NHL to Winnipeg?

Winnipeg return intrigues commish

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman gave his strongest indication yet Monday that having a team return to Winnipeg could happen one day.

Bettman, in his state-of-the union address to the media before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final, referred to an editorial in a Canadian newspaper he read this week which suggested that if the NHL did add another Canadian team it should go back to Winnipeg first because they have a new building and the NHL owes it to them.

"I'm not opining on whether or not that's an opinion that I agree with, but it is an interesting and intriguing thought," Bettman said in a comment that raised eyebrows.

While he stressed that there really hadn't been that much thought put into it at this point and that he had no plans for any current NHL teams to re-locate or for the league to expand, he does see the chance for Winnipeg to get a team back one day.

"When we had the chance to go back to Minnesota, we did. Because it made sense, the right ownership, the right building situation," said Bettman. "The market was strong and vibrant. We haven't studied Quebec City or Winnipeg or anywhere else in Canada, but the notion that if it could work to put a franchise back in a place where one was lost, feels good -- provided we don't wind up in a situation where we've created a prescription for another failing franchise.

"So am I intrigued? It's obviously something I've thought about in terms of trying to make right something that one point in our history went wrong."

The Jets left Winnipeg for Phoenix after the 1995-96 season. Bettman believes the salary cap and revenue sharing facets of the current collective bargaining agreement provides a chance for a market like Winnipeg to make a go of it.

But another team in Toronto? Bettman is not a fan of that idea, despite the fact there are three clubs in the New York/New Jersey area and two teams here in Southern California.

This would be one of those stories that are just too good to be true. But hey; who doesn’t like a good story. This would especially be good news for hockey fans in North Dakota that can still fondly remember the Jets of the 1990's. I am already hoping this story comes true some day. It would defiantly good news.

I know Sioux_7 and I would definitely go to a few of the games. We went to about four o them together back in the 1990’s during college. I can also remember when my father and taking to me to a few games on Boxing day, in fact I can remember seeing the North Stars play the Jets one December 26th back in the 1990's. I know its only speculation and there is a reason that the Winnipeg Jets left for the frozen prairie for the desert in Phoenix (not that they are doing that well in Phoenix either).

That being said that one of the reasons the Jets couldn't remain viable/competitive in Winnipeg was that they played in the old run down dumpy Winnipeg arena. That problem has been addressed and the new Winnipeg franchise would have a brand new MTS Center to play in

Ducks take Game one.

Watching the game on Monday night I actually thought the Senators were the better team for about 40 minutes and then the Ducks took the game over and basically beat the Senators at their own game. The duck hit everyone in sight and out hustled the Senators to the puck. The Duck's strategy seems to be, take as many stupid penalties as possible and then turn around kill the majority of them. One can only pontificate that the Ducks wanted the Senators to get tired of shooting the puck and having Giguere stop it. If the Ducks want to be a Stanley Cup Champion, however, they must stay out of the box and not take stupid selfish penalties. Playing with fire will eventually cause your team to get burned.

For the game the Senators were 2-7 on the power play but the most impressive part was the Ducks killing a long five on three power play. In the end Ducks won the game by shutting down the powerful Spezza, Heatley, Alfredsson line. Statisically, the top line in the 2007 Stanley Cup playoffs had two measly points during the game.

Paros not Dressed?

The biggest disappointment of the game was the fact that there was no Chris Neil and George Paros fight. In fact the pundits had predicted a fight between the two during game one, hard to get into a fight if one of the combatants is sitting in the stands. I have to admit that I had been waiting patiently all week to see a good tussle between the two heavy weights. The league office will be pleased as the game turned out to be pretty tame as far as nastiness goes. All in all it was a great game with some good hitting, with a lot of up and down the ice play.

The reason I don't even remember Paros playing during the game was the ducks didn't dress him for the game; I confirmed this by looking at the starting line-ups on line. Resident thug and tough guy Brad May played a good game and didn't even suck punch anyone during the game. Also not dressed were Bemidji's own Joe Motzko and Lets Go Mav's Ryan Carter both were healthy scratches.

