Mike Ridewood - Getty Images
As part of a busy Saturday night around the NHL, Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla scored career goal #500.
There are a few recurring themes which dominate this morning's hockey notes. First off, there is a great deal of discussion around the NHLPA and NHL's disagreement over realignment for the upcoming season, but we move on from there to one team executive saying he'd like to see an immediate ban on fighting in the game, followed by an analysis of how having a fighter who can actually skate a regular shift is a huge bonus (but lumbering thugs are not).
And to top things off, we have talk of a key Predators rival having a keen interest in one of the team's top defensemen...
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As always, the morning after a game I encourage you to surf through the "More Predators Sites" box on the left side of the main page here at OTF. Just about every Preds blog in town has a recap of last night's game.
NHL players' union blocks realignment plan - The Globe and Mail
Here comes the beginning of the public relations battle between owners and players leading up to the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations.
Delay of realignment irritates Preds coach - The Tennessean
Coaches are kind of caught in the middle between players and owners, and Barry ain't happy about this realignment stuff.
Player rep Dominic Moore believes realignment will be resolved: "It's just a matter of time" - Lightning Strikes
Here's your glimmer of hope, though.
Hockey World: Ducks’ Getzlaf likely staying put - Edmonton Journal
Jim Matheson's league-wide notes indicate that Detroit is interested in Ryan Suter. This just makes too much sense not to be true, like it or not.
Is Nashville becoming a hockey town? - Backhand Shelf
Even north of the border, they're catching word about the attendance trend here in Nashville.
Third Period Breakdowns Costly; Ads Lose 4-3 To Charlotte | Admirals Roundtable
Anders Lindback didn't have a good night, giving up the winner on a long shot.
Video Of The Stortini Hit, And Punches From The Bench | Admirals Roundtable
Wow, the captain of a team throws a punch from the bench at Zack Stortini? Classy.
Jarome Iginla scores 500th career NHL goal (VIDEO) | Hockey Gear HQ
An object lesson in "good things happen when you throw the puck at the net". It was good to see Iginla hit this milestone in front of the home fans.
Shane Doan Gets First Career NHL Hat Trick With 0.1 Seconds Left - Five For Howling
It's hard to believe the Coyotes captain went so long without a hatty.
To Rebuild or Not To Rebuild, or Should We Fire Murray? - Anaheim Calling
Should the house cleaning in Anaheim start with the GM?
The Change the Flames Need: Should Calgary Fire the Coach? - Matchsticks and Gasoline
And in Calgary, should Brent Sutter get the ax?
A Call to End Fighting; a Defense of Retribution - NYTimes.com
While Brian Burke bemoaned the decline of enforcers recently, Red Wings senior V.P. Jimmy Devellano says he'd like to abolish it immediately.
The fighter-scorer is as rare as the 40-goal scorer, and almost as valuable - Puck Daddy
I'd say Jordin Tootoo qualifies this season...
The Importance Of Momentum - Blueshirt Banter
And no, we're not talking about the absurd fighting study that's getting so much press lately.
Down Goes Brown: Other Montreal Canadien fan complaints
There are more than just language issues going on in Montreal.
Oh, say can you see? Americans on the rise in NHL - The Globe and Mail
David Poile can certainly speak to the development of American talent, given the prospects in Nashville's system.
Oilers Stuck In Fantasy Land - Puck Drunk Love
Might Edmonton benefit from dealing for a guy like Anders Lindback?
Bruins Historical Rank after 38 Games - Arctic Ice Hockey
Pretty freaking ridiculous, they are.
The Rematch: Version 2.0 | Vancouver Canucks Hockey :: CanucksCorner.com
Yesterday's game between last season's Stanley Cup finalists lived up to the hype, with the Bruins trying to physically intimidate the Canucks, but Vancouver taking advantage of power play opportunities to earn a 4-3 win.
Danny Briere's "monster game" leads Flyers over Senators in OT, 3-2 - Broad Street Hockey
If a goal, assist & fight equal a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, what do 3 goals and a fight make?
Sharks keep the Capitals winless in HP Pavilion for at least another year with 5-2 victory - Fear The Fin
Look out, the Sharks are really rolling these days.
Leafs Beat Wings: Presented By Amway - Pension Plan Puppets
In an old Norris Division matchup, Toronto triumphed 4-3.
