Koval-gate just seems to be getting bigger and bigger this summer. Who needs summer blockbusters when you got drama from July 1st straight on to… who knows? It’s September now and the Ilya Kovalchuk saga is still not over.

Ah, but it seems the end is nigh. According to Larry Brooks at the New York Post the NHL is giving the NHL Players Association a deadline of this Friday (tomorrow) at 2PM to accept their couple of conditions and if they do, the NHL will let everything slide.

What is everything? Well not only has Kovy’s contract been scrutinized to the Nth degree, but they’ve gone one or two further by probing other “questionable” contracts. Namely the contracts of Roberto Luongo’s 12-year $64 million and Marian Hossa’s 12-year $63 million deals. Brooks says that once this deadline comes, the NHL will void not only Kovalchuk’s deal, but Luongo’s contract as well, and more than likely keep digging into Hossa’s agreement.

The NHLPA would have to agree upon two conditions that affect the Collective Bargaining Agreement immediately:

1. “That the cap hit on future multi-year contracts will not count any seasons that end with the player over 40 years of age. The cap hit would be calculated on the average of the salary up through age 40 only.”

2. “That the cap hit on future contracts longer than five years will be calculated under a formula granting additional weight to the five years with the highest salary.”

Remember, Kovy’s 15-year $100 million contract hangs in the balance of all of this. It seems unfair that Luongo and Hossa have been wrangled into this, especially considering  the little fanfare that surrounded their dealings compared to Koval-gate. And speaking of ultimatums, don’t forget that about a week ago, Kovy gave the NHL a deadline to come to a decision on his contract. Not going to lie, not smart. You’re demanding a decision from the people that pay you and decide your fate? If he went to the KHL, yeah it’d be a blow and a loss, but the NHL would get over it and move on. Probably giving all of Kovy’s coverage to Sidney Criesby.

It should also be duly noted that TSN reported that the NHL has responded to Brooks’ article by saying they have given no such ultimatum. Yet, the NHLPA still has a deadline from the NHL. That kinda sounds like an ultimatum.

“You don’t want no drama
No no drama no no no no drama”

We should all take a lesson from Fergie.

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Habs sign Price to a two year deal reportedly worth 5.75 million.

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Up next in our series of season previews, the Atlanta Thrashers. As Kings fans, we’re not going to be seeing all that much of the Thrashers this year, unless of course we both end up in the Cup Finals (what are the odds against that?) But what we do see of the Thrashers, we see early. They’re scheduled to visit Los Angeles for our Home Opener on October 12th, 2010. So what do we have to look forward to? Other than a hopeful victory, there are a few interesting plot lines to watch with the Kovalchuk-less Thrashers.

Overview:

The Thrashers have struggled as a franchise since entering the NHL during the 1999-2000 season. They’ve made the playoffs only once since then, and it was an uninspiring immediate elimination. Perhaps the only real winners in this whole Kovalchuk debacle are the Thrashers, who managed to avoid all the crazy drama and get on with building a half-decent team. That said, I’m not expecting much from Atlanta this season, and they’ll likely struggle to make the playoffs this season.

Key Players:

Ron Hainsey, Nik Antropov, Dustin Byfuglien, Chris Mason, Evander Kane, Zach Bogosian

Offense:

On offense, as with most parts of the team, the Thrashers are looking young. Lead by Nik Antropov and newly acquired Dustin Byfuglien (despite rumors that he may switch to defense, I think he ends up still a forward), the Thrashers don’t have a whole lot of top-flight skill at the moment, and they’ll be looking for their youngsters like Evander Kane and Bryan Little to take a step forward and increase their production. Little had 31 goals two years ago, before declining to a mere 13 goals last year. The Thrashers will need him to return to his previous 30+ goal level if they’re going to have any chance.

Defense:

The defense is fully stocked, if not filled with an elite level. Much like the offense, the Thrashers are decent on the blue line, but frankly unspectacular. On the top end, the Thrashers are (second verse, same as the first) waiting for their youngsters to develop. Zach Bogosian is a talented player, and if he takes another step forward this season, he will be one of the better defenseman around. Bogosian is supported by some talent in Tobias Enstrom, Ron Hainsey, Johnny Oduya, Brent Sopel and a few others. It’s not a star-studded lineup, but it’s not bad either. Chris Mason in goal has some ability, but isn’t likely to steal many games for Atlanta, so they’ll need a strong team effort if they want to accomplish anything.

