Paul Kelly unhappy with Versus.

I saw this story on Fiona Quick's twitter. Also, note to Gopher hockey fans you may not want to visit Fiona Quick's twitter, she is reporting that Minnesota Gopher Jordan Schroeder is still rumored to be turning pro after his selection in the draft this year, especially if he goes in the top 10. I dunno, I can't see her reporting something if she isn't getting a solid rumor.

Any ways, NHLPA’s head Paul Kelly is unhappy with the current T.V. situation in the NHL and would like to see the NHL return to ESPN. Well Paul there are a lot of hockey fans that would like to see the NHL return to ESPN. Personally I get the NHL Hockey package through midco every season so I can watch the game that I would like to see. I also know that when you travel most hotel rooms don't carry Versus. I found this out recently with my trip to Mpls and well as my December trip Brunswick Georgia.

May 25, 2009 : ------ NHL Players’ Association Executive Director Paul Kelly is calling for league TV partners Versus and NBC to do more to promote the NHL and NHL players, citing players’ growing frustration over hockey coverage.

“We have to push our two partners to do a better job of covering our sport … or we have to go in a different direction when that contract comes to an end,” Kelly told the Sports Lawyers Association on May 16. Kelly has called in the past for the NHL to return to ESPN.

Kelly said the fact that people in the U.S. could not watch most of the Boston-Carolina playoff Game 7 earlier this month because Versus was airing Anaheim-Detroit Game 7 “is a source of great frustration” to NHL players as well as the union.

Kelly conceded that Versus has improved production and has increased the number of homes and sports bars where it is available. However, he said, “There are still problems.”

“It is not ESPN,” Kelly said. “It doesn’t have a sports highlight show. It doesn’t have a lot of properties people want to tune in to, unless you are a hunter or a fisherman or you like turtle wrestling.”

Versus President Jamie Davis, responding to Kelly’s comments, said Versus made a significant commitment to the NHL when it agreed to a deal to take it over from ESPN in 2005. Versus “has televised significantly more hours of hockey coverage per night in the first two rounds of the playoffs this year than ESPN did in the same time span during the last several years of their deal.”

NHL to go global.

Here is a story that was posted on sportsbusiness.com The NHL is looking to go global, great it's about time. The first thing the NHL should do is get the greatest game in the world hooked back up with ESPN so more people can be exposed to NHL hockey. I still know quite a few people that don't have versus.

NHL looking at global television rights offering
The National Hockey League is looking to be the first US league to offer a global rights offering, according to its Chief Operating Officer John Collins.

The NHL drew record crowds, greater television viewers and new sponsors this season through marketing strategies borrowed from the National Football League. The league’s current focus is to attract sponsors that will ultimately lead to more television money, says Collins.

“If we grow our share of the sports advertising marketplace, I think somebody will step up,” Collins said as quoted on Bloomberg. “We can be the first domestic league that looks at a global rights offering.”

“By 2013 the digital, web and mobile audience will be sufficiently larger so the NHL will be able to combine those users with their TV audience to attract sponsorships that will support a major TV deal. I see so many similarities to the NFL. They know how to lift their passion for a game to a level that is bigger than just their local team.”

The NHL projects revenue will grow 4 per cent this year to $2.7 billion, with around $675 million coming from national and local television. The NFL received about $3.7 billion in national television revenue this year.

Current television partnerships for live NHL coverage are with the Versus cable network and NBC, the latter’s agreement including rights to five games of the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final.

More UNO conference talk.

This is what Trev Alberts had to say about UNO's possible switch to the WCHA. Ah yes! More talk about the Big Ten Hockey Conference. The pipe dream that just won’t go away, there has been discussions and more discussions about the Big Ten Hockey Conference since at least during the early 1990’s and where are we at now? I would guarantee UNO that if there ever was the formation of the Big Ten Hockey Conference the WCHA would be a better league to be in. Imagine the CCHA without OSU, Michigan and Michigan State, what teams do you have after that? You have Notre Dame, NMU and Miami. If Minnesota and Wisconsin leave the WCHA you have some solid teams that are going to fold and can still put butts in seats.

Also Thursday, Alberts said UNO is continuing to discuss its hockey conference affiliation with both the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and the Western Collegiate Hockey Association. The WCHA is looking to add two teams, and Bemidji State has already applied.

"We have had sound conversations and negotiations with both leagues," Alberts said. "We're happy with what the CCHA has done for us. We realize the WCHA can provide some things the CCHA can't. The Big Ten might start (sponsoring) hockey. How does that affect us? How do we position ourselves? We can't think short-term, we have to think long-term."

