RFN? Right F---ing Now.

In the States, with the newspaper industry in free-fall and reporting staffs being stripped to the bone, the hockey beat is among the first to be sacrificed. Which means that as thin a slice of newspaper space as hockey used to get, it's a whole lot thinner now. In many markets, hockey is a "starter" beat for interns or fresh-from-journalism-school kids, so the level of analysis is understandably superficial, and TV reporting on hockey has to fit into such a tiny hole, it barely scratches the surface.

The newspaper business isn't any healthier here, the difference being that papers in Canada will cut anything BUT hockey coverage, because survey after survey of readership tastes keep coming back with the same results: give us more hockey, we'll live without the rest. And radio and television have all kinds of time, and staff, to devote to hockey.

So if anything, the disparity between the amount of external pressure exerted on an NHL franchise in Canada, compared with its American equivalent, is only growing larger.

Absent the heavy, everyday scrutiny and relentless demand for results, a player can work his way through a slump without being pilloried in the U.S., a coach can survive a losing streak, a smart hockey man can take his time, make a studied plan and stick to it until his team is built.

No such luxuries are available in Canada.

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CBCSports.ca: How did you get into hockey?

Esposito: "Three years old, my dad built a rink in the backyard, and he pushed us, I'll never forget because my brother was only 2, he could hardly walk. I was like 11 lbs. 5 ounces when I was born, apparently, it nearly killed my mother, so it took me longer to learn how to walk than my brother because I was bigger and fatter. Geez I'm still like that, too, by the way (laughs).

"But anyway, they pushed us out on the ice, and I remember when I was I think 9 or 10 years old, in those days they used to have guidance counselors that would come around and ask you what you wanted to be when you grew up. Her name was Mrs. Cunningham and I'll never forget her because she was probably 5 foot by 5 foot, and she also whacked me across my rear end with a yardstick when I got in trouble at school. She'd really nail me. In those days, they did those things...

... So we go over to the school and she proceeds to tell him I didn't answer the question, and you know I didn't want to be a lawyer or a doctor...And my dad said, 'What did my son say?' And she said, 'Hockey player.' And he turned to me and said 'Is that what you want to do, son?' I said, 'That's what I want to do, dad,' and he turned to her and said 'What's wrong with that?' My old man went from here, way up. From that moment on, boy, there was nothing my dad could ever do wrong. He stuck up for me, and that's what I wanted to do, and that's what I did. There was nothing else in my mind, and to this day people ask me 'Do you still miss it?' Every day of the week. I wake up every morning thinking I can play again, until I start skating again (laughs). And then I know I can't."...

CBCSports.ca: Who was your funniest teammate, and why?

Esposito: "My funniest? Gerry Cheevers... He was just, on the bus trips for example, because we took the bus a lot, we'd play games before trivial pursuit was even on, we'd play these games where we'd make up movies, also we would pick the all good looking wives team, the all bad team, the all good team. And we were so bored, and Cheevey, without a doubt, he was the funniest dude I ever met. We had the ignorant squad on our team and Gerry was most valuable player (laughs).

CBCSports.ca: Where was the most memorable tournament you ever played, and why?

Esposito: Team Canada '72, without a doubt, because it was the unknown. We had no idea that these guys could play like they did, no idea. In fact, the Toronto Maple Leafs scouts scouted them, and they told us they couldn't do this, couldn't do that. I made a statement saying no wonder the Leafs are in last place, their scouts are stupid... Read more>>

The National Hockey League just completed a record October that saw more fans attend and tune in to games than ever -- while being treated to close games, more scoring and some spectacular individual performances.
...
October Attendance Records
Goal-Scoring on the Rise
Close Games a Staple of October Menu
Ratings Rise
Fans Watching Live Games Online In Record Numbers
More Web Traffic
Consumer Products and Retail
Postcards from Europe
...
Individual Achievement
* Ryan Getzlaf
* Teemu Selanne'

Some helpful suggestions for the new president

Sometime Tuesday night, a new administration will be chosen to lead the United States. Perhaps the new president needs some advice for cabinet positions that need to be filled.

