While listening to the Penguins-Devils radio broadcast last night on Pittsburgh's 105.9 WXDX, I heard a story from color-man and ex-Penguin Phil Bourque (he's the Bourque with two Stanley Cup rings, mind you) that I hadn't heard before.
Devils goalie Kevin Weekes was brought in this year to back up future HHOF'er Martin Brodeur. Weekes, throughout his career, including stints with Carolina and the NY Rangers, had worn #80, as a tribute to legend NFL wide receiver Jerry Rice. When he got to New Jersey this year, he initially donned the number until one day during the pre-season when he walked into the locker room to discover all of is equipment had been changed to #1. Apparently, Mr. New Jersey Devil, Lou Lamoriello, had told the Devils' equipment guy to go into the locker room and change Weeks' number - no questions asked and without Weekes' knowledge or permission. Lamoriello is an "old school" guy and doesn't allow his players to wear high numbers. Weekes and Lamoriello never spoke about it - Weekes just accepted it because he wanted to be part of the team and moved on. Lamoriello is a system guy, a team guy, and doesn't like anybody to stand out from the pack.
You can't argue with success; but still, I don't know whether to love or hate Lou for something like this. It's approaching, but not quite, Steinbrenner territory.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Tortorella questions again?!
Listen, I understand the Lightning haven't won a road game yet. I understand they were up 4-1 on home ice vs. Atlanta and ended up losing 6-4. But what I don't understand is why every year since winning the Stanley Cup, questions about Head Coach John Tortorella's job have arisen.
NEWSFLASH: Filip Kuba and Brad Lukowich are your top two on Defense! Johan Holmqvist and Marc Denis are your one-two in net!
You have about half your salary being paid to three forwards (Lecavalier, St. Louis, Richards). Sure they're great forwards and worth the money they make, but you need some Defense, man!
Maybe Jay Feaster should have kept Khabibulin and let one of those three go. This has been their problem since they won the Cup and will continue to be their problem until they let one of them go.
In this scenario, Tampa Bay is a good team - a playoff team most years. But that's all they are and all they will be until one of the big three forwards leaves town. Everyone needs to accept this and get off of Tortorella's back.
Tsn.ca article
NEWSFLASH: Filip Kuba and Brad Lukowich are your top two on Defense! Johan Holmqvist and Marc Denis are your one-two in net!
You have about half your salary being paid to three forwards (Lecavalier, St. Louis, Richards). Sure they're great forwards and worth the money they make, but you need some Defense, man!
Maybe Jay Feaster should have kept Khabibulin and let one of those three go. This has been their problem since they won the Cup and will continue to be their problem until they let one of them go.
In this scenario, Tampa Bay is a good team - a playoff team most years. But that's all they are and all they will be until one of the big three forwards leaves town. Everyone needs to accept this and get off of Tortorella's back.
Tsn.ca article
Flyers/Pens Preview (more numbers)
You should know by now that the Penguins swept the Flyers last year - 8-0. Yep...
Philly got shutout by the Rangers on Monday, while the Penguins shutout the Devils.
Flyers- 4-0 home, 4-5 road.
Philly is getting outshot badly. They have only outshot their opponents 3 times this season.
In their last 7 games, they have been outshot by a combined 101 shots! That includes getting outshot by 20 vs NJ (win), 19 by Florida (loss), 22 by MTL (loss) and last night by 15 vs NYR (loss). Unreal.
Because of that, Martin Biron has been standing on his head every night. If it weren't for him, Philly would maybe be a .500 team.
He's seen 396 shots in only 11 games. The only 2 goalies to see more rubber this season have played in more games: Kiprusoff - 398 in 15, Vokoun - 420 in 13.
If the Pens outshoot the Flyers badly like every other team has been, and they still can't score, then something's really wrong with the Pens. But they will score. Crosby plays up for big games and every time the Penguins play the Flyers it's a huge game.
Only questions are:
1) Could Sabourin keeps it up?
2) Can any Penguins besides Sid and Geno score?
3) Is Simon Gagne over his concussion-like symptoms?
4) Can Joffrey Lupul convert some more of his shots on goal? (Lupul is 2nd on the team in SOG, but only has an 11.1 Shooting Percentage. The only other regular forward with a lower percentage is R.J. Umberger, who started the season injured.)
Philly got shutout by the Rangers on Monday, while the Penguins shutout the Devils.
Flyers- 4-0 home, 4-5 road.
Philly is getting outshot badly. They have only outshot their opponents 3 times this season.
In their last 7 games, they have been outshot by a combined 101 shots! That includes getting outshot by 20 vs NJ (win), 19 by Florida (loss), 22 by MTL (loss) and last night by 15 vs NYR (loss). Unreal.
Because of that, Martin Biron has been standing on his head every night. If it weren't for him, Philly would maybe be a .500 team.
He's seen 396 shots in only 11 games. The only 2 goalies to see more rubber this season have played in more games: Kiprusoff - 398 in 15, Vokoun - 420 in 13.
If the Pens outshoot the Flyers badly like every other team has been, and they still can't score, then something's really wrong with the Pens. But they will score. Crosby plays up for big games and every time the Penguins play the Flyers it's a huge game.
Only questions are:
1) Could Sabourin keeps it up?
2) Can any Penguins besides Sid and Geno score?
3) Is Simon Gagne over his concussion-like symptoms?
4) Can Joffrey Lupul convert some more of his shots on goal? (Lupul is 2nd on the team in SOG, but only has an 11.1 Shooting Percentage. The only other regular forward with a lower percentage is R.J. Umberger, who started the season injured.)
Monday, November 5, 2007
Running Some Easy Numbers
One of my favorite stats to keep tabs on NHL teams to help determine who's better than who when teams have similar point totals or who's better or worse than their record may show is goal differential. Total goals scored - Total goals scored against = goal differential. It's sort of a plus/minus for teams rather than players.
Not surprisingly, the top three teams p0ints-wise are also tops in goal differential:
1. Ottawa + 19
2. Detroit +18
3. Carolina +16
And the bottom 3 are all within the bottom 3 of their respective conferences points-wise:
30. Atlanta -20
29. Edmonton -15
28. Tampa Bay -8
But here's the interesting numbers:
-The Northwest-leading Minnesota Wild have the 3rd most points in the league (18), but is merely 8th overall (+4) in G.D.
-Columbus and the New York Rangers have an NHL best 23 goals against so far, but Columbus is +13 in G.D., while the Rangers have scored an NHL-worst 23 goals leaving them with an even (0) G.D. Atlanta has the worst G.D., as posted above, but have scored 14 more goals on the season than the Rangers.
-Toronto must be playing some wild games considering they have matched Atlanta's terrible goals against number (57), but are only a -5 and tied for 5th in the Eastern standings. Toskala? Raycroft? McCabe? Bueller?
- While the Sharks lead the Pacific in the standings, they have a -1 goal differential. Oddly enough this is tied for best G.D. in their division (Los Angeles). That's right - no team in the Pacific has even matched the amount of goals they've given up yet. Funny, considering I heard someone on the NHL Network describe the Southeast division as the "Southleast" again. At least the Southeast has Carolina; who's the other non-traditional division got right now?
