Archive for the ‘Hockey Interviews’ Category
Yesterday was trade deadline day. Was anybody else bored? Even with the number of total players on the move, I expected even more movement.
Surprise Deal of The Day
I was a little surprised Glen Sather of the NYR traded highly touted goalie prospect Al Montoya to The Coyotes along with Marcel Hossa. The Rangers got back Fredrik Sjostrom, goalie prospect David Leneveu and tough guy Josh Gratton along with a conditional draft pick.
Winner: In this trade it has to be Phoenix.Hossa is a pretty good player and Montoya is going to be a great goalie one day If all his hype and scouting reports are true.
The “Are You Kidding Me” Trade of the Day
I thought the oddest trade was the Islanders trading Chris Simon to the Minnesota Wild for a 6th rounder in 08.The winner the Islanders. Great job in even being able to find a trading partner for this guy. Let alone getting a 6th rounder.
How many enforcers do the Wild need?
The Wild have one of the toughest guys in the NHL in Derek “boogie man” Boogaard. They also Have a guy that will toss em’ with anyone in the league in Todd Fedoruk. And now they have Chris Simon.
I would cut off my left pinky finger for a Anaheim Ducks and Minnisota Wild playoff series.
Most Interesting Trade
The “hmmmmmmmm” trade of the day has to be Marian Hossa and Pascal Dupuis to the Pens for Angelo Esposito, Colby Armstrong and Erik Christensen along with a 1st round pick in 08.
On paper the Penguins power play looks absolutely stunning. Having to penalty kill against Sidney Crosby-Hossa-Evgeni Malkin with Gonchar and Whitney on the blue line will make any opposing team pee a little bit with fear. But who knows, maybe Hossa won’t fit.
This trade looks good but it’s all going to be in the in chemistry. Please remember the New York Rangers all those years with those “money” players. They couldn’t gel. Even ask the St.Louis Blues from that one year they had Gretzky and all those stars.
NO CHEMISTRY= NO CUP!
The Winner (as of right now?!) I would give a slight edge to the Penguins but not by much.
Colby Armstrong is a pretty decent third liner. Angelo Esposito seems to have the upside of Alexander Daigle. Christensen has 20 pts in 49 games this season. Plus they got a 1st rounder in 08 in what is looking like a really deep draft. So that 1# pick could turn out to be really good.
And who knows, will Marian Hossa even re-sign there? Can the Penguins afford to keep him after this season?
Bonehead Deal of The Day
Guess who is the number one goalie for Montreal Canadiens going into the playoffs?
Carey Price!
Montreal traded Cristobal Huet to the Caps for a 2nd round pick in 2009.
Bob Gainey couldn’t even get a 2nd round pick in the much deeper 08 draft? WOW
If I was Carey Price right now I would have the biggest ego and a huge mass of confidence.
The most successful franchise in NHL history just put a massive amount of confidence in him and gave him the number one goalie, franchise tag.
I don’t really understand this move by Gainey.
Ok Ok you’re probably thinking “well, don’t they have insurance in a backup goalie?”
No. Jaroslav Halak is the back up. remember Halak…the one who recently required “farm conditioning”.
Hey Mr.Gainey…..Why didn’t you get a back up that had experience at least?
I have watched Montreal a lot on TV this year (thanks again CBC for Toronto- Montreal games every week)
I thought Montreal was the team to beat in the East. They have wonderful chemistry on that team. But to win you need a goalie and I am sorry, Carey Price will be good one day, But he is not going to lead this team all the way.
Winner: CAPS
One of Tampa’s “BIG THREE” Was Finally Moved
Brad Richards along with goalie Johan Holmqvist are off to the Lone Star State to become “Stars”. The Lightning got back a promising goalie in Mike Smith, Shootout master Jussi Jokinen, along with Jeff Halpern and a 4th rounder in 09.
I see this being a pretty good trade for Dallas. If Marty Turco gets over his choking epidemic in the playoffs, we could be seeing the Stars going deep in the playoffs this spring.
Brett Hull wanted to make a big deal and he did make a big deal and a great one too.
Winner: Dallas
The “Wait and See” Deal of The Day
Buffalo Sabres fans have been pretty spoiled the last few years being able to cheer for a highly entertaining and winning team.
What I want to know is what the heck did Sabres fans do to the hockey gods!!!!
While the Sabres were the team to beat last year, they just simply ran out of gas.
Then came the summer that broke the hearts of Sabres fans every where. “Little Munchkin” Danny Briere left to be with his Buddy, Marty Biron, in Philly. Captain Clutch, Chris Drury, left for his boyhood team in the Big Apple and Teppo Numminen hasn’t played a game this year due to health problems.
What else could go wrong?
Well yesterday another crack went into Sabres fans hearts.
All-star defenseman Brian Campbell left to San Jose along with a 7th round pick in ‘08 in exchange for Steve Bernier and a 1st rounder in 08.
