NHL FanHouse

Forgotten Miracle: The Story of the 1960 US Olympic Hockey Team

Adam Gretz — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Team USA, International Hockey, Olympic Hockey

You probably won't get much of an argument if you were to name the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey team's victory over the Soviet Union at Lake Placid as the most iconic moment in American sports history.

Twenty years before that team's improbable run to the Gold Medal, another U.S. team was pulling off a stunning upset upset of its own at the Sqauw Valley games, as a group of college kids led by head coach Jack Riley claimed the American's first gold medal in Olympic hockey history. A new DVD tilted Forgotten Miracle is set to be released to mark the 40th anniversary of their victory and tell their story.

You can pre-oder the DVD by clicking here, and you can check out the trailer after the jump.

Forgotten Miracle Trailer from Forgotten Miracle on Vimeo.

The 1960 team finished the tournament with a perfect 7-0 record and outscored the opposition by a 48-17 margin, winning the gold over the heavily favored squads from Canada, Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union.

The Roster

Goalies: Jack McCartan, Larry Palmer
Defensemen: Jack Kirrane, John Mayasich, Robert Owen, Rod Paavola
Forwards: Bob McVey, Paul Johnson, Tomy Williams, Dick Rodenhiser, Dick Meredith, Weldy Olson, Bill Cleary, Bob Cleary, Roger Christian, Billy Christian, Gene Grazia.

Forgotten Miracle: The Story of the 1960 US Olympic Hockey Team originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Goal Celebration Goes Terribly Wrong

Adam Gretz — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: International Hockey

I'm not sure what I'd do in celebration if I ever had the opportunity to score a goal in a professional hockey game, but my first reaction would probably be to simply throw myself into glass (before I woke up, of course). That's kind of what Henrik Andersen, a player in Sweden, attempted to do after scoring a goal in a recent game for Leksend. That's when things took a turn for the absurd.

Video, of course, after the jump.

That's actually a fantastic goal, so at least he has that going for him.

(H/T From The Rink)

Goal Celebration Goes Terribly Wrong originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Nov 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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U.S. Women Gearing Up for Olympics

Susan Slusser — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Team USA, International Hockey, Olympic Hockey

Among the United States' best hopes for a medal in Vancouver next February is the women's ice hockey team, which has won one of the three gold medals awarded in the sport's brief Olympic history. Host Canada has won the other two, and the United States and Canada will clash in the final tournament before Vancouver 2010 in the Four Nations Cup, which opens today in Finland.

The U.S. is the defending champion in the event, beating Canada 3-2 in the finals last year. The American women have won either gold or silver in the Four Nations Cup every year in which the U.S. has participated, as has Canada.

Three-time Olympian Angela Ruggiero -- who once worried that the sport might lose its Olympic spot for perceived lack of competition -- said that the gap between the top two teams and Sweden and Finland, the two other squads in the Four Nations, is not that great any longer. She pointed out that Finland topped the U.S. 3-2 two months ago, and that last year, Sweden downed Canada for the first time in overtime.

"They're both capable of beating the U.S. and Canada," Ruggiero told FanHouse by phone. "They're kind of on the brink of breaking into the upper echelon."

China is rapidly improving, and Ruggiero believes Germany would have fielded a strong squad except for injuries that kept the team from qualifying.

Still, the Olympics are likely to boil down to the sport's dominant duo, and the United States has been preparing furiously. Ruggiero worked out at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., with some NHL players, like Chris Drury of the Rangers, Richard Park of the Islanders and George Parros of the Ducks, as well as a number of European players

Ruggiero, who will be 30 when the Olympics open, follows the Mark Verstegen workout program as well as yoga, and, she said, "It doesn't matter how old you are, you can still get better. And I feel great."

She also likes the way the U.S. team is shaping up under head coach Mark Johnson.

Johnson is the women's coach at Wisconsin, where his teams have won three NCAA titles in six years, but he might be best known as the leading scorer for the "Miracle on Ice" team - so perhaps it's not so surprising that Ruggiero calls him "very offensive-minded."

Ruggiero, a defenseman, enjoys the aggressive style that Johnson likes to employ. "It's about getting to the net, crashing the net and being able to capitalize on that," she said.

That will be a different look for the U.S. when they take on Canada on Saturday. Plus, the United States is very young and "extremely fast," Ruggiero said, describing the squad as skill-and-speed based.

Some things still need fine-tuning, such as specialty teams and back-checking. There are only six returning Olympians, but most of the other players joined the team in 2007, so there is cohesion and team chemistry even if, as Ruggiero noted, most viewers might not know the names.

Players to look out for include three 20-year-olds, forwards Hilary Knight (from the University of Wisconsin) and the Lamoureux twins, Jocelyne and Monique (Minnesota) along with goaltender Jessie Vetter, 23, (Wisconsin).

"She's clearly demonstrated she's a big-time player," Ruggiero said of Vetter. "She's going to be a difference-maker."

And then there's Canada, looming Saturday and in February.

"They're obviously the big rival," Ruggiero said. "We're both starting to ramp it up, and there are going to be four interesting months left."

U.S. Women Gearing Up for Olympics originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Canadians Upset Over Green Jerseys

Kevin Schultz — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Team Canada, International Hockey, Junior Hockey

Next year, the IIHF World Junior Hockey Championships will be held in Regina and Saskatoon, cities in the Saskatchewan province of Canada. To honor the province and their CFL football team, the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Hockey Canada has decided to unveil a green version of the team's jerseys to be worn twice during the tournament.

In a press release, Hockey Canada COO Scott Smith had high praise for the jerseys. "We believe fans in Saskatchewan, and throughout Canada, will rally around the green jerseys prior to and during the 2010 IIHF World Junior Championship," he said.

They're rallying all right, but it's not the kind that Smith had in mind.

How do Canadians feel about a national team donning a primary color that is nowhere to be seen on their country's flag? Well, I'll let some of the comments from the Globe and Mail's story (all sic) give you the answer.

They are recognizing FOOTBALL!.

FOOTBALL!

