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| Diver/Fraud |
Joe Haggerty, CSNNE --- Ironically enough Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa was one of the NHL players at the enforcement meetings looking to snuff out the diving infractions, but he has long been one of the Vancouver skaters to play the game with some level of honesty. Campbell said that players, coaches and managers are hoping for a “Most Wanted” list of divers to be posted in every NHL locker room, and therefore hopefully embarrass them.I am all for the NHL having a list with the NHL most blatant divers and I am also for punishing the players that are the repeat offenders that you see flopping all over the like a fish out of water. Doesn't sound like the NHL is to that point yet - I am hoping they reconsider looking at the diving and embellishment problem if it doesn't improve
So P.K. Subban, Mike Ribeiro, Alex Burrows and Maxim Lapierre among others should officially be on notice that there will be a zero tolerance policy for divers on the ice next season.
"They want to get [the list] out there," said Campbell to reporters. "They want the player to be caught, whether it's on the ice by the referee or by us on video. They are all tired of diving. The object is to make them stop eventually and, by doing that, they can get it out there around the League, embarrass them. The referees will know it, too, so the divers don't get the benefit of the doubt.”
Mike Brehm, USA TODAY --- "They want to get [the list] out there," Campbell said. "They want the player to be caught, whether it's on the ice by the referee or by us on video. They are all tired of diving. The object is to make them stop eventually and, by doing that, they can get it out there around the League, embarrass them. The referees will know it, too, so the divers don't get the benefit of the doubt."Diving and embellishment is an issue that I would like to see the NHL address - it has been horrible the last couple of seasons in the NHL - especially during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Me personally, I would like to see there be a suspension(s) for players that are caught committing multiple offenses for embellishment and or diving. What do you think?
According to the NHL Rulebook, players who violate the diving/embellishment rule can be subject to supplementary discipline through fine and/or suspension. Campbell said there was no appetite among the group attending the two-day summit to suspend repeat offenders, because the players feel the punishment that comes with having your name on the divers' list would be enough to reduce the frequency with which the tactic is used.
Jim Jamieson, The Province --- Huet, who won a Stanley Cup ring with the Blackhawks in 2010 (although on the bench, as Antti Niemi got the starts), was banished to Europe by Chicago the past two seasons primarily because of the size of his contract and its $5.625 million cap hit.So if we are to believe the reports - it sounds like the Stanley Cup Champions L.A. Kings and the Vancouver Canucks are expressing interest in Cristobal Huet
But Huet is looking to return after two seasons in the Swiss League and his agent, Stephen Bartlett, is shopping his 37-year-old client around the NHL.
Former Boston University Terrier Corey N. Trivino, has been sentenced to two year’s probation for his criminal activities last winter that led to his dismissal from the Boston University Hockey team. The former BU Terriers’ will two years from now in August 2014.The Toronto area should be closer to getting a big-league arena this week, as GTA Sports and Entertainment Chairman and CEO Graeme Roustan will submit the GTA Centre Site Plan Application to the City of Markham on Wednesday
Corey N. Trivino, the former top scorer for Boston University’s hockey team, was sentenced to two years of probation after a teary-eyed former student at the school testified in court Tuesday that her life was turned upside down when he cornered and assaulted her in her dorm room last December. “Mr. Trivino’s actions have caused me more pain, suffering, and fear that I’ve ever experienced in my life,’’ said the woman, who identified herself in court, but whose name the Globe is withholding because she was the victim of a potential sex crime. [Boston Globe]
Jeremy Lynn, CSNChicago --- In order to increase revenue, the NBA announced last month that they had tentatively approved a plan to put advertising on players' game jerseys for the 2013-14 season.There still is no word on whether Aaron Dell is returning to UND for his senior season or not. As soon as we hear either way we will let you know. I was told by a very good source back in April that Dell was going to sign a professional contract and not be returning to UND. Either way UND will be pretty solid in net this season.
If one major sports league is willing to do it, could others follow suit -- especially the NHL?
SI.com warns hockey fans not to be surprised if the idea of ad logos on NHL sweaters becomes a reality within the next few years.
Corey Masisak, NHL.COM --- Fehr is expected to join the meetings in New York on Thursday, which is expected to begin the shift in the discussions toward the core economic issues in the CBA negotiations.Carolina Hurricane’s forward Jeff Skinner has signed a contract extension worth $34.35 million or $5.725 million a year for six years. If the NHL owners get their way there will no longer be deals that are longer than 5 years. Last season Skinner scored 20g-24a—44pts in 64 games. [NHL.COM]
Schneider said Tuesday that the NHLPA is "definitely closer" to extending a counter-proposal on the economic issues in response to the League's initial proposal from last month, but did not offer a concrete timeline on when it will occur.
"We have a team of people who are working on it and getting through an awful lot of stuff, an awful lot of papers," Schneider said. "It is an ongoing process."
Daly said that work on the new CBA will continue while the League awaits a proposal from the Union.
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Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun - Canuck general manager Mike Gillis and assistant Laurence Gilman are in Toronto and it's not to chat with Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke about a Roberto Luongo trade.While I follow and write about UND hockey, Justin Schultz is one of my favorite opposition players. In my opinion, Schultz is "one" of the best players that I have ever watched play the college game at the defense position.
