Ritter's Rant: Quebec on Radar, Mule Hurt, Quinn Fined, Fleury Abused

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter

Build It, They Will Come:

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, former Quebec Nordiques owner Marcel Aubut, and Quebec City’s mayor Regis Labeaume met on Friday in New York to the discuss the possibility of bringing the NHL back to Quebec.

Bettman stated that any chance of Quebec landing an NHL team would be contingent on Quebec building a new arena, which has fueled rumors that Quebec is looking to build a new arena to replace the old Colisee.

It is well documented that the Phoenix Coyotes are still for sale, so, is Quebec an option? From a distance it would appear that Quebec could be a viable option.

The Nordiques franchise was successful in the past, but when the Quebec government refused to put up the funds for a new arena, the franchise was re-located to Colorado in 1995.

Maybe, just maybe, Bettman doesn’t hate Canada after all? As long as Bettman’s arch-rival Jim Balsillie stays out of the bidding process, I think these rumors may turn into truth. Good luck, Quebec!

Quinn Fined:

Looks as if Edmonton Oilers head coach Pat Quinn’s mouth has gotten him into some trouble...again!

Quinn, made the following comment after Thursday night’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, a game in which Calgary Flames super star Jarome Iginla tripped up Oilers defenseman Sheldon Souray and rode him into the boards.

"I don't understand the players of today, If that had happened in the old days, he would have got hit over the head with a stick right after. It was a pretty dirty play in my opinion. He poked his feet out and then piled on top of him. Somehow they never deal with that...and they won't let the vigilante stuff happen to deal with it. It's disappointing."

The NHL fined Quinn $10,000 for his comments. Whether you agree with Quinn’s assessment of the incident or not, doesn’t he deserve to voice his opinion about the subject? The fine is a joke...

Sad Reality

Just days before he is to launch his book “Playing With Fire,” former NHL superstar Theron (Theo) Fleury told reporters that he was sexually abused by his former junior coach, Graham James.

An excerpt from Fleury’s tell-all book reads, "The most influential adult in my life at the time was telling me that what I thought was wrong was right. I no longer had faith in myself or my own judgment. And when you come down to it, that's all a person has. Once it's gone, how do you get it back?”

This is not the kind of thing people lie about. Let’s not forget, James was jailed for three and a half years for his inappropriate contact with former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy. You can’t help but wonder, how many other kids did this waste of human flesh do this to?

I think I speak for everybody when I say, if the accusations are true, Which I am sure they are, James is a piece of garbage and deserves to be hung by the short and curlies!

And, to Mr. Fleury, God bless, it takes unparalleled courage to speak about such horrible incidents, especially in a public forum.

Mule, broken: Can Satan help?

Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen will be out for at least 4 months, quite possibly the entire NHL season, with a torn ACL in his left knee.

Clearly, this is a huge hit to the Wings, one that could see the power in the Western Conference turn in favor of the Chicago Blackhawks or the San Jose Sharks.

Franzen scored 32 goals in 2008/09 and with the Wings already missing Michael Samuelsson (19) Marian Hossa (40) and Jiri Hudler (23), you are talking about a total of  114 goals that the Red Wings will have to replace this season.

The Wings have recalled Justin Abdelkader from Detroit’s AHL affiliate Grand Rapids Griffins, but with only 16 career NHL games (6 regular season, 10 playoffs) and just 2 goals scored over that time span, the Wings will likely need to add another forward.

One of the names that is bound to come up is Brendan Shannahan, he has a history with the Red Wings and with a salary of $1 million, he should be able to fit into the Wings Salary structure.

Another name out there is NHL free agent Miroslav Satan, could he be the ‘answer’? Maybe the Wings should try to entice former Toronto Maple Leaf Mats Sundin out of retirement? On second thought, no!!!


Until next time,

Peace!