Business Briefs - 8/2

FF Staff | National Hockey League

Aug 3, 12:00 AM | Hype this story!

Arena Completion Pushed Back

Mark Belko of the Pittsburgh Post Gazette has reported today that the Penguins are delaying the opening of the new arena until the fall of 2010.

In my opinion, this isn’t anything to be alarmed with. They want to make sure to do things right because this is going to be their home for the next 30 years. I’m glad they’re not going to rush things just to have it done.

It isn’t like they won’t be making money in the Mellon Arena. They are out of that ridiculous lease and the place will be packed. The only way the wouldn’t make money is if the Lemieux Group wakes up and thinks they own the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Penguins Mini-Plans To Go on Sale

Penguin partial season ticket plans are to go on sale next week.

They will first be available to people on the season ticket waiting list on Monday and will be open to the general public (if there are any left) on Wednesday.

Also, individual game tickets will go on sale to the general public on August 15th.

Craig Leipold to sign LOI

It seems as though the Nashville Predators are staying put, for the time being, as owner Craig Leipold has signed a letter of intent to sell to a group of local businessmen from Nashville.

CBC.ca is reporting that the selling price is set at $193 million, which is considerably less than Balsillie’s $220 million offer.

Things are looking good for Nashville right now, but I can’t get past the fact that William (Boots) Del Biaggio has been added to the group of local businessmen purchasing the team.

To me, this is saying that Boots is willing to keep the team in Nashville until something doesn’t go their way in which the contingency plan will be Kansas City.

Ducks Pass on Penner

Brian Burke has declined the 5-year deal that is worth a little over $21 million for Dustin Penner.

Burke was none to pleased with Oilers’ GM Kevin Lowe, not so much because of the offer sheet but because of the timing and how it was offered.

To fully capture Burke’s anger, here is his following quotes as reported by TSN.ca

“I have no problem with offer sheets, they are part of the CBA. I think it’s a tool certainly a team is entitled to use. My issue here is this is the second time this year in my opinion Edmonton have offered a grossly inflated salary for a player, and it impacts on all 30 teams and I think it’s an act of desperation by a general manager who is fighting to keep his job.”

“I was not notified of this until an agent faxed it into us. I thought Kevin would have called me and told me it was coming. I thought that was gutless.”

“Kevin Lowe has been in Penticton this week. Tonight is the induction ceremony for the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame and I certainly think this could have waited until Monday. I don’t think it shows a lot of respect for the B.C Hockey Hall of Fame. I think it’s a classless move timing-wise.”

These are strong words coming from someone who doesn’t have any problems with offer sheets. I’m inclined to think that this is the same opinion that many other general managers have but aren’t willing to speak out loud like Burke has.

Comments

  1. DaBich

    Aug 3, 09:25 AM

    Kudos to Burke for speaking his mind. I have mixed feelings on the offer sheet thing, but Burke has solid points on Lowe…classless being the least.
    I’m also happy to see Nashville is retaining their team. Hope DelBaggio keeps his mouth shut lol.

  2. Mark

    Aug 3, 02:14 PM

    Burke is being a little girl about this. He knows its his own fault he didn’t sign Penner earlier, and all this crap about not respecting the BC Hockey Hall of Fame is hysterical since it really has nothing to do with the NHL’s affairs.

    All Burke is doing is taking his frustrations out on Kevin Lowe. I also find it humorous that he thinks Kevin Lowe is fighting for his job, since he is only 2 years removed from the Finals.

  3. Matt Bodenschatz

    Aug 3, 02:52 PM

    Mark, thanks for the comments.

    I agree that the business of offer sheets is a fair way to operate. GM’s need to realize the importance if signing key players before they become free agents. It’s that simple.

    However, the amount of money Lowe is throwing at unproven players is ridiculous. He’s tipping the scales and tampering with a system that not only will haunt his opponents, but eventually will hurt him as well. If Penner signs as an RFA for $4 mil per year, what do you think UFA’s with similar numbers and proven track records will demand? Offer sheets are fine, but GM’s truly need to have a sense of the entire picture and a grasp of the magnitude of some of these signings.

    Lastly, Lowe likely is fighting for his job. His team went to the finals two years ago, but failed to even make the playoffs last year. Not a good sign for a team. Not only that, but Pronger was thrilled to leave and even demanded a trade. And Lowe failed to re-sign the team’s heart and soul, Ryan Smyth. Tell me how he can be only a couple hundred thousand dollars apart from Smyth, and walk away — yet, just months later, offer two unproven players ridiculous amounts of money. These are desperation moves by a GM who knows his job is on the line.

    Regardless of my personal opinions, I respect what you have said. Thanks again, and hope to hear from you soon!

Commenting is closed for this article.