Being radio voice of the Thrashers is an ‘honor’ for Dan Kamal
From the fall of 1999 to the final match of this past 2010-11 campaign, Dan Kamal has been in the radio broadcast booth helping to give voice to Atlanta Thrashers hockey. I recently had the pleasure of chatting with The Grand Kamlian about the team, coach Ramsay, what he remembers most from this past season as well as a few other things.
Not surprisingly, he tends to accentuate the positives.
“From the broadcast booth, I had one of my most enjoyable seasons ever, primarily because of the style of play the Thrashers employed under coach Ramsay and the effort with which they played”, he said. “The pace was up-tempo and often end-to-end, and even when they couldn’t find ways to win close games in the second half of the season, the effort and intensity were almost always beyond reproach.”
“It was a very fun team to watch on a game-by-game basis.”
Dan then pointed to the first two games after New Years…a 4-3 overtime win in Montreal followed by a 3-2 win in Florida…as the most memorable time during the season for him.
“To me the ‘high-point’ came in the first two games in January”, the native of Lawrence, Massachusetts recalled. “Following the theme of the first half, Dustin Byfuglien scored the game-winning OT goal in Montreal on the afternoon of January 2nd. After the game, the team flew immediately to south Florida for a couple of days of R & R before facing the Panthers on January 5th. The Thrashers won that game as well, 3-2 in regulation”.
The reason he considers this as the “high-point” had to do not only with where the team found itself in the standings, 22-15-6 for 50 points after 43 games played, but also because of how they had handled themselves during a very tough stretch in the schedule. At the time things looked very promising for Thrasherville.
“To me, the most grueling part of the schedule was done, and the team was proving to be one of the biggest surprises in the NHL”.
“Unfortunately, injuries were starting to take their toll, and the team didn’t seem to have enough depth to withstand them. Atlanta lost 11 of the next 13 and never really recovered long enough to go on the kind of winning streak needed to stay among the playoff-bound teams”.
But as I stated above, Kamal prefers to keep his focus on the positive, and he’s excited about what can be built upon the foundation that was set last season. One of the reasons for this optimism is because of Craig Ramsay. He gives him high marks for the job he did as a first-year head coach, especially given the turnover in on-ice personnel last summer.
“With so many new faces in the locker room, a new GM, and a new coaching staff implementing a new system, coach Ramsay and his staff were able to quickly meld this team into one of the league’s most productive through the season’s first half. When you consider he and his staff will go into next training camp with so much more familiarity with everything about the franchise – and likely some new roster pieces that address depth issues – it should bode well for more consistent results next season.”
“Hopefully, that will translate into Atlanta’s second playoff appearance”.
As for his plans between now and the next time he takes to the airwaves to broadcast the next Thrashers game in Philips Arena, this summer’s activities will be quite similar to the previous eleven before it in Atlanta.
“My plans for the off-season are pretty much the same as always. Whenever my schedule allows, I’ll be attending events and meetings on behalf of our sales staff, community relations staff, and the radio network. I usually get a chance to emcee at a number of fun events every summer, and that’s something I really enjoy.”
He also looks forward to spending time with his son Chris, a goalie at the University of Alaska Anchorage. And as any proud father would, he’s always more than willing to provide updates on his play and progress.
“He’s coming off a very solid freshman season, during which he started 15 games, compiling a record of 9-5-1. In his final 10 starts, he went 8-2-0 with three shutouts – all on the road – two against the University of Minnesota and the other at Minnesota-Mankato”.
In fact, Chris Kamal won WCHA Rookie of the Week honors last winter for the 1-0 victory over the Golden Gophers.
Also, as father Dan points out, “His UAA team made the WCHA Final Five tournament for only the second time in school history”.
Finally…as for the fans back here in Atlanta, Dan Kamal has always enjoyed the support he gets from Thrashers fans and being able to interact with them after games and events. He looks forward to continuing this relationship for years to come.
“I’d just like to say thanks to our fans. I truly believe in this city as a hockey market, and it’s my interaction with fans that serves as the foundation of that belief. In my 12 years with the organization, I have found Thrashers fans to be particularly knowledgeable and passionate and especially gracious to me”.
