Image via WikipediaI just love the stuff that comes out of former NHL star Jeremy Roenick's mouth, he is always good for a one liner or a zinger, he could probably write a book full of zingers. I couldn't agree more, Tomas Kaberle has been an utter disappointment and a passenger during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and it's a shame that they gave up a first round draft pick to get this guy. WEEI ---- Roenick said that he was sticking with his prediction, made before the Eastern Conference finals, that the Bruins would advance to the Stanley Cup finals in seven games. That said, he noted a couple of players whom he believes need to elevate their games in order for that outcome to reach fruition.
Roenick suggested that having Tomas Kaberle (who has no goals and 8 assists in the playoffs) anchoring the power play was a mistake, in part because he's not a threat to get the puck on net.
"He’s got a stick made of Jell-O. Kaberle doesn’t have a very good shot. He’s a playmaker and a very good playmaker. He shouldn’t be at the top putting shots on net," said Roenick. "You should have Dennis Seidenberg up at the top pounding the puck on net, Kaberle on the side positioning the puck to the net. I think Kaberle played his best game maybe of the playoffs his last game. But I don’t think he’s been very good in the playoffs at all, not to mention since he came over from Toronto. He’s got to up his game another level.
"He’s one of those guys who can make the difference if he just makes the simple play, the right play, like he has for many years, which has made him so good."
Image by slidingsideways via FlickrNathan Horton will not be suspended or disciplined by the NHL, nor in my opinion should he be. According to James Murphy of ESPN Boston, there will be no punishment for Boston Bruins forward Nathan Horton who squirted water and then threw the water bottle at a Tampa Bay fan at that was sitting behind the Boston Bruins players bench at the end of game six. James Murphy; ESPN Boston ---- As the Boston Bruins skated off the ice following their 5-4 loss in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference finals, the Tampa Bay Lightning fans at St. Pete's Forum peppered the ice and some Bruins with the hand-clapper instruments they were given by the Lightning for the game. Apparently the frustration over the loss and the fans' actions got to Bruins winger Nathan Horton, who sprayed a heckling fan and then threw his water bottle at the fan as he walked down the runway to the dressing room.I actually find it funny that some of the big time sports pundits had feigned so much anger over this minor situation; did they really expect the NHL to suspend a player based on some home movie that was on YouTube? I am sure we will see the conspiracy theorist come out and tell us that since Collin Campbell’s son plays for the Bruins that is the reason the NHL didn’t suspend Nathan Horton.
While the NHL doesn't like to see such actions by players, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told ESPNBoston.com late Thursday afternoon that "no action is being contemplated" by the league.
"There is no way to substantiate what may or may not have happened," Daly said.
Horton's agent also confirmed that no actions would be taken by the league in response to Horton's actions, which videos posted on YouTube appear to confirm.
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CBC --- An NHL hockey team may not be the only thing returning to Manitoba's capital.
The largest known portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, which hung from the rafters in the Winnipeg Arena for 20 years, may also be coming home.
Anya Wilson, custodian of the portrait, says she got an exciting phone call which suggests the Queen may be returning to Winnipeg.
Wilson says she can't say much more but would love to see the portrait hung once again.
At five-by-seven metres, the portrait has been homeless since it was taken down from the Winnipeg Arena, where the former NHL Winnipeg Jets used to play.
The Arena was demolished in 2005.
Winnipeg Free Press ---- A deal between True North Sports and Entertainment, the Atlanta Spirit Group and the NHL to move the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg is inching forward but still requires some work.
Multiple sources involved in the negotiations said this morning there are a number of items remaining to be worked out before a deal can be closed and an official announcement made.
A source said the purchase price of $110 million for the Thrashers and a $60 million relocation fee going to the league are set.
Details described as "consent, owner approval, proof of financial information, etc." remain on the table.
"There are complex issues that take time to work through," said a source.
It's understood none of the issues are deal-breakers but until they are resolved the sale cannot be completed.
