But I think it's time to chill out. Look at this mysterious engraving of a Renaissance astronomer/astrologer (they went hand in hand in those days) by Albrecht Dürer and tell me what secret Ninth Gate-esque symbols you can find:
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
My.
If you haven't read the epic battle in the comments section beneath Big Shooter's rant against Hockey News writer Rory Boylen, in which Rory Boylen showed up to defend himself against the Chronicle's bluster, do so now. Surely the greatest comments thread in Chronicle history.
But I think it's time to chill out. Look at this mysterious engraving of a Renaissance astronomer/astrologer (they went hand in hand in those days) by Albrecht Dürer and tell me what secret Ninth Gate-esque symbols you can find:
But I think it's time to chill out. Look at this mysterious engraving of a Renaissance astronomer/astrologer (they went hand in hand in those days) by Albrecht Dürer and tell me what secret Ninth Gate-esque symbols you can find:
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Hockey News Tool...
OK, now I don't normally condone sending e-mails to out of town sports writers that know nothing about the Thrashers, but I can't help myself sometimes. Take this douche bag for instance. He hints that the Thrash are only trying to please Kovalchuk, and that the moves of Antropov and Kubina are not upgrades...
Have at 'em boys.
His title of the article is,"Thrashers Shouldn't Put Kovalchuck Ahead of Team". So if we are taking our friend "Rory's" (Hey Pat, give me one more "R" in that first name if you don't mind) opinion, trading a beloved, but slow footed D-man for a BIG upgrade, and signing a nearly 30 goal scorer to fill a GAPING hole on the right wing is done merely just to, "please Kovalchuk"... GIVE ME A FU$#*NK break "RORY"!!!!!
Here is a glimpse into the great article "Rory" has written:
"Kovalchuk is a dynamic player whose caliber doesn’t come around often, but if he is unwilling to commit to the team, I’m not sure the GM should be committing the team to him. If Atlanta struggles again next year despite Waddell’s efforts, Kovy will be gone and the Thrashers will be a misfit team without direction."
BIG SHOOTER WILL BE THE FIRST ONE TO THROW THESE WORDS BACK IN RORY'S FACE WHEN KOVY SIGNS AN 8 YEAR CONTRACT IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS!!!!
Come on folks... the only way to stop this BS is to call them on it. Send an e-mail to our friend "Rory" and let him know how you feel. I can't find his e-mail on the site (I'm waaay too dumb for that kind of thing), but I will keep looking. A quick check of his hockey background says he is the following:
"With The Hockey News since 2007, Rory Boylen is the web content specialist of THN.com. A certified minor hockey referee for 10 years and a pesky center, he grew up with a rink in his backyard. His duties include editing and helping generate content for the site."
One look at his picture shows him to be a total Weenie.
Pesky, eh? Well, then he shouldn't mind our outrage if he is "pesky" should he?
Go get em...
***Update***
Another quick check of "Rory's" blog shows an article titled: "Islanders should explore trading Tavares"... Nuff said.
*** Update 2***
A second look at "Rory's" blog shows another article titled: "Feeling Sorry For Hossa"... perhaps this asshat isn't even worth the e-mail...
Have at 'em boys.
His title of the article is,"Thrashers Shouldn't Put Kovalchuck Ahead of Team". So if we are taking our friend "Rory's" (Hey Pat, give me one more "R" in that first name if you don't mind) opinion, trading a beloved, but slow footed D-man for a BIG upgrade, and signing a nearly 30 goal scorer to fill a GAPING hole on the right wing is done merely just to, "please Kovalchuk"... GIVE ME A FU$#*NK break "RORY"!!!!!
Here is a glimpse into the great article "Rory" has written:
"Kovalchuk is a dynamic player whose caliber doesn’t come around often, but if he is unwilling to commit to the team, I’m not sure the GM should be committing the team to him. If Atlanta struggles again next year despite Waddell’s efforts, Kovy will be gone and the Thrashers will be a misfit team without direction."
BIG SHOOTER WILL BE THE FIRST ONE TO THROW THESE WORDS BACK IN RORY'S FACE WHEN KOVY SIGNS AN 8 YEAR CONTRACT IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS!!!!
Come on folks... the only way to stop this BS is to call them on it. Send an e-mail to our friend "Rory" and let him know how you feel. I can't find his e-mail on the site (I'm waaay too dumb for that kind of thing), but I will keep looking. A quick check of his hockey background says he is the following:
"With The Hockey News since 2007, Rory Boylen is the web content specialist of THN.com. A certified minor hockey referee for 10 years and a pesky center, he grew up with a rink in his backyard. His duties include editing and helping generate content for the site."
One look at his picture shows him to be a total Weenie.
Pesky, eh? Well, then he shouldn't mind our outrage if he is "pesky" should he?
Go get em...
***Update***
Another quick check of "Rory's" blog shows an article titled: "Islanders should explore trading Tavares"... Nuff said.
*** Update 2***
A second look at "Rory's" blog shows another article titled: "Feeling Sorry For Hossa"... perhaps this asshat isn't even worth the e-mail...
May I Call You Joe?
OK, I know this blog thingy here normally focuses on the Thrashers... and that is all well and good, but we would be remiss if nothing was said of the great Joe Sakic deciding to hang up his skates. I'll be honest, I thought he would come back for one more year. Thinking he didn't want to go out with the old snow blower accident, and also because the Olympics are next year. And there is some guy named Duchene that the torch needs to be passed to... but hey, who are we to judge JOE SAKIC?!?!?! I think even our loyal Red Wing fan reader Jointhead would agree that Joe is due his... well, uh... due.
