Don't count on a Big Ten Hockey Conference anytime soon.

For years we have heard how Notre Dame might end up joining the Big Ten Conference, well this is the second article this summer that I have read that said Notre Dame has rejected the idea. So for now it doesn't look like it's going to happen anytime soon.

CHICAGO – Some have suspected the Big Ten has been subtly trying to put pressure on Notre Dame in its latest attempt to woo the college football giant by showing how eager other major schools are to join their lucrative conference

Well, if that was the tactic, it has failed.

For the first time since the conference opened the subject of expansion as a topic last December, it has admitted that Notre Dame as a prospective member is a dead issue. That's three swings and three misses at ND over the better part of the last two decades.

Share “I don't see them as a player,” said Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany on Monday at the Big Ten Football Kickoff event.
[Penn Live]

NHL set for Ilya Kovalchuk hearing

Today is the big day. Anyone want to lay odds that the arbitrator rules in favor of Ilya Kovalchuk? It would be nice to get never ending saga/drama over.

If, as expected, arbitrator Richard Bloch rules in favor of Kovalchuk, perhaps as late as Monday, his contract will be immediately validated. But then the Devils will have to find a way to shed some $5-6 million in salary-cap liability by season's start to get under the $59.4 million lid and still have wiggle room for injuries.

Vital players would have to go, perhaps among Bryce Salvador, Colin White and Dainius Zubrus, either by trade or waiver/demotion.

Most important, such a verdict would validate heavily front-loaded contracts that the NHL claim circumvent the CBA, and become a major NHL demand for the next pact.

Should Bloch back the NHL and find that the contract is indeed an end-run around the CBA, Kovalchuk would again become an unrestricted free agent, and teams like the Kings and Rangers, as well as the Devils, would again be able to bid for his services in a more straight-forward salary arrangement.

Although it appears unlikely, the NHL then also would have the option of initiating its own punitive action against Kovalchuk and the Devils. A circumvention ruling off a league-filed action could cost the Devils $1.5 million in fines, with a similar amount deducted from their cap limit. Kovalchuk himself could be liable to a fine of $250,000-$1 million.
[Read more]

Mike Modano to Motown.

Well that ends my dream of having Mike Modano finishing his career in Minnesota. I knew the chances were slim and none but I was still holding out hope.

DALLAS - Mike Modano is joining the Detroit Red Wings.

Modano confirmed his decision Tuesday in a text message to The Associated Press.

It initially was reported by ScoreBoard Monthly. He told the Dallas sports magazine he wasn't ready to quit playing so he agreed to a one-year deal with the team he watched growing up in Michigan.

The 40-year-old forward played 20 seasons for the Minnesota-Dallas franchise and is the leading scorer among U.S.-born players in NHL history
[Star and Tribune]

Mike Modano is one the best American born players to ever play in the NHL, and even at age 40 Modano still can be a strong contributor in Detroit’s lineup. Detroit fans should be excited because they get a hometown player and they get a class act and a player that is smart in both the defensive and offensive zones.

Ex-North Dakota State football player pleads guilty in ND theft ring

This is for the people that haven't seen this. It will be interesting to see how the NDSU Bison fans over on Belligerentville spin this. Crickets chirping...

A second former North Dakota State football player has pleaded guilty to felony theft in connection with a theft ring at a Best Buy store in Fargo.

Garrett Johnson was sentenced Monday to the two days he had already served in jail, 50 hours of community service, 18 months of supervised probation and a $500 fee.

In June, former player Greg Reid Jr. pleaded guilty to theft and was given a suspended jail sentence and probation.

Twelve people are charged in the case, which authorities say involves as much as $150,000 in merchandise taken from the store between last September and February.

Johnson, a defensive end from Chaska, Minn., and Reid, a defensive tackle from Milwaukee, Wis., were dismissed from the team in April. [Grand Forks Herald]

Former MTU Husky Andy Sutton signs with the Anaheim Ducks

Former MTU Husky tree trunk Defenseman Andy Sutton has signed a contract with the Anaheim Ducks.

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Anaheim Ducks signed veteran defenceman Andy Sutton to a two-year contract worth US$4.25 million Monday, filling a major need on their depleted blue-line.

