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(Author’s Note: Please take a few moments to check out the links in this article.  Those people all do fantastic work, you will enjoy it.)

Just a few short hours after both Canada and the United States finished the weekend-long celebrations for their respective national holidays, the hockey world suffered an immeasurable loss as one of its own, Bob Probert, met his end at the young age of 45.  Widely regarded as the best “tough guy” to ever lace it up in the NHL, Probert played one of sport’s most difficult roles for an astounding 17 NHL seasons, first for the Detroit Red Wings, then for their division rival Chicago Blackhawks.

Probert’s career followed a path that was anything but conventional.  In his first season with the OHL‘s Brantford Alexanders, he played a scant 15 games, but in that time amassed 12 goals, 28 points, and 133 penalty minutes.

He certainly seemed to be a jack-of-all-trades kind of player. As time progressed, however, he found his niche as an “enforcer”, doing the dirty work and protecting his teams’ top scorers with his intimidating physical presence and ten pound hands.  There is even sports apparel bearing his post-scrap image with the tagline: “Give Blood. Fight Probie.”

Over the years, many of Probert’s on-ice bouts have become things of legend as he grappled with the likes of Jeff Odgers, Craig Coxe, Joey Kocur, and of course, 13 “trips to the boat races” with Tie Domi.  As tweeted by former NHL player and Domi teammate Nick Kypreos: “Tie told me he had 13 go’s with Probert. Asked him if that’s the most Probie’s had with one guy? Tie said ‘Can’t imagine anyone stupid enough to go for 14′.”  Adrian Dater from the Denver Post reported that veteran Ian Laperriere texted him describing Probert as the “scariest player to ever play against, for sure”.

Respect abounds throughout the league for the man affectionately known as “Probie”.  Former Blackhawks goaltender turned analyst and broadcaster Darren Pang tweeted: “There was nothing quite like knowing Bob Probert was heading to the front of your net. A big man with great hands. Sad day.”  Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch wrote a great piece on former Columbus Blue Jackets’ big man Jody Shelley‘s reaction to Probert’s passing where Shelley stated: “He’s what us other guys wanted to be. He played the game like a man.” (Read the full article here.)

Even in the role of on-ice policeman, Probert made the 1987-88 NHL All-Star team and finished the regular season third on the Red Wings in points.  He proceeded to lead the team in post-season points taking the Wings to the Campbell Conference Finals.  That year the great Steve Yzerman played only three playoff games due to injury, so Probert understood the need for a leader and stepped his game up accordingly.  Claude Lemieux, as quoted by The Hockey News on Twitter, said it best: “He was the ultimate team guy. … He really was a good player. More than a tough guy. Fans really connected with him, related to him. He’s going to be missed.”  More and more reasons why no matter how much players and fans hated seeing their team play against Probie, it was impossible not to respect the passion with which he played the game.

In keeping with the theme of an unorthodox storyline, Probert’s career was not without its stumbling blocks.  He had several run-ins with the law, and a well-documented penchant for the “rock star” lifestyle.  He indulged in alcohol and illicit drugs on and off throughout his career and even afterwards, including multiple stints in rehab clinics.  This tried the patience of the Red Wings management and was ultimately what led to his departure from the organization, and, to a certain extent, from the Blackhawks years later.

Probert’s on-ice ferocity and nastiness might lead many to think that he carried himself in a similar manner away from the rink.  In Probert’s case however, nothing could be further from the truth.  As a former long-time teammate and current general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Yzerman told Tampa Tribune’s Erik Erlendsson: “Despite being a rugged hockey player, he was really a kind-hearted guy.  He was always upbeat and always had something nice to say.”  Lest anyone think that Yzerman was biased because Probert fought for him all those years, in a quote to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, rival Doug Gilmour praised Probert as well: “Loved the guy. He was a gentle giant. A sweetheart guy off the ice. A fierce competitior on it.”

