Vesey and Eichel Would Make a Great Combination

When I read this article, I get the impression that former Harvard Crimson and Hobey Baker Memorial Award recipient Jimmy Vesey has limited interest in joining the Buffalo Sabres.

Kevin Paul Dupont, Boston Glob -- The sight of the Vesey-Eichel combination (with Nick Lappin, AHL Albany, filling out the trio) would have Sabres fans fogging up every pane of glass in the arena’s three rinks, just thinking what it might be like if they were to team up in Buffalo. The Buffalo fandom embraced Eichel in his rookie season, and will spend these next six weeks sending vibes down Route 90, hoping that he can recruit a fellow Bay Stater 450 miles west to the City of Good Neighbors.

“He’s told me they have a young team, and stuff like that,’’ said Vesey, constantly set up by velvety feeds from Eichel during the scrimmage. “And that it’s a good place to play, with passionate fans. But he said he’s not going to harass me or anything . . . obviously, it’s my decision and that’s that.’’

Now, as a hockey fan, I would love to see what Jack Eichel and Jimmy Vesey could do on the ice together. Reading this article, I get the impression that Vesey would like to test the free agent market and see which teams are interested in him. There's a chance he could end up playing on the hometown Bruins.

I am not a Sabres fan, but I am interested in seeing how they fair on the ice this season. Looking at some of the Sabres signings, they have the possibility to be a decent hockey team this year.

An Interesting Read on P.K. Subbans Departure from Montreal

Last Friday, after the Free Agent Signing Period began, I watched in shock as the P.K. Subban was traded from the Montreal Canadiens to the Nashville Predators for Shea Weber. After reading this article, it appears there's a few moving parts in this trade.

Jack Todd, Montreal Gazette -- Of course no one is saying so for attribution, but Subban is gone because the club had issues with his character, which is subtly different than character issues. Somehow, Subban had made himself unpopular in the room and in the executive offices through what would appear to be an excess of personality.

Subban was too ebullient. He was too happy after losses. He may have stayed out too late at night. He may have joked that Drew Doughty was going to win the Norris because he had a better supporting cast.

That Subban’s behaviour never included the sort of very real character issues you get with the Raising Kane Brothers (Patrick and Evander) didn’t matter. He was cocky and brash and a little too involved in his own world, so he had to go.

Whatever Subban was like in the room or in the clubs after hours, when the puck dropped, no player on this team battled harder. Subban gave this team all he had every night, so if he wanted to bounce around the room and crow after a loss, he has earned the right. If some of his teammates worked half as hard, there would not have been so many losses to mourn in the proper fashion.

Subban has played in 434 NHL games and has scored 63 goals and 278 points. Subban is ranked 10th all-time on the Canadiens for points by a defenseman.

Weber, on the other hand, has played in 763 games and has scored 166 goals and 443 points. Weber is ranked first overall on the Predators for points by a defenseman.

Looking at this deal, it would appear that the trade is basically a wash. Weber is three years older than Subban. Last season, both players scored 51 points. Over the course, they’ve averaged about the same number of points per game, .Subban has averaged 629 PPG, and Weber has averaged .580 PPG. 

New UND President Leaves No Doubt on Nickname and Logo

After reading the comments of incoming University of North Dakota President Mark Kennedy's, there should be no doubt, the Fighting Hawks nickname issue has been finalized. He's not going to change the name or the logo. While some will continue to draw different version's of the Fighting Hawks logo, the newly designed logo will remain as UND official logo.

Wade Rupard, Grand Forks Herald --- UND's new president has a message for the university's community and fans: The Fighting Hawks name and logo are here to stay.

In an interview with the Herald, Mark Kennedy, who began his tenure as UND's president Friday, said the debate about the school's nickname and logo have distracted it from focusing on academic priorities. When asked if he plans to stick with the Fighting Hawks name and logo, Kennedy said "yes and yes."

Thoughts?  Like it or not, that's UND's official nickname and logo.

Vanek a Ranger?

Last week, former Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek had the final year of his three-year contract bought out by the Wild. It appears that one team's loss is another team's game. According to the Larry Brooks of the New York Post, the Rangers might be interested in adding the slow-footed Vanek to their lineup.

