James vanRiemsdyk's first professional goal was the lone offense the Flyers mustered in an exhibition-opening 3-1 loss to the Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena on Wednesday.
In his Flyers debut, Ray Emery stopped 23-of-25 shots.
Philly plays the Toronto Maple Leafs in London, Ontario on Thursday.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Hedican retires
Veteran defenseman Bret Hedican, who spent last season with the Anaheim Ducks, announced his retirement on Wednesday.
Hedican posted just one goal and six points in 51 games for Anaheim in 2008-09, after six-plus seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes.
"After 17 years of playing, I have decided to move on to the next chapter of my life," Hedican said. "I'm proud to have played this game for as long as I have and I'm leaving with no regrets."
The 39-year-old was a 10th-round selection of the St. Louis Blues in 1988, and made his NHL debut late in the 1991-92 season. After appearing in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, Hedican was dealt along with Pavel Bure in a blockbuster deal to Florida in January, 1999.
Hedican was shipped to the Hurricanes early in the 2001-02 campaign, and posted some of his best years with Carolina, setting a career-high in goals with seven in 2003-04, then posting 27 points in 2005-06 when the 'Canes won the Cup.
In 1,039 total regular-season games with five clubs, the St. Paul, Minnesota native had 55 goals, 294 points and 893 penalty minutes. He added four goals and 26 points in 108 playoff contests.
Hedican posted just one goal and six points in 51 games for Anaheim in 2008-09, after six-plus seasons with the Carolina Hurricanes.
"After 17 years of playing, I have decided to move on to the next chapter of my life," Hedican said. "I'm proud to have played this game for as long as I have and I'm leaving with no regrets."
The 39-year-old was a 10th-round selection of the St. Louis Blues in 1988, and made his NHL debut late in the 1991-92 season. After appearing in the 1994 Stanley Cup Finals as a member of the Vancouver Canucks, Hedican was dealt along with Pavel Bure in a blockbuster deal to Florida in January, 1999.
Hedican was shipped to the Hurricanes early in the 2001-02 campaign, and posted some of his best years with Carolina, setting a career-high in goals with seven in 2003-04, then posting 27 points in 2005-06 when the 'Canes won the Cup.
In 1,039 total regular-season games with five clubs, the St. Paul, Minnesota native had 55 goals, 294 points and 893 penalty minutes. He added four goals and 26 points in 108 playoff contests.
Devils troubled even before season starts
New Jersey Devils forward Patrik Elias is expected to miss 3-to-6 weeks with groin issues.
The club announced on Wednesday that Elias, who was set to begin his 13th season with the team, had a procedure to break up scar tissue in his groin which had built up over the last four seasons. The Czech native underwent groin surgery during the 2005-06 campaign which limited him to 38 contests.
Last season, the 33-year-old tallied 31 goals to go with 78 points in 77 games, breaking John MacLean's long-held franchise points record in the process.
New Jersey begins its preseason slate by hosting the New York Rangers Wednesday, then commences the 2009-2010 season October 3 against Philadelphia.
The club announced on Wednesday that Elias, who was set to begin his 13th season with the team, had a procedure to break up scar tissue in his groin which had built up over the last four seasons. The Czech native underwent groin surgery during the 2005-06 campaign which limited him to 38 contests.
Last season, the 33-year-old tallied 31 goals to go with 78 points in 77 games, breaking John MacLean's long-held franchise points record in the process.
New Jersey begins its preseason slate by hosting the New York Rangers Wednesday, then commences the 2009-2010 season October 3 against Philadelphia.
Bruins broadcaster Cusick passes
Fred Cusick, who was the voice of the Boston Bruins for more than four decades, passed away Tuesday.
Cusick, who was 90 years old, broadcast Bruins hockey on radio and television from 1953 until his retirement following the 1996-97 season.
"Those fortunate enough to inherit the position Fred Cusick created are merely playing on the land he cleared," said current Bruins television voice Jack Edwards. "None of us will ever have the impact he had in generating the fan base for this team. We have lost a great pioneer."
During his tenure, the Bruins won Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972, also appearing in eight other Cup Finals. Following his retirement from the Bruins, Cusick also called games for the AHL's Lowell Lock Monsters until 2002.
Cusick, who was 90 years old, broadcast Bruins hockey on radio and television from 1953 until his retirement following the 1996-97 season.
"Those fortunate enough to inherit the position Fred Cusick created are merely playing on the land he cleared," said current Bruins television voice Jack Edwards. "None of us will ever have the impact he had in generating the fan base for this team. We have lost a great pioneer."
During his tenure, the Bruins won Stanley Cups in 1970 and 1972, also appearing in eight other Cup Finals. Following his retirement from the Bruins, Cusick also called games for the AHL's Lowell Lock Monsters until 2002.
Late news but big news nonetheless
The San Jose Sharks won the Dany Heatley lottery as the team acquired the left wing from the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.
In exchange for the 28-year-old All-Star, the team sent right wing Jonathan Cheechoo and left wing Milan Michalek along with San Jose's second-round pick in the 2010 draft to Ottawa. San Jose also got a fifth-round pick in the 2010 draft from Ottawa.
On the opening day of training camp, Ottawa shipped out the unhappy winger as he felt he wasn't being used properly on the team. He had earlier refused to waive his no-trade clause in a possible deal to Edmonton.
A dazzling offensive talent, Heatley has twice eclipsed the 100-point plateau in his seven-year career.
Last season, he finished 10th in the league in goals with 39 and added 33 assists while playing in all 82 games. However, the point total was his lowest since the 2003-04 season when he totaled just 25 points in 31 games due to injuries he sustained in a traffic accident that killed his then Atlanta teammate, Dan Snyder.
In his career, the second overall pick of the 2000 draft has appeared in 507 games with Atlanta and Ottawa and has 260 goals and 283 assists. He won the Calder Trophy in 2002 and has been voted into five All-Star games.
Cheechoo is a six-year veteran and has played all 440 NHL games with the Sharks. He has 165 goals and 126 assists during that time.
His best season came during the 2005-06 campaign when he set career highs in points (93), goals (56) and assists (37).
Michalek has played all five of his NHL seasons with San Jose. Over 317 games he has 91 goals and 123 assists.
In exchange for the 28-year-old All-Star, the team sent right wing Jonathan Cheechoo and left wing Milan Michalek along with San Jose's second-round pick in the 2010 draft to Ottawa. San Jose also got a fifth-round pick in the 2010 draft from Ottawa.
On the opening day of training camp, Ottawa shipped out the unhappy winger as he felt he wasn't being used properly on the team. He had earlier refused to waive his no-trade clause in a possible deal to Edmonton.
A dazzling offensive talent, Heatley has twice eclipsed the 100-point plateau in his seven-year career.
Last season, he finished 10th in the league in goals with 39 and added 33 assists while playing in all 82 games. However, the point total was his lowest since the 2003-04 season when he totaled just 25 points in 31 games due to injuries he sustained in a traffic accident that killed his then Atlanta teammate, Dan Snyder.
In his career, the second overall pick of the 2000 draft has appeared in 507 games with Atlanta and Ottawa and has 260 goals and 283 assists. He won the Calder Trophy in 2002 and has been voted into five All-Star games.
Cheechoo is a six-year veteran and has played all 440 NHL games with the Sharks. He has 165 goals and 126 assists during that time.
His best season came during the 2005-06 campaign when he set career highs in points (93), goals (56) and assists (37).
Michalek has played all five of his NHL seasons with San Jose. Over 317 games he has 91 goals and 123 assists.
Monday, September 07, 2009
An Appraisal
I think the only thing more screwed up than the NHL right now is the state of our government with respect to health care and the latent racism it has brought out in these town-hall meetings.
I hate to say it, because I love the league so much, but I see more and more negatives in the sport than positives. Sometimes I pass it off as the accumulation of an average of three games a night in season for the last three years per my job; that's often balanced out by knowing that very often, what I've seen is at least very close to reality.
First of all is this ridiculously drawn-out process with the Coyotes.
I really don't know who to blame but it's hard to defend a power structure which locks out the one person in the whole process who is tailor-made to end the drama. Jim Balsillie can move the team to Hamilton, upgrade Copps Coliseum to NHL standards, pay the transfer fee, pay the indemnity fee to Toronto and Buffalo, AND pay off Jerry Moyes' creditors - THEN still have money left over to run the club on more than a functional level.
But it won't happen because the cabal in charge (30 owners and Gary Bettman) don't want to have that New Money smell hanging around their Old Money ways.
Other than causing a burp in the divisional alignments, the only problem I can see in Balsillie's ownership is that Hamilton itself does not represent the growth potential the league set out in its business model once teams drifted away from small-market Canada in the mid 90's. I'd imagine that the retraction of a team from a metro area of 4 million into one of a million-plus does not look good for the pablum they're trying to push down our throats about hockey being a national and international game.
However, the hockey-readiness of Hamilton far outstrips that of Phoenix even as the Valley of the Sun has been involved in the NHL game for almost 15 years. This is what I want to see in my league, not a ton of bullshit about growth potential and reaching new fans, because that's what got us in the predicament in the first place with Columbus and Atlanta and the 'Yotes.
The second thorn is this tomfoolery with the NHLPA.
Not even a sniff of anything was covered in the United States all summer, but the dominoes have fallen like this: Ombudsman Eric Lindros "tendered his resignation" at the position in the late Spring over constant battles with NHLPA head Paul Kelly and the union. Some guy named Buzz, apparently on more friendly terms with Kelly, got the job.
About a month ago, rumblings out of Canada reported that the players' reps were so dissatisfied with Kelly that they were gathering to decide whether or not to vote him out; that happened early last week.
Then, three days later, NHLPA director of player affairs Glenn Healy quit his post, amidst gossipy recriminations from within. Healy and Kelly were apparently very close, and it was logical that if the players deposed Kelly, Healy wasn't going to last very long.
I understand the core issue was the stark contrast between Kelly's public persona of someone committed to better relations between the union and NHL management and his private distance to the players and his seemingly-growing cabal within his own sphere of influence that grew a little bit too close to Bettman.
Now, Lindros, the uber-sensitive former Golden Child has come out smelling like a rose for putting up with Kelly as long as he did, and the players' union itself is in total disarray having to come up with its fourth head in six years.
The next annoyance is one of fashion.
There has not been too many good-looking third jerseys, or regular jerseys for that matter, released since the NHL went to Reebok Edge unis two years ago. Plus, I'm sick to death of this whole dark-at-home, white-on-road crap that's been going on for seven years.
Calgary this year is joining Edmonton, Buffalo, Philadelphia, the Islanders and Vancouver for whom the third jersey is an almost dead-on replica of beloved classic design. Of these, only Calgary, Edmonton and Buffalo really capture the essence of their former duds. Of all, I'm dismayed that they have to be remade into dark (home? road?) colors only to be worn at home.
By and large since the dark-hued revolution of the 90's, not a lot of jerseys have inspired me. There's in general a lack of color, imagination, jersey design and logo creation. Maybe that has to happen for the evolution in graphic design and most importantly, merchandising, but there's a reason why teams are being smart enough to go retro - while they have to buy in to the corporate merchandising philosophy, they also implicitly agree with a segment of traditional fans that the current designs and colors don't cut it when compared to the old style.
Regardless of what four-toned nightmare gets fronted for what club, I have to renew my assertion that it will help fans new and old in the long run if the league goes back to white at home and dark on the road.
It's been occurring a bit more year after year since the cancelled season, but no more than 10-15 games. It's gotta be all the time. I'm tired of trying to figure out who's home and who's away based on jersey color, especially when I have multiple games going on at work at the same time. I'm tired of my parents and less-tuned-in friends constantly questioning if the Flyers are home when they've been trained to know that dark colors means road game.
Last, is the general blandness of the games anymore.
The day that Sean Avery was demonized and ostracized by his teammates and the league in general over some off-color comments, was the day the old NHL, the fun NHL, died.
Bettman and his boys have constantly missed the forest for the trees, content with the rising impact of concussions, stick fouls, and debilitating injuries to extremities while trying to eradicate the one thing which affords players the chance to police themselves. With the Avery situation in Calgary last December, it's clear that the appearance of propriety above all else is what matters to protect the integrity of the league. Funny, because image concerns is such an 80's thing, and the league was probably at it's zany, brawling, high-scoring peak.
With the retirement of Jeremy Roenick, there are exactly zero players left in the league with anything resembling a personality. There are roughly 600 skaters who are trained automata, programmed in 45-second bursts to do anything within their means to get the puck and score. And the officials do little to back it up.
Where's the good old-fashioned spearing penalty? Willingness to put a team in a hole early/late/whatever with a deserved major for high-sticking, boarding, cross-checking? Any time a brawl erupts with skaters on the ice, four sets of eyes and hands usually combine to do nothing more than put one team down for two minutes, instead of having the stones to
The respect factor is just about gone, and players pretty much feel like they can do anything they want all over the ice (including barreling into the crease because the nets come off faster than a high school slut's prom dress) and they'll get at most a four-minute penalty. That takes away from any drama and tension as to when the inevitable explosion of a line brawl will take place.
On the whole, the best thing I can say is that the games go faster than ever before.
Using the hurry-up facoff rule from Salt Lake City in 2002 on really cut a ton of the petty bullshit surrounding the draw. Even with the extra crutch of a shootout, the average time for a game is a shade under 2 1/2 hours - perfect for people like me who have to write multiple game wraps per night and good for the fans who don't have to alter post-game plans away from the arena.
I never thought I'd get to a 4-to-1 ratio in terms of pro and con with the sport and the NHL in general, but it's sad it's come to this only four years after things were supposedly set right again.
Training camps and preseason games start next week, and that's a good warming up period, albeit not one which will provide many answers as to how the season will progress.
Things are about to get ugly, and I can't help but feel in that cinematic, Coen brothers sort of way with all the intertwining story lines.
I hate to say it, because I love the league so much, but I see more and more negatives in the sport than positives. Sometimes I pass it off as the accumulation of an average of three games a night in season for the last three years per my job; that's often balanced out by knowing that very often, what I've seen is at least very close to reality.
First of all is this ridiculously drawn-out process with the Coyotes.
I really don't know who to blame but it's hard to defend a power structure which locks out the one person in the whole process who is tailor-made to end the drama. Jim Balsillie can move the team to Hamilton, upgrade Copps Coliseum to NHL standards, pay the transfer fee, pay the indemnity fee to Toronto and Buffalo, AND pay off Jerry Moyes' creditors - THEN still have money left over to run the club on more than a functional level.
But it won't happen because the cabal in charge (30 owners and Gary Bettman) don't want to have that New Money smell hanging around their Old Money ways.
Other than causing a burp in the divisional alignments, the only problem I can see in Balsillie's ownership is that Hamilton itself does not represent the growth potential the league set out in its business model once teams drifted away from small-market Canada in the mid 90's. I'd imagine that the retraction of a team from a metro area of 4 million into one of a million-plus does not look good for the pablum they're trying to push down our throats about hockey being a national and international game.
However, the hockey-readiness of Hamilton far outstrips that of Phoenix even as the Valley of the Sun has been involved in the NHL game for almost 15 years. This is what I want to see in my league, not a ton of bullshit about growth potential and reaching new fans, because that's what got us in the predicament in the first place with Columbus and Atlanta and the 'Yotes.
The second thorn is this tomfoolery with the NHLPA.
Not even a sniff of anything was covered in the United States all summer, but the dominoes have fallen like this: Ombudsman Eric Lindros "tendered his resignation" at the position in the late Spring over constant battles with NHLPA head Paul Kelly and the union. Some guy named Buzz, apparently on more friendly terms with Kelly, got the job.
About a month ago, rumblings out of Canada reported that the players' reps were so dissatisfied with Kelly that they were gathering to decide whether or not to vote him out; that happened early last week.
Then, three days later, NHLPA director of player affairs Glenn Healy quit his post, amidst gossipy recriminations from within. Healy and Kelly were apparently very close, and it was logical that if the players deposed Kelly, Healy wasn't going to last very long.
I understand the core issue was the stark contrast between Kelly's public persona of someone committed to better relations between the union and NHL management and his private distance to the players and his seemingly-growing cabal within his own sphere of influence that grew a little bit too close to Bettman.
Now, Lindros, the uber-sensitive former Golden Child has come out smelling like a rose for putting up with Kelly as long as he did, and the players' union itself is in total disarray having to come up with its fourth head in six years.
The next annoyance is one of fashion.
There has not been too many good-looking third jerseys, or regular jerseys for that matter, released since the NHL went to Reebok Edge unis two years ago. Plus, I'm sick to death of this whole dark-at-home, white-on-road crap that's been going on for seven years.
Calgary this year is joining Edmonton, Buffalo, Philadelphia, the Islanders and Vancouver for whom the third jersey is an almost dead-on replica of beloved classic design. Of these, only Calgary, Edmonton and Buffalo really capture the essence of their former duds. Of all, I'm dismayed that they have to be remade into dark (home? road?) colors only to be worn at home.
By and large since the dark-hued revolution of the 90's, not a lot of jerseys have inspired me. There's in general a lack of color, imagination, jersey design and logo creation. Maybe that has to happen for the evolution in graphic design and most importantly, merchandising, but there's a reason why teams are being smart enough to go retro - while they have to buy in to the corporate merchandising philosophy, they also implicitly agree with a segment of traditional fans that the current designs and colors don't cut it when compared to the old style.
Regardless of what four-toned nightmare gets fronted for what club, I have to renew my assertion that it will help fans new and old in the long run if the league goes back to white at home and dark on the road.
It's been occurring a bit more year after year since the cancelled season, but no more than 10-15 games. It's gotta be all the time. I'm tired of trying to figure out who's home and who's away based on jersey color, especially when I have multiple games going on at work at the same time. I'm tired of my parents and less-tuned-in friends constantly questioning if the Flyers are home when they've been trained to know that dark colors means road game.
Last, is the general blandness of the games anymore.
The day that Sean Avery was demonized and ostracized by his teammates and the league in general over some off-color comments, was the day the old NHL, the fun NHL, died.
Bettman and his boys have constantly missed the forest for the trees, content with the rising impact of concussions, stick fouls, and debilitating injuries to extremities while trying to eradicate the one thing which affords players the chance to police themselves. With the Avery situation in Calgary last December, it's clear that the appearance of propriety above all else is what matters to protect the integrity of the league. Funny, because image concerns is such an 80's thing, and the league was probably at it's zany, brawling, high-scoring peak.
With the retirement of Jeremy Roenick, there are exactly zero players left in the league with anything resembling a personality. There are roughly 600 skaters who are trained automata, programmed in 45-second bursts to do anything within their means to get the puck and score. And the officials do little to back it up.
Where's the good old-fashioned spearing penalty? Willingness to put a team in a hole early/late/whatever with a deserved major for high-sticking, boarding, cross-checking? Any time a brawl erupts with skaters on the ice, four sets of eyes and hands usually combine to do nothing more than put one team down for two minutes, instead of having the stones to
The respect factor is just about gone, and players pretty much feel like they can do anything they want all over the ice (including barreling into the crease because the nets come off faster than a high school slut's prom dress) and they'll get at most a four-minute penalty. That takes away from any drama and tension as to when the inevitable explosion of a line brawl will take place.
