Economics of college hockey and banking on rivalries.

Here is the latest column that I wrote for the Illegal Curve.

College hockey is built on tradition and driven by storied rivalries; these are the game(s) that college hockey fans mark on their calendar and look forward to. These games are also the ones that college hockey programs count on to make their most money. These rival games are also the ones that college hockey programs charge the most money, its these division hockey programs meal tickets that can make or break the bottom line for athletic department. So naturally college athletic departments are going to bank on these rivalries and charge accordingly.

For example; if you were going to walk up the arena box office at my favorite school UND, Ralph Engelstad Arena would charge you more money for the premiere match ups than the not so premiere match ups. I digress; for example if you lucky enough to get a chance to buy tickets to Sioux Vs Gophers series (They sell out in like 10 minutes) they would cost you $45.00 a piece. Next in the ticket price progression; if you were to buy tickets for Pioneers Vs Sioux and or Badgers Vs Sioux they would run you $40.00 a piece. I believe that the University of North Dakota could charge $45.00 for both of these series as well and sell out. Shhhh! Please don’t tell the arena box office.

On the flip side of that you only pay $25.00 to watch a proverbial doormat team like UAA, Merrimack or MTU. Granted in some cases the arena will be just as full but it cost you less to sit in the same seat. Don’t worry though the concessions are going to be the same price for either series, and yes it will cost you an arm and a leg regardless. That’s another story for another day.

It’s not just Ralph Engelstad Arena that has these types of ticket price policies. I know it’s like that at other arenas because if I was to travel down to Saint Cloud to buy a ticket to the National Hockey Center (aka the Concrete Center) to watch a Sioux and Huskies game I know that I am going to pay more money for that game than I would If I was going to buy a ticket for SCSU Vs MTU game. That is not meant to disrespect MTU that just the brutal reality. The same would be true for the Gophers and Huskies game. That’s the economics of the college hockey game and there are some schools making obscene amounts of money on their division one hockey programs. In fact some of these programs are using this revenue to pay for their schools other sports programs.

What does your program charge for a rival hockey game? I would imagine that B.C. Vs BU is going to cost more money than BU and Merrimack College (no offense to Merrimack). I would also bet that Michigan Vs Michigan State would cost more than Michigan Vs Lake Superior State University.

Not all are equal

I think that might be an understatement of facts, but think about this, American International, Mercyhurst, Quinnipiac, Bowling Green University, LSSU or the University of Connecticut are not making as much money on their division one college hockey team as teams like Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, North Dakota or OSU for that matter. It’s a historical fact.

In the WCHA for example there are a three schools that have huge advantages financially over the other school in division one hockey with their gigantic arenas that can provide huge paydays for their schools, examples are Minnesota 10,000+, Wisconsin 14,000+ and UND 11,500 you do the math. On the flip side of that other schools are playing in half empty arenas. Another factor is that isn’t talked about a lot is that teams like Wisconsin, Denver University, Minnesota, Michigan, Michigan State, Boston University, Boston College and North Dakota also have a good number of their games on television and thanks to local deals as well as Fox Sports/FCS/NESN you can see a lot of these team’s games on television. I can watch D.U. almost as much as I can watch my own team thanks to FCS. Some of the other programs in college hockey not so much.

Taking it further there are two other schools that have bigger arenas than the fore mentioned WCHA teams; but put up significantly lower attendance numbers last season. These two teams are UNO which plays in the Quest Center 16,680 averaged 6216 fans per game last season; the Mavericks should improve their attendance numbers when they officially join the WCHA in 2010-2011. On the other hand Ohio State University plays in Value City Arena 17,500 average attendance was 4181 per game and they had a decent team that made the NCAA playoffs as an at large bid.

UNO fortunes will of course probably change as they are joining the WCHA led by former UND and Fargo Force head coach Dean Blais. The move to hire Dean Blais by UNO brought immediate credibility to the UNO hockey program and probably will mean bigger and better bigger pay days for the UNO program. The WCHA has is known for having impressive attendance figures and WCHA teams are used to playing in large sold out arenas. There are also a few of their WCHA rivals which are known for having bigger crowds than some of the other big four conferences. One of the main reasons is that they will have a better on ice product because of their new coach and some of the WCHA teams fans travel pretty well i.e., Wisconsin, Minnesota and North Dakota. With adding UNO to the WCHA DU and C.C. fans will also have a drivable trip to Omaha where they don’t have to fly to. I could see a mid-winter vacation in Omaha myself.

Economic concerns and travel were some of the reasons that the CCHA gave for denying UAH’s application for membership, there had been pontifications about the some of the teams in the CCHA suffering from financial woes and wanting to be able to capitalize on playing the Michigan and Michigan State teams more because they draw more at the gate. I guess I can see what they are getting at to a certain degree because I don’t blame the have not like WMU, LSSU, FSU, and BGSU wanting to pad their bottom line to put butts in the seats. Teams like Michigan, Michigan State, BU, B.C., Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota are big draw teams that puts fans in the stands, especially if your school is suffering from economic woes.

Who are your favorite team’s rivals?

Examples of good college hockey rivalries that are also big time money makers; SCSU Vs UMN, UMD Vs UMN, DU and C.C. (Gold Pan), UND Vs UMN, UW Vs UMN (Border Battle), UND Vs UW, MSU-M Vs UND, BSU Vs UAH (Who hates Huntsville), MTU Vs NMU (Battle of the UP), BU Vs B.C., UNH Vs BU, UNH Vs Maine and U-Mich Vs MSU. If I missed any rivalries I apologize. I have a western bias of course. What is your favorite college hockey match up?

It was not my intention to disrespect a particular league or particular team. Personally, I don’t watch the ECAC (aka the EZAC) very often so I might have missed the Cornell and Yale match up. Also, college hockey is very regional and I like many other WCHA or CCHA fans might not consider the fore mentioned game a premiere match up or a must see. I mean I do live in the west. That’s not to say that I haven’t watched said match up such as that. I have been known to watch match ups like this if these games are on CBS college sports (aka the CCHA television network) or FCS. That is another discussion for another day. None the less, these big time rival games are the games that you as the college hockey fan mark on your calendar and incidentally you may pay a bundle of money to attend these games. For that we give you rube cred. Personally, my favorite teams rivals are; Minnesota, Denver University and Wisconsin. I wonder if Holy Cross fans consider Minnesota a rival?
Cross posted at Illegal Curve, MVN.COM

New Jersey's are out.

Well the new Fighting Sioux Reebok hockey jerseys have been released and are now in the public domain. In looking at them I like the green away jersey's the best. I am wondering if the University is going to do a third jersey or not? I would love to see a black version of this jersey. It will be interesting to see what the Sioux shop has for hats. I am hoping they pick up the Reebok hat line.
[props]

Stafford in camp? 'I don't know'

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Drew Stafford is still without a new deal with training camp approaching. Incidently, Drew Stafford is represented by agent former Harvard and Washington Capitals tough guy/star Neil Sheehy. This summer there have been a few RFA's this summer that are unsigned and it makes you wonder what kind of contract these guys are asking for? If a 46 point guy is worth 4 million then what is a 60 point guy worth?

Sabres training camp starts Saturday morning, and the biggest question is will Drew Stafford be in attendance? The answer is a resounding "I don’t know."

Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier and Neil Sheehy, Stafford’s agent, had identical responses today regarding whether the restricted free agent would be signed before the Sabres take the ice in HSBC Arena.

"I don’t know yet," Regier said.

Sheehy, by phone, answered: "I’m always hopeful, but I don’t know."

The sides were scheduled to chat in hopes of clearing the biggest obstacle: How much is the 23-year-old right winger worth?

"It’s always money," Regier said. "Every one of these situations has always come down to money. 'Not enough,' from their side, and, 'Too much,' from our side."

Stafford, the Sabres’ first-round pick in 2004, is penned in as a top-six forward in Buffalo. He set career highs last season with 20 goals and 25 assists. He made $984,200.

It’s possible the Stafford camp could be looking at Florida right wing Nathan Horton as their standard because of their similarities. The Panthers’ first-round pick in 2003 also had 45 points last year. Horton is 6-foot-2, 229 pounds, while Stafford is 6-2, 202. Horton is entering the third year of a six-year, $24 million deal.
[Sabres Edge]

Friday Linkorama

The President of the USA had the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Whitehouse yesterday. I do have to wonder how much of the Stanley Cup playoffs Obama actually watched since is he is a self professed basketball fan.