This is an international hockey tournament.
People from other countries who are proud of there countries colors
will be trying to figure out what the heck FOOTBALL is, let alone why we would change our countries colors

Well, to be fair, there was a little green in the Canadian flag until 1957. A teeny tiny bit. I don't think most commentors are old enough to remember, though, unless they pay attention to such history (or use Wikipedia like myself). And paying homage to a football team through hockey?

(Cricket sounds)

Really? I mean, really?!

Don't ask me who decided to use a junior hockey team to honor a professional football team, but that's what happened. This is one of those times where it's hard to picture the marketing or design meeting where these were drawn up and then, apparently, approved.

I figure there are a few folks in Saskatchewan who will be jazzed up by seeing the hometown colors, but this reeks of trying to make money off of a third jersey, as the NHL has done.

Great idea: use Canada's junior hockey team to honour a football team with 23 Americans on its active roster.
That'll be sure to capture the spirit of Canadian hockey

Then, in the great anger of the internet, someone calls out the Globe and Mail's spell checker.

Unbelievable G@M, you hilite 'colour' as incorrect spelling? Kill Yourselves.

Oh, the irony.

Canadians Upset Over Green Jerseys originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Is Bright: West's Top Prospects

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Draft, College Hockey, International Hockey, Minor League Hockey, Junior Hockey

Thanks in part to the salary cap, player development is a huge key in today's NHL. With that in mind, FanHouse presents a handy team-by-team guide to the league's top prospects. None of the players listed have played a game in the NHL, and there are also no 2009 draft picks on the list. After the jump, check out the best prospects from the Western Conference.

Central Division

Chicago Blackhawks

Kyle Beach, LW
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Everett/Lethbridge (WHL)
54 games, 24-39-63

Beach isn't far away from the NHL, though he's likely to spend the season in Lethbridge after a cup of coffee with the Blackhawks during training camp. He has the physical maturity to play in the NHL, but there isn't room for him in the Blackhawks lineup. Since he still has major junior eligibility, he can't go to the AHL. It just seems to be unrealistic for Chicago to keep him on their roster, unless they really think he's ready now.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Ted Ruth, D
2007 2nd round pick (Washington, traded to Blue Jackets February 2008)
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Notre Dame (CCHA)
36 games, 2-5-7

While he's never been known as a huge offensive contributor, Ruth has worked hard on that side of his game. In his first two years at Notre Dame, he's been used mainly as a stay-at-home guy, and that's clearly still his strength. Ruth has seen a lot of ice time in college, and he should see even more as he emerges as a big-time leader for the Fighting Irish this season.

Detroit Red Wings

Thomas McCollum, G
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Brampton (OHL)
54 games, 34-16-4, 2.11 GAA, .927 saves

For McCollum, last season was a mixed bag. Off being drafted in the first round in 2008 by Detroit, a strong season in the OHL was marred around the holidays. McCollum had an up-and-down World Junior Championships, playing in goal for Team USA. The tournament ended with McCollum and his teammates giving up 12 goals over two consecutive losses. McCollum is still a year or two away from being NHL-ready, and he's heading for Grand Rapids this season.

Nashville Predators

Colin Wilson, C
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Boston University (Hockey East)
43 games, 17-38-55

He did it all in college. Wilson was a major star at BU, and helped the Terriers to a national championship last spring. Now that he's in the pros, expect him to land in Nashville. There isn't much left for Wilson to prove. Not only that, but the Predators are so starved for offensive depth that it makes practically no sense to stash him in the AHL for any part of the season.

St. Louis Blues

Ian Cole, D
2007 1st round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Notre Dame (CCHA)
38 games, 6-20-26

Cole has "captain" written all over him. He's a tough player with offensive upside, and he brings the intensity to every shift. While Alex Pietrangelo -- a fellow first-round defenseman -- continues to struggle with his consistency, Cole may pass him on the prospect board. Another year at Notre Dame should leave Cole prepared for the transition to pro hockey in the fall of 2010.

Northwest Division

Calgary Flames

Greg Nemisz, C
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Windsor (OHL)
65 games, 36-41-77

Some taller players need to grow into their body. Nemisz is not one of them. He's a thick, skilled power forward who helped the Spitfires win the Memorial Cup, producing seven points in six games. Keep a close eye on Nemisz as he works to improve his skating. The Flames are dreadfully thin at center, and it might not be long before he gets a shot at making the team.

Colorado Avalanche

Ryan Stoa, LW
2005 2nd round pick
Age: 22
2008-2009 team: Minnesota (WCHA)
36 games, 24-22-36

After a knee injury wiped out his 2007-2008 season, Stoa returned and had a huge year for the Gophers. He showed signs of development into a big-time scorer, using great chemistry with freshman Jordan Schroeder to set career highs across the board. Stoa signed with Colorado a week after his junior season ended, but didn't get a chance to play in the pros. That will change this year.

Edmonton Oilers

Jordan Eberle, C
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Regina (WHL)
61 games, 35-39-74

Eberle is a confident, talented, fast pivot, and it's just a matter of time before he's dazzling the Alberta faithful. He's not the biggest player, but he has great hands, a nose for the net, and he feels he's ready for the NHL this year. Worst case, Eberle has to wait one more year. However, new coach Pat Quinn coached Eberle in the 2008 World Juniors, and it's not like the Oilers are full of centers who are locks to make the team.

Minnesota Wild

Tyler Cuma, D
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Ottawa (OHL)
21 games, 1-8-9

Odds are that Cuma will be returned to his junior team. That said, players beat the odds all the time, and no one should be betting against Cuma. He is off a serious knee injury, but his game fits new Wild coach Todd Richards. Cuma has quick feet and great passing ability. Richards wants defensemen who can move the puck and get up and down the rink in an up-tempo system.

Vancouver Canucks

Cody Hodgson, C
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Brampton (OHL)
53 games, 43-49-92

Perhaps the most prolific scorer in Canadian junior hockey last year, Hodgson is flat-out good. He's the kind of player who can be on the ice no matter the situation. His last year in junior hockey was perhaps his best, and now it's time for the Canucks to make a decision. They can try to leave him in the AHL for more seasoning, or they can find enough ice time to justify having him on the NHL roster. The latter is more likely, as Hodgson doesn't really much more to prove outside of the NHL.