So here's to ya Joe! No one handled themselves with more class, on or off the ice, than you did. One of the true good guys. All of us at The Blueland Chronicle salute you Sir:
Another Thrashers Blog
This one written by former Thrashers beat writer John Manasso, author of Season of Loss, Lifetime of Forgiveness: The Dan Snyder and Dany Heatley Story, a book I remember being so engrossed by I read it in a single night. The now-poignant details on the young Ilya Kovalchuk waking up to the fact the Heatley-Snyder horror made the Thrashers "his team" were the best thing in the book, in my shy and retiring opinion...perhaps I should say they were my Favorite Part. Anyway, good writer, worked for something called "the Newspapers" for many years and knows all about the Thrashers! Check it out.
Obama Wants to Gay-Marry Ovechkin, Compares Him to Islamosocialist Great Poet
You know, it's things like this that keep Barry's approval rating above 55% at all times in the Peacock mansion.
Comical Moonie-owned newspaper the Washington Times (as opposed to the outright horrible Washington Post; WHY didn't they print this story?) reports:
MOSCOW -- We knew he was into basketball, but apparently President Obama keeps an eye on Washington Capitals hockey as well namely NHL MVP Alexander Ovechkin.
The Caps left wing made Mr. Obama's list of great Russian contributors to the world, along with scientists, cosmonauts and pioneers of literature such as Pushkin.
"As a resident of Washington, D.C., I continue to benefit from the contributions of Russians -- specifically, from Alexander Ovechkin. I'm very pleased to have him in Washington, D.C." Mr. Obama said, drawing a laugh from the graduating class at the New Economic School in Moscow on Tuesday.
Not only does the Pres know who Alexander Pushkin is, he knows who Alexander Ovechkin is. If he accomplishes nothing else during his administration, this will be an improvement of US America for all time.
UPDATE: Pandering to his wicked Hawaiian-Russian audience or not, HMMMMMM? Infinitely bland reporter (apparently the WaPo did cover this) and Caps fan Chuck Todd digs deeper:
Comical Moonie-owned newspaper the Washington Times (as opposed to the outright horrible Washington Post; WHY didn't they print this story?) reports:
MOSCOW -- We knew he was into basketball, but apparently President Obama keeps an eye on Washington Capitals hockey as well namely NHL MVP Alexander Ovechkin.
The Caps left wing made Mr. Obama's list of great Russian contributors to the world, along with scientists, cosmonauts and pioneers of literature such as Pushkin.
"As a resident of Washington, D.C., I continue to benefit from the contributions of Russians -- specifically, from Alexander Ovechkin. I'm very pleased to have him in Washington, D.C." Mr. Obama said, drawing a laugh from the graduating class at the New Economic School in Moscow on Tuesday.
Not only does the Pres know who Alexander Pushkin is, he knows who Alexander Ovechkin is. If he accomplishes nothing else during his administration, this will be an improvement of US America for all time.
UPDATE: Pandering to his wicked Hawaiian-Russian audience or not, HMMMMMM? Infinitely bland reporter (apparently the WaPo did cover this) and Caps fan Chuck Todd digs deeper:
Todd: You mentioned Ovechkin in there, our friend in Washington. Do you think should you have been transparent and said you've never been to a hockey game? Are you going to fix this?
Obama: The truth of the matter is is that i have watched this guy play, and he's outstanding. But you know, Chuck, I grew up in Hawaii....
Todd: Don't tell those Blackhawk fans that. You became a Bulls fan!
Obama: We have basketball [in Hawaii]. We didn't have hockey. I love watching hockey.
Monday, July 6, 2009
It Begins
Via Blueland Outsider:
Thrashers and Kovalchuk have began [sic] negotiating a long-term contract extension with the star forward..
-Andy Strickland, Twittering earlier today
Thrashers and Kovalchuk have began [sic] negotiating a long-term contract extension with the star forward..
-Andy Strickland, Twittering earlier today
Why Offer Sheets Don't Happen
It's been mentioned a time or two that while Boston is shopping Phil Kessel, and I think we'd all love to see him playing for Atlanta, the Bruins don't need what we have to give. Sadly, Atlanta is just not a viable trading partner in a potential Phil Kessel move.
There is of course another way to acquire a restricted free agent whose rights are owned by another team. That is to sign the player to an offer sheet and hope his club doesn't match the offer.
Phil Kessel is a great player and would look great on a line with the Czar. But when a team successfully swipes a player from another team via offer sheet, the "losing team" is automatically compensated according to the following criteria:
For a contract worth a yearly salary of:
$2,615,623 - $3,923,437
1st and 3rd round pick
$3,923,437 - $5,231,249
1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick
$5,231,249 - $6,539,062
Two 1st's, one 2nd, one 3rd round pick
Kessel is reportedly seeking around 5 million per year. It's likely that if a team forced Boston's hand at 5 mil per year, they'd just match the offer and the American sniper would stay with the Hub. So in order to successfully steal away Phil Kessel, a team would have to negotiate a deal worth an excess of 5.23 million per year, placing it in the final category. As good as Kessel would look in that Thrasher jersey, I don't think it'd be worth tossing away all of our draft picks for the first three rounds of next year's draft.
