FanHouse

Something Wild and Slightly Tone-Deaf

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-14T02:09:00 00:00

Filed under: Minnesota, Wild, NHL Fans, NHL Videos

The Minnesota Wild have this wonderfully goofy nostalgic streak, from their defiantly garish fashion sense to their official team theme song. What, you haven't heard the Wild Anthem, which is played inside the arena during home games and "is a continual reminder of the pride we have in the game of hockey and the communities and lives it touches throughout" the state of Minnesota? The song that gave the world lyrics like, "The game's in our blood/And our blood's in the game/Lay us down under/A frozen pond?"

Presented correctly, the Wild Anthem is a rather majestic and moving tune. Presented by the Wild fan below, it's about as majestic as a Derek Boogaard left hook to the chin. I'll give him points for energy, some more points for knowing most of the words, and a few extra points for fantastic use of props (both gloves and hat); but he gets a big fat demerit for even attempting to hit a high-note.

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Jacques Martin's Stay of Execution

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-11T10:40:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Panthers, NHL Rumors

So is the new trend in the NHL using season-ticket holder meetings to break huge news? First Ted Leonsis unveils Ovechkin's elephantine contract to the loyal customers; now, Florida Panthers owner Alan Cohen reveals there will not be a dual GM/coach next season, and later explained that he meant Jacques Martin's days behind the bench are numbered but that he will remain the team's general manager.

A change had to be made, because Martin had been an ineffective coach for the Panthers and was alienating their star player. Yes, it's rather silly that a guy who couldn't coach a winner in Florida will be tasked with selecting a coach that will turn the Panthers into winners. But Cohen said, "Jacques has done a good job as GM. That's the bottom line." And I don't think he's necessarily wrong. In the last two years, Martin-as-general-manager has:

Traded Todd Bertuzzi to Detroit for impressive young center Shawn Matthias.
Radek Dvorak, Brett McLean and Richard Zednik as free agents last off-season; while Dvorak was an offensive flop, McLean and Zednik contributed until the latter's grizzly injury.
Traded three picks for Tomas Vokoun, who helped solidify the Panthers' crease for the first time since Luongo was traded.
Flipped Ruslan Salei for Karlis Skrastins at the deadline, getting a pro and saving some coin; didn't pull the trigger on what would have been a regrettable Olli Jokinen deal.

Besides a coach, Martin's first priority should be a puck-moving defenseman -- and UFA John-Michael Liles played with Skrastins in Colorado. Looking at a franchise that's made the postseason once since 1998, it might make sense to just clean house, hit reset and send Martin packing to whatever franchise recycles him next. But his record warrants him at least another off-season in the front office. As a coach, Jacques Martin is a pretty decent general manager.

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Toronto Ticket Scandal May Have Cheated Maple Leafs Fans and Players

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-10T10:25:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Maple Leafs, NHL Fans, NHL Economics

Five days ago, Rick Westhead of The Toronto Star broke news about a scandal within the Maple Leafs' parent company Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment. Citing "ticket irregularities," a senior executive resigned and five other employees were fired. Today, Westhead defines those "irregularities" as MLSE employees allegedly pocketing money from the resale of personal seat licenses that cost as much as $30,000:

When the Air Canada Centre opened in 1999, MLSE charged $15,000 for personal-seat licenses for 1,500 platinum-level seats (along with a $2,500 annual fee). Buyers got the first chance to buy tickets to concerts; reserve seats at special restaurants; access a business centre at the Air Canada Centre, private washrooms and a coat check; and also the right to resell their licenses.

Yet within two years, MLSE executives realized they had missed an opportunity to make millions of dollars more by selling PSLs for other sections of the arena. They offered season-ticket holders in lower-priced sections a chance to buy PSLs for their season tickets, which in some cases had been in families for several generations but which were becoming harder to transfer. "MLSE had become very strict about the transfer of tickets," said a former MLSE executive. "It used to be that you only had to say you wanted to transfer seats to your cousin, and it wasn't a problem. But now the company's attitude is you have to prove you're a direct blood relative with a birth certificate."

How big can this scandal get? Both the police and the NHL Players Association would like to know the answer to that, too.