So, here are my suggestions:

Director of Social Security -- Chris Chelios.

Cup winners need good starts -- A fast start is no guarantee that a team will win the Stanley Cup. But if the last 12 years are any indication, a slow start makes for a good bet that it won't.
...
Two teams, the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning and the 2007 Anaheim Ducks, won the Cup after not losing a game in regulation in the season's first month. The Lightning was 6-0-1; the Ducks went 9-0-0-3.
...
Anaheim was 1-5-0 after six games but has won five in a row with a home game against Vancouver on Friday to close out the month. Even if the Ducks win, their October percentage of .583 would be lower than any Cup winner since the 1994 New York Rangers, who played .577 hockey in October.
...
Over glass, into box -- It won't show up in the record books, but Toronto Maple Leafs apparently set some kind of bizarre mark in their game against Tampa Bay on Tuesday. Of the Leafs' five penalties, three were delay of game calls for shooting the puck over the glass and into the crowd -- the most called against a team in one game since the rule was added in 2005-06. Leafs defenseman Mike Van Ryn drew two of the penalties. Tampa Bay's Chris Gratton also was penalized for putting the puck in the seats, meaning that four of the 11 minors called were for delay of game.

As for Ray Scapinello, he had the line of the day when Stellick asked him where he was when the call came in?

"Nobody called me," he said. "I just showed up."
...
The hockey world came together Monday night in Toronto to induct six new members into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Igor Larionov was a pioneer in the sport, helping lead the wave of Russian players into the NHL and going on to win three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings. Glenn Anderson was a member of the Edmonton Oilers' dynasty and wound up lifting the Cup six times in his storied career. Ray Scapinello carved out his niche as one of the League's most respected officials and the late Ed Chynoweth helped build our great game through his work in junior hockey and the Western Hockey League.

Along with broadcaster Mike Emrick, the Foster Hewitt Memorial Award winner, and Neil Stevens, who received the Elmer Ferguson Memorial Award, all of Monday's inductees have earned their way into hockey immortality.

The NHL is trying to crackdown on unnecessary blows to the head.

The NHL's Senior Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations, Colin Campbell, had the following memo, obtained by TSN, posted in every NHL dressing room on Friday.

"Recently, we have had two (2) supplemental discipline incidents involving direct elbow blows to the head. This is a play that we have been trying to remove from our game for a number of years. In one case there was no injury and in the other incident the elbowed Player received a concussion. Both Players delivering the elbows had never before been involved in supplemental discipline.

"We cannot and will not tolerate blows to the head that are deliberate, avoidable and illegal. Furthermore, both the history and status of the offender (first time versus repeat) and the nature of the injury caused (if any) will be taken into consideration as they have been in the past. The length of suspensions for illegal blows to the head will be increased if these incidents persist across the League. Taking steps to maintain the safest on-ice environment possible for the Players remains our most important priority."

NHL and NHLPA welcome Energizer as Official Battery

"Combining the strength of the NHL Shield with the consumer recognition of The Energizer Bunny® and Keep Going® campaigns creates a unique consumer marketing 'power play,'" said Laurel Walzak, the NHL's Director of Business Development. "We look forward to the many opportunities created by aligning all of these strong brands."

Sooooo ... how many hockey players will be donning the pink bunny ears and beating the drum?

I think the campaign should start with Sean Avery in a pink bunny suit, standing in front of a goalie, waiving his arms like a madman. The game could end and he'd still be there waiving. They could zamboni the ice around him and he'd still be there waiving. The lights could go out in the arena and the manager locks up and Avery would still be there ... making a complete arze of himself.

I think the campaign should start with Sean Avery in a pink bunny suit, standing in front of a goalie, waiving his arms like a madman. The game could end and he'd still be there waiving. They could zamboni the ice around him and he'd still be there waiving. The lights could go out in the arena and the manager locks up and Avery would still be there ... making a complete arze of himself.

