Online Holiday Hockey Deals

It’s getting down to crunch time for you online shoppers to get your purchases completed in time for your hockey players or fans to have their presents on Christmas day.

I have personally come to love online shopping after spending a few years wondering about the security, the shipping, and the quality of goods.  Most recently, I have found many online retailers offering free or discounted shipping with reliable providers such as UPS or FedEx and the prices are often much better than my local stores.

With the traditional busiest day of the shopping season, Black Friday, now behind us we searched some online hockey stores to find the best deals on hockey equipment.

1.) Hockey Giant has a great holiday sale going on right now on some of the best equipment including jerseys, hats, T-shirts, skates, and sticks offering up to 75% off by using the Code “HOLIDAY08″ on checkout.

Click Here to go to Hockey Giant.com

2.) Total Hockey is offering free shipping on all orders over $99.00.  They are featuring customized skates with colored blade holders as well as the Warrior Dolomite composite stick on sale for just $99.99 (Reg. $179.99).

Click Here to go to Total Hockey.net

3.) Hockey Deals is the place to buy hockey equipment for youth players.  The clearance center at Hockey Deals is packed full of drastically discounted youth hockey skates, sticks, and protective gear.  On top of that, they are also offering free shipping on orders over $99.00 and a Lowest Price Guarantee.

Click Here to go to Hockey Deals.com

4.) Ice Jerseys is the premiere provider of customized jerseys and apparel for any hockey fan.  They are currently offering free shipping with UPS Ground on orders over $85.00 and a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

Click Here to go to Ice Jerseys.com

5.) Ebay is of course the place to find the perfect gift for the hard to buy for hockey fan.  Most recently there have been some excellent auctions on vintage memorabilia from the days of the original six.  If you have an old school hockey fan on your list, don’t buy their gift without checking on Ebay. You never know what you might find.

Click Here to go to Ebay

6.) Blade Tape is a revolutionary new option to traditional hockey tape that last for 15+ ice sessions.  They are currently promoting a great holiday 3-for-2 sale.  For every 3 of the same item that you add to your cart, one of them will be free on checkout!  I have personally been using Blade Tape for over a year and highly recommend it.  They also offer free shipping on orders over $50.00.

Click Here to go to Blade Tape

Don’t Forget The Clearance Sections!

Most online stores also have a clearance section where you may be able to find even further discounts.  Many of the clearance equipment items are old models or odd sizes, but the discounts tend to be very steep.  So, if you’re an odd size or don’t mind using last year’s model make sure you check out the clearance section at these online stores!

Feel free to share your online shopping experiences with any of these stores in the comments.  Other readers certainly welcome the feedback for peace of mind in helping to overcome their hesitation with online shopping.  I know customer experiences certainly helped to change my view of online shopping!

Brian Burke To Land In Toronto

Since Brian Burke’s reign as the leader of the Anaheim Ducks has come to a close, there has been no shortage of speculation as to where he will end up.

Each story and rumor has its own merits based around Burke’s desire to be closer to family, back in Canada, or whatever the case may be.  One thing is for certain and that is the Toronto Maple Leafs need Burke and had better get their act together and get him signed.

Why Toronto?

There are several reasons why it makes sense for Toronto to obtain Brian Burke’s services, not the least of which is his ability (and affinity) to handle the media spotlight.  And, make no mistake, when it comes to the NHL the media spotlight shines brightest in Toronto!

The Maple Leafs have positioned themselves thus far in the 2008-2009 season as a possible playoff contender, which should bode well for acquiring the Burke’s services.  With a host of young talent, Burke has a similar opportunity as was presented to him when he arrived in Anaheim.  This opportunity to build upon a solid foundation of youth and talent fits well with his innate ability to add just the right amount of experience, leadership and grit through free agency.

Is Money and Issue?

Some reports, notably out of the Boston Globe, have indicated that Burke may be headed to either Chicago or Ottawa if the money isn’t there in Toronto. However,  if the Leafs as the most profitable franchise in the league cannot “afford” Burke during their time of desperation, then they may as well just fold up shop.

Mike Milbury recently reported on CBC that he believes the table is set for Toronto and they simply need to find the time to get an offer sheet out to Burke.  Milbury concluded that he expects a deal for Burke to go to Toronto by the end of this week.