Home Vs. Road
Philadelphia - Undefeated at home (4-0), .500 on road (4-4)
NY Rangers - 6-2 at MSG, 1 point in 5 road games (0-4-1)
Tampa Bay - 5-1-1 at home, 0-6 on the road. Good enough for 13th place in the east. Ouch.
San Jose - 1-3 at home, 6-3-1 on the road. They must have a thing for the road whites.
Colorado - 6-1 at home, 2-4 on road.
Vancouver and Phoenix - both 1-6 at home. Phoenix I can understand, but Vancouver winning one out of seven games at home is crazy. I don't care who's not scoring for the Canucks (apparently everybody).
Not surprisingly, the top three teams p0ints-wise are also tops in goal differential:
1. Ottawa + 19
2. Detroit +18
3. Carolina +16
And the bottom 3 are all within the bottom 3 of their respective conferences points-wise:
30. Atlanta -20
29. Edmonton -15
28. Tampa Bay -8
But here's the interesting numbers:
-The Northwest-leading Minnesota Wild have the 3rd most points in the league (18), but is merely 8th overall (+4) in G.D.
-Columbus and the New York Rangers have an NHL best 23 goals against so far, but Columbus is +13 in G.D., while the Rangers have scored an NHL-worst 23 goals leaving them with an even (0) G.D. Atlanta has the worst G.D., as posted above, but have scored 14 more goals on the season than the Rangers.
-Toronto must be playing some wild games considering they have matched Atlanta's terrible goals against number (57), but are only a -5 and tied for 5th in the Eastern standings. Toskala? Raycroft? McCabe? Bueller?
- While the Sharks lead the Pacific in the standings, they have a -1 goal differential. Oddly enough this is tied for best G.D. in their division (Los Angeles). That's right - no team in the Pacific has even matched the amount of goals they've given up yet. Funny, considering I heard someone on the NHL Network describe the Southeast division as the "Southleast" again. At least the Southeast has Carolina; who's the other non-traditional division got right now?
Home Vs. Road
Philadelphia - Undefeated at home (4-0), .500 on road (4-4)
NY Rangers - 6-2 at MSG, 1 point in 5 road games (0-4-1)
Tampa Bay - 5-1-1 at home, 0-6 on the road. Good enough for 13th place in the east. Ouch.
San Jose - 1-3 at home, 6-3-1 on the road. They must have a thing for the road whites.
Colorado - 6-1 at home, 2-4 on road.
Vancouver and Phoenix - both 1-6 at home. Phoenix I can understand, but Vancouver winning one out of seven games at home is crazy. I don't care who's not scoring for the Canucks (apparently everybody).
Fanfare for Rivalry Weeks
Can you feel the excitement in the NHL-air?
Surely you noticed the plethora of billboards, newspaper ads, tv spots about the next two weeks? And talk radio is abuzz with enough chatter about the NHL's first Rivalry Weeks to make you forget all about who won the Colts-Patriots matchup yesterday.
Maybe if the NHL weren't guided by such incompetency...
I have to give the league credit for coming up with a positive in terms of scheduling and making the most out of the 8 divisional games each team will play against each other.
Twice this season, including the last two weeks of the regular season, every team will play from 7-9 straight games against their divisional rivals. Yes, it's only November, and the end of the season Rivalry Weeks will have more importance and excitement - but, does anyone even know it's happening right now?
I wouldn't be surprised if a number of dedicated hockey fans had no idea these Rivalry Weeks were even taking place and won't until some time next week when they start cursing the NHL schedule makers because the Preds are playing the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks for the second week in a row!
Again, I give the NHL credit for having a good idea and attempting to make the 8 divisional games mean more and hopefully be played with more vigor than usual. But, ultimately, it's the same problem as having a great on-ice product filled with young superstars, but no one is watching because you're on the VS network.
One step forward, two steps back.
The NHL obviously knows nothing about selling the game. Do the next two weeks even have a proper name? Is it Rivalry Weeks? I think I made that up.
God help us all.
Surely you noticed the plethora of billboards, newspaper ads, tv spots about the next two weeks? And talk radio is abuzz with enough chatter about the NHL's first Rivalry Weeks to make you forget all about who won the Colts-Patriots matchup yesterday.
Maybe if the NHL weren't guided by such incompetency...
I have to give the league credit for coming up with a positive in terms of scheduling and making the most out of the 8 divisional games each team will play against each other.
Twice this season, including the last two weeks of the regular season, every team will play from 7-9 straight games against their divisional rivals. Yes, it's only November, and the end of the season Rivalry Weeks will have more importance and excitement - but, does anyone even know it's happening right now?
I wouldn't be surprised if a number of dedicated hockey fans had no idea these Rivalry Weeks were even taking place and won't until some time next week when they start cursing the NHL schedule makers because the Preds are playing the Blue Jackets and Blackhawks for the second week in a row!
Again, I give the NHL credit for having a good idea and attempting to make the 8 divisional games mean more and hopefully be played with more vigor than usual. But, ultimately, it's the same problem as having a great on-ice product filled with young superstars, but no one is watching because you're on the VS network.
One step forward, two steps back.
The NHL obviously knows nothing about selling the game. Do the next two weeks even have a proper name? Is it Rivalry Weeks? I think I made that up.
God help us all.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Super Saturday #1
Nobody likes being sick, but when you're like me and come down with a fever and can't go out on the NHL's 1st Super Saturday of the season - it's not a bad thing at all.
14 games, 28 of 30 teams in action. I <3 the Center Ice package.
I flipped around between mainly the following:
7:00 - Hockey Night In Canada - Habs/Leafs
Great way to start the evening. Toronto-Montreal Hockey Night in Canada should be the season kick-off game every year, American ratings be damned.
Great game, great action, great rivalry. People think Toronto is a playoff team and Montreal isn't, but huge games like this often balance the teams out.
I plum forgot that Vesa Toskala was a Leaf now. Andrew Raycroft can't keep a #1 job to save his life. But, to be honest, I didn't think goaltending was the Leafs problem last year. Leafs fans might have a different view, as his Wikipedia page is currently being protected from vandalism.
Note to DIRECTV: when a hockey game is tied after the 3rd period, and the broadcast goes to commercial, THE GAME IS NOT OVER! Do not cut the feed off! I could almost see if they did it at the end of Overtime and forgot there was a Shootout, but COME ON! This is the 2nd major Center Ice flub I've seen this year - with the 1st being when the wrong Fox Sports Net feed was routed to the Center Ice channel, preventing me from taking in the pre-game and 1st period of game #1 between the Kings-Ducks in London.
I would have really liked to see the conclusion of this one, with Tomas Kaberle netting the 4-3 OT winner. I guess they put it back on at some point, but I had given up flipping back by that point and stuck to other games.
7:30 - Ducks/Penguins
Not a surprising turn of events given the Ducks awful schedule combined with the Pens lackluster start in Carolina. The Pens had a weak 1st and then turned it on in the 2nd and the tired Ducks just couldn't keep up.
Marc-Andre Fleury needs to pick things up. He's been a capable goalie for a few years now, but it's time to show he's the real deal. I know he's 22, but the Penguins are ready to go deep and if Fleury doesn't play great he could play himself out of a Stanley Cup. His contract extension also expires after this year, so there should be no lack of incentive for "The Flower" to step up.
I missed the flurry of goals that started the 2nd, but Petr Sykora's 2+2=4 performance in under 14 mintues of ice-time made GM Ray Shero look like a smart man.
