Posts Tagged ‘Marian Hossa’

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Improving the NHL: Things we’ve learned from the Olympics

March 5th, 2010

It’s been a busy week, hasn’t it? The second the Olympics ended, the NHL trade deadline came and went… and sucked. This year’s trade deadline reminded me a lot of the TV show Lost – far too much anticipation leading up to it, not nearly enough transpired within the time frame, I’m left with more questions than answers and I’m hoping the next one will be much better.  Not very funny? OK, fine. This year’s trade deadline reminded me of the TV show Grey’s Anatomy – a bunch of things happened, but none of it really mattered. Still not very funny? OK, fine. I’m just an idiot.

Anyways, now that the NHL’s regular season has returned, it’s made me realize we could all learn a few things from the Olympics. Here’s a few things I’ve noted. Feel free to add your observations in the comments section, too.

  • 4-on-4 overtime is the way to go for every game. It’d be nice to see the NHL adopt this rule for the playoffs.
  • Marian Hossa can’t win in International Hockey, either. The 4th place finish at the Olympics marks the 3rd major championship he came so close to winning. This has to be one of the cruelest curses ever.
  • Jaroslav Halak still isn’t a number one goalie. He’s almost there, but crumbles when such a title is within reach.
  • This year’s winner of the Robert Reichel award: Pavel Demitra.
  • Less is more. Let’s reduce the number of teams that make the playoffs to increase the quality of series’. Or reduce the number of teams in the NHL. I’m actually serious on this one.
  • Gary Bettman can still screw things up, even when he’s not running the tournament. Look no further than how he answers the question “Will the NHL be involved in the 2014 Olympics in Russia?”
  • Shorter broadcasts was great. Reduced breaks between whistles, one TV time out per period and shorter intermissions saved me a lot of time. Watching hockey on TV should never be a 3 hour event. Also, the shorter intermissions meant less camera times for certain TV analysts who can seemingly talk forever!
  • Judging by select goaltending performances, I’m confident the Calgary Flames and San Jose Sharks won’t be getting far in the playoffs this year. Just a hunch.
  • Ron Wilson *may* actually know what he’s doing. Not 100% sure yet.

What did you learn from the Olympics, now that the NHL has returned?

Stay classy, NHL.

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A fifth open letter to Marian Hossa

February 4th, 2010

Dear Mr. Hossa,

Wow. Long time eh? Well, not so much for you. But it’s been awhile for me. I mean, you still haven’t responded to any of my four letters that I wrote to you. You know the ones. The first one when I introduced you to the hockey gods, the second one when I told you to sign with Ottawa, the third when I questioned your decision to sign with Chicago, and the fourth when I informed you that you had essentially cursed Chicago from winning the Stanley Cup.

Anyways, as I said, I feel like we’ve sort of lost touch. I mean, you were out of the lineup for awhile there after that whole surgery thing. And now, with you in the Western Conference for a second season (and 12 friggin more seasons), I really don’t have the patience to stay up and watch your games. But, from what Burgundy tells me, your team is doing pretty good.

The reason for this letter though is to talk to you a bit about the Olympics. From what I gather, you’re going to be playing again. And while this may seem like a bit of a backward request for a number of reasons, can you please keep an eye on Patrick Kane?

First of all, he’s heading to Vancouver, which, as you may or may not know, has some pretty loose morals when it comes to inhibition inhibitors. I’m not sure what kind of effect this might have on the American Hockey Team, but it can’t be good. Now I’m not saying that I want the U.S. Hockey Team to do well, but it would be at least entertaining to watch them play Canada in the Gold Medal Game again (Lord knows I don’t want to play Russia or Sweden). I thought that since Slovakia probably won’t make it that far, you could at least keep Kane out of trouble. I speak to this more as a fan of hockey than a fan of the U.S. team. You understand right?

That brings me to my second point. I really don’t think the Olympics needs any bad press in Vancouver. I’m really hopeful that this is going to be a great Games for Vancouver, and more importantly, for Canada. Have you heard of Cindy Klassen? Don’t worry. You will. Bottom line, I’d rather the news be focused on how great Canada is, rather than the crazy adventures of the American Hockey team.

