NHL promotes Collins to COO New York, NY (Sports Network) - The National Hockey League announced
Thursday that John Collins has been promoted to chief operating officer. In
addition to overseeing business and media operations, Collins will now also be
responsible for the communications and club consulting functions of the NHL.
He will report to deputy commissioner Bill Daly and commissioner Gary Bettman.
Collins joined the NHL in November 2006 and was named NHL senior executive
vice president, business and media, in May 2007. During his tenure, the league
has experienced record breaking ... More...
It was just an exhibition game in Sweden, but free-agent winger Peter Forsberg scored a hat trick Tuesday, raising the hopes that the injury-prone center's career isn't finished. According to the Denver Post, the Colorado Avalanche are very interested in learning the answer to that question and hope to get him signed to return in 2008. "He moved around without any problem, and he looked pretty fresh," Swedish national coach Bengt-Ake Gustafsson told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.
Our View:Forsberg, 35, has said he wants to only play for the Avalanche if he returns to the NHL, according to the Post. Forsberg played for a team with several Swedish NHL stars in their 11-4 victory over Swedish Elite League club Luleo in his first game since the Avalanche were eliminated from the playoffs in April. Doctors jn Sweden previously told C Forsberg his foot needs several months of rehabilitation before he can play hockey again. We'll keep an eye on the situation.
Colorado signed Marek Svatos to a two-year deal worth $4.1 million, according to the Rocky Mountain News. The Avalanche avoided a scheduled arbitration hearing by signing him. Francois Giguere said, "Marek Svatos has been a key ingredient to our success the last few years. He’s scored many big goals for this club and we expect him to be a strong force for us again this season."
Our View:This was a key signing for Colorado, as he contributed 26 goals (and 11 assists) over 62 games to the club last season.
Former member of the Avalanche Riku Hahl has signed a two-year deal with Frolunda HC of the Swedish Elite League, according to the AP.
Our View:Hahl spent the previous two seasons with Timra IK and last played in the NHL in 2003-04. He said, "I needed a new challenge as a player. I had several good offers to choose from, but when Frolunda came up as an alternative, I jumped on it right away. Frolunda is one of Europe’s best clubs."