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Kevin Smith, L.C. from 'The Hills' Join the Hockey Blogosphere for the NHL

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-09T13:25:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Devils, NHL Fans, NHL Media Watch

NHL.com invited celebrities to blog for their favorite teams during the Stanley Cup Playoffs last year as part of its NHL Connect program, which has its detractors in the hockey blogosphere. Many of the celebrities didn't blog all that much -- although character actor William Fichtner was a revelation -- and one of them later turned up in the WWE's steroid pipeline. So you live, you learn and you give it another go this postseason with some fresh and potentially awesome star power:

Jason Reitman, Lauren Conrad, Dierks Bentley and Kevin Smith are among the celebrities who will blog about their love of hockey on the National Hockey League's website. Beginning Wednesday, more than a dozen celebs will follow their favourite teams through the Stanley Cup playoffs, said NHL spokeswoman Bernadette Mansur. "As NHL.com bloggers, they can be irreverent and candid about their love for the NHL," she said.

The Western Conference bloggers and the Eastern Conference bloggers will begin hammering away at the keyboard as the playoff start tonight -- the full rosters are here. Maybe it's because we're both Jersey, but the addition of Kevin Smith to this roster is about 10 shades of awesome. He's a hell of a writer and a legit puckhead, having bumped into him at the opening of The Rock in Newark last year. Although one certainly wishes he could blog without the PG-rated restrictions of NHL.com -- I doubt we'll be reading candid assessments like that of Banky Edwards on the Hartford Whalers in "Chasing Amy."

And MTV's Lauren Conrad, who is blogging about the Kings because she loves "live hockey and I thought this would be a fun way to get more involved with the postseason?" Sure, honey -- I bet that fact that your "Laguna Beach" ex Stephen Colletti blogged for the NHL last year had nothing to do with it. This kind of half-truth is Heidi behavior, L.C. ... Heidi behavior.

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Devils (4) vs. Rangers (5) Playoff Preview

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-09T02:30:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Devils, Rangers, Eastern, Stanley Cup

Click here for more NHL playoff previews.

The New Jersey Devils' 4-3 shootout win in the regular season finale gave them home ice in this series ... but what did it really mean? Did the victory give the Devils a little confidence that they could, in fact, hand the Rangers a loss after going 0-7 against the Blueshirts during the rest of the regular season? Or did the loss actually keep the Rangers from believing they had an unshakable hex on the Diablos, which could have potentially fueled overconfidence in the postseason?

If this sounds like a little too much psychology for two teams that are probably just going to bash each others' brains in for six or seven games, think again. This is a series that hinges on the Devils not allowing Henrik Lundqvist to get into their heads; or Jaromir Jagr not allowing players like Dainius Zubrus and Jay Pandolfo to frustrate him into ineffectiveness (luckily, the player that Jagr injured himself trying to punch two years ago is now his teammate); or anyone wearing red and black not overreacting when Sean Avery goes into pest overdrive.

It's a chess match between two smart coaches, and a psychological battle between and within players. It's also a series that could easily become the most brutal and tightly-played in the Eastern Conference's first round. So who has the advantage?

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Avery, Brodeur Need Relationship Therapy

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-08T10:30:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Devils, Rangers, NHL Gossip

Earlier this season and in a moment of extreme irony, Sean Avery called Devils goalie Marty Brodeur "Marty the Diver" after Brodeur was hit with a diving penalty in a game against the Rangers. Avery also used the occasion to analyze his relationship with Brodeur: "We're not friends. It's not an (expletive) secret." As the Rangers and Devils prepare for their first-round series that kicks off in Newark tomorrow night, Avery detailed his feelings regarding Brodeur in a typically candid interview with the New York Post:

"I approach different players in different ways," said Avery, an impending free agent. "Some guys I go after verbally, others I don't bother with. ... There are some guys I like as people and don't bother with, and there are a lot I don't. Marty? I don't think it's a secret that I'm not a very big fan of his. ... It's just one of those relationships that's not very pleasant. It's kind of like a bad first date. It started from the first game, and has gone from there."

While we all try and theorize what would make a "bad first date" in Sean Avery's world, let's celebrate the obvious: The nastier and more personal things get between the Devils and the Rangers, the more entertaining their first-round battle becomes. For two teams as offensively challenged as they are, a little crimson ice will go a long way. Just don't expect Avery and Brodeur to grab a brew when it's all over; as tabloid-fodder-on-skates told the Post:

"We don't travel in the same circles. I don't think he could get into the places I like to go to."

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Sounds Like Stamkos for Tampa

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-07T21:22:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Lightning, Kings, NHL Draft

The Tampa Bay Lightning had a 48.8-percent chance of winning the NHL Draft Lottery; yet given the year they've had, GM Jay Feaster told the St. Pete Times that there was "no way in hell" the Bolts would snag the top pick. Reverse psychology appears to work on Lady Luck, as the Lightning were announced tonight as owners of the top pick in the draft this June in Ottawa.

