American Chelski?

According to last week's Hockey News, Roman Abramovich has contacted the National Hokey League about purchasing an existing NHL franchise. several NHL teams have been for sale over the past few years, notably the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim (owned by Disney) and the Dallas Stars (owned by Tom Hicks, who recently decided to keep the team).

It's not odd that he would want to buy a franchise in the US, but what he wants to do with the team once he acquires it is rather bizarre. Abramovich plans to field a team entirely of Russian players. I guess a somebody talked him out of an all - former Eastern Bloc lineup at Chelsea.

I couldn't find the exact link, but here is one to The Hockey News website:

www.thn.com

 

I figured he could buy the Lightning since they play in the Tampa/St. Pete area, and you know a Russian would love owning the "St. Petersberg Vodka Shooters", or something to that effect.

 

I don't think Tom Hicks wants to sell the Stars anymore because he believes he should own at least one pro sports team that is well run and has a chance of winning.

 

Perhaps you are a lot closer to right than I am comfortable with. According to this article (link below), he was in negotiations to buy the Stars last spring before he even bought Chelsea.

http://ca.sports.yahoo.com/030925/6/utna.html

 

Georg W. doesn't own the Rangers anymore. Tom Hicks does, and he (apparently) turned down Abramovich's offer to buy the Stars. the latest is he's attempting to buy the Vancouver Canucks. That'll begreat: a Canadian team with slang for a Canadian as their team name, stocked completely with Russians and no Canadians. Can anyone say "Vancouver Comrades"?

 

OK, where to begin...

The Turgeon deal was not of his making. Bob Gainey had a hand in that one, and they gave him the "No-Trade" (BIG mistake). Dallas even went out and got Scott Young to make Turgeon more comfortable, and he still mailed it in all last year. Can't fault them on Hatcher, either, because Hatch turned down the same deal he was offered from Detroit the previous summer in Dallas, then Dallas offered the same money as Detroit (this summer), just one less year. Hatch took the stability of a fourth year, so I don't fault him or the Stars, really. The Stars also stepped to the plate when they needed to for Turks, extended Lehtinen and Modano, and brought in Numminen, so they're OK by me.

As far as ticket prices go, Dallas is actually pretty much in line with the rest of the NHL. Go to most other cities and you'll pay just about the same amount to see the NHL. Hockey's TV money is negligible, so they have to make it on gate. (Dan, perhaps you can chime in on what an average Avs ticket costs?)

And before everyone starts griping about this not being a hockey board, this actually started out being soccer related. It just spun out of control a bit.

Tech demolished A&M. Saw the replay on FSW. Sad to say but Symons will be a low pick in the draft because every NFL scout is convinced that Tech's system makes their QB's, plus he's listed at only 6'1", and he's probably really a shade under 6'.

 

Hey, Tech's having a good year, but they're no North Texas, that's for sure. *L* Sorry, had to get my UNT plug in there.

Lines? Try Guerin-Modano-Young #1, Turgeon-(Nasty screwball for called strike three right there)Arnott-Morrow #2, and the Flying Finn line with Lehtinen-Kapanen-Miettanen #3, with Lehts jumping between lines depending on which line might need a kick start. Modano's the heart and soul of the Stars, but Lehts is the blood flow. Whatever line he's on gets exponentially better. That's why I think Tippett might run him out with the 2 younger Finns, at least early in the season.

And we have now completely lost the plot of this thread.

Let me add that the Avs have a completely unproven goalie and some defensive holes. Watching them will be like watching the Oilers with Gretsky. Detroit, on the other hand, might go into November before they actually surrender a goal.

 

He's not on their roster (find it at: http://texastech.ocsn.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/text-m-footbl-mtt.html ). What year is he? If he's redshirting or Prop 48 he may not be listed. Is he from Florida? Why in God's name would anyone from Florida sign with Tech? Lubbock is a God forsaken town if there ever was one (sorry, phishy ) and going from the tropics of Florida to a flat desert town in West Texas has got to be a bummer...(phishy is now probably planning my death as I type this. BTW, ohishy, were you at Tech during one of the years that UNT went to Lubbock and put a hurting on them? Last time was in '98, I think).

Funny you should mention that because on every board I have seen this discussed there is at least one Blackhawks fan who mentions that Chicago would welcome Abramovich with open arms. *L*

 

NORTH TEXAS STATE??? Have you fallen under the evil spell of Rhyner now? That's the easiest way to get under the skin of a UNT Alum, you know.

That must have been a birthday you've been trying to forget. They actually did it another time or two in the early 90's. Had to be '91 at the earliest because it was after I graduated. At least Tech isn't actively avoiding UNT like some other local university, the one that wears red white and blue, has a bad case of snobbery with their Park Cities address, and who also could be the worst college team in the entire state, including all the JUCOS and community colleges that field a football team. Hell, they would probably lose to several high schools in the area.

For those of you playing the home game, score yourself 50 points if you answered "Who are those cheating, stuck up b*st*rds at SMU?"

(Speaking of bad football, how in the hell did Baylor beat Colorado on Saturday? UNT beat Baylor 52-14 and Baylor had to sweat out a 3 point win over SMU 2 weeks ago, but I know Colorado's not that bad)

This could actually be the most wheels off thread I have ever been involved with. It just goes to show that the Dallas contingent of ArseAm either have WAY too much free time, or we are all suffering from a terminal case of adult ADD.