Burning multiple bridges with Daryl Katz

“I was upset when certain confidential information was leaked and by comments that I thought were unfair and called my integrity into question.” 

“I reacted by trying to send a message to city leaders that they should not take my support for a new arena for granted. “In doing so, I took for granted your support and your love of the Oilers. 

 “That was wrong and I apologize.”

The main thrust of Daryl Katz's "apology" to the fans of Edmonton.

So, seemingly in a little temper tantrum, Daryl Katz headed off to Seattle, apparently for no other reason than to stomp his feet at the folks back in Edmonton.

A strategy that seems to have successfully resolved little, other than to make Katz look a tad more of a carpetbagger than a guy that built his empire in Edmonton. Pushing him into the self inflicted territory of the seven circles of hell that Peter Pocklington once explored during his reign as Oilers owner.

With word of his west coast visit splashed across the Edmonton papers and filling the airwaves of the always entertaining Edmonton radio wars, Katz suddenly it seems decided that some damage control was perhaps in order.

Thus we get the "apology" letter provided to the Edmonton Sun today, a screed to offer up a mea culpa with a dash of indignation directed at those he is currently in negotiations with to create the latest sports palace for the Great White North.

By his letter however, one wonders how the folks of Seattle might be feeling, if in fact they care at all.

In effect, Katz has told the residents of Western Washington State that he really has no intention of bringing hockey there, in effect using them as the battering ram in his negotiations with Edmonton, something we're pretty sure the more vocal of sports radio opinion in Seattle will make note of.

Not that Katz was destined to be a big player in Seattle anyways, at the moment the entire focus of the sports world there is the deliverance of an NBA franchise back to where it never should have left, hockey is but the side dish in the NBA buffet.

All of this is good news for Edmonton's hockey fans, Katz by burning a bridge in Seattle most likely won't be welcome there again, now he has to make sure his Edmonton bridge doesn't catch fire as well.

Hockey fans in Edmonton like others across North America, perhaps are just a little tired of being taken for granted by the owners and administration of the NHL.

In the Edmonton situation, one wonders if perhaps more than a few were giving thought as to where, for instance they might wish to have a prescription filled, the only recourse they might have had to vent their feelings on the mess created by Mr. Katz, who has other interests in the Alberta capital and across Canada.

For the moment, it's all hands on deck for damage control for the Katz collective, trying to smother out the flames of a PR disaster purely of their own making.


The fallout from the Katzgaffe road trip is as follows.

Edmonton Sun-- Secret Katz Group arena meet with Edmonton city administrators...
Edmonton Sun-- Wayne Gretzky 'not involved' with Oiliers, Daryl Katz
Edmonton Sun-- Daryl Katz tour of Seattle arena should spur Edmonton deal
Edmonton Sun-- Daly neutral on new Oilers arena deal
Edmonton Sun-- Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz denies Mayor Stephen Mandel's request..
Edmonton Sun-- Edmonton Mayor Stephen Mandel and Oilers owner Daryl Katz need to hammer...
Edmonton Sun-- Mayor Stephen Mandel calls on Oilers owner Daryl Katz to make demands public
Edmonton Sun-- Edmonton Oilers owner Daryl Katz says downtown arena in jeopardy
Edmonton Journal-- Oilers owner Katz apologizes for Edmonton arena negotiation tactics
Edmonton Journal-- Katz Group fails to make case it needs sweeter arena deal
Edmonton Journal-- We hated Katz's threat, but it's good that he said it
Edmonton Journal-- Seattle feels Edmonton's arena pain
Edmonton Journal-- If we build it, would they stay
Edmonton Journal-- Will Katz group meet with council to discuss arena project?
Edmonton Journal-- Downtown Edmonton area deal can and should be made ...
Edmonton Journal-- Oilers' owner heads to Seattle for meetings after city approves arena deal
Globe and Mail-- Oilers' owner Daryl Katz apologies to fans for Seattle visit
CBC-- Daryl Katz apologizes to Edmonton fans
CBC-- Edmonton's mixed feelings on Katz apology

Right now, Gary Bettman is ALL hat, NO cattle!

Jimmy Devellano is going to be a little lighter in the wallet today, well OK, perhaps in reality it will be the Illitch's who will be a little lighter, having to dip into the Little Caesar's pizza tip jar to cover off  the $250,000 fine from Gary Bettman, who wasn't too thrilled with Devellano's latest contribution to management/union negotiations.

Devellano, the Senior Vice President of the Red Wings provided the helpful primer to Labour 101 NHL style over the weekend with his comparison to the players being but cattle on the ranch, allowed to come on up to the ranch house for a meal before heading back off to mend fences and such we guess.

His comments provided to the Victoria BC based Island Sports News (no doubt sending their website counter into overdrive over the weekend) provided for some wonderful turn of phrases that should help don't you think?

The Detroit News made sure that the talking points got a little wider distribution than the British Columiba based website, dedicated mostly to university and high school sports on Vancouver Island.

Among his helpful contributions:

"The owners can basically be viewed as the ranch, and the players, me included, are the cattle," Devellano said. "The owners own the ranch and allow the players to eat there. That's the way it's always been and that's the way it will be forever. And the owners simply aren't going to let a union push them around. It's not going to happen." 