A personal favorite memory was the one brief time I met Bob Probert.  It was just a few seconds in the concourse of the United Center when he was doing broadcasting work for the Blackhawks.  I rounded the corner and almost literally ran into him.  He said “Oh, pardon me”, and I almost kept walking without looking up.  Luckily I did look up, and once I realized who it was, I shook his frying-pan hand, said a quick word about how much I appreciated his play, and tried to let him get on his way.  It was to no avail, as autograph seekers saw who it was and engaged their tractor beams immediately.  He obliged every single one with a huge smile and a “Thank you”.  Until that day I didn’t think I could like him any more than I already did, and this is a guy who played for the Detroit Red Wings!  (Quite a big deal for many Hawks fans, as we chanted “Probert Sucks!” almost as often as “Detroit Sucks!” in the late Chicago Stadium.)

One last quote from the guy with whom he had arguably his most epic battle, Marty McSorley: “The guys around the game always cheered for him and wanted well for him.  We knew he had troubles but we wanted best for him” (thanks again to Steve Simmons).  The demons he battled were no secret to anyone, and everyone truly wanted him to come out the other side as successful as he was on the ice.

Bob Probert wasn’t a goon, a meathead, a thug, or “dirty”.  He was a hockey player in the truest sense of the word.  If you didn’t believe that before now, the words from some of his greatest adversaries should illustrate the reverence and admiration he earned from players and fans of hockey everywhere.  Probie embraced his role by defending himself, his teammates, his sweater, and the rabid fans for whom he bled with the utmost fervor, and he will be remembered as one of hockey’s favorite sons.  In an era where speed dominates the game, not only may Bob Probert have been the last truly complete ”enforcer”, but he also definitely makes the team photo for the greatest to ever play the role.  To Bob’s family: Hockey fans worldwide will keep his legacy alive, he was a great player and human.  To Bob: Your contributions to our favorite game will never be forgotten, but you will be forever missed.  Thank you.

A few of the fondest memories we have of Probert:

Bob Probert vs Marty McSorley:

Bob Probert vs Joey Kocur:

Bob Probert vs Tie Domi:

Bob Probert: Last goal ever scored at Maple Leafs Gardens:

RIP Bob Probert (1965-2010)

Ryan Hackett
NHLHS Blackhawks Correspondant
rhackett@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @hawknut

The Toronto Maple Leafs had much work to do this offseason in order to become more competitive for next year. They took a huge step forward last night by acquiring yet another Chicago cap casualty, Kris Versteeg.

If there was one thing that was certain this off-season, it was that the Leafs needed major renovation prior to entering this season. It was a priority to beef up the top six by acquiring/signing high quality forwards. With the defense “presumably set”, the Leafs set their sights on acquiring  forwards at the least possible cost. Enter Kris Versteeg and the Chicago cap situation. Chicago was forced into dealing onr of their better, more expensive players in order to keep their “core” locked up. It was a necessary transaction, because Chicago was in deep cap trouble, and Brian Burke came in and swooped like a vulture. Like the Dion Phaneuf trade, he was able to turn a few spare parts that didn’t fit in going forward,  into the top six forward he has coveted.

To be fair, he didn’t just give up any old players. Viktor Stalberg is a speedy offensive threat, who, if able to find his game could become a good second or third line player. Chris DiDomenico is a resilient, young player with offensive and defensive abilities to be proud of, and he is projected as a high energy, bottom line player. Philippe Paradis was a relatively unknown prospect in Toronto, having been previously acquired a short while ago in exchange for Jiri Tlusty. He was only expected to be a big, industrial checker on the fourth line, so nothing really lost there. His stock was falling fast.

It is my opinion that the drafting of Josh Nicholls and Sam Carrick in this years entry draft made DiDomenico and Paradis expendable. Then you factor in that Stalberg is older than Versteeg, and Versteeg has accomplished much more, you see why Toronto made the deal.

It’s hard to determine a winner yet on the deal, but you can see that obviously both teams addressed their issues: Chicago’s cap problems and Toronto’s lack of top six forwards.

