Daniel Kaplan, writing in the December 7th issue of Sports Business Journal, is reporting that Tom Hicks, owner of both the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers, has been funding operating losses for the both teams from reserve funds that were set aside for interest payments to various banks that had provided financing for the clubs. Earlier this year, Hicks and his Hicks Sports Group company defaulted on a $525MM loan that was used for the purchase of the clubs.
Interest reserve funds are funds that are typically part of the original loan commitment by the lenders and are segregated funds that are set aside to meet any shortfalls that would prevent the payment of interest to the lenders. Normally, these reserve funds are "airtight" and can only be accessed under very limited conditions. It appears that this was not the case with the establishment of these funds and that Hicks could access these monies to fund operating shortfalls of the two clubs.
The amount of the reserve fund was $17MM. I use the term "was" because according to Kaplan, well placed sources have told him that these funds are nearly depleted. As I reported in an April 2009 post, all payments of scheduled principal and interest on the loans were stopped by Hicks in March of 2009 in an attempt to negotiate better terms. The lenders refused to budge, and according to their reading of the loan documents, could move to take control of the teams after within six months of the default. However, there was a consent letter signed by the lenders, Hicks, and the NHL that gave Hicks until the summer of 2010 to work out of this situation before the lenders could move on the assets. For now, Hicks has breathing room before he loses control of the teams to the lenders.
What is not known is how much of the losses that caused the depletion of the reserve fund are attributable to the Rangers and how much to the Stars. Hicks has not revealed the financial information on either entity, and as a private company, he does not have to do so. He has publicly stated that the Stars are not for sale; and he is attempting to sell an interest in the Rangers. Is it because the Stars are the healthier of the two teams and a more prized asset? Or is it because Hicks fears that given the current market and the financial condition of the Stars, he would face a sizeable loss if he sold the team?
The worst case scenario for the Stars and the NHL is that League will have to fund operating losses for the Stars. The League has been acutely aware of the financial situation in Dallas as they (the NHL) has had to give approval to Hicks each time he has drawn money from the reserve fund. The League and Hicks could also face legal action if the lenders believe that a good faith effort is not being made to cure the default on the loan. Either of the occurances could potentially create a Coyotes like situation in Dallas.
The situation in Dallas bears watching. It is not a financial situation that is solely attributable to the Stars, but they are entangled in the financial vortex that is the creation of Tom Hicks. For the good of the game, and the fans in Big D, let's hope they come out of this unscathed.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Hats Off to a Consistent Effort
The Vancouver Canuckleheads Canucks came to the Nashville Arena Tuesday night attempting to rebound from a weak effort against the Carolina Hurricanes. The Nashville Predators were looking to put the less than stellar effort of their last game against the Minnesota Wild behind them. Two teams looking to start afresh and get back on track. Two teams seperated by a mere two points in the standings. Two teams that look to be battling each other for a playoff spot come April. The outcome of this contest would set the tone for some critical upcoming games for both teams.
It's no secret that when the Predators play their style of hockey- gritty defense, aggressive forecheck, solid goaltending, and opportunistic scoring, they can win any game. The problem for the Predators recently has been getting that consistent effort every night. A gut check win on the road against Chicago is followed by an abyssmal loss to the Wild. That is why this game was so important to this team. They did not want to begin a stretch of inconsistent play and sub-par hockey.
Early in this contest, the Canuck forwards were deep in the offensive zone and forechecking aggressively. Pekka Rinne made several good stops in net to thwart Vancouver scoring opportunities. The Predators weathered that initial charge and started to mount offensive pressure of their own, generating some good scoring chances that were stymied by Roberto Luongo. Back and forth, shaping up to be a goaltending battle was how this game was looking.
What seemed to change the tenor of the game however, was the physical force that the Preds started to bring to the contest. Canuck D-man Alex Edler was knocked out of the contest midway of the first period by a thunderous hit from Shea Weber. Edler immediately left the ice holding his arm, and did not return. The Predators started to check, and check hard, and as the Predators stepped up the physical nature of the game, the Canucks backed off the aggressive forecheck.
Martin Erat scored his first goal of the contest as his shot from behind the goal riccocheted off Luongo's skate and went behind him for a 1-0 Predator lead with just over four minutes to go in the first period. Erat continued to be an offensive force early in the second when he caught the Canucks on a bad line change on the PK and broke in on Luongo. A sweet move caused Luongo to open the five hole and Erat deftly slid the puck between his pads for a 2-0 Predator lead.
