Canadian Province Passes Legislation Chastising NHL

In the ongoing Canadian meltdown over the Pittsburgh-Ottawa game being schedule for the afternoon and not at night, we can now add memebers of the Canadian government to the meltdown list.

The Nova Scotia legislature has endorsed a resolution chastising the NHL for its decision to schedule the Pittsburgh Penguins’-Ottawa Senators playoff game for Saturday afternoon rather than the evening Hockey Night in Canada slot.

The league is trying to accommodate the U.S. television network NBC, which usually airs NHL games on weekend afternoons.

Progressive Conservative backbencher Pat Dunn drafted the resolution. Nova Scotians are keen to see Dartmouth native Sidney Crosby in his first playoff season and a 4 p.m. faceoff makes no sense, Dunn said.

“Most Nova Scotians are very busy with their lives — out, some working, some shopping, running errands and so on,” Dunn said. “Just not a good time to be sitting down watching a hockey game prior to parents

Dallas-Vancouver Play 6th Longest Playoff Game Ever

Despite having to get up early, through sheer detemination (or stupidity) I stayed up for all 138 minutes and 6 seconds of the Vancouver-Dallas Game last night. For those keeping track thats about 2.3 games untill Marty Turco could not make his 52nd save and Vanouver won 5-4, of course Roberto Luongo was no slouch stopping 72 of 76 shots. However this is not the longest playoff game in NHL History, but the fact they were still standing after all of that was pretty impressive and in reality this game may have already won the series for Vancouver because losing like that has cause the downfall of many a playoff team. Below is listed how this game stacks up against the other marathon playoff games.

Date	Final	Winning Scorer	Time
3/24/36	Detroit 1, Maroons 0	Mud Bruneteau	176:30
4/3/33	Toronto 1, Boston 0	Ken Doraty	164:46
5/4/00	Philadelphia 2, Pittsburgh 1	Keith Primeau	152:01
4/24/03	Anaheim 4, Dallas 3	Petr Sykora	140:48
4/24/96	Pittsburgh 3, Washington 2	Petr Nedved	139:15
4/11/07	Vancouver 5, Dallas 4	Henrik Sedin	138:06
3/23/43	Toronto 3, Detroit 2	Jack MacLean	130:18
3/28/30	Montreal 2, Rangers 1	Gus Rivers	128:52
4/18/87	Islanders 2, Washington 1	Pat LaFontaine	128:47
4/27/94	Buffalo 1, New Jersey 0	Dave Hannan	125:43
3/27/51	Montreal 3, Detroit 2	Maurice Richard	121:09
3/27/38	Americans 3, Rangers 2	Lorne Carr	120:40

In other action:
Ottawa defeats Pittsburgh 6-3 (Ottawa leads series 1-0)
Anaheim defeats Minnesota 2-1 (Anaheim leads series 1-0)
Sand Jose defeats Nashville 5-4 in 2 OTs (San Jose leades series 1-0)

NHL Faces CBC Anger Over NBC

Playoff scheduling by the league has raised the ire of the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company) and many Canadian hockey fans.

It’s bad enough the Toronto Maple Leafs mismanaged and misplayed themselves out of the Stanley Cup playoffs. That Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers were both too lousy to qualify for the post-season doesn’t please many Canadian hockey fans either.

But now, to add insult to injury, Saturday’s Ottawa Senators-Pittsburgh Penguins game has been shifted to the afternoon to appease NBC.

No Hockey Night in Canada featuring a Canadian-based team. Instead, we get the trap-happy New Jersey Devils against the also-ran Tampa Bay Lightning.

NBC only bothers televising National Hockey League games in the afternoon, and it wants this game because Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby is the game’s marquee attraction. He’s young (just 19), successful (the NHL regular-season scoring champion) and plays hockey with a reckless abandon that endears him to fans everywhere.

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One would think that this decision would be a no-brainer for the NHL suits, and league commissioner Gary Bettman. This season, the CBC is paying the NHL $65-million for the rights to broadcast hockey games. And the CBC has also extended its contract with the league for six years at a total of $600 million.

