Your chance to win NHL 11

I have an early copy of NHL 11 for the Xbox 360. I will draw after I receive 50 followers through google friends connect (directly to your left), and if that's not attainable I will draw by September 6th. For your chance to enter, all you need to do is follow Etownhockey.


What's new in NHL 11?

NHL 11 brings an in depth dynasty mode called "Ultimate Team." The EA sports ultimate hockey league uses a trading card system. You will begin this league by being dealt a deck of player cards. Playing games earns you Ultimate Team currency which is in the form of pucks. You can then use your EA Pucks to purchase new cards, which you will have to do as your starter deck of cards are players who are only under contract for a certain number of games. This is an addition similar to what has already been seen in past Madden and Fifa games, of course NHL 11 has a way of making the feature like it's own.

Other notables that make Ultimate Team dazzle:

• There are over 4,100 players from 10 different leagues in the game to collect and use in creating your NHL 11 Ultimate Hockey Team. NHL, American Hockey League, Canadian Hockey League, and various European leagues are available.
• There will be monthly NHL 11 Ultimate Team seasons with playoffs and tournaments.
• Play with your NHL 11 Ultimate Team in either online contests against other human opponents or offline CPU opponents.

Ultimate Team unfortunately is the only mode that has been added in this years game. The other modes that were seen in NHL 10 have gone untouched for the most part. So it's a good thing EA decided to add some new in game features. Broken sticks is one of the coolest new additions, seeing a player skating into the slot about to rip a shot and then having his stick break brings a new tempo to the game.

Other new in game features includes an over haul on the faceoff - there is now more to it then just simply smashing buttons. You are provided with the ability of scoring a filthy goal, and then only be teased as you watch the referees disallow the goal. Another feature that makes it's return is a speed burst, holding down the left stick will give you a quick burst of speed for a short time. The checking engine is new to this years game as well, you will see more realistic hits and a variety of reactions coming from the receiver of the check. Passing has also been tweaked, and it has been seen in older versions of NHL. In order to whip a pass with any kind of speed, you're going to have to hold the pass button for a half-second longer than normal. This offers a more realistic approach as not all passes should be of the same strength.

This installment of EA's NHL series is another improvement and will offer the best hockey gaming experience available once again. If you have played hockey for as long as I have, this will be a game that will bring you to awe.

So there you have it, follow Etownhockey and this game could be yours.

Kovalchuk contract done

2010-11: 6 mil 2011-12: 6 mil 2012-13: 11 mil 2013-14: 11.3 mil 2014-15: 11.3 mil 2015-16: 11.6 mil 2016-17: 11.8 mil 2017-18: 10 mil 2018-19: 7 mil 2019-20: 4 mil 2020-21: 1 mil 2021-22: 1 mil 2022-23: 1 mil 2023-24: 3 mil 2024-25: 4 mil 

Comrie Signs for peanuts, Penner playing centre?

Comrie wanted to be an Oiler, he made that clear; but the Oilers didn't need him. The Penguins snagged Comrie for $500,000 and Comrie will be contending for a Stanley Cup in 2011. A terrific depth pick up by the Pens at a very low hit. We all saw what Comrie can do on a deeper team come playoff time when he was with the Senators. He was a gritty back checking machine who played like a savvy vet.

Gagner trimmed down

http://www.sportsnet.ca/video/36673752001/40310152001/Gagner-back-to-work/

Posted a video I think some might find interesting. If you don't want to watch it, here's the gist of it:

After signing a 2 year 4.55 million dollar contract, Gagner is back in Edmonton and on the ice. Sam has shed 10 Ibs this offseason by working on his speed. Looks like Gags is ready to prove himself this season. He really does need to take that next step as the Oilers really could use a number 1 centre man.

For more news and videos, be sure to check out the forums page under Edmonton Oilers. Your daily newsfeed will be there.

A slap on the wrist

Don't expect Khabibulin's 30 day sentence to prison have any bearing on the 2010-11 season. Well, he won't be spending it in a desert prison living in a tent anyways. Khabibulin's was handed the minimum 30 day sentence, which he quickly appealed. This now puts the sentence at "pending appeal" which may take months. This was smart thinking, as it will buy Khabibulin time and he will attend training camp.

Oilers defense review and where the Leafs come in

 

The Oilers are coming off their worst season in franchise history. Some of the work Tambellini has accomplished this offseason has been a staggering over haul, but mostly on the front end. The forwards are looking promising for the future, but how about the defense?

Kovalchuck contract near

The contract has yet to be released officially, but inside sources believe the contract to be 15 years at 100 million. Kypreos has recently tweeted:

"Last 3 yrs of Luongo's deal ave is 1.2M per. Hossa's 833,000. Ilya last 3 yrs will now ave 2.6M including base of 4M in last 24/25 season"

Deal should be done soon, the NHL has said they approve of this new contract but nothing official, again, has been released. So as that stands, the NHL has really clamped down on these circumventing contracts. Lou Lamorello and the Devils simply had unfortunate timing on this one.

Gags inked; Cogs next?

Sam Gagner finally signs a deal. The 21 year old centre man will earn $2.275 million per season on a 2 year contract. Not a steal for the Oilers, but not robbery on Gagner's part either. The Oilers were looking for a 1 year deal, as stated by Kevin Lowe, but Gagner's side were looking for a longer term - said to be 3 years. They met in the middle and came out with what looks to be a fair deal for both parties.

Fan Blog (Patience a must)

Etownhockey would like to welcome G to the community. He is the first to post an Oilers blog in the forums section and I have displayed it here on the main page. Thanks for supporting Etownhockey G.

Forums

The forums section has been updated. I am encouraging users who are affiliated in any hockey league within the vicinity of Edmonton to post in Etown Hockey Leagues. Minor hockey, Junior, WHL, and so on can be posted in that forum. You can keep track of scores, points, standings etc. If this catches on I will look into improving the format so this can be done with more ease.

There will also be a daily news post in the Edmonton Oilers forum page. Every day the links to articles regarding all Oilers news will be posted here.

So keep using the forums section. Feel free to post your own blogs or whatever is on your mind. Just keep the topic related to the particular forum. If you want a new forum thread, let me know.

Khabibulin found guilty

A Scottsdale, Arizona courtoom today has ruled Nikolai Khabibulin guilty on all three charges related to drunk driving. Charges of extreme driving under the influence, excessive speed and driving under the influence over a blood alcohol level of 0.08. Extreme driving under the influence carries a mandatory 30 day sentence. However, a sentencing decision will be made at a later date.

Khabibulin on trial today

Khabibulin is expected to be on trial as we speak. He was due in court at 1:30 pm/MT. His defense case will argue that police did not have probable cause to test him fro drunk driving. The defence is also expected to present evidence that the field sobriety test initially administered to Khabibulin should not be given to people with back problems.

The Oilers will not comment until the Khabibulin's court ruling is final. Oilers assistant general manager Rick Olczyk, who is a lawyer in his own right, will be in the court room attending. It's only a short time from not that we will finally have the Khabibulin's news reel put to rest.

Signed?

ESPN is reporting that the league has approved Kovalchuk's latest contract. After numerous failed attempts of trying to work the framework of Kovaluchuk's contract to the NHL's liking, it finally appears this summer long news feed is coming to an end. Terms of salary and length of the contract has yet to be released.

ThermaBlades part 2

After the bankruptcy of ThermaBlades, a hockey enthusiast by the name of David Hamm came into play. David was a young entrepreneur who developed a prominent Dell dealership and invested in a handful of other companies.

While David was coaching his 11 year old son's hockey team, he met retired NHL player Morris Lukowich