Hockey Talk

Curb Your Cynicism: NHL Quick Shots - Hockeytalk Oct 13 2005

2005-10-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

Curb Your Cynicism
LOS ANGELES – OCT 13, 2005 – Let's take a quick look at the transformed NHL and other goings on around the league.

"The fact that the worst offender for dragging the game down to its most muddy under the old rules, could flip a switch and suddenly outgun an offensive juggernaut that many predicted would pile up goals like free chord wood, is almost irritating." -- VANCOUVER CANUCKS MEDIA RELEASE, describing the Canucks' beating at the hands of the Minnesota Wild, one of the proponents of the now outdated "Trap" system of defense

You're out there. I can see you. You've been whining for years, calling the NHL "fifth amongst the four major sports." Making those nasty "NASCAR and TV poker are more popular" jokes. Joking about the television ratings. Sneering at Bettman, appalled at the players, the ticket prices, and mostly, the style of play that had developed over the years 1994—2004.

In so many ways, you were right. Hockey fans have had a right to complain, and often found themselves at the point of total cynicism. But now, even the most jaded hockey fan must set his sneer aside, and curb his cynicism.

The NHL finally got it right.

They've restored the excitement and flow of the game, and unleashed the skaters—not just the stars—to play hockey without the hooking and holding and in the last decade, tackling.

And it's about time. For the second consecutive time at the Xcel Energy Center, the Minnesota Wild racked up six goals on their way to a 6-0 pounding of the Canucks.

Over in Raleigh, it was Carolina 7, Washington 2.

Three goal leads aren't even safe. Also last night, the Nashville Predators (now 3-0), came all the way back, on the road in Denver vs. the Avalanche.

This is what we needed, for sure.

While Brendan Shanahan and others from the new Competition Committee share and deserve huge props, some credit must also be given to Gary Bettman's leadership for this change.
The new Director of Officiating, Steve Walkom, must be given huge credit for his ability to (so far) maintain a consistent standard.

RAFFI TORRES UPS THE ANTE
It's been an interesting three years for RAFFI TORRES, with whom we met at Staples Center in LA last week.

"I paid more attention to my off-ice work," said Torres, with regard to the advancements to his game during the lockout (he excelled in the AHL for the Edmonton Roadrunners (67GP, 21G-25A-46PTS)).

The extra attention to off-ice work has taken Torres to the level of play expected of him when the Islanders made him their number one pick (#5 overall, 2000).

Torres and JAROMIR JAGR share the current lead in power play goals with 3. Playing on the Oil's top line, Torres can be found with MICHAEL PECA and ALES HEMSKY. For this Islanders castoff (the Isles let the former 1st round pick go in 2003).

"Don't count us (the Oilers) out," says Torres of the Oilers.

Many around the league agree that the Oil are a cohesive unit that will likely challenge Vancouver and Anaheim (also Calgary) in the West.

Peca likes the chemistry, but the club is working too hard right now to take a break.
"We haven't had an opportunity to tear it up (yet)," laughs Michael Peca, who's been creating a lot of opportunities on the ice for his linemates.

PREDATORS INDEED: NASHVILLE QUIETLY EMERGES
Gotta love Coach Barry Trotz's crew.

They quietly steal STEVE SULLIVAN from the Hawks late in 2003-04, and then they quietly sign PAUL KARIYA. The NHL returns, and they quietly go 3-0 to start the season.
What's not so "quiet" about the Preds? Their penalty kill starts the season at 100 percent effectiveness.

While goalie Tomas Vokoun will get his share of credit for the start, Trotz rightly points out that in the changed NHL, special teams are more vital than ever.

"Certainly your best penalty killer is your goalie and Tomas [Vokoun] was good, but the six or eight guys we used on the penalty kill up front and the four or five defensemen we used on the back end have done a real good job of killing penalties. That's a big part of the game right now," said Trotz.

AFINOGENOV TO THE MAX
Three goals in four games for Buffalo Sabre MAXIM AFINOGENOV, who always seemed to have trouble finding room to skate in the old NHL. Trouble no more in the "New" NHL.

