The NHL Stadium Series in California--why I was not a big fan of it.

For the second season in a row, the Los Angeles Kings were part of the NHL Stadium Series. Last season, the Kings hosted the Anaheim Ducks at Dodgers Stadium.

On February 21, the San Jose Sharks hosted the Los Angeles Kings at the new Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA.

I was not impressed with either game. I barely watched both of those games. 

First of all, California isn’t exactly a hockey “hotbed.” Yes, the Los Angeles Kings have been around since 1967 and was the only hockey team in California until the Sharks came along in 1991. (The Ducks were founded in 1993.)

The Stadium Series set up at Dodger Stadium on January 25, 2014

So, why was I not a fan of the NHL Stadium Series being in California for two years in a row? Well, there are a number of reasons why. Having grown up in Minnesota all of my life and have grown up playing and watching hockey, I’m used to seeing outdoor rinks with snow around and skating outside when it's like 15 degrees out. The idea of green grass around an ice rink in February just doesn't sit right with me. There was even a sand volleyball court set up at Dodgers Stadium for last year's Stadium Series game between the Kings and the Ducks (I believe the air temperature during that game had to have been in the 80's). With temps in the 70's-80's, the quality of the ice had to be impacted because of those temps (even with all of the refrigeration piping underneath).  I don't understand why the NHL would want to take that risk of injuries with their players to have these games in California. 

"Many NHL players have expressed concerns about ice conditions in very warm-weather cities during the Stanley Cup playoffs. They fear the outdoor temperature may be hot enough to soften the ice inside the building.” (http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/ice-rink4.htm) The same could be said for the air temps affecting the ice for these two outdoor games. 

The Stadium Series set up in Santa Clara, CA at Levi's Stadium

When the league announced that there was only going to be one Stadium Series game this season, I was shocked that the location was chosen as Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA (the new 49'ers stadium). A Stadium Series game for the second year in a row in California? To me, that was just wrong. The San Jose Sharks haven't exactly been selling out their home games as of late (and currently sit three points out of the last wild card spot). I suppose the NHL wanted to capitalize on the rivalry between these two teams after San Jose's epic play-off collapse last year in the Conference Semi-Finals. Both the Kings and the Sharks aren't necessarily locks to make the play-offs this year (the Kings are currently sitting in 3rd place in the Pacific Division with 70 points, and I previously mentioned where the Sharks are currently sitting). 

When I was at the WIld Wednesday edition of the Jeff Dubay show that was being recorded from Bennett's this past Wednesday night, Tony Dean (from hockeybuzz.com) asked how many of those 70,000 in attendance at that game really knew anything about the game of hockey or where they there just to say that they were able to attend an outdoor hockey game in California. Yes, there were probably die-hard Sharks fans in attendance. But really, how many people in the San Jose area really pay attention to hockey? That question probably would have some interesting answers. 

The Sharks ended up losing this game on "home" ice by a score of 2-1. 

I would seriously like to know who is/was responsible for choosing the uniforms the Kings wore during this game? White breezers? Those uniforms were ridiculous. I don't know which uniforms were worse--these Kings ones or the uniforms worn during the All-Star game. 

Next season, I will be very happy to see a Stadium Series game played outside in places where there is actual winter weather...at TCF Stadium on February 21, 2016, when the Minnesota Wild take on the Chicago Blackhawks. 

I cannot wait.

Updates from some previous blog posts and other news from around the NHL

From my article on September 3 , I mentioned that Charlie Coyle was going to be a restricted free agent at the end of this season. He’s not going anywhere. Coyle and the Wild agreed to a 5 year, $16 million deal. Coyle was not the only Wild player to come to terms on a contract extension, Jonas Brodin signed a new deal with the Wild worth $25 million over six years. Both deals were announced last week. (The article's here at Training Camp Starts on Sept. 18). Erik Haula and Mikael Granlund are due to become restricted free agents at the end of this season. I wouldn't be surprised if they sign extensions before the season's over. 

In other Minnesota Wild news, the line of Matt Cooke, Ryan Carter, and Jason Zucker have combined for 7 goals and 7 assists. Jason Zucker is the leading the Wild in goals scored with 5. 

Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar

This is an interesting situation …The Los Angeles Kings and Philadelphia Flyers are playing tonight. However, the Kings will not have a full roster for this game tonight. Kings defenseman Slava Voynov is currently suspended as a result of his arrest on domestic violence charges. As a result of a cap situation (Voynov is still being paid while he’s suspended), the Kings will not be able to call up a player to take the place of forward Anze Kopitar, who is out because of an upper-body injury, and will play 11 forwards. The Kings have to have cap space available for if (and when) Voynov is reinstated.  As of right now, the Kings have had conversations with the league about some possible cap relief due to this situation, but nothing has come from it. 

Ottawa Senators and New Jersey Devils players honoring 2 slain
Canadian Forces Members

This past Saturday night, the Ottawa Senators, Montreal Canadiens, and Toronto MapleLeafs jointly honored two Canadian Armed Forces members who were killed last week in two separate attacks. Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent, 53, was killed on October 20 outside of Montreal when he and a Canadian Forces colleague were both struck by a car (the suspect was later killed by police). Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, 24, was killed last Wednesday when he was shot while standing guard at the National War Memorial before the shooting attack on Parliament Hill in Ottawa (the league rescheduled the Ottawa-Toronto game to Nov. 9 in wake of the shooting attack). The Pittsburgh Penguins had the Canadian National Anthem sung before their game last Wednesday night before their game with the Philadelphia Flyers in showing of support following the shootings. 

With the NHL having recently done events for their annual “Hockey Fights Cancer,” the Pittsburgh Penguins have announced that 20-year-old defenseman Olli Maatta will undergo surgery next week to remove a potentially cancerous tumor from his neck. According to ESPN.com, the tumor was found during a pre-season physical and he underwent further tests, but was cleared to play.  He will be out for at least four weeks while recovering from surgery. I would like to wish him good luck, along with a speedy and full recovery. (This is the second health scare in as many seasons for the Penguins. Defenseman Kris Letang suffered a minor stroke last season. Letang has since made a full recovery and has returned to the ice.)

New York Rangers' defenseman John Moore is looking at a suspension on his illegal hit to the head on Erik Haula during last night's game (Moore received a match penalty for that hit, which means the hit is automatically reviewed). John Moore is a repeat offender, as he was suspended last year for the same hit to the head against Montreal's Dale Weise (in which he received a two game suspension). Moore has an in-person hearing with the league's Department of Player Safety and is looking at a suspension of at least 5 games--possibly more. The Rangers' Chris Kreider was also ejected from last night's game as a result of the boarding penalty and game misconduct for his hit on Jonas Brodin. Kreider will not be facing additional punishment from the league for that hit. 

While I was typing this article, I did see an article come across twitter that "Mr. Hockey" Gordie Howe suffered a stroke. From taking a quick glance at the article from prohockeytalk.nbcsports.com, it's being reported that Howe suffered the stroke on Sunday and that he's unable to stand without assistance and he's had difficulty speaking.  My thoughts go out to Mr. Hockey and his family during this time. 

It's been a busy and crazy week in the National Hockey League.