The prize of the draft class is Steve Stamkos from the Sarnia Sting of the Ontario Hockey League -- a center whose two-way game has scouts drooling. Times beat writer Damian Cristodero quotes Dave Andreychuk, who represented Tampa Bay at the lottery and seems to indicate the Bolts are ready to make Stamkos the Malkin to Vinny's Sidney up the middle. It sure doesn't sound like Tampa is looking for a mini-Lindros deal to fill some of its considerable holes:

"As an organization we're very happy. We have a kid who is going to be a superstar. We're excited. We're really looking forward to that."

Check out more draft coverage from the NHL and more on Stamkos in our coverage of the phenom last year. TSN polled some scouts before the lottery and found Stamkos was still atop their draft boards; New York native and Peterborough Pete defenseman Zach Bogosian was No. 2. That pick belongs to the Los Angeles Kings; Rich Hammond of Inside the Kings is running a poll to see which player Kings fans would like to see taken second overall. Bogosian trails offensive defenseman Drew Doughty in the early voting.

UPDATE: Hammond has some late comments from Kings GM Dean Lombardi, who seems to be influenced by a certain franchise in Anaheim when it comes to building a champion with quality defensemen.

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Bergeron Back for Bruins

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-07T15:10:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Bruins, Canadiens, NHL Injuries

Nearly three months ago, Boston GM Peter Chiarelli told the media that center Patrice Bergeron's recovery from a Grade 3 concussion had regressed to the point where it was better for him to chill out in a tropical locale than to try and come back this season. But as the postseason grew closer, the outlook for Bergeron grew sunnier: He would be shut down for the regular season, and re-evaluated for the Stanley Cup Playoffs should the Bruins make the cut. Boston opens the one-vs.-eight series in Montreal on Thursday night. Bergeron won't be on the ice then, but Fluto Shinzawa of The Boston Globe reports that he could return as early as Game 2:

Patrice Bergeron was cleared for full-contact practice this morning, took part in battle drills, and is back on the Ristuccia Arena ice for a solo session with assistant Doug Houda. "I'll talk to the guys," said Bergeron. "I'll tell them the red jersey is over now. Obviously Montreal's not going to give me any favors."

Bergeron ruled himself out of Game 1 on Thursday. Bergeron will practice the next two days at Ristuccia and travel to Montreal. Neither he nor the Bruins have committed to his Game 2 availability on Saturday. Bergeron would need to be cleared by his doctors one final time before he can appear in a game. The Bruins will evaluate his progress daily to determine whether he's strong enough for game action.

With Marc Savard slowed by a bad back and Glen Metropolit nursing a bum wheel, the return of Bergeron bolsters the Bruins at a position where they could hold an advantage over the Habs on paper. It's also good news for Randy Jones, the Flyers defenseman whose hit knocked out Bergeron back in Oct. 2007. Let it never be said that Jones ended Bergeron's season -- he merely ended his regular season.

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They Don't Know Jack (Adams)

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-07T10:20:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Canadiens, Capitals, Predators, NHL Awards

There was a curious line this morning in Jack Todd's celebration of Montreal's regular season conference championship: "Claude Julien has every reason to coach for revenge, and he should give Guy Carbonneau a battle for the Jack Adams Trophy." The curiosity doesn't come from Julien's name being associated with coach of the year honors, as he willed an injury-plagued and offensively challenged Bruins team to the postseason. Rather, it comes from the notion that Carbonneau is the prohibitive favorite for the Jack Adams.

Like many others, I was completely wrong on Carbo's abilities as a head coach prior to this season. His system matched the personnel to perfection in Montreal, and his decisions regarding that personnel were uniformly correct. Winning the East when The Hockey News has your team 13th in the conference before the season is no small feat. Carbonneau's peers have acknowledged this: TSN polled 27 of 30 NHL coaches, and 11 of them cast their lots for the Habs bench boss:

Guy Carbonneau, Mon 11
Mike Babcock, Det 7
Bruce Boudreau, Was 2
Claude Julien, Bos 2
Barry Trotz, Nas 2

According to the coaches, the Jack Adams Award appears to be as much a non-competitive slam dunk as we assume the Hart Trophy will be now that Ovechkin's in the postseason. But other cases can be made in this race; and all due respect to Carbonneau, they're pretty damn compelling.