“It’s been an honor to have met and spoken to so many of them”.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
112 comments Add your comment
jim
May 1st, 2011
1:00 am
How can anyone say Bettman’s “experiment” has been a failure? 30 teams,$2.9 billion in revenue,$2 billion TV deal,$350 million sponsorship deal with Molson Coors,record attendance the past few years.Yeah, Phoenix and Atlanta are trouble spots for now but what league doesn’t have clubs struggling at one time or another? Too much is made out of a couple of problem franchises by the overly negative Canadian media.A few years ago Nashville,Carolina,Tampa and Florida were struggling and look at them now.No reason the Atlanta Thrashers can’t be a sucess story once again.
jim
May 1st, 2011
1:02 am
“success story!”
R. Stroz
May 1st, 2011
1:11 am
Smashville Wins!
ZAvalanche
May 1st, 2011
1:48 am
Stroz – that was one of the best games I have ever seen.
Cornbread
May 1st, 2011
2:42 am
ron = Ignorant Bigot
Ignorant because you don’t understand economics nor business. Hockey moved from the minor league Peg to the Major League USA for one reason, money. Not just now but even more in the future. Hockey deep in the USA means growth and money. Hockey moving away from World Class American cities and back to the Peg – which most people in the World have never heard of – would be regression and a major failure of the game itself.
A Bigot because you feel that your people are more entitled or have more rights than others. You’re just like the “too cool for school” crowd who want the world to know how great their favorite music and band is until everybody does. Once other people start to take notice of the game, you want it back all to yourself or suggest that others aren’t cool or good enough to have a team.
Get over it dude. You have lots of hockey up there in your small cities (as you reminded us) to keep you occupied till the end of time. It’s time for others to discover this great game by moving to places where outdoor ice is not a necessity to play the game.
Red Light
May 1st, 2011
8:48 am
Day three of the conference semi-finals was punctuated by great goaltending and will to win (Rinne, Suter, et al.). Great game to watch and Vancouver had a ton of odd-man opportunities, but Nashville persisted throughout the game. Face-off dominance by the Canucks in Game 1 was turned around in Game 2, and that was very important enabling the Preds to attack all night. Great forechecking throughout the game.
A Philadelphia goalie never fails to throw in a clunker during the past two playoff seasons, but there was simply no excuse for getting outworked at home, and the Flyers most certainly did get outworked. The Marchand kid for Boston has been great and Kreci was a huge factor yesterday.
Tonight we’ll know whether or not the Caps will collapse again under playoff pressure. Wouldn’t surprise me at all if Tampa wins Game 2 and takes a 2-0 lead with them back home. And, I expect that if the Sharks go in the tank after winning Game One as expected that this will be a long series versus the Wings. But, it would be sweet for them going back to Detroit with a 2-0 lead. Detroit either blows them out or the Sharks win another thriller.
Red Light
May 1st, 2011
9:21 am
Get this…Rinne was the 30th goalie drafted in the 2004 Entry Draft (8th round, 258th overall) and the 2nd picked by the Preds that year.
Kulda suspended three games at World Championships
BRATISLAVA – On Saturday, in the Czech Republic-Latvia game, Latvian defenceman Arturs Kulda delivered a tough check on Czech defenceman Radek Martinek in the first period. Martinek fell to the ice and stayed there motionless until the medical staff carried him off on a stretcher.
The IIHF Disciplinary Panel reviewed the situation and decided to hand Kulda a three-game suspension on Sunday.
“The video showed Arturs Kulda jumping into the situation, hitting Martinek’s head and neck area,” said Jan-Ake Edvinsson, Chairman of the Disciplinary Panel.
Radinek was taken to a hospital where he was diagnosed with a severe concussion.
“The player has suffered a severe concussion and a severe bruise (hematoma),” said said Beat Villiger, the IIHF Medical Supervisor. “The CT scan showed no further injuries, but there is very little chance that he can play in the championship.”
Norway beats Sweden 5-4 in shootout; first win ever in 61 years.
Germans beat Russians for first time in 33 tries at World Championships.
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
9:28 am
Here we are, one day removed from great hockey in Europe and North America. Rawhide pens yet another great article and he have to deal with some idiot troll from wherever north of the border. You guys are supposed to hte such great hockey fans.