You forgot about when he's still standing there and a big earthquake hits and swallows him down into Hades. Or maybe that was just a dream I had?

"I am very, very excited about coming back home to ESPN where I have had so many great years," Melrose said in an ESPN statement. "I look forward to analyzing people being fired rather than being the guy fired."

The Canucks are one of several team who still remain in the running for the nine-time All-Star. The New York Rangers, Philadelphia Flyers, Chicago Blackhawks and the Montreal Canadiens appear to all be in the running for Sundin. The new general manager of his former club the Maple Leafs appears to have closed the door however on a return to Toronto.

Anaheim not in running for Sundin?


TSN

kind of confirms that his meeting with BB had nothing to do with him playing in anaheim(thank god)...

Sabres goalie Ryan Miller on Tuesday accused an NHL referee of using a profanity in response to a question the player asked during Buffalo's 4-3 win at Pittsburgh a night earlier.

The goalie raised the issue after he was asked what he discussed with coach Lindy Ruff at the end of practice.

Miller said he joked with Ruff that the exchange with the official might have played a factor a few minutes later when the Sabres were issued a bench minor penalty for arguing an interference penalty against Thomas Vanek.

The other night, the Chicago Blackhawks scored so many goals against the visiting Coyotes that the horn at the United Center ceased to function.

No embarrassment is too great for our hockey team, and these days the story seems to be a growing dire.

Would you miss them if they were gone?

Just as the Coyotes begin to turn a competitive corner, we are inundated with reports of their impending financial doom. Owner Jerry Moyes has lost a king's fortune since investing in this team; Forbes magazine ranked the Coyotes the least-valuable franchise in the NHL, and one of 10 sports teams most likely to relocate; and a Toronto newspaper quotes a former governor of the league saying he wouldn't buy the Coyotes for $1.

If the red ink is as bad as their current reputation, the Coyotes are in real trouble...

LINK

They identified and swiped Ilya Bryzgalov off the waiver wire last season, believing they had found their stalwart goalie. For an encore, Bryzgalov has been bryzutal.

The National Hockey League (NHL) today announced that McDonald's USA has been named the League's official quick-service restaurant (QSR) in the United States. McDonald's is also the NHL's official QSR in Canada, and the company already has local relationships with 14 NHL teams.

Unless you were a disaster capitalist or Britney Spears’ fired-then-re-hired business manager – which, come to think of it, may be two sides of the same coin after all – you’ll probably agree with me that 2008, in a word and for the most part, sucked. And sucked, in a word and for the most part, large.

I’m talking Opera-palooza-level atrocious. Oprah-palooza awful. I’m talking “18-hour-car-trip-with-only-your-mother-in-law-and-a-stack-of-Johnny-Mathis-CDs” excruciating.

George Carlin, Paul Newman and Jack Falla, each a noble and exemplary legend in his profession, died in 2008.

Luc Bourdon, Alexei Cherepanov, Mickey Renaud, each still blossoming as an athlete and a human being, also died this year, long before they had the chance to best manifest their talents.

But above and beyond those gut-wrenching goodbyes, there just seemed to be something inescapably melancholy in virtually every facet of the hockey world this year...

... In Tampa Bay, new owners Len Barrie and Oren Koules rode to the team’s rescue and promised an adventure for Lightning fans. So far, they’ve done exactly that, only it’s been a Poseidon Adventure they’ve delivered; one featuring bodies flying over the bow with troubling regularity and a speedy sink to the bottom of the standings...

... there was Joe Sakic, who served as a cautionary tale in regard to what happens when brain farts meet rich guys needlessly performing manual labor...

... Of course, no year in the hockey world could be quite as bad as the last few months of 2004 and first few months of 2005, when owners and players collectively bungled up their own affairs, then made the fans and thousands of people who work in the industry pay for their mistakes. That period was ghastly on too many levels to discuss in this column.

That said, 2008 sure comes close...

