NHL '12/'13

[dando]

.

:shakehead :saywhat:

-Kevin

[TKGAngel]

Ditto that.

How does Bettman still have a job after presiding over 3 lockouts?

[dando]

Ditto that.

How does Buttman still have a job after presiding over 3 lockouts?

Fixed. ;)

All * Game supposed to be here in Jan. Fat chance of that happening. NHL beginning to look more like AOW racing to me every day. :(

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8393660/washington-capitals-alexander-ovechkin-says-lockout-take-full-year

:shakehead

-Kevin

[Methanolandbrats]

^^^ isn't it already on Versus :gomer:? And nobody cares about it but a few alcoholics in Canada, so I'd say you are correct, it is approaching AOW territory.

[WickerBill]

I truly don't understand this, so don't think I'm asking a snarky question.

Why are there no player strikes or owner lockouts in world football (soccer)? Are they not in a union? If not, they're certainly still very handsomely paid. Strikes in labor forces seem to be an every-other-week occurrence in Europe, but never soccer.

[Insomniac]

I truly don't understand this, so don't think I'm asking a snarky question.

Why are there no player strikes or owner lockouts in world football (soccer)? Are they not in a union? If not, they're certainly still very handsomely paid. Strikes in labor forces seem to be an every-other-week occurrence in Europe, but never soccer.

Maybe because there is so much competition in Europe with all the leagues?

[Methanolandbrats]

I truly don't understand this, so don't think I'm asking a snarky question.

Why are there no player strikes or owner lockouts in world football (soccer)? Are they not in a union? If not, they're certainly still very handsomely paid. Strikes in labor forces seem to be an every-other-week occurrence in Europe, but never soccer.

Because the players are afraid the fans would kick their asses? :gomer: Just a guess.

[Rogue Leader]

Hockey never really came back after the 04-05 lockout. If this ends the season there will be no hockey fans left.

[Andrew Longman]

The owners want to take another chunk of money from the players. I sympathize with the players until I remember idiot ownership of the NHL.

They have a great product and loyal fans. The playoffs make for the most dramatic few months in all of sports. Almost every team has a compelling new arena and their own cable deal plus the deal with NBC. $3billion+ in revenue to split. But these are NHL owners we are talking about. They can have all that and still have a way to screw it up and lose money.

I fault the players for expecting the owners to anything right. They should just decide if they want to even play and be happy with whatever they get paid.

Yes the parallels with AOW are pretty strong.

[Napoleon]

Andrew, you appear to think the owners are not making money. My impression was that of any of the professional sports in the US that the NHL is the one that has owners who are absolutely convinced that they can turn the players into serfs and pay them with table scraps while they pocket even larger sums, much of it from the public tit. I also seem to recall that the hardest line owners in the recent NBA labor sitution just happen to be owners of NHL franchises as well.

[Andrew Longman]

Andrew, you appear to think the owners are not making money. My impression was that of any of the professional sports in the US that the NHL is the one that has owners who are absolutely convinced that they can turn the players into serfs and pay them with table scraps while they pocket even larger sums, much of it from the public tit. I also seem to recall that the hardest line owners in the recent NBA labor sitution just happen to be owners of NHL franchises as well.Oh I know they are making money but if they don't screw the sport up with perpetual lockouts they will do something else eventually. Remember they were the ones who created the crisis that cost a whole season with total lack of control over expansion and salaries.

[dando]

I can attest to you that the CBJs are not making money. In fact, the city and county had to step in to buy Nationwide Arena, and are diverting the tax $$$ from the new Cbus casino to pay for it. :saywhat: :shakehead The problem the NHL has is what afflicts the MLB and small market teams. Revenue sharing is a huge issue with the likes of the NYR, Phlyers, etc. having much better local revenue streams, but the NHL doesn't have the national reach and revenue stream like the NBA and MLB. NFL controls revenue nationally, so they don't suffer from the same issues for the most part. Sadly, they were just starting to recover from the '04/'05 lockout due to the likes of Sid the Kid, Ovie, etc. and the Winter Classic games. Sad. :(

-Kevin

[TKGAngel]

I feel bad for the front office staffers that are going to have to take pay cuts and layoffs while the owners and the players continue this measuring contest. The Panthers already laid off their mascot and the Sens are already talking about changes. These people are innocent and caught in the middle.


