Hockey in the Summer.

I love Hockey in the Summer. The Awards, the Draft, the Free Agency, and of course some of the Greats - retiring. It also lets you look forward to a great season. Of course there is all the rumours and speculation. Let Jagr coming back. where will Emery play? And of course Yashin possibly coming back (I hate that guy) Such a great time .... Hopefully Bettman doesn't mess it up. I hope he is getting prepared for the next CBA and takes some lessons from the NFL, and NBA to avoid another lockout and not be like them.

Ah, hockey ... let the pre-season be here soon.

NHL Expansion,Relocation and other NHL Issues.

So, financial problems. Jim Balsillie has tried and tried and tried again to buy an NHL team. Not going to happen. As much as I'm a fan. From the Pittsburgh, to Nashville to Phoenix.

Here are my current picks for teams struggling that might relocate (And it isn't so much a "southern issue" or standings but more based on financial struggles, ownership etc.

Let's take care of the teams not relocating (Despite rumours etc)


1. St. Louis Blues - why attendance been strong. Some financial struggles, and ownership but Attendance and finances seem there for the team.

2. The Blue Jackets. They have remained consistent and are in a drought somewhat but continue to be supported in Ohio in the midst of a tough College Market of Ohio State.

3. Florida Panthers. I almost wrote this team as relocating but looking at how well attendance is, and the potential - don't see them as relocating anytime soon.

Here are the three teams I do see as Relocating if their financial situation isn't dealt with soon:

1. Phoenix Coyotes

2. Atlanta Thrashers

3. New York Islanders


Here are the places that would be possible for either a new or relocated team in Order:

1. Winnipeg Though doubts arise with it being the Coyotes. Why Winnipeg?
 Fan base, support, history, rink etc.


2. Kansas City Though rumours suggect otherwise

Why Kansas City? Brand new arena fan base, new TV market etc.  So much to like.

3. Hamilton, Ontario

Why Hamilton? with possibilities of 2 teams supported in Toronto and other owners and that .... seems a good fit with all the fan base and size of the fans in Southern Ontario and growing. Problem: Sleeping giant in the Leafs and their territory (Number one Revenue earner for the NHL) and that of the Sabres.

4. Las Vegas.

5. Quebec City and the Nordiques. Plans for new arena possible?">new arena and despite planning and if they build - they would come idea ..(Look at Kansas city's arena that is empty ... I think the Quebec might be the last city to get a team.

Here in a perfect world (Which knowing Buttman I mean Bettman, as the commish, it isn't going to happen)

Is what I think will happen.

1. Phoenix won't relocate.

2. Atlanta might relocate to Kansas City.

3. Islanders will get their new arena.

Winnpeg and Quebec get some exhibition games. While waiting until after the new CBA is signed ... and talk about expansion to 2 more teams which will be more like the NFL. Relocation will include: Winnipeg and Las Vegas. (Or Oklahoma City)

No more teams in Canada though talk will include: Blues, Panthers (as as always people will mention Nashville, Columbus and Carolina - unfortunately).

Of Course, Jim buying the Leafs would be funny, but in reality out of possibility. I think he burnt too many bridges or rather the bridges (NHL burnt him as a potential owner).

As much as I would like Make it Seven to be successful and be in Hamilton first ... with our current commissioner .... I don't foresee that happening.

With all the talk of relocation, finances etc. One of the things I think needs to be addressed  for the future of the NHL:

I. Stable ownership for each team.

II. Answer bluntly questions about relocation and expansion plans ... if any.

III. Have a plan for future marketing etc. (The "History will be made" motto is so 2008) Make the Winter Classic known sooner rather than later. 6 months ahead isn't real planning.

IV. Get a plan for discipline - a real plan. Send a message loud and clear about Head shoots. (Heck, Lindros' career could of been saved if some of this addressed then, the whole Moore incident, McSorley etc could have saved face .... Chara? It is getting to a point where bad PR isn't good PR for the NHL don't be like the NFL and think negative PR helps promote your product ...it doesn't.)

V. Deal with the concussions. Don't wait until hyprocrisy yells at you like Mario did .... (as much as I like Mario he was wrong to call out the officials meanwhile his own player, Cooke was one of the instigators)

VI. Showcase the Franchise  players. Have some. The All-star game this year was a great start by having the players drafted. Maybe doing that ... plus during draft day have the 30 teams have their picks (Top picks) play an exhibition game with east vs. west ...(Just thinking outloud) with the Stanley Cup teams' coaches coaching each team ...


5 things I'd do to change the NHL

Solving the Contract Crisis of the NHL

What would you do?

Thoughts about the above?  Am I off my rocker?