With the 24th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks select…

Riley Sheahan

Not only is this kid a bit above par on the maturity level, he’s got the hockey sense to prove it. Smart and dominant at both ends of the ice and patient through the neutral zone makes Sheahan a three category skater. Standing 6’2″ tall and weighing 202 pounds, the boy can hold his own in front of the net and will over power you in the faceoff dots.

A lock for Chicago if Sheahan lasts until twenty four.

Anthony Curatolo
NHLHS New York Islanders Correspondent
acuratolo@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @HockeyGuy_AC

With the 30th overall pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks select…

Tyler Pitlick

With the cupboard now running bare and the Blackhawks looking like they’re gonna be perennial late round pickers, they need to start re-stocking somewhere.  Having already selected John McFarland at 24, they decided to pick another solid forward in Tyler Pitlick.  Decent speed, great size and good balance should make him a reliable player.  Playing with an edge doesn’t hurt either.  Look for an already tremendous skill set to continue improving with more experience.  With an ability to make those around him better, look for him to compliment an already impressive forward corps in Chicago in a few years time.

Jose Simoes
NHLHS Restoring the Rosters Correspondent
jsimoes@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @RTRHockey

Chicago Blackhawks receive:

• Marty Reasoner
• Jeremy Morin
• Joey Crabb
• 2010 first round draft pick (via New Jersey)
• 2010 second round draft pick (also via New Jersey)

Atlanta Thrashers receive:

• Akim Aliu
• Ben Eager
• Brent Sopel
• Dustin Byfuglien

Laura Astorian, our fantastic Atlanta Thrashers correspondent and Ryan Hackett who covers the Blackhawks for us here at NHLHS will have a full story on the deal in with their respective thoughts.

But in the interest of those who may be out of the loop, the deal is as follows:
As per TSN Bob McKenzie’s twitter account:

Chicago Blackhawks acquire:

Jeremy Morin
Marty Reason
ATL 1st #24 overall (via NJD)
ATL 2nd round pick (via NJD)

Atlanta Thrashers acquire:

Dustin Byfuglien
Ben Eager
Brent Sopel
Akim Aliu

Stay tuned for more…

We got your fix right here.

We go live tomorrow with our 2009-2010 NHL season wrap-up show.

Be sure to tune in live with us tomorrow from 1-3 p.m. EST.

The Hockey Guys on Blog Talk Radio – link for show tomorrow. Chat room will open approximately 5 minutes prior to show’s puck drop.

After the final horn went to officially end game five, the tell tale signs were all there that this may finally be the end of the line for the Philadelphia Flyers.

The Flyers players looked tired.  Despite outhitting the Chicago Blackhawks, 45-35, Philadelphia took the more punishing checks for a good portion of the night.

Mike Richards looked gassed.  As did Claude Giroux, Simon Gagne, and just about every other Flyer, for that matter.

Chicago forward Dustin Byfuglien laid several bone-crushing hits, particularly on Philly defenseman Chris Pronger.

Those hit appeared to take a toll on Pronger, and the defenseman finished the game a career-worst -5.

Philadelphia left the ice a defeated team Sunday night.  Chicago had beaten them in nearly every aspect of the game, and the Blackhawks needed just one more win to lock up their first Stanley Cup in 49 years.

When you have a team in this spot, you don’t do anything to provoke them.  Let a sleeping dog lie.

You use the tactic that Philadelphia Eagles coach Dick Vermeil employed back in the 1980 NFC Championship game.

Up against a tough and talented Dallas Cowboys’ team, Vermeil used the media to stroke the egos of the Cowboys players and organization during the time off leading up to the game.

By the time the contest started, Dallas thought all all they had to do was show up and they would be well on their way to the Super Bowl.

The Eagles ran all over the Cowboys for the entire 60 minutes that day, easily beating an overconfident Dallas team.

I have never forgotten that moment, and wondered why more teams haven’t used it themselves.

