frankgrimes

Iltich, Dolan, Molson, Peddie, Snyderand the Acquilinis are known for not liking the guy add to that guys like Pegula, Thompson, Burkle who were all against the lockout and you end up with a good bunch of owners, who flatout hate him or at least aren't agreeing with him. When it comes down to "losing money" it's funnywe are only hearing about that in lockout years or whenevera CBA is expiring, I call it creative bookkeeping. The owners are all billionaires and nobody can tell me, that they don't know how to hide money and make their anually income worse than it actually is. Money can buy you the best accountants, lawyers and other specialists. Just look at the Devils they've lost 25 million last year but yet two guys are lining up to 320 million for them, these are smart business-men they know exactly what they are getting in and what to expect. The funny thing to me with every CBA is, that the players have to make their contracts public yet the NHL doesn't need to do it, talk about a one way street. The NHL would have grown without Bettman also, things like streaming or better worldwide coverage have nothing to do with a commissioner these things happened because of advanced technology, internet-flatrates and the emergence of smartphones, tablets. In terms of owners pocket: Guess what, the payroll for guys like the best owner in all of sports is still high the only difference being he has to use his money to support failed and questionable franchises in markets that shouldn't even have a team to begin with. The Blues for example are having a great team and yet can't even fill their arena, so why support and help them signing Pietrangelo? Makes no sense to me, Mr. I should be allowed to use his money to ice a great team, so should Dolan, Peddie, Acquinli, Pegula...The last CBA had something like the top 10 clubs in terms of revenue paying out 200 million to revenue sharing so that's 20 million for each club -->grants you 2 absolute superstars! So sorry if I am not buying into the whole Bettman has done wonderful things no he hasn't and never will, watering down the Winterclassic is just another mistake.

The funny part about this whole debacle is the money companies are getting paid to come up with such atrocious designs. Also *lol* at the Sabres deleting negative comments

Well make no mistake the NLA is not a pewee league far from it, it's actually really good sure not NHL level but still. Whatever he decides to do I wish him well hard to believe that teams like the Devils or Perds aren't trying to get him they need scoring and he provides that.

To me it's offensive and outrageous I mean, the owners are all extremely rich what do they need a commissioner for? If you care about the sport you should hire someone, who 1. respects the integrity 2. has experience within the game 3. cares about tradition and 4. is welcomed by owners and players. There are so many former greats but yet a guy who stands for everything ANTI-hockey is getting the job, players hate him, fans hate him and only some **** owners like him it's very well known that Ilitch can't the little weasel either.

This one easily competes with team USA for the worst jersey ever. I mean, the idea behind it isn't that bad but comon the grey is unbelievable misplaced.

Stern is NBA so why should I care about that? Hockey suffered under Bettman pure and simple. I mean, there are cheaper and better options available the smart thing to do would be hiring one of these guys. I think Gretzky would be a great fit. Ecclestone is just an idiot, not even worth talking about him the F1 has gone downhill so fast it's not even funny.

Who cares about Stern (NBA), Selig (MLB) or Goddell (NFL) this thread is about hockey and when it comes to hockey he is overpaid. 3 lockouts are unexcuseable, making more than the product people actually want to watch is just pure nuts. There is also a reason, why commissioners are getting boo'ed so much they are bad for the sport and leagues would be better off without them. Guess what a hockeyguy would cost less, not trash the sport with his growing the game crap AND actually be welcomed when he presents the Stanley Cup. Can't believe people are still defending the guy, who has cost us one year of Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Yzerman and a prime Lidström.

Hate to say it, but 4,1 aav is a pretty good deal for them

Thank you for posting this, this is basically a buy high sort of thing. Crawford is a good enough goalie, who has a great team infront of him and even with that great team he only had one good season, the Hawks are paying for potential here if that doesn't work out, oh well.

Let's hope they throw big money at a big UFA the last time, the DetroitRedWings got a top UFAA was Hossa and only because he made it happening. The D needs help it's as simple as simple as that.I would also give Sproul a bit of time and see how he does, before putting him into expectations he might never fullfill. Sent from my BlackBerry

I like that because Toews would look extremely good in red and white and I d love him as a player, there is no way now for the Hawks to pay both. Crawford is average at best and Stan is paying him like a top 10 goalie Sent from my BlackBerry

Well nothing new here, Franzen never wanted to be the guy. He is comfortable to play alongside guys like Zetterberg and Hossa he wants to help out not be the guy. If the DetroitRedWings expected him to change that, well tough luck he isn ot going to do it, why should he let him play in a comfortable role and he will good again but asking him to carry a line or to become one of the guys is just too much.