Plenty of money on the board: Blues paste Avalanche - St. Louis Game Time
At the halfway point of the season, the St. Louis Blues lead the Central Division.
Martin Brodeur Dominant in New Jersey Devils to 3-1 Win Over Pittsburgh Penguins - In Lou We Trust
The Devils are solidly in the Eastern Conference playoff pack, and took a road win in Pittsburgh.
Habs Two for 2012 with 3-1 Win over Lightning - Habs Eyes On The Prize
Are things looking up in Montreal?
0 recs | 75 comments
Wasn’t one of the benefits if the 4 conference plan the decrease in travel for Western teams? I’d put realignment talk so far out if ny mind that I can’t recall.
3DLink - January 8, 2012 via Android app
another snipet from the hockey worlds article
um, 3 million actual salary and a 5.6 cap hit? That screams Predator “value deal”. I targeted Visnovsky in addition to Bobby Ryan in a trade. Makes a lot of sense for the Preds… What’s it gonna take Poile?
Shawn Kehoe - January 8, 2012
I heard the price for Ryan
was very high, throwing in Visnovsky would be prohibitive. No need to overpay for those guys, if there is a bidding war.
Plus, not Poile’s style. He’s more of a bargain shopper.
PekKarlsson - January 8, 2012
Sans-a-belt slacks were once in style too.
Sometimes you have to let go of an old style when the circumstances dictate a change is needed. ;D
Trading for a guy like Visnovsky would be insane, IMHO, when the need we have is up front.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
It’s no shock that the Red Wings are interested in Suter, but that’s a far cry from even having a good chance to sign him. If we can’t keep him, we’re certainly not trading him to them at the deadline; what can they offer us that Philly couldn’t? And when free agency opens up, there would be lots of teams ready to make him a huge offer, and most with an average age below 35.
Anyway, Poile needs to make this a non-issue by making a big trade for a top scorer that pushes us into the Conference finals, if not the cup finals.
MaASPredFan - January 8, 2012
tough spot for Poile
If the deadline comes by, and there is no extension on Suter, would you want Poile to be a ‘buyer’, and keep Suter, and try to make a Stanley Cup run?
If the Preds win a round (heck, even two rounds),
would you be happy with that, with the consequence of Suter likely leaving for nothing (or next to nothing, maybe his rights can be traded for a 2nd or 3rd)?
If Poile makes a big splash at the deadline, it doesn’t guarantee success or Suter/Weber wanting to stay. Worst case scenario, like the 2007 Thrashers, you have a crappy run, give up alot of future talent, and do nothing to convince the stars (that case, Hossa, Kovalchuk) to want to stick around.
On the other hand, in any case, Suter and/or Weber would likely be the best player in any trade. Poile got burned before (Scott Stevens).
I believe Weber is worth any cost to keep. Suter, I almost feel the same way. Can’t imagine a package that is worth either of them, unless a Taylor Hall or JVR/Couturier is coming back. Not sure if those guys are available. But if either one isn’t willing to commit long-term, its probably better to auction (ransom?) them off.
PekKarlsson - January 8, 2012
If the trade deadline approaches, and there’s no extension for Suter, than Poile has to do something. Either he has to trade Suter and get the best deal he can for him or he has to make a big trade to try and take the team we have to the play-offs. If he stands pat, we need a new GM.
As for would I be willing to risk losing Suter to make a play-off run, the answer is “yes.” The biggest thing ownership needs to do for the Preds is keep the fan-base energized and growing. Another long play-off run would do just that, and the ownership HAS to try. So if Poile is willing to make the big trade, it’s worth risking the worst-case scenario (play-off fizzle, Suter gone) because the reward would be so great. Also, I think we have a chance of pushing deep into the play-offs with the addition of a Parise, a Ryan, or an Iglinia.
Anyway, it’s a good question of what we’d get for Suter. Just because he gets traded doesn’t mean he’s going to sign with where he gets traded to. Picks and prospects are what we would get, most likely, but we’d get a LOT of them.
MaASPredFan - January 8, 2012
Suter
If Suter winds up in Detroit then the Preds are truly a bunch of penny pinchers.
I know it’s up to Suter but DP has done very little other than Pekka to convince RS to stay here in Nashville. Preds are only 3 points behind Detroit and only 4 behind Chicago this morning. Find a way to bring someone in here to convince both Suter and Weber to stay.