The Canucks cut the lead to 2-1 near the end of a 5-3 power play as Jerred Smithson (unjustly, in my opinion) received a 5 minute major for charging and a game misconduct. He hit Alexander Burrows along the side boards, temporarily injuring him and drawing the penalties. Predator fans may recall that it was Burrows last season that left his skates on two seperate occasions to deliver a shot to the head of J.P. Dumont and Scotty Nichol, which subsequently knocked Nichol out of the next 38 games.
In the third, Patric Hornqvist found himself alone at the side of the net on a Predator power play and Jason Arnott got a nice pass to him to beat a helpless Luongo and extend the margin to 3-1. That two goal lead held up until the 16:25 mark when Daniel Sedin scored. Marty Erat sealed the Predator win with an empty netter. This was Marty's second career hat trick, and capped a very complete game from him.
This was a consistent effort from start to finish; the team was solid in all zones; and skated away with a victory by playing the type of hockey they can play. Now we need to do it consistently. There are a lot of teams bunched up in the Western Conference. At the end of the season, the eight that advance to the playoffs will be those that brought the effort night in and night out.
A tip of the hat to Marty Erat and the Predators for a consistent effort throughout this game. Time to string together this type of effort over a number of games. Do that, and I will tip my hat to you. Play like you did tonight, and I will throw it on the ice.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Lackluster Effort Dooms the Predators
I know it is the season of giving, and charity begins at home, but seriously. How many turnovers do you have to give the opposition? How easy do you have to make it? Apparently, the Predators were feeling charitable and in a giving spirit as they turned the puck over time and again to the Wild in a 5-3 loss at the Nashville Arena.
Frankly, there is not much to say that is positive about this game. It wasn't as close as the score indicated as Jason Arnott and Marcel Goc scored late goals to account for the final margin. The Predators were never in this game after the first period.
In the first, Martin Erat scored on the power play to give the Predators a 1-0 lead. It went downhill from there, as the Predators failed to convert on four other power plays in the first. Letting a team like Minnesota hang around is playing with fire, and the Predators got burnt. Minnesota tied it on a gaol by Andrew Ebbet as he beat the defense of Kevin Klein and was open on a drive to the net. James Shepherd scored with :12 seconds left in the period as he was left alone in front of the net and slid the puck past Dan Ellis.
Andrew Brunette scored on the power play at 11:21 of the second and Antii Miettinen tallied with just over two minutes to go to move the lead to 4-1. Eric Belanger scored on the power play just over three minutes into the third and the game was over.
Ellis did make some very good saves for the Predators, or the score would have been much worse. Ellis was hung out to dry by his defense for several of the goals, and was pulled at the end of the second period. Pekka Rinne finished the game for the Predators.
After playing an exceptional game the night before in Chicago, the Predators just flat out stunk in this game. Turnovers were abundant and this team couldn't enter the zone efficiently. The energy level just wasn't there, and it showed in the effort on the ice.
The Predators have shown they have the capability to beat any team on on any night. They have also shown they can lose, sometimes badly, to any team on any night.
For this team to be successful this season, they have to have a consistent effort every night. For some reason, it appears that they forget this imperative on occasion. When they don't bring their best effort, the play like they did tonight, and the results are unacceptable.
I know it is the Christmas season. We are all in a giving mood, but stop giving the puck up and allowing the other team easy scoring chances. It's time to bring the effort and the drive every night, boys. This is the best present you can give your fans.
Frankly, there is not much to say that is positive about this game. It wasn't as close as the score indicated as Jason Arnott and Marcel Goc scored late goals to account for the final margin. The Predators were never in this game after the first period.
In the first, Martin Erat scored on the power play to give the Predators a 1-0 lead. It went downhill from there, as the Predators failed to convert on four other power plays in the first. Letting a team like Minnesota hang around is playing with fire, and the Predators got burnt. Minnesota tied it on a gaol by Andrew Ebbet as he beat the defense of Kevin Klein and was open on a drive to the net. James Shepherd scored with :12 seconds left in the period as he was left alone in front of the net and slid the puck past Dan Ellis.
Andrew Brunette scored on the power play at 11:21 of the second and Antii Miettinen tallied with just over two minutes to go to move the lead to 4-1. Eric Belanger scored on the power play just over three minutes into the third and the game was over.
Ellis did make some very good saves for the Predators, or the score would have been much worse. Ellis was hung out to dry by his defense for several of the goals, and was pulled at the end of the second period. Pekka Rinne finished the game for the Predators.
After playing an exceptional game the night before in Chicago, the Predators just flat out stunk in this game. Turnovers were abundant and this team couldn't enter the zone efficiently. The energy level just wasn't there, and it showed in the effort on the ice.