Trolls-get this. This is a hockey blog, we (as suppposedly uneducated hockey fans) come here and talk hockey, share our passions for the sport 12 mos of the year, our dedication is unending. We don’t dump on anyone because we were mostly raised better than that. So I am not questioning you I an questionsing the integrity of your parents for raising you trolls to be such “ay” holes.
Come back, talk hockey and you will be welcome. But if you want to pollute the air go to Hamilton, Ontario where pollution is commonplace.
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
9:32 am
Back to hockey, what an incredible game between Vancouver and Nashville. The Preds poured it on in the 3rd period, showing the kind of effort that come to be expected from the Preds. Barry Trotz is the most underrated coach in the game, there are no weak players on Nashville. This is the ultimated NHL team, backed by the best kept secret in hockey in Pekke Rinne. What a game, too bad I fell asleep late in OT! Too many beers last night, I guess.
Red Light, I think the Flyers emptied the tank against Buffalo. Broones are pretty healthy, have two backstops that are better than Philly 3 put together.
LAC
May 1st, 2011
10:05 am
I love how these “canada” fans, always go after teams in The South. New Jersey has poor attendence, as does NYI and lots and lots of empty seats in Detroit the past two or three seasons.
Why not go after them ? Who needs three teams in New York area anyhow ??? Boston was near THE bottom of the NHL recently in attendence… So you canada fans can STFU !.
You idiots DO NOT own the game of hockey, can you people even understand thqat ???????
Oh, a good number of empty seats in Calgary & Edmonton a number of times this past season as well ! So get off the issue. It is NOT lack of fan support, it is the STUPID LYING,
owners we are stuck with. That, is THE problem. Where are replacement owners who want to keep the team here and grow it into a winner. Tampa & Buffalo had no issues finding a new OWNER ???
So what is the problem here.
Lastly I have been to winnipeg, NEVER want to go back, city is fair at best, small and in the middle of NOWHERE !!!!!…. and I mean NOWHERE !
Great game by Nashville, a GOOD SOUTHEAST TEAM, beating that vancouver team last night, loved the moaning after the Winning Goal, Hope they get rid of vancouver and The Cup Stays in The U.S.A. where it Belongs !!!!!!!
ron
May 1st, 2011
10:09 am
now I am an “idiot and a bigot”. I was trying to have a good discussion here. I have never said anything bad to you and I have never indicated this is the Canada versus U.S. Just take it easy.
A non hockey point: too much of the world and people here and down in the States talk like life is the Supranos or some disgusting Reality TV show. Lets talk nice. I wanted to solve this situation and make the NHL a success.
The fact is that there are teams that are losing loads of money and they need help. I am the first to admit that I am leary of Winnipeg getting a team because of he crowds before….but the new potential owner is extremely smart and he has the backing of a 4 billionaire. There is the very strong dollar and the other complexes built around the outskirts that will draw revenue. Also he owns the building and all concession revenue to go along with it. None of this was there before. So times have changed.
Maybe some of these aspects are missing from the financially troubled franchises in the States. Maybe this is where Hulsizer could turn it around in Phoenix. I hope so.
I am not a bigot…believe me. If you knew me I have the utmost respect for Americans and people around the world (most anyway). Do not say things that are so attacking. Borders mean nothing. We are all one people…white, black, American, Canadian….
Anyway, as far as Bettman, yes he did well with the TV contract, I have to admit. Big reason why he is fighting for Phoenix to stay in….I think part of the deal.
I still think though that some franchises desperately need fixing and are for the most part, I read through US and Canadian media, are getting propped up for the most part by the successful Canadian franchises. That was different a decade or so ago. I don’t have the link to the stats but I think that it has to do with the TV revenue in Canada and the attendance revenue. There are full price admissions for all Canadian teams and no giveaways, for the most part.
Now for Phoenix, as an example, the attendance is not a disaster, but the ticket revenue is…..all due to the team just wanting to have a warm body in the stands. It can be good for marketing but it has not caught on. According to someone that wrote about this, he could not find anyone that paid more than $35.00 a ticket….and I think this was the playoff games. So this has to get fixed or there is no way that the team can turn a profit.
I think this is going on in Atlanta too….correct me if I am wrong. Maybe past a certain point: 8-10,000, the revenue plummets because of the low revenue per customer. Can this be fixed? I think so. I think the idea here is to charge less for the lesser known or desirable teams and charge more for a Toronto, Detroit, etc. Do you guys do that there now?
