Is the NHL's revenue sharing system flawed?

From Al Strachan of Fox Sports:

The idea was that the small-market teams would get some of the revenues of the large-market teams and thereby be allowed to compete. But there are flaws in that system.

For instance, in order to qualify for full revenue sharing, a team's revenue must increase faster than the league average and certain attendance levels must be met. But how can you meet those goals without spending more on players? Fans won't come to see a struggling team.

Read more Strachan's entire article here.

Strachan doesn't like Gary Bettman and never has, so his objectiveness may be called into question. That said, he raises many valid points in this article and makes a convincing argument that the system really hasn't accomplished what it set out to do.

Goalie equipment is going to be shrinking

From Al Strachan at Fox Sports:

The fact that so many of the league's top people got together to discuss the state of goalie equipment makes it clear that, this time, the matter is being taken very seriously.

And so it should be. The game has rebounded in recent years since the new level of officiating standards was imposed. The skilled players are being allowed to exhibit a lot of those skills, but when they get within shooting range, they find themselves facing a version of the Michelin Man. They'd like to pick a hole, but they're lucky if they can see any of the net, let alone a hole.

The Wednesday meeting represents the first crucial step toward whittling the goaltending equipment down to size. Fans won't see much change in the coming season, but in the following season they will.

Read the entire article here.

