Paul Mara, huh? Interesting. He was pretty badly injured last year, and I think it seriously affected his game. Will be interesting to see how he does this year.
Since the pick sent to Anaheim is the one we got for Lapierre along with Festerling, this amounts to a trade for Mara and Festerling for Lapierre. Doesn’t seem to bad to me.
I think the Habs are a tentative buyer; they aren’t going to make a major move, but I think there will be another trade or two. Overall, this team is doing much better than last year’s version, which went to the ECF, and depending upon the prognosis of some of our injured players, a good playoff run is possible. Gill and Cammalleri are supposed to be back soon, though I don’t know how long Spacek will be out. I’m still mourning Markov and Gorges, though. I want them back!
The Habs organization is a fortress of silence, and Pierre Gauthier never lets anything slip - not even “we are looking for X type of player” banter with media/anyone who might report it to the media. The local analysts have talked about Arnott. I’ve heard Penner, Niel, Hemsky, Phillips, even Richards, Kaberle, Kovalev but really, it’s anyone’s guess what he might do (though some are highly unlikely). I don’t think anyone would have predicted re-acquiring Mara.
The kids are doing rather well; doing more than holding down the fort while the veterans are injured. I don’t know how much I’d mess around with the current roster, but then again, it’s not like I know what I’m doing!
I’m sick to my stomach about Kelly and Fisher gone. I don’t want to see my boy Ruutu go. But trading Neil is unacceptable. He’s the heart and soul of this team, deserves a ‘C’ more than Spezza. Kelly was worth more than a draft pick to the Senators, and that goes doubly for Neil.
Gary Bettman isn’t sure he wants to hold the next Winter Classic at Michigan Stadium.. In case you were unaware, The Big Chill between U of M and MSU set a record for the largest outdoor hockey game in all of ever. Sure it would seem like a good idea to grab that big a crowd for an NHL game, but you aren’t thinking the way Bettman thinks.
As an added bonus, click the link for a picture of Gary Bettmans “O” face.
It’s ridiculous. Everyone knows Detroit’s not a hockey market. Obviously the next outdoor classic should take place in Glendale.
Also, I just found out Ruutu got traded to Anaheim for a 6th rounder. I’m kinda pissed. But as a consolation, Francois Lessard is coming up. You thought the Islanders were calling up farm team goons?! You ain’t seen nothing yet.
He doesn’t think the Winter Classic should be held at Michigan Stadium because classes won’t be in session?
Bettmann thinks he needs college students to sell tickets to? What college student has enough money to go the Winter Classic?
Now if the game is held on January 2, going up against a UM bowl game, I guess that might have an effect on attendance. But I don’t think the NHL would have any problem selling tickets to a one time event such as the Winter Classic even if something crazy happened and UM made the Rose Bowl.
This one makes sense, though. One of two ways. They’re looking for a long term cheap starting goalie while the stadium is half empty. If they’re not playoff contenders, don’t spend money on Vokoun or Bryzgalov.
But dammit, he’s a UFA. Murray better plan on flipping him again before the end of the month. A desperate team might give us more for him on February 28th.
Unconfirmed reports that he’s out for up to 4 weeks with facial fractures after blocking a Taylor Hall shot with his face.
First we lost Markov, then got him back, then lost him again, then got him back, which is why we traded away O’Byrne because we had too many defencement, then lost him again. Then we lost Gorges, which is why we picked up Wisniewski. We lost Gill for a few games, and now Spacek is out - and it sounds like it might be bad, and now this.
Our D now consists of Roman Hamrlik, who is awesome, but is playing 25+ minutes a game at the age of 37. Alexandre Picard, a perennial journeyman and good 6th defenseman. And a bunch of rookies. PK Subban has played nearly 30 minutes a game for the past 2, and he’s amazing, but that’s a little fucked up when you realize he’s eligible for the Calder. Yanick Weber is improving, but also an NHL rookie. Nash is a recent call-up, good for a handful of minutes a game, but hardly a replacement for any of the missing guys. Mara is ready to play, but didn’t get his equipment in time for last night’s game, so that will help.
But damn that’s a depleted blue line!
Add the fact that Cammalleri still isn’t back and the team is kind of having serious trouble scoring. sigh
I have to say that as a Caps season ticket holder it is exciting because you never know what you are going to get. Before each game they apparently spin a wheel to select their level of effort. The “team” that beat Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh a couple of weeks ago look like legitimate contenders. Then we got the “team” that lost to the Kings last week.
Word is with the Kaberle deal gone by, MTL is the last possible stop for Phillips. I’d love to see that happen. If he wants to come back Keith Tckachuck style in the offseason, at a huge pay cut, that would be fine by me.
