by Rory Boylen - December 4, 2012 3:05 PM EST
Lockout thoughts, from the big markets to Wednesday's board of governors meeting.
Thank goodness for the opening of the outdoor rinks in Toronto and the World Junior Championship at the end of the month. The lockout was starting to wear down my hockey soul, but those two pieces of entertainment will rejuvenate it some.
by Rory Boylen - November 28, 2012 9:45 AM EST
The federal mediators are a welcome addition to the NHL labor negotiations, but will unlikely be able to break the deadlock.
There have been a few up and down moments during this NHL lockout.
For one, the players’ acceptance of a move to a 50-50 revenue split with honored contracts caused a bit of a buzz – only to be met with an out-of-hand dismissal from the nonsensical owners.
by Rory Boylen - November 6, 2012 3:54 PM EST
Toronto has proven incapable of supporting major junior teams and that big-league hockey is all that sells.
The Toronto St. Michael’s Majors of the Ontario League used to play games in Maple Leaf Gardens. I remember making the hour-plus journey with my dad and brothers into the city to catch one of those games in the afternoon.
by Rory Boylen - October 31, 2012 3:23 PM EDT
The NHL has talked about growing the game for the past two-plus decades, but each lockout derails those efforts.
A major struggle the NHL has faced in its history is transitioning from a niche sport to a big-league show that attracts fans from markets that can’t sustain an outdoor rink.
by Rory Boylen - October 23, 2012 3:55 PM EDT
Nobody sticks in the NHL on skill alone - determined drive is what keeps them there. That's why scouts are closely watching the Kamloops Blazers scorer.
“He’s paid his dues and got here with hard work and compete and a lot of teams respect that and appreciate guys like that.” – Kamloops Blazers GM Craig Bonner on J.
by Rory Boylen - October 9, 2012 4:50 PM EDT
Doom and gloom clouds the ongoing NHL-NHLPA battle, but at some point the two sides have to get serious.
I’m not optimistic. The league I’ve loved since childhood and the players I follow haven’t given me any reason to be.
Two weeks of the season have already been cancelled and when the NHL and NHLPA met recently, it wasn’t to discuss the core issues that are driving a wedge between them.
by Rory Boylen - October 2, 2012 1:37 PM EDT
The overager decided to not attend training camp after being informed he'd be traded, but five games in and he's still waiting at home.
Ontario Leaguer Gregg Sutch is caught between a rock and a hard place.
The Barrie Colts right winger, who hasn’t taken to the ice yet this season, is at home while the major junior squad tries to work out a trade to send him elsewhere.
by Rory Boylen - September 11, 2012 5:15 PM EDT
When parents let their emotions get the best of them and clash with coaches, it does nothing to help the children.
There’s nothing quite like the start of a new season for a minor hockey player. It’s like the first day of school, except you’re eager to get it started.
by Rory Boylen - September 4, 2012 4:48 PM EDT
Fans, rightfully, are riled up because of the threat of another lockout, but beware of misleading information.
That the NHL is on the cusp of sinking into its second lockout in seven years is disgraceful and hockey fans are fed up with the business end of the sport.
by Rory Boylen - August 28, 2012 3:31 PM EDT
Why did THN pick the Penguins to finish first in the East? The reason is simple. Plus thoughts on the CBA negotiations and Taylor Hall.
Still trying to be optimistic we’ll have at least part of an NHL season, but if not, that means more sojourns to Ontario League towns and trips to the Ricoh Coliseum, home of the American League’s Toronto Marlies.
by Rory Boylen - July 24, 2012 2:00 PM EDT
The New York Rangers picked up an elite goal-scorer, while the Blue Jackets started a brand new rebuild.
The hockey world received a jolt when news of the Rick Nash trade broke Monday afternoon. Another of the league’s small-market franchises took a beating, days after Nashville cornerstone Shea Weber signed an offer sheet with Philadelphia (though it was matched Tuesday by the Predators).
by Rory Boylen - July 17, 2012 3:35 PM EDT
Why you can't always count on first-year starters; defending the cap hit for Mike Green; and how good are the Jets?
Got some good feedback on this three-pronged style last week and one reader on Twitter (@Jetzky18) came up with the #ODG hash tag, so if you have anything you’d like to see appear in one of these spaces, drop it there.
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This Week - Subscribe NowAll things considered, how would you rate this NHL season?
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“I think when you’re at home the first two games, sometimes you get a little bit too comfortable at home. Then you come on the road, maybe it’s like a rude awakening…We’ve had three series to figure that out, learn it. We definitely want to be better (Monday), especially in the first game on the road.”
- Chicago's Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks are 0-3 in Game 3s this playoff.
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