Updates on Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel, Quebec City’s bid for an NHL franchise and more in your morning coffee headlines.
Former opponents Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel will start this season as linemates with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
TRIBLIVE.COM: To the surprise of no one, Sidney Crosby and Phil Kessel are expected to be on the same line when the Pittsburgh Penguins open their 2015-16 season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be surprising if the duo doesn’t mesh well together. If not, Kessel can also be put on Evgeni Malkin’s line. Either way, Kessel’s presence should provide a significant boost to the Penguins offense.
SPORTSNET: Quebec City’s bid for an NHL expansion franchise is by no means a slam dunk. Market size, the value of the Canadian dollar, finding potential corporate sponsors and possible compensation for the Montreal Canadiens are potential issues that could work against it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’d say the volatility of the Canadian dollar is the biggest issue. If it were still over .90 cents USD, it wouldn’t be a problem, but with the “loonie” now below .75 cents USD with no sign of its tumble ending anytime soon, this will be a genuine concern for the league.
NJ.COM: Scott Gomez and Steve Bernier will have to look elsewhere to continue their NHL careers, as the New Jersey Devils won’t be giving them tryout opportunities.
THE DETROIT NEWS: Playing for a new head coach (Jeff Blashill) could give Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jakub Kindl the opportunity to get his NHL career back on track.
MIAMI HERALD: The Florida Panthers have started informal workouts in preparation for their upcoming training camp.
CSNNE.COM: Individual tickets for Boston Bruins home games go on sale September 4.
NHL.COM: Former NHL player Ron “Chico” Maki has passed away at the age of 76. He spent his entire NHL career (15 seasons) with the Chicago Blackhawks, winning a Stanley Cup in 1961 and played in three All-Star games.
I like Kessel better on Malkins line. Kessel would be like an upgraded James Neal and could just snipe away. Playing with Crosby he’s going to have to learn to go to the net and I think Hornquist is just better at doing that. Not to mention the chemistry Crosby and Hornquist had last year. It’s going to be a fun training camp regardless to see where all the pieces fit. The real coup this summer was replacing Brandon Sutter with 2 players that are more talented for the same salary he commanded.
I would not be surprised if Kessel and Crosby don’t Gel. Crosby has a history of not gelling with players. He is a tough player to play along side. Kinda like the Sedins in Vancouver. They can spend many years looking for someone to go on that wing.
So if Kessel ends up on Malkin’s wing I would not be surprised int he least.
Very sad to hear about Chico Maki’s passing. My grandfather played against him and the Teepees numerous times in juniors and I grew up loving his stories about on ice battles with loads of NHL players, including the Maki brothers. Thoughts are definitely with his family.
As for the Penguins, I am not surprised that everyone feels Kessel should end up on Malkin’s wing. For me I am confident he will gel with one of the two centres and I am confident that Johnson will take the opportunity over the coming 4 months to test for chemistry. As long as he gels with someone and scores like I know he can, as a Pens fan, I don’t really care who it is with.
As for the Quebec City situation, if the NHL is really that short sighted to see the recent drop in the dollar as an issue, I have to question their judgement (well I do that already for many reasons, but you get the idea). Like any investor, you should have a plan and be looking long term and not making knee jerk reactions to short term volatility. Besides, to make this viable, the Quebec City group will do a feasibility study and will know what the price point is for this to be worth it. If they are still in, then as the NHL, I would be accepting their cheque and moving on. Frankly, if I am that group, I could care less about running the team as a loss because they surely will benefit from the TV rights just like Rogers does by owning the Jays and Rogers Sportsnet which airs the games.
regarding Kessel – in the end he will get a lot of PP time with both Crosby and Malkin. That is going to be one massively scary Power play.
Regarding Quebec. I am positive they are coming back. 500 million dollars that the owners can put in their pockets and not share with the players is sound motivation to make it happen and like you say they can wait out the economic turmoil.
the difference between now and when the Nordiques left is the salary cap. It will enable them to remain viable.