I can't seem to get my head round the fact that John Tortorella still has a job in Tampa. The Tampa Bay Lightning are sinking like a stone and I can't really see that he is doing much to changethat fact. Today they were handed a 4-2 loss by the visiting Philadelphia Flyers, who seem to be getting out of their resent slump, and while Tortorella saw glimpes of great play, I saw a desperate team that has run out of ideas. Vincent Lecavalier is being worked way to hard, as he is on the ice for most part of all games, and he is getting little support from other forwards. Why does Tortorella not give a guy like Andreas Karlsson more ice time? He could easily be a second line centre if given a real chance. Instead Tortorella is letting talent go to waste on the bench, while Lecavalier, Prospal, and St. Louis are struggling to keep the team afloat. I hate to say it but it seems this coach seems to be out of ideas.
I guess you're given a lot more leeway once you have brought home the Stanley Cup.
12/28/2007
A league of their own
What to do about (aboot*) those damn Red Wings? This is what all the other teams must be asking them selves. After beating the Colorado Avalanche 4-2 in Denver the Wings now leads the league in goals scored (137) and goals against (84). They have led in scoring pretty much since the start of the season, but for quite a while they were 3rd behind the New York Rangers and the St. Louis Blues in goals against. Since the Rangers have been slumping lately and Henrik Lundqvist haven't been him self, the Wings are now first.
It has been discussed whether Detroit needs to add a quality forward to their roster for more scoring depth come the playoffs. Well, they have played three games without scoring leader Henrik Zetterberg (back) and top line winger Tomas Holmstrom (groin) and they have won all of them. Obviously Pavel Datsyuk is carrying a heavy load in their absence, but some of the younger players are also stepping up to fill the void. Valtteri Filppula has four goals in the last two games and is a great example of young talented Red Wing players expected to take another step during this season. So, I am not so sure they need anything. Right now they are looking awfully good.
It has been discussed whether Detroit needs to add a quality forward to their roster for more scoring depth come the playoffs. Well, they have played three games without scoring leader Henrik Zetterberg (back) and top line winger Tomas Holmstrom (groin) and they have won all of them. Obviously Pavel Datsyuk is carrying a heavy load in their absence, but some of the younger players are also stepping up to fill the void. Valtteri Filppula has four goals in the last two games and is a great example of young talented Red Wing players expected to take another step during this season. So, I am not so sure they need anything. Right now they are looking awfully good.
12/24/2007
Get a clue, Rangers!
The New York Rangers is indeed a strange bird that never ceases to amaze me. Now that they are back to playing like crap after a surprisingly good start to the season, Henrik Lundqvist is called upon to find his form if the Rangers are ever going to get out of this recent slump. Isn't it time the incredible scoring talent on this team got their act together and started doing their share? Isn't it time Drury, Gomez, Straka, Shanahan, and especially Jagr (what is this guys problem?) stopped hiding behind Lundqvist and actually started doing what they are being paid millions to do, score goals.
Lundqvist have single-handedly carried the team on his shoulders so far, making them a .500 team although they weren't scoring any goals. It about time someone else stepped up if the Ranger are going to have a shot at the playoffs. One more loss and they will find them selves in the 9th spot because the resurging Atlanta Thrashers (4 straight wins) don't seem to be stopping anytime soon.
* * *
The Philadelphia Flyers are plummeting like a rock. Where will it end?
Lundqvist have single-handedly carried the team on his shoulders so far, making them a .500 team although they weren't scoring any goals. It about time someone else stepped up if the Ranger are going to have a shot at the playoffs. One more loss and they will find them selves in the 9th spot because the resurging Atlanta Thrashers (4 straight wins) don't seem to be stopping anytime soon.
* * *
The Philadelphia Flyers are plummeting like a rock. Where will it end?
12/23/2007
Satan gets 666
The New York Islanders beat Washington 3-2 in OT to earn back-to-back wins against the Caps. Miroslav Satan scored the first goal of the game against his former team, and now has 666 career goals. Of course, the only thing that could make that any cooler is if he played for the Devils.
* * *
Detroit went to St. Paul, the city that claims to be the real Hockeytown USA, without Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom in their line-up. And what happened? The Wings won comfortably 4-1. It's even more impressive when considering the fact that Detroit fired a season-high 51 shots without Zetterberg, who leads all Wings in that category.
* * *
Merry Christmas! I will be back after the two-day break.
* * *
Detroit went to St. Paul, the city that claims to be the real Hockeytown USA, without Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom in their line-up. And what happened? The Wings won comfortably 4-1. It's even more impressive when considering the fact that Detroit fired a season-high 51 shots without Zetterberg, who leads all Wings in that category.
* * *
Merry Christmas! I will be back after the two-day break.
