Credit to http://www.nhllogos.blogspot.com/x
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Pittsburgh v/s Buffalo in Outdoor Game
The NHL could be going outdoors this season in Buffalo. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports the Pittsburgh Penguins and Sabres will play at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the NFL's Buffalo Bills, on Jan. 1, 2008. Read full article
Other news from http://www.sportsnet.ca/
Surgery will sideline Sullivan: Steve Sullivan underwent a second offseason back surgery on Thursday and is expected to be out of action for three months. The Predators hope he'll return in early December and miss only the first quarter of the season.... Luxury seats trump goal judge: For a few extra dollars you can sit where the goal judge used to sit, as one of hockey's longest-serving traditions is moving to the press box.... Colaiacovo on the mend: Maple Leafs defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo had arthroscopic knee surgery on April 28 and he believes he will be ready for action when training camp kicks off next month....
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Peca to sign with the Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets and free agent forward Michael Peca have come to terms on a one-year contract. Don Meehan, Peca's agent, confirmed that the deal will become official pending a physical with the club. The 33-year-old had been in talks with the New York Rangers but slow talks hindered the deal. Peca battled injuries last season and played in only 35 games for the Toronto Maple Leafs scoring 4 goals, with 11 assists.FULL STORY... From www.tsn.ca/nhlI thought he would have made a great fit in NY with the Rangers. Unfortunately for him, he's gonna finish his career in Columbus wearing a "straight jacket"
Good luck in Columbus!
2007 - 2006 Is around the corner
Hello and Welcome Back!
It' s been a long while since I have posted to the site. In fact, I enjoyed ripping into the the Sens one more time after they lost to the Ducks in the final. I will leave them alone for the time being anyways...until the pre-season at least...LOL.
Actually I do have one more jab at them. Changing your uniform and logo isn't going to do anything you stupid team!
Here's a cool blogsite that I came across. http://nhllogos.blogspot.com/
Cool work to the person making this site. Found it to be cool. I hope the Leafs do a nice job.
It' s been a long while since I have posted to the site. In fact, I enjoyed ripping into the the Sens one more time after they lost to the Ducks in the final. I will leave them alone for the time being anyways...until the pre-season at least...LOL.
Actually I do have one more jab at them. Changing your uniform and logo isn't going to do anything you stupid team!
Here's a cool blogsite that I came across. http://nhllogos.blogspot.com/
Cool work to the person making this site. Found it to be cool. I hope the Leafs do a nice job.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Poor Ottawa! Congrats to the Ducks
It's been a while since I have blogged. In fact, I have not commented on the playoffs.
A while ago I ripped Alfredsson for not being a leader. I take that back. He was the only Senator (forward) who showed up in the series and in the final game. It is obvious that Spezza and Heatley do not have what it takes to go that extra mile. Emery, Alfredsson, Fisher, Redden, and Phillips are the core. Ottawa, get what you can by trading one of Spezza or Heatley and replace one or both with a guy with heart.
Oh, Chris Neil...what a waste. In fact, Lou Franschesgetti called into Leafs Lunch on AM 640 this week and made a great point about him. Chris Neil forgot what brought him in the league. Hitting, being aggressive. The problem is, he thinks he's a scorer all of a sudden.
Well Ottawa, as a leafs fan, I am loving every minute of it.
A while ago I ripped Alfredsson for not being a leader. I take that back. He was the only Senator (forward) who showed up in the series and in the final game. It is obvious that Spezza and Heatley do not have what it takes to go that extra mile. Emery, Alfredsson, Fisher, Redden, and Phillips are the core. Ottawa, get what you can by trading one of Spezza or Heatley and replace one or both with a guy with heart.
Oh, Chris Neil...what a waste. In fact, Lou Franschesgetti called into Leafs Lunch on AM 640 this week and made a great point about him. Chris Neil forgot what brought him in the league. Hitting, being aggressive. The problem is, he thinks he's a scorer all of a sudden.