Anyways, I really hope you have a chance to enjoy Vancouver. This is your second Olympic appearance if memory serves me correctly, so take your time out there and enjoy the experience.

If you need anything from me in the meantime, I’d be more than happy to sit down and talk.

Best regards and remember to stay classy out there,

Tambland

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Whammy of the Week

January 30th, 2010

Afternoon sportsfans and happy Hockey Day in Canada!

The Whammy feature here on Stayclassy.net that you have all come to love is undergoing a bit of a change. There now be a Classy Whammy and Non-Classy Whammy each week for you all to compare, contrast, argue over, debate, rejoice and other fancy words Champ is not yet aware of. Enjoy!

This week’s Classy Whammy comes to us from Brian Elliott and the suddenly surging Ottawa Senators against the Chicago Blackhawks. Elliot scrambled to get back into the net and does his best Patrick Roy immitation to rob Marian Hossa of a sure goal. Great stuff.

This week’s Non-Classy Whammy comes courtesy of Alex Auld versus the Vancouver Canucks. Mr. Auld could clearly use a minor novice stick handling clinic because he just looked terrible out there. The Canucks ended up winning this game 4-2.

Until next week,

Stay classy, Stayclassy.net readers.

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Olympic concern?

January 19th, 2010

In 2006, the top 4 Western Conference teams all lost in the first round of the playoffs. Of course, 2006 was the last time NHL players took 2 weeks off to play in the Winter Olympics in Turin. Also, 2006 was the last time the Edmonton Oilers made the playoffs… and went to the Stanley Cup finals as one of the biggest underdogs in recent memory.

With the 2010 Vancouver Olympics less than 2 months away, NHL GM’s might be wondering what kind of effects the games will have on their star players and their chances to compete for the Stanley Cup. The potential for burnouts, demotivation, and injuries is very real. And any of those scenarios could have a crippling effect on the top 4 Western teams (as well as other powerhouse Eastern Conference teams like the Washington Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins).

At the time of writing this article, the top 4 Western Conference teams are the Blackhawks, Sharks, Avalanche, and Predators. Here’s a closer look at the players each team have participating at the Olympics:

  • Chicago Blackhawks – Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook, Marian Hossa, Tomas Kopecky
  • San Jose Sharks – Joe Thornton, Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau, Joe Pavelski, Dan Boyle, Evgeni Nabokov, Doug Murray
  • Colorado Avalanche – Kyle Quincey, Paul Statsny, Jonas Holos, Ruslan Salei, Peter Budaj
  • Nashville Predators – Shea Weber, Ryan Suter,  Martin Erat, Patric Hornqvist, Marcel Goc, Alexander Sulzer

It makes you wonder if a Western Conference playoff team with less Olympic-bound players will squeak through each series like the Oilers did in 2006. Perhaps a team like the Calgary Flames (who only have 3 players going – Jarome Iginla, Olli Jokinen, and Miikka Kiprusoff), or even the Phoenix Coyotes (who also have 3 players going – Zbynek Michalek, Sami Lepisto, and Ilya Bryzgalov) could have a better odds in the 2010 Playoffs because of this…

I’m not saying this will or won’t happen. It’s purely speculation. And I’m not suggesting that was the only reason the 2006 Oilers got all the way to the Stanley Cup finals, but it could be a partial explanation why the top 4 Western teams were defeated by lower seeded teams that year. If anything, this probably blurs the line that much more between the top and lower seeds in the West.

With the Western Conference being as tight as it is, the same questions can be asked about Detroit, Los Angeles, and Vancouver. These teams are sending a number of players to the Olympics as well.

While fans can’t wait for the Olympics hockey to get started, I’m sure GM’s across the league are dreading it. Or perhaps they are dreading the impact following the games. At any rate, it will be fascinating to see the effects these Olympics will have on these legitimate Western Conference powerhouse teams. And for a team like Chicago who’s Cup window is small to start with, that’s just another hurdle to climb through in order to meet expectations.

Stay classy, Olympic Western Conference stars.

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Kovalchuk to Chicago? Don’t bet on it. Or against it.

January 11th, 2010

Burgundy here. I’d like to introduce Stayclassy’s newest writer, Harken! Please give Harken a warm welcome and enjoy his first article – it’s a good one! What would you do with the Kovalchuk issue?

