Today's Fresh Blogs...

• Bluelines: Right To Play Athlete Ambassadors

  Published: July 31, 2007, 10:56 am

  Tags: Bluelines, Nhl, Nhl Center Ice, New Jersey Devils, Ottawa Senators, Prudential Center, Right To Play, Stan Fischler, The Maven

  The NHL Network is preparing a documentary on the recent Andrew Ference-Steve Montador humanitarian trip to Tanzania. The two defensemen spent a week there as part of "Right To Play." That's an international charitable organization using sport to improve the lives of children and communities affected by war, poverty and disease."We

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• Bluelines: London Knights Churn Out Quality Prospects

  Published: July 30, 2007, 6:59 pm

  Tags: Bluelines, Buffalo Sabres, Chicago Blackhawks, Nhl, Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, San Jose Sharks, Stan Fischler, The Maven

  It's too premature for an announcement but fans can expect the first American-based NHL outdoor game in Buffalo in 2007-08. Sid Crosby and the Penguins would provide the opposition. San Jose's new Sharks logo is cartoonish and relates to a younger crowd. It's a positive change. Dale Hunter's OHL London Knights keep on churning out quality NHL

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• Bluelines: Mad Mike Digs His New Gig

  Published: August 1, 2007, 11:10 am

  Tags: Bluelines, Nhl, New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators, Scott Gomez, Stan Fischler, The Maven

  NHL players have been prominent sponsoring charity golf tournaments in the off-season. Scott Gomez had one in Alaska and last week Jason Spezza ran his second annual Celebrity Classic near Ottawa. The headliner was Hall of Famer Bobby Orr, who happens to be Spezza's agent.The Senators contingent included Chris Phillips, Mike Fisher, Brian

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• Bluelines: Chico Resch Inducted Into Saskatchewan Sports H.O.F.

  Published: August 2, 2007, 10:18 am

  Tags: Bluelines, Chico Resch, Nhl, St Louis Blues, Stan Fischler, The Maven, Vancouver Canucks

  Expect the Canucks to re-sign Trevor Linden. TL himself said it last season, "I feel more like a kid than I did ten years ago. I'm not intending this to be my last contract."For a good insight into why Linden is most likely returning, Vancouver Province columnist Jason Botchford adds, "The root of it is why I still play baseball

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• Bluelines: Prospects To Watch

  Published: August 3, 2007, 1:37 pm

  Tags: Bluelines, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Minnesota Wild, Nhl, Nashville Predators, Pittsburgh Penguins, Stan Fischler, Tampa Bay Lightning, The Maven

  Keep an eye on Jiri Hudler of the Wings next season. Ansar Khan of Booth News makes a solid point: "No player in the league had more goals (15) or points (25) in fewer average minutes (10:02) per game."With the departure of Robert Lang, Todd Bertuzzi and Kyle Calder, look for Hudler to be counted on to fill a larger role. There is no

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• Bluelines: Say Good-Bye To Goal Judges

  Published: August 7, 2007, 9:16 am

  Tags: Bluelines, Chicago Blackhawks, Goal Judges, Nhl, Ottawa Senators, Patrick Kane, Stan Fischler, The Maven, Wade Redden

  A funny story from the first overall pick in this year's draft, Pat Kane, who relates his most embarrassing moment: "When I was eight-years-old, in my first game in house league I was so pumped up I went on the ice with my skate guards on. I couldn't figure out why I kept on falling. I just tried to skate only to continue falling."

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• Bluelines: NHL On ESPN?

  Published: August 8, 2007, 11:36 am

  Tags: Bluelines, Stan Fischler, The Maven

  It's a moot question how serious NHL-ESPN talks are regarding future NHL Network telecasts. This is the last guaranteed year of the deal the league has with NBC, but NBC could pick up an option year in 2008-09.Getting the NHL back on ESPN would help attract new fans to the ice game. According to SportsBusiness Journal, ESPN's NHL content dropped

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• Bluelines: Don Maloney Excelling in Phoenix

  Published: August 9, 2007, 10:26 am

  Tags: Bluelines, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Nhl, New York Islanders, Phoenix Coyotes, Stan Fischler, The Maven, Washington Capitals

  How big a stiff might Dustin Penner be in Edmonton? The occasionally lazy forward is mentioned in the same vein as all-time flopperoo Alexander Daigle by Sportsnet.ca's Alan Adams. Maybe Adams knows something that Kevin Lowe overlooked in the large lad. Don Maloney is taking the right approach in Phoenix. He refuses to deal valuable draft picks