While Brian Burke as the General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes a lot of sense on many levels, anything can happen in the National Hockey League.

If history is any indicator, a media outlet trying to anticipate what Brian Burke may do or say is a risk to say the least.  That said, Burke should be good for a few great sound bites at his first press conference wherever he may land!

Chris Kunitz Fights Sean Avery

With all due respect to both Chris Kunitz and Sean Avery, this was the worst hockey fight the National Hockey League has seen in a long time.

While Sean Avery has the distinction of being an agitator and has a few fights under his belt (58 in his career), Kunitz’s hands are best used for scoring goals.  This was just the sixth fight of Kunitz’s NHL career and it definitely showed.

One has to admire the intensity with which Avery and Kunitz attacked each other, but even the players on the respective benches were chuckling following the completion of this fight.

Interview With XM Radio’s Joe Thistel

Your pick for a player to watch from last year, Alex Ovechkin, was right on the money. While Ovechkin is currently struggling, who do you think will be the player to watch as this season unfolds?

I have a head start this season, so it would be too easy to point at Semin and Malkin and predict they’ll surpass their more famous teammates.

Instead I’ll turn my focus to the West and shine the light on Corey Perry in Anaheim.  Playing on that line, and with any kind of creative freedom, he’s capable of being a top 10 scorer this season and beyond.  I so wanted to say Jason Spezza, but the inconsistency is too consistent.

We’ve seen the Rangers actually get the on ice results from a team that looks fantastic on paper - what is the secret in NYC this year?

I suppose if you want to point at something, it would be that some distractions have disappeared, and the players can concentrate on hockey. Jaromir Jagr was their best player and still seemed to be a beacon of controversy.  Brendan Shanahan’s future was another story-line, and then of course there was Shawn Avery.  I’m not saying its addition by subtraction, but I will let you do the math.

Any chance we’ll see Mats Sundin in New York City for his retirement year a la Wayne Gretzky?

Naw.  There are 10 million reasons for Mats to take his hockey tack to Vancouver.  And now that it looks like the Canucks can be a playoff team, he can say it wasn’t for the money and actually keep a straight face.   And he’ll be good there too, so play-by-play broadcasters better take heed:  Sedin, Sundin and Sedin are coming to a barn near you.

With Brian Burke finished in Anaheim, where to you see him landing?  Any chance he’ll end up in Toronto?

Rumors have connected Brian Burke to a half dozen teams already, and all seem to have legitimate reasons for the hook-up, including family considerations, but none make as much sense as the Leafs.  It’s been talked about for too long and just fits on too many levels.  The confusing Toronto organization, who not too long ago allowed Pat Quinn to pick his own boss, has one shot to get it right.  It’s a six inch putt - even these guys can’t get the yips bad enough to miss this gimme.  Can they?

With Melrose being let go in Tampa Bay, do you think Rick Tocchet will complete the season as Head Coach of the Lightning?  If not, who is the most likely candidate?

Why not Tochett, a guy who has zero experience as a head coach to go along with everything else that’s happened in Tampa?  The team bus should be one of those miniature circus cars bursting with clowns.  Listen, Rick Tochett might be the best coach since Toe Blake, who knows, but this ownership has been an embarrassment of biblical proportions.  I could go on, but then you’d all miss dinner.

Is, or could, the Kontinental Hockey League a legitimate threat to the National Hockey League and its position as the premiere hockey league in the world?

Nyet, nyet Soviet.  I was once sitting between two former players - one who had spent his career in the minors, and the other who had played for years in the NHL.  In the middle of some glory days chatter, the minor leaguer announced rather proudly that there were some “great places to play in the American Hockey League”.  The National Hockey Leaguer stayed silent for a moment, slowly took a sip of beer and then replied, with perfect timing,…”Yeah.  There are some great places to play in the NHL too.”   The National Hockey League - accept no substitutes.

What is one thing about XM Radio and your National Hockey League coverage that may surprise hockey fans?

Hell, we’re just like they are: hockey fans who are privileged to be able to shoot off our mouths.  Sure, some of us have extensive media backgrounds and are proud professionals of sports broadcasting, but guys like Mick Kern and Boomer Gordon, two of my more popular personalities, are doing this on-air nonsense for the first time.  Know your stuff, have a valid opinion, be passionate and don’t be intimidated by the microphone.  You’ll be fine.