The Predators have shown they have the capability to beat any team on on any night. They have also shown they can lose, sometimes badly, to any team on any night.
For this team to be successful this season, they have to have a consistent effort every night. For some reason, it appears that they forget this imperative on occasion. When they don't bring their best effort, the play like they did tonight, and the results are unacceptable.
I know it is the Christmas season. We are all in a giving mood, but stop giving the puck up and allowing the other team easy scoring chances. It's time to bring the effort and the drive every night, boys. This is the best present you can give your fans.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Predators Show Heart, Thump Hawks
A Predators team that had misfired in their past two games faced the superior talent of the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. If you were a betting man, your money would be on the Hawks in this one. The Predators defied the odds and bested the Hawks by a 4-1 score. Perhaps you can borrow a few bucks from Patrick Kane.
Jonathan Toews opened the scoring for the Hawks with a highlight reel goal as he undressed defenseman Dan Hamhuis with a sick move and slid the puck past a sprawling Dan Ellis. Although the Hawks swarmed the net, especially in the third period, they were unable to get another puck past Ellis. who stopped 34 of the 35 shots he faced. Chicago had several glorious chances, but were foiled by Ellis, good defense by the Predators, and the occasional lucky bounce for the Preds.
Ellis is going to be called upon to play some big games for the Predators as they have a number of back to back games with the compressed schedule. Ellis has shown that he can be a solid goaltender, and tonight he was at the top of his game.
The aforementioned Dan Hamhuis got the Predators on the board in the first period with a rocket from the blue line that got past a screened Cristobal Huet. The period ended with the score tied at one, but the talent of the Hawks was on display. They created several quality chances with their speed and puck movement, but, fortunately for the Preds, were unable to find the net.
The only goal of the second period was scored by Martin Erat as he deflected a shot by Jordin Tootoo past Huet. Erat's goal was his fifth of the season. Erat has stepped up his play over the past seven games, and he must continue to play at this higher level for the team to be successful.
Nursing a one goal lead going in to the third period, the Predators couldn't feel safe. Chicago unleashed a furious assault on the Predators net, and Ellis was up to the task. Admittedly, Chicago misfired on several glorious scoring chances, and the Predator D was scrambling a lot. The Predators refused to buckle under the pressure, showing tremendous resilience and grit.
Jordin Tootoo gave the Predators breathing room at 17:57 of the third period when he slapped a rebound from the low slot to make the lead 3-1. Although Tootoo has not tallied many goals, his speed and desire have been evident, and his play has lifted his team mates. Just :35 seconds later, Joel Ward was the beneficiary of a nice feed from David Legwand on a two on one break and slid the puck under the pads of Huet. Chicago could not mount a serious scoring threat after that goal, and the Predators left the United Center with a huge win.
Notice the names on the score sheet? Hamhuis, Erat, Tootoo, Ward. Scoring by committee. That is the Predator way. Unrelenting effort, consistency in all zones, grit- these summarize the characteristics of the predator hockey club. No, this team will not spend like the Hawks. This team will compete like the Hawks. Not with dollars, but with heart.
One big win doesn't make a season. One big win can define a team, however, and give them the confidence to continue to push toward the playoffs. The Predators, small market and small payroll, are three points behind the Hawks in the Central Division. They have won 13 of their last 18 games. They have played with heart and with grit. They have played Predator hockey. And tonight, Predator hockey thumped the Hawks.
Jonathan Toews opened the scoring for the Hawks with a highlight reel goal as he undressed defenseman Dan Hamhuis with a sick move and slid the puck past a sprawling Dan Ellis. Although the Hawks swarmed the net, especially in the third period, they were unable to get another puck past Ellis. who stopped 34 of the 35 shots he faced. Chicago had several glorious chances, but were foiled by Ellis, good defense by the Predators, and the occasional lucky bounce for the Preds.
Ellis is going to be called upon to play some big games for the Predators as they have a number of back to back games with the compressed schedule. Ellis has shown that he can be a solid goaltender, and tonight he was at the top of his game.
The aforementioned Dan Hamhuis got the Predators on the board in the first period with a rocket from the blue line that got past a screened Cristobal Huet. The period ended with the score tied at one, but the talent of the Hawks was on display. They created several quality chances with their speed and puck movement, but, fortunately for the Preds, were unable to find the net.
The only goal of the second period was scored by Martin Erat as he deflected a shot by Jordin Tootoo past Huet. Erat's goal was his fifth of the season. Erat has stepped up his play over the past seven games, and he must continue to play at this higher level for the team to be successful.