Buffalo is known for being a soft team. With some moves this year I really hope they are moving in a more “tougher” direction. They picked up Nolan Pratt earlier this year to toughen the blue line. I know, it’s Nolan Pratt, but at least it’s a guy who hits. Clarke Macarthur was brought up and has looked good. Patrick Kaleta too. Yesterday they got a guy who will hit anything and is BIG force. He can put the odd puck in the net as well.
Positive signs?
Sure Brian Campbell is fun to watch skating up the ice doing his little 180 degree turns past defenseman. However, he also has a lot of bad passes, takes games off. In my opinion, I am glad the Sabres did this. Campbell was offered a 3 year deal believed to be in the neighborhood of $6M a year. The deal wasn’t long enough for Brian so he wouldn’t sign. Good! Brian you aren’t worth that money.
The experts say the Sabres got robbed in the deal…I don’t think so.
Why would Regier want to risk losing another player to UFA and not getting anything back in return? The Sabres got a player that has upside and that can play now.
They also got a 1st round pick in a deep ‘08 draft. Sure, the draft pick most likely won’t pan out for a couple of years, but in a draft with a lot of talent it’s worth the wait.
The Sharks get Brian Campbell. A mobile puck moving defenseman which is exactly what they need.
Winner: The Sharks are the winner as of right now, but who to say Campbell even re-signs there in the summer? If he doesn’t re-up with San Jose, then the Sabres will be the winner.
Canadian team Deadline Re-Cap
- Ottawa did nothing about their goalie situation.
- Calgary did nothing
- Kevin Lowe’s fax machine was broken or something
- Vancouver had an arsenal to deal, but did nothing.
- Toronto got rid of some salary and Mats Sundin can keep making chunky soup commercials in a Leafs jersey, not to mention play at the fine golf courses around the greater Toronto area.
- Montreal did make a deal, but moved backwards instead of forward.
That’s my take on the deals that were at the 2008 NHL Trade Deadline. For nhldigest.com…I’m Neil Bristow.
Today on The Neil Show, we sit down with Scott Taylor from scotttaylorsports.com to talk hockey.
Neil Bristow - With the NHL’s trade deadline fast approaching (feb.26th), there are a few big names that could be dealt.Out of the big names possibly available (Sundin, Hossa,Campbell) who do you see moving on or before Tuesday and where might they land?
If Sundin waives his no trade clause he’ll be gone – Anaheim or Detroit. Hossa could wind up in Montreal or New York. The Rangers would love to deal Jagr but I doubt anyone would touch him. I can’t imagine anyone will go out his way to deal a capable defenceman, but if you’ve given up this year, you might deal a veteran. I think it’s pretty tough to call. How about Jokinen in Calgary? That’s interesting.
Neil Bristow -Cliff Fletcher is playing the “face” of the Toronto Maple Leafs GM right now on a interim basis. Who in your opinion is the right person for that job with the candidates that are available, to become the next Leafs GM?
John Ferguson Jr. …OK, so maybe Dougie Armstrong. I think Tom Thompson, the assistant GM in Minnesota is the smartest guy in the game today, but he’s not a big enough name for the Leafs.
The brain-dead Toronto media would make his life a living hell because he’s not one of their pals. That franchise is so messed up, why don’t they bring in Sittler or Wendel Clark or Doug Gilmour? That’s the kind of guy Leafs fans want. T
he Toronto media wants Neil Smith, a guy the Islanders fired in about 15 minutes. Brian Burke would take the job. He’d eat that stupid Toronto print media for lunch.
By the way, what do the Toronto Maple Leafs have that the Montreal Canadiens will never have? Black and white photos of their last Stanley Cup.
Neil Bristow -New York Islanders tough guy Chris Simon made his way back into the Isles lineup after serving his 30 games suspension.Do you think the punishment Simon received was fair or not enough and why?
Sure it’s fair. It’s the longest suspension in NHL history.
As sports editor of Grassroots News, the country’s largest aboriginal newspaper, I’ve come to know the First Nations players a bit. If they can’t be the toughest guys on the team, they’re generally treated like crap, called soft and benched. That’s why Jordin Tootoo, Arron Asham, (Theo Fleury), D.J. King, Cody McCormick, Jason Bone, Chris Simon play the way they do. Simon screwed up, he was punished, he’s back.
End of conversation.
Neil Bristow -Who will be the buyers and who will be the sellers in the NHL’s trade deadline this year?
Everybody is a buyer this year, for different reasons. Toronto, Tampa, L.A., Edmonton, Florida, Chicago will all try to get younger. The top teams will be prepared to rent players, especially teams like Detroit, Dallas, Carolina, teams with some cap room.
Neil Bristow - The Philadelphia Flyers are in a bit of a tailspin lately going 1-8-1 in there last ten games. With all the tinkering they did with their roster this season,one would think they would be alot more “together” then they have shown. Why do you think they are under achieving?
Are they underachieving or is that what they are? Losing Simon Gagne, a class act and a leader, really hurts. Their tough guys aren’t as tough as the organization thinks.
