This is a quick message from us to you at The Program.  We want to thank the folks from Be The Game for all of their help in the past year or so.  From now until the end of the regular season, all donations are going to Be The Game as they start to expand their presence into the United States.  It is the least we can do for such a worthwhile cause.

What do you have to do?  Its real simple.  Just hit the donate button on the side of the site and magically we will do the rest.  Donations are starting to come in already and we want to thank everyone that has hopped on board so far.  Rest assured, whether its a few dollars or its much more, the contributions are appreciated the same. 

We will be working quite a bit with charities as this site goes forward and thanks again for all the help in this endeavor.  Tweets and more to come as this operation expands.  This is a truly a Monday Ice Water Cooler worth talking about because it helps kids get out there and play the sports they otherwise would not be able to.  Get in the fight…help support this cause today!  Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Director Of The Program 

Simply this Monday started out like any other and then Scott Gordon got fired.  Since then twitter has been full of shock, disbelief, and then speculation (some with a broad sense of humor).  I may have joked last night that Scott Gordon should have been fired but did not really expect it to come this morning.  Yet it has come and now all is left are why it happened and where do the Isles go from here.

The Isles have been woeful in their last 10 going 0-9-1 but the 5-1 loss to Los Angeles had to be the final nail.  The players looked like they were done with Gordon.  Some will say this coach was out of his league but that clearly was not the case.  His message however became lost to his team.  Once you lose the team as a coach, it really is all but over.  Jack Capuano will be the interim head coach and it will be intriguing to see what transpires down the road.  Maybe a new voice will get the Islanders moving in the right direction.  Then again, who really knows.

The cold reality is this profession is a business and gut hunches happen all the time.  However when a team is doomed, almost from the beginning, does an owner look further up the hockey food chain?  Charles Wang may want to rethink that business model approach because his is not working for this hockey team.  It has been said many times and many ways that this construct was and still is an abject failure.

So at some point, does Garth Snow go next?  There is no answer or timetable for that.  But the day Neil Smith was fired as GM set a very slippery slope for the Isles that they have not even come close to recovering from.  As a matter of fact, they are still slipping according to many in the NHL.  

This story is the top dog of the day.  There are two questions to be asked.  One, what does this do for the Islanders going forward?  Two, what does this do for fantasy hockey owners?  Will there be a bump for some players like Tavares and company because of the change?  We will keep an eye on both obviously but what say you, hockey public?

There were happier times but now they are gone.

(Photo Credit:  @NHLDevils from twitpic)

It is a sure sign of hockey season when the ice is layed down for the first time.  Do I still get goosebumps even at my age?  Yes I do.  What we wanted to quickly pass along was a link to the archive of last night’s show which you can find on ITunes as well.  Anytime you can combine a few great hockey shows together, you have the recipe for a lot of great fun but more importantly a ton of great hockey debate.

There were many different things touched on as well.  Some childish things about very childish MSM vs. blogger vs. owner squabbles.  More importantly, we finally laid the circus music for Tampa to rest.  See which new team we bestowed the honor to.  We even hit the Quebec public funding debate, went prospect hunting in all three torneys and lamented how players are not necessarily dropping like flies but are getting injured nonetheless.

Hockey Around The Horn also made its return last night and despite a few “gremlins”, it went off very well.  The next episode will take place just before the season starts with even tougher questions.  It was more fun just to know that hockey season was really getting that much closer.  Rookie camps are starting, training camps are being announced, and it is getting cooler outside.  These are all signs of what is about to come for hockey fans.  Our time is here!

The MIWC will be here too starting every Monday from now until the last puck is dropped.  Enjoy the ride and do not forget to listen to the show.

Sincerely,

Chris Wassel

Director Of The Program

Listen to internet radio with The Program on Blog Talk Radio

For some reason this all seems relevant still in a sick and twisted way.  Why?  Because we are still talking about this prized free agent but maybe with a twist of humor and sarcasm at this point.  Here is the latest from TSN on the guy.  Now this was an integral part of the show last night but not the only thing going on.  The Program goes two hours strong as always every Sunday and Wednesday and is very much glad to be a part of the Bloguin network.  There will be comprehensive spotlights on some of the fine Bloguin hockey bloggers in the coming weeks and months.

Last night we did center in on that #17 guy that is in LA this morning.  The folks from Intent To Blow were so glad to help us out on all things hockey this week and more.  Josh and Steve were great to us and we swear the next time, they will pay their phone bills and not have to rely on two cans and a string.  Please do check out their article on knitting and the special report on Ilya Kovalchuk.  These are two top notch articles but then again they all bring the funny.  Also, we will get Joe Bectel on at some point to see how far he can fool the reader into thinking something is actually true.  Either way, it made for some good entertainment last night.

We also played the name game as well.  I pulled out the handy hockey pronounciation guide and yes such a thing does actually exist.  We even said goodbye to Bob Probert again, talked about some free agents that may eventually get signed, and even dropped the dreaded offer sheet out there because it happened once and could again.  There was even talk about that trip Jonathan Toews made with the Stanley Cup.  Then there was a good bit of fantasy hockey talk sprinkled in, including who not to draft last year and this year.  Then the night was eventually called with what we learned in the last week.

I am also happy to say that Preds On The Glass is back at full bore and tonight at 8pm ET, he will have Ryan Porth from the Red Light District on with Buddy and Jackson.  Buddy and the gang  talk about everything Nashville Predators and mix in a little hockey from all corners in this fast paced hour show.  We not only love the show but actively listen as well.  Though I am still intrigued by the idea of David Poile offering Kovalchuk an incentive laden contract at 750,000 per year.  Maybe Ilya knows how to square dance and we are all just living the dream.