Prediction:

Let’s be frank, the Thrashers are in some trouble. They’re going to fall behind the Capitals in their division, that’s a forgone conclusion. They’re also likely to  be behind the Hurricanes (especially if they continue their “1 up, 1 down” pattern), and the Lightening have made some impressive moves to get better. I’m thinking they’ll end up ahead of the Panthers, and if their youngsters take a big step forward and Mason performs out of his mind, they might sneak into the bottom of the Eastern Conference, since that’s all a crap shoot. If they were in the Western Conference it could get ugly…

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…do not sign with Philadelphia. Anybody but the Flyers. News broke yesterday of Billy G. skating with the Flyers, possibly in the hopes of gaining a tryout with the Pens’ hated division rival.

Listen, I know the man wants to play this season. But for the love of all that’s holy, can’t he find another team to ply his trade with? Guerin became a fan favorite in the Burgh almost instantly upon his arrival from the Islanders. It would be very interesting to see how he’s treated if he ends up in Philly. Just thinking of #13 wearing black-and-orange makes me ill.

I can’t believe it’s come to this for Guerin. One would’ve thought a rugged veteran that potted 21 goals just last season would have a team by now. Surely someone could use his offensive and/or leadership skills. But thanks to the salary cap, players like Guerin and Owen Nolan are finding it much more difficult to land a job.

Guerin was a great player for the Pens in his short tenure here. He was a vital cog in the machine that won the Stanley Cup. I hope he finds work this season…just not with the friggin’ Flyers.

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Caps fans — YOUR VOTE

According to Scott Burnside from ESPNwrites in his blog on several NHL bench bosses that could be on the hot seat in 2010-11 season.  The Washington Capitals’ Bruce Boudreau is one listed. 

Although there are varying degrees of pressure and expectations on all 30 NHL coaches (from raw rookies to battle-tested veteran bench bosses), some may be feeling the heat earlier and more intensely than others heading into the start of training camps on Sept. 17.

So why would we assume that Boudreau would be under fire?  He not only won his third consecutive Southeast Division title, but also won the Eastern Conference and post the NHL’s best record in the 2009/10 season.  Here is what Burnside says . . .

No team fell as far and as hard as the Washington Capitals this past spring. After laying waste to the rest of the competition during the regular season, setting team records for wins and points and leading the NHL in goals scored for the first time, the Caps blew a 3-1 series lead against eighth-seeded Montreal in the first round of the playoffs.

One of the challenges for Boudreau (for our money, still the same quality coach who a year earlier won coach of the year honors) will be in keeping the gruesome memories of April at bay. It won’t be easy given that nothing the team does during the regular season will be good enough. Only playoff success, and meaningful success at that, will push this talented team forward and dispel the notion that it’s San Jose East.

Boudreau will have his hands full in keeping this squad on the right mental plane. First, he will have to keep his captain and franchise player, Alex Ovechkin, on track after he was flayed for his play at the Olympics and then making sport of Montreal netminder Jaroslav Halak early in the playoffs before the Caps’ collapse. (It’s worth noting that the powerhouse Caps scored just one power-play goal in the series after dominating the power play during the regular season.)

Then, there’s Mike Green. How does Boudreau handle the two-time Norris Trophy candidate, who suffered through a second straight postseason despite lighting it up offensively once again during the regular season? Boudreau has shown he has the game plan to get his team to the top of the heap; now, he’ll need to prove he can get the Caps in to the right headspace to forget the past.

In three season at the helm of the revitalized Washington franchise, Boudreau MORE AFTER THE JUMP

has posted a 225-141-56-28 record.  That is one of the best in the NHL over the past three years.  Boudreau also won the Jack Adams Award in 2008, given to the NHL’s best head coach.  Boudreau’s style of play has exhilarated, revitalized, and re energized a once dormant fan base and turned Washington into a Hockey town buried in the Sea of Red.   The question many ask, especially after the capitals sudden first round ouster is, can the Boudreau quickly, offensive aggressive style of play, find playoff success.  Is it conducive to post-season hockey? 

Those questions are open for debate.  It can partially be answered in looking at the previous season.  The Capitals did pass round 1, defeating the New York Rangers, but fell to the Pittsburgh Penguins, who went on to win the Stanley Cup in 2008/09.  Maybe the reality is, the Caps found some bad luck and one helluva hot goal in Jaroslav Halak. 