The College Hockey Players in the Stanley Cup

I looking at the rosters it appears that we missed quite a few of the college hockey players that are playing in the finals. Actually there are a few that I didn't know about. George Paros an Ivy League player, yikes. UNH Hockey Blog names a couple that we forgot.

ANAHEIM

Andy McDonald - Colgate

Chris Kunitz - Ferris State (hurt)

Dustin Penner - Maine

Todd Marchant - Clarkson

Kent Huskins - Clarkson

Mark Hartigan - St. Cloud

Drew Miller - Mich. St.

Bemidji Minnesota's Joe Motzko - St. Cloud

Ryan Carter - Mankato

George Parros - Princeton

*Brian Salcido - Colorado College

Ryan Shannon - BC

Joe DiPenta - BU

Mike Hoffman - Univ. of Connecticut

OTTAWA SENATORS

Dany Heatley - Wisconsin BADgers

Joe Corvo - Western Mich.

Tom Preissing - Colorado College

Mike Comrie - Michigan

Patrick Eaves - BC

You can't get away from them even on the Golf Course.

This a picture of my buddies Wife's driver cover. You can't get away from them even on the golf course.

GOT BEAVER? (Sioux 7)

The WCHA doesn't.

They rejected the idea of expanding the league to 11 teams. Now the Bemidji State mens team is in need of some help. According to Dr. Goeb, the BSU athletic director, they are now trying to raise $2.5 Million by May 2008 to make sure they can operate the team for another 5 years. This 5 year window would then make it for BSU to try and get into a new league, or save the CHA.

The Bemidji State's men hockey team is in jeopardy, since the CHA is down to 5 teams in the league. Having 5 teams in the league, their automatic bid for the NCAA tournemant is most likely to get pulled. That means it will be highly unlikely that any team in the CHA will make the big show. The CHA has made a couple of good showing at the NCAA tourney. BSU took Denver there limit a couple of years ago, before Denver eventually won the NCAA title.

BSU getting into the WCHA makes sense, especially from a travel/distance approach. They are only 2-3 hours away from 5 WCHA teams. This would be nice for these 5 WCHA schools, they wouldn't take much to adjust there travel budgets.

The other thing would be if the WCHA, CCHA, CHA, would go into a new alignment. I have mentioned this before, the CCHA has 12 teams, the CHA has 5, and the WCHA has 10.

If 2 teams left the CCHA and the WCHA had 1 team move to the CHA, that would make for more even conferences, CCHA=10, WCHA=9, CHA=8. That would mean, there could be either more conference games or more non-conference games. I think every league would be improved by a realignment. This would also leave the WCHA and the CHA room for expansion in the future as well, by having less than 10 teams.

It has worked in the NFL, I remembered when they did it, at first I didn't like it, but give it time and before you know it, its hard to remember what it was like before the change. If college hockey doesn't change it will get passed by, and will suffer a loss, no sport wants to lose teams and go backwards.

I would be displeased to see a hockey team, such as BSU out in the cold due to snobbish politics among the universities. I don't know about others, by I like the Beavers, even being a extremely biased UND fan. They have had a good hockey progam for years and I hope they are able to continue their proud tradition and stay at the Division 1 level.

Memorial Day

As we celebrate the memorial day weekend, lets not forget the Men and Women fighting overseas in harms way to defend this great nation. This weekend is about honoring sacrifices, as you know freedom is not free. Many people gave their lives protecting our nations freedoms we enjoy today, like the freedom of speech. As a veteran I would like to thank those fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan and those standing watch at our nations military bases around the world. Thank you for your service, you are not forgotten.

Check out this video video kicks ass

Hot Stove: Hextal and Chelios

Here is a blast from the Past and Chelios and Ron Hextal get after it during the 1989 Wales Conference Finals. Old time hockey. Incidental Ron's kid Brett Hextal will be playing at UND in the fall, I hope he plays with the same fire and determination.

