"[Pronger's] a tough player and an aggressive player," Ottawa Senators defenseman Luke Richardson said to TSN on Friday. "[There's] probably a double standard, I think sometimes if you are a superstar you might get a little bit of a benefit of the doubt, but also works against you that if he plays and he's a repeat offender, sometimes that might work against you, too."

Favoritism? Um yeah. That's why guys like Hatcher and Pronger can get away with shit all the time and no-names get suspended frequently. Just ask Jordin Tootoo.

After NHL's second review of tape, Pronger suspended 8 games

The Canadian ownership group also alleges Bettman directed Predators owner Craig Leipold to focus on closing a deal with William "Boots" Del Biaggio III, who is the front man for a group trying to bring an NHL team to Kansas City.

"We were advised by Mr. Leipold that the commissioner had found out about the existence of the negotiations and ordered him to immediately cease any further communications with us," Balsillie's legal representative, Richard Rodier, told ESPN.com this week.

In a series of e-mails obtained by ESPN.com, Leipold and Rodier discuss Bettman's alleged involvement in the breaking off of negotiations between the two sides and the commissioner's uneasiness with the prospect of a deal being signed between the two parties.

Here we go. The Preds aren't leaving Nashville. And since the Canadian Conspiracy thought they had this wrapped up with a bow on it, now they're reacting with much anger and vigilance.

Bettman accused of steering Predators sale talks

"I have a little bit of a pet peeve, more with the Canadian media out west," Trotz said the other day. "They tend to come in and think that we shouldn't be in the league. They did that with Tampa Bay and they did that with Carolina, and all I know is that those two teams won Stanley Cups. … I have dual citizenship, U.S. and Canadian, but my pet peeve more with the Canadian market is they don't want to let go of [hockey]. We have the best game in the world. And we tend to not want to let it go. We always want to go back to the six-team [or] Canadian [arguments], and I'm like, 'Come on, we've got a great game.'

Looks like Trotz is finally starting to speak out about the NHL conspiracy. And yes, the Predators are one of the funnest teams to watch play in addition to being the best in the league.

No one should be surprised by Trotz, Preds

%22I think, unfortunately, it has a little bit to do with our market,%22 Trotz said. %22When you think of Nashville, hockey is not the first thing that comes to your mind. I know I get frustrated sometimes with the Canadian media that don't give us a lot of respect. They can't understand that there's good hockey teams in Tampa and Nashville and Carolina and places like that. I am Canadian, so it does bother me.

Trotz knows of the 'conspiracy' I speak about, but isn't willing to quite 'go there'.

Trotz sees bias against Predators

"To be able to share a week in the NHL with your dad is an absolutely phenomenal thing," Babcock said.

Awesome! What a great idea!

Dads invited to join Wings on road

But Yzerman has had the rare ability to assess himself and his role in the game without sentiment. He has gone from a player who recorded seven straight seasons of 100 points or more, to a player who learned to lead a team by blocking shots and killing penalties.

God Bless You Steve Yzerman!

Burnside: Yzerman's happy return

"I told him not to come to St. Louis from Los Angeles and that (Blues coach Mike) Keenan was an idiot. He said (Keenan) wouldn't be an idiot once he got there. I said, 'He'll never change.'

I'm gonna miss Brett when he finally does retire.

Classic Brett Hull

Was Granato among the top 10 forwards on the team? Yes, and it wasn't even close. When she is on the ice, you know something smart and creative is going to happen. But, even if it were close, you wouldn't do this to an icon, especially when this person represents the Olympics ideal; especially when that person is so selfless and classy, not to mention a marketer's dream.

As Bailey said, Granato is "the glue to the team."

How can you cut Cammi? Insane.

Buccigross: Team USA's 'disgusting' decision

This dude jumped the Great Wall on his skateboard. Next stop, Springfield Gorge!

The Official Site of Danny Way | Photos

Also, as part of the deal, Comcast now must carry the NHL Network -- previously available only in Canada -- on its digital-tier subscriber packages. Games on OLN will be shown in high-definition TV

THANK GOD!!!

OLN-NHL venture could lead to competition for ESPN