In this writer’s opinion, perhaps the hot seat should be reserved for GM George McPhee, rather than head coach Bruce Boudreau.  Much of the criticism levied at Washington is the lack of toughness on defense.  The lack of grit and power on defense, that helps teams bully the middle during the playoffs.  Shouldn’t then that criticism be levied at the man that is responsible for roster development?  How many seasons has the lack of toughness been a discussed issue in the media, by NHL analysts, and around the web, when talking about the Washington Capitals?  Yet, trade deadline after trade deadline, free agency upon free agency, off-season come off-season, McPhee spends little in fortifying the blue line, instead banking on the ’system’ to provide the need.  What if the system is full of more finesse type blue liners?

I like Burnside’s NHL coverage.  However, instead of putting Boudreau on the hot seat, perhaps Burnside could have either put McPhee there with him, or leave McPhee there exclusively.  McPhee built the roster, Boudreau built the system.   If certain personnel are indeed the issue, then isn’t that a reflection on McPhee rather than Boudreau?

Possibly Related Posts:

• RED ALERT: Caps team to beat in East
• Mitchell to Kings, glad Caps passed
• Caps working out Mitchell
• Fleischmann close to being dealt?
• Hockey Writers: Critics of Caps defense, you will eat your words

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The Blue Jackets goal this season is a return to the playoffs. Management, players and fans begin that journey in just a few short days and I am, like most fans, boiling over with anticipation. But as we move from an off-season that started with disappointment to a new season of possibility, I want you to consider just what kind of team it will take to bring a Stanley Cup here. Not just a playoff spot, or a conference final. A Cup. THE Cup. A parade, grinning players with beards, grinning fans with beers.

Think fast! Name one trait every Stanley Cup championship team has in common? It’s not what you’re thinking. Most fans will argue that a premier goaltender or responsible defensive concept is the biggest key, but the true secret of championship hockey is a team’s talent down the middle. Strength, skill and depth at the center position is the common thread shared by ALL teams that have won the Stanley Cup.

Take a moment and reflect. Can you name the top center of every Cup winner for the last 30 years? I am willing to bet it is a lot easier than it sounds for you. In fact, I also contend that you could name the second line center for most of those teams as well. Why is this so easy to recall? The reason is the vital importance skill at center plays in building a successful hockey team; goal-tending and defense systems don’t share the same consistency over time.

Don’t misunderstand, goaltending is a very important, but as both Chicago and Philly proved this past year a franchise doesn’t need to overpay for it. This past year also showed you don’t need a marquee player to succeed either. The most established name in the conference finals was Evgeni Nabakov, and he has signed to play overseas this season after numerous early playoff exits.

Sound defensive schemes have certainly helped teams compete and win the cup in the last 30 years, but specific defenses haven’t consistently established a winning pedigree. The left-wing lock employed by Detroit and the neutral zone trap used by New Jersey certainly were intricate in their respective championships. However, the Edmonton Oilers of the 1980’s played only a loose defensive style and focused mainly on outscoring the opposition.

Reflect again on the names that come to mind, what else do they all share? They are all world-class players capable of playing on any team and excelling. Two on one team is basically a guarantee that they are in the hunt for a cup. Don’t believe me? Take each year and look at the top 2 centers for the finalists. 2010: Kane, Towes, Richards, Carter. 2009? Crosby, Malkin, Datsyuk, Zetterberg. Ditto 2008.

What year is the weakest for my argument? Most likely it is 1995’s NJ Devils team consisting of Neal Broten, Bobby Holik, Bob Carpenter and Jim Dowd. How weak? Broten: Gold medal winner in 1980, 18 year career, 923p/1099gms; Holik: 18 seasons, 747p/1421PIM/1314gms; Carpenter: 18 seasons, 728p/1178gms. Granted, they aren’t Gretzky/Messier, Crosby/Malkin, or Yzerman/Fedorov, but they were skilled enough to beat one of those combinations head to head in 1995.

How is this possible? The answer is simple: territory. Centers skate and influence the ice from the front of their own net to the front of the opposing net. This means that they are typically the best skaters on the team, although some have other necessary skills. Face-offs, defensive recognition and puck distribution are other essential skills that determine how effective a center (or centers) is. Control of the center of the ice is the most important aspect of both offensive and defensive philosophies, and it is reflected in how important center play is to successful teams.

