Northeast Sports Discussion

[Spaulding97]

Wow Bettman sucks @ss. In less then 2 years it's gotten way out out of control. Bad bad future for the NHL. Bummer too, i love hockey and i think it's the best overall sport to watch/play.

[xzmattzx]

The lastest rumor is that the Flyers are interested in signing Teemu Selanne. They would probably have to move a player if they decided to do this.

[Sabretooth]

Geesh, seems like the Flyers have considered everybody but Ray Emery. Poor guy, it's not his fault he sucks.

[Tymel]

I would like to get into watching the NFL and Baseball but I was just wondering. Can anyone give me a link to learn how to idk like watch it basically. Like the rules and stuff? Id probally be watching the local team. Islanders/Rangers. I dont know which one is better though haha. So yeah can anyone help me with that?

[Spaulding97]

Sabres Merchandise Flying Off The Shelves
WGR Newsroom - Monday, July 9, 2007 - 2:56 PM

Another year, another increase in the online sale of NHL merchandise. And the Sabres are leading the way.
Online sales of NHL licensed products were up 47 percent compared to last year, according to the league. The Sabres and Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks were the two biggest gainers - with sales up 497 per cent and 339 per cent, respectively.
The Penguins Sidney Crosby was the top selling jersey for the year ending June 30th. The Sabres held the next four slots with Ryan Miller, Chris Drury, Max Afinogenov and Daniel Briere rounding out the top five.
Overall, 27 of the league's 30 teams showed gains this year compared to last year


Tymel, check out the rules here:http://www.nhl.com/rules/index.html

[Tymel]

Thanks, I've decided to be a Rangers fan. Just to go against the average Long Islander

[Spaulding97]

NHL Sources: Game At The Ralph?
Nick Mendola - Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - 5:55 AM

(WGR 550) - Multiple NHL sources have told WGR that the Sabres are in line for a potential New Year's Day game at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Another source, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Penguins have agreed to be the visiting team for such a contest, with Buffalo and Detroit as possible homes. It's also reporting that NBC is tentatively calling the event, "The Ice Bowl."

Not sure about the date, but this would be awesome. It's about time.

[Sabretooth]

They did that in Edmonton a few years ago, didn't they? That would be great, and I'd bet it would sell out too. Especially at that time during winter break. Hopefully if this is serious, the Bills will finish the season on the road and out of playoff contention.

My only concern would be with the late winters we've been having - I don't think you could have done this over the past couple of years. Though I'm sure alot of "artificial" surfacing happened in Edmonton as well.

Where would Detroit hold it? Ann Arbor or some other college venue?

[Evergrey]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07191/800623-100.stm

Penguins sign Crosby to five-year extension

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

By Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

(Published 9:09 a.m., updated 11:13 a.m.)

The Penguins have signed center Sidney Crosby to a five-year contract extension. The deal is worth $43.5 million, an annual salary-cap hit of $8.7 million.
It will take effect in the 2008-09 season.

"Sidney has proven himself to be a dynamic player and team leader at a very young age, and it is exciting news for our franchise and our fans to have him under contract for the next six seasons, through 2013," said Ray Shero, the Penguins executive vice president and general manager.

"When you've got a guy who leads the league in scoring and wins the MVP award at the age of 19, you know have someone very special. But Sid also is a tremendous asset for this organization as a leader in the dressing room, and as the face of our franchise in the community. And the fact that he wants to be here long-term is a great statement about the city of Pittsburgh and our organization," Shero said.

Crosby is the youngest player in NHL history to record 100 and 200 career points. He was named captain of the Penguins on May 31, making him the youngest team captain in league history.

"I want to be here for a long time," Crosby said. "Individual honors and scoring championships are great, but my No. 1 goal is to win the Stanley Cup. I'd love to be a part of bringing the Cup back here to Pittsburgh."

[Sabretooth]

Might seem high now, but that'll probably be a bargain in 2012 when Jay McKee fetches a $23.6mil/yr contract.

[Evergrey]

http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pi...ml?t=printable

Crosby jersey sells best


Pittsburgh Business Times - 11:28 AM EDT
Tuesday, July 10, 2007

The jersey of Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins was the top seller last season in terms of National Hockey League-affiliated merchandise.

Overall, the league said online commerce increased 47 percent from the previous season. The report does not include any financial breakdown.

