Well, our predicted Jagr news has come..And Jagr goes the way of Bobby Hull, fleeing to a new league. For the young 'ens out there. In the 1970s a new league, the WHA, formed in North America and threw a ton of money at NHL aging veterans in an attempt to make its mark and get some publicity and attention.

from Wikipedia:

The new league was not considered much of a threat, until Bobby Hull, arguably the NHL's top player at the time, jumped to the new league. Hull, who considered moving to the WHA as part of a negotiation tactic with the Chicago Black Hawks, had jokingly told reporters that he would only move to the WHA for a million dollars, at that time a ridiculous amount of money for a hockey player. But to everyone's surprise the Winnipeg Jets offered this sum. Hull accepted and moved to the WHA, signing a five-year, million-dollar contract, with a million-dollar signing bonus. Hull's signing attracted a few other top stars such as Gerry Cheevers, Derek Sanderson, and J.C. Tremblay.

Of course eventually the league merged with the NHL as its four top teams...Edmonton, Winnipeg, Quebec, and Hartford joined the NHL


from Wikipedia again:

However, by the end of the final season, only six teams remained. Facing financial difficulty and unable to meet payrolls, the WHA finally came to an agreement with the NHL in early 1979. Under the deal, four WHA clubs -- the Edmonton Oilers, New England Whalers (renamed the Hartford Whalers), Quebec Nordiques and Winnipeg Jets -- joined the NHL. The other two WHA teams, the Cincinnati Stingers and Birmingham Bulls, were paid $1.5 million apiece in compensation. The agreement was very tilted in the older league's favour. The NHL treated the new clubs' arrival as an expansion, and refused to recognize any WHA records. The four WHA refugees thus had to pay a $6 million franchise fee. While the new clubs were allowed to stock their rosters with an expansion draft, NHL teams were allowed to reclaim players who had jumped to the WHA.

The WHA was able to wrangle only two concessions. First, the WHA teams were allowed to protect two goaltenders and two skaters to keep their rosters from being completely stripped clean by the old-line NHL teams. Second, the NHL allowed all of the WHA's Canadian teams to be part of the deal. The NHL had originally only been willing to take the Oilers, Whalers and Jets, but the WHA insisted that the Nordiques be included as well.

The deal came up for a vote at the NHL Board of Governors meeting in Key Largo, Florida on March 8. Despite the one-sided nature of the proposal, it went 12-5, being two votes short of passage. The Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks all voted against the deal. The Bruins weren't pleased with having to share New England with the Whalers. Los Angeles and Vancouver feared losing home dates with NHL teams from the East. Montreal and Toronto weren't enamored at the prospect of having to split revenue from Hockey Night in Canada broadcasts six ways rather than three. Maple Leafs owner Ballard had a personal grudge as well; he'd never forgiven the WHA for plundering his roster in the early 1970s.

When a second vote was held in Chicago on March 22, however, Montreal and Vancouver changed their votes, allowing the deal to go forward. The Canadiens' hand was forced by a massive boycott of Molson products in Edmonton, Quebec City and Winnipeg. Vancouver was won over by the promise of a balanced schedule, with each team playing the others twice at home and twice on the road.

Does this mean we will eventually see a Russian Division in the NHL.

The Boyling Point!

Also, The Sharks have hit it big once again on the D-End. signing Dan Boyle..My early prediction is the Sharks will defea the Red Wings in this year's conference finals with the additions of Blake and Boyle, Two huge pieces they have been missing for years..

Updated 11:24

From Jon Jordan in Tampa here are the details of the trade: "Boyle and Brad Lukowich to San Jose for Matt Carle, Ty Wishart, a 1st and a 4th ..."

Ek's Note: Wow on Tampa's part as well. That is a hell of a return for a player with that salary. Carle was amazing last playoffs, Wishart is an incredible prospect...AND a #1! The Lightning are back in HUGE way now.


more to come including the NEW HOCKEYBUZZ CENTRAL UFA RANKINGS with some more great names to go!

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Hart Finalists Announced, Green Signed By Sens; Tues Buzzcast

» Boston vs. FLA, Who Do You Have Winning?; Mon's Buzzcast

» Are the Two Best in the West Playing Tonight?

» A VERY Different Leafs/Bruins Game Seven?

» Deja Vu All Over Again; Fri's Buzzcast