NHL News: Highlights from a Busy Day in the NHL
by Nick Montemagno on May 28, 2010 6:55 PM EDT
in NHL News
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PrintSeveral things to talk about on this Friday afternoon as it was a very busy day in the National Hockey League, despite the Stanley Cup Finals not beginning until tomorrow. First, commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the media today in Chicago for his annual "state of the league" speech. Steve Zipay at Blue Notes has everything Gary talked about over on his blog, so I take out some of the highlight points and discuss them with you below.
As we reported last night, the 2011 NHL Winter Classic will be held at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where the Penguins and Capitals will go head-to-head in hopes of raising the ratings from this year's outdoor game between the Bruins and Flyers. In addition to that, an outdoor contest between the Flames and the Canadiens is expected to be hosted in Calgary and played sometime in February. From my understanding, they are not calling that the Winter Classic also, but the game will be held outdoors nonetheless.
NHL revenues went up four percent this season according to Bettman, so as long as the NHLPA accepts an escalator, you can expect the salary cap to be raised by $2 million for the 2010-11 season. At least some of the league's promotion and introduction of new events is raising the bar as far as what the league is able to do and how they do it. Events like the Winter Classic have brought in more money and now good things like the cap being raised by a couple of million dollars are happening. That is certainly a plus for the NHL.
Also, ESPN's Pierre Lebrun brought up the fact that the past All Star weekend's have been "stale" and Mr. Bettman did not seem to disagree. He states that a new format is currently being worked out and that changes could be made for next year's ASG in Raleigh, North Carolina. Of course, this has not been entirely confirmed just yet, but I think fans will begin to get bored of the usual format if they continue to use it. Change is always good.
Continue reading after the jump
Lastly, Bettman said that another matter currently being discussed is whether or not NHL players should participate in the World Champions from this point on. Certain individuals such as Sidney Crosby were criticized for not making the trip to Germany this past month to play in the tournament, but the league is considering having everyone skip it in the future. We'll see if they actually follow through with that.
Aside from Gary's speech, today also marked the beginning of the NHL Draft Combine, in which the top 100 prospects expected to be drafted into the NHL in June undergo a series of both physical and mental tests. Among the major storylines, Tyler Seguin, expected to be selected in the top three, completely tore up every test by exceeding expectations and outworking all of the players participating. Taylor Hall, on the other hand, did not participate in any testing as his agents urged him not to because of "fatigue" and "lack of preparation".
Honestly, I don't know what his agents were thinking because now Seguin has a clear edge to be drafted first overall by the Oilers because of that, if he did not already.
As for me, I prepare for my trip to Chicago for game one of the Stanley Cup Finals. Don't forget to check in for live coverage both on the site and on twitter.
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All I Have To Say...
is, if Bettman is FOR it, i’m AGAINST it.
And why have the Rangers been continually overlooked for this winter classic garbage? I’d love to see a Rangers/Islanders game outdoors in January. The biggest market in the highest cash revenue city, since the NHL and Bettman are all about $$$$, I cannot believe the league continues to overlook a Rangers-hosted outdoor game. Maybe because Jimmy Dolan sued the NHL, I don’t know. But a Rangers-islanders game at Citi Field in January would certainly sell 35,000 tickets easily. Who needs Bettman? The Rangers and Islanders should discuss it amongst themselves and just schedule it anyway. If the league doesn’t wish to promote it, that’s their tough crap.
F Bettman.
by bigaudio on May 28, 2010 4:31 PM EDT reply actions
I think that if the rangers were b/e 4th-6th place they would have gotten it. Unfortunately, we are not a playoff team so they don’t expect us to bring in that many fans. I would have loved to see Rangers winter classic jerseys though. I think we should steal the Detroit ones.
"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"
by Scratch and Snif on May 28, 2010 11:38 PM EDT up reply actions
I can see the Rangers being in the Winter Classic but the Isles? Yea around here it is a good rivalry but fans across the nation could care less about the Isles. The Rangers should have hosted the Caps.
But no…It’s all about tv ratings. And that means Buttmans wet dream. Cindy Crosby vs The Great 8.
Lundqvist-Staal-MDZ-McDonagh-Krieder-Stepan-MZA-Cally-Dubi-Gabby-AA-Grachev-Prust
The core of the 2014 Stanley Cup winners!
i have no problem with the rangers not playing the winter classic lets face it they suck but enough of cindy and ovie theres way to much talent out there to not showcase other teams
by nytrueblue on May 28, 2010 5:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
my point was, who cares if the NHL won’t promote it for their NBC partner? Surely the Rangers can host a game outdoors if they choose to. Who needs Bettman anyway? The Rangers should do it for their fans first, not for Bettman. So NBC won’t promote it or show it? I really don’t care one stinking little bit. Just do it for US, the FANS. We buy the tickets, we pay the cable rates, do something for US for a damn change.
by bigaudio on May 28, 2010 6:48 PM EDT reply actions
I think he also blew it with the Canadian game, I think they should have made it the battle of Alberta and have Edmonton play Calgary.
Either that or Toronto Montreal. No matter how bad either team sucks, fans will come pouring in.
"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"
by Scratch and Snif on May 28, 2010 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe...
maybe… hall knew that not participating would get him dropped to the bruins pick rather then going to edmonton? Just throwing it out there, no idea if he would or not
im sure he prefer to be #1, lots of market value and all so i doubt its possible
by teknics_rx7 on May 28, 2010 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Just thought ...
What if the Rangers held their out door game at the Rockefeller Center against the Devils or something. That would be a sight to see. As far as Hall, he did that on purpose knowing the Bruins have the upside to a championship (Despite how shakey they can be) in the near future.
De fuck bettman? First you want to take the NHL out of the Olympics, and now the IIHF too? You scared that Cindy’s gonna hurt his fingernails? Or maybe you hate the thought of “your” players doing something other than make you money.
"Mes que un club"
"You're a pro or you're a noob. That's life"
by Scratch and Snif on May 28, 2010 11:43 PM EDT reply actions
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| GP | W | L | OTL | PT | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New York Rangers
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49 | 32 | 12 | 5 | 69 |
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Philadelphia
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50 | 30 | 14 | 6 | 66 |
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Pittsburgh
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51 | 29 | 18 | 4 | 62 |
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Tue 01/24 | W 3 - 0 |
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Pittsburgh
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