The NHL's predicament got a little more dire on Saturday, with ESPN announcing that they would not pick up their $60-million US option to televise games next season (if, indeed, there is a next season). The league can now negotiate with any network, including ESPN, who would probably be willing to negotiate a new deal, but for much less money. The headline of the article, "NHL left with deals with NBC, CBC and TSN," seems fairly cocky ("left" being suggestive of inadequacy amongst the remaining networks), but is still accurate: without a big American contract, Gary Bettman's dream (read: pipe dream) of getting the entire U.S. of A. excited about hockey is headed down the tubes. Pass the Draino!

Holy plumbing allusions, Batman.

Finally, if my previous post didn't make you watch the Memorial Cup semi-final tonight, which saw 11 goals - 3 coming from the phenomenon that is Sidney Crosby - then do yourself a huge favour: WATCH THE FINAL. It comes Sunday at 4 pm ET on Rogers Sportsnet, and will definitely be worth your while, if you are any kind of a hockey fan. Enjoy.