Hockey Buzz Ranks the Thirty NHL Broadcasting Teams

Travis Yost from Hockeybuzz has ranked the NHL broadcast teams… I am not sure how you can rank an NHL broadcast team that has never had an actual broadcast?

I am also not sure how you can rank Rick Jeanneret 16th? The guy is a gem and one of the more entertaining hockey broadcasters in the NHL.

(28) Boston Bruins -- Jack Edwards and Andy Brickley

Nothing I could say in this small paragraph on the abortion that is Jack Edwards' play-by-play work would be insightful or refreshing. He's the biggest homer in hockey -- he's the second-biggest homer in sports. It's actually pretty shameful that NESN continues to employ a guy who so willfully blurs the reality of the sport with such partisan analysis.

The sad part? Color guy Andy Brickley is awesome. So much so, it -- against all odds -- keeps the Boston Bruins from finishing thirtieth in this ranking. Brickley's understanding of the game is pretty unparalleled, and when Jack Edwards does give him the green light to talk to the viewers, it's almost always insightful and educational.

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(26) Minnesota -- Anthony LaPanta and Mike Greenlay

This ranking is a bit of an unknown, with LaPanta coming in to fill the vacancy left by the departed Dan Terhaar. If you're looking for a positive, it's that Terhaar was one of the worst PxP guys in the business, comically missing the play, mispronouncing names, and putting a pro-Wild spin on things at any passing chance. LaPanta's been prepped by Fox Sports North for this role for quite some time; he's loved by the company, and has made the rounds. Unfortunately, this is his first NHL-level call.

I literally have watched a “ton” of hockey over the last 15 years, the reason I know this is that my wife has complained about it and in my opinion, I don’t get why people hate Jack Edwards so much and wonder if the hate for Jack Edwards is justified.

In my opinion, I believe that Edwards, is very entertaining. Yep, I am a Boston Bruins fans. However, that being said, I do think that Edwards is one of the more knowledgeable hockey broadcasters in the game of hockey. I also believe that Edward’s color guy Andy Brickley brings a much need perspective from a player’s side to the announcer’s booth.

You would think from reading some of the comments from hockey fans around the league that Jack was Lucifer or killing baby cats and dogs.

Altru Health System, UND Announce Sports Medicine Partnership

Official Press Release

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Altru Health System has pledged a $10 million gift to the University of North Dakota through the UND Foundation in support of a sports medicine partnership between Altru and UND. According to UND President Robert Kelley, $9 million will serve as the leadership gift for a new UND Athletics Complex, an indoor practice and competition facility on campus.

 “This is an important first step toward building a world-class sports medicine program,” Kelley said. “When completed, the indoor training facility will include space for academic and clinical studies on human performance and conditioning, which will greatly enhance the University’s and Altru’s roles in sports medicine.” The remaining $1 million is directed to support the replacement of the football turf at the Alerus Center.

 ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

President Kelley said the gift promotes an ongoing partnership between two of the region’s largest organizations, both of which are responsible for stewarding their resources in ways that improve our communities. Specifically, Altru Health System has been the University’s sports medicine provider for more than 20 years. 

“The indoor athletics complex will be an asset for the entire University and will impact health and wellness for the campus, the community, and the region. Together, we are implementing our missions to improve the health and enrich the lives of people in our region,” Kelley said.

“This partnership is part of a much larger initiative to improve the health of our entire community,” said Dave Molmen, Altru’s Chief Executive Officer. “This investment extends our educational partnership and provides a state-of-the-art educational laboratory for UND’s students to gain necessary experience in the field of sports medicine and thus, help feed our community with needed health professionals. In addition to training sports medicine professionals, the partnership will conduct research that will advance sports medicine knowledge and techniques. As we like to say, by working together, we all get better.”

Dr. Casey Ryan, Altru’s President, said that “The University plays a vital role in educating future health care professionals. This gift creates an opportunity to improve the university experience for the students, who we rely on as our future leaders to continue our mission of improving health and enriching life.” Altru and UND see this gift as an investment in training the best for the community.

 ABOUT THE GIFT

“This $10 million gift from Altru is one of the largest made in support of North Dakota Spirit | The Campaign for UND, which strives to raise $300 million for UND’s passionate students, inspirational educators, innovative programs and extraordinary places like the new athletics complex,” said President Kelley. It will be paid over 30 years.

Altru’s gift to UND is the most recent example of Altru Health System’s fulfillment of its mission by strengthening ties to other organizations. Last year, Altru became the first member in the nation of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. The relationship brings Mayo Clinic knowledge and expertise to Grand Forks by providing access to systems previously available only within Mayo Clinic. In 2010, Altru announced a gift of $6.5 million to the Grand Forks Park District and YMCA to enable them to replace and remodel fitness facilities.