Alas, we'll have to resign ourselves to only cheering for Phil Kessel for two weeks in 2010 while he wears the American flag on his shoulder.
There is of course another way to acquire a restricted free agent whose rights are owned by another team. That is to sign the player to an offer sheet and hope his club doesn't match the offer.
Phil Kessel is a great player and would look great on a line with the Czar. But when a team successfully swipes a player from another team via offer sheet, the "losing team" is automatically compensated according to the following criteria:
For a contract worth a yearly salary of:
$2,615,623 - $3,923,437
1st and 3rd round pick
$3,923,437 - $5,231,249
1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick
$5,231,249 - $6,539,062
Two 1st's, one 2nd, one 3rd round pick
Kessel is reportedly seeking around 5 million per year. It's likely that if a team forced Boston's hand at 5 mil per year, they'd just match the offer and the American sniper would stay with the Hub. So in order to successfully steal away Phil Kessel, a team would have to negotiate a deal worth an excess of 5.23 million per year, placing it in the final category. As good as Kessel would look in that Thrasher jersey, I don't think it'd be worth tossing away all of our draft picks for the first three rounds of next year's draft.
Alas, we'll have to resign ourselves to only cheering for Phil Kessel for two weeks in 2010 while he wears the American flag on his shoulder.
Whoa Hey the Thrashers Have Already Released Their Pre-Season Schedule
Ha! I talk about slinking off to a period of only occasional posting for the rest of the summer and then the Thrashers go and release their pre-season schedule.
This is cruel, because I want the season to start now.
Anyway, here it be. This year the Chronicle seizes press credentials in Nashville and gets thrown out for blogging about the Ghost of Billy Mays.
This is cruel, because I want the season to start now.
Anyway, here it be. This year the Chronicle seizes press credentials in Nashville and gets thrown out for blogging about the Ghost of Billy Mays.
Midsummer
It must be said, comrades, that Waddell and Dudley have done well this summer.
If you need a refresher course in what just happened, read this progress report by Rawhide. Recapitulates things nicely, can't disagree with his assessment.
Rumors are abroad. Something about Alexei Kovalev coming to the Thrashers; I believe nary a word of it, but if the possibility is real: I have no idea where Alex would fit, but if the contract was a reasonable payment for, say, 2 years, I'd be all for it. Yes, Kovalev has been a bit inconsistent over the years, but he's had relatively good production in the last two seasons. And he can always be counted on for timely goals during the playoffs. A fact, ladies and gentlemen.
The drafting of Evander Kane, the trade of Exelby for Kubina, the signing of Antropov--all of this without trading one of our many goalies, which gives us all kinds of options--are all great things.
There is one thing left to do, though.
Waddell told the AJC that he would meet with the Czar's agent sometime in mid-July. It's possible that Kovy might hold off until sometime during the season, but...come on. I mean, come on.
Posting will probably be erratic for a while. There will still BE posts every week, just not every weekday. It is summer, after all. If there's news we'll blog away, but otherwise it'll be a little irregular until September.
If you need a refresher course in what just happened, read this progress report by Rawhide. Recapitulates things nicely, can't disagree with his assessment.
Rumors are abroad. Something about Alexei Kovalev coming to the Thrashers; I believe nary a word of it, but if the possibility is real: I have no idea where Alex would fit, but if the contract was a reasonable payment for, say, 2 years, I'd be all for it. Yes, Kovalev has been a bit inconsistent over the years, but he's had relatively good production in the last two seasons. And he can always be counted on for timely goals during the playoffs. A fact, ladies and gentlemen.
The drafting of Evander Kane, the trade of Exelby for Kubina, the signing of Antropov--all of this without trading one of our many goalies, which gives us all kinds of options--are all great things.
There is one thing left to do, though.
Waddell told the AJC that he would meet with the Czar's agent sometime in mid-July. It's possible that Kovy might hold off until sometime during the season, but...come on. I mean, come on.
Posting will probably be erratic for a while. There will still BE posts every week, just not every weekday. It is summer, after all. If there's news we'll blog away, but otherwise it'll be a little irregular until September.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Happy Independence Weekend
Blogging will be light over the 4th of July weekend. The Chronicle has exhausted its resources in the past week or so anyway, and needs to rest and recharge.
But with the drafting of Evander Kane and the recent acquisition of Pavel Kubina and Nik Antropov, not to mention the emergence of several great young players last season, plus Kovalchuk's truly regal captaincy, the Thrashers are now independent from Suckiness.
P.S. How rude of me to forget. THANK YOU READERS YOU ARE ALL HANDSOME AND AWESOME. The Chronicle had record traffic this week, and that's teh Kool. Thanks for reading this off-the-wall contraption, we really do appreciate and crave the attention. Don't be a stranger, each and every one of you.
But with the drafting of Evander Kane and the recent acquisition of Pavel Kubina and Nik Antropov, not to mention the emergence of several great young players last season, plus Kovalchuk's truly regal captaincy, the Thrashers are now independent from Suckiness.
P.S. How rude of me to forget. THANK YOU READERS YOU ARE ALL HANDSOME AND AWESOME. The Chronicle had record traffic this week, and that's teh Kool. Thanks for reading this off-the-wall contraption, we really do appreciate and crave the attention. Don't be a stranger, each and every one of you.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Some Thoughts on the Antro Signing
This is a very good signing for a few reasons:
1. Everyone else is saying it, I shall say it too: The dude's big. We've needed size up front for a long time now; well, sirs and misses, here's your size, and it matters.
