Joe Sakic will Return to Play Hockey for the Colorado Avalanche

Posted on August 27th, 2008 in Colorado Avalanche by Wicked

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According to TSN, Joe Sakic has signed a 1 year deal with the Colorado Avalanche. Sakic was an unrestricted free agent, although he wouldn’t consider playing anywhere but for Colorado. Sakic has played his entire career with the Avalanche/Nordiques and has been the captain of the team for both of their Stanley Cup victories. Here is what Super Joe had to say about his return:

“Ultimately it came down to the fact that I still enjoy playing and competing,” said Sakic. “I’m comfortable with my conditioning and my overall health. I’m ready for the start of camp and am looking forward to the upcoming season.”

Jonathan Roy Faces Assault Charges from Hockey Fight

Posted on August 1st, 2008 in Canada Juniors by Wicked

The video of Patrick Roy’s son, Jonathan Roy fighting another goalie and a player last season made hockey highlight reels across the North America.  Roy came out and fought Bobby Nadeau of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens and beat the other goaltender even after it was clear that Nadeau had given up.  Now Jonathan Roy will face one assault charge stemming from the fight.  The assault charge was filed on July 31, 2008 in Saguenay, Quebec.  Roy will not serve any jail time from the assault charge, but more than likely will be put on probation and will have to serve community service.  More details will be added as they are known, but here is the video of the fight.

Scotty Bowman Added to Chicago Blackhawks Staff

Posted on July 31st, 2008 in Chicago Blackhawks by Wicked
bowman blackhawks front office stanley cup

It appears the rumors earlier in the summer were true as Scotty Bowman will head to the front office of the Chicago Blackhawks.  Scotty Bowman will become the Senior Advisor of Hockey Operations for the Blackhawks. Scotty Bowman’s son, Stan Bowman, is the Assistant General Manager for the Blackhawks.  It was widely rumored after the season ended that Bowman would head to Chicago to join his son, but then Bowman spoke out saying he wasn’t going to make the move.  The Blackhawks are getting the best hockey mind in the history of the game in their front office, combined with the young talent the Blackhawks will put on the ice makes this a perfect match.

photo credit:  www.sportsresourcezone.net

The Mats Sundin Drama

Posted on July 21st, 2008 in NHL trade rumors by Wicked

Mats Sundin has stated in an interview that he will not be making a decision on his career until the end of July or the beginning of August.  You would think this would quiet down the hockey world and the websites who focus on hockey rumors, but I have a feeling this latest statement from Mats Sundin will only intensify the rumors that surround Sundin.

If Mats Sundin retires, then he will have had a great NHL career with no Stanley Cup to show for his efforts.  If Mats Sundin decides to play for one of the teams currently courting him, I still don’t think he will win the Stanley Cup.  Sundin will provide leadership and skill to any team that picks him up, but the bottom line is that he is getting older and his impact with a new team could be very limited.  In my opinion, it will be a gigantic waste for any team to throw a ridiculous amount of money at Sundin.  The teams interested in Sundin are considered to be the Senators, Canucks, Canadians Maple Leafs and Rangers.  The only team out of this group that I think it would be worth to make an offer is the Vancouver Canucks.  This is the only team of the group with nothing to lose and less pressure than any of the other markets.

The Mats Sundin drama has gotten out of hand just as the Peter Forsberg situation last year.  People are focusing on the wrong players, players who have passed their prime.  Yes they are worth big money, and they have proven themselves in the past, but where did Forsberg get the Avs last year (and this year he wont even return until New Years if at all).  Where did Selanne get the Ducks when he returned.  People should be focusing on the youth of the league, not the guys who are on their way out of the door.  Just my 2 cents, but I think the whole Mats Sundin drama is being over-hyped.

Los Angeles Kings Hire Terry Murray as new Head Coach

Posted on July 16th, 2008 in LA Kings by Wicked

Terry Murray will be named as the Los Angeles Kings new head coach.  Terry Murray was an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers last year, and has been a head coach for Florida, Washington and Philadelphia.  Murray is replacing Marc Crawford as head coach and must be thinking to himself that there is nowhere to go but up for the Los Angeles Kings.  The Kings finished tied for last this past season, but they boast a very young and talented roster.  If the Kings can put it together and play consistently game in and game out, then they could be a playoff team this season.  Note:  Murray has not officially been named as coach, but an announcement is accepted shortly.

NHL and Russian Hockey League Agree to a Transfer Agreement

Posted on July 10th, 2008 in Canada by Wicked

The NHL and Russia’s Continental Hockey League reach a Transfer Agreement that will prohibit teams from either league pursuing players under contract in the opposite league.  There has been all sorts of drama since Evgeni Malkin was offered a very lucrative contract if he ditched Pittsburgh and moved to play in Russia.  Malkin ended up signing a long-term deal with the Penguins, but the situation showed how close the NHL was to losing one of its brightest young talents. 

The NHL and European leagues do not currently have a Transfer Agreement since the accord has recently expired.  It is being reported that the European leagues want more than the $200,000 that was previously agreed upon as a buyout amount if a contract player is removed from another country’s league.

The group is also working on bringing back a World Cup of Hockey in 2012 in an undetermined location.  In the end, the two groups decided that it would be better to respect each league’s contracts, and instead of fighting over players, each league will work to further the game of hockey across the world.

Jaromir Jagr Signs with Russia Team Avangard Omsk

Posted on July 7th, 2008 in International Hockey by Wicked

Jaromir Jagr has said goodbye to the NHL and will go play in the Continental Hockey League in Russia with the Avangard Omsk.  Jagr signed the contract with the Russian team and will make $5 million tax free a year, over the next two years.  Jagr had his worst year in the NHL in 16 years as he barely managed to break the 70 point barrier.  He did pick up his play towards the end of the season and played with a lot of passion as the Rangers tried to go deep into the playoffs.

Jagr reportedly received a number of offers from NHL teams, including the biggest offer which came from Edmonton.  In the end, Jagr thanked the Rangers and all the teams that bid on his services, and packed his stuff to go play in Russia.  You never know, Jagr may be back in the NHL, but I have a feeling his playing days in the NHL are over.  I see him playing these 2 years in Russia before finishing his career in his native Czech Republic.

Next NHL Outdoor Game at Wrigley Field in Chicago - Wings vs. Hawks

Posted on July 7th, 2008 in NHL by Wicked

The 2009 NHL Winter Classic will be held in Chicago at Wrigley Field according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The Detroit Red Wings will play the Chicago Blackhawks on New Years Day 2009, although the official announcement isn’t expected for at least a couple of weeks.

The first NHL outdoor game was in 2003 when the Montreal played the Oilers in Edmonton, in a game dubbed the “Heritage Classic”. The second outdoor NHL Game was last year in Buffalo, with the Penguins playing the Sabers. The game in Buffalo drew more than 71,000 fans to the stadium, an NHL record. Carrying on with a new tradition, the Blackhawks and the city of Chicago will receive the 2009 NHL outdoor game with high expectations.

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