The Toronto Maple Leafs say they can veto another team's move into Southern Ontario.
The National Hockey League says they can't.
Big deal.
For all intents and purposes, the Leafs will still have the power to veto the re-location of the Phoenix Coyotes to Hamilton. The NHL's refusal to admit that the Leafs have a veto based on territorial rights is simply a public relations move to avoid legal complications related to Canadian competition rules and U.S. antitrust laws.
When push comes to shove, or Arizona bankruptcy court judge Redfield T. Baum says Jim Balsillie can write a cheque, the Leafs will still effectively have a veto. NHL brass will most assuredly defer to the Leafs' wishes, and a clear majority of other owners will vote against anyone who dares to move a club between Toronto and Buffalo.
Then, the NHL will wage a lengthy legal battle with anyone who says it granted a veto. By letting the courts decide, the NHL does not look like it sided against the Leafs, and a decision would take years. For examples, see the Oakland Raiders' efforts to move to Los Angeles and back.
A more interesting question is: How did the NHL decide so quickly to make a bid for the Coyotes? These kind of decisions usually require approval of the board of governors.
However, no regularly-scheduled board meetings were held recently, and there were no reports of any emergency sessions.
Just wondering.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Jackson poses challenge for Buono
It's time for Jarious Jackson to shine at BC Place.
Jackson will start at quarterback when the B.C. Lions host the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, only because Buck Pierce remaines sidelined with post-concussion syndrome. If Lions general manager and coach Wally Buono had a viable alternative, Jackson would probably sit, too, after struggling at times in a humiliating 37-10 home loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Aug. 21.
However, rookie Travis Lulay, who will serve as Jackson's backup, and sophomore Zac Champion, who will dress as the third pivot, are not yet ready for starting duty. So Jackson, a fifth-year Lion from Tupelo, Miss., by way of Notre Dame, the Denver Broncos and NFL Europe, gets a chance to make up for an untimely interception and miscues against the Bombers.
However, Jackson has rarely appeared at home under the dome this season while the Lions (3-5) have struggled to demonstrate their previous dominance. Two of the Leos' victories came on the road, in Edmonton and Toronto, and Jackson excelled in both.
In each case, his performance was the difference between victory and defeat. However, he has done little at BC Place, while often getting stopped on third-and-one plunges.
Despite his strong arm and legs, he has not made timely plays at home while completing 57 of 95 pass attempts and throwing nine interceptions, compared to eight touchdowns, on the season. He and the rest of the Lions face their most difficult test yet in the Alouettes. The 2008 Eastern Division champions, led by future hall of famer Anthony Calvillo, have lost only once in eight outings.
If Jackson again struggles, Buono, a devout Christian, will face a different kind of temptation as the Lions move into the more gruelling portion of their schedule with more games against Western Division rivals. With Pierce's status murky, Buono might bring in another veteran quarterback at a time when his club's chemistry and psyche are vulnerable. He is unlikely to bring back Casey Printers, given the disruption he caused in the past, but more talented quarterbacks will soon become available as NFL teams make their final cuts.
Buono's talent for finding and developing quarterbacks is legendary, but he prefers home-grown prospects groomed over a few seasons. Jackson and Pierce, who served as understudies for Dave Dickenson and Printers, are proof of that philosophy, as is the retired Dickenson, who trained under Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia in Calgary.
Throughout his career, Buono has rarely brought in a new QB in mid-season. Some exceptions are Mike McCoy, who quickly moved into coaching after a short stint in Calgary many years ago, and Gino Guidugli last season. Guidugli was brought in as injury insurance and cut after Lulay and Champion outperformed him in the pre-season.
As the struggling Lions reach the midway point of the 2009 campaign, Buono could be tempted to bring in an NFL cut. A trade is unlikely due to the dearth of talented CFL backups. Either way, the Lions boss would be reluctant to make a move.
But if Jackson continues to struggle, he might not have a choice.
Jackson will start at quarterback when the B.C. Lions host the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, only because Buck Pierce remaines sidelined with post-concussion syndrome. If Lions general manager and coach Wally Buono had a viable alternative, Jackson would probably sit, too, after struggling at times in a humiliating 37-10 home loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Aug. 21.