Goon's Prediction Ducks in 6

Wrong Again:
First off I believe that this years Stanley Cup Playoffs have been kind of uneventfull, they are no where near as exciting as the last two Stanley Cup Finals. I also didn't do very well picking the games up to this point. First I jinxed the Buffalo Sabres by predicting they would win the Cup, as we all know that prediction came crashing down last week as the Sabres were closed out by the Senators. I also thought that the Devils were going to beat the Senators. In fact none of the teams that I wanted to win in this seasons Stanley Cup playoffs have made it as far as I thought. If I picked a team to win they lost. I picked Dallas over Vancover, the Wild over the Ducks and I predicted Buffalo over the Senators. I also predicted that there would be another UND fighting Sioux hockey player to have his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, wrong gong.

Ducks in 6 games

I believe the Ducks are going to win the series in 6 games. The Ducks have better goaltending Giguere is a much better goalie than Ray Emery. and I don't believe the Sens defensive pairs are as dynamic duo of Scott Niedermayer and Chris Pronger. Also look for game one to be a slug feast as I expect Chris Neil and George Paros to face off at center ice.

College Flavor to this Series

As Sioux 7 had mentioned in another post, this series will feature many players that played in the WCHA and or college hockey. This really does prove how the NCAA has come a long way in producing top players in the NHL.

Danny Heatley (Ott)- Wisconsin
Ryan Getzlaf (Ana)- St. Cloud St.
Mark Hartigan (Ana)- St. Cloud St.
Tom Preissing (Ott)-Colorado Coll.
Ryan Carter (Ana)- Mankato State
Ben Eaves (Ott) - Dirty B.C. Eagles
Mike Comrie (Ott) - Michigan
Dustin Penner (Ana)- Maine and also played hockey at Bottineau, ND.

Chelios a Classless hack?

Apparently Chris Chelios failed to shake the ducks players hands after his team lost the game and the series to the Ducks.

Doug Stolhand Weighs in on the issueChris Chelios. He plays the game rough and is a warrior on the ice, no doubt about it. I've never liked him but then again he's never played for the Ducks so why would I? He's one of those guys that you love if he's on your team but can't stand if he's not.

In 2003 the Ducks swept the Red Wings in the first round of the playoffs and much was made around Orange County about Chris Chelios not going through the handshake line after the series was over. Well, I kept an eye on the man that has been playing in the NHL for longer than Corey Perry or Ryan Getzlaf have been alive and sure enough he did not go through the handshake line this year, either. I am not sure if this is something he always does regardless of opponent but it shows a lack of class. I asked some fellow media members if Chelios shakes hands after the Red Wings win a series and they said yes. That being the case I can officially say that Chris Chelios is like school in the summertime - no class.

Here is what Teemu Selanne had to say about it:

"It shows what kind of guy he is. When you have success it's easy to be the good guy but when (bad) things happen and you do that kind of stuff, like the Minnesota guys, that's...you can make your own opinion. I don't really care but I would like to say 'Have a good summer.'"

Looks like the Ducks players are still playing their first round match up against the Wild. Hey Teemu shut the hell up about the Wild Series.

LORD STANLEY'S CUP (Sioux 7)

There are only two teams remaining out of 16 that entered the playoffs, and only one can skate the cup home. Anaheim and Ottawa, are the last teams standing, and neither has ever won the stanley cup. Anaheim made it to the Finals in 2003, only to be defeated by the Devils in game 7.







The Ducks have looked great at times this playoff season, but they have also shown a few weaknesses. The goalie, Giguere will have to be play much better, if they are to claim the cup. There defense is excellent, with the speedy offensive minded Niedermeyer and the stay at home, "crush 'em if they cross the blue-line" man Pronger. Also O'Donnell and Beauchemin have also been playing solid defense. Anaheims offensive will have to put up more goals in this series if they want to win. Selanne will need to step up his game, as well have solid contributions from McDonald, Getzlaf, and Penner just to name a few.