...2008 was when justice worked in David Frost’s favor, for heaven’s sake. That about sums up this snarling, boil-covered, dirty rotten mother of 365 straight days as well as anything.

So beat it, 2008. And keep your hands where we can see ’em, 2009.

Worth reading the whole thing.

This is hilarious, and what Proteau does best: general observations with humor.

I love the Poseidon Adventure analogy for TBL and their cowboy captains they have steering the ship down there...

Commissioner Gary Bettman stood by silently during the snake oil shows put on by Snider and Checketts, but managed to re-discover his voice when it came time to squash Sean Avery into dust or to stop Brian Burke and Kevin Lowe from providing some of the most entertaining GM-on-GM sniping in years.

Ok, granted there were only four NHL games the past two nights, but can't they do better than having LA photos for both Frozen Moments? Were they really the "very best of NHL photography" on both nights? Is someone in the gallery selection just a wee bit star struck?

You be the judge...

It's official: the New Jersey Devils have made room for the return of unrestricted free agent Brendan Shanahan, signing the veteran forward on Wednesday.

Shanahan signed an $800,000 dollar contract, meaning he will receive about half of that for playing half of the NHL season. With the move, Shanahan rejoins the club that drafted him in 1987.

Surprised this hasn't been posted yet. I couldn't find the Devils thread, sry. Feel free to move this post.

TSN




Say what you will about him and his age, I personally think it's kind of cool he's now set to get his 1500th game (10 away) with the club that drafted him. $400K for 40ish game's ain't bad. He may not be much help, but I doubt he'll be a hurt to them.

oh you mean the one place I didn't look?

Ok, two straight Kings Frozen Moments isn't good. But the Frozen Moments have bigger flaws.

leading power play scorers:
3. Ryan Getzlaf, C, Anaheim (3-21-24)
The overall leaders in power play production
5. Teemu Selanne, RW, Anaheim (29.7)
11. Ryan Getzlaf, C, Anaheim (26.7)
The Most Efficient Power Play Performers on Each Team:
Anaheim: Teemu Selanne (13.97), Bobby Ryan (9.80)
The Least Efficient Power Play Performers On Each Team (minimum five power play points):
Anaheim: Chris Pronger (4.71)
The Most Efficient Power Play Forwards in the League:
1. Teemu Selanne, RW, Anaheim (13.97)
19. Bobby Ryan, RW, Anaheim (9.80)
39. Ryan Getzlaf, C, Anaheim (8.52)
The Most Efficient Power Play Defencemen in the League:
13. Scott Niedermayer, D, Anaheim (6.57)

Cuban willing to donate $25,000 to NHL fund in name of Colorado player attacked

DALLAS (AP) — Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is getting his money's worth out of his latest fine.

The NBA hit Cuban with a $25,000 penalty Friday for "improper interactions with Denver Nuggets players," mostly stemming from an incident involving Denver's J.R. Smith. So Cuban posted on his blog that he would donate $25,000 to whatever charity Smith chose.

On Saturday, Cuban posted an update saying he's waiting to hear back from the Nuggets, but he's already come up with a backup plan: "I'm going to give the money to the (NHL) Players Association Goals and Dreams Fund in the names of Todd Bertuzzi and Steve Moore."...

LINK

"Today's announcement that the NHLPA's membership is committed to playing under the CBA for two more years is great news for all hockey fans," said Kelly. "While the NHLPA's membership has issues with the current Agreement, the players and their Executive Board decided that due to the current economic conditions as well as the players' focus on continuing to help grow this game and expose our great athletes to many more fans, now is not the appropriate time to enter complex labour negotiations."
...
The NHLPA also has the option to extend the current Agreement for one year, through the conclusion of the 2011-12 season.

NHLPA Decides Not To Re-Open Collective Bargaining Agreement




Huzzah!
We're free from lockout/strike concerns til 2011!

(and the only conceivably intelligent decision, isn't it?)

Tampa Bay center Vincent Lecavalier echoed the sentiments of his union brother.