And to help make sure the message was delivered he added:

 "Each owner/team has a decision as to how they want to pay their players, as long as they are under the cap. Now (NHLPA executive director) Donald Fehr would have you believe by getting rid of the cap, the owners would make more money and that the sky is the limit, but trust me ... the owners would lose their (behinds). We've tried that. It doesn't work. There is just too much cost involved in running and owning a team." 

Devellano seemingly was channelling his inner Leghorn Foghorn to the Island Sports News, effectively asking the players, "any of this getting through to you son"

It would seem that the Vice President is hearkening back to an era of labour negotiation from the days of Jack Adams, perhaps a golden age in the eyes of Devellano.

Kind of instructive as to the mindset of these negotiations at the moment, if such a term can be used for two sides that seemingly stare at the answering machine and dodge each others calls.

For the moment however, to rephrase Mr. Devellano if we may, with the dispersal of the NHL's cattle to the distant farms in Europe and beyond, the Commissioner it would seem is "ALL hat and NO cattle".

The Full Devellano can be found below.

Detroit Free Press-- NHL fines Red Wings for comments calling players 'cattle'
Detroit News-- Red Wings fined over comments by Jimmy Devellano
National Post-- NHL doing itself no favours in battle of Public Opinion
Globe and Mail-- Cattle crossing offers Gary Bettman a timely diversion from NHL lockout
Toronto Star-- Red Wings fined for exec's unauthorized comments

Packing Parachutes with the NHLPA

One aspect of an NHL labour dispute which perhaps doesn't actually resonate with the fans at home is the concept of players actually on a picket line.

Already we have seen some strange things in this dispute, the league teams which are of the opinion that the current CBA doesn't work, were in a Mad Max rush to sign up their stars and even some lesser names to long term contracts under the old and seemingly "broken" system.

Then, with the lockout on the final countdown, players were dispatched to the minor league outposts, which we imagine makes must see TV this year destined to come from such locales as Oklahoma City, Peoria, Abbotsford and St. John's to name a few.

Over at the NHLPA offices, the first order of business it seems is to find a good travel agent able to find a quick and affordable travel voucher to the Old World.

Unlike your average worker, the lumber yard hand, paper mill worker or the folks toiling in a mine for instance, the NHLPA's options provide for some European travel, the prospect of time away from the NHL to be spent in the KHL, the Swiss League or any other European host, all no doubt eager to add some star power to the usual migration of former US or Canadian college or junior players, still seeking to carry on their hockey lives for a few more years.

While the "stars" live the lives of the Griswold's of European Vacation fame, the very real fact is that by their arrival to sit in for a while, any number of migrant workers of hockey may soon be without a job.

Which somehow you might think goes against some kind of union protocol somewhere.


. Clark Griswold and the family, for all their  travelling faults, never cost anyone a job when they made their European jaunt. A situation that the stars of the game may very well create, and one which could have been avoided.

Considering the rather large salaries that we are talking about in this dispute, surely with just a wee bit of previous financial planning all of the NHL's A List, could have handled a little bit of idle time while the two sides supposedly work towards a deal.

As well, by their quick and apparent eager quest to find alternative work in Prague, Bern, Mocow et al, the collective stand seems a wee bit diminished back here on the front lines of the labour wars.

Without the likes of the big names to provide for the face of the dispute, the picket lines if such a thing should ever come to pass in a hockey dispute, will seemingly be left to the third and fourth line players who couldn't it seems grab a share of the Euro money being bounced around.

And while they have every right to pursue their occupation wherever they wish, the optics of the current airlift to Europe isn't a particularly great one for the NHLPA or for its membership.

Making your stand, while taking away the livelihood of those that didn't quite make the bar of the NHL isn't exactly the best way to push forward your talking points on fairness and all of that...


USA Today-- Locked-out NHL players continue European exodus
TSN-- Locked Out NHL PLayers looking to Europe for Opportunities
SF Gate-- NHL player's exodus to Europe begins
Winnipeg Free Press--- Frustration builds in NHL Lockout as more players head to Europe
Montreal Gazette-- Locked out NHL players eye work in Europe
Sports Illustrated-- NHL Lockout: Players heading for Europe, KHL
Ottawa Sun-- NHL players rush for jobs in Europe during lockout
Toronto Star-- Will Sidney Crosby sign with a European team? Time will tell, his agent says
New York Times-- As NHL Lockout Begins, So Does a Likely Exodus of Players to Europe

The Lock Out: Thirty Shades of Fall Out

As the NHL, the NHLPA and those forgotten folks, the fans settle in for the first phase of the fourth NHL labour disruption in hockey history, we check in around the league's member cities, to see how the whole situation is playing out where the team's are based.

There is of course, no shortage of opinion around the league as to what led to this latest disruption and what if anything can be done to make it short, bringing hockey back to to town as soon as possible.

We'll begin our tour above the 49th parallel, seeking out the commentary of the league's seven Canadian members, before heading south for the view from the 23 American locations where the NHL calls home.