These past two days were the perfect time for Chicago to use Vermeil’s example, to say all the right things and hope that the Flyers went quietly into the night on Wednesday.

But instead, the struggling Chicago Tribune took the exact opposite approach and decided to publish this photo centerfold in hopes of more sales:

There is a difference between taking good-natured shots at players and crossing the line into cheap shot classlessness.

It’s rather ironic that the Tribune basically forgot about the Blackhawks, much like the rest of Chicago, during their years of futility.

Now that the team has been rebuilt and stands on the threshold of greatness, a bad sideshow was not what Chicago wanted to portray.

Pronger couldn’t have cared less:  ”I don’t read what you guys write.  Good or bad.  I really don’t care, to be honest with you.  I’m worried about playing this game.”

Perhaps the biggest disappointment in the whole situation is that the Blackhawks coach and players weren’t even involved.

Joel Quenneville must be furious.  Trying to finish off the fourth and final win in a Cup Finals is difficult enough, a task that could become even more arduous with the cheap shot.

Do you really want to anger the opposing player who has been the best on the ice for much of the series?

And if there is any justice, the hockey gods will give Pronger and the rest of his teammates a strong second wind.

And maybe even give Pronger the opportunity to do a curtsey at United Center’s center ice on Friday night with Lord Stanley raised above his head.

Worst-Kept Secret “Revealed”, Leighton Probable Starter in Game 6

Since the end of game five on Sunday night, it has been amazing to see all of the media outlets pondering which goaltender would be manning the Philadelphia crease on Wednesday night for game six.

Incumbent starter Michael Leighton was pulled after the first period of game five trailing 3-0, having given up three goals on 13 shots.

Leighton’s goals given up were not horrendous.

The first, scored by Blackhawks’ defenseman Brent Seabrook, was a deflection off of defenseman Chris Pronger’s skate.  It changed direction just enough to keep the puck away from Leighton’s waiting right pad, and ended up as a seeing-eye goal that went just between the Philly net minder’s right skate and the goal post.

That one play seemed to shift every player on the ice into a different gear.

The players in the red home team uniforms, already moving faster than their opponents, kicked it into overdrive.

And conversely, anyone in the road whites seemed to downshift into first gear.

The second goal was probably the one that Leighton would like to have back.  On a delayed Philadelphia penalty call, David Bolland’s flip banked off of Leighton’s right skate, which he didn’t get up against the post, and trickled into the net.

And Leighton played down the effect of being hit on the knee by a shot in warm ups prior to game five.

“It’s just a bruise.  It didn’t affect the way I played.  Once you get on the ice, you don’t really think about it.”

Laviolette’s pulling of Leighton in favor of Brian Boucher has been done before, most-recently in game one in Chicago.

Some even took Laviolette’s decision not to name a game six starter as a sign of not having confidence in Leighton.

But as Laviolette stated today, “Our goaltender has the best numbers in the playoffs, I didn’t think I’d have to announce it.”

Leighton has been this team’s best goaltender over the course of the entire season, and there is no reason to change that now.

Sporting an 8-2 record with a 2.34 goals-against average, Leighton has earned the right to play Wednesday night.

End of “story”.

David Strehle
NHLHS Flyers Correspondent / NHL Writer
dstrehle@nhlhotstove.com
Twitter: @PhilaDAVEia

- How High, Tellin’ Stories- The Charlatans

President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings, Dean Lombardi

Why hello… it’s been a while.. too long. And normally after such an absence, I’d like to catch-up, talk and chit-chat. However, since I have another, sweeter, kinder entry on the way for after Stanley Cup Finals that is actually about us, the Kingdom; I think we’ll save our sweet nothings for then. Mind you, I don’t mean to say that this fireside chat is mean or negative. Actually, just the opposite.  Instead, it is President and General Manager of the Los Angeles Kings, Dean Lombardi giving quite the positive take on the Kings future and then a real honest look at the NHL, and how the finances work <or don’t> for the NHLPA.

