Tuesday Links (6/16)- Because There Is No Off-Season In Hockey!

by Carlos Figueiredo

I’m sure Pens fans are still happy about it, but their team winning The Cup is now a distant memory for most of us as we are getting closer to other, more important, hockey related activities. The NHL Awards are coming up on Thursday, the NHL Draft is just 10 short days away, and the Free Agency period begins 5 days after that.

So let’s get right to the links…

- We start with some great news for the NHL. The final game of the Stanley Cup Finals was the most watched NHL game in 36 years! I’m sure the series going to a Game 7, on a Friday night, with the game not going up against an NBA Finals game helped….but it’s still a great sign for the NHL.

- The whole Phoenix Coyotes fiasco continues, with judge Redfield T. Baum rejecting the proposed sale of the teamto Jim Balsillie. Looks like Phoenix fans can continue to look forward to ice hockey in the desert.

- It looks like John Madden will test the free agent market after not hearing from the Devils about a new contract. I may be in the minority, but I still feel that the Devils would be better off pursuing other options….and only bringing Madden back at a MUCH LOWER salary for next season if a replacement can’t be found.

- Minnesota Wild General Manager Chuck Fletcher today named Crystal, Minnesota-native Todd Richards as the team’s new Head Coach. Richards spent last season as an Assistant Coach with the San Jose Sharks. Nothing too exciting here.

- After 17 years in the NHL, the Flyers’ Derian Hatcher has retired and accepted a job as player development coach with the team. I will always remember him for this…

I won’t be all that upset to see the King of Cheap-shots off the ice.

- As you can see, our blogs on the Fanball Sports Network now have video capabilities. Look for lots of video’s in upcoming blogs!

- With the Draft approaching quickly, my buddy John Fischer of In Lou We Trust has a great breakdown of the Devils’ draft picks since 1994. A good read as we start getting deeper into Draft mode.

We are just 107 days away from the start of the ‘09-’10 season….and it can’t come quick enough!

Tags: Derian Hatcher, John Madden, Minnesota Wild, New Jersey Devils, NHL, Phoenix Coyotes, Todd Richards