It’s that time of the week again. It’s time for the Hockey Blog.
This week I have a lot of opinions so that will be the bulk of it.

The Olympics
I’m not buying into the NHL will increase viewership due to the Olympics. I think a short term spike will increase viewership. But as soon as somebody watches the Atlanta Thrashers and Florida Panthers play, they will say that’s not what I watched. I thought (I have said this before). I thought it was nice to see 5 all star teams in the tournament and the USA and Canada rivalry which I think was made bigger than it actually was. I explained it to somebody that watched hockey for the first time and was all wrapped up in the rivalry. I said by Tuesday guys on these teams will be playing together again. I also think that rivalry would be much bigger if it wasn’t NHLers. The Hockey may not be as good but it would capture the true spirit of the Olympics.

NBC needed to show more Hockey in primetime on the network. The NHL should have insisted on that when they signed their contract with NBC. I’m not buying the IOC wouldn’t allow it. The IOC like the NHL is selling a product and I thought they dropped the ball on Hockey. They say the get more a cross of viewers with figure skating. I admit those folks are athletes and do amazing stuff on skates, But it all likes the same to me. It’s sort of like watching Nascar your just waiting for a crash.

Was it a good tournament as far as pure hockey goes it was outstanding and fun.
Congrats to the Canadian Olympic Team they wanted it more and I won’t talk anything away from them it was like playoff hockey just solid.

Trade Deadline
The Phoenix Coyotesshowed they were serious about competing. I thought they did an outstanding job of filling needs and making themselves better for the playoffs.

I thought it was a huge slugfest between Pittsburgh and Washington. Neither team let the other get one up on them. I

I thoughtBostonwho needed somebody to put the puck in the net they flunked. The Bruins had a bargaining chip that they wouldn’t use a First Round draft Choice from the Phil Kesseldeal. They refused to trade it. They had a shot atRaffi Torresor Wojtek Wolskibut it would have cost them that draft choice. Both players ended up elsewhere, Buffalo and Phoenix respectfully Are either one of these guys the solution probably not but it would have been a move toward a solution. But deals weren’t made. Denis Seidenbergis a nice player but he doesn’t help with the scoring. Maybe they rebuild but they were the best team in the NHL last year. This year they are a bubble team.

Toronto cleaned house. Dropped salary and are in rebuild mode.
Those are my final words.

Brett Favre returned to the NHL.
Are the Atlanta Thrashers out of there minds. They could have built a team around Ilya Kovalchukthey ship him out,. Who do the bring in the NHL’s answer to Brett Favre Chris Chelioswho will turn 60 next month (just kidding) Like FavreChelios doesn’t know when to hang them up. Unlike Favre, Chelios can’t play anymore. Can we just send the Thrashers up to Quebec because they aren’t really in an NHL city some transplantsf from the Northeast may attend a game more to see the Bruins, Rangers,, Flyersor Canadiens. They are a disgrace.

The Red Sox in the NHL
The Tampa Bay Lightninghave had a Boston Connection for many years. Phil Espositowas part of the original ownership group. John Tortorellacoached them for a few years he is a Boston Guy. Now Boston’s Jeffery Vinikwill be buying them he is a minority owner of the Boston Red Sox. According to NHL.com

Power rankings return
Next week.

Olde Tyme Hockey Picture
Last week No guesses It was 1980 olympian and former Blackhawk Jack O'Callahan.

Who is it?