Afinogenov is on fire, early, and with some help from Daniel Briere is finally turning heads for more than his skating. Maxim spent the 2003-04 season with ALEX OVECHKIN, ALEX FROLOV, PAVEL DATSYUK and many other stars with the Moscow Dynamo (36GP-13G-12A-25PTS). Looks like a change of scenery may have been the best thing for this Russian returnee.
ROOKIE WATCH:MAREK SVATOS (COL), PAVEL VOROBIEV (CHI) and ALEX OVECHKIN (WAS) are all pulling around 15-17 minutes per night and are fifth, sixth and seventh in NHL scoring as of October 13.

Svatos is tied with Daniel Alfredsson (OTT) and sophomore Eric Staal (CAR) at the top of the NHL with five goals apiece. Svatos impresses with his recent consistency (he's scored seven goals in his first seven NHL games (including this season's five games and two games at the end of 2003-04).

Buffalo rookie TOMAS VANEK is a welcome sight on the Niagara Frontier: A Sabre who likes to shoot the puck. It's less common than a Sasquatch sighting, but it does happen. Vanek, with eighteen shots in five games, provides some offensive punch to a franchise usually allergic to such things.

As OLN's NEIL SMITH pointed out recently, Alex Ovechkin will benefit from playing in Washington because the club "has no one else." Ovechkin is pulling down 16:07 worth of ice time. SID CROSBY is clocking in at over nineteen per (19:11).

Where does that leave Hockeytalk's favorite, COREY PERRY?

At just 11:28, Perry will be hard pressed to keep pace in the Calder race (we have picked him here as the winner, long in advance of the season!), but…Perry is still averaging a point per game, and with a couple of recent losses, you might just see Perry on a line with SERGEI FEDOROV, who's been spending time on a line with Duck super sophomore JOFFREY LUPUL and new arrival JONATHAN HEDSTROM.

2005-08-09T14:43:00.000-07:00

Around the NHL: One Crazy Summer
Column by Josh Brewster, www.hockeytalk.biz
LOS ANGELES -- August 9, 2005

Let's take a leisurely look around the NHL during its most interesting summers in decades (maybe ever). Comcast, Bertuzzi, Gretzky and more…

Todd Bertuzzi Reinstated
No way, no how, oh no, not now.

On this one, Gary Bettman really misjudged. He figured that he could, after the first round of eye-popping free agent signings, slip the Bertuzzi decision in under the radar as quickly as possible.

Maybe Bettman thought that by reinstating Bertuzzi, he would avoid having to hear about the Steve Moore incident (and see more highlights of it, ad nauseum).

Count me among those who wonder if the NHL missed an opportunity to raise the standards of punishment for excess violence with this one.

This move by Bettman gives comfort to the crass comments of Markus Naslund, who was so famously out of line, during the lockout, in his questioning Moore's right and inclination to sue over the incident which has likely ruined his career.

While Hockeytalk doesn't recommend a full season suspension for Bertuzzi, we certainly believe that another quarter or half-season would have been an important message; an excellent opportunity for change during the NHL's re-launch.

Gretzky to Coach Coyotes
What's the point of fighting this thing?

It seems that some people are actually questioning the motives of Wayne Gretzky in becoming the new coach of his Phoenix Coyotes. Some are even going as far as to suggest that this is a lark, like Bucky Gleason of the Buffalo News.

No disrespect, Bucky et al, but this is WAYNE GRETZKY we're talking about here.

Maybe Bucky's spent a little too much time in the snow belt to understand how much of a positive jolt this is to the NHL.

New Schedule Process a Disaster
If you are going to shell out thousands of dollars for NHL season tickets, shouldn't you get to see each NHL team at least once?

The NHL has unfurled a schedule process for 2005-06, highlighting divisional rivalries, and that's great. But the new process also rotates appearances by divisions within the opposite conference of the host team.

This year’s schedule features eight games (four home and four away) vs. traditional divisional rivals, as well as four games (two home and two away) against the rest of the team's conference. In addition, the clubs will play home games vs. one of the opposite conference's divisions and travel to face another opposite conference division.

Sum total: If you buy season tix in to an NHL club, there are ten clubs that you won't get to see in person.

This is an idea that really stinks.

With 41 home games over the course of a six-month regular season, fans making a season-long commitment to their home club get screwed out of seeing one third of the league. So, Sid Crosby and other NHL stars won't be viewed in some markets for the next two seasons. Terrible.

Every market should look forward to a visit from each franchise. The league owes the fans at least that much.