Well Ottawa, as a leafs fan, I am loving every minute of it.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Leafs need to make tough decissions...It's the only way!
Hey Everyone,
It's been a long time since I have posted regularily about the league and my beloved leafs who once again, find themselves packing up early for a long summer.
My upcoming posts will look at scenarios where the leafs have to look at to improve their club in the off-season. I know a lot of writers and radio/tv talk show hosts think the only way is to fire JFJ and bring in a new GM to cleanup his "mess." However, I don't think that will be the case. Think about it. Many have sugested that the "board" controls Ferguson. But the obvious is in front of you...they are the ones who have agreed on all the contracts he has put through - inlcuding McCabe, Kubina, Gill, Tucker, Kaberle, and Raycroft. You can probably include Sundin in that list too, for this summer. Rightly, or wrongly, it doesn't seem as though JFJ will let him go.
Here's step one of the plan (kind of obvious):
Do NOT re-sign any of the following free-agents
O'NEILL
BELAK - buy-out if you have to!
PECA
GREEN
PERREAULT
They will save approx. $6.625 million in payroll.
Stay tuned to the blog for more scenarios on how to help the leafs this summer.
It's been a long time since I have posted regularily about the league and my beloved leafs who once again, find themselves packing up early for a long summer.
My upcoming posts will look at scenarios where the leafs have to look at to improve their club in the off-season. I know a lot of writers and radio/tv talk show hosts think the only way is to fire JFJ and bring in a new GM to cleanup his "mess." However, I don't think that will be the case. Think about it. Many have sugested that the "board" controls Ferguson. But the obvious is in front of you...they are the ones who have agreed on all the contracts he has put through - inlcuding McCabe, Kubina, Gill, Tucker, Kaberle, and Raycroft. You can probably include Sundin in that list too, for this summer. Rightly, or wrongly, it doesn't seem as though JFJ will let him go.
Here's step one of the plan (kind of obvious):
Do NOT re-sign any of the following free-agents
O'NEILL
BELAK - buy-out if you have to!
PECA
GREEN
PERREAULT
They will save approx. $6.625 million in payroll.
Stay tuned to the blog for more scenarios on how to help the leafs this summer.
Sunday, April 08, 2007
Leafs Eliminate Habs...Now sit and watch!
*Reference from www.nhl.com
So the leafs beat the Habs and grab the 8th and final spot...for now. Easter Sunday is going to be a long day at church for the leafs, as they will defintely be praying for the Devils to win today over the Islanders.
Trailing the Montreal Canadiens by one entering the third period, the Maple Leafs got power-play goals from Bryan McCabe and Kyle Wellwood and then held on for a 6-5 victory on Saturday night in the final game for both teams.
The Maple Leafs now need the New York Islanders to lose at New Jersey on Sunday to claim the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. If New York wins, the Islanders are in.
"I'm very proud of our team. We'll cross our fingers now," Toronto captain Mats Sundin said.
Carlo Colaiacovo started Toronto's comeback after the Canadiens turned a 3-1 deficit in the second period into a 5-3 lead.
Michael Ryder scored three straight to make it 4-3, and Chris Higgins - a Long Island native - scored his second of the night to give Montreal its two-goal edge. Canadiens captain Saku Koivu assisted on all of Ryder's goals.
"We had a lot of guys step up and play great, but the bottom line is we we're not in the playoffs" Koivu said.
Ryder had three goals and an assist.
"It was definitely in our hands. We were up 5-3," Ryder said. "We knew we had to kill penalties in the third. Their power play did the job."
Wellwood gave Toronto the lead for good by tipping a screened shot past goalie Cristobal Huet at 3:43 of the third. Huet made his first start since Feb 14. Toronto started the third with a two-man advantage after Steve Begin took a double minor for high-sticking to close the second. Koivu's tripping penalty at 2 minutes, produced another 5-on-3 for the Leafs.