No matter what happens, Riley Cote always gets pummeled by Colton Orr or Donald Brashear or Georges Laraque, and the rest of the team sags. Injuries have hurt them mightily. John Stevens is no Toe Blake. And, as always happens in Philly, the goaltending is never as good as the team had hoped.
Neil Bristow - With GM meetings in Naples, Florida this week a number of things were discussed. One of them being maybe shrinking goaltender equipment to increase scoring in the League. Is it wise considering one of the best goaltenders in the game Canucks Roberto Luongo has said in the past that if they make changes he would retire.What is your take on the situation?
So what’s next? The paddle-down, butterfly goaltending style is made illegal? Only fat, out-of-shape goalies can play? No goaltenders? Soccer nets? The NHL has a problem.
Never before in the history of the game have goalies been in better shape, have been better trained or have had better equipment than they have today. Goalies are all marvelous physical specimens with a style that’s hard to beat and equipment that makes them absolutely fearless.
If the GMs decide to make goalies’ equipment smaller, they’d better take the curve out of the sticks and go back to wood. Scoring is down because goaltending has NEVER been better.
Neil Bristow - Drugstore millionaire Daryl Katz has a agreement to purchase the Edmonton Oilers pending League approval. Some Oilers have come out saying one owner opens up the possibility of attracting more free agents to the team. How is having one owner better then 30 owners? or is it better?
First of all, socialism doesn’t work. Especially among the rich. Too many egos, too many guys to answer to, too many people wondering why there is a cash-call every year. One owner means one decision maker.
One owner, means the GM knows exactly where to go without being second guessed by 29 other rich donkeys. One owner takes responsibility for his and the team’s actions. One owner can deal with the NHL at the governors’ level.
When the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are taken over by David Asper this year, that will be a tremendous franchise. One guy, one decision maker, one responsibility-taker. It’s the only way a pro sports franchise can work.
Neil Bristow - Teemu Selanne and Scott Neidermeyer are back with the Stanley Cup Champion Ducks after sitting out most of the season.What’s your take on players sitting out and coming back towards the end of the season? Do you think it’s a way to “cheat” the salary cap?
No, it’s a way to cheat age. Teemu and Scott are in their late 30s, heck Teemu is closing in on 40. A full season is meaningless. Games in October and November are so stupid, I’m surprised anyone buys a ticket.
The Ducks are what, 8-1 since Teemu returned? If you have skilled players like Selanne and Niedermayer, late in their careers, and you play .500 or a little better until they come back – fresh — in January and February, it’s a boost to the team and they can handle the travel, rough going etc., that comes with playing in the NHL.
It’s a brilliant move and I’m surprised more teams don’t take advantage of it. Older players are better in half a season than in a full season.
Neil Bristow - Ducks GM Brian Burke has suggested having 1 minute penalties in OT instead of two minutes. What do you think of that change?
That’s the ranting of a guy whose team leads the NHL in fights and penalties (and that’s a reason why they won the Cup last year). A minor penalty is a minor penalty. It’s two minutes. Deal with it. Here’s a good rule of thumb: Don’t get a stupid penalty in overtime.
Neil Bristow - What has been the biggest surprise for you this NHL season story wise?
The seeming belief among the “Mainstream Media Mob” (MSM) that there are not now, nor have there ever been, steroids in hockey.
The MSM mob is desperate to have Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds go to jail, but they refuse to question steroids and HGH in hockey.
Performance enhancing drugs are there, they are present today and if you’ve ever been in an NHL dressing room, you know they are present right now.
Neil Bristow - You have a wonderful career and are one of my favorite sports personalties. In your journey in the sports world, what is your “highlight” of your great career?
1. The 1988 Olympics, breaking the Ben Johnson scandal on CBC TV.
2. Covering the final game of the Winnipeg Jets for both the Winnipeg Free Press and TSN.
3. My column this Monday in the National Post.
Neil Bristow - Can you tell our readers at nhldigest.com about your website and where we can see and read your work?
Or online links…
goldeyes.com
manitobascore.com
grassrootsnews.mb.ca
nationalpost.com
cfl.ca
windtalkerhockeynews.com
Or in print…
Manitoba Score Magazine
The National Post
Grassroots News
Windtalker Hockey News
Or… (books still available at Chapters in Winnipeg)
Home Run: The History of the Winnipeg Goldeyes and CanWest Global Park.
The Winnipeg Jets: A Celebration of Professional Hockey in Winnipeg.
If you have any questions or comments, please share a comment on the site or email Neil Bristow at theneilshow(at)nhldigest.com.
This Week On ThEnEiLsHoW, Neil Sits down with Sabres Prospects guru Kristofer Baker from sabresprospects.com to talk about the future of the Buffalo Sabres.
Theneilshow - Out of all the Buffalo Sabres prospects, who is the “can’t miss”
prospect in the system? And what are their qualities.
Kristofer Baker - Buffalo’s closest thing to a “can’t miss” prospect has to be Swedish goaltender, Jhonas Enroth. He’s very quick and agile in his butterfly, and he’s got an excellent glove hand.