On the whole, the best thing I can say is that the games go faster than ever before.
Using the hurry-up facoff rule from Salt Lake City in 2002 on really cut a ton of the petty bullshit surrounding the draw. Even with the extra crutch of a shootout, the average time for a game is a shade under 2 1/2 hours - perfect for people like me who have to write multiple game wraps per night and good for the fans who don't have to alter post-game plans away from the arena.
I never thought I'd get to a 4-to-1 ratio in terms of pro and con with the sport and the NHL in general, but it's sad it's come to this only four years after things were supposedly set right again.
Training camps and preseason games start next week, and that's a good warming up period, albeit not one which will provide many answers as to how the season will progress.
Things are about to get ugly, and I can't help but feel in that cinematic, Coen brothers sort of way with all the intertwining story lines.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Kelly out after short reign as NHLPA head
Courtesy of the Sports Network
The NHL Players' Association voted to dismiss executive director Paul Kelly on Monday less than two years after he was hired for the job.
The NHLPA executive board, comprised of 30 representatives from each of the league's teams, announced the move at their annual meetings in Chicago and released a statement.
"Following the Executive Board's review of the overall operation of the NHLPA, it was decided that Paul Kelly should no longer continue to serve as Executive Director. We appreciate Mr. Kelly's service to our Association."
Kelly was named the fourth executive director in NHLPA history in October of 2007. A search for his replacement will begin immediately.
The former assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts was involved in the investigation of former NHLPA leader Alan Eagleson and was chosen to replace Ted Saskin, who was fired amid allegations he ordered the spying of NHLPA player e-mail related to his initial hiring.
At the time, it was felt that Saskin's actions might have given away an alliance between he and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, particularly during negotiations to bring an end to the stalemate which wound up cancelling the 2004-05 season.
Kelly was brought on board under the guise of propriety and professing more solidarity with the players, but, according to reports out of Canada, Kelly's ouster may have come as a result of his perceived closeness with Bettman relative to the union which he represented.
The NHL Players' Association voted to dismiss executive director Paul Kelly on Monday less than two years after he was hired for the job.
The NHLPA executive board, comprised of 30 representatives from each of the league's teams, announced the move at their annual meetings in Chicago and released a statement.
"Following the Executive Board's review of the overall operation of the NHLPA, it was decided that Paul Kelly should no longer continue to serve as Executive Director. We appreciate Mr. Kelly's service to our Association."
Kelly was named the fourth executive director in NHLPA history in October of 2007. A search for his replacement will begin immediately.
The former assistant U.S. attorney for the District of Massachusetts was involved in the investigation of former NHLPA leader Alan Eagleson and was chosen to replace Ted Saskin, who was fired amid allegations he ordered the spying of NHLPA player e-mail related to his initial hiring.
At the time, it was felt that Saskin's actions might have given away an alliance between he and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, particularly during negotiations to bring an end to the stalemate which wound up cancelling the 2004-05 season.
Kelly was brought on board under the guise of propriety and professing more solidarity with the players, but, according to reports out of Canada, Kelly's ouster may have come as a result of his perceived closeness with Bettman relative to the union which he represented.
Friday, August 28, 2009
This is interesting...
According to Canada's TSN, NHLPA head Paul Kelly may not have the mandate he seems to enjoy based on favorable reaction since his installment two years ago.
Read on...
Read on...
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Former Flyer Sillinger retires
Courtesy of the Sports Network
New York Islanders veteran center Mike Sillinger announced his retirement from the National Hockey League on Wednesday.
"To play the sport of hockey, something I've had a passion for all my life, at the professional level for the past 17 years and to be able to support my family has been a dream come true," said Sillinger. "From playing this game I have met some of my best friends and will cherish the memories we made forever."
The 38-year-old played three of his 17 seasons for the Islanders, tallying 42 goals and 45 assists over 141 games, while serving as the club's alternate captain.
"Mike has and always will be a tremendous ambassador for this game," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "He is a born leader in everything he does and on behalf of the New York Islanders I wish him and his family the very best in the future."
Sillinger, a native of Regina, Saskatchewan, was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 1989 NHL draft by Detroit and played for an NHL record 12 teams. He was also traded nine times, tied for most in league annals with Brent Ashton.
In 1,049 career games, the gritty forward recorded 240 goals and 308 assists for 548 points with Detroit, Anaheim, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Florida, Ottawa, Columbus, Phoenix, St. Louis, Nashville and the Islanders.
New York Islanders veteran center Mike Sillinger announced his retirement from the National Hockey League on Wednesday.
"To play the sport of hockey, something I've had a passion for all my life, at the professional level for the past 17 years and to be able to support my family has been a dream come true," said Sillinger. "From playing this game I have met some of my best friends and will cherish the memories we made forever."
The 38-year-old played three of his 17 seasons for the Islanders, tallying 42 goals and 45 assists over 141 games, while serving as the club's alternate captain.
"Mike has and always will be a tremendous ambassador for this game," said Islanders general manager Garth Snow. "He is a born leader in everything he does and on behalf of the New York Islanders I wish him and his family the very best in the future."
Sillinger, a native of Regina, Saskatchewan, was selected with the 11th overall pick in the 1989 NHL draft by Detroit and played for an NHL record 12 teams. He was also traded nine times, tied for most in league annals with Brent Ashton.
In 1,049 career games, the gritty forward recorded 240 goals and 308 assists for 548 points with Detroit, Anaheim, Vancouver, Philadelphia, Tampa Bay, Florida, Ottawa, Columbus, Phoenix, St. Louis, Nashville and the Islanders.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
More College Hockey
I seriously don't know how I missed this, but there's going to be a documentary released very shortly about the history of the Boston College-Boston University war on ice.
This is definitely on my Christmas list if it comes out by then, and possibly a late 32nd birthday present if later in 2010.
Read on...
This is definitely on my Christmas list if it comes out by then, and possibly a late 32nd birthday present if later in 2010.
Read on...
Hockey East 2009-2010 Schedules Finally released
For those of us steeped in the tradition of college hockey, this time of year is key because schedules are finally released and road trips can finally be planned while we sweat profusely in the boring, eerily quiet August heat.
My alma mater gets their season rolling in earnest on October 17 at Vermont. Other key games are October 23 at Notre Dame (part of BC-ND weekend, this year at South Bend); a two-game set at Maine November 20-21 at the always tough Alfond Arena; the January 8 BC-BU battle outdoors at Fenway and the seemingly ever-present gauntlet of a season-ending home-and-home set against New Hampshire March 5-6.
For all other team schedules, head over to Hockey East Online.
My alma mater gets their season rolling in earnest on October 17 at Vermont. Other key games are October 23 at Notre Dame (part of BC-ND weekend, this year at South Bend); a two-game set at Maine November 20-21 at the always tough Alfond Arena; the January 8 BC-BU battle outdoors at Fenway and the seemingly ever-present gauntlet of a season-ending home-and-home set against New Hampshire March 5-6.
For all other team schedules, head over to Hockey East Online.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Marleau stripped of captaincy
The San Jose Sharks reported late Tuesday that Patrick Marleau, who has worn the "C" since January, 2004, has been stripped of the rank.
Sharks head coach Todd MacLellan is leaving open the possibility that he can regain the status prior to the start of the regular season on October 1, but the title is there for the taking as part of MacLellan's attempted re-shaping of the franchise.
San Jose won the Presidents' Trophy in 2008-09 but were embarrassed to a first-round exit by division rival Anaheim. Since reaching the Western Finals in 2004, San Jose has not made it past the conference quarterfinals in four straight seasons despite being one of the league's elite during the regular season.
In addition, the associate captain title is also up for grabs.
Joe Thornton and Mike Grier held that position a year ago, but free-agent Grier went unsigned and returned to Buffalo earlier in the month, and Thornton continues to be an enigma as far as leadership capabilities are concerned - a label which has haunted him since the early part of the decade in Boston.
Sharks head coach Todd MacLellan is leaving open the possibility that he can regain the status prior to the start of the regular season on October 1, but the title is there for the taking as part of MacLellan's attempted re-shaping of the franchise.
San Jose won the Presidents' Trophy in 2008-09 but were embarrassed to a first-round exit by division rival Anaheim. Since reaching the Western Finals in 2004, San Jose has not made it past the conference quarterfinals in four straight seasons despite being one of the league's elite during the regular season.
In addition, the associate captain title is also up for grabs.
Joe Thornton and Mike Grier held that position a year ago, but free-agent Grier went unsigned and returned to Buffalo earlier in the month, and Thornton continues to be an enigma as far as leadership capabilities are concerned - a label which has haunted him since the early part of the decade in Boston.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Rangers bring in Prospal
The New York Rangers on Monday agreed to terms with free agent forward Vinny Prospal.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the New York Post reported Sunday that the contract is for one year.
The native of the Czech Republic posted 19 goals and 45 points in 82 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008-09, his third tenure with the club.
"Vinny is a highly-skilled player with good offensive instincts and the ability to play on the wing or at center," said Rangers general manager Glen Sather. "We think he will give us added flexibility and brings a veteran presence to our lineup."
A veteran of 12 NHL seasons with the Flyers, Senators, Panthers, Lightning and Ducks, Prospal has collected 198 goals and 599 points in 874 contests, while adding nine goals and 34 points in 60 postseason games.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the New York Post reported Sunday that the contract is for one year.
The native of the Czech Republic posted 19 goals and 45 points in 82 games for the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2008-09, his third tenure with the club.
"Vinny is a highly-skilled player with good offensive instincts and the ability to play on the wing or at center," said Rangers general manager Glen Sather. "We think he will give us added flexibility and brings a veteran presence to our lineup."
A veteran of 12 NHL seasons with the Flyers, Senators, Panthers, Lightning and Ducks, Prospal has collected 198 goals and 599 points in 874 contests, while adding nine goals and 34 points in 60 postseason games.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
College Hockey comes to Fenway
Word out of Boston, albeit from late last night, is that there will be a college hockey doubleheader at Fenway Park on Friday, January 8.
The marquee matchup will be Boston College-Boston University, with a women's game to follow.
Read on from the Boston Herald...
The marquee matchup will be Boston College-Boston University, with a women's game to follow.
Read on from the Boston Herald...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Flyers sign four
The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have signed defenseman Danny Syvret to a one-year contract, center Zac Rinaldo to a three-year entry-level contract and goaltender Nicola Riopel and defenseman David Sloane to one-year American Hockey League contracts, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.
Syvret, 24, recorded new career highs in points (57), goals (12) and assists (45) in 76 games with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, this past season. He led the Phantoms in assists and finished third on the team and led the defense in points, which also ranked second among AHL defensemen. He represented the Phantoms in the AHL All-Star Classic, while also appearing in two games with the Flyers.
A native of Millgrove, Ontario, Syvret has accumulated 117 points (18G,99A) in 258 regular season AHL games and over parts of three seasons with the Flyers and Edmonton Oilers (2005-06 to 2006-07; 2008-09), he has one assist and 12 penalty minutes in 28 regular season NHL games.
Rinaldo, 19, completed his second full season in the Ontario Hockey League, where he posted 30 points (10G,20A) and 201 penalty minutes in 56 games. He split time between the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, recording 13 points (6G,7A) and 112 penalty minutes in 34 games prior to being traded to the London Knights, where he posted 17 points (4G,13A) and 89 penalty minutes in 22 games.
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Rinaldo has posted 44 points (17G,27A) and 394 penalty minutes in 125 regular season games in the OHL. He was selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (178th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Riopel, 20, was selected by the Flyers in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft after finishing a three-year career with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 2008-09, he posted a 43-15-0 record with a 2.01 goals-against average and .931 save percentage in 59 appearances, including five shutouts. He was awarded the Michel Briere Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the QMJHL and Jacque Plante Trophy for having the best goals-against average (2.01 – new QMJHL record), and was also named to the QMJHL’s First All-Star Team.
A native of St. Pie De Bagot, Quebec, Riopel spent three seasons of play in Moncton, where he compiled a record of 75-56-0 with a 2.67 GAA, .915 save percentage and seven shutouts in 143 appearances. He also has a 6-8 career postseason record with a 2.76 GAA, .914 save percentage and two shutouts in 14 games.
Sloane, 24, made his NHL debut, appearing in one game with the Flyers (April 9 at NY Rangers) in 2008-09 after spending the previous four seasons at Colgate University, where he posted four assists and 37 penalty minutes in 35 games in his senior season and was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team.
A native of Ambler, Pennsylvania, Sloane appeared in 129 career games at Colgate, recording 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points and 100 penalty minutes. He also played for the Phantoms this past season, recording two penalty minutes in one contest.
Syvret, 24, recorded new career highs in points (57), goals (12) and assists (45) in 76 games with the Flyers’ AHL affiliate, the Philadelphia Phantoms, this past season. He led the Phantoms in assists and finished third on the team and led the defense in points, which also ranked second among AHL defensemen. He represented the Phantoms in the AHL All-Star Classic, while also appearing in two games with the Flyers.
A native of Millgrove, Ontario, Syvret has accumulated 117 points (18G,99A) in 258 regular season AHL games and over parts of three seasons with the Flyers and Edmonton Oilers (2005-06 to 2006-07; 2008-09), he has one assist and 12 penalty minutes in 28 regular season NHL games.
Rinaldo, 19, completed his second full season in the Ontario Hockey League, where he posted 30 points (10G,20A) and 201 penalty minutes in 56 games. He split time between the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors, recording 13 points (6G,7A) and 112 penalty minutes in 34 games prior to being traded to the London Knights, where he posted 17 points (4G,13A) and 89 penalty minutes in 22 games.
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Rinaldo has posted 44 points (17G,27A) and 394 penalty minutes in 125 regular season games in the OHL. He was selected by the Flyers in the sixth round (178th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.
Riopel, 20, was selected by the Flyers in the fifth round (142nd overall) of the 2009 NHL Entry Draft after finishing a three-year career with the Moncton Wildcats of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. In 2008-09, he posted a 43-15-0 record with a 2.01 goals-against average and .931 save percentage in 59 appearances, including five shutouts. He was awarded the Michel Briere Trophy as the Most Valuable Player in the QMJHL and Jacque Plante Trophy for having the best goals-against average (2.01 – new QMJHL record), and was also named to the QMJHL’s First All-Star Team.
A native of St. Pie De Bagot, Quebec, Riopel spent three seasons of play in Moncton, where he compiled a record of 75-56-0 with a 2.67 GAA, .915 save percentage and seven shutouts in 143 appearances. He also has a 6-8 career postseason record with a 2.76 GAA, .914 save percentage and two shutouts in 14 games.
Sloane, 24, made his NHL debut, appearing in one game with the Flyers (April 9 at NY Rangers) in 2008-09 after spending the previous four seasons at Colgate University, where he posted four assists and 37 penalty minutes in 35 games in his senior season and was named to the ECAC Hockey All-Academic Team.
A native of Ambler, Pennsylvania, Sloane appeared in 129 career games at Colgate, recording 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points and 100 penalty minutes. He also played for the Phantoms this past season, recording two penalty minutes in one contest.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Flyers change ECHL affiliate
Courtesy of the Sports Network
The Philadelphia Flyers reached a minor league affiliation agreement with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL for the 2009-10 season, the NHL team announced.
"We are pleased to have the Kalamazoo Wings as our ECHL affiliate and look forward to a strong working relationship with them," Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren said.
"I am excited and looking forward to enhancing the development of the Flyers prospects and working with such a successful organization," said Paul Pickard, Wings Stadium and Kalamazoo Wings President.
The Wings replace the Mississippi Sea Wolves as the Flyers' ECHL affiliate.
The Philadelphia Flyers reached a minor league affiliation agreement with the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL for the 2009-10 season, the NHL team announced.
"We are pleased to have the Kalamazoo Wings as our ECHL affiliate and look forward to a strong working relationship with them," Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren said.
"I am excited and looking forward to enhancing the development of the Flyers prospects and working with such a successful organization," said Paul Pickard, Wings Stadium and Kalamazoo Wings President.
The Wings replace the Mississippi Sea Wolves as the Flyers' ECHL affiliate.
Numminen brings 20-year NHL career to a close
Teppo Numminen, a 20-year NHL veteran who played the last four seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, made his retirement official on Wednesday.
The 41-year-old returned from missing the 2007-08 season due to heart surgery and posted two goals and 17 points in 57 games last year for the Sabres.
"I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play with and against the best players in the world for so many years," Numminen admitted. "Playing hockey in the NHL and also for my country was very enjoyable. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, fans, and the media for all the great years."
Selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round of the 1986 draft, Numminen made his NHL debut during the 1988-89 season. In 1,372 regular-season games with the Jets/Coyotes, Stars and Sabres, he racked up 117 goals and 637 points.
He participated in more NHL games than any other Finnish-born player, surpassing Hall of Fame forward Jari Kurri in November, 2006. In addition, Numminen represented Finland in four Winter Olympic games (1988, 1998, 2002, 2006), five World Championships, and two World Cup of Hockey tournaments.
A slick, puck-moving defenseman with a deceptive shot from the point, Numminen's best statistical campaign came in the Jets' final season in Winnipeg in 1995-96, with 11 goals and 54 points in 74 games. However, it was not until 1999 that he received an All-Star nod, and was selected to the mid- season contest for three straight seasons from 1999-2001.
He served as captain of the Coyotes from 2001-03, and was an alternate captain with the Sabres.
"I'm certainly going to miss playing the game," Numminen added. "I appreciate everything the game has given me, and now I look forward to spending more time with my family."
The 41-year-old returned from missing the 2007-08 season due to heart surgery and posted two goals and 17 points in 57 games last year for the Sabres.
"I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play with and against the best players in the world for so many years," Numminen admitted. "Playing hockey in the NHL and also for my country was very enjoyable. I want to thank my teammates, coaches, fans, and the media for all the great years."
Selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the second round of the 1986 draft, Numminen made his NHL debut during the 1988-89 season. In 1,372 regular-season games with the Jets/Coyotes, Stars and Sabres, he racked up 117 goals and 637 points.
He participated in more NHL games than any other Finnish-born player, surpassing Hall of Fame forward Jari Kurri in November, 2006. In addition, Numminen represented Finland in four Winter Olympic games (1988, 1998, 2002, 2006), five World Championships, and two World Cup of Hockey tournaments.
A slick, puck-moving defenseman with a deceptive shot from the point, Numminen's best statistical campaign came in the Jets' final season in Winnipeg in 1995-96, with 11 goals and 54 points in 74 games. However, it was not until 1999 that he received an All-Star nod, and was selected to the mid- season contest for three straight seasons from 1999-2001.
He served as captain of the Coyotes from 2001-03, and was an alternate captain with the Sabres.
"I'm certainly going to miss playing the game," Numminen added. "I appreciate everything the game has given me, and now I look forward to spending more time with my family."
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Roenick set to retire
According to a press release from the San Jose Sharks, the club is set to make an announcement on Thursday afternoon (eastern time) regarding Jeremy Roenick.
Though nothing is official, it is expected that the always ebullient JR will finally announce his retirement.
Though nothing is official, it is expected that the always ebullient JR will finally announce his retirement.
