Flames new coach former Cup Champion
After a six year hiatus he’s back. The Calgary Flames have named Brent Sutter’s replacement after hiring Bob Hartley as their new head coach. The former Avalanche & Thrasher head coach is no saint; not being known as a “players coach”. But, for the most part he’s been a winner every where he’s coach. Bob’s only stint of losing was in Atlanta, which in all fairness was the most mis-managed team by then General Manager Don Wandell.
The Quebec born head coach, is his own man but unlike other NHL coaches with and without jobs he has a Stanley Cup ring. Flames GM Jay Featster hired the best man for the job. He could not hire a rookie head coach, and the only other options would have been Marc Crawford and Craig Mactavish, both of which have had little success in their past stints. The signing sends a clear message that the team is not wanting to start over and rebuild.
Van Massenhoven underated & unappreciated
One of the most underrated and underappreciated NHL refs of all time is Don Van Massenhoven.
The former used car salesman (during the NHL lockout) for the second year in a row got passed over for the 2012 NHL Playoffs. His boss Terry Gregson, either has something against Van Massenhoven or is just an idiot? How does Brad Meier or Brian Pochmara get chosen for the playoffs?
Van Massenhoven, got all the nasty, tough assignments as well this year, the Canuck-Bruin rematch; the season finale of Penguins and Flyers. Both games went without many incidents or scenes, that is the number one reason why he should be in the second season.
My respect for Don goes back to November 21 2005, when he was one of many that saved the life of Jiri Fischer then a defenseman of the Detroit Red Wings. The Czech defenseman suffered a heart attack on the bench, Van Massenhoven used an AED and applied CPR.
You know how some officials take 10-20 minutes to dish out and explain penalties after a brawl? Not the same for the former police officer; five or so minutes and the game would go on. More so than anything; whenever he was in charge you never seen a parade to the penalty box of cheesy calls where the ref is showing up the player, Meier as an example is the worst for getting back at the players.
Take it for what it’s worth, but that is my two cents.
Journeyman flocks to KHL, Beukeboom unsigned
Knowing his days of one way contracts were over in the NHL, penalty shot specialist Erik Christensen had signed with HC Lev Praha of the KHL. This past season the American was with the Rangers but was traded late into the season to the Minnesota Wild. Former NHLer Jeff Beukeboom’s son Brock has not been signed by the St.Louis Blues, and now is an unrestricted free agent. The 20 year old was acquired with a 3rd round pick for former Blues Captain Eric Brewer in 2010.
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