“This gift will help build a transformational facility that is the essence of the North Dakota Spirit Campaign,” said Tim O’Keefe, Executive Vice President and CEO of the UND Alumni Association & Foundation. “This gift provides immediate excitement as well as the necessary momentum to raise the remaining $26 million of the $300 million goal.” Learn more about the campaign at spirit.und.edu.

 ABOUT THE FACILITY

The UND Athletics Complex will provide a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning area, a student-athlete academic center and sports medicine space for all UND Athletics teams. Additionally, it will provide a practice and training facility for the football, track and field and soccer teams. The facility will serve the community by offering a host site for youth athletics camps and college and youth track and field meets.

 “Our mission is to build champions, and this facility will play a key role in doing exactly that. As UND Athletics has made the commitment to excellence in Division I competition, the need for an indoor practice and competition facility on campus has become clear,” said UND Director of Athletics Brian Faison. “This is a game changer for UND Athletics.”

Hump Day Links

Hockey season is right around the corner – we’re on the stretch run now. There are roughly 38 day’s until UND plays it’s first Exhibition game against the University of Manitoba Bison.

As of right now there isn’t any good news for UND Hockey fans that watch their UND hockey on Cable one in Fargo, ND. Midco and Cable have yet to reach a deal.

Kirsten Stromsodt (@FargoNewsroom)8/29/12 8:31 AM Cable One, Midco yet to reach deal for UND coverage | INFORUM | Fargo, ND

Here is more on that story from the Fargo Forum – it doesn’t look good right now for the viewer’s in the Fargo area.

Tom Miller, Forum Communications – University of North Dakota fans living in Fargo might be left in the dark when it comes to television coverage of their team’s games.

On Tuesday, the UND athletic department announced the television coverage for the football team’s season opener Thursday night against South Dakota School of Mines.

There was a noticeable absence from the list of cable providers that have opted to pick up Midco Sports Network’s coverage.

Cable One, the lone cable provider in Fargo, has yet to agree to a deal with Midco Sports Net for the upcoming season.

Here is a pretty good read on the CBA labor negotiations – while Bettman thought that the owners’ proposal was a major step forward it seems like the players and the NHLPA have taken a more cautious if not non-committal approach to the latest proposal. From what I have read last night and today – it does appear there is a reason for the non-committal.

Rob Rossi, Triblive Sports --- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said Tuesday that the league’s “counterproposal” represented a “significant step” toward avoiding a second work stoppage since 2004.

“I’m trying to get us onto a common language and hopefully this will do that,” he said of the NHL response to the NHLPA’s recent proposal, which called for players’ share of hockey-related revenue to drop from 57 to 54 percent.

The NHL has proposed a plan to gradually slide toward a 50-50 split of that revenue, though the specifics of what makes up that revenue are not completely defined, sources told the Tribune-Review.

The NHL and NHLPA each declined to divulge details of the latest proposal, and members of the union were hesitant to label it a “counter” to their plan.

Penguins union representative Craig Adams had not seen the latest NHL plan as of late Tuesday, but he planned to be among the players in attendance for the meeting today.

“You’re looking for baby steps, to move in the right direction,” Adams said. “I don’t want to say this is the right direction ... but anytime you can get to the table, discuss things and hopefully negotiate and find any type of common ground, that’s a positive.

It seems like that Bettman and the NHL owners are looking at the CBA’s of the NBA and the NFL and are trying to move their share to a 50/50 split with the NHL players, I don't think that is an unreasonable or unrealistic stance.

The 50/50 split seems very reasonable on paper – but is it doable? I don’t know how some NHL teams are going to be able to get the teams under the 70 million dollar salary cap – for example the Boston Bruins according to Joe Haggerty are 12 Million over the salary cap and there would be 16 teams over that threshold as well.

(Photo: AP/Julio Cortez)

I also wonder what kind of a proposal we will see from the players in the next couple of days. It's no mystery that both sides want to come to an agreement and find some common ground so they can get a CBA signed and the players can play hockey.

Bettman said he wouldn't ''feel better about this process until it is successfully completed.'' He defined successful completion as having ''a collective bargaining agreement.''

Here is what Former Fighting Sioux forward Zach Parise has to say about Gary Bettman, I think you'll find his comments interesting.

There's a growing feeling throughout the sport that it's an inevitability. Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise, who signed a monster US$98-million, 13-year deal in free agency, became the latest to voice that opinion this week when he told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that "Gary's pretty adamant about his third lockout of his tenure."