Basically, I want to fix all this and keep as much teams alive in the States as possible while creating a few more teams here.
Big point: but then there is a risk of watering down the product or keeping the watered down product: is this smart? It looks so far that it is part of the reason that some teams are failing….the lack of a few superstars on the team as apposed to one or two max. Everyone loves a few superstars….I think, especially in the States. To get the TV audience and fans out more.
Also, we have to not pay these bums so much money and the to such long term contracts. Maybe have a system like NFL football, where the contracts are not totally out of hand.
So anyway, I hope Atlanta can solve things and get in the profit situation and hopefully too, Winnipeg gets a team, although I am not too confident (some days I am too confident as you could tell by my first stupid post) Do I regret posting that first one?…in some ways yes, but it sure stirred up discussion and I met some nice friendly people
ZAvalanche
May 1st, 2011
10:23 am
WBF and RL – I really think that was the best game, and goal tending performance, I have seen all season. Whoever comes out of the East is going to have a handful, in my opinion. And I think Vancouver is very scary but Smashville impressed me a lot last night. I couldn’t tear myself away from the tv. Iwas bummed it was over, but then …….. wait! USA vs Austria! Lord I am tired!
RL – I think the reason Rinne was drafted so late is because the NHL scouts probably didn’t have a ton of access to him – but correct me if I am wrong on that idea. He was amazing last night. funny how even amazing teams feel like they can sit back when they are up. Nashville came out like a bull in a china shop, way out shooting Vancouver. Gotta give it to Luongo though, he played lights out as well and I bet he is sore as hell today.
Seriously the best game I have seen since the Gold Medal game.
As I said before, I have a hard time picking the SJ series, but I am still betting on the Big Red Borg.
Caps looks very vulnerable and confused in game 1. This will go one of two ways (obviously). Either the Caps will come out pissed off and rock it, or it is going to be very, very tight.
Brendan
May 1st, 2011
10:33 am
Trying to get the blog refocused from its tangent and back on to the topic of the Grand Kamalian, I don’t mind this voice at all. There are plenty of times when I’m still getting home from work … and have to turn on the radio to hear the 1st period. Kamal calls an exciting game. That’s for sure.
Now, not to be nit-picky, but when I do get home and review the broadcast … to relive the magnificent call by Kamal, the scoring chance wasn’t NEARLY as close as Kamal had called it. Does the Grand Kamalian “exaggerate” scoring chances? Yes. Yes, he does. But, it’s radio. It’s his job to be entertaining. Overall, I think he does a good job.
Switching gears, I admit it. I fell asleep. Vancouver was leading, 1-0, with 9 or so minutes left in regulation. I missed out on the double OT masterpiece that was the Predators big win. Yes!!! Series tied, 1-1. Love it. Go Preds! Just think, folks, one day … this could be us. Each win, from here on out, sets a franchise postseason record for Nashville.
Last, the Tampa Bay Lightning? Could we, should we, be talking about them as a possible Stanley Cup Finals entrant? I wouldn’t have thought so, back in preseason. I had the TBL and MTL battling it out for the 8th and final spot in the playoffs. I think I gave it to the Lightning. Okay, I goofed. TBL was a strong contender to win the SE Division, right up until the last three weeks, or so, of the season. Stamkos was drafted 1st overall in 2008. If we apply the “3 year rule,” to teams finishing DEAD LAST, then winning the Cup, TBL is in that mold to be a potential Cup Winner. They did it before, finishing DEAD LAST in 2001, winning the Cup in 2004. ‘Canes finished LAST in 2003, won the Cup in 2006. Chicago finished 2nd to last, won the Draft Lottery over Philly in 2007, then won the Cup 3 years later over Phlly in 2010. This is just how quickly a franchise can be turned around. I took the Capitals in this one. The Capitals are out of excuses, for not winning the East, or the Stanley Cup, with the roster, Coach, and GM that they do have. They have a ‘committed’ owner, too. Think about it. The conditions for Washington’s ascendancy to the SCF will never be BETTER than it is right now, with no Crosby, no Malkin, no Cinderalla ‘Canes or Habs… to ruin it for them.
