The WHA is milking all it can out of its pursuit of Sidney Crosby, and Steve Ovadia is pretty amused:
I have to admit
August 26th, 2004
Rink Notes
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August 17th, 2004
Rink Notes
Talks between the NHLPA and the league resume today. With the start of training camp only weeks away, I say we'll miss at least one-third of next season. If we get to November without an agreement, forget about 2004-05.
Though his time in North America was less than triumphant, former Penguins head coach Ivan Hlinka was as important to ice hockey in the Czech Republic as Herb Brooks was here in the U.S. Take some time to read the tributes from Hockeybird, The Rodent and Jes Golbez.
Not wanting to drop $3.9 million per on Cory Stillman, the Lightning re-acquired Vinnie Prospal from Anaheim. Not having any other options, the Blackhawks re-signed Bryan Berard.
Ben Wright takes a look at the madness in Boston.
And finally, over at Baseball Musings, the players union is a little upset that former agent Jeff Moorad has moved into the front office in Arizona (much as Gary Barnett has in Phoenx with the Coyotes). And, as history tells us, conflicts like this in sport, especially in the NHL, aren't exactly a good idea.
One Response to “Rink Notes”
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Thanks for the link. It’s good to see that there is history behind the union not liking this move.
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August 11th, 2004
Rink Notes
After discovering that Bobby Holik is far more effective as a checking center than as a playmaker (which should have been obvious to anyone really paying attention), the Rangers signed free agent center Michael Nylander, presumably to play beside Jaromir Jagr.
Apparently, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has decided that what the NHL needs is an updated logo -- a notion that Hockeybird is happy to dispute:
Nice going Mr. Bettman. Way to look out for our game and us. That spiffy new logo is just what we need to help us forget that without a new CBA there will be NO HOCKEY YOU FOOL!
Now that the Phoenix Coyotes have signed Brett Hull, they've un-retired the #9 sweater that was once worn by his father Bobby when the team was in Winnipeg.
(Related fact: Captain Off Wing is the proud owner of autographed photos of both Brett and Bobby -- Brett with the Blues, Bobby with the Hawks).
Expect Dany Heatley back in court September 16, when he'll enter a plea in his trial for vehicular homicide.
Off Wing's favorite defenseman, Zdeno Chara, re-signed with the Senators. Congrats to Zed, who since his departure from Long Island has rounded into a fearsome competitor.
Another ex-Islander, Bryan Berard, looks to be heading for an arbitration crack-up with the Blackhawks. Berard, current holder of the Phil Housley chair in lack of defensive responsibility at the University of Chicago, had 47 points in 58 games last season, and was -24.
4 Responses to “Rink Notes”
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As the Boston Globe said today the Bruins had 25 players on their roster when they started their playoff series against Montreal. 10 of them are still listed on the Bruins’ website and not all of them have contracts (like Thornton and Raycroft). Mike O’Connell is playing a very dangerous game. If he’s unable to sign any top free agents (or at least as good as Rolston, Knuble, Nylander and Murray) his top right winger is going to Martin Lapointe, and his second line centre is going to be sophomore Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins currently have 5 forwards listed on their roster who have more than one season of NHL experience and they include offensively challenged Tom Fitzgerald and PJ Axelsson. If I was a Bruins season ticket holder I’d be having a fit.
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O’Connell is making a dangerous gamble, but I think it’s a smart one. It’s not a popular stance here in New England, but O’Connell seems to have an idea what the financial makeup of the NHL is going to look like once the lockout ends. If he’s on the money, he will be way ahead of the game, while other teams are scrambling to adjust their payrolls.
Time will tell if his cards are winners.
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Ninja says:
keep the logo. lose the commissioner.
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I thought Chara was pretty damn fearsome on the island, just underappreciated because he was on the island. True, however, is that he took too many penalties for the Fishermen.
Crosby already told the press he’s not interested in the offer. So much for Bobby Hull’s latest fantasy.
the WHA has done a great job in generating some free or inexpensive publicity. It’s too bad that their business plan and execution was so poor that they won’t ever be legit from the looks of things.