Comcast Bids on NHL
A fierce firestorm of press has erupted over media giant Comcast's decision to bid on the television broadcast rights of NHL games. Comcast, which owns a substantial portion of the Philadelphia Flyers, will force ESPN's hand on this issue. Just how badly does ESPN want the NHL?

Tim Panaccio of the Philadelphia Inquirer, writes:

"Comcast has formally submitted a two-year bid in excess of $100 million US to televise NHL games beginning this fall, sources directly involved in the discussions told the Inquirer in Tuesday's edition. The deal calls for Comcast to televise two games a week nationally. The cable giant plans to put the games on its on its Outdoor Life Network, which is also available in Canada. Comcast submitted its bid over the weekend, according to the Inquirer. The NHL could act on it by this weekend. The company is a major owner of the Philadelphia Flyers. Comcast spokesperson Tim Fitzpatrick declined Monday to comment on the network's interest in the NHL. The NHL also declined when reached by the Inquirer...If the NHL approves the deal, the contract will be forwarded to ESPN. In April, ESPN opted not to renew its $70-million option to televise the NHL for 2005-06 and 2006-07, but ESPN retains the right to match the new offer, a source told the Inquirer. ESPN has carried NHL games in the United States since 1985."

Our friend Eklund, King of NHL Rumors and Big News, writes:

"ESPN, who has been the only game in town, may have to up the ante or risk waking up a monster. Comcast not only wants the NHL really badly, but rumor has it they are also going to bid for the Thursday night and Saturday package for NFL football that has not been sold yet. Suddenly ESPN would have a true competitor for the first time. Don't be too surprised if the NHL gets a bit of a bidding war going here."*

Hockeytalk wholeheartedly welcomes Comcast into the picture. While ESPN is the 600 pound gorilla of American Sports television, and will be very tough to unseat as the home of hockey, the more the merrier and on this one, the NHL and Bettman should be breathing a sigh of relief.

*Eklund and his vast array of up-to-date hockey info can be found at www.hockeyrumors.blogspot.com (name will change to HockeyBuzz.com on Sept. 15) Thanks to Eklund for info in this section.

"On Paper:" The Free Agency Shakeout
There are quite a few clubs who will soon realize that this isn't a fantasy league. Some moves have been excellent, like Scott Niedermayer to Anaheim or Demitra and Roenick to LA. But some aren't so hot, and Toronto looks foolish while Buffalo looks prudent:
Osgood Back to Detroit: Chris Osgood has made his money. At 900K for one year, this one's about pride. Osgood performed remarkably, to little fanfare, in the Wings' 1997-98 drive for the Cup. An excellent move by the Wings, who wasted a tremendous amount of money on the playoff-allergic Curtis Joseph, who was a complete bust at 8 million per annum.

Forsberg to Flyers: Jeremy Roenick nailed it when he suggested that the Flyers needed Peter Forsberg more than they needed JR. That said, hats off to the Flyers for righting an internal mistake of years past. Forsberg will likely be rejuvenated.

Toronto: Is this a joke? Jason Alison? Says here that late in the year, Toronto will be hard-pressed to tweak its lineup. John Ferguson is on the hot seat now, acquiring relics, adding to the Toronto trash heap. And things looked so good when they dispensed with the ancient Joe Nieuwendyk and Gary Roberts.

Buffalo, on the other hand, provides a pretty good example of patience and caution during this talent shakeout. They signed Teppo Numminen for a year, but other than that, have stood still, which may rankle some in Buffalo.

However, as the New NHL proceeds, and the dust settles, look for the Sabres to make a couple of moves while holding salaries in check. Remember, the last time there was NHL hockey, the Sabres finished with a late playoff push. Hard to believe we're saying this, but GM Darcy Regier may actually be employing some much-needed foresight in letting the market settle.

Kariya to Obscurity
So this is how it's gonna be, eh, Paul? Nashville? Yeesh.

We're almost certain to be deprived of another outstanding Finals performance from Kariya, like the one delivered in 2003 against New Jersey, most notably after the Scott Stevens hit. David Poile sure knows how to keep his job, though!

Khabibulin Overpaid? No.
In landing Adrian Aucoin (the NHL's minute-munching monster) and Nik Khabibulin, new GM Dale Tallon made some serious moves with an eye toward stability and the development of a solid nucleus in Chicago. You may remember when the Hawks last had a nucleus (when Chris Chelios, Ed Belfour and Jeremy Roenick played in the Windy City).