It is nice to be writing about the boys again, though. If I recall, when I last left the Kingdom, we were licking our wounds after a sudden ending to a long-awaited NHL playoff berth. Looking to the bright lights of the future, many were praying those lights weren’t attached to a speeding train <runs for cover.. > I KID I KID!  Hey, look, I’m not the pessimistic one... ok most of the time. So we that in mind and fittingly enough, just three weeks out from the draft, I come to you and bestow a glimpse of a very well-lit future I promise will not get you run over by any freight trains.

THROW THE TWINKIE!! THROW THE DAGGER!!… HELL THROW THE TWINKIE AT THE DAGGER!!!

It seems that “DO-IT DEANO” has been discussing our fate with not just Rich Hammond but a brilliant radio show in Toronto. Now, per usual, I am going to have to back into the start of this little monster of mine <big shocker there, I’m sure>. Anyone crazy enough to follow the insanity I create on Twitter, Face Book or otherwise, knows I’ve now adopted the Chicago Blackhawks until they ride Chris Pronger like Zorro and the Stanley Cup right down Madison Avenue because <and say it with me now.. throws out the most smitten voice possible..> they threw the twinkie! Truly out of loyalty to our boys, it must be done… Blackhawks or bust… driving back and forth to Chicago and all.. then October comes and all bets are off .

Huh? What.. Oh.. YES I have a point-I might be a liiiiittle rusty.. but yeah I’m getting there! See- watch, err.. read: Monday, June 7th, on Toronto’s AM Radio 640 Dean Lombardi was interviewed on  The Leafs Lunch show. He, like I <seeee- told you there was a point…> started with those same Blackhawks, an organization that he felt built itself correctly, from bottom-to-top. However, in that comparison, he was quick <heh. The dorkiness remains.. the pun was not intended but will not be removed> to note that the Blackhawks seven-year build to Western Conference contenders could be matched by the LA Kings in less time. Rightfully, I’m going to note, that since Lombardi’s arrival in 2006 he has spoken of a “plan <also mentioned by him in the interview>“.. and truth be told he should be given credit for sticking to that plan.

Lombardi went on to commend the  Blackhawks at not only building within, 2-3 players per draft and now… “they’ve learned to win”. We all remember my crawl, walk, run speech- before- during- after the playoffs? AD NAUSIUM EVEN??? That would be what I spoke of.. And what is this? Another piece to a rebuilding puzzle for the Blackhawks: free agency? JESUS MARIAN &HOSSA! However, he was careful to qualify his statement with how precise the Blackhawks were with their signings. Making sure each provided the most impact at key times <specifically naming Marian Hossa and Soupy…errr… Brian Campbell>.

Now, forgive me, or don’t if you must. However, I’m going to add Tomas Kopecky <DONT EVEN.. Don’t look at me like that, you had to see this coming from ME> . First off, the Blackhawks did one thing that has nothing to do with Kopecky himself. They signed him WITH Hossa. That took vision. How much do you think that helped the transition from Detroit to Chicago? Now.. he was raised by the Detroit Red Wings and say what you will but Detroit raises them well. He was only let loose because Detroit couldn’t find him the ice time due to their plethora of talent <excuse me while I find my souvenir game 6 barf bag to barf in it yet again> Furthermore, Kopecky, received limited playing time in the first half of this season but came on in the second-half. During the playoffs he was always emotional, gritty and offensively on-target. Since the loss of Andrew Ladd, he has been invaluable. But I digress.. or add-on for the accountable talk, depending on how much slack you want to give me or if Lombardi was here, but  he’s not… DAMN IT! JANET! Moving on… Why would we make it to the level of the Blackhawks, quicker then they did?

Shall I Take You to Our Leader?