Strachan is right. This is only good news for hockey fans. Once these rules take effect in 2009/10, the game should continue to become more exciting.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. The San Jose Sharks players are asking management to keep the team together for another run.
2. Canadiens GM Bob Gainey is looking to add a forward to the mix.
3. Hockey Canada honours the 1976 Canada Cup team, at a ceremony in Canada.
4. Darren Dreger notes that the Dallas Stars will have to physically target the Wings' defense.
5. Adam Proteau comments on Jim Balsillie and Elisha Cuthbert.
6. Ken Campbell says that history dictates we will see a Pittsburgh-Detroit final.
7. Jaromir Jagr hopes to remain a Ranger.
8. The Sabres are for sale, but will not be moved. The Sabres also signed Nathan Gerbe.
9. Jeremy Roenick says that he will return to the Sharks next season.
10. The Capitals will consider signing Sergei Fedorov.
11. Hockey players have become the toast of celebrity gossip. Just ask my wife!
12. Joining tens of other people, Brad Stuart says he enjoys Detroit.
13. John Buccigross discusses hockey guys.
14. John Tavares fires his agent and hires his mother.
15. Al Strachan believes Ron Wilson's days are numbered in San Jose.
16. Jim Matheson answers readers' questions.
17. Craig Conroy faces an uncertain future in Calgary.
18. Confessions of a hockey virgin.
19. Damien Cox says the current Flyers are channeling the Broad Street Bullies.
20. The weekly release from the USHL.
21. The draft order has been set.
22. Norway continues the climb to respectability at the World Championships.
23. The weekly Junior Report.
24. Memorial Cup history, 1940.
25. Stan Fischler predicts a Flyers-Stars Stanley Cup final.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. The QMJHL is considering action against Jonathan Roy for his actions in a playoff brawl.
2. The Alberta Golden Bears are CIS Champions for the 13th time.
3. With Hell recently freezing over, the Flames and Oilers will be cheering for each other tonight.
4. Pierre Lebrun discusses the slim possibility that all 6 Canadian teams will make the playoffs.
5. The bracket for the 2008 NCAA Hockey Tournament.
6. Mike Toth with his thoughts on spicing up the Memorial Cup.
7. Top 10 Playoff contributions by Europeans. No Petr Klima?
8. Jason Kay talks bias.
9. Coaching tips by Brian Costello.
10. Scott Burnside on the up and down seasons of Chris Drury and Danny Briere.
11. U. Minnesota-Duluth captures the NCAA Women's Hockey Championship.
12. The Rangers have one fabulous gay mess on their hands.
13. A few players may be taking their last shots at winning a Stanley Cup this spring.
14. Behold the joy of an in-game F-bomb.
15. Darren Eliot profiles teams making a last minute push for the playoffs.
16. Cody Franson is enjoying a solid first year in the AHL.
17. Al Strachan likes scoring.
18. Ed Willes gives an assessment of trade deadline moves.
19. A recent discovery may push hockey's origins back into the 1600's, when Chris Chelios was just getting his start.
20. The Hobey Baker finalists.
21. Gary Thorne of USA Today gives us a few storylines to watch as the playoffs approach.
22. Fernando!
23. Dave Ellett, cowboy.
24. Mirtle updates us on the World Hockey Championships pools and groupings.
25. A series of posts at The Puck Stops Here, covering the Vezina race, goals per game and Manon Rheaume.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. The NHL hopes to play an outdoor game at Yankee Stadium. Should be a good idea. They can even start prepping the ice in late September, as the Yankees won't need the field.
2. The Lightning have given Andre Roy a week off after his meltdown in Philadelphia.
3. Colorado College moves up to #2 in this week's college hockey rankings.
4. Dan Pollard says Marian Hossa was just being realistic when he asked to be traded from Atlanta. Note the bottom of the article where it says the Wild's Kim Jonsson switch hands to take a shot in a game.
5. Derek Meech has finally cracked the Red Wings' lineup.
6. The Chicago Wolves goaltending tandem gets a lot of credit for their success.
7. Patrick Sharp points to his trade from Philly to Chicago as the turning point in his career.
8. Pierre Lebrun thinks the Caps and Coyotes played themselves out of the playoff race this weekend.
9. The Hot or Not list from the CHL.
10. McGill and Laurier will meet for the Canadian university women's title.
11. Doug Armstrong is already thinking ahead to the World Championships.
12. Jeff Marek of CBC defends his love of fighting.
13. Watch Jordan Tootoo take a shot at Dierks Bentley.
14. Interesting piece on getting hockey into Louisville, Kentucky in order to enhance the NHL's image.
15. Al Strachan feels that Wayne Gretzky's scoring records are safe.
16. Rumour has it that Doug MacLean may be the new GM in Tampa.
17. Spector doesn't see a lot of quality netminders on the UFA market.
18. Mike Brophy is anticipating a big payday for Sean Avery this off-season.
19. A team by team list of the upcoming UFA's.
20. Mark Seidel updates us on the projected top 20 in this June's draft.
21. Video and commentary on the Cote-Roy fight.
22. Junior hockey is returning to Montreal.
23. Joe Pelletier lists his Top 5 hockey books of all time.
24. Larry Brooks writes that Sather rejected a Bernier for Avery proposal.
25. David Amber profiles the 10 best players under 6'.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. The Senators have made a splash in the trade market, acquiring Mike Commodore and Cory Stillman for Joe Corvo and Patrick Eaves.
2. Michigan is back on top of the INCH college hockey rankings.
3. Pierre Lebrun says that making a splash at the trade deadline has its risks.
4. Ryan O'Byrne, fresh off a call up to the Habs, allegedly steals a woman's purse in Tampa. Must have been trying to fit in better with the Canadiens.
5. Bruins fans see a little Cam in Milan.
6. NHL.com with its 6-Pack of games to watch this week.
7. A profile on the Manchester Monarchs Danny Taylor.
8. The Hot or Not List from the CHL.
9. Al Strachan writes that a complete rebuild of an NHL team no longer makes sense.
10. Ken Campbell jumps on the Ken Holland to Toronto bandwagon.
11. Interesting story about the resurgence of hockey in post-Katrina Biloxi, Mississippi.
12. Fanhouse writes that Evgeni Malkin is thriving in the vacuum left by Sidney Crosby's injury.
13. Damien Cox makes an excellent point, further contributing to the possibility that the end may be at hand.
14. Tony Gallagher of the Vancouver Province believes that the NHL-UFC marriage is not good for hockey.
15. The Capitals may have found the cure for Sean Avery.
16. Luke Decock (best name ever?) says its time to have a Best Defensive Defenseman award. Kyle TheWang agrees.
17. Michael Farber takes a shot at NHL refs and picks the 2010 US Olympic Team.
18. Former Michigan Wolverine defender Kevin Quick has signed an AHL deal with Norfolk after allegedly stealing a credit card and racking up charges. Note the quote by Wayne Gretzky at the bottom of the article.
19. Stephen Valiquette is making a name for himself on Broadway.
20. Spector discusses the current trade rumours from around the NHL.
21. Former NHL'er Rob Cimetta details the story of how he survived the 9-11 Attacks.
22. The Puck Stops Here has an interesting study on why the number of high scoring Americans is going down while the number of American players continues to rise.
23. Scott Burnside tells us that the SE Division race might be a fight to the finish, as all teams have a chance to take it.
24. The Zapruder film of a brawl involving RIT and Canisius College.
25. Why does Rowbear Nilsson dress like a douche?