The fans are filling the building and yet the team is still dead last on payroll. What gives?
virgil trucks - January 8, 2012
who knows...
JBoogie22 - January 8, 2012
He is looking for the right deal. You don’t want to give away all your assets. I imagine something will happen closer to the trade deadline in Feb.
Predmonton - January 8, 2012
Attendance is only ONE of the needed profit-streams
Nashville is the USA’s 30th-sized media market…..and we’ll be stuck in that small market size for a long time.
Larger cities and teams with huge fan-bases make their money through advertising, not just filling seats.
The Rangers make 10-20 times what the Preds make in advertising dollars. They spend the cap, every year, and they still suck.
I don’t want my season ticket prices to continue to rise……..so, I want a veryyyyyyyyy thrifty GM to make good long-term decisions, to keep MY seats affordable !
I attended every game in the LEAN years, starved for wins.
I didn’t wait for us to make the playoffs 6 or the last 7 years…….or until the Titans sucked and couldn’t come close to selling-out a game.
I was not a hockey fan, before the Preds came to town.
Attendance ISSSSSSSSS up………..and I sincerely hope that the posters and readers of this, and other, Preds’ sites do THEIR part and SPEND SOME MONEY to help buy some better players.
I made the “mistake” of opening-up the season ticket holder vs casual fan debate, a few months ago………..so, here’s a twist:
IFFFFFF you are wanting to spend MORE money to get better players and WIN THE CUP…….please state WHERE the money should come from, please.
I’ve spent tens-of-thousands of dollars and attended 500 games, plus…..win OR lose.
Who’s with me…….and HOW can we get MORE money, so that we can SPEND more money !!??
And pleeeeeeeeeeeez, no sniping and acting weird………it’s a simple BUDGET question.
I do not doubt the integrity of any fan or poster and do not doubt that times are tough and schedules are tight.
LetUsPrey - January 8, 2012
Right now the biggest and quickest way to get more money into the team would be an investor. Now thats not going to happen right away but whats to say the current ownership dosnt have the funds on hand to sign both? They clearly seem to think they do and have been smart with their money so far. This last off season prices on mid level players were very inflated and we were not willing to dump that kind of money for a mid range guy (we have that in leggy and marty as many of the people have complained about here). GMDP has proven time and again he can make the right moves and knows what he is doing so have some faith i think he has deserved that.
Plus suter is the bigger concern right now weber is an rfa so no worries there
Shadow23 - January 8, 2012 via iPhone app
Look who just lost all their credibilty!
The Rangers suck? Seriously, no one will read the rest of what you have to say when you spout absurd things like that.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
I know
3DLink - January 8, 2012 via Android app
stupid app buttons… that should’ve read:
I know I stopped reading after he said the Rangers are a bad team. clueless thing to say
3DLink - January 8, 2012 via Android app
I should get that android app, but technology scares me, LOL!
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Probably meant traditionally..
Aside from this year, Rangers=Mediocrity.
HardCorePredFan316 - January 9, 2012
One thing that definitely needs to improve is who caries Preds gear. I am so tired of coming back to Nashville and having to go to the Pro Shop to find gear. They only have T-shirts for 5 players in the Pro shop. I mean the only three jerseys I ever see out of the Pro shop for sale are Weber, Erat, and Hornqvist, and last year they didn’t even have Weber’s for most of the season because someone messed up the number on the back.
Predmonton - January 8, 2012
At least they dealt with the guy who ordered the vuvazelas.
cisar - January 8, 2012
Drawn and quartered I hope! ;)
DonBorvio - January 8, 2012
+1
Shawn Kehoe - January 9, 2012
+2
davisca - January 9, 2012
I have to agree
Post lockout, since the Preds have been a playoff team, the Rangers have been very successful (same amount of playoff appearances as Preds, but with two series wins).
Presently, the Rangers are attempting to be the #1 team in the conference, in all of hockey.
They signed Richards and Gaborik in recent years to add to homegrown stars Callahan, Dubinsky, Anismov, Stapan, and Girardi, Staal, Del Zotto, and Mcdonagh are a great young core on D.
And our ace Rinne, Lundqvist is comparable in every way.
Side note,
I enjoyed their run on 24/7, even the lower line forwards (Boyle, Prust) seem like quality folks.
If you think the Rangers suck, what do you think of the Preds?