–

First, let me apologize to Atlanta Thrasher fans. Discussing this possible trade is sort of like viewing the body of a deceased family member of theirs— before they’re quite dead.

And, that said, there is a good chance the Thrashers will re-sign Ilya Kovalchuk.

I am not particularly close to the situation in Atlanta. But what I hear tells me the workings of a new contract might be troublesome. And the trade deadline is less than 60 days from now.

That aside, if the Thrashers should decide to trade Kovalchuk before then, it doesn’t have to be to the detriment of the franchise.

In fact, there are a number of scenarios by which the Thrashers could solve a number of problems through such a deal.

One of those scenarios, perhaps the most obvious, is dealing Kovalchuk to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Let’s pause for a moment, waiting for the echoes of laughter (or outrage) to die down. And now let’s address the “conventional wisdom” point-by-point.

“Chicago can’t afford that.”

Yes, they can, as a rental, in return for some of the salaried players they will have to lose before next season.

“Why would Chicago need him? They’re stacked.”

The Blackhawks’ window for winning the Stanley Cup will perhaps never be better than it is this year— next year’s team will, by necessity, be missing 3-4 key players off the current roster. But there is also no guarantee they will win it this year. To that end, they could benefit, like all teams could, from what Kovalchuk brings at even strength. And the Hawks, in particular, could benefit from adding a right-handed point shot on the power play— of which there are few better than Kovalchuk.

“Why would Atlanta deal with them?”

The Blackhawks need to lose exactly what Atlanta needs to gain in such a deal. The Blackhawks have 5 players, each making $3-4 million per season, who are good, young players with recognizable, marketable names that Don Waddell could plug in to his lineup tomorrow and help build his entire team right away: Cam Barker, Kris Versteeg, Patrick Sharp, Dave Bolland and/or Dustin Byfuglien. Plus, the Blackhawks have two good, NHL-experienced prospects at Rockford in the AHL who could help a team like the Thrashers, goalie Corey Crawford and RW Jack Skille (a former top ten pick). On top of all that, Atlanta Assistant GM Rick Dudley was instrumental in acquiring or developing all these players in Chicago.

“The dollars can’t work. And Chicago needs more than a rental for all those players.”

Untrue, and true. The dollars can work (a lot of different ways) and the Blackhawks can (and will) get more than a rental for all the players they need to deal.

Of the four players mentioned, any two could be dealt for Kovalchuk in an even salary swap. Or, two of those players and one of the high-end prospects just mentioned could be dealt for Kovalchuk with Atlanta absorbing the overage on their cap, or in the minors.

If, say, the package sent to Atlanta included Patrick Sharp and Barker, the Blackhawks might also be able to ask the Thrashers to include a draft pick or two. Further, the Blackhawks would still need to deal 2-3 more players after concluding a Kovalchuk deal, but before the beginning of play next season. And those deals could net futures, like draft picks or prospects.

“Kovalchuk doesn’t fit their defense-first system. He’s not a ‘Bowman’ player.”

Nonsense. Did Patrick Kane fit Chicago’ system last year when his name and ‘backchecking’ could not be included in the same sentence? Does Kris Versteeg, the walking antithesis of smart puck decisions fit Chicago’s system? Plus, Kovalchuk has represented Russia many times in international tournaments. He can adjust to Chicago’s system, about as quickly as Joel Quenneville can say: “Kovy, if you want max ice time, you gotta be on your guy up and down the ice.”

“Chicago can wait ‘til after the season. Why mess with a good thing?”

That depends on how you look at it. It can also be argued that waiting until the offseason to pare roughly $15 million in gross salary, sign free agents and fill out a roster that is sure to have holes, is not just foolish, it’s insanity; it’s too much work to do in a very short period of time.

To wit, the Blackhawks’ playoffs will likely conclude sometime in late May or June, depending on how far they advance. Free agency starts July 1, with the contracts of Nik Hjalmarsson, Andrew Ladd and Antti Niemi to address. Thus, the Blackhawks could benefit tremendously from significantly less payroll, and more clarity on their situation, before that point.

