2013: The NHL season that almost wasn't

EF may have a better idea.

 

Just for fun ...

 

The Brent Burns in the top left corner bears the most resemblance to the kid I knew when he played for the Battalion in 2002-03. A great, big, goofy, fun-loving kid with a ton of talent and a huge love for the game. Little did we know we would never see him again after the Wild took him in the first round in 2003. There was no doubt he had the talent to play in the NHL, we just didn't think it would be that soon.

I remember him telling me after his first camp as a 16-year-old that he really hoped he could make the team the next year. Two years after that conversation he was in the NHL. It was unreal.

Talked to him a couple of weeks back for a section I am writing for the local paper on the 15-year history of the team and it appears he hasn't changed much, he still has the same goofy laugh I remember to go along with all that hair, loads of tattoos, a wife, two little kids, snakes and ostriches and other shit.

(Note to HC and JR: Burns is the only Battalion player to portray the iconic Battalion mascot Sarge at an official event. He asked us to send him the Sarge head.)

 

Holy crap, the Stars are tied for sixth in the West. Hated to see them give up a point to Deadmonton though.

 

Tell him to burn it.

 

I agree, he should, but knowing him he'd wear it around the house and scare his kids. He'd probably take it to the mall too.

 

Probably get arrested as a pedophile.

 

Why you gotta hate on Sarge?

 

Maybe this has been addressed previously. If so, apologies.

How is a new building in Edmonton going to be financed? Was watching a Kings' telecast out of Rexall a couple of weeks ago and the announcers were wondering if all the i's and t's (dollars) would get crossed.

And if Edmonton gets a new rink, won't Calgary want one too?

Thanks.

 

Because he looks like a pedophile on skates? Plus he sets all the kids screaming for stupid t-shirts while I'm trying to read my book.

 

Financing is far from set. About two thirds of it is in place but they are going to proceed anyways. The Oilers billionare owner is getting a sweetheart deal from the city, putting no real money forward up for the building process -- although he claims he has put millions up already for land and plans, etc. Katz has pissed a lot of people off with the shit he has pulled. He is basically going to be paying the city back through their lease agreement. On the surface, it's supposed to be a 33/33/33 split between Katz, the city and the province/feds, although the province/feds have repeatedly said they will not be putting up any money. It is a total gong show. One thing that will change with the new building, the Oilers will actually be able to earn revenue from the building for 11 months of the year, they are currently the only team in the league that does not get any revenue from their stadium beyond tickets and merch.

A new building is needed -- I love Rexall because of the memories, it's small and loud with great sightlines, but it is old, the seats are small and cramped, it is impossible to navigate the washrooms and concessions during the intermission and get back in time for the start of the next period, and it is far below standards of any of the buildings built in the last 10-15 years, it is a dump, it also has one of the lowest capacities in the league. But as time rolls on, the deal gets worse and worse for the city. I think they are looking at being in the building now by 2016. The idea is the arena will be catalyst in redeveloping Edmonton's downtown, which has been an issue with no answers since at least the 70s. They are wanting it to be a place like the L.A. Live development, destination for many things beyond judt hockey.

And Calgary is absolutely watching closely, but their situation is not as dire as the Oilers.

 

Boston Globe: Tim Thomas to the Islanders.