Former Wild Forward Devin Setoguchi signed by the Calgary Flames

Former Minnesota Wild forward Devin Setoguchi has been signed by the Calgary Flames. It would appear that the Flames got a bargain signing Setoguchi for $750,000. One could make the argument, that his is a smart contract, especially if he recovers from the miserable season that he had last season and scores 20 goals. That would be a big win for the Flames.

CGY signs Devin Setoguchi. One year. $750K AAV.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) August 23, 2014

Another reason to stay in school

#481395699 / gettyimages.com

Here's a perfect example of why college hockey players shouldn't be in a hurry to leave college and play professional hockey. Even if they're a first round draft choice.

Four years after leaving college, former Minnesota Golden Gopher Jordan Schroeder has played in a mere 56 NHL games and scored an unimpressive (6g-9a—15pts). I know that hind sight is 20/20, but I do  wonder if Schroeder would still leave school early, knowing what he knows now? Stay in school and finish that degree.

VAN will not be qualifying Jordan Schroeder or Zac Dalpe. Both go to UFA.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 30, 2014

Tweets about the Tom Wilson Hit.... Hum Interesting

Tom Wilson's hit was called a "clean hit" by Oates and a "great hit" by McPhee. And yet he's gonna be suspended. This is why I hate Shanahan
— τhατ fly yοung lαχα (@flyyounglaxa) December 18, 2013

Hate Shanny for doing his job. Wow! Brendan Shannahan has no choice but to suspend Tom Wilson, it's a brutal, dirty, illegal hit. If he doesn't suspend him, he loses all credibility in my opinion.

WSH's Tom Wilson has a noon ET hearing tomorrow with NHL for his hit last night on PHI's Brayden Schenn.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 18, 2013

I would hardly doubt that Bob McKenzie would actually say something silly like that... Based on the hit, it was violent, and it was a predatory hit. Wilson takes about 6-8 strides and doesn't slow down, one bit. Absolutely blows Brayden Schenn up.

Bob Mckenzie is absolutely right... Nothing wrong with Tom Wilson's hit
— Kevin Groulx (@Grousy93) December 18, 2013

Good hit, didn't target the head from what I saw...just good hockey http://t.co/0BpR3qtDCE
— T Hype (@THypeSR) December 18, 2013

I find it funny how Flyer fans were all upset over Tom Wilson's hit. Clearly they've never heard of Bobby Clarke or Dave Schultz.
— Rob (@RobZ24) December 18, 2013

Capitals fans bringing up Bobby Clarke, they do have a point, I guess. Right?

“@TheHockeyVines: Tom Wilson's hit last night: https://t.co/xGHQbxUVGO” This was so clean!!
— zachary rehm (@rehm_z76) December 18, 2013

Yeah! Because it was such a clean hit... Doh!

Washington Capitals’ Tom Wilson Puts Huge Hit on Flyers’ Brayden Schenn: Although the final score read 5-2 in ... http://t.co/DUoAsqEOAl
— Fansided NHL (@FansidedNHL) December 18, 2013

Related articles

• (Video) Washington's Tom Wilson pounds Brayden Schenn into the boards (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Shawn Thornton to appeal 15-game suspension

Shawn Thornton's agent Anton Thun confirms his client will appeal his 15-game suspension
— Pierre LeBrun (@Real_ESPNLeBrun) December 16, 2013

Boston Bruins forward Shawn Thornton is going to appeal his 15-game suspension. I can't imagine an independent arbitrator ruling in his favor, but we will soon find out.

So Shawn Thornton is appealing his 15-game suspension. First appeal is to Bettman, who will provide written judgment.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 16, 2013

If, after receiving Bettman's judgment and narrative, Thornton wants to appeal that, he can go to independent arbitrator.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 16, 2013

Johnny Boychuk not suspended for hit On Jonathan Toews

I was out of town at a WoO race in Fergus Falls, MN, but I did see the hit in question last night on my iPhone. I showed the video to the guy I was at the races with and said, "Boychuk is going to get suspended by the NHL for this hit." Apparently, the NHL saw fit not to suspend Johnny Boychuk for game six. The NHL didn't even have a hearing and ruled it was a legal hit. Not my words. Just for the record, the Bruins Boychuk was not penalized on the play.