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Just Try Stealing Anaheim's Cup

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-07T01:08:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: Anaheim, General NHL, Ducks, NHL Videos, Stanley Cup

As the hockey world wraps its collective brain around the incredible Stanley Cup Playoff match-ups we've been given in Round One, it might be a good time to recall that the defending champions have lost exactly six games since Feb. 5. The Anaheim Ducks are trying to become the first team since the 1996-98 Detroit Red Wings to win back-to-back Stanley Cups. They draw the Dallas Stars in the four/five series -- one that could be decided by special teams, as Dallas went 0-for-15 in its three losses to Anaheim and 9-for-23 in its five wins.

Sports with Steve has made the argument that the Ducks are the team to beat in the postseason, and that "there's just nobody out there that can stop them in a seven-game series." If it's Anaheim's Cup to lose, that means someone is going to have to take it from them. And if this comedic attempt is any indication, that won't be easy -- beware the Parros!

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The Washington Capitals' Playoff Fight Song Will Make Your Brain Bleed Out of Your Ears

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-06T17:38:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Capitals, NHL Fans, Stanley Cup

Two bits of audio information about the newly crowned Southeast Division champions (and if recent playoff history is any indication ... well, let's not ahead of ourselves), the Washington Capitals. DCRTV, a Washington radio gossip and news site, is reporting that the team's playoff games may be bumped from their radio home 3WT (107.7-FM) and over to 106.7-FM WJFK -- the city's guy-talk format station. According to the site, the team's first postseason games since 2003 might have to be moved because of a previous commitment to Washington Nationals regular season baseball games ... in April. And that's why the Capitals are accused of playing in a non-hockey market...

The other audio item of the day was passed along by Christopher Porter, a writer colleague who recently covered a hilarious burrito incident in the 400 level at the Verizon Center. Every playoff team of destiny needs it's own "Super Bowl Shuffle," right? So the DC-based metalcore band Darkest Hour penned a Washington Capitals Fight Song that appears to be named "Let's Go Caps." And rather than feeling the artistic pain of having to rhyme "Ovechkin," the band peppers its ditty with thrashing guitars, pounding drums and the ritualistic growling of a "Let's Go Caps" chant.

Hear and download "Let's Go Caps," Darkest Hour's tribute to the Washington Capitals Hockey Team on the band's special MySpace page for the tune. And be sure to warn your neighbors before you turn it up to 11.

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Tonight's Postseason Implications

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-04T16:00:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Hurricanes, Eastern, Western, Stanley Cup

For the five or six people who gave a flying toss about HBO's "In Treatment," I imagine the last few weeks of the NHL season have had a similar intensity: Every night a new drama, every night a new revelation, and every night bringing us closer to a conclusion that will be painful for some and joyous for others. But no Gabriel Bryne. At least not yet.

Tonight is no different: Six games, many of them with direct effects on playoff seedings and clinchings, and many of them whose results will ripple into this weekend's finales. From the NHL, here's what's at stake for the Eastern Conference:

No. 3 Carolina Hurricanes can clinch the Southeast Division tonight if they beat Florida; they can clinch an Eastern Conference playoff berth tonight if they get one point against Florida and Philadelphia gets no points against New Jersey. Here's a hell of a stat: "The Hurricanes have won their last 13 home games against the Panthers, which represents the NHL's longest active home winning streak against one opponent."

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Huet: Washington's Hidden MVP

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-04T12:44:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Canadiens, Capitals

Cristobal Huet has been the catalyst for two of the most important decisions made by Eastern Conference general managers this season. The first was Bob Gainey's decision that Huet wasn't fit for the postseason, opting to trade his only veteran goaltender and hand over the Canadiens to ~~Carey Roy Dryden~~ rookie Carey Price. The second was George McPhee's decision to weigh the Capitals' playoff hopes against 16 years of nostalgia and loyalty; thus Huet was acquired in a trade deadline stunner, and Olaf Kolzig soon found himself serving as his backup.

If Alexander Ovechkin is the Capitals' (and depending on your own standards, the League's) most valuable player, Huet is perhaps the team's most vital in this playoff push -- one that's led to Washington inhabiting the No. 8 seed as of Friday. He's started 12 games and won 10 of them, posting a 1.69 GAA and a sterling .934 save percentage. He's in the midst of an eight-game winning streak, and hasn't allowed more than one goal in any of his last three.

"I don't know what he's doin', but I hope he eats the same food tomorrow that he ate today," Coach Bruce Boudreau said following the Capitals' 4-1 win over Tampa Bay last night. "He's playing great, he's in a zone, and that's good news for us."

