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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.

Kevin Lowe Calls Burke a Moron and Much More

Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe has finally fired back at Brian Burke, picking July 4th as the day to light off the fireworks.  As you all know Burkie is still pissed about Lowe offering Dustin Penner a $21.25 million dollar RFA contract last year.  Burke recently started ranting about how much money he had to pay Corey Perry .  I guess KLowe couldn't take it anymore and fired back with his own verbal assault.  Here are some of the best quotes from Lowe's interview with Edmonton Team 1260:

He's a moron, first of all.

Secondly, he really believes that any news for the NHL is good news.

Thirdly, he loves the limelight and I don't think anyone in hockey will dispute that.

Lastly, he's in a pathetic hockey market where they can't get on any page of the newspaper let alone the front page of the sports, so any of this stuff carries on.

This guy is an absolute media junkie and I guess he's achieving what he wants because he gets his name in the headlines. But the reality is, I hate the fact that my name is linked to his.

He's an underachieving wanna-be in terms of success in the NHL. He won a Stanley Cup? Great. I've won six Stanley Cups, you want to count rings? Who cares, it's just a little pathetic that he carries on.

He's all bluff and loud and Mac T (head coach Craig MacTavish) said it best - he's like the Wizard of Oz, you pull the curtains away and there's not much substance.

Here's a fact - he left (former Canucks GM) Dave Nonis nothing in Vancouver," he explained. "Nothing. He destroyed that team. If it wasn't for Nonis' incredible deals - to con Mike Keenan to get Roberto Luongo in Vancouver - that team was taking a nose dive two years ago.

Siberia or Edmonton, Jaromir Jagr Chooses Siberia

After the New York Rangers turned their back on Jaromir Jagr he was still left with several choices in the NHL.  One of the teams that was pursuing him the hardest was Kevin Lowe and the Edmonton Oiler$.  Having turned the NHL salary structure upside down 1 year ago, Kevin Lowe struck out again.  I would have thought in this case Edmonton geographically had the upper hand but apparently not.  Jagr turned down the Oilers offer, decided to walk away from the NHL and is instead heading to Siberia to play for Omsk.  Jags is said to have signed a 2 year deal worth 25 million.

Kevin Lowe Christmas Letter from the Sabres

Do you think Darcy Reiger GM for the Buffalo Sabres sent Kevin Lowe a Christmas this year? Better yet I wonder what its like at the GM meetings when KLow, Ducks Gm Brian Burke and Darcy Rieger are in the same room? I’m sure Rieger and Tom Golisano curse Lowe everytime they run paychex and think about the $10 million that 27 goal scorer Thomas Vanek is getting.

Speaking of Kevin Lowe and the Oilers. How do you think he’s feeling about Dustin Penner? Yeh thought so.

Kubina Oks Trade Than Changes Mind and Burns Leafs

Cliff Fletcher had a lot going on in Leaf land this week. First Mats Sundin refuses to be traded and leaves the Leafs with few tradeable assets. Brian McCabe was rumored to go all week but either was not willing to waive his no trade or teams didn’t think adding the winger oops I mean defensemen would help them. Then Pavel Kubina (I’m still laughing about his contract) agreed to a be traded to the Edmonton Oilers or the San Jose Sharks. Cliff then proceeded to continue discussions with both teams only to find out after the Maple Leafs beat the Ottawa Senators that Kubina changed his mind. I guess there is a silver lining as Fletcher hijacked the pens for Hal Gil, see my Hal Gil Blog.

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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Oilers and Kevin Lowe Fire Back At Burke

Gotta love Kevin Lowe, he doesn't back down from anyone.  He is true to himself and his organization.  Here is a great quote from Kevin Lowe on his feelings and thoughts on Brian Burke.  This is from a blog that Dan Tencer wrote over at hockeybuzz titled Lowe Shoots Back.  I posted only my favorite  quote but its a dandy.  I particularly like this one the best since everyone in hockey seems to be afraid of calling Burke what he is, a loudmouth blowhard.

"People need to know that he really thrives on this stuff and is a little bit of a media junkie and loves the attention."

"What he's insinuating, to me anyways, is that I shouldn't do this to him because he's my friend. In other words I shouldn't try to improve the Edmonton Oilers because I'm his friend. The reality is that I have very few friends in the game. You know what life's all about you get a little bit older and you have your family and a couple of friends and then life ends. I didn't play the game to have friends, I don't wanna have friends. I just try to be a respectful person, be an honest person and treat people properly. If they wanna be my friend that's fine."

Seems Kevin has been reading Sun Tzu, The Art of War.  Gotta love it.

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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.

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