Recent Articles
Written by Bill Brister on August 5th, 2008 | 0 Comments
The NHL Network is doing a spotlight on one of the great players of this sport we all love. They are calling it “Wayne Gretzky Week” in honor of his trade that “changed the game.” On August 9th, 1988 … Gretzky was traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Los Angeles Kings (keep in mind Edmonton just won the cup … and the Kings, well, they were the Kings back then too!). Gretzky becoming a King changed the franchise overnight and was one of the main reasons the NHL was able to expand into new “non-traditional” markets. Continue reading...
Written by Bill Brister on July 20th, 2008 | 0 Comments
I know we have not heard much about this in 4 weeks – I intended to post this up then, but life got in the way and here I am now spreading my excuses and explanations on this slice of toast we call The Daily Deke! I just find it interesting in this year long feud between Brian Burke and Kevin Lowe it only became an “issue” in Batman’s eyes as soon as Kevin stood up for himself. Brian has said some pretty underhanded and snide comments towards the Edmonton Oilers and Kevin, and once Kevin stands up and says “No More” … *queue the super hero music* Dum Da DA Dumass – Gary Bettman to the rescue! Brian Burke has said he will abide by the NHL’s request to squash the verbal assaults on Kevin Lowe and the Edmonton Oilers … yet, before anyone could enjoy a sigh of relief and let their guard down, he nails one last one into the coffin. TAMPERING??? So let me get this right … Brian spends most of last year bashing and trashing Kevin Lowe and Edmonton regarding the offer letter extended to Dustin Penner which eventually Edmonton won out and Penner joined the Oiler ranks! Again, over the off season Brian starts his whining, this time Kevin will have no part of it. Continue reading...
Written by Bill Brister on July 18th, 2008 | 0 Comments
So I run across a story the other day and I am physically moved to bending over in my chair and laughing to the point my boss has to ask me if I am ok. A funny joke you ask – No! An amazing new YouTube video that is making the rounds – try again! A story about an NHL team in the bottom 1/3rd of the league last year trying to raise ticket prices - *DING* *DING* We have a winner!!! Continue reading...
Written by Clint Bundrick on July 10th, 2008 | 1 Comment
This afternoon all parties involved in the Russia/KHL and NHL debate agreed to call a ceasefire and “respect” the contracts given to players by each league. This essentially means that the KHL can’t come and try to steal Evgeni Malkin while the NHL can’t go and take back Jaromir Jagr. Apparently this is the first step towards creating a new transfer agreement where teams would be compensated when they lose a player to a league overseas. Those who fail to follow the rules will be barred from the Olympics, which is even more important to those in Russia than it is to America. However, it’s important to note that this is essentially both sides coming together and saying that they will abide by the rules that they themselves set several weeks ago. It’s basically an agreement to try to figure this thing out later and something is clearly amiss. Continue reading...
Written by Clint Bundrick on July 9th, 2008 | 1 Comment
After leading Ottawa to the Stanley Cup finals only a season ago, the enigmatic and somewhat troubled goaltender appears to be done in the NHL, for now. Emery reportedly received very little interest in free agency after being bought out by the Ottawa Senators last month and is on the verge of signing a one-year deal with the newly formed Continental Hockey League in Russia. My how quickly they fall in sports. Continue reading...