ZAvalanche
May 1st, 2011
10:41 am
Ron – I agree that the contracts are a bit high. The arithmetic mean for the NFL contract is roughly 1.4 million, the NHL is roughly 1.9 million. But at the same time an NFL team has more than twice the number of players on payroll than the NHL does. But yeah, it is exaggerated in my opinion.
For any sport the attendance is mostly dependent on performance. It is up to the owners and GM to put a product on the ice. But this horse has been beaten badly already on this post, probably just a pile of meat at this point. We know the problems, we know the solutions and it is just a matter of getting it done.
Despite what some posters say, Thrashy isn’t a bad product. you don’t just “get lucky” and have a first half run like they did in this league. If they sucked as bad as many think they wouldn’t have had that run. Same with Colorado. Their seasons are mirror images.
As stated before, I hope you get a team, just not ours. Also, I don’t think the NHL is diluted talent wise. Watching these games proves that to me every time. People bash the 4th liners but honestly, can anybody tell me what they would do to you in your local league?
ZAvalanche
May 1st, 2011
10:45 am
Brendan – sorry you missed the rest of the game, it was a gem. And yes, I think TB is in consideration for a Cup finalist. As previously stated, they have one of the best first lines in all of hockey and it is showing. I wish them luck today and hope they roll Ovy (I think he is really arrogant).
Brendan
May 1st, 2011
10:47 am
Preds fans, teams that win Game Two go on to win the series moreso than the winners of ANY OTHER Game, between Games One and Six. Quite obviously, all Game Seven winners win their series, too. The Game Two winner’s series winning percentage always chances slightly, as the series are actually being played, but prior to the 2011 playoffs, it was 82.3 percent of the time Game Two winners go on to take the series. Last round? Game Two winners went 5-3. It would have been 4-4, but the Lightning came back from 3-1, to take the series over Pittsburgh, as a Game Two winner, to tip the balance to 5-3, for Game Two winners this year.
Brendan
May 1st, 2011
10:50 am
Pekka Rinne, what a game!!! Maybe the goaltending performance of the playoffs. Maybe.
ZAvalanche
May 1st, 2011
10:52 am
I agree, it was lights-out amazing. Roy-esque – perhaps
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
11:01 am
ron-your first comment on this blog was similar to some of the other posts we have received from “fans” north of the border. What happens to this team is out of our control; it is a non-hockey issue so for the most part, I stay away from the subject.
Come here and talk hockey and you are welcome anytime.
Piss in our Cherrios and you are not welcome.
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
11:09 am
It is a beautiful day in Atlanta, but I have to tell you guys, I am really looking forward to the Sharks/Red Wings game today. We finally get to see the Sharks in EST without having to worry about falling asleep during the game! This series is Joe Thornton’s big chance to show he is elite player. Big Joe has all the skills, but he has yet to show them in big post-season games on a consistent basis.
ZAvs and Brendan-what I like about Rinne is his ability to give and take in key situations. He gives you a corner then takes it away just as the shooter is going for paydirt. Big guy, moves well, has Vezina written all over him. The Canucks are getting a feel or what Luongo can do to other teams-get inside their heads! I watched Hasek do it for years in Buffalo, truly the sign of an elite goaltender. Good for Nashville, what a GREAT organization.
Finally-let’s go back to last summer. I chirped about Matthew Lomabrdi-looks like the Preds have been able to do it all along without him!
Also, I owe Marty St. Louis a huge apology. Last summer I chided the Bolts for giving him an extension, believing he was past his prime and not worthy of the extension. He has proved me totally wrong this season, stilll keeps ticking. Good for him.
ZAvalanche
May 1st, 2011
11:16 am
WBF – so true, Rinne is akin to a magician, such a tease. Can’t wait for the game today. And BTW, Hasek was amazing in Buffalo, I don’t think the Sabers would have beat the Stars in 7, but Brett Hull’s goal should have been discounted.
Brendan
May 1st, 2011
11:19 am
WBF, exactly right. On all counts. I want to get Glovesave29’s critique of both Luongo and Rinne in this series.
Hockey Central on Versus gave the goaltending edge to the Red Wings’ Jimmy Howard over the Sharks’ Niemi, who had a GAA of 4.0, coming in. Jimmy Howard has quietly impressed me. I never quite believed he was the heir apparent to Hasek, but … he has delivered for Detroit. No doubt about that. He’s not the Vezina talks, however.