The 35-year-old Sutton played in 72 games and scored 13 points last season with the New York Islanders and Ottawa, which acquired him at the trade deadline. The 11-year veteran also finished second in the NHL with 204 blocked shots while ranking among the league leaders in hits.

"I'm definitely playing the best hockey of my career," said Sutton, who also has played for Atlanta, Minnesota and San Jose. "The mixture of experience and being in great shape has let me grow into a more poised player." [sportsnet.ca]

Sources: Bruins, Seguin agree on deal

Pretty much a formality under the new CBA, Seguin can't get more than the Rookie max. Now the Boston Bruins have to figure out their salary cap issues because they are now about roughly 3 million over the salary cap but could place Marco Sturm on long-term injured reserve to make some room and get under the salary cap. There has also been some talk about sending Michael Ryder to Providence to free up about 4 million in cap space.

Sources confirmed to ESPNBoston.com on Tuesday morning that the Boston Bruins and Tyler Seguin, the second overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, have agreed to an entry-level contract.

Terms of the deal were not immediately available, but the belief is that it will be similar to the three-year entry-level deal that top pick Taylor Hall signed with the Oilers last month. That contract includes the maximum base salary of $900,000 per season and bonuses that could max out at $3.75 million annually.

The Bruins are expected to announce the deal by the end of this week.

Seguin, a 6-foot-1, 172-pound forward, played the past two seasons with the Plymouth Whalers in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL). In 2009-2010 Seguin led the OHL in scoring, sharing the title with Hall, after notching 48 goals and 58 assists for 106 points in 63 games. [ESPN.COM]

More on the Turco signing.

Former Dallas Star Goalie Marty Turco has signed with the Chicago Blackhawks and for a lot less money than 2.75 million dollars. I think you’re going to see goalies signing for a lot less money. For example; Chicago and San Jose both walked away from resigning their higher priced goalies for a less expensive version.

The Blackhawks have decided to walk away from the arbitration award for goaltender Antti Niemi, making him an unrestricted free agent, and have signed Dallas Stars veteran Marty Turco to a one-year contract.

The Blackhawks "exhausted all options" with Niemi, general manager Stan Bowman said Monday, but given their salary-cap constraints, didn't feel they could take on the $2.75 million deal that Niemi received from an arbitrator.

"It's an amazing day for my family and me to become a Blackhawk," Turco, a three-time All-Star, said.

"My world revolves around stopping pucks and giving my teammates the best opportunity to win on a nightly basis. It's been almost a dream come true to play for an Original Six team. Before the playoffs ever started last year this was a team I looked at, knowing I'd be a free agent, as a place I wanted to go."

Terms of Turco's deal aren't yet known, but his agent, Kurt Overhardt, said it is for somewhere between $1 million-$1.5 million. That is significantly lower than what Niemi was awarded Saturday and gives the Hawks some salary-cap relief.

"(Turco's) a guy who's made a lot of money in his career," Overhardt said. "He was the highest-paid goalie at one point other than (Nikolai) Khabibulin. We kind of set the market last time around. Now the priority is winning and being with a winning organization. Our priority ... was to put him with a club where he had a chance to play a role to win the Stanley Cup." [chicagobreakingsports.com]

Former Golden Gopher Erik Johnson has resigned with the St Louis Blues. I wonder If the Blues put a golf cart clause in his contract?

Blues defenseman Erik Johnson has agreed to a two-year contract extension with the club, a source has told the Post-Dispatch.

Financial terms of the deal weren't immediately available.

An announcement on Johnson's extension could be made by the club later today.

Johnson, 22, had been a restricted free agent who was not allowed to receive offer sheets because he missed the entire 2008-09 season with a knee injury.

Johnson was the first overall pick in 2006 and in two seasons with the Blues, he has 15 goals and 57 assists in 148 games. Last season, he had 10 goals and 29 assists.

He is the last of the Blues' restricted free agents to re-sign with the club. As recently as a week ago, negotiations were moving slowly, according to Johnson's agent, Pat Brisson.[stltoday.com]

Hawk flies away (RW77)

Over the weekend, the arbitrator awarded Antti Niemi $2.75 million contract, which is roughly $1 million less than his agent was seeking. So it seemed to be a victory for the Hawks, since they could theoretically fit Niemi's new contract under the cap...barely.