<please remember that all quotes are from the radio show noted above.. as are the background/paraphrasing unless where noted that it is my own opinion or knowledge.>

Take it away Mr. President, “I think that some of our kids are ahead of schedule. I think that this year, the way that the way we approached the playoffs from the top down, versus the Cinderella method; I think that they’ve learned to start dealing expectations.” Now I <key word: I> could go on and make an attempt to read into that statement <who’s ahead, who’s behind, who’s a surprise and who the hell has to go…> but by the grace of the Hockey Gods I’ll refrain. I could do the same when he goes on to say that this also all depends on how aggressive the Kings are in adding the piece or two through free agency…. Um.. ok.. I’m just going to have to do this one… I mean did you expect me to hold back TWICE??? sorry.

ENFORCER DEAN — I’m sick of the scratches– THEY HURT- broken legs, smashed faces, sprained ankles, pulled groins, sprained backs etc… Matt Greene and Sean O’Donnell fighting is heroic but there is a fine line between heroism and stupidity. In fact, I’ve watched the New York Rangers long enough to know that bless and love Adam Graves but he crossed that line almost everyday of his career!!!!  I mean what is the point of another forward being signed that is just going to get thrown around like the answer that isn’t blowing in the wind??? NONE! NO POINT! NO ANSWER! NO NOTHING! <too much @bobdylansays on twitter, me thinks> If said forward is on the IR the whole freaking season then he’s not going to do us a whole lot of good, now is he??! You know, I think I wrote a whole blog dedicated to the Manchester Monar… oh no.. that was PB <PRE BLOG YOU FOOL not Peanut Butter> around Thanksgiving. They are an incredible and talented bunch of men. Without them, we would not have made the playoffs. But, really??? The AHL should NOT be playing the NHL under any given circumstances… just sayin’. But now that I got that out..

Lombardi went on to etch-a-sketch the lines between dots that represented key agents and the core kids essential to the Kings present and future. Alright, admit it. How many people just aged themselves with the etch-a-sketch joke… heh….. Then he spoke directly to all of it coming together through those same franchise players continued development, ahead of the game or not <not that it matters if they are injured and can’t move forward because they can’t play?!> Sorry… I’m trying..I really am.

What Can Brown Do For You?

Kopitar's Two-Way Play Moves Forward

“I think they have to continue improve,” he explained.  ”I said this last year. No matter who we add it’s not going to matter unless Brown and Kopitar and Quick and Doughty and Johnson all improve themselves. But I think we have a chance to do it a little quicker then Chicago.”

I’ll Gladly Pay You Tomorrow for a Burger You’ll Let me Eat Today…

Now, furthering this thought, we have to begin to hone in on what money the Kings have to spend on potential free agents. And in all honesty, this is not my strongest suit when it comes to any sport. However, like I tell the kids where I work, I am a life-long learner, as they should be and so I try. And the way it is dealt with here.. well it ROCKS! And, by George, I think I’m starting to get it <just bare with me a second or 10> ! So, a player comes into the league and he has one salary until the free agency age of 27. Then they hit this second tier where you suddenly have to sign him to another, usually way-long contract that is going to eat up a lot of cap room long-term. So it might look like the Kings have a lot of money to spend short-term but if they do, it is going to bite them when it comes to signing the Terror Twins? Yes? I think that, in essence, is what was said. It was also then compared to the Backstrom situation in Washington. Now..<you stayed with me so far… let’s see if I got this, shall we> here’s the kicker!

Our master of the purse strings says: “The dilemma is <do you> get aggressive or just focus on keeping your own… When you look at our cap room now, you see we have 10 million dollars in space. But if I put a guy in at 6.5 and then I’ve got Doughty and Johnson and Simmonds and these guys add-up and boom, it’s gone.” <as you’ll notice in a moment or 4.. Dean-o is fond of his “BOOMS!” aye-carumba, Batman!> Now check out how this son of a bitch rolls out because here is where I think Dean Lombardi shows not only his knowledge of the business but his fan base, the sport and even more importantly, his passion for it. For Lombardi, it is about what is best for the teams, the league, the sport, the players, its union <but what’s best for the union and the players it represents should be the same, no? <— my thought.. MINE!> and the fans.  <I’m actually going to leave out the fan bits and save it for that other little monster I’m working on that will be out for all your beach reading pleasure when the Finals are complete!>

