Phoenix Coyotes Hockey on AZ Vibe

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PHOENIX-Up until now, Phoenix Coyotes fans have mostly heard from the Coyotes side of the Martin Hanzal contract negotiations. Via e-mail this afternoon Martin Hanzal’s agent, Craig Oster, provided this update into the negotiations with the Phoenix Coyotes:

“We have spent a lot of time with the Coyotes attempting to find a contract that makes sense for everyone. We are confident we will eventually reach a deal as both sides are sincerely motivated to do so.”

When asked if Martin Hanzal was going to report to the Phoenix Coyotes if a deal hasn’t been reached by the opening day of training camp, Oster stated that “we have not discussed that as we are not hoping to be in that situation.”

Sounds like everything is on the right track for a new deal.

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WINNIPEG-One of the biggest question marks this off-season was where former St. Louis Blues forward Paul Kariya, who is now a free agent, was going to play this upcoming season. This afternoon the NHL Players Association released the following statement via e-mail from player agent Don Baizley regarding the status of Forward Paul Kariya for the upcoming 2010-2011 season:

“Paul Kariya will not play hockey during the 2010/11 season. After being examined by concussion specialist Dr. Mark Lovell, Paul is not able to play hockey due to post-concussion syndrome.”

The fifteen year NHL veteran tallked 43 points last season (18 goals and 25 assists) in 75 games with the St. Louis Blues.

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NEW YORK-This morning the NHL released, via e-mail, the full national TV schedule for the 2010-2011 NHL Regular season. The Coyotes will start the season off on Versus from the O2 Arena in the Czech Republic (pictured above). They will appear on Versus 5 times this season (schedule below). Last season the Coyotes appeared only once on Versus and won in spectacular fashion.

Here’s the Coyotes national (US/Canada) television schedule. Please keep in mind this is only the national TV schedule. The local TV schedules will be released at a later date.

TSN/TSN2

11/8/2010 – at Detroit – 7:30 PM
11/12/2010 – Calgary – 7:30 PM
11/23/2020 – Edmonton – 7:00 PM
12/31/2010 – at St. Louis – 7:00 PM
2/14/2011 – Washington – 7:30 PM
3/15/2011 – at Calgary – 7:30 PM

Versus – US
10/9/2010 – at Boston (Prague, CR) – 4:00 PM
11/8/2010 – at Detroit – 7:30 PM
12/31/2010 – at St. Louis – 7:30 PM
2/1/2011 – at San Jose – 7:00 PM
2/14/2011 – Washington – 7:00 PM

RDS/RIS – Canadian French Language Broadcasts

10/25/2010 – at Montreal – 7:30 PM
10/26/2010 – at Ottawa – 7:30 PM
11/23/2020 – Edmonton – 7:00 PM
12/20/2010 – at Pittsburgh – 7:00 PM
2/27/2011 – at Chicago – 6:00 PM

NHL Network – Canada

10/10/2010 – Boston (Prague, CR) – 4:00 PM
1/17/2011 – San Jose – 2:00 PM
3/13/2011 – at Anaheim – 5:00 PM

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Today marks the opening of two conditioning camps for two different hockey programs.  Anyone who are hockey fans should check them out!

Athletes Resource Conditioning Camp

For the next two weeks at the Ice Den in North Scottsdale NHL and Coyotes fans have the opportunity to see Coyotes players and NHL players who live in the area get into shape for the upcoming NHL season.  This is an opportunity to see players in an up close and personal setting.

All sessions are free and open to the public.

Refer to the following page for times and dates of the conditioning sessions:

https://www.athletesresource.com/trainingcamps.aspx

Athletes Resource homepage:

https://www.athletesresource.com/

Arizona State University Hockey Conditioning Camp and Tryouts

The Division 1 and 2 ASU Hockey Teams begin their 2010-2011 campaign at the Oceanside Ice Arena in North Tempe.  Starting this week is the ASU Hockey Conditioning camps followed next week by tryouts for the Division 1 and 2 teams.

Please refer to the following page for dates and times of the Conditioning and Tryout camps:

http://www.sundevilhockey.com/DI/?page_id=98

Arizona State University Hockey webpage:

http://www.sundevilhockey.com/

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PHOENIX-Earlier this morning, a Russian sports publication, Sport-Express, posted an article that appears to have said that Phoenix Coyotes prospect Viktor Tikhonov had requested a trade from the Coyotes to another NHL Team.