Canada

Montreal

Americans and Bettman have stolen Canada's game
NHL Lockout: What happens now?
"It sucks for business" near Montreal's Bell Centre

Ottawa

Senators let NHL do the talking on lockout's first day
Another lockout could bit Bettman on the behind
Lockout hits home for new Senators defenceman Marc Methot
Sens' staffers hit hardest by NHL lockout
Ottawa area prospects head to AHL as NHL lockout looms

Toronto

The most unnecessary lockout of them all
Players launch public relations offensive
NHL gets lockout message across to fans
Bars and stores lose in NHL lockout
Maple Leafs assign 22 players to Marlies, won't lay off staff
Day 1 begins with no end in sight
No hockey a windfall for networks

Winnipeg

Don't shed tears for locked out Jets
Don't worry, Jets fans: True North paying back ticket holders for lockout
True North presents options to Jets season-ticket holders
And so it begins, hockey fans
Jets ship 13 men to AHL IceCaps
Jets will fly together

Calgary

Calgary Flames faithful gird for season without hockey after NHL lockout
Lockout could influence Iginla's future with Flames
Last lockout took big toll on Flames
Eerie silence surrounds Dome as lockout takes effect
Lessons of the past ignored as players lament work stoppage
As lockout looms, Flames' Edwards a key figure for the NHL

Edmonton

NHL lockout 'hard to swallow': Dubnyk
Oilers RNH looking forward to OKC
Oilers assign 26 to OKC
NHL, players union begin PR battle as several Oilers move down to AHL
NHL, NHLPA send messages to fans
NHL players need to quit the guerrilla warfare...

Vancouver

Time to turn off the hype and  hypocrisy
Bettman's mess smells like the last one
No hockey: NHL officially locks out its players as CBA expires
NHL, NHLPA reach out to fans, but not each other on first day of lockout
Hockey Night not in Canada

USA

New York

Backward-thinking NHL shoots itself in skate
Owners' avarice steers league to lockout
No progress as first day of NHL lockout comes, goes
NY Rangers may have to make power play to prevent another lost NHL season
NHLPA message: 'This is an NHL Owners Lockout'
NHL message: New CBA is attainable through focused negotiation - not through rhetoric'
As N.H.L. Lockout Begins, So Does a Likely Exodus of Players to Europe
No Deal in N.H.L. Dispute as Lockout Deadline Passes

Long Island

Officials: NHL Lockout could cost LI economy $60 million in revenue
NHL locks out players at 12:01: a. m. Sunday
Isles assign players to Bridgeport, junior teams

New Jersey

NHL locks out its players as labor pact expires
Answers to the burning questions surround NHL's dispute with its players
Devils assign Adam Henrique, Adam Larsson, 22 others to Albany (AHL)

Buffalo

As lockout starts, it's no business as usual
And so it begins - lockout puts NHL season on ice
Sabres loan Foligno, 19 others to Rochester
Money issues, again, threaten NHL season

Boston

Fans now in wait mode
No progress as Day 1 of NHL lockout comes, goes
Shutdown defense stops NHL's momentum
NHL Players signing to play in Europe following start of lockout

Pittsburgh

Penguins' Morrow rips Bettman
Pens' employees safe from layoffs... for now
Without labor peace, some Penguins look for work
Pens' Crosby all in line with NHLPA
Penguins have no layoff plans despite lockout
Recent lockouts in pro leagues offer a window into the business of sports
NHL Lockout won't curtail workouts for Penguins

Philadelphia

NHL stalemate is an insult to the fans
Locked-out NHL players eye Europe
In NHL's cold war, Russia gets MVP
NHL officially locks out its players
Most fans blame NHL owners
Timonen: "Afraid it might take a while"
Fedotenko signs in KHL

Washington

NHL lockout leaves fans in the cold
NHL owners trying to turn back the clock
Lockout starts, end is uncertain
A lockout could be avoided - if both sides are willing to get a deal done
NHL lockout 2012: Players contemplate their next move
Without new deal, NHL locks out players

Carolina

In midst of lockout, NHL sends out contingency plans
For lockout veterans, not deja vu but disbelief
In midst of NHL lockout is eeire silence

Florida

NHL lockout might slow Florida Panthers' surge
NHL reaches out to fans
Locked Out: Florida Panthers, Champion Kings with Most to Lose?
Sunday No Funday: NHL Locks out Players for Third Time since 1994

Tampa Bay

NHL locks out its players
As sides dig in, hockey is about to freeze
Stamkos weighing his lockout options
Bolts' frustrations grow as NHL lockout looms
Tampa Bay Lightning players weigh options for lockout
Tampa Bay Lightning fans protest as NHL Lockout arrives
Labor histories of four major North American pro sports
NHL lockout Q & A

St. Louis

Bettman betraying loyal hockey fans
Bettman's lockout will give you the Deja Blues
Blues, NHL release statements regarding lockout
NHL contract expires, Lockout starts

Nashville

NHL lockout shows no sign of quick fix
Lockout leaves Nashville Predators on ice
It's no surprise: Money at heart of NHL labor troubles
Predators show little need for NHL's latest lockout with last minute deals

