Bartnick offers Deep Thoughts from Super Bowl Halftime Player wellness has become a business decision?

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10 of my hockey thoughts during the long Super Bowl halftime.

  1. The 2024 All Star weekend was the best All-Star weekend in a generation. All three games were competitive. The first game was so realistic Sidney Crosby’s team blew a two- goal lead in the third period. If a million dollar makes these care it was money well spent. Stick tap for Connor McDavid for competing in the skills competition. He could have pulled a Lebron.
  2. Anyone who had a problem with Crosby missing the ASG player draft is vindictive and petty. Sid has given the NHL more respect than the league has ever given him. Crosby has carried the NHL and still does with nothing but class. In this case Sid gave a youngster the thrill of a lifetime as well by being his stand in.
  3. The Penguins should keep Jake Guentzel. Why not keep Crosby’s favorite linemate? As soon as they move Guentzel they will be looking for another winger to play with Crosby. The Penguins should move Reilly Smith, Rickard Rakell and Ryan Graves. Although it may be difficult to find takers for Rakell and Graves.
  4. Is Ray Bourque renting his place in Denver to Zach Parise. Parise needs a place to stay while chasing his Stanley Cup in Colorado like Bourque did.
  5. If what we know about the Corey Perry incident in Chicago is true, the Blackhawks are guilty of horrible asset management.
  6. The Oilers signing Corey Perry was shrewd move for GM Ken Holland. Holland’s Hall of Fame career has taken a hit in Edmonton but this signing is a win.
  7. If the NHL puts a team in Salt Lake City Winnipeg has a chance to climb out of the basement in the cities players hate to visit polls. Please route teams to Salt Lake City before Vegas. After Vegas is cruel. Players will get the DTs.
  8. I think Morgan Reilly’s response to Ridly Greig ‘s euthanistic empty netter was excessive but I enjoyed seeing fire in the eyes of a Toronto Maple Leaf star. Jake McCabe is not a star.
  9. Am I the only one who sees NHL teams weaponizing the Player Wellness program for salary cap purposes?
  10. It’s been available for a while now, but I want to thank whoever got the NHL Network on JetBlue’s Direct TV package.