As you watch the Jackets prepare this season, keep in mind what it truly takes to win a championship; what kind of roster changes it will take.  We are deeper than most teams at center, but we are going to need more than what Antoine Vermette, Derick Brassard and Sammi Pahlsson have given us so far. If Brassard can return his rookie year form, the Jackets future is truly bright. Brassard is only 22 and still learning. That fact, combined with the drafting of Ryan Johansen and the acquisition of Tomas Kana last season, means the potential of the CBJ having the kind of pivots needed to win the Cup is very real.

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So my daily visit to the Flyers website revealed an interesting piece of news.  Bill Guerin had an informal skating session with our boys, with permission from Paul Holmgren. He downplays the significance, saying that he was visiting family in the area, and just wanted to skate a bit. I call bullshit! I do not want him wearing Orange and Black; he’s not welcome. But I have a sneaking suspicion that he’ll get a chance to earn a roster spot.

Yeah, keep looking away. (Courtesy: TSN.ca)

It’s not about whether or not he can play and contribute something to the team (he can).  It’s about his history, and what he’s been a part of over the years. He’s been a significant part of two franchises that rolled over us in the Eastern Conference Finals en route to a Stanley Cup Championship.  And it’s not just any franchises, it’s two out of our biggest rivals of all time: the New Jersey Devils (1995) and the Pittsburgh Penguins (2009). He beat us with clutch goals, tormented us with solid checks, and pretty much has been a pain in the ass all of the time.

Most of this hatred goes back to the mid-90’s, when he was there for the beginning of the Devils’ dynasty.  1994-95 was the season we made it back to the playoffs, when Eric Lindros and the Legion of Doom were supposed to bring us to glory.  Instead, the franchise that plays in a swamp, in front of relatively few fans, came along with their mind numbingly boring trap defense, with their clutching and grabbing, and stole our dream.  Guerin was a major part of that team, fitting in with that group that nearly ruined hockey with their boring style of play. He scored twice in the opening game in those playoffs as Jersey began the upset on our home ice.

That team that they had seemed to own the Flyers for most of the following decade, and he was a part of it for about half of that time.  There’s no way I can respect anyone from a franchise I hate so, so much. As we all know, he traveled around the NHL like a nomadic assassin after leaving the swamp.  Of course, over the last few years we grew to hate the Pens as they became relevant again.  And when he came back on our radar as they acquired him for the playoff push (worked out well for them).  Once again, he was a big role player for a team that ripped our hearts out.

And now, it’s possible that he’ll play for us? I know, sports is a business, it’s about winning and acquiring the right pieces.  Sometimes, however, I wish it was more about loyalty.  And I think it would be disloyal to bring along a player that’s been there to witness our misery, while he sat across the ice, laughing. Ultimately, I do want to see the Flyers win a Stanley Cup, and I want them to make any deal necessary. Some deals, just aren’t worth it.

Thanks for reading!

You can follow me on Twitter by visiting www.Twitter.com/BroadStreetBuzz

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When I See This Look I Feel Worse Than He Does!

As promised, here are the answers to the 10 questions for the Florida Panthers for 2010.

Thoughts and comments are most welcome!

1) Is David Booth fully recovered from his concussions from last season?  If he is, and he says he is, how close is he to having his career end with another hit to the head?

While I have no idea of what it’s like to have recovered from one of these let alone two, I have to think that even if Booth’s healthy, he’s really one bad hit away from it being over.  My concern will be his style of play.  Will he still skate hard down the wing and work the corners, or will he stay on the perimeter and away from traffic?  It would be nice to think that we can get 35 goals from him, but in all honesty if we get 20-25 and he stays healthy, those are number we should be thankful for.  I hope he surprises all of us and returns to form.  He deserves it.

2) Can Stephen Weiss improve on his numbers from last season when many in the organEYEzation felt he had a “breakout” year?

For me, I think he’s peaked.  Last year may have been it.  If he played with more fire in his belly, he might have scored 35 goals.  He was on a bit of a tear last season, but once Horton got hurt, that was it.  Now there’s no Horton.  Wow, what the hell did I just imply?  Anyway, I think we’ve seen the best of Stevie.  And it’s not good enough.