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
11:25 am
Brendan-I think Howard and Niemi are really good goalies, capable of winning games. But they are not the elite goaltenders that Rinne and Luongo are at this point. I still think in my gut that Ryan Miller will make his way to Detroit in 2 seasons to finish his career was a REd Wing, if the Sabres do not show improvement towards a Stanley Cup. Howard still does not have the full confidence of Red Wing management, in my opinion. Niemi is an upgrade over Nabakov, especially from a mental standpoint.
Zavs-Hasek was incredible in Buffalo. I remember one night he shut out of of Pat Quinn’s teams, winning a game on his own. Quinn later lamented “I knew we were in trouble from the outset because Hasek would not let anyone score on him in warmups”.
ZAvalanche
May 1st, 2011
11:27 am
I am going to preempt glovesave’s reply, the tending was amazing and Luongo should have had that last one.
ZAvalanche
May 1st, 2011
11:30 am
WBF, that is a good line! Hasek could steal a game any day of the week. He is no Roy, but definitely top 5 of all time. I lamented when Dallas won in the Finals, he played his a$$ off against a better team.
Amazing to see a keeper so big that can move like that. Roman Turek didn’t have it.
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
11:42 am
Zavs-you wonder how many Cups Hasek could have won if he played in front of Roy’s teams. Roy is a jerk as a person too, Dom was a pretty nice guy especially to the kids. Not taking away from Roy’s accomplishments or greatness as a goaltender, but he’s not a guy you would sit down and have a beer with at a bar. I always hated that Statue of Liberty crap he pulled, save that for the NFL or NBA has no place in hockey. He could win Cups though!
Seeing all this great goaltending remonds me of maybe the greatest playoff golatender I ever saw-Bernie Parent. As good as those Fylyer teams were, there were no Stanley Cups in Philly in the 1970’s without Bernie. He was that good in front of a decent Flyers’ defense. They were not a great defense back then but Bernie made them great! Can’t forget Billy Smith too.
Joe McGrath
May 1st, 2011
12:10 pm
Something Ron isn’t considering is that hockey IS growing in the south evidenced by the likes of Tyler Myers (Houston) Blake Geoffrione (Nashville, and his two brothers, also Nashville youth hockey products are now playing NCAA division I hockey at U of Alabama-Huntsville) Jared Ross (Huntsville, Ala.) Vinnie Sapanori (Atlanta), etc. More players from youth programs in the south are making it to the top levels of hockey. I’m 45, and I believe by the time I’m 75 we’ll see many, many more NHL from the south.
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
1:02 pm
Joe,part of ron’s problem (like other from Winnipeg) is that they have been brainwashed by the media that we know nothing about hockey, period. So there are no thoughts of the south having any upside when it comes to hockey.
This is all tough for me to say becuase I have friends (on this blog) and family from Canada. I think they would agree with me there though.
lemon drop the gloves
May 1st, 2011
1:08 pm
kulda hit did not look that bad. looked like he hit him shoulder to shoulder. he was probably disciplined for leaving his feet a bit and player being seriously injured.
Red Light
May 1st, 2011
3:44 pm
Like long home runs? Check this one out by the Mets Ike Davis…
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=14091437&topic_id=11493214&c_id=mlb
Cornbread
May 1st, 2011
4:11 pm
ron
April 30th, 2011
5:42 pm
“this whole thing bugs me actually. That Bettman is a total wiesel. He is singlehandedly putting U.S. against Canada. He is also had this grand plan of putting all these teams way down south, into some areas where they do not belong. Atlanta is a good choice, I still think, but 3 California teams? If anything, Ontario should have 3 teams. I mean, this whole thing bugs me. Hockey is a winter sport and people are always saying Winnipeg is a deep freeze. Even if we are, don’t you think that if hockey should be anywhere it should be here. Come in the winter and see all the outdoor rinks and you will see that hockey is deep in our blood, much like baseball in the states. It just does not make sense that Florida has 2 teams and Quebec has 1???”
You are an ignorant bigot.
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
4:33 pm
Red Light-what a blast the “Pepsi Porch”-must be New York.
ron-it’s not Bettman pitting Canada against the U.S. The issue of expansion in the U.S. goes way back before Bettman, goes back to 1967 with Clarence Campbell. Bettman is just an easy target for the Candian media, who is the real culprit in the divide between the U.S. and Canadian hockey markets.
