Bettman to discuss key issues on HNIC Radio
Wednesday, October 3, 2007 | 12:21 PM ET
Huge show today on Hockey Night in Canada Radio on Sirius channel 122 at 4 p.m. ET as NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman drops by live in studio to talk with me and Elliotte Friedman. We’ll be talking about the Rangers' anti-trust lawsuit against the league, the pair of games in London to kick off the season (and the AEG connection that many claim were the sole motivation for the games), the rumours that the sale of the Nashville Predators has fallen apart, the Mark Bell and Steve Downie suspensions and a whole lot more.
Also, on Hockey Night in Canada Radio this afternoon Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray drops by to talk about this year's edition of the team which many are (once again) picking to win the Cup. We’ll get an update on Ray Emery’s injured hand as well as Murray’s thoughts about young Nick Foligno making the team, an update on the contract talks with impending unrestricted free agent Dany Heatley and future restricted free agent (and if you don’t think some GM will submit a whopper of an offer sheet for him you’re nuts) Jason Spezza.
Elsewhere around the league:
- Tonight the NHL has the North American launch of its 2007-2008 campaign with four games on the go.
- Anaheim is in Detroit for the Red Wings home opener. The Wings are many people’s pick to come out of the West and some (Scott Morrison) are picking them for the Cup with good reason. Detroit is solid at all positions from the net out with two players poised to take the step from good to great (Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg) along with a complimentary cast that should see Valtteri Filppula take the next step in his career. Niklas Kronwall should win a Norris Trophy before his career is over and although I don’t think that Brian Rafalski is worth the $6 million US GM Ken Holland signed him for, he is still and excellent skater who can headman the puck with ease. On a side night, it's nice to see media-friendly scrapper Aaron Downey make the club because this team needs a shot of toughness.
- The Maple Leafs open up against provincial rivals the Ottawa Senators tonight at the ACC and once again the song remains the same. The Sens are a Stanley Cup favourite while the Leafs are expected battle for the final few playoff spots in the Eastern Conference along with Montreal, Florida, Tampa and Philadelphia.
Wash, rinse, repeat
- The Montreal Canadians are in Carolina to face the Hurricanes at RBC Center. This year marks the 10th season in Hurricane’s history (they have painted a huge “X” at centre ice to commemorate the anniversary). Peter LaViolette’s team should have a bounce back season after missing the playoffs just one year after winning the Stanley Cup. Netminder Cam Ward has dropped 20 pounds working with Canes trainer Pete Friesen and is back to his Conn Smythe form. He allowed a scant two goals during 2 1/2 games in preseason.
- Cristobal Huet is expected to start for the Habs, even though young Carey Price was a standout at camp. Look for Alex Kovalev to play on an all-Euro line with Andrei Kostitsyn and rookie Mikhael Grabovsky.
- The Dallas Stars are in Colorado to face the Avalanche. Ryan Smyth (31) makes his regular season debut with the Avs at the Pepsi Center along with fellow newcomer defenceman Scott Hannan, who will probably be paired with Brett Clarke.
- Former Team Canada and Lewiston Maineiac standout David Perron has made the Blues and will start the season with St Louis. And I thought, like many of us did, that the 2007 draft was weak…well don’t look now but three players selected last June have made the teams who selected them. Aside from Perron, Sam Gagner made the Edmonton Oilers and first overall selection Pat Kane will start the season with the Chicago Black Hawks.
- After being waived by the Hawks, defenceman Karel Pilar was picked up (again) by the Atlanta Thrashers where he was promptly sent to the minors. The good news, however, for Pilar is he didn’t have far to travel as the Chicago Wolves are the AHL affiliate of the Thrashers. At least he’ll get to play in front of a crowd at Allstate Arena, he said tongue planted firmly in cheek.
- The Atlanta Thrashers named Marian Hossa an assistant captain on Tuesday. Hossa is in the final year of his contract and Thrashers GM Don Wadell is trying desperately to sign him long-term knowing he will receive huge offers on the free market. Perhaps, this is a tactic to make Hossa feel like a key piece of the team.
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About the Author
Jeff Marek, one of sports talk radio's brightest stars, is the host of the all-new HNIC Radio on SIRIUS Satellite Radio. A twelve-year sports-talk radio veteran, the Toronto native provides intelligent hockey talk, insight and debate during the two-hour national daily drive-time hockey program.
Well known for his previous work on Leafs Lunch on AM 640 Toronto Radio, Marek is one of sports talk radio's most respected personalities. He joined AM 640 in 2000, hosting The Jeff Marek Show, a nightly open-line talk show, while working as the stations' morning news anchor. He quickly became the director of sports news and joined host Bill Watters on Leafs Lunch.
Recent Posts
- Bergeron a victim of coaching tactics
- Monday, October 29, 2007
- Don't count on Tavares in Toronto
- Friday, October 26, 2007
- Meet the new boss - not the same as the old boss
- Thursday, October 25, 2007
- Paul Kelly has a lot of work to do
- Wednesday, October 24, 2007
- Ryan Smyth is back in Canada. Is Forsberg next?
- Tuesday, October 23, 2007
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Comments
Christopher
Jeffey!
Congrats again! Though the lunch is missed, the menu has been increased to include all meals! If that makes any sense... Listen bro, I've got the Sirius, but not the time - on a regular basis anyways. Whats up with the re-broadcast immediately following the live airing!? Talking about a kick in the groin while I'm down! Does this make sense? If someone can't make the 4-6 taping, statistically typing wouldn't the potential audience increase if it aired at an opposite hour than the initial broadcast, such as in the A.M. on the following day? (is that a run on sentance?) I don't know, it's just me typing out loud. Is there a Record option for Sirius I don't know about?
Anywho, when in the B-LO, allow me to introduce you to chicken wings, based on previous conversations, I'll suggest you yet to have them.
I used to be your biggest fan, but now I'm at PAR,
Chrissy T.
Posted October 4, 2007 04:39 AM