3) Will Chris Higgins get his scoring touch back again, or like many players who come here already on a tailspin, will he continue to spiral downward?

Higgins is hoping to regain his touch of course, but can he.  Dale Tallon feels that he may have been snake bitten.  True I would say to a degree.  However there’s a reason he was playing on the third and fourth line for the Rangers most of last season.  It would be nice to see him get at least 20 goals, but unless he gets power play time and unless the cobwebs are out, we may be looking at 15.  For the money, not bad.  But we need more regardless.

4) What are the chances of Rostislav Olesz playing all 82 games this season?  Hell, would we be happy with 65?  What kind of production can we expect?

For the amount of money this bag of injuries is getting, playing all 82 games would at least mean that he survived.  It’s not little injuries that he gets either, so maybe he needs to look at conditioning as well.  His potential is that he’s been expected to be a major contributor which is why Uncle Jack gave him the fat contract that we’re stuck with.  JM, when you left you should have taken this bust with you.

5) The tenure of head coach Peter DeBoer has to be a situation that will be closely watched.  If the Panthers get off to another slow start, how long before he’s replaced?

Last season took a toll on Pete.  You could see it in his face many nights behind the bench.  His tactics are not only questionable at times, but make me wonder if he’s really NHL coach material.  His magic worked in juniors, but we’re talking NHL now, and I’m thinking his message is going in one ear and out the other.  Although, what does that say about the players?  Anyway, if we’re at 25 games and we have less than 22 points, he’s a goner.  The leash on my German Shepard was short because he was a tiger in disguise, and I didn’t want him eating people we passed by.  The leash on DeBoer is short because he’s not followed through on his threats, and his style is, well, junior.  That needs to change.

6) Does first round draft pick Erik Gudbranson make the team coming out of training camp?  Or will he be better served by staying in the minors one more season?

This is probably too early to tell.  I would think that he can beat out guys like Keaton Ellerby and Patch Adams, but there’s definitely no need to rush him.  If he’s the real thing and shows in camp that he can handle it, then I’m all for him staying here.  But the fact of the matter is, this kid’s a winner.  To be surrounded by a team that struggles to win and has losing attitude won’t help.  I’m rooting for him to make it though!

7) Tomas Vokoun.  While he’s not likely to be signed to a contract extension, will the Panthers give him away, let him complete the season and lose him for nothing, or actually make a meaningful trade?

The window for a blockbuster deal has most likely passed by.  If, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but if for some odd reason the Panthers are sniffing a playoff spot, Vokoun isn’t going anywhere.  I like Tomas, and I honestly wish him well and want him to succeed.  He deserves to be on a winner.  I would just hate to have him walk away for nothing, or a couple third round picks.  There’s no reason that I can think of that he’d resign for a hometown discount.

How many games will Andrew Peters play, and what are the chances that he averages more than 2 minutes and 14 seconds per game?

Deboer and Uncle Jack both seem to dislike players like this.  Nick Tarnasky at least had a touch of ability and wasn’t a total disaster on the ice.  My guess is Peters will see very limited action if any, and spend alot of time doing the Rochester shuffle.

9) What’s the infatuation with Little Stevie?  He’s just a number two center, shoved in the number one spot.  I dare anyone who reads this to analyze his play over a ten game period.  I promise you that you won’t be as impressed as the organEYEzation wants you to be.  So what gives?

Drafted fourth overall in 2001.  Yea, nine years ago, and some are still waiting for him to break out.  Forget it.  The comparisons to Steve Yzerman are unfounded and way off.  At best he’s a second line center, and that would be on an average team.  There is no way he’s a number one on any team that made the playoffs last season.  He lacks a number of things including height, snarl and body checks.  He’d rather avoid them.  I wish we could avoid him.

10) A simple yes, or no on this.  Will the Florida Panthers make the playoffs this year?  When they don’t, will confetti be spread throughout the arena?

No.

As for the confetti, god help us if that fiasco is repeated.  I still have that pit in my stomach from last season when I saw that happening.  But with Party City as one of the sponsor’s, anything is possible.

Just not the playoffs!

Thanks for reading.

Please visit our NHL main page:  Too Many Men On The Site

You can follow me on Twitter @TheRatTrick and our Facebook Fan Page.

