Maloof’s got NHL stars in his Palms

The revered Stanley Cup has a return engagement in Las Vegas next year, and it's back by popular demand.

The National Hockey League has agreed to hold its marquee postseason event -- the NHL Awards -- at the Palms for a third year in a row.

Palms owner George Maloof couldn't be happier with the explosion of interest that turned tonight's event into a sellout.

"I can gauge interest from the calls I get from people wanting tickets. This one is right up there," Maloof said.

The Stanley Cup, after two days on display at the Palms, will make a dramatic appearance on the red carpet today between 3 and 4 p.m.

Maloof was a little secretive about how that will transpire, saying only that "it will be walked in."

He said the cup holds an almost mythic appeal with fans.

"Players talk about winning the Super Bowl or the NBA championship or the World Series. In hockey you talk about winning the Stanley Cup," Maloof said.

The public is invited to attend the red carpet festivities

The show is being aired on VERSUS in the United States and on CBC in Canada. VERSUS HD is on 738 in Las Vegas (non HD is 38).

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The claws came out on the red carpet at Vegas magazine's seventh anniversary party Saturday at Surrender nightclub and Encore Beach Club. Witnesses said a local female entertainment writer was told she was not welcome by a local co-host and former colleague. The event featured TV reality stars Kim and Kourtney Kardashian as co-hosts. The bad blood between the two journalists came as a surprise to most of the red carpet reporters. ...

Regis Philbin hosts the two-hour Daytime Emmy Awards show Sunday on CBS (KLAS-TV, Channel 8, 9-11 p.m. tape delayed). Nominees include Wayne Brady of "Let's Make a Deal." The show will feature performances by Las Vegas entertainers, including the company of Disney's "The Lion King," Donny Osmond, the Blue Man Group, cast members of "Jersey Boys" and Cirque du Soleil, and the showgirls of "Jubilee."

SIGHTINGS

Philadelphia Flyers star Mike Richards, having lunch at Simon at Palms Place on Tuesday. ... Sean Astin, who played the lead in "Rudy" and Samwise Gamgee in "Lord of the Rings," stopped in N9NE Steakhouse (Palms) on Monday. ... Also there: former Pittsburgh Penguins head coach Eddie Olczyk. ... Snoop Dogg, singing "Who Am I (What's My Name)" with Del Frisco's piano player Lawrence Kubica on Monday night. After the family birthday party for Snoop's daughter, the party moved to a suite at the Palms, where N9NE Steakhouse chef Barry Dakake arrived with a birthday cake. Earlier, the group attended "Viva Elvis" at Aria (CityCenter). ... NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman, drinking beer Monday at The Country Club (Wynn). ... Spotted among the 500-plus at the first Vegas ShowBiz party at LAX (Luxor) on Monday: local entertainers Clint and Kelly Clinton Holmes, Gordie Brown, Josh Strickland, Amazing Johnathan, Psychic Tanya, Larry G Jones, "Peep Show" dancers, cast members from "Bite," Frankie Scinta, Kevin Burke, Jeff McBride and hosts Gerry McCambridge, Marc Savard, Andy Walmsley and David Hasselhoff's ex, Catherine Hickland, with her boyfriend, Todd Fisher, Debbie Reynolds' son.

THE PUNCH LINE

"So yesterday in L.A. we had the big Lakers victory parade. Or as it's called in Spanish, Sinko de Celtics." -- Jay Leno

Norm Clarke can be reached at (702) 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.