Remember, expansions have to be approved by the majority of wners, which includes Canadian owners. I have not seen any of the current Candian NHL owners balking at U.S. expansion.
Ontario deserves 3 teams-maybe, but not in Hamilton which is not a major league city. The Leafs will not allow a 2nd team in the Tronna market-is that Bettman’s fault?
Quebec City had an NHL and was given every opportunity to retain it and lost the Nordiques. Is that Bettman’s fault? Again, no. Don Cherry blames Bettman for EVERYTHING and you clowns just go along and agree with him.
Do you think NBC/Comcast would sign a billion dollar deal with the NHL depending on games between Winnipeg, Regina, Hamilton or Quebec City?
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
4:37 pm
Ben Eager does it again!!!!!
ron
May 1st, 2011
4:55 pm
World- I never said anything like what you are saying (that people in the south know nothing about hockey). There is no doubt there are many people that know alot about hockey anywhere in North America. In the deep south, like the hotter climate States, I am not so sure there are enough of the knowledgable people to keep the teams alive. Like in Florida or Phoenix. A goos chunk of the crowds are transplanted Canadians, I would suspect. And once again, people in those States would rather watch women’s basketball or monster trucks or something like that, then hockey. That is proven….that the hockey ratings are way down the list and has not changed in those areas since the teams started. I wish they would.
Cornbread – why do you say I am a bigot? I said nothing to deserve that. I an quite the opposite if you knew me. I was just saying that another team in Quebec City (which would get 18,000 a night sellouts guaranteed) and another in Ontario (and yes Hamilton would get 22,000 a night guaranteed) would be a good move. Then take away Florida and Phoenix. You would have a much stronger league.
DWTOO
May 1st, 2011
5:23 pm
At least Uncle Milty posted and went away. ron’s like a boil on your posterior.
And remember WBF – “Only The Lord Saves More Than Bernie Parent”.
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
5:26 pm
ron-a good portion of the people that live in the south are transplated Americans and Canadians. Add to this a sizeable number people Southern born and bred citizens that are excellent hockey fans. They have a passion for hockey, especially in Atlanta where we were screwed out of the Flames 30 years ago. People in Atlanta will come out when we have a team with a direction and long term plan. That has been missing here.
Can every southern city support their team? Probably not, but I am not certain what city would be the right destination for any relocated team. You have yet to address my repeated charges about the Canadian media, whose sole purpose is to brainwash Canadians into thinking this is all Bettman’s doing. CBC is notoriously anti-American in sports and politics.
“People in the states would rather watch woman’s basketball or monster trucks.” Really, ever see how many people watch woman’s basketball? Do we have Monster truck leagues? Pretty ignorant statement Ron. Ever check out the minor league attendance figures for hockey accross the US.? Toss in college hockey too.
Hamilton would get 22,000/night? Only if people from Tronna would embrace the team and that will not happen in Leaf Country. And what makes Hamilton an NHL town? Because they built that White Elephant, the Copps Coliseum 25 years ago without a commitment from anyone for an NHL team? Put the team west of Tronna and I would agreee but not in Hamilton.
Hamilton is a scum town.
Brendan
May 1st, 2011
5:48 pm
SJS now up, 2-0, on Red Wings. Howard should have stopped that one. Howard made up for it on a tremendous save on a 2-on-1 attempt. Dany Heatley just hit the goalpost. Sharks haven’t given up a goal in quite a while. SJ, with a win, would go up, 2-0, headed to Hockeytown. Home teams haven’t had a lot of success in these playoffs.
With road teams winning so much of the time, you might think that six of eight (6/8) lower seeds advanced. But, that’s not the case. Six of eight (6/8) higher seeds advanced. In both conferences, the # 5 seed advanced (TBL, Nashville).
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
6:05 pm
Brendan-what’s the deal with Partick Marleau?
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
6:10 pm
San Jose/Detroit
No reason to explain why the NHL is so much better than any sport! What a game, these teams keep going after each other!
Brendan
May 1st, 2011
6:20 pm
Not sure what you mean, WBF?