We saw him backstop Sweden to a silver medal at the World Junior Championships against players his own age, but he’s been even better in Elitserien play with Sodertalje. He sees a ton of rubber on an average team, and has been a league leader in save percentage and goals against average all season long.
Enroth seems to have the tools to make an North American living, and the confidence to back it up. He knows he’s good, and rarely gets rattled.
I’ll put Andrej Sekera in this category as well. Sabres fans got a brief taste of what he’s capable of as left-side defenseman opposite Toni Lydman earlier this season. He’s smooth with the puck, and has shown enough own-zone acumen to tell me he’s a surefire NHLer beginning in 2008-09.
Theneilshow -Jhonas Enroth was touted “the best goalie out of Sweden since Henrik
Lundqvist”during the World Junior Championships this year.Is that a fair statement? and who’s style would you compare Enroth with?
Kristofer Baker - It’s a fair assessment in the sense that he possesses greater potential than other Swedish goalies like Chris Heino-Lindberg, Joel Gistedt, Mark Owuya, and Daniel Larsson. Lundqvist is a generational talent who carried a team to a SEL championship in a competitive lockout year before becoming the highest paid goaltender in the league. Enroth has a lot of work to do before ascending the ranks to reach Lundy’s status, but he’s off to a good start.
In terms of style, he’s a technically sound butterfly goalie. He challenges shooters much like Evgeni Nabokov, and moves well in the crease much like a Manny Legace.
Theneilshow -Some have said that the Sabres now lack talent in the prospects pool,
after having a over flowing pool for some years. Do you agree with that?
Kristofer Baker - In terms of forwards, yes. I don’t see a pure, dominant scorer with a pro-ready frame in the cupboards right now. They don’t grow on trees of course, but the next draft should see the team looking for more explosive performers.
Buffalo was top heavy with forwards just a few years ago, and is now a little light after addressing a defensive shortage with higher picks in the last couple of drafts. One guy who does have a scoring knack, Paul Byron of Gatineau (QMJHL), is less than six feet tall and is maybe 150 pounds. Tim Kennedy has been a scorer in the USHL and NCAA, but I don’t consider him to be top-end.
Theneilshow -The Sabres seem to lack that intimidating factor on the blue line. In
the 2007 draft they drafted T.J.Brennan 2nd round 31st overall. Could he fill that void in the future? What is your take on Brennan’s game? And when should we see him in a Sabres uniform?
Kristofer Baker - The Sabres have a plethora of mobile, puck-moving defensemen, with Brennan being one of them. I think his blistering slap shot is his greatest asset. I like how he makes himself a “4th forward” by going straight to the net on a rush, but he probably jumps up too much. I’d rather see more attention paid to his defensive responsibilities. The kid has one of the worst +/- ratings in the QMJHL right now, and it’s on his coaches to teach him out of that.
Brennan plays the body often, but I don’t consider it an intimidating side to his game. Mike Weber in Rochester sets a more physical tone, and is still the most intimidating presence in the pipeline. He’ll line you up and try to put you through the boards. He has caught a few guys with their heads down this season (his first as a pro).
Theneilshow -The Buffalo Sabres are one of the only, if not the only, team to use video scouting. I believe they have been using this technique for two years now. I know it’s too early to tell a lot yet, but in your opinion is this better then the “old” traditional scouting tactics? If so why?
Kristopher Baker - I’m 100% OK with it. I suspect that video had been responsible for much of their scouting work anyways prior to the announcement that it’d become the preferred method. I think it’s an efficient way to evaluate a greater group of players, and I’m pretty sure they use it as a way to deploy the scouts they do have abroad.
I’m in no position to question the Regier-era staff’s ability to judge junior talent. Some will disagree by looking at the first round alone, but they’ve done a good job of amassing quality depth in the middle and late rounds. If they keep getting value across the board, I’ll keep subscribing to the “if it aint broke, don’t fix it” philosophy regarding video scouting.
Theneilshow -One Sabres prospect that has potential to develop into a “Brian Campbell” type mold is Marc-Andre Gragnani. Can you tell us a bit about his game?
Kristofer Baker - The kid is wired for offensive hockey. His head is always up, he skates very well, and he makes some great passes, but he’s not physical enough to handle big forwards from the back end. He’s not small at 6′2, 195 pounds, but honestly, he’s better suited to be a wing at the NHL level. He’s actually been most productive when playing forward for Rochester this season.
At one point while still a full-timer on the blue line, Gragnani had the worst +/- in the AHL. Rochester being a weaker club was partially responsible for that, but it’s no coincidence that he started to bury himself out with more “plus” games when he moved up to see more time down the wing. He still mans a point on the power play, where his vision drives many scoring opportunities, but I’d love to see the Sabres roll him as a left wing next camp to see where it goes. By then, there should be a few more defensemen under contract to allow that to happen.
A former colleague recently spoke with Gragnani and asked him who his favorite NHL players are/were. His responses (Gretzky, Forsberg, Datsyuk) were all forwards. I’m not surprised.