While there are teams that have enjoyed great financial success the New York Islanders are in dire straits – things are so bad that the Islanders have a student radio station doing their games.

John Ismossi, The Hockey Writters --- Since the failure of the many arena proposals the Islanders have been fairly quiet on their financial situation, but the state of their finances is no secret. Shackled to a terrible lease in a rundown arena with little hope to attract players and little hope for their increasingly small fan base the team has been losing money for years and they certainly are now as well. Cost cutting measures have been evident in recent years as the Islanders have turned their radio broadcasts over to Hofstra University and reduced payroll to the salary floor. In fact only by using the buyout of Alexi Yashin and the dead salary of Rick DiPietro have the Islanders done that. And this year the Islanders have barely tried to even reach the proposed salary floor, still nearly five million below it.

Darren Dreger of TSN lays out the NHL's newest proposal

UND Hockey Twitter 2012-13

Someone asked me if I would compile a list of UND Hockey Players that Twitter there are three that I can’t find. Some are more active than others.

Andrew MacWilliam  – No Twitter Account

Derek Forbort –  http://twitter.com/derek4bort

Nick Mattson – No Twitter Account

Danny Kristo –  http://es.twitter.com/dkristo7

Dan Senkbeil – http://twitter.com/D_Senkbeil

Drake Caggiula – http://twitter.com/drakecaggiula

Corban Knight – http://twitter.com/CorbanKnight

Derek Rodwell – http://twitter.com/drodwell11

Connor Gaarder – http://twitter.com/Gordini27

Michael Parks –  http://twitter.com/mike_parks92

Mark MacMillan – http://twitter.com/EasyMac_16

Colten St. Clair – http://twitter.com/cstclair17

Dillon Simpson –  http://twitter.com/Simmer18

Rocco Grimaldi – http://twitter.com/RGrimaldi23

Joe Gleason – http://twitter.com/GleasonJ020

Brendan O'Donnell – http://twitter.com/bodonnell21

Andrew Panzarella – No Twitter Account

Jordan Schmaltz – http://twitter.com/JPSdouble07

Mitch MacMillan – http://twitter.com/MitchMac25

Coltyn Sanderson – http://twitter.com/ColtynSanderson

Carter Rowney – http://twitter.com/carterrowney

Stephane Pattyn – http://twitter.com/GeneralPattyn28

Bryn Chyzyk – http://twitter.com/chyz21

Zane Gothberg – http://twitter.com/ZanoInsano_29

Clarke Saunders – http://twitter.com/clarkesaunders

Tate Maris – http://twitter.com/TAT3MARI5

  

CBA update

This is what the Commissioner of the NHL Gary Bettman had to say about the NHL Owners second proposal.

"We need to get on the same page on the economics," Commissioner Bettman said, "and we're hoping that by virtue of the proposal we made today that there will be some traction and that there will be a framework for the negotiation."

"We believe we've made a significant, meaningful step," he added. Bettman also said, he said it was "a significant proposal with meaningful movement."

This what the head of the NHLPA Donald Fehr has to say about the proposal.

"It's a proposal that we intend to respond to," said Fehr. "I'll leave it at that."

While there won't be a response today, there should be a response by the players tomorrow according to Fehr. 

“There’s not a lot to say today,” Fehr said. “We want to work further on it overnight. We have an expectation, based on what we know now, that we’ll get back together tomorrow afternoon.

“It is different in some respects from before, but I don’t want to categorize it until we have an opportunity to really go through it and we understand it and come up with an appropriate response.”

Looks like the owners latest proposal is asking for a 52/48 split from the players - so there is some movement.

Darren Dreger from TSN tweeted this break down of what the Owners proposed today - you can see that the owners are going for the 50/50 split.

College Hockey Inc. has a new leader

College Hockey Inc has named Mike the Executive Director. Snee has been the Executive Director of Minnesota Hockey; Snee’s first day of work will be on September 17, 2012. Snee replaces former executive director Paul Kelly who resigned last February, 2012 after spending 28 months in the position.

Mike Snee, a veteran amateur hockey and NHL executive, has been named the Executive Director of College Hockey, Inc., the organization’s Board of Directors announced today. Snee spent the past four years as the Executive Director of Minnesota Hockey and will begin his new duties on Sept. 17.

“Mike is a very talented professional with a great passion and love for college hockey,” said Steve Hagwell, Commissioner of ECAC Hockey and Chair of the 10-member Board of Directors of College Hockey, Inc. “He has enjoyed a great amount of success professionally. We look forward to a bright future for College Hockey, Inc. under Mike's leadership.”