I had always thought Sykora would be a great fit in Pittsburgh ever since he had the production drop and subsequent falling out with management in Anaheim. When he was bouncing around from the Ducks, to the Rangers, and finally the Oilers, I couldn't understand why Pittsburgh never came up in discussions of Sykora's next destination. There was such a void of European scoring talent on the Pens left by the departures of Jagr, Kovalev, Straka, and even to some extent - Morozov, that Sykora seemed like a perfect candidate to fill. At only 30 years old, and surrounded by a wealth of young talent, look for Petr Sykora to return to his former production this season.
Quick note: Ryan Malone really picked that corner on the last Pens goal. He had a lot of time and space 1-on-1 with the goalie, but that goal was crucial and Malone could use to bury a few more of those.
8:00 - Flyers/Oilers
Daniel Briere has 3 goals in 2 games as a Flyer and two of them have been absolute beauties. Even the third (first in sequential order) was pretty nice and showed a lot of skill down low. I know it's early, but he certainly looks like he's earning that huge contract so many were quick to criticize. However, Danny couldn't save the Flyers on his birthday.
A few bad bounces did them in vs. the Oilers Saturday night. They looked poised to take over the game, but allowed Edmonton to tie it back up with :04 left in the 2nd period. It hurt their momentum, which was lost for good when Martin Biron made a save and let the rebound pop out to the slot where it bounced off the snowplowing Mike Knuble and back past Biron.
Knuble's skate = Edmonton's GWG.
I was surprised by Edmonton's performance. It will be interesting to see where they'll end up in the West, because it's a bit of a mystery at this point.
Other action:
Hurricanes/Capitals
First of all, thank God that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (Caps regional network) finally upgraded their video/broadcast equipment. They had such horrible quality video for the last few years that I actually couldn't bring myself to watch much of Alexander Ovechkin because of it. It was really that bad. They went from fuzzy home camcorder last year to HD this year. Plus, those new Capitals sweaters' look sweet.
The little I saw of this game I was keeping an eye on rookie Nicklas Backstrom, whom looked lost out there. I don't know if it's the smaller ice surface, or new teammates, or the speed of the NHL game, but Backstrom was a step behind and a little out of position on the few shifts I saw of his. I was left wanting more, but I'm sure we'll get it soon enough from the kid.
Red Wings/Blackhawks
I actually brought myself to watch the Red Wings play, if you can believe it. I really wanted to see the 'Hawks. I finally saw how the injury to Martin Havlat went down. So unfortunate. It was really so innocent and he was so pissed going off the ice because he knew it was the same injury he just had repaired twice and he knew it was bad. It reminded me of the Milton Bradley incident from a few weeks ago in MLB.
It was good to see the 'Hawks had so many in attendance on a night the Cubs had a playoff game. 18,768 is a damn good crowd and good enough for a sellout in many other cities. Hockey isn't dead in Chicago; William Wirtz just killed it.
Anyway, it was good to see the 'Hawks get 2 points from the Wings in front of that kind of crowd on that kind of night. It was great to see Patrick Kane deke and score on the Dominator for the deciding score - even if it was in the Shootout.
14 games, 28 of 30 teams in action. I <3 the Center Ice package.
I flipped around between mainly the following:
7:00 - Hockey Night In Canada - Habs/Leafs
Great way to start the evening. Toronto-Montreal Hockey Night in Canada should be the season kick-off game every year, American ratings be damned.
Great game, great action, great rivalry. People think Toronto is a playoff team and Montreal isn't, but huge games like this often balance the teams out.
I plum forgot that Vesa Toskala was a Leaf now. Andrew Raycroft can't keep a #1 job to save his life. But, to be honest, I didn't think goaltending was the Leafs problem last year. Leafs fans might have a different view, as his Wikipedia page is currently being protected from vandalism.
Note to DIRECTV: when a hockey game is tied after the 3rd period, and the broadcast goes to commercial, THE GAME IS NOT OVER! Do not cut the feed off! I could almost see if they did it at the end of Overtime and forgot there was a Shootout, but COME ON! This is the 2nd major Center Ice flub I've seen this year - with the 1st being when the wrong Fox Sports Net feed was routed to the Center Ice channel, preventing me from taking in the pre-game and 1st period of game #1 between the Kings-Ducks in London.
I would have really liked to see the conclusion of this one, with Tomas Kaberle netting the 4-3 OT winner. I guess they put it back on at some point, but I had given up flipping back by that point and stuck to other games.
7:30 - Ducks/Penguins
Not a surprising turn of events given the Ducks awful schedule combined with the Pens lackluster start in Carolina. The Pens had a weak 1st and then turned it on in the 2nd and the tired Ducks just couldn't keep up.
Marc-Andre Fleury needs to pick things up. He's been a capable goalie for a few years now, but it's time to show he's the real deal. I know he's 22, but the Penguins are ready to go deep and if Fleury doesn't play great he could play himself out of a Stanley Cup. His contract extension also expires after this year, so there should be no lack of incentive for "The Flower" to step up.
I missed the flurry of goals that started the 2nd, but Petr Sykora's 2+2=4 performance in under 14 mintues of ice-time made GM Ray Shero look like a smart man.
I had always thought Sykora would be a great fit in Pittsburgh ever since he had the production drop and subsequent falling out with management in Anaheim. When he was bouncing around from the Ducks, to the Rangers, and finally the Oilers, I couldn't understand why Pittsburgh never came up in discussions of Sykora's next destination. There was such a void of European scoring talent on the Pens left by the departures of Jagr, Kovalev, Straka, and even to some extent - Morozov, that Sykora seemed like a perfect candidate to fill. At only 30 years old, and surrounded by a wealth of young talent, look for Petr Sykora to return to his former production this season.
Quick note: Ryan Malone really picked that corner on the last Pens goal. He had a lot of time and space 1-on-1 with the goalie, but that goal was crucial and Malone could use to bury a few more of those.
8:00 - Flyers/Oilers
Daniel Briere has 3 goals in 2 games as a Flyer and two of them have been absolute beauties. Even the third (first in sequential order) was pretty nice and showed a lot of skill down low. I know it's early, but he certainly looks like he's earning that huge contract so many were quick to criticize. However, Danny couldn't save the Flyers on his birthday.
A few bad bounces did them in vs. the Oilers Saturday night. They looked poised to take over the game, but allowed Edmonton to tie it back up with :04 left in the 2nd period. It hurt their momentum, which was lost for good when Martin Biron made a save and let the rebound pop out to the slot where it bounced off the snowplowing Mike Knuble and back past Biron.
Knuble's skate = Edmonton's GWG.
I was surprised by Edmonton's performance. It will be interesting to see where they'll end up in the West, because it's a bit of a mystery at this point.
Other action:
Hurricanes/Capitals
First of all, thank God that Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic (Caps regional network) finally upgraded their video/broadcast equipment. They had such horrible quality video for the last few years that I actually couldn't bring myself to watch much of Alexander Ovechkin because of it. It was really that bad. They went from fuzzy home camcorder last year to HD this year. Plus, those new Capitals sweaters' look sweet.
