[bigcanuck]

Keenan's strength is 'get in, fix it, get out'. With all the UFA's coming up at the end of 07/08, this may be the Flames' last year for a while to compete for the cup. If Keenan can fix the road woes of the Flames, they'll possibly enter the playoffs in a better position than 8th.

I think Sutter may be thinking short-term with this hiring. I don't think anyone hires Keenan with a 3-5 year plan in mind. Possibly that's why Playfair is sticking around - a little mentorship at the NHL level from a vet. Playfair still needs some more NHL experience before he re-appears at the head coach level.

[Calgarian]

Mike Fucking Keenan? Isn't this the guy that traded Luongo for Bertuzzi, and Huselius for Montador? Keenan is a tool, I hope he doesn't ruin our team.

[Hootch]

Oilers are no longer the worst team in Alberta...

I wouldn't say that, and I'm an Oilers fan! I guess I have lowe expectations. :P

It's a puzzling move by the Flames though. But like others have said, I think they see '08 as their last year to make a serious run at the Cup.

[ctown.myth]

Who do you think should be the MVP this year? I think it's Crosby.

[Calgarian]

I'd give it to Luongo this year, Van had a terrible defense and as a result had one of the highest shots against in the league, but had one of the better save percentages.

[ErickMontreal]

Mike Fucking Keenan? Isn't this the guy that traded Luongo for Bertuzzi, and Huselius for Montador? Keenan is a tool, I hope he doesn't ruin our team.

Agree, Keenan is a old school coach, the same school as Sutter....

[mersar]

I also find it interesting that Sutter has worked with Keenan before (Chicago in early 90's IIRC) so we will have to see how things work out.

[ctown.myth]

They just signed him up for 3 years! OMFG!

Agree, Keenan is a old school coach, the same school as Sutter....

So what are you saying, Sutter sucks or are both of them good :P.

[mezzanine]

When Keenan was in Vancouver he was at best, a dud as coach. At worst, he was a polarizing figure among players and fans and had some sort of cult of personality (if you could call it that) that had the media waiting for some sort of crazy move from him while the Canucks were getting blown out of the water on an all too regular basis.

3 years? Good luck, calgary.....:(

[mezzanine]

^then again, we play calgary ~8 times per year. Luongo must be smiling... :D

[Nutterbug]

NHL announces new broadcast deal with Food Network

NEW YORK—Flanked by Food Network president Brooke Johnson and cooking-show host Rachael Ray, Commissioner Gary Bettman announced yesterday that the NHL has opted out of its contract with the Versus cable channel (formerly the Outdoor Life Network) and has reached a long-term broadcasting deal with the Food Network starting in the 2007-08 season.

"In all my years as commissioner, I have learned that our diverse group of fans and players all enjoy food of some sort. Italian, French, barbecue, quick-and-easy 30-minute meals—you name it, one or more of them eat it," said Bettman, adding that Iron Chef French host Hiroyuki Sakai will join play-by-play announcer Mike "Doc" Emrick and analyst Brian Engblom to form a new lead announcing team for all Food Network games. "This partnership has been a long time coming. If the Food Network would have been around in 1991, we would have left ESPN in a heartbeat."

"It's great to know we will be on television next year," Bettman added, smiling as the NHL's new studio team, consisting of Rachael Ray as head hockey anchor and Bill Clement as game analyst, collaborated in an attempt to equate the offsides penalty to "zesting up" a pan-seared T-bone steak. "Thanks, Food Network."

Though Bettman maintained that the Food Network was always the league's first choice, sources close to the commissioner confirmed that the NHL also considered broadcasting games on E!, the Golf Channel, and Cartoon Network before eventually deciding to go with the network offering the best combination of financial incentives and airtime.

"We also thought the lead-in programs on Versus, especially those that focused on bull-riding, bass fishing, and violent contact sports, were not entirely compatible with the image of the league," Bettman said. "Now, hockey games will follow Emeril Live, Feasting On Asphalt, and The Hungry Detective, which, as you can plainly see, are a better fit. Also, we are paying the Food Network much less money to broadcast our games."

According to terms of the deal, the Food Network will schedule broadcasts of over 50 full-length hockey games and will carry both the Eastern and Western Conference Semi-Finals, as well as Games 4 through 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. The only exception, Bettman said, would be made for Rachael Ray, who appears on television roughly three times more than the NHL. In the case of Ray experiencing a scheduling conflict, hockey games will be postponed and rescheduled at Ray's convenience.

"We liked the idea of having hockey because it has two halftimes," said Food Network president Johnson, adding that the first game on the channel will feature the ceremonial dropping of an inaugural homemade Italian meatball at center ice by honorary referee Mario Batali. "Our debut coverage will include a halftime show hosted by Giada De Laurentiis, who will recap the game's events while guiding you through the preparation of Sicilian penne with swordfish and eggplant. Or, if you are in the mood for something more immediate, on-ice reporter Paula Deen will spend timeouts showing you certain tactics to enhance the flavor of your traditional southwestern dip."