2. He can play either center or wing. Obviously no one knows what the usual line combinations will be next season, but having Antropov gives us a TON of options as far as organizing lines.
3. We have a glut of scoring forwards! Antropov, if he stays healthy most of the season, is a guaranteed 20plus goal-scorer, and I don't think I'm too naive to think he could score 30 or more playing under John Anderson. Either way, the Thrashers now have 6 players who scored more than 20 goals last season. Peverley surely would have scored more than 20 if we'd had him all year; I think it's safe to assume he can score more than 20 this coming season. And that's not to mention our offensive defensemen, Bogo especially.
4. The money issue. Some are saying that Antropov has been overpaid, and that might be true to some extent, but the $4 million a year doesn't really bother me. It's less than he originally wanted and it's actually not that expensive for the Dude Who Plays with Kovalchuk.
5. The age issue. Antropov is 29. He's in his prime. Barring a trade, we'll have him for the rest of his "prime" years. I see nothing wrong with having him around until he's 33 or 34.
6. Kovy had a hand in it! What more do you want?!
Okay, just for the hell of it:
Kovalchuk-Pevs Dispenser-Antropov
Kozlov-White-Little
Machacek/Kane/Crabb-Reasoner-Armstrong
Boulton-Slater-Thorburn
Enstrom-Bogosian
Hainsey-Kubina
Salmela-Valabik/Kulda/whoever
woooooooo
...or perhaps Antropov should be Kovy's center. Oh hell I don't know, it's just so nice to have options!
1. Everyone else is saying it, I shall say it too: The dude's big. We've needed size up front for a long time now; well, sirs and misses, here's your size, and it matters.
2. He can play either center or wing. Obviously no one knows what the usual line combinations will be next season, but having Antropov gives us a TON of options as far as organizing lines.
3. We have a glut of scoring forwards! Antropov, if he stays healthy most of the season, is a guaranteed 20plus goal-scorer, and I don't think I'm too naive to think he could score 30 or more playing under John Anderson. Either way, the Thrashers now have 6 players who scored more than 20 goals last season. Peverley surely would have scored more than 20 if we'd had him all year; I think it's safe to assume he can score more than 20 this coming season. And that's not to mention our offensive defensemen, Bogo especially.
4. The money issue. Some are saying that Antropov has been overpaid, and that might be true to some extent, but the $4 million a year doesn't really bother me. It's less than he originally wanted and it's actually not that expensive for the Dude Who Plays with Kovalchuk.
5. The age issue. Antropov is 29. He's in his prime. Barring a trade, we'll have him for the rest of his "prime" years. I see nothing wrong with having him around until he's 33 or 34.
6. Kovy had a hand in it! What more do you want?!
Okay, just for the hell of it:
Kovalchuk-Pevs Dispenser-Antropov
Kozlov-White-Little
Machacek/Kane/Crabb-Reasoner-Armstrong
Boulton-Slater-Thorburn
Enstrom-Bogosian
Hainsey-Kubina
Salmela-Valabik/Kulda/whoever
woooooooo
...or perhaps Antropov should be Kovy's center. Oh hell I don't know, it's just so nice to have options!
THRASHERS SIGN ANTROPOV
(updated below)
TSN:
The Nik Antropov experiment in New York is over, as the veteran forward has signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Atlanta Thrashers.
The 29-year-old saw his nine-year tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs end at the trade deadline earlier this year, when the club sent him to the New York Rangers in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2009 as well as a conditional draft pick in 2010.
Antropov had seven goals and six assists in 18 games with the Rangers. He also set career-highs on the year with 28 goals and 59 points in 81 games.
The native of Kazakhstan was selected 10th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
More details to follow.
Hell yeah. Good job, Don. Good job, Rick. Now on to signing the Czar.
UPDATE: St. Louis hockey writer/radio guy Andy Strickland tweets, "Antropov Deal is worth closer to $16.4 million. His cap hit will be closer to $4.0625 per yr. Kovalchuk played a role in getting this done." HMMMMM HOW MYSTERIOUS. Was there a midnight meeting in a Monaco casino?
TSN:
The Nik Antropov experiment in New York is over, as the veteran forward has signed a four-year, $16 million deal with the Atlanta Thrashers.
The 29-year-old saw his nine-year tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs end at the trade deadline earlier this year, when the club sent him to the New York Rangers in exchange for a second round draft pick in 2009 as well as a conditional draft pick in 2010.
Antropov had seven goals and six assists in 18 games with the Rangers. He also set career-highs on the year with 28 goals and 59 points in 81 games.
The native of Kazakhstan was selected 10th overall by the Maple Leafs in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft.
More details to follow.
Hell yeah. Good job, Don. Good job, Rick. Now on to signing the Czar.
UPDATE: St. Louis hockey writer/radio guy Andy Strickland tweets, "Antropov Deal is worth closer to $16.4 million. His cap hit will be closer to $4.0625 per yr. Kovalchuk played a role in getting this done." HMMMMM HOW MYSTERIOUS. Was there a midnight meeting in a Monaco casino?
