Archives for August 2005
Carolina Hurricanes/Lowell Lockmonsters
First off, I am back from Maine, and I have to say, it wasn’t nearly as bad as I thought it would be. There was boating, a few beers, and polite conversation. Plus the Sox game on a 103" screen in HD didn’t exactly suck either. Secondly, I had all weekend to think about Carolina re-signing Gordie Dwyer, Mike Zigomanis, and Colin Forbes to two way deals. Terms of the deal have all three making 450K in the Show, and 75K on the farm. How hard are these guys going to be trying to make the Hurricanes’ roster next month? My guess is:very. I was reminded of a conversation I had with Gordie at the end of last season about why he wasn’t fighting much in the A, see the recap here.
By my math there is a 325 thousand dollar delta between Gordie’s NHL, and AHL salary. That would lead me to believe that when camp opens, he and Jesse Boulerice will be fighting, literally, and figuratively, to be the guy that stays in Carolina. Does the line up have room for both guys? Perhaps. But should Dwyer be sent to Lowell, I would suggest he fight any and all comers to get himself back to the show.
Rangers, Calgary
After a blow to the head via my kitchen table (don’t ask) I am back! A couple of things caught my eye over the past couple of days, and I thought I’d share. So, I am doing my best Fred Rogers, and putting on the foil. Sizing each other up at Center Ice, and here they go!
The New York Rangers inked Joe Rullier to a deal on Wednesday. I love this signing. I was hoping Carolina might sign him to see him 40 games a year in Lowell, but the Lockmonsters seem to be staying the course, and not having any tough guys at all. At least Joe stays in the division (providing he doesn’t get a shot with NY, which I think he deserves) and us Lowell fans will get to see him a few times. With Rullier, and Trevor Gillies on the ice, one may not want to try anything stupid. I have long believed that Joe Rullier is one of the most under rated fighters in the A. He has incredibly fast hands, great balance, and really seems to enjoy the fisticuffs. I didn’t see it in person, but he gave Mad Mel Angelstad all he could handle in Manchester a couple of years ago, that was one of the best fights all year. Good signing by New York. Keeps Hartford pretty tough
Calgary signed Brantt Mhyres yesterday. I’ll say that again. Calgary signed Brantt Mhyres yesterday. This is a real puzzle. I had a chance to meet Brantt the day he was signed last season by Lowell. Lowell was playing Worcester in a preseason game, and we got to talking before the teams went out for warm ups. He is a great guy. Really cool to talk hockey, and fights with. He was saying he couldn’t wait to get going, and he was going to do a ton of fighting. Well, opening night comes along, and he fights Colton Orr. Decent scrap. Happened right in front of me. Nothing really memorable about it, save for the fact that Brantt hurt himself. This should have been an omen. For the rest of the year, he was hurt or suspended, and when he was on the ice, it was pretty obvious to me that he had nothing left in the tank. I guess Calgary needs a veteran tough guy in Omaha, and I’m sure he got a recommendation from Scott Allen, but at this point it would seem to me that Brantt has nothing left, and Calgary would have been better suited to go another way. Like I said, Brantt is a real nice guy, and I hope I am wrong about this one.
Anyway, I am going to Maine this weekend with MOL to hang with her mother. It will suck badly. If anything comes up enforcer wise, I’ll be here! Take it easy eh.
NHL on OLN
Looks like the network that brought you the Tour De France, is going to be bringing you the new NHL. I am not one of the people that get the OLN, so Center Ice package, here I come! I will keep you posted as more info comes in.
Lowly Lindros A Leaf?
"The future of the game, the original Next One, now is a penny stock." – Toronto Sun.
There have been some recent rumblings regarding the possibility of Eric Lindros pulling on a white and blue jersey this year. You remember Eric – when he wasn’t being heralded as the next big thing back in the early 90’s, he was pouring beer all over women in Toronto bars. An auspicious beginning to a less than phenom-enal career.
"No player can be more physically dominating. None is so blatantly vulnerable."
Actually it’s a bit more than a rumor at this point – Lindros has been offered 1.6 million for what may very well be his last season in the NHL. 8 concussions have left his net worth to any team greatly reduced. I, for one, hope he ends his career as he undoubtedly wants to – on his home ice and with his noggin in one piece. And you never know – he may go out with a bang. Or at the very least a ninth concussion.