“It’s backwards in terms of the way it used to be. Where young players came up, their leverage increased a little each year and then, eventually, once they learned to win, you got Joe Sakic dollars but there was a process in place for these kids. And again, this is NBA stuff where a guy gets one contract, you make him a star, and he’s never played a playoff game and here’s 10 million a year.” Now, part Deuce, let’s bring it back to the Kings for one second <ok 10> -because I’m on a roll here- Lombardi goes on to explain the flipside- irony- of all of this and that includes us. Ultimately, although it might sound odd, it really works out better for a lot of teams to sign older players. Their contracts are shorter. They are going to get more money up front <in the short-term where the space IS> because it brings your long-term numbers down<long-term where the space is NEEDED>.

You can’t do that with the kids. Round and round we go.. a circle only has one side… MY POINT <keyword kids? MY> A ND SO.. . Riddle me this, Batman... Where does the young-to-averaged age, one-dimensional, forward who wants the long term 5-6 year deal at 7-8 million per make ANY LOGICAL SENSE??! Well IT DOESN’T! DUH!! Not when you look at the cap implications DOWN THE ROAD. Now you bring in say, an older, cheaper tough-guy… hmmm.. and no I’m NOT apologizing THIS time because that whole she-bang made sense.. and you know it! And truly.. I think that was pretty damn succinct for the amount of information it took… SO THERE <STOMPS FOOT>! … <silence..eye twitches>

<Damn it! I need advil.. that hurt my head…>

Pie? Did Someone Say Something about Pie?

Now that I have advil and a twitchy, wonky eye.. <hey, how is Briere?> we can get back to the debacle of free agency and those age dependent tiers <see now I thought this was just a problem with Illinois and their educational system.. ADD..squirrel.. sorry..> Lombardi made his stance very clear. Let’s break this down before going into the details, shall we?

1) The cap is not the evil axis.

2) It is not the players total revenue take-in that should be reduced. How it is distributed among them, should be.

3) Free Agency at 27 makes a long-term plan like the Blackhawks or the Kings very difficult in smaller markets.

Ok now.. let us take this step-by-step… it was Lombardi’s and the host’s opinion <NOW your key words are: Lombardi’s and host’s opinion see how that works?> that when the Free Agency age was dropped to 27, most GMs new right away that it would present a huge obstacle in keeping drafted talent. Because we all know that right now, in most sports it goes something like this…

HEY! Look who we drafted! Good kid, great potential! 3 years later…

He wants what?? SCREW HIM! THAT BACK STABING SON OF… I knew he didn’t want to play here.. I could see it… in that.. THAT.. THAT WONKY EY OF HIS!

Since the lockout, teams that have a young player with possible pay-offs but nothing proven yet, have to decide if he’s Kane or Abel <ok that one is Mom’s from game 5 of the finals when Kane scored- I can’t take credit>. Do you gamble and sign him long-term. Not to mention gambling with invested dollars and cap space, or do you let him go and risk kicking yourself when his hat trick knocks you out of the playoffs? <been there, done that, burned the t-shirt>

Lombardi explained, “It’s almost impossible to be like Buffalo was; they were winning, had built through the draft, had younger players and younger usually meant cheaper and they could compete with teams that didn’t draft well.  Well, now those teams like a Nashville or whatever that draft well, now you can’t keep it down because, like I said in the old-days, with free agency at 31. You still had to deal with hold outs, but you at least had the rights to the players.” And it is at this point that I wonder and again with the key words being I WONDER if Dean is showing some brutal honesty from his different positions throughout his career,from the management side of the coin. I mean take it from any position in management <of the NHL.. I’m not talking middle-management on Park Avenue>. Whether you are a coach, a GM, what have you.. Its gotta suck when you tell your fans <qualifying statement: you have to MEAN WHAT YOU SAY FOR THIS TO WORK> that you are rebuilding, drafting and bringing them in. But then, because of the way free agency is set up at 27 instead of 31 it becomes impossible to keep that promise. Suddenly you are bidding against teams in larger markets that don’t go through the draft and losing the players you brought up. NOT FAIR.. JIP.. REDO! Didn’t work on the playground… isn’t going to work now.

