The NHL is not going to "Europe to start next season" because it is "too rushed, they won’t get the right markets and they won’t make" money on games there, according to Glenn Healy of the CBC. Healy said, "The focus will be on the World Cup and then to take that World Cup momentum and the following year go to Europe. But here's the caveat: Maybe not go to Europe in September, go to Europe maybe in February, go to Europe in December, go to Europe during the week and bring your sponsors with you and make it a week party and try to grow that market off of a rebound of a World Cup" ("HNIC," CBC, 10/19).
BACK OFF: In L.A., Helene Elliott notes the NHL yesterday handed down penalties to two players for rules infractions that caused head injuries. Elliott writes, "The NHL's crackdown on blows to the head has been pronounced, and that's commendable." NHL VP/Player Safety & Hockey Operations Brendan Shanahan "made the right calls" yesterday. But Elliott asks, "When will players respect each other enough to develop restraint in situations when they can pull back without hurting their teams?" (L.A. TIMES, 10/22).