Detroit

NHL lockout: It's time to vent
With no talks set, lockout could last
NHL seeks to mitigate damage as lockout begins ...
NHL Players digging in, but owners have upper hand
Detroit bars, sports fans worry about impact of NHL lockout
Red Wings veterans know the lockout drill
Answering the NHL lockout's biggest questions
Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg makes plans for lockout
Wings' Pavel Datsyuk will make decision soon on playing in Russia

Chicago

NHL lockout: In hockey fight, players are right
Blackhawks hold informal practice
NHL lockout might send players overseas; fan fest postponed
NHL Lockout would cause future shock for Blackhawks youngsters
NHL players hold informal workout in Chicago
Blackhawks detail plans for season-ticket holders
Blackhawks postpone fan festival
NHL owners lock out players
NHL fans want hockey, not Bettman's promise
The No Hockey League - again

Columbus

First day of lockout yields no progress
Blue Jackets must wait for redemption
Negotiations at a standstill as lockout begins
Agreement seems long way off
Bettman speaks from owners' hip pocket

Colorado

Latest lockout testing the limits of common sense
No progress as Day 1 of lockout comes, goes
NHL Lockout looms, putting league on thin ice
Thoughts on the coming NHL lockout

Minnesota

The NHL goes dark once again
NHL CBA expires, lockout begins
It's official: NHL players are locked out
NHL and Wild issue message to their fans
How the lockout affects the Wild
Minnesota Twins' Justin Morneau likes NHL union chief Donald Fehr
Minnesota Wild 'support league's position' in locking out NHL players
Minnesota Wild to pay fans 10 percent interest on lost season tickets
Fans should walk when NHL comes back

Phoenix

NHL Lockout here, hopes fade
NHL lockout hurts fledgling NBC Sports Network

San Jose

San Jose Sharks' Logan Couture close to signing with Swiss team
All quiet on NHL lockout front
Issues and no answers
NHL locks out players
As NHL lockout looms, stakeholders brace for the worst
Douglas Murray on NHL lockout "I understand it's tough to understand as a fan"
Latest salvo in lockout PR battle

Dallas

Cold War: Stars' season is on ice as NHL locks out its players
Stars owner Tom Gaglardi writes letter to Stars fans
So how much do legacies of Don Fehr and Gary Bettman figure into NHL negotiations?
Stars and Kari Lehtonen are a great match
What you need to know about the lockout
NHL locks out players as sides hold no talks

Los Angeles

Plenty of action on first day of NHL lockout but no labour negotiations
National Hockey League locks out players amid labor deal rift
Commissioner Gary Bettman says owners unanimous in support of lockout
NHL good at getting labor negotiations wrong
Stone Cold Lockout
NHL's lockout message to fans

Anaheim

NHL lockout leaves young players puzzled
Latest work stoppage begins in NHL
Ducks gather, but future looks dim
NHL lockout would affect more than players, owners

The battle for hearts and minds commences

The first salvo in the Public Relations battle for the hearts and minds of hockey fans would seem to be coming from the NHLPA, the players association posted the following video to YouTube on Sunday, talking points from the players point of view that set the tone for their point of view.
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The most intriguing point from the players side, reminding fans that the system "that was supposedly broken, was created by the owners".

Wham, bam, now there's an exclamation point to your discussion paper!

No rebuttal yet from the NHL, then again that may be a wise strategy considering the public image that Mr. Bettman seems to enjoy among hockey fans these days.

Somehow we don't see any fireside chats in our future from the NHL head office.

Mr. Bettman brings out the padlocks...

It has not gone without notice here at the HockeyNation that we've not posted an item on hockey since June 11th, the last real day of celebration of a sport we all enjoy.

It was that date that the NHL handed off Lord Stanley's Mug to the LA Kings, in celebration of hockey excellence in 2011-12, a chance no doubt to build the brand in Southern California and provide hope for such troubled franchises as Phoenix and Florida to name a few.

A chance that has perhaps been lost once again, now that yet another labour disruption has intruded into that glow.

With rumblings of  labour discontent (or at least ownership desires for a larger share of the generated revenues) on the horizon, we sat back and listened to the drum beats of war such as they are in the NHL.

A prospect of no hockey come September, left us less than interested in such things as the draft, the free agency and all of that, our thoughts being as the younger generation these days would say, meh, let us know if there is something to watch on the ice.

And as summer begins to morph into fall it would seem there won't be any hockey in the short term at least.

The NHL allowed the CBA to expire on midnight of Saturday night, setting up the fourth labour disruption in the league's history, the third of the reign of Gary Bettman.

Very much a case of millionaires fighting millionaires, the battle such as it will be seemingly to move the percentage points a few positions towards the owners side of the business ledger.

What appears to be lost on both sides of this dispute is the fact that in a world economy that struggles for the folks that actually follow the sport, it's very much a case of rich guys fighting it out over how to get richer, frankly we just don't relate.

Most fans probably don't understand the NHL's business plan or structure, a strange little strategy that places franchises in locations that don't seem to much like hockey (as empty seats will testify), leaving behind cities (many in Canada we note) where the game not only resonates and is part of the fabric of the community, but are locations that would support a team and a league with full rinks and bountiful revenues.