Snee becomes the second executive director in College Hockey, Inc.’s history. The organization was formed in 2009 to promote Division I men’s college hockey to prospective student-athletes and fans. [read the rest of the story]

Zach Parise 9th in the Top-40 Fantasy Hockey Left Wing Rankings

The rankings are out and another Former Fighting Sioux forward Zach Parise was ranked 9th in the Top-40 Fantasy Hockey Left Wing Rankings.

1. James Neal
2. Daniel Sedin
3. Scott Hartnell
4. Alex Ovechkin
5. Patrick Sharp
6. Rick Nash
7. Ilya Kovalchuk
8. Patrick Marleau
9. Zach Parise - UND
10. Milan Lucic
17. Brad Marchand
18. Thomas Vanek - Minnesota
23. Max Pacioretty - Michigan
29. Matt Moulson - Cornell
38. Chris Kreider - Boston College

Tuesday Morning Links

Julie Robenhymer from Hockey Buzz has her Hobey hopefuls in August 26th, blog post and she has UND senior Danny Kristo as a Hobey Favorite.

Danny Kristo - Senior, F, North Dakota, MTL: Kristo has always been a notable player as a product of the USNTDP and gold medalist at the 2010 World Junior Championship, but it took a severe case of frostbite on his toes in his sophomore season that nearly resulted in amputation and the thought of life without hockey to push his game to another level. Decimated by injuries last year, the team formerly known as the Fighting Sioux, struggled throughout the season, but Kristo still managed to be a point per game player with 45 points in 42 games. North Dakota will have a very young, yet very talented team this season and Kristo will be a big part of their success. He brings leadership, versatility and an unquenchable desire to bring a national championship to Grand Forks.

It was announced yesterday, that Pittsburgh Penguins star Evgeni Malkin has an agreement to play for Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the KHL when if there is a lockout in the NHL next month.

In the never ending Phoenix Coyotes saga, Glendale, NHL extend Phoenix Coyotes arena agreement for fourth time [AZcentral.com]

Former Vermont star and current Tampa Bay Lightning forward Marty St. Louis said, that he'll play in Europe in event of NHL lockout. [TampaBay.com]

Check out the offseason diet that Montreal Canadians diver defenseman P.K. Subban enjoys – sounds as if Subban eats a lot of protein and red meat.

Dan Rosen, NHL.com Senior Writer --- Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban reads off his breakfast menu without a single change in his facial expression. For him, barbecuing a steak at 7 a.m. and pairing it with freshly blended vegetable juice, fish oils, Vitamin C and various other multivitamins is absolutely normal.

No eggs. No toast. No potatoes.

"I eat a lot of protein -- steak in the morning, steak in the afternoon, fish, chicken," Subban told NHL.com during a recent trip to his training facility. "At the start of the summer I order a whole cow from a grain-fed farm. I have it at my parents' house and my mom will season [the butchered meat], and I'll pick them up to have steaks for the week."

Jokes aside, Subban actually does eat the whole cow he orders each summer.

Today, the NHL's collective bargaining talks are set to resume in New York City.

TSN.CA --- The biggest issue holding up talks is finding agreement on how the league's revenues should be split up. Players received 57 per cent under the expiring CBA and the league wants to see that number reduced considerably.

The NHL's initial offer involved cutting the amount to 43 per cent, although it has indicated a willingness to negotiate off that number.

Based on last season's revenues, every percentage point lost would cost the players $33 million. After capitulating in the last round of negotiations and hiring Fehr to lead them in this one, that group appears ready to fight against significant givebacks.

Former Chicago Blackhawks, Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks goalie Antero Niittymaki has signed a contract to go back and play hockey in his native Finland. [TSN.CA]

In an ugly story - three Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, were arrested and charged with sexual assault this past Saturday. The players involved in the sexual assault Nick Cousins, Andrew Fritsch and Mark Petaccio. [CBC.CA] and [Philly.com]

Greyhounds player Mark Petaccio gets released on bail following a bail hearing for an sexual assault charge. [Toronto Sun]

 The Toronto Sun compares the CBA’s of the Major Sports in North America; Breaking down the deals the four major sports leagues are working under.

The Hockey News has the Boston Bruins finishing second in the Eastern Division and facing off in the first round of the NHL playoffs against the Buffalo Sabres.

In the same article the Hockey News had the Minnesota Wild finishing fifth and facing off against the Chicago Blackhawks. I will take the Wild in six games.

