Milan Lucic's trip through the hand shake line. Lucic Threatens Dale Weise and Alexei Emelin

At the end of the game, Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic used the handshake line to say his piece to Montreal Canaidens Dale Weise and Alexei Emelin. According to Weise, Lucic threatened him. Traditionally, the handshake line is considered sacred ground and it a taboo to start something in the handshake line. Once the game is over, it's over, the handshake line is supposed to be devoid of extracurricular activities.

From Michael Hurley of CBS Boston.

Weise didn’t repeat exactly what Lucic said, but TSN’s Aaron Ward reportedly watched slowed down video that showed Lucic telling Weise, “I’m going to [expletive] kill you next year.”

“You look at a guy like Shawn Thornton who has been around the league and he plays hard and he plays that role and he had good things to say to everybody,” Weise told the media. “He [lost] with class and Milan Lucic just couldn’t do that. Well I won’t get into what he said — it’s just poor, it’s a poor way to lose.”

Weise says Lucic threatened him in the handshake and said something similarly threatening to Emelin. Emotional series ends with tough words.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 15, 2014

Milan Lucic and Dale Weise had an awkward moment with this handshake, and Lucic giving him a few choice F words. pic.twitter.com/eZMyQNz4AC
— Jeff Adams (@jeffmadams) May 15, 2014

(Video) John Tortorella on Canucks/Flames line brawl post game presser

Well, Vancouver Canucks coach John Tortorella will have an in person hearing for attempting to confront the  Calgary Flames head coach and for the scrum that erupted in the hall afterwards. You have to think that Torts will be getting a vacation and a hefty fine.

John Tortorella will have an in-person hearing tomorrow in New York. Substantial fine and suspension both possible. #TSN
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) January 19, 2014

(Video) Boston Bruins: Shawn Thornton Suspended 15-games

Update: The NHL has thrown the book at Bruins tough guy Shawn Thornton for his attack on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik.

According to Darren Dreger of TSN, Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton is suspended 15-games for his attack on Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik. That means that Thornton will not be eligible to return to the ice until January 11, 2014 against the San Jose Sharks. Developing.

Thornton gets 15 games. #TSN
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 14, 2013

Chiarelli: "We respect the process including the ability to attend and present our case in person. At this time, we will decline comment..."
— Bruins Daily (@BruinsDaily) December 14, 2013

Boston Bruins issue statements regarding the suspension of Shawn Thornton. Read: http://t.co/s7xLfTAG57 ^BB
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 14, 2013

Via a team press release, Shawn Thornton says he'll discuss suspension with team, NHLPA and his reps, will address publicly after that.
— Matt Pepin (@mattpep15) December 14, 2013

Related articles

• Doesn't look good for Shawn Thornton (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Throw the Book at Shawn Thornton (thehockeywriters.com)
• Settling the Debate: Thornton Hit Worse Than Neal Knee (thehockeywriters.com)
• The Character Assassination of Brooks Orpik (thehockeywriters.com)
• VIDEO: Loui Eriksson concussed after hit from Brooks Orpik: Shawn Thornton Attacks Orpik (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

James Neal suspended 5-games for kneeing Marchand

I think the suspension should be longer, but that's the breaks. It's a good thing that Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand wasn't hurt by the dirty play. Nice to see that Dion Phaneuf will probably be getting suspended for his dirty hit on Kevan Miller.

5 games for Neal. Phaneuf phone hearing tomorrow at 10am.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) December 9, 2013

James Neal suspension video: http://t.co/vOqnaI92TR
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 9, 2013

Dion Phaneuf boards Kevan Miller http://t.co/MyQmHP7xqI
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) December 9, 2013

Related articles

• Was James Neal Kneeing Marchand Intentional? (thehockeywriters.com)
• Throw the Book at Shawn Thornton (thehockeywriters.com)
• Bruins Kevan Miller boarded by Leafs Dion Phaneuf (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

NHL plans six outdoor games next season, report says

This morning on my way to work, I was listening to SiriusXM NHL Center Ice. Apparently, there’s going to be six outdoor games, including the Winter Classic next season.

Seriously!

There are going to be a grand total of six outdoor games. Talk about an overkill.

Personally, I think there comes a time when the NHL has overdone the outdoor game, this might be an instance of this. How many outdoor games do we need to have during the course of a season? I also think the outdoor game can be a bit of a crap shoot with the weather, one of these game is almost assured of having disastrous ice conditions. Lastly, I think that the outdoor games are a gimmick as well. Really, the frozen pond in California? Make sure to throw the palm trees in for good measure.

Kevin Cusick, Pioneer Press --- TSN, Canada's version of ESPN, is reporting that the league is planning five outdoor games in addition to the Jan. 1 Winter Classic previously announced for the University of Michigan's Big House."

"They're still ironing out a few of the wrinkles," reporter Darren Dreger said on TSN's "Insider Trading" program. "Contracts haven't been signed. But that's the grand plan."

Here's the schedule that the NHL is proposing for the 2013-14 season.

Jan. 1: Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Detroit Red Wings at Michigan Stadium.

Jan. 25: Anaheim Ducks vs. Los Angeles Kings at Dodger Stadium.

Jan. 26: New Jersey Devils vs. New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium.

Jan. 29: New York Islanders vs. New York Rangers at Yankee Stadium.

March 1: Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Chicago Blackhawks at Soldier Field.