On the Phil Kessel front. Apparently Phil Kessel is drawing interest from multiple NHL teams. [TSN] Yesterday Kessel said that, he was not not talking to the Bruins. Apparently that story was false. So oops scratch that. Now Kesseling is talking to the Bruins again. [NESN]

From the Washington Cap's Twitter: Clackson and Thomas of Philly tossed from the game after a big scrum. Bruess escorted off the ice by a ref after same scrum. Good ole Buress is up to his old tricks. Also, from the same twitter; 59s got at it. Finley and Klotz. Finley plays to the crowd as he leaves the ice.

It would appear that Dany Heatly's teammates don't hold too much of a grudge against him, "How things have gone down, maybe it's going to leave a bit of a black mark (on Heatley's reputation), but he's not a bad teammate," Senators centre Jason Spezza said Friday morning at the team's annual charity golf tournament. [TSN]

On the Bad Boyz front: Former NHL player Mike Danton, who was jailed for trying to arrange a killing, has been granted full parole. The guy was only in jail roughly 5 years. [CBC]

Mike Russo wrote a nice article on Todd Richards. The former Gophers is bringing some excitement to the Wild hockey teams and promises to take it up a notch or two. [Star Tribune]

Former SCSU hockey player Mark Parish is going to get a tryout with the Vancouver Canucks. Let's hope that Mark can make the hated Canucks. [Ben Hankinson Twitter]

On the Minnesota Viking's front, the Williams Wall will be able to play for the season. The Federal Court of Appeals has ruled that the NFL can not suppend the Viking's top two defensive line man. [Minnesota Vikings]

Mike Russon on former Badger Chris Hickey: "Also, been working on this the last week or so, but Chris Hickey, the ‘06 seventh-rounder from Cretin-Derham Hall, has informed the Wild that he has left Wisconsin and does not plan to enroll in another school until he is eligible to play next season, Thompson says. He tried this summer to transfer to Dartmouth and Vermont." [Russo's Rants]

This isn't playing out well.

Being a Sioux fan people are naturally probably starting to wonder why I am so interesting in Phil Kessel and his contract negotiation with the Boston Bruins. I know he played for the much despised Golden Gophers for a season before he left for the NHL. Frankly I wouldn't be as interested in this if he didn’t play for my favorite NHL the Boston Bruins. That being said, as a college hockey fan and the fact that Kessel is an American and potential Olympic hockey player, I find this ever unfolding drama to be remotely interesting. I would like him to remain a member of my favorite team because he is offensively dynamic, however, that being said Kessel is a one dimensional player, he is all offense and had trouble finding the defensvie zone, he was like that in college as well.

I think the fact that Kessel wasn’t offered a contract when David Krejci was is very telling because it proved that the Bruins were more interested in signing Krejci then they were Kessel. Compare and contrast another RFA player and former Fighting Sioux player Drew Stafford has had less drama in his contract negotiations, Stafford has yet to sign a contract. The Sabres and Stafford hope to have a contract signed soon.

As this story unfolds it would appear that some of the same character flaws are seemed to be prevalent during his draft combine might actually be true. Personally, I think Kessel is a great offensive talent that needs to learn about being a team player.

Puck Daddy had a great story today on the Kessel situation and laid out how bad things have played out. Also, from reading the articles it would appear that Kessel might not be missed by his team mates if he isn't resigned.

Links to the Story

A resolution may be near for Kessel, Bruins [Big Bad Blog]

Without proper pieces, a Kessel experiment would fail [CBC]

Kessel? Lets go already. [section 311]

Sources: Kessel doesn't plan to negotiate with Bruins [Boston Globe]

UPDATE: Kessel denies he's done with Bruins [sportsnet.ca]

Phil Kessel says he does not expect to play this season with the Boston Bruins, but he has not broken off negotiations with the team.

"I don't know who is saying that, but it's not true," Kessel told sportsnet.

The Boston Globe reported the free agent planned to sign an offer sheet with one of the other 29 teams, according to Kessel's Toronto-based agent Wade Arnott.

He admitted negotiations and trade rumours have been unpleasant and the odds of playing for the Bruins are slim at this point. But that doesn't mean the door is closed.

So are you offended?

This is the picture that was on the cover of the Texas Tech-UND media guide and it had some in the the P.C. anti Fighting Sioux name crowd offended. Even causing the University of North Dakota to issue a statement about the Tech Tech Picture; “I don’t think the image represents the University of North Dakota the way we would like to be represented,” UND spokesman Peter Johnson said, “but I also think it’s impossible to control the behavior of opposing teams.”

You can't control the behavior of teams and or individuals. Like or not these behaviors are protected under the first amendment. Personally I don't think Texas Tech meant any offense with their picture and maybe we can chalk it up as a learning experience. I don't think Texas Tech will make the same mistake again if we play them in football again. Personally, I have seen a lot worse posters and signs from the old days of the NCC football, say maybe at a Sioux Bison game back in the 1990's out at Memorial stadium or at the Fargo Dome.

I think this latest dust up with the Texas Tech media guide is a perfect example Of what we have become. We have become a nation of hypersensitive complainers ready to jump on the slightest thing that we think or perceive as offensive. I looked at it and I am not offended by the picture.

Call to Sioux fans get out the vote.

Fighting Sioux hockey fans the storied UND Fighting Sioux hockey jersey is tied with the hideous Calgary Flames. Don't let our awesome hockey jersey get beat out by that hideous thing.

You can vote here for the UND Fighting Sioux Hockey Jersey in the Hockey News Jersey Tourney. Currently, the Fighting Sioux are competing with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Stockton Thunder, Minnesota Wild, San Antonio Rampage, Calgary Flames, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, Seattle Thunderbirds, Quad City Mallards, Vancouver Giants. The Fighting Sioux are currently Tied with the Calgary Flames.

Thursday Linkorama

The young Captials goalie Semyon Varlamov that lead them in the playoffs last season has a new goalie mask.

This is where Ovechkin stands on the 2014 Olympics. "I don't care... I'll go play in the Olympic Games for my country. If somebody says to me, 'You can't play,' see ya." [Puck Daddy] I think the best players in the world should be in the Olympic. That in my opinion is the NHL players.

Fargo Force player Colten St. Clair talks about his decommitment from C.C. and his commitment to the University of North Dakota. This article kind of puts the conspiracy theorist's charges to bed. [University of North Dakota Hockey] Check out these comments, "I think it is funny how Sioux fans always try to talk garbage about other coaches supposedly recruiting players after they have committed elsewhere but this is the 2nd time in the last year or so where a kid quickly decommits from a WCHA school and then suddenly commit to UND. Maybe we should be raising an eyebrow over Hakstol and Co? Something tells me if this happened at a rival school, we'd be reading a bunch of comments on how it is wrong, etc."

Brandon of Sioux Yeah Yeah gives his run down of last season.

Apparently the Philadelphia Flyers are Interested in Edmonton's Rob Schremp. You have to wonder if this kid is ever going to have an impact in the NHL? [Bleacher Report] Pesonally I think he is over rated.

Hockey Joe has a new blog site. [Gross Misconduct Hockey]

From walsha's Twitter: Penguins on way to the White House with their spouses to meet with Pres Obama. Clients MA Fleury, R. Fedotenko, P Dupuis and M Satan there.

You can vote here for the UND Fighting Sioux Hockey Jersey in the Hockey News Jersey Tourney. The Sioux are competing with the Brandon Wheat Kings, Stockton Thunder, Minnesota Wild, San Antonio Rampage, Calgary Flames, Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, Seattle Thunderbirds, Quad City Mallards, Vancouver Giants. The Fighting Sioux are currently Tied with the Calgary Flames.

How many other teams are broke?

First it was the Phoenix Coyotes that are still in bankruptcy court, now it appears that Tampa Bay, New York Islanders and The Florida Panthers all could be in trouble financially. You have to wonder if some of the teams in the NHL are going to tumble like a house of cards. You have to wonder how many teams can even make payroll. You have a few teams in markets in the nontraditional hockey market of the South that aren't really traditional hockey markets and it appears to be showing up on the balance sheets and in the attendance figures. Watch a game in Atlanta, Tampa Bay and or Miami (Florida Panthers) and there are not a lot of people in the stands. Of course these teams stunk the last couple years but none the less. You have to wonder If Jim Balsillie doesn’t get the Coyotes he can probably stand by and wait because eventually another team will file for bankruptcy and I don’t know if the NHL brass will be able to prevent him from owning a team. Eventually a Judge is going to rule in his favor.

