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Sean Avery Back in Rangers Lineup Thursday

According to Jay Greenberg of the NY Post Sean Avery will be back in the New York Rangers lineup Thursday night if all goes well.  On Monday Sean will be placed on re-entry waivers and if he goes unclaimed the Rangers will grab him for half the freight.  So if all goes according to plan Sean will be playing against the hated Icelanders Thursday night.  One team that could grab Sean is the Islanders, which would be an interesting twist and would make for a very entertaining game Thursday.

Avery Soap Opera Continues

This just in Sean Avery is not in the NHL's behavioral program, not yet at least.  Oh brother when will this saga end.  Here is the report from TSN.

Sean Avery vs Elisha Cuthbert Who's More Popular?

Alright so who do you think is more popular Sean Avery or Elisha Cuthbert?  Well I have 3 criteria for ranking popularity. 

• First up is a google search:

        Sean "6 Game" Avery = 682,000 search results
        Elisha Cuthbert = 4,920,000 search results
        Advantage Jack Bauer's annoying daughter

• 2nd query google image results

        Elisha Cuthbert = 215,000 exquisite pics
        Former Dallas Star Sean Avery = 85,000
        Advantage Darcie (post a comment if you know who Darcie is)

• 3rd query products on eBay (powered by GetItNext)       

        Elisha Cuthbert = 693
        Sean Avery 184 search results
        Advantage Dion Phanuef's girlfriend

Stars Remove Avery From Website Roster

Things are heating up up between the Dallas Stars, Sean Avery and NHLPA.  Sean Avery is no where to be found on the Dallas Stars website as a roster player.  Over the past week Avery has been ripped by his own players, owner Tom Hicks and even his coach who questioned if he would ever be welcomed back into the team's locker room.   It appears the Stars are moving forward with ridding themselves of the pest and the next week or two is going to get very interesting.

What do you think, will Sean ever wear a Stars jersey again?

NHLPA Showdown Coming With Dallas Stars Over Avery

Take a look at the press release the NHLPA issued regarding Sean Avery:

TORONTO (December 5, 2008): NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly’s statement regarding the suspension of Sean Avery for six regular season games:

“While the NHLPA does not condone Sean’s comments, which were clearly inappropriate, the discipline imposed by the Commissioner is unprecedented both in its severity, as well as the process by which it was handed down. We have also seen signals from the Dallas Stars that Sean’s contractual rights might be challenged. We are monitoring the situation as it develops, and we will evaluate all legal options as the circumstances warrant. In the meantime, our first priority is supporting Sean’s efforts to learn from his mistake and move forward in a positive manner."

They're sending a shot across the Dallas Stars bow that they better not try and waive Sean.  This is going to get interesting because Dallas does not want Sean back.  In fact before this incident they asked their AHL affiliate it they would accept Sean if they waived him and the AHL team said NO.  Ball is in your court Mr Hicks, lets see what you got.

Avery Does Not Want NHLPA to Appeal Suspension

Looks like Sean Avery is taking this absurd suspension like a man.  According to Larry Brooks, Avery does not want the NHLPA to file a grievance on his behalf.  He is also keeping a positive frame of mind and wants to get past this and resume his career.  What team and/or league he will be playing for is a larger can of worms.

4 NHL Rule Changes For 2008-2009 Season

The NHL is introducing 4 new rule changes for the 2008-2009 season.  I am not always in agreement with changes that are introduced by the league but I have to say that 3 of the 4 new tweaks should help the game.  I think that #2 could be a good rule but it is very subjective and the refs will not enforce it properly.

1. A change to Rule 76.2 ("Face-Offs") will place the first face-off of a power play in the defending zone of the team that committed the foul.
2. A change to Rule 81.1 ("Icing") states that "Any contact between opposing players while pursuing the puck on an icing must be for the sole purpose of playing the puck and not for eliminating the opponent from playing the puck. Unnecessary or dangerous contact could result in penalties being assessed to the offending player."
3. A change to Rule 85.5 ("Face-Off Location") provides that if a puck is shot off the goal frame, goal post or crossbar, the subsequent face-off will remain in the end zone where the puck went out of play.
4. I can't find the official wording for this one but I've heard that its approved.  When a puck is iced intentionally the game will NOT be delayed but a tv timeout even if one was scheduled.  This is a great rule change as coaches really started to abuse this last year and take advantage of the ability to ice the puck when they knew a tv timeout was coming.  Bravo NHL.

