Downie Suspended for 20 Games

The league has handed down a 20-game suspension to Steve Downie following his hit on Ottawa's Dean McAmmond. It's a lengthy suspension compared to similar incidents but it appears the NHL is ready to finally start sending a message. That message being: you will be punished. No longer is the message: We frown on this.

And it's about time as I'm sick and tired of seeing players carted off the ice on stretchers. I know a lot of people, mostly Flyers fans, are calling it an overreaction. However that's comparing it to previous suspensions like Prongers elbows. Unfortunately, there will always be a double standard when it comes to punishments. However, there will also always be a time where the punishments need to be re-evaluated to ensure it's a useful punishment.

This is one of those times.

Duhatschek: NHL Gets it Exactly Right
Mirtle: "[It's] long overdue"
Two For Elbowing: "Good for them"

TSN Releases Power Rankings

With the season almost set to begin, TSN has issued their first set of power rankings. Topping the list are the Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings and Anaheim Mighty Ducks, in that order.

It's hard to get in too much of a tizzy over this since the season has yet to get underway. So to folks who get rankled over rankings like this, sit back, grab a beer, take a screen cap of the page and enjoy the season. Then once it's over, look back at the screen cap and get a chuckle at its inaccuracy.

Because no doubt about it, there are going to be surprises along the way.

Heatley Deal at a Crossroads

It appears the Ottawa Senators and Dany Heatley's agents are hitting the wall during contract talks. The two sides have agreed to take a break and re-evaluate their positions before giving it another shot in about a week.

Heatley, who has had back-to-back 50 goal, 100+ point seasons, is reportedly seeking a long-term deal averaging $8.5M per year, similar to Sidney Crosby's extension. Or at least that's what his agents are reportedly seeking. The Senators, meanwhile, are countering with a figure closer to $7M, in line with Joe Thornton's contract extension.

If the Senators can't lock him up at $8.5M,then somebody will be willing to pay that come free agency in the summer. Those who are claiming Heatley isn't worth "Crosby money" are forgetting how inflated the free agent market is. If he does become unrestricted and puts in another 50-goal season, he could command in excess of $8.5M.

McKee Out 4-6 Weeks With Broken Foot

The Blues have announced that Jay McKee has to sit out at least the first month of the season with a broken foot. He suffered the injury while blocking a shot in the Blues 7-0 walloping at the hands of the Wild. The injury won't require surgery to heal properly so he's set to come back in late October/early November.

I'm not too high on the "injury-prone" label but if I was, I'd be attaching it to Mr. McKee. Check out his injury list just from Sep 05 through to 07. He only played 23 games last season with the Blues, contributing 0 points and gathering a -9 rating. That's certainly not the performance the Blues envisioned when signing him to a 4 year, $16M contract last year.

Luongo Set to Retire Based on Net Size

So Roberto Luongo says he would retire if the NHL expanded the net size. The idea of expanding the net size came up back in the lockout glory days and at first, I was happy it wasn't instituted. It seemed like a stupid idea that would wreck "the tradition of the game". After much analysis and reading rationale on both sides...I still think it's a stupid idea.

Luongo might come off sounding like a baby until you really think about it. He has learned to play his position based on...positioning. He knows where the net is at all times and it's just instinctive. If the net size were to change, scoring would go up because the goaltenders would look like fools.

They wouldn't know where the net was without thinking about it or looking to see where they are positioned. And it wouldn't be some sort of quick adjustment for them either since it's ingrained in their movements.

There are ways to increase offensive opportunities and while larger nets is one of them...it's still a stupid idea.

Dean McAmmond Concussed Again

Dean McAmmond was carted off the ice again tonight after a vicious hit by Steve Downie left him face down on the ice.

There is no doubt the hit was ill-intentioned (Downie was plastered earlier in the shift) and it shows blatant disregard for player safety. If anyone says "McAmmond should keep his head up.", then you're not grounded in reality. How many players do people need to see face down and motionless to realize it's a problem?

After Brian McGrattan's post-game comments, I just hope nothing even more stupid happens the next time these teams meet. If Downie is still on the roster.

Bob McKenzie weighs in with an excellent post. Click here to read it.



Please Dean, just retire.

Dan Cloutier Placed on Waivers

Dan Cloutier has been placed on waivers by the L.A. Kings. So shortly after he decided the best way to end the catcalls was by playing better, the Kings decided it would be much easier to end the catcalls if he just didn't play for them anymore.

It sounds like Jonathan Bernier has impressed enough in camp that he and Jason Labarbera will share duties. Bernier is quite young and we've seen what happens with goaltenders rushed in too early ala Marc-Andre Fleury. I hope for nothing but the best for Bernier but I'm concerned.

I wonder if Marc Crawford will be Cloutier's agent when he signs his next contract. If he signs another contract.

Report: NHL Schedule Format to Change

After a 4-hour board of governor's meeting, it appears the schedule is set to change next year. Though it hasn't been voted on, it sounds like it's almost unanimous at this point and Mr. Bettman himself said it's apparent the schedule needs to change. Who knew.

To paraphrase Dan O'Toole from SportsCentre: "The fans wanted the NHL to change the schedule. So the NHL changed the uniforms." Sounds about right.

