Back to where it all started. Today, Theo Fleury will be reporting to the Calgary Flames and Coach Sutter. This will be a fitting new beginning for Theo as Calgary is where he started his career and had his best years.
Will this be a sad swan song or truly remarkable comeback for the pint size pit bull?
Theo I wish you well and hope that hockey does not cloud your more important goals in life.
As if goalies didn't have a tough enough job concentrating. Poor Chris Mason is trying to stay focused as this smoking hot Blue Jacket Ice Girl struts her stuff in front of him. This lovely lady is the Red Line Ice Girl of the Month.
Now that I just got in from doing cart wheels on the front lawn I've started to worry about what tomorrow might bring. You see my hockey loving friends, tomorrow is the day the New York Rangers historically do long term damage to their franchise. UFA signing day is a historical low point for this original 6 franchise for the past, oh 15 years.
If you don't believe me, google the following:
Theo Fleury
Valerie Kamensky
Sylvain Lefebvre
Stephane Quintal
Bobby Holik
Wade Redden
Vladimir Malakhov
That's just naming a few.
So here's a scary quote from the cigar smoking fogey: “We’ve got lots of cap room now, and it opens lots of options.”
Oh yeh Glen, you haven't forgotten about Wade Redden?
So with Glen freeing up approximately 7 million in cap space i liken it to giving teenagers whiskey and car keys.
Please Glen no, don't enter the deep end of the UFA pool. Instead figure out how to dump Redden or Rosie for a ripped hockey bag.
Ok, first its my birthday today and wow did I get a nice gift. Glen Sather absolutely ripped the Montreal Canadians off today.
Not only do my beloved Rangers get rid of $7.35 million / year for the next 5 years for a 16 goal scorer. They get Chris Higgins, age 26 and 1.85 in cap, Meh ok, he plays hard but is injury prone. I would have been happy with a couple used pucks to rid myself of Gomer's cap hit.
Slats also throws in a lousy prospect and decent 3rd line prospect in Tommy Pyatt, hard nose player.
Slats gets back a Russian kid that could turn out, a cone AND
AND
AND
The Habs #1 prospect in the system...... holy hell
Ryan Fing McDonagh, #1 pick in 2007
6-1 212 pound blue liner, plays mean and could pair with Marc Staal for the next 10 years.
From Hockey's Future:
Talent Analysis
McDonagh's key asset is his speed, which has been described by the club's director of player development and acquisition, Trevor Timmins, as "dimensional." Added to this is his ability to play an all-ice game. He's responsible in his own end and has the size to be a physical force. He combines that with an ability to contribute on the offensive end of the rink, making the smart pass and keying the rush.
Future
McDonagh has it all and is expected to play a key role in the Canadiens' fortunes for the next decade. If not a number-one blueliner, he would be considered a 1A, with the talent to easily stake a long-term claim on the first defensive pairing.
The New York Islanders have added a a top flight forward to their horrible franchise by selecting John Tavares. Garth Snow did the safe thing and went with the pride of the London Knights. Tavares will now be tasked with returning a downtrodden team from laughingstock to respectability.
Its going to be a large task for this dynamic center. Luckily the media attention on the Island will be nothing like what he's experienced in Canada. Not to mention he will only be playing in front of 8000-12,000 fans at home. Wonder if Wang will immeditately sign him to a 20 year deal?
Figure things are a bit slow and we'll roll out a GetItNext Red Line Ice Girl of the Month. This month we nominate this lovely hottie from the Chicago Blackhawks.
Talk about one of the most impressive series in some time! Whenever it goes to game seven, you know that it’s going to be a hard fought game with big hits, big saves, and big goals.
I honestly thought that no one could beat the Detroit Red Wings this year considering they had Pavel Datsyuk, Kris Draper, Henrik Zetterberg, Marian Hossa, Chris Chelios, Niklas Lidstrom, and Brian Rafalski! But the sheer determination exhibited by the Pittsburgh Penguins had over-ridden all of the talent Detriot had to offer. On another note, it’s great to see Sidney Crosby with a Stanley Cup on his resume already, being the youngest captain to hoist the Cup. Crosby and Malkin were truly amazing throughout the entire series. If you are a Penguins fan, you can find great deals on Penguins memorabilia here at GetItNext!
Regardless of whether the Rangers win this series against the Washington Capitals or not I will feel positive about one thing. The core group of home grown drafted New York Rangers are really starting to stand out. This group includes Korpikoski, Hank, Dubinsky, Callahan, Staal, and Girardi. Shift after shift these players bring hustle, intensity and moxie which is more than I can say for the veterans. During this first round playoff series this group has been carrying the play for the Rangers. Now what this also says is the hired guns are failing miserably.
Yes I mean you Scott Gomez, Naslund, Zheradev, Wade Redden, Derek Morris, Andropov and to a lesser degree Chris Drury (injured). Each and every one of these overpaid vets needs to look in the mirror and start playing with some passion.
