Getty Images One more year and they can buy beer.
Indeed, it was 20 years ago today that the NHL announced the addition of two teams in Miami and Anaheim. The former would be owned by Wayne Huizenga, the chairman of Blockbuster Entertainment; the latter by Walt Disney Co.
“Our company has been involved with hockey through Goofy and cartoons,” Disney CEO Michael Eisner said at the press conference. “We made a movie called ‘The Mighty Ducks.’ It did $50 million box office. That was our market research.”
It should be noted that Gary Bettman was not the NHL’s commissioner at the time. (Bettman was responsible for expansion to Nashville, Atlanta, Minnesota and Columbus; he also allowed the re-location of the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix, the Minnesota North Stars to Dallas, the Quebec Nordiques to Colorado, the Hartford Whalers to Carolina, and the Atlanta Thrashers to Winnipeg.)
Of the two 1992 expansion teams, Anaheim has had the most on-ice success. The Ducks lost in the 2003 Stanley Cup finals before winning in 2007.
The Panthers made a surprise run to the finals in 1996 but were swept by Colorado. Otherwise they’ve missed the playoffs in 14 of their 18 seasons.
Without further ado, here’s something that actually existed:
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“Corey has been great for us all year, all playoffs.”
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It boils down to mistakes of all kinds.
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What a difference one goal makes.
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He played less than three minutes in Game 4.
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“If he sees the puck, he’s going to be almost impossible to beat.”
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His middle name isn’t “Game Over.” We checked.
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It’s now 2-2 after an exciting 6-5 thriller.
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The Bruins won’t give up.
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Video: Bruins, Hawks combine for five goals in 11 minutes during wild second period
Jun 19, 2013, 10:19 PM EDT
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… And there were plenty of other close calls.
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Vancouver Canucks would appreciate the cap space.
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Michal Handzus scores first, Rich Peverley ties it.
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The money part has been settled, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.
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In case you were worrying about another late scratch.
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The Swede wasn’t getting benched during playoff games, for one.
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Tough timing for free agent Mason Raymond.
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37-year-old ‘tender ready to call it a career.
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Nonis says compliance buyout a ‘distinct possibility’ for Leafs
Jun 19, 2013, 5:19 PM EDT
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That’s a picture of Mike Komisarek.
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Pittsburgh’s Dan Bylsma considered to be a favorite for the position.
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Apparently Glen Sather and Mike Gillis don’t see the game evolving the same way
Jun 19, 2013, 4:44 PM EDT
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Which could be why they end up swapping coaches.
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NHL to implement hybrid icing next season if trial period goes well
Jun 19, 2013, 3:20 PM EDT
The players’ union and Board of Governors will vote near the end of the exhibition campaign.