NHL barking up wrong tree with contract examinations
Now that official word came down from the NHL that it will also investigate Chris Pronger's seven-year contract with the Flyers, it makes the Blackhawks look way less suspicious and the league more paranoid.
As far as I have read, not one source of the story, either from the league itself or from reported outlets, has quoted a violation of any league rule with respect to the way the money in both deals is spread out.
What I did hear was that Gary Bettman was upset that Chicago and Philly violated the "spirit" of the salary cap with some creative accounting.
Oh, their bad...I guess.
NHLPA head Paul Kelly also chimed in over the weekend, telling Tim Panaccio that both deals were well within the parameters of the existing rules behind the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Granted, Kelly is a lawyer acting on behalf of these athletes that get paid and don't care how the money is presented (as long as they get all of it), but again, if his legal acumen and research proves that no rules were broken, the NHL itself will be hard pressed to quote a chapter or verse in defense of their investigation.
As long as there will be former hockey players or businessmen in charge of purse strings or contracts, the competitive nature of capitalism will have free rein. If there's a loophole to be found because these people are not smart enough to fit every contract under the cap by straightforward means, there will be GMs and owners who will find it and exploit it.
Perhaps that's why Bettman is reacting like an angry schoolmarm in sending his G-Men to suss out the situation - the back-room dealing which marks his legal upbringing was once again exposed for the benefit of someone else other than what he controls.
But still...no rules were actually broken.
I can see how "wink-wink, nudge-nudge" agreements being exposed are not good PR for a league still struggling with relevance, but that's the price of business across the globe.
If Bettman wants changes to be made, the current CBA expires in two years, and I'm sure he can build a consensus working with the players' association to make appropriate changes and/or compromise.
Instead, he's got a PR nightmare on his hands as in both Hossa and Pronger's cases, as the facts for both have seemingly been presented as if there was untoward cheating behind each contract and not the usual manipulation to save the Hawks and Flyers financial headaches down the line.
The story behind the story really is, why are general managers in the NHL loading up players near the end of their careers with long multi-year contracts in the first place?
These are contracts based on pure speculation, and apparently not based on prior experience.
In reality, everyone needs to find out what is the actual benefit of enticing players to end their careers with any club if there's the guarantee of a front-loaded deal. Why is there the sudden fear that players near the end of the line with some impact won't sign with a team unless they're showed the money up front?
The supposed effect is for short-term cap pain, there is more cap space to be gained on the back end in the future.
Of course, that future can get very cloudy based on the year-to-year fluctuation in the actual salary cap number, never mind the changing fortunes of the team on the ice which is guaranteed to predicate some emergency moves which might involve unreasonable amounts of cash.
Maybe it's this style of thinking which locks teams into this cyclical problem in the future anyway, and it's easy to see how it might occur again, especially if neither Hossa nor Pronger decide to hang up the skates at a time which each man's team might have expected.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that neither Dale Tallon nor Paul Holmgren committed any kind of fraud or broke any rule in creating these deals, however you may feel about the contracts themselves.
It'll just be an embarrassing mess when the league, just to save face, makes up some ridiculous token penalty which may or may not act as a deterrent.
Meanwhile, with one door of opportunity closing, the remaining 28 general managers and owners will get to work on finding another loophole in another rule to get what they need.
As far as I have read, not one source of the story, either from the league itself or from reported outlets, has quoted a violation of any league rule with respect to the way the money in both deals is spread out.
What I did hear was that Gary Bettman was upset that Chicago and Philly violated the "spirit" of the salary cap with some creative accounting.
Oh, their bad...I guess.
NHLPA head Paul Kelly also chimed in over the weekend, telling Tim Panaccio that both deals were well within the parameters of the existing rules behind the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Granted, Kelly is a lawyer acting on behalf of these athletes that get paid and don't care how the money is presented (as long as they get all of it), but again, if his legal acumen and research proves that no rules were broken, the NHL itself will be hard pressed to quote a chapter or verse in defense of their investigation.
As long as there will be former hockey players or businessmen in charge of purse strings or contracts, the competitive nature of capitalism will have free rein. If there's a loophole to be found because these people are not smart enough to fit every contract under the cap by straightforward means, there will be GMs and owners who will find it and exploit it.
Perhaps that's why Bettman is reacting like an angry schoolmarm in sending his G-Men to suss out the situation - the back-room dealing which marks his legal upbringing was once again exposed for the benefit of someone else other than what he controls.
But still...no rules were actually broken.
I can see how "wink-wink, nudge-nudge" agreements being exposed are not good PR for a league still struggling with relevance, but that's the price of business across the globe.
If Bettman wants changes to be made, the current CBA expires in two years, and I'm sure he can build a consensus working with the players' association to make appropriate changes and/or compromise.
Instead, he's got a PR nightmare on his hands as in both Hossa and Pronger's cases, as the facts for both have seemingly been presented as if there was untoward cheating behind each contract and not the usual manipulation to save the Hawks and Flyers financial headaches down the line.
The story behind the story really is, why are general managers in the NHL loading up players near the end of their careers with long multi-year contracts in the first place?
These are contracts based on pure speculation, and apparently not based on prior experience.
In reality, everyone needs to find out what is the actual benefit of enticing players to end their careers with any club if there's the guarantee of a front-loaded deal. Why is there the sudden fear that players near the end of the line with some impact won't sign with a team unless they're showed the money up front?
The supposed effect is for short-term cap pain, there is more cap space to be gained on the back end in the future.
Of course, that future can get very cloudy based on the year-to-year fluctuation in the actual salary cap number, never mind the changing fortunes of the team on the ice which is guaranteed to predicate some emergency moves which might involve unreasonable amounts of cash.
Maybe it's this style of thinking which locks teams into this cyclical problem in the future anyway, and it's easy to see how it might occur again, especially if neither Hossa nor Pronger decide to hang up the skates at a time which each man's team might have expected.
Nevertheless, the fact remains that neither Dale Tallon nor Paul Holmgren committed any kind of fraud or broke any rule in creating these deals, however you may feel about the contracts themselves.
It'll just be an embarrassing mess when the league, just to save face, makes up some ridiculous token penalty which may or may not act as a deterrent.
Meanwhile, with one door of opportunity closing, the remaining 28 general managers and owners will get to work on finding another loophole in another rule to get what they need.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Crackhawks, Part Duex
As if the Dale Tallon mail fraud from around July 1 wasn't bad enough, read this piece from Canada's TSN about Marian Hossa's contract...
How dumb do you have to be to get this stuff leaked to the press? I imagine that the Wirtz family built foot-thick solid oak walls and durable wood paneling in each and every office in the United Center to seal up all that backroom dealing for good.
Even if not, who in the organization could have lips this loose?
On the surface, the alleged agreement is hardly newsworthy. However, when you factor in the length of the contract and, you know, those pesky...rules...the whole thing stinks to high heaven.
Suffice to say the Blackhawks organization is like one of those houses on stilts in the Outer Banks, and the high tide from the coming hurricane is just about ready to erode the supports.
How dumb do you have to be to get this stuff leaked to the press? I imagine that the Wirtz family built foot-thick solid oak walls and durable wood paneling in each and every office in the United Center to seal up all that backroom dealing for good.
Even if not, who in the organization could have lips this loose?
On the surface, the alleged agreement is hardly newsworthy. However, when you factor in the length of the contract and, you know, those pesky...rules...the whole thing stinks to high heaven.
Suffice to say the Blackhawks organization is like one of those houses on stilts in the Outer Banks, and the high tide from the coming hurricane is just about ready to erode the supports.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Flyers sign Norwegian defenseman; prelude to Jones' departure?
The Philadelphia Flyers signed defenseman Ole-Kristian Tollefsen to a one-year contract on Thursday.
Tollefsen appeared in only 19 games in 2008-09 with the Columbus Blue Jackets and recorded one assist and 37 penalty minutes.
A native of Oslo, Norway, Tollefsen is just the fifth Norwegian-born player to play in the NHL -- and the second to do so with the Flyers. Patrick Thoresen appeared in 21 regular-season games and 14 playoff contests for the Flyers two seasons ago.
Over parts of four NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets, Tollefsen has collected four goals, 10 points and 273 penalty minutes in 145 career games. He was originally selected by Columbus in the third round of the 2002 draft.
The move may presage the buyout/release of defenseman Randy Jones, whose play has deteriorated over the last two seasons due to hip problems and subsequent surgery which may or may not have healed properly.
Tollefsen appeared in only 19 games in 2008-09 with the Columbus Blue Jackets and recorded one assist and 37 penalty minutes.
A native of Oslo, Norway, Tollefsen is just the fifth Norwegian-born player to play in the NHL -- and the second to do so with the Flyers. Patrick Thoresen appeared in 21 regular-season games and 14 playoff contests for the Flyers two seasons ago.
Over parts of four NHL seasons with the Blue Jackets, Tollefsen has collected four goals, 10 points and 273 penalty minutes in 145 career games. He was originally selected by Columbus in the third round of the 2002 draft.
The move may presage the buyout/release of defenseman Randy Jones, whose play has deteriorated over the last two seasons due to hip problems and subsequent surgery which may or may not have healed properly.
Thanks to Chicago, Coyotes apparently staying in Phoenix
Courtesy of the Sports Network
The National Hockey League's board of governors approved an application by Chicago sports mogul Jerry Reinsdorf to purchase the financially-strapped Phoenix Coyotes.
Meeting in Chicago, the board of governors also rejected the bid of billionaire Jim Balsillie, who was set to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman issued a statement Wednesday attesting to the approval of Reinsdorf's bid to assume ownership. Reinsdorf, who owns the Chicago Bulls and White Sox, has told the league he would keep the Coyotes in Arizona.
"There were three applicant groups that were interviewed by the executive committee and considered by the board. One was Jim Balsillie's. The second was a group headed by Anthony LeBlanc, involving Mr. LeBlanc, Keith McCullough, Todd Jordan and Daryl Jones. And the third group, headed by Jerry Reinsdorf, included as well Tony Tavares and John Kaites," said the commissioner.
"Mr. Reinsdorf's application was unanimously approved by all those Board members present and voting, subject to the league's completion of its due diligence and review of the final transaction," added Bettman. "In Mr. Balsillie's case, it was the unanimous vote of all members present and voting that his application not be approved. With respect to the LeBlanc group, it was determined that, at this stage, since they've only recently begun the process, the application was incomplete and could not yet be acted on by the board. However, the executive committee reported favorably on the LeBlanc group's interview and endorsed the group's continued efforts to complete a bid to purchase the franchise.
Last month, bankruptcy court Judge Redfield T. Baum rejected a proposed sale of the team to Balsillie.
In May, Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes filed for Chapter 11 reorganization with a proposed sale of $212.5 million to PSE Sports & Entertainment LP, which would have moved the team to southern Ontario.
Since moving to the desert in 1996 from Winnipeg, the team has consistently lost money and has had trouble drawing a fan base. The Coyotes have only made the playoffs five times since going to the desert and have never made it past the first round. Also, the team has had just one winning season since last making the playoffs in the 2002-03 season.
The National Hockey League's board of governors approved an application by Chicago sports mogul Jerry Reinsdorf to purchase the financially-strapped Phoenix Coyotes.
Meeting in Chicago, the board of governors also rejected the bid of billionaire Jim Balsillie, who was set to move the team to Hamilton, Ontario.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman issued a statement Wednesday attesting to the approval of Reinsdorf's bid to assume ownership. Reinsdorf, who owns the Chicago Bulls and White Sox, has told the league he would keep the Coyotes in Arizona.
"There were three applicant groups that were interviewed by the executive committee and considered by the board. One was Jim Balsillie's. The second was a group headed by Anthony LeBlanc, involving Mr. LeBlanc, Keith McCullough, Todd Jordan and Daryl Jones. And the third group, headed by Jerry Reinsdorf, included as well Tony Tavares and John Kaites," said the commissioner.
"Mr. Reinsdorf's application was unanimously approved by all those Board members present and voting, subject to the league's completion of its due diligence and review of the final transaction," added Bettman. "In Mr. Balsillie's case, it was the unanimous vote of all members present and voting that his application not be approved. With respect to the LeBlanc group, it was determined that, at this stage, since they've only recently begun the process, the application was incomplete and could not yet be acted on by the board. However, the executive committee reported favorably on the LeBlanc group's interview and endorsed the group's continued efforts to complete a bid to purchase the franchise.
Last month, bankruptcy court Judge Redfield T. Baum rejected a proposed sale of the team to Balsillie.
In May, Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes filed for Chapter 11 reorganization with a proposed sale of $212.5 million to PSE Sports & Entertainment LP, which would have moved the team to southern Ontario.
Since moving to the desert in 1996 from Winnipeg, the team has consistently lost money and has had trouble drawing a fan base. The Coyotes have only made the playoffs five times since going to the desert and have never made it past the first round. Also, the team has had just one winning season since last making the playoffs in the 2002-03 season.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Prospal no longer a Bolt
Several sources, including the St. Pete Times, are reporting that Vaclav "Vinny" Prospal was bought out of the remaining three years of his four-year deal sometime between last night and this morning.
For the right (read low) price, could he be headed back to Philly for a third time? He did show excellent chemistry with Danny Briere during the late stages of the '08 regular season and playoffs - but made it explicitly clear he didn't want to remain a Flyer.
That shouldn't deter Paul Holmgren, who is determined to fill his forward-line gaps with salary castoffs from other teams and countries.
For the right (read low) price, could he be headed back to Philly for a third time? He did show excellent chemistry with Danny Briere during the late stages of the '08 regular season and playoffs - but made it explicitly clear he didn't want to remain a Flyer.
That shouldn't deter Paul Holmgren, who is determined to fill his forward-line gaps with salary castoffs from other teams and countries.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Gilbert named Phantoms head coach
Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have named Greg Gilbert as the head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren. He is the sixth head coach in Phantoms franchise history.
“We are pleased to add Greg to our organization as head coach of the Phantoms,” said Holmgren. “He has a wealth of coaching experience at many levels and has shown a unique ability to work well with younger players.”
“I am very honored to be a part of the Philadelphia family and organization,” said Gilbert. “I am greatly looking forward to the opportunity to working with the young players in this organization. I am a patient coach. I have spent a lot of time working with young players and teaching them the game and helping them hone their skills and become better individuals. I am also looking forward to teaching them what it is like to be a part of a team and what the expectations and accountabilities are.”
Gilbert, 47, joins the Phantoms after spending the previous three seasons as head coach of the Toronto Marlies, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, where he compiled a 123-89-10-18 record, including a 39-29-5-7 mark in 2008-09. In just his second season as head coach of the Marlies, Gilbert finished the regular season with a 50-21-3-6 record and led the team to the Western Conference Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
He also spent parts of three seasons as head coach of the Calgary Flames (2000-01 to 2002-03), where he compiled a 42-56-23 record in 121 games. Prior to his days in Calgary, Gilbert spent four seasons as head coach of the AHL’s Worcester IceCats (1996-97 to 1999-2000), compiling a 145-121-37-17 record in 320 regular season games, and was awarded the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as outstanding head coach in the AHL for the 1996-97 season. Overall, Gilbert has a career head coaching record of 268-210-47-35 in 560 games in the AHL.
In addition to his head coaching experience, Gilbert has appeared in over 800 games, over parts of 15 seasons (1981-82 to 1995-96) as a player in the National Hockey League. He was a member of three Stanley Cup Championship teams, helping lead the New York Islanders to the title in 1982 and 1983, while winning his third Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994.
Gilbert has recorded a total of 150 goals and 228 assists for 378 points and 576 penalty minutes in 837 regular season games with the Islanders (1981-82 to 1988-89), Chicago Blackhawks (1988-89 to 1992-93), Rangers (1993-94) and St. Louis Blues (1994-95 to 1995-96). He has also recorded 50 points (17G,33A) and 162 penalty minutes in 133 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Gilbert was originally selected by the Islanders in the fourth round (80th overall) in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.
The Philadelphia Flyers announced that they have named Greg Gilbert as the head coach of their American Hockey League affiliate, the Adirondack Phantoms, according to club General Manager Paul Holmgren. He is the sixth head coach in Phantoms franchise history.
“We are pleased to add Greg to our organization as head coach of the Phantoms,” said Holmgren. “He has a wealth of coaching experience at many levels and has shown a unique ability to work well with younger players.”
“I am very honored to be a part of the Philadelphia family and organization,” said Gilbert. “I am greatly looking forward to the opportunity to working with the young players in this organization. I am a patient coach. I have spent a lot of time working with young players and teaching them the game and helping them hone their skills and become better individuals. I am also looking forward to teaching them what it is like to be a part of a team and what the expectations and accountabilities are.”
Gilbert, 47, joins the Phantoms after spending the previous three seasons as head coach of the Toronto Marlies, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ AHL affiliate, where he compiled a 123-89-10-18 record, including a 39-29-5-7 mark in 2008-09. In just his second season as head coach of the Marlies, Gilbert finished the regular season with a 50-21-3-6 record and led the team to the Western Conference Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs.
He also spent parts of three seasons as head coach of the Calgary Flames (2000-01 to 2002-03), where he compiled a 42-56-23 record in 121 games. Prior to his days in Calgary, Gilbert spent four seasons as head coach of the AHL’s Worcester IceCats (1996-97 to 1999-2000), compiling a 145-121-37-17 record in 320 regular season games, and was awarded the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as outstanding head coach in the AHL for the 1996-97 season. Overall, Gilbert has a career head coaching record of 268-210-47-35 in 560 games in the AHL.
In addition to his head coaching experience, Gilbert has appeared in over 800 games, over parts of 15 seasons (1981-82 to 1995-96) as a player in the National Hockey League. He was a member of three Stanley Cup Championship teams, helping lead the New York Islanders to the title in 1982 and 1983, while winning his third Stanley Cup with the New York Rangers in 1994.
Gilbert has recorded a total of 150 goals and 228 assists for 378 points and 576 penalty minutes in 837 regular season games with the Islanders (1981-82 to 1988-89), Chicago Blackhawks (1988-89 to 1992-93), Rangers (1993-94) and St. Louis Blues (1994-95 to 1995-96). He has also recorded 50 points (17G,33A) and 162 penalty minutes in 133 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
A native of Mississauga, Ontario, Gilbert was originally selected by the Islanders in the fourth round (80th overall) in the 1980 NHL Entry Draft.
U.S. Hockey Hall gets new members, including inventor of ice-smoothing equipment
Courtesy of NHL.com
With the 2010 Winter Olympics right around the corner, there's no better time for the United States Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee to announce its star-studded Hall of Fame Class for 2009.
This year's inductees, made official Tuesday, include the 1998 women's Olympic hockey team, former U.S. Olympic medalists John LeClair, Tony Amonte and Tom Barrasso and inventor Frank Zamboni, who'll be inducted posthumously.
The U.S. women's ice hockey team, coached by Ben Smith, won the sport's inaugural Olympic gold medal by going undefeated and twice beating the favored Canadians. The women's team will join the 1960 and 1980 men's Olympic teams as the only groups to be enshrined into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
Cammi Granato, captain of that '98 U.S. Team in Nagano, Japan, was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame last year. Behind Granato's 4 goals and 4 assists in six games, the Americans earned the gold while outscoring the opposition, 36-8. The United States would defeat Canada, 3-1, in the gold-medal game on Feb. 17, 1998.