PekKarlsson - January 8, 2012
And to think we passed up on drafting Callahan, Stepan and Dubinsky for some of the players we did draft (Pickard instead of Eberle, are you serious?!?!) is maddening.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Yeah, I think all teams have those moments. All and all, the Preds have done half decent in their drafting.
Predmonton - January 8, 2012
Decent being the key word, not great as some would like to believe.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Recent years
have been a lull for sure. Homeruns in the 2003 draft obviously;
and generally good job on the D and goalie prospects.
The 2009 draft, people say, may be one of the Preds best, especially if Ellis becomes Erik Karlsson, and Smith becomes a 25-30 goal sniper (both of which could, in time, happen).
PekKarlsson - January 8, 2012
The 2009 draft could have some gems in it, but the Roussell pick still boggles the mind. Why another Dman after we already took Ellis while there were some promising forwards on the board at that spot? I forget which one, but one of those Rangers picks I mentioned was still on the board whhen we took COR. Not good.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
I'd say
Rangers haven’t gotten their money out of that team. Esp 97-04. And now with all their money, they are only as good as us? We’re pretty good, but imagine what we could be with their money.
musamonster - January 8, 2012
You may be the only person in the hockey universe who thinks we’re as good as the Rangers. No one would argue pre-lockout that the Rangers spent like fools, but they’ve actually done a good job drafting players and making some smart UFA signings since 06.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
For the bucks they spend, they suck.........
I’m not talking about whether they are winning, this year.
Where have they been, with their HUGE profits and budgets ?
Here is their record, since the Preds became a team, in 1998….is it anyyyyyyy better than OURS !!??
2009 — lost to Washington, 4-3, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals
2008 — defeated New Jersey, 4-1, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals
lost to Pittsburgh 4-1, Eastern Conf. semifinlas
2007 — defeated Atlanta, 4-0, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals
lost to Buffalo, 4-2, Eastern Conf. semifinals
2006 — lost to New Jersey, 4-0, Eastern Conf. quarterfinals
This article is from Forbes, 3 weeks ago:
National Hockey League teams are sporting values at an all-time high — with the Rangers ranked as the second-most valuable — but the overall profitability of hockey is taking a hit.
Forbes, in its annual ranking of 30 NHL teams, said the average team is now valued at $240 million, up 5 percent from the prior year. Average revenue also climbed 5 percent to $103 million.
But operating profits are getting squeezed by player costs, which increased by 11 percent, to $59 million, Forbes said.
The Rangers are in great shape, as are most other big-city teams, which Forbes said are raking in big bucks compared with their smaller market peers.
Reuters
The New Jersey Devils plunged to No. 20 from No. 11 in the Forbes’ NHL rankings, while their archrival New York Rangers—new home of free agent hire Brad Richards are second to the Toronto Maple Leafs as the richest team in hockey.
The Rangers, controlled by the Dolan family, has zero debt, with profit of $41.4 million on revenue of $169 million. The team value shot up 10 percent in the past year to $507 million, just behind the $521 million value of the Toronto Maples Leafs, the NHL’s most valuable.
I don’t think my statement is absurd…….or clueless.
Since this is a budget discussion……….would 3D and GB please describe the money-sense in the Rangers’ SUCKING so bad, for years, while having such a sucky play-off record to show for it ?
I really do want to know !
I have read both of your posts, for months, and you are both quite astute in your hockey views.
Spouting absurd and clueless pronouncements is not my habit.
LetUsPrey - January 8, 2012
A team that leads the league in points does not suck.
Pointing out what the Rangers have done since we’ve been in the league has little relevance to what they are now. They’ve been a decent to good team the past few seasons and are a very good team right now.
The Leafs might have been a better example to use in your scenario, but claiming the current best team in hockey sucks takes away from whatever you wanted to say past that point.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
I'm surprised
you’ve read any of his posts after all the random capitalization, strange ellipses, and general nonsense they usually contain.
The Rangers are the new Beasts of the East. Love watching those boys play. The NHL salary cap was the best thing for the Rangers. It made their GM actually start to think about who he was signing, instead of just signing everyone.