Thrash Sign Thor
The official press release:
The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed forward Chris Thorburn to a multiple-year contract, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Despite my throwing him under the bus the other day, I'm fine with Thor coming back. As long as he STAYS on the fourth line, which was quite a unit last season. The interesting question is who will take Colin Stuart's place on the third line. Spencer Machacek? Joey Crabb? Chad LaRose, how about him HEEEENNNGH?
The Atlanta Thrashers have re-signed forward Chris Thorburn to a multiple-year contract, according to Executive Vice President and General Manager Don Waddell. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Despite my throwing him under the bus the other day, I'm fine with Thor coming back. As long as he STAYS on the fourth line, which was quite a unit last season. The interesting question is who will take Colin Stuart's place on the third line. Spencer Machacek? Joey Crabb? Chad LaRose, how about him HEEEENNNGH?
Watching the Internets
No real news so far this morning. Montreal has revoked its offer to Kovalev, who happens to be the best stick-handler of all time. He is still available. Just saying.
UPDATE: "Atlanta still reportedly talking to Nik Antropov," twitters the Fourth Period.
UPDATE: "Atlanta still reportedly talking to Nik Antropov," twitters the Fourth Period.
Midnight
The clock just struck 12 and no one seems to have heard anything about Heatley. Looks like the Senators have to follow through with the $4 million signing bonus; Heater isn't waiving his no-trade clause.
Saku Koivu seems to be sleeping on an offer from the Wild. God knows where Antropov stands. They don't call him "enigmatic" for nothing!
P.S. Read the comments under the TSN article. Priceless. Good night, all! Especially you, Nikolai Aleksandrovich Antropov!
Saku Koivu seems to be sleeping on an offer from the Wild. God knows where Antropov stands. They don't call him "enigmatic" for nothing!
P.S. Read the comments under the TSN article. Priceless. Good night, all! Especially you, Nikolai Aleksandrovich Antropov!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
HAWT Pavel Kubina Videos XXX
Did I mention I really, really like this trade? A top 4 defense of Enstrom-Bogosian and Hainsey-Kubina is solid indeed. High-scoring too, which should be dandy if the team keeps to the esoteric "play the full game in the offensive zone" vision of Coach Anderson.
First thing's first:
That won't be happening again anytime soon. He is OURS now, Leaftards!
Oh yes. This next one sums up his entire career, basically, with annoying background music:
Worried about Kubina's defensive skills, his shot-blocking ability and whatnot? Well, fear not:
That, my friends, is being good in your own end.
First thing's first:
That won't be happening again anytime soon. He is OURS now, Leaftards!
Oh yes. This next one sums up his entire career, basically, with annoying background music:
Worried about Kubina's defensive skills, his shot-blocking ability and whatnot? Well, fear not:
That, my friends, is being good in your own end.
Kubina for X!!
Winner winner, chicken dinner!!
Link. Garnet Exelby and Colin Stuart traded for Pavel Kubina and Tim Stapleton. Nice move DW. Got the top 4 D and we still haven't traded a goalie. Gives us plenty of options, for sure.
In other news:
Cammalleri to Habs...
Lookie here, Mike Komisarek to the Leafs (Per TSN).
Can all of you out there in the blog internet land believe this Heatley thing is STILL going on? You'd think the Oil and Sens would have to be pushing for a decision as all these other options get signed up...
GABORIK TO THE RANGERS, TSN (perhaps Edmonton police better get ready for a dangerous driver coming to town)
Gionta to the Habs
Link. Garnet Exelby and Colin Stuart traded for Pavel Kubina and Tim Stapleton. Nice move DW. Got the top 4 D and we still haven't traded a goalie. Gives us plenty of options, for sure.
In other news:
Cammalleri to Habs...
Lookie here, Mike Komisarek to the Leafs (Per TSN).
Can all of you out there in the blog internet land believe this Heatley thing is STILL going on? You'd think the Oil and Sens would have to be pushing for a decision as all these other options get signed up...
GABORIK TO THE RANGERS, TSN (perhaps Edmonton police better get ready for a dangerous driver coming to town)
Gionta to the Habs
THRASHERS GET KUBINA and other FA/Trade News and Rumors (Colby Armstrong is NOT going to be traded)
Not sure who we traded for him, possibly a goalie.
Fourth Period: "Leafs trade Kubina to Atlanta"
-Twitter and shit, yeah yeah yeah
Darren Dreger: "Kubina to Atl...not done yet."
Some Vancouver blogger is saying there's a rumor that Colby Armstrong is going the other way. I DO NOT BELIEVE.
- Serious Media Person Damien Cox of the Toronto Star is confirming that the Leafs have traded Pavel Kubina to Atlanta. He appears to have no idea who's going back the other way.
- Ben Wright seems skeptical about this "Army's been traded" rumor.
- HOLY SHIT Marian Hossa is going to Chicago. For 12 years. For 5something million a year. [Sean Leahy Twitter]
- Deep thought: TSN talking heads just said that Kubina and Thrashers are definitely in talks, but that it's not a done deal just yet. My speculation as to why it's not done yet: Burke wants Colby Armstrong, DWadd not willing to trade Army.
- Shit dude, sorry for disappearing. Had to run off for 20 minutes or so, for Important Reasons. What did I miss?
- Roloson to Islanders, etc.
- Prediction: Brian Gionta gets lavishly overpaid.
- Hey, look at this: "Kings pitched offer to Kovalev earlier today, as well as Gaborik." Clearly Gaborik is getting other offers. [Fourth Period Twitter]
- 4th Period: "Hearing Knuble has signed with Capitals... 2-years." [4th Period Twitter]
- TSN confirms Knuble signing. GREAT signing, if you ask me. Exactly the right amount of time. Caps needed more grit.