Now next year, slim down the goalie equipment.

Reebok to Replace New NHL EDGE Jerseys

How bad are the Rbk EDGE jerseys failing?  They are such a failure that Reebok has offered alternative fabric jerseys to any players that request them (as per a Boston Herald Rbk EDGE article on Saturday).  This is due to increasing NHLPA complaints that the new Rbk Edge uniforms are leaving players drenched in perspiration.  The Canton company said it made the decision after soliciting feedback from players, teams and equipment managers.  So much for two years of research Reebok spent developing and testing a new lighter and streamlined NHL uniform that they claimed would wick away moisture to keep players drier and create less drag to make them faster.

More from the Herald article: But some Boston Bruins and other players started complaining last month that the jerseys were collecting water that ran down their arms and legs, soaking their gloves and skates. Others complained that the new jerseys made it hard for them to grab onto opponents during fights.

“Many NHL players are satisfied with the current Rbk Edge jersey, but since the start of the season we have received player feedback about the jersey’s moisture management and durability,” Reebok said in a statement. “. . . Reebok will provide players with the option to wear a version with slight sizing and fabrication adjustments.”

Reebok has removed its Bead-Away technology in the alternative jerseys and added a new air-knit fabric. The jerseys still will have PlayDry moisture-wicking technology and a stretch mesh fabric for increased range of motion and ventilation, Reebok said.

Reebok plans no changes in the jerseys that it sells to the public, why of course not.  They have to bleed consumers of all of their sunk R&D costs, thanks Reebok.  Anyone looking to buy a new jersey BUYER BEWARE, I wouldn't buy the new Rbk EDGE as I'm sure they'll have a new style out next year so people have to buy the next latest and greatest "sweater".

For those of you who truly hate the new Reebok Edge Jersey's or want to save some dough, now is the time to pick up the "old" style jerseys before their sold out. Check out these great deals on NHL Jersey Deals.

Want to know all the specifications and the advantages (as per Rbk Marketing) of the new Reebok EDGE uniforms, check out this link: Facts about New NHL Jersey Reebok EDGE.  Or those in the mood for humor check out this blog Why You Need to Buy a Reebok EDGE Jersey! 

Check out my previous rant about the new Reebok Edge Jersey and Top Reasons to Boycott Reebok EDGE.

NHL Network Launching on Directv in HD

There are a lot of rumors floating around so I'll try and separate out facts from speculation:

Fact: The NHL Network has signed a carriage agreement with Directv, click here for the NHL Directv agreeement.

Fact: Directv has no capacity to add the NHL Network in SD, it will supposedly be adding it in 2008.

Fact: Directv is said to be launching the HD version of the NHL Network by the end of October.

Speculation:  Heavy speculation is that the NHL Network will be added for Directv HD subscribers Weds Oct 24th.  Hopefully when subscribers wake up and check their guide it will be appearing on channel 215.

For the full list of Directv HD channels that are currently available check out this blog: Directv Complete HD Lineup.  For New York Rangers fans check out Matt's latest blog on the status of MSG HD.

If you've tuned to any of these channels and cannot receive them you might not have the proper equipment.  You will need the following in order to receive the new HD channels: a 5 LNB Dish, and one of the following MPEG 4 boxes: a HR-20, HR-21, H-20 or H-21 model.  Without this equipment you will not be able to receive the signal from the new bird.

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The Worst of the worst: New Dallas Stars Rbk Home Jersey

Over the course of the past few weeks, lots has been said about the new NHL uniforms. You may want to check out Matt's recent posts where he lists all the NHL rbk edge uniforms on one page. While everyone has their favourites, you can't help but notice the trendsetters and... of course, the absolute worst of them all.

To be honest, I've never been a big fan of any Dallas Stars hockey jerseys from the past. Over the years, they have never had a good, simple looking jersey. If you ask me, a hockey jersey should never have a large white/ gold/ green star across it... no matter what. And just when I thought they couldn't make it any worse, they released the new rbk edge style. Have a look for yourself:

While I don't mind the away jersey all that much, the home version just looks horrible. Who thought it was a good idea to make a completely dark jersey with only name of the city on there...? The only other team that was dumb enough to think of doing this were the Vancouver Canucks. Both their new home and away jersey has the name of the city written across the front of it. Is it just me, or does it look just awful?  Maybe I'm missing something.......