The Dallas Stars have hired Glen Gulutzan, who was previously the coach of the ECHL Las Vegas Wranglers and saw a great deal of success as the only coach of that team since its inception.
Here's Dallas Stars beat reporter Mike Heika's blog post on the matter with links to various places and some background.
Here's the Wranglers' press release.
Also, Paul Jerrard will join him as the Stars' assistant coach, having been with the Stars in Iowa and sticking around as an assistant to the Iowa Chops. Lucky him to escape that fiasco with Anaheim dumping their affiliate.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
More wrap-up from Constantine
Don't miss this great continuation of O'Donnell's "exit interview" with Constantine.
Topics covered include:
Topics covered include:
- Constantine's season MVPs
- Mitch Love's contribution on and off the ice
- Justin Falk's impressive climb up the depth chart
- Max Noreau's future as an NHL defensemen
NHL wins as Red Wings lose
Last Friday's incredible Game 7 was the most watched hockey game on TV in 30 some years.
That stats is almost as mind-blowing as was the third period in the Penguins 2-1 winner-take-all win.
In an era were hockey is having a hard time drawing the common sports fan, the NHL struck gold in a Game 7 situation featuring the Evil Red Army against Sid the Kid and his boy band compadres.
Boy no more, Sid, despite not really doing anything offensively, got the job done and sent the city of Pittsburgh into further debt by forcing the town to host a wild and crazy Stanley Cup parade Monday.
As a Red Wings fan, I will be the first to say that the Penguins deserved the cup. After losing the first two games of the series, they (statistically/historically) had a 1-percent chance of winning the whole deal, and they did so by outworking the tired and injured Detroit hockey club.
Hopefully this series was a good enough to get people to stop thinking about how ridiculous the league looks in the midst of this whole Phoenix Coyotes fiasco. Even though my team lost fair and square, I am still happy that I got to watch a lot of great hockey this spring.
Looks like Marian Hossa did too, but I digress ....
That stats is almost as mind-blowing as was the third period in the Penguins 2-1 winner-take-all win.
In an era were hockey is having a hard time drawing the common sports fan, the NHL struck gold in a Game 7 situation featuring the Evil Red Army against Sid the Kid and his boy band compadres.
Boy no more, Sid, despite not really doing anything offensively, got the job done and sent the city of Pittsburgh into further debt by forcing the town to host a wild and crazy Stanley Cup parade Monday.
As a Red Wings fan, I will be the first to say that the Penguins deserved the cup. After losing the first two games of the series, they (statistically/historically) had a 1-percent chance of winning the whole deal, and they did so by outworking the tired and injured Detroit hockey club.
Hopefully this series was a good enough to get people to stop thinking about how ridiculous the league looks in the midst of this whole Phoenix Coyotes fiasco. Even though my team lost fair and square, I am still happy that I got to watch a lot of great hockey this spring.
Looks like Marian Hossa did too, but I digress ....
And The Coyotes Stay in Phoenix...For Now
The bankruptcy judge in Phoenix ruled late on Monday night that the June 29, 2009 deadline set by Jim Balsillie for the transfer of ownership of the Phoenix Coyotes to him did not allow enough time for the court to handle all of the complex issues that needed to be settled in the case, so the judge rejected the proposed sale of the franchise from current owner Jerry Moyes to Balsillie.
It is late, I've been sick, and I don't see much else out there on this yet, so it's hard for me to provide much analysis on the basis of an Associated Press article. But the one thing that I found interesting was this: the judge didn't care about the argument from the NHL (supported by all of the other major professional leagues) that its own internal rules were paramount above all else, and that allowing this sale to Balsillie would set the stage for mass franchise relocations across the country. The AP quotes the judge as saying that "Financially challenged sports teams have the same rights and obligations as any business" when it comes to bankruptcy.
From reading that statement (and the entire article), I get the feeling that the only thing that kept the Coyotes from relocating to Hamilton was timing in that the judge did not feel he had enough time to get all of the matters settled -- primarily the problems with the 30-year arena lease -- in the time desired by Balsillie.