My impression was that of any of the professional sports in the US that the NHL is the one that has owners who are absolutely convinced that they can turn the players into serfs and pay them with table scraps while they pocket even larger sums, much of it from the public tit. I also seem to recall that the hardest line owners in the recent NBA labor sitution just happen to be owners of NHL franchises as well.

The NHL owners signed 177 players to contracts worth over a total of $1 billion since 7/1/12. If that's serf money, sign me up. (And yes, I know that for every stupid Shea Weber deal, there's two guys making league minimum.)

I'm still puzzled at who the 6 dual NBA/NHL owners are. I've only come up with MSG, MLSE and Ted Leonsis. There's 2-3 more, and my Google-fu is failing me today.

[Don Quixote]

I'm still puzzled at who the 6 dual NBA/NHL owners are. I've only come up with MSG, MLSE and Ted Leonsis. There's 2-3 more, and my Google-fu is failing me today.Kroenke owns the Nugs and Avs.

[Napoleon]

In fact, the city and county had to step in to buy Nationwide Arena, and are diverting the tax $$$ from the new Cbus casino to pay for it.

If you are basing your assertion that they are not making money on this part of your post I would say you have no proof they are losing money. This type of deal is everywhere in US sports. The Indians ballpark and Quickens Loans Arena is publically owned and partially paid for with a sin tax (lease payments do not cover it) and no one is saying either team is losing money. By the way, any time a club says they are losing money automatically assume they are likely lying. My understanding is that clubs have taken to splitting off the concession operations into other entities owned by the same owner and other such shell games so that they can claim they are making less through the club then in reality they are making.




The NHL owners signed 177 players to contracts worth over a total of $1 billion since 7/1/12. If that's serf money, sign me up. (And yes, I know that for every stupid Shea Weber deal, there's two guys making league minimum.)

My reference was to the future, not to the past, and obviously was a little hyperbolic. There will still be highly paid players, but when the NHL is asking the players to shave the percentage they take in revenues by about 1/6th, unless the NHL grows significantly during the contract players are going to be taking a significant haircut. In fact, based on your numbers above and assuming no revenue growth in the NHL (which I actually think is reasonable) each of your 177 players would be giving back 3/4 of a million dollars.

[dando]

If you are basing your assertion that they are not making money on this part of your post I would say you have no proof they are losing money. This type of deal is everywhere in US sports. The Indians ballpark and Quickens Loans Arena is publically owned and partially paid for with a sin tax (lease payments do not cover it) and no one is saying either team is losing money. By the way, any time a club says they are losing money automatically assume they are likely lying. My understanding is that clubs have taken to splitting off the concession operations into other entities owned by the same owner and other such shell games so that they can claim they are making less through the club then in reality they are making.


The CBJ losses have been clearly documented. Mr. Mac. paid the $100m for the franchise fee, Nationwide built the arena, charged lease $$$ for the CBJ, the CBJ got no naming rights, no parking revs, no concession revs, yet ran the arena. It was a BAD deal made @ the time because tax payers would not foot the bill, yet they end up footing the bill on the backs of gambling $$$. Sorry, but in this case, the CBJ are bleeding ca$h and have been for most of the 12 years of their existence.

-Kevin

[dando]

I feel bad for the front office staffers that are going to have to take pay cuts and layoffs while the owners and the players continue this measuring contest. The Panthers already laid off their mascot and the Sens are already talking about changes. These people are innocent and caught in the middle.


http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8398463/nhl-employees-forced-take-pay-cuts-sources

:saywhat: :shakehead

-Kevin

[dando]

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8400057/nhl-cancels-all-preseason-games-september-30

:shakehead :saywhat:

-Kevin

[dando]

Awesome news for CBJ faithful.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8432212/nhl-cancels-remainder-preseason-schedule

:saywhat: :shakehead

-Kevin

[dando]

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline
Puck-rakers: #CBJ nearing deal to hire John Davidson as president of hockey operations, sources have told The Dispatch http://bit.ly/RU6YR8

:thumbup:

-Kevin

[chop456]

Kathy Lee Crosby and Fran Tarkenton are to be announced as head and assistant coach later today.

[TKGAngel]

Even though he's totally trolling, Brett Hull made me laugh with this pic (http://twitter.com/2ndBestHull/status/260898190503596034).