How do you view XM Radio with regard to the company’s position in bringing NHL news and commentary to the fan base? ie. What is your unique value proposition?

30 teams, no waiting.  While radio stations still hang onto that ridiculous argument that sports is local, we’re serving listeners from San Jose to Halifax.  And we get as much positive feedback from players and management right across North America as we do from our subscriber base.  Sports is local.  Right!  And Gordie Howe was a flash in the pan.

Is there anything that XM Radio has found through your market research that would be surprising to the average hockey fan?

It surprised me.  Statistics show that over 80% of sports fans in a particular city actually cheer for an out-of-town team.  That’s why our play by play is so important.  If you’re a Philly fan living in Dallas, we’ve got you covered.  And vice versa.

Can you tell our readers a little bit about what you do and about upcoming programming or features on XM Radio and Home Ice Channel 204?

I’ve been with XM Canada since the very beginning and oversee all the sports, talk and comedy channels while Jeff Leake looks after the music.  NHL Home Ice is truly my baby though.  I even named it.  So if you have a beef, you can blame me (joe.thistel@xmradio.ca).

I have been in broadcasting 30 years now, and if I could write my own job description, I wouldn’t change a thing. We have some excellent programming on the horizon too, including the World Jr Championships over the holidays, plus an exciting new partnership agreement with The Hockey News to announce in the very near future.   For me, its the quintessential labor of love.

NHL Digest would like to thank Joe Thistel for taking time to provide us with this interview.  If you haven’t yet had a chance to check out what XM Radio has to offer hockey fans, please visit XM Radio’s Home Ice channel.  They are even offering a Free trial, so you really have no excuse not to check them out!

George Laraque Fights Josh Gratton

One must admire the guts that Josh Gratton has to take on a bona fide NHL heavyweight in Georges Laraque, but at some point common sense has to kick in.

Even for the vast majority of NHL “tough guys” fighting Georges Laraque is a lesson in futility.  After the beating that Laraque issued to Gratton on November 15, 2008 I highly doubt that you will see Gratton challenge big Georges again.

Glove tap to Hockey Fights.com for the video

Barry Melrose Fired by Tampa Bay

One of the most interesting and controversial hockey stories from this past off season has come to an end even sooner than most had expected.

Tocchet To Replace Melrose

The Tampa Bay Lightning have announced the firing of head coach Barry Melrose and have replaced him for the interim with assistant Rick Tocchet. It is hard to say if the Lightning will take a “gamble” on Tocchet for the long term (couldn’t resist the pun).

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in an email to The Associated Press that the league is not concerned about Tocchet’s promotion.

“Rick is still bound by the terms of his reinstatement,” Daly said. “If he’s qualified to be an assistant coach on those terms, in our view, he’s just as qualified to be a head coach.”

Lightning general manager Brian Lawton referred to Tocchet as a very “straight forward individual” who has earned respect as a former player in the National Hockey league.  It is important to note that there has been no time table set by the Lightning to find a permanent replacement for Melrose.  In fact, with the following quote from Lawton, one might be led to believe that Tocchet is the “man” in Tampa Bay:

“We think this is a great opportunity for him and we believe he’s the type of coach who can take the team to the next level”…”Our players have a great deal of respect for him.”

Koules and Barrie Continue To Make Waves

Tampa Bay’s new ownership, Oren Koules and Len Barrie, were considered foolhardy by some to take over the reigns and make such wholesale changed to the team structure, management, and personnel.  What can be said is that the two upstart owners are quick and decisive which may or may not be fortuitous for the long term success of the franchise.

Just as five months ago when they quickly sought out the then Television Analyst, who had not coached in some 10 seasons, Melrose was swiftly removed from his duties after just 16 games behind the bench of the team who finished last season dead last in the league.

While there is little doubt that changes needed to be made in Tampa, the new ownership appears to be going “great guns” make sure their investment doesn’t tank.  It’s hard to say what they might do and maybe that is a good thing?

It appears that nobody’s job is safe in Tampa Bay…so Mr. Stamkos you had better start producing because you never know when that “Rookie benefit of the doubt” will wear thin with Oren and Len!

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