Alive and Angry:

First off: I apologize for the complete lack of activity around here for the past two months.

No, I did not drop off the face of the Earth. I am very much alive and very ticked off.

As a college student, returning back to school with a heavy schedule has increased my workload outside of this blog. Add in the plethora lack of NHL games and you have one frustrated and stressed out hockey fan. To be completely honest, during this current lockout, I have found it extremely difficult to be motivated to write anything.

Could I have found topics to write about? Absolutely. However, the drive and fire to write has been long gone since this lockout nonsense began.  I have invested so much time and money into this game it kills me that we're going through another lockout.

Hockey is my passion, my obsession and practically my life. When most people open up their laptops or phones to go on the internet, they start typing "f-a-c-e-b...". I on the other hand go straight to one of the many hockey blogs I read.

It's because of this that I've been so fed up with the league. This is the second lockout I have had to deal with in my (now apparently clear) short life. I can't even begin to imagine what people must be feeling who have experienced three lockouts.

Consider this hiatus over. I am back and even though posts may be sporadic until the season returns, you can be rest assured that there will be more activity on this site.

On another note: Many people have been wondering what hockey fans have been doing to make up for the lost season...

So how does a hockey freak like myself get his fix without watching the best sport around?

Find out after the jump!

Around the NHL:

The roller coaster summer continues with news in the NHL heating up again!

From signings and trade rumors to CBA talks, there is plenty to talk about today:

Catch up around the NHL after the jump

We're Back! Doan Unlikely...

I just want to start off this post by apologizing for the lack of activity here. The lack of news around the league combined with an extremely busy week for myself didn't give me enough time to find something exciting to write about.

On that note,  I am back and there is FINALLY some hockey to talk about!

According to a report by the New York Post, Shane Doan has narrowed his list down to three teams should he decide to leave Phoenix. The teams that are supposedly in the running are the New York Rangers, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Vancouver Canucks.

What seems to be delaying this process is the fact that if Doan is going to leave Phoenix he plans on retiring with this team. Not only would he want them to be competitive this upcoming season, but for the next three to four years. Combining Doan's demands of a lengthy term and hefty raise, signing the captain of the Coyotes will be no rushed decision.

Contract Wars: Carle vs Wideman

Due to the fact that NHL news is about as hard to come by as watching the opening ceremonies of the Olympics live (too soon?), I thought it was time to have another segment of Contract Wars.

If you have read this feature before then you know what to expect. If this is your first time at Tape to Tape, welcome!

Contract Wars is a segment where we analyze similar contracts signed by similar players and let you the readers decide who you would rather have on your team.

Today's article pits defensemen Matt Carle of the Tampa Bay Lightning against Dennis Wideman of the Calgary Flames.

Full analysis after the jump.

Doan Names his Price:

Shane Doan has been the face of the Phoenix Coyotes since they moved from Winnipeg. He has been their leader on and off the ice and has embraced the Arizona way of life.

As an unrestricted free agent, Doan has the opportunity to sign with just about any team of his choosing.

What is complicating matters is that Doan wants to stay in Phoenix. That is where his home is, where his family has been and where his children go to school. The good news is that the feelings are mutual as the Coyotes want their captain and leader to stay on board.

The bad news is that Phoenix is stuck in financial problems. If reports are correct, Doan wants a lot of money.  Phoenix at this point simply doesn't have the money to keep their captain.

Read more for analysis of Doan's asking price.