However, rookie Travis Lulay, who will serve as Jackson's backup, and sophomore Zac Champion, who will dress as the third pivot, are not yet ready for starting duty. So Jackson, a fifth-year Lion from Tupelo, Miss., by way of Notre Dame, the Denver Broncos and NFL Europe, gets a chance to make up for an untimely interception and miscues against the Bombers.
However, Jackson has rarely appeared at home under the dome this season while the Lions (3-5) have struggled to demonstrate their previous dominance. Two of the Leos' victories came on the road, in Edmonton and Toronto, and Jackson excelled in both.
In each case, his performance was the difference between victory and defeat. However, he has done little at BC Place, while often getting stopped on third-and-one plunges.
Despite his strong arm and legs, he has not made timely plays at home while completing 57 of 95 pass attempts and throwing nine interceptions, compared to eight touchdowns, on the season. He and the rest of the Lions face their most difficult test yet in the Alouettes. The 2008 Eastern Division champions, led by future hall of famer Anthony Calvillo, have lost only once in eight outings.
If Jackson again struggles, Buono, a devout Christian, will face a different kind of temptation as the Lions move into the more gruelling portion of their schedule with more games against Western Division rivals. With Pierce's status murky, Buono might bring in another veteran quarterback at a time when his club's chemistry and psyche are vulnerable. He is unlikely to bring back Casey Printers, given the disruption he caused in the past, but more talented quarterbacks will soon become available as NFL teams make their final cuts.
Buono's talent for finding and developing quarterbacks is legendary, but he prefers home-grown prospects groomed over a few seasons. Jackson and Pierce, who served as understudies for Dave Dickenson and Printers, are proof of that philosophy, as is the retired Dickenson, who trained under Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia in Calgary.
Throughout his career, Buono has rarely brought in a new QB in mid-season. Some exceptions are Mike McCoy, who quickly moved into coaching after a short stint in Calgary many years ago, and Gino Guidugli last season. Guidugli was brought in as injury insurance and cut after Lulay and Champion outperformed him in the pre-season.
As the struggling Lions reach the midway point of the 2009 campaign, Buono could be tempted to bring in an NFL cut. A trade is unlikely due to the dearth of talented CFL backups. Either way, the Lions boss would be reluctant to make a move.
But if Jackson continues to struggle, he might not have a choice.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Gretzky gets the shaft from NHL and Balsillie
Wayne Gretzky must feel like he is back in the World Hockey Association.
About 30 years ago, when the WHA was on its last legs before he became the key to a merger with the National Hockey League, he used to wonder whether he would get paid. Today, he is again wondering.
The NHL, wannabe owner of the terminally-ill Phoenix Coyotes franchise, has confirmed that it will not honour Gretzky's $8 million coaching and personal services contract.
"But we are going to do everything we can to make sure Wayne Gretzky gets paid," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Toronto Star.
The how and the who will have to come later.
Never mind that Gretzky propped up the money-bleeding Coyotes for many years with his presence alone. Simply put, the Coyotes would be in much rougher shape financially if Gretzky had not lent his name to the re-located Winnipeg Jets franchise now destined for destruction in the desert.
Save the legal arguments about whether Gretzky is entitled to the money. Ditto the rants that he already has enough cash.
He signed a contract in good faith, and he has fulfilled his duties. More than adequately? Maybe not, as some of the hockey decisions go with the Coyotes. But definitely when it comes to serving as an ambassador for the NHL in the southwestern U.S.
For details, see numerous California-raised prospects, including Jon Blum, who helped the Vancouver Giants win a Memorial Cup, and Kyle Bigos, who scored the winning goal for the Vernon Vipers in the 2009 RBC Cup final against the Humboldt Broncos. Gretzky's trade from Edmonton to the Los Angeles Kings in the late 1980s, around the time Blum et al were entering the world, fostered a minor-hockey movement that is now paying big dividends.
If not for Gretzky, there would not be three NHL teams, all relatively strong financially, in California. Nor would there have been any incentive for placing a club in Phoenix, which also had an ill-fated WHA franchise.