Larry Brooks, New York Post --- The Rangers, we’re told, intend to touch base with Thomas Vanek and gauge his willingness to sign the type of one-year reclamation contract that Benoit Pouliot did when he joined the Blueshirts for $1.3 million in 2013-14. Pouliot used that season as a springboard to the five-year, $20 million deal he then signed the following summer with the Oilers.

It would make perfect sense, too, for the Islanders to check in on Vanek, who melded beautifully with Tavares (and, uh oh, Okposo) during his 47-game lend-lease tryout with the club during 2013-14.

Embed from Getty Images

Petition to Change New Fighting Hawks Logo

A person named Sarah Wallace has started a petition to change the new Fighting Hawks logo. This story has been picked up by the Grand Forks Herald, Valley News Live and WDAZ. While this makes an interesting story, it will have little affect on the UND administration. They're not going to dump a new logo they just spent $49,500.00 on. The political bloggers would have a field day with this one.
Here's the link to the petition.

It was an extremely sad day for many proud University of North Dakota alumni, students, fans and friends when the NCAA and the administration put their heads together and decided the way we loved, adored and respected our beloved Sioux nickname/logo could no longer belong to us. Completely disregarding the night of July 18, 1969 when a full night of events took place in which the Sioux elders gave the University the right to use their name. However, this petition IS NOT ABOUT RETURNING TO THE SIOUX NAME.

This petition is about the complete mishandling of creating a new logo the alumni, student body, fans, Sioux and friends can rally behind. The administration did all of us an injustice by hiring an out of state firm who does not understand who and what North Dakota is about. It is time to reclaim OUR UNIVERSITY and say we have had enough!! It is time to demand they listen to us. If they want us to rally around name that we did not want then give us a logo we can be proud of. Allow a local artist to create the logo. An even better idea would be to have the original creator of the beloved Sioux logo Bennett Brien to create the new logo.

This would be the only way the university administration can redeem themselves. We were foolish to think that Ed Schafer would come in and understand what we needed and this from a UND graduate. Please take the time to sign and share this petition. It is not to late to have a new logo designed by someone we can all stand behind and support. If we must have this name then give us a logo we will have pride, honor and support!

Currently, there are 3,575 supporters, if my math is correct that an increase of 575 signatures since yesterday.

Usual Suspects: Mike McFeely Can't Help Himself

On Wednesday, the University of North Dakota introduced the new Fighting Hawks logo. About 15 minutes after introducing the new logo social media blew up. Yeah that happened, but come on, everyone knew that was going to happen.

Never wasting an opportunity to bag on anything UND, Inforum's political columnist Mike McFeely penned this zinger. Now you have to applaud McFeely, this is very smart move, especially, if he's being paid by the page views and sessions. That article is probably good for 10,000 hits or roughly $30.00.

It was as sad as it was predictable. UND men’s hockey fans and former players trashing the new logo for the sake of trashing the new logo, because it’s not the beloved Fighting Sioux nickname and logo and by God will never be the beloved Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

It would’ve been refreshing to hear a former player, any former player, break the cliche and say something along the lines of, “You know, none of us wanted to get rid of the Fighting Sioux nickname. We all recognize that. Even those men and women who had to guide the university through the process of finding a new nickname and logo did not necessarily want to do it, but they had to. They were forced to. So this is where we are. Reality is, UND is now the Fighting Hawks and we have a new logo. While we wish the Fighting Sioux nickname could’ve continued forever, that is not what happened. So while I’ll always identify my hockey career as being a member of the Fighting Sioux, from here on out we’ll be known as the Fighting Hawks. We already have one championship under our belt with our new nickname and hopefully there will be many more. It’s time to embrace change. #FightingHawks.”

What's even more entertaining, McFeely's blog doesn't accept comments. Not a single one. I would love to see the comments coming for this blog post. Come one Mike, if you're going to troll UND fans, at least have the common decency to accept comments on your blog. Maybe you could learn a thing or two from your co-workers Rob Port and Brad Schlossman. Both writers accept comments on their blogs.

