NEWSLETTER
Happy Friday! Plenty going on around the NHL this week, just not sure I had a truck full of Jaromir Jagr bobbleheads getting stolen on my bingo card. Let’s get to this week’s NHL Notes.
Jaromir Jagr Bobbleheads Stolen
In a move that would make only Tony Soprano proud, the Pittsburgh Penguins had to reschedule their Jaromir Jagr bobblehead giveaway originally set for Thursday night. Why? They were STOLEN. According to a statement from the team, the shipment fell victim to cargo theft as the bobbleheads were en route:
The Penguins learned that they were victims of cargo theft after failing to receive the shipment as scheduled. The team worked with the manufacturer and transportation companies to alert the appropriate state and federal authorities who are currently working to locate the cargo. This is an open investigation and no further comment will be made in order to not hamper with the recovery of the goods.
“We were shocked to be a victim of cargo theft, and we are working closely with local and federal authorities on the investigation” said Penguins President of Business Operations Kevin Acklin. “While this unfortunate incident adds to the legend of Jaromír Jágr, who will be in attendance as our guest at tonight’s game, we look forward to resolving this theft and delivering the prized Jágr bobbleheads to their rightful homes, with our fans.”
via Yahoo Sports
Obviously, I hope everyone involved in the incident is ok and no one was hurt. But honestly, that is just a WILD story and truly I don’t recall ever hearing anything like it. Penguins fans who bought tickets will be given a barcode they can use to get their bobblehead whenever they do indeed come in.
What a wild story. Almost as wild as the fact that Jagr is STILL PLAYING professional hockey in his native Czech Republic at the age of 52. He’s got four assists through 15 games this season.
… or… were they stolen?
Connor Bedard Hitting A New Level
We all know how good Connor Bedard is. His rookie season has thus far more than lived up to the billing, and since his return from a broken jaw in early January, Bedard has been even better. Prior to the injury, through 39 games Bedard had 33 points including 15 goals and a whole lot of “wow” moments. It was a really good first half of his rookie season.
Since returning to the Blackhawks from his broken jaw, however, he’s taken his game to the next level. In his 13 games back in the lineup, he’s recorded 18 points and put up a five-point night on Tuesday against the Ducks. On the season he’s at 51 points through 52 games and has a real shot at being a point-per-game player in his rookie season. Since he returned on February 15, he’s 14th in the NHL in points despite having played fewer games than seven of the players ranked ahead of him. Also in that run, he owns higher point percentages than the likes of Auston Matthews and David Pastrnak.
It shouldn’t come as breaking news to anyone that Bedard is amazing. I just felt it worthwhile to establish just how good he’s been in his return, and that’s one of the top point producers in hockey.
Atlanta Wants An NHL Franchise…Again
Earlier this week, Sportsnet Canada reported that an ownership group led by former NHL winger Anson Carter wants to bring an expansion team to Atlanta and give the city its third chance at being home to an NHL franchise.
The third time is the charm…maybe. I have nothing against the city of Atlanta and think it’s been a great sports town for the Braves, Falcons, and Hawks. But hockey just hasn’t worked there. In the letter to the league, Carter’s ownership group cites stadium location as an issue as to why things may not have caught on in the past. Maybe they’re right, but also maybe not.
I get that things went wrong in the past with ownership, especially the Atlanta Thrashers, but we have two franchises that just didn’t work and ended up needing to be moved. Maybe one day there will be an opportunity for a relocation or expansion to Atlanta, but I just feel like there are other big cities out there that should get a shot first. Salt Lake City, for example, also expressed interest to league officials earlier this year in possibly expanding in an effort led by Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith.
Maybe Atlanta will eventually be given a third chance, and if they are I’ll hope it works out. But it still seems like other cities deserve a run at an NHL franchise before we circle back to Atlanta for the third time.