Shattuck Saint Mary’s defenseman and current Fargo Force defenseman Charlie Pelnik is in the latest Hot List in the Hockey News. [Hockey News]

Charlie Pelnik, D – Shattuck St. Mary’s Sabres (Minn. HS) Easily the most talked-about prospect ever from North Carolina, Pelnik will suit up for the USHL’s Fargo Force this season after a great run with Shattucks. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound blueliner from the Jr. Hurricanes system is committed to the University of North Dakota, where he’ll bring a Pronger-esque nasty streak – though Plymouth owns his OHL rights. Draft eligible in 2013.

UND gets commitment from Ryan Mantha

Tonight, the University of North Dakota got a commitment from Sioux City Musketeers Defenseman Ryan Mantha. Ryan is the nephew of former Minnesota North Star defensman Moe Mantha. Moe was most recently the coach of the Michigan Warriors of the NAHL.

           [Ryan's Stats]

NHL lockout: raw power to the players

This is a good read that I found today’s Vancouver newspaper the Providence – this year’s CBA negotiations almost seems like a case of déjà vu – we have seen this act before – didn’t like it very much the first time. The Owners led by Gary Bettman are going to bully the players – the owners are hoping that the players will start squabbling among themselves – when this happens the owners begin the break the players down they will then get an agreement.

Tony Gallagher, The Province --- It is about naked power and leverage, nothing more. The players had to know that, because after they hoisted the white flag and agreed to give the owners everything they wanted after the last lockout, the owners retained the same leadership. To expect a different approach now would be unrealistic.

And the key word in that last paragraph is ‘agreed.’ The players eventually agreed to those conditions.

Not only is Gary Bettman still at the helm, it’s the same law firm calling the same shots, which were called the last time, from the same firm calling the shots employed by the NFL and the NBA owners. So there are no surprises here.

In an excellent piece a couple of weeks back, Larry Brooks of the New York Post asked what people would think of the players if they, like the owners are doing now, basically insisted upon a 24 per cent raise in all their negotiated salaries before they took the ice this season. And he pointed out that’s exactly what the owners are doing by insisting the players take rollbacks again this time on contracts that both parties have already freely entered into. Good point.

We are going to have a lockout this season. I believe that there is no way to avoid it; It’s my prediction that hockey fans are going to lose at least a ¼ to ½ of the 2012-13 season.

Why the whole season won’t be lost… During the 2004-05 season the owners waited the players out. This time we won’t lose the whole season. When the lessor paid players hockey players start feeling the pinch of the lockout – this is when the players will succumb to the owners demands. The lesser paid players will pressure the higher paid players to settle so they can go back to work and make a pay check.

Much like 2004-05, fans are going to fill the void of not having the NHL with NCAA Hockey, AHL and JR hockey. One will also have more time, to keep up with their favorite sitcoms. Lastly, there will be more time for family members because there will not be as much hockey on the television.

College Hockey players in Top 40 Fantasy Hockey Center Rankings

Here are some familiar former WCHA players in the NHL.COM's Top-40 Fantasy Hockey Center Rankings.

1. Evgeni Malkin
2. Steven Stamkos
3. Sidney Crosby
4. Claude Giroux
5. Anze Kopitar
6. Jonathan Toews - UND Fighting Sioux
7. Henrik Sedin
8. John Tavares
9. Eric Staal
10. Pavel Datsyuk
16. David Backes - MSU Mankato
31. Travis Zajac - UND Fighting Sioux
32. Derek Stepan - Wisconsin Badgers
34. Paul Stastny - Denver Pioneers
35. Mike Cammalleri - Michigan
36. James van Riemsdyk - New Hampshire

Monday morning links



Fox Sport photo

 According to Todd D. Milewski of USCHO, there “could” be two NCAA championship games at the Frozen Four starting in 2014 if the NCAA committees signs off on the proposal.

This would mean that the men’s Division I and Division III “could” take place on the same weekend at the same arena. Let me just say – I am not a fan of this idea at all.

WCHA co-columnist for U.S. College Hockey Brian Halverson has resigned from USCHO and is going to be part of a new hockey web page known as Minnesota Hockey Magazine that is set to kick off this October. You can see their new Facebook page by [clicking on this link].

Here is an interesting article from the Toronto Sun, Unlike in 2004, there is no real threat that hockey is going away. Prepare to be bored. [Click to view]

From CBC Hockey Night in Canada, it seem that lockouts in the NHL have become a fact of life. [CBC.CA]

According to Sportnet.CA, Dynamo Moscow doesn't want Alex Ovechkin to play for them if there is an NHL lockout.

