Until the Puck Drops: On Again, Off Again in the NHL

This just keeps getting weirder….

photo: Mr. and Mrs Henrik Zetterberg

July 26, 2010

What we have in front of us is perhaps the most strangest in off-seasons. Culminating in the NHL’s decision to disallow the Illya Kovalchuk monster of a deal. Today, the NHLPA  filed their grievance. Which I believe reads something like “Yeahhhhhh, but” written a bunch of different ways. I wonder if the Los Angeles Kings would have anything to say in the matter? Anyway, I can’t see Ilya going to another team and saving any form of integrity, so my guess says he will be a Devil next year.

I mean there are so many other things happening in the hockey world…. Look at Mr. and Mrs Henrik Zetterberg right there. This man can grow a beard better than the most interesting man in the world, which is why he is wearing a onesie that matches his wife’s. Ah, the things we do for love.

You can check out Kovalchuk’s leaked contract by clicking here. I about fell over in my chair after reading this. [Down goes Brown]

One things is for certain… Starting next season I don’t think I am eating at a sports arena ever again. [tsn]

T.J. Oshie cracks number 2 on Hockeybuzz dot com’s top 10 list of young centers [hockey buzz]

Well, that’s all for now…

Until the puck drops,

- cm

Jeremy Roenick heads USA 2010 Hall of Fame class

Thursday, 07.22.2010 / 2:00 PM / U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame

By Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer

A few weeks ago, NBC Sports commentator Jeremy Roenick was an emotional wreck on live television when his former team, the Chicago Blackhawks, snapped their 49-year Stanley Cup drought.

He was the same way at the news conference announcing his retirement last summer — so one can only imagine his state of mind three months from now when he stands before family and friends to discuss his induction into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame.

Roenick headlines a fantastic Hall of Fame class for 2010 — a group that oozes charisma, strength and leadership.

The honorees, announced Thursday, include Roenick; Derian and Kevin Hatcher; Art Berglund; and Dr. George Nagobads. The 38th U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction dinner and ceremony will be held Oct. 21, at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y.

“I grew up a small kid, but I really loved the game of hockey,” Roenick said during a conference call announcing the Class of 2010. “In 1980, watching Mike Eruzione score probably the most important goal in U.S. history, I wanted to be an Olympian and a professional hockey player and be Mike Eruzione. I wanted to achieve greatness like that. That’s what U.S. hockey has done for a lot of kids.”

Upon announcing his retirement, Roenick, who represented the U.S. at two World Junior Championships and two Olympics and played in nine NHL All-Star games, quickly became one of the League’s most outspoken television analysts. The Boston native is the second former Blackhawk to be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in as many years — Tony Amonte was honored in 2009.

Roenick retired from the NHL with 513 goals and 703 assists for 1,216 points in 1,363 regular-season games with Chicago, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and San Jose. Among U.S.-born players, only Mike Modano (557) and Keith Tkachuk (538) have scored more goals. With the Blackhawks from 1988-96, Roenick scored 267 goals, seventh all-time in the Original Six franchise’s history. He twice scored more than 50 goals and made appeared in the Stanley Cup Final with the Hawks in 1992. Roenick had 53 goals and 69 assists in 154 Stanley Cup Playoff games; his 6 goals in Game 7s are tied for second all-time.

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USA Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2010

July 22, 2010

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Art Berglund, Derian Hatcher, Kevin Hatcher, Dr. V. George Nagobads and Jeremy Roenick make up the United States Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2010, as announced today by USA Hockey. The five-member class will be enshrined into the Hall on October 21 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, N.Y.

“These five individuals truly represent the very best of our sport in many different facets and their contributions have been truly extraordinary,” said Ron DeGregorio, president of USA Hockey. “We look forward to their formal induction in Buffalo this October.”

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Until the Puck Drops: Purgatory

This past 13 days have been an eerie sort in my home town of Los Angeles. The LA Kings were pegged to land Ilya Kovalchuk but after 13 long nights; nothing – we are in limbo. Helene you make us so sad. **sigh**

Here Dante puts it in perspective.

[Belacqua]: …“O brother, what’s the use of climbing?
God’s angel, … he who guards the gate, would not
let me pass through to meet my punishment.
Outside that gate the skies must circle round
as many times as they did when I lived –
since I delayed good sighs until the end –
unless, before then, I am helped by prayer
that rises from a heart that lives in grace;
what use are other prayers – ignored by Heaven?” (Purg. IV, 127-135)

As it goes for Kings fans. Why are we ignored Illya? Why ?

At least there is this- A little comic relief as LA Kings Dustin Brown and Matt Greene took a trip up to Dodger Stadium for hockey night at the Ravine.

Until The Puck Drops,

- cm