The NHL has several markets that are in poor shape financially. The most prominent example is that of the Phoenix Coyotes, who are in bankruptcy. The team will be auctioned off very soon, with no clear end in sight to all the litigation and potential financial issues. The Tampa Bay Lightning are probably the NHL’s next serious problem. Owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie have barely had enough money to keep the team afloat. With Barrie apparently dropping out due to his financial difficulties, it leaves behind Oren Koules to run an underfunded team with declining fan support.

The Nashville Predators still have a piece of their franchise in bankruptcy. William “Boots” del Biaggio’s 27% share in the team is still in bankruptcy court as Boots has been sentenced to jail for fraud. Likely this piece will be purchased by the local Nashville owner’s, but it puts a larger financial strain upon them then they originally planned.

The New York Islanders are losing money and playing in an outdated Nassau Coliseum. They are trying to force local politicians on Long Island to fund their Lighthouse Project which would give them a new stadium. As negotiations are not going smoothly, they are expected to push the idea that the team might relocate.

The Florida Panthers have also been a money losing franchise. Owner Alan Cohen has been trying to sell the team for years after overseeing significant losses. He agreed to sell the team to a public company called Sports Properties Acquisition Corporation. [Kukals Korner]

Who would you want on your team?

This is a pretty good question? Who would you rather have on your team former Badger Dany Heatley or former Golden Gopher Phil Kessel. Heatly is the better of the two players. I am not even sure it's a fair comparison. Heatly sets up more goals and Phil not so much.

So, who’s it going to be?

At face value, the inner GM in me screams Heatley. He’s 6-foot-3, has back-to-back 50-goal seasons on his resume and is still only 28.

But don’t go offering up three quality NHLers just yet.

Heatley is set to make an average of $7.5 million over the next five years – if you want a guy who bags 50 a year, you’ve got to shell out some dough.

Kessel, it’s reported, is sniffing around for about $4.5 million a season. He won’t post a huge goal total this year because he’ll be out until November while his surgically-repaired shoulder heals.

But my guess is Kessel, who is six years Heatley’s junior, will be good for more than 40 goals a season over the next decade. With Joe Sakic now focusing full time on golf, Kessel and Philly’s Jeff Carter are vying for the title of most wicked wrister in the league.

So let’s assume the return on investment for Heatley is 50 goals for $7.5 million. Kessel, who had 36 goals in just 70 games last year, comes in at, say, 43 for $4.5 million after this injury-shortened year.

Now let’s see what that $3 million in savings will get you on the open market.

Mike Knuble, who has averaged just over 27 goals the past six NHL seasons, was snapped up for $2.8 million by Washington. Alex Tanguay, a 70-to-80 point guy in the right scenario, will play for $2.5 million this year in Tampa Bay. [Hockey News]

Supporter of Fighting Sioux nick name to try again.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out.

FORT YATES (AP) - A supporter of the University of North Dakota's Fighting Sioux nickname on the Standing Rock Sioux reservation says he will try again to get the Tribal Council's backing.

Archie Fool Bear says he will ask council members to approve his resolution supporting UND's nickname and Indian head logo when they meet this morning. He says scheduling and lack of a quorum last Thursday kept the council from considering his request.

Some believe UND's nickname and logo are offensive. The school plans to retire them on Aug. 1, 2010, unless the Standing Rock and Spirit Lake Sioux tribes agree by Oct. 1 to give UND permission to use them for at least 30 years.

The Standing Rock Tribal Council has not only opposed the nickname, it also voted to ban a referendum on support last year.

Fool Bear wants the council to recognize a pipe ceremony that he says took place 40 years ago in which tribal leaders gave their blessing to UND to use the name.

Die by the blade on Lamoureux

Die by the blade has a really nice article on former Fighting Sioux goalie Jean-Philippe Lamoureux, It's nice to see a kid from Grand Forks, ND doing well at the next level in his professional hockey career.

Jean-Philippe Lamoureux

Lamoureux was signed by the Sabres this past offseason to back up Jhonas Enroth in Portland. Last year, Lamoureux was the ECHL goaltender of the year last year with a 2.29 GAA and .923 SV% in 51 games while leading the Alaska Aces to the ECHL championship round before losing in seven games to the South Carolina Stingrays. In the playoffs, Lamoureux had an amazing 1.95 GAA and 4 shutouts in 21 playoff games.

On top of being a really good ECHL player, Lamoureux played well during his four years at North Dakota. He was a Hobey Baker finalist and led the Sioux to the Frozen Four in his senior season. During his career at North Dakota, he was 60-38-10 with a 2.14 GAA and a .920 SV%.

Lamoureux helps the Sabres in two ways. First, being signed as a backup in Portland will only help Jhonas Enroth who started to wear out due to playing 56 games last season. Second, it only strengthens the goaltending prospects of this team. While Lamoureux may never make it as a goalie here in Buffalo, if he impresses in Portland he could be serious trade bait down the road. A concern with Lamoureux is his small size, 5' 9" and 190 pounds although size doesn't matter though when you make plays like these.

Goon’s Top 20 pre-season ranking

This is the Top 20 pre-season poll that I wrote for the Illegal Curve.
1.) Denver University – On paper it would appear that the Denver Pioneers don’t have many real weaknesses offensively, on the blue line the Pioneers are a little young this season. There is a very good possibility that there could be two or three freshman defenseman playing in the top 6 defensive positions from night to night. The Pioneers return — Forwards Rhett Rakhshani (15g-22a-37pts), Joe Colborne (10g-21a-31), and Tyler Ruegsegger (15g-11a-26pts), on defense Patrick Wiercioch (12g-23-35pts) decided to not sign a contract and junior goalie Marc Cheverie (23-12-5, 2.34 GAA and .921 SV %) is a very serviceable goaltender and with a younger defensive core he will be tested. The Pioneers lose forward Tyler Bozak (8g-15a-23pts), defensemen Patrick Mullen (4g-21a-25pts), and J.P. Testwuide (3g-10a-13pts). Will be the odds on favorite to finish first in the WCHA.

2.) Miami University - Looking at Miami University’s 2009-2010 roster it would appear that the RedHawks are going to be well balanced team and could make another run to the Frozen Four, I don’t think it is a stretch so that say that RedHawks have a legitimate shot at an NCAA title. Miami’s biggest departures are forward Justin Mercier (14g-15-29pts) and defenseman Kevin Roeder (2g-4a-6pts). The 64,000.00 question; will be any lingering affects of the alleged choke job in the final minutes of the third period of the championship game?

3.) Notre Dame – The X-Factor is Irish head coach Jeff Jackson who has turned Notre Dame into a national contender after being a door mat team for many seasons. Key losses goalie Jordan Pearce (30-6-3, 1.68 GAA and .931 SV%), Erik Condra (13g-25a-38pts) and Christian Hanson (16g-15a-31pts) While the Irish lose a big time goaltender and a couple of decent forwards the Irish’s still have a lot of talent left to make a run towards the Frozen Four and should be a top five team.

4.) University of North Dakota – Fighting Sioux head coach Dave Hakstol has been the coach of the Fighting Sioux hockey team for five seasons and has compiled a an impressive 130-70-19 winning a regular season title, a conference tourney title. Hakstol’s teams have also finished 2 (x1) and 3rd (x3) in the NCAA tourney. Last season was the first time in his tenure at UND Hakstol’s team didn’t win a regional title and advance to the Frozen Four. Key Loses Ryan Duncan (20g-19a-39pts), Brad Miller (6g-29-35pts), Matt Frattin (13g-12a-25pts). While there were some key loses for the Fighting Sioux there are good replacements coming in for the Fighting Sioux, forwards Danny Kristo, Michael Cichy, Corbin Knight, Carter Rowney, defenseman Andrew MacWilliam and goaltender Aaron Dell should challenge Brad Eidsness (24-12-4 2.56 GAA and 906 SV%) for playing time.