As expected, no supplemental discipline for BOS's Boychuk.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 23, 2013

Related articles

• Johnny Boychuk Levels Jonathan Toews As Blackhawks Center Attempts Shot (GIF) (nesn.com)
• Report: Johnny Boychuk Will Not Face Supplemental Discipline for Hit on Jonathan Toews (Video) (nesn.com)

Former UND forward Corban Knight signs with Flames

Not clear yet whether Corban Knight becomes UFA on July 1st or 5th but won't matter - agreed to terms on 2-yr entry level deal with CGY.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) June 18, 2013

Former UND forward Corban Knight is taking his talents to his native Alberta, Canada. Knight's rights were  traded to the Calgary Flames and according to TSN's Bob McKenzie, Knight has also signed a two year entry level deal with the Flames.

NHL.com --- The Calgary Flames on Tuesday acquired center Corban Knight from the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2013 NHL Draft.

According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, Knight then reached agreement with the Flames on a two-year entry-level contract.

Knight, a 2009 fifth-round (No. 135) selection by the Panthers, just completed his fourth season at the University of North Dakota where he was a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the nation's top collegiate hockey player.

"Corban Knight is a player our scouts have been watching closely throughout his collegiate career," Flames general manager Jay Feaster said in a statement released by the team.

He led the Fighting Sioux in assists (33) and was second in goals (16) and points (49) and third in penalty minutes (40). He finished his college career with 52 goals and 94 assists for 146 points along with 145 penalty minutes in 161 games.

(Video) Eric Gryba gets 2-game ban

So, now we suspend players in the NHL for legal hits? According to TSN's Bob McKenzie, the Senators Eric Gryba is going to get a two game ban for his hit on Lars Eller.

When I first saw the hit, I thought the hit in question was a head shot, but after further review it was pretty obvious that the hit was a vicious, but legal shoulder-to-torso hit, in my opinion this is also not a violation of the NHL's rule 48. So I guess, it's a legal hit unless the player you're hitting is a player from the Montréal Canadiens.

Two game suspension for OTT's Eric Gryba.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) May 3, 2013

UNO's Andrej Sustr to leave UNO

No surprise, but Andrej Sustr, 6-foot-8 Univ of Nebraska-Omaha junior dman (UFA), has officially decided to leave school/field NHL offers.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 18, 2013

This probably really isn't really a shock to anyone, Andrej Sustr is a free agent that will probably get a lot of offers from teams looking to add a defenseman.

Sustr kind of reminds me of a raw version of Zdeno Chara and from what I saw, he isn't too bad with the puck and didn't make a lot of mistakes.

Apparently, the Flyers are after him.

This is a toughest part of the college hockey season, the end of the year. Fans have to worry if their favorite players are a fight risks to leave early. Obviously, there will be other players that will begin to start weighing their options as their seasons end.

UNO's college season ended on the weekend. Sustr will weigh his options, and he has many, this week. No rush or timetable on a decision.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) March 18, 2013

Was USA forward Rocco Grimaldi sent a message?

Rocco Grimaldi (UND/FLA) in Team USA doghouse big time. Hasn't played a shift today. Sounds as if it's performance/attitude related.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 31, 2012

You kind of have to wonder if USA Forward Rocco Grimaldi was being sent a message by USA coach Phil Housley? To be honest with you, I haven't been impressed with very many of the players on team USA this year. It's obvious that Jacob Trouba is a men among boys and Seth Jones has looked pretty good to me, the rest of the team has been kind of underwhelming. There's no "I" in team so we will see what happens going forward. I don't think this version of team USA is all that strong anyways.

@tsnbobmckenzie 100% correct. They aren't happy with his "selfish" play. Either not seeing his teammates or not passing, either way,no bueno
— Julie Robenhymer (@JulieRobenhymer) December 31, 2012

@umdpenaltybox @tsnbobmckenzie Was kind of playing like it vs. Canada. Think he'll get some ice in QF though. Message sent.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) December 31, 2012

IIHF suspends Canada's J.C. Lipon for one game.

This hit will cause team Canada to play with only 11 forwards when they play the Americans on Sunday Morning. Two teams have now accused the Canadians of playing dirty. First it was the Russian's Nail Yakupov. Today it was the Slovakians that said the Canadians are dirty.

