Kukla's Korner

Possible NBC & OLN Playoff Coverage

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/15/06 at 11:07 AM ET | Comments (0)

Mike Emrick was on Detroit radio yesterday and mentioned OLN and NBC realize what USA cities will draw the most fan interest. He mentioned NYC, Philadelphia, Detroit, Dallas and Denver so this may be a sign which NHL playoff series may get the most coverage from OLN and NBC. Just something to watch for as the playoffs approach.

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Decision Time On Tkachuk & Who Watches The Blues

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/15/06 at 10:49 AM ET | Comments (0)

from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,

Before new ownership has a chance to settle in, the Blues have to make a decision on veteran Keith Tkachuk's future with the club. They have seven days after Tuesday's season finale in Chicago to accept a $3.8 million team option on the left winger, who turned 34 in March. "It's a decision that we have to make and we'll deal with it at the proper time," Blues general manager Larry Pleau said Friday.

The season mercifully ends for the Blues next week, as they will finish with the worst record in franchise history - and their worst television ratings, too. On FSN, the best rating was 2.7 - for its second telecast of the season, a game in October against Detroit. Since then, FSN hasn't had a game go above 1.7, and its average rating in March dipped to a measly 0.6. That means, according to Nielsen, that only about 7,300 homes in the entire market were tuning in. On KPLR, the high point came on opening night, when 3.3 percent of the homes in the market saw the Blues play San Jose on Oct. 8. But Channel 11 hasn't had a 3-or-better rating since early December, and its best rating is worse that the season average for their last year of play - 2003-04.

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Committed Captain

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/15/06 at 10:43 AM ET | Comments (0)

via the LA Times (reg. req.),

Defenseman Mattias Norstrom said he told Swedish hockey officials that he won't play for his homeland in the world championships because he wants to remain in the Los Angeles area while the path of the Kings' coaching and management future is decided. "I decided that I need to stick around, with this season ending up with all the rumors and talk about changes," Norstrom said. "As the captain, as long as I am captain of this team, I need to stick around and be available. Whether it's [reporters], or the team or teammates. I can't just pack up and say, 'I've got to play hockey.'

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Nieuwendyk Mentor For Horton

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/15/06 at 10:40 AM ET | Comments (0)

from the Sun-Sentinel,

Panthers coach Jacques Martin has kept second-year winger Nathan Horton on a line with center Joe Nieuwendyk because, among other reasons, the 19-year veteran has been good for Horton. Nieuwendyk talks to him often. He's supportive. He's encouraging. He's an example Martin hopes Horton continues to follow so his development goes on next season.

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We Deserve This

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/15/06 at 10:37 AM ET | Comments (0)

from the Winnepeg Sun,

Thornton has as many assists (94) as 2003-04 scoring champion Martin St. Louis had points. In fact, Thornton has caught Jagr for the scoring lead and should he win, he'll be the first person to take the Art Ross Trophy after being traded in mid-season. He should be the first to win the Hart Trophy after getting traded in mid-season. Minus his terrible Olympics, Thornton has had one of the most memorable seasons since that Gretzky guy hung up the skates. It has all combined to make it easy to be a fan again. After years of holding our noses and watching crap hockey, we deserve this.

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Cujo Considering Staying With Yotes

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/15/06 at 10:33 AM ET | Comments (0)

from the Arizona Republic,

Curtis Joseph, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent after the season, is seriously considering re-signing with the Coyotes. Joseph said negotiations between his agent Don Meehan and General Manager Mike Barnett are ongoing. Asked if he expected a deal to get done after posting his 31st victory and third shutout of the season Thursday night against Los Angeles, Joseph passed. "I can't speculate," Joseph said. "It may change day to day. I'm sure where there's a will there's a way."

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Does Colorado Want The Wings

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/15/06 at 10:26 AM ET | Comments (0)

Bill at Abel to Yzerman (back to blogging after spending a week in the hockey hotbead city of Pensacola) gets into the groove again, a welcomed relief for Wings fans.

If the ‘dique lose tonite against Vancouver, Monday’s game with Edmonton determines who the Wings get when the playoffs begin late next week. You think they don’t realize that in Denver? Think again.

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The Pros & Cons

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/15/06 at 10:17 AM ET | Comments (0)

from the Edmonton Sun,

If anything, it was going to be a shortened season, the first half wiped out by the work stoppage and the second half playing to near-empty arenas. Instead, it's been everything the owners, players and fans could have ever asked for. Wild playoff races through the final week of the season. The most amazing crop of rookies in decades. League-wide parity on a level playing field. Goals. Shootouts. Attendance records. As Edmonton ramps up for the playoffs - it's been so long, even Detroit looks good - it's hard not to shake your head at how remarkably the NHL has recovered from what could have easily been a fatal labour dispute. Here's a look back at the pros and cons of what might go down as the most important season in the league's history: PRO: After numerous bold attempts and embarrassing retreats, the NHL finally stuck to its obstruction crackdown all year. Well, most of it, anyway. Inconsistent officiating is still a problem, but games are infinitely better than the garbage we had to sit through before.

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Cheechoo Chased A Dream

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/15/06 at 09:58 AM ET | Comments (0)

from th Globe and Mail,

Jonathan Cheechoo can still remember those first days away from home, away from his family, a 14-year-old kid crying himself to sleep most nights in a stranger's home. His dad also remembers those nights. Mervin Cheechoo often cried himself to sleep too. As did Jonathan's mom, Carol Anne. There would be more tears spilled whenever their son used one of the calling cards his dad gave him and he dialled home to tell his parents that's where he really wanted to be.

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Reason For Concern

Blog: KK Hockey By Paul

04/15/06 at 09:56 AM ET | Comments (0)

from Larry Brooks of the NY Post,

There's reason for concern. Not only because the Rangers have lost three straight, the last two of which to the Islanders and Penguins were worse and worser. And not only because the Rangers have been able to win just nine of 22 (9-9-4) since the Olympics, after having won 10 of 12 (10-1-1) preceding the break. There's reason for concern because the Rangers have appeared so lackadaisical about capturing the division title. From the moment they clinched a playoff spot with an April 4 shootout victory at the Garden over the Flyers, the team refused to establish finishing first as its objective. Even if a few have said the goal was to finish first - notably Tom Renney and Jaromir Jagr - words haven't carried over into action. The Rangers haven't appeared prepared to play 60 minutes of winning hockey.

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