NHL Franchise Notes: Brian Burke-Kevin Lowe Feud Heating Up

Lowe Responds To Criticism Of Offering Lucrative Offer Sheets To Young Players

In L.A., Eric Stephens wrote after “largely staying quiet for a year while” Ducks Exec VP & GM Brian Burke “repeatedly criticized his decision to tender lucrative offer sheets, [Oilers GM Kevin] Lowe shot back, calling Burke a ‘moron.’” Lowe Friday in an interview with Edmonton’s CFRN-AM said that he “shouldn’t shoulder the blame for the recent rise in salaries.” Lowe said Burke “is an absolute media junkie and I guess he’s achieving what he wants because he gets his name in the headlines.” Lowe added of Burke, “He’s a moron, first of all. Secondly, he really believes that any news for the NHL is good news. Thirdly, he loves the limelight and I don’t think anyone in hockey will dispute that. Lastly, he’s in a pathetic hockey market where they can’t get on any page of the newspaper let alone the front page of the sports, so any of this stuff carries on” (L.A. TIMES, 7/6). However, Capitals Owner Ted Leonsis wrote on his blog under the header, “I Agree With Brian Burke On This One…” Leonsis: “The last two years, all we have discussed when planning our off season moves is the threat of offer sheets to our young players” (TEDSTAKE.com, 7/5).

BLACKHAWKS: Blackhawks GM Dave Tallon said that by aquiring D Brian Campbell and G Cristobal Huet on the first day of free agency July 1 he "was sending a message that the organization is 'committed to doing whatever it takes to get better and become a championship team.'" In Chicago, Carol Slezak wrote, "We've heard similar words from Hawks executives in the recent past, but this time we can believe them." The Blackhawks are “serious about winning, and it’s exciting. I can’t remember the last time anyone in Chicago was talking about hockey in July.” And season-ticket sales demand is “on the upswing.” Blackhawks Senior Exec Dir of Ticketing & Business Development Chris Werner: “We’ve been selling season-ticket packages on a daily basis consistently since mid-May when they went on sale” (CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, 7/4).

Writer Calls Out Koules For Blowing Off Question About Trade

LIGHTNING: In St. Petersburg, John Romano wrote the Lightning’s new ownership group is “making a move. No one knows for certain if it’s forward or backward, but it’s better than the constant tweaking that had translated into three playoff victories in the past three years. Once, stability was our savior in Tampa Bay. … Lately, stability has been a hindrance. It has kept the Lightning from realizing the glory was gone and a new direction was needed.” However, Lightning co-Owner Oren Koules last week “blew off a question” about D Dan Boyle trade rumors. Koules “purposefully gave the impression he was not interested in trading Boyle,” who was later dealt to the Sharks. Romano: “Maybe he gets a pass because he’s new at this hockey executive gig, but being deceitful with your fan base is one of the few inexcusable sins of ownership. In a sense, it’s more distasteful than any potential trade” (ST. PETERSBURG TIMES, 7/5).

OWN UP: ESPN.com’s Scott Burnside wrote under the header, “Memo To Owners: The Cap Is What You Wanted; Make It Work.” Burnside wrote of the NHL’s CBA, “We don’t really understand … the perpetual moaning about how this system isn’t working the way owners thought. This is especially true of owners in small markets for whom this system was designed and put in place after the NHL shut itself down for an entire season in 2004-05. Memo to owners: This is what you wanted. If you can’t make it work, boo hoo.” The “bottom line is, if you don’t know how to run your team -- Atlanta, Florida, Toronto, come on down -- then you reap what you sow” (ESPN.com, 7/6).