Brian Burke & Kevin Lowe - Cant We All Just Get Along?
Written by Bill on July 20th, 2008 | 0 CommentsI 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...
Florida Panthers - We Screw The Other Guy, And Pass The Savings Onto YOU!
Written by Bill on July 18th, 2008 | 0 CommentsSo 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...
The KHL Comes to an Agreement with the NHL and the NHL Loses First Meaningful Player Anyways
Written by clint on July 10th, 2008 | 1 CommentThis 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...
Ray Emery Russia Bound
Written by clint on July 9th, 2008 | 1 CommentAfter 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...
Winter Classic Part Deux to be Announced Next Week
Written by clint on July 6th, 2008 | 1 CommentAccording to a few sites the second Winter Classic is set and will be formally announced next week. The game will take place on New Years Day at Wrigley Field between the reinvigorated Chicago Blackhawks and Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings. Chicago is hosting a Blackhawk convention next week and the announcement should coincide with the event. If it’s true, and it certainly seems like it is, I’ll be one of the first in line to get tickets. Continue reading...
Pittsburgh Penguins: The Rollercoaster Off-season and Janne Pesonen
Written by clint on July 6th, 2008 | 3 CommentsIt hasn’t been a pleasant off-season for the Penguins in some respects as they are starting to pay the price for all that young talent. They lost, or threw away, hometown hero Ryan Malone who went on to sign a 7-year deal with the very busy and freshly deconstructed Tampa Bay Lightning. They lost Malone for a number of reasons not the least of which was the fact that they spent most of the free agent period focusing exclusively on speedy winger Marian Hossa, whom they’d acquired at the trade deadline. Sidney Crosby had gone on record saying he didn’t want to start this coming season the way he’d started the previous, which is without a true scoring winger. He was essentially looking for the Jaromir Jagr to his Mario Lemieux or the Jari Kurri to his Wayne Gretzky. Continue reading...
Hockey 101 - Offside (Rule 83)
Written by Bill on July 4th, 2008 | 0 CommentsHow many times have you been emotionally and physically invested into a game? It could happen at anytime … the goalie makes a cartwheel save, a defenseman completely undresses the attacking team on a 2 – 1 breakaway … the puck is turned over … they head down the ice and all of a sudden, everyone stops skating and the Ref is standing there pointing to a round dot on the ice. What Just Happened??? I am surprised at how many people do not understand what being “Offsides” actually is. Down and Dirty - According to the NHL Rule book … Rule 83 reads: Continue reading...
Is He Worth It?
Written by Fred on July 2nd, 2008 | 3 CommentsAs Mats Sundin sat available on the Free Agent market, the offers came pouring in. The biggest coming from the Vancouver Canucks. They offered the veteran $20 million over the next 2 years. The Rangers, Habs, Red Wings and Leafs also made offers to Sundin. Continue reading...