Solving the NHL Contract Crisis

So with the whole Ilya Kovalchuk contract situation
makes it interesting. Before another lock-out
in the NHL
. Which looks possible in 2012-13
(And you thought 2012 was just referencing the End Times?)

Here is what I would do with these ridiculous Salaries.

Which ones Luongo
are being looked at.

While they are at it; look at Hossa's, Pronger's, and Savard's.

No one really should make more than the faces of the NHL. Who are they? Alex and Sid
sorry but it is true. There might be other faces of the NHL (And we'll get into that)

Here is my solution for the CBA, Salary Cap etc.

I. Have a contract Cap.  10yrs. Max.  The years of ridiculous Salaries of Alexia Yashin
10 yr. 87 Million dollars is over. Also Rick Dipietro's salary
15 years 67Million.

II. Have a Franchise Tag for only 2 players on your team. This includes your Captain, and one player to be determined. With a Franchise tag - that player is guaranteed with Free Agency - 5-10yr. Extension.  If meets stats etc. A Salary up to $8 million a year. (Plus he becomes the face of the Franchise, markets it, etc. And gets other salary outside NHL due to endorsements and so forth - marketability)

III. With the Franchise Tag - there is certain players you associate with the Team.

Example: Sid - Pens; Alex - Caps; Brodeur - Devils; Canes - Staal; Hawks - Toews.

IV.  Moderation. There has to be a grievance process, and yet also some way of moderating value. Ones value may increase even locked-in for the contract but might be evaluated. And one's value may decrease (Similar way Dipietro and Yashin's value decreased - and yet due to injuries that weren't always forseen would hurt the team's salary cap, and competitive edge - which is always a chance one takes and thus have to draft well and re-invest to help compensate and rebuild)

V. The NHL and NHLPA need to start thinking the next CBA now. Start restructuring; start looking at if they want to do expansion. Look at the league as a whole. What teams are working? Which ones aren't? Sure we pick on some of the Southern teams (But I'm here to tell you that I know some of those Teams are very strong and in a strong market and others I question?)
 
VI. Start the PR process. The Winter Classic and Upcoming "Heritage Classic" (Feb 20th) and All-star Game in NC (Jan) is your chance to getting fans on board. They're with you, but question some of the antics - such as this handling of Free Agency  this summer. You need to qualify the whole Phoenix mess. People are still bitter about it. The problem is either the owners or lots are blaming the Commish. Tell people what are the standards being an NHL owner, and why others (Mainly Jim Balsillie).

VII. Come Clean. Answer Questions directly. Fans want the honest truth. Are you really thinking about team expansion or is it all smoke and mirrors? KC? Vegas? Winnipeg? Quebec? Is Hamilton possible or a second team in Toronto? (Sure there are legal issues but I'm sure you looked in the possibility and market there .... or do you not care about the $$$? What teams might have to move if they don't improve financially, attendance wise? Afterall you can't keep a team barely floating above water with no where to swim. Fans have questions. We desire answers. Actually we demand answers because it is the sport we love, and  support.

I don't expect to hear from the NHL on this. Fact is they probably won't even see this post.  I've always dreamed of being a Zamboni driver or even for a day a Chaplain for the NHL ....

What are your thoughts for solving some of the NHL's problems? I'm just glad that some of our players didn't host a prime time special on TV to embarrass a city to go to another town because they use to be the franchise player of that town. See Lebron James

Or That the Great One
retired and came back and retired again. (I think no one can fault Michael Jordan but the first time - when he retired from the Bulls was when I considered him retiring). Or not making up your mind like Football great Brett Favre.

Thoughts?

MyWanting to Return to Raleigh in 2011 - The All-Star Game

Information
Thanks to my friend, Doug. I'm wanting so bad to see the All-Star Game.

Should be a good one. I've been to an NHL Draft, been to a NHL Stanley Cup playoffs game, and even the Finals,  and been to the Hall of Fame. So what's left? All-Star Game - that and of course the Leafs winning the Cup in my lifetime.

NHL Playoffs 2010 Thoughts and beyond.

Western Conference

VS

Sharks in 6

VS

Chicago in 6

VS

Vancouver in 5

VS

Yotes in 7

Eastern Conference

VS

Caps in 7

VS

NJ in 6

VS

Buffalo in 6

VS

                                                                   Pittsburgh  in 5
 
Western Conference Winner: Vancouver.
 
Eastern Conference: Washington.
 
Series to Watch in the First Round.
 
Phoenix and Detroit. (Young versus old.) Phoenix the Cinderella story ...weren't even to be projected to make the playoffs at the beginning of the Season
 
Capitals and Montreal. Goaltending versus Ovie.
 
