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Brent Sutter to Coach Calgary Flames in 2009

According to TSN, Brent Sutter has an agreement in place to take over the helm for the Calgary Flames.  No date has been set, but expect a press conference this week.

Well, this has been rumored for weeks and must really burn Lou Lamoriello's ass in New Jersey.  Where there is smoke there is fire, at least thats what the Flames and their fans are hoping for.  Good luck Brent, if you don't turn it around quick you are going to cost your brother his job.

2009 NHL Playoff Round 1 Predictions - East

Alright here are the Red Line's NHL Round 1 playoff predictions for the Eastern Conference:

                                         Chris       Matt       Nick        Ron       Colin 

Bruins Vs Canadians           Bruins      Bruins   Bruins    Bruins     Boston 

Caps vs Rangers                 Caps        Caps     Caps       Caps       Caps

Devils vs Hurricanes           NJ           Canes    NJ          NJ          Canes 

Pens Vs Flyers                    Pitt          Pitt       Flyers     Pitt        Pitt

          

Shanahan Back to Being a Devil

Brendan Shanahan is going to be a Devil again, New Jersey that is.  The UFA winger is joining the team according to TSN, but has not yet signed a contract.  According to Devils GM Lou Lamoriello he has an agreement in principle to join the New Jersey Devils.

This is a great pick up for the Devils, Shanny will help them on the power play, scoring at even strength and also in the locker room.  He will also not be worn out come playoff time as he's missed half the season and should have some gas left in the tank in April.

Brendan Shanahan A Flyer

Heavy rumors that Brendan Shanahan will be signing with the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.  Shanny narrowed down his choices earlier in the week and is rumored to be ironing out a contract with Flyers GM Paul Holmgren.  The Flyers have approximately 880,000 left under the cap so they might have to get creative to sign Brendan.  Looks like the east is going to get tougher with number 14 back. 

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.

Shanahan Running Out of Time with Rangers Might Join Ducks

Brendan Shanahan might be finally realizing that Glen Sather and the NY Rangers have no interest in offering the savvy veteran a new contract.  Shanahan who has maintained his loyalty to the original 6 team all summer might be forced to give up the dream of returning to the blueshirts. 

Shanahan is said to be weighing the possibility of signing a deal with the Anaheim Ducks and has also received interest from several other clubs including the NJ Devils.  As much as I love Shanny and think he's still a great asset to any team I just don't see him fitting in with the Rangers this season.  I actually think the best fit for Brendan is to return to the Devils.  As hard as it is to say I think he would really compliment them and help fill a gaping hole on the power play.  I think it would be a fitting way for Brendan to end his NHL career in the place it started.

Greatest Group of Hockey Hall of Famers Inducted Tonight

I can't wait to watch the greatest group of players to be inducted at once into the HHOF.  Being in my mid 30's I've watched, cheered and jeered these guys for the better parts of 2 decades.  They all have 2 very important things in common.  Each one is a winner in every sense of the word and they are all ferocious competitors.   Thanks for the memories Mark Messier, Ron Francis, Scott Stevens and Al MacInnis, you guys represented what this league is all about and is lacking today.  For those of you lucky enough to have the NHL Network they will be showing the induction ceremony live tonight.

Larry Brooks has a great article blasting the league for scheduling games tonight, for once Larry has a decent article, Hall of Shame.

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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Pics of All 30 NHL Rbk Edge Jerseys Home and Away

Check out this video that shows the new Reebok EDGE NHL Jerseys for all teams both home and away.  Please note how the Panthers and Oilers have the exact same jersey, shame on you Edmonton.

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.

Searching eBay for the best deals in hockey!  getitnext