With the "Bulin Wall" now scheduled to make 27 mil over 4 years, Tallon is taking some heat for paying too much.

Not so. The Hawks could run through three, four or more goaltenders before they find anything close to this Cup champ's class. When you think about the fact that this club has not had a top netminder since Ed Belfour was shipped off to the Sharks, it makes a lot of sense.

Prescription for the "New" NHL, Volume 1

2005-07-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

Prescription for the "New" NHL, Volume 1
Column by Josh Brewster
July 2, 2004

Prescription Number 1: LOCAL TV WITH MA AND PA

In most markets, the NHL gets little airtime on local television broadcasts. Few highlights, scarce interviews. I propose that the NHL launch a push to develop advertising partnerships with small businesses to go along with their larger sponsors.

For smaller, struggling or non-hockey markets, a major push at the league level should be initiated to get small businesses involved in the hiring of NHL talent for local television commercials.

It sounds trite, but we really need something like this out here in Southern California, and I think that it could work very well in “developing” markets across the United States.

If hockey players were to start popping up on TV, promoting smaller, local businesses, then the media would be quietly forced to consider the league’s inclusion not only in more local highlights, but also for interviews and other spotlight features on newscasts and any weekly feature shows.

I propose that smaller businesses pay just a few thousand dollars per player for appearances in advertising campaigns. It would get the players on television, and begin to get their names into the community in struggling, small or new markets. No, we're not talking about major commercial bucks, here, but enough for the player to find it worthwhile.

This isn’t an ad for your local cable carrier, but local spots for smaller businesses do very well on cable here in LA and Anaheim, for example, where the players are hardly known. The reason that the local tv spots work so well is that they're televised next to national commercials; legitimacy is confirmed, and the reach in audience is phenomenal.

Why not work on developing small revenue streams with local sponsors to go along with the major players?

The media tends to follow trends and the fashion of the day; surely they would take notice if popular ad campaigns popped up and some players became better known. Think of the value to the players, especially younger, lower-paid players, from expanding this arena.

This proposal also addresses an important issue regarding the forthcoming CBA.

With the NHL becoming involved in finding and adding smaller advertisers to their ad roster, they will have developed new streams of revenue (even if only moderate streams). Ticket prices in the "New" NHL will be trimmed in many markets (thank goodness), and every new avenue is welcome for the “New” league. If this small business media proposal could be proven to work, the partnership between the league and the players forthcoming in the new CBA would get off to a great start.

This would require a shift in thinking in some NHL markets from a major corporate paradigm to a more welcoming one, where smaller businesses can play a larger role with the local clubs. Waiting for the highlight coverage in the local television news is a losing game for the league and has been for years. Get these players in front of the camera for a far lower rate than normal, and see what the effect is on the community. It can’t hurt to get that “face time.”

The NHL must continue, of course, with Toyota, Bud Light and other big players. However, Ma and Pa’s Hardware or some similar place might really help dig the league’s heels in. Some markets have a good amount of this kind of revenue, but many do not; and it says here that it is time for a league-wide initiative to develop new revenue streams from smaller sources.

Babcock on the Brink?

2005-06-30T14:07:00.000-07:00

I had an interesting conversation with one of my Hockeytalk cronies here in LA today, and we were discussing the Mike Babcock situation.

His deal with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks ends today, and with Brian Burke the new head honcho in Anaheim, it's interesting (more interesting than lockout talk) to speculate on what is going to come down the pike. My source tells me that we were supposed to have some news regarding the future of Mike Babcock a few days ago, but here we are, it's Thursday, with July 4th coming, and still no word on whether Babcock is going to sign a new deal.

According to the Ducks media department, Babcock has been offered a 1-year contract extention. Babcock has asked to have until next week to decide on the issue and that request was granted.

The one-year scenario raises some issues for Babcock, noted my source, and he's right.

Babcock, who, as a rookie coach, led the Ducks to their first and only Stanley Cup Finals berth in 2002-03, might not be interested in a one-year plan, and who could blame him? What is it going to do for Babcock's market value if the deal is just one year? Clearly, he deserves a much longer deal than that, but Burke is the new main man, and may not want to give Babcock (who he didn't hire in the first place--Bryan Murray did) more than one year.