The Ducks can ill afford to get into a slug fest with Ottawa, it would be fun to watch, but could be disasterous for the Ducks. Anaheim needs to play there game, solid defense and take there chances on offense and the power play.



They suprised me with how the disposed of Buffalo in 5-games. The Senators have to be the hottest team in playoffs and they keep getting hotter, just like the weather. Ottawa seems to be scoring almost at will, which isn't good for anybody but Ottawa. They have fire power upfront, but what has been more impressive is the play of the defense and netminder. The question is can they keep up the good work in there own end? If they can they have a good shot at the cup.

The speedy forwards of Ottawa, will have to try and avoid being crushed by Chris Pronger. If Pronger can slow down, or intimidate, the Senators forwards, it could be a long battle for time and space on the ice.

THE PREDICTION

Both teams have a number of young players on there rooster, so nerves and inexperience could become a factor in the first couple of games. However, Anaheim does have an edge with a few of there veterans, like Scott Neidermeyer, who has a few cups under his breezers with the NJ Devils.

With the way hockey ratings are going, this could be a spectacular 7 game series that only a few fans watch. (I can't believe ESPN covers poker over hockey, considering you never see them scroll poker scores across the bottom, like MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, hmmm, makes me wonder.)

NBC will be covering the Stanley Cup Finals, the only bright spot I can see from this is they are going to have Don Cherry as a guest on the show. I hope they have some of his intermission show on TV and not just a snip-it of him occassionally.

This series is going to be interesting, and should go 7 games with Lord Stanley's Cup going to Ottawa. The Senators will take the Cup back to Canada, for the first time since 1993 when the Montreal Canadiens defeated the LA Kings. Call it karma, deja vu, but it gives me a feeling, Canadian team versus a team from California, different year, different teams, but same result.

Linkorama: Western College Hockey is reporting Gregoire to The Fighting Sioux

Western College Hockey: Gregoire to UND

Essentially this started out as a rumor from an unidentified anonymous poster on Damian Goddard's Lets Go DU blog
that highly regarded recruit Jason Gregoire has pulled his verbal commitment to DU and then committed to UND. Finally to this story is probably actually be true.

----------------------------------------------
Anonymous said...
Here's a bombshell that you can take to the bank as fact. Jason Gregoire re nigged on his verbal and instead because of a pushy father has signed with North Dakota since it is closer to home. This from a reliable source is true as you will see in the coming days...

Friday, May 18, 2007 4:53:00 PM CDT
-------------------------------------------------------


There are going to be some people pontificating and blaming Hakstol for recruiting a kid after he committed to another college program. From everything I have heard and seen I don't think Hakstol would actively recruit a player after he had verballed.

Badgers Recruit Kyle Turris

I found this clip on-line, another great BCHL player that will be playing in the WCHA. This is the prized recruit Wisconsin picked up in the past season that will be playing for the Badgers in fall of 2007. This kid is going to be a dandy player. I predict he will be in Wisconsin two season max.

Silly Season

This time of season there is a lot of rumors floating around the Internet, a lot of them are down right silly or ridiculous so I refer to this time of year as the silly season, when people have too much time on their hands so they spend it scanning the Internet for rumors and innuendo. The one that a few have put out there is that Oshie will change his mind and go pro since Jonathan Toews signed with Chicago Black Hawks. Right, that is what I call a case of huge wishfull thinking by mostly Gopher fans who know that it's only a matter of time before Kyle Okoposo signs with the Islanders, that leaves some huge holes in the Gophers line up. Sioux don't worry it's not going to happen Sioux fans.

Another rumor I read was that Jason Gregoire has changed his mind and decided to go to UND instead of UND. There are some that have suggested that Hakstol was actively recruiting a player after he had verbally committed to another team. I doubt Hakstol would resort to a bush league tactic such as that. Even if he did it would eventually come back to haunt him.