5.) Boston University – last season the Terriers were an explosive team that could score goals in bunches and in a very short period of time; this was the team that scored five goals on UND and seven goals on Michigan. B.U. was also defensive powerhouse; the Terriers had to be based on the number of penalties minutes they racked up last season. Gone from the Terrier line up are the big offensive numbers of Colin Wilson (17g-38a-55pts), Chris Higgins (14g-34a-48pts), Brandon Yip (20g-23a-43pts), Jason Lawrence (25-14-39) and Matt Gilroy (8g-29a-37pts). The Terriers return a very strong defensive core led by Kevin Shattenkirk (7g-21a-28pts), David Warsofsky (3g-20-a-23pts) and a proven sophomore goaltender in Kieran Millan (29-2-3, 1.94 GAA, .921 SV %).

6.) University of Michigan – the Wolverines still smarting from losing to Air Force Academy in the first round of last season’s regional will be ready to avenge last season’s disappointing exit from the NCAA tourney. The Wolverines return a pretty good group pretty solid group of core players forwards; Louie Caporusso (24g-25a-49pts), Carl Hagelin (13g-18a-31pts), David Wohlberg (15g-15a-30pts), defenseman; Chad Langlais (6g-18a-25pts), and goalie Bryan Hogan (24-6-0, 1.97 GAA, .914 SV %). Expect the Wolverines to be at the top of the CCHA with Miami.

7.) Vermont University – the Catamounts lose their star forwards Peter Lenes (15g-16a-31pts) graduation and Viktor Stålberg (24g-22a-46pts) to the NHL but the Catamounts should be a pretty good team that returns a solid core of players. Key returnees Brian Roloff (10g-19a-29pts), Justin Milo (12g-14a-26pts). Vermont is my pick to win Hockey East.

8.) University of Minnesota – Key loss Ryan Stoa (22-g-22-a-46pts) signed with the Colorado Avalanche of the NHL in the off season. Super Sophomore Jordan Schroeder (13g-32a-45pts) returns for what will probably be his last season in the WCHA. Key new arrivals Zach Budish, Nick Leddy and Seth Helgeson.

9.) University of Wisconsin- On paper the Badgers would appear to have one of the best defensive blue lines in college hockey, Brendan Smith (9g-14a-23pts), Jake Gardiner (3g-18a-21pts), Ryan McDonagh (5g-11a-16pts), , Cody Goloubef (5g-8a-13pts) is a pretty solid top four defensive group. While there seems to be the perception around the WCHA that Wisconsin is all defense and no flash the Badgers were the 3rd ranked in the WCHA in scoring last season. This season the Badgers should be a pretty balanced this season as well offensively lead by Sophomore Derek Stephan (9g-24a-33pts) who is a game breaker and will only get better in his second season. The biggest question mark for the Badger is in goal.

10.) University of Mass Lowell - the River Hawks return most of their team including 12 Seniors from last season that 12-5- 2 after January 16th and almost landed them in the NCAA tourney falling one game short by losing to Boston University in the Championship game of the Hockey East tourney. Goalies Nevin Hamilton (10-7-1, 2.15 GAA, .925 SV %) and Carter Hutton (9-8-1, 2.06 GAA, .916 SV %) make up a pretty nice two headed monster in net for U-Mass Lowell.

The Rest of the Field.

11.) University of Minnesota Duluth
12.) Boston College
13.) Yale University
14.) Princeton University
15.) University of New Hampshire
16.) Northeastern University
17.) Saint Cloud State University.
18.) Northern Michigan University
19.) Cornell University
20.) U.S. Air Force Academy

Boston and Kessel still at an impasse

As the summer comes to an end and the impasse continues it would appear that the Boston Bruins might be ready to move on with out Phil Kessel. I can't imagine what the line up in Boston will look like without the talented forward in the mix. I don't think there are any forwards in the current line up that can score 35-45 goals like Kessel can. I also am sick and tired of the argument that Kessel isn't physical enough, not everyone is going to check people through the boards. The same people that do aren't as skilled offensively as Kessel, Cam Neely is no longer in the line up. Lastly, I want to know what KPD has against this kid? You have to wonder if Kessel stiffed him on an interview one time and now he is trying to get the kids shipped out of town.

The Bruins, with some $55 million committed for next season, have tried to convince Kessel to sign a deal that would increase the payroll to around $59 million, forcing Chiarelli to ditch a roster player in the minors or offload salary via trade. But thus far none of Boston’s offers has been to Kessel’s liking.

“Nothing has really changed,’’ Chiarelli said, noting that at least three clubs have contacted him in recent weeks to try to trade for Kessel, who last season scored 36 goals. “I’d like to have him in the mix, but obviously he’s not . . . and obviously teams are interested.’’

Some four months after his club lost to Carolina in the second round of the playoffs, and with Kessel still unsigned, Chiarelli said he finds himself at what he referred to as a “philosophical impasse’’ in regards to signing his third-year right wing.

“While you like to bring along players of skill and youth and keep them in your organization, I also have to be cognizant of other dynamics,’’ said Chiarelli.

Such as a payroll already at about $55 million. Such as a roster that on July 1 will have top scorer Marc Savard reaching unrestricted free agency and young standouts Milan Lucic and Blake Wheeler reaching the same restricted free agency plateau where Kessel now stands. Such as adhering to a style of play that is centered on defense and all-around grittiness and physical play, ingredients that are not key components of Kessel’s game.

To make room for Kessel, the obvious move for Chiarelli would be to offload another right wing, Michael Ryder, who stands to make $4 million each of the next two seasons. But Ryder is a favorite of coach Claude Julien, his former mentor in Montreal, and if that were a path Chiarelli cared to choose, he would have done it weeks ago, not now with NHL training camps set to open this weekend. [Boston Globe] [Cross posted at MNV.COM]

Joe Finley hurt in practice.

Former Fighting Sioux defenseman and Washington Capitals first round draft choice Joe Finley was hurt in practice today.

Joe Finley, the former first-round draft pick I wrote about in today's paper, appears to have suffered some sort of a injury on the opening day of rookie camp. Not sure about the nature or severity of the injury, but he has left the ice and is not expected to return today. [Capitals insider] [props]

The situation in Boston is getting worse.

The situation in Boston is only getting uglier by the day. This article basically says what I have thought all along that the current GM Peter Chiarelli is using very simular tactics of the former GM Harry Sinden and Mike O’Connell with their take it or leave it attitude. As a fan I am frustrated because there is a common line of thinking when you score 36 goals are the top goal score on the team you should be compensated for it, and a player shouldn't have to feel guilty for asking for it. The Bruins without Kessel aren't as prolific scoring wise. No one in the current line up came close to matching the 36 goals that Kessel scored Michael Ryder scored 27 last season. I don't blame Kessel's agent for taking that stance. Phil should be paid at least 3.75 million in my opinion.

Kessel opted to head home to Wisconsin in August after reporting to the Team USA Orientation Camp in Illinois, and it’s hard to blame him given the complete lack of progress with the Bruins on the contract front.

Kessel led the team in goals by a wide margin with his 36 strikes last season as a 21-year-old while also suffering through a bout of mononucleosis during the toughest stretch of games for the B’s last season.

Following the season, the wunderkind scorer watched his good friend David Krejci bank a three-year, $3.75 million deal in the first few weeks of the summer, and Kessel naturally assumed his turn was coming next in the following few weeks.

But then the B’s signed fellow restricted free agents Byron Bitz and Matt Hunwick to multi-year deals, and filled out the rest of their roster.

Kessel and agent Wade Arnott understandably expected – given his status as a high first-round pick, his track record of improved scoring through three NHL seasons straight out of college and the sizeable leap made from his second to third seasons – that the burgeoning Bruins sniper would bank a bit more than Krejci given his hockey resume and player comparables around the NHL.

But that deal never came to fruition in the first few weeks after the Krejci agreement, and then the trade rumor came down with Kessel wrapped up in a very public botched deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs for Tomas Kaberle.

The aborted Leafs/Bruins trade was followed by long weeks of deafening silence. Contrary to some reports, Kessel’s camp has not refused a series of proposed deals by the Bruins. There has simply been nothing beyond an offer below Krejci money, which was rejected out of hand. [WEEI]

Here is a candidate for my moron of the week. This guy doesn't have a clue what he is talking about; Phil Kessel had 6 goals and 5 assists for 11points in 11 playoff games last spring, that is third on the team in goals. Kessel also to a shot to kill the pain so he could play in the playoffs.