It should get fun as the onus is now on Gary Bettman and the league to put up or shut up. I'm going to have to see some more in-depth stuff tomorrow, but the team is still in bankruptcy, and that means the judge is still in control of everything, and there is a plan from the NHL that if an auction that would keep the team in Phoenix does not come in at a price that would set the creditors whole, then the NHL will hold a second auction that would allow relocation. So I don't see that judge letting Gary Bettman get by with a sweetheart deal to one of his buddies.
It is late, I've been sick, and I don't see much else out there on this yet, so it's hard for me to provide much analysis on the basis of an Associated Press article. But the one thing that I found interesting was this: the judge didn't care about the argument from the NHL (supported by all of the other major professional leagues) that its own internal rules were paramount above all else, and that allowing this sale to Balsillie would set the stage for mass franchise relocations across the country. The AP quotes the judge as saying that "Financially challenged sports teams have the same rights and obligations as any business" when it comes to bankruptcy.
From reading that statement (and the entire article), I get the feeling that the only thing that kept the Coyotes from relocating to Hamilton was timing in that the judge did not feel he had enough time to get all of the matters settled -- primarily the problems with the 30-year arena lease -- in the time desired by Balsillie.
It should get fun as the onus is now on Gary Bettman and the league to put up or shut up. I'm going to have to see some more in-depth stuff tomorrow, but the team is still in bankruptcy, and that means the judge is still in control of everything, and there is a plan from the NHL that if an auction that would keep the team in Phoenix does not come in at a price that would set the creditors whole, then the NHL will hold a second auction that would allow relocation. So I don't see that judge letting Gary Bettman get by with a sweetheart deal to one of his buddies.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wild hire head coach, fire Aeros GM
Russo is reporting that Todd Richards has been offered the Wild's head coaching job, to pretty much nobody's surprise. The team announced they will be introducing the new coach Tuesday at noon in Minnesota.
Richards was the coach of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (and took them to the Calder Cup Finals last season) when the Wild's new general manager, Chuck Fletcher, was the GM of the WB/S Penguins. So they have a good relationship already.
Richards' style is billed as up-tempo, go-go-go, which will probably blow the minds of most anybody whose been watching the Wild and the suffocating defensive style Jacques Lemaire brought to the table. (Then again, how much go-go-go talent was he provided by the organization? And how much will Richards really have to work with?)
The first bit of fallout from this was the firing of Tom Lynn, Wild assistant GM and GM of the Aeros. He was basically, along with the coaching staff in Houston (particularly Troy Ward), the architect of the Aeros, so his departure means the trickle-down effect will likely keep rolling ever closer to Houston.
Nothing has been said yet about what is to become of Kevin Constantine and his staff. Some conjecture is that his style is too defensive and won't prepare the kids here for Richards' style. I tend to disagree with that perspective, however, as I think the tools KC is giving these guys translate into any system. Every hockey player needs to be detail-oriented and defensively responsible. If you watched the Stanley Cup Finals the last couple of weeks, that was clear, right?
Things should start to shake out pretty quickly now. The entry draft is less than 2 weeks away and free agency is right on its heels, so AHL ringer types of guys should start getting signed and we can start to see the team unfold. Of course, Tom Lynn's replacement will drive that aspect of the signings, so that hiring is one we'll be keeping a close eye on and keep you posted.
Exciting times for the Wild organization, top to bottom.
Richards was the coach of Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (and took them to the Calder Cup Finals last season) when the Wild's new general manager, Chuck Fletcher, was the GM of the WB/S Penguins. So they have a good relationship already.
Richards' style is billed as up-tempo, go-go-go, which will probably blow the minds of most anybody whose been watching the Wild and the suffocating defensive style Jacques Lemaire brought to the table. (Then again, how much go-go-go talent was he provided by the organization? And how much will Richards really have to work with?)
The first bit of fallout from this was the firing of Tom Lynn, Wild assistant GM and GM of the Aeros. He was basically, along with the coaching staff in Houston (particularly Troy Ward), the architect of the Aeros, so his departure means the trickle-down effect will likely keep rolling ever closer to Houston.
Nothing has been said yet about what is to become of Kevin Constantine and his staff. Some conjecture is that his style is too defensive and won't prepare the kids here for Richards' style. I tend to disagree with that perspective, however, as I think the tools KC is giving these guys translate into any system. Every hockey player needs to be detail-oriented and defensively responsible. If you watched the Stanley Cup Finals the last couple of weeks, that was clear, right?
