8th Edition: 5+Game

5+Game with Danny Boome 12 /10/09

5+ Game with Danny Boome is the new Article and Blog for Powerplay magazine.  The article will cover the 5 main events of the week – games, trades, players, coaches – and anything else that affects the NHL community.

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8th Edition 5+GAME

12/10/09

Danny Boome

Leafs get a $25K fine for a wish list, I vent about poor press orchestration, and you’ll find out where the league’s most expensive tickets are!  Rivalries are getting tasty and stunning allegations are made in Theo Fleury’s new book, all in this weeks 5+GAME!

1:Leafs suggestion box gets a fine,
“I can confirm”
“That Ron Wilson, Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, violated the provisions of NHL By-Law 15 relating to inappropriate public comments by speaking generally to his Club’s potential interest in negotiating with Daniel and Henrik Sedin prior to such time as those players’ existing contracts with Vancouver had expired.  The League has imposed a fine on the Maple Leafs’ organization as a result.”

This was the statement given by Assistant Commissioner Bill Dayley after fining the Toronto Maple Leafs $25,000 after Big Ron just mentioned, “you know, just putting it out there” kind of way, that he’d like the Sedin twins,” if they were available”, during the summer.  The very protective GM of Vancouver, Mike Gillis, did not take kindly to Burke and Wilson’s wish list, hence an official complaint and fine.

Not what Burkey and Big Ron where thinking!!

2.Would the press please stop?
I’m getting a little sick of the press’ blatant attempts to build up the non-existent rivalry between OV and Sid.  When will they learn that those days are over?  They tried to do the same thing with OV and Gino Malkin two seasons ago and it isn’t fooling anyone.  In fact, it blew up in the media’s face when Ov and Gino shared a prank on the crowd at the All Star game in January.  OV and Sid are division rivals and that should be enough – let’s just appreciate them for breathing life into the game!

Cut ya yapping and let the guys play!

3.Take a HIKE! IT’S A RESESSION!
The economy has forced professional sports teams to rethink major price increases and the NHL is no different.  This year saw a dramatic turn from recent NHL FCI surveys.  In the three seasons since the league’s return from a locked-out season, average tickets rose 3.7% (2006-07), 7.7%(2007-08) and 5.1% (2008-09).  In the 2005-06 season, the league dropped prices by 7.5%, with 22 teams decreasing prices.

Team Marketing Report found that it would cost $585.57 for a family to attend a Toronto Maple Leafs game based on its combination of tickets, food, parking and merchandise; by far the highest-priced night at the rink in the NHL.  The Montreal Canadiens were the only other team over the $400 mark at $412.12.  Keep in mind these figures were computed using “general seating tickets” and not the premium seats.

The average percentage of season-ticket-eligible seating classified as premium is 19.9%, according to TMR research.  Three teams, Detroit (71.4%), Colorado (52.4%) Dallas (51.4%) have more than half of their season seating classified as premium.  While the average premium ticket comes in at $118.63, Detroit’s premium average is $60.89, Colorado is $119.33 and Dallas is $115.28.  The Dallas Stars allegedly have the cheapest ticket in the NHL on average ($35.66)

4.“The Battle of Pennsylvania” gets new Bite!
The rivalry between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh has been quiet in seasons past, but I have a feeling this season is going to be different.  Both teams are in contention for the playoffs and have lots to prove in their division.  And the flame was certainly reignited on Thursday night when Scott Hartnell of the Flyers and Kris Letang of the Penguins became entangled in a wrestling match.  Once separated, Letang rushed to the bench holding his hand and accusing Hartnell of biting his thumb.  Due to lack of evidence and no clear view via video replays, Hartnell has not been suspended nor fined.

Hartnell gets his teeth into the game!

Letang Reacts!

5.Playing with Fire
In his new autobiography, Theo Fleury alleges he was sexually abused by junior coach Graham James, a convicted sex offender, while he played for James and attributes that to driving him to alcohol and drugs during his NHL career.  The book, “Playing With Fire,” is Fleury’s first comment on the subject, which has been speculated about for years.  He also writes that he failed 13 drug tests during his career, but was never prevented from playing.

Fleury writes that James forced himself on Fleury during the player’s junior days in Winnipeg. “Graham was on me once or twice a week for the next two years,” Fleury writes, according to several Canadian sources, “An absolute nightmare, every day of my life.”

NHL officials told ESPN.com and 5+GAME they were not prepared to comment on the book’s allegations at this time.

GAME

GAME ON: Last week it was the rivalry between Calgary and Edmonton and this week it’s Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.  I predict this is going to get really nasty by the end of the season!

WHOS GOT GAME: Sean Avery! In a superb showing on Sunday night, he worked hard, played like a leader and had 2 assists.  The San Jose Sharks have changed gears! Dany Heatley finally woke up and has hit 9 points in 5 games, with teammate Joe Thornton just one point behind in as many games.

WHOS NOT GOT GAME: I was there for the 7-2 trouncing of the Florida Panthers by the Cain’s on Friday in North Carolina. The Panthers still have got there Jet Lag from Finland.

GAME OF THE WEEK: Philly and the Caps put on a goal extravaganza in a 6-5 game, with an impressive second period hat trick by Flyers Captain Mike Richards!

WHAT GAME ARE YOU PLAYING @? Chris Chelios has signed a 25 game try out contract with the Atlanta Thrashers affiliate Chicago Wolves in the AHL. He just won’t quit! for this 47 year old this try out contract is equal parts audition and anticipation; proving he can still handle the pro hockey grind and hoping the circumstances change for some NHL team to the point where they’d want to add a warhorse to the stable.

Check out this week’s Video Clips and News in the 5+Game Blog on www.dannyboome.tv and the 5+GAME Face Book Group.

The information statistics and subject matter of articles is sourced from the official NHL web site NHL.com and its archives. The Hockey News.com, Yahoo Sports.com and ESPN.com. Research and quotations can at times come from other independent associated press.