Northeast Sports Discussion

[Sabretooth]

Those Comcast logos give me chills.

[xzmattzx]

Some videos:

From yesterday's press conference:
Holmgren didn't have to sell the Flyers to Briere

From yesterday's Daily News Live:
Briere says the team will be a mix of size and speed
Briere asked Biron about how the Flyers' organization was like

[Spaulding97]

Sabres Ice Bowl May Move to February 17th

Posted by: Ed Kilgore, Sports Director

Created: 7/13/2007 5:26:24 PM
Updated: 7/13/2007 5:27:21 PM


It looks like the NHL is still planning to stage an "Ice Bowl" game between the Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins at Ralph Wilson Stadium, but the game may be headed for a February date instead of January 1st.

While there are still no official comments from the Sabres, Bills or NHL, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports the game may now be moved to February 17th, a Sunday, due to conflicts with college football bowl games on New Year's Day.

The Penguins are scheduled to play at Buffalo both January 1st and February 17th.

The weather in Buffalo is usually at its coldest and most unpredictable in February, but this past February 17th it was 24 degrees with eight inches of snow on the ground.

That's a scenario the NHL, NBC and Sabres and Penguins fans would probably find ideal for an outdoor game in a 74,000 seat football stadium.

[Sabretooth]

That's probably a far better option. Definitely a better likelihood of cold weather in February; IMO all bets are off for weather around here until after mid-January. Before then, you still have the relative warming effects from the lake before it freezes over which generally leads to milder temps and more precip.

For once, the NHL may very well be making an intelligent, informed decision. In my 29 years, I think this may be the first time.

Plus, if it's in mid-February it cause less of a mess with my holiday plans as I intend to get seats to this thing either way. Selfish, I know.

[Spaulding97]

Plus they don't have to compete with bowl games, but maybe the Daytona 500. Think about it though, Buffalo is the spotlight to a very important game. I can't wait, hopefully it is in Feb. blah blah blah, gimme more beer! beer taste good... fill my tummy with goodness!!!!!!!!!!

[Sabretooth]

I hope it's in February, a high of 11°, and light snow (11° is generally too cold for it to snow appreciably). I want to be there freezing my ass off on those wonderful cold seats like I was for the "coldest game in Bills history" in 1993 (a record that lasted a whole 3 weeks).

Just think - even without Drury and Briere it's still a good team, certainly should be the best home team to play at the Ralph in some time.

[Evergrey]

This will be a battle between the two markets that had the highest television ratings in the U.S. for last year's NHL All-Star game!

[xzmattzx]

This is apparently going to be the Sharks' new logo. The Lightning are also going to be revealing a new logo soon.

[Spaulding97]

That looks the same as the one now.

[xzmattzx]

The new Tampa Bay logo

Originally Posted by Spaulding97

That looks the same as the one now.

The rumor is that all 30 teams will be modifying their logos in some way for the new jerseys that debut next year.

[Sabretooth]

Ahh, yes, the tucked-in jersey conspiracy. That's why both Anaheim's and Buffalo's new jerseys were notable in not featuring the horizontal banding common to almost all hockey jerseys everywhere towards the bottom of the sweater. In case you thought something was missing and couldn't figure it out - that's what's missing.

[xzmattzx]

The new Flyers jersey leaked:



Not many changes: the white shouldering goes up the collarbone now and discontinues under the head, and the orange trim on the sleeves below the numbers is gone.

[Sabretooth]

I could've guessed that.

I dunno, it's retarded. The untucked jerseys are a part of the game. Not to mention the players don't care for it.

Supposedly this was supposed to happen back in 2003, but in classic NHL fashion it got screwed up. Not that I'm complaining about it.

[Evergrey]

Wheeling Nailers to be Flyers' minor league team

Pittsburgh Business Times - 10:10 AM EDT
Wednesday, July 25, 2007

The Philadelphia Flyers reached a minor league affiliate agreement with the Wheeling Nailers of the East Coast Hockey League for the 2007-08 season.

The Nailers in West Virginia replace the Trenton Titans, who had served as the Flyers' ECHL affiliate for the last seven seasons. The Flyers will have the opportunity to send two goalies and up to three additional players to Wheeling to play for the Nailers.

"We are excited to be affiliated with the Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL," said Flyers General Manager Paul Holmgren. Holmgren in making the announcement. "Moving away from Trenton is obviously something new for us, but we are really looking forward to starting a working relationship with Wheeling."

In addition to the Flyers, Wheeling also serves as the ECHL affiliate for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

[Spaulding97]

Sabres Agree To Terms With Derek Roy
WGR Newsroom - Friday, July 27, 2007 - 10:37 AM

Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier announced today the Sabres have agreed to terms on a six-year deal with restricted free agent center Derek Roy. Terms were not disclosed. Roy was scheduled for NHL arbitration today in Toronto.