The little I saw of this game I was keeping an eye on rookie Nicklas Backstrom, whom looked lost out there. I don't know if it's the smaller ice surface, or new teammates, or the speed of the NHL game, but Backstrom was a step behind and a little out of position on the few shifts I saw of his. I was left wanting more, but I'm sure we'll get it soon enough from the kid.
Red Wings/Blackhawks
I actually brought myself to watch the Red Wings play, if you can believe it. I really wanted to see the 'Hawks. I finally saw how the injury to Martin Havlat went down. So unfortunate. It was really so innocent and he was so pissed going off the ice because he knew it was the same injury he just had repaired twice and he knew it was bad. It reminded me of the Milton Bradley incident from a few weeks ago in MLB.
It was good to see the 'Hawks had so many in attendance on a night the Cubs had a playoff game. 18,768 is a damn good crowd and good enough for a sellout in many other cities. Hockey isn't dead in Chicago; William Wirtz just killed it.
Anyway, it was good to see the 'Hawks get 2 points from the Wings in front of that kind of crowd on that kind of night. It was great to see Patrick Kane deke and score on the Dominator for the deciding score - even if it was in the Shootout.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
The Business of Branding and Marketing
The NHL has had so many missed opportunities and failed ventures in the arena of marketing that any endeavor which doesn't make us real fans cringe is seen as an enormous triumph.
We know the NHL has the stars, the drama, the action, the skill, the artistry, the physicality, the passion of any other sport on earth - even eclipsing the other sports in many of these categories. But the problem is that "we" are a small bunch. We had to seek it out, and hold on when it went away, and stick up for it while it was assaulted by every pundit, sports journalist and talk show host imaginable (not that the criticisms were undeserved).
And whether or not you find such matters fascinating, boring, or confusing, it's good to know that the NHL appears to have an excellent candidate, ex-NFL executive John Collins, in position to at least put the league back on America's radar; if not catapult it into the mainstream. (Here's hoping, anyway...)
I also like the mention of the league ad campaigns that will slow down the game like NFL films does. Excellent move.
"Brandweek" article from 10/1
We know the NHL has the stars, the drama, the action, the skill, the artistry, the physicality, the passion of any other sport on earth - even eclipsing the other sports in many of these categories. But the problem is that "we" are a small bunch. We had to seek it out, and hold on when it went away, and stick up for it while it was assaulted by every pundit, sports journalist and talk show host imaginable (not that the criticisms were undeserved).
And whether or not you find such matters fascinating, boring, or confusing, it's good to know that the NHL appears to have an excellent candidate, ex-NFL executive John Collins, in position to at least put the league back on America's radar; if not catapult it into the mainstream. (Here's hoping, anyway...)
We are a $2.3 billion business, and a lot of that revenue is through the gates. We have 22 million people at our arenas every year. We have 53 million avid fans in North America. But the big insight we came to after the lockout is that our fans say they love hockey, but they don't behave like they love hockey. They behave like a million fans of the New York Rangers, a million fans of the Chicago Blackhawks. The passion they have is at a local level, but that doesn't translate to passion at a league level. If you are a fan of the NFL's New York Giants, you'll still watch Monday Night Football even if the Giants aren't playing. You'll watch the playoffs and Super Bowl even if the Giants don't make it. But according to the traditional metrics that tell you about the health and vitality of broadcast ratings, we're not able to scale at the national level of the NFL, MLB or Nascar. So we don't feel like a $2.3 billion business; we feel like a $300 million business, like a niche sport like Major League Soccer or AVP [professional volleyball].
I also like the mention of the league ad campaigns that will slow down the game like NFL films does. Excellent move.
"Brandweek" article from 10/1
My favorite player
#3, Calgary Flames, Defence, 22 years old.
He would kill you if he had the chance.
In the season opening loss against the Flyers, Phaneuf logged 31:20 of ice time. That's more TOI (time-on-ice) than some players will see through their first two games combined. Just incredible. And that's not to even mention the assists on both Calgary goals.
This kid is every bit the star and has every bit of talent that any of the leagues' other heralded youngsters have. But you might not know it since he plays on the blue line in Calgary.
Every time I see him play I can't help but hope that one day he will don a Black and Orange sweater. It would fit perfectly.
He would kill you if he had the chance.
In the season opening loss against the Flyers, Phaneuf logged 31:20 of ice time. That's more TOI (time-on-ice) than some players will see through their first two games combined. Just incredible. And that's not to even mention the assists on both Calgary goals.
This kid is every bit the star and has every bit of talent that any of the leagues' other heralded youngsters have. But you might not know it since he plays on the blue line in Calgary.
Every time I see him play I can't help but hope that one day he will don a Black and Orange sweater. It would fit perfectly.
Friday, October 5, 2007
First and Last
Couldn't have gone better for the Flyers.
Daniel Briere scores first early, Biron plays solid, Briere gets the winner late (sweet roof job). Thanks, Buffalo!
Gagne and Briere were trying a little too hard to give Daniel the hattie - Briere took a lick, and Calgary got a chance the other way - but you really couldn't blame them for trying to put the cherry on top.
These weren't your '06-'07 Flyers...
Daniel Briere scores first early, Biron plays solid, Briere gets the winner late (sweet roof job). Thanks, Buffalo!
Gagne and Briere were trying a little too hard to give Daniel the hattie - Briere took a lick, and Calgary got a chance the other way - but you really couldn't blame them for trying to put the cherry on top.
These weren't your '06-'07 Flyers...
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Uniforms?
A pretty good article with analysis of the new RBK Edge jerseys from ESPN's Uni Watch:
Link
I was trying to come up with a name for that stripe-piping that runs from the collar down to the waist that look awful on a few jerseys (especially the Oilers'), but couldn't come up with anything good. This article did the job: Apron strings (also referred to as Bettman stripes).
Example:
I had no idea about the "Diaper effect" since I hadn't seen too much on-ice action yet. Ugh.
But the article doesn't mention the half/short sleeve design as modeled by the Penguins:
I don't get that one...
Link
I was trying to come up with a name for that stripe-piping that runs from the collar down to the waist that look awful on a few jerseys (especially the Oilers'), but couldn't come up with anything good. This article did the job: Apron strings (also referred to as Bettman stripes).
Example:
I had no idea about the "Diaper effect" since I hadn't seen too much on-ice action yet. Ugh.
But the article doesn't mention the half/short sleeve design as modeled by the Penguins:
I don't get that one...
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Blackhawks year?
This may be callous, but my first thought upon finding out about the death of Blackhawks' owner Bill Wirtz was, "the 'Hawks could be back..."
Apparently I wasn't the only one:
"Wirtz's death good thing for Blackhwaks" - MSNBC
"Blackhawks crumbled under Wirtz" - Sporting News
"Blackhawks look for return to glory days" - CBS Sportsline
not to mention how they probably feel over at Wirtzsucks.com.
But, really, for all the good Wirtz had done for the game and the NHL, the disgrace of the Blackhawks is what Wirtz will be remembered for.
Hawks fans were already optimistic about the future with the arrival of Towes (pronounced Tayvz) and Kane, but the passing of Wirtz gives hope they will no longer be stifled by indifferent ownership.
If Dale Tallon (GM) and Denis Savard (coach) are able to continue building the Hawks for a few seasons, all they will need to return to the playoffs on a yearly basis, and even become a powerhouse, is an owner willing to foot the bill for a winner. This is the new NHL and turnaround comes quick.