Devils-Flyers. Rivals. Flyers just make the playoffs versus One of the Greatest Goaltenders in the NHL. Can Boucher keep up his own hot goaltending with the Flyers or be outmatched by Brodeur?
 
Other notes: Jimmy Howard's first playoffs could make an interesting storyline. Don't forget Crosby. Also the Sharks have something to prove that they can finally make it to the Big dance.
 
History will be made but it is a matter of time to say whose history.
 
Already focus has been on the MVP and hardware for individual players. Crosby got 51 goals, so did Stamkos. Ovechkin got 50 with 10 less games played. H. Sedin got the most pts. (Art Ross). Question is who is the MVP? Ovechkin? Stamkos? Sedin? Crosby? some have mentioned a few goaltenders as well ...Ilya Bryzgalov  and Ryan Miller.
 
Is the MVP the most who contributed to their team or to the league as a whole?
 
Crosby might win the MVP (since the Favourite) though I would foresee Miller bringing more contributing to both Buffalo and USA Hockey and ultimately the NHL as a whole. Sure people think Crosby and the Pens and Canadian Hockey. Problem is IMHO he isn't the face of the NHL despite being marketed that way. One thing is for sure ... I don't think Ovechkin will win MVP this year.
 
Then there is the whole draft which is it Taylor or Tyler? In the 2010 draft
The issue I take is with the TML's trading for Phil Kessel. (who hasn't done much of anything  ... and the Bruins get the #2 pick.  I think the Leafs lost out in that trade)
 
Then there is a future draft pick of Nate the kid
called the Next Sidney Crosby. Possibly to be Drafted 2013.
 
Lots going on. Game on. history will be made.

My Take on the Olympics.

I. I thought the closing ceremonies were great, eh!

II. That was one GREAT game.

III. I take back all those things I said about Sidney.

IV. I've got new respect for Ryan Miller. When he hits Free Agency ...wow.

V. Michael J. was probably the best monologue of the night. I was embarrassed by Shatner.

VI. Curling really isn't as easy as it looks.

VII. Too bad the NHL can't capitalize on the whole US-Canada aspect. Bettman just doesn't get it.

VIII. Canada set a record for the number of golds, and as well as the US with the number of medals.

IX. I wonder if this Olympics hurt the future of Women's hockey?

X. I love the Winter Games unfortunately I see that 2014 there will be less coverage and no NHL players in it. (Except maybe Ovechkin)

My Questions for the Commish of the NHL

I. will the NHL ever allow a 7th Team in Canada?

II. Can we have more advance notice what the next Winter Classic would be? Like a year and not just 6mths?

III. Considering the love - hate relationship people have of you. (They either love you or hate you) What do you see to improve that image and the image of the NHL overall? (Especially given some of the PR of the NHL in the past. Example: Phoenix, Avery, lockout, No NHL players in Olympics after 2010? The next CBA, NHLPA etc.)

Anyways - just some questions I had.

5 Things I would Do to Change the NHL

So over at Puck Daddy blog
they have different sports and hockey personalities writing on 5 ways they'd change the NHL ... so here are mine.

1. Fire Gary Bettman
there is even a website
dedicated to do so. Fact is even with some of the recent improvements of the "NEW" NHL - the current commish has lost respect from the fans, players, and well some of the ownership doesn't even know or understand the direction the NHL is going. (The Coolest Game on ICE) The commish has made this rich and vast history sport into a mockery and well for the NHL to make up for things like the lockout, expansions, Free agency out of control, Hockey hard to find on the networks ... and well disrespect from the Union ... Gary needs to go.

2. Turn the Winter Classic idea to the Stanley Cup Champions versus All-stars. Having the Winter Classic and the recent all-star game (almost a joke now and wondering why?) The Winter Classic needs to embrace the different venues and also make the Break ..worth it.

3. Bring back the Canada Cup. (The World Cup is for "football fans" (aka soccer) and have the PR department do a good job to promote the whole North American rivalry. Canada versus the US. That's what people want to see. From the winter olympics to the Canada Cup.

4. Less Games. More Action. Every team should face each other at least 2x. and in each division maybe 3x. Make the current schedule between 60-72 games. A long season makes the prolonged "losers" offering no hope.

5. Add more Goons. Celebrate the history of the NHL. Don't insult the current and loyal fans you have. Change even the names of the divisions to the old names. Quit trying to win new fans while losing some of your loyal fan base. Further expansion to KC, and Vegas is almost insulting is you can't get the support for current teams you have. Adding more goons - brings more action, more thrill, and well more Canadian viewership (where alot of the revenue comes from) for the game. Celebrate NHL's VAST history. The oldest Trophy to be awarded. The most unique trophy. And well ... Get a new franchise to Hamilton. (It is afterall only commonsense)