March 2: Ottawa Senators vs. Vancouver Canucks at BC Place (It apparently has a retractable roof now. Who knew?).

Wisconsin freshman Nic Kerdiles suspended for one year by the NCAA

Bucky Badger 2003-Present (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Originally posted at the Hockey Writers - Combine. 

While I was on my vacation at the beginning of this week – a major story broke on Badgers freshman forward Nic Kerdiles.

Kerdiles is a highly touted incoming freshman forward and was one of the better players on the U.S. National Under-18 Team last season; unfortunately, he has been suspended by the NCAA for one year.

According to Andy Baggott, beat writer for the Wisconsin Badgers; the University of Wisconsin men’s hockey team could end up losing their highly talented freshman winger Nic Kerdiles for a year for a violation of the NCAA’s amateurism rules.

Multiple sources in the NHL and college hockey indicate the NCAA acted on photos and postings made public via social media that involve an agent and took place leading up to the NHL Entry Draft in June.

It’s not clear what specific issues led the NCAA to rule against Kerdiles, an 18-year-old from Irvine, Calif., but the Bucky’s 5th Quarter website culled a photo from an agent’s Twitter account that showed Kerdiles and two of the agent’s clients holding glasses that advertised a specific energy drink.

The photo could be construed as Kerdiles being marketed by the representative as well as being used to promote a specific product.

The agent who posted the energy drink photo, Toronto-based Ian Pulver of Pulver Sports, didn’t return a phone call seeking comment Monday.

This would be a major hit for the Wisconsin Badgers, according to Andy Johnson of Bucky’s Fifth quarter, Kerdiles is one of the top incoming recruits in the country this season and was expected to challenge for a spot on the Badgers top line.  Losing Kerdiles would be a major hit for the Wisconsin Badgers who have been picked by some to finish in the upper half of the WCHA standings this season.

Of course the University of Wisconsin is appealing this unprecedented decision. According to a tweet by Baggott the NCAA isn’t even going to hear Wisconsin’s Appeal this week.

Wisconsin officials confirm NCAA will not hear Nic Kerdiles appeal this week. No specific timetable for when NCAA will act.
— Andy Baggot (@AndyBaggotWSJ) October 11, 2012

Here is the kicker, you would think since Kerdiles has been suspended by the NCAA he could just go back and hone his skills in junior hockey and serve his suspension while he’s playing Junior hockey – he can’t – Kerdiles has to serve the suspension on the Wisconsin campus.

So, it would appear that a blue chip player like Nic Kerdiles isn’t going to sit idle for a season – the home town Anaheim Ducks who drafted Kerdiles in the second round 36^th overall aren’t going to want him to sit around idle for a season, waiting to play Division I college hockey.

Appeal hearing for suspended Wisconsin forward Nic Kerdiles expected Thurs. WHL's Kelowna Rockets and NHL's Anaheim Ducks watching closely.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) October 9, 2012

I would imagine that the Ducks are going to want him to continue playing hockey and you have to wonder if the CHL will be Kerdiles’ next destination.  Kerdiles rights are owned by the  Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League.

It will be interesting to see how this story develops.

Related articles

• Nic Kerdiles suspended, NCAA still doesn't get it (sbnation.com)
• NCAA Officially Rules Kerdiles Ineligible for Season, Wisconsin Appealing [Updated] (unitedstatesofhockey.com)
• UW Frosh Kerdiles Faces Eligibility Issues, Social Media to Blame? [Updated] (unitedstatesofhockey.com)

Gary Bettman reduces Raffi Torres suspension

s/t to George Malik of Kuklas Korner. This action by Gary Bettman really makes my blood boil. Raffi Torres is a multiple time offender and was given the correct number of games, now Bettman decides to reduce the Torres Suspension by 4 games.

From TSN’s Darren Dreger: It appears that Raffi Torres won’t serve the 25 games he was slated to sit out for concussing Marian Hossa:

Sources say Gary Bettman has reached a decision on Raffi Torres suspension appeal.

Expected to reduce suspension by 4 games. 12 down to 8. ... Torres was suspended 25 games after a hit on Chicago’s Marian Hossa in game 3 of 1st round of the playoffs. ...

To be clear, my math shows Torres had 12 games remaining in suspension. Reduction by 4 and 8 games remain next season

So the NHL is saying by reducing this suspension that they don’t care about “Player Safety.” If not, what statement are they trying to make? You have a player in Raffi Torres that is the poster boy of what is wrong with the NHL. Torres is a dirty player that skates all over the ice taking runs at players and many times making contact with the head.

NHL to re-look at their obstruction fouls in off-season

When I saw this tweet from TSN's Darren Dreger today, I thought it's a little late to the party but I welcome the discussion in the off-season.  This is a long time coming and some tweeks need to be made to the NHL game.

In my opinion there has been way too much obstruction, hooking, holding and stick fouls in this seasons Stanley Cup Playoffs and the officiating has degraded from last year to this season. The later in the game the more a players can get away with on the ice

Other items on the agenda:

Hooking, holding and interference: Instead of holding a research and development camp this year, the NHL will hold a meeting of GMs, coaches, players and referees in August in Toronto. It will focus on the standard of enforcement of hooking, holding and interference penalties.

Some GMs complained the standard slipped this season, but Campbell said they needed to discuss the matter in the off-season, when people could put aside their self-interest and speak in more detail. [Nick Cotsonika, Puck Daddy ]