A source told me this morning that Tikhonov just wants to play in the NHL but no requests for a trade have been made.

As we have stated in our previous article on the matter, Tikhonov’s priority right now is making the Coyotes opening day roster.

The Sport-Express article looks to be just one of those ‘lost in translation’ situations where a father just wants what’s best for his son as opposed to a trade demand.

::Update::

The Coyotes got back to me via e-mail and it’s ‘not true’ that Tikhonov has requested a trade.

NEW YORK-Earlier this week the NHL released the preseason schedule for the upcoming 2010-2011 NHL Regular season. The list below is the complete schedule for all teams including neutral site games in the North America and Europe.

2010-11 NHL PRE-SEASON SCHEDULE (all times Eastern)

TUESDAY, SEPT. 21

Ottawa at Toronto, 7 p.m.
New Jersey at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Florida at Carolina, 7 p.m.
Columbus at Atlanta, 7 p.m.
Colorado at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Vancouver at Calgary (split squads), 9 p.m.
Calgary at Vancouver (split squads), 10 p.m.
Phoenix at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 22

Ottawa at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Detroit at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Washington at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Boston at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
St. Louis at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Chicago vs. Tampa Bay, at Winnipeg, Man. (MTS Centre), 8 p.m.
Los Angeles at Colorado, 9 p.m.
San Jose at Anaheim, 10 p.m.
Edmonton at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 23

New Jersey at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
Philadelphia vs. Toronto, at London, Ont. (John Labatt Centre), 7 p.m.
Boston vs. Florida, at Rochester, N.Y. (Blue Cross Arena), 7 p.m.
Carolina at Nashville, 8 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Edmonton, 9 p.m.
Los Angeles at Phoenix (split squads), 10 p.m.
Phoenix at Los Angeles (split squads), 10:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 24

Philadelphia at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Nashville at Carolina, 7 p.m.
Chicago at Detroit, 7 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Ottawa at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Minnesota at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Colorado at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.
Anaheim at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 25

Montreal at Ottawa, 7 p.m.
Carolina at Atlanta, 7 p.m.
Florida at Boston, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Buffalo, 7 p.m.
NY Rangers at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Columbus at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Washington at Nashville, 8 p.m.
Detroit at Chicago, 8 p.m.
Philadelphia at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
St. Louis at Dallas, 8 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Calgary, 9 p.m.
Anaheim at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
San Jose at Phoenix (split squads), 10 p.m.
Phoenix at San Jose (split squads), 10:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 26

NY Rangers at Detroit, 5 p.m.
Minnesota at Montreal, 7 p.m.
Vancouver at Edmonton, 8 p.m.
St. Louis at Colorado, 9 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPT. 27

Buffalo at Toronto, 7 p.m.
Florida at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Atlanta at Nashville, 8 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 28

Buffalo vs. Ottawa, at Dundas, Ont. (J.L. Grightmire Market St. Arena), 7 p.m.
Philadelphia at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Boston at Washington, 7 p.m.
Chicago at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m.
Minnesota at Columbus, 7 p.m.
Dallas at Colorado, 9 p.m.
Phoenix at Calgary, 9 p.m.
San Jose at Vancouver, 10 p.m.
Anaheim at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 29

Washington at Boston, 7 p.m.
Detroit at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
Nashville at Atlanta, 7 p.m.
NY Islanders (split squad) at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
Toronto at Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
Carolina at Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Calgary vs. NY Islanders (split squad), at Saskatoon, Sask. (Credit Union Centre), 8 p.m.
Phoenix at Edmonton, 9 p.m.
Vancouver at San Jose, 10:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 30

Buffalo at Montreal, 7:30 p.m.
Chicago at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Columbus at Minnesota, 8 p.m.
Colorado at Dallas, 8:30 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 1

Atlanta at Carolina, 1:30 p.m.
Toronto at Detroit, 7 p.m.
Buffalo at Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
NY Islanders at New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Ottawa at NY Rangers, 7 p.m.
Columbus at Washington, 7 p.m.
Tampa Bay at Florida, 7:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.
Calgary at Edmonton, 9 p.m.
Vancouver at Anaheim, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 2

San Jose vs. Adler Mannheim, at Mannheim, Germany (SAP Arena), 1:30 p.m.
Boston vs. Belfast Giants Select, at Belfast, N. Ireland (Odyssey Arena), 2 p.m.
Atlanta at Columbus, 6 p.m.
Detroit at Toronto, 7 p.m.
NY Rangers at Ottawa, 7 p.m.
New Jersey at NY Islanders (split squad), 7 p.m.
Montreal vs. NY Islanders (split squad), at Quebec City, Que. (Colisée Pepsi), 7 p.m.
Florida at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.
Dallas at St. Louis, 8 p.m.
Colorado vs. Los Angeles, at Las Vegas, Nev. (MGM Grand), 9 p.m.