"I've never been on a team where everyone realized their role and sort of gave up their pride and said, 'OK, I'm not on the power play, but can handle it and I'll do my job the best I can,' and that's difficult to find," Granato said of her '98 Olympic teammates. "We hadn't won a world championship previously and were completely dominated by Canada, more psychologically speaking than anything else. So how were we going to beat them on the biggest stage ever? As one of the leaders of the team, that's what I had to figure out and we worked really hard at that. When you get that recipe, it often leads to something great and you could feel that building within our team."
LeClair, Amonte and Barrasso were teammates on the silver-medal winning men's team at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.
"We hadn't won a world championship previously and were completely dominated by Canada, more psychologically speaking than anything else. So how were we going to beat them on the biggest stage ever? As one of the leaders of the team, that's what I had to figure out and we worked really hard at that. When you get that recipe, it often leads to something great and you could feel that building within our team."
-- Cammi Granato, captain of the 1998 U.S. Women's Ice Hockey Team
LeClair, of St. Albans, Vt., became the first American-born NHL player to post three consecutive 50-goal seasons -- all with the Philadelphia Flyers. He played for the Flyers for 10 seasons, totaling 333 goals, and finished his 17-season NHL career with 406 goals in 967 games. He represented the United States in the 1998 Olympics, '96 World Cup and the '88 and '89 World Junior Championships.
LeClair finished second in scoring among all players in the '96 World Cup, helping the Americans to a memorable performance with 6 goals and 10 points in seven games. He was also part of the "Divine Line" at the '02 Winter Olympics, skating alongside Brett Hull and Mike Modano -- the highest-scoring trio (9 goals, 21 points in 6 games) in the tournament. He was drafted 33rd by the Canadiens in 1987 and would win a Stanley Cup in Montreal in 1993. LeClair spent his final two seasons in Pittsburgh.
Six-time NHL All-Star Amonte played for Team USA in the 1998 Olympics, the '96 World Cup, the '91 and '93 World Championships, the '90 Goodwill Games and the '89 and '90 World Junior Championships. The Hingham, Mass., native scored the game-winner for Team USA in the decisive third game of the best-of-three championship series against Canada in the '96 World Cup.
Drafted 68th in 1988 by the New York Rangers, Amonte placed third in the balloting for the Calder Trophy in 1991-92 after scoring 35 goals and 69 points. Following three seasons with the Rangers, Amonte was traded to Chicago where he scored at least 30 goals five times. He also had a string of playing in all 82 regular-season games five straight seasons (1997-98 through 2001-02) with the Blackhawks. Amonte played for five teams -- the Rangers, Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Flyers and Calgary Flames -- before retiring in 2008 with 416 goals and 900 points in 1,174 NHL games.
Boston native Barrasso, the first American-born goalie to reach 300 wins, was originally drafted fifth by the Buffalo Sabres out of Acton-Boxborough High School in the 1983 Entry Draft -- at the time the highest a goalie had ever been selected at the draft.
Barrasso made his NHL debut with the Sabres straight out of high school the following season, going 26-12-3 with a 2.84 goals-against average to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie and the Vezina Trophy as the League's top goalie. He represented the United States at the 1984 and '87 Canada Cups and the '86 IIHF World Championship. Barrasso retired in 2003 after an 18-year NHL career, during which he played for the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues. He compiled a career regular-season record of 369-277-86, with a 3.24 goals-against average and 38 shutouts in 777 career NHL games.
It was in 1949 that Zamboni, born in Eureka, Utah, invented the first self-propelled ice resurfacing machine that you now see at every hockey rink throughout the world. He did this by modifying a tractor -- adding a blade that shaved the ice smooth, swept up the shavings into a tank and rinsed the ice while leaving a very thin layer of water. The Zamboni family maintained the business following Frank's death at the age of 87 in 1988. The company has plants in Los Angeles, Ontario and Switzerland.
With the 2010 Winter Olympics right around the corner, there's no better time for the United States Hockey Hall of Fame selection committee to announce its star-studded Hall of Fame Class for 2009.
This year's inductees, made official Tuesday, include the 1998 women's Olympic hockey team, former U.S. Olympic medalists John LeClair, Tony Amonte and Tom Barrasso and inventor Frank Zamboni, who'll be inducted posthumously.
The U.S. women's ice hockey team, coached by Ben Smith, won the sport's inaugural Olympic gold medal by going undefeated and twice beating the favored Canadians. The women's team will join the 1960 and 1980 men's Olympic teams as the only groups to be enshrined into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
Cammi Granato, captain of that '98 U.S. Team in Nagano, Japan, was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame last year. Behind Granato's 4 goals and 4 assists in six games, the Americans earned the gold while outscoring the opposition, 36-8. The United States would defeat Canada, 3-1, in the gold-medal game on Feb. 17, 1998.
"I've never been on a team where everyone realized their role and sort of gave up their pride and said, 'OK, I'm not on the power play, but can handle it and I'll do my job the best I can,' and that's difficult to find," Granato said of her '98 Olympic teammates. "We hadn't won a world championship previously and were completely dominated by Canada, more psychologically speaking than anything else. So how were we going to beat them on the biggest stage ever? As one of the leaders of the team, that's what I had to figure out and we worked really hard at that. When you get that recipe, it often leads to something great and you could feel that building within our team."
LeClair, Amonte and Barrasso were teammates on the silver-medal winning men's team at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City.
"We hadn't won a world championship previously and were completely dominated by Canada, more psychologically speaking than anything else. So how were we going to beat them on the biggest stage ever? As one of the leaders of the team, that's what I had to figure out and we worked really hard at that. When you get that recipe, it often leads to something great and you could feel that building within our team."
-- Cammi Granato, captain of the 1998 U.S. Women's Ice Hockey Team
LeClair, of St. Albans, Vt., became the first American-born NHL player to post three consecutive 50-goal seasons -- all with the Philadelphia Flyers. He played for the Flyers for 10 seasons, totaling 333 goals, and finished his 17-season NHL career with 406 goals in 967 games. He represented the United States in the 1998 Olympics, '96 World Cup and the '88 and '89 World Junior Championships.
LeClair finished second in scoring among all players in the '96 World Cup, helping the Americans to a memorable performance with 6 goals and 10 points in seven games. He was also part of the "Divine Line" at the '02 Winter Olympics, skating alongside Brett Hull and Mike Modano -- the highest-scoring trio (9 goals, 21 points in 6 games) in the tournament. He was drafted 33rd by the Canadiens in 1987 and would win a Stanley Cup in Montreal in 1993. LeClair spent his final two seasons in Pittsburgh.
Six-time NHL All-Star Amonte played for Team USA in the 1998 Olympics, the '96 World Cup, the '91 and '93 World Championships, the '90 Goodwill Games and the '89 and '90 World Junior Championships. The Hingham, Mass., native scored the game-winner for Team USA in the decisive third game of the best-of-three championship series against Canada in the '96 World Cup.
Drafted 68th in 1988 by the New York Rangers, Amonte placed third in the balloting for the Calder Trophy in 1991-92 after scoring 35 goals and 69 points. Following three seasons with the Rangers, Amonte was traded to Chicago where he scored at least 30 goals five times. He also had a string of playing in all 82 regular-season games five straight seasons (1997-98 through 2001-02) with the Blackhawks. Amonte played for five teams -- the Rangers, Blackhawks, Phoenix Coyotes, Flyers and Calgary Flames -- before retiring in 2008 with 416 goals and 900 points in 1,174 NHL games.
Boston native Barrasso, the first American-born goalie to reach 300 wins, was originally drafted fifth by the Buffalo Sabres out of Acton-Boxborough High School in the 1983 Entry Draft -- at the time the highest a goalie had ever been selected at the draft.
Barrasso made his NHL debut with the Sabres straight out of high school the following season, going 26-12-3 with a 2.84 goals-against average to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie and the Vezina Trophy as the League's top goalie. He represented the United States at the 1984 and '87 Canada Cups and the '86 IIHF World Championship. Barrasso retired in 2003 after an 18-year NHL career, during which he played for the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs and St. Louis Blues. He compiled a career regular-season record of 369-277-86, with a 3.24 goals-against average and 38 shutouts in 777 career NHL games.
It was in 1949 that Zamboni, born in Eureka, Utah, invented the first self-propelled ice resurfacing machine that you now see at every hockey rink throughout the world. He did this by modifying a tractor -- adding a blade that shaved the ice smooth, swept up the shavings into a tank and rinsed the ice while leaving a very thin layer of water. The Zamboni family maintained the business following Frank's death at the age of 87 in 1988. The company has plants in Los Angeles, Ontario and Switzerland.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Crackhawks Once More
For all the Chicago Blackhawks did to get to where they are, they just can't help themselves fumbling the ball with the game on the line.
First, it was this ridiculously lame 12-year, multi-bazillion dollar contract given to Marian Hossa. Then, the revelation of former GM Dale Tallon's last-straw foul up/mail fraud trying to deliver qualifying offers to restricted free agents. Now, earlier this week they find out that Hossa hurt his shoulder during the playoffs and is undergoing surgery that will put the start of next season in jeopardy.
I love the line (and I wish I could find the source so I'm paraphrasing here) that said Hossa sure as hell didn't hurt it lifting trophies...
Maybe this shows just how far from the dregs the franchise needs to be lifted even after rocketing so far in just four years. Maybe this shows that the Blackhawks will always have more than a little bit of Cubs in them no matter which Wirtz child runs things.
All I know is, the team took huge steps backward when possibly on the cusp of many years of relative prosperity.
Am I saying they're legitimate Cup contenders? No, despite being in the NHL's final four last season. They were a young team that didn't know they were supposed to be there, and were totally outclassed by a better Detroit squad.
I am saying that a little more organizational stability and brains could have been the perfect motor to keep the momentum going.
Now they have a new GM in Stan Bowman, who though trained in the club for nearly a decade, is going to eventually have to swing things his own way. That may mean further internal shakeups, player dealings and (gasp) coaching changes if (when?) the Hawks don't get off to the scorching start they enjoyed in 2008.
Hossa for Havlat, at best, was swapping high-scoring but ineffective-when-it-counts European players. With the surgery, there's a question of recovery time and readiness for the regular season. There's no Nikolai Khabibulin, lost to free agency in Edmonton, and there's going to be a goaltending carousel in trying to determine where Cristobal Huet, Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi fit into the starter-backup roles.
A saving grace may be the maturation of Kane, Toews, et al, hopefully helped along by Brian Campbell. It doesn't seem like enough.
As of now, it looks like the Blue Jackets and Predators will get a jump by Christmas for the coveted second-place spot in the Central behind the weakened Red Wings. That doesn't bode well for the status quo.
First, it was this ridiculously lame 12-year, multi-bazillion dollar contract given to Marian Hossa. Then, the revelation of former GM Dale Tallon's last-straw foul up/mail fraud trying to deliver qualifying offers to restricted free agents. Now, earlier this week they find out that Hossa hurt his shoulder during the playoffs and is undergoing surgery that will put the start of next season in jeopardy.
I love the line (and I wish I could find the source so I'm paraphrasing here) that said Hossa sure as hell didn't hurt it lifting trophies...
Maybe this shows just how far from the dregs the franchise needs to be lifted even after rocketing so far in just four years. Maybe this shows that the Blackhawks will always have more than a little bit of Cubs in them no matter which Wirtz child runs things.
All I know is, the team took huge steps backward when possibly on the cusp of many years of relative prosperity.
Am I saying they're legitimate Cup contenders? No, despite being in the NHL's final four last season. They were a young team that didn't know they were supposed to be there, and were totally outclassed by a better Detroit squad.
I am saying that a little more organizational stability and brains could have been the perfect motor to keep the momentum going.
Now they have a new GM in Stan Bowman, who though trained in the club for nearly a decade, is going to eventually have to swing things his own way. That may mean further internal shakeups, player dealings and (gasp) coaching changes if (when?) the Hawks don't get off to the scorching start they enjoyed in 2008.
Hossa for Havlat, at best, was swapping high-scoring but ineffective-when-it-counts European players. With the surgery, there's a question of recovery time and readiness for the regular season. There's no Nikolai Khabibulin, lost to free agency in Edmonton, and there's going to be a goaltending carousel in trying to determine where Cristobal Huet, Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi fit into the starter-backup roles.
A saving grace may be the maturation of Kane, Toews, et al, hopefully helped along by Brian Campbell. It doesn't seem like enough.
As of now, it looks like the Blue Jackets and Predators will get a jump by Christmas for the coveted second-place spot in the Central behind the weakened Red Wings. That doesn't bode well for the status quo.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Biron goes to the Islanders
Despite the talk that Martin Biron's best fit, even though he's priced himself out of most of the league was Colorado, news came down minutes ago that he's signed with the New York Islanders.
Terms are one year for $1.4 million.
That causes a soon-to-be unpleasant goaltending logjam between Marty, Dwayne Roloson (two-year deal) and oft-injured 15-year contract stud boy Rick DiPietro. Also in the wings for this mess are Yann Danis and Joey McDonald.
Taking any and all bets on the first Flyers-Islanders game that Emery and Biron will brawl...Remember this?
Terms are one year for $1.4 million.
That causes a soon-to-be unpleasant goaltending logjam between Marty, Dwayne Roloson (two-year deal) and oft-injured 15-year contract stud boy Rick DiPietro. Also in the wings for this mess are Yann Danis and Joey McDonald.
Taking any and all bets on the first Flyers-Islanders game that Emery and Biron will brawl...Remember this?
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Why I Prefer Legitimate Sources
The apology by Eklund yesterday for erroneous reporting of Alex Tanguay's non-signing in Florida moved me to explain one peeve of mine with the business of reporting.
I work at a wire service, and the information which we compile to go out on our site has to be culled from primary sources, i.e. newspaper, TV, team websites and such. That means something official has either been leaked to a primary source, or the primary source has finalized the information and deemed it ready for publication.
After that, we steal it, re-work it in our own words, and send it to our site, which is then picked up by all our clients. Once it's out there, you can defend your work by saying "X legitimate site" reported this, either in the body of the story or verbally to the boss...and you're off the hook if something gets retracted or changed.
The business of rumor milling really clouds and bastardizes the whole process.
My very good friend is a hockey fan board nut. He follows a ton of them for the Flyers and other teams, and very often he'll text me with a story about a player or coach which I intend to put on here or look for to do a story on at work.
Most often, the source he cites is one of those sites or boards, and I can't do anything with it because the source isn't really recognized as legit or it's in fact second/third/fourth hand information wrecked by the internet's version of "Whisper Down the Lane."
The story MAY in fact be true and MAY be scooped before any major media get to it, but independent fan discussion forums with MAYBE one person connected to a legit source STILL won't ever be fully trusted, I don't care how big internet plays a role in news from now until time immemorial. The checks and balances which ensure major media are doing their job are still not there on the world wide web.
One time he did come up big for me is when he led me to the Peter Zezel death story in late May. I can't recall where he got the original info, but that original tidbit led him to an AM radio site in Toronto - from which I was able to legitimize the story and run with it.
See the difference?
While most HockeyBuzz writers are bloggers sanctioned by their respective clubs, I have a hard time understanding why anyone really follows the head man as a legitimate source.
I understand he's supposedly got people ferreting out news at the team and league level, but he's even admitted that 97 percent of his rumors never even lead to bona fide news!
I also understand that his source in Florida reported in so many words that a deal is done, but even by skeletal journalistic standards, you can't slap an arbitrary high-level code on something and report it as solid news - especially when you readily admit your percentages are low.
In hockey as in life, the first person to go blab a rumor as fact usually is the first person to get majorly burned when it gets back to them. Hence his major front-page apology yesterday.
He at least did a solid by doing his mea culpa and at least did another solid by not diming out his source. But that leads me to wonder - who exactly are his sources at the team level?
Lord knows why people would pay for this, because all it is, is an endless push-and-pull, will-he-won't-he soap-opera of quasi-truths. Then to quantify all this juicy stuff with a pale take on the old Terror Level threat system makes the mistake even more absurd.
I can even understand the race to be first and correct and to beat the competition, but can it really be that even in the blogosphere, it's better to be first and wrong then retract, than it is to be safe and second and right?
I would really like to know the process by which he vets his information, but I assume that probably falls under the secret provisions of source-reporter protocol.
So, the point here is that while I do enjoy reading HB and other independent fan sites and message boards, I'll always remember that it's more a conduit for discussion and venting from the fan base, and can never be a primary tool to distribute legitimate news.
Oh, and by the way, lest you think I'm being some sort of media snob, I felt this way long before I got involved in this crazy business, because as a practical lad, I always valued the facts and how they got there than mere endless discussion of possibilities. Like ESPN before whoring out and bastardizing Patrick and Olbermann's shtick and converting the whole franchise to what it is now.
It's why I have shifted to writing as a media career, instead of winding up on radio as a sports talk host. There's a big difference between thinking you know something and convincing others it's the way it is, and knowing you know something - and knowing how you know it.
Accept no substitutes.
As far as this blog is concerned, it's either opinion or fact, and when it's a rumor I'll try to give a source for the rumor but won't pass it off as solid fact.
I was wrong 2 weeks ago about Antero Niittymaki going to Russia because he went and signed with Tampa, but, well, I'm not trying to get my name out there. This is just a little ol' blog for personal use. Still, you click on the link and see the source.
I work at a wire service, and the information which we compile to go out on our site has to be culled from primary sources, i.e. newspaper, TV, team websites and such. That means something official has either been leaked to a primary source, or the primary source has finalized the information and deemed it ready for publication.
After that, we steal it, re-work it in our own words, and send it to our site, which is then picked up by all our clients. Once it's out there, you can defend your work by saying "X legitimate site" reported this, either in the body of the story or verbally to the boss...and you're off the hook if something gets retracted or changed.
The business of rumor milling really clouds and bastardizes the whole process.
My very good friend is a hockey fan board nut. He follows a ton of them for the Flyers and other teams, and very often he'll text me with a story about a player or coach which I intend to put on here or look for to do a story on at work.
Most often, the source he cites is one of those sites or boards, and I can't do anything with it because the source isn't really recognized as legit or it's in fact second/third/fourth hand information wrecked by the internet's version of "Whisper Down the Lane."
The story MAY in fact be true and MAY be scooped before any major media get to it, but independent fan discussion forums with MAYBE one person connected to a legit source STILL won't ever be fully trusted, I don't care how big internet plays a role in news from now until time immemorial. The checks and balances which ensure major media are doing their job are still not there on the world wide web.
One time he did come up big for me is when he led me to the Peter Zezel death story in late May. I can't recall where he got the original info, but that original tidbit led him to an AM radio site in Toronto - from which I was able to legitimize the story and run with it.
See the difference?
While most HockeyBuzz writers are bloggers sanctioned by their respective clubs, I have a hard time understanding why anyone really follows the head man as a legitimate source.
I understand he's supposedly got people ferreting out news at the team and league level, but he's even admitted that 97 percent of his rumors never even lead to bona fide news!