Things should start to shake out pretty quickly now. The entry draft is less than 2 weeks away and free agency is right on its heels, so AHL ringer types of guys should start getting signed and we can start to see the team unfold. Of course, Tom Lynn's replacement will drive that aspect of the signings, so that hiring is one we'll be keeping a close eye on and keep you posted.
Exciting times for the Wild organization, top to bottom.
Friday, June 12, 2009
And The Phoenix Coyotes...Oh, To Hell With It, There's Still No Ruling
And the soap opera that is the Phoenix Coyotes will continue just a little while longer. The bankruptcy court judge -- who had earlier said he would hold a hearing regarding the possible relocation fee that Jim Balsillie would pay to move the club to Hamilton -- issued a statement yesterday that he will not hold a hearing regarding the relocation fee and will instead issue one ruling on all matters that were heard by the court earlier this week.
There are two possible explanations for this: one, the judge has decided that the team can't move without NHL approval, so the relocation fee issue is moot; or, two, the judge did a little research and discovered that relocation (or indemnification) fees are not allowed under U.S. law -- for which Balsillie would owe a big debt of gratitude to one Al Davis. And indeed, looking at past NHL relocations, it has been determined that all indemnification fees paid were voluntary. And also of importance, the last time a NHL team invaded the territory of another NHL team, an indemnification fee was not paid.
The NHL expanded in 1993, and one site of the expansion was a place called Anaheim which was part of the territory of the Los Angeles Kings. The Walt Disney Company paid $50 million for the rights to the expansion franchise, and Michael Eisner, the man who was running Disney, refused to pay an indemnification to Bruce McNall, the owner of the Kings. To make up for this, the NHL gave McNall half of the $50 million expansion fee. And McNall has confirmed that this is what happened.
All of this would play into Balsillie's contention that he is not legally obligated to pay a territorial rights or indemnification fee. And all thanks to the NHL's own ineptitude.
The NHL is now claiming that, if Balsillie's court bid fails, that it will hold an auction to be supervised by the bankruptcy court for the franchise. Only qualified bidders will be allowed, and to be a qualified bidder, the bidder must agree to keeping the team in Phoenix. A $10 million deposit deposit and bids must be submitted to the court by August 10, with the auction on September 10, and the bids must be in $2 million increments.
The NHL has declared that $120 million will cover most of the team's creditors. But if the NHL does not get a bid that good to keep the team in Phoenix, it will hold a second auction for the purpose of relocating the team, and they will allow Balsillie to enter that auction.
The judge has not indicated when he will deliver his ruling, but it is expected to come before June 22, which is the date that Balsillie has indicated is his drop dead date.
There are two possible explanations for this: one, the judge has decided that the team can't move without NHL approval, so the relocation fee issue is moot; or, two, the judge did a little research and discovered that relocation (or indemnification) fees are not allowed under U.S. law -- for which Balsillie would owe a big debt of gratitude to one Al Davis. And indeed, looking at past NHL relocations, it has been determined that all indemnification fees paid were voluntary. And also of importance, the last time a NHL team invaded the territory of another NHL team, an indemnification fee was not paid.
The NHL expanded in 1993, and one site of the expansion was a place called Anaheim which was part of the territory of the Los Angeles Kings. The Walt Disney Company paid $50 million for the rights to the expansion franchise, and Michael Eisner, the man who was running Disney, refused to pay an indemnification to Bruce McNall, the owner of the Kings. To make up for this, the NHL gave McNall half of the $50 million expansion fee. And McNall has confirmed that this is what happened.
All of this would play into Balsillie's contention that he is not legally obligated to pay a territorial rights or indemnification fee. And all thanks to the NHL's own ineptitude.
The NHL is now claiming that, if Balsillie's court bid fails, that it will hold an auction to be supervised by the bankruptcy court for the franchise. Only qualified bidders will be allowed, and to be a qualified bidder, the bidder must agree to keeping the team in Phoenix. A $10 million deposit deposit and bids must be submitted to the court by August 10, with the auction on September 10, and the bids must be in $2 million increments.
