NHL News and Notes: All Summer Long...
Ashley Gallant | National Hockey League
Jul 26, 12:30 PM | Hype this story!
NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly appeared on a Vancouver radio station this week and said that revenue sharing and adding more Canadian teams would help to ensure financial success in the future.
He said that if some of the current markets could not maintain a stable franchise, then maybe the NHL should look at some untapped markets in Canada.
“We’re very supportive of the Canadian franchises, not only because of the history and tradition, but also because of the results,” Kelly explained.
“I mean the Canadian fans are like no others,” he continued. “They’re passionate, they come out and support it, they buy the merchandise, and they’re knowledgeable about the sport. And it seems to us a no-brainer that if you’re going to expand or you’re going to relocate, that you first and foremost have to consider some of the major hubs here in Canada. You know, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Quebec City, perhaps Halifax if they had an arena that could sustain an NHL team. But I think there are locations in Canada that would strongly support the NHL game.”
“It will ultimately come down to the revenue-sharing system we have in the game,” Kelly told the Team 1040. “I mean the haves – the big market teams – are doing very, very well financially, and they could probably do more in the way of revenue sharing to help out those teams that are in the bottom five or six on the list to help make them more stable financially.
“But long-term, the players aren’t singling out any particular franchises and saying ‘that’s got to go’. They really would like to see all the existing franchises survive, if that’s possible.”
The NHL has not responded to Kelly’s comments, but expect them to make a statement soon.
Pierre-Marc Bouchard to stay in Minnesota
The Minnesota Wild have avoided arbitration by signing forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard to a 5-year contract worth $20.4M.
Last season, Bouchard had 13 goals and 63 points for the Wild.
It has been reported that John Tortorella will meet with Islanders GM Garth Snow on Sunday to talk about the possibility of becoming the team’s new head coach.
Brendan Shanahan wants to return to hockey for one more season. He wants to return to New York, and Rangers GM Glen Sather wants him back, but he may consider other teams.
Maybe a return trip to Detroit? After all, they are ‘apparently’ the most likely to win the Stanley Cup next season.
Tomas Holmstrom had his day with the Cup last week and he allowed his cousin to use the trophy to baptize his 7-week-old daughter.
At least she didn’t poop in it.
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