[Don Quixote]

That John Davidson had great hair.

[Dvdb]

Columbus would be lucky to have JD. He did a helluva job with the Blues but left with an ownership change.

[devilmaster]

Once again, this lockout isn't about the players.

This is about turning back the clock on owners stupidly overpaying for players, nothing else.

Think of how many contract deals got done in the 48-72 hours right before they locked the players out this time... There were some big money deals in there. Owners can't control their spending so at the end of the CBA need to bring it back in, so they can overspend again for the next 6 years.

And buttman was the guy who allowed a terrible arbitration deal for the owners 2 decades ago. He should have been fired for that alone.

A question i've been asking for years... Can buttman even skate???

[TKGAngel]

November's toast (http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8554366/nhl-cancels-november-games-talks-impasse). And the Winter Classic and the ASG may be in jeopardy as well.

Buck Fettman.

[dando]

November's toast (http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8554366/nhl-cancels-november-games-talks-impasse). And the Winter Classic and the ASG may be in jeopardy as well.

Buck Fettman.

Buttman + Fehr == perfect storm. :saywhat:

-Kevin

[Don Quixote]

The entire sport is in jeapardy. We bought into a season ticket package with a bunch of folks for the past 3 years, and ended up going to about 8 games a year. The group seems to be coming apart, due to folks being pissed that this labor dispute thing is happening again, and the ticket prices go up every year. I would stay in for 8 games, but I don't want to be in it for more than that. College hockey is cheaper to attend and more entertaining anyway.

[dando]

The entire sport is in jeapardy. We bought into a season ticket package with a bunch of folks for the past 3 years, and ended up going to about 8 games a year. The group seems to be coming apart, due to folks being pissed that this labor dispute thing is happening again, and the ticket prices go up every year. I would stay in for 8 games, but I don't want to be in it for more than that. College hockey is cheaper to attend and more entertaining anyway.

I went to every CBJ game for the first two seasons (pre-kids) and then cut back to 50%, then 25%, then a game or two or three. Haven't set foot in Nationwide Arena since game 4 of the 2009 NHL playoffs. :saywhat:

-Kevin

[Andrew Longman]

I went to my first pro game in many years last year. And that was only because ,The Devils are relatively cheap and easy to get to.

Yes the college game is far more entertaining.

That said there is hardly anything better in sport that NHL playoff hockey.

[dando]

That said there is hardly anything better in sport that NHL playoff hockey.

Indeed. As a Phlyers fan, there was nothing better than watching the 2000 playoff game against the Pens until the wee hours of the AM. :thumbup:

I had a chance to catch the Frozen Four here in 2005. It wasn't even close to the intensity in Nationwide Arena for the 2009 playoffs. :eek:

The CBJ are so pathetic, the C should stand for Cleveland. :gomer:

-Kevin

[Andrew Longman]

I had a chance to catch the Frozen Four here in 2005. It wasn't even close to the intensity in Nationwide Arena for the 2009 playoffs. :eek:Sometimes.

This was an epic triple OT game AbTrEugoYKQ

[dando]

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8636941/gary-bettman-suggests-2-week-moratorium-nhl-labor-talks-sources-say

Say goodbye to the All * Game in Cbus next. :saywhat: :shakehead

-Kevin

[Andrew Longman]

I understood yesterday they aren't even speaking by phone. The last strike was about the owners wanting "cost certainty" but now they don't want to give the players "pay certainty" while also demanding a huge pay cut. I can't for a second understand why the owners think the union would agree to this.

They claim the players aren't negotiating but the owners aren't hearing that their opening offer is simply a non starter.

[dando]

I understood yesterday they aren't even speaking by phone. The last strike was about the owners wanting "cost certainty" but now they don't want to give the players "pay certainty" while also demanding a huge pay cut. I can't for a second understand why the owners think the union would agree to this.

They claim the players aren't negotiating but the owners aren't hearing that their opening offer is simply a non starter.

Buttman vs. Fehr == bad poopie

The fact is franchises like Cbus, PHX, etc. are bleeding ca$h while franchises like Detroit, Philly, NYR are raking it in. CBJs sold out the first season and a half, but last season they likely averaged 12K (18K+ arena). I hope they don't end up being the next Hostess. :irked: Frankly, not missing it one bit.