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Cujo has signed with the Calgary Flames.
2. Marc Savard will take Dany Heatley's place at the All-Star Game.
3. Pierre Lebrun suggests that everyone should be happy with Alex Ovechkin's deal.
4. Gilbert Brule is itching to get back to the NHL.
5. Rookies are getting big minutes with the Phoenix Coyotes.
6. Stuck in Ovechkin's shadow, Mike Green is blossoming into a star.
7. Interesting story on John Paris, Jr.
8. Scott Burnside writes that the inaction of the Leafs' management is hurting the team. Also hurting the Leafs: They are the Leafs.
9. The Hot or Not List from the CHL.
10. Inside College Hockey gives us their Weekly Power Rankings.
11.Al Strachan tells us that Craig Leipold's ownership will be bad for the State of Hockey. If the fans see enough Lemaire coached games, they will be too drowsy to notice.
12. Leafs mania (Leafaplacia, Leafonoma, Leafitis???) has spread to Calgary, as Eric Duhatschek writes another hand wringing on what to do with the Buds.
13. The cure for Leafs overload has arrived. A story on Women's College Hockey in Canada.
14. The Norfolk Admirals painted their ice pink in an effort to support breast cancer awareness. Shit. One more pink thing my wife will now want for our house.
15. Donn Clark has been fired as the GM of the Prince Albert Raiders.
16. The UND Fighting Sioux men's hockey team has received a commitment from a 15 year old defenseman. Tomorrow's Prospect Pulse will feature a few notes about Clarke and some other standouts from this weekend's tournament.
17. Rick Tocchet is set to rejoin the Phoenix Coyotes on February 7th. I bet he really helps the team.
18. Gaborik, Garon and Hartnell are the NHL's 3 stars of the week.
19. Darren Dreger suggests Doug Gilmour for curing what ails the Leafs. Nothing helps a shitty Leafs team more than old Leafs.
20. Fanhouse surmises that Brad Isbister won't be with the Canucks for much longer.
21. The AHL fight o' the week. I haven't been hit that hard since I forgot to Tivo Project Runway.
22. An interesting history lesson on Glenn Hall.
23. The Philadelphia Phantoms may be leaving the city of brotherly love.
24. Mike Brophy does not see the Sharks as legitimate contenders. Maybe not, but they feature some of the best dancers on Broadway.
25. Adam Proteau discusses the stories that made headlines last week.

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Hejduk, Hasek and Kopitar are the NHL's three stars for the week.
2. The Flyers have traded AHL defenseman Jussi Timonen to the Dallas Stars.
3. Ken Holland gets a promotion in Detroit.
4. Who's hot and cold in the CHL.
5. Two more USHL'ers are headed to the World Juniors.
6. Pierre Lebrun makes the case that Lecavalier is the best player in the NHL.
7. The Maple Leafs have waived Bates Battaglia.
8. Ethan Moreau has his cast removed and may return to the lineup soon.
9. The undrafted Jerome Samson is turning heads in Albany.
10. Jonathan Toews was recently named an Alternate Captain in Chicago.
11. Ryan Miller and Adam Hall will both be playing their 2nd outdoor game this January.
12. A look at the 2007 draft picks, some of whom are already playing in the NHL.
13. The Michigan Wolverines are the new #1 team in the country.
14. Ted Nolan is enjoying his time back in the NHL, and is making a difference.
15. The Boston Globe notes that the Bruins may be looking to make a deal.
16. The QMJHL is filling the hockey void in Atlantic Canada.
17. Taking Note chronicles the weekend action in the WHL.
18. Andy Murray has righted the ship in St. Louis.
19. One of the coaches involved in the 8 year olds brawl receives a 3 year suspension.
20. Al Strachan doesn't think Scott Niedermayer's return will be 100% rosy.
21. Torres and Stoll will return to the Oilers lineup tonight.
22. The Senators are relaxing after breaking out of their funk.
23. Steven Stamkos blogs about preparing for the World Juniors.
24. Spector rounds up all the Western Conference rumours.
25. Mike Brophy writes that the Devils are coming around.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. A Q and A with Martin Brodeur.
2. Patrice Brisebois says the Nichol suspension was warranted.
3. A profile on Jordan Eberle of the Regina Pats.
4. The Philadelphia Flyers have recalled Steve Downie. They must be a little short on suspensions this week.
5. A recent spate of healthy scratches due to disciplinary problems have led some to speculate that the Pats have a dressing room problem.
6. Trevor Linden no longer fits into the Canucks' plans.
7. Eric Duhatschek notes that the size of goaltender's equipment is of issue.
8. The Central Division is back from the brink of mediocrity.
9. In case you missed it, check out this excellent piece on how Canadian teams draft.
10. A round up of all things CHL at Taking Note.
11. The Weekly Release from the USHL.
12. The Penguins have placed Mark Recchi on waivers.
13. Observations from Stan Fischler.
14. Al Strachan feels the NHL has gone back to its pre-lockout product.
15. Mike Ilitch and Charles Dolan top the list of wealthiest NHL owners.
16. The Junior Report from NHL.com.
17. Erik Cole has changed his style of play since his neck injury.
18. The Thrashers' Tobias Enstrom has been named the NHL's Rookie of the Month.
19. Details of the story of Chris Mason's rise to the starter's position in Nashville.
20. The Power Rankings from Sports Illustrated.
21. SI looks at the junior aged talent in the USA.
22. Claude Julien's strategy of coaching to the Bruins' strengths have brought early success.
23. Sam Gagner, Shootout Specialist.
24. The door remains open for Sam Gagner and David Perron to play for Team Canada.
25. Hockey News looks at the Hot Prospects.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Kyle Kosior