Theneilshow -One guy’s play that opened my eyes and made my ears perk up a couple of years ago in the World Junior Hockey Championship was Team USA’s Nathan Gerbe. Drafted 142nd overall in 05 by the Sabres. Does he have the tools to make a impact and overcome his small stature and have a impact in the NHL? Gerbe is listed at 5′5 150lbs.
Kristofer Baker - I’m gaining confidence in Gerbe’s ability to make it as an NHLer despite his diminutive stature. Coming into this season, I was somewhat critical of his game, not “buying into the hype”, if you will. At his size, you have to dominate at the collegiate level much like Brian Gionta and Martin St. Louis did if you plan on playing in the top league.
Gerbe has since started to answer my questions. He leads the nation in points-per-game, goes to the net hard, and has quite the attitude to make up for any shortcomings his frame presents. He’s very aggressive on the ice, and it’s going to be that quality that keeps him in the hunt for an NHL job. The next step is adding as much mass as possible. I think he needs to be a minimum of 175-180 pounds to succeed as a pro, yet can’t afford to lose a step or an ounce of the shiftiness that separates him from his peers.
Names like Theo Fleury and the already mentioned Gionta and St. Louis often get tossed around when discussing Gerbe. He has elements of all three to his game, so it’ll obviously be very entertaining to watch him mature and work his way up after his Boston College days are over. He’s a junior now, and I doubt he returns for his senior season.
Theneilshow –You cover all Sabres prospects closely. Out of all the prospects you have covered, who is the guy that doesn’t get mentioned that you think will turn heads one day in Sabres silks, and why?
Kristofer Baker - Philip Gogulla has been developing under the radar in the DEL since his 2005 drafting. After his first NHL training camp this past fall, he returned to Germany with greater confidence and it shows in his play. He’s strong along the boards, gets the puck deep, and plays a game very similar to another Sabre of German descent, Jochen Hecht.
I’m not sure Gogulla ever scores 20 in the NHL, but he’s got the make-up of an efficient, two-way player who can pick up points through hard work. Those guys turn heads, too.
Theneilshow -What is stopping Marek Zagrapan from getting a shot with the Sabres. I
personally thought he would get the opportunity this season for a call up to prove himself.
Kristofer Baker - Zagrapan is progressing, just not at the pace that most had expected. He has 16 goals this season to lead Rochester, and will get his look eventually after showing he could make plays in preseason. I’m pretty patient with this kid. He’s got a good burst, and sees the ice well. He just needs to nail down the keys to a consistent effort, and his game should take shape from there. He recently turned 21, so time is still on his side in my estimation.
He was playing his best hockey of the season at the time of the Sabres last call to Rochester. However, the Sabres thought that a different type of spark was necessary, opting for the crash-and-bang style of Patrick Kaleta instead. His scoring has tapered a bit since then, but there’s still time for him to finish strong heading into the summer months. This fall’s training camp will be more telling of what his future holds.
Theneilshow -Are the Sabres lacking any one thing in their prospect stable that they
should change in this year’s draft. Any one position in particular?
Kristofer Baker - Aside from my belief that they need to walk away from the next draft with at least three legitimate scoring threats (read: high picks), the defensive stable is lacking in imposing bruisers. Weber is the only stay-at-home protector in the system who will readily drop the gloves. Vermont recruit Drew MacKenzie has shown some elements of sandpaper in the USHL this year, but mobile, crisp-passing defenders like Chris Butler, Drew Schiestel, Alex Biega outnumber those types.
Darcy Regier has stated his preference to snag a goalie every draft, but he could stay away this year after the two he grabbed last June - Brad Eidsness and Nick Eno - are developing nicely in year one.
Theneilshow -I know Mark Mancari a bit from a few pre season games, and I know he has one heck of a slap shot(he actually set a AHL Record this year),What are his positives and negatives?
Kristofer Baker -Mancari does indeed have a thick shot, but it’s tough to get off in the speed of the game. While he skates well for a big guy, he needs to use that size more to his advantage on a regular basis. More emotion and aggression could be keys to getting Mancari another NHL look. It took him some time to develop and lead when he was in the OHL, but for now he looks more and more likely to follow a similar up-and-down career path to that of another late-round Sabres draftee - Denis Hamel.
Theneilshow -Can you tell our readers at NHL Digest a little about your website
and where we can read your work?
Kristofer Baker - SabresProspects.com was started in hopes of offering color to an underserved slice of the Sabres organization. It’s updated daily via web scrapes and my own first-hand viewings, and acts as a consolidated resource for news, stats, and opinion regarding Sabres properties in North American and European leagues. These kids are drafted at 18, but rarely don a Sabres sweater until they’re 22-23 years of age. It’s my mission to let the fans know what’s happening in between.