San Jose Sharks now lead series, 2-0, with a 2-1 win, to hold serve, at home. I suppose can look to stats to tell us what the winning percentage is of teams that go up, 2-0, in series. But I defer to the playoff rule. Which is? Doesn’t matter what the series score is … you must keep winning. No ‘pity points’ in the playoffs. Ask the Vancouver Canucks, who SURVIVED overtime of Game 7, after squandering a 3-0 series lead. You must … keep … winning. SJ has to be feeling good about themselves right now. But they’ve clearly won nothing yet.
Brendan
May 1st, 2011
6:25 pm
WBF, Marleau’s always had attitude, if that’s what you mean. If I’m Ron Wilson, the former Head Coach of the Sharks, and the Sharks take this Stanley Cup, then I do look at myself in the mirror and start to believe that there’s just something wrong with me. The Sharks are, essentially, the same team that he had, when he coached. Different goalies, perhaps. Boyle was there. Setoguchi was there. Thornton, Marleau, and Heatley were there. Clowe. Goc. The difference is coaching and goaltending.
That said, I’d hire Ron Wilson is two seconds flat, if I owned a lack luster hockey club, that’d never won a playoff game before. Ron Wilson has proved, umpteen times, that he can resurrect the dead of the NHL. Trouble is, he can’t take them to the promsed land. Something always goes wrong.
Nate
May 1st, 2011
6:29 pm
Ron – Sadly, you just don’t get it. Disappointing to say the least. You need to do lots more fact checking before you take offense to being called ignorant. It’s not an insult. It means you don’t know what you are talking about because the statements you are making have no facts to back them up. That’s the definition of an ignorant person.
World Be Free
May 1st, 2011
7:15 pm
Brendan-just talking about the series, how great the 2 games have been so far. I expect a great finish to this series. any combination of the 4 remaining teams in the west will make a great Western Conference final. Too bad I cannot stay up late and catch all the western games udring the week. Marleau just does not have the intensity to contribute during the playoffs. As for the team, the Sharks are older with a little more sense of urgency. Ron Wilson went pretty far with the Caps in the late 1990’s too but came up short. He and Lindy Ruff are not friends as a result of that series.
Nate-ron’s gets all his facts from the Canadian media. Scary
Brendan
May 1st, 2011
8:27 pm
Marleau hasn’t completely disappeared, WBF. He’ll be back. He’s the Captain, isn’t he? Or is that Thornton? Anywho … folks … Rawhide took the trouble to write a very nice blog on Dan Kamal. And roughly 50-percent of the posts have been about deflected conversation, if you follow. At what point, are we going to evolve as a blog, to ignore trolls and firebombers? When you engage them, you sink to their level. Don’t forget that. If someone calls you a lambchop, you ignore it, rather than defend yourself, vehemently, from the ridiculousness of the premise. Simple rules, really.
Now, we all divert conversations. This blog topic wasn’t about Vancouver vs. Nashville or Detroit vs. SJS, but it’s kind of understood that conversation about the playoffs will take place during all playoff blogs. Try to imagine that Dan Kamal is reading this blog, if it helps. Here’s your chance to praise him, tell him how much you’ve appreciated his work, chide him, or offer constructive criticism.
If ya want, talk about the CBA, the proposed cap for next year, or something hockey-related. If you let ‘outside parties, with agendas’ dominate the blog, we might as well bring Brian back. You know what to do. This blog is the best around. The more people learn how to handle these situations, the better it’ll become.
Brendan
May 1st, 2011
8:30 pm
Trixie, a little help? And by the way, that French maid outfit is extra filly today! I like it!!
Brendan
May 1st, 2011
8:31 pm
frilly, even.
R. Stroz
May 1st, 2011
8:33 pm
ZAvs – I agree, that was an awesome game. Go Smashville.
Michael Uggs The Beast
May 1st, 2011
9:56 pm
Just for the record, I loved the Thrashers and watched pretty much every game for the past 8 years or so..up until the point where Kovy got traded..the wow players have all been traded and for what to show for it? I say move the damn team outta here, so we can spend all our money on the hawks..born and raised in Atlanta and I want to see a freakin championship, no more of this bologna crap trashers
ZAvalanche
May 1st, 2011
9:58 pm
Tampa!!!!!!
Tom Lysiak
May 1st, 2011
10:05 pm
I wouldn’t spend a flipping dime on the Hawks whether the Thrash stay or move to Timbuktu. Watch them get swept by the Bulls. Hope so for the owners sake…..