On the players side, fans perhaps wonder about a labour base that makes millions of dollars to play a game, already well compensated, many might wonder just what those players might do for a living had they not through hard work, sacrifice of their parents and of course their own talent made their way through the building blocks of hockey from minor to the pro.

No one begrudges them their success, but at some point the zeros on the salary negotiations become dizzying and rather unrealistic to the average fan.

In an economic era of high unemployment  and fears that a recession is but a few unfortunate twists away from a depression,  the idea that the average fan might have sympathy for either side seems laughable.

Most probably struggle to put together the monthly payments for real issues, the electricity, the gas, tuition for their kids, health payments and other necessities of life, perhaps wondering about the wisdom of even the monthly cable or satellite subscription that lets them sit back and watch hockey come the fall.

The idea of season tickets more likely a dream that just isn't in the budget, with even the chance to attend the odd game perhaps but the thing of wishful thinking.

So, whenever the two sides get back together again to see if there is common ground, maybe factor in the idea that you both are alienating the very folks that give your game any relevance, let alone monetary value.

Saturday's deadline and lock out is actually a false start, the real lock out would start with the first game of the regular season in October, that's when the reality of it all will come home, until then it's just more and more of the same old positioning we were treated to through July and August, a tiresome dance that really holds little of interest to most.

Add onto that the rather hypocritical events of the last few weeks, where GM's and owners that are complaining so much about the current  terms of the CBA have been rushing to sign up their key players heading into the lockout, signing them to contract terms of the CBA they apparently despise so much.

It's enough to think perhaps Gary Bettman and Donald Fehr need to spend some time with Dr. Phil, to better understand the inconsistencies of it all.

From time to time we may check back in to see if anything has developed, to that end we recommend subscribing to the HockeyNation email alert program atop our page right, any updates to our blog will be delivered to your email address for your reading enjoyment.

For how long the terms of labour contracts will replace shifts on the ice remains to be seen.

Many observers are suggesting that the idea of a full season off the ice is unlikely, instead they suggest we may see some hockey by November, just in time for the HBO 24/7 previews that have led into the Winter Classic game of New Years Day.

Maybe yes, maybe no, at the moment now there's no hockey camps set to open, yet another season for hockey fans to ponder if the game as we have known it over the last few years isn't just a little bit broken.

The owners and the players have the opening words in this latest dispute, the fans both in franchise cities and at home can have the final ones, while in the end hockey fans will no doubt return to the game when it makes it back to the rink.

There's nothing to say that we can't take our time doing it, leaving a few nights of empty rinks and tepid ratings as a reminder that hockey exists only because of its fans, something that both sides seem to forget most of the time.

Below we offer up some points of note from the lockout day, a helpful synopsis of where we are and how we got there.

However, we do suggest that this Roy MacGregor's Globe and Mail column is definitely worth a read or two, maybe three. In fact we suggest that both the NHL owners and players pass it around, it nicely sums up how hockey fans should perceive all this madness.

Globe and Mail-- With players officially locked out, where does NHL go from here?
Globe and Mail-- Timeline of NHL labour negotiations
Globe and Mail-- Put the chicken wings back in the freezer, businesses brace for lockout
Globe and Mail-- Reasons the lockout will be short and why the season may be in jeopardy
Globe and Mail-- Hypocrisy or cynicism? NHL races to sign players before midnight lockout
National Post-- The NHL lockout has officially arrived
National Post-- NHL lockout a stalemate seven years in the making
National Post-- What the #!%*?: Explaining the NHL lockout
National Post-- NHL players begin hunt for other hockey options in wake of lockout
National Post-- Mark your calendar: The NHL lockout starts Saturday night
National Post-- NHL lockout surrounded by flurry of roster moves
Toronto Sun-- NHL lockout deadline passes
Toronto Sun-- 3 Strikes on Bettman
Toronto Sun-- Sidney Crosby and NHLPA's Donald Fehr go back a ways
Toronto Sun-- Bill Daly and Steve Fehr keep lines of communications open
Toronto Sun-- Little sympathy for NHL owners
Toronto Sun-- Odds in favour of long NHL lockout
Toronto Sun-- Bettman cries poor while NHL teams go on spending spree
Toronto Star-- NHL lockout: Day 1 begins with no end in sight
Toronto Star-- NHL, NHLPA relationship 50 shades of Nasty
Toronto Star-- New Leaf owners Rogers, Bell get painful introduction
Toronto Star-- Sticky issues, possible solutions to hockey impasse
Canada.com -- Sides tay away from bargaining table as NHL enters another lockout
Canada.com-- Commissioner Bettman shows emotion in defending NHL stance: no deal, no season
Canada.com-- Gridlock and it's getting personal
Canada.com-- NHL fans been down this road before

Stanley Cup Final Game Six -- New Jersey at Los Angeles -- June 11, 2012

If indeed the 2012 Stanley Cup playoffs prove to be Martin Brodeur's farewell tour, then the New Jersey Devils goaltender is making the best of his time in the NHL sunset.  Brodeur has provided the one life line that his Jersey team mates can cling onto, staving off elimination twice now, through Brodeur's remarkable work on the New Jersey goal line, the Devils have clawed their way back from a 3-0 deficit and could with a win tonight, send the series back home to Newark, tied at three, with the advantage and momentum shift moving in the Devils favor.

