Snapshots: Vegas’ Fake Nicknames, Leafs Logo, Cervenka

NHL.com’s Nick Cotsonika reports that much of the hubbub over Las Vegas purported nicknames are a clever trick played by owner Bill Foley. While Cotsonika jokingly referred to them as the “Red Herrings,” Foley admitted that some of the names–Sand Knights specifically–were a clever ruse to “irritate” some people. To quote Foley:

“I found I had to be very, very careful about what I said, because as soon as I mentioned a direction, then everyone picked up on it,” he said. “It would get in the news and then people would start filing domain name registrations for that particular name. That’s why I’ve been kind of circumspect lately. It’s been interesting. It’s been fun too.”

Foley indicates that he knows the top choice, as well as the secondary choice, and admitted that he never reached out to the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League to talk about a Knights moniker for Vegas. Further, Foley wants a nickname with two words.

In other NHL news:

• The Maple Leafs unveiled their new logo at center ice–a change for the first time in 45 years. Everything old is new again as the Leafs selected to redesign the classic Leafs emblem used from the 1940’s through the 60’s. CBC notes that logo, with slight alterations to give it a sharper look, is a throwback to the most successful years of Leafs hockey from 1963-1967.
• Former Calgary Flames forward Roman Cervenka will take David Krejci’s spot on the Czech Republic squad for the World Cup of Hockey. Cervenka played one season with the Flames during the 2012-13 season and has since played in the KHL and Czech league. NBC’s Adam Gretz writes that while he means no offense to Cervenka, he’s unlikely to match the impact Krejci would have had for the Czech Republic.