Howard Baldwin? Now I've Heard Everything

A few days ago, just after the NHL said that Winnipeg and Quebec City would get a prime spot in the queue for expansion franchises, I said the only thing left was to have somebody other than the Zambonis (above) make a claim for Hartford.

Well, when you move the flashlight around a bit in a dark room, you never know what you might find crawling around the baseboard. Wait. It's Howard Baldwin.

According to the Associated Press, Baldwin is working on an outdoor skating rink at the Rentschler Field sports and entertainment stadium in East Hartford, Conn. Hmm, isn't that the field the state of Connecticut was conned into building for the Patriots? And did the Patriots ever leave Foxboro for Hartford? Anybody?

So Baldwin, who has World Hockey Association pedigree(and don't we just trust those fly-by-night operators), wants to prove Hartford is a hockey town.

Hey, here's a better idea. Prove that you have the money to be a hockey owner. No letters of credit; we've seen enough of those, thank you. Prove you have money.

Now say what you will about Wikipedia, but no one has sued them to take down this key line in the full entry on Baldwin.

"Baldwin's specialty was buying franchises with very little of his own money invested. For example, his actual cash investment in the Penguins was just $1,000. The rest was assumed debt and capital provided by other partners."

If he can prove he has money and not his hand in someone else's pocket, then I will listen. Perhaps not too intently, but I will listen. But I don't think that will be the case. Maybe Hartford deserves a team. I don't believe it deserves another dance with Mr. Baldwin.

Cue up "Brass Bonanza," please.

Just Waiting for the Puck to Drop

It's less than an hour to go. I've done all of my chores (a short list, but they are done) and I have finished dinner.

I got through the Winnipeg/Quebec City expansion stories rather quickly and am now looking for someone from Hartford to ask when it gets a prime spot in the expansion queue.

Here's a thought. When someone says expand, you slap them. When someone says move a team, you give them a pop in the nose. And when someone says everything is on the table, ask them why their wallet, bank book and stock portfolio isn't.

Enough with these state of the union/state of the league/state of the business talkfests. Reminds me of a few cousins of mine when we were taking stock of our annual Halloween haul of candy.

"Hey, you should really have some of these," one would say. He meant, "These make me want to puke, but I really would like to see you do it rather than throw these pieces in the trash."

Another gem: "There is more chocolate in this bar than in that small one you have. Let's trade." He meant, "I remember finding this piece of candy in the gutter and the wrapper is torn. Your candy bar appears untainted. Give it to me, now."

And finally: "The next Pixie Stik I find is yours. I know how much I like them." Actual message: "I've already eaten 30 of them, and I can see in my bag there are no more. But if you would like to give me something for the promise of me some day handing one over to you, I can be bought. Give me something good."

Less than 30 minutes to go. No Andrew Ladd in the lineup tonight. Brian Boucher will be in uniform as the backup tonight. Let's get ready for some action.