SUNDAY, OCT. 3

Nashville at Washington, 12:30 p.m.
Pittsburgh at Detroit, 5 p.m.
Philadelphia at Buffalo, 6 p.m.
St. Louis at Chicago, 6 p.m.
Edmonton at Calgary, 8 p.m.
Los Angeles at Anaheim, 8 p.m.

MONDAY, OCT. 4

Carolina vs. SKA St. Petersburg, at St. Petersburg, Russia (Ledovy Arena), 11 a.m.
Minnesota vs. Ilves Tampere, at Tampere, Finland (Jaahalli Arena), noon.

TUESDAY, OCT. 5

Columbus vs. Malmo/Rogle BK, at Malmo, Sweden (Malmo Arena), 1 p.m.
Boston vs. HC Liberec, at Liberec, Czech Republic (Tipsport Arena), 1 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 6

Phoenix vs. Dinamo Riga, at Riga, Latvia (Arena Riga), noon.

CALGARY-In the middle of McMahon Stadium in Calgary Alberta, the NHL officially announced all the details for the 2011 Heritage Classic which will pit the Calgary Flames versus the Montreal Canadiens. On February 20th, 2011 at 6:00 PM Eastern time the puck will drop in front of what is sure to be a packed house. This will be the first time since 2003 that a regular season outdoor game will be played on Canadian soil.

“The Flames and Canadiens, two teams with so much history, will resume a rivalry that is so much a part of the National Hockey League’s proud heritage. Our first regular-season outdoor game was played in Canada, and we’re excited to be coming back for the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic at McMahon Stadium Feb. 20,” said Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the National Hockey League.

As noted in the above photograph, both teams will wear custom uniforms for the event.

The Flames will wear a custom sweater that honors the long tradition of hockey in Calgary. According to the NHL, “The Flames worked with the design team at Reebok to create the vintage look. The jersey features the same jersey striping pattern with a beige Flames C logo in a vintage felt application. The uniform is a deeper red color with gold stripes and will include the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic logo patch on the front.”

The Canadiens will wear their white away sweaters with some modifications. The numbers on the sweaters will be the same color combination that appeared on the Canadiens sweaters in their 1986 and 1989 Stanley Cup finals series against the Calgary Flames.

The Game will be shown live in Canada on CBC and RDS and in the United States on Versus. The NHL Network in the US and Canada will provide live pre and post game coverage of the event.

Game Notes:

- Fans can place pre-orders now for both of the Heritage Classic Sweaters on shop.nhl.com.
- According to the NHL, ticketing information for the Heritage classic will be announced ‘in the coming months’

Below are clips from the press conference announcing the Heritage Classic in Calgary, Alberta on August 4th.

All video below produced by the NHL/NHL Network

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For those of you who want to read the full 20 page decision by independent arbitrator, Richard Bloch you can download it here:

http://coyotes.azvibe.com/docs/Ilya-Kovalchuk-Decision.pdf

BOSTON-Yesterday an independent arbitrator denied a NHL Players Association’s (NHLPA) grievance that the National Hockey League (NHL) improperly rejected a contract between Ilya Kovalchuk and the New Jersey Devils.  Kovalchuk’s contract was a 15 year, $102 million dollar deal that would have paid him until the 2026-2027 NHL season.

The reason that this matter went to an independent arbitrator was first that the NHL rejected the contract on the grounds that not only did Kovalchuk’s contract circumvent the imposed salary cap (it would have paid Kovalchuk 97% of the contract over 11 of the 17 years in the contract) and that said contract was 17 years long.  Kovalchuk, 27, would be around 43-44 years old when the contract expires.  The NHL stated to the Devils, in their contract rejection letter, that Kovalchuk’s contract expired well beyond the average retirement age.