Cheers

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It was a cold January day outside of the Montreal Forum in 1984…

I was standing outside the players’ entrance waiting to catch one of them as they arrived for a game that night against the Hartford Whalers.There were a few adults speckled among the crowd which consisted mainly of kids between the ages of ten and fifteen. Photos and scraps of paper filled their young hands as they anxiously awaited the  scribbles of their favorite players.

A car pulled into the driveway and stopped just before the aluminum garage door that was the gateway to the bowels of  hockey’s most famous building. The rear doors of the black sedan opened up and three players emerged – Tom Kurvers, Peter Svoboda and Chris Chelios.

The Shrine of Hockey

One of the kids in a group that consisted of his peers ran toward them leaving his friends momentarily alone to fight the cold. ‘ Hey Chelios….’ One of the kids cried out as the group started toward the trio – pens and pencils waving in the air. One of the kids approached Tom Kurvers and said ; ” Hey… Mr. Kurvers – may I have an autograph? ” Kurvers looked at the young man and said…”Sorry kid – I do not have time.”

Chris Chelios must have heard what Kurvers said and before you knew it…Chelios was standing next to Kurvers  and facing the boy who had asked for the autograph. Chelios grabbed the pen and paper from the pre-teen and with an angry sideways glance toward Kurvers, said ; “Of course he’ll sign your paper…what’s your name kid?”

Not only did Kurvers sign an autograph for that kid, Chelios made sure that Kurvers and Svoboda signed autographs for all the kids in the group. I realized then that Chris Chelios was a special player.

The End of an Era…

Drafted in 1981 by the Habs – Chris Chelios officially retired yesterday at the age of 48 to finalize a twenty-six year career, becoming the second oldest player behind Gordie Howe to play in the NHL.

“I will never forget my start. I had one point in my first 14 games with the Canadiens.  I never even unpacked my bags because I thought I was going to the minors, Serge Savard and ( head coach ) Jacques Lemaire kept playing me and I finally figured it out.  It also didn’t hurt that I had Patrick Roy behind me for the next six years, so thank you, Patrick – a good friend and teammate.”

Chelios played for nine seasons in a Habs uniform, winning the Norris Trophy in 1989 and a Stanley Cup in 1986. Unfortunatley for Habs fans he was traded in 1991 to the Black Hawks for Denis Savard - a player that was originally passed over for Doug Wickenheiser in the 1980 draft. Although the trade is considered to be one of the worst in Habs history, Denis Savard did win a Stanley Cup in Montreal while Chelios did not obtain the same goal in Chicago despite  winning two more Norris Trophies in his hometown – the Windy City.

Captain Chelios

Never to be confused with an Angel, Chelios was outspoken and marched to the beat of his own drum – a drum not unlike that of the Energizer Bunny’s as Chelios would often hit the Montreal nightclubs and keep going and going and going…The Habs – an organization that prides itself with an image that is respected globally, finally had enough of Chelios’ shenanigans and the trade to Chicago was finalized.

Sweet Home Chicago

Following a strict regimen, one that included a forty-five minute jaunt on an exercise bike inside a sauna, Chris Chelios’ NHL career spanned three decades with Montreal, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta.To put it into perspective – Sydney Crosby was three years old when ‘Chelly’ made his first tour under the the Stanley Cup banners on Forum ice and began his ‘ schooling’.

“I was sitting in bars and restaurants with legends – the Richard brothers, Jean Beliveau, Yvan Cournoyer – listening to their stories about when they played; what it took to win . How all of them put the team in front of any individual play. There was no selfishness in that group of players and I was learning from the best, I always said playing for the Canadiens was like getting a Harvard degree in hockey and I was very fortunate to start my career there.”

Chelios final exam in a Montreal uniform came when he co-Captained the 1989 version into the finals against the Calgary Flames. That team was the best Canadiens team to play since the 1978-79 team that won it’s last of four Cups.They ranked second only to Calgary in regular season points with 113 and lost the Cup in six games to a Flames squad that was just that much better.It was during that play -off run when Chelios perhaps left his permanent mark in Canadiens and NHL history – at least on Youtube.

The Habs were playing their nemesis, The Flyers, at the Forum when Chelios hit Brian Propp from behind and headfirst into the boards. A hit that was considered to be dirty and Propp was helped from the ice and missed the remainder of the series.Chelios was a marked man yet because it was the play-offs , the Flyers could ill afford to retaliate and risk giving a superior Habs squad a two, five or ten minute advantage.Then came game six…

Tongue? What tongue....?