Take’r home Dean-o… “Now you build through the draft, you tell your fans to be patient, the kid starts coming along… only got three-years pro, so how predictable he’s going to be, you still don’t know but it’s like, I can’t lose this guy now. Aaaaand, so, boom! Now you’re looking at the six-million.” <ok you can argue the number of “a”s I put in the “and” but yeah, that’s a direct quote … love the “BOOMS!” wash. rinse. repeat..> Here’s where the player’s overall well-being comes into play. Look my dear Kingdom, I swear to you that I started this damn thing at about 8PM on June 8th 2010 and its 2:30 AM CST on June 9th. I have a 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM day ahead of me tomorrow. I had dinner while I wrote. I have the interview memorized, mmm k? So here it is, nowhere that I can tell, does Lombardi or the host of this lovely show <and it is incredible> in any way insinuate that the players should make less money on a whole or that they deserve to bring in less of the overall revenue. And this is my strength.. the inferencing, synthesizing, inferential unstated kind of information.. yeah.

Lombardi’s argument.. no, not even an argument.. his concern is that, much like the United States in general, you have a spreading gap of haves and have-not players. Yet everyone is paying the same dues to the union and work just as hard. Actually, often times, the players working hardest <the ones in the corners, the ones winning the battles , taking the body, blocking the shots> are getting paid the least- and that is the majority of them. While the minority of the players are taking home the largest amount of the revenues. He’s going to go with the pie analogy here.. so if you are hungry, you  might want to break and eat.. or get some grub while you read..

Go Dean-o, Go…”Now you can say the union don’t like this; but nobody is saying take away their pie. It’s the allocation within the pie.”And again.. there is nowhere that I hear anything other than good intent. However, with the following quote, I’m sure there are some who would find that a GM possibly putting words in the players mouth.. is well.. kosher as Christmas?

Calling the spade, a spade… “It’s the allocation within the cap and I don’t know how many players really think it’s fair either to have that much discrepancy, particularly for a young player… It’s just something about what the nature of sports is supposed to be; when three guys are taking 70% of the payroll and the other guys are making $400,000.”

Admittedly, I’ve heard and read that some don’t necessarily buy into Lombardi’s concerns  for the overall well-being of the NHL’s financial state, let alone the NHLPA. Could it be a preemptive, proactive, make-nicey PR move for the players? Hey look, you want to be Negative Nancy and Debbie Downer, be my guest. And yes, there was mention of another possible issue with the upcoming CBA, which Lombardi quickly waived off as nonsense <not his word>. However, maybe in my nativity, <however there isn’t any kool-aid in MY fridge> I think this is some pretty great stuff, Mr. President. WHEN I put it together from other interviews in print, audio and video, I am choosing to believe that he is what he says he is. He cares about building not just a team the right way, but people. He cares not just for our Kingdom but the entire sport. Because of these factors, yes, he might actually care that it is ass-backwards for any player; even ones named Crosby <SHADDAP>, to make more money in a year then Sean O’Donnell will have seen in his entire career. Especially, when they are paying the same dues to the NHLPA.

And so I am going to leave you with the following quote that encompasses his beliefs in one shot.

“And again, I think the players are entitled to their share. Its more the allocation in there. It makes it reasonable for both sides. I think it helps the team, I think it helps the union, and I think it’s good for the game.”

As we prepare for Game Five of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Philadelphia Flyers, the boys will sit down and discuss the four games prior leading into game five.

Player spotlights, Conn Smythe discussion, and a preview prior to puck drop.

What more can the hockey fan ask for?

Tune in live, this Sunday from 5-7 p.m. EST with The Hockey Guys on Blog Talk Radio.