Wrong.

Today the Hawks said "Thanks for your hard work. Good luck somewhere else." And now Niemi is a free agent.

Instead, the Hawks signed veteran Marty Turco to a 1 year $1.75 million contract. This gives the Hawks roughly between $600K and $1.35 million of cap relief (it was rumored that Niemi's contract would have roughly put them 400K over the cap).

I really can't blame either side. Niemi is worth $2.75 million per year. However, it was very unlikely that the Hawks would have any money to re-sign Niemi next year anyways with Seabrook headlining that year's free agent class and Huet still being under contract for at least one more year (IIRC).

What does this mean for Chicago?

Well, they've lost almost ALL of their depth. They still have very little cap space. Niemi was good, but there's no telling how his sophomore year would be. Would it be Roy-esque or would it be like Cam Ward (good, but nowhere near his rookie year)? Unfortunately, it's a risky loss for Chicago, but it just came one year earlier than expected.

What does it mean for Niemi?

It could mean trouble. This isn't Carey Price throwing a tantrum. This is a good, upcoming goaltender who was on a team that liked him (and from what I could tell, he liked being a Hawk) and he just wanted to get what he was worth. There are teams that could use Niemi (San Jose, Montreal, Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia) but most can't afford it.

My guess?

Niemi signs with the Flyers. Let's face it, this is Christmas for Philly and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if Niemi's stay as a free agent lasts less than 72 hours.

Niemi and Leighton combo with their D is a good potent combo. It may make Philly Stanley Cup favorites.

************************
If I had inside information in Montreal, I'd have a better idea but...

If I were Gauthier, I'd talk to Niemi's agent. If Montreal can get Niemi for cheaper than Price's asking price for the same or similar length of contract, I'd sign Niemi and tell Price to go take a flying leap...

************************

To respond to Goon: Setoguchi is a diver, but he's also a pretty decent player. I'd take Setoguchi before I'd ever consider Carcillo

You can't be serious.... (RW77)

I'm not making this up!! I swear!

Carey Price, the most overrated goaltender in the NHL.... is going to hold out from signing his contract with the Canadiens.

This is a kid with a complete lack of maturity, lack of focus, and an ego that's cost his team a number of times who saw his season fall apart last year, lost his starting role to a guy who demanded a trade before the season began, watched as that same goaltender made him look downright incompetent by comparison, and yet he still ends up being the one the Canadiens gave, gift wrapped, their #1 goaltending role to despite it all... AND HE WON'T DO IT?!?!

Ok, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say that his agent and his advisors may all be high on crack, meth, weed, and has gone on a drunken bender that would make Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton go "DANG!!! You need rehab!!!" In other words, his agent might be telling him that he deserves better and inflating that silly ego of Carey's. It's not uncommon for athletes to be surrounded by morons.

Although I'm not altogether sure if it is the money or the length of contract, as both sides were seeking a long term agreement (foolish on Montreal's part but wise on Price's part), but Canadiens GM Gauthier hasn't exactly been idle either. Carey is one of the few remaining restricted free agents the Habs have yet to sign.

Carey Price should have gotten the advice that would have been a hard pill to swallow, sure, but one that would have ingratiated himself towards the Habs organization and given them cause to believe that he has matured at least a little. That means compromising a bit on price and/or length of contract. He should instead (assuming he hasn't) gone more in the direction of incentives, trying to pull a Jonathon Toews. For example, a $2 million bonus for winning the Vezina wouldn't be altogether a bad deal for either side. Price sticks it to the Habs by winning it (which benefits the Habs despite it) and it doesn't cost the Habs anything (since miracles only happen once in a great while).

I hope the Canadiens trade the rights to Price to another team and sign Turco or acquire a goaltender. Maybe they can trade the rights to Price to the Capitols for Neuvirth? Of course there will have to be sweeteners added to the deal by Montreal but that would be a VERY good deal for Montreal if they could pull it off.

Other wise, maybe they can walk away from this somehow and make a run at Turco?

