Tampa Bay is quickly becoming a remake of the Saw franchise.  Why, you may ask?  This is simple.  How can you put on the table a offer sheet when you know you don’t have the picks?  Are you kidding me?!   I mean come on…it was a ballsy move to say the least.  Also, they did get Meszaros for 1 million a year less but the rest of the league has to be either laughing or scratching their heads here.  Even Vicent Lecavlier has to be wondering “what did I sign myself into”?

I will grant Tampa that they did get younger but then again they have a goalie approaching 40 in Olaf Kolzig (granted 40 is a couple years away).  Is Mike Smith going to be the starter or Kolzig?  There are a lot more than questions than answers in this strange math equation.  With Barry Melrose as coach, this is a team that will likely be a bad one but not be dull to watch at the very least.

Then there is a team still trying to relive the past with a gaping hole and that would be the Colorado Avalanche.  They have a nice core of young forwards who can score.  Now with Joe Sakic signing a 1 year, 6 million dollar deal Wednesday night…Colorado could contend for a playoff spot as they are still a little over five million away from the salary cap.  I am expecting Peter Forsberg to sign sometime during the season at a prorated rate.  The only problem is going to be the goaltending with Andrew Raycroft and Peter Budaj.  Both have proven they can be a #1 at one time but recently have both fallen on some hard times.  They are going to have to get excellent goaltending from one of them to make a run in the very crowded Northwest Division.

Then there is the guy I refuse to name….he played for Toronto last year as we all know and is in his late 30’s.  He is going to wait and wait and wait…that is for sure.  From what I have heard, he is not even skating much which leads one to believe that he won’t be ready for training camp at the very least.  Teams like Vancouver and Montreal are already planning their Plan B’s and C’s in anticipation.  That can’t be a good sign right there.  Has he earned the respect to make the decision on his own terms?  Yes!  However, the song and dance perpetrated by him and his agent….definitely not so much.

So with the first week of September on tap….hockey is going to pick up and with a vengeance.  When Labor Day comes, a smile comes over my face that I just can’t hide.  Training camps coming up this month which means hockey in October.  I can’t wait!

I found it a very interesting piece especially the comments from Kevin Allen.  This comment is really interesting.

“My membership believes that right now there is not enough history to bring aboard bloggers,” Allen said. “They don’t really have any accountability. They can post anything and it doesn’t really matter, while those of us in the Association have accountability and have standards.”

I can see where he’s coming from because there are some blogs out there that post information to bring hits onto the website.  Most people know where I am going with this.  Hockeybuzz.com has some very good writers.  One of note is Andy Strickland who’s the Blues writer.  The most notable writer is Eklund who post rumors with very little truth.  He has his own rating system to determine how strong the rumor is (E1-E5).  Most people go on his blog to read his nonsense.

Here at MVN, we are free to write whatever what we want.  At the sametime there are editors here to make sure we don’t cross over the line.

Allen does say you can take bloggers seriously if they are dedicated.

“Personally, I believe that as long as a guy has proven himself to be a guy who dedicates his profession to [blogging], he deserves to be taken seriously,” Allen said.

This where I fit in.  I am a sports journalism major and this is the perfect avenue to jump start my career.  If it wasn’t for blogs, I might be just sitting around and goofing off during the summer.  Instead blogs allow me to reach my ultimate goal of being a sports writer.

The story goes on and talks about NHL teams bringing bloggers into the press box.

“The New York Islanders have been at the front of the pack in allowing bloggers to attend games at Nassau Coliseum. Implementing an auxiliary press box, normally used to accommodate overflow during the playoffs, the Islanders have encouraged fans with running blogs to attend games as members of the press.

“We saw that blogging is becoming a major force on the Internet and is a tool for news reporting,” said Corey Witt, media relations coordinator for the Islanders. “Instead of shying away from it, we wanted to dive right in.”

Its great to see teams allowing bloggers as members of the press.  At the same time, it could get out of hand with fans starting up a blog to get free access into games. Of course you have to apply for a media pass like you would for a job.