It's official Dean Blais to coach WJC.

This is some really exciting news as former Fighting Sioux and current Fargo Force hockey coach Dean Blais has been named coach of the USA WJC team. Since winning the WJC in 2004 USA many have felt that U20 WJC teams have under achieved at the World Junior Championship. Last year's team was an utter disappointment and seen as undisciplined team.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Dean Blais, head coach and general manager for the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League and widely regarded as one of the top coaches in the United States at any level, will be head coach of the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team, it was announced today by USA Hockey.

I'm honored to be selected to coach this team," said Blais. "The World Junior Championship has evolved into one of the great events on the hockey calendar every year and I look forward to the challenge ahead."

USA Hockey also announced that Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations at USA Hockey, will serve as the general manager of the 2010 U.S. National Junior Team and Tim Taylor, an assistant coach at USA Hockey's National Team Development Program and head coach of the 1994 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team, will serve as the team's director of player personnel.

The U.S. National Junior Team will compete at the 2010 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, Dec. 26, 2009 - Jan. 5, 2010, in Saskatoon and Regina, Saskatchewan.

Blais to coach WJC?

This is the word on Fiona Quick's Twitter. Also the USA Hockey web page is reporting that a WJC coach will be announced at 11:00 am Central. Dean Blais would be a nice change from Ron Rolston days. Stay tuned.

Schedule for the Finals.

Here is the schedule for the 2009 STANLEY CUP FINAL.


SERIES Redwings #2 vs. Penguins #4 Network
Saturday, May 30 at Detroit, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS
Sunday, May 31 at Detroit, TBD-Night NBC, CBC, RDS
Tuesday, June 2 at Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm VERSUS, CBC, RDS
Thursday, June 4 at Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm VERSUS, CBC, RDS
* Saturday, June 6 at Detroit, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS
* Tuesday, June 9 at Pittsburgh, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS
* Friday, June 12 at Detroit, 8:00 pm NBC, CBC, RDS

My definition of the Redwing.

I think the 2009 Stanley Cup final is going to be Boring. While Pittsburgh is a good team with some exciting young players, we can start the debate of who is better between Malkin and Cindy Crosby, here are a few words that I would use to explain their opponent the Detroit Redwings: tedious, dull, monotonous, repetitive, unrelieved, unvaried, unimaginative, uneventful; characterless, featureless, colorless, lifeless, insipid, uninteresting, unexciting, uninspiring, unstimulating; unreadable, unwatchable; jejune, flat, bland, dry, stale, tired, banal, lackluster, stodgy, vapid, monochrome, dreary, humdrum, mundane; mind-numbing, wearisome, tiring, tiresome, irksome, trying, frustrating; informal deadly, ho-hum, dullsville, dull as dishwater, plain-vanilla.

Will Kessel be resigned?

You do have to wonder if Phil Kessel is on his way out in Boston. I have seen a few comments that leads me to believe that his days in Boston might be numbered. I am not sure why the Bruins used him as trade bait the last two trade dead lines?

Personally, I hope that Kessel is not on his way out of Boston, Kessel is an exciting player that has grown three fold since his days with the Minnesota Gophers. I also believe that Marc Savard, Phil Kessel, David Krejci, Milan Lucic, Michael Ryder and Patrice Bergeron are the core offensive players the Bruins should build around. Thirty six goals is going to be hard to replace next season if he is not wearing black and gold.

Phil Kessel

Continued the development and maturity process, scoring a team-high 36 goals... Recorded his first hat trick of the year in the season finale... Used his speed and skill to put defensemen on their heels... Tore the rotator cuff and labrum in his left shoulder against Columbus... Underwent successful surgery today... Will not be ready for the start of 2009-10... Will be a restricted free agent... Has been in play at last two trade deadlines, which could indicate leaguewide interest again at the draft.

Max Talbot's knuckle puck goal.

When I first saw this goal, I thought of the goal that BU scored to win the NCAA title. This one is similar the Carolina defenseman Babchuk tries to block Max Talbot's shot, the defenseman actually slows down the puck causing Carolina goalie Cam Ward to whiff on the shot. The shot itself looked a lot like a knuckle puck. The Carolina Hurricanes went down with hardly a whimper and the Penguins basically cruised through the third round.

More on the UNO situation.

