Ritter's Rant: NHL in Saskatoon, Brutal Penguins PP, and More

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman doesn’t get everything right, and in some cases, NHL fans feel he needs to have his head examined.  With that said, Bettman’s announcement that he would like to see a second Winter Classic game added in Canada is refreshing and, by all accounts, a no-brainer.

I still like the idea of hosting a Winter Classic in Winnipeg, Manitoba at the Canad Inns Stadium—home of the Canadian Football League’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers—but I am not so sure the aforementioned Bettman will allow that to happen. More likely, a Winter Classic would be held in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, or Calgary.

Word has it the NHL would look to hold the second Winter Classic a week or two after the traditional New Year's day game, which, to me, goes against tradition. Bettman would never do that (go against tradition), would he? Best bet, Calgary gets a game with the Vancouver Canucks being the opponent.

The Ice Edge Group wants to include Saskatoon in their plans to purchase the Phoenix Coyotes. Seems Ice Edge has its sight on playing five games in Saskatoon as part of the Coyotes' regular season schedule, something the NHL is surely to frown upon.

On the surface, it may appear as if the Ice Edge Group may be delusional. That said, clearly Ice Edge believes they can make a considerable amount of money off the proposed five-game deal, something the Coyotes rarely do at their current home in Glendale.

The reality is the Phoenix Coyotes are losing upwards of $5 million every month, which equates to roughly $35 million in losses for 2009-10. The current situation in Phoenix does not work, so creative thinking like bringing the NHL to Saskatchewan may be one of many ideas the NHL will have to consider if they want to turn this sinking ship around.

Which leads me to this question: If the Ice Edge Group believes the Coyotes cannot work on its own merit out in Phoenix, why the HE-double-hockey-sticks are they considering purchasing the team?

I have to admit, I got pretty hot over the idea of the NHL considering changing the names of the historic trophies. Seems our friends from the South are having trouble identifying with Lord Stanley, Jack Adams, Georges Vezina, and the like.

Just one question: Does anyone think the NFL would ever consider changing the name of the Vince Lombardi Trophy? Suck it up, Sally! Know the game, know the trophies, and most importantly, know your history!

Bruce Boudreau was 100 percent right in calling out Colorado Avalanche forward David Koci for his ugly hit on Washington Capitals defenseman Mike Green. Clearly Koci had Green in his sights for a long time, and from my point of view had every intention of trying to injure Green. It was a cowardly act, and one that should not go unpunished by the NHL.

For the record, Koci has two career NHL goals in 97 games—what a waste of a roster spot.

Is there a team in the NHL that gets less respect than the Nashville Predators? Through 34 games, the Predators have amassed a record of 20-11-3, good enough for 43 points. More importantly, the Predators sit second in the Central Division, just two points behind the Chicago Blackhawks and eighth overall in the NHL. Well done!

Tell me again, why is it, year after year, that the Pittsburgh Penguins always seem to have one of the worst power plays in the League? The Penguins, a team that features Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Sergei Gonchar, currently sit 29th overall on the PP with a success rate of just 13.9 percent. Pathetic…

In case you didn’t know, Gabe Morency (formally of The Score ) recently launched his new Web site. Louis Pisano, my B/R counterpart, and I will be throwing down our second installment of our podcast “Get The Puck Out ” this Saturday, Dec. 19, from 6pm to 7pm.

The live podcast will be broadcast in studio from Toronto featuring some betting analysis, team analysis, player updates, and more puck talk than you can imagine.

Be sure to call in and let your opinion be known. You can catch Morency (Monday through Friday from 4pm-6pm EST) and “Get The Puck Out” (Saturdays from 6pm-7pm) at www.morencysports.com.

To phone in, call 1-866-964-5710. SPORTS RAGE—it’s the “Evolution of the Ragulation"...Don’t miss it, puckheads!

Until next time,

Peace!