To get there the Devils will need to add to the reliable Brodeur's efforts, something they suddenly have found the formula for the memory of their Game Three implosion now well behind them. The Kings on the other hand have struggled to close out a series that they seemed destined to win with relative ease just a few games ago.

From that pivotal and convincing victory of Game Three, the Kings have ceded some of the ice that they controlled with little difficulty in the first three games. The breathing space that they have allowed the Devils to take back, now runs the risk of changing the dynamic of a series that seemed all but over, now, as they say we have a series and should the Devils once again prove to be spoilers to the California party planning for Game Six, then all bets would be off as to which team will be carrying Stanley around at the end of the series.

A Devils win on Monday changes the dynamic of this series, shifting the focus of the potential first Stanley Cup for Los Angeles to the prospect of a team coming back from a 3-0 disaster to a historic gut check type of effort that would join the ranks of the very few in NHL history.

The fourth win is always the hardest one to accomplish in a Stanley Cup final, the Kings have had two chances to claim that victory, one more arrives tonight, should they fail to close out on home ice in Game Six, then the Devils we imagine shift from the underdog to the favourite in pretty short order.

Game Six-- New Jersey 1 at Los Angeles 6

LOS ANGELES WINS the series 4 games to 2

Previews and Reviews

POST GAME

Los Angeles Times-- Majestic moment for the Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Times-- L. A.'s new royalty, Kings turn tumult in Stanley Cup triumph
Los Angeles Times-- At last, the Kings have a Stanley Cup answer
Los Angeles Times-- Kings win the Stanley Cup with 6-1 victory over Devils
Los Angeles Times-- Kings' Jeff Carter silences all the doubters
Los Angeles Times-- Kings start blitz after Steve Bernier's boarding penalty
Los Angeles Times-- A long wait makes the Kings' Stanley Cup party sweeter
Los Angeles Times-- L. A. fans get ready to party like it's er, the first time
Los Angeles Times-- Kings' Dustin Penner learned what it takes to win the Cup with the Ducks
LA Daily News-- Reign dance: L. A. Kings win their first-ever Stanley Cup
LA Daily News-- Kings claim first Stanley Cup in 45 year history
LA Daily News-- Bernier, Devils crash at worst possible time
LA Daily News-- The real Quick? Not seen as on TV say teammates
LA Daily News-- Kings goalie Quick receives named playoff MVP
LA Daily News-- Banner day for Kings -- After 45 years, L. A. has its Cup
LA Daily News-- 'It's OK to cry' -- Kings and their fans drink it in
LA Daily News-- On ice-- A perfect ending for the L. A. Kings
LA Daily News-- Kings parade and rally to be held Thursday in downtown L. A.
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils proud that they never quit after falling in 3-0 hole against Kings
Newark Star Ledger-- One major penalty leaves Devils in despair and Kings as champions
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils must answer questions as they start to look toward next season...
Newark Star Ledger-- What was the worst moment of Game 6?
Newark Star Ledger-- Enduring legacy of Devils' Stanley Cup run is effect it had on fans, Newark
Newark Star Ledger-- Stanley Cup Finals are over and now questions about his future begin...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' Martin Brodeur will play next season, hopes to stay in New Jersey
Newark Star Ledger-- Steve Bernier deserves sympathy, not rage, for a penalty that will follow...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils fans, hats off or fighting mad?
NY Post-- Devils dominated by Kings in Stanley Cup clincher
NY Post-- Pride not enough for Devils to prevail
NY Daily News-- LA Kings rock NJ Devils 6-1 in Game 6...
USA Today-- Kings beat Devils to win first Stanley Cup title
USA Today-- Boarding penalty leads to Kings' clinching win
USA Today-- No surprise: Jonathan Quick is playoff MVP
USA Today-- NBC's NHL Stanley Cup Final finally gets a TV ratings uptick
Globe and Mail-- Kings Jonathan Quick collects Conn Smythe Trophy
Globe and Mail-- Kings win Stanley Cup
Globe and Mail-- Credit officials for making tough call on Bernier game misconduct
Globe and Mail-- L. A. fans get their first drink from Lord Stanley's mug
Globe and Mail-- Aging Devil the saviour of a dreary NHL spring
Globe and Mail-- L. A. Kings' Stanley Cup win makes '20 million dreams' come true
Globe and Mail-- Devils comeback snuffed out in Game 6
Globe and Mail-- Kings will be able to reload under salary cap
Globe and Mail-- Mirtle takes your Stanley Cup questions
Sports Illustrated-- Crown the Kings: Los Angeles caps unlikley run with first Stanley Cup
Sports Illustrated-- Quick's breakthrough year, playoffs conclude with Conn Smythe...
Sports Illustrated-- Devils' Stanley Cup comeback ends with Game 6 loss to Kings..
Sports Illustrated-- Police act quickly to keep Los Angeles from violent celebrations