Pacific Division

Anaheim Ducks

Jake Gardiner, D
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Wisconsin (WCHA)
39 games, 3-18-21

Gardiner is a former forward, so it should shock no one that a Wisconsin team struggling to score used him as a forward on the power play. He should be strictly a blue-liner this year, and if he can improve like he did in his freshman year, things are looking good for the future. His offensive instincts are undeniable, but he's adjusted to playing defense well. Another year or two of college are in order, but Gardiner definitely bears watching as the Ducks re-tool their roster with younger defensemen.

Dallas Stars

Jamie Benn, LW
2007 5th round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Kelowna (WHL)
56 games, 46-36-82

A bit of a late bloomer, Benn should be on a fast track to the NHL. The winger was a big part of Kelowna's Memorial Cup run, and the Stars could use a dynamic young forward on their NHL roster. What's more likely is that Benn will be sent to the AHL and closely watched as a potential in-season callup.

Los Angeles Kings

Thomas Hickey, D
2007 1st round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Seattle (WHL)
57 games, 16-35-51

You've probably heard this story before. The Los Angeles Kings are stuffed full of tantalizing young prospects, and Hickey is the latest in the line. He has plenty of physical and mental maturity, and he could end up helping the Kings on the power play immediately.

Phoenix Coyotes

Nick Ross, D
2007 1st round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Vancouver (WHL)
74 games, 11-32-43

There isn't much about Ross' game that stands out. He's more of a defensive defenseman, in that he just does his job and stays out of the spotlight. Don't be fooled by his production in major junior, because Ross won't be a big goal scorer when he hits the NHL in a couple years.

San Jose Sharks

Logan Couture, C
2007 1st round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Ottawa (OHL)
62 games, 39-48-87

Where Couture is impressive is his commitment level. He's a hard-nosed player who will stick his nose in things defensively, but he also can put the puck in the net, and he's a good passer who can set up teammates. The catch here is that Couture is practically blocked from getting to the NHL this year by a strong Sharks roster. That's fine, because he'll be part of one of the NHL's better farm systems (especially when it comes to goalies).

Future Is Bright: West's Top Prospects originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Future Is Bright: East's Top Prospects

Bruce Ciskie — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Draft, College Hockey, International Hockey, Minor League Hockey, Junior Hockey

Thanks in part to the salary cap, player development is a huge key in today's NHL. With that in mind, FanHouse presents a handy team-by-team guide to the league's top prospects. None of the players listed have played a game in the NHL, and there are also no 2009 draft picks on the list. After the jump, check out the best prospects from the Eastern Conference.

As mentioned above, there are just two rules that will apply to everyone you read about. No players drafted in 2009 are on this list, and we've also eliminated anyone who has played in the NHL -- even if it's just one game. All statistics are from the 2008-2009 season.

Atlantic Division

New Jersey Devils

Mattias Tedenby, LW
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: HV-71 (Sweden)
32 games, 3-1-4

Tedenby lacks size, but has great speed and is a top playmaker. His regular season numbers don't impress, but he tallied six times in 18 playoff games. Tedenby's arrival in Jersey is expected to be put off one more season, and he should get some serious ice time in Sweden this winter.

New York Islanders

Travis Hamonic, D
2008 2nd round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Moose Jaw (Western Hockey League)
57 games, 13-27-40

The Islanders clearly like Hamonic's game and his character. He's the kind of player who can become a difference-maker on the blue line. He is projected as more of a stay-at-home player, but 13 goals in 57 games is nothing to sneeze at. Like fellow defenseman and 2008 second-rounder Aaron Ness (University of Minnesota), Hamonic is still a couple years away from the NHL.

New York Rangers

Ryan McDonagh, D
2008 1st round pick (Montreal, traded to Rangers June 2009)
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Wisconsin (WCHA)
36 games, 5-11-16

McDonagh was caught in a glut of top defensemen at Wisconsin a year ago. Despite that, he emerged as one of the top players on a team that recovered from an 0-6-1 start to narrowly miss the NCAA Tournament. Now that Jamie McBain (Carolina) has moved on, expect McDonagh to get a lot of power play time this season.

Philadelphia Flyers

James van Riemsdyk, LW
2007 1st round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: New Hampshire (Hockey East)
36 games, 17-23-40

The Flyers used a high pick (second overall) on van Riemsdyk, a big power forward from New Jersey. This is the year that Philadelphia expects to see some return on their investment. van Riemsdyk will spend a good chunk of this season in the AHL, but depending on how he adjusts to pro hockey, could be brought up if someone gets hurt. van Riemsdyk got two years of college hockey in, so he should be physically ready for the jump.

Pittsburgh Penguins

Eric Tangradi, LW
2007 2nd round pick (Anaheim, traded to Penguins February 2009)
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Belleville (Ontario Hockey League)
55 games, 38-50-88

At some point, at least one Philadelphia guy will be quite popular in Pittsburgh. Tangradi, a native of Philly, had three big years in the OHL, producing over a point per game in 52 career playoff games. There's a nice story with Tangradi, too, as he's still recovering from severing a tendon in his left hand during an OHL playoff game last spring. The comeback is going well, and Tangradi is likely headed to the AHL for more seasoning.

Northeast Division

Boston Bruins

Joe Colborne, C
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Denver (WCHA)
40 games, 10-21-31

Give Denver coach George Gwozdecky credit. He brought Colborne along slowly, and the player people saw in March was different than the one that started his college career in October. The six-foot-six forward still has to grow horizontally and fill out a bit, but he'll play a key role this year on a Denver team expected to be No. 1 in most preseason polls.

Buffalo Sabres

Tyler Myers, D
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Kelowna (WHL)
58 games, 9-33-42

With one year of WHL eligibility available, Myers is under a lot of pressure in Sabres camp. He will be given every opportunity to make the roster, but the team won't hesitate to send him packing for Kelowna again if they don't think he's ready. They have up to ten regular-season games to make that call. Myers is a big skater who can pass and shoot. He has the size and skill set to be a major player in the NHL.

