\GoBillsInDallas/

Ottawa needs a new arena - their current arena is located out in the middle of nowhere. Their missed chance was when RIT built their new 4,000 seat arena 5 years ago. They should have partnered with RIT and built and 8,000 seat arena on campus which could have served as a multipurpose arena.

I know several people who work for the Stars organization in the front office, and have asked them the “scheduling” question before. Here’s some things that I learned: In early summer, each team submits to the league about 100 dates that would be available for their home games. In early summer, some of the more busier arenas already know many dates that already have other events scheduled. In order; Vancouver, San Jose, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Colorado and Dallas usually have their schedules set first, due to the “remoteness” of their locations. Per NHL agreement with the players, Pacific time zone teams playing in the Eastern must have a minimum three-game road trip to Eastern cities. Per NHL agreement with the players, Eastern time zone teams playing in the Mountain/Pacific must have a minimum three-game road trip to Mountain/Pacific cities. Most teams prefer Edmonton/Calgary/Vancouver to be done on the same road trip, mostly because of customs issues (no border crossings). Most teams prefer San Jose/LA/Anaheim/Phoenix to be done on the same road trip. Teams prefer LA/Anaheim, Tampa/Florida, and NYR/NYI/NJD to be scheduled back-to-back nights so that the players don’t get distracted by the nice weather/big city. Players want days off between these games so that they can enjoy the nice weather/big city.

Background info: http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB1027516262583067680

Former Sabres #1 pick Keith Ballard retires (concussion symptoms): http://www.startribune.com/keith-ballard-a-year-after-final-concussion-retires-from-hockey/361269861/

Former Sabres enforcer John Scott is currently 2nd in all-star voting: http://news.nationalpost.com/sports/nhl/john-scott-an-enforcer-with-five-career-goals-and-a-sense-of-humour-might-be-just-what-the-nhl-all-star-game-needs

Carolina attendance problems: worse than Florida http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/nhl/carolina-hurricanes/article44283009.html

All three of the Bruins' first-round picks fail their conditioning tests: http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2015/09/10/all-three-bruins-first-round-picks-fail-conditioning-test/JGQPDOqdxvIggUk7RAIS9L/story.html

A combination of Parkinsons and dementia is a terrible way to go.

Ehrhoff will be paid $857,143 every season until 2028 by the Buffalo Sabres, as part of the Sabres' compliance buyout on Ehrhoff a season ago. http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/blue-jackets-need-to-sign-ehrhoff-080415

Battista is probably taking this guy's place: http://www.sctimes.com/story/sports/college/2015/07/28/college-athletics-kurtz-retiring-penn-state/30803001/

http://nypost.com/2015/07/29/new-miracle-on-ice-6-million-for-memorabilia/

http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/police-blotter/goalie-mask-robbers-hit-7-eleven-in-amherst-20150718

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDMb6OY5Yb4

Stan Mikita: http://www.torontosun.com/2015/06/15/blackhawks-legend-mikita-battling-dementia-unaware-of-stanley-cup-run :(

NHL Game Center Live Lawsuit settlement reached: https://fortune.com/2015/06/12/nhl-blackouts-settlement/

from the St. Catharines Standard newspaper:

In a league full of big-name players, no one comes up bigger in the playoffs than Jonathan Toews.

Tampa Bay refuses to sell tickets to non-Florida residents, and does not allow opposing team's apparel to be worn in 75% of the arena: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/21/sports/hockey/tampa-bay-lightning-limit-wearing-of-opponents-colors.html

Minnesota columnist: Vanek sucks http://www.startribune.com/souhan-vanek-s-vanishing-act-a-glaring-flaw-for-wild/302862471/

Flames are now 0-20 in their last 20 games in Anaheim.