Negotiations inch forward on Thrashers deal

The latest news on the NHL's return to Winnipeg, Manitoba. TSN is also reporting that there will be no announcement on the sale and relocation of the Thrashers before next Tuesday at the earliest.

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.

Bolts uber hack Steve Downie tries to kiss Andrew Ference.

First off, most of you know that I don't like Tampa Bay's uber hack Steve Downie, I just think he is a dirty hockey players that is one stupid move away from another lengthy suspension from the NHL. Steve Downie is also a bit of a punk that has never seemed to grown up,  I would almost put him in the same category as Matt Cooke.

I think eventually these types of players, I call them uber hacks, will get whats coming to him, someone is going to catch him with his head down or finally decide they have seen enough and punch his lights out. Personally, I thought Jack Johnson's  elbow on this P.O.S. during the World Juniors was over blown and warranted. Tonight this lovely piece of dog excrement looks like he tried to kiss or blow Boston Bruins' defenseman Andrew Ference a kiss, here is a a more funny version of the kiss in question.. 

Related articles

• NHL won't fine or suspend Steve Downie for hit on Johnny Boychuk (prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com)
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• Bruins' Boychuk 'feeling fine' after Downie hit (sports.espn.go.com)

Bruins defense coughs up a fur ball…

Well that was nice! The Boston Bruins blew an opportunity to send the Tampa Bay Lightning to the golf course for the summer and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals to take on the unlikeable Vancouver Canucks. I have have two word for the Bruins defense tonight "absolutely atrocious" add to that,  their penalty killers were equally "absolutely atrocious," these were the same penalty killers who had killed 16/18 Tampa Bay Lightning power plays in the first five games of the series. Tonight the penalty killers was way more generous giving up three power play goals on four power play opportunities.

Bruins second year defenseman Johnny Boychuk was also brutal tonight and worthy of sitting in the press box for game seven as he was on the ice for all five of Tampa Bay’s goals. I am not sure why Claude Julie kept coming back with the young defenseman, an example of his work can be seen in the video above.

The usually  steady Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas was horrible tonight barely stopping 80 percent of the shots he faced. Thomas finished the night giving up 5 goals on 26 shots (21/26), no very Vezina Trophy like tonight. Not to be out down the aging Dwayne Roloson was equally unimpressive giving up 4 goals on 20 shots (16/20).

Dwayne Roloson to start for the Lightning.

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.

Jason Gregoire: Snow Has Been “First-class” College draft picks weighing all of their options

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.

“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.

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]

San Jose Sharks hosed...

It would appear that the San Jose Sharks were hosed by a controversial icing call in the final seconds of regulation during the third period of Game 5. If you watch the video you will see that the puck hit Daniel Sedin in the shoulder and there shouldn't have been an icing call. Because of the blown icing call the Vancouver Canucks were able to score off of the face off to tie the game and send the game to overtime. The Canucks would go on to win in the second over time off of a goal by Canucks hack defenseman Kevin Bieksa.

Canucks wait the winner of Bruins and Bolts...

What a horrible way to end a terrific game. I think this game was an instant classic, unfortunately the Vancouver Canucks won... Don't get me wrong the best team won. Honestly, I really thought the San Jose Sharks were going to win tonight and return the series to San Jose, but it wasn't to be. I don't think we can tag the Canucks as a team of destiny, just yet. There is a lot of hockey left.

On the Vancouver Canucks, they are the most unlikeable hockey team in the NHL next to the "Les Habitants," personally, I can't stand them, they're extremely cocky, they run their mouths continuously, and some hockey fans and media pundits have already penciled them in as the Stanley Cup Champions.You shouldn't, they haven't won nothing yet. If the Canucks want to be Stanley Cup Champions they are going to have to earn Lord Stanley's Cup, because whoever wins the Eastern Conference final is going to bring it, both Tampa Bay and Boston are going to give the Canucks everything they can handle.


