AGRI Biz

The battle between Jim Balsillie, the NHL and, more specifically Gary Bettman, has finally come to a close. In the end, Judge Redfield T. Baum, who had been taking his sweet-ass time ruling on the bankruptcy case, turned down bids by the National Hockey League and Research In Motion Tycoon Balsillie on Wednesday.The decision to exclude both bids hardly comes as shock, but BalsillieÆs decision not to appeal the matter did ...

Written By: Mark ôThe Hard Hitterö RitterSay what you will about Mats Sundin; today, one of the classiest players to ever don an NHL jersey retired from hockey, and the NHL is weaker for having lost him. Sundin played 1,346 NHL regular season games and along the way collected 564 goals and 785 assists, good enough for 1,349 points. For the record, that ranks Sundin 25th overall in NHL history, ...

Written By: Mark ôThe Hard Hitterö RitterWith the opening night just hours away, for Leaf fans, expectations for the upcoming season are the highest they have been in recent memory.The new additions Phil Kessel, Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin, Jonas Gustavsson, Colton Orr, Garnet Exelby, Viktor Stalberg and possibly a few others, should be able to turn around the misfortunes of seasons past and, with a little luck, secure a playoff ...

Written By: Mark ôThe Hard Hitterö Ritter With the embarrassment of the 80Æs behind them, the Leafs set their sights on the 90Æs. Perennial bottom feeders, there was no way to go but up for the Leafs, would they finally figure this draft thing out? or, would they revert to their old ways, leaving tremendous talent on the table while selecting underachievers? Begin Slideshow

Written By: Mark ôThe Hard Hitterö Ritter Part One: 1979-1989 Hindsight. ItÆs a word that oozes possibilities and, in the case of Toronto Maple Leaf fans, a word that haunts them in their sleep like an evil Gremlin. Over the years the Leafs have had the misfortune of drafting in some very admirable positions. That said, many of the LeafsÆ draft picks have not panned out, in fact, the Leafs have the reputation ...

Written by "The Hard Hitter" Mark RitterIf a tree fell in the forest, would anybody care? Or, in this case, if Wayne Gretzky is fired from or leaves the Phoenix Coyotes' coaching staff, should Coyote fans be concerned? It says here Coyote fans should let “The Great One” walk—the team might actually be better off without him.Yesterday (Monday, Sept. 21), Phoenix Coyotes general manager Dan Maloney announced that the Phoenix ...

At just 5’6", 180 pounds, nobody could have foreseen Theo Fleury having the success he has had as an NHL player. Now, amidst more doubts, Fleury is proving the nay-sayer’s wrong again by having a strong preseason with the Calgary Flames, slowly turning his comeback attempt into reality. Over his 16-year career as an NHL player, Fleury, who was drafted by the Calgary Flames in the eighth round (166th overall) in the ...

Not surprisingly, it appears as if Judge Redfield T. Baum is still in need of some clarification regarding some of the “Key sale issues”.TSN is reporting that Judge Baum has called for an emergency hearing for Wednesday, at which time NHL Lawyers will be given “an opportunity to present arguments against Jerry Moyes' request that the league be forced to mediate "key sale issues."The bankruptcy case has been idle since ...

Written By: Mark "The Hard Hitter" Ritter Here are 10 things I know about the recent acquisition of Phil Kessel from the Boston Bruins by the Toronto Maple Leafs: 1. The deal was a good one for both sides. The Leafs, who desperately needed a top-six prospect, got their man. The Bruins, who desperately needed some salary cap space, relieved the pressure of a poorly managed cap. 2. When you shake down what the Leafs gave up for ...

Written By: Mark “The Hard Hitter” RitterThe worst kept secret this summer has finally come to fruition, Phil Kessel, who had been rumored to be on the move all summer long, is finally a Toronto Maple Leaf.In return for Kessel the Boston Bruins will receive first and a second round pick in 2010, and a first round pick in 2011. It’s a steep price to pay, but the Leafs were in ...