Too bad Poile didn’t throw an offer sheet the way of Callahan or Dubinsky this offseason :(
Shawn Kehoe - January 9, 2012
My wife and I are going to try and buy two additional season tickets for our child and expectant child.
cisar - January 8, 2012
Congratulations
Didn’t know there was another Little Cisar on the way, though I typically associate little cisars with the Wings for some reason……
Hopefully, you can write your cheque out directly to Mr Weber or Mr. Suter next year, Skip the middle man
PekKarlsson - January 8, 2012
Yeah, trying to come up with some good hockey names. For instance, Theoren is a possibility, while Zarley is not.
In a few years, we might open up a pizza place, and call it… Little Cisar’s.
Hahahahaahahahaha.
cisar - January 8, 2012
Pizza Pizza. Wilson Wilson.
DonBorvio - January 9, 2012
Ha!
cisar - January 9, 2012
Don't really care
where Suter or Weber end up, so long as one of them moves, they net the max value in return.
I realize that the Preds are close to the Wings/Hawks/Blues in the standings (3-5 points), but that doesn’t mean they have convinced Suter/Weber they are close. Ottawa is 5 points from Boston. The truth is, the Sens are going to have to fight to get into a lower playoff spot. Preds, same. I don’t think they have done enough yet to convince the stars they should commit long-term.
I agree with you, though, to give Weber/Suter a sign that they are serious about winning the division, getting home ice, making a playoff run, they should pick some one up. Bigger than Fisher last year. However, if Suter and/or Weber really want to move on, Poile’s hands are tied, and he absolutely must auction to the highest bidder.
It hurts the team short-term somewhat, but the fact that Ellis, Josi look solid, and Blum looked good last year, makes the transition a lot easier. I do worry though about the ‘image’ of not being able to retain those guys. But on the ice, Ellis/Josi/Blum are as ready as Suter and Weber were in 05/06, 06/07, and sometimes core, premium players have to change over. Philly and Dallas, good examples of it working out.
PekKarlsson - January 8, 2012
Suter and Weber
Sorry – Josi, Ellis and Blum present a nice core for the future buy they’re not Suter and or Weber. The Preds ownership claims( via the DVD they just sent out) that the Preds are going to win the Stanley Cup. If you dump or trade Suter or Weber there is no chance of that happening. All we become is a farm team for the rest of the NHL!
virgil trucks - January 8, 2012
I agree
they aren’t Suter or Weber, but they aren’t plugs. They are sort of like Weber and Suter were back in the 06, 07 seasons……Suter struggled an awful lot, and Weber had a comedown season after 07……..and they were playing behind guys (Zidlicky, Timonen) that probably got too expensive for Poile’s tastes, relative to their performances.
I totally worry about the ‘farm team’ image. I joke with Pekka Pontiff that if that happens, the Preds will be the Montreal Expos of hockey. Truthfully, though, what if Poile has made offers (7 yrs, 49 million) that are fair to keep them here long-term, and it is them that doesn’t want to stay? If we make a trade for an econimical pickup at forward, as is Poile’s style, there is no guarantee that they will stay.
And we Poile may have his hands tied. You would think last year, with the great crowds, ticket money would have been rolling in.
Apparently, according to a recent report, the Preds made less in ticket revenue last year than in 07-08. Until I see the Preds going nuts with salary like the Sabres did last year, or big market clubs typically do, I think payroll is an issue for the club. Its easy for us to say Poile should pick up a star to signal Weber/Suter that the Preds are serious about contending, but perhaps there isn’t the go ahead financially to do so, let alone finding a reasonable trading partner. Anaheim, Carolina, C-bus GM’s may golf with Poile, but they aren’t going to do him any favors.
PekKarlsson - January 8, 2012
Time to cut bait
It is becoming more and more clear as every day goes on that we may have to prepare for life without Suter and/or Weber. Here is my beef. If they do not want to be here then fine. That is ok by me. If they feel that another team is going to take them to thier professional and personal goals I wish them well. However, the only thing I feel they “owe us” is clarity on that. We developed these players, built our team around them, marketed the stew out of them. If they want to move on they should at least have the courtesy to say “it’s been a good run, I am moving on”. Poile than can quickly get us the best return for the asset. The longer this uncertainty goes on effects their immediate value as well as other moves to make the stretch run. All this being said, I really hope we can lock up at least one of these guys. If that should not be the case however, hopefully everyone can part as friends quickly with the best trade situation for both parties.