Montreal Canadiens

P.K. Subban, D
2007 2nd round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Belleville (OHL)
56 games, 14-62-76

While Subban won't wow anyone with his physical play, he's more than adequate as a defender, and his passing is superb. Despite having an impressive offseason, Subban is not likely to make the big club this season. He's eligible to play in the AHL, though, and is a good candidate to head to Hamilton.

Ottawa Senators

Patrick Wiercioch, D
2008 3rd-round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Denver (WCHA)
36 games, 12-23-35

By the end of the season, Wiercioch was running the Pioneers' power play, and running it well. Expect to see more of that in his sophomore season at Denver. He is still a tad thin for a defenseman, but he has long arms, great hands, and is coming into his own as a defensive player. He could make a big impact on Ottawa's blue line by 2010.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Tyler Bozak, C
Free agent, signed April 2009
Age: 23
2008-2009 team: Denver (WCHA)
19 games, 8-15-23

A knee injury basically ruined Bozak's sophomore season at Denver, but scouts had already seen enough by the time he went down. A cameo appearance in the NCAA Tournament was made at less than full health, but Bozak will be good to go this season. Given Toronto's absence of high-level prospects, expectations are high for a kid most hadn't even heard of before last fall.

Southeast Division

Atlanta Thrashers

Angelo Esposito, C
2007 1st round pick (Pittsburgh, traded to Thrashers February 2008)
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Montreal (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League)
35 games, 24-18-42

Given that Esposito is coming off a major knee injury, it makes sense for him to start the season in the AHL. However, if he's recovered, he won't stay there long. Given the lack of quality forward depth at the NHL level, the Thrashers probably can't afford to keep Esposito stashed away in the minors for very long. The former first-rounder had a huge World Junior tournament playing for Team Canada.

Carolina Hurricanes

Jamie McBain, D
2006 3rd round pick
Age: 21
2008-2009 team: Wisconsin (WCHA)
40 games, 7-30-37

McBain was ready to leave college, but is he ready for the NHL? The puck-moving defenseman had his best season as a junior for Wisconsin, but the Badgers just missed the national tournament as their forwards struggled to score consistently. McBain has grown into his body, improved his skating, and should be a nice player for the Hurricanes' AHL team, with a possible jump to the NHL by the end of this season or 2010-2011 at the latest.

Florida Panthers

Colby Robak, D
2008 2nd round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: Brandon (WHL)
65 games, 13-29-42

The Panthers are a bit lean on defense thanks to the loss of Jay Bouwmeester, but there is plenty of help on the way. Robak may not make an impact on the NHL roster until 2010, but he bears watching as he develops in the WHL this winter. He's got a thin body, but is tall and can really skate well. He's a classic two-way defenseman who will get time both on power play and penalty kill.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Dustin Tokarski, G
2008 5th round pick
Age: 20
2008-2009 team: Spokane (WHL)
54 games, 34-18-2, 1.97 GAA, .937 saves

The 2008 Memorial Cup MVP helped Canada to the 2008 World Junior Championships gold medal, and now he's looking like he is ready to jump to pro hockey. Tokarski has dominated the WHL, has good fundmentals, and is about to join an organization in dire need of a "goalie of the future."

Washington Capitals

John Carlson, D
2008 1st round pick
Age: 19
2008-2009 team: London (OHL)
59 games, 16-60-76

Carlson is a powerful skater who projects as a do-everything type in the NHL. He's capable of playing rough and tough, can move the puck, and has a strong shot. The Capitals may not have room for Carlson on the NHL roster when training camp breaks, but it's unlikely he'll stay away much longer. He's dominated major junior, and needs a bigger challenge for his game.

Future Is Bright: East's Top Prospects originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHL Draft Preview: Victor Hedman

Kevin Schultz — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Draft, International Hockey

FanHouse is previewing the prospects of the top players and teams with high picks in Friday's NHL Draft. This is the fifth post in a six part series.

In this year's draft there's one defender that is head and shoulders above all the rest -- literally and talent wise. The 6-foot-5 Victor Hedman from Sweden is the best defenseman in this year's draft and is a unique talent for both his size and speed. At only 18, Hedman has been playing on the top defensive pairing for Modo in the Swedish Elite League and should be a solid defender in the NHL for years to come.

What He Is
Hedman is one of the most interesting defenseman to come around in a long time. He's 6-foot-5, 212 poundsBut believe it or not, what scouts are most impressed by is his speed and offensive ability. Add in the physical play that a defender of his stature can bring, and Hedman is just about anything anyone could want in a defender. He's the total package. Imagine Chris Pronger with less of a crazy streak and more offensive upside. That's about what we're looking at here.

What He Isn't
Hedman isn't a forward. If he's got one major flaw keeping him from getting drafted first overall, that would be it. The Islanders haven't had a franchise scorer in more than a decade and it would be hard to see them passing up on Tavares or Duchene. However, they're still covering all their bases and giving Hedman their full attention in interviews. And even if he isn't taken first overall, he shouldn't fall past the Lightning in the second spot as they could use a defenseman after taking Steven Stamkos first last summer.

For the Stat Geeks

Victor Hedman, Modo (SEL), Reg. Season
Games Played	Goals	Assists	Points	PIM
82	9	16	25	96

Your Obligatory YouTube Tribute

NHL Draft Preview: Victor Hedman originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Scott Walker Punches Aaron Ward

Adam Gretz — Sun, 10 May 2009 23:10:00 EST

Filed under: Bruins, Hurricanes, NHL Fights, NHL Videos, International Hockey

That picture pretty much sums up the entire third period of Sunday's 4-0 Boston win. As the Carolina Hurricanes were getting dominated in every aspect, Scott Walker decided to take out some of his frustrations on Aaron Ward by punching him in the face.

Update: Ward Might Have Broken Orbital Bone

Perhaps he was tired of watching his team play its worst game of the postseason and decided it would be better to just get himself ejected and punch the first guy he saw. As a result, Walker earned a two-minute instigator, a five-minute major for fighting (fighting? More like punching), and a 10-minute misconduct. The NHL has made plenty of noise this year about not tolerating "message sending" in games that have already been decided, so it's likely that Walker will be receiving a phone call from NHL discipline czar Colin Campbell on Monday.