I also understand that his source in Florida reported in so many words that a deal is done, but even by skeletal journalistic standards, you can't slap an arbitrary high-level code on something and report it as solid news - especially when you readily admit your percentages are low.
In hockey as in life, the first person to go blab a rumor as fact usually is the first person to get majorly burned when it gets back to them. Hence his major front-page apology yesterday.
He at least did a solid by doing his mea culpa and at least did another solid by not diming out his source. But that leads me to wonder - who exactly are his sources at the team level?
Lord knows why people would pay for this, because all it is, is an endless push-and-pull, will-he-won't-he soap-opera of quasi-truths. Then to quantify all this juicy stuff with a pale take on the old Terror Level threat system makes the mistake even more absurd.
I can even understand the race to be first and correct and to beat the competition, but can it really be that even in the blogosphere, it's better to be first and wrong then retract, than it is to be safe and second and right?
I would really like to know the process by which he vets his information, but I assume that probably falls under the secret provisions of source-reporter protocol.
So, the point here is that while I do enjoy reading HB and other independent fan sites and message boards, I'll always remember that it's more a conduit for discussion and venting from the fan base, and can never be a primary tool to distribute legitimate news.
Oh, and by the way, lest you think I'm being some sort of media snob, I felt this way long before I got involved in this crazy business, because as a practical lad, I always valued the facts and how they got there than mere endless discussion of possibilities. Like ESPN before whoring out and bastardizing Patrick and Olbermann's shtick and converting the whole franchise to what it is now.
It's why I have shifted to writing as a media career, instead of winding up on radio as a sports talk host. There's a big difference between thinking you know something and convincing others it's the way it is, and knowing you know something - and knowing how you know it.
Accept no substitutes.
As far as this blog is concerned, it's either opinion or fact, and when it's a rumor I'll try to give a source for the rumor but won't pass it off as solid fact.
I was wrong 2 weeks ago about Antero Niittymaki going to Russia because he went and signed with Tampa, but, well, I'm not trying to get my name out there. This is just a little ol' blog for personal use. Still, you click on the link and see the source.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Flyers news
Um...Woo-Hoo?
The NHL finally got around to officially revealing one of its worst-kept secrets EVER, and announced to a bored hockey world that the Flyers will indeed play the Bruins on January 1 at Fenway Park in the league's third-annual Winter Classic.
Perhaps more importantly, the NHL released schedules for each of its 30 teams for the upcoming season today. I really like this, because it used to take until mid-August to pin the whole thing down years ago and it was torture to have to sit through 3 weeks of Eagles training camp news before official word came down.
Here is the Flyers' 2009-2010 schedule...
Fri Oct 2, 2009 Flyers Hurricanes 7:00 PM
Sat Oct 3, 2009 Flyers Devils 7:00 PM
Tue Oct 6, 2009 Capitals Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Oct 8, 2009 Penguins Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Oct 10, 2009 Ducks Flyers 7:00 PM
Fri Oct 16, 2009 Flyers Panthers 7:30 PM
Thu Oct 22, 2009 Bruins Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Oct 24, 2009 Panthers Flyers 7:00 PM
Sun Oct 25, 2009 Sharks Flyers 7:00 PM
Tue Oct 27, 2009 Flyers Capitals 7:00 PM
Sat Oct 31, 2009 Hurricanes Flyers 1:00 PM
Mon Nov 2, 2009 Lightning Flyers 7:00 PM
Fri Nov 6, 2009 Flyers Sabres 7:30 PM
Sat Nov 7, 2009 Blues Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Nov 12, 2009 Senators Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Nov 14, 2009 Sabres Flyers 7:00 PM
Mon Nov 16, 2009 Devils Flyers 7:00 PM
Wed Nov 18, 2009 Flyers Kings 10:30 PM
Fri Nov 20, 2009 Flyers Sharks 10:30 PM
Sat Nov 21, 2009 Flyers Coyotes 8:00 PM
Mon Nov 23, 2009 Flyers Avalanche 9:00 PM
Wed Nov 25, 2009 Flyers Islanders 7:00 PM
Fri Nov 27, 2009 Sabres Flyers 1:00 PM
Sat Nov 28, 2009 Flyers Thrashers 7:00 PM
Thu Dec 3, 2009 Canucks Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Dec 5, 2009 Capitals Flyers 7:00 PM
Mon Dec 7, 2009 Flyers Canadiens 7:30 PM
Tue Dec 8, 2009 Islanders Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Dec 10, 2009 Senators Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Dec 12, 2009 Flyers Devils 7:00 PM
Mon Dec 14, 2009 Flyers Bruins 7:00 PM
Tue Dec 15, 2009 Flyers Penguins 7:00 PM
Thu Dec 17, 2009 Penguins Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Dec 19, 2009 Rangers Flyers 1:00 PM
Mon Dec 21, 2009 Panthers Flyers 7:00 PM
Wed Dec 23, 2009 Flyers Lightning 7:30 PM
Sat Dec 26, 2009 Flyers Hurricanes 7:00 PM
Sun Dec 27, 2009 Flyers Islanders 5:00 PM
Wed Dec 30, 2009 Flyers Rangers 7:00 PM
Fri Jan 1, 2010 Flyers Bruins (Fenway Park) 1:00 PM
Sun Jan 3, 2010 Flyers Senators 3:00 PM
Wed Jan 6, 2010 Maple Leafs Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Jan 7, 2010 Flyers Penguins 7:30 PM
Sat Jan 9, 2010 Lightning Flyers 7:00 PM
Tue Jan 12, 2010 Stars Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Jan 14, 2010 Flyers Maple Leafs 7:00 PM
Sun Jan 17, 2010 Flyers Capitals 3:00 PM
Tue Jan 19, 2010 BJ's Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Jan 21, 2010 Rangers Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Jan 23, 2010 Hurricanes Flyers 1:00 PM
Sun Jan 24, 2010 Penguins Flyers 3:00 PM
Thu Jan 28, 2010 Thrashers Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Jan 30, 2010 Islanders Flyers 7:00 PM
Mon Feb 1, 2010 Flyers Flames 9:30 PM
Wed Feb 3, 2010 Flyers Oilers 9:30 PM
Sat Feb 6, 2010 Flyers Wild 8:00 PM
Mon Feb 8, 2010 Devils Flyers 7:00 PM
Wed Feb 10, 2010 Flyers Devils 7:00 PM
Fri Feb 12, 2010 Canadiens Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Feb 13, 2010 Flyers Canadiens 7:00 PM
Tue Mar 2, 2010 Flyers Lightning 7:30 PM
Wed Mar 3, 2010 Flyers Panthers 7:30 PM
Fri Mar 5, 2010 Flyers Sabres 7:30 PM
Sun Mar 7, 2010 Maple Leafs Flyers 7:00 PM
Tue Mar 9, 2010 Islanders Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Mar 11, 2010 Bruins Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Mar 13, 2010 Blackhawks Flyers 1:00 PM
Sun Mar 14, 2010 Flyers Rangers 3:00 PM
Tue Mar 16, 2010 Flyers Predators 8:00 PM
Thu Mar 18, 2010 Flyers Stars 8:30 PM
Sat Mar 20, 2010 Flyers Thrashers 7:00 PM
Sun Mar 21, 2010 Thrashers Flyers 7:00 PM
Tue Mar 23, 2010 Flyers Senators 7:30 PM
Thu Mar 25, 2010 Wild Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Mar 27, 2010 Flyers Penguins 1:00 PM
Sun Mar 28, 2010 Devils Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Apr 1, 2010 Flyers Islanders 7:00 PM
Fri Apr 2, 2010 Canadiens Flyers 7:00 PM
Sun Apr 4, 2010 Red Wings Flyers 3:00 PM
Tue Apr 6, 2010 Flyers Maple Leafs 7:00 PM
Fri Apr 9, 2010 Flyers Rangers 7:00 PM
Sun Apr 11, 2010 Rangers Flyers 3:00 PM
The NHL finally got around to officially revealing one of its worst-kept secrets EVER, and announced to a bored hockey world that the Flyers will indeed play the Bruins on January 1 at Fenway Park in the league's third-annual Winter Classic.
Perhaps more importantly, the NHL released schedules for each of its 30 teams for the upcoming season today. I really like this, because it used to take until mid-August to pin the whole thing down years ago and it was torture to have to sit through 3 weeks of Eagles training camp news before official word came down.
Here is the Flyers' 2009-2010 schedule...
Fri Oct 2, 2009 Flyers Hurricanes 7:00 PM
Sat Oct 3, 2009 Flyers Devils 7:00 PM
Tue Oct 6, 2009 Capitals Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Oct 8, 2009 Penguins Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Oct 10, 2009 Ducks Flyers 7:00 PM
Fri Oct 16, 2009 Flyers Panthers 7:30 PM
Thu Oct 22, 2009 Bruins Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Oct 24, 2009 Panthers Flyers 7:00 PM
Sun Oct 25, 2009 Sharks Flyers 7:00 PM
Tue Oct 27, 2009 Flyers Capitals 7:00 PM
Sat Oct 31, 2009 Hurricanes Flyers 1:00 PM
Mon Nov 2, 2009 Lightning Flyers 7:00 PM
Fri Nov 6, 2009 Flyers Sabres 7:30 PM
Sat Nov 7, 2009 Blues Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Nov 12, 2009 Senators Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Nov 14, 2009 Sabres Flyers 7:00 PM
Mon Nov 16, 2009 Devils Flyers 7:00 PM
Wed Nov 18, 2009 Flyers Kings 10:30 PM
Fri Nov 20, 2009 Flyers Sharks 10:30 PM
Sat Nov 21, 2009 Flyers Coyotes 8:00 PM
Mon Nov 23, 2009 Flyers Avalanche 9:00 PM
Wed Nov 25, 2009 Flyers Islanders 7:00 PM
Fri Nov 27, 2009 Sabres Flyers 1:00 PM
Sat Nov 28, 2009 Flyers Thrashers 7:00 PM
Thu Dec 3, 2009 Canucks Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Dec 5, 2009 Capitals Flyers 7:00 PM
Mon Dec 7, 2009 Flyers Canadiens 7:30 PM
Tue Dec 8, 2009 Islanders Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Dec 10, 2009 Senators Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Dec 12, 2009 Flyers Devils 7:00 PM
Mon Dec 14, 2009 Flyers Bruins 7:00 PM
Tue Dec 15, 2009 Flyers Penguins 7:00 PM
Thu Dec 17, 2009 Penguins Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Dec 19, 2009 Rangers Flyers 1:00 PM
Mon Dec 21, 2009 Panthers Flyers 7:00 PM
Wed Dec 23, 2009 Flyers Lightning 7:30 PM
Sat Dec 26, 2009 Flyers Hurricanes 7:00 PM
Sun Dec 27, 2009 Flyers Islanders 5:00 PM
Wed Dec 30, 2009 Flyers Rangers 7:00 PM
Fri Jan 1, 2010 Flyers Bruins (Fenway Park) 1:00 PM
Sun Jan 3, 2010 Flyers Senators 3:00 PM
Wed Jan 6, 2010 Maple Leafs Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Jan 7, 2010 Flyers Penguins 7:30 PM
Sat Jan 9, 2010 Lightning Flyers 7:00 PM
Tue Jan 12, 2010 Stars Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Jan 14, 2010 Flyers Maple Leafs 7:00 PM
Sun Jan 17, 2010 Flyers Capitals 3:00 PM
Tue Jan 19, 2010 BJ's Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Jan 21, 2010 Rangers Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Jan 23, 2010 Hurricanes Flyers 1:00 PM
Sun Jan 24, 2010 Penguins Flyers 3:00 PM
Thu Jan 28, 2010 Thrashers Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Jan 30, 2010 Islanders Flyers 7:00 PM
Mon Feb 1, 2010 Flyers Flames 9:30 PM
Wed Feb 3, 2010 Flyers Oilers 9:30 PM
Sat Feb 6, 2010 Flyers Wild 8:00 PM
Mon Feb 8, 2010 Devils Flyers 7:00 PM
Wed Feb 10, 2010 Flyers Devils 7:00 PM
Fri Feb 12, 2010 Canadiens Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Feb 13, 2010 Flyers Canadiens 7:00 PM
Tue Mar 2, 2010 Flyers Lightning 7:30 PM
Wed Mar 3, 2010 Flyers Panthers 7:30 PM
Fri Mar 5, 2010 Flyers Sabres 7:30 PM
Sun Mar 7, 2010 Maple Leafs Flyers 7:00 PM
Tue Mar 9, 2010 Islanders Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Mar 11, 2010 Bruins Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Mar 13, 2010 Blackhawks Flyers 1:00 PM
Sun Mar 14, 2010 Flyers Rangers 3:00 PM
Tue Mar 16, 2010 Flyers Predators 8:00 PM
Thu Mar 18, 2010 Flyers Stars 8:30 PM
Sat Mar 20, 2010 Flyers Thrashers 7:00 PM
Sun Mar 21, 2010 Thrashers Flyers 7:00 PM
Tue Mar 23, 2010 Flyers Senators 7:30 PM
Thu Mar 25, 2010 Wild Flyers 7:00 PM
Sat Mar 27, 2010 Flyers Penguins 1:00 PM
Sun Mar 28, 2010 Devils Flyers 7:00 PM
Thu Apr 1, 2010 Flyers Islanders 7:00 PM
Fri Apr 2, 2010 Canadiens Flyers 7:00 PM
Sun Apr 4, 2010 Red Wings Flyers 3:00 PM
Tue Apr 6, 2010 Flyers Maple Leafs 7:00 PM
Fri Apr 9, 2010 Flyers Rangers 7:00 PM
Sun Apr 11, 2010 Rangers Flyers 3:00 PM
Monday, July 13, 2009
Jacq is Back
Lest you think the Flyers are the only team in the division struck by feelings of nostalgia for the old days, the New Jersey Devils just welcomed back Jacques Lemaire.
As in, master of the Neutral Zone Trap, Ruiner of the NHL, and former Devils head coach from 1993-94 to 1997-98.
Read on.
As in, master of the Neutral Zone Trap, Ruiner of the NHL, and former Devils head coach from 1993-94 to 1997-98.
Read on.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
Niittymaki goes to Russia
Thanks to this site, we now know where eternal backup Antero Niittymaki will head to play next season.
Don't act so shocked...
Don't act so shocked...
Koivu officially departs Montreal; joins Anaheim on one-year deal
The Anaheim Ducks announced on Wednesday that the club has signed long-time Montreal Canadiens captain and free agent forward Saku Koivu to a one-year contract.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Montreal Gazette reported the deal is worth $3.25 million.
"I'm very excited to join the Ducks this coming season," Koivu said in a conference call. "I'm looking forward to a full season with Teemu Selanne as a teammate.
The 34-year-old posted 16 goals and 50 points in 65 games in 2008-09, his lowest point total since 2001.
Koivu departs the Canadiens, the only NHL club he's known, after 792 regular- season games since the 1995-96 season.
The native of Turku, Finland was the Habs' 21st-overall pick in the 1993 draft, and rose to become the first European captain of the club, named so prior to the 1999-2000 season. He held the post until the end of last season, the second-longest serving captain in franchise history next to Hall of Fame forward Jean Beliveau.
Over 13 seasons, he's racked up 191 goals and 641 points, adding 16 goals and 48 points in 54 playoff contests.
He will join countryman Selanne, who recently signed with the Ducks for another season, trying to provide Anaheim some magic which the two conjured up when Finland captured the Silver Medal in 2006 at Torino.
"Coming from Montreal to sunny beautiful California is going to be different," added Koivu. "It's been nothing but hockey in Montreal for the last 14 years. I'm fairly confident I'm going to like that."
Koivu was named the Bill Masterton Trophy winner in 2002, after courageously battling against lymphoma, and also took home the 2007 King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his dedicated work with cancer patients in the Montreal area.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Montreal Gazette reported the deal is worth $3.25 million.
"I'm very excited to join the Ducks this coming season," Koivu said in a conference call. "I'm looking forward to a full season with Teemu Selanne as a teammate.
The 34-year-old posted 16 goals and 50 points in 65 games in 2008-09, his lowest point total since 2001.
Koivu departs the Canadiens, the only NHL club he's known, after 792 regular- season games since the 1995-96 season.
The native of Turku, Finland was the Habs' 21st-overall pick in the 1993 draft, and rose to become the first European captain of the club, named so prior to the 1999-2000 season. He held the post until the end of last season, the second-longest serving captain in franchise history next to Hall of Fame forward Jean Beliveau.
Over 13 seasons, he's racked up 191 goals and 641 points, adding 16 goals and 48 points in 54 playoff contests.
He will join countryman Selanne, who recently signed with the Ducks for another season, trying to provide Anaheim some magic which the two conjured up when Finland captured the Silver Medal in 2006 at Torino.
"Coming from Montreal to sunny beautiful California is going to be different," added Koivu. "It's been nothing but hockey in Montreal for the last 14 years. I'm fairly confident I'm going to like that."
Koivu was named the Bill Masterton Trophy winner in 2002, after courageously battling against lymphoma, and also took home the 2007 King Clancy Memorial Trophy for his dedicated work with cancer patients in the Montreal area.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009
Sakic to make retirement official on Thursday
The Denver Post reported on Tuesday that Colorado Avalanche franchise icon Joe Sakic will officially hang up his skates after 20 NHL seasons on Thursday.
Sakic has been derailed by groin, hamstring and back troubles over the last two seasons, and posted career lows in games, goals, assists and points last year.
Full story when the press conference happens.
Sakic has been derailed by groin, hamstring and back troubles over the last two seasons, and posted career lows in games, goals, assists and points last year.
Full story when the press conference happens.
Flyers, Pronger agree on multi-year extension
The Philadelphia Flyers signed defenseman Chris Pronger to a multi-year contract extension on Tuesday.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but multiple sources report that the pact is worth $35 million over seven years.
"We are pleased to have one of the NHL's premier defensemen in our organization and under contract long term," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren.
The Flyers acquired Pronger from the Anaheim Ducks on June 26 with prospect Ryan Dingle for forward Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, two first-round draft picks and a conditional third-round selection.
Pronger, the second overall pick of the 1993 draft by the Hartford Whalers, played in all 82 games last season with the Ducks and scored 11 goals and added 37 assists.
Over his 15 seasons in the NHL, Pronger has appeared in 1,022 games and compiled 142 goals and 464 assists. He is a career plus-153 and has 1,457 penalty minutes. In addition to Anaheim, who he won a Stanley Cup with in 2007, he has also played for Edmonton, St. Louis and Hartford.
"I am very excited to be able to retire a Philadelphia Flyer and am looking forward to many years with the Flyers logo on my chest," Pronger said.
The native of Ontario took home the Norris Trophy as top defenseman and the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player for the 1999-2000 season and is a five-time All-Star.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but multiple sources report that the pact is worth $35 million over seven years.
"We are pleased to have one of the NHL's premier defensemen in our organization and under contract long term," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren.
The Flyers acquired Pronger from the Anaheim Ducks on June 26 with prospect Ryan Dingle for forward Joffrey Lupul, defenseman Luca Sbisa, two first-round draft picks and a conditional third-round selection.
Pronger, the second overall pick of the 1993 draft by the Hartford Whalers, played in all 82 games last season with the Ducks and scored 11 goals and added 37 assists.
