Kukla's Korner

POW Goes To Staal & Brodeur

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

01/16/06 at 03:04 PM ET | Comments (0)

from the CP via TSN,

Super sophomore centre Eric Staal of the Carolina Hurricanes is the NHL's offensive player of the week after tallying three goals and four assists in three games. Veteran New Jersey goaltender Martin Brodeur, who led the Devils to three victories with a 0.65 goals-against average and .975 save percentage, is the league's defensive player of the week.

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Messier Lifting The Cup

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

01/16/06 at 02:25 PM ET | Comments (0)

Since the Rangers held the Messier retirement party last Thursday, I have heard at least six radio shows around the country react in a negative way that Messier actually lifted the Stanley Cup over his head. Many say this is reserved for the current NHL champs, no one else and is very disrespectful. My opinion, I thought it was ok, but he should have had his former teammates join him.

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Lack Of Playing Time Getting To Jamie Allison

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

01/16/06 at 01:54 PM ET | Comments (0)

from the Tennessean,

Predators defenseman Jamie Allison is frustrated. "It's very frustrating because I've played well every game I've been in there and I've done what I'm supposed to do,'' Allison said. "I've worked my butt off and I've kept a good attitude. But if (the Predators) want to play their young guys, that's their choice.'' Scratched again last night, Allison is wondering if a trade might be in the works. "I have to believe that I'm still playing well enough that there's hopefully room for me somewhere,'' Allison said. "I love it here. This is my team and I have a lot of friends here, so it's a tough, emotional time. "I feel like I've played a part in getting this team to where the team is now, so it's tough to think about leaving. But you don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure things out.''

read on

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Rebuilding Corporate Sponsorship

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

01/16/06 at 01:34 PM ET | Comments (0)

via Sports Business Journal (paid sub.),

NBC debuted its NHL coverage last weekend with league corporate sponsors Anheuser-Busch, Coke, Dodge, MasterCard, Reebok and Sprint/Nextel buying ad time. Joining them on the broadcasts are EarthLink, Expedia, Nestle and former league corporate sponsor Quiznos. NBC and the league jointly sell the ad time, but rates for the 30-second spots were not disclosed. “We’ve got good support from our sponsors in terms of our TV rights holders, but the late settlement of the CBA and the fact we have no All-Star Game to activate against means we’re going to have to be patient as we build new business,” said Andrew Judelson, recently promoted to NHL group senior vice president of corporate marketing. As for new business, Judelson identified financial services, men’s personal care, pharmaceutical, office supply, overnight delivery and photo/photo imaging as categories the league is pursuing. He also is targeting a consumer electronics brand to pair with its Best Buy deal and a quick-service restaurant partner in the United States.

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Breaking Down PIM

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

01/16/06 at 01:11 PM ET | Comments (0)

As pointed out by IwoCPO at Abel to Yzerman, Grandpapinhead breaks down PIM-

I have tried to eliminate 5 minute penalties and misconducts, focusing on the 2 min infractions. It is important to keep in mind that not all infractions are discretionary, ie..puck over the glass, netminder playing puck outside the trapezoid, and additional 2 min. for drawing blood with a careless stick, too many men on the ice, etc.

Wow, STATS should hire this guy!

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Praise For AO

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

01/16/06 at 12:31 PM ET | Comments (0)

from the East Valley Tribune,

Coyotes associate coach Barry Smith has admired Washington Capitals rookie Alexander Ovechkin from afar this season. "He’s a go-to guy, and he’s one of the greatest players in the league right now," Smith said Sunday. "I really love to watch him." "I see him as a (Sergei) Fedorov, (Pavel) Bure player with an edge," Smith said. "He’s not one of those guys making all kind of creative plays and slowing things down and turning up. He’s a guy that slices and goes to the net and causes confusion for your defensemen. "He’ll go through two guys. His balance is so good, he can shoot on the move, off balance, falling down, whatever else."

more

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Sullivan Still Coaching

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

01/16/06 at 12:04 PM ET | Comments (0)

from the Boston Herald via the Milford Daily News,

It’s really pretty amazing, almost unbelievable, that Mike Sullivan has not been fired as coach of the Bruins. That’s not saying that Sullivan deserves to be fired. He most definitely does not deserve to lose his job because of the dreadful season the Bruins are suffering. He has done his coaching duties as well as anyone could. And to replace Sullivan now would probably have little or no positive impact on the B’s increasingly slim chances for a playoff berth.

read on

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Prucha Stolen From Czech Team

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

01/16/06 at 12:01 PM ET | Comments (0)

from Czech Business Weekly,

Hockey forward Petr Průcha has once again proved his worth for the National Hockey League’s New York Rangers, scoring a goal in the Rangers’ 4–0 win over the Florida Panthers Jan. 7. In normal circumstances, trading out a rising player to a rich U.S. club would be like hitting the jackpot for a European team. But these days, relations between the NHL and European clubs are far from normal, according to Pardubice’s general manager, Zbyněk Kusý. In fact, Kusý complained, “Průcha was virtually stolen from us last summer. The Rangers ignored the fact that he had a valid contract with us, and they aren’t bothering to pay for him now, either.” Pardubice expected to receive a transfer fee of more than $200,000 (Kč 4.77 million/€ 166,000). “So far, they’ve only paid us some $80,000 for him,” Kusý said.

read on

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The ‘Poster Child’ Team

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

01/16/06 at 11:57 AM ET | Comments (0)

from the San Bernardino Sun,

The Kings have picked up a big fan this season: NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. In an interview this week, Bettman had high praise for the way the Kings conducted business before last season's lockout. In anticipation of a new economic system, the Kings maintained a mid-level payroll and mostly avoided expensive, long-term contracts, a strategy that didn't sit well with some fans. Now, with the Kings seemingly in good position for a playoff spot, that course of action seems to be paying off, as the Kings were able to add key players and still fit well under the league's new salary cap.

continued

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Expect The Unexpected

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

01/16/06 at 11:47 AM ET | Comments (0)

from the Delaware County Times,

On the "would you believe it?" radar are the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Nashville Predators, Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings. Meanwhile, on the "what the heck happened to these guys?" list are the Pittsburgh Penguins, Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks and San Jose Sharks. Here, at a juncture slightly past the mid-season point, is a capsulated look at how these 11 teams have gotten where they are:

more

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