Like I mentioned earlier today, Slovak Center Tomas Mikus didn't like being run over by J.C. Lipon, “I think, in my eyes, the two hits were dirty,” said Slovak center Tomas Mikus. “It’s not good in a world championship. We accept clear hits but the hands were too high.“Really dirty.” I guess the IIHF found it dirty enough to warrant a one game suspension.

J.C. Lipon suspended one game by IIHF. Won't be eligible to play vs USA on Sunday.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 29, 2012

The IIHF has suspended Canada's JC Lipon one game for his hit on Slovakia's Tomas Mikus. #WJC2013
— Sunaya Sapurji (@sunayas) December 29, 2012

Related articles

• Slovakia's Tomas Mikus pounded in the head by Canada's J.C. Lipon (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Slovakia's Tomas Mikus pounded in the head by Canada's J.C. Lipon

Apparently this hit by Canada's J.C. Lipon on Tomas Mikus will get an extra look by the International Ice Hockey Federation and there is a chance that Lipon could face supplementary punishment. That would be a big loss for the Canadians since they are already short handed with the loss of Boone Jenner who was suspended for three games by the IIHF. apparently, Mikus was none too happy with J.C. Lipon.

“In my eyes the two hits were dirty. It’s not good in the world championships. We accept clear hits but the hands were too high. Really dirty,” said Tomas Mikus, who was on the receiving end of a first period hit by J.C. Lipon.

It will be interesting to see if Lipon does in fact get suspended by the IIHF and if he does, for how long? Former NHL Official Dan Marouelli and WCHA Assistant to the Commissioner Jeff Sauer will be conducting Lipon's Disciplinary hearing. If Lipon is suspended Canada will be down for 11 forwards during the USA and Canada game.

J.C. Lipon's disciplinary hearing with IIHF two-man committee (Dan Marouelli and Jeff Sauer) scheduled for 9 am (Ufa time) Saturday.
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) December 28, 2012

More on the Boone Jenner Hit on Sweden's Pettersson

This is the extended video that one of the reads Rushmore suggested that I put up. This video give a better view of the Boone Jenner hit on Sweden's Jesper Petterson. There is also some analysis from TSN's Bob McKenzie. While I agree that the hit is a suspendable hit, there is no doubt about it, I am still not convinced that this hit is worthy of a three game suspension. I think that a two game suspension would suffice to say the least. 

Like Bob McKenzie said in the video, in the National Hockey League anything after half of a second is considered a late hit. So, yeah, you can't hit someone after the half second, I get that, but I also think that the IIHF is taking into account that Jenners has a reupuation of being a hard hitter, I added a hit from last year's WJC. Boone Jenner hammers Finland Defenseman Olli Maatta, during a game between Finland and Canada during the 2012 IIHF WJC.

Related articles

• Boone Jenner Hit on Jesper Pettersson (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

WHL throws the book at Portland

Western Hockey League (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today the Western Hockey League dropped the boom on The Portland Winterhawks and they will suffer some harsh sanctions.

The Winterhawks were fined $200,000.00 and will also lose the first five rounds of the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft but the league was done there, the Winterhawks will also lose their first round draft choices in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Today's announcement, also vindicates Dean Millard who first broke this story back in November and then took some heat for his story from fans of the Portland Winterhawks.

To all the folks who slammed Dean and I after he broke the Portland story 3 weeks ago, what say you now? HUGE penalties from the WHL today
— Guy Flaming (@TPS_Guy) November 28, 2012

Here is a list of the offenses that the Winterhawks committed, and there weren't any violations related to the league’s educational packages.

Portland Winterhawks --- What follows is a summary of the league’s findings, and a statement from Johnston:

The Winterhawks were found to have committed the following violations:

• A player contract signed in 2009, involving flights for the player’s family and a summer training program
• Over the last five years, seven families were provided flights 2-4 times per season based on financial need and their distance from Portland
• Twice in the last five years the team paid for two players to each have a one-week summer training regimen
• The Winterhawks provided a cell phone for its team captain for a period of three seasons

The WHL’s audit found no violations involving monetary payments made to players, their families or agents, or any violations related to the league’s educational packages.

When the story first emerged, some had thought that the Winterhawks defenseman Seth Jones was part of the violations and it turned out that he wasn't. Apparently, Jones' family adviser/agent is not pleased with these allegations.

Seth Jones' agent Pat Brisson angry at any implication his client is involved: "This has nothing to do with Seth. Absolutely nothing."
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) November 28, 2012

Here's Andrew Eide's; editor for the Hockey Writers - Combine and his take on the matter.