- What the hell happened to the Pavel Kubina business?
- HELL YEAH "Colby Armstrong is not part of the Kubina deal. Thrashers not interested in trading Colby." [Craig Custance Twitter]
- Kevin Allen: "Have it confirmed that there is NO CHANCE the Thrashers will part with Colby Armstrong in any trade. He is considered an essential piece." [Kevin Allen Twitter]
- "Kubina to ATL is not done yet," says Craig Custance. Well man, what's going on? HEENGGH? [Craig Custance Twitter]
- Fourth Period: "Nik Antropov and Erik Cole mulling over offers." I hope we're included in Antropov's mulling material. [Fourth Period Tweeter]
- Khabibulin an Oiler, Erik Cole re-signs with Carolina, according to Bob McKenzie.
- As if the dearth of news concerning the Thrashers wasn't enough, I have to watch this Bouwmeester/Sutter press conference.
Fourth Period: "Leafs trade Kubina to Atlanta"
-Twitter and shit, yeah yeah yeah
Darren Dreger: "Kubina to Atl...not done yet."
Some Vancouver blogger is saying there's a rumor that Colby Armstrong is going the other way. I DO NOT BELIEVE.
- Serious Media Person Damien Cox of the Toronto Star is confirming that the Leafs have traded Pavel Kubina to Atlanta. He appears to have no idea who's going back the other way.
- Ben Wright seems skeptical about this "Army's been traded" rumor.
- HOLY SHIT Marian Hossa is going to Chicago. For 12 years. For 5something million a year. [Sean Leahy Twitter]
- Deep thought: TSN talking heads just said that Kubina and Thrashers are definitely in talks, but that it's not a done deal just yet. My speculation as to why it's not done yet: Burke wants Colby Armstrong, DWadd not willing to trade Army.
- Shit dude, sorry for disappearing. Had to run off for 20 minutes or so, for Important Reasons. What did I miss?
- Roloson to Islanders, etc.
- Prediction: Brian Gionta gets lavishly overpaid.
- Hey, look at this: "Kings pitched offer to Kovalev earlier today, as well as Gaborik." Clearly Gaborik is getting other offers. [Fourth Period Twitter]
- 4th Period: "Hearing Knuble has signed with Capitals... 2-years." [4th Period Twitter]
- TSN confirms Knuble signing. GREAT signing, if you ask me. Exactly the right amount of time. Caps needed more grit.
- What the hell happened to the Pavel Kubina business?
- HELL YEAH "Colby Armstrong is not part of the Kubina deal. Thrashers not interested in trading Colby." [Craig Custance Twitter]
- Kevin Allen: "Have it confirmed that there is NO CHANCE the Thrashers will part with Colby Armstrong in any trade. He is considered an essential piece." [Kevin Allen Twitter]
- "Kubina to ATL is not done yet," says Craig Custance. Well man, what's going on? HEENGGH? [Craig Custance Twitter]
- Fourth Period: "Nik Antropov and Erik Cole mulling over offers." I hope we're included in Antropov's mulling material. [Fourth Period Tweeter]
- Khabibulin an Oiler, Erik Cole re-signs with Carolina, according to Bob McKenzie.
- As if the dearth of news concerning the Thrashers wasn't enough, I have to watch this Bouwmeester/Sutter press conference.
Free Agent Nom Nom Nom LIVEBLOG
- Okay, I'm back. What'd I miss?
- OHLUND? For 7 years?
- This Hossa-to-Chicago rumor-mongering is a bit weird.
- I mean, WOULD Hossa go to Chicago? Is such a thing possible?
- I mean, really. Like the Jointhead says in the comments section of the previous post, the Blackhawks seem to want to sign a mega-star while our their young stars are on relatively light contracts that will blow up one day. A team of Hossa, Toews, Sharp, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Campbell, Barker, Boland, etc...that's a team. But an expensive one. If Hossa does sign, there will be "feeding frenzy" times 100.
- A few important re-signings to report. Kovalev re-signs with Montreal, famed Czech composer Radek Dvorak has re-signed with Florida.
- CRAIG CUSTANCE: "There's some interest in Atlanta for Nik Antropov." [Custance Twitter]
- OK, I was a skeptic before the Iranian uprising, but this just confirms it further: Twitter is awesome for gathering news. It's like your own personal wire service.
- For the last time, Colby Armstrong ISN'T GOING TO BE MOVED. I'm SURE that some teams have expressed interest and called up DW and Dudley, because Army is the role player everyone wants on their team, but I would be shocked if we traded him.
- 4th Period is saying the Habs have actually extended offers to Gaborik, Hossa, and Havlat. What can this mean? What happens if they all accept?