News and Notes
Tampa Bay signed Rob DiMaio today. I have been a fan of his from his Boston days. He is a feisty little guy, that is always willing to stand up for a Mate. I would hazard to say, he has the worst nose in hockey. He’s a hockey player, not a model, but his beak is really messed up. He’s taken a few to the grille, and it’s obvious.
Eric Boulton was signed by Atlanta, as was Shane Hnidy. The Thrashers have been among the busiest teams in this off season. Boulton and Hnidy have been hired to protect Heatley, which will give him space to play his game. I remember Boulton have a couple of tremendous bouts with former Bruin PJ Stock. One was in Boston, on the night the Patriots were celebrating their first Super Bowl Victory, with a massive parade. It was one of those fights where they just unloaded on each other with right, after right. I would say the bout was too close to call, but you really could make an argument for either guy. Not a lot to say today boys. Feeling a little groggy from smashing my head on the kitchen table. Don’t tell coach.
Bones
All time AHL penalty minute leader, and quite possibly one of the funniest human beings alive, Dennis Bonvie has signed a multi year deal with Wilkes/Barre. This is great news for AHL fans, as I had heard he was going to play in Europe as it was something he had never done, and wanted to do it for the experience while he could.
As a Lowell fan, I was hoping Colorado would have resigned Bones for two reasons. One. Lowell needs an enforcer. Two. In my opinion, the only guy more entertaining than Dennis Bonvie on the ice, is retired Providence Forward, Brendan Walsh. A few years ago Dennis was in town with Providence, and was seen barking like a dog at center ice while stretching out. The Lowell guys were all looking at him like he was out of his mind. While Dennis can’t be considered a heavy, simply because of his size, he is a very good middleweight, and has all the other tools (like barking like a dog at the opponent in warm up) that takes guys out of the game early.
Dennis’ mouth is going from the start of the game to the very end. I find him entertaining to watch, and am psyched he’ll be in the A for a little while longer. Here’s hoping he can get a call to protect Sid the Kid and Super Mario too. Just not February 17th, when WB is in Lowell. Good seats are still available.
Transactions
Busy day yesterday. The Preds added Kayria, Chicago added The Bhoulin Wall, and The Caps signed highly touted first overall pick Alexander Oveckin. Along with Toronto signing Tie Domi, and former Bruin, Capital, and LA King Jason Allison, yesterday was busy. The one signing that won’t exactly wind up on the front page of any papers, is Mitch Fritz being inked by Tampa Bay.
Fritz is a hulking mass of humanity. He looks scary as hell, he’s got the wingspan of an Eagle, and judging by his PIMS, he is no stranger to the Penalty Box. There is only one problem. Mitch Fritz can not skate. Back when he was with Lowell, I was worried he was going to break both his ankles from leaning on them so badly. He was one step away from the AHL allowing him to skate his lane while pushing a chair. Over the last couple of years, he has improved, but he is still nowhere near where he needs to be to see any ice at the NHL level.
Now, I know what you are thinking. He doesn’t need to skate, he’s an enforcer. He was signed to play in Springfield anyway. What is that smell in my freezer? I have heard them all before. My point is this, with the NHL cap being what it is, are teams going to be able to afford to have a true enforcer on the roster, or are they going to have to dress guys that can play, and also happen to be tough? Nashville has Hordy, and Yabo signed and ready to protect newly acquired Paul Kayria. Domi, as mentioned, has re inked in Toronto, but are these guys going to be the exception? As mentioned before, I feel the role of enforcer is dying out in the NHL, and I think the new CBA is going to shrink the role even more. I see enforcers being kept on ice, no pun intended, down in the AHL, and only getting the call when a team is expecting a real grudge match type victory. I really hope I am wrong on this. The NHL needs all the excitement it can to win back fans. What they need is some old time hockey!
Domi and Toronto
It looks like at least one face of a franchise is staying put. Tie Domi has decided to remain in Toronto which is ultimately great news for Leafs fans and finesse players alike. I think it’s pretty cool he turned down more cash to stay where he feels at home – in the T-Dot. As the current shake up resolves itself, I think you will find it’s the tough guys that end up staying where they please – money be damned. Good for Tie.