Here is the latest on UNO's possible membership in the WCHA. It also looks like UNO could/will have some possible competition for the 12th and final spot because McLeod mentioned that other teams had contacted him about possible membership in the WCHA. It would be interesting to know which other teams have contacted the WCHA about membership.

Alberts is also investigating a possible move from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association to the WCHA. The WCHA is seeking a program to pair with Bemidji State as candidates to create a 12-team league. It was rumored that WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod was in Omaha last week to speak with school officials.

When contacted Satur?day in Denver, McLeod would only say that the WCHA has had contact with Omaha and is in the preliminary stages of talking about possible membership in the league. He also noted that the WCHA has been contacted by other schools about admission.

During WCHA meetings in April in Marco Island, Fla., Bemidji State made a presentation to the league, but no vote on admission was taken, although a straw poll vote was reportedly 5-5. Schools making application need eight of 10 votes to gain admission.

The 10-team WCHA gave McLeod the OK to negotiate with potential members if needed, and it’s believed that there will be some bargaining with Bemidji State and Omaha. The league has indicated that new teams would not begin league play until 2011-12, however it’s likely neither school would want to wait that long. Also, in the WCHA criteria for consideration of admission, it’s noted that new schools do not share in WCHA postseason revenue during the first three years of membership, which wouldn’t appeal to any financially strapped athletic program.

The per-school share from the 2009 WCHA Final Five, which isn’t officially totaled, is estimated to be $91,000 or more, McLeod said.
(read the whole story here)

Interesting perspective.

Interesting letter to the editor in today's Grand Forks Herald. I think Mr. Fool Bear is right if there was a vote on the Fighting Sioux name Ron His Horse is Thunder wouldn't like the results. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the coming months. I say let the tribal members have their vote. What are we afraid of?

FORT YATES, N.D. — It’s disturbing to watch what is happening on the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation and in North Dakota.

In both places, leaders are ignoring those whom they’re entrusted with representing.

Standing Rock is a failed democracy. Likewise, some state government entities are backing (and imposing the views of) a radical few over the common sense of the progressive many. All in the name of political correctness, or maybe it’s fear of being called racist — who knows?

Standing Rock voted overwhelmingly to keep using our nation’s “Sioux” name a year ago. That issue was part of the anti-nickname activists’ continuing effort to deny tribal members a chance to vote in a UND nickname referendum.

The tribal council imposed a moratorium on such a referendum for one reason: to silence and deny the inevitable truth.

Standing Rock will vote in favor of UND and its Fighting Sioux nickname and logo, the same as Spirit Lake did. Otherwise, why would nickname opponents make such unethical political efforts to deny tribal members a chance to vote?

It completely contradicts democracy.

Instead, the nickname opponents spread racist propaganda throughout the reservation, using UND as reference in their efforts to change our nation’s proud Sioux name to Oyate. But they failed miserably, much like the anti-logo movement at Spirit Lake did.

Spirit Lake members forced the UND issue to a ballot — and the results were not surprising in Sioux country. We’ve known this all along: The “Silent Majority” is 2-1 ratio in favor of the UND nickname, the same ratio that emerged in the Oyate-vs.-Sioux vote.

The collective Sioux voice has been heard consistently but still is ignored: Is this not enough evidence?

But even so, North Dakota along with the rest of country continues to submit to this vocal few.

The facts are these: We are proud to be Sioux, and we are proud of the UND Fighting Sioux.

Democracy has proven this time and time again. However, this issue has proven that democratic leaders are not obligated to represent the majority.

The North Dakota Board of Higher Education has its reasons for their deciding as it did, but one would assume that North Dakota traditions, democratic evidence, progress and common sense would hold much more weight than would baseless rumors and the availability of an athletic conference.

The board is failing North Dakota’s heritage, much like the leadership at Standing Rock has failed us.

At the moment, the politicians are winning, but there is still time. Where are our leaders?

Long live the Sioux, and long live the UND Fighting Sioux.

Steve Fool Bear

It doesn't get old hearing this.

This is music to my ears. As a Minnesota Wild fan this is what I like to hear, I don't want to hear about defensive systems I want to see the puck getting pushed up ice and goals being scored.

Leipold's guy made clear his philosophy.

"I want an up-tempo, aggressive, fast style of hockey," Fletcher said. "We want to dictate the pace of play to our opponent."