The Canadiens emptied their net for the extra attacker with 1:15 left, but couldn't get a shot on goal.
Bates Battaglia, Nik Antropov and Alex Steen also scored for the Maple Leafs, whose fate could in the hands of New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur. He said he won't do Toronto any favors by playing against the Islanders in a meaningless game for the Devils on Sunday.
Toronto coach Paul Maurice said if the Maple Leafs don't make it to the postseason, they can still take pleasure in knowing they eliminated Montreal.
"It was all that is good about our game in Canada. Everybody gets so excited on Saturday night in Canada, and we won," Maurice said.
Either New York or Toronto will play top-seeded Buffalo in the first round of the playoffs.
Ryder rallied Montreal within a span 5:49.
He scored his first just 36 seconds second after Alex Steen gave Toronto a 4-2 lead. The weak shot ticked off Andrew Raycroft's glove and in at 1:48 of the second.
Ryder tied it by scoring on his own rebound at 4:32 and gave Montreal the lead at 7:37 on a wraparound.
Maurice replaced Raycroft with Jean-Sebastien Aubin after Ryder's third goal.
Higgins followed with his second goal, giving Montreal a 5-3 lead at 14:31 of the second.
"The year was on the line. I don't think anybody expected this," Aubin said.
Colaiacovo got Toronto back in it with a screened shot at 17:46 of the second.
Montreal's Mike Johnson received a tripping penalty before Begin took his double minor that gave Toronto a two-man advantage for the first 48 seconds of the third.
McCabe tied it at 5 just 58 seconds in the third with a screened shot.
"We showed a ton of character," McCabe said. "Now we'll just wait."
Toronto outshot Montreal 19-4 in the first 10 minutes of the first period and put a season-high 23 shots on goal in the frame.
Battaglia gave Toronto a 1-0 lead at 7:53 of the first by converting Yanic Perreault's pass from behind the net.
Higgins stole the puck from defenseman Pavel Kubina and skated past Tomas Kaberle before tying it with a shot blocker side.
Antropov regained the lead for Toronto with a weak redirection shot that trickled between Huet's pads at 16:09 of the second.
Montreal coach Guy Carbonneau took a risk by playing goalie Huet, who hadn't started a game since having hamstring surgery Feb 14. He played only the third period of Thursday's 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers since.
"People are going to question Carbonneau for putting him in, but I think it was the right move. We all stood by his decision," Higgins said.
Notes: Another press box was created for the high-profile game. ... Sundin, one goal shy of tying Darryl Sittler's franchise record (389), was held without one for the 12th straight game.
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Habs v/s Leafs - Just Like a Game 7 Matchup
The Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs haven't met in the NHL playoffs since 1979 but tonight's regular-season finale for both clubs is as close as it gets.
''It's Saturday night, it's the last game of the season and both teams need to get the win,'' Leafs winger Darcy Tucker said Friday. ''It's going to be a lot of fun to play in.''
For the Habs, one point ahead of the Leafs for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the script is simple. Win and they're in.
The Leafs? Not so simple.
For the Habs, one point ahead of the Leafs for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, the script is simple. Win and they're in.
The Leafs? Not so simple.
Should the Islanders win both their weekend games at Philadelphia and at New Jersey, Toronto is knocked out even with a win over the Canadiens because New York would have 92 points, one more than the Leafs.
Monday, January 29, 2007
5 Forwards that can move by the tradeline
Peter Forsberg, Philadelphia: If he's healthy -- and willing -- the former Hart Trophy winner will draw plenty of interest from the Wings, the New York Rangers, Montreal, Vancouver and Atlanta, among others.
Shane Doan, Phoenix: He's the captain in Phoenix and sounds like he wants to stay where he has spent the last decade. If that's the case, the better bet to be sent packing is enigmatic teammate Ladislav Nagy.