That being said, the Vancouver Canucks are a pretty  very good hockey team, they have decent defensive corps; just think, Keith Ballard is their 7th defenseman, that's how deep they are. They Canucks are deep up front and the Sedin Twins are very dangerous and you must be aware where they are on the ice at all times. 


Jumbo Joe one tough guy.

It was revealed after the game tonight that San Jose Forward Joe Thornton was playing with a separated shoulder in game five. Ouch.... I can't imagine playing a contact sport like hockey with a separated shoulders, Joe Thornton must have a high pain threshold to be able to play with that injury.

Steve Downie nails Johnny Boychuk into the end boards.

This was the hit that Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steve Downie put on Boston Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk; if you're expecting supplemental discipline from the NHL, don't. According to TSN hockey analyst Bob McKenzie Steve Downie's hit on Johnny Boychuk is NOT being pursued for supplementary discipline by the NHL. Personally, while I am not a fan of Downie or of the style of hockey he plays, I don't think that check warranted anymore than a two minute penalty.

Tim Thomas robs Steve Downie

Check out this unbelievable save by Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas as he robs Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steve Downie to keep the Boston Bruins lead at 2-1 midway through the 2nd period. The Bruins scored a an empty net goal to win the game 3-1. If it wasn't for Tim Thomas coming up big it could have been an ugly game for the Boston Bruins who were out shot 34-20 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. Many of the Lightnings shots on goal were of the grade "A" variety. Also, in the second period, Bruins all world goalie, Tim Thomas had another amazing save on  a Tampa Bay 3-on-2.

I think one could make the argument that this was the save by Tim Thomas was a game changer and probably the save of the year for the Boston Bruins. Saves like this, is the reason why Tim Thomas is a finalist for the Vezina Trophy.

Something for Mike Smith fans to ponder...

Maybe just maybe this is the reason that Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Mike Smith hasn't got the start against the Boston Bruins just yet? Like I said before there is probably a valid reason why Dwayne Roloson is playing instead of back up goalie Mike Smith Smith.

I have also mentioned in the past, that the Boston Bruins have not challenged Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith when he has played against the Bruins in two relief appearances, the Bruins need to get bodies in front of the Tampa Bay goal and challenge him, to date they have not, the Bruins also need to get Smith's  feet moving. Let it be known that Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith is not a world beater or a goalie of Carey Prices stature, Mike Smith is a mediocre goalie with an .899 save percentage that the Dallas Stars traded away.

No more hockey games with the UW Badgers when the BTHC forms?

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.

Andy Baggot; Madison.com ----  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."

Winnipeg Appears NHL's Only Option for Thrashers.

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.

Ryane Clowe tap on Ryan Kessler...

Holy Cow! Are you kidding me? The dive by Canucks forward Ryan Kessler was worse than I had originally thought it was... If you watch the video you will see that San Jose Sharks forward Ryan Clowe barely touched Ryan Kessler who then flops to the ice like he has been shot.... If you noticed the announcers didn't spend a lot of time talking about the Clowe love tap either, also look how concerned Kessler's teammates were as well, they knew. What a fraud!!! This Vancouver Canucks team is a bunch of phonies that looked like they spent last summer taking acting and drama classes. These clown Vancouver Canucks throw their head back any time they are touched by the San Jose Sharks. 

Keith Ballard check on Jamie McGinn

Wow!!! I have to say, what a beautiful old style hip check by former Minnesota Gopher and Vancouver Defenseman Keith Ballard. Ballard had been a healthy scratch for most of the Stanley Cup Playoffs; Ballard's benching went back to game two of  the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Blackhawks where he was replaced in the line up by Canucks rookie defenseman Aaron Rome. Ballard was given a second chance today when Aaron Rome was injured in game three on a check by Jamie McGinn.

Sharks Joe Thornton is hit by the Canucks' Raffi Torres

This is the hit that injured Sharks star forward Joe Thornton... Not much you can say about the hit, it was a clean shoulder to shoulder check by Canucks' hack Raffi Torres. According to the Sharks head Coach Todd McLellan there is no update on Joe Thornton at this time. Being it’s a knock out game for the San Jose Sharks, you have to think that unless something is broken, Joe Thornton will probably be in the line up for game five.