Image by bridgetds via FlickrIt looks like the Tampa Bay Lightning are going to start goalie Dwayne Roloson in net tonight for game 6 against the Boston Bruins in Tampa Bay. If I was a player on the Boston Bruins I would be licking my lips because the Bruins have had good success against Dwayne Roloson. AMPA - Dwayne Roloson will be back in the net for the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight as the Bolts face elimination in the Eastern Conference final.
The 41-year-old goaltender was sat out by Tampa coach Guy Boucher for the Lightning’s 3-1 loss in Boston in Game 5, leaving the Bolts down 3-2 in the best-of-seven series and facing elimination for the fourth time this post-season.
They were down 3-1 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in the opening round and came back to win the series.
“(Roloson)’s going to be ready, willing and able to prove why he’s one of the big reasons we got here as a team,” said Tampa forward Steven Stamkos.
Boucher said he told Roloson, who is 6-0 in his career in elimination games, he would be playing in Game 6 Monday, the day of Game 5, same time as he told him he wouldn’t be playing that night.
Image via WikipediaChriss Botta an Islanders blogger has an interesting blog post about former Fighting Sioux Forward Jason Gregoire and former UNH defenseman Blake Kessel. It would appear that some hockey prospects aren't too keen on playing for the New York Islanders. My question to Jason Gregoire is why didn't you just stay and play another year for the Fighting Sioux hockey team? Chris Botta; NYI Point Blank ---- For Jason Gregoire and Blake Kessel, it’s nothing personal with the Islanders. Four years after being drafted by the Islanders, three years into their college hockey careers, Gregoire and Kessel appear to be simply utilizing their Collective Bargaining Agreement rights to consider offers from the other 29 teams in the NHL. They hope you’d understand.Here is a link to a story that was also in the New York Times Slap Shot blog that was written by Chris Botta as well. [Slap Shot Blog]
“The ideal for me would be to sign with the Islanders,” Gregoire told Point Blank in a phone conversation last night. “They are the team that drafted me and, from the beginning, I’ve had a great relationship with the team. I was at three prospect camps, got to know the area and the staff and come through the ranks with the guys. I have nothing but great things to say about the organization and I’m happy that no doors are being closed.”
It’s not difficult to read between the lines. Gregoire left North Dakota last week, Kessel withdrew from New Hampshire earlier this week. Unable to come to terms with the Islanders on Entry Level contracts to this point, Gregoire is taking advantage of a clause in the CBA that allows college players to become free agents four years after they were drafted. Kessel is said to be considering the same. Both Gregoire and Kessel played a year in the United States Hockey League before starting college.
Image via WikipediaApparently the University of North Dakota won't be able to play the University of Wisconsin when the formation of the Big Ten Hockey Conference comes to fruition because of their Athletic Department Policy On Native American Logos And Names. I guess the policy didn't matter last season when the Sioux and the Badgers played in basketball last season on November 16th, 2010... Stay tuned. Big Ten teams will play 20 league games - home-and-home series against one another - and hope to augment the rest of their schedules with eight games against WCHA and/or CCHA teams. That would leave six non-conference openings to fill in with opponents from Atlantic Hockey, Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference and Hockey East Association.
During the American Hockey Coaches Association convention in Florida last month, Frazier said WCHA and CCHA officials are receptive to having some type of interlocking schedule with the Big Ten.
One complication to the Badgers playing against WCHA opponents is that they wouldn't be able to schedule North Dakota — a major rival and perennial national power — because of its Fighting Sioux nickname and Native American warrior logo.
UW has a policy that prohibits scheduling non-conference opponents with monikers that defy an NCAA mandate against racially insensitive nicknames.
"We'd love to continue our relationship with North Dakota," Frazier said, "but North Dakota has to figure (its nickname issue) out from an NCAA perspective."
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeHere is an interesting article from the Spector blog about the NHL possibly making a return to Winnipeg. All I can say is whatever KDP, what does he know about Winnipeg? I wonder if Kevin can find Winnipeg on a map or even knows where the city of Winnipeg is at? Spector Blog --- Since mid-May various reports suggesting the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers to True North Sports & Entertainment and their subsequent relocation this summer to the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba, may occur in the near future has generated considerable stir in the NHL world.