I know that this is a little old, but you've got to love J.R. for his brashness, Roenick says owners' proposal was 'bullying'.. [SportsNet.CA]

Ryan Durling of Stanley Cup of Chowder has given Tim Thomas a C+ grade for last season’s play. Just for the record, Tim Thomas played in 59 games recorded a GAA of 2.36 and a record of 35-19-1-5 and Save % of. 920 and in my opinion that is hardly worthy of a C+ ranking.

There had been a rumor in the media that Evander Kane has asked for a trade – Kane says that rumor is not true. [Click to view]

Apparently Capitals goalie Michal Neuvirth caused a stir when he said that team captain Alex Ovechkin “isn’t what he used to be.” Michal Neuvirth has since tried to walk those comments back.

Paisley Hockey has his Monday Links and weekend links up on his blog

Tom Stivali from in Lou We Trust, profiles David Clarkson's 30 Goals during the 2011-12 season.

Bruins 2, Wild 8th in 2012 Uni Watch rankings

So the Montreal Canadians have been ranked first in the 2012 NHL Uni Watch Rankings - the Boston Bruins were ranked second and the Wild were ranked eighth. Below is how the NHL rankings shook out.

1. Montreal
2. Boston
3. NY Rangers
4. Detroit
5. Philadelphia
6. Toronto
7. Pittsburgh
8. Minnesota
9. Columbus
10. New Jersey
11. Chicago
12. Buffalo
13. NY Islanders
14. San Jose
15. Florida
16. Winnipeg
17. Vancouver
18. Phoenix
19. Calgary
20. Tampa Bay
21. Carolina
22. Nashville
23. Anaheim
24. Ottawa
25. St. Louis
26. Edmonton
27. Washington
28. Los Angeles
29. Dallas
30. Colorado

In case we forgot... Rocco Grimaldi

Last season was a lost season for University of North Dakota's highly regarded and talented freshman forward Rocco Grimaldi - his season was cut short by a knee injury, more specifically by a rather rare condition called bipartite patella.

Definition: A bipartite patella occurs when the patella, or kneecap, occurs as two separate bones. Instead of fusing together in early childhood, the patella remains separated. A bipartite patella is usually not a problem; it occurs in at least 1 percent of the population, and perhaps more.

Rocc had season ending knee surgery to repair the aforementioned bipartite patella and is expected to be 100 percent to start the 2012-13 season.

In case anyone has forgot - this is what Rocco Grimaldi is going to add the UND hockey line-up. [Rocco Grimaldi's first collegiate goal against the Gophers]

I see Grimaldi as a top six forward that will bring an element of speed that UND hasn't seen in a very long time. Well, unless it was the Fighting Sioux playing against the Boston College Eagles in the NCAA Playoffs and we know how those games played out. When I think of small UND forwards, the name Jeff Panzer comes to mind.

I would compare Grimaldi to a Brian Gionta or a Nathan Gerbe type of players - very quick, smart and elusive type player that is going to be very dangerous when he gets behind the opposition's defense. I believe his speed is going to strike fear in the oppositions defenders and goaltenders.

Last season I had an opportunity to watch Rocco Grimaldi skate in practice – this was right before he made his season ending announcement that he needed to have season ending surgery to repair his bipartite patella – even at 75-80 percent, Grimaldi was an amazing skater that had an extra gear that we haven’t seen for a very long time.

NHL wants to punish and black list divers

Diver/Fraud

I find it funny if not ironic that the Vancouver Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa would be on a committee of NHL players to look at diving and divers, when he's on a team that employs three of the biggest divers in the National Hockey League, Ryan Kessler, Maxim Lapierre, Alex Burrows, and lets not forget the Sedin Twins Daniel and Henrik who are also the kings of the head snap.

Joe Haggerty, CSNNE --- Ironically enough Canucks defenseman Kevin Bieksa was one of the NHL players at the enforcement meetings looking to snuff out the diving infractions, but he has long been one of the Vancouver skaters to play the game with some level of honesty. Campbell said that players, coaches and managers are hoping for a “Most Wanted” list of divers to be posted in every NHL locker room, and therefore hopefully embarrass them.

So P.K. Subban, Mike Ribeiro, Alex Burrows and Maxim Lapierre among others should officially be on notice that there will be a zero tolerance policy for divers on the ice next season.

"They want to get [the list] out there," said Campbell to reporters. "They want the player to be caught, whether it's on the ice by the referee or by us on video. They are all tired of diving. The object is to make them stop eventually and, by doing that, they can get it out there around the League, embarrass them. The referees will know it, too, so the divers don't get the benefit of the doubt.”