GANMAN wrote:
Wait just a minute!!! Kessel is a not worth 3-4 plus million because he lacks courage and physical power. He will never deliver a cup to Boston because he can be shut down in Stanley Cup play (only great during reg season). Am I the only one who sees this?????? Burke is a fool in love. Let Kessel ride, get the sweet draft picks and move on.

Cross posted at [MVN.COM]

GF Herald Editor: Most Beloved Community Symbol Is "Divisive"

This is a cross post from my normal range over on Say Anything Blog. Goon was nice enough to let me post here to get more UND fans to see.

Back on August 16th the Editor of the Grand Forks Herald (our local bird cage liner) had a column about the Fighting Sioux Name. In it he had a couple valid points and a couple real wacko positions.

Due to my delay in covering this column it is no longer available to view for free on the Herald web site. (I love it when Socialist cheerleaders go for a profit) But I did save a screen shot. You can see following excerpt over on Say Anything.

Supporters of the Nickname might feel aggrieved by the board's decision to shorten the timeframe for the resolution by a whole year. This may have doomed the Hail Mary Pass.

Essentially, they can say the board changed the rules when it appeaed that they might win the game.

UND's effort to introduce new regalia hasn't been greeted warmly either. A new logo with interlocking letter N and D didn't win rave reviews.

So, nobody's happy.

Our view here remain the same. The nickname is divisive. Late efforts to save it only make the divisions deeper.

At one point, it appeared that the issue might be used to open dialogue among North Dakotans. But the state's leaders refused to become engaged, and that opportunity passed.

I have to love how Jacobs can claim that the name is divisive. It's not. It's the single most worn symbol of the community. It's something you can wear around town with pride. It's something you can wear when you're traveling and strike up conversations with people either from here or play against our teams. In my case when I'm on vacation you always meet some Big Ten Alumni who's working in a restaurant. (True!)

And as popular as the name is among UND Alumni and people that have lived in the community, it's just as popular on the reservation. I'd wager that the recent vote by the Spirit Lake Tribe in favor of the name did more to increase mutual respect across the reservation's border than anything that's been done in the last 20 years.

What is divisive is the small group of elitists like Mike Jacobs and the UND leadership that don't care what the tradition is. They don't care how it brings together the people of Grand Forks and helps build pride on the reservation. No it's this small group of elitists that are being divisive by trying to change the status quo. They don't care what the community here and on the reservation think, they only care what their peers among other elitists at other colleges and media groups think.

It's not part of the clip that I produced her, but Jacobs said that opponents of the Sioux name and logo were disappointed that the the tribe repudiated their efforts to erase the Sioux name from the community. How condescending. I guess the Sioux name opponents are bummed out that they can't call supporters racists anymore so they're disappointed.

Getting to the crux of the deal Jacobs is right when he says the Board of Higher Education changed the rules on us. However he's dead wrong on the reasoning. Jacobs said that we were told by the Summit League that they wouldn't consider our application until the issue is resolved.

If Mike Jacobs would bother reading his crappy newspaper he'd be aware that the Summit league said no such thing.

This has been a long-standing issue between UND and the NCAA and it is hopeful that the two parties will work together to finalize this matter. It has not been, nor should it be, a Summit League issue to address or intervene in a solution that both UND and the NCAA agree upon.

If Mike Jacobs had a leg to stand on he wouldn't have to resort to telling made up stories. The elitists want the name to go away. Up until the Spirit Lake tribe voted overwhelmingly to support the name they were happy to have the NCAA and the Indians take the blame. But that vote changed things. They had to hurry up the process before the citizens of the Standing Rock tribe forced a vote. So they shortened the time frame by a year and raised the bar far higher than our NCAA settlement by requiring a 30 year deal.

I can't begin to express my disdain for the Board of Higher Education. Back around the year 2000, the Board of Higher Education that we had expressed support 100% for the Sioux name and the community. Now the current board, appointed by John Hoeven, has turned on the UND and Sioux community.

Jacobs alludes to the states leaders had an opportunity to involve themselves in the process, but didn't. At the time of the egregious settlement with the NCAA the Attorney General said that he and Governor Hoeven would take the lead to negotiate with the tribes. They did no such thing. They also stabbed the UND and Sioux community in the back.
Cross posted by Whitler at sayanythingblog.com

Illegal Curve previews the Boston Bruins.

Ari from the Illegal Curve previews my favorite NHL the Boston Bruins. Personally I think the pieces are in place for the Bruins to win Lord Stanley's Cup.

The Boston Bruins were the surprise team of the 2008-2009 season. Boston finished first in the Eastern Conference, and was one victory away from winning the President’s Trophy. Even though they suffered an early playoff exit, the Bruins were able to grab some hardware, as goaltender Tim Thomas won the Vezina Trophy, Zdeno Chara took home the Norris Trophy, and Claude Julien won the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL’s top coach. This year the Bruins will not take anyone by surprise, as they are expected to compete for the top spot in the East.
----------------snip----------------
Looking ahead to 2009-2010, Boston’s offense is comprised primarily of young players coming off excellent seasons. David Krejci, Boston’s 2nd round pick in 2004, averaged nearly a point per game as a sophomore and should continue to improve. He should return from hip surgery by the end of October at the latest.

Fan favorite Milan Lucic enters his third season with the Bruins with high expectations. Lucic is already drawing comparisons to Boston legend Cam Neely and could reach 50-60 points this year with 150 penalty minutes. It is hard to believe Lucic is only 21 years old.

Another young player from the 2004 draft class, Blake Wheeler, had an excellent rookie season. The 23 year-old Wheeler recorded 45 points in 81 games and was an impressive +36. Wheeler has been bulking up this off-season and will only get
----------------snip----------------
Led by four-time all-star Zdeno Chara and emerging star Dennis Wideman, the Bruins can score from the back end and they can also play responsible defense. Chara and Wideman combined for 100 points and a +55 rating. Chara, last year’s Norris Trophy winner, is firmly entrenched as one of the league’s premier defensemen. Wideman, coming off a breakout season, will need to limit his turnovers and play a more physical style this year.
----------------snip----------------
Tim Thomas finally got some respect last season, winning the Vezina Trophy. It would be hard to ignore the 35 year-old’s contributions, as he led the NHL in goals against average and save percentage. Thomas earned a hefty raise this year and should remain one of the premier goalies in the NHL.
----------------snip----------------
Prediction:

Ceiling – Boston has the potential to win the division, conference and Stanley Cup. They have basically the same team as last year, including many young players that should only improve.

Floor – It’s tough to imagine a scenario where the Bruins do not make the playoffs. With so much talent offensively, defensively, and in net it is unlikely they would drop past 6th or 7th place in the conference.

Note: According to oddsmakers, Boston has the second best chance to win the Eastern Conference and the fifth best chance to win the Stanley Cup.

The Bruins have not won a Stanley Cup since the 1971-72 season, yep the Bobby Orr era, so a championship would be a nice change of pace.

KPD won't be happy until Phil is traded.

This reminds me of the days when Joe Thornton was still a Boston Bruin. I have to wonder if the KDP is the one creating some of these rumors? If this hadn't been on TSN I would have been skeptical. I swear; Dupont isn't going to be happy until the Bruins trade Kessel. So it looks like the Maple Leafs still might be interested in getting Phil Kessel. If the Maple Leafs add Kessel they would have a very nice mix of American College hockey players playing for the Maple Leafs. I.E. Jason Blake UND, Jeff Finger SCSU, Christian Hanson ND, Lee Stempniak Dartmouth College, Jamal Mayers WMU, Tim Stapleton UMD.

Personally; Kessel should talk to former Sioux Jason Blake and ask him about his experience in Toronto. While Blake ended up being the top scorer for the Maple Leafs last season, a big honor for an American player on a Canadian team, the comments about Blake by the Toronto fans on the message boards and newspaper articles this past season were brutal and down right vile. I wouldn't wish that trade on anyone.

KITCHENER, Ontario - Bruin Phil Kessel, almost dealt to the Maple Leafs in June, soon could be fitted for a Toronto sweater.

The question is: Will the Leafs once again try to pry Kessel away via a trade, or will Toronto general manager Brian Burke opt instead to extend an offer sheet to the fourth-year right wing, who last season scored a career-high 36 goals?

“I’ve got nothing to say about any of it,’’ said Burke, when asked if he were on the verge of adding Kessel, a restricted free agent, to his roster. “Sorry, I’m just not going to go there.’’