This coming season is very up in the air for the Hawks. With the notable additions of Sergei Samsonov and Robert Lang, Europeans desperate to regain their form (which is why they ended up in Chicago), along with premier face-off man Yanic Perreault, there is at least a core of players that should compete every night.
Maybe Kane and Towes will be the spark Samsonov and Lang need. Maybe Martin Havlat will stay healthy for a full season and score 100 points. Maybe Perreault can win enough defensive-zone faceoffs to keep the pressure off Nikolai Khabibulin late in the 3rd.
But, really, even if all of the above happens, the Blackhawks still won't get a sniff the playoffs. With a defense as thin as Chicago's, no matter how many goals they can score, the Blackhawks will still let more by the 'Boulin Wall.
There's always next year. And next year there will be even more hope.
Apparently I wasn't the only one:
"Wirtz's death good thing for Blackhwaks" - MSNBC
"Blackhawks crumbled under Wirtz" - Sporting News
"Blackhawks look for return to glory days" - CBS Sportsline
not to mention how they probably feel over at Wirtzsucks.com.
But, really, for all the good Wirtz had done for the game and the NHL, the disgrace of the Blackhawks is what Wirtz will be remembered for.
Hawks fans were already optimistic about the future with the arrival of Towes (pronounced Tayvz) and Kane, but the passing of Wirtz gives hope they will no longer be stifled by indifferent ownership.
If Dale Tallon (GM) and Denis Savard (coach) are able to continue building the Hawks for a few seasons, all they will need to return to the playoffs on a yearly basis, and even become a powerhouse, is an owner willing to foot the bill for a winner. This is the new NHL and turnaround comes quick.
This coming season is very up in the air for the Hawks. With the notable additions of Sergei Samsonov and Robert Lang, Europeans desperate to regain their form (which is why they ended up in Chicago), along with premier face-off man Yanic Perreault, there is at least a core of players that should compete every night.
Maybe Kane and Towes will be the spark Samsonov and Lang need. Maybe Martin Havlat will stay healthy for a full season and score 100 points. Maybe Perreault can win enough defensive-zone faceoffs to keep the pressure off Nikolai Khabibulin late in the 3rd.
But, really, even if all of the above happens, the Blackhawks still won't get a sniff the playoffs. With a defense as thin as Chicago's, no matter how many goals they can score, the Blackhawks will still let more by the 'Boulin Wall.
There's always next year. And next year there will be even more hope.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
'06 Champs to have early D trouble
Don't be surprised if the Carolina Hurricanes get off to a slow start this season. They raised the Cup in '06, missed the '07 playoffs by a few points, and may have trouble racking up valuable points in October for the '08 playoff run.
After losing Defenseman Andrew Hutchinson to the Rangers via free agency, their remaining defensive corps should struggle as Frantisek Kaberle has decided to have surgery on his right knee. While the injury is minor and Kaberle should be ready for the start of the regular season, he'll miss most, if not all, of training camp and the preseason. In addition, veteran Bret Hedican has only recently decided to not retire and "hopes to be ready" for the start of the season.
Raleigh News & Observer article
While the 'Canes defense was middle of the pack in the East as far as Goals Allowed is concerned, it still wasn't good enough to get them into the playoffs. And their Goal Production was worse.
With no notable additions on either side of the puck to help these numbers, it's hard to see how the 'Canes won't miss the playoffs again, especially with their Defense struggling to get in game shape right out of the gate.
After losing Defenseman Andrew Hutchinson to the Rangers via free agency, their remaining defensive corps should struggle as Frantisek Kaberle has decided to have surgery on his right knee. While the injury is minor and Kaberle should be ready for the start of the regular season, he'll miss most, if not all, of training camp and the preseason. In addition, veteran Bret Hedican has only recently decided to not retire and "hopes to be ready" for the start of the season.
Raleigh News & Observer article
While the 'Canes defense was middle of the pack in the East as far as Goals Allowed is concerned, it still wasn't good enough to get them into the playoffs. And their Goal Production was worse.
With no notable additions on either side of the puck to help these numbers, it's hard to see how the 'Canes won't miss the playoffs again, especially with their Defense struggling to get in game shape right out of the gate.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Goal judges get the boot
The area behind the net will look a little different this year at NHL arenas. There will be no more goal judge sitting in Row 1 behind the net.
Sweet archival image:
The NHL has decided to do away with the ice-level goal judge. It's not that big of a change, really. The on-ice referee makes the determination of whether or not the puck has crossed the goal line, and if there is any dispute, the arena video replay judge, in conjunction with the NHL's war room in Toronto (aka the best replay system in all of sports) make the final call.
This is really for the better anyway. How many times have you seen your team fire a shot past the goalie, the red light goes on and you celebrate, only to have the replay show that the puck rang off the post and out? Too many.
I say down with trigger-fingered goal judges! And their little popemobile boxes!
I don't know why they're merely "relocating" the goal judge and not getting rid of them totally. Why can't they equip the referees with a remote device to turn on the goal light? They are the ones who call the goals officially, so why not let them activate the light. I'm sure that even the NHL can handle this kind of technological advance.
Not surprisingly, the Flyers are turning the now-empty space into "premium seating" that comes with the purchase of a luxury box (see above article).
Sweet archival image:
The NHL has decided to do away with the ice-level goal judge. It's not that big of a change, really. The on-ice referee makes the determination of whether or not the puck has crossed the goal line, and if there is any dispute, the arena video replay judge, in conjunction with the NHL's war room in Toronto (aka the best replay system in all of sports) make the final call.
Philly.com Goal Judge articleSome judges have complained privately that making borderline calls with pucks on or across the goal line will be difficult from the press box. That's where video replay has held the upper hand.
The goal judge signals a goal with the red light, but it is up to the referees, the video goal judge, or both to decide whether a goal was scored.
In an e-mail to The Inquirer, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the video goal judge, in conjunction with the two referees, had already "lessened the responsibilities" of the goal judges and minimized their involvement in determining whether a goal was scored.
This is really for the better anyway. How many times have you seen your team fire a shot past the goalie, the red light goes on and you celebrate, only to have the replay show that the puck rang off the post and out? Too many.
I say down with trigger-fingered goal judges! And their little popemobile boxes!
I don't know why they're merely "relocating" the goal judge and not getting rid of them totally. Why can't they equip the referees with a remote device to turn on the goal light? They are the ones who call the goals officially, so why not let them activate the light. I'm sure that even the NHL can handle this kind of technological advance.
Not surprisingly, the Flyers are turning the now-empty space into "premium seating" that comes with the purchase of a luxury box (see above article).
New Bolts Jerseys
Not bad...
At least they're not really "busy". These will probably look good on the ice, which is just as important as how they look off the ice.
They didn't release any images with lettering/numbering on the back yet. I guess they haven't settled on a font yet? Hopefully the numbers will be readable on the ice.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
I'm still here
This blog will be updated ridiculously often come October (or at earliest, mid-September), but for now it's the slooooooooooow time of the year. Slow for hockey, that is.
I'm still here, but I'm actually productive in the summer months as opposed to hockey season (aka October through early June) where I pretty much watch hockey, go out, watch hockey, go to games, and read about hockey all day while I'm supposed to be working.