I am all for the NHL having a list with the NHL most blatant divers and I am also for punishing the players that are the repeat offenders that you see flopping all over the like a fish out of water. Doesn't sound like the NHL is to that point yet - I am hoping they reconsider looking at the diving and embellishment problem if it doesn't improve

Mike Brehm, USA TODAY --- "They want to get [the list] out there," Campbell said. "They want the player to be caught, whether it's on the ice by the referee or by us on video. They are all tired of diving. The object is to make them stop eventually and, by doing that, they can get it out there around the League, embarrass them. The referees will know it, too, so the divers don't get the benefit of the doubt."

According to the NHL Rulebook, players who violate the diving/embellishment rule can be subject to supplementary discipline through fine and/or suspension. Campbell said there was no appetite among the group attending the two-day summit to suspend repeat offenders, because the players feel the punishment that comes with having your name on the divers' list would be enough to reduce the frequency with which the tactic is used.

Diving and embellishment is an issue that I would like to see the NHL address - it has been horrible the last couple of seasons in the NHL - especially during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Me personally, I would like to see there be a suspension(s) for players that are caught committing multiple offenses for embellishment and or diving. What do you think?

Bettman proves that he is a ________!

If you had any hope of the CBA getting hammered out by the September 15, 2012 - those hopes were squashed today. This is the zinger that Commissioner Gary Bettman uttered today at the end of 90 minute negotiating session between the NHL Owners and the NHLPA.

Gary Bettman:"we believe that we are paying the players more that we should be."
— Renaud P Lavoie (@RenLavoieRDS) August 23, 2012

Jesse Spector of the Sporting News has a really good story on Bettman's comments that he made today and lets just say that the NHL's Commissioner isn't going to make a lot of friends with the fans and with the players.

Based on the comments that Bettman made today - we can say that the good will is over and it's game on now.

As fans we just hope that we don't have another lost season. As it stands right now, Bettman is bound and determined to lock the players out because he can.

Jesse Spector Sporting News --- Another difference between Bettman of early August and Bettman of late August is that the younger Bettman expressed a “need” to lower costs, which was understandable. For teams that are struggling financially now, or that would be in several years under the current system as leaguewide revenues outpace local revenues, spending to the NHL’s salary floor is becoming an annual challenge. Seven teams finished 2011-12 under the projected $54.2 million floor for 2012-13 under the current CBA.

Contrast that with Thursday, and “we think we’re paying too much in salaries.” That’s a shift from a statement of plain-to-see fact to difficult-to-grasp opinion, and one that comes off as entirely hypocritical in the face of the $196 million the Minnesota Wild spent this summer on Zach Parise and Ryan Suter, or the Nashville Predators’ matching the Philadelphia Flyers’ $110 million offer to Shea Weber.

The counterargument to that is that teams are just playing by the rules of the current CBA, trying to compete as best they can. But the NHL’s owners did not become owners by making stupid business decisions, and it would be a lot easier for Bettman to make his case if star players were only getting offers from teams in the biggest markets. There’s a salary cap and a salary floor, and when the small-market Predators talk about wanting to be a cap team, it doesn’t do much for the case that the players are currently overpaid.

I agree with Spector – seriously – how can these NHL owners pay these outrageous salaries to the NHL players and then turn around and in the next breath say that they are paying too much in player costs? It makes no sense what-so-ever – or at least from a sane person’s point of view.

Let’s not forget that they want to also limit player salaries to five years also – so what do they do they turn around and sign players to 6,7,8.9, 10-13 year deals.

I don’t think I am missing the point – if you’re hurting financially you don’t go out and spend a bunch of money that you claim that you don’t have.

Is anyone taking these guys serious when they wheel their representative – who is pompous, condescending, mealy mouth jerk – this is also the same guy that has preceded over two other work stoppages and in his smug way say’s that the NHL owners are paying players too much and they need to wheel back the players salaries and oh yeah the Edmonton Oilers just paid Taylor Hall who has played in the NHL a grand total of two seasons 6 million a year over 7 season.

Edina's Anthony Walsh interested in UND

I just got word, from a pretty reliable source, that Edina forward Anthony Walsh is "very" interested in playing his collegiate hockey at the University of North Dakota. According to my source, Anthony "has long-time affection for UND."

Take a look at these videos and you will see that Walsh is a big strong forward, he's 6'0" 214 and 5% body fat. Walsh is a strong skater that has very good hands and dishes the puck well…As you can see from the videos; Walsh is not afraid to play the body and got into the corners to retrieve the puck, Walsh even got into his first hockey fight during the Fargo Force tryout back in June. Walsh is a senior this season.

