Bluelines: Stevens returning to help out Devils

Jun 26, 2006

Outdoor Life Network (OLN) lost points by cutting off the NHL Draft telecast on Saturday night at 9 p.m. before the first round was completed. The soon-to-be Versus network, which claims to love hockey, left the NHL in favor of a Bull-Riding show. Ugh!

The Chris Pronger “Get Me Off The Oilers” edict not only is a colossal Edmonton put-down, but a gratuitous kick-in-the-can to Kevin Lowe who worked so hard to bring CP to Alberta. At least one Edmonton writer blames the defenseman’s wife, Lauren, for her husband’s decision to exit E-town. Next stop for the big lug could be Toronto. Certainly Mrs. P would love good, old, T.O. better than E.D.

And wouldn’t it be a Lowe-blow if Kevin’s other gem-of-a-move, Dwayne Roloson, takes off to either Tampa Bay or Los Angeles!

Rod Brind’Amour must have had a couple of wise-guy Canadian writers in mind when he said, “This (Carolina) organization gets a little disrespected. Now that we’ve won The Cup, I hope we get a little more respect.” Speaking of respect, Brindy and Peter Laviolette sure got it from their bosses, Peter Karmanos and Jim Rutherford, in the form of fat, long-term deals!

Vancouver is finally set in net by acquiring Luongo. (AP)

Roberto Luongo’s move to Vancouver activates a chain reaction. Next possibility for David Nonis is dealing Dan Cloutier, not to mention inking Luongo to a long-termer. It’ll be interesting to see whether Francois Allaire moves in as Canucks goalie coach. A source in B.C., offers this view: “The Canucks have addressed three problems: 1. Acquiring a Top Five goalie; 2. Ridding themselves of the Todd Bertuzzi distraction; 3. Showing Nonis’ big-league muscles. He made a trade of which his mentor, Brian Burke, must be proud.”

One high NHL official tells us that the two referees – Bill McCreary and Brad Watson -- “blew” the controversial goal-no-goal for Carolina late in the first period of Game Seven. “It should have been a penalty shot,” the man says. Many agree with this view. Imagine the furor had the Canes lost the Cup by one goal.

With free agency just around the calendar, the most fascinating melodrama involves the two-man parlay of Zdeno Chara and Wade Redden. Specifically, Senators’ owner Eugene Melnyk and his willingness to pay BIG for the duet.

The Free Agent Goalie Derby is a beaut. Netminding-seekers, such as Tampa Bay can feed on Marty Biron, Evgeni Nabokov and J.S. Giguere, among others.

The relationship between Mike Keenan and Ed Belfour goes ‘way back. And since The Eagle still wants to play – and doesn’t believe he’s in his sunset -- why not Belfour settling in Sunrise?

The Professional Hockey Players’ Association – the most underrated of all sports unions – did the right thing. By delivering a new, five-year pact to leader, Larry Landon, the PHPA proves that it knows that a good man nowadays is hard to find!

Hard To Believe Dep’t: Canadian Press reported that Paris Hilton and Jose Theodore are an item. There are even photos of them partying and holding hands in Toronto. Le Journal de Montreal ran a headline “THEODORE AGAIN IN TROUBLE.” According to CP, “They were later seen in a passionate embrace at a restaurant and partied the night away at a club.” Nice!

The captain will return to New Jersey to help out with their defense. (AP)

Scott Stevens tells me that he’ll be helping out as an aide to new coach Claude Julien as part-time Devils defensive coach next season.

Now that Patrik Elias has selected California-based Allan Walsh as his agent, talks with Lou Lamoriello will be getting serious. Walsh also reps Elias’ buddy, Martin Havlat.

This from our source in Dallas: “Brendan Morrow will be the next captain of the Stars and Johan Hedberg will be resigned and given an opportunity to play more games. In addition to that, Bill Guerin will be bought out, enabling the Stars to re-signed unrestricted free agents Jason Arnott and Willie Mitchell.”

Funny, but we thought that Darryl Sutter would have quit the coaching half of his double dip so that he could concentrate on managing. Not so! At least not yet. The GM-coach already is putting the heat on forwards Matthew Lombardi and Marcus Nilson for better production next season.