Hot Stove: Jay Miller and John Kordic

Ah yes... the old Bruins and Habs games, seemed like everyone of these games were an instant classic. Here are some great fights from some great games. Now, with the pathetic state of both teams the rivalry has become somewhat stale and even boring. John Kordic was the proto-typical goon playing in 244 games scoring 17 goals 18 assist for a total of 35 points. The amazing number is the 997 minutes in penalties. Incidentally John Kordic was killed in a Hotel Room a police officers in Lorette, Quebec. Kordic was 27 years old.

Ex-New Hampshire Wildcat Jay Miller was a little more talented hockey player playing in 446 games scoring 40 goals 44 assists and 84 points he logged an impressive 1723 minutes in the penalty box.

Hot Stove: Lyndon Byers vs David Mackey

With the new kinder, gentler NHL it seems the tough guys are becoming a thing of the past, now guys just hack each other with their stick or board their opponent. Lyndon Byers was one of my favorite Bruins, the man would fight with anyone and was a half way decent energy line person. You also got to love the Bruins old third jersey's.

Byers and Giles

Goon's World Tribute to Jonathan Toews

Hey J.T. where going to miss you:

This post is a tribute to Sioux Forward Jonathan Toews who signed a professional contract this past week. While most of us weren't shocked that he signed a professional contract his leaving still smarts none the less. Watching some of these clips should bring back some good memories of Jonathan Toews. Fighting Sioux fans will miss Toews because he is such a dynamic player. It doesn't take much of a hockey genius to see that Toews has the offensive touch, the nose for defensive, the knack for anticipating where his team mares are going to be and his ability to make a pass or shot that could change a hockey game.

Minnesota Gopher Goalie Jeff Frazee isn't going to miss Jonathan Toews as he lit him up during the 2007 World Junior Tourney. I would be willing to bet that Jeff Frazee when to Blarney's after Toews announced that he had signed a professional contract had a few long island teas.

Jonathan Toews with the wrap around versus Holy Cross in the West Regional in 2006.


J.T. the potty mouth

The Quest for 8

October 13 - Hall of Fame Game UND - MSU
October 19 – UND @ Boston College "the Dirty Eagles"
October 20 – UND @ Northeastern
October 26 – UND @ MTU
October 27 – UND @ MTU
November 2 – Colorado College - UND
November 3 – Colorado College - UND
November 9 – UND @ BADgers
November 10 – UND @ BADgers
November 23 – UMD - UND
November 24 – UMD - UND
November 30 – UND @ DU
December 1 – UND @ DU
December 7 – Gophers - UND
December 8 - Gophers – UND
December 28 – UNH - UND
December 29 – UNH – UND
January 4 – UND @ SCSU
January 5 – UND @ SCSU
January 11 – MTU - UND
January 12 – MTU - UND
January 18 – UND @ Mav’s
January 19 – UND @ Mav’s
January 25 – UAA – UND
January 26 – UAA – UND
February 1 – UND @ Gophers
February 2 – UND @ Gophers
February 15 – DU – UND
February 16 – DU – UND
February 23 – BSU – UND
February 24 – BSU – UND
February 29 – UND @ UMD
March 1 – UND @ UMD
March 7 – SCSU – UND
March 8 – SCSU – UND
March (14-16) - 1st Round WCHA Playoffs
March 20/21/22 - WCHA Final Five
March 28/29/30 - NCAA Regionals
April 10/12 - NCAA Frozen Four @ Denver

Break down of the Schedule

The Sioux only play the Mavericks twice in Mankato next season unless of course; UND draws the Mavericks in the WCHA playoffs either in the first round or at the Final Five. If the Mavericks and Sioux actually played in the Final Five it would probably be the first time there was an actual fighting major at the Final Five. Incidentally, if that happens, that would make three years in a row we played the Mavericks in the playoffs, I have come to enjoy the yearly dance with the Mavericks in the playoffs.

