The Rink Links: July 6: ESPN names Leafs the NHL's worst franchise

by James Mirtle on Jul 6, 2009 4:36 PM CDT Comment 13 comments

I've got about 20 browser windows open with stuff I'd wanted to write about this afternoon and it's just not going to happen. (This took up all my time today.)

As a result, here's a link dump of the best of what I've been reading:

The Maple Leafs are unsurprisingly pulling up the rear in ESPN's latest Ultimate Team Rankings as voted by the fans. Ultimate Team Rankings - NHL - SportsNation - ESPN
Meanwhile, Down Goes Brown, who has been hitting it outta the park lately, says don't lay this one on the fans. Me? I'm surprised all my pals here keep rooting these guys on, year after year. That's dedication I don't have. Down Goes Brown: ESPN names Maple Leafs worst organization in the NHL
Alex Kovalev heads to the Senators on a hefty contract, while the Leafs ink Francois Beauchemin to ensure someone can skate the puck on the blueline. Kovalev's decent insurance should Dany Heatley get moved for blueline and/or centre help, while Beauchemin's the first Brian Burke signing I've liked this summer. Kovalev snagged by Senators; Burke adds Ducks defenseman - Puck Daddy
I'm still tracking the top remaining UFAs here. The top 100 unrestricted free agents
TSN, meanwhile, is your one-stop shop for instant updates on every contract signed. 2009 Sortable NHL Free Agent Tracker
One of the top minor-league hockey markets in North America, Oklahoma City, appears to be on the verge of being home to the AHL's next franchise (and the Oilers affiliate). And fans I've heard from sound pumped, so good for them. (To me, this is a good way to develop new "non-traditional" markets... upgrade the top minor-league towns until they can support AHL, or even NHL, hockey.) Edmonton Oilers GM: "We have an interest in Oklahoma City" | NewsOK.com
Rick Nash becomes "one of us" in Columbus after signing his lifetime deal. Blue Jackets Xtra : Bob Hunter commentary: Lifelong sports heroes in Columbus a rare breed
And, finally, all kinds of Coyotes stuff. I'm sure I'll be back into the Moyes/Balsillie/Reinsdorf business full-time soon enough, but this will catch you up to speed:

Wayne Gretzky - The FAN 590 Toronto - Audio on Demand
Reinsdorf bid for Phoenix Coyotes includes little or no cash | Sporting News
NHL pushing Jerry Reinsdorf as man to solve Phoenix Coyotes' woes
TheSpec.com - Sports - $148m Coyote bid raises questions

Sure, some of that's a few days old, but now you're up to speed on what you missed on the July 4 weekend. I'll have my analysis of the top remaining UFA defencemen up in the near future.

0 recs | Comment 13 comments | Add comment | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

And fans I’ve heard from sound pumped, so good for them. (To me, this is a good way to develop new markets… upgrade the top minor-league towns until they can support AHL, or even NHL, hockey.)

Strike two against Hamilton then… they draw pretty sad attendance for the Bulldogs.

Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.

by saskhab on Jul 6, 2009 4:42 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

There’s a reason the AHL Oklahoma team wouldn’t play in the NBA team’s rink. You can’t put a minor-league club into a 18,000-seat plus facility.

Besides, I’m talking about the so-called non-traditional markets.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jul 6, 2009 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

For what it’s worth, the Cox Center (the proposed home for the AHL team that MAY be in OKC in 2010) was the original home of the CHL Blazers and has a great old-time feel to it. Plus the AHL team would have rights to dates on the calendar that they lost when the Thunder rolled into town. Upgrades and renovations to the Cox Center are also a part of the proposed lease agreement.

I for one would pay to see an AHL club here in OKC. I saw my share of Blazers games, but usually for free and I was hesitant to buy even a small season ticket package due to the quality of hockey. I’m excited about the possibility and hope an agreement can be put in place sooner rather than later. OKC is a viable market for the AHL. I just hope something doesn’t happen to screw it up.

2008-2009 Colorado Avalanche: Dry Humping Mediocrity

by Mike @ MHH on Jul 6, 2009 6:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully, the OKC fans will still go to watch an AHL team, because surely the ticket prices go up, as will the cost of sponsorships and advertising. Quad-Cities weren’t able to make a go of it, moving from the UHL to the AHL, although that may be due to the Flames seeming ineptitude of running a farm team.

I've seen enough to know that I've seen too much.

by Smoboy41 on Jul 6, 2009 5:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That’s a good question on the tickets … I assumed there wouldn’t be a huge jump in price.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jul 6, 2009 6:19 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

This market (OKC) has been largely recession-proof too, so a slight jump in ticket prices might not be that big of a deal.

2008-2009 Colorado Avalanche: Dry Humping Mediocrity

by Mike @ MHH on Jul 7, 2009 9:18 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

$5M for Kovy

Boggles the mind.

The Litter Box - Your SBNation Florida Panthers Blogging Colossus

by Donny Rivette on Jul 6, 2009 5:58 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Personally...

…I can’t wait until the news becomes “all Coyotes, all the time” again. With the focus on free agency, Bob Gainey, and the Blackhawks, the lull in angry sentiment against Phoenix has inexplicably allowed my self-esteem as a hockey fan to recover from its earlier beating. We can’t have that!

You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.

by zyllyx on Jul 6, 2009 6:56 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs

That’s ok-I seem to have noticed a trickle of Reisdorf bid articles in the last little while.

by yrmom on Jul 6, 2009 6:58 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the bid is really no cash, and all assumption of debt, I’d love to know whether the ownership group would be on the hook for the debts, or whether those would remain isolated with the hockey club, allowing them to walk away whenever they please.

This doesn’t do anything to reduce my suspicions that the Reinsdorf bid is essentially bogus.

by J. Michael Neal on Jul 6, 2009 11:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

James

You understand there’s more to rooting for a sports team than a winning record, right? I’m also sure you realize that 4-5 years isn’t actually a very long span for anybody.

During the Ballard years, when the organization really was run on malice, sure, question the intelligence of following that club. The current Leafs ownership and former staff are guilty of incompetence, true, but those staff are gone and the ownership is doing their best to rectify things. Were you criticizing Chicago fans for staying with the Hawks during Bill Wirtz’s reign? Or were you playing the bleeding heart for a good hockey market?

And what’s more sordid, the current state of the Leafs franchise or the fact that the best Toronto can do for it’s hockey media is still journalists who drag up old news to take pot shots at the fan base that gives them their bread and butter? (and yes, I am calling you one of the best, I’m allowed to do that and still be mad)

Old Guys in Blue and White

by koopa kid on Jul 7, 2009 12:52 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

The majority of Chicago fans didn’t stay with the ‘Hawks. There’s one difference.

Not sure why you’d be mad over what I’d written.

Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com

by James Mirtle on Jul 7, 2009 8:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

The majority of Chicago fans didn’t stay with the ‘Hawks. There’s one difference.

And they are a bunch of bandwagonners.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Jul 8, 2009 8:39 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

From The Rink: An SB Nation Community

Network Bar

From The Rink -

SB Nation's hockey blog