With his team trailing 3-2 in the series and 4-2 on the scoreboard in the game’s final minutes, Flyers goaltender Ron Hextall left the crease and slammed Chelios  into the boards  in retaliation for Chelios’ illegal yet unpenalized hit on Philadelphia’s Brian Propp in Game 1 . After Chelios crumpled to the ice, the Flyers nutca…er goalie continued to beat l him until the referees were able to pull the Flyer goalie off.  Hextall – eyes glazed a la Charles Manson still wanted to get at Chelios and in a move that made everyone wonder about Hextall’s sanity, his tongue flicked back and forth and around for a good two minutes as the linesman kept the pair apart.For his actions, Hextall received a match penalty and was suspended for the first 12 games of the following season.

The Third Period

Exactly ten seasons after that brush with death – Chelios’ address changed from ‘The House of Blues’ to Motown as he joined a Detroit team on the verge of winning a Stanley Cup which they did in 2002 and again in 2007.Following a ten year career with Detroit, Chelios signed on with the Manitoba Moose last season joining ex-teammate and former captain of the Habs – Mike Keane. He signed on with the Atlanta Trashers toward the end of the season playing in seven games , adding zero points and a -2 rating.After playing in 1,651 games,scoring 185 goals and adding 763 assists for a total of 948 points – Chelios realized that he no longer has any gas in the tank and will now join the Detroit Red Wings management staff. One of his duties will be to work with the Wings young defensive prospects.

A True Champion

Chelios played in two Canada Cups, two World Cups, four Olympic Games and two World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He won three Stanley Cups, three Norris Trophies and played in fifteen All Star games.

I hope that kid outside of the Forum on that cold January day in 1984 kept that piece of paper.

Goodbye Chris Chelios and thank you!

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(Source:YardBarker.com

I had a rant all ready for this week. But then, a few things happened:

1) Earlier today, Susan Lee posted on the topic I had in mind: Women’s hockey. Catch it here.

2) Also earlier today, the NHL and the NHLPA agreed to extend the deadline for a decision on whether to accept the latest version of the contract the New Jersey Devils are offering Kovalchuk (say that three times very fast).

3) Larry Brooks of the New York Post appears to have uncovered an ultimatum that the NHL has given the NHLPA.

A decision could be made tonight, tomorrow, next week. The NHL could accept the contract, refuse the contract, refuse the contract and get to work on the Luongo, Hossa, and/or Savard deals. The NHLPA could file a grievance. Kovalchuk could end up in the KHL. Luongo could end up not getting all those dollars he has yet to prove he deserves (don’t. even. bring up the Olympics). Hossa could end up on Dancing With The Stars.

No matter how this little saga ends though, it’s already set the stage for The Thing We Don’t Like To Talk About. No, I don’t mean a hockey rumour blog. I’m talking about the next lockout.

There are far, far, far more knowledgeable people than myself on how and when the next lockout will happen, so I won’t even try. I will say we’ve been waiting for it for years, maybe not since we found out there would be a salary cap but definitely since the teams started playing fast and loose with the CBA loophole and front-loading everything in sight from their employment offers to their grocery bills.

With the front-loaded contracts, the General Managers decided they weren’t going to stand for a salary cap. With the rejection of the original Kovalchuk contract, the NHL decided it wasn’t going to stand for the GMs not standing for the salary cap. With their grievance, the NHLPA decided it was … well, you get the idea.

Eventually, though, this stops becoming something we’re sick of hearing about and an issue the players refuse to go to work over. And to be honest, I can’t say I can blame them. A salary cap would have been fine if, as the league promised, it had brought parity to the league so that every season could be anyone’s season. Off the top of my head I can name three teams that haven’t been or come close to the playoffs since after the last lockout, and many more teams that have been there every year or four out of the five years.

A basic summary of what happened is: the players got screwed out of money, and the fans are not any better off… but the owners are happier than they used to be.

I don’t expect the players to just sit back if things don’t balance out in their favour. Couple the salary cap with the Olympics issue and you’ve got yourself some form of a strike on your hands. So we can get bored of this now, but we need to be ready to be plenty bored sometime in the next few years.

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