Sales of the Buffalo Sabres team merchandise were the best among team sales.

[Spaulding97]

Evergrey is that you? I always thought you were a guy! Sorry

[Sabretooth]

Well, for all the media hype I would certainly hope his is #1 and not Pascal Rheaume or somebody. Otherwise somebody isn't doing their job?

[Spaulding97]

TO THE RALPH?


Sabres-Penguins set for Jan. 1; site TBA
By John Vogl - News Sports Reporter
Updated: 07/11/07 2:50 PM


The Buffalo Sabres are indeed going to host the Pittsburgh Penguins on New Year's Day. Where they play has yet to be decided.

The NHL released the 2007-08 schedule at 2 p.m. today, and included on the list is a Jan. 1 matchup between the Sabres and Sidney Crosby's Penguins scheduled for 1 p.m. Various NHL sources have said that game may be played outdoors at Ralph Wilson Stadium. It may take time for the logistics to be worked out, and if they can't, the game will be in HSBC Arena.

The Sabres' home opener will be Friday, Oct. 5, when they host the New York Islanders and coach Ted Nolan.

Sabres fans have to wait a bit before seeing their former co-captains. Daniel Briere returns first as the Philadelphia Flyers visit on Dec. 21. It's another two months before Chris Drury comes back to Buffalo, as the New York Rangers arrive for the first time Feb. 23.

The NHL will begin the regular season overseas for the first time in history. The Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks and the Los Angeles Kings will move their crosstown rivalry across the pond. The teams will kick off the NHL campaign with games in London on Sept. 29 and 30.

For complete coverage of the Sabres and their upcoming schedule, check back at buffalonews.com or see Thursday's editions of The Buffalo News.

The schedule:

