May 11, 2005
Lunchtime Links
Wayne Gretzky is thinking about becoming a head coach again. If you ask me, the move would be something of a defensive action for Gretzky, as the Coyotes, who had been having trouble drawing fans to their new rink, are probably going to suffer something fierce at the gate if and when the NHL returns. And as part owner of the team, Gretzky stands to lose some serious cash if the team tanks.
What's up with the NHL labor negotiations? Mike Chen tried to read the tea leaves.
A couple of days back, news broke that QMJHL phenom Sidney Crosby had hired a lawyer, presumably to help him get out of his commitment to his current junior team. With this NHL season cancelled, there won't be a 2005 NHL Entry Draft, and Crosby would be stuck with his current contract that runs another three years. Back in January, I asked Michael McCann what Crosby's options were:
However, from a practical standpoint, and assuming the NHL lockout continues, I think the sensible resolution is for Crosby to negotiate a buyout of the contract, and then sign a more lucrative deal in Europe. His legal avenues for breach seem somewhat quixotic.
Just one week after coming to the defense of John Rocker, my friend Robert George has decided to reevaluate his position.
Here's a not so fearless prediction: if Jason Giambi gets optioned to Columbus, it will only be as a cover to end his career as a big league ballplayer. It's a one-way ticket, don't let anybody tell you different.
Say goodbye to Tony Pena. The folks at Royals Op-Ed Page aren't crying. Plans for the World Cup of Baseball seem to be progressing. David Pinto has some more thoughts.
I hope I'm wrong, but I'm still waiting for Aaron Heilman to self-destruct.
Jeff Lurie is telling Terrell Owens to stuff it. Something tells me Owens is going to get a new contract anyway.
Minnesota runningback Onterrio Smith may have run out of second chances. And new 49ers head coach Mike Nolan gets an education on the NFL's business casual dress code. Hickok Sports has more.
Yao Ming is going to take it easy this Summer.
The Sports Frog is pointing to a typically blunt Brice Arena Q&A in USA Today:
"You're starting to see us attract greater diversity. Fifty years from now Spanish will be our language and this country will be a soccer power. It's not a white suburban sport anymore. It's a cultural thing, and every country is different, but the athletes who are point guards, wideouts, athletes who picked other sports pick soccer (more) now. Today, 11 of our starters could be black. Ten years ago I couldn't identify 11 black players. Our guys come from everywhere now."
And when it comes to England's Summer Soccer tour of the U.S., it looks like a lot of big names won't be coming along.
There was a pro tennis tour stop on Long Island? Who knew?
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12:29 PM