The HD Corner - The Hotstove Returns!

To quote Jesse Katsopolis’ band ‘Jesse and the Rippers’ covering Thin Lizzy: “The boys are back in town….The boys are back in towwwwwwwn!” That’s right, the HNIC Hotstove this week featured the old crew with host Ron MacLean and columnists Al Strachan, Eric Duhatschek, and Scott Morrison (they are together in Toronto for the Hockey Hall of Fame festivities this weekend). Props to Illegal Curve’s own Richard Pollock for recently obtaining two of these three well known columnists for extensive interviews. Personally, I’m glad to especially see Strachan back in the fold. Since he no longer writes for the Sun (and subsequently slam.ca) I’m in dire need of some Gary Bettman bashing. Apparently the old format of actually having a hotstove with multiple out of town guests was aborted due to logistical problems and the inability to squeeze in Pierre LeBrun’s oversized head into a quadrant of the screen. Luckily both of these previous issues won’t be problems tonight.

The following is a live blog of the Hotstove for our readers who missed the segment, and unlike me, likely have lives and go out on Saturday nights:

45 seconds in: Al proclaims that the next GM of the Leafs is going to be Glen Healey. Nothing like firing an inexperienced GM and replacing him with a former backup goaltender with no GM experience whatsoever. What kind of franchise would be so dumb to make that kind of move? Oh…hello Garth Snow.

4 minutes in: Al is really stealing the show and showcasing himself. I guess his bi-monthly column on foxsports.com isn’t getting enough hits as he hoped. His next rumour is regarding the Sens goaltending situation, and that the Sens are shopping Emery and don’t want to trade Gerber. According to Scott, the rumour of Emery to the Kings isn’t true.

6 minutes in: Al takes his first shot at Bettman. Yes! This time it’s pertaining to the fact that the NHL scheduled five games the night of the Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Al is just ruthless (no wonder he now works in his underwear out of his parents’ basement).

6 minutes, 30 seconds in: The usual Canucks acquiring a washed-up defenceman rumour surfaces. Last year they acquired Keith Carney, this year it’s a rumour about Richard Matvichuk. Harold Snepsts, are you available?

7 minutes in: Eric has a juicy rumour of the ’09 All-Star Game in Montreal being played outdoors! This could be cool. As long as it’s held within walking distance of Schwartz’s, I’m in!

8 minutes in: Scott ends the show with a Forsberg update, basically saying how Forsberg is still in conversation with his doctor to determine if there is a way to fix his wonky ankle. Doesn’t seem too promising for Foppa. Too bad for all of the 30 teams that have expressed possible interest in him. Let the Jason Allison sweepstakes begin!

And that concludes another great edition of the “real” Hotstove. And with no commercial break this time (Moores. Well Made. Well Priced. Well Dressed.)

I’ll leave you with some other notable observations and info that I stumbled upon tonight:

I hope everyone caught Bob Cole referencing Shanahan’s failed shootout goal in the ’98 Nagano Olympics, during the Leafs-Rangers shootout. Let it go Bob. Next you’re going to tell me your take on Rob Zamuner being included on the team.

True or false: Ken Hitchcock selected Adam Foote to be the third shooter for the Blue Jackets in their shootout loss to the Preds. Just as an FYI, the following players were available to shoot: Rick Nash, David Vyborny, Nikolai Zherdev, Sergei Fedorov, Danny Gare, and Espen Knutsen. Have another burger there Hitch!

According to the Kings play-by-play guru Bob Miller, the Kings Tuesday broadcast against the Ducks will not feature any play-by-play or colour commentary. The broadcast will use a special low camera angle, and will be shot in HD, of course. No word yet where Bob Miller will be during the broadcast. Is there a Jewish holiday I’m not aware of? Brisket dinner at the Miller’s perhaps?