The main issue now is exactly what the change should entail. The main two options appear to be:

1 - dropping to seven divisional matchups then playing each team in the other conference once

2 - dropping to six divisional matchups then playing a home-and-home against every team in the other conference.

If I had to pick one, I'd choose #2. It would mean more travel for the players but I think it would be more exciting for the fans. So with that said, #1 will be chosen.

UPDATE: Bob McKenzie weighed in with his thoughts. He's betting on a return to the pre-lockout format:

- Six games against each of the four divisional rivals for a total of 24 games.

- Four games against each of the 10 conference rivals for a total of 40 games.

- One game against each of the 15 out-of-conference teams for a total of 15 games.

- Three wildcard games (which for the Canadian teams meant more games between the eastern trio of Montreal-Ottawa-Toronto and western trio of Calgary-Edmonton-Vancouver)

Works for me. Obviously has worked in the past. Why it changed nobody will ever truly know.

Buffalo - Pittsburgh Ice Bowl Sells Out

A day after the announcement of an outdoor game between Buffalo and Pittsburgh, it has been sold out.

Buffalo is a decent city to host an outdoor game as the weather, while below freezing, is still fairly mild. That didn't stop Eklund from praising the fans as they bought tickets to an outdoor game "in one of the coldest cities in North America".

With an average temperature in early January of about -3 degrees Celsius and with the thermometer not having dipped below -17 degrees Celsius in a couple decades, it's a pretty ideal venue for an outdoor game. I'd actually hope for it to be a little colder than -3 but maybe that's just the Saskatchewan in me coming out.

McKenzie: NHLPA Ire Misses the Mark

Bob McKenzie has a great article up in his TSN blog about the NHLPA reaction to Mark Bell's suspension. It's a long read but well worth it.

The NHLPA almost has to come to the defense of their players on any issue. However that's going to lead to a lot of friction down the line. It shouldn't be an "us vs. them" mentality but it looks like that's the way it's going.

For more excellent readings on the NHLPA, check out James Mirtle's suite of posts surrounding the recent meetings.

Senators Sign Fisher to Extension

The Ottawa Senators have signed Mike Fisher to a five-year, $21M extension. Fisher, while mildly "injury prone", is an extremely hard worker on the ice. He has tons of grit and leadership and he can also put points on the board with 48 points in 68 games last season.

Some folks are worried that one of their big guns in Heatley and Spezza have been forced to be expendable. However Redden ($6.5M) will likely hit the free market feeding frenzy in the summer and Murray will be doing all possible to dump Gerbers salary ($3.7M).

Taking in a 0% increase in the cap, that leaves the Senators with $14M in cap space. Plenty left to sign a quality backup and fill out their forward roster. Don't worry Sens fans, it will all work out.

3 Canucks Players Injured in Intrasquad Match

Roberto Luongo, Trevor Linden and Sami Salo all left the annual intrasquad game with injuries. Roberto Luongo caught a one-timer up high, Salo jammed his wrist which is now in a cast, and Linden pulled his groin.

Vigneault seemed unconcerned of Luongo's injury but both Linden and Salo will be re-evaluated on Monday. It's unknown at the moment if Salo's wrist is broken.

Tough start to the preseason for the Canucks.

Ducks Won't Repeat

That's right folks, the Ducks hopes of repeating took a serious blow last night as they lost their first preseason game to the Los Angeles Kings.

It'll be interesting to see how the Ducks rebound from this setback.

Mark Bell Suspended

Mark Bell has been suspended by the league for 15 games for his involvement in a hit and run incident which will possibly see him serve jail time once the season is up. He can still practice and train with the team during that time.

The NHLPA of course does not agree with the suspension stating:

"The NHLPA sees no basis for the excessive suspension Gary Bettman has imposed upon Mark Bell. Mark has fully accepted the serious consequences of his actions."

Well, it's fair enough to accept the consequences of your actions but there is still a price that needs to be paid. I think jail time plus a 15 game suspension is a decent deterrent if any other NHL folks decide to step behind the wheel after having some drinks.

But what about Jay Bouwmeester?

Saku Koivu Says No to Stanley

Saku Koivu thinks the Canadiens have a playoff team this year. But he doesn't think they'll be holding the Stanley Cup when June rolls around. In remarks to reporters this afternoon, Saku delivered some refreshing honesty which put a smile on Bob Gainey's face. Next time, Gainey will likely want to cut Saku's mic midway through his answers.

I wonder what Saku answers when his wife asks "Do I look fat in this?"

Roenick Sharking It Up

Jeremy Roenick isn't retiring after all. He has signed a one-year contract for $500K with the San Jose Sharks. It's surprising that a decent team signed him rather than a team looking for some veteran presence. The Sharks have a young squad but also have players such as Marleau, Thornton, Grier, Rivet, McLaren, etc. to bring the veteran presence.

If he finds a good spot on the 3rd or 4th line and contribute, then he's an excellent deal for the Sharks at almost the league minimum. If he can't, well he just might retire after he finds the net 5 times to reach 500 in his career. It'll be no real skin off the Sharks back.