-Kevin

[TKGAngel]

An incredibly interesting read this morning out of Philly (http://mobile.philly.com/sports/?wss=/philly/sports/sportsweek/&id=179749281&viewAll=y#more) about a potential break in the owners' united front.

Also, Clinton mediating a hockey lockout could be fairly entertaining.

[dando]

An incredibly interesting read this morning out of Philly (http://mobile.philly.com/sports/?wss=/philly/sports/sportsweek/&id=179749281&viewAll=y#more) about a potential break in the owners' united front.

Also, Clinton mediating a hockey lockout could be fairly entertaining.

Yes, very interesting. And yes, Cbus is treading water, and they just brought John Davidson in for a few mill/year. The city and county just bought Nationwide Arena from Nationwide with tax $$$ from the Hollywood Casino (which I will never set foot in). Discontent is running high here, especially considering the abysmal performance on the ice over 11 seasons. :irked:

And I don't see Slick Willie mediating this mess, but never say never. Perhaps Super Prez can step in based on his sports fanness. :gomer:

-Kevin

[dando]

More funness:

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8641886/ian-white-detroit-red-wings-calls-gary-bettman-idiot


Detroit Red Wings defenseman Ian White had some harsh words for NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

"I gotta be honest: I personally think he's an idiot," White told USA Today on Friday. "Since he's come in, I think he's done nothing but damage the game."

:thumbup:

-Kevin

[dando]

Kiss this season goodbye.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8659872/nhl-nhlpa-182-million-apart-donald-fehr-says

Fair enough...CBJs first round pick, #2 overall, Ryan Murray is likely out for the season after injuring his shoulder in the WHL. CBJ luck just never changes. :shakehead :saywhat:

-Kevin

[dando]

Next batch of games, plus the All * game get whacked tomorrow. CBJ luck (or lack thereof) continues. :saywhat: If it wasn't for tOSU, Cbus would be the new Cleveland. :irked:

-Kevin

[RTKar]

Bring back the WHA

[TKGAngel]

While the millionaires and billionaires fight, the NHL old timers are caught in the middle (http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/1291212--nhl-old-timers-caught-in-the-crossfire-of-lockout-cox).

[dando]

While the millionaires and billionaires fight, the NHL old timers are caught in the middle (http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/article/1291212--nhl-old-timers-caught-in-the-crossfire-of-lockout-cox).

Colateral damage. Sad. :( :saywhat:

-Kevin

[dando]

Games through 12/14 and All * Game canceled.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8665720/nhl-cancels-games-dec-14-plus-all-star-weekend

:saywhat: :shakehead

When talk about this started in June, I thought 'yeah, right, like that will happen...they can't be that dumb, right?'. :irked:

-Kevin

[TKGAngel]

I've gotten emails and tweets today from the Sabres announcing their Black Friday sale and holiday hours. Talk about bad timing and tone deafness.

And there's a growing movement among the players to decertify the union.

Exasperated Ryan Miller* talks union decertification (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/exasperated-ryan-miller-heartily-endorses-decertification-of-union/article5578329/)

*After watching him for the past 6+ years, exasperated may very well be Ryan Miller's default setting. :)

[dando]

I've gotten emails and tweets today from the Sabres announcing their Black Friday sale and holiday hours. Talk about bad timing and tone deafness.

And there's a growing movement among the players to decertify the union.

Exasperated Ryan Miller* talks union decertification (http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/exasperated-ryan-miller-heartily-endorses-decertification-of-union/article5578329/)

*After watching him for the past 6+ years, exasperated may very well be Ryan Miller's default setting. :)

$10 and my left nut this season is lost. Idiots. :mad:

-Kevin

[dando]

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nhl/story/_/id/8721794/nhl-labor-talks-break-just-one-hour-thursday

Idiots.

:shakehead :saywhat: :mad: :flame:

-Kevin

[TKGAngel]

To be a fly on the wall when Ryan Miller flipped out (http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2012-12-06/nhl-lockout-ryan-miller-jeremy-jacobs-bruins-milan-lucic-maple-leafs-penguins) on Jeremy Jacobs.

Another sign the NHL is clueless: NHL Network is showing a special on league pioneers instead of Bettman's presser discussing the melodrama of the past couple of days.

