By now, I’m sure you all know who Canadian Billionaire Jim Balsillie is. You know, that guy who tried to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins. You know, that guy who tried to buy the Nashville Predators. And let’s not forget, he’s the same guy who tried to buy the Phoenix Coyotes just recently.
Did I mention that the Canadian Billionaire tried to move those teams to Hamilton? No, ok didn’t think so. By the way, did anyone think Balsillie had any interest in the Coyotes-Penguins game Wednesday night?
Alright I gave you the answer by now, he has failed to buy all those teams mentioned and is now 0-3. This will lead to a first for me on top of my weekly column and that is an early Rosie award (keep in mind, this will not happen often so cherish this moment while you can).
Before Balsillie gets his Rosie award let’s take a look at what teams might be the next victim in the wrath of Balsillie. After this, you’ll probably see the odds come together in Vegas.
The lists of teams are in no particular order:
Atlanta Thrashers
– They aren’t moving to Winnipeg for the time being. Thanks for starting that rumor Al Strachan
(see video below).
Florida Panthers
– Another Sun Belt team. This might be a trend for the future.
New York Islanders
– Unfortunately, the Lighthouse project isn’t coming together. Therefore, the
Isles are most likely going to be a victim.
Tampa Bay Lightning
– Your third Sun Belt team. This is a long shot but again certainly possible.
And now your Al Strachan Rumor Mill via the Hotstove on Hockey Night in Canada:
Oh sorry got off topic for a minute, where was I? Alright now I remember, yes I forgot to give Balsillie his early Rosie award.
So without further ado, the winner of the “Better Luck Next Year” award is indeed, Jim Balsillie.
Now we can spend some time enjoying the game of hockey, but don’t be surprised if big Jim goes after another team next summer.
Ovechkin off to a hot start
The winner of the last two Hart Trophies, Alexander Ovechkin, is off to a hot start in 2009-10. He recorded two goals against the Bruins on opening night and two goals against the Flyers on Tuesday.
While it’s early in the season still, A.O. should already be penciled in as the favorite to win the MVP for a third year in a row. If he does so, he will be in elite company with Bobby Orr and Wayne Gretzky – the only two players to win the Hart Trophy at least three years in a row (Gretzky won eight consecutive MVPs).
Recently, TSN just did their weekly top 10 on Ovechkin’s top off-ice moments. After watching this, is there any way that we can get a mulligan for the list?
US NTDP Team in Boston this weekend
Tonight, I’ll be heading to Chestnut Hill to see the US NTDP U18 team play Boston College. It’s always a treat to see the NTDP in action, even though it’s an exhibition. On this year’s roster, five players have already committed to the University of Michigan (G Jack Campbell, D Kevin Clare
and Jon Merrill, F Jacob Fallon and Luke Moffatt) for the 2010-11 season.
Forward Bill Arnold, will be attending BC next year, so head coach Jerry York and company will get a little glimpse into the future.
It will also be great to see former Merrimack goaltender Joe Exter. Exter is now an assistant coach with the U18 team and many still remember the scary collision involving him and former Eagle standout Patrick Eaves back in 2003.
During the 2002-03 season, he was voted on the All-Hockey East second team. Since then he had coaching stints in American International and a scouting stint with the Cedar Rapids Rough Riders of the USHL before coming to USA hockey.
See ya next week, where I'll debut my rebound player of the week - after all I have to be loyal to the title of my column, right?
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