He had a better chance at the cup with NY, but Mats Sundin decided Vancouver was the place to hang out, and Vancouver has 10 million to blow (about 6 million now). The question is this: how will this affect the rest of the league, will it be a showdown as GM's pull trades. Let the landslide begin.
So many bloggers are wondering out loud why Sean Avery was suspended six games for his 'sloppy seconds' outburst in front of the media in Calgary Tuesday. According to TSN the Dallas Stars may have shut the Avery door permanently (someone internally will get backlash for even bringing him in the first place), and rightly so. Dallas bloggers want to get on with it but do suggest the suspension was too long.
Seems as though fans are stuffing the box. Detroit and Montreal, although good, have benefited from over-zealous fans stuffing NHL ballot boxes online to get their favorite team exclusive in at all positions. Don't let it happen. Here's the latest results at this time, Crosby and Iginla, and Phaneuf have challenged, go vote for them!
We welcome first time blogger Nathan to FlamesForum.com. He'll be posting a Flames article soon but for starters here's a bit on Sundin. If you'd like to blog for FlamesForum.com visit our 'Join the team' page and learn more. Here's Nathan....
Should Mats Sundin make up his mind? Yes, definitely.
I bet Mats is actually using a Magic 8 Ball to decide his hockey future. I can picture it. Sundin is in his house in Sweden furnished by IKEA (Do lots of people in Sweden furnish their homes with IKEA products? I’m very curious to find out) and I see Mats staring intently. Concentrating. Channeling his thoughts. Praying this will be the day the Ball will finally give us the answer we’re all waiting for… “Magic 8 Ball? Should I play hockey this season?” Mats gives the all knowing Ball a strong/firm shake. He stops abruptly. Closes his eyes. Gathers composure. He then, slowly rotates the ball to reveal his outcome.
- Ask again later -
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This is how the NHL owners messed up the first time (actually, not for the first time.) Players who didn't deserve big contracts were for some reason being overpaid. What this does in the simplest terms is put marginal players at a premium thereby driving the whole salary expectations for all players up. At the end of the day, players hold out for more money, owners pay it out, and 5 years from now we wonder why there's a lockout. The only difference this time around is a 'salary cap' exists restricting the money teams can shell out (or it would be a free for all for rich teams.)
That begs the question, "who's overpriced" and who will become "overpaid" in the free agent market set to open July 1st. One thing is for sure, nobody is 'overpriced' if the team is worth spending the money. Take the case of Ryan Malone, a 51 point getter in a 'break out' season for the Penguins last season.
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OK fine, we'll get on the Dion and Elisha fun. The two started dating in May (or perhaps before) and have been seen frolicking in Hawaii.
The legendary theme song that started all CBC NHL hockey broadcasts was quickly usurped by competitor CTV today. CBC tried to milk money from the granny composer (or actually the reverse, they probably didn't pay her), and CTV gobbled up the opportunity.
More details here.
Post your thoughts. Anybody going to enter the CBC contest for a new song?
Just in time for Valentine's day I thought we'd show you the lighter side of hockey--the lovin. It's time we divulge the worst kept secret in the NW division. Zack Stortini, 'tough guy' for the Edmonton Oilers, is hands down the crappiest lover in the NHL. Need proof? Take a look at the way she fought against Calgary.
The Calgary Flames took the second installment of this year's Battle of Alberta (BoA), but for some reason swept under the rug of the victory was the blatant hit to head by Raffi Torres. The refs didn't see the play and called a tripping penalty, but replays clearly show an intentional blow to the head with the intent to injure offered by Torres.
David Moss was skating through the offensive zone when was he blindsided in the head with Torres' shoulder. Moss played one more shift and then left the game. If the NHL is really serious about 'hits to the head' then intentional hits like these need to be punished. Your thoughts on the hit?
Interesting piece coming out of Philly pertaining to the lengthy suspensions of Downie and Boulerice. I for one agree. Although I think the suspension length is fine, Bertuzzi still got away scott free for his punch which was worse than both Philly hits combined. He missed 20 games where Downie and Boulerice miss 25. That's why Americans think hockey is a joke--it's because it is. No system or standard has ever been created nor ever will be with the current regime.
Ah well, long live the hits to the head.
Technorati Tags: boulerice, downie, philadelphia flyers