Over his 15 seasons in the NHL, Pronger has appeared in 1,022 games and compiled 142 goals and 464 assists. He is a career plus-153 and has 1,457 penalty minutes. In addition to Anaheim, who he won a Stanley Cup with in 2007, he has also played for Edmonton, St. Louis and Hartford.
"I am very excited to be able to retire a Philadelphia Flyer and am looking forward to many years with the Flyers logo on my chest," Pronger said.
The native of Ontario took home the Norris Trophy as top defenseman and the Hart Trophy as the league's most valuable player for the 1999-2000 season and is a five-time All-Star.
Pronger deal nears
According to sportsnet.ca, the Flyers and Chris Pronger are close to a seven-year contract worth $35 million.
The money will be front-loaded to avoid a serious cap hit.
Details to follow.
The money will be front-loaded to avoid a serious cap hit.
Details to follow.
AHL reveals realignment for 2009-2010
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)
Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR)
Lowell Devils (NJ)
Manchester Monarchs (LA)
Portland Pirates (BUF)
Providence Bruins (BOS)
Springfield Falcons (EDM)
Worcester Sharks (SJ)
East Division
Adirondack Phantoms (PHI)
Albany River Rats (CAR)
Binghamton Senators (OTT)
Hershey Bears (WSH)
Norfolk Admirals (TB)
Syracuse Crunch (CBJ)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)
Western Conference
North Division
Abbotsford Heat (CGY)
Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)
Hamilton Bulldogs (MTL)
Lake Erie Monsters (COL)
Manitoba Moose (VAN)
Rochester Americans (FLA)
Toronto Marlies (TOR)
West Division
Chicago Wolves (ATL)
Houston Aeros (MIN)
Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)
Peoria Rivermen (STL)
Rockford IceHogs (CHI)
San Antonio Rampage (PHX)
Texas Stars (DAL)
The 2009-10 regular season will begin on Oct. 2. The complete schedule will be announced later this summer.
Atlantic Division
Bridgeport Sound Tigers (NYI)
Hartford Wolf Pack (NYR)
Lowell Devils (NJ)
Manchester Monarchs (LA)
Portland Pirates (BUF)
Providence Bruins (BOS)
Springfield Falcons (EDM)
Worcester Sharks (SJ)
East Division
Adirondack Phantoms (PHI)
Albany River Rats (CAR)
Binghamton Senators (OTT)
Hershey Bears (WSH)
Norfolk Admirals (TB)
Syracuse Crunch (CBJ)
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (PIT)
Western Conference
North Division
Abbotsford Heat (CGY)
Grand Rapids Griffins (DET)
Hamilton Bulldogs (MTL)
Lake Erie Monsters (COL)
Manitoba Moose (VAN)
Rochester Americans (FLA)
Toronto Marlies (TOR)
West Division
Chicago Wolves (ATL)
Houston Aeros (MIN)
Milwaukee Admirals (NSH)
Peoria Rivermen (STL)
Rockford IceHogs (CHI)
San Antonio Rampage (PHX)
Texas Stars (DAL)
The 2009-10 regular season will begin on Oct. 2. The complete schedule will be announced later this summer.
AHL rescinds Chops franchise
Courtesy of the American Hockey League
The Iowa Chops American Hockey League franchise has been involuntarily suspended for the 2009-10 season by the league’s Board of Governors, effective July 6, 2009.
"The Iowa franchise has unfortunately been unable to remedy certain violations of the provisions of the league's Constitution and By-Laws," said American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews.
There will be no further statement from the league at this time.
The Iowa Chops American Hockey League franchise has been involuntarily suspended for the 2009-10 season by the league’s Board of Governors, effective July 6, 2009.
"The Iowa franchise has unfortunately been unable to remedy certain violations of the provisions of the league's Constitution and By-Laws," said American Hockey League President and CEO David Andrews.
There will be no further statement from the league at this time.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Free Agency: The Whole Wrap
No shock here, but the Sedin Twins each signed spanking-new five-year deals to stay with the Canucks.
VanCo was unable to keep stalwart veteran defenseman Mattias Ohlund, who used to possess one of the hardest shots in the NHL. He goes to Tampa Bay for seven years at $24.5 million.
Jay-Bo signed a five-year pact with the Flames.
Radek Dvorak re-ups for two years with Las Panteras.
Andy Greene returns to patrol the back line for Los Diablos.
BLOCKBUSTER: Marian Hossa leaves Detroit to sign a 12-year, $62.4 million deal with the Blackhawks.
Craig Anderson leaves South Florida for the west-midwest, two years with the Avalanche.
David Booth will remain on fire in Sunrise, inking his qualifying offer of six years, $25.5 million.
Matt Walker leaves Chicago for Tampa Bay.
Ty Conklin leaves Detroit for...St. Louis? Good luck, bud. The curse of UNH hockey is upon you. Better live out of that suitcase from now on...
BREAKING NEWS --- Mike Knuble departs Philly for Washington, $2.8 mil over 2 years.
Nikolai Khabibulin goes to freeze his nuts off in Edmonton, four years $15 million.
Dwayne Roloson heads to Long Island, 2 years, $5 million.
Steve Montador skips town, out of Boston for Buffalo.
He'll take over for Jaroslav Spacek, who bolted the Buff for Montreal.
Scott Niedermayer (dead!) re-ups with the Ducks, $6 million for one (final?) year.
Donald Brashear takes his violence act to the Rangers.
Brian Boucher comes back to Philly, and Ian Laperriere also arrives, three years at $3.5 million.
Erik Cole stays where he belongs, in Carolina, $5.8 mil over two years.
Scottie Clemmensen leaves his cushy backup job and takes over for Anderson in Florida, three years at $3.6 million.
Brian Gionta flees the swamp for Montreal, a five-year pact, and brings in Mike Cammalleri for another five-year deal. The Habs wrested Mike Komisarek from the Leafs for a five-year, $22.5 million deal.
Martin Havlat goes to Minnesota?..six years, $30 million.
He replaces Marian Gaborik who heads to Broadway for five years at $7.5 million per.
DAY TWO
Dashing very many orange and black dreams, Mark Recchi re-ups with the Bruins, one year, $1 million.
The Leafs bring back Mikhail Grabovski at $8.7 mil over three years.
I don't have to hate Rob Scuderi anymore, as he departs Pittsburgh for Los Angeles - four years, $13.6 million.
Karlis Skrastins goes to Dallas for two years.
The Atlanta Thrashers bring in Nik Antropov for a deal the club doesn't see fit to reveal, then bring back Chris Thorburn.
Chad LaRose returns to the Hurricanes, two years totalling $3.4 million.
Frederick Meyer IV remains in the desert, back with the Coyotes for one year. Adrian Aucoin leaves Calgary for Phoenix, $2.25 million for one season.
John Madden...off to Chicago for one year, $2.75 million.
VanCo was unable to keep stalwart veteran defenseman Mattias Ohlund, who used to possess one of the hardest shots in the NHL. He goes to Tampa Bay for seven years at $24.5 million.
Jay-Bo signed a five-year pact with the Flames.
Radek Dvorak re-ups for two years with Las Panteras.
Andy Greene returns to patrol the back line for Los Diablos.
BLOCKBUSTER: Marian Hossa leaves Detroit to sign a 12-year, $62.4 million deal with the Blackhawks.
Craig Anderson leaves South Florida for the west-midwest, two years with the Avalanche.
David Booth will remain on fire in Sunrise, inking his qualifying offer of six years, $25.5 million.
Matt Walker leaves Chicago for Tampa Bay.
Ty Conklin leaves Detroit for...St. Louis? Good luck, bud. The curse of UNH hockey is upon you. Better live out of that suitcase from now on...
BREAKING NEWS --- Mike Knuble departs Philly for Washington, $2.8 mil over 2 years.
Nikolai Khabibulin goes to freeze his nuts off in Edmonton, four years $15 million.
Dwayne Roloson heads to Long Island, 2 years, $5 million.
Steve Montador skips town, out of Boston for Buffalo.
He'll take over for Jaroslav Spacek, who bolted the Buff for Montreal.
Scott Niedermayer (dead!) re-ups with the Ducks, $6 million for one (final?) year.
Donald Brashear takes his violence act to the Rangers.
Brian Boucher comes back to Philly, and Ian Laperriere also arrives, three years at $3.5 million.
Erik Cole stays where he belongs, in Carolina, $5.8 mil over two years.
Scottie Clemmensen leaves his cushy backup job and takes over for Anderson in Florida, three years at $3.6 million.
Brian Gionta flees the swamp for Montreal, a five-year pact, and brings in Mike Cammalleri for another five-year deal. The Habs wrested Mike Komisarek from the Leafs for a five-year, $22.5 million deal.
Martin Havlat goes to Minnesota?..six years, $30 million.
He replaces Marian Gaborik who heads to Broadway for five years at $7.5 million per.
DAY TWO
Dashing very many orange and black dreams, Mark Recchi re-ups with the Bruins, one year, $1 million.
The Leafs bring back Mikhail Grabovski at $8.7 mil over three years.
I don't have to hate Rob Scuderi anymore, as he departs Pittsburgh for Los Angeles - four years, $13.6 million.
Karlis Skrastins goes to Dallas for two years.
The Atlanta Thrashers bring in Nik Antropov for a deal the club doesn't see fit to reveal, then bring back Chris Thorburn.
Chad LaRose returns to the Hurricanes, two years totalling $3.4 million.
Frederick Meyer IV remains in the desert, back with the Coyotes for one year. Adrian Aucoin leaves Calgary for Phoenix, $2.25 million for one season.
John Madden...off to Chicago for one year, $2.75 million.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Pens bring back piece of Cup puzzle
The Pittsburgh Penguins signed forward Craig Adams to a two-year deal on Monday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Adams only recorded one assist in nine regular-season games after being
claimed off waivers from Chicago on May 4, but added three goals and five
points in 24 playoff games for the Stanley Cup champions.
Born in Brunei, the 32-year-old has posted 37 goals and 90 points over 507
games with Carolina, Chicago and Pittsburgh.
The two-time Cup titlist was set to be an unrestricted free agent as of
Wednesday's deadline.
Adams only recorded one assist in nine regular-season games after being
claimed off waivers from Chicago on May 4, but added three goals and five
points in 24 playoff games for the Stanley Cup champions.
Born in Brunei, the 32-year-old has posted 37 goals and 90 points over 507
games with Carolina, Chicago and Pittsburgh.
The two-time Cup titlist was set to be an unrestricted free agent as of
Wednesday's deadline.
Blues buy out McKee's contract
The St. Louis Blues announced Monday that they have bought out the final year of defenseman Jay McKee's contract.
The 31-year-old backliner and defensive specialist posted one goal and eight
points in 69 games for the Blues last season, his third with the club.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the club will be responsible for
two-thirds of the $4 million due next year to the 12-year veteran, which is
scheduled to be paid out over a two-year period. The original terms of the
deal were four years, $16 million, when the Blues inked McKee as a free agent
from the Buffalo Sabres in 2006.
In 740 NHL games, the Ontario native has posted 20 goals, 115 points and 568
penalty minutes with Buffalo and St. Louis.
The 31-year-old backliner and defensive specialist posted one goal and eight
points in 69 games for the Blues last season, his third with the club.
According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the club will be responsible for
two-thirds of the $4 million due next year to the 12-year veteran, which is
scheduled to be paid out over a two-year period. The original terms of the
deal were four years, $16 million, when the Blues inked McKee as a free agent
from the Buffalo Sabres in 2006.
In 740 NHL games, the Ontario native has posted 20 goals, 115 points and 568
penalty minutes with Buffalo and St. Louis.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Weekend Draft Trade News
The Flyers dealt away Joffrey Lupul, Luca Sbisa, their first-round pick this year and first-round pick next year, plus a conditional choice...all for Chris Pronger and some guy named Dingle.
The Flames won the Jay-Bo sweepstakes, getting him from Florida for a pittance, namely Jordan Leopold and a third-round pick.
You tell me who got the better deal of the two, and who managed to keep some dignity on the other end...it definitely raises a lot of questions in my mind.
Not that Jay Bouwmeester would be worth what the Flyers eventually gave up for Pronger, but if Florida was willing to send away a chronically-injured second-pairing defenseman and a second-tier draft choice to Calgary, why couldn't the Flyers have worked a deal?
Does this have anything to do with the Flyers' traditional trade practice of blatantly trying to steal players for nothing?
Is there any way Paul Holmgren could have parted with less, since a hard-ass like Brian Burke was no longer in control of the Anaheim front office?
Where will four of the needed bottom six forwards come from?
Does Holmgren really believe some Phantoms (JVR for instance) are ready to assume a role on the big club, or is he still intent on filling spots with bargain-ready ex-NHLers to save on the cap?
Is signing Mike Knuble to keep him away from the aggressive Penguins' offer going to put a damper on the plans to fill those needs given the club is just $5 million under the cap?
Let's be clear...I am a fan of the deal in that it provides a need. Pronger, even at 34 and with 15 years in his pocket, brings the right kind of size, attitude, violence and scoring touch the Flyers have needed in forever.
However, why couldn't Homer convince Bob Murray to take Randy Jones, Andrew Alberts or even Ryan Parent? Sbisa showed more promise and potential in his call-up than the above three players displayed in actuality. Did he feel some kind of weird moral obligation to restock the Ducks with what he offered?
Factor in the Ray Emery signing, and you get a picture that is akin to a Jackson Pollock painting: throw everything to the wall and see what sticks. There seems to be no real plan of action except this fragmented belief that if the club signs a bunch of bargain-basement players they will successfully fill out a roster ready for Cup contention.
This couldn't be further from the truth...on paper as well as in perception. I shudder to think what's going to be missed out on and explained away come Wednesday.
The Flames won the Jay-Bo sweepstakes, getting him from Florida for a pittance, namely Jordan Leopold and a third-round pick.
You tell me who got the better deal of the two, and who managed to keep some dignity on the other end...it definitely raises a lot of questions in my mind.
Not that Jay Bouwmeester would be worth what the Flyers eventually gave up for Pronger, but if Florida was willing to send away a chronically-injured second-pairing defenseman and a second-tier draft choice to Calgary, why couldn't the Flyers have worked a deal?
Does this have anything to do with the Flyers' traditional trade practice of blatantly trying to steal players for nothing?
Is there any way Paul Holmgren could have parted with less, since a hard-ass like Brian Burke was no longer in control of the Anaheim front office?
Where will four of the needed bottom six forwards come from?
Does Holmgren really believe some Phantoms (JVR for instance) are ready to assume a role on the big club, or is he still intent on filling spots with bargain-ready ex-NHLers to save on the cap?
Is signing Mike Knuble to keep him away from the aggressive Penguins' offer going to put a damper on the plans to fill those needs given the club is just $5 million under the cap?
Let's be clear...I am a fan of the deal in that it provides a need. Pronger, even at 34 and with 15 years in his pocket, brings the right kind of size, attitude, violence and scoring touch the Flyers have needed in forever.
However, why couldn't Homer convince Bob Murray to take Randy Jones, Andrew Alberts or even Ryan Parent? Sbisa showed more promise and potential in his call-up than the above three players displayed in actuality. Did he feel some kind of weird moral obligation to restock the Ducks with what he offered?
Factor in the Ray Emery signing, and you get a picture that is akin to a Jackson Pollock painting: throw everything to the wall and see what sticks. There seems to be no real plan of action except this fragmented belief that if the club signs a bunch of bargain-basement players they will successfully fill out a roster ready for Cup contention.
This couldn't be further from the truth...on paper as well as in perception. I shudder to think what's going to be missed out on and explained away come Wednesday.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Minor increase for 09-10 Salary Cap
Courtesy of NHL.com
For the first time since the NHL returned from the work stoppage in 2005-06, the League will not see a significant increase in the salary cap.
The NHL and NHLPA agreed Friday -- on the same day the Entry Draft will take place in Montreal -- to set the cap number for 2009-10 at $56.8 million, up just $100,000 from $56.7 million in 2008-09. The floor is $40.8 million and the mid-range limit is $48.8 million.
When the League first introduced the cap in 2005-06, teams were forced to keep salaries under $39 million. That figure rose to $44 million the following season and jumped to $50.3 million in '07-08 before rising again for the just-concluded season.
With the cap ceiling remaining almost where it was last season, general managers will be trying to find ways to improve their teams without the benefit of the extra room they've enjoyed in previous years. Teams expected to have more space to maneuver -- such as the Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings and New York Islanders -- could have a decided advantage over teams up against the cap -- such as the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins -- when free agency gets under way July 1.
For the first time since the NHL returned from the work stoppage in 2005-06, the League will not see a significant increase in the salary cap.
The NHL and NHLPA agreed Friday -- on the same day the Entry Draft will take place in Montreal -- to set the cap number for 2009-10 at $56.8 million, up just $100,000 from $56.7 million in 2008-09. The floor is $40.8 million and the mid-range limit is $48.8 million.
When the League first introduced the cap in 2005-06, teams were forced to keep salaries under $39 million. That figure rose to $44 million the following season and jumped to $50.3 million in '07-08 before rising again for the just-concluded season.
With the cap ceiling remaining almost where it was last season, general managers will be trying to find ways to improve their teams without the benefit of the extra room they've enjoyed in previous years. Teams expected to have more space to maneuver -- such as the Montreal Canadiens, Los Angeles Kings and New York Islanders -- could have a decided advantage over teams up against the cap -- such as the Detroit Red Wings and Philadelphia Flyers and Boston Bruins -- when free agency gets under way July 1.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Holmgen on the draft
Courtesy of the Philadelphia Flyers
Q: Where are you at going into tomorrow, has there been any movement up or down, or anything close to it?
Paul Holmgren: Nothing. A lot of that stuff is just ‘would you have an interest in moving up or down’. A lot of that happens kind of as you get closer to your pick, or the teams you’re talking to as they get closer to theirs, the teams that are ahead of us. They may have a certain player or two players identified who are no longer on the board, so they might be in a position to move back, and we might be in a position to move up. Similar with us, as we get closer to our pick, we might say to whomever, do you have interest in this pick for something later on.
Q: Do you have any preference one way or the other, moving up or down?
PH: Well, to move up it usually costs additional assets or something, and when you’re moving back you’re usually gaining assets. Right now in picking at 21, the odds of us moving up probably aren’t very good. I would say there’s probably a better opportunity to move back. I’m not saying that will happen or not. There are two or three guys we like that we think will be there, but you just never know. Nobody has a crystal ball that’s that clear.
Q: The team has had a lot of success over the years with picks 21 or later – Mike Richards, Gagne, Claude Giroux, Justin Williams, and probably a few other ones. Do you see anyone in this draft that has their ability that those guys had when they were that age?
PH: We think it’s a good draft, just like last year. There’s guys we like there. Are they going to be guys who can come in and play? You don’t know. It’d be hard pressed to say yeah, but you never know what’s going to happen. The league continues to get younger. I’m confident we’re going to get a good player at 21 if we do exercise our pick there.
Q: Who would have the potential for a bigger impact in the NHL in the long run, Tavares or Hedman?