Nursing a one goal lead going in to the third period, the Predators couldn't feel safe. Chicago unleashed a furious assault on the Predators net, and Ellis was up to the task. Admittedly, Chicago misfired on several glorious scoring chances, and the Predator D was scrambling a lot. The Predators refused to buckle under the pressure, showing tremendous resilience and grit.
Jordin Tootoo gave the Predators breathing room at 17:57 of the third period when he slapped a rebound from the low slot to make the lead 3-1. Although Tootoo has not tallied many goals, his speed and desire have been evident, and his play has lifted his team mates. Just :35 seconds later, Joel Ward was the beneficiary of a nice feed from David Legwand on a two on one break and slid the puck under the pads of Huet. Chicago could not mount a serious scoring threat after that goal, and the Predators left the United Center with a huge win.
Notice the names on the score sheet? Hamhuis, Erat, Tootoo, Ward. Scoring by committee. That is the Predator way. Unrelenting effort, consistency in all zones, grit- these summarize the characteristics of the predator hockey club. No, this team will not spend like the Hawks. This team will compete like the Hawks. Not with dollars, but with heart.
One big win doesn't make a season. One big win can define a team, however, and give them the confidence to continue to push toward the playoffs. The Predators, small market and small payroll, are three points behind the Hawks in the Central Division. They have won 13 of their last 18 games. They have played with heart and with grit. They have played Predator hockey. And tonight, Predator hockey thumped the Hawks.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
My View
Fallout continues to occur from the sham science of global warming. After the discovery of falsified data from the Climatic Research Unit at East Anglia University in London, data has been requested from NASA in the United States regarding their contention that anthropogenic (human caused) global warming is, as NASA has stated, a fact. NASA has so far refused to release their data. It would seem that if there was nothing to hide, this raw data would be forthcoming. Scientists in various venues receive government funding (read: your tax dollars) to research global warming. It is obvious that if they- the scientists- can claim that there is human caused global warming, they will receive more money for more research. They have gamed the system. When all else fails, follow the money. Invariably, it will lead you to the real facts about what is happening with so called human induced global warming.
The only stupid question is the one never asked. Except maybe, "Don't you think it's time you audited my tax return?"
Greg Wyshynski, blogger extraordinaire over at Puck Daddy (link to the right of this blog), has named the ten best hockey coaches of the past decade. Checking in at number five on his list is the Nashville Predators own Barry Trotz. Quoting the Puck Daddy, "If there is a coach that deserves an award for doing so much with so little, it's Trotz." True words there. Nice to see a good guy and a very good coach who is unheralded get some positive recognition in a national venue. Congratulations, Coach Trotz.
It is a small world, but I wouldn't want to paint it.
The next two Saturday home games for the Predators will be their Christmas Toys for Tots drive. Collection bins will be set up at each entrance to collect a new, unwrapped toy. This is a great opportunity for Predator fans to give a gift that will benefit less fortunate children in our community. We are blessed in Nashville to have a professional sports team like the Predators that does so much community outreach and is truly a caring organization. The Predators Foundation does an amazing job of reaching out to numerous charitable enterprises and making a significant impact for good in our community. This is a wonderful opportunity to partner with the Predators to assist those in need.
I told my wife that a husband is like fine wine that gets better with age. The next day, she locked me in the cellar.
And that, my friends, is my view.
Predators Give Away a Point in a Wild Game
It is the Christmas season, a time of generosity and giving. The Nashville Predators were in a giving mood last night against the Wild as they turned the puck over numerous times and gave away a win.
The Predators and Wild played a seesaw affair, with the Predators eventually dropping a 5-4 overtime decision to the Wild. Although the Predators picked up a point in the contest, they gave away the second point with some inopportune turnovers and sloppy defense.
The Preds were victimized on several occasions when they turned the puck over in their offensive zone and the Wild made them pay. Two goals by the Wild resulted from defensemen being knocked off the puck in the offensive zone, and result was the puck in the back of our net. The usually sound Predator defense looked shaky at times, and these lapses cost them goals and eventually the game.
The positive aspects of this game was the return of the top line to the score sheet. Jason Arnott had two goals and two assists; and Steve Sullivan had one goal and three assists. For this team to win consistently, the top players on offense have to produce, and they did in this game. When this top line plays as they did last night, they are very dangerous and can score on anyone. The Predators need this line to continue to be dangerous.
Marcel Goc recorded his third goal of the season off a beautiful assist by Martin Erat. Goc has already surpassed his goal total from last season with the Sharks, and he is exhibiting a nose for the net. His game is elevating, and this bodes well for the Predator offense.