Nathan Horton's Hit On Steve Downie

I honestly can’t fault the referee from his perspective, the ref in his opinion believed Steve Downie embellished his fall after being hit into the boards by Bruins forward Nathan Horton late in the second period of last night’s game, calling the Tampa Bay Lightning wing Hack Steve Downie for diving. Apparently, after further review Uber Hack Downie wasn’t faking, in fact Downie never returned to the game and is listed as day-to-day.

To be honest with you, I feel no empathy what-so-ever for Steve Downie because in my opinion he is one of the dirtiest players in the NHL. Seriously! I honestly can’t imagine anyone even caring. How many games has this clown/buffoon been suspended by the NHL/AHL in his short career? Reviewing the Steve Downie hit parade he stared out his NHL career by receiving a 20 game suspension for a dirty hit on Dean McAmmond in an exhibition game… Steve Downie followed up that smooth move with a 20- game suspension for slashing an AHL official.

Hey I admit that while the call was probably a reputation call and the wrong call, I believe that Downie has earned his reputation based on his actions on the ice, maybe if he just clean up his act, he might get the benefit of the doubt once in a while. I say whatever, you earned it Steve, you live by the sword, you die by the sword.

Detroit Crystal Ball Dart Toss (Redwing77)

The season is over and there's a few housekeeping things from me and a look into the offseason for the Red Wings in terms of potential retirements.

Housekeeping

I find myself rather at a loss as to whom to root for in the remaining playoffs. I respect San Jose for playing a great series out and coming out on top (even if I was disappointed that it came out at the expense of my Wings). And, since I deplore hockey players who routinely dive and their teammates/fans/teams who foster the behavior, it's pretty clear that I cannot root for the Canucks. So, it's disappointing to see San Jose only marginally in the series (I truly believe if the first 4 games were played in Vancouver, San Jose would get swept). I can't help but feel extreme doubt that the Sharks are going to do anything more than take a bite out of the Canucks downtime between this series and the Stanley Cup finals.

As for TB and Boston... I'm ok with either team advancing. Boston has played well and I really dig the comeback season Tim Thomas has had. On the other hand, there is no better human interest story in the playoffs than the story of Tampa Bay. They sucked last year. They go out and get a 41 year old goaltender, an untried rookie head coach and GM and suddenly.... WOW.

They are in the finals and STILL people, players, and the media are underestimating them. I think this is working in TB's favor.

In any case, regardless of who wins, I look to Boston or TB to win it all.

Retirements

I've already talked about the imminent retirement of Mike Modano, but there are rumors (on http://www.eliteprospects.com/) that suggest two other notable potential retirees exist.

First, Kris Draper. There is no question that Draper is near the end. There's also no question that his use by the Wings has followed a similar path to that of Kirk Maltby. He saw very little time this postseason. It's pretty clear that the Wings aren't finding much use for him any more, which is too bad. Kris was never flashy. He was just gritty and reliable. A truly great defensive forward with a mean streak. He was always overshadowed in these categories by other greats... defensive forward play by Datsyuk, Federov, and others. Gritty mean streaks by Maltby and McCarty among others.

This rumor is classified as doubtful by Elite Prospects. I would suggest that Draper's time as a Red Wing may have come to an end, but I think he'll play 1-2 more seasons if he can find a team.

Last, Chris Osgood. There is no question that Osgood is right where Draper is. However, the difference I see is: Osgood's no longer consistent and reliable in net. He's lost too much due to age. He may still have the drive to play hockey and that's his choice, but there's no question that he's got nothing left to give Detroit. I'd resign MacDonald to back up Howard. If Osgood wants to be the 3rd stringer and injury backup, then alright, but at no better than league veteran. We are in the salary cap era, after all.

If I were Osgood, I'd ask what was left to prove. Osgood isn't in the position of Draper. He's not as effective as Roloson has been this year. I'm not sure if Osgood will retire, but I would if I were him. He's not doing himself any good floundering or riding the bench as he has most of the season.