PH: You’re arguing different positions. I think they’re both going to make a tremendous impact probably right away. Hedman’s a great big defenseman who’s been playing with men here for two years, and Tavares is just one of those guys… you ask what he does, and he scores. He scores at every level he’s played at, and he’ll continue to do that. I think his progress, I would suspect it’ll be a little slower because he hasn’t been playing at the level Hedman’s been at. But I don’t know. You’d like to have either of those young players, that’s for sure.
Q: Is the trading going to be that active this year?
PH: Well, there’s a lot of talk right now. So I would suspect there’s going to continue to be more and more talk, and sooner or later there’s going to be a deal that goes down, and that usually starts a domino effect of things. I think the potential for a lot of moves is there right now. I think there’s going to be moves made.
Q: Are you optimistic that you can make a deal for a free agent’s rights over the weekend?
PH: Not really. Right now, you might be better off in any of those scenarios of players that we’ve looked into, it’s a lot for an unknown, whether you can even make any headway. We’ve done this in the past with Nashville, and we just had a clear picture going in, and probably more cap space too. Right now, [being] Thursday, and I’d just as soon wait on those guys that we do have interest in until July 1st.
Q: Do you think you’re still in the [Bouwmeester] movement?
PH: I don’t know. I can say I’ve talked to Florida a number of times, and he hasn’t done anything with them yet to my knowledge, [concerning] his rights, so I’m not sure what that means. It’s only Thursday.
Q: Have you put more hours into this than the deal with Nashville?
PH: I don’t know about more. I would say not more. It’s getting close though. (laughs) I spent a lot of time talking to David (Poile) leading up to that. We obviously didn’t make the playoffs that year and his team got beat in the first round, so we had the month of May, basically, to talk about it, and before it was done, it was June. As I recall, anyway.
Q: You said before you’d have to be creative in order to do something to improve your roster. When you say “creative”, do you think you’re talking about players on your roster now that you might have to give something up in order to get that player to come back in?
PH: Either that, or get creative with a long-term contract, I guess.
Q: Where are you at going into tomorrow, has there been any movement up or down, or anything close to it?
Paul Holmgren: Nothing. A lot of that stuff is just ‘would you have an interest in moving up or down’. A lot of that happens kind of as you get closer to your pick, or the teams you’re talking to as they get closer to theirs, the teams that are ahead of us. They may have a certain player or two players identified who are no longer on the board, so they might be in a position to move back, and we might be in a position to move up. Similar with us, as we get closer to our pick, we might say to whomever, do you have interest in this pick for something later on.
Q: Do you have any preference one way or the other, moving up or down?
PH: Well, to move up it usually costs additional assets or something, and when you’re moving back you’re usually gaining assets. Right now in picking at 21, the odds of us moving up probably aren’t very good. I would say there’s probably a better opportunity to move back. I’m not saying that will happen or not. There are two or three guys we like that we think will be there, but you just never know. Nobody has a crystal ball that’s that clear.
Q: The team has had a lot of success over the years with picks 21 or later – Mike Richards, Gagne, Claude Giroux, Justin Williams, and probably a few other ones. Do you see anyone in this draft that has their ability that those guys had when they were that age?
PH: We think it’s a good draft, just like last year. There’s guys we like there. Are they going to be guys who can come in and play? You don’t know. It’d be hard pressed to say yeah, but you never know what’s going to happen. The league continues to get younger. I’m confident we’re going to get a good player at 21 if we do exercise our pick there.
Q: Who would have the potential for a bigger impact in the NHL in the long run, Tavares or Hedman?
PH: You’re arguing different positions. I think they’re both going to make a tremendous impact probably right away. Hedman’s a great big defenseman who’s been playing with men here for two years, and Tavares is just one of those guys… you ask what he does, and he scores. He scores at every level he’s played at, and he’ll continue to do that. I think his progress, I would suspect it’ll be a little slower because he hasn’t been playing at the level Hedman’s been at. But I don’t know. You’d like to have either of those young players, that’s for sure.
Q: Is the trading going to be that active this year?
PH: Well, there’s a lot of talk right now. So I would suspect there’s going to continue to be more and more talk, and sooner or later there’s going to be a deal that goes down, and that usually starts a domino effect of things. I think the potential for a lot of moves is there right now. I think there’s going to be moves made.
Q: Are you optimistic that you can make a deal for a free agent’s rights over the weekend?
PH: Not really. Right now, you might be better off in any of those scenarios of players that we’ve looked into, it’s a lot for an unknown, whether you can even make any headway. We’ve done this in the past with Nashville, and we just had a clear picture going in, and probably more cap space too. Right now, [being] Thursday, and I’d just as soon wait on those guys that we do have interest in until July 1st.
Q: Do you think you’re still in the [Bouwmeester] movement?
PH: I don’t know. I can say I’ve talked to Florida a number of times, and he hasn’t done anything with them yet to my knowledge, [concerning] his rights, so I’m not sure what that means. It’s only Thursday.
Q: Have you put more hours into this than the deal with Nashville?
PH: I don’t know about more. I would say not more. It’s getting close though. (laughs) I spent a lot of time talking to David (Poile) leading up to that. We obviously didn’t make the playoffs that year and his team got beat in the first round, so we had the month of May, basically, to talk about it, and before it was done, it was June. As I recall, anyway.
Q: You said before you’d have to be creative in order to do something to improve your roster. When you say “creative”, do you think you’re talking about players on your roster now that you might have to give something up in order to get that player to come back in?
PH: Either that, or get creative with a long-term contract, I guess.
Fedorov goes home
Courtesy of the Sports Network
Sergei Fedorov has decided to leave the NHL after 18 seasons.
Due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, the Washington center has signed a two-year contract with Russian club Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.
The 39-year-old registered 11 goals and 22 assists in 52 regular-season games for the Capitals in 2008-09, then compiled a goal and seven assists in 14 playoff contests.
A six-time All-Star, Fedorov is the NHL's all-time leader in games played (1,248), goals (483), assists (696) and points (1,179) among Russian-born players.
Originally selected by Detroit in the fourth round (74th overall) of the 1989 draft, Fedorov donned the winged wheel for 13 seasons, capturing Stanley Cup titles in 1997, '98 and 2002. He also played for Anaheim (2003-05) and Columbus (2005-2008).
Fedorov was awarded the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1994.
Sergei Fedorov has decided to leave the NHL after 18 seasons.
Due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, the Washington center has signed a two-year contract with Russian club Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.
The 39-year-old registered 11 goals and 22 assists in 52 regular-season games for the Capitals in 2008-09, then compiled a goal and seven assists in 14 playoff contests.
A six-time All-Star, Fedorov is the NHL's all-time leader in games played (1,248), goals (483), assists (696) and points (1,179) among Russian-born players.
Originally selected by Detroit in the fourth round (74th overall) of the 1989 draft, Fedorov donned the winged wheel for 13 seasons, capturing Stanley Cup titles in 1997, '98 and 2002. He also played for Anaheim (2003-05) and Columbus (2005-2008).
Fedorov was awarded the Hart Trophy as league MVP in 1994.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Flyers-Bruins at Fenway...details to come
According to Anthony San Filippo of the Delco Times, the Flyers and Bruins will be the marquee New Year's Day matchup at Fenway Park.
Official news to come possibly tomorrow.
Official news to come possibly tomorrow.
Another Sutter returns to Calgary as Flames reshape coaching staff
The Calgary Flames announced their new coaching staff on Tuesday, led by new head coach Brent Sutter.
Sutter, who had resigned earlier in the off-season from his post with the New Jersey Devils due to family reasons, will have former NHLers Ryan McGill, Dave Lowry and Jamie McLennan by his side, having been named assistant coaches.
Sutter, brother of Flames general manager Darryl Sutter, posted a 97-56-11 mark over the last two seasons as head coach of the Devils. The 47-year-old also spent eight seasons behind the bench with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League prior to his jump to the NHL.
The native of Viking, Alberta spent 18 years as a player with the Islanders and Blackhawks from 1980-98, racking up 829 points in 1,111 games, and winning a pair of Stanley Cups with New York.
McGill had been an assistant with the Flames' American Hockey League farm teams in Quad City and Omaha over the last four seasons. The 40-year-old Alberta native recorded 19 points and 391 penalty minutes in 151 NHL games from 1991-95 with three teams.
Lowry, who finished his 19-year NHL career with Calgary in 2004, comes to the club after serving as head coach of the WHL's Calgary Hitmen last season. He was an assistant and associate coach there from 2005-08.
McLennan has been promoted to assistant after serving last season as a scout for the Flames. This will be his first coaching job. The native of Edmonton and former goaltender played in 57 games for Calgary over parts of three seasons during an 11-year pro career.
Sutter, who had resigned earlier in the off-season from his post with the New Jersey Devils due to family reasons, will have former NHLers Ryan McGill, Dave Lowry and Jamie McLennan by his side, having been named assistant coaches.
Sutter, brother of Flames general manager Darryl Sutter, posted a 97-56-11 mark over the last two seasons as head coach of the Devils. The 47-year-old also spent eight seasons behind the bench with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League prior to his jump to the NHL.
The native of Viking, Alberta spent 18 years as a player with the Islanders and Blackhawks from 1980-98, racking up 829 points in 1,111 games, and winning a pair of Stanley Cups with New York.
McGill had been an assistant with the Flames' American Hockey League farm teams in Quad City and Omaha over the last four seasons. The 40-year-old Alberta native recorded 19 points and 391 penalty minutes in 151 NHL games from 1991-95 with three teams.
Lowry, who finished his 19-year NHL career with Calgary in 2004, comes to the club after serving as head coach of the WHL's Calgary Hitmen last season. He was an assistant and associate coach there from 2005-08.
McLennan has been promoted to assistant after serving last season as a scout for the Flames. This will be his first coaching job. The native of Edmonton and former goaltender played in 57 games for Calgary over parts of three seasons during an 11-year pro career.
Hall of Fame Class of 2009 announced
Courtesy of the Sports Network
The 2009 inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame were announced on Tuesday and a star-studded cast of four players and one front office stalwart will be inducted come November 9 in Toronto.
Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch and Luc Robitaille were among the players honored while current New Jersey Devils CEO, president and general manager Lou Lamoriello was elected from the "builder" category.
Yzerman, Hull and Robitaille all won a Stanley Cup together in 2002 while playing for Detroit.
The Hall of Fame's 18-member selection committee permits four player inductees per year. Players eligible are those that have been retired for three seasons.
Yzerman, a 43-year-old who grew up in a suburb of Ottawa, played his entire NHL career for Detroit, leading the Red Wings to three Stanley Cup championships. He retired as the sixth all-time leading points scorer in NHL history with 1,755.
A nine-time All-Star and winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy (1998) for best play in the postseason, "Stevie Y" as he was affectionately known, compiled 692 goals and 1,063 assists during his 22-year career. His best season came in 1988-89 when he recorded 65 goals and 90 assists. He's currently the vice president of the Red Wings.
Hull joins his father, Bobby, in the Hall of Fame. They are the only father- son combination in NHL history to each score 1,000 points. The younger Hull, who is currently the executive vice president of the Dallas Stars, ended his career with 741 goals and 650 assists while playing for Calgary, St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix. He has a pair of Stanley Cup championships.
An eight-time All-Star, the 44-year-old Brett Hull was named the MVP of the league with the Hart Trophy in 1991, the year he notched an amazing 86 goals, which today stands as the third-most ever in a single season, only behind Wayne Gretzky (92 in 1981-82, 87 in 1983-84).
Leetch was a two-time Norris Trophy winner as the league's top defenseman. He ended his career with 247 goals and 781 assists in 1,205 games playing mostly for the New York Rangers, although he finished his career in Boston (2005-06). Leetch also played for Toronto and was a fixture on the U.S. Olympic team, participating in three Winter Games. Last year, Leetch was inducted in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
The most-noted team accomplishment for the 41-year-old Leetch came in 1994 when he helped the Rangers end a 54-year title drought with a Game 7 Stanley Cup win over Vancouver. He was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Award, and is still the only American-born winner of the honor.
Leetch, the seventh-highest scoring defenseman in NHL history, is also the last blue liner to reach 100 points in a single season, which occurred in 1991-92 when he compiled 22 goals and an incredible 80 assists. An 11-time All-Star, he is the career assists leader for the Rangers. Not only that, but Leetch is the only player other than Bobby Orr to win the Calder Trophy, the Norris Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Robitaille called it quits after the 2005-06 season, but by then he was the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history with 668 goals and 726 assists over 1,431 games with the Kings, Penguins, Rangers and Red Wings, in an incredible 19-year career.
The 43-year-old Robitaille, a native of Montreal, broke into the NHL as the top rookie, winning the Calder Trophy in 1987 with Los Angeles after notching 45 goals and 39 assists. He went on to become the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer with 557, seven more than Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne.
Lamoriello, in his 21 seasons guiding the Devils' front office, orchestrated New Jersey's three Stanley Cup championships in 1995, 2000 and 2003 after spending 20 years at the collegiate level with Providence College -- first as a player, then as head coach and athletic director. He joined the Devils organization in 1987-88, also having served as head coach for 53 games from 2005-07.
The 2009 inductees to the Hockey Hall of Fame were announced on Tuesday and a star-studded cast of four players and one front office stalwart will be inducted come November 9 in Toronto.
Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull, Brian Leetch and Luc Robitaille were among the players honored while current New Jersey Devils CEO, president and general manager Lou Lamoriello was elected from the "builder" category.
Yzerman, Hull and Robitaille all won a Stanley Cup together in 2002 while playing for Detroit.
The Hall of Fame's 18-member selection committee permits four player inductees per year. Players eligible are those that have been retired for three seasons.
Yzerman, a 43-year-old who grew up in a suburb of Ottawa, played his entire NHL career for Detroit, leading the Red Wings to three Stanley Cup championships. He retired as the sixth all-time leading points scorer in NHL history with 1,755.
A nine-time All-Star and winner of the Conn Smythe Trophy (1998) for best play in the postseason, "Stevie Y" as he was affectionately known, compiled 692 goals and 1,063 assists during his 22-year career. His best season came in 1988-89 when he recorded 65 goals and 90 assists. He's currently the vice president of the Red Wings.
Hull joins his father, Bobby, in the Hall of Fame. They are the only father- son combination in NHL history to each score 1,000 points. The younger Hull, who is currently the executive vice president of the Dallas Stars, ended his career with 741 goals and 650 assists while playing for Calgary, St. Louis, Dallas, Detroit and Phoenix. He has a pair of Stanley Cup championships.
An eight-time All-Star, the 44-year-old Brett Hull was named the MVP of the league with the Hart Trophy in 1991, the year he notched an amazing 86 goals, which today stands as the third-most ever in a single season, only behind Wayne Gretzky (92 in 1981-82, 87 in 1983-84).
Leetch was a two-time Norris Trophy winner as the league's top defenseman. He ended his career with 247 goals and 781 assists in 1,205 games playing mostly for the New York Rangers, although he finished his career in Boston (2005-06). Leetch also played for Toronto and was a fixture on the U.S. Olympic team, participating in three Winter Games. Last year, Leetch was inducted in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.
The most-noted team accomplishment for the 41-year-old Leetch came in 1994 when he helped the Rangers end a 54-year title drought with a Game 7 Stanley Cup win over Vancouver. He was named the winner of the Conn Smythe Award, and is still the only American-born winner of the honor.
Leetch, the seventh-highest scoring defenseman in NHL history, is also the last blue liner to reach 100 points in a single season, which occurred in 1991-92 when he compiled 22 goals and an incredible 80 assists. An 11-time All-Star, he is the career assists leader for the Rangers. Not only that, but Leetch is the only player other than Bobby Orr to win the Calder Trophy, the Norris Trophy and the Conn Smythe Trophy.
Robitaille called it quits after the 2005-06 season, but by then he was the highest-scoring left winger in NHL history with 668 goals and 726 assists over 1,431 games with the Kings, Penguins, Rangers and Red Wings, in an incredible 19-year career.
The 43-year-old Robitaille, a native of Montreal, broke into the NHL as the top rookie, winning the Calder Trophy in 1987 with Los Angeles after notching 45 goals and 39 assists. He went on to become the franchise's all-time leading goal scorer with 557, seven more than Hall of Famer Marcel Dionne.
Lamoriello, in his 21 seasons guiding the Devils' front office, orchestrated New Jersey's three Stanley Cup championships in 1995, 2000 and 2003 after spending 20 years at the collegiate level with Providence College -- first as a player, then as head coach and athletic director. He joined the Devils organization in 1987-88, also having served as head coach for 53 games from 2005-07.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thoughts on Ovechkin/Crosby
It became evident during the NHL awards ceremony last Thursday in Las Vegas...the rivalry between Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby is rapidly becoming this generation's hockey version of Russell-Chamberlain.
Ovechkin picked up his second consecutive Hart Trophy as the league's MVP (and best overall player).
Crosby did not stand as a victor of any lesser piece of metal, but had his day with the Stanley Cup on June 12.
Ovechkin has a slight overall points edge (420 to 397) to Crosby, and has been named to more post-season all-star selections over their first four years - including 2009 when Crosby didn't even appear on the first or second teams.
Crosby has been surrounded by better players, and hasn't had to outshine the rest to singlehandedly dominate other clubs.
The Penguins have held a strange dominance in playoff matchups with the Capitals, winning seven of eight tries; rebounding from 3-1 series deficits twice, and winning three Game 7's in America's capital among those seven series triumphs.
The parallels are beginning to be laid out in eerie fashion, although the final analysis won't be complete until both men hang up the skates.
Still, it's clear that Crosby and the Pens fill the role of the Celtics and Ovechkin and his Caps seem doomed to play the second-fiddle 76ers. Which means, JUST ONCE, the Caps will have their day while the Pens build consistent winners around the one road block.
This kind of thing has happened before to lesser degrees throughout NHL history: first with the post-50's dynasty Red Wings falling prey continually to the surging Canadiens and Maple Leafs in the 60's as Gordie Howe got older, then with the Bruins of the 70's never able to beat the Bowman-era Canadiens, next as the gritty Flyers of the 80's couldn't eclipse the Oilers' Hall-of-Fame lineups.
On a personal level, you can also read the Gretzky-Lemieux axis of the 80's and 90's in a similar way - Gretz came first and reshaped league history, then Mario followed and the hockey gods seemed to have a huge hand in keeping 66 perpetually second to 99even though Lemieux was a better player overall and had to shoulder a burden by himself for a number of years.
Of course, that story had a semi-happy ending as though the Oilers won four Cups with The Great One, the Pens won twice before fate threw a monkey wrench into the works.
If anything can be said from a supposed neutral writer's perspective, both Crosby and Ovechkin are needed, and are needed to do what they uniquely do to re-shape the league into what it was from roughly 1975-96.
However, from a personal rivalry standpoint which fuels partisanship, Ovechkin clearly takes the cake.
Aside from his wrecking-ball-sized passion every shift (which threatens to take down opposing players and his own teammates, he possesses infinitely more charm and takes himself far less seriously than does Crosby.
He's making throat-slitting gestures at 87 during nationally-televised games and feuding with fellow Russian Malkin, but he's not out of line or crossing lines of taste when doing so...He's making nice with other Washington sports legends and other current stars in other sports like Bron-Bron...He's living the immigrant's dream of being adored for playing a kid's game and treats it all like such.