Meanwhile, Jim Balsillie has decided to give Gretzky the shaft, too. The Research in Motion co-founder, who wants to buy the Coyotes out of bankruptcy and move them to Hamilton, is also refusing to honour Gretzky's contract. Even though Gretzky said Balsillie, persona non grata in the NHL owners' private box, would be good for the league, and the NHL's all-time scoring leader is a good fit for a potential Hamilton franchise based near his Brampton, Ont., hometown.
However, Balsillie is not as culpable as the NHL, because he was out of the loop while Gretzky was enhancing expansion opportunities for commissioner Gary Bettman and his buddies over the past two decades.
As Daly suggests, the NHL will probably find a way to pay Gretzky. (Bet on an endorsement contract or marketing deal of some kind.)
But he still deserved much better treatment after he gave the NHL much more than $8 million worth of goodwill, while having little or no say in Phoenix ownership's terrible financial moves.
It's just too bad that Kyle Turris, entering his second NHL season, is not quite up to Sidney Crosby's level. Mario Lemieux had planned to sell his ownership stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins but instead, wisely, hung on after the Pens, through random draft-lottery luck, were able to pick Crosby first overall.
Had Turris developed a bit more quickly, Gretzky probably could have found new financing for the Coyotes. Even with the lousy lease deal at Jobing.com Arena.
Turris may eventually become a superstar, but not in Phoenix. If he does, he can thank Gretzky for his mentorship.
Unfortunately, NHL brass said thanks for nothing after all that Gretzky has done for the league since his move from the WHA.
About 30 years ago, when the WHA was on its last legs before he became the key to a merger with the National Hockey League, he used to wonder whether he would get paid. Today, he is again wondering.
The NHL, wannabe owner of the terminally-ill Phoenix Coyotes franchise, has confirmed that it will not honour Gretzky's $8 million coaching and personal services contract.
"But we are going to do everything we can to make sure Wayne Gretzky gets paid," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Toronto Star.
The how and the who will have to come later.
Never mind that Gretzky propped up the money-bleeding Coyotes for many years with his presence alone. Simply put, the Coyotes would be in much rougher shape financially if Gretzky had not lent his name to the re-located Winnipeg Jets franchise now destined for destruction in the desert.
Save the legal arguments about whether Gretzky is entitled to the money. Ditto the rants that he already has enough cash.
He signed a contract in good faith, and he has fulfilled his duties. More than adequately? Maybe not, as some of the hockey decisions go with the Coyotes. But definitely when it comes to serving as an ambassador for the NHL in the southwestern U.S.
For details, see numerous California-raised prospects, including Jon Blum, who helped the Vancouver Giants win a Memorial Cup, and Kyle Bigos, who scored the winning goal for the Vernon Vipers in the 2009 RBC Cup final against the Humboldt Broncos. Gretzky's trade from Edmonton to the Los Angeles Kings in the late 1980s, around the time Blum et al were entering the world, fostered a minor-hockey movement that is now paying big dividends.
If not for Gretzky, there would not be three NHL teams, all relatively strong financially, in California. Nor would there have been any incentive for placing a club in Phoenix, which also had an ill-fated WHA franchise.
Meanwhile, Jim Balsillie has decided to give Gretzky the shaft, too. The Research in Motion co-founder, who wants to buy the Coyotes out of bankruptcy and move them to Hamilton, is also refusing to honour Gretzky's contract. Even though Gretzky said Balsillie, persona non grata in the NHL owners' private box, would be good for the league, and the NHL's all-time scoring leader is a good fit for a potential Hamilton franchise based near his Brampton, Ont., hometown.
However, Balsillie is not as culpable as the NHL, because he was out of the loop while Gretzky was enhancing expansion opportunities for commissioner Gary Bettman and his buddies over the past two decades.
As Daly suggests, the NHL will probably find a way to pay Gretzky. (Bet on an endorsement contract or marketing deal of some kind.)
But he still deserved much better treatment after he gave the NHL much more than $8 million worth of goodwill, while having little or no say in Phoenix ownership's terrible financial moves.