He may have the fire to continue playing like Draper, but it is obvious to me that he's got nothing left to offer.

Bruins choke away three goal lead…

The Boston Bruins were 23-0-0 when leading by three goals. Make that 23-1-0 after today’s unhinging debacle. The Bruins came out flying in the first period and raced to an impressive 3-0 lead in the game, the Bruins even chased the Tampa Bay Lightning’s starting goalie Dwayne Roloson who appeared to be very shaky from the game. Roloson was then replaced by Lightning backup goalie Mike Smith…I think it’s safe to say that everything was going the Bruins’ way until the 6:55 mark of the second period when the roof fell in on the Boston Bruins. Lightning forward Teddy Purcill got the Tampa Bay Lightning on the score board by scoring two quick unanswered goals. It would have been a great opportunity for the Bruins to call a time out but they did not, another #epicfail for the Bruins head coach Claude Julien.

Can’t score if don’t shoot

In my opinion I think it’s fair to say that Mike Smith was hardly challenged the by the Boston Bruins after replacing Dwayne Roloson. If you go back and watch the game you will see that Smith didn’t have to make a lot of difficult saves and most of his shots were logo killers from the Boston Bruins. The Bruins also failed to get traffic in front of the Tampa Bay Lightning net. You can’t win many games with that kind of a game plan you have to generate opportunities down low and get bodies in front of the opposition net.

Sit on the lead = #epicfail...

If this years Boston Bruins’ team has one glaring fault, it’s when they get a lead and then they try to sit on the lead and they fail to compete anymore, they go into a defensive shell which doesn’t always seem to work for them, especially against the talented offensive minded teams. The Boston Bruins can not give a talented team like the Tampa Bay Lightning grade “A” scoring opportunities in front of their net and expect the goalie to make every save, last time I check Tim Thomas was a human being and he isn't going to stop every shot that somes his way. Good teams bury grade “A” scoring chances in close off of turnovers, the defense and the forwards have to be better, they have to be smarter with the puck and get the pucks deep and get offensive opportunites between the dots. The Bruins should have kept the pressure on and continued to attack… Instead the Boston Bruins sat back and watched the Tampa Bay Lightning race by them like they were big orange road cones.

Power outage

The Boston Bruins registered an unimpressive shot total of eight shots during the third period of today’s game and it was many minutes into the third before the Bruins even registered a shot on goal. I would classify that as being unacceptable and that can’t happen if the Bruins want to win this series and advance to the Stanley Cup Finals.

While the Bruins were caught flat footed numerous times the Lightning continued to race through the neutral zone with speed attacking the Bruins net and capitalizing off the Bruins turnovers. For whatever reason the Bruins abandoned their successful game plan from game three after they got the three goal lead going into the second period… That three goal lead promptly disappeared in four short minutes with two goals from former Maine Black Bear Teddy Purcill and Sean Bergenheim. From the 6:55 minute of the second period on the Bruins also looked uninterested in playing strong defensively as well and became a turnover factory and failed to get pucks deep. There were numerous times the Bruins failed to get puck deeps and turned the puck over to the speedy offensive minded Tampa Bay Lightning.

Sharks' McGinn will not be suspended for hit on Rome.

Vancouver Sun Image

I believe that is the right decision by the NHL. Seriously, watching the game in time I thought the hit was barely worthy on a penalty. Just my humble opinion… In fact I was watching this game with my buddy and after the McGinn hit Rome he said, “play that hit back again” in watching the hit, I don’t think it warranted a five minute penalty. What do you think? I am sure there are Canucks fans that are upset with the hit, so what? The fact that the league reviewed this hit is a puzzler to me because there were worse hits that went un-penalized by the NHL Wheel of Justice during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. If you want to take a look at the hit you can click on the hit [on this link]

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.

Jamie McGinn boards Aaron Rome hearing today from NHL

San Jose Sharks leftwinger Jamie McGinn has a hearing with the NHL for this hit on Vancouver Canucks defenseman Aaron Rome according to @TSNBobMcKenzie.

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.