When will the NHL wise up and take better charge of its Awards Ceremonies? The Vancouver event last Thursday was egregiously UN-funny; and that goes for the alleged comedian, and emcee Ron McLean, not to mention the awful musical segments. On the other hand, the NHL players, to a man, were terrific. Next time, dump the entertainers and let the hockey people – like Alex Ovechkin -- be the show!

Just Wondering Dep’t: Why was it so hard for Pavel Datsyuk to show up for his Lady Byng Trophy; not to mention other Award Night absentees, Teemu Selanne and Miikka Kiprusoff?

Congrats to old pal Craig Berube on being named Philly [AHL] Phantoms coach. “I’ll respect them,” says CB, “and they’ll respect me.”

What Goes Around Comes Around Dep’t: In 1983 Jeff Jackson was Toronto’s second round [28th overall] draft pick. Just twenty-three years later he’s named the Leafs’ Director of Hockey Administration. John Ferguson also promoted Dave Morrison to the role of Director of Amateur Scouting.

You can’t accuse Manchester’s Monarchs of inconsistency. The AHL club was voted the best sports team for the fourth straight year.

Bobby Bryde was a hockey scholar who always sought and means ways of improving the game. After a difficult battle with cancer, Bryde died last Thursday in Las Vegas. Our condolescences to his family.

Cam Ward vividly remembers the first time he met the Stanley Cup but couldn’t touch it. “I was at the Sutter family golf tournament in Red Deer,” the Cup-winning goalie recalls, “I remember everybody advising me not to touch it!”

What gives with the Bruins and their next coach? Pat Quinn’s name has been bruited about but the Irishman may be too strong a personality for rookie GM Peter Chiarelli. Which could open the door for Dave Lewis, who is more than qualified.

Check out the Ducks' new duds. (AP)

Henrik Lundqvist showed up at the Mark Messier Canadian Association of New York dinner along with Darius Kasparaitis. Each reports feeling A-1 after respective surgeries. Kasper’s shoulder length blonde hair got plenty of laughs from the dais.

Nice that the Mighty Ducks of yesteryear are now the Anaheim Ducks unlike the baseball Angels. The NHL club chooses to honor the city in which it plays.

Neil Smith is a GM who respects tradition. He’s now wearing a bowtie originally popularized by Islanders leader Bill Torrey.

Dave Lewis and Kevin Dineen apparently were in the running for Vancouver’s head coaching job before being edged by Alain Vigneault. The latter’s two-year NHL experience gave him an edge. Both Ken Hitchcock and Brent Sutter were eyed but Hitch remains loyal to the Flyers while Sutter is doing too well with his Junior team to leave Red Deer. By the way Hitchcock should be getting a contract extension this summer.

As for Vigneault, he impresses Vancouver media with his candor and demand for accountability, “Some people might call it ‘calling out players’ but sometimes it’s just stating the obvious,” says Vigneault. “Some guys, when they play well, you need to tell people they’re playing well. Some guys, when they play subpar, you need to let them know. It’s the way you let them know. I never attack a person on a personal basis.”

NBC indicates that it turned a profit from its NHL telecast this year. Gary Bettman says he expects to see the numbers in the next couple of weeks. Meanwhile the Commissioner promises OLN – soon to be known as Versus – a “better schedule” for next fall on Monday and Tuesday nights.

Some goalie-hunting team should check out Fred Braithwaite, who played this past season in Russia. Freddy wants another crack at the NHL. “I don’t want to go back to Russia,” he asserts. No doubt FB can give you a few dozen reasons why

It’s now a year since the work stoppage began coming to a close. Looking back, it’s clear that Bob Goodenow was wrong and Gary Bettman was right. The new, higher $44 million Salary Cap proves that. “We had all-time record revenues,” says Bettman. “When the revenues grow, the players share. How strong the game came back is a testament to the game, our fans, our players, and our clubs.”

This week Kevin Lowe must make decisions on the following unrestricted free agents: Michael Peca, Dwayne Roloson, Sergei Samsonov, Jaroslav Spacek, Dick Tarnstrom, Radek Dvorak, Georges Laraque, Igor Ulanov, Fernando Pisani and Rem Murray.

Congrats to David Poile on selecting Blake Geoffrion, who learned his hockey in the state of Tennessee!