It's just too bad that Kyle Turris, entering his second NHL season, is not quite up to Sidney Crosby's level. Mario Lemieux had planned to sell his ownership stake in the Pittsburgh Penguins but instead, wisely, hung on after the Pens, through random draft-lottery luck, were able to pick Crosby first overall.
Had Turris developed a bit more quickly, Gretzky probably could have found new financing for the Coyotes. Even with the lousy lease deal at Jobing.com Arena.
Turris may eventually become a superstar, but not in Phoenix. If he does, he can thank Gretzky for his mentorship.
Unfortunately, NHL brass said thanks for nothing after all that Gretzky has done for the league since his move from the WHA.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Lucic's invitation to Team Canada camp makes sense
Chalk up another one for the Killarney Kid.
Milan Lucic, who grew up in the Killarney area in Vancouver, is continuing his quick rise up the pro hockey ranks as he attends the Canadian Olympic team training camp in Calgary this week. While his invitation caught some by surprise, it makes a lot of sense.
So don't be surprised if the 21-year-old Boston Bruins winger cracks the Team Canada roster – for a few reasons. The obvious: Lucic provides the toughness that was lacking at times in Turin in 2006. He also provides the youthful exuberance that every Olympic – and championship – team needs. He has also led his teams to Memorial Cup, Western Hockey League and Canada-Russia junior summit series titles. (The international experience is an important prerequisite for any Canadian Olympic involvement. The former Vancouver Giant missed out on participating in the world junior championships because he made the Bruins' roster instead). His ability to overcome adversity, including a spinal condition, modest immigrant-family upbringing and so-so skating skills, should also help his cause. The fact that he has an opportunity to play for Canada in his hometown will also improve his chances, because, traditionally, Canada's hockey brass has embraced positive stories that foster team-building, which is a key element in a short tournament like the Olympics.
Most importantly: Lucic is one of the few players who can play well beyond his abilities at critical times. The Olympics are all about exceeding your potential, and that's why Lucic is a good bet to suit up for Canada – again– in February.
NOTES: It's not a well known fact, but Tom Tagami, a retired Killarney high school basketball coach, tried to recruit Lucic for his hoop squad. But Lucic declined because he was too busy with hockey. Lucic took the Memorial Cup to Tagami's retirement party.
Milan Lucic, who grew up in the Killarney area in Vancouver, is continuing his quick rise up the pro hockey ranks as he attends the Canadian Olympic team training camp in Calgary this week. While his invitation caught some by surprise, it makes a lot of sense.
So don't be surprised if the 21-year-old Boston Bruins winger cracks the Team Canada roster – for a few reasons. The obvious: Lucic provides the toughness that was lacking at times in Turin in 2006. He also provides the youthful exuberance that every Olympic – and championship – team needs. He has also led his teams to Memorial Cup, Western Hockey League and Canada-Russia junior summit series titles. (The international experience is an important prerequisite for any Canadian Olympic involvement. The former Vancouver Giant missed out on participating in the world junior championships because he made the Bruins' roster instead). His ability to overcome adversity, including a spinal condition, modest immigrant-family upbringing and so-so skating skills, should also help his cause. The fact that he has an opportunity to play for Canada in his hometown will also improve his chances, because, traditionally, Canada's hockey brass has embraced positive stories that foster team-building, which is a key element in a short tournament like the Olympics.
Most importantly: Lucic is one of the few players who can play well beyond his abilities at critical times. The Olympics are all about exceeding your potential, and that's why Lucic is a good bet to suit up for Canada – again– in February.
NOTES: It's not a well known fact, but Tom Tagami, a retired Killarney high school basketball coach, tried to recruit Lucic for his hoop squad. But Lucic declined because he was too busy with hockey. Lucic took the Memorial Cup to Tagami's retirement party.
Introducing Monte Stewart's blog
Welcome to my new blog. I'll be posting random thoughts and stories on the world of sports here on a regular basis. Check back soon for more details.
(Monte Stewart can be reached at monte@montestewart.ca)
(Monte Stewart can be reached at monte@montestewart.ca)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