NBC pays nothing for the rights to broadcast NHL games. Instead it has a profit-sharing agreement with the league. Which begs the obvious question of why the NHL would bow to NBC’s request, rather than side with the CBC, which is paying the league all those millions.

Its hard not to blame the Canadians for being mad, their big teams aren’t in and now they can’t watch one of the few Canadian Teams in the playoffs as well as one of the best players in the game. Hockey Night in Canada is their Monday Night Football and they feel its a god given right to have the best teams (or the teams they want to see) playing. Unfortunatlly the league sees reality, the game is at critical mass in Canada. They don’t have to invest in Canada to attract fans in Canada it part of the Canadian gene make up, butthe NHL does need to invest heavily in the US to get the game fan base growing and the way they see doing that is getting the msot exciting young players in the game on US broadcast TV. The NHL need NBC (not vise versa), NBC can choose from a host of sports that would pull in simialr rates and make jsut as much money. Its a choice the NHL was willing to make as they try to become a big sport again, even though it may not work the have to try it.

NHL Playoff Time – 1st Round Edition

Its time for Stanley Cup Playoff and will bring some of the most intesnse hard fought games of any post-season in any sport, so here’s a quick look at the teams looking for Stanley Cup glory.

Eastern Conference
(1) Buffalo Sabres v. (8) New York Islanders
The Islanders put together a strong finish to be the last team to make the playoffs thanks to a shootout victory, while greatly improved with the acquisition of Ryan Smyth will suffer greatly without #1 goalie Rick DiPietro. The only risk to Buffalo would be losing goalie Ryan Miller, with the offensive talent the team has goaltending is the only portion of the team that could hurt them.
Prediction: The offensive assault will be too much for the Islanders, Buffalo in 5

(2) New Jersey Devils v. (7) Tampa Bay Lightning
This series comes down to Devils Goalie Martin Brodeur vs. Lightning Forwards Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier. While Brodeur has the ability to carry a team on his back, but after playing 78 games this season he could breakdown at some point, the key for the Lightning will be making him work hard every game.
Prediction: Lecavalier and St. Louis come through, Lightning in 7

(3) Atlanta Thrashers v. (6) New York Rangers
A talented team, deep bench, playoff experienced players, and experienced coaching make the Thrashers a dangerous team these playoffs. Ranger’s Sean Avery can get under anyone’s skin as well as a playoff experienced goalie can help the Rangers down the stretch. The question for Atlanta is if their playoff rookie goalie can stand up to the pressure.
Prediction: Sean Avery does more harm than good, Thrashers in 6

(4) Ottawa Senators v. (5) Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins come in with some of the best young players in the game and a young goalie. The Senators bring in a veteran skilled team with a history of playoff failures to over come.
Prediction: Old age and guile beat youth and good looks, Senators in 5

Western Conference
(1) Detroit Red Wings v. (8) Calgary Flames
The Flames have the best home record in the league, but finished 8th in the Conference cause they can’t win on the road, not a good sign when you don’t have home ice advantage. Despite having on of the top players in the league and solid defense they lack what ever it takes to win at the other guy’s place. The Red Wings again put together one of the best teams in the league (even though the Cap was supposed to bring them back to erath). The Red Wings playoff hopes rest on the shoulder of Dominik Hasek and Todd ‘Sucker-Punch’ Bertuzzi.
Prediction: The Dominator does it again with some offensive help from his friends, Red Wings in 7

(2) Anaheim Ducks v. (7) Minnesota Wild
While the Ducks were the early favorite this season some of the luster off their shine is gone (especially when you lose to the Kings 4 times). However the ducks are backed up by 2 solid goaltenders, 3 forward lines that can hurt you, and 2 of the best defensemen in the game. Minnesota can throw some great offensive talent and goaltending back at anyone, they just don’t have enough to match up every shift against the Ducks
Prediction: With great pain in my gut, Ducks in 6

