This is the first blog i've written in a loooong while. So bare with me.
The one thing i have been dying to talk about is the Calgary Flames off-season pick ups. Olli Jokinen, was a distraction in the locker room and not a team player according to the Flames when they traded him to the Rangers at the deadline last season. I wonder what changed in a handful of games on another team? Apparently a lot, they brought him back. Another former Flame is back as well, Alex Tanguay. Now he did pretty good his last go with the team. Darryl Sutters reasoning for bringing the two back: They were under too much pressure with the big contracts they had playing there the first time around. Lame excuse! I'm still not sure of the thinking on this. Iggy and Jokinen had very little chemistry the whole time they played together, they won't have it this year either. Why they settled for these two guys without going and pursuing some of the other talents, i'm not sure. They are no further ahead then they were last year. In fact i'd have to say they are worse. They have all the crap from the Leafs and Rangers along with the same team (and a few rookies) they did last year. Great job Sutters!!!! Get out of town.
Steve Yzerman is the new GM of the Lightning. I was a little surprised he took this job. I guess though you got Vinny, St. Louis and Steven Stamkos, Hedman. That's a decent core to build around. They now have two potential starters in Ellis and Smith. At least when ones sucking it up the other will hopefully be able to step up. The one move I am very impressed with is the Simon Gagne trade. Get a talented guy for a 5th round draft pick, what a steal of a deal! For the lightnings sake, he'd better stay healthy, even if he plays half the games, a 5th round draft pick!!!!!!!!
Lets talk about the Stanley Cup champs! They had to win it this year or it was over. With in the first week after they won, Stan Bowman was dismantling his team. The problem i see with this is.......he traded away a bunch of the guys who were the big reason they won the cup. Byfuglien and Versteeg were integral parts of the playoff run. Think of Claude Lemieux, he was quiet during the season but during the playoffs that's the guy you wanted on your team. That is the same with these two. Byfuglien had 11 goals, 5 of them were game winners. Every game Versteeg scored the Hawks won. Pierre McGuire seems to think the Hawks will be a dynasty. I have a hard time believing that. Another thing I can't believe is WHY, Bowman matched the offer from the Sharks for Hjalmarsson? REALLY?!?!??! You traded Versteeg at 3 mill a year cuz you couldn't afford his contract, yet you keep a guy who is more then replaceable for over 3 mill a year. COME ON!!!!! Its ok i'm more then ok having Kris on my team!
Serves Devils and Kovalchuck right on the rejection of his 17 year contract! I'm glad the league finally put its foot down. I just wish they would have made a statement with Rick DiPietro's contract a few years ago for 15 years. I understand why they try to stretch it out, i mean if you can manipulate the cap for it to work in your favour why not. But this was just ridiculous, the guy isn't going to play for 17 more years, he'll be 44, its possible, look at Chris Chelios. I just don't believe this guy loves the game to play that long, he loves the money.
That's all i got for now, i'll try to write again at some point :) When something strikes my fancy.
