Just once, I’d like to read a story about Sean Avery being a decent human being and acting in a way that shows he appreciates the privilege of being a professional hockey player.  So far, it’s just been more and more affirmation of what a douche he is.

Washington Capitals head coach, Bruce Boudreau, has revealed in a new book called Gabby: Confessions of a Hockey Lifer, that Avery made some derogatory comments about his weight during the opening round of last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs. 
"He told me I was the biggest, fattest bleeping pig he had ever seen," …read more

The Detroit Red Wings will be without forward, Valtteri Filppula, for up to two months after he broke his wrist during the team’s 6-5 loss against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night.

It’s too bad because the 25-year-old is off to a decent start so far this year.  In 11 games he racked up two goals and four assists.  It’s not stellar but it’s good enough to miss in the lineup.  Well, like I’ve been saying about all of the injuries in this first month of the season, it’s better to heal up now than in the postseason so hopefully this …read more

As I’m sure you already know, Wayne Gretzky resigned as the head coach of the Phoenix Coyotes earlier this week which has left a lot of people wondering about his plans for the future.  While it’s true that the Coyotes didn’t exactly flourish under his watch, Gretzky really is an ambassador for the sport and it’s great having him around.
Steve Yzerman, who is now the executive director of Hockey Canada as well as the vice president of the Detroit Red Wings, has said that he is hoping to talk to The Great One about his experiences at the Olympics …read more

The season is about to begin and there’s all kinds of coach changes going on but it looks like the Vancouver Canucks have decided to stick with what works since they offered head coach, Alain Vigneault, a new contract that will keep him with the team until the 2012-2013 season.
"This is a significant announcement for our hockey club," said Mike Gillis. "Alain and his staff have done an excellent job leading our team to two Division titles in three years. I believe strongly in the partnership between management, coaches and players and we are all committed to building a …read more

The Phoenix Coyotes have moved full steam ahead in regards to replacing Wayne Gretzky as the head coach.  This team is such a hot mess right now.  I’m seriously hoping that, in spite of all of this drama, they can improve their record and find some focus.
Dave Tippett has been tapped as the next head coach and will be trying to bring the team to where Gretzky could not in the four seasons he was behind the bench. 
Tippett had a relatively good track record during his time with the Dallas Stars who, under his guidance, made it to the …read more

Well, it’s finally happened after a summer of speculation.  Wayne Gretzky is stepping down as the head coach and director of hockey operations of the Phoenix Coyotes.  I know that it’s probably best for the team since The Great One isn’t the best coach but it’s still a little sad.
Gretzky feels that it’s time to move on and was hoping, as the team’s managing partner, that the bankruptcy proceedings would have been finished by now.  I thought it would be decided by now as well and it’s pretty frustrating that the team is just hanging there waiting for the other …read more

Former Edmonton Oilers coach, Craig MacTavish, has been added to the NHL on TSN broadcast team where he will serve as a guest analyst this season in about 25 appearances.  He’s also going to be a regular contributor on Sportscentre.
I’m actually pretty excited about this and I’ll definitely try to catch his debut on September 21, 2009 when TSN2 will be covering the pre-season game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens at 7:30pm ET.
"I’m happy to finally be among the experts where the issues are many and solutions obvious," said MacTavish.  "I appreciate TSN providing a safe …read more

I am not surprised to learn that the Boston Bruins have locked up head coach, Claude Julien, in a multiyear deal.  He’s done a great job with the team and, even though they didn’t go all the way in the postseason, they have made the playoffs in each of his two first seasons.

In what seems like a rare moment between NHL coaches and the team administrators, Julien spoke about how important it is to feel that he has the support of the upper management. 
If a coach feels like no one has any confidence in what he’s doing, I …read more

The Edmonton Oilers have an assistant coach.  The team has brought on Wayne Fleming, who was most recently employed as the head coach of the Continental Hockey League’s Avangard Omsk (last season) but may be more familiar to Canadians as the former assistant coach of the Calgary Flames for three seasons.
Oilers GM, Steve Tambellini, seems happy with the deal: "Wayne brings an array of experience from both the NHL and international level. We feel his knowledge of the game will be a compliment to our coaching staff."
Fleming does have great NHL experience after working with Calgary, Philadelphia, Phoenix and …read more

There aren’t many details yet but outlets have been reporting that the two-month-old son of Washington Capitals goaltender, José Théodore, has died.  His sister-in-law, Véronique Cloutier, made the announcement on a Montreal-area radio station.  Theodore and Stéphanie Cloutier also have a three-year-old daughter, Romy.

The Capitals have confirmed the tragic news with GM George McPhee saying: “We are aware of the heartbreaking news.  At this time we ask that everyone respects the privacy of Jose and his family.”
I happen to know the Cloutier family personally since my mother has worked with Véro and Stephanie’s father, Guy Cloutier, many times over the …read more