(3) Vancouver Canucks v. (6) Dallas Stars
Solid lines and improved defense help the Stars, but playoff history hold a dark cloud over goaltender Marty Turco’s head. Vancover plays a disciplined game and can exploit errors; however they will lean heavily on the Sedin Twins for offense while Roberto Luongo will danc eon his head to keep them in games.
Prediction: I go with goaltending and that will be Roberto Luongo, Canucks in 6

(4) Nashville Predators v. (5) San Jose Sharks
The Predators will lean heavily on Paul Kariya and Peter Forsberg (who is one of the best playoff performers in history) to guide the fortunes of the team, which includes staying healthy. The Sharks are one of the best power play teams in the league and one of the best at holding a lead when scoring first, to win Nashville will have to score early and stay out of the box. However, both team’s fortunes will rest on who finds the right goal tender to ride through the series.
Prediction: The power play will prove to be too much for Nashville, Sharks in 7

My advice…grab a chair and a beer sit back and enjoy what should be some exiting playoffs thanks to the ‘New NHL’.

Penguins Reportedly Staying in Pittsburgh

Look slike a deal may of been reached to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

(KDKA) PITTSBURGH After all the uncertainty, and the back and forth discussion over whether the Pittsburgh Penguins would stay here or possibly leave town, the long wait appears to be over.

KDKA sources have confirmed that the new arena deal is done.

As KDKA’s Bob Pompeani first reported on KDKA-TV News at 11:00pm, the city, the state and the Penguins have all come to an agreement over how to build and pay for a new arena.

And that means the Pens will stay right here in Pittsburgh.

The official announcement is expected before tonight’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.

Last week’s meeting lasted more than four hours and produced significant progress on the framework for a new multi-purpose arena. Some bigger stumbling blocks were finance rates on an extra $20 million added as a contingency to a proposed arena bond issue.

Sources tell Pompeani that the overall price tag will be higher than the original $290 million that was first discussed.

The Penguins have agreed to put up four million a year toward a new building. They also have agreed to put up $500,000 a year for a new parking garage in the arena complex.

The full details will not be know until the offical announcement and there are a few more meetings to hammer out the fine points of the deal. But it looks as if its going to happen and AEG will have to find a new team to woo for their Kasas City Arena.

Attempted Injunction to Keep Penguins

Well some new characters are getting involved in the fight over the Pittsburgh Penguins, this time a local businessman and Democrat politician are trying to use the court to limit the rights of a business owner.

A local business owner and a former Allegheny County commissioner plan to seek a court injunction today to give county residents the right to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins rather than let them relocate.

The idea, said former Democratic County Commissioner Mike Dawida, is to give Penguins fans sort of a right of first refusal. Because the public has invested tax money in the team — $10 million in Regional Asset District money paid for high-rent club seating 10 years ago, for example — it ought to get a chance to purchase the franchise before it is allowed to leave, he said.

“We put at least $10 million into the team, plus there’s (Mellon) arena itself,” which was built with public money, said Dawida, a candidate for city controller. He said he wants to keep this effort separate from politics.

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“Raising the money is the easy part. The (legal) precedent-setting and all those kinds of things, that’s the difficult part.”

They’ll have to convince a county judge that the Penguins’ acceptance of public money makes the public a stakeholder in the team. The effort would also require overturning a rule adopted by National Hockey League owners that bars public ownership of a team, they said.

“It will change all of sports, if we win,” Dawida said. “Every city will adopt this.”

The first thing is their plan would break league rules, which makes it unlikely to happen. They are attempting to attach strings to money already spent and allocated by punishing them for fulfilling their lease obligations and doing what they feel is best for their business. Beyond that you can’t simply apply the theory “that the Penguins’ acceptance of public money makes the public a stakeholder in the team,” to a sports franchise alone. By the logic that accepting public money means the public is a stakeholder would mean that any tax payer should have the right to tell any person or entity accepting public money what they should do. I’m sure that small business, homeowner, etc would who took government aid would love that idea. I would also suspect that Mr. Dawida is using this as a ploy to get himself some votes, but of course no politician has every done something stupid to get votes…

Your Team May Have Problems When…

This is their pregame promotion to get people to the game:

The game was preceded by a real-estate seminar, “Foreclosures on Ice.” All participants in the seminar received a ticket to the game.