The Lewiston Maineiacs gave me a press pass last year which was a privilege to have that opportunity.  I was like the bloggers at the Nassau Coliseum and was in the alternate press box located above the Zamboni entrance at the Androscoggin Bank Colisee.  At first I thought I was being short changed because “The Asylum” is a blog.  After learning that they have very limited space in primary press box.  It couldn’t of worked out any better because of the people I have met.  It was a blessing in disguise.

If you have a passion of any kind, I highly suggest to start a blog because who knows where it may take you.

That’s My Take

(Nathan also writes for the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. You can follow the Lewiston Maineiacs and news around the QMJHL here at The Asylum.  He also started “The World of Junior Hockey Blog.”  Become a fan of The NHL Source on Facebook. )

Now without picking on the Roy’s too much here…..then again they are one of the main reasons for these tougher sanctions.  I like that they are taking a tougher stance but do not like the fact of the accelerator in suspensions.  It may not be enough in a league like this.  Hockey Quebec wants a much tougher stance and this is their outlook….

In that report, players who fight, instigate, or jump into an on-ice brawl as a third combatant will be suspended for two         games on a first offence. A second offence puts the player out for four games and means a trip before a disciplinary                 committee.  A third offence brings an indefinite suspension.

The problem becomes with too many organizations, how can a league police itself?  Jonathan Roy’s trial starts September 16th.  They did not wait for the league to issue a judgment.   When I saw this report come out, I kind of cringed thinking Gary Bettman and company would take a look at this.  Hopefully they do not.  It seems too excessive and too far reaching.  Players who fight is fine…only the third man in is something I could see taking a more aggressive stand.  Eventually, the powers that be will come up with something that works but right now taking the damn instigator rule out is probably the best thing.

Unfortunately, no one in these leagues realizes that just yet.  That’s my take.

Now a days if your 40 time at the NFL Draft Combine is a tenth or two off, you fall two rounds.  That single time will either make you millions or get you the league minimum.  In this case Denver University could of easily dropped his scholarship.  Not only will the honor it but they will  do this:

“He’ll be a student assistant coach, a position that is still evolving here at the university,” Gwozdecky told NHL.com. “He’ll have sessions with fellow student-athletes during and after practices and, on occasion, attend coaches meetings and plan and coordinate practices. I will not put him in a position to critique fellow players, but I do want him to listen in and learn the process and, maybe, a few years down the road, he’ll be able to offer opinion.”

Tampa Bay’s owner, Oren Koules, said he worked hard to get to his dream and Tampa took him in the seventh round.

“(Tampa Bay co-owner) Oren (Koules) called and told me I worked too hard in my life to not get drafted and he just said to worry about staying healthy,” Carle recalled. “He told me he drafted me more for the person I am.”

That’s a great way to take what would considered a bad situation and turning it into a great opportunity.  Not only will he be a coach he will be writing for Denver’s website and for ESPN.com.

This a great story because he’s one of the guys.  I do to have a physical condition that didn’t allow me to play hockey.  When I was in high school I was the manager for my school, it was being as one of the guys on the team.  Hopefully David will feel the same way.

That’s My Take

(Nathan also writes for the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. You can follow the Lewiston Maineiacs and news around the QMJHL here at The Asylum.  He also started “The World of Junior Hockey Blog.”  Become a fan of The NHL Source on Facebook. )

I got an email from a NHL scout who was at the event last night.

With John Tavares and Victor Hedman the two names that have dominated the headlines for sometime now (Both were too old to compete in this event.). The question coming into the season was would anyone make push to crack the top two? Matt Duchene was very good and he thinks highly of Duchene. He had a goal and four assists. The scout said it’s still Tavares and Hedman leading the way.

Brayden Schenn was also very solid according to the scout, as Schenn had two goal and four assists.

The other player that was very impressive was Jared Cowen. From this tournament he has become a potential top five pick come June. I am not surprised by this because he was very solid at the Memorial Cup. That was the only time I have seen him and he looked like a veteran out there at 16. If there was no Victor Hedman this year, all the hype would be around him as the defenseman of this draft. Don’t get me wrong people talk about Cowan but the hype would be stronger.

The guy that had dominated this tournament was Magnus Svensson-Paajarvi who had three goals and six assists. I guess his performance was speechless because the scout didn’t say anything about him.