I don't think there's a goaltender in the league that I'd rather not have my team have on their roster than Carey Price. Yes, Huet sucks and is a sieve, but he's not immature either. It's not Huet's fault Tallon had a brain seizure during his contract negotiations. And, sad as it is for me to say it, Huet has his name on the Cup... something I HIGHLY doubt Price will do in the near future.

Sunday morning links

I can't believe all of the interesting hockey news that is out there this morning. It's a little over a month and a half before NHL training camps start on September 17th. The Regular season opens on October 7th 2010.

Here is an interesting story on Boston Bruins forward Mark Savard; Bruins Must Take Time Before Deciding on Whether to Trade Marc Savard [NESN] In my opinion trading Savard is a very bad idea.

Former Michigan Wolverine goalie Marty Turco is a free agent this summer after not being resigned by the Dallas stars and he won't be a Flyer, but would've loved to be one... [Pro Hockey Talk] I would have to think that Turco is going to be picked up by a team that needs to solidify their line up.

According to Marty Turco's agent; Agent: Marty Turco could have new team in 7-10 days. [ESPN.COM] It will be interesting to see if Turco signs with an NHL team this week. Rumor has it that Turco could be on his way to Chicago if the Blackhawks don’t resign their goalie Antti Niemi who just won his arbitration case.

I am sure that Redwing77 is pleased to know that the SJ Sharks have signed Devin Setoguchi to one-year deal [Pro Hockey Talk]

From the ESPN Bruins Blog; Wheeler: I wanted to be in Boston [ESPN.COM]

I think if I can just assert myself more physically, especially on the forecheck and things of that nature, it’s going to create a lot more opportunities for myself and the guys I’m playing with to get more offensive opportunities. Sometimes it’s about less is more, and when you kind of take a step back from things, it’s a little bit easier to notice where you may be able to improve on things.”

He also realizes he needs to let it rip more as he barrels down the wing. With Wheeler’s size, he should be able to get solid scoring chances from the wing.

"It's about getting comfortable with shooting farther away from the net," Wheeler said. "Anytime you put a shot on net anywhere from the top of the circles in, it's going to be a pretty good look. It's getting that mentality and getting comfortable with letting the puck go like that. It should really help me. I think I've been more of a passer in my first two years. I'd like to close the gap. I think working on that will really help."

Wheeler, Bruins avoided a fight in arbitration [Boston Globe]

There is a good chance that former Fighting Sioux hockey defenseman Rick Wilson could end up being the Wild's assistant coach. [Russo's Rants]

Here is another story on former Fighting Sioux defenseman Rick Wilson possibly being the Wild's new assistant coach. [Red Star and Sickle]

Gophers lose home-and-home series with Texas [Star and Tribune] It appears that the sticking point was the Big Ten Network.

"The Texas game is no longer on our schedule due to a contract impasse concerning video rights," Maturi, who negotiated with the Longhorns "for months," said Tuesday via e-mail. "... We had an agreement. Unfortunately, with our commitments to the BTN [Big Ten Network], there were issues we could not come to agreement on."

We keep hearing how the Big Ten Network is a big time money maker and what might be driving the Big Ten Hockey Conference discussion but in this situation the channel probably cost the Gophers a big pay day at the gates.

According to Tim Howe at the Fargo Hockey Examiner former Grand Forks Central High Goalie Seth Lang has the inside track to be the Force third goalie, if one is taken. [Fargo Hockey Examiner] According to people that were at the Force tryout this past week, say that Lang was every bit as good as Fighting Sioux recruit Zane Gothberg who was also at the try out camp.

Chicago Blackhawks are losing money

The Chicago Blackhawks; although they went all the way to the Stanley Cup finals and winning the Stanley Cup still ended up losing money even with the long run deep into the playoffs. There is also some bad news for Blackhawks fan's, this season they are also going to pay more money for their tickets as well.

The Blackhawks ended their season with capacity attendance and record merchandise sales, television ratings and sponsorship revenues, and the Stanley Cup.

But financially the team was a loser.

Exactly how much money was lost is something team executives will not discuss.

One consequence: Season ticket prices will increase by an average of 20 percent this fall, which is projected to rocket them from the second-cheapest in the National Hockey League three seasons ago to among the 10 most expensive, according to the team. And fans should expect "more modest" increases in the future, team owner Rocky Wirtz said.
[Chicago Tribune]

There is a silver lining to this story, Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz even with the recent loses, his team the Blawkhawks are still going to be focusing on hockey and winning games. In fact the Blackhawks owner isn't worried about losing money and he is committed to winning hockey games.

