In Philadelphia, Frank Seravalli notes the Flyers yesterday were "fined an undisclosed amount of money by the NHL" for flying on Dec. 26 and violating the CBA's "moratorium on team activities during the holiday break." Flyers GM Ron Hextall said that the team "knowingly violated the rule, but risk was outweighed by the reward of a potential victory" (PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS, 1/5). Meanwhile, in L.A., Helene Elliott reported the NHL has determined Ducks execs "had no involvement" in an informal Dec. 26 practice organized by C Ryan Getzlaf and "did not violate any league rules" or CBA protocols. The club "will not be punished" (LATIMES.com, 1/2).
TEXAS' TURN TO GO OUTSIDE? Stars President Jim Lites said that the team's chances of appearing in an outdoor game anytime soon "are 'up in the air,' and the prospect of an outdoor game in Texas is 'probably a ways off.'" Lites: "It’s not something that has been talked about much lately, so it’s sort of up in the air. I would prefer if we were a visitor first and had a chance to go through the experience before we tried to host one, but you sort of just react to what the league tells you." Lites said that any game in Texas "would almost have to be a Stadium Series Game," as opposed to the Winter Classic. Lites: "The natural venue is AT&T Stadium, because it would add to the entire experience, and that venue just isn’t available in January" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/1).
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported a rumor had been circulating that Wayne Gretzky would return to the Oilers and “be offered” a role in the team’s hockey or business operations departments. But Friedman noted Gretzky in an email said that the rumor "is not true." Friedman: "Then he had a great line. He said, ‘But we have talked a lot about putting a Gretzky’s inside the new arena.’ So maybe that's where it's all coming from. ... The one thing we can report is you can expect to see the restaurant there” (“HNIC,” Sportsnet, 1/3).
SUNSHINE STATE OF THINGS: In Miami, Greg Cote wrote the Dolphins, Heat and Univ. of Miami football "are all bad at the same time," while the "oft-vilified Marlins and the usually ignored hockey Panthers unexpectedly are the local teams generating the positive vibes." The Marlins, typically "victims of noxious public relations because of owner Jeffrey Loria’s frugality and unpopularity, are toasts of the town" after RF Giancarlo Stanton's contract extension and other moves in the offseason. The Panthers seek their first playoff series win since '96 "with a new coach, a roster of rising young stars and a new six-year contract" for C Nick Bjugstad. They "finally seem on the ascent for real" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 1/3).