Seems like a good idea for Pittsburgh.

NHL Comissioner Steps Into Penguins-Pennsylvania Talks

Loos as if Governor Ed Rendell is getting his wish for NHL League Official’s involvement.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman reportedly will try to settle the Penguins’ possible relocation drama on Thursday in Philadelphia.

The Sports Network of Canada reported that Bettman will meet with the Penguins and representatives of Pittsburgh. TSN reported that the meeting is considered key to the future of the Penguins remaining in Pittsburgh.

An unnamed source told TSN that the meeting likely will bring ”closure, one way or another.”

On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell said he would turn to the NHL to prevent the Penguins from moving, one day after the team said it had reached an impasse in negotiations with state, county and local officials to finance a new arena.

We will see what happens with this new development, but I have a feeling that this is about to get ugly.

Pennsylvania Governor Attempts to Block Penguins Move

Looks like Governor Ed Rendell is going to attempt to get the NHL to do his dirty work.

Gov. Ed Rendell says he will turn to the National Hockey League to prevent the Pittsburgh Penguins from moving, one day after the team said it had reached an impasse in negotiations with state, county and local officials to finance a new arena.

“The governor believes we have put an exceptionally attractive offer on the table,” according to a statement released by Rendell’s office. Later in the day, Rendell told reporters, “If they don’t take it, we’re going to be up in New York asking the NHL to bar the Penguins from moving.”

Unfortunatly for Rendell it isn’t like the Penguins are breaking any lease with the City of Pittsburgh because the Penguins lease agreement with the 46 year old Mellon Arean expires June 30th. Yes expires, they aren’t breaking contract, they are fulfilling it and then looking to do what is best for their business. The City of San Francisco threaten the same plan of action, pass an ordinace preventing the team from moving to a stadium outside of the city. However, a new agreement was reached before their stupidity could be put into law. Rendell is doing nothing except trying to strong arm the Penguins into staying in Pittsburgh.

Unfortunatly no new arena has been started as of yet. Even if the city had accepted the penguins offer to pay $120 million over 30 years toward a new $290 million arena and to cover any cost overruns, they still would be stuck at least three more years in this building:

Meanwhile taking Kansas City’s offer of free rent and half of all revenues if they agree to play in the soon-to-be-completed $262 million Sprint Center:

I don’t see much of a choice. Kansas City gives the Penguins Ownership a brand new arena and an excellent business opporunity. While Pittsburgh would cost the team more money if anything were to happen, but nothing so far has shown it will be happenng. Knowing other offers have been made, the Penguins Ownership and Pennsylvania Officials have not been able to reach an agreement.

Now all of this posturing by both sides may end up forcing a deal, but what irks me the most is that government officials will sit their and strong arm a private business. Even if that business has been following the law and living up to a contact, a govenor will use his position get his way because he doesn’t like the choices a business owner makes. No matter what you think about where the Penguins should play, attempting to use politcal office to strong arm a private business, who has violated no law, has no place an any of the negotiations.

Update (8:30 AM): Apparently Penguins Officials are in Las Vegas today meeting with possible suitors in that city. There is no new areana but currently the Orleans Hotel and Casino is used by the Las Vegas Wranglers an ECHL (Think Double A Baseball) team. In addition the MGM Grand has the ability to play hockey as it is used for the Frozen Fury every preseason. Of course there is no shortage of money in Vegas for a new arena.

See Also: Penguins Arena Talks At Impasse, Kansas City Penguins (Part II), Kansas City Penguins?, Will AEG’s Kansas City Gamble Pay Off?, Pittsburgh Penguins Meeting to Discuss Future of Arena, Penguins Sale In Jeopardy?”