Ryan Smyth, Edmonton: The Oilers can't afford to get rid of the face of their franchise. But can they afford his $5 million-plus salary if they don't make the playoffs this season?
Todd Bertuzzi, Phoenix: Assuming he returns to the lineup next month after back surgery in November, Bertuzzi could be dangled by the Panthers, who probably don't like their chances of re-signing him.
Jason Blake, New York Islanders: The team says it wants to keep him, and Blake says he wants to stay. But the speedy winger is due for a big raise after an All-Star season, so getting something in writing might be easier said than done.
Shane Doan, Phoenix: He's the captain in Phoenix and sounds like he wants to stay where he has spent the last decade. If that's the case, the better bet to be sent packing is enigmatic teammate Ladislav Nagy.
Ryan Smyth, Edmonton: The Oilers can't afford to get rid of the face of their franchise. But can they afford his $5 million-plus salary if they don't make the playoffs this season?
Todd Bertuzzi, Phoenix: Assuming he returns to the lineup next month after back surgery in November, Bertuzzi could be dangled by the Panthers, who probably don't like their chances of re-signing him.
Jason Blake, New York Islanders: The team says it wants to keep him, and Blake says he wants to stay. But the speedy winger is due for a big raise after an All-Star season, so getting something in writing might be easier said than done.
Thursday, January 04, 2007
Kansas City, Pittsburgh woo Penguins
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Penguins owner Mario Lemieux emerged from a ''very positive'' meeting with Gov. Ed Rendell and local leaders Thursday night without hinting whether the team will stay or move to Kansas City.
Hours after touring the under-construction Sprint Center in Kansas City, Lemieux returned to Pittsburgh for his first in-person meeting with government officials since a plan to fund a $290 million arena with casino money was rejected. Neither side offered specifics about the so-called Plan B deal to build a replacement for Mellon Arena, but Lemieux did not appear disappointed by the talks.
''Hopefully, we'll move forward in the next week or so and really evaluate where we're going. but I'm very pleased with both meetings today,'' Lemieux said. ''I've always been very optimistic (about staying in Pittsburgh). I've been here for 20-some years. But we have to evaluate all of our options and that's why we went to Kansas City to look at what they had to offer.''
Rendell did not talk to reporters after the meeting, but Allegheny County chief executive Dan Onorato said, ''It was very productive, very productive. ... We're going to continue to negotiate and, hopefully, the next time you hear from all of us we can give you details.''
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said another meeting with the Penguins has not been planned, but that discussions would continue. Both sides promised they would not negotiate in public.
Lemieux, one of most popular figures in Pittsburgh sports history, does not want to move the franchise - and the NHL does not want to abandon the city - unless there is no other option. But after seven unsuccessful years seeking a new arena, he is negotiating from a position of strength because of Kansas City's strong bid.
The Penguins, one of pro sports' hottest properties because of young stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, would pay no construction costs or rent in Kansas City. They also would become partners in the building, and thus gain access to all revenues streams, with no payment required. Initially, a US$27 million payment for those rights was discussed.
The initial Plan B proposal in Pittsburgh, made last March, called for the Penguins to pay $8.5 million up front, plus about $4 million per year. However, the Kansas City offer is all but certain to force Pittsburgh to offer a more lucrative deal, and Rendell said before Thursday's meeting there would be a more aggressive offer.
Earlier in the day, Lemieux, billionaire partner Ron Burkle and team president Ken Sawyer toured the $276 million Sprint Center, which is due to open in October without an anchor major sports team tenant.
William (Boots) Del Biaggio III, a San Jose-based venture capitalist and Lemieux acquaintance who nearly bought the Penguins in 2005, is expected to buy the team if it moves to Kansas City. He and Lemieux are partners in a minor league hockey team.
''We are not trying to steal the Penguins,'' Tim Leiweke, president of Anschutz Entertainment Group, said. ''We have been very respectful of their process. We understand that this is Pittsburgh's to lose, and we respect that.''