PRE GAME

Los Angeles Times-- Kings' Stanley Cup momentum got thrown under a bus
Los Angeles Times-- Kings looking at the positive going into Game Six of Stanley Cup Final
Los Angeles Times-- New Jersey Devils' Bryce Salvador is peaking in post season
Los Angeles Times-- Now the Kings are feeling some heat in Stanley Cup Final
Los Angeles Times-- Kings must battle demons as well as Devils
LA Daily News-- Coach Darryl Sutter says Kings will 'move on' from past two defeats
LA Daily News-- LA Kings hope third time is charm against New Jersey Devils
LA Daily News-- Lombardi, Hextall seeking more than just one Stanley Cup Final run
LA Daily News-- Now would be a good time to start worrying
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils look to turn the other cheek as chippy exchanges arise
Newark Star Ledger-- Now that you know the Kings, who irks you most?
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils continue to find motivation with season on the brink
Newark Star Ledger-- This Devils-Kings series has the feel of Red Sox-Yankees in 2004
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils, halfway to the impossible, have made this Stanley Cup Final...
Newark Star Ledger-- Kings maintain confidence after Game 5 loss to Devils stalls....
NY Post-- Devils try to turn over new 'Leaf' in Stanley Cup history
NY Post-- DeBoer's Devils are class acts
NY Post-- They're half way to making history
NY Daily News-- NJ Devils thrive under pressure..
NY Daily News-- Devils try to become 2004 Boston Red Sox ...
USA Today--This time, Kings vow to block out distractions
USA Today-- Tallinder creates trouble for Kings
Globe and Mail-- Kings controlling play but missing their target
Globe and Mail-- Advice to L. A. Kings: Hide the porn actresses and limos at Stanley Cup
Globe and Mail-- Noose gets tighter around Kings' necks
Globe and Mail-- Brodeur muscles in on Quick's show

Previous items on this series

Game One
Game Two
Game Three
Game Four
Game Five

TV ratings stars knocked out of alignment for NHL's Stanley Cup Finals

In New York today, there is but one person feeling worse about his sports prospects than NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, that being the guy that works the betting window at Belmont, currently working overtime refunding all that "I'll Have Another" action for today's Triple Crown.

Now, there's a guy that's going to have a bad day

But the Commish must be a close second in the New York misery index, tonight's Game 5 in New Jersey, a potential Stanley Cup awarding night is basically going to be hit by avalanche of attention awarded to the rival NBA, a head to head battle that most likely will see the Heat/Celtics Game 7 ECF match up blow the NHL's  American overnight ratings into the deep pits of media despair.

Sure Hockey Night in Canada will probably do OK, if not spectacular with a potential Stanley Cup celebration on ice tonight, but in America, the ratings it would seem are destined for dismal.

For Gary Bettman's blue print to conquer America, the stars this playoff year clearly have not aligned.

Denied his dream match up of the Ranger and Kings in a cross continent battle for the hearts and minds and eyeballs of America, the Devils/Kings showdown seemingly hasn't resonated much beyond New Jersey and those parts of LA than can find the NBC Sportsnetwork on their cable systems.

You know your media strategy has been blow up rather nicely when TV sports columnists in LA start to refer to the main broadcaster of the NHL's American media strategy as the Witness Protection Program for television.

Add on the head to head match up with LeBron and the Celtics and the NHL is sinking further and further down the media scale of importance.

NBC has seemingly run up the white flag to its affiliates across America, shifted the Stanley Cup from the main NBC feed to the digital backwaters of NBC Sportsnet, partly we imagine to quell rebellion at the local levels when NHL hockey didn't quite deliver the audience that the local stations want.

Not that it seems to matter anyways, as even members of the LA media seem to be unaware as to who are actually on the Kings roster, as helpfully pointed out by Deadspin and when the Kings do get attention in LA, as Puck Daddy explains things get a little complicated.

With a little luck for the NHL, but perhaps not New Jersey fans, the Kings will win in five, removing the burden of coverage from all involved until the league next takes to the ice, whenever that may be.

Toronto Star-- TV ratings take a dip, but NHL remains positive
Globe and Mail-- Star power hasn't been enough to ignite NHL TV ratings in the US
Yahoo Sports-- Five reasons why 2012 Stanley Cup Final has been a ratings disappointment
Yahoo Sports-- Why aren't US fans watching Stanley Cup Final? ...
NESN-- LeBron James, NBA Ratings Juggernaut may be one foe...

Stanley Cup Final Game Five -- Los Angeles at New Jersey -- June 9, 2012

The Devils spoiled the Hollywood celebration, a gut check type of win that arrived in the nick of time, denying Los Angeles the opportunity to celebrate another Championship banner for the Staples Centre, the first of the hockey ones in the Kings history that would share space with the much lauded Lakers.

Of course, one win, as good of a push back win as it was for the Devils, does not make for the turning of the tide, but another win on home ice tonight could make what has been a less than enthralling Stanley Cup final a little bit interesting.

Game four didn't offer much in the way of drama for the first two periods, reminiscent more of a mid season game of tedious hockey than of Stanley Cup timbre, the third one, a period dominated by the Devils for perhaps the first time in the series, at least provided notice that there was still a pulse on the New Jersey bench.