The motivation for the Capitals is obvious: Make the postseason for the first time since 2003, and keep this DC hockey Renaissance going. But what's motivating Huet's No. 1-star performances? Perhaps, as I asked him earlier this week, a potential meeting with Gainey, Price and the Habs in Round One?

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The Early Word on 'The Love Guru'

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-04T10:50:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Maple Leafs, NHL Fans, TV and Movies

Say, when is that Mike Myers comedy that mixes humor about spiritual self-help with NHL-endorsed hockey hi-jinks supposed to hit theaters?

Ah, thanks. As "The Love Guru" creeps closer to a multiplex near you, reviews have started to filter in from advance test screenings of the film -- in which Myers plays Pitka, a guru who attempts to mend the broken heart of a star player for the Leafs after his wife begins dating L.A. Kings star Jacques Grande (Justin Timberlake).

So is the flick any good? Do we have another "Austin Powers" on our hands, or a cinematic hockey atrocity on a "Slap Shot 2" level? Ain't It Cool News offers some muted praise and potential trouble for one of the summer's biggest comedies.

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Quit Fakin' That Broken Femur

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-03T20:40:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: Minnesota, General NHL, Wild, NHL Injuries

It was one of the most horrific moments in the NHL this season: Minnesota defenseman Kurtis Foster shattering his left femur on the end boards, after the Sharks' Torrey Mitchell gave him an extra shove while the players chased an iced puck. The Pioneer Press caught up with Foster recently; here's a cringe-worthy excerpt:

"I remember the knee taking everything," Foster said by phone Tuesday from his Twin Cities hospital room. "I landed on my knee pad and felt it all in the knee. When I pulled out of the scrum, I tried moving my left leg. I remember in my mind, my foot was moving, but when I looked down, it wasn't ...That's when I was pretty sure my leg was broken."

But since it's clear Foster will play again in the NHL, most likely by the end of 2008, there can be a little levity in this otherwise dire situation. And it was provided by his lady:

Stephanie Bosch was watching on television when her fiancé, Wild defenseman Kurtis Foster, collided with the end boards and broke his left femur into four pieces. Initially, she didn't think much of it. "I thought he was faking it," she said. "I thought he was trying to draw a penalty. He has scared me like that before."

"I thought he was faking it?" A shattered femur? What is he, the Daniel Day Lewis of drawing penalties? If so, does that make Sidney, like, Brando or something?

(h/t The Hockey News)

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Badda Bing! Vito from 'The Sopranos' Scores Twice from Center Ice

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-03T14:00:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Blackhawks, Wings, NHL Videos

Joe Gannascoli waddled into pop culture history for his role as Vito Spatafore on "The Sopranos," playing a mob henchman who happened to be a closeted homosexual. The scenes where Meadow Soprano's boyfriend found Vito in a compromising position with a construction site security guard, and when two mobsters found a leather-clad Vito at an S&M club, were among the classic series' squirmiest; his demise was one of the more violent moments.

Gannascoli is also a huge sports fan, dying his dog blue to support the Giants and supporting New York's hockey teams, including having conducted interviews with Islanders greats like Kenny Morrow. Last night in Chicago, during the Blackhawks' 6-2 win over the Red Wings, Gannascoli came out on the ice for one of those between-periods carnival games: Shooting a puck from center ice into a small opening in the middle of the net down the ice. From MSNBC's "Morning Joe" this morning, here's what happened:

The "Score-o" double whammy from center ice is a rare and impressive athletic feat. That first one's for Vito; that second one's all for you, Johnny Cakes...

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The Ice Sheet: Capital Crunch Time

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-02T10:40:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Hurricanes, Capitals, NHL Videos

Every day from Monday to Saturday, The Ice Sheet will take a look at the biggest stories in the league that happened on the ice and elsewhere the night before.

Considering where the Washington Capitals typically find themselves at this point in the season, Coach Bruce Boudreau's metaphor was drenched in irony. "The right ping-pong ball has to got to fall in the right spaces for us to be successful," he said after his team's 4-1 victory over Carolina last night in front of a playoff-intense crowd in D.C. The victory tied the teams with 90 points apiece -- with two games left for each, both against Tampa Bay and Florida -- but there's a misconception in the coverage of last night's win: The Capitals are no more tied for the Southeast Division lead as they are tied for the last playoff spot in the East.

They remain one point in back of Philly and Boston, and they remain one win in back of Carolina. "If we don't win tonight, it's really difficult to get what we want to get. We're desperate. But we'll wake up tomorrow and realize, 'Holy Jeez, we've got to win Thursday. And Saturday,'" Boudreau said. "[The Hurricanes are] still in the driver's seat for the division and for the playoffs. I think they'll be ready."