Guess what, one guy is now jumping up in joy Henrik Lundqvist. If Crawford can get 6 mill per year, what can he command? 8,5+? I gotta have to give Holland full credit now I thought he overpaid for Howard, now I think it's a steal compared to what Smith and Crawford are making after 1! good season *lol* No way the Hawks can re-sign their two superstars now, Toews will look good in red and white.

I have been saying this for a good while now, but to me it's true: The Wings biggest need is a bonafide numer 1 guy, who can make other players better. I am not talking about perfect human like - we will never see a player like him again - but if Kronwall (who I really really love when hes on his game), just doesn't cut it. Guys like Yandle wouldn't be a big improvement Holland needs to get creative and trade for someone yes, that means giving up some of the assets but that's the whole point you develop assets and try to use them for proven players. Who might be available? Maybe a guy like Dion Phaneuf, Shattenkrik, Dennis Seidenberg (Bruins want to get younger) or a guy like Luke Schenn the guy is big, a stay at home guy and he throws big hits. Granted all these players aren't ideal options but they would improve the defense significantly. It is hard to underestand, why so many people are already willing to trade Smith, the guy had one shortened season to play and did ok it's not Smith's fault, that people had unreal expectations for him.

Without the red strokes I liked the old ones better but they are both okay.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=430751 I think this is a great move from Charles Jacobs (who seems to have taken over for his father?). Chiarelli was the one I wanted to become Hollands successor if Stevie isn't avaiable. One can't help but to love the way he is building his teams, they are tough, physical, defensive responsible and always dangerous in terms of goal scoring. I also like Ray Shero a lot, but he has Crosby, Malkin and Letang so his job isn't that hard. The only mistake PC made so far, has been dealing Seguin for Ericsson this will backfire very very soon. Other than that, PC is really a top notch GM so congratulations to CJ.

Well I am no one then, because I am scared of this team. Not because I think they are going to be that dominant but playing against this team will be 60 minutes of hell. When you have no answer to guys like Mclaren, Orr, Frazer, Clarkson and soon the Brolldozer things can get out of hand quickly. Think about the douchebag Lapierre und what he did to Lidstrom...I don't want that happening to any of our players, thankfully we had Downey back then but nowadays there is no one to protect Datsyuk, Zetterber g or our young guns against beasts like Orr or Mclaren. Also their goal-tandem is good to very good, both have something to prove and it will light another fire under them. Though the Leafs made a mistake by trading Luke Schenn so their defense isn't that good anymore but they are not a team to be taken lightly. On the Puckpodcast last week they've mentioned that the Wings ar e on of the second tier teams to winning it all, so this means the DetroitRedWings are in the mix with a couple of other teams such as Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal, Columbus..who all are known for iup and down seasons << predictions are hard to be made. People thought games against Backes and the Blues were difficult, wait till the DetroitRedWings square off against Toronto or Boston... My realistic prediction: just like last season fighting for the playoffs

Good fo hockey freaking hilarious commercial. The Ducks should do the right thing and raise his jersey to the rafters. Great player, he really has some sort of comedian talent in him.

At frist I thought this player (who is that guy?) was advertising K-Swiss shorts then I realized oh no it's the USA jersey presentation. Is it too late to change that thing?

Simple, Vancouver has an imense amount of scrutiny during the season so I think players might prefer some quiet months with their loved ones. I don't blame him one bit for that, Vancouver is a very tough market for every hockeyplayer.

I loathe everything connected with social media, be it Twitter or Facebook I think hockey was better pre 2005 (skillwise also) I prefer family corporates instead of big ones - if you are against GV 10 you are hating children! *g* I couldn't care less if my car is ecnomy friendly or not, it should be fast, comfortable and provide safety for me and others. Not voting anybody is better than trying to figure out, who of the two idiots might be the bigger one.

Agred if the Blues can't come to term with Alex he will get traded for a heavy package, but the guy is worth it. A few years down the road he might be the best defender in the NHL

Thats amazing great work Matt

Datsyuk doesn't need to wear the C he will be one of the leaders for sure and I think even guys like Malkin respect him. but man does their defense look mediocre at best.

TSN is just hands above everyone else when it comes to hockey. I could watch them 24/7 easily sadly I don't have time for that. The panel talked about snapping guys like Perry, Getzlaf other countries such as mine would be jump for joy having those guys as potential players just goes to show you, how strong their roster is going to be. Anyone else thinking Y is downplaying the favorite part a bit? I mean he is the GM of team Canada everyone knows it's gold or bust for them.