Though, I may be finally breaking into my "10 Greatest Games In Flyers' History" DVD set that I got for Christmas. So, if you want to read about Bill Barber, Reggie Leach, Bernie Parent, Ron Hextall, Dmitri Yushkevich, or Joel Otto check back soon!
Otherwise, Jordan Staal's mugshot will have to hold you over:
The Gronk - prisioner #XXXX
I'm still here, but I'm actually productive in the summer months as opposed to hockey season (aka October through early June) where I pretty much watch hockey, go out, watch hockey, go to games, and read about hockey all day while I'm supposed to be working.
Though, I may be finally breaking into my "10 Greatest Games In Flyers' History" DVD set that I got for Christmas. So, if you want to read about Bill Barber, Reggie Leach, Bernie Parent, Ron Hextall, Dmitri Yushkevich, or Joel Otto check back soon!
Otherwise, Jordan Staal's mugshot will have to hold you over:
The Gronk - prisioner #XXXX
Monday, July 9, 2007
Better options
Surely there were better options to go with for the Edmonton Oilers than Thomas Vanek.
Signing a restricted free agent to an offer sheet is a risky proposal in that it very rarely works and draws the ire of other GM's around the league.
But the issue isn't that Oiler GM Kevin Lowe attempted the offer-sheet move. It's who he did it with - Thomas Vanek and the Buffalo Sabres.
Executives of the Buffalo Sabres got wind of the move days before it actually happened. They warned Lowe that no matter what the offer was that the Sabres were going to match it. And while you can't take everyone at their word, did Kevin Lowe really think the Sabres were going to let go ANOTHER star player this offseason, let alone last week?
Not even a week removed from losing co-captain centres Chris Drury and Daniel Briere to big-money free agent contracts and Dainius Zubrus on top of it, the Sabres were not going to let go of their 23-year old, leading goal scorer no matter what the price. No way.
4 first round draft picks is a nice way to build for your future, but the Sabres aren't going to let themselves rebuild this soon. They just came off two great seasons where they went to the Conference final both times, including winning the President's Trophy in '06-'07. If they had let Vanek walk, on top of their other free agency losses, they are already waving the white flags for '07-'08.
This years team will have some huge holes to fill, but could still be a playoff team, and the playoffs are where teams make money. Buffalo is small-market and doesn't want to miss out on any of that money. They couldn't allow themselves to go from league's top draw to obscurity in a week's time and Kevin Lowe should have known this.
Honestly, I don't think the Sabres will be all that upset in a couple of years when they have one of the leagues premier talents under contract, allowing them to avoid another scenario that took place with Drury and Briere. Yes, they're overpaying now, but it very could be a very nice deal down the road for Buffalo.
But, surely, there were better, more realistic, more attainable candidates for Kevin Lowe to sign to an offer sheet.
Buffalo GM Darcy Regier hit it right on the nose when he said, "what this amounted to was an exercise in futility."
Signing a restricted free agent to an offer sheet is a risky proposal in that it very rarely works and draws the ire of other GM's around the league.
But the issue isn't that Oiler GM Kevin Lowe attempted the offer-sheet move. It's who he did it with - Thomas Vanek and the Buffalo Sabres.
Executives of the Buffalo Sabres got wind of the move days before it actually happened. They warned Lowe that no matter what the offer was that the Sabres were going to match it. And while you can't take everyone at their word, did Kevin Lowe really think the Sabres were going to let go ANOTHER star player this offseason, let alone last week?
Not even a week removed from losing co-captain centres Chris Drury and Daniel Briere to big-money free agent contracts and Dainius Zubrus on top of it, the Sabres were not going to let go of their 23-year old, leading goal scorer no matter what the price. No way.
4 first round draft picks is a nice way to build for your future, but the Sabres aren't going to let themselves rebuild this soon. They just came off two great seasons where they went to the Conference final both times, including winning the President's Trophy in '06-'07. If they had let Vanek walk, on top of their other free agency losses, they are already waving the white flags for '07-'08.
This years team will have some huge holes to fill, but could still be a playoff team, and the playoffs are where teams make money. Buffalo is small-market and doesn't want to miss out on any of that money. They couldn't allow themselves to go from league's top draw to obscurity in a week's time and Kevin Lowe should have known this.
Honestly, I don't think the Sabres will be all that upset in a couple of years when they have one of the leagues premier talents under contract, allowing them to avoid another scenario that took place with Drury and Briere. Yes, they're overpaying now, but it very could be a very nice deal down the road for Buffalo.
But, surely, there were better, more realistic, more attainable candidates for Kevin Lowe to sign to an offer sheet.
Buffalo GM Darcy Regier hit it right on the nose when he said, "what this amounted to was an exercise in futility."
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Caps moving on up
Flying under the radar despite an active start to the summer, the Washington Capitals are looking to climb up the Southeast Division...finally.
Even the dynamic duo of Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin couldn't prevent the Caps from finishing in the basement for the 3rd straight season. Everyone knew that no matter how good Ovechkin was that he couldn't get the pitiful Caps to the playoffs on his own. Well, owner Ted Leonsis and GM George McPhee are finally ready to build a playoff team with #8 at its core.
Bringing in Viktor Kozlov was a solid move to add another skilled Russian forward, this time a veteran, to help out the kids. Could Kozlov be centred between Ovechkin and Semin? The Caps did change their jerseys to red this year - it would really be a shame not to have an all-Russian line, wouldn't it?
But when they bring in Michael Nylander the next day you start looking at the prospect of two bona fide scoring lines, not one, no matter what the combinations.
Nylander is a great signing for the Capitals, as it would have been by any team, really. He's coming off two great years. I didn't have to look at the numbers to verify this (23+56=79, 26+57=83), because every time I watched my team play the Rangers these years I would think the same thing every time he had the puck - which the same reaction I have to Jagr - that a goal was imminent.
Add to the mix Swedish phenom Nicklas Backstrom (who will be a rookie this coming season) and you've got a hell of a top-five. Pencil in anyone competent for the 6th spot and I'd say you've got one of the top 1-2 punches in the league.
Now, defense is still a big problem as the Caps have given up a TON of goals over the last few years, but signing Tom Poti isn't a bad move. While he's not the defensive-defenseman they could use, he's still an improvement. Anything would be at this point. But their defensive problems aren't going to be fixed by one player anyway, so adding Poti isn't anything to scoff at.
While I can't say whether or not the Capitals are trying to further improve their defense this offseason, I would bet that Olaf Kolzig is begging for it. He has been extremely loyal to the organization and wants to finish his career in Washington. Putting the defense they've had in front of the aging Kolzig for the past few years isn't exactly returning the favor.
But we are only a little over 48 hours into the Free Agency period and there are enough names still out there to get Kolzig some help.
Even the dynamic duo of Alexander Ovechkin and Alexander Semin couldn't prevent the Caps from finishing in the basement for the 3rd straight season. Everyone knew that no matter how good Ovechkin was that he couldn't get the pitiful Caps to the playoffs on his own. Well, owner Ted Leonsis and GM George McPhee are finally ready to build a playoff team with #8 at its core.
Bringing in Viktor Kozlov was a solid move to add another skilled Russian forward, this time a veteran, to help out the kids. Could Kozlov be centred between Ovechkin and Semin? The Caps did change their jerseys to red this year - it would really be a shame not to have an all-Russian line, wouldn't it?