This was all part of a third period that saw Carolina rack up 36 minutes in penalties, including Tim Conboy's seven minutes for his two separate altercations with Scott Thornton and Mark Stuart.

Following the game, Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas was being interviewed on VERSUS and said, "that was one of the worst sucker punches I've ever seen." He then went on to say that he hasn't seen anything like that since he was playing in the American Hockey League.

Initially, the Bruins defenseman appeared to be involved with Carolina's Matt Cullen, before Walker jumped into the middle and dropped his gloves, and then proceeded to drop Ward. Ward received a two-minute minor for roughing on the play.

Given the NHL's stance on "message sending," it wouldn't be a surprise to see Walker sitting out game 6 in Carolina on Tuesday night. Then again, given the way the NHL has handled similar situations this postseason it's impossible to know for sure what's going to happen when the league spins the wheel of discipline. Some plays are deemed suspension worthy, while others -- even if they're identical to plays that result in suspensions -- are not.

Video: Scott Walker Punches Aaron Ward originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sun, 10 May 2009 23:10:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tomas Surovy Slashes Jaroslav Halak, His Teammate, Following Goal

Adam Gretz — Mon, 04 May 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Videos, International Hockey

Tomas Surovy played 126 games in the NHL, scoring 27 goals over parts of three seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He hasn't suited up in North America since the 2005-06 campaign, and has spent the past three years playing for Lulea HF and Linkoping HC of the Swedish Elite League.

He's also representing his native Slovakia at the World Championships in Switzerland. Why is this relevant? Because during Saturday's 8-0 loss to the Czech Republic, Surovy had a meltdown of sorts and took out his frustrations on teammate Jaroslav Halak. Video after the jump.

Yeah, he just clubbed his own goalie over the head following Patrik Elias' goal to make it 8-0 in favor of the Czech Republic.

As Greg Wyshynski at Puck Daddy points out, Euro Hockey is making the argument that Surovy was actually trying to smash his stick off the crossbar -- he ended up doing so, anyway -- while Halak's head accidentally got in the way. Only Surovy knows his true intentions, but doesn't it appear as if he's looking right at Halak as he takes his cut?

(H/T Puck Daddy)

Tomas Surovy Slashes Jaroslav Halak, His Teammate, Following Goal originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 04 May 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sweden's Linus Omark Introduces Chipping to the Shootout

Kevin Schultz — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:21:00 EST

Filed under: Oilers, NHL Videos, International Hockey

Whether or not you like the shootout, I think we can agree that one gift it has given us is some sweet highlight reel goals. The most recent of these goals comes to us from a friendly game between Sweden and Switzerland. The game ended up going to a shootout, with Sweden's Linus Omark (a fourth round pick of the Oilers in '07) pulling this move. He grabbed his pitching wedge and chipped the puck right over the sprawling goalie. Video after the jump.

h/t Total Pro Sports

Sweden's Linus Omark Introduces Chipping to the Shootout originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 01 Apr 2009 10:21:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaromir Jagr Straddles the Line on Possible Return to NHL

Eric McErlain — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Oilers, NHL Rumors, Russian Hockey, International Hockey

A couple of weeks ago, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal kicked up plenty of dust when he reported that the Edmonton Oilers were in the midst of completing a deal that would return Jaromir Jagr to the NHL.

Though he took some heat for his reporting at the time, Staples was vindicated a few hours ago when the Kontinental Hockey League issued a press release that referenced an interview that Jagr gave to Denik Sport where he confirmed that a deal indeed almost did get done. But while the deal didn't get done in time for this season, Jagr later left the door open for a return to the NHL, though he again insisted that a return to America wasn't his idea.

According to the KHL release, Jagr said the following: "Will I voluntarily terminate my contract with Avangard and go to America? That definitely won't happen. Only if the two hockey clubs reach an agreement. But I won't do it by myself."

While that might not seem like an important distinction, it is. Because a player transfer agreement doesn't exist at this point between Russia and North America, Jagr could walk out on his contract and seek employment in the NHL in much the same way that Alexander Radulov did before this season when he left the Nashville Predators while still under contract to sign a deal with Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL.

When I asked KHL spokesman Shawn McBride about Jagr's statement, he said that the KHL believes that Jagr is "a man of his word," and would stick to the commitment not to actively seek a deal with any North American club. Safe to say, if Jagr did decide to go that route, it could very well create an international hockey incident that both the NHL and the KHL might be eager to avoid.

One other possible complication: when Staples originally reported the deal, one source in Russian hockey told me that a move back to the NHL was impossible, as Jagr's entire contract with Avangard had been prepaid. When I asked McBride about that possible wrinkle, he said that any arrangement like that was an issue between a player and his team, and that the league wouldn't have any visibility into such an arrangement.

So the deal here seems to be pretty clear: if any NHL team wants to secure Jagr's services, he's open to an offer, but not until and unless his current club gets compensated -- a courtesy that he doesn't have to give his club given the current lack of an international transfer agreement between Russia and North America. As to if or when we'll hear more from Jagr, McBride said that the winger is currently vacationing at home in the Czech Republic, and isn't due back at Avangard until April 2. Stay tuned.

Jaromir Jagr Straddles the Line on Possible Return to NHL originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 20 Mar 2009 17:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A Rude Welcome to Big Time Hockey, Courtesy of Willi Plett

Eric McErlain — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Russian Hockey, Team Canada, International Hockey

It's been said for years that the way to get a sports fan hooked on the NHL is to get them into an arena to see a game live. After all, it's one thing to "know" that NHL players are bigger, faster and stronger than the rest of us, but to appreciate the speed and violence of a collision sport like NHL hockey you need to get a look at it up close.

Then again, it's another thing entirely to understand just how dangerous a shift on the ice can really be. During my own decidedly mediocre recreational hockey career, I had a near death experience with a slap shot off the stick of a former small-time college hockey player, and after having the life nearly scared out of me, came away with a new appreciation for players who regularly throw their bodies in the path of a piece of vulcanized rubber traveling at better than 100 mph.