October

Fri., Oct. 5: Islanders, 7:30

Sat., Oct. 6: @ Islanders, 7:00

Thu., Oct. 11: Thrashers, 7:00

Sat., Oct. 13: Capitals, 7:00

Mon., Oct. 15: Maple Leafs, 7:00

Fri., Oct. 19: Blue Jackets, 7:30

Sat., Oct. 20: @ Canadiens, 7:00

Wed., Oct. 24: @ Hurricanes, 7:00

Fri., Oct. 26: @ Panthers, 7:30

Sat., Oct. 27: @ Lightning, 7:30

November

Thu., Nov. 1: @ Bruins, 7:00

Fri., Nov. 2: Panthers, 7:30

Mon., Nov. 5: @ Canadiens, 7:30

Wed., Nov. 7: Bruins, 7:00

Fri., Nov. 9: Maple Leafs, 7:30

Sat., Nov. 10: @ Bruins, 7:00

Thu., Nov. 15: @ Senators, 7:30

Fri., Nov. 16: Canadiens, 7:30

Wed., Nov. 21: Senators, 7:00

Fri., Nov. 23: Canadiens, 7:30

Sat., Nov. 24: @ Canadiens, 7:00

Mon., Nov. 26: @ Capitals, 7:00

Wed., Nov. 28: Blues, 7:00

December

Sat., Dec. 1: Hurricanes, 7:00

Wed., Dec. 5: @ Ducks, 10:00

Thu., Dec. 6: @ Kings, 10:30

Sat., Dec. 8: @ Sharks, 10:30

Mon., Dec. 10: Bruins, 7:00

Wed., Dec. 12: Islanders, 7:00

Fri., Dec. 14: @ Capitals, 7:00

Sat., Dec. 15: Blackhawks, 7:00

Wed., Dec. 19: @ Islanders, 7:00

Fri., Dec. 21: Flyers, 7:30

Sat., Dec. 22: @ Flyers, 7:00

Wed., Dec. 26: Senators, 7:00

Fri., Dec. 28: @ Devils, 7:00

Sat., Dec. 29: @ Penguins, 7:30

January

Tue., Jan. 1: Penguins, 1:00

Fri., Jan. 4: Senators, 7:30

Sun., Jan. 6: @ Thrashers, 2:00

Tue., Jan. 8: @ Devils, 7:00

Thu., Jan. 10: @ Senators, 7:30

Sat., Jan. 12: Devils, 7:00

Wed., Jan. 16: @ Rangers, 7:00

Fri., Jan. 18: Thrashers, 7:30

Sat., Jan. 19: @ Maple Leafs, 7:00

Mon., Jan. 21: @ Coyotes, 4:00

Thu., Jan. 24: @ Stars, 8:30

Tue., Jan. 29: @ Lightning, 7:30

Wed., Jan. 30: @ Panthers, 7:30

February

Fri., Feb. 1: @ Thrashers, 7:30

Tue., Feb. 5: @ Bruins, 7:00

Wed., Feb. 6: Devils, 7:00

Fri., Feb. 8: Bruins, 7:30

Sun., Feb. 10: Panthers, 7:00

Tue., Feb. 12: @ Senators, 7:30

Wed., Feb. 13: Maple Leafs, 7:00

Sat., Feb. 16: @ Rangers, 1:00

Sun., Feb. 17: Penguins, 1:00

Wed., Feb. 20: Lightning, 7:00

Thu., Feb. 21: @ Maple Leafs, 7:30

Sat., Feb. 23: Rangers, 7:00

Mon., Feb. 25: Flyers, 7:00

Wed., Feb. 27: Predators, 7:00

Fri., Feb. 29: Canadiens, 7:30

March

Sun., Mar. 2: Red Wings, 3:00

Tue., Mar. 4: @ Flyers, 7:00

Wed., Mar. 5: Capitals, 7:00

Sat., Mar. 8: @ Hurricanes, 7:00

Mon., Mar. 10: Rangers, 7:00

Wed., Mar. 12: @ Penguins, 7:30

Fri., Mar. 14: Hurricanes, 7:30

Sat., Mar. 15: @ Maple Leafs, 7:00

Wed., Mar. 19: Lightning, 7:00

Fri., Mar. 21: Maple Leafs, 7:30

Tue., Mar. 6: Senators, 7:00

Thu., Mar. 27: @ Senators, 7:30

Fri., Mar. 28: Canadiens, 7:30

Sun., Mar. 30: Bruins, 3:00

April

Tue., Apr. 1: @ Maple Leafs, 7:30

Thu., Apr. 3: @ Canadiens, 7:30

Sat., Apr. 5: @ Bruins, 7:00

[Evergrey]

The game should be played on frozen Lake Erie!

image hosted on flickr

[Spaulding97]

^ that picture looks sooooo depressing! You can't show that now, it's July! It looks like it's from the movie "The day after tomorrow".

[xzmattzx]

A couple articles associated with the Flyers.

Flyers' Rathje not ready to turn in his skates yet

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

By CHUCK GORMLEY
Courier-Post Staff

VOORHEES
While every move the Flyers have made in the offseason suggests otherwise, Flyers defenseman Mike Rathje said Monday he's not ready to hang up his skates and is still pushing for a comeback with the Flyers.

Rathje, 33, was limited to just three games last season because of piriformis syndrome, a condition in which nerves in his lower back get entrapped in his muscles, causing pain in his legs and buttocks.

Rathje underwent surgery to repair a sports hernia three weeks ago and is hoping the surgery helps alleviate some of his discomfort and allows him to skate again.

"No doctor will tell me I can't play," Rathje said. "They tell me I could have pain until I'm dead."

Rathje was only half-joking. He said he has seen improvement in his condition and is hoping with enough physical therapy he can manage the pain enough to play again.

"It's been terrible," he said. "I'm not going to be stupid about it, but I want to play again. That's why I'm here."

Rathje still has three years and $16.5 million remaining on his contract, but his annual salary of $3.5 million will not count against the $50.3 million salary cap unless he's removed from the Flyers' long-term injury list.

Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said he would welcome Rathje back onto the Flyers' roster if he is medically cleared, but by obtaining Jason Smith from the Oilers, Kimmo Timonen from the Predators and Lasse Kukkonen from the Blackhawks it's clear Holmgren is planning on life without the 6-foot-5, 235-pound Rathje.

"He's a young man, why wouldn't he try to come back?" Holmgren said. "He's got our full blessing.

"I've said it before: If Mike Rathje is healthy he's a very good NHL defenseman. We'll do what is necessary and make the decisions we need to make when and if that times comes."

Rathje will continue to get paid by the Flyers and said he has been given no timetable for a decision on whether to continue rehab or retire. He acknowledged that if he does not play this season he will retire.