There is a silver lining to all of this and the good news is that Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, despite his millions -- and his bloodlines -- thinks like the rest of us: In the business of hockey, it's more important to win Stanley Cups than to make money.
-----snip-----
'We will make money in four or five years,'' said Wirtz, referring to a Tribune story that reported the Blackhawks had to borrow from the family-owned Wirtz Corp. last season to stay afloat. ''But we have to keep investing. Fans don't have to worry that just because we lost money we're not committed to winning.
[Sun Times]

Reports: Niemi nets $2.75 million in arbitration

The Arbitration hearing is over and the decision has been made. It will be interesting to see what happens now, the Chicago Blackhawks have cap issues and not a lot of room to work with.

An arbitrator has set Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Antti Niemi's salary at $2.75 million, according to a report on ESPN.com

The Hawks now have 48 hours to decide whether they want to walk away and make Niemi an unrestricted free agent immediately, or accept the arbitrator's decision and sign Niemi at that salary for one season. The Hawks could also accept the decision, sign and then trade the goalie.

Niemi was expected to seek at least $3 million, after making $827,000 last season while leading Chicago to the Stanley Cup title. Because of salary-cap constraints, the Hawks were believed to be seeking a decision in the $2 million range. [TSN.CA]

Ryan Lambert on Wheeler's deal.

I thought this perspective by Ryan Lambert was worth taking a look at. I agree with Lambert that the arbitrators are out of their mind awarding mediocre to good player’s multi million dollar deals. You’re also pretty much stuck with them once they sign their deal, see the Peter Schaffer mistake deal that the Bruins are still paying for. What ever happen to incentive laden deals that award players for meeting performance based numbers like scoring goals?

I think Wheeler is a perfectly good hockey player, not great or even that much above average, but good. And the fact that he's getting $2.2 million from an arbitrator rather than his team or another that slid him an offer sheet tells you that's roughly market value for comparable players. The Bruins will take that number for sure.

But think about that. He's getting $2.2 million. A raise of about 150 percent over the base salary of the two-year deal he signed when he came into the league. And for what? He was sensational his rookie year, don't get me wrong. But he declined in goals (by 14 percent) and assists (by 17 percent) last season, with no change in power-play goals despite an extra minute on the man advantage per game, and two extra minutes of ice time. And he's a ghost in the playoffs to the tune of 1-5-6, minus-6 in 21 career games. [Puck Daddy]

Again; I want to preface this that I am not a Wheeler hater by any stretch of the imagination. I am sure Blake Wheeler is a great guy and an awesome human being off of the ice but as a hockey player he is a _______ (rhymes with wussy). The man is 6’5’ 205 pounds and is so easily knocked off the puck by the opposition. At Wheeler’s size he should be laying people out and playing a more physical brand of hockey, Blake should also be getting to the dirty areas on the ice and scoring gritty goals.

Are there any more departures- going once, going twice ....

It will be interesting to see if there are going to be anymore departures in the WCHA this season. The Minnesota Gophers weren’t the only one to suffer losses this week; Harvard University got some bad news as they lost Louis Leblanc who was drafted in the first round by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2009 entry draft.

While it’s sad to see top players leave college hockey, I would rather see these top kids play 1-3 season in the NCAA, then to never seen them play in college at all. Guy Flaming from the Coming Down the Pipe says Leblanc is going to the QMJHL.


