Official: NHL News & Discussion Thread

[icehogfan08]

Discuss anything NHL here in this thread. Team news, player news, game updates, and eventually standing races can be discussed in here.

 

[icehogfan08]

NEWMARKET, Ont. - Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Rick Vaive broke his own rule about drinking and driving two years ago, on the day he was arrested and charged by police, court heard Friday.

Vaive, 52, took the stand for a second day after pleading not guilty to impaired driving and driving with over 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.

"What would you say is your limit for drinking and driving?" Crown attorney Jon Fuller asked him in court.

"I would say probably anything over six would be my limit," Vaive replied. "My rule is three, actually."

"Can you remember an occurrence when you broke that rule?"

"The date in question, July 14," Vaive said.

Vaive, looking deeply tanned in a dark grey pinstripe suit and blue tie, said he took the wheel after having six beers at a golf game on July 14, 2009.

He was arrested that night in Vaughan, Ont., just north of Toronto. Police have said his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit.

Later in his testimony Friday, Vaive backpedalled, saying he meant three drinks over less than two hours was his rule.

The former NHL player maintained he wasn't drunk and felt fine to drive from the golf course in Gravenhurst, Ont., to his home in Oakville, Ont., which is about a three-hour trip.

The game was part of a two-day trip with several other former hockey players, including Dennis Maruk and Bill Derlago. The group had played a round of golf the previous day and played poker until 4:30 a.m. before hitting the course for their 1 p.m. tee time, Vaive said.

Court heard Vaive has chronic joint pain as well as sleep apnea, which requires him to sleep with a ventilator. Vaive said he also takes anti-anxiety medication, but the dose is too low to affect his driving.

Earlier in the week, court saw a video of Vaive in a police station, wearing a golf shirt and urine-stained shorts.

In his testimony, Vaive said he suffers from a bladder condition that makes it difficult to control his urination and forces him to carry empty Gatorade bottles in his car.

"When I've got to go, I've got to go quick," and it's not always possible to reach a bathroom in time, he said Friday, squirming in his seat.

Vaive said he wet himself that night because the bottle was already full. Asked why he didn't stop to change clothes, he replied: "I was going home and I wasn't uncomfortable."

Fuller argued Vaive "wasn't thinking clearly" because of the alcohol he'd consumed, but the former hockey player denied the allegation.

Under questioning, Vaive said he didn't know how many drinks it would take to get him drunk, "because I haven't been drunk in some time."

The last time he could remember was his 50th birthday party, about two months before his arrest, when he drank between 15 and 20 beers over roughly seven hours, he said.

Court also heard from Trevor Whiffen, Vaive's agent, whom he called from the police station. Whiffen said his client didn't appear drunk when they spoke.

"He appeared lucid and his speech was not slurred," Whiffen said.

If convicted, Vaive could face for each charge a minimum fine of $1,000 and maximum of five years in prison for a first offence.

Vaive became the first Maple Leaf to score 50 goals in a season, recording 54 in 1981-82. He went on to surpass the 50-goal plateau the following two seasons.

The trial, which is by judge alone, has now been adjourned until February due to scheduling issues.

Former NHLer Rick Vaive tells court he was fine to drive after six beers

 

[icehogfan08]

TORONTO - The reborn Winnipeg Jets have bolstered the broadcast schedule for CBC's "Hockey Night in Canada."

The public broadcaster released its television schedule Thursday, which includes 22 Jets games.

That's the third most broadcasted games of one team. Only the ratings powerhouse Montreal Canadiens (28) and Toronto Maple Leafs (26) appear more times on CBC during the upcoming season.

Rounding out the Canadian teams on CBC are the Ottawa Senators (20), Stanley Cup finalists the Vancouver Canucks (17), the Edmonton Oilers (13) and Calgary Flames (12).

Winnipeg will make its pre-season television debut on Sept. 26 when the Jets take on the Senators for the Kraft Hockeyville event in Conception Bay South, N.L.

Their regular-season CBC debut will be Oct. 9 at home against the Canadiens.
TSN will carry a total of 77 regular-season games, with 73 of those featuring at least one Canadian team, while TSN2's regular season schedule features an additional 74 games.

In the U.S., NBC Sports and VERSUS, which will be renamed NBC Sports Network effective Jan. 2, begin the first season of the 10-year agreement with the NHL announced in April.

The two networks are scheduling 100 regular-season games, with NBC broadcasting its first game Nov. 25, an Original Six match-up featuring the Bruins against the Detroit Red Wings in Boston.
That's the earliest an NHL game has appeared on NBC in the past seven seasons.

Pretty sweet for them.

 

[icehogfan08]

After using a shallower net for two days at the R&D camp, Brendan Shanahan indicated that the new nets will likely find their way into NHL arenas soon.

Interesting

 

[tbo41fan]

get rid of the trapezoid first

 

[Capt. Serious]

Chris Drury retires

 

[icehogfan08]

Evgeni Nabokov, New York Islanders

said that the perception that he didn't want to go to the Islanders organization last season is "not true." Nabokov signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings, but he refused to play after the Islanders claimed him off of waivers. "What made me make that decision is that I hadn't skated for a month-and-a-half when they claimed me. They were out of the playoffs, but battling to get in and, as a goalie, I know the goalie position is important when fighting for position [in the standings]," Nabokov said. "I didn't feel that I could help them to get to the playoffs. I needed three to four weeks to get ready and the season would've been over." Had Nabokov cooperated with the Islanders last season, the team wouldn't have suspended him and tolled his contract, which kept Nabokov under their control for the 2011-12 season. At any rate, he is willing to play for the Islanders in 2011-12. The Islanders might still end up trading him, especially seeing as Rick DiPietro and Al Montoya are both signed to one-way contracts. Stay tuned.