Speaking of match-ups UND, Michigan and Minnesota have end up in the same regional two years in a row? Anyone want to go for a third? Listen folks I am going on record and saying this will not happen again next season. If that happened I would be willing to predict that if that happened Lucia and Red would snap and come unglued. I would love to be a fly on the wall when that phone conversation is going on, what do you mean you put us in UND’s regional bracket again.

After only playing the Gophers 2 times during the regular season the Fighting Sioux get to play the Gophers four times next season. This should prove to be a heated four games this year after the Gophers were swept at home in January and knocked out of the NCAA playoffs by the Fighting Sioux. Early rumor I have heard is that Don Adam has requested WCHA official John Champion ref all four games that the Sioux and the Gophers play this season. Seems that the 23-10-penalty differential in favor of the Gophers from the season series last January wasn’t a big enough in the Gophers favor. This season my unnamed source is telling me that Sioux fans can expect a bigger penalty margin; this time the margin will be some where in the neighborhood of 45-10 in favor of the Gophers when the two teams play in Marriucci Arena during their February series. There will also be a subsequent memo addressing this issue later in the year.

This season the Sioux finally get the UMD Bull Dogs four times again, rumor has it that the Minnesota legislature is close to approving a new arena for the Bull Dogs, we will see if it gets signed into law. Also, UND doesn’t travel to UAA, so I can say with confidence that the Sioux will not be swept in Anchorage two years in a row by the Sea wolves.

Break down of the Non-Conference Schedule

The annual slap down of the BSU Beavers will be in February 23 and 24, should be a lot of fun. Shall we say that the line has been cast? Don and Gary will be filling my email box with flames and I am sure that the Beavers homer television announcer will be giving me call also soon. Just kidding boys.

One match up I am excited about is that Hockey East power house UNH comes to the REA in December 28 and 29 and rumor has it that Bob Norton of NESN is coming as well and is starting a new web page of HockeyEast4theHobey.com.

Also UND plays B.C. and North Eastern in October, maybe this time the Sioux can fare better against Hockey East. Last season UND went 0-3.

The hit everyone is talking about.

Detroit Red Wings Tomas Holmstrom is nailed along the boards by Rob Niedermayer & Chris Pronger of the Anaheim Ducks in Round 3, Game 3 of the 2006/2007 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Honda Center in Anaheim. Rob Niedermayer was ejected from the game drawing a 5 Min Major while initially Pronger wasn't given a penalty. Today the League handed down a one game suspension to Anaheim Ducks player Chris Pronger's for his role in the hit on Holmstrom. One of the arugments that came out of the penaltiy was that if Holmstrom had been wearing his helment correctly there wouldn't have been an injury. During the game it was noted that Holmstrom's helment came off 4 times.

It's Official Toews is Gone.

NHL.COM photo

It has just been announced May 16, 2007, 5:05 PM EDT Black Hawks Sign Toews to 3 Year Deal

The Chicago Blackhawks have agreed to terms with highly touted forward Jonathan Toews on a three-year, entry-level contract.

"Chicago is a city with a great history and it's a great hockey city," the 19-year-old Toews said in a statement. "The Blackhawks are an Original Six team with a great hockey tradition. I'm looking forward to playing for the Chicago Blackhawks fans."

He was Chicago's first pick, third overall, in last June's NHL entry draft.

"Jonathan Toews is an exciting player that Blackhawk fans are going to enjoy watching," Hawks GM Dale Tallon said in a statement. "He has been an outstanding player at the collegiate level for two years, he's won two gold medals playing for Team Canada in the world junior championships the past two years, and was a member of gold medal winning Team Canada in the recently completed world championships in Moscow.

"He has shown leadership and the ability to compete at all levels. We're excited to welcome him to the Blackhawk family."

Toews had seven points (2-5) in nine games for world champion Canada in Moscow.