The big surprise of this tournament was Richard Panik skipping the tournament to make his club team. My personal opinion, this would of been a great chance to show the scouts what he can do against players in his age group. At the same time he’s trying to make his club team and will have the World Junior Championships and the Under 18 to show the scouts. He also had a very good Under 18’s last year so, they (the scouts) know what he can do at his age level.

Speaking of underagers, Kirill Kabanov of Russia and Mikael Granlund of Finland both had three goals for six points. Both are 2010 eligible and what surprises me is Kabanov making Russia. Russia is always deep in talent and to lead the team to scoring is very impressive. I am not going to say he’s the next Ovechkin or Malkin but he’s someone to watch out for. Granlund is apart of the Finnish invasion in the next few years. Toni Rajala is the top Finnish player for this year. Granlund will be joined by Teemu Pulkkinen for 2010. Pulkkinen didn’t play in this tournament because of an injury.

That’s My Take

(Nathan also writes for the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. You can follow the Lewiston Maineiacs and news around the QMJHL here at The Asylum.  He also started “The World of Junior Hockey Blog.”  Become a fan of The NHL Source on Facebook. )

So it really isn’t so taboo to put a franchise in Las Vegas. The Las Vegas Wranglers have enjoyed some nice success as an ECHL team.  Just go to their website sometime and you will see why they do so well.  Like every good sports team, they market and market very well.  Their on-ice product is not too shabby either…making the Finals of the Kelly Cup this past season (falling to the Cincinnati Cyclones).  They are clearly in the black which brings up the inevitable question.

Will there ever be an NHL team in Las Vegas (expansion or otherwise)?

The answer is yes.  Eventually the league is going to get over this whole taboo thing and realize the one thing that motivates men of greed and that is money.  That expansion “cash cow” fee that they get will be too much to pass up and really something like this in Vegas is going to be successful.  Hot weather?  Cool off at the arena.  I can see it now!  Now I don’t know what you would call the team (Gamblers is surely out just ask Rick Tocchet) but they would not be dull.  Showgirls could come out instead of the boring ice girls we get now.  Imagine the possibilities.

So as I head for a mini-vacation in Vegas and visit the Wranglers’ arena, I will kind of think to myself and dream up of what it will be like to see an NHL team in Vegas.  It is less of a pipe dream than most would think.

Anyone who is a diehard hockey fan…remembers this day…August 9th, 1988. The day that left me in utter shock and awe like none other. The Devils first Stanley Cup probably comes close for me. Twenty years ago today, Wayne Gretzky was traded from the Edmonton Oilers (one of the best dynasties ever) to the Los Angeles Kings in a move that has had long lasting yet mixed effects.

The biggest reason for this trade was owner of the Oilers, Peter Pocklington. He kept losing money throughout the 1980’s and needed to cover business loans, and expenses that were mounting. Gradually, Pocklington would sell off all his assets from the Oilers…player by player. However, the biggest piece was the first one and that was Mr. Gretzky.

The night the trade happened I was sitting there watching some baseball on television when ESPN (who actually covered hockey with considerable passion back then) went to a breaking news alert. Suddenly baseball was interrupted by hockey and no you would likely never see that on television today so you knew this alert was important. When Tom Mees announced the trade, our jaws hit the floor like bricks. They probably hit all at the same time as well.

The graphic on the screen was as read……..

Wayne Gretzky traded to Los Angeles Kings via AP Report

My dad heard me curse from upstairs. So of course he came downstairs to see what was going on. Even when he saw the story on ESPN, he was stunned. Simply my Dad asked me what it meant and all I could really say was, “The Kings are going to change hockey.” I surely did not know how right I would be at the time.

The rest as everyone knows is history. The LA Kings became a team that was actually good…and though Bruce McNall would have a fall similar to Enron, the Gretzky trade had many long reaching effects. The NHL added markets in San Jose and Anaheim just for example….then Tampa, Florida, Atlanta, Minnesota, etc. etc. etc. Winnipeg moved to Phoenix and there was some Nashville team along the way. This doesn’t likely happen as fast without Gretzky moving. The playing field shifted with some mixed results.

