belleville News-Democrat]

Hockey news

Here is your schedule for tonight. [Yahoo! Sports]
Last night's results. [Yahoo! Sports]
Bob McKenzie on TSN is reporting on potential deals for Patrick Kane, Jon Toews and Duncan Keith. Second City weighs in. [Second City Hockey]
Things are not going good for our friends, the Leafs fans. [Pension Plan Puppets]
Everyone is hurting, which may cause some salary cap issues. [From The Rink]
Talented Blue Jackets forward Nikita Filatov is leaving the NHL for the KHL. [ESPN]
Filatov says hes leaving because the Jackets are not letting him play his style of game. [Puck Daddy]
Alex Ovechkin scores in his return from injury. [ESPN]
With the way the Blues are playing, let's look at the NHL draft! [TSN]
Caps goalie Jose Theodore has left the team for personal reasons. [TSN]
Markus Naslund will team up with Peter Forsberg — for free. [TSN]

Other links

I'm really kind of glad I haven't met this girl. She seems like a total bitch. [Craig's List]
Some people invent the weirdest things. [Totally Absurd]
Get to know some famous Captains, Eric Brewer not included. [Pixlmonster]

Video

So this video is going around the intertubes and I thought I'd share it with you. Seth MacFarlane has a formula.

Shanahan hangs 'em up

James Mirtle — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 23:08:47 -0000

More photos » by RYAN REMIORZ - AP

Browse more photos »

The numbers tell a story of one of the most effective power forwards of his era, but really, they only tell the beginning of the story.

When Brendan Shanahan made his retirement official Tuesday, he went into the NHL history books No. 11 in all-time goals (656) and No. 23 in all-time points (1,354) – credentials usually associated with a first ballot Hall Of Fame player.

— Eric Duhatschek, The Globe and Mail

"While I always dreamed of playing in the NHL, I can't honestly say that I would have ever imagined that I'd be this fortunate and blessed. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has helped me fulfill this dream."

— Brendan Shanahan

There goes yet another player that makes you feel like its the end of an era, even if he never won the scoring race or a playoff MVP.

Heck, Shanny has won but one NHL trophy, the King Clancy six years ago, but that doesn't make a whit of difference in how big of an icon he became in the game — right up there with Brett Hull, Steve Yzerman and a whole bunch of other guys that played on those stacked Red Wings teams.

And if you ever find yourself in Mimico, Ontario, they whisper his name there like he's the holy one himself.

Even though he's left the ice, I'm sure we'll see plenty of Shanahan in NHL circles for years to come.

Former Devil Brendan Shanahan Officially Retires from Hockey

John Fischer — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:54:41 -0000

More photos » by Chris O'Meara - ASSOCIATED PRESS

Brendan Shanahan - began his career in New Jersey, ended in New Jersey, and with a ton of goals, points, penalties, and success in between. A true power forward who has accomplished much in his long and storied career. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Browse more photos »

NHL.com has breaking news - since 3:15 PM even - that Brendan Shanahan has announced his retirement from hockey. Adam Kimelman has the story and the important quote from Shanahan himself:

"I would like to thank my family and all of the friends who have helped me achieve and maintain my childhood dream of playing in the National Hockey League," Shanahan said. "I am enormously grateful to all of my coaches and teammates I've had the privilege of learning from and playing along side of, throughout my career. While I always dreamed of playing in the NHL, I can't honestly say that I would have ever imagined that I'd be this fortunate and blessed. I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has helped me fulfill this dream."

Shanahan will most likely be primarily remembered as a Detroit Red Wing (and maybe as a St. Louis Blue too), as that is where he found much of his success in his hockey career. He'll also be remembered as strong, power-forward who was gifted with an excellent shot and earning respect wherever he went.

When the initial news broke, it certainly was a surprise. This later report from Tom Gulitti gave insight into why he was cut; Devils head coach Jacques Lemaire stated plainly that he didn't want to keep Shanahan solely as a fourth liner. Gulitti also learned from Lemaire that the decision to cut him was a difficult one, considering that Shanahan was the first player drafted with Lou in the organization:

Lemaire said the meeting Wednesday with Shanahan was "worse for Lou because he drafted him. A 18 years old, he played for him. It was hard. I could tell just by his breathing after. It was not easy."

...

"Myself, I didn't want Shanny to come in and be a fourth-line type of player. I wouldn't want that," Lemaire said. "It's just how I look at things. When a veteran like him had the type of career he had, you don't want to play him on a line that it would be tough to produce for him. And it's still his game to produce points. To do it, he's got to play on the top lines and now the top lines we have players that are ahead."

In a way, it's nice that the Devils didn't want to confine him to the fourth line; but that's not much of a mitigation, understandable as it may be. Being cut is definitely a sad feeling regardless. And, unfortunately, the rest of the league agreed without saying a word and so Shanahan was left as a free agent so far. Rather than wait like last season, Shanahan figured it was time to end his playing career at age 40.

Truth be told, as disappointing at how his career has ended, I don't think Shanahan should be at all disappointed at all with how his career went. Even late into his career, he played the majority if not the full season, constantly had over 250 shots per season, and could be counted on for at least 20 goals even in the season before last. OK, so the short stint in New Jersey wasn't so prolific, but Shanahan showed he had a little left in the tank on the Devils' fourth line and second power play unit - putting up 6 goals and 8 assists in 34 games off of 77 shots. Still, Shanahan was an impact player for much longer than most would expect for a hockey player; and he has achieved a lot in since his career began in 1987 with New Jersey.

Here's the career statline from the former Devil (Blue, Whaler, Red Wing, and Ranger). Stats from NHL.com:

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Career - Brendan Shanahan	1521	656	698	1354	151	2489	237	23	109	5086	12.9

	GP	G	A	P	+/-	PIM	PPG	SHG	GWG	SOG	PCT
Playoffs - Brendan Shanahan	184	60	74	134	31	279	19	1	12	622	9.6

With over 650 goals (over 100 game winners) and over 1,350 points, three Stanley Cups, two gold medals (2002 Olympics, World Championships), and a King Clancy trophy, I think it's a safe bet he'll go to the Hockey Hall of Fame real soon. He truly was one of the great power forwards of the 1990s (and 2000s). He proved that a player in his late 30s can still be a significant contributor on the ice. And then there's his contributions off the ice with respect to his summit paving the way for a number of the rule changes we see in today's NHL (as noted in the NHL.com article).

Thank you, Brendan Shanahan. Best of luck to you in the next stage of your life.