As of this writing there's been no confirmation a deal is in place or imminent but various media sources claim it's either all but done, or will be in a matter of weeks, perhaps even days.
It remains to be seen when an official announcement could be made, but unquestionably this is the closest the city of Winnipeg has come to getting back an NHL franchise since their beloved Jets were sold and moved to Phoenix, becoming the Coyotes, in 1996.
Winnpegers in particular and a majority of Canadian-based hockey fans in general are thrilled by the prospect, but there is some question if the city of roughly 750,000 souls can be a viable hockey market, given its market size, location and other economic factors.
Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe raised those questions in his May 22, 2011 column, suggesting the Thrashers would enjoy an initial rush of strong support in Winnipeg until the team's losses started to pile up, Winnipegers realize the sticker shock of attending NHL games, and American TV interests make it clear they're not interested in televising games involving a Winnipeg team.
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TSN.CA STAFF ---- There will be no supplementary discipline against San Jose forward Jamie McGinn, who received a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct in the third period of Friday's Western Conference final.
McGinn had a hearing Saturday with NHL hockey operations, and learned he did not face a suspension after a review of the incident.
McGinn, who drew into the lineup after watching Games 1 and 2, received a five-minute boarding call for his hit on Vancouver Canucks defenceman Aaron Rome. Rome had to be helped off the ice after the hit and didn't return.
The Sharks trail the series 2-1 after winning a Conference Final game on home ice for the first time in franchise history.
Game 4 is Sunday in San Jose.
SJS Jamie McGinn has disciplinary hearing with NHL this afternoon for hit on VAN's Aaron Rome.So in your opinion is this hit worthy of a suspension? Based on what the NHL has let go in the playoffs I wouldn't be surprised if no suspension is giving on the hit.
Michael Russo; Star Tribune ---Despite Mikko Koivu's attempt to persuade him to play for the Wild next season, highly touted 19-year-old Mikael Granlund will remain in Finland another year, one of his representatives said Thursday.
"The game plan is he's going to be entering the army and fulfilling his service and finishing high school, and we'd come over a year from now," agent Todd Diamond said.
"Mikael prefers when he comes over to Minnesota, hockey is the only thing he needs to focus on in his life. He wants to get all these so-called housekeeping things out of the way and, a year from now, get ready to hopefully crack the lineup."
Diamond said Granlund has received permission from the Finnish Army to attend the Wild's July 10-17 development camp. Diamond said the plan is to sign "this time next year."
"We believe Minnesota is a really good spot for him and the right environment for him to succeed in the future. It's the Finland of the United States in some ways," Diamond said.
Granlund, the Wild's first-round draft pick in 2010, helped lead HIFK to an SM-Liiga championship, then Finland to a world championship.
| Red Line Report's Top 10 prospects for June 24-25 draft | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 1 | Ryan Nugent-Hopkins | C | 6-0, 163 | Left | April 12, 1993 | Red Deer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 2 | Gabriel Landeskog | RW | 6-1, 201 | Left | Nov. 23, 1992 | Kitchener | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 3 | Adam Larsson | D | 6-3, 220 | Right | Nov. 12, 1992 | Skelleftea | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 4 | Dougie Hamilton | D | 6-4, 193 | Right | June 17, 1993 | Niagara | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 5 | Jonathan Huberdeau | LW | 6-1, 165 | Left | June 4, 1993 | Saint John | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 6 | Ryan Murphy | D | 5-11, 176 | Right | March 31, 1993 | Kitchener | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 7 | Ryan Strome | C | 6-0, 183 | Right | July 11, 1993 | Niagara | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 8 | Sean Couturier | C | 6-4, 193 | Left | Dec. 7, 1992 | Drummondville | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 9 | J.T. Miller | RW | 6-1, 198 | Left | March 14, 1993 | U.S. NTDP U-18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 10 | Rocco Grimaldi | C | 5-6, 161 | Right | Feb. 8, 1993 | U.S. NTDP U-18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Image by Getty Images via @daylifeThe results of the autopsy are now public, Derek Boogaard died by mixing Oxycodone and alcohol which ended up being a fatal combination because of synergistic effects of alcohol and other drugs which turned out to be a fatal combination. Amy Forliti, Associated Press — A medical examiner in Minnesota ruled the death of Rangers enforcer Derek Boogaard was an accident, due to mixing alcohol and oxycodone.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner released Boogaard's cause of death today. The medical examiner said no other data will be released.