[dando]

To be a fly on the wall when Ryan Miller flipped out (http://aol.sportingnews.com/nhl/story/2012-12-06/nhl-lockout-ryan-miller-jeremy-jacobs-bruins-milan-lucic-maple-leafs-penguins) on Jeremy Jacobs.

Another sign the NHL is clueless: NHL Network is showing a special on league pioneers instead of Buttman's presser discussing the melodrama of the past couple of days.

Spelling correction. ;)

-Kevin

[dando]

One step closer to a lost season.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8732721/nhl-cancels-all-games-dec-30

:saywhat:

Wait...was that a tree I heard falling? :gomer:

-Kevin

[cameraman]

I thought it already was lost, who knew...

[TravelGal]

Felt sort of sorry for the Tampa Bay Lightning. This is their 20th year. Big ad campaign, which they are still running in many places. Sad.

[Tifosi24]

I fully expect that the season is toast, but I don't care because my MSU, Mankato Mavericks are rolling a 7 game winning streak. That is a D1 record for them. We will have to see if this lasts, but it is more impressive statistically than 10 years ago, and that was a great team.

[dando]

Well, some good news in the hockey universe:

http://espn.go.com/olympics/hockey/story/_/id/8815425/united-states-defeats-sweden-junior-ice-hockey-world-championships-gold


UFA, Russia -- The United States won the junior ice hockey championships on Saturday after Rocco Grimaldi scored twice and Vince Trocheck added an empty-net goal for a 3-1 win over Sweden in the final.

-Kevin

[TKGAngel]

I'm kind of sad that there is no Hockey Night in Canada tonight. Don Cherry would have been in rare form after the Canadian losses in the last two games.

Also, the kids look so happy singing the anthem (http://deadspin.com/5973393/watch-the-world-champion-usa-junior-hockey-team-sing-the-loudest-and-most-off+key-rendition-of-the-national-anthem-ever).

Back on topic, the drop dead date for a deal is the 11th, which would allow the season to start on the 20th, which coincidentally is the first NHL on NBC game.

[dando]

I've given up trying to keep score. :saywhat: Two steps forward, twelve steps back. :irked: Disclaimer of interest, decertify, divorce...whatever. Frankly the NHL fans should file a disclaimer of interest. :shakehead Sad. Cbus should be ramping up now for the All Star game.

-Kevin

[Andrew Longman]

Well, some good news in the hockey universe:

http://espn.go.com/olympics/hockey/story/_/id/8815425/united-states-defeats-sweden-junior-ice-hockey-world-championships-gold



-Kevin

I have a good friend whose son played serious travel hockey against many of those kids on the USA team. I used to go to many of his games and it was fun to see several familiar faces doing so well on the world stage.

[RTKar]

Well, some good news in the hockey universe:

http://espn.go.com/olympics/hockey/story/_/id/8815425/united-states-defeats-sweden-junior-ice-hockey-world-championships-gold



-Kevin

The WJ's rocked, Surprising Canada didn't medal....too bad the games weren't in Canada :eek::laugh: They need to start developing goalies...too many Sid "wanna be's". Over the last few years, Canada in hockey has replaced CCCP for arrogance. All Star teams don't always win, sometimes you're better off developing a team concept and not a dream team.

[dando]

Game on. Go figger.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8817955/nhl-nhlpa-reach-tentative-agreement

Not sure I'll GAF, tho.

-Kevin

[dando]

Plan is to start the season next week? :saywhat:

-Kevin

[Tifosi24]

Plan is to start the season next week? :saywhat:

-Kevin

A quick turnaround. The first two or three weeks of the season are going to be interesting as everyone gets back into game shape.

[dando]

A quick turnaround. The first two or three weeks of the season are going to be interesting as everyone gets back into game shape.

Most of them have been playing overseas the past couple of mos, and some of them like Anze Kopitar were injured. The CBJs lost their #1 pick Ryan Murray for the season to a shoulder injury while playing in the WHL. More than game shape, it's a matter of getting used to your line mates. The first couple of weeks will be ugly.

-Kevin

[TKGAngel]

Plan is to start the season next week? :saywhat:

-Kevin

First games on the 19th, no camps starting before this coming Saturday. :saywhat:

[dando]

First games on the 19th, no camps starting before this coming Saturday. :saywhat:

This will be fun to watch:


Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
Just a low rumble for now, but there are whispers KHL teams may be offering "inducements" to get RUS stars to stay and not return to NHL.

