Zamboni Ramblings: We’re on to you, Bruce/Claude!

By Eric Rosenhek

It’s been a while since I last wrote an H-54 article. Sometimes, life gets in the way. Is anything hockey-related happening right now?

Bold move by the AHL

Almost every month, some sports pundit complains how [insert league’s] regular season is too long.

In turn, the respective owners, board of governors and general managers will eventually meet and discuss some options. Usually, nothing happens and the issue disappears.

Until now…

The American Hockey League has announced it will modify its schedule.

Starting with the 2011-12 season, the AHL will trim its regular season schedule from 80 games to 76 games. The schedule will actually be extended one week to prevent teams from playing four games in five days.  However, the first round of the AHL playoffs will feature a best-of-five format, instead of a best-of-seven.

“As our league has grown and our game has become faster and more physical, the wear and tear on our players has begun to affect player development and at times, the quality of competition,” explained AHL President and CEO Dave Andrews on TheAHL.com.

“These steps are intended to provide a safer environment for our players through increased rest and recovery time, and also to provide our fans with an even higher caliber of play as a result of reduced player fatigue.”

Four fewer games doesn’t appear to be a significant change. But for the players, it makes the daily grind a little more tolerable.

Most AHL players tend to have a more extensive travelling schedule than their NHL counterparts. There are the usual home and away trips, as well as going back and forth between their team and the NHL parent club.

Owners might not be excited about four less games. It’s a loss of revenue. But being business savvy men and women, they’ll find a way to make up for the loss. So expect hot dog and beer prices to go up.

More important, if a reduced schedule significantly benefits the AHL, then the NHL will be forced to consider cutting back their playing calendar.

Moose Hunt

Columnists and fans have been discussing the Phoenix Coyotes’ possible move/return to Winnipeg. But amongst this discussion, one item hasn’t been given enough consideration:

What will happen to the Manitoba Moose?

Where would Vancouver’s AHL affiliate go? Would the Canucks demand compensation from the Coyotes and the NHL for having to find a new home for their farm team?

Think about it.

One of the same

Call me crazy, but I’m convinced Bruce Boudreau and Claude Julien are the same person.

Take a good long look at both coaches – same features, same body shape and same amount of hair. It must be the same person!

Still not convinced?

Let me ask you this…

When Boudreau was behind the bench for the Capitals/Rangers series, where was Julien? And when Julien was behind the bench for the Canadiens/Bruins series, where was Boudreau?

I rest my case.

Captain Spokesman

Who’s that handsome man promoting ClearlyContacts.ca?

Why it’s Trevor Linden!

Yes, Captain Canuck is the spokesperson for Clearly Contacts, an online optical store. Perhaps you’ve seen the commercial. Linden is poised and confident. He definitely makes me want to find eyeglasses at the lowest guaranteed price.

You can’t help but applaud Linden for this venture. It’s refreshing to know that not all Canadian hockey players follow that unwritten code of being modest, quiet, never venturing out of their comfort zone and only taking part in hockey endeavours.

Kudos to you, Mr. Linden.