I spent much of my youth traveling on buses, going from rink to rink with guys who were living the same life as these prospects. That’s really where my connection rests. My genetic code probably reads “OHLNCAAQMJHL…”. Couple that with the fact that I’ve been a Sabres fan since before the ink was wet on my birth certificate, and you have yourself a passionate, semi-addicted site owner. Stop on by! Reader feedback, site ideas, and general chatter are always welcome at bakes (at) sabresprospects.com.
Thanks, Neil. This was fun.
http://www.sabresprospects.com/
Check It Out
If you have any questions or comments, please share a comment on the site or email Neil Bristow at theneilshow(at)nhldigest.com.
Who Is In Charge of the Remote?
What I would like to know is who runs the NHL marketing? In the summer I get MLB.TV for Red Sox games. It is 20$ a month has every game in great quality plus every other teams game except In my case I don’t get Blue Jays games, but who cares….who wants to watch the J”aaa”ys anyway?
As for the NHL online Centre Ice it is $15.00 a day. Yes just for that day!
It is also $200 from the start of the season. The full $200.Plus there are blackouts as well. Right now it is going for $160 for the rest of the season.Why can’t the NHL look at MLB.TV and get it right.
Make NHL centre ice online $20 a month like MLB and maybe more people would purchase it.
Buffalo - Where are You?
Is there a softer team in the NHL than the Buffalo Sabres? Hey Darcy Regier, your team needs a physical Presence badly! Do you remember Darcy last year in the playoffs when Ottawa body checked the heck out of your team? Did you see Ryan Miller getting “knocked over” the other night and the Sabres did nothing about it?
How can you sit up there in your warm booth and watch that crap. Your team just gets rag-dolled around?
One more thing Darcy….tell Lindy Ruff to keep Patrick Kaleta up on the big team. Or wait - never mind, Kaleta has passion and he hits like a battering ram, which is exactly what the Sabres need more of. I guess players like that are “unusual” to the team you are putting together.
Do You Believe in Karma?
You should ask Kevin Lowe if he believes in it now.
Shawn Horcoff was enjoying an all-star season and BAM! Gone for the season. Sheldon Souray, who has a history of injuries, was brought in this summer to bolster the blue line for an obscene amount of money….BAM out for the season.
I know I know the Oilers keep saying that Souray is on the IR, but come on peopleb Souray is done for the season.
Somewhere Brian Burke is doing the Irish jig right now!
Senator Goalie Woes
I am going to go on record right now and say the Ottawa Senators will not win the cup this year.
Gerber and Emery as their goalies = No chance. Bryan Murray should be getting a goalie fast.
Goalies that might be available: Khabibulin, maybe Biron out of Philly since he can’t grab the reigns there either. Or perhaps call Edmonton; maybe Rollie the goalie has one more fairy tale ride left in him.
Superstar Watch
Alexander Ovechkin is better than Sid the kid – enough said.
Young Guns
Personally, I think the Chicago Blackhawks are the most exciting team to watch. This team has a bright future!
The Rangers had a strong cast last season, then they added Chris “clutch” Drury and Scotty Gomez. Is anybody else wondering why they are 28-24-6 and in 4th place in the Atlantic Division?
Osgood Rocks
How is Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood doing it? I mean the guy is 22-4-2 has 3 goose eggs and a 923sv%, is Detroit just really that good up front? My fantasy right now is seeing Calgary’s Dion Phaneuf catching The Isles Mike Comrie coming across the blue line with his head down. BAM!
Comments anyone?
Till next time!
This Week TheNeilShow sits down with ESPN’s Sports Center anchor and hockey columnist John Buccigross .
TheNeilShow - The NHL still seems to be struggling to grow a fan base in the USA. What can Mr. Bettman and the League do better, in your opinion, to get the game to progress in the United States?
John Buccigross - I don’t think commissioners or P.R. departments can do much of anything. Hockey is a popular, niche sport. It allows Thomas Vanek to make 7 million dollars a year. It may not rate all that great on television, but it’s a successful international sport that has plenty of revenue streams.
The arenas are full, the franchise values are rising, and the players are rich. What more do people want? I don’t care how popular the NHL is. It doesn’t affect my love of the game at all if one other person is watching a game or one million other people are watching.
TheNeilShow - Do you see the NHL and ESPN working together again? Any specific reasons why or why not?
John Buccigross - ESPN is always interested in any major or minor sports league who is in the last year of a contract. Whether it’s the NFL, NBA, MLB, Arena League, MLS, or professional golf and tennis they will always at least investigate if it makes financial sense to do something. If it makes sense they do it, if it doesn’t, they don’t.
TheNeilShow - If you could make any rule changes in the NHL, what changes would you make and why?
John Buccigross - I would make the net a little bigger. The goalies’ equipment is too good and the goalies are too good.
TheNeilShow - Can you tell me about your golf experience with, Boston Bruins Great, Ray Bourque?
John Buccigross - We’ve played together just twice. The first time I was attempting to three putt on the final hole in order to shoot a 77 playing with Ray Bourque. I thought that would be appropriate. I was going to ease the putt near the hole, tap the next putt an inch or so, and then tap in for 77. Instead I made a slippery 20 foot downhill putt on the last to shoot 75.