"There's a lot of things that the players are not happy about in the CBA, but I think today is a good day because we can move forward and extend and grow the game," Lecavalier said. "We're happy to be able to continue for the next four years."
...
Kelly admitted that the players found the option of reopening the CBA at this point to be an unattractive option. He said "a clear majority" of his 720-player union supports the Executive Board's decision to not terminate the CBA.

"The players certainly appreciate that another lockout would be extremely damaging to the sport," Kelly said.

TSN's Ice Chips

The Bruins say Manny Fernandez is ready to go, but it's likely that Tim Thomas started Monday and Wednesday to allow Fernandez some extra time to get healthy. - Boston Globe

Bruins winger Milan Lucic will miss this weekends YoungStars game due to injury. "(Lucic) isn't going because he's hurt and he hasn't played for us for two weeks," said Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli. "It's tough for these players. They want to be there and we know this is done to promote the league. A lot of guys (also) want to be there because it's the 100th anniversary of (the Canadiens)." - Calgary Sun

The Sabres spent their "team-building" exercise Tuesday playing paintball. "We leave everybody with a few welts and everybody was in the line of fire so it was a good time," said goaltender Ryan Miller. "We weren't trying to be Navy SEALs or anything. We were just running around, laughing and having a good time taking your mind off hockey for a day." - Buffalo News

After a December in which the Hawks reeled off 10 victories in 12 games, including a club-record nine straight, they have cooled off considerably in January with a 5-5-1 mark. In Wednesday night's effort, they mustered just 21 shots on goal as they were shut out at home for the first time this season. - Chicago Tribune

The Hawks expect Duncan Keith to be ready to return Wednesday at Anahaim. "I watched him skate (Wednesday) and I think he's ready," Joel Quenneville said. - Daily Herald Times

Predators officials are considering purchasing unsold tickets to ensure the team's average paid attendance reaches 14,000 at the Sommet Center in order to continue receiving a full share of revenue-sharing funds from the league. The Predators, who received $12 million last season, are averaging 13,744 through 22 home games. - Rocky Mountain News

Martin Gerber cleared waivers without being claimed by another team on Friday. There has been speculation that the Senators would attempt to loan Gerber to a European team in order to alleviate his salary cap hit. - TSN

Penguins forward Dustin Jeffrey has been sent to the minors. In 14 games this season, Jeffrey scored a goal and three points. - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Martin St. Louis has answered the call to join defending champion Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, Anaheim's Ryan Getzlaf, Chicago's Patrick Kane and hometown favorite Alex Kovalev in Saturday's Scotiabank Fan Fav NHL Breakaway Challenge. - Release

The Leafs have assigned forward Nikolai Kulemin and defenceman Anton Stralman to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League. Kulemin played in 41 games for the Leafs this season collecting 14 points on seven goals and seven assists with eight penalty minutes. In 25 games with the Leafs, Stralman has registered one goal and six assists, as well as 10 minutes in penalties. -Release

TSN's Ice Chips

Updates for January 24

The Anaheim Ducks will be without defenceman Kent Huskins for longer than expected after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured bone in his right foot. Huskins, who was expected to return following the All-Star break will be out an additional four to six weeks. - Orange County Register

The Blackhawks hope that defenceman Duncan Keith will be able to return from a concussion in time for Wednesday's game against the Ducks. - Daily Herald Times

The Detroit Red Wings will have to do without the services of defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom or forward Pavel Datsyuk for next Tuesday's game against the Blue Jackets after the NHL came down hard on both players for skipping this weekend's All-Star festivities. Both players are dealing with minor injuries however neither missed a full game prior to pulling out of the All-Star game. - TSN

Martin Gerber cleared waivers without being claimed by another team on Friday. There has been speculation that the Senators would attempt to loan Gerber to a European team in order to alleviate his salary cap hit. - TSN

Flyers' centre Dan Briere stated that he believed that his health problems are behind him and he should be ready to return in four or five weeks following surgery on his groin and stomach. - Philadelphia Inquirer

