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| English: NHL Commisioner Gary Bettman in 2007. (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
The Detroit News — Ian White has been one of the more vocal and frustrated players during this NHL lockout.It will be interesting to see how long this plays out. Will we see more players speak out against the NHL Commissioner? One also has to wonder if there are NHL owners that agree with White but aren't allowed to speak up at the current time.
Commissioner Gary Bettman has caught most of White's verbal frustration the past two months, the length of this lockout thus far.
After learning of Bettman's suggestion for a two-week moratorium in negotiations, White called Bettman "an idiot.
"I personally think he's an idiot," said White Friday after a group of locked out Red Wings finished a workout. "Since he's come in, he's done nothing but damaged the game.
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| Zach Parise & his fans (Photo credit: New Jersey State Library) |
Larry Brooks, New York Post --- Parise, who will turn 28 next month, could attract offers of up to 12 years. He will certainly receive front-loaded, bonus-laden offers from the Rangers and Red Wings, who have millions to spend and the inclination to do so.
The Wild will be in, though Parise might want to think more than twice about going home to join a team in which he would be the best player by leaps and bounds.
The Sharks could be in. The Maple Leafs will be, though current general manager Brian Burke doesn’t believe in front-loaded deals. The Bruins could become a serious contender. There will be others.
Given the financial realities in New Jersey, it’s almost impossible to conjure the scenario in which ownership could cut Parise a $10 million check on July 2. And again, that’s even assuming Parise’s first choice is to remain a Devil.
He is one today and will be one tonight. But once the puck is dropped, the clock will be ticking on the Devils’ season and on the captain’s career in New Jersey.
T-minus-60 and counting.
TSN.CA --- The National Hockey League has announced more nominees for its year end awards, unveiling the finalists for the Lady Byng and Frank J. Selke trophies.
David Backes of the St. Louis Blues, Patrice Bergeron of the Boston Bruins and Pavel Datsyuk of the Detroit Red Wings are the three finalists for the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL's top defensive forward, the league announced Monday.
Backes had the highest average ice time per game among forwards (19 minutes 59 seconds) on a Blues club that allowed the fewest goals in the NHL by a wide margin. The six-foot-three, 225-pound centre was a punishing physical presence, doling out a team-leading 226 hits to join Los Angeles forward Dustin Brown as the only players to record 200 hits or more in each of the past five seasons.
Backes led the Blues in faceoffs, blocked shots and posted a plus-15 rating. The Blues captain is an NHL trophy finalist for first time in his seven-year career and is the first Blues player up for the Selke since Michal Handzus finished second in 2000.
Bergeron led the NHL in plus-minus (plus-36) and posted a plus-18 rating both at home and on the road in helping the Bruins rank second in the Eastern Conference in team defence (2.39 goals-against average).
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong said he respected the NHL's decision, but he disputed the notion that Cole's play was reckless.Here is the suspension video.
"I don't think it was a reckless play...I think it was a hockey play that was legal 12 months ago that's not legal today," he said. "I understand the sensitivity on hits to the head and we respect that, but I support Ian in the sense that it was a play that (Abdelkader) coming across the middle has to be aware, and unfortunately he wasn't. [stltoday.com]
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeHere is an other interesting article on the hiring of Andy Murray. I do think by hiring a former NHL coach Andy Murray proves that Western Michigan is committed to their college hockey program. I think it also proves that WMU is ready to make the next step to be a big time player on the national college hockey scene.KALAMAZOO — Western Michigan University did everything right last year in resurrecting its hockey program.
It added oomph to its commitment to the sport, struck gold in hiring its coach and then rewarded him handsomely when he delivered a season beyond anyone's dreams.
WMU, in the college hockey world, had arrived as a player. It was perfect timing, too, considering this summer of flux that's upsetting stomachs in a suddenly fragile sport.
Then the National Hockey League, the beloved Detroit Red Wings of all teams, robbed the Broncos of everything, tearing Jeff Blashill away earlier this month. It was a harsh reminder to a university that it has its limits.
Monday, WMU showed hockey — the NHL included — its growing teeth, flying in former St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings coach Andy Murray to replace Blashill.
A news conference is scheduled for noon Tuesday.
This wasn't eye-for-an-eye retribution toward the NHL. But, perhaps for WMU, it feels a little like it — as satisfying as it is important. The Broncos' new currency — major program-like dollars (expected to be about $275,000 per year) — has lured a coach who would have been an unfathomable hire a year ago.
Image via WikipediaYesterday Redwing77 said this.It's no surprise that Detroit wants to sign another goaltender to backup Howard and MacDonald. I'd love to see someone signed who can compete with MacDonald for the #2 spot. MacCollom isn't ready yet.Looks like Redwing77 got his wish as his favorite team the Detroit Redwings signed former UNH star Ty Conklin to a one year deal. Personally, I think that Conklin is a serviceable backup that can step in and play valuable minutes when the starter needs a break or suffers an injury.
Here are a few goaltenders I'd love to see Detroit look at (all UFAs):
Ty Conklin
Brent Krahn
Pascal Leclaire
Justin Pogge
Hannu Toivonen
DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings have signed goaltender Ty Conklin to a one-year contract.
The move Wednesday comes a day after veteran Chris Osgood announced his retirement, leaving the Red Wings needing a backup for starting goalie Jimmy Howard.
Conklin started 20 games for the St. Louis Blues last season, going 8-8-4 with a 3.22 goals-against average.
The 35-year-old Conklin has played eight seasons in the NHL with Edmonton, Columbus, Buffalo, Pittsburgh, Detroit and St. Louis. He was with the Red Wings in 2008-09, going 25-11-2 with a 2.51 GAA.
Image via WikipediaWith the Atlanta Thrashers moving to Winnipeg Manitoba, it appears that the Detroit Redwings will be moving to the Eastern Conference like many of the hockey pundits had suggested. I also like the idea of having a home-and-home against teams outside their division.Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun - The NHL could be ready to make drastic changes with a major realignment for the 2012-13 season.
Two league executives told QMI Agency Wednesday that NHL commissioner Gary Bettman presented a proposal during Tuesday’s board of governors meetings in New York to scrap the current format used by the league.
Sources say under Bettman’s proposal, the league will have four divisions: Pacific, Midwest, East and South. It’s believed the Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets would both get their wish to move to the East conference.
Changes need to be made with the Atlanta Thrashers’ move to Winnipeg now official. The two conferences and six divisions will be kept this year, but Bettman is pushing for a major change.
The realignment is by no means final. It’s still in the discussion stages.
Teams would play a balanced 82-game schedule with home-and-home against teams outside their division.
The top four teams in each division would make the playoffs. The first round would be divisonal play, the teams would then re-seed for conference play. Bettman’s idea would not affect a East-West Stanley Cup final matchup.