Burke has made it clear that he expects a more offensive-minded scheme, rather than Babcock's 1-2-2, somewhat more defensive, style (like what the Calgary Flames employed the last time we had NHL hockey). Burke would like the Ducks to be tuned more along the lines of his recently-departed Canucks, coached by Burke's guy, Marc Crawford.

That said, I wouldn't want to be in Burke's shoes: He wants to check out how Babcock will react to this (supposedly they met last week, after Burke's hiring), but at the same time, he doesn't want to get off on the wrong foot with the players, fans and management. Even though the new regime will likely back up whatever Burke would like to do, it seems that there might be quite a stink in the room if Burke loses a coach as popular as Babcock.

Babcock has established himself as one of the hottest coaching commodities in the game, and what's more, he's excellent on camera and with the press in general.

That Cup Final appearance didn't hurt either.

2005-06-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

Roenick a Day Late, a Buck Short
Column by Josh Brewster
Hockeytalk.biz
June 26, 2005

JEREMY ROENICK launched an interesting tirade, just released today on sportsnet.ca. This goes along with Jaromir Jagr’s comments quoted in TSN.ca earlier this week. It makes one wonder what took so long.

Most notable amongst the Roenick tirade was, "If we (the NHLPA) woulda signed that deal in February, in terms of what we're getting now, we woulda looked like heroes. Right now we look like a bunch of idiots."

Commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned, by the way, in February, when the season was put out of its misery, that that deal would be the best one the players would get.

Jagr’s comments about the salary cap, in which he said that the players “Didn't expect the owners to be so tough and persistent. It was a risk that didn't pay off," were more welcome but also a day late and a buck short.

Which not only raises the question of what took these players so long, but why did they oppose a salary cap in the first place? Around the time of the cancellation, billions around the world had just viewed the NFL’s salary cap brigades compete in a somewhat popular game called The Super Bowl. The line about players being asked to fix the game FOR the owners is another one that Roenick and Jagr just shattered.

Eklund, our affiliate at www.eklundshockeyreport.com rightfully notes that player rep Bob Goodenow “did wonders” for the players in recent times. But this lockout was ridiculous and the players’ solidarity trip yielded nothing.

In the end, which is where we stand now, dissent in the ranks could have done wonders for these union players. Solidarity and unity are overrated concepts when faced with total ruin.

Idiots indeed.

Smith a Surprise Non-Hire; Rigas to Prison; Jagr Right On

2005-06-22T07:57:00.000-07:00

NEIL SMITH, whose Rangers won the Stanley Cup with one of the most impressive clubs assembled in the 1990s, has again failed to land a coveted GM spot, having been edged out by BRIAN BURKE in Anaheim.

Smith also failed to land gigs in Buffalo, Toronto and Chicago in recent years.

With Burke going to Anaheim and DALE TALLON landing as GM in Chicago, it's curious that Smith hasn't been snapped up by an NHL club. He'll hang in there and continue to look, of course, but it gives one pause for thought; his eye for talent (Yzerman and Fedorov are just the beginning of his excellent draft record) is legendary, now, or should be.

The hiring of Tallon is further evidence of a continuing, confusing trend in Chicago. That is, they have been short on top-notch coaching/management talent since at least the time of Mike Keenan's departure. Their ownership bumblings are legend.

Smith knows how important the Chicago market is to the NHL, and he would have been excellent there had they hired him a couple of years ago.

OTHER STORIES:

DESERVING OLD CROOK GETS 15 YEARS:
JOHN RIGAS, the charming crook who almost ran the Buffalo Sabres to extinction with his criminal ways, got 15 years in prison, his son 20. May he rot there for all I care. Buffalo's my town, and thanks to GARY BETTMAN for having the sense to save the team.

JAROMIR JAGR showed some stones yesterday, as it was reported in TSN that he felt the anti-salary cap stance taken by the players was a mistake. Hats off to him, albeit a bit late.

Could have been a great day

2005-06-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

The improvements to the game that have been on display this week in Toronto would have been one of the modern game's great off-season stories. Instead, the lockout drains the game's energy and anything interesting that might be going on around it. The Philadelphia Phantoms look to capture the Calder Cup, the rules of the game are changing and here we sit, with Gary and Bob wrangling over how best to kill the NHL.

It's hard to be positive in these times. Welcome to my new blog, I look forward to your comments, and please don't forget to visit www.hockeytalk.biz.

--Josh Brewster
Editor, Publisher, HOCKEYTALK.BIZ