Kukla's Korner

Canada vs. The Red Army Was The Greatest Hockey Game

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

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

from Jerry Green at the Detroit News,

So it was that Roenick, employed by NBC as hired mouth, who stated before last Sunday’s Canada-USA gold medal final: “This is the most important hockey game in history.”

He said it twice, to millions of viewers in the USA—a huge percentage watching a hockey game for the first time in their lives.

It was one of those frequent moments when I wanted to throw a brick through my television screen.

Jeremy Roenick was 2 years old in 1972, probably learning to skate on double runners. He did not have the privilege—the honor—of witnessing the most important hockey game in history.

This one was not for an Olympic gold medal. Rather it was a battle between diverse ways of life.

It was Democracy vs. Communism. During the heat of the Cold War.

Our guys against theirs in a battle of symbols….

In Michigan it was getting toward twilight. The TV flickered—and I sat in my family room transfixed. The Canadian telecast flowed across the border, over Lake St. Clair and the Detroit River.

And somehow, the boisterous cheering became international—reverberating across Lake St. Clair.

more

Filed in: Non-NHL Hockey, International Hockey, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

The Nice Guys In The NHL Today

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

03/07/10 at 01:44 AM ET | Comments (0)

Stan Fischler picks his top 5 nice guys.

Filed in: NHL Teams, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Iginla Needs Help

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

03/07/10 at 01:40 AM ET | Comments (0)

from Randy Sportak of the Calgary Sun,

Jarome Iginla has spent years carrying the Calgary Flames.

He can’t do it any more.

Not by himself.

Iginla still must remain a star player for the club while its flickering playoff hopes remain alive, but it’s become obvious he needs the supporting cast more than ever in order for the Flames to win on a regular basis.

As much as fans may want to believe the captain remains the same player who was so instrumental in the thrilling journey to the Stanley Cup final of 2004 and a trip to the playoffs every season after, Iginla can no longer be that player every night.

continued

Filed in: NHL Teams, Calgary Flames, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: jarome+iginla

HNIC Hotstove Talk

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

03/07/10 at 01:37 AM ET | Comments (0)

from Mihira Lakshman of CBC,

The Hotstove segment began with an archived clip of Bettman, just prior to the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, saying it doesn’t matter who plays in the gold-medal game — and that the result would have no bearing on future participation in the Games.

The Canada-U.S. matchup this year was a ratings bonanza for U.S. television. Last Sunday’s gold-medal matchup in Vancouver drew record audiences on both sides of the border and was the most-watched hockey game in the U.S. since 1980.

But the NHL is having trouble capitalizing on all the positive marketing scenarios. For example, the IOC rules didn’t allow enough time to adequately promote the players on each team, Healy said.

Broadcast restrictions are another major issue.

“I’d like to see the Crosby goal [again]. But there are so many regulations about showing that goal. The NHL can’t even bring [Crosby] into New York and show the goal while they do an interview with him. The IOC [is] not about fairness, and it’s time for them to buck up.”

more

Filed in: NHL Talk, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: 2014+winter+olympics

Ponikarovsky, Leopold will make Penguins even tougher team to beat

Blog: The Confluence By Tony

03/07/10 at 12:59 AM ET | Comments (0)

The Penguins’ two acquisitions at the trade deadline didn’t make big headlines around the NHL, especially compared to the Hossa deal of two seasons ago.  Two good, but not great players at forward and defense.

Some would argue they didn’t need too much help to begin with.  I’m not one of those people, but some would.

But with Alexei Ponikarovsky and Jordan Leopold now in the Penguins’ fold, it makes an already-strong group that much stronger, and that’s not good news for the rest of the NHL.

Continue Reading »

Filed in: , | The Confluence | Permalink
  Tags: nhl-hockey, pittsburgh+penguins

How Will The NHL Deal With Head Shots?

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

03/07/10 at 12:35 AM ET | Comments (0)

from Jeff Z. Klein and Stu Hackel of Slap Shot at the NY Times,

When N.H.L. general managers convene for their annual three-day meeting Monday in Boca Raton, Fla., one item on the agenda will occupy most of their time: what, if anything, to do about hits to the head.
The general managers will see several presentations, one the result of two years of independent medical study, as they seek to make policy recommendations to the league on the controversial issue….