Which leads me to the story of an old friend of mine, Jeff Grimshaw, a man who got a chance to experience first hand what it's like to get crushed by an NHL player, something he experienced at the hands of one of the game's greatest tough guys, Willi Plett.

Jeff, a former colleague I got to know well early in my career, now owns his own television production company in Maryland, but back in the late 1980s he worked for Turner Broadcasting. A former college club hockey player, Jeff was coaching a youth team and one of his players was Plett's son, Robby. It wasn't long before Jeff struck up a friendship with Plett while hoisting a few post game beverages as the team traveled throughout the Southeast.

I'll let Jeff pick it up from here:

"In the Summer of 1989 we were aggressively promoting the 1990 Goodwill Games and hockey was to be one of the sports of the 1990 SUMMER Goodwill Games in Seattle. Yeah, that made sense! There was no available international hockey footage to license at that time so we rounded up all of the area hockey players that we knew to shoot close up, swishy, non revealing shots of hits, shots and saves."

"I called Willi to see if he was interested in participating. Surprisingly he agreed - but ONLY if he could play the part of a Soviet Union hockey player and then keep the jersey. I was good with that and we also threw in a token $200 or so. It was also my chance to show my hockey talent (or lack thereof) on camera ..."

"My helmet had a visor, so Willie skates onto the ice and calls for the cameras to cut! He tells me that by wearing the visor I was a total embarrassment to the entire nation of Canada! Off came the visor. Then came Willie's turn for the hitting sequences. He was to collide at near full speed in back of the net with a human sacrifice - er, another player. As we rehearsed I was giving Willie a few tips on how to "Hollywood" up the hit."

"Willie lured me over near him to ask me a question. I should have known something was up when he winked at the still photographer who was shooting for PR purposes. So Willie says to me, "You think I should do it like this?" The next thing you know all of the air rushed out of my chest as I was plastered against the boards. Apparently the entire crew and gawkers knew this was going to happen in advance."

"Now I've taken some pretty tough hits in hockey. I've torn up a knee, broken 2 collarbones, separated a shoulder and have sustained 2 concussions -- but I don't remember ever being hit as hard as the lick Willi put on me."

Thanks to Jeff for sharing his story. For you youngsters out there, Plett is a certifiable legend who was feared by anyone with half a brain who skated in the NHL over the course of his career. To get a better idea of just how feared he was, take a look at a few of the videos posted in this forum over at Hockeyfights.com.

A Rude Welcome to Big Time Hockey, Courtesy of Willi Plett originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Ice Sheet: Reflections on a Miracle

Eric McErlain — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Team USA, International Hockey, Olympic Hockey

Over the weekend, it was nice to see that Adam Gretz made note of the 29th anniversary of the Miracle on Ice. As someone who recalls the events of February 1980 very vividly, I never need an excuse to revisit those heady days.

To get a better idea of what the experience was really like, I'd suggest taking a look at something I wrote back in 2003 in the wake of the death of Team USA's head coach, Herb Brooks. For a more personal view of that week's events, you should check out an interview my friend John Keeley did with a St. Louis resident, Herb Driscoll, who was actually at Lake Placid for the Winter Games and witnessed the 4-3 victory over the Soviets in person.

If you've ever seen the movie Miracle -- and how can you call yourself an American ice hockey fan if you haven't -- I'm sure you recall the scene where Herb Brooks and the team are celebrating Christmas 1979 at the home of the team doctor and his wife. Everyone is getting gag gifts, and one of the ones that Brooks gets from the team is a whip. The gag gets a huge laugh, but there's plenty of truth there too. After all, the head coach who molded the team that defeated the mighty Soviets couldn't afford to spare that whip, not even for a moment, if his team expected to win a medal, never mind turn the entire sports world upside down.

In short, the heroes of Lake Placid did not like Herb Brooks, not one bit. Brooks knew this, and knew that if his team was going to achieve anything, it couldn't be any other way, something he acknowledged in a note to his team a couple of months after they had won Gold at Lake Placid:

Personally, this year was not only my most enjoyable year in coaching, but also my toughest. Toughest because it involved making so many difficult decisions regarding the makeup of our final team.

Because of that, and because I wanted to be as objective as possible, I stayed away from close personal contacts with you. I did not want the U.S. Hockey Community to say that regionalism and/or favoritism entered into my final selections...

If there was any team I wanted to identify with on a personal basis, this was the team. Hopefully, that day will come.

For good or ill, we live in a world today where we seem to want to consider feelings in the workplace above all else. If there's any real lesson we can take from what Brooks and his team achieved at Lake Placid, perhaps it's that we need to remember that hard work and achievement more often than not are the necessary precursors to fellowship and good will. If anything, it sounds like a lesson we need to put into practice today.

Every Monday morning The Ice Sheet will take a close look at everything that's happened in the NHL since Friday night at 5:00 PM -- or if need be, anything else the author wants to bleat about. To read them all, click here.

The Ice Sheet: Reflections on a Miracle originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 10:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Happy Anniversary, Miracle on Ice

Adam Gretz — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:50:00 EST

Filed under: Team USA, International Hockey, Olympic Hockey

Twenty-nine years ago Sunday, a group of American college kids, led by head coach Herb Brooks, went up against the heavily favored Soviet Union and shocked the world with a 4-3 win, giving announcer Al Michaels a career moment and creating a piece of history that not only altered sports but America at large.

Captain Mike Eruzione scored the game-winning goal late in the third period, beating goaltender Vladimir Myshkin, who had surprisingly replaced the legendary Vladislav Tretiak in the second period.

Entering the game, the Soviets had not lost in Olympic competition since 1968, and dismantled the United States team, 10-3, in an exhibition game earlier in the year.

Aside from its international domination, the Soviet team also went 5-3-1 against NHL teams and beat the NHL All-Stars, 6-0, a year earlier. Oh, and let's not forget how the two countries were wrapped up in the Cold War at the time.

The United States claimed the gold medal the following night by defeating Finland, 4-2.