Burke yesterday made a deal to reacquire Toronto’s second-round pick in 2010 from the Blackhawks in exchange for a pair of 2011 picks - Toronto’s own third-rounder and a second-rounder via Calgary. If Burke were to hand Kessel something around $4.5 million a year or more via an offer sheet, then the Bruins would have to match the deal or take the compensation that would include first-, second-, and third-round picks. Until his deal yesterday, Burke didn’t have the necessary draft picks to be in position to make Kessel an offer.
----------------snip----------------
Attempts to contact Chiarelli for comment were unsuccessful

Of course not.

Colten St. Clair changes mind; now going to UND.

Brad Schlossman and Kerry Collins are reporting a major recruiting win. Colten St. Clair had deiced he would rather be a Fighting Sioux than a C.C. Tiger.

Force forward Colten St. Clair has decommitted from Colorado College. His new choice for college hockey? The University of North Dakota.

St. Clair told me about his change of heart on Saturday, and said that he felt UND would be a better fit for both the advancement of his hockey career and his academics.

St. Clair is a top-notch student, and is a year ahead in school. He has a 1992 birthdate, but is going through his senior year. He is committed to play with the Sioux next season. He will be with the Force again this winter. He is not eligible for the NHL draft until 2011.

For those who question why the B's need him.

It's been a long Summer and there is no break through in the contract negotiations between the Bruins GM and Phil Kessel. I have seen a lot of ridiculous things written by Bruins fans that think the Bruins don't need or that the Bruins will be fine without Phil Kessel. Again; who is going to pick up the offensive slack? For those who have forgot what the young man brings to the table check out this speed and these hands as he blow by the Habs defense and deposits the puck behind Habs sieve Carey Price. The last two season Phil Kessel is a Hab killer, who has scored some big time goals against our hated division foe.

Wheeler on WZLX

Check out this interview. Is it my imagination or are these hosts drinking beer while they on the air? I was always under the impression that was forbidden.

While Wheeler is right, hockey is a business, I am not thrilled about Begin being a member of the Bruins. I think the guy is a hack and there are hundreds of other guys the Bruins could have picked up instead of this guy. Here is a good example of him type of work.

Chiarelli not pleased with Kessel Agent.

It would appear that the Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli isn't all that pleased with Phil Kessel's agent, it's apparent from Chiarelli's comments. That being said, when I read something like this, I interpret it as Chiarelli is low balling Phil because he doesn't have an offer sheet but is upset to be called out.

And then Chiarelli decided it was time to explain his position on the situation with the restricted free agent. Chiarelli joked that he could “just give him a pailful of money and it will be done.” He went on to explain:

“It’s a different system now. It really is a different system now and to be a hard-liner so to speak, you have to keep in mind what these players make after their entry-level contracts. The percentage of increase is huge. And what it does is it throws everything else out of whack. So there’s a balance that you have to keep. And Phil’s a terrific young player.

“And I’m responsible to our team and the fact that there’s a fixed-cost system that may go down, all parties considered have to look at the team, have to look at their own interest and you see more sacrifices made on both sides now. These are things that a lot of people don’t understand or they fail to look at. It’s a lot more of a balancing act now than ever.

Here is the zinger and I almost have to think that maybe the cheap label might be a little deserved, it's not like Chiarelli is the second coming of Harry Sinden but Kessel deserves to be paid after scoring 36 goals and would have probably scored 40+ had he not gotten mono. Lastly, in my opinion I believe the Bruins have over paid Bergeron and Krecji might have actually deserved a little more.

“It becomes a distraction because the other party starts making it a distraction,” he said. “I understand all the tools of their trade too. I used to be an agent. So you deal with it. We have a strong room, we’ve got strong leadership. It’s just part of the game.

“I just get a little disturbed when they talk about us being cheap. Because it’s not about that. Look at some of the second contracts we’ve given — (Patrice) Bergeron, (David) Krejci. It’s not about that. It’s about a balance.”
[the Bruins Blog] , [Illegal Curve], [Big Bad Blog], [Stanley Cup of Chowder]

Odd for winning the Stanley Cup 2009-2010.

The odds are out for the 2009-2010 season and my two favorite teams the Boston Bruins are 8-1 to win the Stanley Cup and the Minnesota Wilda are at 40-1 odds to win it all.

Anaheim Ducks 18/1
Atlanta Thrashers 100/1
Boston Bruins 8/1
Buffalo Sabres 40/1
Calgary Flames 20/1
Carolina Hurricanes 26/1
Chicago Blackhawks 8/1
Colorado Avalanche 70/1
Columbus Blue Jackets 45/1
Dallas Stars 40/1
Detroit Red Wings 4/1
Edmonton Oilers 40/1
Florida Panthers 55/1
Los Angeles Kings 60/1
Minnesota Wild 40/1
Montreal Canadiens 30/1
Nashville Predators 50/1
New Jersey Devils 20/1
New York Islanders 150/1
New York Rangers 26/1
Ottawa Senators 45/1
Philadelphia Flyers 16/1
Phoenix Coyotes 85/1
Pittsburgh Penguins 5/1
San Jose Sharks 8/1
St. Louis Blues 36/1
Tampa Bay Lightning 70/1
Toronto Maple Leafs 70/1
Vancouver Canucks 20/1
Washington Capitals 11/1
[props]

Holy Cow!?!

Apparently the fans over on belligerentville.com are all up in arms because Fighting Sioux football head coach Chris Mussman said go Cyclones at the end of his interview with Dan Hammer. For all of the people getting excited about this; just for the record Chris Mussman played his college football at ISU from 1987-1990 so maybe it's time to remove your panties from the crack of your ass and settle down. I mean seriously, Mussman didn't say, 'you can't have suck with out SU.' Maybe he should have. Mussman simply said, "go Cyclones." Not everyone in Fargo is a Bison fans. [listen to the clip here]

So who is going to budge first?

The dead lock continues between Bruins RFA Phil Kessel and the Bruins management and you have to wonder what the hold up is? I also wonder who is going to budge first? One stinking offer. It would almost appear as if the Bruins GM is low balling Kessel and since the Penner debacle in Edmonton it seems like no one really wants to put out an offer sheets for RFA's.

The Bruins do hold the cards to a point because if Kessel gets an offer sheet eventually from another team and the Bruins don't match they will get some first high draft choices. The thing that pisses me off is those draft choices do nothing this season and this team is close to making a run deep into the playoffs if not contending for a Stanley Cup. Currently the Bruins have no one currently on their roster besides Michael Rider, David Krecji and Marc Savard that have the ability to score 30-45 goals. I keep hearing how Sturm and Bergeron will pick up the slack but Sturm has never some close to scoring 40 goals and Bergeron has had to concussion in two consecutive season and is one check away from life after hockey.

The Bruins, up against the salary-cap ceiling and faced with an uphill challenge to re-sign Phil Kessel, are speaking with several teams about trading the 21-year-old restricted free agent, according to a league source.

“More than one team is very interested,’’ said the source.

General manager Peter Chiarelli didn’t offer any insight on a possible trade.

“I don’t comment on contract negotiations,’’ said Chiarelli. “But we really would like to get Phil in the mix. You don’t come across players like this very often. It’s hard to come by players with this skill. We believe there’s still a lot of growth to his game.’’

Wade Arnott, Kessel’s agent, declined to comment on a possible destination for the 36-goal scorer. Arnott, however, confirmed a virtual nonexistence of negotiations with the Bruins. Arnott said the Bruins made only one contract offer, which was quickly rejected, prior to the draft.

The Bruins thought they had a deal in place at the draft with Toronto that would have landed Tomas Kaberle in Boston in a package for Kessel. But there had been a miscommunication between Chiarelli and Leafs counterpart Brian Burke.

Kessel is recovering from May 21 surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff and labrum in his left shoulder. While Kessel will not be ready for the season opener, Arnott said he’s progressing well and could skate sometime next week.

There is a chance Kessel might not be fit to play until early December, so the Bruins don’t have to make a trade swiftly. However, teams would prefer to have their rosters - and corresponding cap situations - in place for camp. A trade could also take place once the season kicks off if the Bruins (or other clubs) start slowly and need Kessel’s offensive presence. [Boston Globe]

Blais on 1620 the Zone.