Concussions are a continuing problem in the N.H.L. But league executives have said they do not want to diminish physical play by passing rules that discourage players from risking accidental contact with an opponent’s head.

“The question really is, when a shoulder makes contact with the head, is that going to be termed illegal — because right now, it’s legal,” said Colin Campbell, the N.H.L. vice president for hockey operations, in confirming details of the Boca Raton meeting. “What do we do? Is there any way we can arrest the problem and reduce concussions?”

read on

Filed in: NHL Talk, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Inside Hockey With Brian Burke

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

03/07/10 at 12:24 AM ET | Comments (0)

Elliotte Friedman of HNIC interviews Brian Burke and discusses both Team USA and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Filed in: NHL Teams, Toronto Maple Leafs, Non-NHL Hockey, International Hockey, | KK Hockey | Permalink
  Tags: brian+burke, team+usa

How To Improve The NHL

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

03/06/10 at 11:29 PM ET | Comments (0)

from Tom Jones of the St. Petersburg Times,

Have the players wear microphones

This is an idea formed by former NHL star Jeremy Roenick. Show a “Game of the Week” on ESPN or NBC or whatever as usual. That would be the PG version. Then strike a deal with a network such as HBO or Showtime to show the same game with audio from players wearing microphones. That would be the R-rated version. Make it uncensored; what they say is what you get….

Find a new commissioner

This isn’t meant to slam Gary Bettman, because he’s not as bad as many fans and media members think he is. But he has been on the job 17 years now, and it’s time for new blood, someone with fresh ideas and a different approach. Don’t hire an old-school hockey guy or someone in the NHL office. Owners need to think outside the box by going outside the “company.’’ Look to an up-and-coming whiz kid from another sport….

more

Filed in: NHL Talk, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Wings Have No Option Now But To Ride Jimmy Howard

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

03/06/10 at 11:17 PM ET | Comments (0)

from Chris McCosky of the Detroit News,

Babcock’s biggest worry right now—though he would be loathe to admit it—has to be Jimmy Howard. Perhaps for all the right reasons, he’s painted himself into a corner here by dry-docking Chris Osgood. If Howard should falter down the stretch, the Wings are toast.

I am not second-guessing Babcock’s decision to make Howard the No. 1 goalie. Truly, as well as Howard played after Osgood got sick back in November, that was a no-brainer. But in the process, I fear he’s lost Osgood.

He’s rendered him virtually useless now by keeping him so completely tethered to the bench. Osgood has made just three starts in more than three months. Is it any wonder he’s looked slow and out of sorts in his last couple of outings?

Now, I don’t mean to underestimate Osgood. Perhaps, if Howard began struggling, he could rally himself one more time and get back to form. Lord knows, he’s done it time and time again. But the Wings wouldn’t survive the process. They don’t have enough games, nor a secure enough playoff spot.

more plus Babcock says the Blackhawks are the best team in the NHL…

Filed in: NHL Teams, Detroit Red Wings, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

Top Defensive Pairings In The West

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

03/06/10 at 09:02 PM ET | Comments (0)

from Darren Pang at HockeyChats,

You have to have players that have the character and compete level to out will the other team’s best players. It is a job that doesn’t get a lot of recognition outside the locker room, but inside it is a different story, as the players there know exactly which players pay the price to get the job done. They have the ice bags going every time they get the equipment off, with the training staff working non stop to get them ready for the next battle….

5) Los Angeles : Rob Scuderi / Drew Doughty

There is a reason why the King’s have been a top team in the West, and it goes beyond the Kopitar’s and Smyth’s up front. In Doughty’s rookie season he received great tutelage from veteran Sean O’Donnell as his partner, and now in his 2nd season, he is playing 24:00 min per game going up against the other teams top players alongside Scuderi, the veteran that won the Cup last year with Pittsburgh….

read on

Filed in: NHL Teams, | KK Hockey | Permalink
 

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