Finally, as mentioned before, the Blackhawks are close, but they are not guaranteed to win the Cup for the first time in 48 years. Acquiring a world-class rental like Kovalchuk in exchange for good players— but good players who are really part of their depth and not the core of Hossa, Toews, Kane, Seabrook, Keith and Campbell— could be the thing that really puts them over the top. Because Kovalchuk also fills at least one gap the Blackhawks have.

There you have it. A perfectly implausible trade scenario, or a perfect storm of factors indicating Ilya Kovalchuk wearing the Indianhead in March.

You tell me.

–

Harken – who’s real name is John Jaeckel – is well known for his work on HockeyBuzz.com. Follow John on Twitter or become a fan of Stayclassy.net on Facebook.

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Champ’s Whammy of the Week

January 10th, 2010

Good day sports fans, Champ is back from his hiatus! Hope everybody had a great holiday, but let’s get right down to business. There are numerous Whammy’s to go over.

First, a sick sick goal by Marian Hossa against Tampa. This goal was bananas and one can’t believe the skill it takes to actually pull this one off. It’s simply crazy!

Next, another Blackhawk with an amazing goal. Kris Versteeg double dangles this one into the back of the net. He left the defenders searching for their jocks.

And last but not least, we have Johnny Boychuck absolutely destroying Matt Stajan and sending him up into the cheap seats. Massive hit!

Until next week,

Stay Classy, Stayclassy.net readers.

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The reincarnation of the Ottawa Senators

November 5th, 2009

Ever sat through a movie or a T.V. Show and found yourself wondering if you haven’t already seen it? That is kind of what it was like when I was watching the Ottawa Senators the other day. It is kind of like a movie I’ve already seen.

I simply say this because there are so many players on this team that seem like they have been here before. And when I watch Daniel Alfredsson, I can’t help but think that even he is a little nonchalant about some of the newbies.

Now, I’m not insinuating that the team will suffer the same results as the previous incarnations of the Senators; just that a few of these guys have already been here before. So sit back, relax, and prepare to be awe-struck at my ability to make something out of nothing.

Alex Kovalev = Alexei Yashin

Nevermind the fact that both of these guys are big Russian forwards. It is the play of AK27 that reminds me so much of Yash. You see, even before we signed Kovalev to a 2-year deal, we already had our resident enigma.

Yashin had all the potential to steal a game. He had size, strength, vision and great hands. But he also had the ability to be completely invisible on the ice. We used to jke that if Yashin didn’t do something in the game early, you wouldn’t even see him for the rest of the game. Apparently if Yashin didn’t do something in the playoffs, you wouldn’t even see him the next season. But that is a different topic altogether.

Milan Michalek = Marian Hossa

Isn’t it kind of funny that we’ve come full circle on this. We traded Hossa for Heatley, enjoyed some of his production for a while, and then traded Heatley for Hossa V 2.0.

Michalek’s speed and size reminds me so much of Hossa; particularly as he drives the left side on his way to the front of the net. Like Hossa before him, Michalek is also a huge threat on the PK. All he needs now is a tinted visor and a sketchy contract.

Jonathan Cheechoo = Bill Muckalt

This could change… and not when Cheechoo scores his first goal.

But like Muckalt, Cheechoo was the afterthought in the trade that finally got rid of a disgruntled player. As m,y of us so fondly remember, Muckalt came over with Zdeno Chara and a first round draft pick that became Jason Spezza in exchange for Alexei Yashin. So all things being equal, we may be able to assume that San Jose’s pick will become a superstar.

Peter Regin = Todd White

They both have 5 letters in their last names. Crazy eh.

Pascal Leclaire = Dominik Hasek

I say this for a couple reasons. 1) Pascal is probably the best goaltender this team has had since the Dominator, and 2) They really seem to have similar personalities.

You see, they both seem like really fun loving guys who relish the media spotlight and the attention they get in Ottawa. Neither seems particulary phased by much, and they’re both just a bit quirky Pascal, for instance, has admitted several times that he talks to himself during games.

–

So there you have it folks. A clear list that we have already seen these players before. And while I don’t think we have to worry about the same outcomes with any of these guys, it sure is hilarous to talk about the similarities.

