I talked to Michael Franke about Flint rumor No. 8793: “Everything in Flint is fine, and they will be at the league meetings in June, and they will be a member of the IHL in the 09-10 season. That’s all we need to say.”
Asked about expansion, “One way or another, by June 18, everyone will know everything,” he said.
Looks like Shreveport-Bossier of the CHL is in trouble. Maybe they’ll end up in the SPHL.
First off, congrats to the Blackhawks on a great year. They are the best story in hockey this season and are going to be 10 times better next season just on the experience they gained this year. If they can get another veteran D-man, they could really be a cup contender.
As for my pick for the finals… I’m going to hedge just a bit. As a fan, I love the Red Wings, but as an observer, I think the entire series depends on if Nicklas Lidstrom plays or not. Pittsburgh’s firepower is very difficult to contain if Lidstrom doesn’t play his 30 minutes a game. I think the Penguins have much more offense to work with than the Blackhawks had, and their defense is better, too.
Latest report I saw said the Wings expect Lidstrom to play so I’ll say Red Wings in seven. If he doesn’t play, or has to sit out more than two games, Penguins in seven. We’ll find out right away how much the Penguins have improved over last year, but I think you have to give a big edge to the Wings in coaching experience. Until you’ve been behind the bench in the finals, you have to give the edge to the team whose coach has already been there.
What do you think?
And hasn’t it been fun to watch the NHL playoffs this year? LOVE listening to Doc. He might be the best broadcaster in his sport alive today. I know a lot of people dislike VERSUS, but I’ll take them over ESPN for one reason: When you’re watching a game on VERSUS, it’s about the game. Sometimes when things are on ESPN, its about ESPN more than the game, such as the basketball playoffs. Of course, they don’t have anyone like Mike, either.
I talked with Michael Franke today before running out to a tennis match, and he said expansion talks are continuing, and there’s a lot going on in the industry right now.
“We feel good that we’ll have some positive news to announce over the next couple of weeks,” he said. “All the things we’ve been working on are progressing well.”
Franke said he could not comment on Quad City or Dayton because he could not speak specifically about any city, other than saying, “They are both looking at our league right now.”
He said the league will likely know for sure about expansion for next season by June 12, which also happens to be the week the league opens its annual meetings June 15-17.
As for finding a replacement for Paul Pickard as league president/commissioner, Franke said the league received four or five calls from interested parties today.
“I think we’ll have somebody in place by the middle-to-end of July, but we’re not that concerned about that. Paul will be around until the end of June, and we’ve got plenty of people to cover in the league office after that if needed.”
New Haven-native and Indiana Army National Guard Sergeant First Class is going to skate this weekend in the Military Hockey Games at the Hamilton Center Ice Arena in Columbus, Indiana. This is the third year for the tournament which matches teams from the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, National Guard, Air Force, Air National Guard, Navy and Armed Forces for a tournament to raise money to support our troops. The game are from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday.
One question for you Steve: Are you nuts? LOL Didn’t you just have knee surgery?
These are supposed to be no-checking games, but you’ve got to think if anyone knows how to get away with a few checks, it’s these folks.
The Blackhawks didn’t win, but they really showed me something tonight. That was truly a battle all over the ice. What a fun game to watch. It has to hurt that Dan Cleary has scored three goals in the series. The Stadium will be rocking.
Can you believe, someone had the gall to call me and brag about it when the Blackhawks were up 1-0?!?!? Is that the kiss of death, or what? That person shall remain namelss, but they need to do a walk of shame on Monday.
Not a good day for Toews and Kane, and if they don’t do it, Chicago is in big trouble. I just can’t see the Blackhawks’ defense holding up in this series. They looked really, really tentative today.
The Blackhawks kind of remind me of the Red Wings of about 1986-87 when they were just on the cusp of becoming great and just needed a little more seasoning and another D-man or two. Red Wings better get them now because Chicago is going to be a force for a long time.
BTW, could be a couple positive, not unexpected announcements in the IHL this week.
