Down To The Wire

If You Build It, Will They Come?

For those of you not familiar with the ongoing word-slinging in Edmonton regarding the construction of a new arena to replace Rexall Place, I urge you to visit Battle of Alberta and read this letter by Andy Grabia to Mr. Daryl Katz (Who I still think looks like Deuce Bigalow).

Lord Stanley’s Odds

The odds are out on who will win the 2007-08 NHL Stanley Cup. Oddsmakers favor the Detroit Red Wings to win the Holiest of Holy. Here’s a breakdown of the top teams that can compete for the NHL’s top prize. I’m not betting against the Habs, but it they seem to give in to media pressure when the chips are down.

Blind Leading the Blind

Some of the NHL’s most powerful agents got their first real glimpse of Paul Kelly, the new executive director of the NHL Players’ Association on Wednesday, and they liked what they saw. They began the day with the customary hand shakes and continued to line their pockets with commission checks, laughing over the latest 15 year deal for a goalie with a bad hip!

Daddy Luongo

Alanah from Canucks and Beyond is reporting that Roberto Luongo has now left the team for the greener pastures of a Florida maternity ward as his wife gives birth to their child. and about 1000 (and counting) Canucks fans are expected to throw themselves off the Lions Gate bridge sometime later this afternoon.

Who’s On First, What’s On Second?

John Tortorella will serve as bench boss of the U.S. entry in the World Championships this spring with his assistant Mike Sullivan serving in a similar capacity. Not that it will matter much…it’s not like coaching Team USA at the World Championships is a big resume booster.

Habs Fill The Net

Scoring may be down a little in the NHL this season, but don’t tell that to the Montreal Canadiens. With five games left in the regular season, the Canadiens are on pace for their highest goal total 1995-96. Don’t count this young Canadiens squad out for Cup contention. It was just a couple of decades ago when a Rookie Goaltender named Patirck Roy led the Habs to a Stanley Cup victory. Can Carey Price repeat that amazing feat? Only time will tell.

Welcome Brian, Here’s Your Cup Of Tea

Brian Lee celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday by cleaning up pucks at Scotiabank Place. The Senators rookie defenceman, who made his NHL debut in a 6-3 victory over the Sabres in Buffalo on Tuesday, was one of the last players off the ice following a 45-minute workout.

The “Real” Sweet 16 Is Announced

The field of 16 for the NCAA tournament has been announced, and although the pairings will — as they always do — provoke some consternation, the important thing is to make it.

“The anticipation of the national tournament, the opponent, the site you’re going to play, it’s a special day,” said Boston College head coach Jerry York. “You have to earn it to get here.

My vote goes to the University of North Dakota to become this season’s NCAA Division I Champion.

Simon Says…

Simon Gagne, who has been out since February 10th with lingering concussion symptoms, has been making progress in his return to the ice. He has been advised to sit out the remainder of the season, but Gagne believes that he could return to the ice in the unlikely event that the Flyers make it to the Stanley Cup Finals.