“Derek is a solid young player who will only continue to improve,” said Regier. “He will play an increased role for our club, and we look forward to having such a quality player in our organization for many years to come.”

Roy, 24, was fifth on the Sabres in scoring last season, posting career highs in points (63), goals (21) and assists (42) in 75 games. Roy was second on the Sabres and tied for fourth in the NHL with a plus/minus of +37. Fifteen of Roy’s 21 goals came in the second half of the season, as he missed seven games in the first half with a hand injury.

The native of Ottawa, Ontario, tied his career high with four points (1+3) against Montreal on March 2, and collected 11 points (4+7) in a career-best six-game point streak from Feb. 17-Mar. 2. Roy also had seven points (2+5) in Buffalo’s 16 postseason contests.

Roy, Buffalo’s second-round selection (32nd overall) in the 2001 Entry Draft, had a stellar four-year career with the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League where he scored 335 points (147+188) in 242 games. In 2003 Roy captained the Rangers to a Memorial Cup title, and was named tournament MVP. Roy also won a silver medal with Team Canada at the 2003 World Junior Championships.

[Sabretooth]

Wow, a fairly reasonable long-term contract - and this wasn't forced on them?

Who kidnapped the two buffoons?

[Spaulding97]

And the same day the Bills signed Lynch and are negotiating with Walker. What next, the Peace bridge gets built??

I think this is a steal. Great job Darcy and Co. Roy 6 years for $24 million. $ 4 mill a year. He's gonna get much better and step right in as the new Drury. Have him locked up till he's 30. Now let's extend Miller & Campbell.

[Evergrey]

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pitt.../s_523982.html

Penguins will play in Ice Bowl on New Year’s Day

By Rob Rossi
TRIBUNE-REVIEW
Friday, August 24, 2007


The Penguins will start 2008 in cool style by playing an outdoor game in Buffalo on New Year's Day.
Several NHL officials said today that the game between the Penguins and Sabres on Jan. 1, 2008 will be played at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home of the NFL's Bills. In a made-for-television event -- the game will air nationally on NBC -- the Penguins and Sabres will skate on an outdoor rink in front of what the NHL hopes will prove the largest audience ever to watch an NHL game in the United States.

Neither the league nor NBC would officially confirm the tentatively titled "Ice Bowl," which is scheduled to be played at 1 p.m. An official announcement is expected on Sept. 10, prior to the start of training camp.

"If and when we have something to announce we will make sure the announcement gets heard," NHL vice president of media relations Frank Brown said.

The league previously approached the Penguins about possibly hosting the outdoor game, but the team declined so that it could focus on planning for its new arena. The Penguins told the league they would participate as a visiting team, as the NHL is believed to have desired two U.S. markets for the "Ice Bowl."
This will mark the league's second attempt an outdoor game. The Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers played in "The Heritage Classic" at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium on Nov. 22, 2003. That contest was played in sub-freezing temperatures, but was not televised live in the United States. That game attracted a crowd of more than 55,000 people.


Rob Rossi can be reached at rrossi@tribweb.com or (412) 380-5635.

[Evergrey]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07237/812084-13.stm

Crosby takes slapshot at fashion design

Saturday, August 25, 2007
By Marylynne Pitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Nathan Denette/CP via AP
Sidney Crosby is flanked by models as he introduces a new line of clothing from Reebok.
It's been a good summer for hockey superstar Sidney Crosby.

He signed a new multiyear contract worth $43.5 million over five years. He was named captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins. And, as of this week, he unveiled a new line of clothing bearing his imprimatur.

The 20-year-old, flanked by two models, showed off his back-to-school and back-to-hockey clothing line Tuesday at a store in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

The casual line of boys' and men's clothing by Reebok initially will be sold only at three Canadian sporting goods stores -- Sportchek, National Sports and Sports Experts -- and will not be available online.

But Len Rhodes, general manager of Reebok Canada, said in a telephone interview yesterday that the company is looking for retail partners in the United States, where he plans to sell the Crosby line by 2008.

"There's many more people who watch the game than play it. We need the right retail partners," he said. "We've got to make sure consumers can find it in retail stores in the United States."

For his runway appearance on Tuesday, Mr. Crosby modeled an unzipped track jacket that is available only in a blue-gray shade. Made of French terry, the jacket bears the number 87 sewn on the front and sells for $70 in Canadian dollars (about $66 U.S. dollars).

The line of clothing, called RbK SC87 , was designed in part with the input of Mr. Crosby, who looked over swatches and discussed fashion with his parents. He also "worked with a team of designers in Montreal,'' said Michele Fortier, public relations manager for Reebok Canada, based in Montreal.

