Here are the NHL Stories from Prime Time Sports last night (National Hour):Host: Bob McCown
Guests: Stephen Brunt from the Globe & Mail, Tom Wright, ex-Commissioner of the CFL
Main NHL Story: The NHL Rule Changes. McCown and Brunt feel the NHL has gone back to the "old style" for this years playoffs. The low scoring games with lots of violence really makes it look the like the NHL has gone back to the pre-lockout style of game. Brunt and Wright have said the Vancouver v. Dallas series has been very deliberate and boring. Wright brought up the point that the GMs and coaches have figured out how to survive in this new style of game and all you really need to do is get a quick lead and then sit back on it. The playoff have also showed some really non-competitive games - the NY Rangers/Atlanta series was the case in point. Brunt said the league was very competitive heading into the playoffs and most hockey experts were saying how difficult it would be to pick the series winners, however the playoffs have been a complete opposite with most series ending in 5 games. Brunt also said that the goaltending might have an impact on why the playoffs are less exciting than the regular season - pretty much every series has been a competition of tenders. McCown mentioned, using his 4, 3, 2, 1 NHL point system, that San Jose would be the team to beat, as using his system San Jose jumped from 6th to 1st overall in the NHL. And that really shows how powerful this years San Jose team is. San Jose's ability to beat what seemed like a powerful Nashville team, showed how they have a chance at the Cup this year. Brunt brought up the point that it is unfortunate for Nashville, as that was their window of opportunity and they now might be forced to move cities because of the money they spent and the lack of playoff revenues.
McCown moved to the next topic of the "roughness" within the playoffs. The discussion mainly focussed around the Detroit v. Calgary series and when it comes down to it, teams will do anything to win or attempt to win. This moved into the roundtable talking about the fact that the league hasn't changed - the dinosaurs are not extinct. McCown was mainly upset with the trap and how more teams are using it than ever. This moved on to Brian Burke, GM of the Ducks, and how he feels teams have got to still be big and tough - something the NHL said it isn't anymore - but look how well Burke's team is doing in this year's playoffs. Burke has been able to manufacture a team for the NHL at this moment, a team that has skill, but also has a bunch of tough players that are willing to rough someone up and eat up 8 to 10 minutes of ice team. Brunt said if the Ducks win the Cup in 2007, you will begin to see many copycat teams next year in the NHL - which is exactly what the NHL doesn't want. McCown, concluded that the "new" game is not working - goons are still around, the neutral zone is clogged and the scores are down.
Bullets: Sidney Crosby; the Pens can talk to him as early as this summer, even though he still has a year left on his contract. McCown believes that Crosby will ask for the maximum 20% of the cap, but as well, he will want more than the 20% and the Pens will find a way to get around the 20% rule. Wright disagreed, saying that the NHL will sick lawyers on the teams that try this. Brunt responded by saying that the NHL will eventually have to do something, because they have the toughest cap system in pro sports - a hard cap where players salaries are guaranteed. Teams will start getting themselves into deep financial trouble if their team does not succeed based on management's signings. The future of the NHL will have one star player per team and a majority of them will be on the brink of bankruptcy if they attempt or do sign another star. The roundtable discussed possible future Crosby contracts - i.e. 10 year contract for $10 million a year with clauses in there that will make it possible for it to go up if the cap goes up. Overall, Crosby will get his money either through working around the 20% rule or moving to a big city and feeding off the endorsements. Either way we can guarantee that Crosby will be and is a rich man.
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