Author: Thomas Conroy (Page 20 of 28)

      NHL looking for permanent presence in Europe

      October 3, 2008 /

      NHL commissioner Gary Bettman hopes the season-opening doubleheaders in the Czech Republic and Sweden this weekend will usher an era of a more permanent presence in Europe for the league. He emphasized that the NHL is far from establishing expansion franchises in Europe and went on to say:

      “We want to create a program where we’re coming back on a regular basis to satisfy and address the interest that we know is in our game here in Europe.”

      The NHL also announced the re-introduction of “The World Cup of Hockey” to the platter of international competition sponsored by the league. The tournament was put on the shelf after the NHL began participating in the Winter Olympics. The plan is to stage this event every four years beginning in the fall of 2011. The NHL’s current international hockey commitment is playing in the Vancouver Winter Games in 2010, but further participation in Olympic competition is a negotiation point for the next collective bargaining agreement.

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, NHL

      Warriors’ mascot a goner?

      October 3, 2008 /

      The Golden State Warriors are contemplating a dismissal of a key figure from their organization. With the Oklahoma City Thunder now part of the NBA, the Warriors’ mascot (nicknamed “Thunder”) might be a goner.

      Warriors team president Robert Rowell commented on the mascot controversy:

      “We’re clearly going to do something to accommodate Oklahoma City and not have our mascot named Thunder,” Rowell said. “For the sake of not making things confusing, we’re going to do something. We just have to figure out a good exit strategy.”

      The team had been considering re-branding themselves to the public, and plans might move forward following this season. Rowell joked that the Warriors might open trade negotiations with Oklahoma City to acquire Thunder for a mascot to be named later. The team hopes to have some form of a mascot for this upcoming season.

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, General Sports, NBA

      Couch Potato Alert: 10/3

      October 3, 2008 /

      Auburn vs. Vanderbilt
      Vanderbilt has endured 25 consecutive losing seasons, but the Commodores are looking to go 5-0 for the first time since 1943, and are trying to earn their first bowl appearance since the 1982 Hall of Fame Classic. They find themselves in sole possession of first place in the SEC Eastern Division. Auburn needs a win on Saturday to have a realistic shot of capturing the SEC Western Division title. The Tigers did derail the Commodores’ early season success last year with a 35-7 blowout win at Auburn. Coverage will begin at 6 PM EST Saturday on ESPN.

      Florida State vs. Miami
      Both teams seem to be on the right track in restoring their reputations as conference contenders despite inconsistent early season performances. This will be the second straight meeting in which neither school is ranked in the polls, and it will be the first time that Miami won’t be hosting the game in the Orange Bowl. Miami’s old home had been a house of horrors for Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, as he was 5-9 against the Canes at the Orange Bowl. Regional coverage begins at 12:30 PM EST Saturday on ABC.

      Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
      The Terrelle Pryor Show continues this week on the road. He has shown the skills that made him the # 1 recruit in the nation by proving he can run and pass in back-to-back home victories over Troy and Minnesota. Now comes the real test – a game at Wisconsin’s raucous and rowdy Camp Randall Stadium. The talented Badgers are no doubt angry, as they’re coming off a 27-21 loss at Michigan in which they blew a 19-0 halftime lead. Regional coverage begins Saturday at 8 PM EST on ABC. Click here for the official Ohio State vs. Wisconsin smack thread.

      Chicago Cubs vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
      Do you believe in curses? If you live in Chicago and root for the Cubs, yes you do. Cubby fans get excited every April, and are heartbroken by October. They have endured eight straight playoff losses, including five in a row under Lou Piniella. The Cubs will have to play better baseball in Los Angeles to bring the series back to Chicago. But history doesn’t bode well for Cub fans, as Piniella is 3-10 in playoff games against Joe Torre, and the 2001 New York Yankees are the only team to come back from a 0-2 deficit in a divisional series. Guess who managed that team….Joe Torre. Saturday’s game 3 coverage will begin 10 PM EST and if necessary Sunday’s game 4 at 4 PM EST on TBS.

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, College Football, Couch Potato Alert, General Sports, MLB, Television

      A new web-based golf community launched this week: thesocialgolfer.com

      October 2, 2008 /

      An innovative new website called thesocialgolfer.com launched this week and they hope to provide a free online meeting place where golfers worldwide can establish friendships with other golfers for social and business purposes. Their goal is to become golf’s most user-friendly source of content for those who are avid participants and fans of the game.

      Members can post their own profiles on the website, chat with old golf buddies online, and track past round performances at their favorite courses. The website will offer keen insights on out-of-town courses to help members play their best golf and maximize their golfing experience away from home. Members can also keep up with the latest golf news and watch instructional videos all at no charge.

      You do not need a membership to a golf club to enjoy this website, just a desire to play golf. To learn more visit: www.thesocialgolfer.com.

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, Golf

      Four early season storylines in the NHL

      October 1, 2008 /

      The opening of the NHL season will take place overseas this weekend, and there are a few key storylines to keep an eye on during the first week of the season:

      NHL invasion of Europe
      A year ago, the Anaheim Ducks opened the season against the Los Angeles Kings in London, England. This season, four teams are kicking off the 2008-09 season in Europe: the Ottawa Senators will play the Pittsburgh Penguins in Stockholm, and the Tampa Bay Lightning open their season against the New York Rangers in Praque. The National Hockey League Players Association (NHLPA) President Paul Kelly announced that the number of teams opening the season in Europe could double next year, as multiple European cities have expressed interest in hosting NHL games next season.

      Selanne resigns with the Ducks
      Forward Teemu Selanne signed a two-year contract worth $5.25 million with the Ducks after the club traded defenseman Mathieu Schneider to the Atlanta Thrashers to free up the necessary cap space. Selanne didn’t want to miss time in training camp like last season when he was contemplating retirement from the sport. With a two-year commitment to the team, Selanne is committed to getting the Ducks back to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

      Possible trades due to salary cap restrictions
      Rumors have been circulating that a number of teams are looking to deal players due to salary cap restrictions. The Chicago Blackhawks have solved their salary cap problem by putting goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin on waivers this week. The writing was on the wall that his days were numbered in Chicago when the team signed free agent goalie Cristobal Huet to a four-year deal worth $22.5 million in July. The San Jose Sharks are looking to trade defenseman Kyle McLaren and his 2.5 million dollar contract to avoid starting the season $225,000 over the salary cap. McLaren became expendable after the team added Dan Boyle and Rob Blake to the backline in the offseason.

      Inventive marketing plan on the West Coast
      In an unusual joint venture, the Ducks and Kings announced a ticket-sales package for games that will be played Oct. 14 in Anaheim and Nov. 16 in Los Angeles. The package will be called the “Freeway Face-Off” and $60 will get fans tickets to both games.

      Bullz-Eye Sports Channel, General Sports, NHL

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