And finally this.

Whether or not you like the new nickname and logo, and whether or not the new logo is graphically pleasing, shouldn’t matter. At some point, the #SiouxForever crowd is going to have to accept that the school has a new nickname and logo. That’s just reality. Like it or hate it, it happened.

When is Rocco Grimaldi or Cam Johnson or another hockey player going to do the difficult thing and support the institution and the people, instead of a retired nickname?

Here's what McFeely and the MoveOn crowd aren't getting. To a certain degree, I think the University has to walk on eggshells with the #FightingSiouxforever block. There's a part of the hockey fan base that isn't going to accept the new nickname. Some never may accept it. So what? That's also a very big part of the UND hockey fanbase. Do you risk alienating a very big part of your fanbase? I don't think the University can afford to. Also, if a former player never played with the new nickname, they're not going to feel any attachment to the new nickname. I don't think you can expect them to just endorse the new nickname, either. Most of them never played under the new nickname, including Roco Grimaldi. So beating on Grimaldi and others solves nothing.

Finally, there needs to be a balanced approach and a mourning period. Accepting the new Fighting Hawks nickname and logo could take generations. It's especially easy for people that have no connection to a program to say, "It's time move on and let it go." This is what McFeely and others don't get. I am not saying I endorse this line of thinking, but it's a reality that I understand. Feel free to opine.

UND at the Draft

by Redwing77

What an interesting draft we've had for UND!

Rocco Grimaldi exchanges his sunscreen for his skis going from the Florida Panthers to the Colorado Avalanche via trade.

And then there were the drafted UND players:

The First Round saw incoming freshman Tyson Jost drafted 10th overall by Colorado.  I only know what Brad Schlossman says about Jost but Boeser to Jost is going to be exciting once Jost acclimates to the NCAA game.

Skip a few to the fourth round where UND sophomore Rhett Gardner gets drafted 116th overall by Dallas.  I think this is classified as a diamond in the rough find for Hakstol and Berry.  I didn't expect much from Rhett and he's gradually gotten better and better.

UND recruit Mitchell Mattson got drafted 126th overall (5th Round) by Calgary.  He'll be one to watch as lots of up and down movement regarding opinion on Mattson has occurred as of late.

UND now has a pair of drafted goaltenders Matej Tomak was drafted last year and this year, future UND goaltender and current Omaha Lancer Peter Thome was drafted in the 6th round by Columbus.

Collin Adams, a player currently for Muskegon of the USHL and future UND winger, got drafted in the 6th round by the Islanders.

Overall, a pretty good weekend for UND. 

My Final Thoughts on the New Logo

Last Wednesday, the University of North Dakota unveiled their new Fighting Hawks logo and then social media blew up. My initial thoughts, when I saw the new logo was you've got to be kidding me? This is a joke, right? Like many UND fans, I was in a state of shock. I couldn't believe this is what they'd come up with. I didn't know what to think.
After the nickname announcement then came the tweets and Facebook posts. What's was more interesting was reading tweets from fans of other programs. Some of them were giddy. Some of them laughed. A lot of these same fans said they liked UND's new logo and couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. Upon seeing the new logo, my own father said, "It's not bad." I said, "Seriously?" This is coming from a guy that spent a year at the University of Iowa. Go Hawkeyes, right? 

Although I expected the logo to be a bit lame, this wasn't what I expected. Not in the least. It was underwhelming. After almost $50,000.00 this is what the UND administration came up with. As a tax payer and alumni of UND, I was disappointed.

After some thought and reflection, I'm moving on. Like I said before, it could've been worse. The word mark is actually pretty good and I expect to see it on a UND hockey jersey in the future. The new logo isn’t great, but I accept it. I may not like it all that much, but I can live with it.  The logo will probably grow on me with time.  

Also, it doesn't do any good to stew about something that I have no ability to change. Yes, I like the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo, but it's not coming back, ever again. It's not possible in today's politically correct world. What's done is done.