"I was very impressed by the way he played in the world championships," said Blackhawks head coach Denis Savard. "Jonathan is a heart and soul kid. He looks like he's been very well coached. He is a solid two-way player with lots of skill."

The Winnipeg native had four goals and three assists at the world under-20 championship in Sweden earlier this year, and was named to the tournament's all-star team. He is the first Canadian-born player to ever win a gold medal in both the world junior championship and the world championship in the same year.

Toews also played at the University of North Dakota this season, scoring 18 goals and adding 28 assists in 34 games.

This how things go. When I turned my computer off still no news on the signing, went on a walk with the dog, came back from walk with dog, showered went to work. Logged on to the internet and there it was. Officially this is the first early departure.

Are there any more?

This isn't saying that the Sioux aren't going to be hit with any more departures, there could be more, however, from what Sioux fans have been told; there may only be one more possible departure Sophmore defensemen Brian Lee. If I am not mistaken from what I have heard and read Sioux fans should find him for a couple of weeks.

The Toews Watch Update: Ok, I am confused

Ok, I admit I am confused

To take a phrase from Glen Beck this is what we do know: Sioux Forward Jonathon Toews is still a member of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux hockey team, that's as of this moment. This could change at any time. However, Eklund from hockeybuzz.com--
Ouch, I stubbed my Toews!

For those of you unaware, Jonathan Toews name is pronounced "Taves," not Toes...I continue to hear that a deal has indeed already been struck with Toews and the Hawks, and in today's story with the Daily Herald, Tim Sassone writes, The Jonathan Toews era is about to begin for the Blackhawks. Not since Jeremy Roenick decided college wasn't for him after attending a few classes in 1988 has the arrival of a Hawks rookie been so anticipated. Hawks general manager Dale Tallon says he is close to signing the 19-year-old Toews, the third player taken in the 2006 draft. How close? It could happen in the next couple weeks. Toews apparently has decided to leave the University of North Dakota and accept what could be millions from the Hawks, who desperately need him to be Roenick-like in ability and fan appeal. If Toews was undecided over going pro, his head-turning effort in the recent World Championships as the only non-NHL player on Canada let him know he was ready for the big time.

"Why Two Weeks Eklund?" you may ask. I am told it is all about marketing and timing...but it is in fact done.

Really; the Hawks are going to pay Toews millions. The Rookie max is $850,000.00 per season per the CBA, that would mean his contract would be filled with incentives. The rookie max signing bonus is also something like $85,000.00. To get millions it would be as a result of incentives.

Toews close to signing a deal
By Tim Sassone

Hawks general manager Dale Tallon says he is close to signing the 19-year-old Toews, the third player taken in the 2006 draft. How close? It could happen in the next couple weeks.

Toews apparently has decided to leave the University of North Dakota and accept what could be millions from the Hawks, who desperately need him to be Roenick-like in ability and fan appeal.

If Toews was undecided over going pro, his head-turning effort in the recent World Championships as the only non-NHL player on Canada let him know he was ready for the big time.

Tallon said he wasn't surprised by the performance, which impressed many with his poise and offensive skills.

"I think he's going to be better as a pro than he was in college," Tallon said. "I don't think he got enough credit for his offense because of how good he is defensively.

"He's sneaky with his skills. He has awareness of where the puck is going to be instead of where it was. Not a lot of guys can figure that out."

If Toews is the real deal, the Hawks could have a dynamic new look, assuming the prospect they pick first overall in the draft can play right away and Tallon signs the right free agents.

This is what I find confusing. If Toews told Brad Schlossman that he hasn't made a decision yet. Where are all of these other writers getting their information from? Seems like an honest question.
Tallon trying to get Blackhawks settled
By Bob Foltman
Tribune staff reporter

On a day when the Blackhawks announced the signing of a new assistant coach and one of their prospects, two key questions remain unanswered—but perhaps not for much longer—regarding Jonathan Toews and Michal Handzus.