On the camps:


Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline
Don't see camps starting as early as everybody had hoped. Some players aren't leaving Europe until Wednesday. Looking like Saturday.


This going to like watching the Bad News Bears for the first couple of weeks. Lots of new pieces parts on the #CBJ. May the race for the overall worst record, yet not get the #1 overall pick, begin. :saywhat:

-Kevin

[dando]

CBA #s for Dummies:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/analysis-breaking-down-the-nhls-new-cba/article6976187/?cmpid=rss1&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

-Kevin

[TKGAngel]

And the Leafs continue to bring the Laffs: they just fired Brian Burke.

I know there's no love lost for Burke here, but why hang onto him throughout the lockout only to dump him 10 days before the season starts?

[dando]

And the Leafs continue to bring the Laffs: they just fired Brian Burke.

I know there's no love lost for Burke here, but why hang onto him throughout the lockout only to dump him 10 days before the season starts?

I LOVE BB...as long he is the GM/President of another team (Booby Clarke kinda love). :D

-Kevin

[RTKar]

And the Leafs continue to bring the Laffs: they just fired Brian Burke.

I know there's no love lost for Burke here, but why hang onto him throughout the lockout only to dump him 10 days before the season starts?

Leafs...the Cubs of the NHL

[chop456]

The Leafs have won 13 championships since the Cubs last one.

Just sayin'. :D

[Napoleon]

The Leafs have won 13 championships since the Cubs last one.

Other then that and the fact that the Leafs don't let goats in their games, especially ones that would cause a curse, they are exactly the same.

[dando]

Anthony SanFilippo ‏@AnthonySan37
I'm told the #Flyers have reacquired goalie Brian Boucher from Carolina for Luke Pither. More on this in a bit. #NHL #CrazyDayAlready
Retweeted by Aaron Portzline

Oh, dear Lord. What is it the Phlyers a Gs? I assume Hextall or Garth Snow weren't interested in a comeback? :saywhat: The curse of Pelle Lindbergh continues... :shakehead

-Kevin

[cameraman]

Seriously? After all this lock out crap, this is what they put on?

Anyone witness the Rangers-Penguins ******** fest?

If I wanted to watch the wwe I would. **** the NHL.

[dando]

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8945052/nhl-ticket-price-hike-surpasses-other-leagues

When did :tony: start running the NHL? Jeebus...half the season was cancelled, including the All Star game in Cbus that was used to get fans to re-up for season tix. Go pound sand, NHL. :saywhat: :irked: :shakehead

-Kevin

[Andrew Longman]

True, but the fans have flocked back in record numbers.

And you'd be a fool to pay face value. Stubhub rules and I find it knocks about $30 off a good ticket.

What I don't get is how TO gets $125 for such a perennial crap product or how Winnipeg gets so much for a town without a great economy.

Buffalo is the deal at $45 and a team that shows up most nights.

[devilmaster]

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8945052/nhl-ticket-price-hike-surpasses-other-leagues
-Kevin

Off-topic but it needs to be said...

To every network: Stop using skype as a regular news tool unless the reporter is in a war or disaster zone. Having a reporter or pundit sitting in their hotel room on skype is stupid. Find them a proper news station to broadcast from because what they have now looks like ass.

Back on topic: Bettman sucks, NHL product sucks, fans forgave (again!). Stupidity reigns.

[Andrew Longman]

Bettman does indeed suck. And most owners are idiots.

But the product IMO is pretty good. At least if you are a Devils fan. :D

The playoff are about the best thing in sport and the shortened season makes each of those game meaningful. Ask the Kings.

[TKGAngel]

Buffalo is the deal at $45 and a Miller and Vanek that show up most nights.

Fixed that for ya. :)

Sort of related: a lot of Buffalo season ticket holders sell their Toronto/Ottawa/Montreal games on the secondary market and use the proceeds to fund their season tickets. Even with inflated prices and travel costs, tickets in Buffalo are still cheaper than the ACC/Bell Centre.