I have a prediction: No matter how much the fans and players complain about the new logo, there isn't going to be any change to the new nickname or logo. Sure, there will be some tweaks to the current logo, but the university isn't going to reopen the nickname selection process. People or groups can sue UND, but it’s not going to change anything.

I've taken some heat from some UND fans for using the new Fighting Hawks nickname. One fan posted this comment, it's North Dakota, UND and or Fighting Sioux. When I am writing for the Hockey Writers or Inside Hockey I can't use the Fighting Sioux nickname anymore. UND requested that media members (television and radio, bloggers and journalists) no longer use the Fighting Sioux nickname. It's also really hard to write UND, UND, UND all of the time. Sorry man.

In my humble opinion, there were hundreds of other nicknames choices that would've been much better than the five bad choices the nickname committee came up with.  I believe we were doomed from the start. Now the nickname debacle is finally over, I'm moving on. Whether you like it or not, Fighting Hawks is UND's official nickname. This past spring, UND actually won a NCAA title under their new nickname.

Again, like I've said in the past, Fighting Hawks was the best choice of five really bad nickname choices. At least the new nickname wasn't Sundogs. I'd like to see the university drop Fighting and just go with Hawks.

Now, some had suggested that UND didn't need to select a new nickname. They're right, but somewhere along the line, there would've been a group or organization that would've filed a complaint against UND. Others complained that being simply North Dakota was a pseudo way of keeping the Fighting Sioux nickname. According to former UND President Robert O. Kelley, UND needed a nickname to move on. I don't know? Picking a nickname didn't stop fans from yelling Sioux and Sioux forever. Right? So, that theory was shot down.

As I mentioned in a tweet, if UND had retained the Fighting Sioux nickname, UND wouldn't be hosting a NCAA West Regional in Fargo, ND again. Hosting in Fargo gives UND a major advantage. It could mean the difference between advancing to the Frozen Four and staying home.

Finally, I am a supporter and an alumnus of the University of North Dakota. I think that UND football head coach Bubba Schweigert said it best. 

“UND football is going to embrace this logo and what it represents,” said Schweigert, adding the logo will be on the helmet for the team’s first game Sept. 1.

In conclusion, I will support the UND sports teams no matter what name they play under. It's up to each individual fan if they want to do the same.

Redwing77's Take on the New Logo...

by Redwing77

As Eric said, it's getting mixed reviews and from what I read, I understand it.  The ONLY thing UND has done correctly in this whole affair is to seek advice from its staff, students, faculty, and alumni.

After that, it simply disregarded what those groups were saying in favor of the overriding political mantra "We can't do what you want because we're acting for the greater good and you're too stuck in the wrong to notice."

I don't recall a time (in more facets that mere athletics) where the "greater good" was so corrupted by agendas than the last 10 years or so.

In any case, here's my take on the new logo.

If this logo had been the winning submission from a community outreach program, such as a contest, I think it would be more palatable than the reality of the situation:  We paid millions of dollars for what was correctly deemed to be an overly simplistic, almost canned generic font for the ND and as for the "hawk..."  Gosh if that doesn't look like a slightly modified version of:

Just remove all of the blue and add black highlights and black dots for eyes and well...

My problem isn't that it is ugly.  It's not a good looking logo, but it's not ugly either.  My problem is that we wasted a LOT of money on a logo that surely will become the crown jewel of wasted taxpayer money (whether or not it was taxpayer money or otherwise).

Nevertheless, I argue that UND couldn't win this logo idea anyways.  The only way UND would have come out of this debacle looking at least ok is if they would have allowed the no nickname option on the ballot.  Sure, the PC crowd wouldn't have been happy but that would have constituted less than 40% of the UND greater community (I would assume).

However, people are already forgetting the silver lining:  a logo isn't static.  Many MANY teams have alternate logos.  It would be very easy for UND to alter or change their logo after a year or so and relegate this new one to an alternative jersey format or, if Coach Schweigert likes it so much, it could be football only.

If I were the new UND President, whomever that is, I'd turn to UND's art department, alumni association, and perhaps even the greater UND community and hold a contest to design the new logo much like what got us the final Sioux logo.  The University can stipulate what would constitute a legal submission and what would not.