Based on what I saw last night, I'm not quite sure they will be.

(Coming Up Next: Last Night's Losers, Puck Headlines, Cake for Zebras and an odd hockey animation.)

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Zubov's Injuries: 'All of the Above'

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-04-01T21:00:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: Dallas, General NHL, Stars, NHL Injuries

Sergei Zubov hasn't played a game since Jan. 17, yet the Dallas Stars will likely finish as the No. 5 or No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. But come playoff time, the Stars could certainly use a healthy defenseman who has 23 goals and 111 points -- along with a plus-32 -- in 153 career postseason games. The question is whether Zubov can recover from surgery on a hairline fracture in his right foot in time to contribute.

He had resumed skating while Dallas was on a California trip but didn't answer the bell for practice today. Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News pressed coach Dave Tippett on Zubov's status, only to be told that "he's going to see a specialist and probably won't be on the ice for a few days." So is it the foot? His groin? "All of the above," Tippett responded. Dr. Heika offers his diagnosis:

I think Zubov's biggest problems are up in his girdle area. I'm not sure if that's the groin or if it's hangover from the sports hernia surgery he had in the summer, but it's a definite problem. The Stars will probably start the playoffs next Thursday, so I would say there's a very good chance Zubov is not ready for Game 1. The Stars are listing him as day to day still, but I think this has to be seen as a huge setback.

Think Zubov's absence means something to Stars fans? Caitlin from Hockey Coma shrouded her blog in black today out of premature mourning. Well, after she got on Heika for using "'Zubov' and 'girdle' in the same sentence."

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Say Hello to On-Glass Advertising

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-03-31T15:00:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, NHL Media Watch, Stanley Cup

There are two bits of information in this report by Sports Business Journal this morning, and both of them are guaranteed to drive purists into a Tortorellian fit of rage. The more benign of the two is that the NHL plans on placing Stanley Cup Playoffs logos inside each of the blue lines during the postseason, in the area where those "Thank You, Fans!" messages were placed after they stole a season from us. There will also be an NHL logo on the ice behind each net. As far as changes go, this one is more irksome than offensive. I'd actually like to see more art on the ice during a game -- as a Devils fan, perhaps a giant arrow that points to the opposing net to help on the power play.

The second bit of news ... well, it's a little more controversial I imagine: The NHL plans on selling "virtual advertising" on the glass above the ice. From SBJ:

The virtual advertising plan, which still has to be approved by Commissioner Gary Bettman and team owners, is patterned after the same type of advertising behind home plate during televised baseball games. Hockey's version will superimpose ads on the glass above dasherboards that protect spectators. The ads, which will not be visible in the arena, will not affect camera angles or live TV shots.

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The Good, the Bad and the Charity Points

Greg Wyshynski — 2008-03-31T10:30:00 00:00

by Greg Wyshynski

Filed under: General NHL, Eastern, Western

Sunday may have been one of the most charitable days in recent NHL history. Nashville, Boston, Colorado, Columbus and Dallas all tasted defeat in various stages of overtime; and as per our current system of rewarding futility, they all inched up in the standings. For the Bruins, it meant a valuable one-point cushion to their lead for the final playoff berth in the East. For Nashville, it meant remaining within one point of the final slot in the West. For Dallas, it meant clinching a playoff berth in defeat.

Last December, we re-imagined the standings without the charity point, and found some deviation from the season's point totals. One look at the current standings shows that teams with 10 or more overtime losses are either in the playoff picture or have recently left it (in the Blue Jackets' case). There's also the Edmonton Oilers, who have been propped up by six OT losses and their inexplicable success in the skills competition -- but hey, at least they win in overtime.

In Sean Leahy's lament about the charity point, he correctly wondered if it wasn't a little hypocritical for the NHL to state a desire to open up the game while rewarding teams that rag the puck for dear life at the end of regulation. But I think Another Habs Blog hits on a very important point in this debate, especially in the context of this season: Has the overtime charity point given us the parity that's resulted in the pulse-pounding drama we've had for the last two months?

Artificially ending games with a skills competition is dumb; rewarding a team with a point in the standings for losing is dumber. But as staunch a critic of the charity point as I've been, there's no denying some virtue to it if it's responsible for our having both 10th-place teams in either conference playing meaningful games heading into April. Perhaps another re-imagining of the standings after the season's finished will tell us more.

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