Stay classy, old Senator players who have been reincarnated as new Senator players.

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Posted in NHL Humour, Ottawa Senators

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Top ten players the Senators want back

October 3rd, 2009

You don’t know what you’ve got until its gone. Crappy song, but truer words were never spoken.

Ottawa, like many other teams in this league, is beginning to build a rolodex of players that I’m sure they would love to have back. While there’s been a number of players we were glad to see go (I’m looking at you Alexei…. Kaigorodov, not Yashin), Ray Emery’s shutout on Friday was a classic example of a player that maybe we should have held onto.

So in celebration of Ray Emery’s shutout and return to the NHL, it’s time to countdown the Top Ten Players that the Ottawa Senators maybe should have reconsidered letting go.

10.  Dany Heatley

- I may take some flack for this one, but Dany Heatley will probably be a guy down the road that Ottawa would still love to have. As much as I’d like to think he’s going to be a minus – 246 over the rest of the season, it’s really not likely. Heatley should continue to put up dominating goal totals, and be the natural goal scorer we already knew he was. Even though we don’t want to believe it anymore.

9.  Patrick Eaves

- Patrick Eaves will probably be a player that Ottawa looks at in a couple years, and wonder what they were thinking when they let him walk. And you can’t blame Murray entirely for the deal he made. On paper, it was an oft-injured Eaves for a healthy Cory Stillman, in a year that Ottawa was trying to prove that they had to magic to make it to the Cup Finals again. While Eaves never put up huge numbers in Ottawa, he always reflected the “potential” that Ottawa wanted. It will be interesting to see what he does in Detroit now.

8.  Dean McAmmond

- Poor Deaner really got run out of this town with very little fanfare. The problem with that, I find, is that Dean McAmmond was a hugely important player in Ottawa’s run to the Finals. His fourth line, and Peter over at Silver Seven Sens does a fantastic job highlighting this, was the best fourth line in the playoffs that year. Dean was the key component in that lineup, and he even went as far as to drop the gloves in the first round. I still maintain that losing him to that Chris Pronger elbow was a huge blow to the Sens. In fact, if you look at the series, they never really recovered.

7.  Pavol Demitra

- Ottawa may have never given Pavol Demitra the chance he deserved. After being drafted by the Senators, Demitra only played a few games with the Senators. And considering the quality of that team, that’s not saying much. The guy only recorded 24 points with the Senators before holding out and moving on. Across the league, he’s now recorded 752 points in about 819 games played. Not sure if he ever would have put up the same points here in Ottawa, but certainly he’s a player that Ottawa could have used to put them over the top.

6.  Alexandre Daigle

- I know it seems like a weird thing to be putting here, but I think that Alex always gets the rough treatment because he never lived up to his billing as a 1st overall draft pick. He did bring some conceit, and had very little to follow it up with, but he certainly settled into a positive role in his later years as an NHL player. I think he could have provided the depth that Ottawa would have really appreciated. After those years with the Senators, and some ups and downs with the Philadelphia Flyers, Daigle settled into a very positive role with the Minnesota Wild as a third line, two-way player. With the Wild, he recorded 79 points in 124 games. Not bad, as long as you don’t think of him as that 1st round pick.

5.  Ray Emery

- It’s not entirely conclusive that Ray Emery is a player that the Senators might want back, but many people who actually follow hockey, rather than rumours, know that Ray Emery was a good goalie. He was put into two (that’s right, two) awful situations as a Senator. The first was when John Muckler saw fit to sign Martin Gerber, despite Emery showing his ability to carry the team. And the second was when Paddock handed the reigns to Gerber during Emery’s off-season surgery, just to pad the stats of a hot team. Emery had every right to be a bit perturbed about the latter, and it was reflected in his play. He should have a solid season in Philadelphia this year, and give them the best goaltending they’ve had since Ron Hextall.

4.  Tom Preissing

- Since he left Ottawa, Preissing really hasn’t had a chance to thrive. But this is a player that Ottawa probably regrets letting walk. Yes his contract was too steep for Ottawa, but Preissing represented a great puck moving defencemen that the Senators could have used last season. He did fold a bit in the Finals in 2007, and was a small guy, but this will probably be the first season since he left that Ottawa will have that mobility on the back end. Preissing, who can’t be faulted for taking that big contract with LA, is a guy that could have thrived in Ottawa under the right monetary situation.