For example, the hawk can not have any feathers even remotely resembling an eagle feather simply due to the fact that the Native Americans hold a de facto copyright on ALL such representations.

It's doable and I'm fairly certain that, at this point, they will strongly consider it.

New Fighting Hawks Logo Gets mixed reviews.

pic.twitter.com/cvcVFqr5ua

— becca (@beccapatnaude) June 22, 2016

Today, the University of North Dakota introduced the new Fighting Hawks logo. Here are some of the responses the new nickname received.

I would say that the new logo received mixed reviews. It appears that fans of opposing teams were more receptive to the nickname than actual UND fans.Some of the responses from the current and former players are interesting. A few of the coaches had great responses to the new logo.

Regardless of what the new logo was I was going to have a hard time liking it but this is just brutal, looks like a Microsoft word clip art

— Brendan O'Donnell (@bodonnell21) June 22, 2016

Seriously ... the UND logo is excellent & people still whining about Fighting Hawks are Frigging Morons.

— Patrick Reusse (@1500ESPN_Reusse) June 22, 2016

You know what, I am acting like a pussy. My true thoughts on new UND logo...it looks like shit.

— Mike Commodore (@commie22) June 22, 2016

@Gausmus47 sad to see it go from the best jersey in college hockey to this

— Derek Rodwell (@drodwell11) June 22, 2016

I think it's pretty cool. #cawlidgehawkey https://t.co/b7uTbFgN2m

— Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) June 22, 2016

Here at UND embrace and respect the history that made us. Focus our energy building the new to make history too. pic.twitter.com/9qvQe5Z09r

— J. Travis Brewster (@CoachBrewU) June 22, 2016

@myUND I'm assuming the logo was designed by the same idiots who picked the name?

— Drake Caggiula (@drakecaggiula) June 22, 2016

Then again, next to this, it doesn't look so bad pic.twitter.com/pUhvAkbWxe

— Jeremy (@knowsknothing) June 22, 2016

UND FB Coach Bubba Schweigert hits home run when discussing transitioning to new Fighting Hawks logo. I'm on the Bubba Bandwagon! Join me!!!

— Terry Brenner, Ed.D (@BrennerTerry) June 22, 2016

Our head coach has the It factor. #HeadHawk

— Danny Freund (@dfreund7) June 22, 2016

Bubba ball Embraces the New Fighting Hawks Logo

I think the response to the new Fighting Hawks logo was predictable. First, no logo would ever be able to replace the Fighting Sioux logo. Some people aren't ever going to like it. Also, you can't expect everyone to like or embrace the new logo. I am still on the fence, but I don't think it would look bad on a football helmet.

That being said, some of the UND sports programs on campus are already supporting the Fighting Hawks logo. When a UND football recruit commits to UND, it's not uncommon for them to make mention of being proud to be a member of the Fighting Hawks Nation. Or something along those lines.  Today, the UND football team took that first step when head coach Bubba Schweigert announced that the new logo will, in fact, be on the football helmets when the Hawks take the field in September.

“UND football is going to embrace this logo and what it represents,” said Schweigert, adding the logo will be on the helmet for the team’s first game Sept. 1.

Your UND SID Lineup

First, I want to throw some kudos to the University of Sports Information Directors. I think they do a great job and conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism. They also serve as pseudo-therapists for the fans when the sport they work for isn't doing well.   Second, I think they’re underpaid and at times, they're underappreciated. I also think some of them take some unnecessary abuse. Over the past few seasons, I have seen comments from fans talking how SID so and so needs to step it up. Or, SID so and so isn't doing his job. Many times, after further investigation, they're not even complaining about the right SID. So, if you new to UND Sports, here are some of the important names you need to know. I also bolded the major sports that each SID covers.   Media Relations       Jayson Hajdu Assistant AD, Media Rel. (MHKY, XC, T/F) 7.2985 jayson.hajdu@athletics.und.edu Ryan Powell Associate Director (FB, MBB, M/WGOF) 7.2986 ryan.powell@athletics.und.edu Ross LaDue Assistant Director (SOC, WHKY, SB, TN) 7.6743 ross.ladue@athletics.und.edu Mitch Wigness Assistant Director (WBB, VB, BB, S/D) 7.4210 mitchell.wigness@athletics.und.edu