But when they bring in Michael Nylander the next day you start looking at the prospect of two bona fide scoring lines, not one, no matter what the combinations.
Nylander is a great signing for the Capitals, as it would have been by any team, really. He's coming off two great years. I didn't have to look at the numbers to verify this (23+56=79, 26+57=83), because every time I watched my team play the Rangers these years I would think the same thing every time he had the puck - which the same reaction I have to Jagr - that a goal was imminent.
Add to the mix Swedish phenom Nicklas Backstrom (who will be a rookie this coming season) and you've got a hell of a top-five. Pencil in anyone competent for the 6th spot and I'd say you've got one of the top 1-2 punches in the league.
Now, defense is still a big problem as the Caps have given up a TON of goals over the last few years, but signing Tom Poti isn't a bad move. While he's not the defensive-defenseman they could use, he's still an improvement. Anything would be at this point. But their defensive problems aren't going to be fixed by one player anyway, so adding Poti isn't anything to scoff at.
While I can't say whether or not the Capitals are trying to further improve their defense this offseason, I would bet that Olaf Kolzig is begging for it. He has been extremely loyal to the organization and wants to finish his career in Washington. Putting the defense they've had in front of the aging Kolzig for the past few years isn't exactly returning the favor.
But we are only a little over 48 hours into the Free Agency period and there are enough names still out there to get Kolzig some help.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Remember Game 5?
Chris Drury put the dagger in the heart of the New York Rangers not even 2 months ago. Now the Rangers have done the same to the Buffalo Sabres.
Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between those two teams was so epic. So important. So exciting.
The series was 2-2 and Henrik Lundqvist looked like he was going to carry the New York Rangers on his back to the Stanley Cup Finals. He had only given up one goal in each of the two previous games, both Ranger wins, and was on the verge of shutting out the mighty Sabre offense for a 3-2 series lead.
But as John Buccigross would say: "Chris Drury is clutch and clutch is everything."
Drury changed the series for good with 8 seconds left.
You knew the Rangers didn't have a chance in overtime. Drury's goal was too dramatic for it to end in a Sabres loss. It was a dagger in the heart for the Rangers. While the Rangers kept battling back in the final game - #6, Chris Drury's goal hung over that game too and lifted the Sabres to the Conference Final.
Now the Sabres have lost both of their captains; while the Rangers land not only Scott Gomez, but one of the most clutch goal-scorers ever in Drury. Add to that the drafting of Alexei Cherepanov last week and I'd say that Rangers fans have a lot to be happy about.
Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals between those two teams was so epic. So important. So exciting.
The series was 2-2 and Henrik Lundqvist looked like he was going to carry the New York Rangers on his back to the Stanley Cup Finals. He had only given up one goal in each of the two previous games, both Ranger wins, and was on the verge of shutting out the mighty Sabre offense for a 3-2 series lead.
But as John Buccigross would say: "Chris Drury is clutch and clutch is everything."
Drury changed the series for good with 8 seconds left.
You knew the Rangers didn't have a chance in overtime. Drury's goal was too dramatic for it to end in a Sabres loss. It was a dagger in the heart for the Rangers. While the Rangers kept battling back in the final game - #6, Chris Drury's goal hung over that game too and lifted the Sabres to the Conference Final.
Now the Sabres have lost both of their captains; while the Rangers land not only Scott Gomez, but one of the most clutch goal-scorers ever in Drury. Add to that the drafting of Alexei Cherepanov last week and I'd say that Rangers fans have a lot to be happy about.
Oilers get their man
I guess I should have dismissed Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren's constant dismissals of the Joni Pitkanen to Edmonton rumors.
He said, "not happening, not happening, not happening."
And he had to because the rumors kept resurfacing for months, and months, and months.
Kevin Lowe (maybe MacTavish too) really wanted Pitkanen. He obviously tried for a long time to acquire him and gave up his captain and a young phenom in Lupul who only got one (albeit disappointing) year with the team.
When a rumor stays around for that long they're is probably something to it.
Lesson learned.
I wonder who will be the Flyers' captain now? They have left 3 teams (or, 2½) without their captains in just 2 weeks: Nashville (Timonen), Edmonton (Smith), and Buffalo (Briere - co-captain).
That's a lot of leadership for all the players under the age of 25 the Flyers will have on their opening day roster.
He said, "not happening, not happening, not happening."
And he had to because the rumors kept resurfacing for months, and months, and months.
Kevin Lowe (maybe MacTavish too) really wanted Pitkanen. He obviously tried for a long time to acquire him and gave up his captain and a young phenom in Lupul who only got one (albeit disappointing) year with the team.
When a rumor stays around for that long they're is probably something to it.
Lesson learned.
I wonder who will be the Flyers' captain now? They have left 3 teams (or, 2½) without their captains in just 2 weeks: Nashville (Timonen), Edmonton (Smith), and Buffalo (Briere - co-captain).
That's a lot of leadership for all the players under the age of 25 the Flyers will have on their opening day roster.
Good sign for Philly
Daniel Briere was offered more money (average per year) than the deal he signed with the Flyers.
Briere revealed (on a TSN interview) that he was offered over $7mil/year average by other clubs. The fact that he chose to be locked up for 8 years at an average of $6.5mil with the Flyers was because he wanted to go there.
I'm sure the $10 million Briere will earn this season didn't hurt the Flyers' cause (modern-day signing bonus, anyone?), but when a guy turns down more money and chooses to sign somewhere for 8 years just as he is hitting the prime of his career says a lot.
Sure, he's not Chris Drury, but having Daniel Briere wanting to come play for your team is pretty damn good.
I'd say that between the Briere and Timmonen's long-term, front-heavy deals, Paul Holmgren in already in the running to be GM of the year.
Briere revealed (on a TSN interview) that he was offered over $7mil/year average by other clubs. The fact that he chose to be locked up for 8 years at an average of $6.5mil with the Flyers was because he wanted to go there.
I'm sure the $10 million Briere will earn this season didn't hurt the Flyers' cause (modern-day signing bonus, anyone?), but when a guy turns down more money and chooses to sign somewhere for 8 years just as he is hitting the prime of his career says a lot.
Sure, he's not Chris Drury, but having Daniel Briere wanting to come play for your team is pretty damn good.
I'd say that between the Briere and Timmonen's long-term, front-heavy deals, Paul Holmgren in already in the running to be GM of the year.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Big move by the B's
A TSN.ca article (with files from the Star Tribune of Minneapolis) dated 6/19 states that Manny Fernandez is "available at a price", but Wild GM Doug Risebrough "is not ready to give him away".
Adds Risebrough:
Peter Kalus and a 4th rounder don't exactly seem like "maximum value" for Manny Fernandez (who only made $3.75mil last year).
Why would Risebrough have such a change of heart so quickly? I'd venture a guess that with the rise in the cap Risebrough was given the go-ahead to try and land a key free agent tomorrow.
Dumping $3.75 million (or whatever Fernandez will count for in '07-'08 cap room) might not seem like a ton, but for a small-market team like Minnesota it's enough room to land a quality 2nd-tier guy.
Big win for the Bruins. But not a loss for the Wild - especially if they are able to land the FA they want in the coming days. They still have Backstrom...
