I Miss Hockey.
July 20, 2008 3:36 pm NHL, News, RetirementSo, in case you hadn’t noticed, it’s not October yet, leaving us with lack of news on the hockey front now that the dust has mostly settled on free agency. We’re stuck in those gloomy months of summer — nothing going down but the occasional low-key signing or coach being hired.
The withdrawal symptoms grow worse everyday.
Here’s the latest news to help ease your pain.
–Dallas Drake hangs ‘em up after 16 years in the NHL and his first-ever Stanley Cup victory this year in Detroit.
–Ryan Miller signs a 5-year contract extension with Buffalo, crushing the hopes and dreams of Red Wings fans convinced the Motown-native coming to play for his hometown team next summer.
–The NHL confirmed the 2009 Winter Classic for January 1, 2009, to take place at Wrigley Field between Chicago and Detroit. I did a victory dance.
–Jonathan Toews was named captain for the Blackhawks for the upcoming season, becoming the third-youngest player given the honor.
–The Penguins gave head coach Michel Therrien a 3-year contract extension and increased his pay for the 2008-2009 season.
–Terry Murray was named head coach for the Los Angeles Kings. God speed, sir.
–The Islanders “parted ways” with head coach Ted Nolan. Its fun to watch the Islanders implode.
–Joffrey Lupul signed a 4-year extension with the Flyers. Solid move for Philly.
–Mats Sundin signs with the Canucks. Oh wait, no he didn’t. Silly Swedish tabloids.
–The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) suspended Alexander Radulov and 5 other players while investigating their transfers between the new Russian Continental Hockey League and the NHL. Radulov had 1 year left on his contract with the Predators when he signed a contract with the KHL, breaching the IIHF transfer agreement.
–For the second straight season, the NHL season will begin with games in Europe. On October 4th and 5th, the Rangers and Lightning will face off in the Czech Republic while the Penguins and Senators compete in Sweden. The Senators’ Daniel Alfredsson will get the chance to play in his home country. I’m sure the NHL had hoped, in scheduling the Rangers in Prague, to have Jaromir Jagr playing on his home turf as well, but no such luck.
–And, the best news of the week — the 2008-2009 schedule has been released! 75 days until the season starts. (And 81 days until the Devils home opener!)
Let the countdown begin!
Greg M :
Date: July 20, 2008 @ 10:27 pm
Sarah, considering the game being played at Wrigley, has there been any other word about a game being played at Yankee Stadium before it gets torn down?
Or has that idea been eliminated?
Sarah :
Date: July 20, 2008 @ 10:39 pm
The NHL narrowed it down to Wrigley and Yankee as hosts for the Winter Classic, and Wrigley won.
My understanding of the situation is that the Classic was to be played between two Original 6 teams — one of Detroit or Chicago would have been brought in to face the Rangers and Yankee. I think the league probably figured the draw would be bigger for the combination of Detroit AND Chicago, with the defending champs going up against another bunch of young upstarts in Chicago (much like the Penguins).
So in short — eliminated. haha. The NHL bought a portable rink though, so we may see one at the new Yankee Stadium in the coming years.
Greg M :
Date: July 21, 2008 @ 3:54 pm
Well that stinks, I would have like to watch the game at the stadium. Although I don’t think the draw could have been the deciding factor since Wrigley only holds around 35,000 fans as opposed to the 56,000 plus that can be seated at Yankee Stadium.
I would have to think that a matchup of the Boston Bruins and the New York Rangers would have been a big draw considering the mutual sports hatred between the two cities.
Anyway Wrigley is a great ballpark in its own right and the game will be pretty sweet.
Not to mention, I did a little more research, and it appears there was massive uprising from baseball fans that it would be a travesty if the last event hosted at Yankee Stadium was anything other than a Yankee baseball game.
Sarah :
Date: July 21, 2008 @ 5:44 pm
I knew nothing of seating capacity for the two stadiums, so thats interesting. I just know that Detroit is among the favored teams in the league (says the bitter Devils fan). I was not at all surprised they went that direction instead. (I wish they’d considered playing off the New York-Boston rivalry though. That would have been awesome.)
When the initial Yankee talks started I read a lot about the baseball fans freaking out. I don’t know how much that weighed in on the final decision, but I hope they’ll bring an outdoor game our way in the future anyway.
Greg M :
Date: July 21, 2008 @ 10:06 pm
I agree 100%. I would certainly attend one of these outdoor affairs.