1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team

Goalies: Jim Craig, Steve Janaszak

Defense: Ken Morrow, Mike Ramsey, Bill Baker, Dave Christian, Jack O'Callahan, Bob Suter

Forwards: Mark Johnson, Mike Eruzione, Dave Silk, Neal Broten, Steve Christoff, John Harrington, Rob McClanahan, Mark Pavelich, Buzz Schneider, Eric Strobel, Phil Verchota, Mark Wells

Happy Anniversary, Miracle on Ice originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is This the End for Peter Forsberg?

Adam Gretz — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: International Hockey

In late January, Peter Forsberg inked a contract with Swedish Elite League hockey club MODO, and was scoring goals like the beauty shown above. Turns out, thanks to more injury problems, his latest comeback could be over, as well as his career.

Forsberg was unable to suit up for his game with MODO on Tuesday night because of the reoccurring problems with his foot. He told reporters in Sweden that his future in hockey "doesn't look good. "

From Terry Frei of the Denver Post:

He told Swedish reporters it was "the same old story," and added, "I don't know what to do. I can't play if I don't feel 100 percent. . . . I don't know what happens now. I have to check if there is some last thing we can do to fix the problem." Forsberg also told reporters in Sweden: "I am not that surprised. It has happened before and I was prepared for it this time as well. It seems impossible to fix the problem. I have tried it all."

A fantastic two-way player, Forsberg spent 12 years in the NHL including two different stints with the Colorado Avalanche. He played nine games for Colorado a season ago, registering 14 points.

His career was constantly derailed by injuries, as he played more than 80 games only one time, and that was his second season in the league back in 1995-96.

If the 35-year-old center has any lingering thoughts about playing in the NHL this season he would have to clear waivers before he could suit up for a team.

Is This the End for Peter Forsberg? originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 16:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NHL and Russian Counterparts Continue to Play Hardball

Eric McErlain — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: Russian Hockey, International Hockey, Olympic Hockey

Late last week, Kontinental Hockey League head Alexander Medvedev sat for an interesting and wide-ranging Q&A session with Jeff Klein and Stu Hackel of the New York Times. As I've noted before, while the KHL was launched with much fanfare last September, the league's inaugural season has been something of a bumpy ride.

So while many of us might have seen the KHL as a legitimate competitor to the NHL on the international level in the run-up to this season, some recent events -- not the least of which was the in-game death of New York Rangers prospect Alexei Cherepanov and reported financial problems with a number of franchises -- have made us think a little harder of how much time and effort it will take before the league emerges as a rival to the NHL.

Still, Medvedev and his counterparts in the Russian hockey world are pressing on, determined that they deserve to have a seat at the table as equals with North America on wide variety of issues like player transfer agreements. But perhaps most important of all these days is continued NHL participation in the Winter Olympics.

Last Thursday, we ran a translation of a Sovetsky Sport interview with Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin, where he expressed his distress that the NHL is waiting to address the issue of future Olympic participation until after the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. In terms of international hockey, the problem is fairly simple: without a player transfer agreement between North America and Europe, the NHL is prepared to use continued Olympic participation as a cudgel against the Russians with the 2014 Winter Games scheduled to be held in the Russian city of Sochi.

Keeping NHL players off the ice at Sochi would be a tremendous blow to Russian pride, so I guess it isn't much of a surprise that NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman is determined to use every last bit of that leverage to get a transfer agreement in place. The funny thing is, while Bettman wants to play hardball, the NHL Players Association, led by union head Paul Kelly, is determined that the league continue to participate. And as we noted in the piece last week concerning the Ovechkin interview, an ESPN poll of 193 NHL players found that better than 80 percent were in favor of shutting down the league for two weeks every four years to continue participating in the Winter Olympics.

So what's the forecast? For my money, we're probably looking at several years of covert negotiations and public standoffs that will make observers think of the heady days of the Cold War and international arms control agreements.

NHL and Russian Counterparts Continue to Play Hardball originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 07:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ovechkin: NHL Participation in the Olympics Must Continue

Eric McErlain — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:25:00 EST

Filed under: Capitals, Russian Hockey, International Hockey, Olympic Hockey

Last week, ESPN.com published a survey of 193 current NHL players. One of the questions: Should the NHL participate in the Winter Olympics beyond the 2010 Games in Vancouver? The answer was a resounding yes, with 82% of those surveyed answering in the affirmative.

But while that poll was anonymous, you can put a face on at least one player who has his mind on hitting the ice in Sochi, Russia in time for the 2014 Winter Games: Washington Capitals winger Alex Ovechkin.

In an interview that will be published tomorrow in Sovetsky Sport, Ovechkin told the newspaper's Pavel Lysenkov that participating in the games is a "matter of prestige" for him and his fellow Russian NHL players. The translation of the piece comes after the jump. Thanks once again to our friend Dmitry Chesnokov, Sovetsky's Washington correspondent, for supplying the translation.

Pavel Lysenkov (PL): Alex, which one of the world of hockey trophies are you missing the most? And which one of the ones you have won is the most treasured?

Alex Ovechkin (AO): All of my awards are valuable because they were earned with hard work. But the first place I would give to the gold medal from the World Championships in Quebec. What's missing ... I have yet to win the Olympics and the Stanley Cup. It is difficult to compare the two tournaments. You represent your own country at the Winter Games. The Olympic Games take place only once every four years. And it's not winning, but even attending the Games is a difficult [achievement]. The Stanley Cup - you play 82 games in the regular season. You work as a horse to make the playoffs and work even more once you get there. Completely different priorities. But my goal is to win both of those trophies.

PL: Can you imagine the NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman not letting you go to the Sochi Olympics in 2014?

AO: The Games will be held in my homeland. I don't even want to hear the talks of someone not letting me go to the Olympics. If I don't make it to Sochi it will be a tragedy for me.

PL: What's the way out? Are you going to approach the Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and ask for an unpaid month off?

AO: You have to understand that the Sochi Olympics is the question of prestige. It's the matter of [my] entire life. How can I be forbidden from playing for my country, especially at home? If they want to create an obstacle they why [should] we, Russian NHL players ... participate in the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver? It seems that we are raising the ratings of a tournament that will take place in Canada. And they don't want to let us go to Russia.