3.  Martin Havlat

- It might be hard to believe that Martin Havlat is missed here in Ottawa, but this was the secondary scoring that Ottawa has been talking about ever since he left. He could, even before taking a stupid penalty or suspension, single handidly steal a game for the Sens. Remember that playoff series against the Tamba Bay Lightning when he posted 10 points against Lecavalier, St. Louis, Richards and Co.? Havlat represented the speedy second line forward that Ottawa has continually tried to find since Muckler saw fit to bring in Hennessy and Barinka.

2.  Marian Hossa

- You know, this time last year, he probably wouldn’t have made this list. But Marian Hossa, much like Havlat, has represented a player that Ottawa could have tipped the balance in favour of Ottawa. All that said, Ottawa would never had added the scoring depth of Heatley, without getting rid of Hossa, but in his time away from the Senators, he has had a chance to go to the Stanley Cup Finals twice. And while we’ve taken every opportunity to make fun of Hossa on this blog, he still is a player that Ottawa Senators fans would love to still have wearing the SENS on his chest.

1.  Zdeno Chara

- What more can you say. Chara, after a lack lustre start in Boston, has become the player that we remember him as, and more. And Muckler let him walk. There’s plenty of speculation as to why Chara left, Chara is one player that Ottawa will always be able to look at and regret losing. He’s still a monster in this league, has a huge shot, is willing to step up for his teammates, and he probably kept Baton Rouge in business because of his love of ribs. All this to say, Chara should remain number one of this list for years to come.

Stay classy, departed Senators.

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Hockey Jersey Code and faux pas tips

September 29th, 2009

I’ve never understood why some fans wear jerseys at hockey games that bare no relevance to the two particular teams playing. It’s not that I’m neurotic or anything, but it’s a hockey faux pas that has no place in the game – similar to headshots or Steve Downie.

Dictionary.com elaborates for those of you who aren’t familiar with the term.

Faux pas
-non, plural faux pas [foh pahz; Fr. foh pah]
a slip or blunder in etiquette, manners, or conduct; an embarrassing social blunder or indescretion.

Not a classy jersey; not within The Code.
Not a classy jersey; not within The Code.

When it comes to wearing jerseys, there’s an etiquette… A Code, if you will.

For example, the Calgary Flames come into town and you wear a classic Theo Fleury jersey. That’s in line with The Code. Or maybe the Pittsburgh Penguins play the Ottawa Senators and someone wears a Los Angeles Kings jersey with a Scuderi name plate. It’s a stretch, but it makes sense. The Code is still intact. It’s not embarrassing, nor is a blunder to the great game of hockey.

But when someone wears a Sidney Crosby/Penguins jersey to a Minnesota Wild/Anaheim Ducks game, that’s a flat out violation of Hockey Jersey Code. This demonstrates a slip in etiquette, bad conduct and poor taste.

It can be tough picking out a new jersey while trying to adhere to The Code. In an effort to help, I’ve compiled a few tips and FYI’s to help you avoid breaking The Code and keeping things cool amongst the hockey gods. Here they are:

  • Avoid getting your name stitched onto your favorite team’s jersey. The Code doesn’t like cheese.
  • Never buy a Marian Hossa jersey. Chances are it will outdate itself within a year and then you’ll risk breaking The Code with irrelevance.
  • Don’t have any Ottawa Senator goalie name etched onto a Sens jersey. They just don’t last here in Ottawa.
  • Purchasing a Dany Heatley jersey comes with a “no remove” clause and is subject to be worn forever.
  • Due to recent indecision, Mats Sundin jersey’s feature no colors or logos. As such, they are irrelevant to any NHL game.
  • Pyjama’s are not to be confused with NHL jerseys and are to be worn in bed only, Montreal Canadiens (see above). One could argue they support Jacques Martin’s boring defense first style, but I digress…
  • Just because Zdeno Chara fits into an XXXXXL sized jersey and looks normal, doesn’t mean you will. Ever. The Code requires fans to wear jerseys that fit properly. It’s a conduct thing.
  • Wearing a Patrick Kane jersey outside of a professional NHL arena could result in an unwanted fighting scandal. This is less about The Code and more of an FYI.
  • Only put names of players who officially play in the NHL on your jerseys. Having names like Jiri Tlusty or Nazem Kadri violates this rule.