Related articles

• What do WHL Sanctions Mean for Portland Winterhawks (thehockeywriters.com)
• WHL hammers Portland Winterhawks for league violations (theglobeandmail.com)

Holding out hope for an NHL season.

So, to review, NHLPA is prepared to go to 50-50 immediately, but wants $393M over four years as part of so-called "Make Whole."
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) November 21, 2012

I think many NHL fans are holding out hope that this could finally be the beginning of an agreement. It will be interesting to see how the NHL Owners respond.

Tweets of the day - UND suspends four captains

Can someone at @undsports let AD Brian Faison know that he is the Athletic Director not a Head Coach at the University of North Dakota.
— Mike Commodore (@commie22) September 18, 2012

@bruceciskie @chrisdilks The relatively swift punishment and the wording throughout release certainly leaves a lot open to interpretation.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) September 18, 2012

If you weren't on the internet or a had smart phone today - then you probably haven't noticed the UND Hockey team was making news off of the ice this morning and this is a collection of some of the tweets that I found worthy of being posted for all to see.

I don't know or care what happened at that team party. Hats off to UND for sending a strong message. Don't see enough of that these days.
— Bruce Ciskie (@BruceCiskie) September 18, 2012

@Bruce Ciskie the voice the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs was the voice of reason this morning as this incident broke and of course Drunk Hockey Guy wasn't buying any of it this morning.

@umdpenaltybox My point is that neither UMD nor UMN fans are in any position to throw stones, esp given the way UND handled this one.
— Bruce Ciskie (@BruceCiskie) September 18, 2012

@mikemcfeelykfgo that was not last season it was during the 2010-11 season.
— Eric J. Burton (@goon48) September 18, 2012

Three of 4 U of North Dakota captains suspended by team are NHL draftees. Andrew MacWilliam (TOR), Danny Kristo (MTL), Corban Knight (FLA)
— Bob McKenzie (@TSNBobMcKenzie) September 18, 2012

Via KFGO News: Grand Forks city police say they did not respond to any calls regarding UND hockey party. Checking on campus police calls.
— Mike McFeely (@MikeMcFeelyKFGO) September 18, 2012

According to online court records, no citations were handed out to any players.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) September 18, 2012

Men's hockey captains suspended for season opener bit.ly/UjDRK5
— North Dakota MHockey (@UNDMHockey) September 18, 2012

UND suspended team captains MacWilliam, Knight, Kristo and Rowney for season opener due to a team party Saturday night.
— Schlossman (@SchlossmanGF) September 18, 2012

Related articles

• "O Captain! My Captain!" - UND picks Mac to be captain (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND's Andrew MacWilliam and Nate Ewell on the Pipeline show (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Tuesday Links - Discipline and TV Schedule addition (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• UND Hockey incoming freshman - the vitals (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Tuesday at the Links... The No Hockey League and "Sloppy Seconds" (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• McFeely on the Travis Beck incident. (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Hump Day Links (ndgoon.blogspot.com)
• Few things before bed... (ndgoon.blogspot.com)

Is Krieder gone right after the Eagles are eliminated?

Wow, this isn't going to be a distraction in the Eagles dressing room. Well probably not, because Jerry York is a great college coach and I am sure he has seen this drill before.  

I would bet even money that Chris Krieder is most definitely is going to play in the NHL and be a decent player, but what the rush? Doe Krieder really need to sign on the dotted line the minute his team is eliminated from the NCAA tourney?

Snyrangersblog.com --- On the NBC Sports Pre game show, Bob McKenzie of TSN talked about Chris Krieder and his current situation.

Kreider, who is playing this weekend in the NCAA tournament against Air Force, is expected to sign immediately with the Rangers if BC is to lose and be eliminated.

Kind of reminds me of the situation with Jason Zucker and the questions that Bruce Brothers of the Pioneer Press asked George Gwozdecky last week at the Final Five press conference on Thursday afternoon. 

Lastly, the Rangers better be prepared to wait because there is a good chance that his team is going to be in the Frozen Four in Tampa Bay, Florida on April 5th-7th, 2012.

Related articles

• NCAA Northeast Regional Capsules (insidehockey.com)
• NCAA Midwest Regional Capsules (insidehockey.com)