"The Flyers have a requirement to get the team as good as possible and I want to get healthy and play again," he said. "I believe they want the best for me and they're doing everything they can for me."

Fedoruk signs with Dallas: One week after having contract discussions with the Flyers, enforcer Todd Fedoruk agreed to terms on a one-year, $875,000 contract with the Dallas Stars on Monday.

Fedoruk, 28, said he wanted to remain in Philadelphia, but apparently not for what they were offering.

"Todd adds the elements of size and toughness to our hockey club," Stars general manager Doug Armstrong said in a statement.

Fedoruk appeared in 58 games last season with the Anaheim Ducks and Flyers, registering three goals and 11 assists for 14 points. His season was ended when he was knocked out in a fight with Rangers' enforcer Colton Orr. Fedoruk also missed significant time with facial fractures suffered in a fight against Minnesota's Derek Boogaard.

The Flyers showed interest in Boogaard last week, but the Wild retained his rights by filing for arbitration. The Flyers remain about $1.3 million under the salary cap and are believed to be seeking a heavyweight enforcer.

Among the list of candidates are Chris Simon of the New York Islanders, Eric Godard of the Flames, Cam Janssen of the Devils and former Phantom Josh Gratton of the Coyotes.

Loose pucks: Phantoms center Pete Zingoni had an impressive showing in the prospects' fitness run over the weekend, finishing a three-mile run in 16 minutes at West Chester University.

Agent: "We did not get a call"
TheFourthPeriod.com

In the "How to tick off Sabres fans even more" files, the Buffalo News has reported that the agent for Daniel Briere never received a phone call from the team during the season.
Sabres managing partner Larry Quinn claimed GM Darcy Regier called Pat Brisson, who represents Briere, in January and never received a return phone call.

"If there had been and everybody came together and said, 'Let's all chip in,' we would have tried to figure out a way," Quinn told the News.

Brisson told the newspaper the Sabres never called his office during the season and that he had not heard from the day until a few days before the first day of free agency.

"For the record, I had not spoken about a contract extension whatsoever until three days before free agency," Brisson said. "I did not get a call in January. I'm not taking a shot at Darcy because I do respect Darcy. But to say that we did get a call? We did not get a call."
Last summer, just before Briere was awarded a one-year, $5 million contract via arbitration, Brisson presented the Sabres with a five-year, $25 million contract offer, which the team rejected. According to the News, Briere still would have accepted that offer six-months ago.

"Danny wanted to stay there," Brisson said. "Well, I didn't get a call. We didn't speak to anybody. That's OK. That's fine. Each organization can make their own decisions on how they do business. That's fine. We respect that. But to say that, for the record, that I got a call and we never got back to them? That's not true."

Peter the salesman
Forsberg helped convince Hartnell about Philly


By ED MORAN

It's funny how some things work out.
Peter Forsberg had been in Nashville only briefly after being traded by the Flyers in February when Scott Hartnell found himself sitting in a trainer's room with a broken foot while the Swedish superstar was nursing an abdominal injury.

While Forsberg and Hartnell were in rehab together, Forsberg started telling him about his many foot problems and also about the Flyers and Philadelphia.

"When Peter Forsberg came to Nashville we kind of got to be really good friends right off the bat," Hartnell said yesterday. "I broke my foot and he was out with an ab injury or something and he started talking about Philadelphia and how much he liked it.

"He couldn't say enough great things about the city, the organization, everything. He ran into a tough year, but the year before they had a hundred-plus points so he couldn't say enough things about it."

The talk stayed in Hartnell's mind as free agency approached, and when he sat down to rank the teams he was going to consider, the Flyers stayed near the top.

"Philadelphia, when we were negotiating, it was a no-brainer basically," he said. "They were pretty committed on getting [Kimmo Timonen] and a big free agent and changing this team around. That was the biggest thing that I expressed to my agent, that I wanted to go to a winning team, a contender."

That Hartnell agreed to become a Flyer, along with Timonen, a week ahead of the free-agent market opening in a trade with Nashville is history now.

But yesterday, Hartnell was in town to officially pull on his new jersey, No. 19, as the first of a series of meet some of the new Flyers being held this week.

Jason Smith is in today, Daniel Briere tomorrow.