901predfan - January 8, 2012
Yes, hopefully they have the balls to say they want to move on. Not wait until we catch them out to dinner and a movie with another team, holding hands after the lights go down and… uh, yeah… Clarity.
cisar - January 8, 2012
Suter and Weber
It’s ownership that’s boasted about spending to the cap and trying to win a cup.
Hard to believe both Suter and Weber want to leave IF they’ve been offered fair market value. Look at last off season, kind of joke the way the front office handled the teams own RFA’s and Weber. Since that time a new investor has come on board, Bridgestone has extended their naming rights and fans have filled the building. Seems to me the front office owes the fans some kind of update or explanation.
virgil trucks - January 8, 2012
Agreed.
All of my previous statement is null an void if the front office is trying to buy a BMW with a KIA budget. I hope that is not the case……
The most annoying thing is the uncertainty of it all.
901predfan - January 8, 2012
You raise a good point
They don’t owe the Preds anything, except for clarity about their intentions. Like you said, the Preds have turned them into stars, so that clarity can be considered a professional courtesy.
If they don’t want to play on a dependable KIA team, and would prefer to move on at this stage to a flashier BMW, then say so, so Poile knows what cards he has to play with.
PekKarlsson - January 8, 2012
To be fair to Sutes and Webs, they have to put on a good face for the public here. Who knows, maybe they have privately indicated they’re leaning towards not re-signing with us.
As for them both being stars here, I think that would have happened anywhere they would have played. They’ve been the biggest reason why we’re as good as we are. They’ve given their best to this organization, it’s time for the team to show them it was worth their effort.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Perhaps its more fair to say
The preds helped turn them into stars, since they would have likely been big time regardless. Still, it would be a professional courtesy to privately be honest to Poile about the future. Who knows if that has happened.
PekKarlsson - January 8, 2012
If they aren’t careful, they might end up with SAAB.
cisar - January 8, 2012
maybe they don't yet
JBoogie22 - January 8, 2012
know yet*
JBoogie22 - January 8, 2012
Well, the owners didn’t say they would spend to the Cap, but the “bigger payroll than ever” line does look like a bunch of baloney at this time. Fact is, neither Suter are Weber want to spend the rest of their careers beating the heck out of themselves playing 25+ minutes a night only to be involved in 2-1 games every night. If that’s what they think lies in store for them by re-signing here, they’ll go elsewhere.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Current State of the NHL
Currently it’s a 2 to 1 or 3 to 2 league anyway you look at. Suter and Weber may not want these type of games but your going to find them just about anywhere you play! Scoring is down because most of the league forwards are perimeter type guys and everyone collapse’s their D down low. Not too many guys want to stick their nose in their every night. Preds are mid point in league scoring – can’t believe they would leave because of low scoring games!
virgil trucks - January 8, 2012
The Wings do not play in 2-1 games on most nights. Neither do the Canucks, Flyers, Hawks, Bruins, etc. Guys like Suter and Weber can play for just about whoever they want to, so what situation do you think they’ll go with?
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Funny, you have one side saying “the money is there to sign both of them” and the other with the obligatory " me and my family want to stay in Nashville". Sounds like to me getting a deal done should be pretty easy……that is if everyone is telling the truth. The longer this drags, the more it appears that we have been fed a big BS sandwich.
901predfan - January 8, 2012
Sometimes
players leave no matter what you throw at them. And sometimes you have to make a change for the future. We can’t get lost in what could have been if ownership makes every offer and they say no.
musamonster - January 8, 2012
We don't want to happen to us
what happened in Buffalo. Which is they lose all their top end talent for nothing and fall into a mediocrity abyss. We have to get something for Suter if he’s not signed by the deadline.
Shawn Kehoe - January 9, 2012
Anders and Fantasyland
That article is funny because there really is a Fantasyland Hotel in Edmonton. I bet that FakeLindback stays in the truck room when they play the Oilers.
http://www.fantasylandhotel.com/rooms/luxury_truck.asp
Predmonton - January 8, 2012
Oh, I totally bet Anders stays there.
Hell, I’D stay there!
davisca - January 8, 2012
Check out the ‘Sports’ themed room. Football and Basketball. In Edmonton.
cisar - January 8, 2012
I saw the ‘Roman’ room!
davisca - January 9, 2012
A couple of columns. Roman.
Should just put up a picture of this guy.
Keyboard collar got nothing on Gin Tonic collar…
cisar - January 10, 2012
Burke can beat up The Wings VP, so fighting stays!