Game Five, has the opportunity to once again be the final game of the season, as will any subsequent ones to come, the Kings still in command of the series with a 3 games to 1 lead, the sweep denied on Wednesday, LA can still close out the Devils at the Prudential Centre tonight.

No doubt head coach Darryl Sutter has spent the last two days reinforcing the message that it's better to shut down the Devils aspirations tonight, rather than give them another lifeline and momentum.  The Kings may have missed out on the chance to celebrate with their fans on home ice, but better to come home with the Cup tonight and let the celebration begin, than to find themselves suddenly fighting for their playoff ambitions in a game six.

Game Five-- Los Angeles Kings 1 at New Jersey Devils 2 


Los Angeles leads the series 3 games to 2

Previews and Reviews

POST GAME

Los Angeles Times-- Devils send series back to L. A. with 2-1 victory over Kings
Los Angeles Times-- Devils captain Zach Parise answers questions with a goal
Los Angeles Times-- New Jersey Devils' Bryce Salvador is peaking...
LA Daily News-- Devils extend series with 2-1 victory
LA Daily News-- Kings fail again to win crown, as Devils extend series
Newark Star Ledger-- Kings maintain confidence after Game 5 loss to Devils ...
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' Zach Parise ends his goal-scoring drought in Game 5 win
Newark Star Ledger-- With another Kings loss, Stanley Cup finals finally getting interesting
Newark Star Ledger-- Anton Volchenkov an example of team's fight to overcome Kings
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils fans have reason to believe after Game Five win in Stanley Cup Finals
NY Post-- Devils force Cup Finals back to L. A. with Game 5  victory
NY Post-- They're halfway to making history
NY Post-- Vets gave N. J. reason to believe
NY Post-- Parise leads way for Devils
NY Post-- Devils believe they can come back
NY Daily News-- NJ Devils stave off elimination in Game 5...
NY Daily News-- NJ Devils try to become 2004 Boston Red Sox
USA Today-- NHL's Devils, Kings still writing Stanley Cup ending
USA Today-- Devils force Game 6 with 2-1 win vs. Kings
Globe and Mail-- Devils nip Kings to force Game 6
Globe and Mail-- Doubt surrounds reports of a financial saviour for Devils


PRE GAME

Los Angeles Times-- Kings Dustin Brown hasn't been the same in the Final
Los Angeles Times-- Bring on the hate: Los Angeles Kings set for Devils' hostile setting 
Los Angeles Times-- Los Angeles Kings' Simon Gagne talks about concussion symptoms
Los Angeles Times-- After missed opportunities, Kings eager for a second chance
Los Angeles Times-- Kings will have to go on the road again
LA Daily News-- Sutter's psych job proves to be effective
LA Daily News-- Kings must finish Devils, or tempt fate in Stanley Cup Final
LA Daily News-- Different place, same objective for Kings
LA Daily News-- Memo to NBC Sports Net -- you're welcome
LA Daily News-- Kings return to their happy place
LA Daily News-- Pattern calls for Game 5 closeout
LA Daily News-- Matt Greene, Jarret Stoll in it to win it
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils prepare for Game 5 against Kings with optional morning skate
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils fans, get ready for Game 5 by showing your spirit..
Newark Star Ledger-- Zach Parise and Ilya Kovalchuk must score if Devils are to keep it going
Newark Star Ledger-- Actually, Devils have come back from 3-1 deficit before
Newark Star Ledger-- Give 3 reasons why Devils will win Game 5
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' Martin Brodeur and Patrik Elias do not see the end in sight
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' Zach Parise said ankle is not an issue for rest of Stanley Cup finals
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils keep same lines from Game 4 for practice today
Newark Star Ledger-- Why has first goal been so important?
Newark Star Ledger-- Should Devils try and rattle Jonathan Quick?
Newark Star Ledger-- One Devilish situation has this group believing
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils' power play losing punch as chance still fall flat
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils keep level head, look to fight back against Kings
Newark Star Ledger-- Can Martin Brodeur keep up strong play?
Newark Star Ledger-- Devils return home with first win and looking for more to turn series
NY Post-- Devils believe they can come back
NY Post-- Devils' Henrique has experience rallying from 0-3 hole
NY Post-- DeBoer's lineup shifts pay off for Devils
NY Post-- Serby's Q and A with.. Lou Lamoriello
NY Post-- Brodeur puts Devils in spot to make historic comeback
NY Daily News-- Devils look to stay alive against LA Kings in Game 5
NY Daily News-- DeBoer tinkers game plan as NJ Devils survive...
USA Today-- NHL's Devils, Kings still writing Stanley Cup ending
USA Today-- Devils want to keep comeback hopes alive
USA Today-- Kings lacked breaks in Game 4 not focus
Globe and Mail-- Devils take their cue from Brodeur
Globe and Mail-- Kings one win away from Cup but know that Devils are still fighting
Globe and Mail-- Devils' coach DeBoer brings the funny
Globe and Mail-- Kings regroup, take to road
Globe and Mail-- Brodeur throws Devils a life preserver
National Post-- Devils coach Pete DeBoer keeps his eyes on the prize
National Post-- Devils ready to play one moment at a time

Previous Items on the series

Game One
Game Two
Game Three
Game Four