Dean Blais was on a recent radio show in Omaha on 1620 AM the zone ESPN Radio. The show is called Unsportsmanlike Conduct, Blais talks about settling in down at UNO. coach Blais is also still up on the Fighting Sioux name and talks about conditioning and his recent knee replacement. Blais also talks about the conditioning that the Mavericks are going to do. [click to listen]

Bayda still hoping for an NHL job

Here is more on Bayda's bid for an NHL contract. Looks as if Bayda could be heading to Europe to play hockey.

It's late August, with NHL training camps only days away from opening, and Ryan Bayda is starting over. Again.

In May, Bayda was playing for the Carolina Hurricanes in the final game of their Eastern Conference finals sweep at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins. Three months later, he is still looking for work.

He came into the league as a third-round pick harboring hopes of being a scoring forward. After a nasty knee injury, he recast himself as a gritty hard-working fourth-liner, playing his way back into the NHL.

Now, he's just looking for a place to play.

"It's not the fun part of hockey, that's for sure," Bayda said from his offseason home in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. "It's pretty nerve-wracking still sitting around at the end of August with people asking you where you are going, and you don't have a good answer for them."

Bayda has seen the good times, the playoff wins and the six-figure contracts. He also has seen the other side of hockey, where no matter how well you played the season before, no one is interested in your services -- at least, not interested enough.

For players such as Bayda, the goal is a one-way contract, which has one salary, an NHL salary. Those are given to players the team expects to spend the entire season in the NHL, as Bayda did last season. Everyone else gets a two-way contract, with one salary for the NHL and one salary for the minors. The NHL minimum is $500,000. The best minor league players are lucky to crack $100,000 on the other side of their contracts. [News & Observer]

2009-2010 Sioux captains.

This is what Chay Genoway brings to the table, a whole lot of offense. Genoway is a gifted player that usually makes the right play and can fly and is very offensive minded. Shall we say; "as Chay Genoway goes so do the Fighting Sioux." Many of odd man breakaways have started off of Genoway's stick or with him leading the way. Genoway was recognized for his leadership and named the 2009-2010 captain of the Fighting Sioux hockey team. Other Sioux hockey players wearing the letter this season will be alternate captains senior Chris VandeVelde, and Darcy Zajac.

Fast and Furious

There is all kinds of hockey news today.

Boston Bruins forward David Krejci (hip) has resumed skating and plans on playing in October. That is good news for the Bruins.
[Boston Globe]

Alexander Ovechkin has a tramp stamp, or what ever you call it on a dude. [Puck Daddy]

Yawn! Boring! Marco Sturm is staking with out limitations and should be fine for this season. [Boston Globe]

Former Badger Kyle Turris has added 10 pounds in the off season.

The Dany Heatly saga goes on. Sens consider drop-dead for Heatley trade: Murray [Ottawa Sun]

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Ryan Bayda hopes he can get a one way contract. Apparently the Canes want to give him a two way contract. [Roto World]

According to the Michael Russo Twitter page the Wild are interested in Jonathan Cheechoo. He would look good in the Wild's new third jersey.

Here is what Chara had to say on the Phil Kessel Matter.

On the Phil Kessel situation, Chara didn’t want to cause any controversy with his take on the restricted free agent’s ongoing contract situation.

“It’s part of the thing that every player has to realize and decide what he wants to do,” Chara said. “And obviously the rest of it is up to the management and Phil. So as a player I can’t really wish anything more than have both sides be happy. But we’ll see what’s going to happen.” [The Bruins Blog]

Is the Kessel Saga ending a conclusion? [NESN.COM]

But last Friday, we may have seen the gates open once again. San Jose is rumored to be a suitor for both players and cleared some cap space by trading defensemen Christian Ehrhoff and Brad Lukowich to the Canucks. Many around the league feel this may be a precursor to a bigger deal, possibly for Heatley or Kessel.

Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reported Sunday that the Sharks could actually be preparing to make an offer sheet to Kessel. The Bruins are on record as saying they would match any offer sheets made to the restricted free agent -- though, on occasion, general manager Peter Chiarelli has slipped in the “within reason” when saying he would match. So unless Sharks GM Doug Wilson decides to throw a ridiculous contract at Kessel, expect the Bruins to match any offer sheet thrown down by him.

There were also rumors this past week that the Rangers and Devils have interest in Kessel, but sources with both teams denied that. Chiarelli was on vacation last week and unavailable for comment while a call to Kessel’s agent, Wade Arnott, went unreturned through the weekend.

So who's going to San Jose?

The Sharks freed up about five million in cap space by trading a few of their players, now the question is who is going to San Jose? Is it going to be the disgruntled Heatly or is it Kessel?

League sources say the Sharks are among a couple of teams that have interest in Heatley, but Wilson said the deal he made yesterday “makes sense.”

“When the right thing is there,” Wilson told the San Jose Mercury News, referring to trade talks, “having that flexibility is a wonderful thing under this system, being able to explore things or put closure to them. When the timing is right and it makes sense to both teams, you have the flexibility and those things can happen.”

Also, talk won’t go away that the Sharks are set to give Bruins restricted free-agent winger Phil Kessel an offer sheet.

As reported earlier this summer by Sun Media, Heatley’s agents, J.P. Barry and Stacey McAlpine, have been given Murray’s permission to broker a deal.
[slam sports --- Canoe]

Hockey rumors and rumblings.

Former Golden Gopher and Boston Bruin RFA has been the subject of many rumors this past summer. So Bruins fans have to wonder where Phil "the Thrill" Kessel is going to end up. There has been a stand still in the negoiations and the Boston Bruins are going to have to move someone to make room for him under the cap. From this article it doesn't appear to be Edmonton isn't in the running. Any team that makes Kessel an offer sheet is going to have to give up a lot if the Bruins don't match that said offer sheet.

While Comrie's out of the picture, it appears the Oilers aren't going to make a pitch to deal for Group 2 free agent Phil Kessel. The Boston Bruins forward, who had 36 goals last year, is being shopped because Boston is already well over the$56.8-million cap ceiling. [Edmonton Journal]

Here is some more from the self professed Phil Kessel Hater KPD.

Headed into the weekend, it was same ol’, same ol’ on the Phil Kessel watch. No reason to expect him on Causeway Street when the Bruins open training camp Sept. 12. A Group 2 free agent, he remains without a contract. A source familiar with the sporadic talks throughout the summer confirmed that the Bruins front office has made multiple offers, with varying length of term, but nothing has convinced the speedy 21-year-old winger to sign on the dotted line. Kessel told this space two weeks ago that he will have a new deal prior to the season - be it here or elsewhere - and he also felt that David Krejci’s new three-year pact (average $3.75 million) didn’t factor into where he set his value. Meanwhile, a New York Post story had the Rangers possibly ready to pony up for Kessel, who must sign prior to Dec. 1 or will be unable to play in the NHL in 2009-10. [Boston Globe]

Speaking of Mike Comrie, there have been a lot of rumors bouncing around that the Wild were interested in signing the former Michigan Wolverine and Senator to a contract. According to Wild beat writer Mike Russo that isn't true.

Contrary to the rumor mongers out there, the Wild has zero interest in Mike Comrie. [Russo's Rants]

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player Drew Stafford is a restricted free agent and still unsigned and doesn't have a contract for the up coming season.

But GM Darcy Regier still has one more noteworthy task at hand, and that is to reach a deal with restricted free agent, Drew Stafford.

Earlier this summer, Regier extended qualifying offers to three of the Sabres' five restricted free agents, Pat Kaleta, Andrej Sekera and Stafford.

Kaleta signed a one-year deal, while Sekera was inked for two years at a little over $1 million per year. Clarke MacArthur, another restricted free agent, signed a deal similar to Sekera's.

Both parties (Stafford and the Sabres) are likely working feverishly behind closed doors to get a deal done. But when talks extend all the way until mid-August, there becomes a growing concern that both sides may be far apart. [Bleacher Report]

Here is another blurb about Drew Stafford's contract negoiations. Sounds a lot like the Kessel situation in Boston, young players with pretty good numbers, the negoiations are at a stand still.

Then there's Drew Stafford, who remains unsigned as a restricted free agent. Stafford, 23, scored 20 goals last season. He's big (6-foot-2, 202 pounds), skilled and plays with an edge. He is a big part of the team's future. But two weeks before camp, he's still looking for a contract.

