The NHL has finished the first quarter of the season. The theme so far this season seems to be injuries, swine flu and hits from behind to name a few. Credit to the NHL as they have clamped down on the vicious hits to a degree. The latest injury goes to the Red Wing’s Niklas Kronwall as he was the recipient  of a leg check from Montreal’s Georges Laraque on Saturday night. Although the trip was called by the officials, the Red Wings are calling it a dirty hit. The NHL agreed with Detroit and suspended Laraque early Monday evening for 5 games. Continue reading »

There is no question that with the sluggish economy, certain luxuries lose out on the deal and major sports is not excluded.  Don’t get me wrong, the NHL just had their fourth consecutive attendance record with 21,475,223 overall giving the league an average of 17,460 per game and there is no doubt that the birth of the Winter Classic has boosted the interest in hockey in most areas.

The Pittsburgh Penquins had a first in franchise history , back to back season sell outs. Other teams that sold out the 2008-09 season were the Canucks, Leafs, Oilers, Rangers and Flames with the Bruins, Blackhawks, Canadiens and Minnesota Wild with significant increases over the 07-08 season.

So what’s the problem you ask? The smaller market teams are suffering severely, teams like the Panthers, Predators and Thrashers who are looking to sell or move out of Atlanta. It’s no secret in the NHL that the Coyotes are in serious trouble and what about the Islanders who thought signing a goalie to a 100 year contract (obviously exaggerated) would fill the seats.

Then you have the city of Winnipeg, looking to get an NHL team and there is some rumors out of Winnipeg of course, that the Atlanta or possibly Pheonix are just a few teams that may be looking to re-locate to Winnepeg. But is that the answer?  Lets think about this, a city that once had an NHL team and lost it , only has a 15,000 seat arena wants an a team that once played there.

Here’s the harsh reality, with the crazy money that pro players make now a days and the sluggish economy, unless you have a very strong core of players in your locker room, you will not fill the seats. There are 30 NHL teams, use that formula and do the math…we are talking about roughly 150 marquis players (give or take)are needed to make 30 teams strong enough to survive.

There is no shame with a few of these teams shutting down and letting those fourth line players and back-up goalies, play where they should be.. the AHL. There are great advantages of downsizing, the players I am referring to will get some quality ice time instead of a shift or two a game and it will make both the AHL and the NHL well represented.

Bruins season tickets price from $1247 to $9116 per seat with only seats $3098 and up available. Going to an AHL game is a great alternative with ticket prices under 20 bucks. They are very kid oriented with games and events going on through out the building. I personally think that the AHL should expand and the NHL should down size. It is time to give the fans some quality hockey games for the price they are paying to see them.

The Boston Bruins open their quest for Lord Stanley with a very disappointing loss last night. It has been 4 months since the last puck was dropped at the Gah-den and with a packed house we were all set to forget that devastating comeback the Carolina Hurricanes  pulled on us last May.

What upsets me about Bruins fans it that they are all crying about the trade of Phil Kessel. I feel that the trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs was a must for the Bruins. Phil didn’t want to play here, he’s a health risk in a contract year demanding huge money. Let it go people. I am more upset about the loss of P.J Axelsson, he was one of the top penalty killers in the league and  the Bruins had and they failed to replace him in the off season. That theory proved right last night as the Bruins gave up 2 short handed goals, one of which was a too many men call.

The B’s lacked more than scoring last night. When did the NHL become a church league, we have size with Chara, Lucic and Bitz but yet they let Ovenchkin have his way with them. The only signs of  life the Bruins had was in the third period when Patrice Bergeron finally broke Jose Theodore’s shut out. Less than 2 minutes later Bruin’s  Shawn Thorton dropped the gloves with Washington’s John Erskin.  There is a very solid pattern with the Bruins…..when they play physical, they win and that 5 minute stretch of the third period, they looked like winners.

Tim Thomas looked solid , and a good thing as this one could of been a lot worse. Don’t expect the Bruins to repeat this performance Saturday night against the Carolina Hurricanes, coach Claude Julien will have them more prepared. Fans, it was game one of a long, hard season, so what…they lost.