In Toronto, Jane Gerster noted more fans are "scooping up tickets to the Maple Leafs’ road games than they are for any other team." Resale figures from StubHub show that the Leafs overtook the Penguins, who "held the top spot for two years, to become the biggest road draw in the NHL this year." The Leafs "went from eighth biggest in 2012 and seventh in 2011, to first." Last year was the "first time the Leafs made it to the playoffs in almost a decade" (TORONTO STAR, 12/14).
JOB HUNT: In Boston, Fluto Shinzawa noted Jay Feaster’s exit as Flames GM "could force Buffalo to accelerate its search for GM Darcy Regier’s replacement." The Sabres since firing Regier on Nov. 13 have been "identifying and interviewing candidates," including Bruins Assistant GM Jim Benning. Overlap between the Flames and Sabres could include Predators Assistant GM Paul Fenton, Penguins Assistant GM Jason Botterill and Kings co-Dir of Amateur Scouting Michael Futa (BOSTON GLOBE, 12/15). ESPN.com's Craig Custance wrote once Flames President of Hockey Operations Brian Burke came to the conclusion that Feaster "had to go, he couldn't wait." Not if it meant "another team might end up with the best candidate for the job." Feaster is as "classy as they come and will likely never say so publicly, but you can't help but wonder just how tied his hands were during his tenure" with the Flames (ESPN.com, 12/13).
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE: In Philadelphia, John George reported Comcast-Spectacor has "agreed to pay $625,500 in vouchers" to Flyers season-ticket holders. The agreement "settles a class-action lawsuit filed against the company by the ticket holders who said the team improperly excluded tickets from the 2012 Winter Classic from season ticket packages and required fans to pay more for the outdoor hockey game." Under the terms of the settlement, the class members "will have the option of receiving a $45 concession voucher or an alternative voucher, valued at $75, that will enable them to get an on-ice holiday photo or a personalized message on the scoreboard during a Flyers game at the Wells Fargo Center and on the Xfinity Live board after the game" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/13).