Of perhaps the most significance, Hawks general manager Dale Tallon said Tuesday he hopes to sign Toews, the highly touted first-round pick from last summer, perhaps this week.
-----snip--------
Some thought if Toews had a strong tournament that would seal his decision to leave the University of North Dakota and join the Hawks. Pat Brisson, Toews' family adviser, did not return a phone message.

Oh well we will see. Like I have said many times, him signing isn't and wouldn't be a shock to any of us here in Grand Forks. The fact that he has taken this long to sign a professional contract give most of us just a small flicker of hope. With or without Toews the Sioux will be the favorite to win the WCHA tilte and would be a factor in the end for an NCAA title. The fact that the family advisor didn't return the call might mean something.

Lastly if it sounds like I am not excited about Toews playing for the Chicago Black Hawks; I am not. If this was any other team say like the Wild, the Boston Bruins, Phoneix, or Toronto Maple Leafs, or any other NHL organization I would probably be estactic, I would be very happy for Toews. We are talking about the Chicago Black Hawks, an second rate organization that has been run into the ground to by a horrible owner Bill Wirtz. Chicago is going to use Toews to try to sell seasons and put butts in seats in the form of ticket packages. You can't even watch a Chicago Black Hawks game on TV becaus of the black outs that hang over every Chicago home games. It's sad.

Interesting Fact I found in the article linked above and another reason to stay in school longer.

Maybe time for Plan C?
Brophy joins the endless list of future Hawks prospects.

Tallon called the first-round elimination of Norfolk in the American Hockey League playoffs very disappointing. The Hawks were counting on a long postseason run in which their prospects would get a taste of winning.

Instead, whispers that their prospects may not be as good as the Hawks had hoped may have gained some validity. Jack Skille,the seventh overall pick in 2005, played in just three of the six games with no points. Troy Brouwer,who had 41 goals in the regular season, had just one goal and one point in six games and was a minus-4.

The leading scorer in the series for Norfolk was Jonas Nordqvist,25, with seven points. He was followed by five points each from Carl Corazzini,28, and Craig MacDonald,30, neither of whom would be considered prospects at this point in their careers.

Is Toews Gone?

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EK from hockeybuzz.com is reporting that Toews has signed. Kind of funny since TSN and NHL.comand don't have anything iknformation on the Toews signing as of yet.

UPDATE: Brad Schlossman Grand Forks Herald sports writer for the North Dakota Fighting Sioux has confirmed that Toews has not signed a contract as of yet and the rumor was incorrect.

I got off the phone with Toews a little bit ago and he was surprised to hear about the report. After seeing it for himself he said, "Jeez, I can confirm that's not true."

Toews just returned home yesterday and will finally get his first real chance to go over the decision with his parents in the coming days. It has been a whirlwind for him since the final couple weeks of the season.

Unfortunately, many rumors get tossed around at this time of year. Many people dislike the use of anonymous sources because of accuracy issues. Well, in this instance, not only is the source anonymous... so is the reporter.

The best place to hear it from will be Jonathan himself. He is always completely honest about everything. He didn't mislead anyone last year when he was going through the same process. He'll be open about everything again this year, too.

Also, many have wondered about the lengthy period of class he missed to go to Moscow. Toews said that his teachers have been very helpful and are giving him extensions, allowing him to take incompletes for now while he makes up the work.

Hum; seems that there are few people in hockey world and as well as Canada that have an aweful case of wishful thinking, in fact my advice to the Hawks back up and let him make his decision. Toews is a tight college team that has a good chance of winning an NCAA title, the only thing Chicago has a chance of is finishing in the bottom half of the league standings . Seriously folks, the decision will be coming soon I am sure. It kind of makes a person wonder who was behind this rumor and how accurate it was.

Team Canada Wins the Gold in the World Championship

This was the IIHF World Hockey championship that no one got to see in the USA, which in my opinion is a disgrace. Current Fighting Sioux Johnathon Toews and former Fighting Sioux Mike Commodore were on the championship team.