TSN's Ice Chips

Updates for January 26

Jarome Iginla was given the full day off following his weekend festivities. Andre Roy didn't practice either, as he had a meeting with Colin Campbell in Toronto today for being caught on camera pointing to an opponent and doing the "throat slit" gesture against the Blue Jackets. Forward Brandon Prust participated in his first full practice with the team. He was wearing bright blue (no hitting) due to his broken jaw. - TSN

Forward Sam Gagner had an MRI on Monday to check out his sore ankle. Sheldon Souray got the day off following the All-Star weekend. - TSN

The Canadiens will have Chris Higgins (left shoulder) back in the lineup Tuesday when they visit the Tampa Bay Lighting. Carey Price will be in goal for the contest. Georges Laraque (lower body) remains on injury reserved but could be back in action next weekend. - TSN

Shean Donovan, who is out with a lower body injury will miss "at least another week," according to coach Craig Hartsburg. Anton Volchenkov make his return against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday after suffering a shoulder injury on January 3. Brian Elliott is scheduled to make his seventh straight start in net. - TSN

Goaltender Justin Pogge will start against the Wild on Tuesday. He will be returned to AHL's Marlies right after the game, regardless of the outcome. Defenceman Mike Van Ryn passed his base line test and will suit up on Tuesday. Winger Jeremy Williams and defenceman Jeff Finger are still not ready for game action. Thomas Kaberle given day off because of his All-Star game duties. Forward Niklas Hagman missed practice with the flu, but is expected to play on Tuesday. -TSN

FORSBERG RULES OUT NHL COMEBACK THIS SEASON

Peter Forsberg has ruled out a return to the National Hockey League this season.

Forsberg told Sweden's national broadcaster SVT on Friday that if he's able to play at all, it will be for his hometown club Modo in the Swedish league.

''There won't be any NHL this season, that's totally clear,'' Forsberg told SVT. ''If I can play it will be in the (Swedish) Elite Series and Modo.''

The injury-plagued forward has been back on the ice in recent weeks to test his ailing right foot.

As for Forsberg returning to the NHL, agent Don Baizley said Forsberg could return to North America next season.

"Peter isn't ruling out anything at this point, so next year is a possibility," Baizley concluded...

TSN

TORONTO -- Eric Lindros has resigned from his position as ombudsman of the National Hockey League Players' Association.

The NHLPA confirmed his departure Tuesday but offered no comment on why he left.

Lindros accepted the role in November 2007 as the union remade itself after the firing of former executive director Ted Saskin.

The position was created as part of the rewritten NHLPA constitution to resolve any complaints by members and/or staff of the union, reporting directly to the executive board...

Link

NEW YORK, NY - NHL commissioner Gary Bettman refuted claims today that hockey will not contract its league, despite current economic woes.

“I know there are reports that 11 of our 30 franchises, lost money last year”, said Bettman. “But honestly, we thought that number would be closer to 20, so we take that as a positive”.

Long ridiculed by hockey fanatics, for his lack of marketing and PR prowess, or understanding of the game itself, Gary is now being hailed by some as one of the few sports commissioners who situated his league well for an economic recession.

Said sports business analyst Chip McDuffie of the Wall Street Journal, “By having such a horrific TV contract, low ratings, and slow growth rate nationwide, Gary has positioned hockey so poorly, they really haven’t been hit by a weakened economy. Hard to lose market share when you don’t have much”. This columnist agrees. “Plus”, continued McDuffie, “at least Gary is taking chances. It’s easy to not contract. But I love where he’s actually thinking about expanding the sport”.

“We want to put a team on the moon by 2010”, brags Bettman. “Think about it. We won’t have to share viewership with the other leagues. Space is cold, which works for quality ice. And think of all the cool team nickname possibilities.”

What about travel, one reporter asked Bettman? Said the Commish, “I think that’s an issue, sure, but a workable one.”

In this humble reporters opinion, Gary Bettman is a genius. Just not a smart one.