YES!!! The new rule which will see the crease moved closer to the boards will help #19 set up shop. He owes Lindros one too. Owes him with a capital ‘O‘. Incidentally, the aforementioned deal went through and Eric is now officially a Maple Leaf.
GoonSquad
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.
Boston Bruins
Let me be the first to go on record: The Bruins are going to suck. Can someone please go down to Causeway St., and explain to Harry, Mini Me, and the rest of the boys that the free agent signing period has started, and they are free to get involved any time.
It’s the deepest Free Agent pool in YEARS, YEARS!!!!!!!!!!, and the organiztion signs Brian Leetch, Alexi Zhamnov, Sean McEachern, and Dave Scatchard?? Are you serious? Signing Murray is the only bright move they have made so far, and he’s only good if #19 sticks around. I am so disgusted. They sucked me in, they really did. I thought in the new system Boston would be primed for a return to glory….I guess you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. That’s it, I am now a Devils fan. Wait? What? They let Niedermayer go? DAMN IT ALL!!!!
Let’s go Carolina?
The New NHL
Wow. I guess they were serious about players moving around eh? Pronger in Edmonton, Gonchar in Pittsburgh, Darren McCarty in Calgary. Unbelievable. I am thinking this is just the tip of the iceberg. I use these names for another reason. In the New NHL, will we as fans ever be able to identify with one single player, or follow a player on your favorite team before they get dealt, or sign elsewhere?
To me, Chris Pronger is the face of the Blues. Sergi Gonchar is the face of the Capitals. (Even though he was dealt to Boston, he still will be most know as a Cap.) Darren McCarty is such a Red Wing, he wrote an emotional letter to fans regarding his departure. How will this impact the guys that do the heavy lifting, i.e. enforcers, will be needed? I would think the tough guys of the world will be limited to one year deals, as the Team can change from year to year, and the GM’s will need cash on hand to sign free agents. Obviously this is not a new concept to GM’s. There are free agents every year, but will the enforcer eventually be out of the loop all together? I think the role of enforcer has been almost wiped out by fighting rules, but could this be the final nail in the coffin?
Transactions
St. Louis: Signed Aaron Downey. Jesse Boulerice owes him one.
Minnesota Wild: Signed Andrei "Russian Bear" Nazarov. I can’t say I have ever actually seen him throw a punch.
Los Angeles Kings (Saturday) Signed Ryan Flinn. If there is one kid I’d like to see stay healthy, and have a full season in the show, it’s Flinner. Very intimidating, but a super nice kid.
Notables. It looks like Nashville is looking to be tough this year. They Signed Darcy Hordichuk, and Jeremy Yablonski today as well. If they both end up in the Show, Nashville will be a favorite on NHL Center Ice this Winter. Is it opening Day yet?!