POTG Thursday Headlines, News, Links, and Commentary

This time of year, in general, where there is such a shortage of  hockey news that a post like Josh Cooper's at The Tennessean yesterday morning that indicated that Shea Weber's talks were in a "stalemate" can set off an all day flurry of blogs, posts, and discussions on Canadian Talk radio to make it one of the top stories of the day.

If you follow the money trail and realize that the comment came from Weber's agent Jarrett Bousquet, then you have to take a serious look at what was to be gained by such a statement.

The Predators are willing to let the negotiations go until August 2, even after all the parties arrive at the arbitration hearing. They are in no hurry. They are going to have Weber for at least another year.

The Weber camp uses the "stalemate" tag to get a rise out of the media and the fans as that is really the only pressure that they can exert. They are basically at the mercy of accepting David Poile's longer term offer or going to arbitration and getting about $7 million (give or take $500K).

The pressure of the date and the fact that the range of the annual value of the contract is pretty well narrowed down to around $7 million dollars a year means that a deal will get done before the arbitration starts.

On a separate note, there is a bunch of stuff about the "big three" after the jump. The reality is that none will be leaving after nest year and there is an outside chance that as part of the "Weber package" you could see all three locked up around the same time.

Make the jump for a ton of news and links...

POTG Thursday Headlines, News, and Morning Links

Last night was a roller-coaster of emotions. After buying in to the Canucks I was disappointed that they failed to show in every way in game seven.

On the other hand, I really like Tim Thomas and Zdeno Chara as people, so it was great to see them hoist the Cup. They are both great folks and character people in addition to being great players.

The rioters were really disappointing. Keep in perspective that it was a few malcontents that caused the whole rampage on Vancouver last night and not a refection on the city in general.

Finally, the hardest thing to take long term is the fact that it will be 110 days before another meaningful NHL game will be played. Remember #summersucksdropthe puck. We will be here all summer so thanks in advance for reading.

Make the jump for today's news and links...

POTG Thursday Headlines, News, and Morning Links

Wow! Who could have imagined that Boston would have come back and dominated games three and four after losing the first two in Vancouver. Hats off to Tim Thomas for being a wall in net and giving the rest of the team confidence to play loose and pour the shots on net that Roberto Luongo could not handle.

After last night's 4-0 Bruins win, it now boils down to a three game series with two of then in Vancouver. The Canucks have a plane ride and a morning skate to rediscover the fact that they are the best team in hockey.

The loss of Dan Hamhuis has loomed large in the last two games (did I really say that?). Vancouver's defense has been scattered and has made many critical blunders that has left Roberto Luongo vulnerable in net.

As of right now, Tim Thomas is clearly the leader for the Conn Smythe race as he has played well for the entire finals series after being the main reason that his team is even in the playoffs to begin with.

Make the jump for today's news and links...

POTG Thursday Headlines, News, and Morning Links

You cant beat last night's 1-0 win by Vancouver over Boston to open the Stanley Cup playoffs. That wasn't the only big story yesterday as Gary Bettman gave his pre-SCF speech and pres conference and Colin Campbell and his replacement Brendan Shanahan appeared at the podium together.

Make the jump for tons of other news and links...

POTG Thursday Headlines, News, and Morning Links

We are headed to game seven in the East after last night's thriller in Tampa where the Bolts avoided elimination and are going back to Boston to play on Friday.

The NHL has gotten on board to encourage fans to support the folks of Joplin. Missouri who have suffered $3 billion in damages. If you want the name of a specific person to help. I can steer you to them.

For all the news and links, go ahead and make the jump...

POTG Thursday Headlines, News, and Morning Links

We are one day closer to the weekend aa play returns to the Eastern Conference tonight with Boston traveling to Tampa Bay for game three in their series that is tied 1-1. Last night's Canuck's blow out of San Jose showed why the were the best team in hockey in the regular season.

Make the jump for all today's news and links with special kudos to the NHL which was named the pro sports league of the year by Sports Business Daily...