TUCKER AT THE RINK
"JR & the New Hockey Disorder"

If you recall awhile back I wrote about the potential lock-out for the NHL next season and the potential for the WHA a defunct hockey league plans to rise from the ashes and be an alternative to hockey. If you read today’s Inquirer they mention the WHA (first time anyone other than me mentioned it that I know of) and said they are not quite sure if it will launch by next season. However if you check their webpage out their first season started a few weeks ago. Granted like earlier reported on this blog they only have 6 teams. So I don’t know what that wa all about. Their biggest markets are Orlando and Miami (good lord another Florida hockey team?). At any rate the WHA2 plans to expand into bigger markets next year in hopes to compete with the NHL again. They are especially hoping the NHL lockouts so they can really offer their League to the hockey deprived public.

Anyway as I theorized since Bobby Hull (a former NHL All-Star) is the commissioner of the league his son Brett would likely join the WHA2 next season if there is a lockout. Maybe even if there isn’t one. Well recently JR was at public event where both father and son were on hand. He talked to both Hulls about his plans for next year if there wasn’t an NHL season. He said if he didn’t play in World Tournament competitions he would certainly consider playing an entire season for the WHA2.I can see that being more likely than playing in tournaments. The WHA2 would have to become more high profile I would imagine but since the owners and players union are still miles apart I bet they are will started scrambling to get more franchises for next year.


Recently the head of the players union, Bob Goodenow said that the players in the said that the players in the NHL don’t feel they are overpaid and don’t see any reason for salary cap. He claims they refuse to cave in on salary cap. However both Roenick and Hull admitted they are overpaid. I can’t imagine even players that don’t think they are overpaid can’t see that the bubble has burst and many teams are on the verge of economic ruin. Heck attendance is down league wide so far this season. Take for example the recent rumor that the Penguins that one of their best players rookie goalie M-A Fleury might be sent to the juniors because they can’t afford him at all.


Now I am starting a “grass roots” campaign. I want all my readers to got to NHL.com and vote for Jeremy Roenick for the NHL All-Star game. I want to help make him a starter. You can also pick up ballets at Best Buy just make sure you push your chad all the way through. See if you can vote from different email addresses and force your friend to vote for JR. Lets stuff the ballet and get JR the All-Star start he deserves.

Things will heat up and players like Hull and JR are likely to start

Check out the NHL page to vote and heck out the WHA2 to read all the press for the new leauge.