Category: NHL General

in deep trouble

“Operation Slap Shot” busted a gambling ring that was allegedly financed by Rick Tocchet, former hockey player and current assistant coach for the Phoenix Coyotes.

Within a 40 day period of this investigation, the New Jersey State Police detectives collected evidence of over 1,000 wagers exceeding 1.7 million dollars that were accepted by Harney, Ulmer and Tocchet at both collegiate and professional sporting events.

The NHL is quick to point out that none of the bets involved hockey. So far, only two other people have been questioned, Jeremy Roenick, who’s had his gambling problems in the past, and Janet Jones, wife of Wayne Gretzky. It is reported that numerous former and current hockey players used the service. The gambling ring has ties to the Bruno and Scarfo family of La Cosa Nostra. Man, I’m sure there are a lot of hockey players out there sweating it out. Expect a lot of denials in the coming weeks as this case gets uglier.

[AZ Republic]: Betting case rocks Coyotes
[KYW-TV]: Feds: Ex-Flyer Tocchet, Trooper Ran Gambling Ring

Here are the latest power rankings by top sites. A couple of new teams in the mix this week as the Oilers and Ducks make the list.

Here are the NHL Power Rankings by top sites this week.

Here are the rankings by the major sites. Apparently, SI is too busy covering the Super Bowl to update their power rankings.

Here are the NHL Power Rankings by top sites this week. The Devils made it into the top 10 this week, at least on Sportsline’s list. Yahoo is the only site with the Thrashers or the Avalance in the top 10.

Here are the NHL Power Rankings by top sites this week except for ESPN. Apparently, ESPN doesn’t feel the need to update their NHL Power Rankings anymore. Maybe they had to fire the guy so they could give Stephen Asshat Smith more air time.

Reports of Hockey’s demise have been premature.  Games are drawing an average of 16,818 fans, which is about 91% of capacity and 24 out of 30 teams are even or better than their attendance from 2003.  The top increases are in Pittsburgh, with Sidney Crosby bringing em in, and Tampa Bay, even though they unceremoniously dumped their Stanley Cup winning captain.  Compare this to the NBA where attendance is down for 15 of the 30 teams, which Philly. Portland and Minnesota suffering the most.

[FoxSports]: Ticket sales show NHL’s back after lost season

[Sportsfilter]: NHL Attendance for November Best in League History

Here are the NHL Power Rankings by top sites this week.

It’s what everyone absolutely no one has been waiting for: the ability to watch hockey games on a screen smaller than Marcus Vicks’ brain. The NHL is “very close” to a deal with Apple to allow video downloading.

What hockey game is so awesome that I absolutely must see it on my iPod right away? Talk about wasting your time on something. Whatever distribution genius thought this one up should be fired and/or shot.

[Kukla’s Korner]: NHL Deal With iPod Very Close