Leiweke expects a decision quickly. Lemieux is free to move the team after the Penguins' Mellon Arena lease expires in June.
''We will know within 30 days whether they are going to work out their issues in Pittsburgh and get an arena built, or whether they will ask the NHL for permission to move the team to Kansas City,'' Leiweke said.
Leiweke also said the new arena ''blew the Penguins away,'' but added, ''I don't think they want to move that team.''
The NHL has given every sign it wants the Penguins to stay in Pittsburgh, where it has played to nearly 94 per cent of capacity this season, as long as a new arena is built. Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie had a deal in place to buy the team last month, only to pull out on the apparent closing date when the NHL told him he couldn't relocate the team.
That pullout came only days before a plan in which Isle of Capri Casinos would build a $290 million arena for free if granted the license to build a downtown slots machine parlour was turned down by the state gaming board. It chose one of two competing bids, by Detroit businessman Don Barden, who has agreed to pay $7.5 million a year toward a new arena but won't totally fund it.
Kansas City had an NHL team from 1974-76, but it moved because of low attendance. That team spent six years in Denver as the Colorado Rockies, but moved to New Jersey and was renamed the Devils in 1982. Kansas City also lost an NBA team it shared with Omaha to Sacramento.
Hours after touring the under-construction Sprint Center in Kansas City, Lemieux returned to Pittsburgh for his first in-person meeting with government officials since a plan to fund a $290 million arena with casino money was rejected. Neither side offered specifics about the so-called Plan B deal to build a replacement for Mellon Arena, but Lemieux did not appear disappointed by the talks.
''Hopefully, we'll move forward in the next week or so and really evaluate where we're going. but I'm very pleased with both meetings today,'' Lemieux said. ''I've always been very optimistic (about staying in Pittsburgh). I've been here for 20-some years. But we have to evaluate all of our options and that's why we went to Kansas City to look at what they had to offer.''
Rendell did not talk to reporters after the meeting, but Allegheny County chief executive Dan Onorato said, ''It was very productive, very productive. ... We're going to continue to negotiate and, hopefully, the next time you hear from all of us we can give you details.''
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said another meeting with the Penguins has not been planned, but that discussions would continue. Both sides promised they would not negotiate in public.
Lemieux, one of most popular figures in Pittsburgh sports history, does not want to move the franchise - and the NHL does not want to abandon the city - unless there is no other option. But after seven unsuccessful years seeking a new arena, he is negotiating from a position of strength because of Kansas City's strong bid.
The Penguins, one of pro sports' hottest properties because of young stars Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, would pay no construction costs or rent in Kansas City. They also would become partners in the building, and thus gain access to all revenues streams, with no payment required. Initially, a US$27 million payment for those rights was discussed.
The initial Plan B proposal in Pittsburgh, made last March, called for the Penguins to pay $8.5 million up front, plus about $4 million per year. However, the Kansas City offer is all but certain to force Pittsburgh to offer a more lucrative deal, and Rendell said before Thursday's meeting there would be a more aggressive offer.
Earlier in the day, Lemieux, billionaire partner Ron Burkle and team president Ken Sawyer toured the $276 million Sprint Center, which is due to open in October without an anchor major sports team tenant.
William (Boots) Del Biaggio III, a San Jose-based venture capitalist and Lemieux acquaintance who nearly bought the Penguins in 2005, is expected to buy the team if it moves to Kansas City. He and Lemieux are partners in a minor league hockey team.
''We are not trying to steal the Penguins,'' Tim Leiweke, president of Anschutz Entertainment Group, said. ''We have been very respectful of their process. We understand that this is Pittsburgh's to lose, and we respect that.''
Leiweke expects a decision quickly. Lemieux is free to move the team after the Penguins' Mellon Arena lease expires in June.
''We will know within 30 days whether they are going to work out their issues in Pittsburgh and get an arena built, or whether they will ask the NHL for permission to move the team to Kansas City,'' Leiweke said.