The NHL has declared that $120 million will cover most of the team's creditors. But if the NHL does not get a bid that good to keep the team in Phoenix, it will hold a second auction for the purpose of relocating the team, and they will allow Balsillie to enter that auction.
The judge has not indicated when he will deliver his ruling, but it is expected to come before June 22, which is the date that Balsillie has indicated is his drop dead date.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Irmen and Lundy interview
Here's a nice little article with some post-season wrap-up by Danny Irmen and Bryan Lundbohm. Some great quotes about the playoffs, Game 7s, how the season ended, and what's next.
It's Official in Dallas: Tippett Out, Crawford In
The Dallas Stars made it official today. Dave Tippett has been fired, and his replacement is Marc Crawford, former coach of the Colorado Avalanche, Vancouver Canucks, and Los Angeles Kings.
New Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said he was brought in to making some sweeping changes and move the team in a new direction. Keeping Tippet would have made for an incremental change, at best. And as for why the team refused to confirm the firing yesterday, when it was first reported by TSN, you can blame Tippett. He asked the team to hold off the announcement for a day, and the team honored his request.
New Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said he was brought in to making some sweeping changes and move the team in a new direction. Keeping Tippet would have made for an incremental change, at best. And as for why the team refused to confirm the firing yesterday, when it was first reported by TSN, you can blame Tippett. He asked the team to hold off the announcement for a day, and the team honored his request.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tippett Gone
It is being reported that former Houston Aeros head coach Dave Tippett has been fired by the Dallas Stars. Tippett has coached the Stars for the past six seasons, and he came to the Stars from the Los Angeles Kings, where he was an assistant coach. The Stars missed the playoffs this season for the first time since the team moved to Dallas. Tippett coached the Aeros to the 1999 IHL Turner Cup.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
And The Phoenix Coyotes Go To...Who Knows Yet?
There is not expected to be a final ruling on the Phoenix Coyotes situation today, but based on the line of questioning by the judge, and some of the statements he provided, it's looking like the NHL is currently positioned to end up as the loser.
The Judge didn't buy the NHL's contention that it has received "four expressions of interest" for the club: "This old judge is not that excited about expressions of interest," the judge told lawyers for the league according to the Toronto Globe and Mail. "You either make an offer or you don't."
The Judge also called bull on the NHL's contention that the move could wreak havoc with sports leagues and their various rules, and he used as support the midnight move of the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis.
The primary issue appears to be relocation fees, with the judge seeming to agree that, if he approves the move, Jim Balsillie will have to pay the NHL a relocation fee on top of the $200-plus million he has already bid for the team. The NHL has claimed in papers that the relocation fee should be $100 million. Attorneys for Balsillie argued that that fee is too excessive, and that if that is what the NHL should charge, he will drop his bid.
The Judge stated that the relocation fee must be resolved, and it must be resolved in a manner that protects the interests of the creditors. A fee that is too excessive could cause Balsillie to drop out, and if there are no other legitimate bids -- which there do not appear to be -- the creditors would be harmed by having the NHL continue to run the team out of Phoenix. The Judge has asked the parties involved to settle this issue.
And so the matter continues.
The Judge didn't buy the NHL's contention that it has received "four expressions of interest" for the club: "This old judge is not that excited about expressions of interest," the judge told lawyers for the league according to the Toronto Globe and Mail. "You either make an offer or you don't."
The Judge also called bull on the NHL's contention that the move could wreak havoc with sports leagues and their various rules, and he used as support the midnight move of the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis.
The primary issue appears to be relocation fees, with the judge seeming to agree that, if he approves the move, Jim Balsillie will have to pay the NHL a relocation fee on top of the $200-plus million he has already bid for the team. The NHL has claimed in papers that the relocation fee should be $100 million. Attorneys for Balsillie argued that that fee is too excessive, and that if that is what the NHL should charge, he will drop his bid.
The Judge stated that the relocation fee must be resolved, and it must be resolved in a manner that protects the interests of the creditors. A fee that is too excessive could cause Balsillie to drop out, and if there are no other legitimate bids -- which there do not appear to be -- the creditors would be harmed by having the NHL continue to run the team out of Phoenix. The Judge has asked the parties involved to settle this issue.
And so the matter continues.
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