I have included a few videos so you can take a look for yourself - Fargo Force try out video and 2011-12 Season Highlights

Walsh got hot during the playoffs scoring (1g-8a—9 pts) Section 2AA Playoffs.

"O Captain! My Captain!" - UND picks Mac to be captain

Official Press Release

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – University of North Dakota senior defenseman Andrew MacWilliam has been named captain of the men’s hockey team for the 2012-13 season. Senior forwards Corban Knight, Danny Kristo and Carter Rowney were each named assistant captains.

MacWilliam, who served as an assistant captain as a junior, has appeared in 122 career games, the most among returning UND players, and owns a career plus/minus rating of +24. Last season, the Calgary, Alberta, native played in all 42 games and collected two goals and five assists along with a career-best +12 rating. He was also named to the WCHA Final Five All-Tournament Team.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound MacWilliam was a seventh-round draft pick (188th overall) of the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008.

Knight, like MacWilliam, served as an assistant captain as a junior in 2011-12. The High River, Alberta, native played in all 42 games and amassed career highs in points (40), goals (16) and assists (24). His career +40 rating leads all returning UND players. Knight was a fifth-round draft pick (135th overall) of the Florida Panthers in 2009.

Kristo, a native of Eden Prairie, Minn., is UND’s top returning scorer with 109 points (42 goals, 67 assists) in 117 career games, including a career-high 45 points last season. In 42 games as a junior, Kristo also established career bests in goals (19), assists (26), game-winning goals (3) and plus/minus (+16). He also won UND’s Virg Foss 3-Star Award after receiving the most 3-star voting points from the media following home games. Kristo was a second-round draft pick (56th overall) of the Montreal Canadiens in 2008.

Rowney enjoyed a breakthrough season as a junior, finishing third on the team with a career-high 18 goals and fourth in scoring with a career-high 33 points. Nine of his goals came on the power-play and three stood as game-winners. The Sexsmith, Alberta, native tied for the WCHA playoff scoring lead with eight points in five games, including a league-leading six assists.

UND went 26-13-3 overall in 2011-12 and captured its league-record third consecutive Broadmoor Trophy as WCHA Final Five champions. It was also the program’s league-leading 11th WCHA playoff title.

UND opens the 2012-13 season, its last as a member of the WCHA, with exhibition games against Manitoba (Oct. 6) and the U.S. Under-18 Team (Oct. 12) before opening the regular season Oct. 19-20 at the Alaska Goal Rush tournament in Fairbanks.

Is the NCAA’s Nickname policy ‘anti-Sioux’

I never thought I would see this happen but I actually think we have come full circle in this debate – first we had the NCAA telling UND that they’re hostile and abusive because the University of North Dakota used Native American imagery for their logo – now we have the Native American’s from two of North Dakota’s Tribes suing the NCAA because they say that they are discriminating against Sioux Indians. In a nut shell the Spirit Lake Tribe is basically saying that the NCAA’s policy against Native American imagery is ‘anti-Sioux’ – I think my head is spinning now.

Chuck Haga, Grand Forks Herald --- While the 1969 ceremony has been central to the nickname defenders’ campaign, the discrimination claim had not been made before, the NCAA responded in its filing Wednesday. But “even if plaintiffs had pled and preserved this claim, it has no support in fact or law” and no further oral argument is warranted.

“However sincere plaintiffs’ antipathy toward the NCAA or the policy, as the district court correctly held, they lack standing to sue,” NCAA attorney Jonathan Duncan wrote. Their appeal, he added, “is as procedurally improper as it is futile.”

Nothing in law or in the case record supports the Spirit Lake committee’s “fanciful argument that the NCAA intentionally adopted the policy as an ‘anti-Sioux’ measure designed to cause UND to repudiate its obligation under a 40-year-old oral agreement,” a claim “never asserted before now.”

Spirit Lake’s committee and Fool Bear have until Sept. 5 to respond.

Even if their appeal fails, the pro-nickname forces have said they intend to continue collecting signatures on petitions to force an initiated measure on the issue, likely in June 2014. An effort to restore the nickname through referendum failed in June.

My question to you, is the NCAA policy banning the use of Native American images and nicknames by sports teams during postseason discriminatory against Native Americans?

In conclusion, I don’t know how you would prove in a court of law that the NCAA’s Policy is discriminatory against Native Americans? Most likely the evidence would be anecdotal evidence and hard to prove. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, however, I can see this lawsuit being thrown out as well.