Wild Were Banged Up

According to Chad Graff, the Minnesota Wild were banged up pretty bad by the end of the season. We also know that Thomas Vanek had broken and displaced ribs and was unable to play during the 2016 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

INJURY REPORT

In addition to Dubnyk (broken finger) and Zach Parise (back), Fletcher revealed that forward Erik Haula and defensemen Marco Scandella, Jonas Brodin and Jared Spurgeon played through injuries this season. Haula has a hip injury that Fletcher said limited his speed. Scandella might require sports hernia surgery. Brodin had a foot injury that limited his mobility. Spurgeon was slowed by an undisclosed upper-body injury.

Fletcher said Spurgeon played most of the season at “80 percent.” “That kid is the toughest

That being said, all NHL hockey teams suffer injuries and it's part of the game.

Toronto Star: Hockey Has Gotten Boring

When I read this article, I can relate.

Vinay Menon, Toronto Star --- That’s right. Hockey has gotten downright boring.

This season that just ended in triumph for the Pittsburgh Penguins will be remembered by many Canadians as the season they forgot about hockey and didn’t miss it one bit. Yes, our national mediocrity — this was the first season no Canadian team earned a spot in the playoffs since 1970 — did much to torch our enthusiasm.

But the slow melting started years ago.

Forget who hosts on TV. The underlying apathy and malaise of who watches is what stakeholders should be scrutinizing through their corporate visors. Is the problem league overexpansion? Is it NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman’s remarkable capacity to be the most grating executive in any professional league? Is it on-ice changes?

Reading this article, I can relate. This year during the 2016 Stanely Cup Playoffs I found myself watching Netflix instead of some of the series. I told a buddy of mine that the matchup between the Lightning and the Penguins was the best series of the 2106 Stanley Cup Playoffs. In my humble opinion, the second best series was between the Capitals and the Penguins.

Also, during this year's Stanley Cup Playoffs, there were no villains, no players to despise. There were no real controversies. I found the playoffs to be very vanilla and at times very boring. There were no Kings, no Blackhawks after the first round. No players that you could vilify. For the first time in a very long time, there were no Canadian teams. Not one. There were no players like Alex Burrows or Brad Marchand to hate on. I thought the playoffs were very B-O-R-I-N-G.

To be honest with you, I am glad that the 2015-16 NHL season is over. After watching the hometown seal the deal for the first time in 16 years, I was emotionally drained. Nothing could compare to the UND's title drive. When the Wild took a dive in the first round, I basically lost interest. When the last UND alum was eliminated from the playoffs, I checked out. there was nothing there to keep my attention. So, again, I can relate with the Canadians.

Startribune: Minneapolis/St. Paul has the longest title drought (Major Sports)

So, when the boys at KFAN refer to the Twin Cities as Loserville, they're not kidding.

Michael Rand, Startribune --- Also, this Minneapolis/St. Paul title drought designation is being measured against only those U.S. markets that have at least three pro teams spread among the NBA, NHL, MLB and NFL. Hence markets like Portland or Salt Lake City are not included. There are 18 U.S. markets that have at least three of those teams (Toronto also qualifies if we expand to North American markets and has won a World Series more recently than the Twins).

With those asides considered, these facts remain:

*The Twins were the last of the “big four” teams in Minnesota to win a championship, in 1991. Washington D.C. is close behind, with a Super Bowl in early 1992 (won in Minnesota, no less) being that city’s most recent “big four” title. The Boston area has won approximately 11 billion championships in that span, using rosters comprised of roughly 87 percent Minnesota connections.

Having read this, the Vikings are the Twin Cities best hope to break this streak.

Viva Las Vegas

It looks like this is finally going to be a done deal. Yes, this seems like a great destination to watch and NHL game.

Associated Press -- The NHL has settled on Las Vegas as its choice for expansion, provided organizers can come up with a $500 million fee, a source told ESPN's Scott Burnside.