The 28-year-old Boogaard was found dead in his Minneapolis apartment last Friday, five months after he sustained a season-ending concussion with the New York Rangers.
The 6-foot-7, 265-pound enforcer became a fan favorite in his years with the Minnesota Wild. He played in 255 games with the Wild from 2005-10.
Oxycodone is a powerful painkiller that can be addictive and has been blamed in some overdose deaths.
Boogaard's agent and a spokeswoman for the Boston University School of Medicine said earlier this week that Boogaard's brain will be examined for signs of a degenerative disease often found in athletes who sustain repeated hits to the head.
Boogaard was known as "The Boogeyman" — one of the league's most feared fighters. He agreed to a $6.5 million, four-year deal with the Rangers in July and appeared in 22 games last season, finishing with a goal, an assist and 45 penalty minutes.
His final game was Dec. 9 at Ottawa when he fought Matt Carkner and sustained a concussion and shoulder injury. That was the 70th fight of his NHL career.
Image via WikipediaThere seems to be a buzz around the "Internet" that the Atlanta Thrashers are going to be moving to Winnipeg, I know we have seen and heard this story before but this time it sounds like this might actually be true. Of course Gary Bettman denies that there is a deal in place to sell the Thrashers to True North, which would in turn relocate the team from Atlanta to Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Stephen Brunt; Globe and Mail ---- An agreement to sell the National Hockey League’s Atlanta Thrashers to a Winnipeg group which plans to relocate the franchise to the Manitoba capital is done.
Sources confirmed tonight that preparations are being made for an announcement Tuesday, confirming the sale and transfer of the Thrashers to True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns and operates the Manitoba Moose of the American Hockey League and the MTS Centre arena, which would become the NHL team’s new home.
Gary Bettman, the commissioner of the National Hockey League, is expected to travel to Winnipeg to make the news official.
The announcement would end months of speculation about whether one of the NHL’s financially-troubled American sunbelt teams might move north, filling the void left when the Winnipeg Jets packed up and left for Phoenix in 1996, where they became the Coyotes.
Much of the talk this spring had centred on that failing franchise, which was bought by the league after being placed in bankruptcy by its former owner Jerry Moyes in 2009.
But sources in Winnipeg suggest that the Thrashers had in fact been the primary target of potential owners Mark Chipman and David Thomson all along, and that some months back, the NHL board of governors quietly approved the sale and transfer of the team, pending the negotiation of a purchase agreement between Atlanta Spirit LLC, the Thrashers’ owners, and True North.
In the meantime, no potential owner materialized who was prepared to keep the team in Georgia, and local governments there showed no interest in propping up the Thrashers.
“There seems to be a consensus there is going to be a team in Winnpeg,” former major league pitcher Tom Glavine, who had tried unsuccessfully to find new ownership for the hockey team in Atlanta, acknowledged last week. ““The question is who, and unfortunately the bullseye seems to be on the Thrashers’ back.”
"We've seen that before with Kevin," said Ben Eager. "It's sad that someone's gonna sign him for big money when he's a phony. He goes after our top players. He's been asked many times, by lots of players throughout the League (to fight), and he's declined."
Eager, of course, couldn’t leave it at that, and after taking 20 minutes in penalties and damaging his team’s chances to win, he called Bieksa a phony in the post-game locker room, accusing him of picking his spots and not fighting the real tough guys.I think it's safe to say that this series is going to get more exciting going into games three and four in San Jose. It will also be interesting to see if the Sharks can at least put up a fight and contest this series and not just let the Canucks take them to the woodshed.
“I’m not going to say too much about that,” said Bieksa. “Right now, my focus is on winning the series, and if they want to worry about that kind of stuff, that’s to our advantage. Our power play did a great job tonight of making them pay for some of their penalties.”