Conversely, there's ample personal and video evidence that Crosby has little respect for anything outside his own personal circle of influence.
The whining to the refs from Game One of his rookie year...The taint punch against Atlanta this year...the pummeling of Brett McLean during a blowout loss this year...The complaining to the refs in the Washington series that the game was being delayed because home fans greeted Ovie's hat trick with - gasp! - hats...The refusal to stay in line and shake every Red Wings' hand a couple weeks ago...I hope the list doesn't go further than this but it clearly will in successive years.
It's sad, because in previous generations, the worst we had to say about Lemieux is that he shouldn't whine so much because he was 6-4, 230 and could take care of himself. We were in respectful awe of his talent and his perseverance, though, and left the derisive whistles and vulgar chants for Jaromir Jagr.
Same thing for Gretzky. I think I once saw a Flyers fan with half a Gretzky doll whose bottom half was Barbie waist and legs, with a noose around it's neck. We wanted him to stop whining so much while surrounded with all the talent in the universe and goons to spare, but we feared and respected him every two-minute shift of his career.
Crosby, unfortunately, doesn't have the like or respect of many in the NHL, a significant portion of fans in the hockey-savvy cities, and perhaps not of all in his own locker room.
Evgeni Malkin won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, with perhaps the quietest 36points I can remember from one player in a winning year. Maybe it's because he doesn't know English yet and hasn't cut his teeth doing anything else but playing, but he's all business when the skates are on.
He's the Bob Cousy to Crosby's Russell, the cool head against the raging spirit.
And what does Ovechkin have? Nothing yet. Nobody who really complements his style, who is of equal skill and draws some heat so he can freely do what he does best. Imagine if that were so...he'd be a threat to put up early-90's Brett Hull numbers without the wear and tear.
Wilt had Paul Arizin as a Warrior, then for one brilliant season the cast of the 1967championship in Philly. He found himself in the middle of Elgin Baylor and Jerry West as a Laker but only won once in three tries, done in by the better balanced Knicks on two occasions.
It may just be that the Capitals franchise is simply doomed, while the Penguins are charmed.
Think about it...one team is bailed out of bankruptcy not once but thrice, is saved from moving twice, manages to snag two players tagged The Next One roughly 20 years apart, and wins titles during crucial phases in the development of the city and the team itself.
The other got Dale Hunter.
So, please, wise lawyers who control the NHL, now that you've given the Steel City their title, let's start tilting the ice towards a silver chalice with some red, blue and white smudges.
Ovechkin picked up his second consecutive Hart Trophy as the league's MVP (and best overall player).
Crosby did not stand as a victor of any lesser piece of metal, but had his day with the Stanley Cup on June 12.
Ovechkin has a slight overall points edge (420 to 397) to Crosby, and has been named to more post-season all-star selections over their first four years - including 2009 when Crosby didn't even appear on the first or second teams.
Crosby has been surrounded by better players, and hasn't had to outshine the rest to singlehandedly dominate other clubs.
The Penguins have held a strange dominance in playoff matchups with the Capitals, winning seven of eight tries; rebounding from 3-1 series deficits twice, and winning three Game 7's in America's capital among those seven series triumphs.
The parallels are beginning to be laid out in eerie fashion, although the final analysis won't be complete until both men hang up the skates.
Still, it's clear that Crosby and the Pens fill the role of the Celtics and Ovechkin and his Caps seem doomed to play the second-fiddle 76ers. Which means, JUST ONCE, the Caps will have their day while the Pens build consistent winners around the one road block.
This kind of thing has happened before to lesser degrees throughout NHL history: first with the post-50's dynasty Red Wings falling prey continually to the surging Canadiens and Maple Leafs in the 60's as Gordie Howe got older, then with the Bruins of the 70's never able to beat the Bowman-era Canadiens, next as the gritty Flyers of the 80's couldn't eclipse the Oilers' Hall-of-Fame lineups.
On a personal level, you can also read the Gretzky-Lemieux axis of the 80's and 90's in a similar way - Gretz came first and reshaped league history, then Mario followed and the hockey gods seemed to have a huge hand in keeping 66 perpetually second to 99even though Lemieux was a better player overall and had to shoulder a burden by himself for a number of years.
Of course, that story had a semi-happy ending as though the Oilers won four Cups with The Great One, the Pens won twice before fate threw a monkey wrench into the works.
If anything can be said from a supposed neutral writer's perspective, both Crosby and Ovechkin are needed, and are needed to do what they uniquely do to re-shape the league into what it was from roughly 1975-96.
However, from a personal rivalry standpoint which fuels partisanship, Ovechkin clearly takes the cake.
Aside from his wrecking-ball-sized passion every shift (which threatens to take down opposing players and his own teammates, he possesses infinitely more charm and takes himself far less seriously than does Crosby.
He's making throat-slitting gestures at 87 during nationally-televised games and feuding with fellow Russian Malkin, but he's not out of line or crossing lines of taste when doing so...He's making nice with other Washington sports legends and other current stars in other sports like Bron-Bron...He's living the immigrant's dream of being adored for playing a kid's game and treats it all like such.
Conversely, there's ample personal and video evidence that Crosby has little respect for anything outside his own personal circle of influence.
The whining to the refs from Game One of his rookie year...The taint punch against Atlanta this year...the pummeling of Brett McLean during a blowout loss this year...The complaining to the refs in the Washington series that the game was being delayed because home fans greeted Ovie's hat trick with - gasp! - hats...The refusal to stay in line and shake every Red Wings' hand a couple weeks ago...I hope the list doesn't go further than this but it clearly will in successive years.
It's sad, because in previous generations, the worst we had to say about Lemieux is that he shouldn't whine so much because he was 6-4, 230 and could take care of himself. We were in respectful awe of his talent and his perseverance, though, and left the derisive whistles and vulgar chants for Jaromir Jagr.
Same thing for Gretzky. I think I once saw a Flyers fan with half a Gretzky doll whose bottom half was Barbie waist and legs, with a noose around it's neck. We wanted him to stop whining so much while surrounded with all the talent in the universe and goons to spare, but we feared and respected him every two-minute shift of his career.
Crosby, unfortunately, doesn't have the like or respect of many in the NHL, a significant portion of fans in the hockey-savvy cities, and perhaps not of all in his own locker room.
Evgeni Malkin won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP, with perhaps the quietest 36points I can remember from one player in a winning year. Maybe it's because he doesn't know English yet and hasn't cut his teeth doing anything else but playing, but he's all business when the skates are on.
He's the Bob Cousy to Crosby's Russell, the cool head against the raging spirit.
And what does Ovechkin have? Nothing yet. Nobody who really complements his style, who is of equal skill and draws some heat so he can freely do what he does best. Imagine if that were so...he'd be a threat to put up early-90's Brett Hull numbers without the wear and tear.
Wilt had Paul Arizin as a Warrior, then for one brilliant season the cast of the 1967championship in Philly. He found himself in the middle of Elgin Baylor and Jerry West as a Laker but only won once in three tries, done in by the better balanced Knicks on two occasions.
It may just be that the Capitals franchise is simply doomed, while the Penguins are charmed.
Think about it...one team is bailed out of bankruptcy not once but thrice, is saved from moving twice, manages to snag two players tagged The Next One roughly 20 years apart, and wins titles during crucial phases in the development of the city and the team itself.
The other got Dale Hunter.
So, please, wise lawyers who control the NHL, now that you've given the Steel City their title, let's start tilting the ice towards a silver chalice with some red, blue and white smudges.
Back on the Block
Yes, I know it's been a while since I shared my thoughts on the NHL, but the vacation I had 2 weeks ago was too good and the Summer started creeping in and I just care a little bit less about daily content until free agency.
Nevertheless...
I'm dead split on my opinion about the Stanley Cup Finals, particularly Game 7 in Detroit two Fridays ago.
One part of me says it's a great tribute to the balance the club has on its forward lines as well as to the new coaching style of Dan Bylsma that the Pens did not freeze in a deciding game on the road.
It wasn't Sid or Geno or even Guerin who lifted the club to victory, but a pair of goals from, of all people, Max Talbot. That, and the oft-promised but never-shown brilliance of Marc-Andre Fleury - demonstrated at no greater time than when he smothered Nik Lidstrom's open chance from the left circle with four seconds remaining.
The team itself played disciplined, tough, patient and opportunistic hockey, all without resorting to a blatant trap. And yes, they had a suspicious amount of luck on their side, as in, not having a shorthanded situation until the third period or...that deflection with 2 1/2 minutes left that clanked off the crossbar behind a frozen and unaware Fleury.
But...the other part says the defending Stanley Cup champions unleashed a choke job unlike any I've seen since I started watching hockey in 1984. A Game 7, on home ice, to defend a title that was well within reach, and Detroit came up very small. It was the first time since 1971 that a team with home-ice lost in a Cup Final Game 7, but that club, the Chicago Blackhawks, was far inferior to the Canadiens of the period. These Wings had a similar high-powered, stocked roster, the comfort of Hockeytown, the confidence of a title from the previous year, and the knowledge of the same team they beat and couldn't pull it off.
Chris Osgood might really never live down his rep as a choker, since both goals he let up were ugly. The first, he could have closed any part of his body to stop Talbot's wraparound. On the second, he hugged the near post, but left exactly ALL of the far side open for Max to roof it.
I think the edge really goes to the regime change behind the Pens' bench. Michel Therrien probably would have called everyone some mangled Franglish names to the media after losing that horrid Game 5. Instead, Bylsma instituted the same kind of calm one-for-all approach (the kind John Stevens probably is too un-self-aware to wish he possessed) which produced the last two narrow wins.
Oh, yeah, and...forget about Marian Hossa. His "spurning" of the Pens for a one-year deal with the Wings was not the real storyline. Rather, it was his continued, yearly shrinkage into the rink ads which defines his true measure as a player. You can't tell me he wouldn't have been equally useless to Pittsburgh if he had remained on the other side.
Nevertheless...
I'm dead split on my opinion about the Stanley Cup Finals, particularly Game 7 in Detroit two Fridays ago.
One part of me says it's a great tribute to the balance the club has on its forward lines as well as to the new coaching style of Dan Bylsma that the Pens did not freeze in a deciding game on the road.
It wasn't Sid or Geno or even Guerin who lifted the club to victory, but a pair of goals from, of all people, Max Talbot. That, and the oft-promised but never-shown brilliance of Marc-Andre Fleury - demonstrated at no greater time than when he smothered Nik Lidstrom's open chance from the left circle with four seconds remaining.
The team itself played disciplined, tough, patient and opportunistic hockey, all without resorting to a blatant trap. And yes, they had a suspicious amount of luck on their side, as in, not having a shorthanded situation until the third period or...that deflection with 2 1/2 minutes left that clanked off the crossbar behind a frozen and unaware Fleury.
But...the other part says the defending Stanley Cup champions unleashed a choke job unlike any I've seen since I started watching hockey in 1984. A Game 7, on home ice, to defend a title that was well within reach, and Detroit came up very small. It was the first time since 1971 that a team with home-ice lost in a Cup Final Game 7, but that club, the Chicago Blackhawks, was far inferior to the Canadiens of the period. These Wings had a similar high-powered, stocked roster, the comfort of Hockeytown, the confidence of a title from the previous year, and the knowledge of the same team they beat and couldn't pull it off.
Chris Osgood might really never live down his rep as a choker, since both goals he let up were ugly. The first, he could have closed any part of his body to stop Talbot's wraparound. On the second, he hugged the near post, but left exactly ALL of the far side open for Max to roof it.
I think the edge really goes to the regime change behind the Pens' bench. Michel Therrien probably would have called everyone some mangled Franglish names to the media after losing that horrid Game 5. Instead, Bylsma instituted the same kind of calm one-for-all approach (the kind John Stevens probably is too un-self-aware to wish he possessed) which produced the last two narrow wins.
Oh, yeah, and...forget about Marian Hossa. His "spurning" of the Pens for a one-year deal with the Wings was not the real storyline. Rather, it was his continued, yearly shrinkage into the rink ads which defines his true measure as a player. You can't tell me he wouldn't have been equally useless to Pittsburgh if he had remained on the other side.
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Canadiens close to being sold back to brewing giants Molson
Current Montreal Canadiens owner George Gillett, Jr. has reached an agreement in principle with the Molson family to sell the club back to the renowned brewing giants.
The announcement was made on Saturday that Gillett will sell his majority stake in the Canadiens and their home arena, the Bell Centre. A news conference will be held as soon as the details of the agreement are finalized.
"Our family has been very proud to be associated with the Montreal Canadiens over the past eight years and particularly to be a part of their Centennial season," Gillett said in a statement. "I am fully confident that the Molson brothers, who have been a great part of the heritage of the club, will ensure the preservation and development of this great sports institution."
The Montreal Gazette quoted a report from French-language channel RDS that the sale will be completed for over $500 million.
Gillett had purchased an 80.1 percent stake in the storied franchise as well as a 100 percent share on what was then called the Molson Centre on January 31, 2001, but with a promise that the American-born businessman would not move the team.
Molson Breweries of Canada, Ltd. had been the owners of the NHL's longest- tenured team since August, 1978 until Gillett's successful bid. The Molson family also owned the team from 1957 until 1971.
"This is an exciting time for our family and we are grateful to the many people and organizations who came forward to offer their collaboration in the development of our proposal," said Geoff Molson, family spokesperson.
Finalizing the terms of the sale are contingent upon approval by the league's Board of Governors, which is not expected to happen until late August.
Despite a restocked roster with some bona-fide talent from the province of Quebec, the Canadiens stumbled in their 100th season to a 41-30-11 record and a first-round playoff exit in a four-game sweep to bitter rival Boston.
The announcement was made on Saturday that Gillett will sell his majority stake in the Canadiens and their home arena, the Bell Centre. A news conference will be held as soon as the details of the agreement are finalized.
"Our family has been very proud to be associated with the Montreal Canadiens over the past eight years and particularly to be a part of their Centennial season," Gillett said in a statement. "I am fully confident that the Molson brothers, who have been a great part of the heritage of the club, will ensure the preservation and development of this great sports institution."
The Montreal Gazette quoted a report from French-language channel RDS that the sale will be completed for over $500 million.
Gillett had purchased an 80.1 percent stake in the storied franchise as well as a 100 percent share on what was then called the Molson Centre on January 31, 2001, but with a promise that the American-born businessman would not move the team.
Molson Breweries of Canada, Ltd. had been the owners of the NHL's longest- tenured team since August, 1978 until Gillett's successful bid. The Molson family also owned the team from 1957 until 1971.
"This is an exciting time for our family and we are grateful to the many people and organizations who came forward to offer their collaboration in the development of our proposal," said Geoff Molson, family spokesperson.
Finalizing the terms of the sale are contingent upon approval by the league's Board of Governors, which is not expected to happen until late August.
Despite a restocked roster with some bona-fide talent from the province of Quebec, the Canadiens stumbled in their 100th season to a 41-30-11 record and a first-round playoff exit in a four-game sweep to bitter rival Boston.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Whalercanes welcome back Maurice with new contract
The Carolina Hurricanes announced Monday that they have signed head coach Paul Maurice to a three-year contract.
Terms of the deal were not released.
In addition, the club announced that Ron Francis will return as associate head coach and become the director of player personnel, while Tom Barrasso will become an assistant coach after previously serving as goaltending coach.
The 41-year-old Maurice returned this past season for his second tour of duty as the Hurricanes' head coach. In the final 57 games of the 2008-09 season, Carolina went 33-19-5 and earned a trip to the Eastern Conference finals.
He was the first head coach for the Hurricanes after the team moved from Hartford, becoming the head coach of the Whalers during the 1995-96 season at the age of 29.
Maurice remained in charge until 2003-04, when he was fired after 30 games as the team was in a rebulding phase. He then coached for two seasons with the Maple Leafs (2006-08) before returning to the Hurricanes this season.
The one-time draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers is the all-time winningest coach in franchise history, with 301 wins in 731 games coached with the Whalers/Hurricanes.
Terms of the deal were not released.
In addition, the club announced that Ron Francis will return as associate head coach and become the director of player personnel, while Tom Barrasso will become an assistant coach after previously serving as goaltending coach.
The 41-year-old Maurice returned this past season for his second tour of duty as the Hurricanes' head coach. In the final 57 games of the 2008-09 season, Carolina went 33-19-5 and earned a trip to the Eastern Conference finals.
He was the first head coach for the Hurricanes after the team moved from Hartford, becoming the head coach of the Whalers during the 1995-96 season at the age of 29.
Maurice remained in charge until 2003-04, when he was fired after 30 games as the team was in a rebulding phase. He then coached for two seasons with the Maple Leafs (2006-08) before returning to the Hurricanes this season.
The one-time draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers is the all-time winningest coach in franchise history, with 301 wins in 731 games coached with the Whalers/Hurricanes.
Hatcher finally calls it quits
Flyers defenseman Derian Hatcher announced his retirement from the NHL on Monday and was subsequently named Philadelphia's new player development coach.
Hatcher, who missed all of this past season due to a right knee injury that eventually required knee replacement surgery, takes over a role previously held by Eric Desjardins. Another former Flyers defenseman, Desjardins vacated the role to pursue other business interests.
"We are pleased to add Derian to our coaching staff in this very important capacity," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. "Derian will spend valuable time with the young players throughout our organization, working on their on-ice game as well as helping these young players deal with the issues playing and/or preparing to play professional hockey."
The 37-year-old had spent parts of the last four seasons with the Flyers and was named their 14th captain in team history on January 29, 2006, a role he held until September of that year. Hatcher also won a Stanley Cup title with the Dallas Stars in 1999, becoming the only American-born player to captain a club to a Stanley Cup championship.
In 1,045 career regular-season games, Hatcher posted 80 goals, 251 assists, 331 points and 1,581 penalty minutes with Minnesota/Dallas, Detroit and Philadelphia. He also had 33 points in 133 career playoff games.
The Michigan-born defender was drafted eighth overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1990 and is a two-time Olympic skater with the United States.
Hatcher, who missed all of this past season due to a right knee injury that eventually required knee replacement surgery, takes over a role previously held by Eric Desjardins. Another former Flyers defenseman, Desjardins vacated the role to pursue other business interests.
"We are pleased to add Derian to our coaching staff in this very important capacity," said Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren. "Derian will spend valuable time with the young players throughout our organization, working on their on-ice game as well as helping these young players deal with the issues playing and/or preparing to play professional hockey."
The 37-year-old had spent parts of the last four seasons with the Flyers and was named their 14th captain in team history on January 29, 2006, a role he held until September of that year. Hatcher also won a Stanley Cup title with the Dallas Stars in 1999, becoming the only American-born player to captain a club to a Stanley Cup championship.
In 1,045 career regular-season games, Hatcher posted 80 goals, 251 assists, 331 points and 1,581 penalty minutes with Minnesota/Dallas, Detroit and Philadelphia. He also had 33 points in 133 career playoff games.
The Michigan-born defender was drafted eighth overall by the Minnesota North Stars in 1990 and is a two-time Olympic skater with the United States.
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