Leafs and Burke Destined To Be Together

Toronto Maple Leafs fans should be thankful today that the one man who has been hyped up to be the next great GM to turn things around for the once proud franchise has finally reached a deal, ending the speculation and the worries.

Burke first had to break free of the Anaheim contract and pay lip service to the Ducks team when speculation turned up the heat. Brian Burke, a "real man's man", built a reputation of fixing franchises his way by brokering trades. However, the Maple Leaf Sports Entertainment group, insist on being a "hands-on" corporate entity often stirring the pot for previous GMs in Toronto. MLSE would have veto power.

The deal is worth about $18 million - the rest of this season and the next five. Also, Burke will report only to the CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment, which is currently held by Richard Peddie.

An official announcement is expected Saturday.

Brian Burke, a GM credited for 2 successful NHL franchises (Ottawa & Anaheim), was thought of and speculated as the next potential General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Being careful not to attract any collusion or contract tampering charges, Burke's family made it convenient for him to accept a Toronto job.

His arrival in Toronto will be greeted by a few familiar faces. Burke and coach Ron Wilson are former roommates at Providence College while he and player personnel director Al Coates worked together with the Ducks.

Getting one of the top names on their list, the Toronto Maple Leafs have looked at the hiring as a resurgence of their "traditional globally identifiable franchise brand" and expect to become relevant in the NHL once again.

[Via: Sportsnet.ca]

Penguins Fans Vote For Traditional Black and Gold

While FOX Sports Pittsburgh is providing an alternative to the football on the other networks, Pittsburgh fans will be having fond memories stuffing their heads as well as a turkey dinner stuffing their bellies. Starting at 11am , you can watch the replay of the 2008 Winter Classic featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins in those classic light blue

But a recent poll headed up on the Pittsburgh Penguins Official page, the fans have seemingly rejected the trend to the classic third jerseys. According to the poll, almost 60% of the fans visiting the Official page voted to suggest that the Penguins use the retro third jerseys sparingly.

I think the 60% Penguins fans are thinking in the right direction. This is a community that is proud of it's black and gold historic culture.

Tocchet Becomes Lightning Coach

Despite having been associated with the NJ gambling ring controversy, Rick Tocchet has worked himself back into good graces having been named the new coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Fresh off the firing of Barry Melrose, Tocchet has a great group of underachieving hockey players who only lack the real focus.

"This was a tough decision to make," general manager Brian Lawton said. "Barry is a good man and we have a great deal of respect for him. However, the results were unacceptable and the players have to understand that we need to be better. Hopefully this change helps push them."

So, why give Barry the chance to turn things around? It is so early in the season! The Tampa Bay Lightning were under no pressure of expecting to be top of the list in the Eastern Conference. With 66 games left in the season, there is plenty of time to rebound and dominate a perpetually weak Southeastern division.

Congratulations to Coach Tocchet who is still remembered fondly in Pittsburgh as being a big piece to the Stanley Cup years.

[Via: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Penguins Exorcise their Bad Playoff Final Memories

...and THAT is why hockey is the greatest sport in the world.

according to talk show host Mark Madden. It truly was nice to see a non-Penguins team blow a lead for once.

A hyped-up game from the start of the year, the Penguins and Red Wings were destined for a titanic rematch after last year's finals.

The game was a remarkable drama that built on the strong rivalry that is starting to grow. The leaders of the team, Crosby, Malkin, and Staal you can tell decided to step up their talent and fought off the hard working defensive system that you could tell was frustrating the Penguins. It took an extra effort from an entire team to show the Red Wings that they weren't going to forget what happened in the Finals last year and are now stronger having learned from the experience.

[Via: Mark Madden on WXDX-FM]

"Carpetbagger" Claims Canadians Are For Sale

Jim Balsillie created, yet again, a big stir in the hockey world by claiming that the historic Montreal Canadians were for sale.

While both George Gillett and Gary Bettman have publicly declared that the Montreal Canadians are not for sale, the Balsillie camp now claims that he was speaking hypothetically as anything is for sale at the right price.

Perhaps if the Canadians were for sale, this would be a safer situation for Balsillie when every hockey fan knows that the Canadians could not be easily be relocated. Balsillie has notably tried to move other clubs - much to the frustrations of the developing fanbase.

[Via: Canadian Press, Sports Business Daily]

Crosby Spares Semin Over Controversial Criticism

I expected Sid Crosby to respond to public criticism in the manner that he did - classy.

"I saw them," Crosby said of the quotes. "I'd be better off keeping my opinion to myself, I think. He can say what he wants, but I'll keep mine to myself about him."

I don't know what Semin was thinking, but the criticism that he offered backfired when part-time fans were left scratching their heads saying "Who is Alex Semin?"

[Via: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]