PL: What to do?

AO: The decision whether NHL players will participate in [future] Olympics will be taken in 2012, when the league and the NHLPA sign a new CBA. If we are prevented... I won't understand it. This shouldn't happen. It is not nice. It is wrong.

Ovechkin: NHL Participation in the Olympics Must Continue originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 17:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Russian GM on Emery Signing

Eric McErlain — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:23:00 EST

Filed under: General NHL, Senators, International Hockey, NHL Free Agency

There are multiple press reports this morning that Ex-Ottawa goalie Ray Emery has signed a one-year contract with Atlant Mytischi of the new KHL. Our pal Dmitry Chesnokov is passing along an English translation of an interview from the pages of Sovetsky Sport. This time, Pavel Lysenkov was on the scene with an interview with Atlant's GM Leonid Veisfeld about the signing. Here's the translation:

LV: "Actually, so far we only have the English language version of the contract signed ... Now I am waiting for the Russian language version of the contract with a signature. Until I receive it can't attest that Ray Emery will play for Atlant next season. I remember so many cases when players changed their minds at the last minute."

PL: But still, the possibility of Emery playing in Russia is close to 100%. Please explain to us why you decided to negotiate with this goaltender?

LV: "Because Chris Osgood was signed by Detroit, and Dominik Hasek decided to retire from the sport," - Vaisfeld replied with a smile.

PL: Are you aware of the problems Emery had in Ottawa?

LV: "The problems had nothing to do with the sport side of things."

PL: Yes, but he was late to practices, had conflicts with the management.

LV: "We hope that Ray will behave well here. He has something to prove. What is the main thing? This goaltender is of the highest level available in the free agent market in Russia and the NHL."

PL: Maybe you incorporate some kind of a penalty schedule in his contract?

LV: "Let's say we are taking the risk."

PL: When will Emery join Atlant?

LV: "We hope it will happen on July 16. Ray will arrive in Finland where we will hold our training camp. Right after the training camp in Finland we will introduce him to the media."

Russian GM on Emery Signing originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:23:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ovechkin and a Bee Gee

Eric McErlain — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:34:00 EST

Filed under: Washington, DC, Thrashers, Capitals, International Hockey

It's hard to add anything more than what Dan Steinberg has already said about this video clip featuring Alex Ovechkin, Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexei Morozov presenting some sort of Russian pop music award to former Bee Gee Robin Gibb. I guess all I'll say at this point is it's good to see Ovechkin and his buddies enjoying the offseason.

Ovechkin and a Bee Gee originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:34:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Bag Skate: Bettman in the Dark on DelBaggio Loan

Eric McErlain — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Tampa Bay, General NHL, Flyers, Maple Leafs, Capitals, Predators, Flames, Wild, Canucks, Kings, NHL Rumors, International Hockey

Here's a new feature I've been resisting for a while here at FanHouse, but with the offseason upon us I feel as if we have no choice. Welcome to The Bag Skate, FanHouse's afternoon roundup of everything that's happening on a typical offseason weekday. Why The Bag Skate? Because it's Summertime and you'd probably rather be doing just about anything else than writing about hockey with weather this beautiful. Now, might one be able to say that we're swiping this idea from elsewhere? I'd prefer to call it an homage.

The head turner of the day has to be Rick Westhead's stunner in the Toronto Star revealing that LA Kings owner Phil Anschutz and Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold were the money men behind William "Boots" Delbaggio's purchase of a stake in the Nashville Predators. What's worse, Leipold and Anschutz, who both sit on the league's Board of Governors and are considered allies of NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, made this $17 million loan without informing him about what they were up to. I wonder why?

In Tampa, the new regime introduced Barry Melrose as the new head coach of the Lightning, which I guess means it's all downhill from here. Granted, the pair of Oren Koules and Len Barrie seem like they'd be great guys to have a beer with, and it certainly seems like their hearts are in the right place. Then again, I've come to believe that the most important characteristic of a successful NHL owner is solvency, and the last time I looked, the sale of the Lightning was still being financed by the team's former owner. As to more mundane matters, Puck Daddy is asking folks to weigh in on Melrose's replacement at ESPN. My take: If you want quality, pick Bill Clement. But if you want stupid stuff to blog about, pick Mike Milbury.

Over at Business Week, Jason Bush is taking a closer look at the rise of professional sports in Russia. Curiously, he fails to mention word one about the rise of the KHL, but he does get one piece of the big picture righter than rain: The massive investment in sports is a combined effort the Russian government and sporting authorities fueled by a global rise in commodity prices. And for those who doubt the potential of the KHL, consider this: If Russian business is able to spend enough money to go toe to toe with some of the biggest Soccer clubs in Europe in order to retain talent, what makes you think they won't be able to do the same while competing against NHL teams?

There was another exchange in the media battle between the NHL and the nascent Kontinental Hockey League this afternoon, as the Associated Press reported that the two leagues have begun negotiating a temporary agreement where both sides would pledge to recognize each other's contracts until a permanent player transfer agreement could be reached. But despite this news that would seem to indicate that the leagues are moving toward some sort of detente -- it's always nice to pull a term out of the Cold War archive -- KHL head Alexander Medvedev is still talking tough, insisting to the AP that KHL teams could still very well sign away NHL players, and that when you consider the NHL's behavior in the past regarding Russian players under contract, he's hardly in a position to stop them.

In Toronto, Kyle Wellwood, Andrew Raycroft and Darcy Tucker are no longer welcome without a ticket ... Nashville and Philadelphia exchanged some spare parts ... Five Hole Fanatics is thinking about the dear, departed Alex Tanguay ... Scarlet Ice is helping give away a free week at Mike Fisher's hockey camp ... And the questionable rumor of the day comes from the Vancouver Province, where Ed Willes says that the Canucks are looking to acquire center Michael Nylander from Washington. Inquiries this afternoon to the Capitals were met with a polite and bemused "no comment".

The Bag Skate: Bettman in the Dark on DelBaggio Loan originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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