The other time was a fun match where Ray Ferraro and I defeated Ray and his buddy Reggie Lemelin. Ray Bourque is the gift that keeps on giving. He has no downside.
TheNeilShow - I have heard nothing but good things about a book you just released through Middle Atlantic Press called “Jonesy: Put Your Head Down And Skate” can you tell us a little about that and what an experience that was.
John Buccigross - People seem to like it which is great. It’s just a simple little hockey story with some different twists. Most NHL players did not take the path Keith did. He has had an interesting and humorous life that people seem to enjoy so far. It was a difficult process.
Writing is difficult and writing a book is very difficult. The best part is when you are done. But, it is a great thrill to walk through a Borders and see your book on the shelf.
Hopefully, I can learn from the experience and enjoy more the next time! I’ve started interviewing Barry Melrose for a book on his life that I hope can be released next fall.
TheNeilShow - What was your favorite story of Keith Jones in your “Jonesy” book?
John Buccigross - My favorite stories involving Keith are the ones that shaped his interesting and successful outlook and approach to life.
TheNeilShow - What’s your greatest accomplishment in your career so far?
John Buccigross - My greatest accomplishment? I don’t think I’ve done anything in this business that I would describe as an accomplishment. I’m just happy to get a paycheck every two weeks doing this.
TheNeilShow - I like to ask this question a lot because I love the answers. Any embarrassing on air moments with ESPN you can share?
John Buccigross - My chair has sunk on the air twice. But, it paid off. Dick Clark has used it on a blooper show and I got like 100 bucks. So, it paid off.
TheNeilShow - Do you see Peter Forsberg coming back this year? if so who do you bet he signs with?
John Buccigross - I think Forsberg will sign with the Rangers or Flyers.
TheNeilShow - Do you see Don Waddell in his coaching role for very long in Atlanta? Have you heard who could be the new bench boss of the Thrashers?
John Buccigross - I would think Don Waddel has too many manager concerns to coach for the entire season. They have to decide on Marian Hossa. Will they sign him? Will he want to sign with Atlanta? If not, they must trade him and you can’t do that and coach.
TheNeilShow –Habs’ star, Alexei Kovalev, is once again in the news for all the wrong reasons. There have been some strong suggestions he may be headed West to Calgary for a Alex Tanguay, do you think this has any legs?
John Buccigross - I don’t want to waste a second of my time thinking about Alexi Kovalev. He’s finished.
TheNeilShow - The Buffalo Sabres are missing Daniel Briere and Chris Drury. Now, a lot of so called “experts” have said they will tank this season, do you see that happening?
John Buccigross - No way! The Sabres are a still a playoff team. I had them making the playoffs in my ESPN.Com season preview, and from what I’ve seen nothing has changed my mind.
TheNeilShow -Who comes out of the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference this year?
John Buccigross - From what I’ve seen so far, I’ll say Ottawa and Anaheim.
TheNeilShow - Your early “rookie of the year” pick?
John Buccigross - Jonathan Toews will win rookie of the Year
TheNeilShow - Can you tell our readers here at nhldigest.com what you do and where we can find you and your writings.
John Buccigross -I am a Sportscenter anchor and a hockey columnist on ESPN.Com’s NHL page. My column comes out every Tuesday with an email bag of questions from readers that I answer on Thurdays. I hope you like it. www.espn.com
John’s book link: You can buy “Jonesy” direct from Middle Atlantic Press here
I would encourage you all to pick up John’s book “Jonesy”.It is a very good read.
Look for more from TheNeilShow throughout the season as he interviews various sports media members as well as coaches and players from around the NHL.
If you have any questions or comments, please share a comment on the site or email Neil at theneilshow(@)nhldigest.com
This Week The Neil Show sits down with former Broad Street Bully turned Hockey Analyst and Actor - Bill Clement.
TheNeilShow- The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the news a lot lately and it
seems for all the wrong reasons concerning management. What is your take on the Maple Leafs situation and how can that ship be turned around?
Bill Clement- They must look to the future and forget the present. Focusing on the present will only bring more future pain. Trade Mats Sundin then try to resign him in the summer. Try and find takers for Kubina, Kaberle, Blake & Tucker. They have over $40 million committed in salaries for next season and that doesn’t include Sundin, or Restricted Free Agents Steen, Stajan & Wellwood.
TheNeilShow - The Sabres lost Chris Drury and Danny Briere in the off season. Recently, All Star defenseman, Brian Campbell said negotiations are off till the season is over. Does this seem wise to do for the Buffalo Sabres considering we have seen the same story last year with Briere/Drury?
Bill Clement-The Sabres would like to keep negotiating. It’s Campbell who has called off the talks. I think the Sabres may let things settle for a couple of weeks then make one more attempt to sign him with a big time offer. They can’t remain an elite team if they continue to let key people walk.
TheNeilShow - What are your thoughts on Roberto Luongo’s decision to skip the All Star game?
