Kukla's Korner

Islanders Roster Almost Set

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

10/02/07 at 03:14 PM ET | Comments (0)

from On the Islanders Beat,

Free agent defenseman Bryan Berard remains unsigned, but that might change later today. It’s possible GM Garth Snow might be trying to trade Meyer to make room for the possible signing of Berard. It’s also still possible Gervais could be sent down to Bridgeport.

more on the opening day roster…

Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Islanders, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Wife Of Emile Francis Missing

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

10/02/07 at 02:57 PM ET | Comments (0)

from WBPF,

The wife of NHL hall of Fame hockey player Emile Francis is missing.

According to Lt. Chuck Reed of the West Palm Beach Police Department, Emma Frances dropped her husband Emile Frances off at Palm Beach International Airport Sunday morning, but never made it back home.

continued

Filed in: NHL Talk, Old School, Hockey Related Stories, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

The Professional Heckler

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

10/02/07 at 02:45 PM ET | Comments (0)

from the Mirror-Guardian,

Fact is, his new job is way better than that. He gets to be even more irritating than Jeff Probst. After years of annoying people at NHL games for free, Nick is officially turning pro this week - he’s becoming a professional heckler….

NICK: “Hey bonehead, wake me up when you make a good call. Or better yet have a Sony digital clock radio wake you up instead. So you can get back to doing what you do best - screwing up hockey games.

more

Filed in: Hockey Related Stories, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: fans

Rotating Captain In Buffalo

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

10/02/07 at 02:40 PM ET | Comments (0)

from the Buffalo News,

Buffalo Sabres coach Lindy Ruff has opted to go with a monthly captain rotation, and the players voted winger Jochen Hecht to wear it first.

“Jochen does everything,” Ruff said this afternoon in HSBC Arena. “He plays in every situation. He’s got a strong voice in the room, and he’s been through all the battles with us. He’s been there. I think he’ll be good with the younger players. I think it’s well-deserved.”

continued

Filed in: NHL Teams, Buffalo Sabres, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: buffalo+sabres

Hockey Fans Well-Wired

Blog: KK Hockey By Alanah McGinley

10/02/07 at 01:25 PM ET | Comments (0)

Since everyone reading these words is either reading them on this blog or via some rss feedreader, the audience here might be a bit biased in believing hockey fans are very tech-knowledgeable. But in this instance, your bias is absolutely correct—NHL hockey fans are indeed very well-wired.

From the Sports Business Journal on Monday, October 1 (sorry, no link. subscription only):

The NHL has long asserted that its fans are the most tech-savvy in sports.  Exclusive data provided to Sports Business Journal by Scarborough Sports Marketing seems to support that belief. Twenty-four percent of NHL loyal fans live in households that own an HDTV and more than seventy percent have a broadband connection (cable or dsl) at home.

See the graph below.

Continue Reading »

Filed in: NHL Talk, NHL Business of Hockey, Hockey Related Stories, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: media, merchandising

Center Ice News

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

10/02/07 at 01:18 PM ET | Comments (0)

The National Hockey League (NHL) today announced it has renewed deals with U.S. cable and satellite distributors DirecTV, DISH Network®, and iN DEMAND Networks to distribute NHL Center Ice, the League’s out-of-market subscription package. iN DEMAND Networks, which is owned by Comcast, Cox Communications and Time Warner, makes NHL Center Ice available to its cable affiliates throughout the United States.

Throughout the regular season, NHL Center Ice provides fans the opportunity to watch up to 1,000 NHL live games, many of which will be offered in High-Definition. Select games from the Stanley Cup Playoffs (all games subject to local blackout) also will be available.

Continue Reading »

Filed in: NHL Media, Hockey Broadcasting, Center Ice, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: center+ice, media

Thornton Ready To Lead The Sharks

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

10/02/07 at 12:17 PM ET | Comments (0)

from Michael Farber at Sports Illustrated,

Thornton watched two games of the 2007 Ducks-Senators final on tape while in India and, between winces, noticed the physical dominance of Anaheim, the Western Conference team. So, why shouldn’t it be San Jose’s turn in 2008? “We have a little more experience from the Edmonton and Detroit series,” he said of second-round meltdowns in the past two seasons. “We realize we had some of those games in hand, but couldn’t find a way to finish them. There are a lot of pieces here, a lot of guys going through their prime years. Realistically, we’ve got a shot at the Cup.”

The Sharks, in fact, have an excellent shot. With Thornton taking the mantle of leadership that has been assigned to him since his teenage years with the Bruins, San Jose is SI’s choice to win it all.

read on

Filed in: NHL Teams, San Jose Sharks, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: joe+thornton, san+jose+sharks

Last Year For Sather?

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

10/02/07 at 12:09 PM ET | Comments (0)

via William Houston of the Globe and Mail,

According to hockey insiders, Glen Sather turned down a five-year contract extension with the New York Rangers during the summer, leading to speculation this will be last season as president and general manager of the club.

NHL watchers would view his departure as the end of era, and also beginning of a new era in which recently retired players such as Mark Messier and Scott Mellanby would begin moving into top management positions.

Filed in: NHL Teams, New York Rangers, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: glen+sather, new+york+rangers

Captain Moreau In Edmonton

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

10/02/07 at 11:31 AM ET | Comments (0)

via the Edmonton Oilers,

The Edmonton Oilers have named Ethan Moreau as their new captain, making him the 12th player to wear the “C” since the team joined the NHL in 1979.

Oilers coach Craig MacTavish says the decision to name Moreau the Oilers new captain was made after careful consideration. MacTavish says, “Ethan’s leadership at this stage of his career is highly developed. The intensity and physical play that he exhibits every shift is a great example for everyone. It’s his voice in our dressing room that has the most impact and at the end of the day, Ethan was an obvious choice.”

Moreau said, “I’m extremely honoured and consider it a priviledge to be named captain of the Edmonton Oilers. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the organization and will continue to strive towards bringing the Stanley Cup back to Edmonton.”

Filed in: NHL Teams, Edmonton Oilers, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: edmonton+oilers, ethan+moreau

Sabres Looking For Consistent Vanek

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

10/02/07 at 11:13 AM ET | Comments (0)

from Sabres Edge at the Buffalo News,

“I need Thomas to play like he’s a $900,000 player because it seemed to do pretty good last year,” Ruff said with a laugh after this morning’s practice in HSBC Arena. “That’s my analogy. Just because you’re making more money doesn’t mean you have to change as a player. My expectations of him don’t change.”...

“If he can be consistent with last year, that would be a darn good year for Thomas,” Ruff said. “Is it realistic to think he can go from 25 [goals] to 44 to 70-something? I don’t think so. But if we can keep him in that consistent area and have him be that 40- to 50-goal scorer, that would be pretty good.”

more

Filed in: NHL Teams, Buffalo Sabres, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: buffalo+sabres, thomas+vanek

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