- Mad teams calling up Komisarek and saying "Come on baby, come on down." [Kevin Allen Twitter]
- Remember Colton Orr, that guy who Eric Boulton beat up in the Fight of the Year last season, during some game in New York? Well, he's a Leaf now. Word is Burke is trying to get Travis Moen, Mike Komisarek, and other mean humans. Colton Orr is not a million-dollar man, but Burke seems to think he is. [TSN]
- By the way, if you haven't read the Falconer's post analyzing various available defensemen, whom he evaluates according to very specific criteria (minutes, etc.), DO SO NOW. [Bird Watchers Anonymous]
- Wyshynski: On Bruins -- Bosotn Globe reports they're in talks with Hossa:
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/
They have $7.865 mil in cap space with only a few supporting players to add. It could happen. [Puck Daddy]
- Pagnotta: "Received confirmation that Chicago and Montreal have pitched offers to Hossa... I'm sure LA is almost in mix." [Fourth Period Twitter]
- Unconfirmed report that Craig Anderson is now an Av. [Denver Post]
- David Booth is Florida' knight in shining armor. [Florida Panthers Twitter]
- OHLUND? For 7 years?
- This Hossa-to-Chicago rumor-mongering is a bit weird.
- I mean, WOULD Hossa go to Chicago? Is such a thing possible?
- I mean, really. Like the Jointhead says in the comments section of the previous post, the Blackhawks seem to want to sign a mega-star while our their young stars are on relatively light contracts that will blow up one day. A team of Hossa, Toews, Sharp, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Campbell, Barker, Boland, etc...that's a team. But an expensive one. If Hossa does sign, there will be "feeding frenzy" times 100.
- A few important re-signings to report. Kovalev re-signs with Montreal, famed Czech composer Radek Dvorak has re-signed with Florida.
- CRAIG CUSTANCE: "There's some interest in Atlanta for Nik Antropov." [Custance Twitter]
- OK, I was a skeptic before the Iranian uprising, but this just confirms it further: Twitter is awesome for gathering news. It's like your own personal wire service.
- For the last time, Colby Armstrong ISN'T GOING TO BE MOVED. I'm SURE that some teams have expressed interest and called up DW and Dudley, because Army is the role player everyone wants on their team, but I would be shocked if we traded him.
- 4th Period is saying the Habs have actually extended offers to Gaborik, Hossa, and Havlat. What can this mean? What happens if they all accept?
- Mad teams calling up Komisarek and saying "Come on baby, come on down." [Kevin Allen Twitter]
- Remember Colton Orr, that guy who Eric Boulton beat up in the Fight of the Year last season, during some game in New York? Well, he's a Leaf now. Word is Burke is trying to get Travis Moen, Mike Komisarek, and other mean humans. Colton Orr is not a million-dollar man, but Burke seems to think he is. [TSN]
- By the way, if you haven't read the Falconer's post analyzing various available defensemen, whom he evaluates according to very specific criteria (minutes, etc.), DO SO NOW. [Bird Watchers Anonymous]
- Wyshynski: On Bruins -- Bosotn Globe reports they're in talks with Hossa:
http://www.boston.com/sports/hockey/bruins/extras/bruins_blog/
They have $7.865 mil in cap space with only a few supporting players to add. It could happen. [Puck Daddy]
- Pagnotta: "Received confirmation that Chicago and Montreal have pitched offers to Hossa... I'm sure LA is almost in mix." [Fourth Period Twitter]
- Unconfirmed report that Craig Anderson is now an Av. [Denver Post]
- David Booth is Florida' knight in shining armor. [Florida Panthers Twitter]
Actual News A-Startin', Therefore More Live A-Bloggin'
- The Sedins have re-signed with the Canucks for 5 years. [Dreger Tweeting Condo]
- Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period tweets that Los Angeles wants Hossa bad. [Fourth Period Tweeting Apparutus]
- OK, need to step away from the Internet for roughly 45 minutes. The Chronicle will be a-bloggin' away all all day, and don't forget, you can learn about the Hockey if you watch the Twitter.
- Dave Pagnotta of the Fourth Period tweets that Los Angeles wants Hossa bad. [Fourth Period Tweeting Apparutus]
- OK, need to step away from the Internet for roughly 45 minutes. The Chronicle will be a-bloggin' away all all day, and don't forget, you can learn about the Hockey if you watch the Twitter.
Money to Burn
Tweets Craig Custance: "Was crunching numbers and the Thrash have some cash to spend. Plus motivation to please Kovalchuk. Don't count them out today."
Money - Embrace
Citizens of Ottawa, All of Canada Turn on Heatley
Attacking Dany Heatley seems to be the Fun Thing to Do this fine Canada Day. A truly ferocious take-down appeared in this morning's Ottawa Citizen. Read the whole thing, but I can't resist sharing some choice excerpts:
(some context: some friend of the Heatley family, one Tom Molloy, sent a letter to the Ottawa Citizen defending Dany against attacks, calling him a good boy and such)
Talk about cheap and pathetic.
Snivelling comments in a letter from Tom Molloy, a friend of Dany Heatley's parents, have only served to fuel the outrage in the nation's capital. If that was the intent, it worked. If it was meant to garner sympathy, it backfired.
...
Undoubtedly, Mr. and Mrs. Heatley, through Molloy, have helped grease the wheels of a trade for their brat son. It's too bad Dany has counted on everyone around him to speak on his behalf. No profile in courage here, considering he's 28 years old.
Poor, misunderstood Dany, a multimillionaire, thanks largely to the Senators and their paying fans who embraced him regardless of what he, his parents or family friend might think.
Dany plays for the Canadian national team at the world championships most springs, his parents note through their friend, and, as a result, gives up a whole month of his summer.
...