Maybe Stafford's agent is shooting for the moon, knowing the Sabres need to sign someone of consequence. But if they believe in Stafford, why play hardball? If their plan is to develop stars from within, they should sign Stafford and show the fans how much they believe in him.

Of course, you have to wonder if Stafford is truly worth the money. There is no lack of pro athletes in this town, on both the Sabres and Bills, who are being paid like stars but fall short of the designation. [Buffalo News]

Chris from Western College Hockey profiled two Sioux recruits Mike Cichy and Danny Kristo. I am excited to see both players in a Fighting Sioux uniform this fall.

Sunday morning reading.

The hockey season is quickly approaching and September is right around the corner, Tuesday is officially beginning of the end of summer and the beginning of the start of hockey season. NHL teams will begin reporting to training camp in September and college hockey team nation wide will begin preseason work outs in preparation for the up coming season that will start in October.

The summer that wasn’t

The big question this summer was; where was summer? With the end of summer that never happened, I kind of feel like I have been cheated because we had 2 days above 90 degrees and very few days in the 80’s, there were a lot of over cast days in the 70’s and 60’s. Global warming, yeah! This morning it was a balmy 48 degrees, it’s not even September yet. If we aren’t careful the ducks and geese will fly south before the start of duck hunting season.

Oh yeah the new buzz word is climate change. What ever it’s called we could use some global warming right about now because I am freezing my ass off this summer. Yes, I am rolling my eyes right now. Can you tell?

It was so warm in August I actually wore a warm jacket that I would normally wore in October while hunting for Canada geese on the 20th of August. While this weather is great for sleeping it’s not all that great for working on the tan or going to the lake. The two times that I made it to the lake the weather was substandard.


Great for growing grass but not golf

While my yard looks great and some weeks I have mowed it twice a week, I didn’t play as much golf as I could have because of the inconsistent weather. Rain good for growing grass, not good for gripping golf clubs. About 4 or 5 times I was going to go golfing and the weather just didn’t cooperate I ended up staying home. That sucks because I bought brand new clubs this season; I figured it couldn’t be the golfer so I decided that it was time to go out and by brand new irons and wood. I mean seriously it had to be the clubs. I was going to replace the putter next if I didn’t start draining some putts.

So alas I went to the golf center and bought the new Taylor Made Burner driver and three woods and X22 Callaway irons. After almost four months of golf I am just finally starting to hit the X22’s the way they were made to hit. The Taylor Made Burners worked right away and were great from the start: so it had to be the old woods.

When you hit an X22 Callaway iron correctly the ball explodes off the club. Like Kevin Costner said in the movie Tin Cup "Let that tuning fork ring in your loins!" While most of us will never break 80 in a friendly game of golf (I have come close to breaking 80 about five times) and only 10% of the golfing public breaks 100, Its shots like that, that will bring most of us weekend hackers back for more.

When I wasn’t perfecting my really bad golf game, I was riding my newly purchased Trek 4500 Mountain bike. As of this day I have rode over 500 miles this summer since the middle of June. The lower temps are very condusive for riding bike.

Moving forward

I always said that when blogging was no longer fun or became too much like work I would give it up. As of this current time Goon’s World is still fun and hasn’t yet ruined my marriage. In other words, I am not living on my deck with my dog sleeping in deck furniture. The mission statement of this blog is to have fun and not take ourselves too seriously. We will leave that to others. Sioux7 and I will continue to cover the Fighting Sioux hockey team or what ever name UND decides to call their sports teams. I will also continue to cover College Hockey, the Minnesota Wild and Boston Bruins. As of right now I will also write a weekly column for the hockey blog the Illegal Curve. Kyle and Richard asked me if I would be interested in writing for them and I accepted. We will see how it goes.

In the last year from August 30, 2008 to August 30, 2009 we have had 392,703 hits, I never in my wildest dreams thought that when I started this blog in December of 2005 I would have almost 790,000 people would read this blog. My wife told me that it was me clicking on my blog about 500,000 times. I told her I don’t have enough time in the day to do that.

Like I said earlier, I do this for fun and I don’t take my self very seriously. I am not going to patrol other blogs and get into pissing contests or start fake fan blogs under false names to rip other bloggers. If there is something to comment on we will address it. I am not out to win a Pulitzer Prize.

I am actually been mulling over a couple of offers I have received and I am leaning towards one that may actually transpire in the next week or two. We will see how it goes, if it happens great, if it doesn’t happen it’s no big deal.

Another Kessel Rumor.

Doesn't look like we can blame this rumor on KPD. I dunno, I also don't think teams are going to give up a first, second and third round pick on a player that has only three seasons in the NHL. Also, the Bruins don't have any room under the cap. That being saied, if there was one team that would over pay a UFA 6 million it would be the New York Rangers. This rumor almost sounds like some of the ones that come from EK.

Time is running short for the Rangers to renew their interest -- and for the Devils to jump into the bidding -- with trade talks said to be heating up elsewhere for Boston's Phil Kessel.

The Bruins have no cap space left to accommodate the $5 million salary their restricted free agent commands, and would have to dismantle their team to fit him by Oct. 1, when all teams must be under the $56.8 million cap.

The Rangers are believed to have talked seriously with the Bruins about trading for Kessel, but not lately. At least two other teams are believed to have stepped up their bidding of late. Kessel is rehabbing from rotator cuff surgery, but may be ready to skate when camps open next month.

A righty center/right wing, Kessel led the Bruins with 36 goals last season, despite missing 12 games, and stood plus-23. He went 6-5-11 and plus-7 in 11 playoff games for Boston. He won't turn 22 until Oct. 2.

Once Oct. 1 passes, the Bruins would be unable to match any Group 2 offer sheets, and would thus receive draft-pick compensation for Kessel. For salaries between $4.520 million and $6.026 million, compensation is a first-, second- and third-round pick. Fifth overall in 2006, Kessel is the Bruins' highest pick since they grabbed Joe Thornton first overall in 1997.

Kessel would fill a major need for either the Rangers or the thus-far uninvolved Devils, both in serious need of a No. 1 center -- one with blazing speed, a major scoring touch and defensive skills, as well. [New York Post]

Wild snubbed by Alex Tanguay.

Even though Jacques Lemaire and Doug Risebrough are gone from the Minnesota Wild it would appear that Wild still can’t win the battles to get prized free agents. Alex Tanguay took an offer from Tampa Bay to play for the Lighting over the “State of Hockey.” I guess Tanguay would rather play in front of half full arena for a horrible team than play for a team that has sellouts and a fan base that is rabid about hockey. Good luck with that Alex.

The Wild waited patiently for free-agent winger Alex Tanguay to make a decision on his future, and it appears that decision has been made.

Canada's RDS reported Friday night that Tanguay has agreed to terms with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sources said Friday morning that the Wild hadn't budged on a one-year, $2.5 million offer -- the max it could legitimately offer the playmaker and still be comfortably under the $56.8 million salary cap ceiling -- but the Wild continued to talk to both Tanguay and his agent. [Star Tribune]

How about this line of thinking? Sounds almost like his predecessor, see we tried but in the end we were unable to land any prized free agents. No disrespect to Chuck Fletcher but it tells me that Wild have run out of option and Wild fans are going to be stuck watching James Sheppard, Pierre-Marc Bouchard and Benoit Pouliot for the most part three unimpressive first round draft choices. Of the three mentioned first round busts/duds, only one that has any worth is PMB and he is a perimeter player that is afraid to go to the dirty areas to score goals.

I mean seriously; if the Wild are to get Phil Kessel he is going to cost them at least 3.75 million to a top end price of 5 million dollars a couple of draft choices and or a top of the line player, this is true with the other teams. Personally, if I had been Fletcher maybe I might have been tempted to take the proposed trade and sent Brent Burns to the Senators for Dany Heatley.

If Tanguay declines the Wild's offer, the team isn't worried because there should be a number of top players on waivers or on the trading block in September.

Chicago, Vancouver, Detroit, Ottawa, Washington and Boston are over the cap. Montreal, Philadelphia, Edmonton and Carolina are within $1 million of the cap. When one considers San Jose is at $53.5 million for only 17 players, the Sharks are theoretically at or over the cap.

Teams can be 10 percent over the cap up until the last day of training camp.

The Wild has shown interest in San Jose's Jonathan Cheechoo, Chicago's Patrick Sharp and unsigned Boston forward Phil Kessel. [Star Tribune]