Jeff Shumway, the CEO of the Phoenix Coyotes, told the Canadian press about how the attitude in Phoenix is going to change.  Shumway says there will no longer be a "country club atmosphere" around the NHL franchise.

Shumway also says that the hockey people really screwed up, making several ill advised trades over the objection of coach Wayne Gretzky.  Shumway says " over the course of the past 12 months, trades have been made and decisions made that Wayne voiced his opinion against, but they were done anyway," Shumway said. "If Wayne had been making all those decisions, then he should be taking some heat, but the reality is Wayne hasn't had that involvement.." Thus, Shumway reasons Gretzky should be held harmless for the Coyotes having the 29th worst record in the NHL this season.  That's why, Shumway says, the hockey staff was canned last week.

Well, wait just a minute, there Jeffy.  Not only is The Great One the coach, he's an owner and the team's managing partner.  So, some suit in the front office wanted to make a trade, Gretzky said "don't do it" and the guy did it anyway?  If that's true, Wayne should have axed the guy on the spot.  There is no way Gretzky gets a free pass here.  He's the only coach in the league with that much power yet he chose not to use it? There's your liability, Jeffy. 

I know that anyone who is a hockey fan loves and appreciates Wayne Gretzky.  But it is what it is.  And what it is in Phoenix is a mess.  And a lot of that mess is on the shoulders of the greatest hockey player of all time.

Lightning Round

• What a great night to be a White Sox fan.  Mark Buehrle, who probably won't be with the Sox beyond this year, pitched a masterful, two-hour five minute no hitter against the Texas Rangers. Buehrle probably needs to buy a cold one for third baseman Joe Crede who made a spectacular diving play to his right in the third inning.  Crede dove for the ball, got up and just did get Jerry Hairston Jr. at first base.  Hairston was so enraged by the call, he got tossed from the game. The Sox have been in a fog most of the season and perhaps Wednesday night's game will snap them out of it.  All three of the elements that helped them win the World Series two years ago were there last night: Dominant starting pitching, outstanding clutch defense and timely hitting.  The Sox conclude their series with the Rangers tonight before opening a weekend series with the Tigers in Detroit.
• Sox outfielder Scott Podsednik has an abductor muscle problem after being injured in an agility drill.  I guess he isn't very agile, is he?
• In the chase for Lord Stanley's Cup, the blueshirts break out the brooms and send the Thrash back to Dixie.  Bob Harley, thanks for playing, hope your next gig is as good. In the other Eastern Conference game last night, Buffalo took a three games to one lead over the Islanders which should surprise no one.
  
• The Predators go down three games to one to the Sharks.  The Predators have had very little help from the guys they were depending to go deep into the playoffs.  Peter Forsberg and Jason Arnott have been invisible almost the entire series.  And, as I said in my playoff preview, the Sharks seem to out muscle the Preds at every turn.  The Preds have no big guy to stand in front of the net and dominate.  And, unfortunately for them, they drew a team they can out skate, but not push around. You know the Preds have given up if Wynonna Judd sings the anthem before the next game in Nashville. 
• On a night where the first no-hitter of the year was thrown, your worldwide leader had on NBA basketball on the mother ship and boxing on ESPN2.  "Baseball Tonight" did not air until after midnight eastern time and after 11pm in the Midwest.  ESPN, your worldwide leader in irrelevant sports.
• The NFL has no sense of humor as far as protecting their sponsors is concerned.  I don't think the fine fits the crime as $100,000 for the wrong hat is silly when prior to Roger Goodell you had convicted felons still on active rosters.
  
• NASCAR reaches out to the Va. Tech campus.  Classy move, guys.
• The NCAA has re-upped all 32 bowl games, three of which will actually be worth watching.
• If you had April 18th in the "When Does King Felix Get Hurt" pool, congratulations.  Please pick up your prize at the door.
• Columbus President/GM Doug McLean gets his Blue Jacket repossessed after six years of failure. Yet Chicago Blackhawks VP Bob Pulford marches blindly on after almost thirty years of failure.
  
• Our friends at "Kissing Suzy Kolber" are very, very funny.
• ABC's Brian Ross has the wrong gig.  He needs to work for National Enquirer.  He's about that accurate.
• Promoters in  Serbia want to have 300 horses doped so they are not disturbed during an upcoming Rolling Stones concert.  The animal rights people are fighting them. Mr. Ed says "bring it on."
  
• A woman is claiming that Chris Rock is the father of her 13 year-old son.  Nice of you to tell us, ma'am. Why would you wait 13 years to tell someone he fathered your child.  Perhaps she needed help with the Bar Mitzvah.
  
• The democrats are lining up to kiss Al Sharpton's ass.  Not bad for a guy who the liberal media keeps insisting has no real power.
  
• A recent survey reveals that you get a better buzz from chocolate than from kissing.  If it's just the same to you, I'd much rather sleep with a woman that a kit-kat bar.