Obviously teams like LA and Florida are not doing so well these days along with several others. However, San Jose and Anaheim are flourishing for the most part. So the direct lineage of teams from the Gretzky trade has worked well. If Phoenix keeps its upward trend, then they may be able to make a profit in the NHL. Essentially Gretzky, Coyotes Coach, would make a bit of a circle here in a good way. By helping out a market that was so far in the red a few years ago…Gretzky and Don Maloney have done wonders with Phoenix.

So if the Coyotes make the playoffs in the next year or two…we will look at that stunning trade from twenty years ago and not ask what effects did the trade have twenty years ago…but what effects will it have twenty years from right now? A really great question, if you ask me.

Now why should the NHL should step in the CHL business?  The NHL wants to keep the the Europeans in the NHL.  It doesn’t look good for the NHL that the CHL doesn’t want anymore Europeans to play in the league because of a few sour grapes.

What should be done?  Gary Bettman or anyone in the NHL Headquarters should talk to David Branch  the CHL and the OHL  commissioner and Gilles Courteau the QMJHL commissioner and see what’s going on.  If they don’t budge, go for the juggular and back out of the Development Agreement between the CHL and the NHL.  That will hurt the CHL financially and possibe water down the leagues.

What does the Development Agreement entail?  Basically it keeps NHL teams from taking their junior age players and putting them in the AHL as 18 and 19 year olds.  Also when a NHL Team signs a junior aged player, they pay the player’s junior team a development fee. I would just take away the development fee and hurt the teams financially.

I know it seems extreme but if the NHL wants to keep the European players coming, they need every league that’s affliated with them open to Europeans.  Because if they don’t the KHL will welcome these players with oprn arms.  The KHL wants to start a junior league of their own and if there’s no more Import Draft they get instant crediblity as an developmental league to the KHL. Once they get these players, they will probably hold them as long as possible.

That’s My Take

(Nathan also writes for the Lewiston Maineiacs of the QMJHL. You can follow the Lewiston Maineiacs and news around the QMJHL here at The Asylum.  He also started “The World of Junior Hockey Blog.”  Become a fan of The NHL Source on Facebook. )

Well this week is the anniversary of the trade to LA….20 years….it really does not seem that long yet it is.  When that trade was made, it put LA on the hockey map.  Yes, they did make it to one Cup Final in that time but it isn’t what I most remember about #99.

What I do remember more……is the way he said goodbye.  Here is an excerpt from Biography via Hulu…… enjoy!!

Thanks for those memories Wayne!!

This is a process not for the weak of heart and of course everyone remembers the ugliness that transpired between Mike Milbury and Tommy Salo in 1997.  It was the most horrific display of character assassination I have ever seen or heard in my life.  To think, this was the Islanders’ starting goaltender at the time and by the way he was not half bad.  The Islanders were a really bad team then and in many ways it was a product of Mad Mike himself.

Salo was never quite right for awhile after the hearing and eventually got moved to Edmonton during the 1998-99 season.  His career best year was probably in 2001-2002 when we won 30 games but more importantly posted a 2.22 GAA and .913 save percentage.  Edmonton was one of the stingier teams in shots on goal at the time but Salo was a pretty good goalie.  The shame is he could have been so much better on Long Island if it wasn’t for Mad Mike, who has never really mellowed from those days one bit.

The animosity continues today with the Shaone Morrisonn hearings.  Shaone was ultimately awarded 1.975 million but the Capitals wanted to pay considerably less because Washington contended that Morrisonn was a fortunate player who got extra ice time because of injuries and not because of the merit of his play.  Basically the Caps felt he was a 6th or 7th defensemen at best, and Morrisonn felt that he was better.  The arbiter decided with Morrisonn but it makes you wonder what bad blood will linger next year.  I do get the feeling Morrisonn will walk after the season but I could be wrong.

The other reason I felt there were less hearings was the simple fact that most GM’s spent too much during the Free Agent Frenzy.  By coming to agreements before the hearings, they probably saved themselves hundred of thousands or more.  True, it is a weird juxtaposition for the league that they only become conscious of spending when it comes to arbitration but it does happen in every sport.  At least, this year it didn’t drive salaries up like in previous years.  Thank god!