Summer of 2010 Early signings and departures in the WCHA

Wisconsin Badgers ---(4)

Cody Goloubef, Jr, D, Columbus Blue Jackets
Brendan Smith, Jr, D, Detroit Red Wings
Derek Stepan, So, F, New York Rangers
Ryan McDonagh, Jr, D, New York Rangers

Denver Pioneers ---(3)

Joe Colborne, So, F, Boston Bruins
Patrick Wiercioch, So, D, Ottawa Senators
Marc Cheverie, Jr, G, Florida Panthers

Minnesota Golden Gophers ---(3)

Jordan Schroeder, So, F, Vancouver Canucks
Josh Birkholz, Fr, F, Everett, WHL
Nick Leddy, Fr, D, Chicago Blackhawks

Alaska-Anchorage Seawolves ---(2)

Lee Baldwin, Fr, D, New York Rangers
Bryce Christianson, Jr, G, Stockton (ECHL)

Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs ---(2)

Rob Bordson, Jr, F, Anaheim Ducks
Brady Hjelle, So, G, Cedar Rapids, USHL

MSU-Mankato Mavericks ---(2)

Kevin Murdock, Fr, G, Lincoln, USHL
Tyler Pitlick, Fr, F, Medicine Hat, WHL

UND Fighting Sioux ---(2)
Corey Fienhage, So, D, Kamloops, WHL
David Toews, So, F, WHL

Wheeler signs one-year, $2.2 million contract

Former Golden Gopher Blake Wheeler has been resigned by the Boston Bruins for 2.2 million dollars. Holy Cow! That is a lot of money for a player that is 6'5" 205 that plays timid and as if he was 5'7" 175. Pardon my French the man is a wussy. Yawn! I think the Bruins are over paying him and I would have passed on him.

Boston - Blake Wheeler has signed his one-year, $2.2 million contract, officially putting him in the fold for 2010-11.

"Before the hearing, I was anxious, obviously," Wheeler said during a conference call. "You hear all the horror stories of different things that go on in those rooms. But once you're in there hearing both sides being argued, it was handled extremely professionally. Nothing was said in the room that I didn't already know myself. There were no low blows or anything like that taken by either side. It was handled extremely well. When the hearing was over, I felt great about it. I was really happy to be through that process."

Wheeler earned his $2.2 million arbitration award last night following his hearing on Tuesday.

"It is never a pleasant experience for either side to go to arbitration," GM Peter Chiarelli said in a statement. "However, as a manager, you know that the player will be under contract for the following year either way. We talked to Blake before and after the hearing and we are satisfied to have a good, young player under contract for another year."

Feeling Minnesota - Gophers hockey team in meltdown?

I have been on vacation in Duluth this week but thought I would comment on the implosion going on down in Minneapolis. First off, I hope Gopher fans aren’t contemplating jumping off a bridge in Minneapolis or St Paul; the wheels haven’t fully come off the team bus just yet, things could get worse. For most of the summer the Gophers were cruising through the summer only suffering one early departure (Jordan Schroeder, NHL) when they suffered two early departures in a two day period. Josh Birkholz has left for the WHL and Nick Leddy has signed an entry level deal with the Chicago Blackhawks [click for link]. Oops!

I smell bull s***.

First off; Josh Birkholz expects us to believe that his impending suspension for an unknown team rule violation really didn’t have any affect on his decision to play for the Everett Silvertips of the WHL. Come on! We weren’t born yesterday. I smell bravo sierra on that one.

Former Gophers left wing Josh Birkholz said his suspension had very little to do with him leaving the program on Tuesday. "It is what I feel is best for me and my situation," he said, "what I feel most comfortable with."

But he said he realizes it will be easy for people to think the suspension is the reason because the news on that and his leaving came out at the same time.

"Once our season was over I started evaluated the year," Birkholz said, "so I've been thinking about it. It did not happen right at the time of the whole suspension." [Goal Gophers]

Personally, I think today’s athletes are pampered prima donnas that lack commitment and have a tough time seeing past their own needs. I think as a society we are raising a bunch of spoiled narcissistic brats.

Back in the day when I was in sports if you were unhappy with your playing time and how things were going for you, a discussion with the coach might lead to a conversation about how you need to work harder in practice and maybe you will get more playing time. You didn’t think about changing teams or leaving, you buckled down and got after it. Now days, these pampered prima donnas just switch teams with the approval of their parents. Also, if you made a mistake or violated a team rule(s) you spoke up and faced the music, now days the athlete just switches teams as well when the going gets tough. If that isn't entitlement I don't know what is?

As for the Minnesota Gophers recruits and players, honestly, I think they are recruiting too many of the entitlement cake eater kids with the attitude that I know best, or I don't have to work hard because I have already drafted by an NHL team. It also seems like these players already have one foot out the door for the NHL, when they arrive on campus.