Stay classy, hockey jersey wearers.

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2009 off-season a PR dream for the NHL?

September 12th, 2009

For a league that hasn’t had a meaningful game played in nearly 3 months, there’s been no shortage of off-season news and drama. Some good of the news was good and some was bad. But like the old saying goes, no press is bad press. Especially for hockey in non-traditional American markets. And in traditional markets, well, we’re just happy to have something hockey related to talk about.

Dany Heatley, always keeping classy

Dany Heatley, always keeping classy

It’s like my good buddy Baxter says, “you can’t make this stuff up”. I’m sure Gary Bettman and thr NHL are loving it. While Bettman will never admit it publically, I’m sure he’s Kessel-out-of-Boston happy about how this summer has churned out far more drama than any other summer in recent memory. For a league still trying to grow its audience, the NHL should take all the publicity they can get. Looks like they have done just that! Let’s take a look at some of the bigger summer headlines and how they may help the NHL.

Dany Heatley
Let’s get Heatley out of the way first. It’s believed most of the teams Heatley will accept a trade to are American based. Having an elite goal scorer demand a trade to mid/major Amiercan market teams such as New York, San Jose or Los Angeles isn’t a bad thing for the NHL. It drums up excitement, additional interest and if  a deal ever gets done, could result in more ticket sales (especially in Los Angeles).

Unrestricted Free Agency
The NHL is still questioning the Marian Hossa contract he signed with the Blackhawks on July 1st.  And between Montreal (which is a good thing for Habs fans considering how less than thrilled they were about last season’s roster) and Toronto, I think they scooped up most of the free agents. Except Mats Sundin… who may have it in him to keep everyone waiting and guessing, all Fall. Either way, UFA Day has generated a lot of buzz over the last few years and does a good job at making headlines for hockey in July.

Olympic Orientation Camps
Releasing camp rosters was neat – most of the names on the Canadian, Russian and American teams were what everyone expected. Unless your name is Marc Savard. Even Jason Spezza ended up going… For most, the American camp was the more interesting of the three. Everyone wanted to see Patrick Kane (first public appearence since a his cab driver incident) and hear what Brian Burke would say regarding the matter. This story will blow over before the end of October, more press for the NHL and Blackhawks.

Unexpected Drama
This summer had a ton of it!

Patrick Kane, always classy.

Patrick Kane, always classy.

From Patrick Kane and his cousin beating up a Buffalo cab driver who did or didn’t deserve it to Jiri Hudler controversially signing with the KHL and then waiting for the IIHF to figure it out.  Recently, Mike Comrie signed in Edmonton, which is interesting given how he left the city a few years ago. But by far the most drama this summer goes to the Blackhawks organization (not just Kane). The big flame out that saw Martin Havlat replaced by Marian Hossa, Dale Tallon getting an ‘oganizational shuffle’ for Stan Bowman to take the GM job and of course, the Hawks head office screwing up qualifying offers to pending RFA’s (Kris Versteeg, Cam Barker and others). Nice one, Chicago.

Jim Balsillie vs Gary Bettman
Let’s face it, this whole Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton storyline is the most hockey news in Phoenix since well, ever. Although the legal drama doesn’t appear to make any sense to the average hockey fan, it’s generated bigger headlines in Phoenix than any hockey game.  Hopefully that bankrupcy judge Redfield T. Baum reaches a decision out sooner than later.  One question that’s been running through my mind this whole time is if Hamilton does get a team, will they be a part of the Western Conference? And if not, who moves over from the East?

Ultimately, there are more stories than these and they’ve served well in keeping hockey somewhat relevant between mid June and when the 2009-2010 season (finally) starts up. And don’t believe for one moment the NHL isn’t greatful for how much additional press they’ve received as a result of these storylines and others. This has been a dream summer for the NHL and the PR team; they love it.

Stay classy, NHL.

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