Cool Hockey Thoughts On A Hot Day

This is not solely about Ilya Kovalchuk but while the hockey world is either intrigued or annoyed with the sharpshooter’s contract situation it is clear he wants to stay in New Jersey but he may land in the Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). Some of you are saying, “Let him go!” while others are hoping he stays in the National Hockey League (NHL) and as I thought about this while driving past Boston’s TD Garden last night, this question came to me…does the International Ice Hockey Federation (hockey’s world governing body) classify the KHL as a professional league or an amateur one? This will be very important in 2014. The NHL is considering not sending its players to the Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia that year, therefore, if the IIHF rules that the KHL is an amateur league then you can bet there will be a mass exodus of players from the NHL. All will be looking to play in Russia’s premier league in order for them to play for their countries on the world’s biggest sports stage. Such a ruling will not set precedent, until the NHL became involved in the Olympics, the IIHF considered all professional leagues except the National Hockey League to be “amateur” leagues. This allowed all players, who did not play more than 10 NHL games, to be eligible to play in the Olympics. For example, Mike Eruzione played in the International Hockey League in the late 1970’s but since the IIHF did not recognize that league as a professional league (although all players in the league were paid to play and considered professionals in North America) and Eruzione was able to captain the 1980 U. S. Olympic team to the gold medal at Lake Placid, NY. Of course, if the IIHF reinstitutes this rule then most of the players in the KHL will not be allowed to play in the Olympics because most, but not all, have played more than 10 games of NHL competition. Interestingly, the IIHF has been very quiet concerning this issue.

It’s all quiet on the Boston hockey front and has been since the conclusion of the Bruins Prospects Development Camp, which gave all B’s fans the chance to see what is coming down the pipeline, and naturally whetted everyone’s appetite for a view of Boston’s top 2010 draft pick, Tyler Seguin. A very good development that went under the radar during the camp was the siting of veteran David Krejci who took part in off ice workouts while the rookies were doing their best to impress. Krejci reported that his surgically repaired wrist, which he injured in game 3 versus Philadelphia in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, is feeling much better these days. Rehab is going as scheduled and he is looking forward to the start of training camp.

Krejci told the Boston Globe, “I can’t wait to get back on the ice, get back into games and everything.”

Blake Wheeler’s arbitration will be conducted today at 9:00am in Toronto. Many sources are reporting that if he wins his case, he will be awarded a one year contract. Many fans would like to see Wheeler depart from Boston. Wheeler did not follow up his strong rookie season (21 goals, 24 assists, 45 points) with a break out sophomore season, as expected. No doubt, it was his scoring expectations that helped make Phil Kessel expendable. Wheeler scored just 18 goals and 20 assists for a point total of 38. Fans have questioned the 6’5” forward’s toughness as Wheeler seemed to shy away from the heavy going in the corners and in front of opponents’ nets. However, when one puts the numbers together from both seasons. The winger has scored 99 points in just 163 regular season contests. Not a bad output for a 23 year old that made the jump from college hockey to the NHL. A one year contract would seem just right for the Robbinsdale, Minnesota native. He would become a restricted free agent again after this upcoming season. It may be all the incentive he needs to have a great start to the 2010-2011 season and with his size, strength, skating ability, and shot, Wheeler is surely capable of having that break out season. Better late than never.

Congratulations to native son, Jeremy Roenick, who was elected to the United States Hockey Hall of Fame last week. Unquestionably, the next honor for JR will be enshrinement into the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto in 2014 when the lad from Marshfield, Massachusetts is eligible for entry? In 1363 regular season games, Roenick scored 513 goals and picked up 703 assists culminating in 1216 points. In 154 playoff games, he put up 53 goals, 69 assists, for 122 points. He may not have won a Stanley Cup but he led the 1991-1992 Chicago Blackhawks to the finals. Roenick also wore the red, white, and blue, of Team USA six times in international competition, including the 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics.

Finally, Happy Belated Birthday wishes go out to Bruins Marc Savard, who turned 33 on July 17, 2010. Tough guy, Shawn Thornton joined Savard and blew out 33 candles on his birthday cake on July 23, 2010 and Patrice Bergeron turned the ripe old age of 25 on July 24, 2010