Bill Clement - I understand completely. It is a family issue and it is the All-star game. Heck, players miss regular season games all the time when their wives are having babies, or expecting. Roberto has already received permission from the Canucks to miss the first game after the All-star game. He couldn’t very well play in the All-star game then miss a Canucks start, could he?
TheNeilShow - What do you think of the officiating so far in this season? Senators coach John Paddock recently came out and said he wasn’t happy with it.
Bill Clement - I think it has been consistent, but I also think there will be changes. Hockey is a game played by strong, aggressive men and I believe most organizations have a problem with penalties called late in close games when there is little more that feater-touch contact between 2 players.
TheNeilShow - You were part of the Philadelphia Flyers for 2 Stanley Cups and you also wore Capitals and both Atlanta and Calgary Flames colors. What is the most memorable moment in your career as a player?
Bill Clement - Winning 2 Cups with the Flyers was unbelievable and group achievements provide greater lasting memories than individual accomplishments. Just to be able to contribute was a thrill. Scoring the second goal on a breakaway in our 2-0 game 6 Cup-clinching win against the Sabres was special.
TheNeilShow - What is your favorite memory as a broadcaster?
Bill Clement - Games 6 & 7 of the 94 conference finals between NJ & NYR and Game 7 of the Cup Finals when 54 years of misery was put to rest for Rangers fans
TheNeilShow - When the lockout ended it seemed teams like the Sabres,Penguins and the Oilers had the right idea in building the team to win in the “new” NHL era with the finesse and speed. Then last season along came the rough and bigger style of Anaheim Ducks to win it all. If you were GM and had to go either in a direction which way would you build?
Bill Clement - I think if you have to make a choice, you go with skill and speed. That said, Anaheim had an awesome element of talent. They didn’t win with their fists. They won with their hands. Bottom line…no matter what kind of team you build, it has to be jammed with character.
TheNeilShow - Any “on air” embarrassing moments you could share with us?
Bill Clement - Oh, yes. I was doing a couple of pre-Olympic games in 1987 and was working with Al Michaels. Mike Eruzione was supposed to be the host but he canceled. I did double duty. I started sweating doing the interviews between periods and looked like Albert Brooks in Broadcast news. I was panicking and didn’t know what to do about it. I thought my career was over when it was just starting.
TheNeilShow - How exactly did you get into making TV commercials? I love
the “Deep Woods off” one the best!
Bill Clement - I became a full time actor within 3 years of retiring from hockey and doing commercials was a natural way to avoid becoming a waiter. I landed the first Deep woods Off commercial in 1987 after an audition in New York and shot it on a Wednesday night in Florida. Tuesday and Thursday of the same week I called playoff games on ESPN during a Rangers - Flyers’ series. It was pretty freaky climbing into the tent the first time with 15,000 mosquitoes and biting flies.
TheNeilShow-Personally, I like the NHL with a salary cap now. But I do miss all of the trading that seemed to be done in the past - before the cap. Do you see and BIG name deals this year? or is that the thing of the past now?
Bill Clement - There will probably be some big names moving, but most will be rental players. Mats Sundin, Rob Blake will most likely move. Jaromir Jagr is a candidate as well. If Atlanta can’t sign Marian Hossa he will go too.
TheNeilShow-If you could have the chance to market the NHL to the American audience. What would you do? And in your opinion, is the NHL doing a good job getting the game “out there” in the USA?
Bill Clement - I think the NHL is doing as good a job as they can with the players they have. I have always believed that super-stars will attract the masses so the competition committee must continue to provide the special athletes to opportunity to do what they do best - skate, pass, shoot and score. The rest will take care of itself.
TheNeilShow - The Ottawa Senators seem to be the early favorite this season to win the big shiny mug. Personally I don’t think Emery or Gerber are the goaltenders to get it
done. Do you think the “stars” are aligned for the Cup to make its way north? Do they have all the tools?
Bill Clement - The Sens are the class of the East but you bring up a good point - goaltending. Ray Emery came close last year, but in the end couldn’t get it done. He still hasn’t regained his form after off-season wrist surgery and keeps stubbing his toe on issues such as punctuality.
Martin Gerber has only won one playoff game in his career so he carries question marks as well. I also worry about team grit. They have some in Mike Fisher, Chris Neil, Daniel Alfredsson…but Anaheim out-banged the Sens and other teams took notes.
TheNeilShow - Thanks for your time Mr.Clement. Can you tell our readers at nhldigest.com what you do and where we can hear you?
Bill Clement - I can be seen, heard and read on the following:
•Rogers Sportsnet in Canada
•The NHL Hour (weekly radio show with commissioner Gary Bettman - XM 204 & NHL.com, Thursday’s 4-5pm est
•Select Flyers games (TV) on Comcast Sportsnet in Philadelphia
•HockeyBuzz.com (weekly blogs)
•NHL Radio game broadcasts on Westwood One
If you have any questions or comments, please share a comment on the site or email Neil at theneilshow (AT) NHLDIGEST (DOT) COM