Kukla's Korner Hockey

The Retro Look

by Paul on 11/03/05 at 10:54 AM ET
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from Al Strachan of the Toronto Sun,

As the first month of the National Hockey League season draws to a close, it's evident the new game is what the fans wanted. Actually, in many ways, it's the old game rediscovered. The goalie pads are smaller now. The referees are less tolerant of interference and restraint. The tag-up rule is back. The goalies don't roam as much. All of those circumstances were characteristics of an earlier era, and they've been brought back, to the betterment of today's game. But it must also be said that some of the new rules are having effects that, in many cases, are less subtle and creating more clean-cut scoring chances.

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Refereeing Remains Consistent

by Paul on 11/03/05 at 10:38 AM ET
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from the Palm Beach Post,

This isn't the first time the NHL has cracked down on obstruction. But it may be the first time it will endure for an entire season. The Panthers this week said the standards that were set in the pre-season have remained consistent. And NHL Director of Officiating Stephen Walkom said he has been "very pleased" with the plan in the first month. "Players have had a learning curve," Walkom said. "(The referees) are getting better. The line is pretty much clear

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Gretzky Praises Refs

by Paul on 11/03/05 at 10:35 AM ET
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from the Arizona Republic,

Coach Wayne Gretzky on Wednesday gave a public pat on the back for the way NHL officials have called penalties in the first four weeks of the season. "I really, truly believe that the finesse and the smarts and the intelligence of hockey players now, both offensively and defensively, is a factor," Gretzky said. "If you're not a good skater and you can't handle the puck or you're not a smart defenseman, you no longer can play in the National Hockey League and you'll be an American Hockey League player. And that's the way it should be."

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/1103coyotesnotes1103.html

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O’Neill Thankful For Trade

by Paul on 11/03/05 at 10:32 AM ET
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from the Toronto Star,

After his older brother was killed in a car accident this past summer, Jeff O'Neill knew he'd be spending this season in Toronto. He just didn't know whether it would be as an NHL player. That O'Neill returns to North Carolina tonight for the first time as a member of the Maple Leafs is something for which he'll be eternally grateful. "If I didn't come here, I probably wouldn't have played this year," O'Neill said. "I'm very thankful." The man responsible for the move was Hurricanes GM Jim Rutherford, who likely could have received more than the third-round pick he got from the Leafs for O'Neill, but didn't put him on the open market after the grief-stricken player and his family asked for a one-way ticket home

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Oilers Try To Start Road Trip With Win In Detroit

by Paul on 11/03/05 at 10:28 AM ET
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from the Edmonton Sun,

As a jumping-off point, Hockeytown has been the start of the road to ruin for teams passing through far more often than it's proven to be a route to redemption. Considering how hot the Detroit Red Wings have been with nine straight wins, that remains the case. Still, a visit to Joe Louis Arena and Motor City to begin the longest road trip this season - seven games in 12 days - might be exactly what the Edmonton Oilers need.

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Jagr A Free Man On The Ice

by Paul on 11/03/05 at 02:40 AM ET
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from the NY Times,

Eighty-seven years to the day after Czechoslovakia declared its independence from Austria-Hungary, it was time for Jaromir Jagr to really cut loose. At practice, he shot goals with no helmet. At lunch, he licked salad dressing off his knife. In the Rangers' dining room, he watched football on television. In the administrative offices, he bellowed, "The coaches here are really bad - just kidding."

continued

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Spezza Inspired By Mario

by Paul on 11/03/05 at 01:35 AM ET
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from Bob McKenzie of TSN,

There are many reasons why Jason Spezza is flourishing in this young NHL season. Some of it can be attributed to simple maturity - another year older, another year stronger, another year wiser. A full season in the American Hockey League certainly didn't hurt him. A change in coaches - from Jacques Martin to Bryan Murray - has been a positive factor. So has getting ice time on the first line and all-important opportunity. But there's another reason why Spezza is so confident and why he's trying to be a dominant force every time he hits the ice.

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Demers Book Reveals He Is Illiterate

by Paul on 11/02/05 at 11:28 PM ET
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from the CP via Slam,

Jacques Demers, a coach and later a general manager in the National Hockey League for 15 years, admits he is illiterate. That and other revelations about the life of one of the NHL's more colourful coaches is revealed in a biography in French released Wednesday called 'Jacques Demers En Toutes Lettres', which roughly translates as 'Jacques Demers From A To Z'.

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NHL & OLN Need To Resolve Issues

by Paul on 11/02/05 at 08:59 PM ET
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Kevin Allen was just on Detroit radio and mentioned the NHL is aware of the numerous problems with OLN and he expects a 'sit-down' with the two sides very soon. Kevin mentioned that he did not think OLN expected to get the NHL contract and have been overwhelmed with trying to improve the product. He mentioned the studio needs a major upgrade, the studio hosts are really not suited for the jobs they are supposed to be doing and many technical issues have been a constant problem. Plus, the fans have no idea what games are on OLN because they don't watch it unless a game is on, therefore the ads OLN run are not being seen by the hockey fan. I must admit the Hawks/Wings game on OLN last night was fine, so maybe all of these issues are improving.

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Legace Update

by Paul on 11/02/05 at 04:14 PM ET
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The MRI results on Manny's knee proved everything is fine. He may skate today and possibly play Thursday against Edmonton. update 1:30pm, Osgood will start tomorrow and Howard called up from Grand Rapids to serve as backup. Wings want to make sure Manny is 100% before inserting him in the lineup. update 2:17pm, Detroit Free Press verifies story. update 5:35pm, from the CP via Slam,

The Detroit Red Wings veteran is expected to miss a home game Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers and games on the weekend against Phoenix and St. Louis. "The knee is sore," Legace said Wednesday on a conference call. "I've got a sprained left knee, thanks to Mr. Matthew Barnaby. "I will not play (Thursday) or probably the weekend. I'm day to day."

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