[dando]

Meanwhile in CBJland, they finally canned GM Howson. No idea why this wasn't done sooner. :saywhat: I like John Davidson, and he turned around the Blues despite losing Pronger and MacInnis. They went from the bottom to the best record in the league last season. Their playoff run wasn't good, but it's a young with little playoff experience.

-Kevin

[dando]

Future CBJ candidate.

http://deadspin.com/5983913/?utm_campaign=socialflow_deadspin_twitter&utm_source=deadspin_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

:laugh:

-Kevin

[racermike]

I am going to Boston from March 14-18th, as guests of one of the Bruins GM's to see a couple of games. (Bruins/Panthers, and Bruins/Caps)

As well as take in St Patricks Day in Boston.

Should be fun.


Are any of you from there?

[dando]

The Sabres find a scapegoat.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8967382/lindy-ruff-fired-head-coach-buffalo-sabres

:saywhat:

Of course, Ruff will land on his feet like Coach Q or Hitch and end up kicking ass.

-Kevin

[TKGAngel]

I was a junior in high school when the Sabres hired Lindy, so this is such a weird night for me. I know that based on the Sabres play lately, that this was a mercy killing, but Lindy had a lot of good years here as a coach & player.

Now watch these bozos go on some sort of crazy run out of the Devils/Kings playbook and end up winning the Cup.

[dando]

I was a junior in high school when the Sabres hired Lindy, so this is such a weird night for me. I know that based on the Sabres play lately, that this was a mercy killing, but Lindy had a lot of good years here as a coach & player.

Now watch these bozos go on some sort of crazy run out of the Devils/Kings playbook and end up winning the Cup.

Sometimes a change of scenery is needed. Hitch had to get out from under the CBJ upper management. Q couldn't adjust in the post-MacInnis, Pronger, Hull era. Ruff will land on his feet. With the shortened season, there's no way teams like the Mighty Slugs and CBJ can make the playoffs, unless.....

http://www.hockeyjobu.com/

gndH9mhHPk0

:D

-Kevin

[Andrew Longman]

The Sabres find a scapegoat.

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8967382/lindy-ruff-fired-head-coach-buffalo-sabres

:saywhat:

Of course, Ruff will land on his feet like Coach Q or Hitch and end up kicking ass.

-KevinSports radio here is talking about him taking over the Islanders. That would be a good move IMO.

Sabers lost a good one.

[dando]

Sports radio here is talking about him taking over the Islanders. That would be a good move IMO.

Sables lost a good one.

Ruff was on the top of my list during the many coaching changes the CBJ have had in their short history. After they canned Hitch, for no good reason, they were turned down by their first choice, and were too late to the punch bowl to get Kevin Dineen into the fold. Ended up hiring Scott Arniel (fail). Hockey Jobu... :saywhat: Of course their first choice, Guy Boucher, is on thin ice in Tampa Bay. Karma?

-Kevin

[Andrew Longman]

http://sports.nationalpost.com/2013/02/20/rob-zombie-is-making-a-movie-about-the-philadelphia-flyers/

This could be fun. He couldn't have picked a more interesting team.

Let's hope he includes the game against the Soviets when the Flyers basically stood on the blue line and took the head off of any Russian who tried to cross it. :gomer:

[Don Quixote]

Let's hope he includes the game against the Soviets when the Flyers basically stood on the blue line and took the head off of any Russian who tried to cross it. :gomer:

And almost started WWIII! :D

[TKGAngel]

The fog game (with bonus bat killing) from the '75 Cup Finals could look awesome on the big screen.


Sports radio here is talking about him taking over the Islanders. That would be a good move IMO.

Speculation here has him taking over in Philly.

[Andrew Longman]

The fog game (with bonus bat killing) from the '75 Cup Finals could look awesome on the big screen.Yeah. Another weird moment on a weird team. I remember watching that game at my grandpa's house in Michigan.

Speculation here has him taking over in Philly.The Islanders job would be better. The front office seems to finally have its act together, Tavares is the real deal, and they are moving into a new building that is actually in the NY market.

And Philly hates everybody and everything.

