Atlanta Weekend part II

Hi everyone from the home of the 56th annual NHL All-Star game.

Part of this weekend's festivities for me to be here as a parent. What a wonderful experience this has been. The NHL and the Atlanta Thrashers have done a marvelous job setting up this first ever NHL -JR All-Star tournament. It's the first of it's kind, but for all the right reasons, this one is important. Promoting hockey at the grass roots level is essential in terms of the growth of this sport.

We have seen in Raleigh how the Hurricanes presence and successes have help cultivate this fanbase. This is certainly true in the "virgin markets" of the Southeast. Squirt (9-10 yrs) and Pee Wee (11-12 yrs) teams from Washington, Carolina, Nashville, Tampa and Atlanta have enjoyed three days of hockey in the Atlanta suburbs along with all the all star festivities. The experience as a "hockey parent" has been enriching and something no one will ever forget.

Today, the boys were treated to an amazing day of early morning hockey (6:00 am) followed by the morning workout at Philips Arena, and capped off by a Jonas Brothers concert. The Disney rock trio had most of the crowd, which was predominately female ranging in ages from 8 to 15, screaming at the top of their lungs .

This evening the boys took their spot on the "Red Carpet," as the NHL All-Stars entered the arena for the skills competition. Tonight, they will watch the skills contest before another day of excitement tomorrow.

Standings Overhaul...

As you look at the NHL standings, especially in the Southeast  Division where only a few points separate top to bottom, wouldn't you hope that someday the NHL alters the point structure?

We called for this last year and my opinion is still that the league will take a long look as to "how" points are handed out.

There is no way that regulation win should be worth the same in the standings as an overtime or shoot out win. I know we keep going here, but there is some talk in Atlanta that they may possibly look at this. Let's hope so.

If you beat a team in three periods, take home three points. If not, than divide the three in the extra sessions. It only makes sense, would help award solid play, and could help put and end to a "competitive hole" that a lot of insiders in the business are complaining about.

It keeps the teams close but is it legitimate?

Skills Comp...

Many of the players I have talked to are taking a "wait and see "approach to tonight's skill competition. The biggest change appears to be the breakaway contest where the players will be judged by a celebrity panel.

No, Simon Cowell did not get credentialed for this, but the players have been asked to get creative.

The NHL is trying; let's give them credit for that.

Let's see how everything goes down before we get on our "traditionalist bandwagon." After all, there is nothing traditional about the skills competition, so it's worth a shot...no pun intended.

From the Press Room...

This a place where rumors flying in very direction. I can't say that there are that many, but some are intriguing.

The return of Peter Forsberg may be on the horizon. Most of the info says that he will land In Philadelphia where he feels he has some unfinished business.

Look for Teemu Selanne to return to the Ducks.

Calgary has an interesting problem with Dion Phaneuf. The all-star is staring at restricted free agency and he has also taken notice of some of the long (can you say Ovechkin) contracts that have been issued recently. If the number of years or the money holds up the Flames, look for Alex Tanguay to be on the move before the trading deadline on February 26th.

Tampa Bay might be getting ready to pull the trigger on a big deal.  Marty St. Louis or Vincent Lecavalier might be on the move - St. Louis seems to be the one that could go. The Lightning need a goaltender and a prospect type player out of this. If they do move "Big Vinny," it would come at a huge cost, and they have to be ready for the enormous PR hit. The Dallas Stars could be landing spot.

Mats Sundin will be moved out of Toronto, but that's not really big news. Moving Sundin will be Cliff Fletcher's only job before handing the "keys" over to someone else to run the Leafs. Detroit looks like a potential fit.

My ears are still ringing from the Jonas Brothers...by the way whatever happened to Jonas Hoglund?!