Leiweke also said the new arena ''blew the Penguins away,'' but added, ''I don't think they want to move that team.''
The NHL has given every sign it wants the Penguins to stay in Pittsburgh, where it has played to nearly 94 per cent of capacity this season, as long as a new arena is built. Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie had a deal in place to buy the team last month, only to pull out on the apparent closing date when the NHL told him he couldn't relocate the team.
That pullout came only days before a plan in which Isle of Capri Casinos would build a $290 million arena for free if granted the license to build a downtown slots machine parlour was turned down by the state gaming board. It chose one of two competing bids, by Detroit businessman Don Barden, who has agreed to pay $7.5 million a year toward a new arena but won't totally fund it.
Kansas City had an NHL team from 1974-76, but it moved because of low attendance. That team spent six years in Denver as the Colorado Rockies, but moved to New Jersey and was renamed the Devils in 1982. Kansas City also lost an NBA team it shared with Omaha to Sacramento.
Jason Allison Playing the waiting Game
It seems like every time a forward in the NHL goes down with an injury, Jason Allison's name pops up as a possible replacement.
For the record, Allison would like to play again. But he's not about to jump at just any offer.
"If you look at my career, I've been a point-per-game player every year," said Allison, who had 17 goals and 60 points in 66 games with Toronto last season, in an interview with The Hockey News Thursday. "Some years I'm just under a point-per-game; other years I'm over. I know I probably won't get the money (now) that I think I deserve, but I've made a lot of money in my career and I'm not in a position where I have to jump at the first offer that comes my way."
Allison continues to work out wondering if that perfect situation will arise. In the meantime, he says family obligations will play a big part in whether or not he elects to continue his paying career. He has his children part-time.
Allison missed the 2004-05 season with a neck injury and, of course, the following year when the league shut down because of a labor dispute. He says he skated only a handful of times before joining the Leafs.
Never a quick player to begin with, Allison immediately got into the bad books of Leafs fans when he skated in very slowly during a shootout and failed to score. He found out quickly what other Leafs players knew before him - once the fans get a bone, they never let it go.
"Last year wasn't as much fun as it could have been," Allison acknowledges. "But I still think I bring other things than scoring to the table. I'll fight if I have to. I'm not just one of those guys trying to get his points."
Chances are, because he has not played this season, no team will take a chance on him. But it must be deliciously tempting for a team that needs additional scoring to know a player with the desire to play, and one who has 485 points in 552 career games, is out there waiting for the call.
For the record, Allison would like to play again. But he's not about to jump at just any offer.
"If you look at my career, I've been a point-per-game player every year," said Allison, who had 17 goals and 60 points in 66 games with Toronto last season, in an interview with The Hockey News Thursday. "Some years I'm just under a point-per-game; other years I'm over. I know I probably won't get the money (now) that I think I deserve, but I've made a lot of money in my career and I'm not in a position where I have to jump at the first offer that comes my way."
Allison continues to work out wondering if that perfect situation will arise. In the meantime, he says family obligations will play a big part in whether or not he elects to continue his paying career. He has his children part-time.
Allison missed the 2004-05 season with a neck injury and, of course, the following year when the league shut down because of a labor dispute. He says he skated only a handful of times before joining the Leafs.
Never a quick player to begin with, Allison immediately got into the bad books of Leafs fans when he skated in very slowly during a shootout and failed to score. He found out quickly what other Leafs players knew before him - once the fans get a bone, they never let it go.
"Last year wasn't as much fun as it could have been," Allison acknowledges. "But I still think I bring other things than scoring to the table. I'll fight if I have to. I'm not just one of those guys trying to get his points."
Chances are, because he has not played this season, no team will take a chance on him. But it must be deliciously tempting for a team that needs additional scoring to know a player with the desire to play, and one who has 485 points in 552 career games, is out there waiting for the call.
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