Ritter's Rant: A Look Into the NHL

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter


Jim’s a “Bal-sillie-breaker”-

You know why Jim Balsillie has a good chance of landing the Phoenix Coyotes and bringing them to Hamilton? It’s simple really, for every move NHL commissioner Gary Bettman makes Balsillie is ready with yet another counter-punch.

It’s safe to say that before Balsillie decided to challenge the NHL and it’s cronies he put a ton of thought into it. Balsillie hired great legal minds, prepared significant funds and has considered every move and counter move the NHL will make.

Simply put, Balsillie isn’t going away, and he’s willing to lose millions of dollars to make his dream happen.

Hamilton Coyotes?

Got in trouble this week for calling the Phoenix Coyotes the “Hamilton” Coyotes and deservedly so. The name Hamilton Coyotes doesn’t make any sense, does it? Personally I like the idea of calling the (hopefully) soon to be Hamilton franchise the “Pit Bulls”.

Currently, Hamilton’s AHL franchise and Montreal Canadiens affiliate, plays under the “Bulldogs” Moniker, so “Pit bulls” is not out of the question.

The other name that makes sense is to bring back the historic “Hamilton Tigers.” The Hamilton Tigers were a professional ice hockey team, and a member of the National Hockey League (NHL), based in Hamilton. They played from 1920 through 1925.

Zherdev Unwanted?

New York Rangers general manager Glen Sather recently rejected an arbitrators findings when he refused to pick up the arbitrarily awarded contract of Nikolai Zherdev.

Sather, who has a reputation for signing players to bad deals, looks to have made a great move. Nobody is rushing out to sign Zherdev at $3.9 million per season and rightfully so.

Still, I wonder, at just 24 years old, isn’t Zherdev worth investigating at a reduced rate, say $2.5 million a year?

To date, Zherdev may be an underachiever, but with the right coaching he could be a 30+ goal scorer, something that is tough to come by these days.

Who Shot JR?

Say what you will about Jeremy Roenick, sure, not everybody liked him, but you can’t take away from the fact that he was a great NHL player. Personally, as good of an NHL player he was, I think he was an even better person.

Roenick, who was one of the most entertaining and outspoken players the NHL and it’s fans have ever laid eyes on, always went out of his way to make an impact with the fans, something more players ought to be doing.

Listening to XM 204 this week, I had the privilege of listening to Roenick describe his first encounter with the legendary Gordie Howe.

Roenick, who was just a kid at the time, was watching Howe practice at a local arena. Roenick was leaning over the boards trying to get a better glimpse of his hero, Gordie Howe, when, unexpectedly, "Mr. Hockey" skated over to Roenick and dumped a blade full of snow on top of his head.

Moments later, Howe skated over to Roenick, looked him in the eye and gave him a “wink.” Roenick was ecstatic, he lamented that for that one moment he felt like it was just him and Howe in the arena.

For Roenick, it marked the very moment when he realized that, as a talented hockey player, he had to give back to the fans. Well Mr. Roenick, you did that and then some, Gordie would have been proud!

Once again, thanks for the memories JR, you will be missed...

Calling All Haters

It recently came to my attention that many of my readers don’t agree with my findings and/or predictions. Let me be very clear on something so I don’t have to keep defending my findings in the comment box.

It would be pretty boring if I didn’t bring a little controversy to my writings. I encourage debate and discussion, so fire away. Fact is, I won’t be right all the time, nobody is. That said, I will be right more than I will be wrong, you can book it!

Filatov, a BJ?

One player I can’t wait to watch this season is Columbus Blue Jackets speedy forward Nikita Filatov.

Filatov, who is regarded as the BJ’s top prospect, has a smile that can fill a room and an unparalleled love of the game and the fans.

It’s not often you find a player who’s personality is just as strong as his game, Filatov is one of those guys. You can’t help but pull for a guy like Filatov.

Don’t forget to check out the poll, make your thoughts known.

Until next time,

Peace!