NHL Hockey News

Jen Floyd Engel covered local sports for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram since 1997 and became a columnist in 2003.

At least that is the thought for generations of hockey fans. For years, the sport has been associated with dropping the gloves and settling differences on the ice without interference of referees, but it seems this year that could all be changing as fighting in the league is down considerably — and not everyone likes the trend.

The Chicago Blackhawks gained a veteran center on Friday by acquiring Brendan Morrison from the Calgary Flames in exchange for defenseman Brian Connelly.

Nathan Horton #18, Patrice Bergeron #37 and Brad Marchand #63 of the Boston Bruins celebrate a goal by Bergeron.

We’re now about a month away from the NHL trade deadline. As speculation reaches an all-time high, teams are beginning to position themselves for all of the madness that is about to ensue.

This weekend, Zdeno Chara will be the first Boston Bruin to captain an NHL All-Star team since Ray Bourque filled that role for the North American team in 2000.

Zdeno Chara picked Jarome Iginla as part of an plot to get him into a Bruins uniform.

Those were the perks to go with being the last pick during the NHL All-Star draft on Thursday - bonuses that went to San Jose’s Logan Couture and not Jason Pominville, although the Buffalo Sabres’ captain was in the running for being the last of the 38 players chosen in the draft.

Syracuse Crunch player Kyle Palmieri battles with David Hale, of the Binghamton Senators, during a game in Syracuse in October.

In the late 90s, the Flames weren’t really going anywhere. Their last playoff appearance had been in 1996, a year that saw the trade of Joe Nieuwendyk to the Stars for soon-to-be-franchise-cornerstone Jarome Iginla .

Bruce Bennett/Getty Images The Bruins’Zdeno Chara picked players for one team in the NHL All-Star Game draft.

Talk about unnecessary tension and pressure. Haven’t Sabres fans had to endure an inordinate amount of drama in the 2011-12 NHL season? So why then do you need to be tormented while watching the NHL All Star Game Draft? Does Buffalo have a “Kick Me” sign” taped to the back of its sweater these days??!! Twenty four forwards will play in the game.

The midseason doldrums, especially for a team with a postseason spot essentially locked up, usually take place between the holiday break and the All-Star Game.

The Sabres are taking off from practice today, the last day they’re allowed to work out prior to the NHL all-star break.

Jay Bouwmeester is a two-time invitee to the NHL all-star game, and in that time, the current Calgary Flame has witnessed 44 goals.

Unlike the snowbirds, though, Hine will be heading north — to Buffalo. That’s where his favorite hockey team and goalie play.

The All-Star break is officially here and all the “stars” will be pitted against each other.

NHL Zdeno Chara of the Boston Bruins and captain of Team Chara poses with goaltender Tim Thomas of the Bruins during the NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft Thursday.

Brad Staubitz , Brendan Shanahan , Buffalo Sabres , Chris Thorburn , Evgeni Malkin , Jochen Hecht , Joffrey Lupul , Ken Dryden , Lindy Ruff , Phoenix Coyotes , Scott Hartnell , T.J. Oshie , Taylor Hall , Vladimir Tarasenko Jochen Hecht of the Sabres is experiencing scary concussion symptoms that have alarmed his team.

Here’s a thought: with so many teams on the want list for a ‘power forward’ or ‘top-six defenseman’ coming up to the trade deadline in February, why not utilize the upcoming All-Star game in Ottawa as a scouting session?A The ASG is designated as a carefree weekend for players and fans alike to have fun.

The second NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft will take place tonight in Ottawa as captains Daniel Alfredsson and Zdeno Chara will make their picks.

Governor Deval Patrick struck a disappointed tone today as he commented on Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas’s decision not to attend a White House event earlier this week honoring the Stanley Cup champions.

Each year, the NHL trade deadline is more famous for the deals that don’t happen than the ones that do.

Nicklas Lidstrom ’s consecutive-games streak ended at 213 on Wednesday night when the Detroit Red Wings captain sat out against the Montreal Canadiens because of the flu.

The Rangers have played great hockey so far this season. While at times it hasn’t been pretty, the Rangers find themselves tied for first in the east.

The Anaheim Ducks winning ways have temporarily been put on hold by your Dallas Stars .

They can’t score to save their lives, they still have too many defensive brain cramps and they’ve won just three of their last dozen games.

No doubt about it, Tomas Vokoun hasn’t been quite what the Washington Capitals expected, especially before 2012 rolled around.

The following is the text of an actual e-mail I sent off to the CBC during Saturday night’s game against Montreal.

Dustin Byfuglien won the Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 as a wing.