"Aside from the logo, everything is plain,'' she said. "We've played with the logo to make it more modern. The RbK is there. The Crosby SC87 shield is prominent." Eighty-seven, of course, is Mr. Crosby's number on the team, and also coincides with the date he was born, 8/7/1987.

The hope is that the line will catch on in Canada, Ms. Fortier said, and then be expanded to other markets, including the United States. "We're sort of testing it with the Canadian market," she said.

There's also a performance outfit made of a fabric Reebok developed called PlayDry that, Ms. Fortier said, "accelerates evaporation, increases ventilation and reduces abrasion when you work out."

The black top, which zips from the chest to the neck, is lined in yellow, and the long matching pants also are black and yellow. The top retails for $60 ($57 U.S.) and the long sweat pants for $50 ($47.50 U.S.). A pair of shorts in the same colors and fabric sells for $40 ($38 U.S.).

A cotton thermal, long-sleeved shirt in the same blue-gray shade as the jacket bears the Reebok logo, but it's printed in such a way that the letters are fading slightly. It retails for $40.

There are two T-shirts, both in beige. The long-sleeved version, bearing the Crosby SC87 shield logo with the same worn style of printing as the thermal top, sells for $40, while a short-sleeved version is $25 ($23.75 U.S.).

More clothing, aimed at women, is in the works, Ms. Fortier said. A line slated to debut next spring will include T-shirts for women like those worn by Mr. Crosby's modeling buddies at this past week's press conference.

The women's T-shirts will feature an SC87 shield logo and come in pink and yellow. Another T-shirt will say, "I Crosby."

The line was created partly because hockey fans asked retailers about the possibility of a Crosby clothing line, Mr. Rhodes said, and Reebok received e-mails with similar queries from customers.

Two years ago, Mr. Crosby signed a five-year endorsement contract with Reebok worth $2.5 million. Mr. Rhodes would not discuss whether Mr. Crosby would receive additional money from the clothing line or the terms of the arrangement.

He did reject a reporter's suggestion that a cologne called El Sid would come next.

"We don't put any product in the market that he hasn't endorsed -- literally," Mr. Rhodes said, with a laugh. "It's got to be true to Sidney and true to Reebok. It's got to be authentic to the sport and the fans."




First published at PG NOW on August 24, 2007 at 10:54 pm
Marylynne Pitz can be reached at mpitz@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1648.

[Sabretooth]

Originally Posted by Evergrey

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/breaking/s_523982.html

Penguins will play in Ice Bowl on New Year’s Day

And the "other side" of the story: Unfortunately the Bills' stinkfest last night (not that a preseason loss has ever been a bad thing for them) is dominating the news and something huge like this gets relegated somewhere else.

Sabres-Penguins in The Ralph a go
NBC will televise New Year’s Day Ice Bowl
By Tim Graham NEWS SPORTS REPORTER
Updated: 08/25/07 6:25 AM

Over the past two seasons, the Buffalo Sabres have grown in importance so much their games have become about more than mere hockey. They’re community events.

On New Year’s Day, the party is going to get a whole lot bigger.

The much-talked-about outdoor game between the Sabres and Pittsburgh Penguins in Ralph Wilson Stadium finally is a go for 1 p.m. Jan. 1, multiple sources have told The Buffalo News. The game will be nationally televised by NBC.

Sources close to the Sabres claimed the Ice Bowl event was in jeopardy of being scrapped because financing construction and maintenance of an outdoor hockey rink was difficult, but a deal apparently came together this week.

The NHL is expected to make an official announcement Sept. 10 in Buffalo.

NHL spokesman Frank Brown on Friday would not confirm the game had been finalized.

“When and if we have something to announce we’ll make sure it’s announced loudly,” Brown said. The Sabres declined to comment.

Over the past 35 years, the average high temperature in Buffalo has been 38.3 degrees on New Year’s Day. In the past eight years, however, the temperature has reached 50 degrees three times, including a high of 52 this year.

But there are no guarantees when it comes to winter weather in Western New York. The high temperature was a bonenumbing 19 degrees in 1999.

Ralph Wilson Stadium seats 73,967 for football. Crowd capacity for a hockey game, with room for additional field seating, could be greater. It’s unknown if bleachers will be constructed to bring fans closer to the boards.

The Ice Bowl would be the first outdoor NHL game since the Heritage Classic between the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens in November 2003. Despite a minus-18 degree wind chill, 57,167 watched in Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

tgraham@buffnews.com

Now I just hope I can get tickets.

I'm still kind of iffy on the date, though. The weather can be very unpredictable (whereas mid-February would've been a sure bet) and it seems kind of foolish to go up against all the bowl games. But this is the NHL, we can't expect a completely well thought-out decision, can we?