Don't blame Donny Lucia for everything that's happen

This past week it has been interesting watching the Gopher fans in full melt down mode. There are a lot of fans calling for Don Lucia to be fired and that he is ruining the University of Minnesota Gopher Hockey program. I think Lucia is going to be under a lot of pressure to have his team perform this season or he might be out of a job.

I think the obvious problem to most onlookers is assistant coach John Hill, the man is an utter buffoon and the real problem plaguing the Gophers coaching staff. It also appears that former Gopher assistant coach Mike Guentzel was kind of the glue that held the Gopher hockey team together, like Johnny Pohl said during a KFAN interview, ‘Mike Guentzel leaving was a big loss to the Gopher’s hockey program.’ Personally, as a UND Fighting Sioux fan, I think the Gophers coaching staff is working magic right now and doing a hell of a great job.

The departures of the past two players really aren’t really the fault of the coaching staff; maybe Gopher fans should take a deep breath. I can’t blame Minnesota for taking players that are drafted; you have to take the top players when you can get them. It is also no mystery that blue chip athletes leave early for the NHL sometimes.

No matter how many back ground investigations and interviews you do, knuckle heads do and will slip through the cracks, that’s life. Disciplinary problems are going happen sometimes, even at the schools that try to take the moral high ground, not pointing any fingers. Cough, cough, cough… My question would be, how can you blame the coach for a player for making bad decision(s)? Seriously! It is assumed that when a player comes to said program that they are a mature human being. It is also implied that if said player screws up, it is that player that is going to face the consequences. Sure the head coach and their staff looks like a moron for recruiting that player, but the behavior goes back to the athlete. Also, a coach can’t be with his players 24 hours a day standing over their shoulders supervising them and telling them not to do that. Don’t drink that. Don’t smoke that. Don’t drive drunk.

Ice Edge deal on thin ice? Prospective Coyotes ownership group misses deadline

This is an interesting turn of events. Actually, I hope this means that Winnepeg is back in the picture.

By Winnipeg Sun ---- Negotiations over the future of the Phoenix Coyotes have hit a snag, according to an Arizona newspaper.

An Arizona Republic article published Monday claims the group seeking to buy the NHL team — Ice Edge Holdings — has not complied with terms to provide the City of Glendale with financial documentation required as part of exclusive negotiations between the city and the prospective ownership group to hammer out a lease deal for the city-owned Jobing.com Arena.

Ice Edge has been granted the right to negotiate exclusively with the city as it attempts to purchase the team from the league, which bought the Coyotes out of bankruptcy last year.

The Arizona Republic report cited City of Glendale spokeswoman Julie Frisoni as saying Monday that Ice Edge failed more than five weeks ago to meet a deadline to submit some of the proof of its financing and the group had lost the right to negotiate exclusively as a result.

The 60-day period of exclusivity Ice Edge was granted to negotiate with the city is slated to end next Friday.

When contacted by QMI Agency Tuesday, Frisoni would not comment on the matter and said negotiations were continuing as planned with the deadline still in place.

When reached via e-mail on Tuesday, Ice Edge chief operating officer Daryl Jones said there are “no comments at this time.”

Glendale city council voted in May to cover up to $25 million in team losses if a buyer isn’t found in time for next season.

The NHL has given Glendale until the end of the year to complete an arena deal with a new owner.

The Wheels on the Bus... (RW77)

Are Falling Off...Falling Off.. Falling Off.. The Wheels on the Bus are Falling Off All Through Dinkytown.

Ok, maybe not Dinkytown but definitely inside the Mariucci Arena's Home Men's Hockey Locker Room.

FIRST ISSUE:

The biggest news is Sophomore Josh Birkholz, a former skater with the Fargo Force (USHL), screwed the pooch and was looking at, rumor has it, up to 7 weeks of suspension during the upcoming hockey season... So he bolted for the WHL. Again, rumor has it that the Everett Silvertips signed him. From there, the speculation gets even more out there. There was rumor of drug use by Birkholz as being the culprit. If that's the case (and I, the author, do not claim that it is true), then Birkholz made one of the stupidest mistakes of his LIFE thus far.