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• Bluelines: Franchise Movement

  Published: August 12, 2007, 8:26 pm

  Tags: Bluelines, Jim Balsillie, Minnesota Wild, Nhl, Nashville Predators, Stan Fischler, The Maven

  Just Wondering Dep't.: Did Craig Leipold really lose $70 million since the Predators' inception a decade ago and $27 million over the last two seasons? It seems a bit much, doesn't it? Just wondering; that's all!One theory being bruited about is that Leipold eventually will buy into the Wild should owner, Robert O. Naegele Jr. leave the Minnies.

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• Bluelines: Notable Retirements

  Published: August 13, 2007, 2:30 pm

  Tags: Bluelines, Nhl, Ottawa Senators, Philadelphia Flyers, Stan Fischler, Tampa Bay Lightning, The Maven

  An NHL public relations legend, Joe Kadlec of the Flyers, has announced his retirement. Kadlec held the P.R. post in Philly since the team's inception in 1967."Over the 40-year history of this hockey club, Joe has been an integral part of the team," says Ed Snider. "While we will miss all of Joe's charm, energy, enthusiasm and

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• Bluelines: New Developments

  Published: August 13, 2007, 4:52 pm

  Tags: Bluelines, Montreal Canadiens, Nhl, Nhlpa, Stan Fischler, The Maven

  In an attempt to make NHLers more recognizable and marketable, the league has suggested players remove their helmets during Shootouts. The NHL Players' Association put the kibosh on this sensational idea on the grounds that the players' hair would not be in the best shape after playing 65 minutes.Some players do go bare-headed during pregame

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• Bluelines: Peca Coming To The Northeast?

  Published: August 14, 2007, 9:47 am

  Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Bluelines, Craig Leipold, Dustin Penner, Edmonton Oilers, Michael Peca, Nhl, Nashville Predators, Scott Niedermayer, Stan Fischler, The Maven

  Scott Niedermayer's "To play or not to play?" decision should be imminent. We're betting that the Cup captain will be back; at least for a year.Speaking of Niedermayer, he is sticking up for ducks, but not the Cup-winning kind. Niedermayer has signed on with People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals, which has written to members of the

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• Bluelines: Crosby's No Longer A Teenager

  Published: August 15, 2007, 3:44 pm

  Tags: Anaheim Ducks, Andy Sutton, Bluelines, Dale Hawerchuk, Detroit Red Wings, Ilya Bryzgalov, Jim Balsillie, Los Angeles Kings, Nhl, Nashville Predators, New York Islanders, Pittsburgh Penguins, Sean Brown, Sidney Crosby, Stan Fischler, Ted Nolan, The Maven

  The Islanders' signing of Andy Sutton provides Ted Nolan with as good or better a backline as he iced last Fall. If we were a GM, on the lookout for a top scout or administrative inside man, we'd waste no time hiring Matt Loughran as good as they come in our biz. Dale Hawerchuk has taken over coaching the Orangeville Crushers of the

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• Bluelines: NHLPA Continues Search For Leader

  Published: August 16, 2007, 11:13 am

  Tags: Bluelines, Boston Bruins, Dave Poulin, Mike Milbury, Nhl, Nhlpa, Philadelphia Flyers, Stan Fischler, The Maven

  How much time will the NHLPA require to find its next leader? The Union's search committee includes Michael Cammelleri, Shawn Horcoff, Eric Lindros and Robyn Regehr."We continue to do our due diligence in order to find a leader that can further advance the interests of all NHLPA members and the game of hockey," says Lindros. But the

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• Bluelines: Prudential Center Progressing

  Published: August 17, 2007, 4:35 pm

  Tags: Atlanta Thrashers, Bluelines, Buffalo Sabres, Chris Drury, Daniel Briere, Daryl Katz, Edmonton Oilers, Eric Lindros, John Davidson, Lee Stempniak, Marian Hossa, Nhl, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins, Prudential Center, Ryan Miller, Sidney Crosby, St Louis Blues, Stan

  Despite persistent rumors, Marian Hossa isn't being shopped by Don Waddell. "Not one NHL team has called," says Waddell. "I made it clear at the draft that Hossa isn't going anywhere. If he's going someplace, I better be going with him." If you're wondering which are the top-10 selling jerseys on shop.nhl.com, try these on for

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