Heatley's trade request confuses Graham Snyder, whose son, Dan, was killed in a single-car crash involving Heatley's Ferrari in 2003. The two were teammates on the Atlanta Thrashers, the club that drafted Heatley in 2000. According to Snyder's father, the Thrashers did everything they could to help Heatley get over the death of his teammate. Even the Snyders did their part, helping him avoid certain jail time for vehicular homicide. The family spoke glowingly of Heatley at the time, and told Atlanta prosecutors and the case judge that nothing would be gained by putting him behind bars. The case ended with a plea bargain. Months later, he asked Atlanta to trade him because of the psychological effects of Snyder's death. He landed in Ottawa for Marian Hossa in August 2005.
"I'm surprised (by the trade request) because he signed a long-term deal (with Ottawa) and was playing in a market that seemed to embrace him," Snyder said on Tuesday from his home in Elmira, Ont., near Kitchener-Waterloo.
"I was surprised (by his request from Atlanta, too, though) I could understand that one because I probably knew a few things that other people didn't that go on behind the scenes, and it was difficult for him.
"But on the other hand, the Atlanta Thrashers were very, very supportive of him. What (general manager) Don Waddell and the ownership did there for him -- it's a pretty tough thing to repay. And he put them in a tight situation as well.
"I was surprised at it, but I understood it. This one, I really don't understand.
"He asked to get out (of Atlanta) and he went to a team that he obviously approved of and had some success (with). They went to the (2007 Stanley Cup) finals. What I can see is that he got a lot of support in Ottawa.
"I don't think it says a lot of positive things on the surface ... it sure doesn't show a good team attitude."
Oh my, the Delicious, it tastes so good.
(some context: some friend of the Heatley family, one Tom Molloy, sent a letter to the Ottawa Citizen defending Dany against attacks, calling him a good boy and such)
Talk about cheap and pathetic.
Snivelling comments in a letter from Tom Molloy, a friend of Dany Heatley's parents, have only served to fuel the outrage in the nation's capital. If that was the intent, it worked. If it was meant to garner sympathy, it backfired.
...
Undoubtedly, Mr. and Mrs. Heatley, through Molloy, have helped grease the wheels of a trade for their brat son. It's too bad Dany has counted on everyone around him to speak on his behalf. No profile in courage here, considering he's 28 years old.
Poor, misunderstood Dany, a multimillionaire, thanks largely to the Senators and their paying fans who embraced him regardless of what he, his parents or family friend might think.
Dany plays for the Canadian national team at the world championships most springs, his parents note through their friend, and, as a result, gives up a whole month of his summer.
...
Heatley's trade request confuses Graham Snyder, whose son, Dan, was killed in a single-car crash involving Heatley's Ferrari in 2003. The two were teammates on the Atlanta Thrashers, the club that drafted Heatley in 2000. According to Snyder's father, the Thrashers did everything they could to help Heatley get over the death of his teammate. Even the Snyders did their part, helping him avoid certain jail time for vehicular homicide. The family spoke glowingly of Heatley at the time, and told Atlanta prosecutors and the case judge that nothing would be gained by putting him behind bars. The case ended with a plea bargain. Months later, he asked Atlanta to trade him because of the psychological effects of Snyder's death. He landed in Ottawa for Marian Hossa in August 2005.
"I'm surprised (by the trade request) because he signed a long-term deal (with Ottawa) and was playing in a market that seemed to embrace him," Snyder said on Tuesday from his home in Elmira, Ont., near Kitchener-Waterloo.
"I was surprised (by his request from Atlanta, too, though) I could understand that one because I probably knew a few things that other people didn't that go on behind the scenes, and it was difficult for him.
"But on the other hand, the Atlanta Thrashers were very, very supportive of him. What (general manager) Don Waddell and the ownership did there for him -- it's a pretty tough thing to repay. And he put them in a tight situation as well.
"I was surprised at it, but I understood it. This one, I really don't understand.
"He asked to get out (of Atlanta) and he went to a team that he obviously approved of and had some success (with). They went to the (2007 Stanley Cup) finals. What I can see is that he got a lot of support in Ottawa.
"I don't think it says a lot of positive things on the surface ... it sure doesn't show a good team attitude."
Oh my, the Delicious, it tastes so good.
Free Agent Nom Nom Nom Feeding Frenzy- Pregame
Starts now.
- Kevin Allen of USA Today tweets, " Nashville and Atlanta will be the bargain hunters in the marketplace, looking at the second tier FAs who don't break the bank." Who would that be? [Kevin Allen Twitter]
- K.A. plus a bunch of other people say it looks like Hossa won't be coming back to Detroit. [Kevin Allen Tweets for Free, Kukla's Korner]
- Kevin Allen is all like, "Oh, the Sabres might want Erik Cole and/or Gionta." [Kevin Allen Twitter]
All this speculation is boring. We'll write about stuff when stuff starts to happen. Here's a patriotic video for the upcoming 4th of July Wimbledon holiday:
- Kevin Allen of USA Today tweets, " Nashville and Atlanta will be the bargain hunters in the marketplace, looking at the second tier FAs who don't break the bank." Who would that be? [Kevin Allen Twitter]
- K.A. plus a bunch of other people say it looks like Hossa won't be coming back to Detroit. [Kevin Allen Tweets for Free, Kukla's Korner]
- Kevin Allen is all like, "Oh, the Sabres might want Erik Cole and/or Gionta." [Kevin Allen Twitter]
All this speculation is boring. We'll write about stuff when stuff starts to happen. Here's a patriotic video for the upcoming 4th of July Wimbledon holiday:
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