People harass UND for their players stupidity when it comes to underage drinking or drunken shenanigans when it occurs, but, though stupidity is stupidity, at least UND didn't have to deal with illegal substances... well... substances that are illegal regardless of how old you are anyways. At least in recent memory.

Where should UND fans stand on this issue? Though I enjoy pointing out the hypocrisy of the whole situation, I do not take pleasure in the misfortune of the Gophers team. I don't feel sorry for Birkholz. It's his bed. He's sleeping in it (and probably going to sleep comfortably if the violation of team rules wasn't the rumored drug use).

Lucia is getting run through the grinder on this issue (and the next) about this but I can't honestly see how this is his fault. Lucia cannot correct stupidity of this magnitude. No one can except for the stupid person him/herself should they desire to correct the issue.

But if you want to blame anyone, blame that incompetent buffoon John Hill. Why? Just because. He's losing Lucia's job for him.

SECOND ISSUE:

It now appears that Gopher Defenseman Nick Leddy will indeed sign with the Blackhawks.

Whatta ya know, Hillsy, you didn't blow it with him.... but Nick decided to bolt before Hill could compromise what progress Leddy's made.

I don't know what will happen with Leddy. Will he stick in the NHL? I am not too optimistic on this. If he does, he either played incredibly or the Hawks are in trouble more than they already are. Will he be sent to a MJ team? I don't know. I'm not sure I understand why an NHL team would waste a year's salary on sending a kid to a major junior team. If you're paying the guy, he should be either in the ECHL or AHL, imo, if he's not going to be in the NHL.

Oh, and Lucia is getting raked over the coals for this. He can't win. And he won't. This upcoming season, I don't see their defense getting any better than it was last year. I think their offense will be ok. I wonder if Lucia will do the right thing and start taking over certain duties that Hill oversees and, if Maturi gets ants in his pants to make some changes, I wonder if Lucia can put aside his friendship with Hill to do what is necessary: Cut the cord.

So who is going to be brought in to replace these two? Rumor has it that it will be Max Gardiner to replace Birkholz, and it looks pretty certain to be true to me. However, Seth Ambroz makes MUCH more sense.

We'll watch on...

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UND gets the MJHL MVP: Taylor Dickin

He scored major points for the Selkirk team of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League and was named MVP. He's 21 years old... and he won't be eligible to play until January.

What does this mean for Holst? Why in the world can't Taylor Dickin, who I assume graduated High School at 18, be ready for college 3 years post graduation?

Brad Schlossman suggests that Dickin is the recruited walk on he heard about earlier this summer. With Holst not clearing the NCAA Clearinghouse yet, I wonder what Holst's status is?

The good news is that this is more interesting than NHL Free Agency this year.

Wheeler's arbitration case concludes

Hum, interesting comment(s) by Wheeler's agent.

"I think it was handled very professionally by both sides," said Matt Keator, Wheeler's agent. "Our interpretation of the marketplace is different from theirs, hence the disagreement. I think both sides handled it well, keeping it professionally. They pointed out Blake's shortcomings. We pointed out Blake's strengths. But Blake already knew his shortcomings. He knows what he needs to work on. There were no hurt feelings in what was said. It was not contentious at all."

Keator did not disclose any comparables that were discussed during the hearing. However, it's a good bet that Mason Raymond ( 25g-28a-53pts) ($2.55 million annual cap hit), Nikolai Kulemin (16g-20a-36pts)($2.35 million)and David Perron (20g-27a-47pts) ($2.15 million) were comparables brought up by both parties.

Because of his statistics over the last two seasons (83 points, 163 of a possible 164 games played, ample ice time in all situations), Wheeler's award could be in the $2.5 million range. Even if Wheeler's one-year award is costlier than the Bruins expected, they are highly unlikely to walk away from the 23-year-old left wing.[Boston Bruins Blog]

Again, I am not a Wheeler hater, however, I am also not a big fan of his game for a guy his size at 6'5" 205 pounds, Wheeler is a very soft player which was evident with his purse fight last season against Ryan O'Byrne. Not everyone has to be a bruzier I get that, he isn't a big time player either as he disappeared during the Stanley Cup playoffs especially during the series against the Flyers scoring (1g-1a-2pts) in 7 games.