The game against the Wild demonstrated what has been said about this team all season- they must play solid hockey in all three zones to have a chance to notch a victory. The offense was sharp; the defense was not; and the goaltending was average. This team needs all three components to mesh well to succeed. They have done it in the past. They did not last night and it cost them the two points they need in a tight Western Conference race.
Although it is the season of giving, the Predators need to be more like Ebenezer Scrooge and clutch tightly to the points they have rather than giving them away. Every point is precious to this team; every point is to be hoarded. The next time you have two points in hand, channel ol' Scrooge and say "humbug". Lock them up. No more charity.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Predators Pounded by the Flames
I'm staying away from the obligatory but trite sayings such as "The Flames Burn the Predators" or "The Flames Torch Preds" after last night's contest in Nashville. Because the fact of the matter is that the Flames pounded the Predators en route to a 5-0 win.
Calgary is the best road team in the NHL, and last night they showed why, as they slowly and methodically strangled the life out of the Predator offense. Goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff was never seriously challenged by the Predator offense, as the Flames defense created all sorts of problems in the neutral zone for the Predators. Their forechecking kept the Preds from gaining the zone with speed, and once inside the zone, their defense in front of Kiprusoff clogged shooting lanes and eliminated most second chance opportunites. The net result is that the Predators couldn't find the net and never mounted a serious scoring threat all night.
In an 82 game season, there will be nights where things just don't work and you get your head handed to you (not in the Keith Ballard-Tomas Vokoun sense). We have seen that earlier this year from the Predators (think Chicage and 13 SOG for the entire game). The aspect of this game that is problematic is that the top offensive threats for the Predators were completely- and I mean completely- shut down by the Flames defense. Jason Arnott, J.P. Dumont, Martin Erat all registered zero SOG against the Flames. Three of the top six forwards and no shots. This cannot happen for this team to have a chance at winning. It's cliche to say it, but your best players have to be your best players, and when some of your best players are not getting any shots on the net, your probablity of winning the game is very low.
This team has to have a workman like effort every night from all its players. That means you have to show up. That means you have to do the tough things that get you in a position to win. That means when you have a night against an exceptional opponent, you work that much harder.
The Predators made up ground in the Western Conference race by stringing together wins. Those wins occurred because they played solid, fundamental hockey and brought the effort every night. This needs to become the norm again for the Predators. It is not enough to win one and lose one. Wins have to start piling up again because the Central Division and the Western Conference are too tough to just tread water.
There are lessons to be learned when you play the best road team in the NHL and one of the better teams in the Western Conference. Painful lessons. Learn from those lessons and know that every night, every time you step on the ice, you have to bring it. Balls to the wall. Play like that, and you will win games. Don't, and you will get pounded.
Calgary is the best road team in the NHL, and last night they showed why, as they slowly and methodically strangled the life out of the Predator offense. Goaltender Mikka Kiprusoff was never seriously challenged by the Predator offense, as the Flames defense created all sorts of problems in the neutral zone for the Predators. Their forechecking kept the Preds from gaining the zone with speed, and once inside the zone, their defense in front of Kiprusoff clogged shooting lanes and eliminated most second chance opportunites. The net result is that the Predators couldn't find the net and never mounted a serious scoring threat all night.
In an 82 game season, there will be nights where things just don't work and you get your head handed to you (not in the Keith Ballard-Tomas Vokoun sense). We have seen that earlier this year from the Predators (think Chicage and 13 SOG for the entire game). The aspect of this game that is problematic is that the top offensive threats for the Predators were completely- and I mean completely- shut down by the Flames defense. Jason Arnott, J.P. Dumont, Martin Erat all registered zero SOG against the Flames. Three of the top six forwards and no shots. This cannot happen for this team to have a chance at winning. It's cliche to say it, but your best players have to be your best players, and when some of your best players are not getting any shots on the net, your probablity of winning the game is very low.
This team has to have a workman like effort every night from all its players. That means you have to show up. That means you have to do the tough things that get you in a position to win. That means when you have a night against an exceptional opponent, you work that much harder.
The Predators made up ground in the Western Conference race by stringing together wins. Those wins occurred because they played solid, fundamental hockey and brought the effort every night. This needs to become the norm again for the Predators. It is not enough to win one and lose one. Wins have to start piling up again because the Central Division and the Western Conference are too tough to just tread water.
There are lessons to be learned when you play the best road team in the NHL and one of the better teams in the Western Conference. Painful lessons. Learn from those lessons and know that every night, every time you step on the ice, you have to bring it. Balls to the wall. Play like that, and you will win games. Don't, and you will get pounded.
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