Michael Russo's short takes: Nov. 15

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: November 14, 2009 - 11:31 PM

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On Steve Ott's blindside hit on the Wild's Petr Sykora, the NHL said it could not consider disciplinary action because there was no good camera angle on the Dallas heavy hitter. That's hogwash.

KSTC's angles were clear as day and replayed on the telecast, but the NHL had no clue of this fact. As usual, the league decided to save money and take an inferior feed (Dallas cable) into its Toronto headquarters rather than the Wild's over-the-air feed that had several more cameras, and high-definition ones at that.

The same thing happened last Jan. 3 when the NHL took Detroit's feed, which didn't have the clear angle showing Johan Franzen scoring a tying goal over the crossbar against the Wild.

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Team Canada recently had a meeting to discuss the 46 players, including struggling Wild defenseman Brent Burns, invited to Olympic orientation camp last summer. "I don't know if we crossed people off the list, but we prioritized a group that we are going to continue to watch," coach Mike Babcock said.

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At Edmonton's recent Halloween party, Andrew Cogliano went as Dany Heatley, who wouldn't waive his no-trade clause to join the Oilers last summer. Dustin Penner went as "No-Trade [Santa] Clause."

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