The league's board of governors is scheduled to hold a formal vote during its meeting on June 22. Quebec City was also considered for expansion.

A person who had been briefed on the decision told the Associated Press, which previously reported the decision, that Las Vegas was a "done deal" after the recommendation of the NHL's executive committee.

Odds to win the 2017 Stanley Cup

Here’s the early odds for the 2017 Stanley Cup via Bovada. I am surprised that the Minnesota Wild are so high.

           

Pittsburgh Penguins                              8/1

Chicago Blackhawks                             10/1

Washington Capitals                              10/1

St. Louis Blues                                      12/1

Los Angeles Kings                                14/1

San Jose Sharks                                   14/1

Tampa Bay Lightning                             14/1

Anaheim Ducks                                     16/1

Dallas Stars                                         16/1

Detroit Red Wings                                 18/1

Minnesota Wild                                     18/1

Nashville Predators                               18/1

New York Rangers                                 18/1

Montreal Canadiens                               20/1

New York Islanders                                20/1

Boston Bruins                                       25/1

Florida Panthers                                    25/1

Philadelphia Flyers                                25/1

Colorado Avalanche                              33/1

Calgary Flames                                     40/1      

Edmonton Oilers                                   40/1

Ottawa Senators                                    40/1

Arizona Coyotes                                    50/1

Carolina Hurricanes                                50/1

Columbus Blue Jackets                         50/1

New Jersey Devils                                 50/1

Vancouver Canucks                               50/1

Winnipeg Jets                                       50/1

Buffalo Sabres                                      66/1

Toronto Maple Leafs                             66/1

Is Vanek Done in Minnesota?

Thomas Vanek came to the Minnesota Wild as a free-agent signing period during the summer of 2014. Since signing in Minnesota, Vanek has underperformed (scoring 39 goals and 93 points) and been the center of a lot of criticism. Some of the criticism was warranted, some not. Some of it was downright rude. Needless to say,  Wild fans weren't happy with his two-year performance.

That being said, Vanek wasn't pleased with his performance either.  In April, he told the Twin Cities media, "I'm not happy with my year, but I still believe I'm a 30 goal scorer." You have to credit Vanek, he's a very honest person.

Yes, there were a lot of fans and bloggers chuckling about that comment.

For a second year in a row Vanek was hurt at the end of the season. This season, Vanek had broken ribs and was unable to play during the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

According to NBC's Pro Hockey Talk, Vanek's time in Minnesota could be over.

Rumblings have Minnesota considering a Thomas Vanek buyout. Vanek, 32, is heading into the last of a three-year, $19.5 million deal with a $6.5M cap hit, and is owed $7.5 million in salary. He’s coming off a disappointing year in which he scored a career-low 18 goals.

As a Wild apologist, I would rather see the Wild buyout a few other players first. I am looking at Jason Pominville, first. Question: are you on the buyout Vanek wagon? Do you want him to return and play out his contract? I am on the fence.

Mike Yeo's New Job

Not long after being fired by the Minnesota Wild, it appears that Mike Yeo will be the St. Louis Blues head coach staring during the 2017-18 season.

Tom Timmermann and Jeremy Rutherford St. Louis Post-Dispatch ---Mike Yeo was named as the successor to Ken Hitchcock as coach of the Blues on Monday. Yeo agreed to a one-year deal on Monday as an assistant coach -- the coach-in-waiting -- and a three-year deal to take over as coach after Hitchcock retires after next season.

It's an unlikely turn of events for Yeo (pronounced "Yo"), whose Minnesota Wild eliminated the Blues in the first round of the playoffs two seasons ago. At that point, it seemed that Hitchcock wouldn't be back the following the season while Yeo's star was rising with the Wild.

According to Jeremy Rutherford,  former Wild assistant coach and UND alum Rich Wilson has also been added to the St. Louis Blues staff, too.

Great Start to Game 6

Off to a good start. 😳 #RGCL #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/ZrY2FWsx6V

— Rogers NHL GCL (@RogersNHLGCL) June 13, 2016

Thoughts on this one?