James Mirtle - A Hockey Journalist's Blog Raw Feed  

Just wondering if you've had a chance to view the following story about Legein's premature retirement from hockey. (More bad news for Blue Jacket fans.) Is there anything in the CBA or elsewhere that provides compensation to teams for this sort of thing? Or is it assumed the teams have accurat......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/losing-...

Left wing Ladislav Nagy views his decision to sign a $5.6 million, two-year deal to play in the Russian Super League as a temporary stop and not a long-term plan. "Nagy fully intends to come back to the NHL if he can find a situation where he will be given the minutes in order to produce at th......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/nagy-he...

It's been a while since we've had an update on the Steve Moore v. Todd Bertuzzi case, but Eric Duhatschek has an update today that relates to former Canucks coach Marc Crawford and his role in the attack: In a third-party statement of defence filed with the Ontario Superior Court last month, Cra......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/bertuzz...

Each time the Islanders win a game in the four-game Victory Plan package, you will get to come back and watch another select game - on us! For example if the Isles defeat the Sidney Crosby-led Pittsburgh Penguins on November 26, you get to return to the Nassau Coliseum on December 16 to see Alexa......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/islande...

I appreciate all of the feedback the salary structure series has gotten. Parts one, two and three can be found here, here and here. On the weekend, blogger Tom Benjamin sent me a good suggestion related to wealth distribution, the topic that makes up the fourth (and final) instalment and measu......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/nhls-sa...

I'm not so sure we should rely too heavily on video game manufacturers to grade NHL talents, but since they've put the numbers out there, we might as well have a look. Here are a few leaders lists for various attributes in the game: First Name Last Name Speed 1 J......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/bouwmee...

The Edmonton Oilers have named Bob Stauffer as the team's radio colour commentator, joining Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Rod Phillips in the broadcast booth for the 2008-09 season. Stauffer joins the Oilers radio broadcast team after five years with the Team 1260 radio station in Edmonton, taking ......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/stauffe...

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Note that I'm including only players that played in 20 games in the three postlockout seasons, which is why netminders are higher than you might see elsewhere (i.e. little-used backups need not apply): Twenty-two netminders will make $3-million or more n......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/nhls-sa...

"We had to do a few things to put pressure on the city and the state, but our goal was to remain here in Pittsburgh all the way. Those trips to Kansas City and Vegas and other cities was just to go, and have a nice dinner and come back." — Mario LemieuxI'm glad Pittsburgh got its building and ho......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/mario-i...

The NHL Winter Classic is only one of the more than 300 nationally televised games the League announced Thursday in unveiling the national TV broadcast schedules for 2008-09 for NBC, CBC, RDS, VERSUS and TSN. — NHL.comIn Canada, TSN will be showing 70 regular season games and Hockey Night in Can......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/nhl-rel...

"What we are talking about is the elimination of the middle class. It's a concern, but if you look at every single cap system, that has happened. But that's the system we have, and that's no choice." — agent Matt KeatorWith player payrolls maxed at $50 million per season, salary cap hockey is sl......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/nhls-sa...

"In the old system, we had more ways to control the salaries. Now we have to make decisions on where we want to spend, and salaries are jumping younger and quicker." — Detroit Red Wings GM Ken HollandThe idea that players are getting paid earlier in their careers certainly isn't a new one. Heck......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/nhls-sa...

I'm working on a few things that should be ready for tomorrow, but consider this a small preview: A few things to note: this is the average based on players' hits against the cap for players with 10 or more games played (as per nhlscap.com) the 2008-09 figure will likely drop slightly as m......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/what-is...

New York Islanders General Manager Garth Snow has named Scott Gordon the team's head coach. Gordon, the reigning American Hockey League Coach of the Year with the Providence Bruins, is the 14th head coach in franchise history. He has agreed to a multi-year contract with the Islanders. "Scott h......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/isles-h...

Avery says he watched the Stars battle the Red Wings in the Western Conference finals and felt like they were one piece away from getting past Detroit. You can guess who Avery thought that piece might be. "If you throw me in the lineup in that series, it's definitely going to make the differen......

Original Story: http://mirtle.blogspot.com/2008/08/look-ah...