CHICAGO (AP) — Frosty baseball games have long been a fixture at Wrigley Field, where a stiff wind off Lake Michigan can chill fans, players and managers alike.
Now the Friendly Confines is going on ice. For one day.
The defending Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings and the Chicago Blackhawks are taking hockey back outdoors when they meet New Year's Day 2009 in the home park of the Chicago Cubs.
It will be the NHL's second Winter Classic. Last season in Buffalo, the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Buffalo Sabres 2-1 before a crowd of 71,217. Snow fell during the game and the Pens won on Sidney Crosby's goal in a shootout.
It will mark the third regular-season outdoor game in NHL history. The Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 22, 2003.
The game, beginning at noon Central Time, will be televised nationally on NBC.
Red Wings to face Blackhawks at Wrigley Field....
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Red Wings to face Blackhawks at Wrigley Field
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Philadelphia's Spectrum to be demolished
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A longtime sports arena in Philadelphia is shutting down.
Comcast-Spectacor chairman Ed Snider says the 42-year-old Spectrum will close at the end of the 2008-09 hockey and soccer seasons and be demolished.
The arena had been used for Philadelphia Flyers and 76ers games until 1996. The Wachovia Center now is home to the pro hockey and basketball teams.
The Spectrum is currently used for a minor-league hockey team, the Philadelphia Phantoms, and an indoor soccer team, the Philadelphia Kixx. It is also home to an Arena Football League team, the Philadelphia Soul.
Philadelphia's Spectrum to be demolished....
Citing Philosophical Differences, Islanders and Nolan Part Ways
By DAVE CALDWELL
The Islanders pulled Ted Nolan out of N.H.L. exile two years ago, and he nudged an overachieving team into the playoffs in his first season. But Nolan is now looking for work again, after he and his boss could not agree on a game plan for the team’s future.
Islanders General Manager Garth Snow fired Nolan on Monday, although the Islanders softened the news by saying he would not return as coach. Both cited philosophical differences that had apparently lasted for more than a year.
Nolan, 50, whose Islanders teams compiled a 75-68-21 record and made the 2007 playoffs with a memorable late-season surge, had one year left on a three-year contract worth about $600,000 a year.
“I’ve enjoyed the last two years, and I wish I could continue with them, but unfortunately, that’s not going to be the case,” Nolan said in a telephone interview. “I want to coach, I believe I can coach at this level, and I’d like to have another opportunity to coach at this level.”
Citing Philosophical Differences, Islanders and Nolan Part Ways....
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Lightning, Lecavalier ink 11-year, $85M extension
By FRED GOODALL – 4 hours ago
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — All-Star center Vincent Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85-million contract extension that he hopes will keep him in a Tampa Bay Lightning uniform for the remainder of his career.
"Not only is Vincent one of the most dynamic players in the NHL, he's one of the classiest people you'll ever meet off the ice, as well," Lightning vice president of hockey operations Brian Lawton said Sunday in a team statement.
"With this deal, our ownership has made it clear that he is the cornerstone of the Lightning, and Vincent has shown his dedication to the franchise and the Tampa Bay area by signing for less than he undoubtedly would've received on the open market."
Lightning, Lecavalier ink 11-year, $85M extension....
Monday, July 7, 2008
NHL to Play Outdoor Game at Wrigley Field, Star Tribune Reports
By Erik Matuszewski
July 7 (Bloomberg) -- The National Hockey League will play its second outdoor game at Chicago's Wrigley Field on Jan. 1, when the Blackhawks host the Stanley Cup-champion Detroit Red Wings, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported.
The game was approved last week when NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman met with Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and officials from the Blackhawks and Major League Baseball's Chicago Cubs, the paper said, without citing the source of its information.
NHL to Play Outdoor Game at Wrigley Field, Star Tribune Reports....
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Marian Hossa signs with champion Detroit Red Wings
By LARRY LAGE
DETROIT (AP) — Marian Hossa chose to join the Detroit Red Wings at a discount.
He hopes hoisting the Stanley Cup will make it worth the sacrifice.
Hossa signed a one-year contract with Detroit on Wednesday, and a person in the NHL told The Associated Press the deal is worth $7.45 million.
He had rebuffed a chance to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Penguins, who were reportedly offering $7 million a season as part of five-year contract after they lost the Stanley Cup finals to Detroit last month.
Marian Hossa signs with champion Detroit Red Wings....
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Capitals lock up Green
By Corey Masisak
Defenseman Mike Green was considered one of the top restricted free agents set to hit the market Tuesday.
Getty Images Mike Green signed a four-year contract with the Washington Capitals before another team could make him an offer.
The Washington Capitals didn't let that happen.
Green signed a four-year contract worth $21 million on Tuesday morning, just hours before other teams would have been able to officially sign him to an offer sheet. The 22-year-old Green led all players at his position last year with 18 goals and finished eighth among defensemen with 56 points.
Capitals lock up Green....