[dando]

I hate the flipping 'hawks. Just sayin'. :gomer:

http://scores.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400442774

They've gone from worst to first in the span of a few years. Gee, CBJ....see what actually drafting well will do for ya? :saywhat: :irked:

-Kevin

[dando]

I'd like to see the Broad Street Bullies take on the 'hawks. Me thinks a few teeth would be lost. :gomer:

http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/8995699/nhl-old-philadelphia-flyers-know-makes-streak

-Kevin

[dando]

WTF. The CBJs win a game?!? :gomer:

-Kevin

[TKGAngel]

Realignment for next year is a go, pending a Board of Governors vote (http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/9029028/nhlpa-consents-realignment-plan). As if the Sabres don't have enough issues without having to face Detroit multiple times per season.

Also, I wasn't a fan of his on the ice, but you do have to feel for Chris Pronger after reading this article (http://www.csnphilly.com/flyers/pronger-updates-health-still-suffering-symptoms).

[Andrew Longman]

WTF. The CBJs win a game?!? :gomer:

-KevinAnd the Devils finally remembered how to put the puck in the net and win.

[Andrew Longman]

What are the objectives for the realignment? Granted the current set up has flaws and the proposal fixes some of them, but these are awfully big divisions. How often will they play a given team in their division. That hurts rivalries, especially when nearly every team makes the playoffs.

I would prefer to maintain traditional and regional rivalries and minimize travel. Something like this:

Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Phlyers, Caps

Bruins, Leafs, Habs, Senators, Sabres

Wings, Blackhawks, Wild, Blues, Stars

Ducks, Kings, Coyotes, Avalanche, Sharks

Jackets, Preditors, Hurricane, Penguins, Lightning

Jets, Flames, Oilers, Canucks, ... And Saskatoon (moved from FL - hockey doesn't belong in South FL :D )

I would like to have Pitt stay with the Flyers or paired with Buffalo but I can't make it work.

[JoeBob]

Not sure what the schedule will look like in the east, but in the west it will be a home and home with the East (32 games), three games each vs. the other division (21 games) and 29 games in your own division (some teams four games, some teams five).

For my Minnesota Wild, it's a MUCH better division. The division now with Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton and Colorado means a TON of games with late starts on TV in MN, and more travel than any other team. Plus a ton of trips through customs. That's just a horrendous division travel wise. (Especially when you look at what it is like in the east - free agents were avoiding the division just because of the travel/time zone hopping.)

This fixes that, and gives us much better geographic rivalries. Minnesota is CRAZY about hockey, but the most natural geographic rivalries (Chicago and Winnipeg) are games that are rare treats. (I think the entire city of Winnipeg drove to MN last season when the Jets visited the Wild. The atmosphere was INSANE. If you go to the Mall of America, sporting goods stores stock as many Jets jerseys as they do Wild jerseys - because so many Canadian tourists come south to visit the MOA. So, of course, there isn't a single game between the two teams this season.)

[dando]

What are the objectives for the realignment? Granted the current set up has flaws and the proposal fixes some of them, but these are awfully big divisions. How often will they play a given team in their division. That hurts rivalries, especially when nearly every team makes the playoffs.

I would prefer to maintain traditional and regional rivalries and minimize travel. Something like this:

Rangers, Islanders, Devils, Phlyers, Caps

Bruins, Leafs, Habs, Senators, Sabres

Wings, Blackhawks, Wild, Blues, Stars

Ducks, Kings, Coyotes, Avalanche, Sharks

Roadkill, Preditors, Hurricane, Penguins, Lightning

Jets, Flames, Oilers, Canucks, ... And Saskatoon (moved from FL - hockey doesn't belong in South FL :D )

I would like to have Pitt stay with the Flyers or paired with Buffalo but I can't make it work.

Fixerated that for ya. :saywhat: :irked: :D

-Kevin

[dando]

Keep in mind, this is the team that brought you Boomer.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ofHN_miumNM/TO3RzMa_R2I/AAAAAAAABtI/tK91x1IDBhc/s1600/boomer.jpg

I hear the ladies like him. :D

-Kevin

[dando]

Aaron Portzline ‏@Aportzline
#CBJ Vinny Prospal spars with #RedWings Justin Abdelkader. Then steps away and points Abdelkader's attention to the scoreboard.

The small victories in life. Scoreboard, yo. Bite it, Dead Wings. :thumbup: :thumbup:

http://gifboom.com/x/8d8b3022

:D

-Kevin

[dando]

6 points out of the final playoff spot? Srsly? :eek:

http://espn.go.com/nhl/playoffs/matchups

-Kevin