QUICK HITS

• I’m hearing from a few sources that it isn’t 100% guaranteed that Ryan Nugent-Hopkins will play for Canada at the World Junior Championships. The results from his MRI on his shoulder will play a major role, but there are some close to RNH who aren’t sold that a trip to Russia is the best idea. I wonder if he is feeling any pressure from Hockey Canada. Of course no one would ever admit it, but don’t fool yourself the Canadian brass wants to win, and they love to take the gold away from the Russians on their home turf. I suspect he’ll go if MRI is fine, but it isn’t unanimous amongst his inner circle that going to the WJC is a great move for.
   
• It helps Canada more if RNH is there, but I don’t see how it helps him as much. The stands won’t be jammed every game like they are in Canada. Playing on the big ice against inferior players isn’t a great combination either. I’m not sure the under-20 tourney has that much more positive impact on a player than the under-18 championships, especially when played outside of Canada.
• The owners that will take part in Tuesday’s meeting are Jeremy Jacobs of the Boston Bruins, Ronald Burkle of the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jeffery Vinik of the Tampa Bay Lightning, Larry Tanenbaum of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mark Chipman of the Winnipeg Jets and Murray Edwards of the Calgary Flames. Interesting, but not surprising, to see only one owner from the west represented. I know Winnipeg will likely end up in the west in the near future, but it’s just another sign that the league likes to cater to the eastern conference.
• It would be ideal if they had a player from those six teams but I doubt that will be the case. It would be great to see a Boston Bruins player sit across from Jacobs and then see if he still believes Gary Bettman is the one ruining their game.
• Many keep wondering why Taylor Hall hasn’t been given a shot to play centre in OKC. Hall told me in the spring that he’d be open to the idea, but only if he could start training camp at centre. He wanted an opportunity to practice and get used to a new position which makes a lot of sense. Switching from wing to centre is not as easy as many suggest, and unless they are committed to him doing it for at least two months, I don’t see the point in it. I think long-term Hall is a better fit on the wing.

MONTH OF GIVING

PACKAGE #1

• Includes four parking passes very close to the Gretzky statue, so you won’t have to walk far.
• All the pizzza you want. You can pre-order what kind you would like to eat.
• a $200 bar tab.