Author Archives: G

Calgary Flames

Jay Feaster out… Joe Nieuwendyk in?

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This is nothing more than a speculative editorial on what’s happening, and possibly happening, in Calgary… Alberta, Canada. Let’s be serious for a minute and briefly take a look at Nieuwendyk’s tenure as the GM of the Dallas Stars.

I realize ThatDamnDoubleC is a Dallas fan, and his his biases against Joe joining the Flames (if such is the case). And some of those extend to his history as a player, which is notwithstanding, nor a knock at my Stars’ fan pal. Oh, don’t forget he helped The Stars win their only Stanley Cup in franchise history, so he has that going for him as well. He also helped The Flames win THEIR only cup in franchise history, but I digress. But this isn’t a diatribe about his playing days, nor should he be judged as a potential GM for the Calgary Flames based on these facts as well.

So with today’s announcement by bed-head Brian Burke of the firing of Jay Feaster as the GM of The Calgary Flames, rumors are running wild (dude, brother, dude) that Joe is on his way back to Cowtown…

However, Nieuwendyk might have gotten some poor returns on Morrow, Modano and Roy, realistically the first two of those were well on their way out… and Roy, who knows what happened to that guy. It’s probably for the best they got rid of him.

Stop thinking about Jagr. I suspect he’ll be on a different team every season until he retires. I secretly think he is trying to collect as many jerseys as he can while getting paid to do so.

Losing James Neal was a tough pill to swallow. Dirty player or not. Of course playing with the Pens does pad one’s stats just a wee bit. Alex Goligoski has done a fairly decent job as a puck-moving defenceman, and quite frankly, that’s something every single team in the NHL is always looking for.

I’m sure a Dallas fan does not lament the acquisitions of Kari Lehtonen, Cody Eakin and Brenden Dillon.

And one must consider he inherited a team that had pretty much nothing in developmental outside of Jamie Benn, Richard Bachman and Philip Larsen, and then had his budget dramatically slashed by ownership. And currently, under Joe’s guidance,

So if Mr. Nieuwendyk does become Brian Burke’s new whipping boy, I don’t think his situation will be too terrible. The Flames have some potential in goalie development. They have a few assets they can still move. They also have some rookies in the cupboard. While it will be a semi-similar situation to what he inherited in Dallas, he will have one very important thing available to him he did not have in Texas. Money to spend.

I mean, seriously. Dallas is no traditional hockey market. Hell, even so-called “traditional” hockey markets in Canada are having budget issues too (I’m looking at you Ottawa). GO COWBOYS!… err… STARS!

Edmonton Oilers, Hockey Media

Bears… bears everywhere. Ilya’s nightmare comes true. That’s “why” Pronger left.

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After the announcement of Ilya Bryzgalov’s sign to the Edmonton Oilers, his agent went out into the woods today… and he was sure of a big surprise. Someone might want to let the Cosmonaut know they made some trades. Here’s the new top four defencemen in Edmonton.

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Even days after, with introspective thought… as an Oilers fan, all I can say is: “This should be interesting.”

Anaheim Ducks, Arizona Coyotes, BHF Fantasy, Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Calgary Flames, Carolina Hurricanes, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche, Columbus Blue Jackets, Dallas Stars, Detroit Red Wings, Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, Washington Capitals, Winnipeg Jets

The Flock Presents-The NHL After Draft Special

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On Sunday evening, members of the facebook group, “The Flock” joined forces to discuss the fallout from the 2013 NHL entry draft. We discussed the Seth Jones situation, the Vancouver bombshell, and the future, and so forth. Needless to say, it was a “happening.” With Free Agency Frenzy on our doorstep, this is a must listen for the for the fan’s, by the fan’s perspective on the future of the NHL.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsKUOJdmmf8[/youtube]

PUCK YOU!, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals

Nate Thompson Makes a Convincing Argument For Visors

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During the tilt between the Tampa Bay Lightning and The Washington Capitals, a Mike Green slap shot shattered Nate Thompson’s visor into pieces. While it cut him open “hardway”, with minor lacerations, One can only imagine how worse this would have been had he not have been wearing a visor. Looking at the proximaty of the shot, and the force behind it, Nate Thompson is a lucky man. Without said visor, he might have lost an eye and/or suffered an concussion.

It’s reasons like this that the “visor issue” is a hot topic in the NHL. I understand that the athletes want to appear tough. But if I was an owner, I’d want my GM to protect my investment by enforcing necessary safety regulations on players. I hate likening the players to cattle, since the the recent lockout is still a very sore topic to allude to… but… a rancher builds a fence and invests in a shot gun to prevent the herd being lost to predators. Why on Earth would an owner not want to prevent paying out massive contracts to I.R. players that take unnecessary risks? Seems dumb to me. But I’m just a fan, so what the hell do I know?

Washington would go on to win the game 6 – 5 in OT.

Edmonton Oilers

Who is the “Best” Young Oiler? (Editorial)

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I was recently asked by a friend, “Who is the best young Oiler?” This is due to the fact I follow the team as a fan regularly. I decided to take up the challenge from my own take on the current roster, but to focus on the players I’ve seen more often than not this season. Yes, I realize I am omitting some significant talent in the club.
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Arizona Coyotes

Raffit Rorres

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It’s pretty amazing that a player I’ve never heard of can serve a 21 game suspension for a late hit to the head. But according the the all mighty and knowledgeable TSN, it is the case. And naturally, as we all know, everything on the internet is true.

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PUCK YOU!

The NHL Buys Full Page Newspaper Ads To “Apologize” To Fans.

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You read that right. “Like you, we’ve missed NHL hockey.” At least the advertisement says.

Do you forgive them? I certainly do not. Yes, I am quite happy that my favorite sport to watch is back, and I can enjoy it from the comfort of home. I still can’t afford to expand my cable package to watch games not offered at a basic cable level. I certainly cannot afford tickets to live games, either.

This ad claims the NHL is “committed to earning back your trust and support” with “hard work and unwavering dedication.”

Really? After playing the media, and subsequently the fans for months and bickering over money… THIS is how you choose to make good with the fans? By spending money on newspaper ads in every team’s market and a number of national papers in Canada and the United States?

I call bullshit on the NHL’s apology. After the 2005-6 lockout, the commissioner promised to give back to the fans with reduced ticket prices. That didn’t happen. The told us they wanted to re-earn out trust then as well to prevent another lockout. That obviously was sincere.

I don’t know about you, but I cannot spend any money on this league this year. Yes, granted in part to a limited income. I suppose I could make some financial sacrifices to invest in going to watch a game live. I could. But that’s not going to happen either. I refuse to spend any money on this league this season. I will watch and use the game for my own enjoyment. I will record games so I can skip through all advertising purchased.

The NHL could have not wasted their money on these newspaper ads and supplemented arenas by providing free tickets to home games through a lottery system for fans. They could offer the cable packages for fans for free. That would have been a sincere gesture. Maybe actually GIVE back to the fans they used to further their own monetary agenda? Don’t expect any money from this guy. Not a penny.