It's more about marketing than anything else. The timing is right with baseball on its All-Star break and the Flyers holding a miniconditioning camp with their prospects.

And, well, after a season of dismal results and all-time lows, it makes sense to parade the good news out 1 day at a time.

So yesterday was about meeting the 6-2, 210-pound, 25-year-old winger who was born in Saskatchewan and who likes to play his game rough in the corners and along the wall and scores goals from close to the net.

He is a nice addition to a team that should be a combination of talent, speed and grit, and he's looking forward to getting started and putting the pieces together.

"Last year probably for the Flyers it wasn't a lot of fun playing, not having a great record," said Hartnell, who signed a 6-year deal. "Coming from Nashville where we had a hundred-plus points and it was fun till the playoffs and we started to lose.

"No one wants to lose, and with the acquisitions that the Flyers brought in, they're not ready to lose again and everyone should be excited in the city and everyone should be excited around the whole league.

"This is going to be a team to be reckoned with and we're super-excited. You look around and [the new Flyers] are all young guys, they're not 36-, 37-year-old guys that some teams bring in. We're all 24, 25 to 30 and right in the prime of their careers and everyone brings their own element to the game.

"Myself, I'm a hard-nosed, gritty player that tries never to take a shift off whether you're up five goals or down five goals. You never want to give up.

"It's going to be a good, young group of guys that are just excited to play."


Player moves
It was just a matter of numbers when it came to re-signing Todd Fedoruk, Flyers general manager Paul Holmgren said. After the Flyers signed and traded for so many new players, there was neither room on the bench nor room under the salary cap, so when Fedoruk told Holmgren that he had an offer from the Dallas Stars, Holmgren suggested he take it.

Fedoruk, who was traded back to the Flyers last fall from Anaheim, signed a 1-year, free-agent deal for $875,000.

"Right now we just don't have any space and he more or less chose to move on," Holmgren said.

"I told him at some point we might be able to do something, but when I talked to him on Friday I told him that I'm not sure if he should pass up the offer."

Fedoruk came back to the Flyers recovering from fractures to his cheek and orbital suffered in a fight. It affected the way he fought later in the season; he was knocked unconscious during a fight near season's end in New York and didn't finish the season.

Holmgren said that did not change the Flyers' minds about the tough-guy winger. "We still like [Fedoruk] and we think he'll bounce back," Holmgren said.

On another note, Holmgren said he has heard the rumors that Ducks sniper Teemu Selanne was considering seeking employment with the Flyers to play with Finnish friends Sami Kapanen and Kimmo Timonen, but said he hasn't had any contact with either his agent or Selanne.

"I think this is one rumor where there is smoke and no fire," Holmgren said.

The Flyers are right up against the salary cap and there would have to be some player movement if the rumor ever panned out.

"I think we'd have some [cap] issues," Holmgren said.

Going west
The NHL schedule is expected to be released this afternoon, but an early, unofficial peek yesterday showed that the Flyers will open the season in Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

The Flyers are expected to take 3 days ahead of the trip for some team bonding in the Canadian Rockies.

[Evergrey]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07192/800847-100.stm

Defenseman Goligoski will join Penguins

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

By Dave Molinari, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Defenseman Alex Goligoski will skip his senior season at the University of Minnesota to join the Penguins.

The team is expected to announce his decision later today.

The St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press reported that Goligoski agreed to a two-year entry-level contract worth $500,000 if he plays in the NHL the first season, $600,000 if he does it in the second. His salary would be reduced if he plays for the Penguins' American Hockey League affiliate in Wilkes-Barre, where he is expected to spend at least some time.

Goligoski, 21, was a second-round draft choice in 2004. He had nine goals, 30 assists and a team-best plus-minus rating of plus-24 in 44 games with the Golden Gophers last season.

He underwent shoulder surgery in April, and his recovery from that operation apparently delayed the decision on whether to stay at Minnesota for his senior year.

[Sabretooth]

Not surprising that Quinn and Regier lied. Not surprising at all. In a way, though, I almost feel sorry for Briere because if it's true that he did want to stay, I don't think it was fully reciprocated. I don't know anybody who wanted him back by himself (without Drury having been taken care of first).

And if this outdoor game comes down to Larry Quinn, it'll never happen either. At least not until Bass Pro opens. And he calls himself "the Dealmaker".

[xzmattzx]