That should be welcome news to Minnesota fans who had grown weary of Lemaire's counterpunching style, which relied on a strong neutral zone trap to force turnovers and create rare scoring chances. (Read the rest of the story here)

The Cabbies journey to the cup. (Toews focused)

I found this over on Elsie's blog 18,568 Reasons Why and they are talking about the Jonathan Toews beard or lack of one and other funny stuff. The thing I like about the Blackhawks is they seem like they are having so much fun and get a long as a team. Their opponents the Redwings on the other hand seem so vanilla and boring and they seem to lack emotion.

Lest we not forget.

Goon's World would like to thank all of our Veterans serving our great nation. Some people seem to forget what Memorial Day stands for, it's not just a day off from work. Memorial day is for reflection and to remember our soldiers that have served this great nation, some have given their life serving.

Changes are coming for the Wild.

These words couldn't be more welcome, at least to me. I know like other Wild fans we are sick of watching mind numbingly boring 2-1 and 3-1 games we would like to see the Wild open the games up a bit. I don't know may people that want to watch a trap feast or a defensive game. They want to see scoring and exciting goals.

Appearing at his introductory news conference in the main lobby of Xcel Energy Center, Fletcher promised to bring "an up-tempo, aggressive, fast style of hockey" to an organization that has been known for its neutral-zone trap and close-to-the-vest approach throughout its nine-year existence.

Fletcher stressed that he's not instilling "run-and-gun" hockey, but changes are coming. "We want to dictate the pace of play," he said.
(read the whole story here)

Bayda not suspended.

Former Fighting Sioux forward and Carolina Hurricane Ryan Bayda will not be suspended for this cross check on Kris Letang. I think it is the right call, if a players isn't suspended for a blatant sucker punch of their opponent while their hands are at their sides you shouldn't be suspended for cross checking someone.

TSN --- The NHL has handed Carolina Hurricanes forward Ryan Bayda a $2,500 fine as a result of the match penalty he was assessed in the third period of Game 2 Thursday night.

Bayda was given a match penalty at 18:41 of the third period after cross-checking Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Kris Letang in the chin. It was considered a deliberate attempt to injure, but Bayda will not be suspended for his actions.

Bayda was assessed the match penalty after exchanging high sticks with Letang behind Pittsburgh's net toward the end of the Penguins' 7-4 win. The incident led to two fights and Letang also received a game misconduct.

Kronwall hit on Havlat.

We had a saying when I was a football player get off the track or get run over by the train. They ruled it was a five minute interference call on Kronwall but I don't know that I agree with the call.

Wyshynski on Bayda cross check.

Here is what Greg Wyshynski of Puck Daddy had to say on the match penalty former Fighting Sioux player Ryan Bayda took at the end of last night's game. I really think no matter what Colin Campbell does on this matter he is going to be a loser. First we determine cross checks are bad and worthy of a one game suspension but then sucker punches at the end of the game are OK and worthy of no suspension.

• Let's see: Ryan Bayda(notes) took Kris Letang(notes) hard to the boards on an icing call with 1:19 left in the game and then cross-checked him to the face. Intent? Check. Stick work? Check. Blow to the head? Check. "Message sending" at the end of the game? Check. Match penalty? Check. It doesn't get more cut-and-dry for supplementary discipline by the standards the NHL has established this postseason. Which of course means Colin Campbell will instead nominate Bayda for the Nobel Peace Prize ...

Evgeni Malkin's awesome goal.

This in my opinion is the goal of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Malkin is a world class player with world class hands. While Pens are blessed with Crosby and Malkin, If I had to build a team around one of the two players I would take Malkin over Crosby.

Bayda facing possible suspension

Former Fighting Sioux hockey player and current Carolina Hurricane Ryan Bayda could be suspended for the next game after he received a 5 minute major and a match penalty for crossing checking Kris Letang of the Pens. You can see a better view of the cross check that lead to the brawl at the end of the video.

Bayda facing possible suspension
newsobserver.com blogs --- Ryan Bayda faces a potential suspension after he was assessed a match penalty for an incident late in Thursday’s 7-4 loss to the Penguins.

Bayda exchanged high-sticks with Kris Letang during a scrum with 1:19 to play, sparking a pair of fights — one between Tim Gleason and Letang, the other between Patrick Eaves and Miroslav Satan.

Letang was assessed a game misconduct and Bayda a match penalty, which denotes an attempt to injure and carries with it an automatic review suspension pending a review by the league office. Bayda was unavailable for comment after the game.

“I didn’t get an explanation as to what happened,” Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice said. “Two players came together and it was a high-sticking match, but I didn’t get any more than that.”

An NHL spokesman said the match penalty was assessed for a cross-check with intent to injure.