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John Tortorella Officially Named Rangers Head Coach

Here is the official link from the Rangers announcing John Tortorella as the new head coach.

New York Rangers President and General Manager Glen Sather announced today that the club has named John Tortorella as the team’s new Head Coach.

John Tortorella has won championships at three levels of professional hockey, including the 1996 AHL Calder Cup and the 2004 Stanley Cup championship as head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Tortorella, 50, becomes the 34th Head Coach in the 83-year history of the Rangers. He returns to the organization after serving as Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning for seven seasons. Under his guidance, Tampa Bay compiled a 239-222-36-38 record in 535 games. He led the Lightning to four consecutive Stanley Cup Playoff appearances, including two Southeast Division Championships in 2002-03 and 2003-04.

Tortorella Named New York Rangers New Head Coach

TSN.ca is reporting that John Tortorella is the New York Rangers new head coach.  He is apparently en route to New York tonight and all compensation issues with the Tampa Bay Lightning will be sorted out and are not expected to get in the way of Torts taking the reins. Tortorella is said to be free and clear because the Bolts gave him written permission in June of 2008 to seek employment elsewhere.

I can't wait to see how Torts and Slats get along.  Wait till John sits Redden in the stands, oh I can't wait.

Lightning Strikes Melrose Barry Given The Boot

Well the Barry Melrose experiment in Tampa Bay has ended after only 16 games.  Rick Tocchet has been assigned as interim coach and will be tasked with turning this under performing team around.  It really doesn't seem that the Lightning mgt really gave Barry a fair chance.  Time will tell if this was the right move.

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.

Dan Boyle Is a Shark

Dan Boyle has waived his no trade and has been traded to the San Jose Sharks from the Tampa Bay Lightning.  San Jose is rumored to be sending Matt Carle, Brad Lukowich, a 1st round pick and 4th rounder as per tsn.ca.  Looks like the Sharks are loading up for a run at the Cup.  They'll need luck as the road to the Cup in West will be through Detroit next year.

Dan Boyle career stats

Matt Carle career stats

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

Pics of All New NHL Rbk EDGE Jerseys

Below I've attached links to pics and reviews of all the new NHL Reebok EDGE jerseys / uniform systems.  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. Don't forget to check out all our blogs that contain photos of the new Reebok Edge Jersey's that have been officially released by the following teams:

- New Jersey Devils Jersey                             - Edmonton Oilers Jersey

- Chicago Blackhawks Jersey                          - Minnesota Wild Jersey

- Toronto Maple  Leafs Jersey                       - Colorado Avalanche Jersey

- Buffalo Sabres Jersey                                 - Anaheim Ducks Jersey

- Colorado Avalanche                                    - Carolina Hurricanes Jersey         

- Pittsburgh Penguins Jersey                         - Montreal Canadiens Jersey    

- Toronto Maple Leafs Jersey                        - Calgary Flames Jersey

- Philadelphia Flyers Jersey                           - Vancouver Canucks Jersey       

- Detroit Red Wings Jersey                           - Ottawa Senators Jersey         

- Washington Capitals Jersey                       - New York Islanders Jersey

- Tampa Bay Lightning Jersey                      - Nashville Predators Jersey    

- Florida Panthers Jersey                             - Columbus Blue Jackets Jersey

- Dallas Stars Jersey                                    - St. Louis Blues Jersey

- Atlanta Thrashers Jersey                           - Los Angeles Kings Jersey

- San Jose Sharks Jersey                              - Phoenix Coyotes Jersey

Searching eBay for the best deals in hockey!  getitnext

Why You Need to Buy the New Reebok EDGE NHL Jersey!

The new RBK Reebok jerseys are awesome and I can’t wait to get my hands on one of them.   Here are my top reasons why you must buy the new Rbk EDGE sweater, I mean jersey, or is it Uniform System, oh I'm so confused.

- As a superstitious fan your team needs every EDGE it can get (man I should be working for Reebok).

• - You’re an Islanders fan and are just happy that they didn’t put the Gorton’s Fisherman logo back on it.
• - You have hyperhidrosis and hope that Reebok Playdry moisture management technology will keep you from sweating through your uniform system oops I mean jersey.

- You own a ton of reebok stock and can somehow justify the expense because you’re a shareholder.

- You’re a NASCAR fan and 4 Reebok logos is not obtrusive at all.

 

- You’re a friend or relative of Gary Bettman and really feel sad and don’t understand why he always gets booed.

- Lace up collars are so cool.

- Change is good and you also have an online petition to bring back Fox and the glowing puck.

- You’re a hot girl and the tapered jersey accentuates your assets.

Check out my blog yesterday titled: Top Reasons to Boycott Reebok EDGE Jersey.  Want to check out the new jerseys?  Below I've listed links to the teams that have already released their new Rbk EDGE jerseys.

- Buffalo Sabres Jersey                                 - Anaheim Ducks Jersey - Leaked

- Minnesota Wild Jersey                                - Carolina Hurricanes Jersey         

- Pittsburgh Penguins Jersey                         - Montreal Canadiens Jersey    

- Toronto Maple Leafs Jersey                        - Calgary Flames Jersey

- Philadelphia Flyers Jersey                           - Vancouver Canucks Jersey       

- Detroit Red Wings Jersey                           - Ottawa Senators Jersey         

- Washington Capitals Jersey                       - New York Islanders Jersey

- Tampa Bay Lightning Jersey                      - Nashville Predators Jersey    

- Florida Panthers Jersey                             - Columbus Blue Jackets Jersey

- Dallas Stars