That game between the Canucks and Bruins would have lost all kinds of intensity if fighting were not allowed. Great for the Sedin’s, bad for the game.
As for the Wings allegedly being interested in Suter, duh! Of course the are, as well as any other team that could afford him. Would hate to see Suter in red and white, but if winning Cups is what is of foremost importance to him, that would have to be a real consideration for Suter.
As someone else here said very well, looking at the standings right now and thinking we’re right there with the teams that are 3 to 5 points ahead of us is fooling oneself. The Flames, for example, are just 5pts behind us, but I don’t think anyone would say they’re right there with us as a team.
All Poile can do is A: make Suter a good offer finacially and B: show him we’re serious about competing for the Cup. The first part I’ll assume has happened, but being halfway thru this season and still not having made any move to actually make this a legit Cup contender (and yes, I know deals just don’t fall off of trees, which is why you address these things in July, not February) is not helping in the cause of keeping Suter here. And trading for a rental player won’t help either, it has to be a longer term commitment type deal.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Well said grizz
Shadow23 - January 8, 2012 via iPhone app
Having hockey players who can fight
like the Bruins do (Chara, Lucic, McQuaid, Ference, Campbell, Horton, and even Thornton)
is preferable to having guys like Orr who skates 4 min a game and doesn’t do anything else but the ‘stage’ fight.
Even Burke’s point (guys like Orr are necessary to prevent the rats like Marchand/Ott/Toots/Kaleta doing their agitation routine) is misguided: Boston’s lineup has plenty of hockey players who can make the other team answer.
I feel that yesterday, the Canucks won by making the B’s pay with 4 PP goals, but they didn’t really ‘answer’ when Marchand low-bridged Salo (dirty). I think that is one flaw of an otherwise great team.
I agree with you somewhat about being a contender: either through UFA or trade (Carter/Richards for prospects/picks), the Preds could have made a move to show fans, Suter/Weber this team wasn’t content with the status quo. Its a shame; last year’s playoffs gave the franchise huge momentum. I think it was a mistake not to build on that aggressively, instead of playing conservative with dollars/prospects.
We shall see; regardless if they will be trade bait or replacements for the dynamic duo, it is good to see Josi and Ellis keep their stock high.
PekKarlsson - January 8, 2012
I can agree about the Orr type players, but what the Wings VP wants is to get rid of fighting, period. That will give the cheapshot artists free reign in this league, which is what Burke is worried about.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Were only barely past the opening of trading season.
cisar - January 8, 2012
D’oh, we’re.
cisar - January 8, 2012
Interesting article with some Preds getting a mention
http://prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com/2012/01/08/report-american-born-nhlers-on-the-rise/
WI.Predsfan - January 8, 2012
Cool, thanks!
davisca - January 9, 2012
NHLPA issues with realignment
Apparently the one major requirement for being an NHLPA rep is to have the lowest IQ on your team. Realignment will not affect the number of games played, not affect player salary, and result in less travel by the teams, but the NHLPA wants more time to study its “impact” on the players. Really?!? What exactly do they think they’ll learn after more study? Less travel is worse for them?? If I were the owners, I’d tell the NHLPA to take a hike and simply implement realignment. If the players association was then petty enough to raise the prospect of a strike over the matter, I’d call their bluff. I’d expect this kind of idiotic reaction to a benign proposal from the NFL or NBA, but I used to give NHL players credit for being a bit smarter than that.
rgridner - January 8, 2012
yeah, this whole rejection things smells like a power struggle between the league and the union...
and i was getting really excited about the new conference next year, shame…
JBoogie22 - January 8, 2012
Maybe, just maybe, the players are more against this than we’ve been led to believe. Sure, some teams would have less travel, but some would have more. And as Burnside and LeBrun brought up over at ESPN, it may well be that more owners than it appears, after thinking this thru more, aren’t really that upset with realignment being shelfed, this no major protest by the owners over what the NHLPA did here. It’s safe to say that there’s more than 4 teams who have issues with the realignment plan.
Grizzledbear - January 8, 2012 via mobile
Or it’s Fehr being a curmudgeon again. He’s the Newt Gingrich of sports.
DonBorvio - January 9, 2012
As a proud member of the curmudgeon society, I like both of these men. :D
Grizzledbear - January 9, 2012 via mobile
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