Something I wanted to point out real quick too is out of the 31 players that filed for arbitration, how many will actually go all the way in the process?  Usually only a handful go through the he said he said that literally can reduce some to tears.  If you think I am kidding, some of the things said in the Sean Avery arbitration a couple years back would have caused fist fights back in the old days.  Keep an eye on that and some potential offer sheet targets (Bobby Ryan, etc) in the next week.

If there is anything else you have on your mind for the Cooler, do not hesitate and put it up on Twitter or in the comments section here.  You never know which one of us will be reading.  Stay cool out there and hockey is getting closer slowly but surely.

Sincerely,

Chris Wassel

Director Of The Program

This is because sometimes we need a little reminder of the cold.  Today on the Monday Ice Water Cooler, we try to recap a slow hockey crawl toward the NHL Awards next Wednesday and the Draft next weekend.  Last night on The Program, Rick’s phone killed him almost literally or is that the other way around?  I am never sure.  I also learned that evidently I edited the Philadelphia Flyers eulogy way too much and just did not realize it.  You can also catch the podcast on ITunes and a few areas of simulcasting to be named soon.

We talked about a little of everything last night and even set up our NHL Awards preview.  Yes we will have a special award for defensive defensemen.  So a hat tip to Matt Reitz from VFMS who has a birthday today by the way.  However we are renaming the award the Scott Stevens Award and who knows Wednesday Night, we may even toss a few extra awards in too.  Obviously, there will be a spotlight on all of the major awards.  Likely there will be a few surprises and honestly you can expect them as the offseason cranks up and so do we.

No one likes to say goodbye to the NHL season but in a way, this year was good to say au revoir to.  When your team flames out so spectacularly in the playoffs, it really does make the end so much easier to bare.  I guess I learned last night that no matter what there is always something to be hopeful for and that is the eventual rise of Fantasy Hockey, which as the summer goes on, will be more widely talked about.  Ironically one of the big things to come out of this offseason and all the expected changes is the fact that so many players may change addresses.  That has an impact on fantasy rosters everywhere.  Believe me it will have more of one than anyone expects.

Now the NHL Draft is only 11 days away.  Here is the mock draft from MyNHLDraft just for example.  We are always scouring the mocks for trends along the way and yes Russ Cohen will be on with Buddy and Jackson tonight at 8pm ET on Blog Talk Radio.  Go check out this Preds On The Glass as it will have much in the way on the NHL Draft.  Russ will likely also answer what options Nashville will have at the #18 pick so it will be an interesting discussion to say the least and one to definitely check out tonight.

Speaking of former Predators, you have to love these “What Could Have Been” stories.  Supposedly according to the Swedish paper Expressen, Peter Forsberg had a contract offer to Philly on March 2nd but obviously nothing happened.  I may be one of the few to say this but hey Peter, “STAY OVER THERE!”.  That may just sound really cold but no one really wants to hear stories like these.  My other question is why is this even a story?  What, because it is Peter Forsberg?  It is painfully clear that Forsberg will never play in the NHL again so why even run with a story like this.  Just let the guy play out his days in Sweden and be done with it.  The problem is some just cannot do that.

Well that is it for now.  Coming up next will be our weekly Fantasy Hockey 101 column and then who knows what could be brewing in the afternoon.  If you want to toss in something to the conversation, just hit up the comments section and type away.  You never quite know what will end up in the Ice Water Cooler.  Thanks again.

Sincerely,

Chris Wassel

Director Of The Program

Ah yes…..a bastion from the old days….cold water…and a nice size lake trout to eat. As trout season gets underway…all that means is hockey season is right on the horizon. The thrill of the catch is always what motivates me and the anticipation of hockey tonight…even if it is just Devils-Flyers preseason is still some good I-95 NHL action.

The Flyers have improved immensely with the signings of Timmonen and Briere..while the Devils have lost some players but have brought in a more physical presence than last year’s squad who still won the Atlantic despite getting knocked around in the playoffs. The Devs’ new benchwarmer is Kevin Weekes…hopefully he plays more than 12 games this year. More than likely Parise (not Zach) or Weekes will get the nod tonight…I would be surprised if Marty plays a period…if at all.

I am expecting a pretty good game tonight….not a lot of regulars will play on both sides…but the competitive urge will be there no question…and expect a fight or three. These teams do not like each other and it will show. With the weekend I had with my sports teams…I am hoping the Devils take the mantra and do something the others couldn’t…and that is simply….WIN!

In other NHL type news….it has been rumored that Robert Esche will be extended an offer to attend Rangers camp. The sources are a little sketchy on this one but it wouldn’t be a complete shock….I really thought the Rangers needed a defenseman…maybe Esche can play D? Either way it is never dull when Glen Sather is running the show. Sandis Ozolinsh has been invited to the Sharks camp….maybe he will teach the Sharks D….how to fire the puck at the net more….but at any rate…he is giving it another go with the NHL. As one of my fellow bloggers Hockeynutz has pointed out…it is amazing to see how many of these vets can’t even find a job in the new NHL…it makes you wonder what the next CBA will have in store. Or better yet, why did we lose a year in hockey…but I digress.

Finally, just two things. One, Loren will be hopefully giving us a live recap of her time at the Ducks-Kings game next weekend….and it will end up on the blog come hell or high water. Two, Hockey Around The Horn is now going to start the process of looking for the best hockey minds…I am looking for judges and panelists right now….so let me know if you’re interested. I hope everyone has a good week and enjoys it as the preseason really gets underway.