Though she stated that she didn't want to give anything away, Johnson said that the network's first hockey-related profile will focus on Sidney Crosby eating veal and creamed spinach prepared by Roker On The Road host Al Roker. Other hockey players now contractually obligated to make appearances on shows include Chris Drury on Food 911, Martin Brodeur on Calorie Commando, and Alexander Ovechkin on Dinner: Impossible.

The new broadcasting deal has some sportswriters saying the move will make hockey even more irrelevant, while others believe this is a clear step up for the league.

"I watch the Food Network far more than I watch hockey, and I think most sports fans feel the same way," said Boston Globe sports columnist Bob Ryan. "My favorite program is Food Nation With Bobby Flay. So I'll definitely watch that, and then maybe stick around to watch part of a period if the Bruins are playing. Everybody wins here."

http://www.theonion.com/content/news/nhl_signs_broadcast_deal_with_food

[Hootch]

:haha: that totally fooled me until I saw it what site it came from! I was just thinking "The Food Network? Are you f-ing kidding me?"

[Distill3d]

the problem is that Bettmen would do something like that to our game.

[ctown.myth]

the problem is that Bettmen would do something like that to our game.

:haha: :haha: :haha: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:

[Calgarian]

That had me going for a second there. lol

[Hootch]

The sad part is Bettmans ineptitude actually makes it plausible

[m0nkyman]

Finally got around to watching Bon Cop Bad Cop. The scenes with Buttman were hilarious....

[Calgarian]

Adrian Aucoin? Well I guess that means that Stuart will not be in Black and red next season.

[ctown.myth]

Never heard of him...

[Calgarian]

Never heard of him...

http://tsn.ca/nhl/teams/players/bio/?id=724&hubname=nhl-flames

[Calgarian]

dp.

[Calgarian]

So it sounds like Ryan Smyth has already signed with the Flames, they are just waiting till the 1st of July to announce it. This team is going to be amazing this year!!

[Nutterbug]

^ Either that, or it's going to fall apart under Keenan's reign.

[feepa]

So it sounds like Ryan Smyth has already signed with the Flames, they are just waiting till the 1st of July to announce it. This team is going to be amazing this year!!
source? and please don't say its something you've read at hf or cp or some other rumour filled board...(e5):cheers:

[Calgarian]

I heard it mentioned on both TSN and the Fan 960.

Edit: I should mention that both said it was a rumor.

[ctown.myth]

I heard it mentioned on both TSN and the Fan 960.

Edit: I should mention that both said it was a rumor.

Only if his contract expires this year will Smyth come over down south, the Oilers won't give him up.

[Calgarian]

Only if his contract expires this year will Smyth come over down south, the Oilers won't give him up.

Not a big hockey follower are you? Smyth got traded to the Islanders last year at the trade deadline amid much controversy in E-town. Hi is an unrestricted free agent come July 1.

[ctown.myth]

Wow, lol...I only follow the Flames...call it favoritism :D.

[Coldrsx]

Only if his contract expires this year will Smyth come over down south, the Oilers won't give him up.

hahahhaha

[feepa]

Wow, lol...I only follow the Flames...call it favoritism :D.
I call that homerism.

[fortroad]

^ They are not supposed to even talk till July 1st. he is Still property of the Isles.

[Riise]

^ They are not supposed to even talk till July 1st. he is Still property of the Isles.

The rumour I heard has it that the Flames will trade for the rights to Symth but before they do that they want to make sure he'll sign with us so the Isles have allowed conversation between the two parties but only after a tentative trade agreement was reached. Personally, I'd prefer if we kept Calgary mullet free! Well, except for when the occasional Edmonton forumer feels like coming down for a visit... :P

[Calgarian]

The rumour I heard has it that the Flames will trade for the rights to Symth but before they do that they want to make sure he'll sign with us so the Isles have allowed conversation between the two parties but only after a tentative trade agreement was reached. Personally, I'd prefer if we kept Calgary mullet free! Well, except for when the occasional Edmonton forumer feels like coming down for a visit... :P

makes sense...

[Wooster]

There is no way Smyth will ever be a Flame.

[Calgarian]

There is no way Smyth will ever be a Flame.

It looks like it might already be done, he would be a really good fit. We should know by Sunday afternoon for sure.

[Hootch]

Personally, I'd prefer if we kept Calgary mullet free! Well, except for when the occasional Edmonton forumer feels like coming down for a visit... :P

"Mullet free?" That made me burst out in uncontrollable laughter.

About the "mullets" buddy, at least it Edmonton, it's only the men who have them. :P

I would love to see Smyth go to Calgary for say over $5 mil. The Kennan era has already begun! If you thought the aftermath of our playoff run was the epitome of an exodus, it will have nothing on 2008.