Here’s how Kovalchuk’s contract was initially broken down:
2010-2011 $ 6,000,000.00 USD
2011-2012 $ 6,000,000.00 USD
2012-2013 $11,500,000.00 USD
2013-2014 $11,500,000.00 USD
2014-2015 $11,500,000.00 USD
2015-2016 $11,500,000.00 USD
2016-2017 $11,500,000.00 USD
2017-2018 $10,500,000.00 USD
2018-2019 $ 8,500,000.00 USD
2019-2020 $ 6,500,000.00 USD
2020-2021 $ 3,500,000.00 USD
2021-2022 $ 750,000.00 USD
2022-2023 $ 550,000.00 USD
2023-2024 $ 550,000.00 USD
2024-2025 $ 550,000.00 USD
2025-2026 $ 550,000.00 USD
2026-2027 $ 550,000.00 USD

The NHLPA filed a grievance over the NHL’s rejection of Kovalchuk’s contract contending that the deal didn’t circumvent any of  rules in the CBA regarding player contracts and that there aren’t any ‘negotiated’ restrictions in the CBA that says the NHL and it’s teams can’t have contracts like Kovalchuk’s.

The NHLPA’s grievance sent the matter to independent arbitrator Richard Bloch who ruled that even though Ilya Kovalchuk’s contract with the Devils may have not circumvented the cap, the contract ‘has the effect of defeating’ the CBA when it comes to wording of the CBA’s Team Payroll range. Bloch also stated that there also wasn’t any implied negligence between the New Jersey Devils or Ilya Kovalchuk’s party, when this contract was originally signed.

Bloch ruled that the NHL was correct in it’s rejecting of Kovalchuk’s contract and the NHLPA’s grievance was denied.  This decision now makes Ilya Kovalchuk a free agent and he can negotiate with any team immediately.

The NHLPA released the following statement via e-mail following Bloch’s decision:

“The NHLPA is disappointed with the Arbitrator’s ruling to uphold the NHL’s rejection of the contract between the New Jersey Devils and Ilya Kovalchuk.

The NHLPA is currently reviewing the decision and will have no further comment at this time.”

NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly released the following statement via e-mail following Bloch’s decision:

“We want to thank Arbitrator Bloch for his prompt resolution of a complex issue. His ruling is consistent with the League’s view of the manner in which the Collective Bargaining Agreement should deal with contracts that circumvent the Salary Cap.”

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CALGARY-The NHL Announced today that they will be holding a press conference tomorrow at 2 PM, Arizona time, to formally announce the 2011 NHL Heritage Classic at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta. The 2011 Heritage Classic will take place on Feb. 20, 2011 at McMahon Stadium and feature the Calgary Flames battling the Montreal Canadiens.

The 2011 Heritage Classic Press Conference will be carried live on the NHL Network (in the US and Canada) for all fans to witness.

Among those scheduled to appear at the press conference are:

Gary Bettman – NHL Commissioner
John Collins – NHL COO
Ken King – Flames President & CEO
Darryl Sutter – Flames GM
Brent Sutter – Flames Coach
Cory Sarich – Flames Defenseman
Steve Staios – Flames Defenseman
Curtis Glencross – Flames Left Wing
Ray Lalonde – Canadiens VP & Chief Sales & Marketing Officer
Josh Gorges – Canadiens Defenseman
Mike Ouellet – NHLPA Chief of Business Affairs
Sherali Najak – Senior Producer of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada

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PHOENIX-Earler this week, some Coyotes fans discovered some potentially disturbing news about one of the Coyotes top prospects. Genadi Boguslavski, a Montreal based reporter for the Russian Sovetski Sport reported that Viktor Tikhonov was on the verge this week of signing a deal with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.  This deal had the potential of Tikhonov bypassing his NHL commitments and going straight to the KHL. Via their Twitter account, Boguslavski posted the following Tweets:

I asked Viktor’s North American agent, Pat Brisson, for confirmation of these rumors and if Viktor was going to report to the Phoenix Coyotes training camp or just report straight to the KHL?  Via e-mail, Brisson stated that “Viktor has one goal in mind and it’s to play in the NHL.  He is ready to have a great camp this fall with the Coyotes.  I believe he will be able to play on a regular basis and continue to progress.”

I then asked Brisson, if Viktor will be heading to the KHL this season in any scenario Brisson replied the “NHL is priority so that’s where the focus is.”