 

[icehogfan08]

Ilya Bryzgalov believes he can deliver Stanley Cup to Philadelphia

VOORHEES, N.J. - Ilya Bryzgalov already has a fan club. Wearing his Flyers jersey and cap, he finished a press conference and left to mingle with autograph seekers and picture snappers waiting for the all-star goaltender at the bottom of the stairs.

On his way back up, a woman hollered, "You look fabulous!"
An orange crush has already developed and Bryzgalov hasn't even played a game yet.

The Flyers sure think he looked great in that No. 30 orange sweater as they showed off the goalie for the first time since he was acquired in June from Phoenix. Bryzgalov was an instant hit with the fans Thursday—and he'll be an even bigger one if he can become the netminder that brings the Stanley Cup back to Philadelphia for the first time since 1975.

"This is a team with rich history," Bryzgalov said. "The highest goal is to win the Cup. That's what this game is all about. That's all that matters."

Bryzgalov participated in a light workout with Danny Briere and a handful of teammates as the off-season winds down and the Sept. 17 start date for training camp looms. He knows the Flyers are counting on him to be as durable and successful as he was his last few seasons with Phoenix. Bryzgalov was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2009-10, and went 36-20-10 with a 2.48 goals-against average and seven shutouts last season.

His contract demands made him expendable and the Flyers pounced. They acquired his rights, then signed him to a US$51-million, nine-year deal to kick off a summer of change. Mike Richards, Jeff Carter and Dan Carcillo were among the veterans jettisoned out of town to make room for Bryzgalov and a slew of new, young players.

Bryzgalov understands expectations are Stanley Cup or bust.
"I never put the pressure on myself," he said. "I know my job. I know what I have to do."

Bryzgalov quickly endeared himself in Philadelphia with a humorous Twitter feed that found the city's newest citizen asking where he should live. As rain pounded the building and tried to drown out his press conference, Bryzgalov quipped that Philadelphia reminded him of Russia.

He could add some needed levity to a locker-room during a gruelling season.
Asked how the media turnout was compared to Phoenix, he joked about it.

"There's much more of you here," he said, "and you look better."

He coughed as pulled on his jersey and cracked, "I've got to quit smoking."
Bryzgalov then, seriously, amended the statement by saying he doesn't drink.

That had to make coach Peter Laviolette pleased. Laviolette instituted a "Dry Island," the name of a pledge in which he asked his players to stop drinking for a month. Richards and Carter repeatedly declined to take part in the pledge over the past two years—and were traded the same day.

The 31-year-old Bryzgalov hit on all the usual points from any introductory press conference: Philadelphia is a "top-notch" organization, he's ready to play 70 games if that number is needed to win a Cup, and he doesn't expect much of a tough transition to a new team and conference.

"Philly is a great place to play hockey," Bryzgalov said.
It's not a bad place for history buffs, either. Bryzgalov flashed a new helmet with the team logo and "We The People," airbrushed on top, Benjamin Franklin on the side, and the landmark Philadelphia Museum of Art also makes an appearance.

The Flyers can't wait to find out how all the pieces fit.
General manager Paul Holmgren said defenceman Chris Pronger should be ready for the start of the season. On Friday, Pronger visits the doctor who performed his off-season back surgery and expects to receive clearance to participate in training camp. Holmgren doesn't know if Pronger will play at all during the pre-season.

"I know," Holmgren said, "it's been kind of a whirlwind of a summer around here."

 

[Capt. Serious]

Yeah, Bryz better play alot better than he did than his last 2 playoff appearances..

 

[icehogfan08]

Yeah, Bryz better play alot better than he did than his last 2 playoff appearances..

Should be a better team than what he had with the Yotes.

 

[tbo41fan]

Bryz was NOT the reason Phoenix flaked out the last couple years

 

[Capt. Serious]

Bryz was NOT the reason Phoenix flaked out the last couple years

Um, yes he was.

2010 playoffs: save% 90, GAA 3.44
2011 playoffs: save% 87, GAA 4.36

He allowed his fair share of crap goals & was just horrendous overall.

 

[TheChicagoFan]

But Philly got rid of important players to make room for Bryzgolav and because of other issues. If they still had Mike Richards and Jeff Carter, I would say they would be legit contenders.

 

[tbo41fan]

Um, yes he was.

2010 playoffs: save% 90, GAA 3.44
2011 playoffs: save% 87, GAA 4.36

He allowed his fair share of crap goals & was just horrendous overall.

Those stats are tremendously misleading because of how poor the defense was..

Yandle, Aucoin, Jovo \, etc were all terrible

Plus, injuries to Doan really hurt them too

 

[Capt. Serious]

I don't see how Philly is a Cup contender.

Jeff Carter & Mike Richards are huge losses.

 

[Capt. Serious]

TSNRyanRishaug Ryan Rishaug
Jordan Hendry has accepted a tryout with the Minnesota Wild

Good depth guy if he makes the team..

 

[TheChicagoFan]

Good depth guy if he makes the team..

I hope he does. He's a good player.

 

[Capt. Serious]

and t-bo, Bryz got severely outplayed by Jimmy Howard both series.

It's ok to admit it.

 

[tbo41fan]

and t-bo, Bryz got severely outplayed by Jimmy Howard both series.

It's ok to admit it.

I agree with that...i never disagreed there...

I disagree with the part you said Bryz was the reason phx lost those series...

 

[Everyday I'm Byfuglien]

Should be a better team than what he had with the Yotes.

I'm curious to see how Chrissy Pronger recovers from his off season.

Him being a non factor against the Bruins was as big or possibly bigger than their inability to stick with a goalie.