Never expect Johnny in the office on NHL free agency day

Or trading deadline day for that matter. Free agency dawns and Johnny's Red Wings are doing what they do (Alfredsson and Weiss) while the Newark team took a big chance (concussion issues) on a good player in Ryane Clowe. While Johnny won't mention that team as long as Mr. Lockout Jeff Vanderbeek owns them (that may change soon and Johnny can stop holding his breath like a child) we hope that Clowe is able to rebound from the concussions. Nobody should lose a career to an injury. Sure it's the nature of sport that any game or play could be your last but the head shots in the NHL are a disgrace and the penalties and suspensions, while tougher, still are too weak.

If at some point in the next five years there are rumbling about the Devils packing up and leaving...

...remember when you read this story. This is how these deals with city governments go all cattywumpus and feelings get hurt and cities can't pony up so owners look for greener pastures.

Yesterday the City of Newark took one on the chin over an arbitration case that had been festering for over a decade. Now it seems (and read the article it's far too involved to bring in all the pertinent points without just reprinting it) the City of Newark will owe the Devils and owner Jeff Vanderbeek $2.7 million a year in parking monies all while the Devils pay $3 million a year in lease costs at the Prudential Center. Newark sees less money, they're already horribly strapped, Mayor Cory Booker tries to reopen negotiations and gets rebuffed. Over the next few years the city's cost will increase to actually more than they take in from the Devils.

That's when rumors about moving to Portland Oregon or Seattle Washington begin. And before you say "no way everyone has too much invested in Devils hockey" ask yourself where the Colorado Rockies, the ORIGINAL Colorado Rockies, are today.

Live on the Jersey City Desk, it's Hockey Night in Newark

Johnny's using the good seats tonight to head out to The Rock and get a look at the 2011-12 Devils. They'll be playing an exciting up-and-comer in the Western Conference, the Los Angeles Kings. Expect some well-paced transitional hockey tonight kids. Whichever team capitalizes on neutral zone turnovers has a huge edge, these are fast skating teams and can quickly convert turnovers.

Whatever the score we'll be back with a full account of the Devils and Kings with pictures in living color.