Adds Risebrough:
I don't necessarily believe that the circumstances are there to warrant me from doing anything other than maximizing the value."
Peter Kalus and a 4th rounder don't exactly seem like "maximum value" for Manny Fernandez (who only made $3.75mil last year).
Why would Risebrough have such a change of heart so quickly? I'd venture a guess that with the rise in the cap Risebrough was given the go-ahead to try and land a key free agent tomorrow.
Dumping $3.75 million (or whatever Fernandez will count for in '07-'08 cap room) might not seem like a ton, but for a small-market team like Minnesota it's enough room to land a quality 2nd-tier guy.
Big win for the Bruins. But not a loss for the Wild - especially if they are able to land the FA they want in the coming days. They still have Backstrom...
Friday, June 29, 2007
$50 Million
So, how long until the players start losing salary back to the league/clubs via escrow? Probably not much longer.
To go from $39mil to $50mil in 2 years is quite a jump. Each year the free agents get more, each year the arbitration awards go up and the fans get outraged.
But there's no need. As soon as salaries are above a certain percentage of revenue, all top-tier players will make the same amount of money, with the rest that they are contracted to going back to the league.
It's likely this will happen in '07-'08 or maybe '08-'09. When it does, I think we will finally see the real beauty of the CBA. All of the top-tier talent will be spread out across the league - more so than now - because they will all make the same money no matter where they go.
Even the Predators HAVE to spend $34.3 million this year, and that's a good thing for the league.
To go from $39mil to $50mil in 2 years is quite a jump. Each year the free agents get more, each year the arbitration awards go up and the fans get outraged.
But there's no need. As soon as salaries are above a certain percentage of revenue, all top-tier players will make the same amount of money, with the rest that they are contracted to going back to the league.
It's likely this will happen in '07-'08 or maybe '08-'09. When it does, I think we will finally see the real beauty of the CBA. All of the top-tier talent will be spread out across the league - more so than now - because they will all make the same money no matter where they go.
Even the Predators HAVE to spend $34.3 million this year, and that's a good thing for the league.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Briere to test waters?
After their surprising beat-down at the hands of the Senators, I thought the Sabres could re-sign the Centre duo of Briere and Drury.
I figured they didn't have big concerns outside of the duo in terms of free agents and they could be had for an average $6mil/year. But that was assuming the Sabres were going to spend up to the new cap ($48-50 mil) with the constant sell-outs, highest TV ratings in the league, and merchandise selling out as soon as it's stocked. Add to that the fact the Sabres are so close to winning that Briere and Drury would work it out for another two years for a chance at the cup.
I was wrong.
Buffalo is still a small-market town, current revenues notwithstanding. They can't afford to pay up to the cap and they won't. They didn't get to their current situation by being foolish.
But, I suppose it could be argued they may have been foolish for not paying Briere what he wanted last year - 5 years at $5mil. He got $5mil in arbitration anyway and they just offered him the same deal he wanted twelve months ago. He wanted it in '06, but it wasn't enough in '07.
So, instead of doing like the Oilers did with Hemsky and the Flyers did with Timmonen - signing a long-term deal that seems a bit inflated now, but by the end of the deal will be a bargain for the team - they now have to overpay even more or be without a top center.
He will certainly get at least $6mil/year in free agency. Some will say he's not worth it, but to me, 1 point per game in each of the last two playoffs and 95 points this past season is certainly worth what Federov, R.Blake, and Redden made this past year.
I figured they didn't have big concerns outside of the duo in terms of free agents and they could be had for an average $6mil/year. But that was assuming the Sabres were going to spend up to the new cap ($48-50 mil) with the constant sell-outs, highest TV ratings in the league, and merchandise selling out as soon as it's stocked. Add to that the fact the Sabres are so close to winning that Briere and Drury would work it out for another two years for a chance at the cup.
I was wrong.
Buffalo is still a small-market town, current revenues notwithstanding. They can't afford to pay up to the cap and they won't. They didn't get to their current situation by being foolish.
But, I suppose it could be argued they may have been foolish for not paying Briere what he wanted last year - 5 years at $5mil. He got $5mil in arbitration anyway and they just offered him the same deal he wanted twelve months ago. He wanted it in '06, but it wasn't enough in '07.
So, instead of doing like the Oilers did with Hemsky and the Flyers did with Timmonen - signing a long-term deal that seems a bit inflated now, but by the end of the deal will be a bargain for the team - they now have to overpay even more or be without a top center.
He will certainly get at least $6mil/year in free agency. Some will say he's not worth it, but to me, 1 point per game in each of the last two playoffs and 95 points this past season is certainly worth what Federov, R.Blake, and Redden made this past year.
12 cups
12 cups between the 4 HHOF class of 2007 inductees.
Francis - 2
MacInnis - 1
Messier - 6
Stevens - 3
What a class! One of the best 4-somes to be inducted.
BALSILLIE NOT WANTED
It seems apparent that current NHL owners want nothing to do with Jim Balsillie and the way he conducts private business in clear view of the public. How else would you explain Craig Leipold accepting an offer of $50 million less for his team to another owner who has similar intentions to relocate the franchise?
He rubbed Mario Lemieux, the Penguins' front office, Gary Bettman, and more than a few owners the wrong way during the failed bid for the Penguins six months ago. He sold seat licenses to an arena before even having a formal agreement to buy the Preds, let alone a clear path to relocate them.
But, there may be another explanation as well...
Last week at the NHL draft, Bob McKenzie broke the news that Balsillie's bid for the Preds was off until further notice because Leipold didn't see any progress in the way of a deal. Balsillie didn't act fast enough and that allowed William "Boots" DelBaggio to step in and get the team at clearance price. Craig Leipold is very, very eager to sell and Balsillie thought his feet-dragging wouldn't be a problem at the price he was intending to pay.
Perhaps his time would have been better served getting the deal done with Leipold rather than Hamilton and Copps Coliseum.
The fact remains that Balsillie isn't well regarded around the league after the two failed purchases. Perhaps, down the road, if Balsillie plays his cards right he could be in line to win an expansion franchise for Southern Ontario. But the owners are careful of who they let into their fraternity - and this guy will have a lot of bad 1st (and 2nd) impressions to overcome should that day come.
He rubbed Mario Lemieux, the Penguins' front office, Gary Bettman, and more than a few owners the wrong way during the failed bid for the Penguins six months ago. He sold seat licenses to an arena before even having a formal agreement to buy the Preds, let alone a clear path to relocate them.
But, there may be another explanation as well...
Last week at the NHL draft, Bob McKenzie broke the news that Balsillie's bid for the Preds was off until further notice because Leipold didn't see any progress in the way of a deal. Balsillie didn't act fast enough and that allowed William "Boots" DelBaggio to step in and get the team at clearance price. Craig Leipold is very, very eager to sell and Balsillie thought his feet-dragging wouldn't be a problem at the price he was intending to pay.
Perhaps his time would have been better served getting the deal done with Leipold rather than Hamilton and Copps Coliseum.
The fact remains that Balsillie isn't well regarded around the league after the two failed purchases. Perhaps, down the road, if Balsillie plays his cards right he could be in line to win an expansion franchise for Southern Ontario. But the owners are careful of who they let into their fraternity - and this guy will have a lot of bad 1st (and 2nd) impressions to overcome should that day come.
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