Gillis and Gilman instead headed east in the hope of meeting with hockey's hottest free agent not named Zach Parise or Ryan Suter.
The Canucks are one of a reported 26 NHL teams said to be pursuing collegiate defenceman Justin Schultz, who just completed his junior year at the University of Wisconsin.
This is one free-agent negotiation that won't be all about the money. Everyone is prepared to offer Schultz, a soon to be 22-year-old Kelowna native, the maximum $925,000 a year, two-year entry level contract (plus bonuses) to which he is entitled under the current collective bargaining agreement.
What Schultz is said to want is ice time and there have been suggestions that he also has a preference to play in Canada.
The Providence --- Burrows has done himself no favours in the past. He is not known as a hockey player but as a finger-biting, hair-pulling, head-snapping diver who gets to play the role of fire-hydrant, standing in front of the net while the Sedins bank shots in off him.Burrows is the poster boy for everything that is wrong with the Vancouver Canucks, first he comes off as clownish character and an unlikable buffoon that I can only imagine that an opposing player would rather pound into the boards or cross check in the mouth, rather than to have to watch their on ice antics. This past post season the head coach of the Vancouver Canucks Alain Vigneaul had to tell Canucks forwards Alex Burrows and Max LaPierre to shut their mouths.
It’s a shame because Burrows is a hell of a hockey player.
Consider that he’s averaged 30 goals a season over the past four campaigns.
But then add to the consideration the fact he gets next to no power-play time.
When it comes to even-strength goals, he had 23 this season – more than Rick Nash, more than Matt Moulson.
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| Logo for 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
Bruce Arthur, National Post --- In fact, the playoffs were careering into dangerous places without him. All across the NHL waves of violence — both typical and excessive — have swept across the game. Elbows, fights, concussions, the most penalty minutes in at least five years and four suspensions (and counting, pending further decisions on Game 3 in the Penguins-Flyers series) in the first 17 games played. There were four suspensions in the entirety of the 2011 playoffs.Here is the crux of the article, the players and the fans are enjoying this years Stanley Cup Playoff games, or they wouldn't watch the games. The players wouldn't play the games if they didn't enjoy the game of hockey.
Timonen was not talking about hurting people, though. Few will argue that animosity and emotion are not a reason why playoff hockey can be great. Ask most players, and their eyes shine when they talk about it.That being said, that doesn't mean I don't want the perpetrators punished that need to be punished but, the rough and tumble hockey is fun to watch. The other night L.A. Kings forward Dustin Brown hit Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin with a legal hard check. Point blank, Brown steam rolled Sedin and it was an awesome hockey play that happens hundreds of times during the National Hockey League's 82 game season. Again, if you don't like it go watch baseball.
“That’s the way hockey should be,” Brière said. “It’s intense. Players are passionate, coaches are passionate, fans are passionate. This is what it’s all about. You come to a game, you want to see passionate teams go at it. You don’t want a boring game, with nothing going on. I think people that paid a price to come watch a playoff game, that’s what they want to see.
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Emotions boiled when Brown steamrolled Sedin with a shoulder hit in the Canucks captain's chest early in the second period, sending Sedin crawling to the bench and sparking a fight between Anze Kopitar and Alex Burrows. The hit wasn't penalized, and Sedin returned from a brief trip to the locker room.Nice to see Henrik Sedin step up and recognized that the hit was a legal body check. Last time I checked, hockey is a physical sport and that body checks are part of the game. The reaction of the Canucks after the hit was also predictable.
Afterward, Sedin confirmed the hit was legal, and Brown spoke of his respect for Sedin. [Sports Illustrated]
"What's frustrating to us is when the national media and people outside the city parachute in and form these opinions," Schneider said. "They take things for facts that aren't really facts. If you talk to us and spend any time with us, you understand we're good guys. Dan Hamhuis, the twins, Manny [Malhotra], Sami Salo. They play the game the right way and do great things in the community." "You look around the league and people don't like us and Pittsburgh and we're two of the better teams," Schneider said. "You saw Darcy Hordichuk and Ben Eager in Edmonton. Nobody cares about Edmonton so nobody hates them. It's that simple." [CBS Sports]
CanuckPeg, players openly talk about hating the Canucks, how is the media hyping it up?? It's not exactly a secret
David Shoalts, Globe and Mail --- The Los Angeles Kings have apologized for a flippant tweet from their official Twitter feed that mocked the Vancouver Canucks.
“We encourage our digital team to be creative, interactive and to apply a sense of humour whenever possible. To anyone who found it offensive we sincerely apologize,” Mike Altieri, the Kings’ vice-president, communications and content, said in an e-mail message Thursday afternoon.
NHL.COM ---- Vancouver Canucks right wing Byron Bitz will face a disciplinary hearing with the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety Thursday.
The hearing regards a boarding major Bitz received Wednesday night in Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals against Los Angeles when Bitz hit L.A.'s Kyle Clifford at 12:12 of the second period. Bitz was also assessed a game misconduct on the play.