12/19/2007
Simon says 30 games
Chris Simon received a 30 game suspension for stepping on Jarkko Ruutu last weekend. This is the longest suspension in NHL history. The last record was the 25-game ban served earlier this season by.. Chris Simon.
Honestly, why is this guy waisting his time "playing" hockey? Chris Simon contributes so very little, it is really throwing money in the toilet, whatever the New York Islanders are paying him. When, or if, he returns this season he will have missed a total of 60 games and they are all his own fault. How is that helping the team? And it's not like this is something new, he has been like this for as long as I can remember. I just can't figure out how it can be worth paying this guy considering how little he brings. And sure, everyone will say that he is a tough guy and he protects the stars and so on, a good guy to have on your team when things get rough. But how can he be useful as a tough guy when he is not even on the ice for most part of the season? Beats me.
* * *
The Phoenix Coyotes is the hottest team in the NHL right now. Yes, the Ottawa Senators and the Calgary Flames both have six straight wins, but the Coyotes are on a very impressive road trip out east. After the 3-2 loss on Long Island, they went on to beat New Jersey 4-1 and the New York Rangers 5-1. Those are very tough teams to beat in their own court. To top it off they also dropped the sliding Philadelphia Flyers 3-2. The Coyotes have really improved as a team this season, especially since acquiring Ilya Bryzgalov from Anaheim and rookies like Peter Mueller are contributing on a regular basis. If they can find consistency on this level, a playoff spot is not out of reach. The first big test comes tomorrow when they will get warm welcome back to the west from the San Jose Sharks.
Honestly, why is this guy waisting his time "playing" hockey? Chris Simon contributes so very little, it is really throwing money in the toilet, whatever the New York Islanders are paying him. When, or if, he returns this season he will have missed a total of 60 games and they are all his own fault. How is that helping the team? And it's not like this is something new, he has been like this for as long as I can remember. I just can't figure out how it can be worth paying this guy considering how little he brings. And sure, everyone will say that he is a tough guy and he protects the stars and so on, a good guy to have on your team when things get rough. But how can he be useful as a tough guy when he is not even on the ice for most part of the season? Beats me.
* * *
The Phoenix Coyotes is the hottest team in the NHL right now. Yes, the Ottawa Senators and the Calgary Flames both have six straight wins, but the Coyotes are on a very impressive road trip out east. After the 3-2 loss on Long Island, they went on to beat New Jersey 4-1 and the New York Rangers 5-1. Those are very tough teams to beat in their own court. To top it off they also dropped the sliding Philadelphia Flyers 3-2. The Coyotes have really improved as a team this season, especially since acquiring Ilya Bryzgalov from Anaheim and rookies like Peter Mueller are contributing on a regular basis. If they can find consistency on this level, a playoff spot is not out of reach. The first big test comes tomorrow when they will get warm welcome back to the west from the San Jose Sharks.
12/16/2007
McDonald leaves Ducks for Blues
Finally we got to see a trade in the NHL. To no one's surprise, the Anaheim Ducks were involved. Trading off Andy McDonald to St. Louis for Doug Weight may not seem like a great trade at first glance, but in the longer perspective it does make a lot of sense. By letting go of McDonald the Ducks will make room to fit the returning Scott Niedermayer into the budget and the roster. As they also want to sign a new contract with Corey Perry sometime before he becomes an unrestricted free agent, getting rid of an over-prised No. 2 center seems logical.
As for the Blues, I think it's a great trade. They have really turned the franchise around and are building for a bright future for the fans in Missouri. McDonald is six years younger than Weight, and though his stats have not been great so far this season, he will be an important player for this young promising team in the long-run.
What teams are next in line for a trade? My money is on San Jose or Montreal to make a move pretty soon.
As for the Blues, I think it's a great trade. They have really turned the franchise around and are building for a bright future for the fans in Missouri. McDonald is six years younger than Weight, and though his stats have not been great so far this season, he will be an important player for this young promising team in the long-run.
What teams are next in line for a trade? My money is on San Jose or Montreal to make a move pretty soon.
12/14/2007
The fighting needs to stop!
I mentioned it just briefly the other day, but this time I would like to express exactly how I feel about fighting in hockey. Fighting has no place in hockey, period.
Recently, a game between Niagara Falls Thunder och Duffield Devils, two Canadian teams of eight-year-old players, ended with all the kids fighting each other on the ice. To top it off, the grown-ups were also fighting. I think this incident says a lot about North Americans attitude toward the game, and it worries me. Of course the standard of the game is set by the NHL. What the kids see there is what they will learn to mimic. What worries me even more is when some people comment the incident by saying the eight-year-old kids were lame fighters and that they should learn to fight like ten-year-olds. Obviously, I realize the guy who wrote this in his blog (I won't mention the name of the blog, because I don't want to advertise this moron) is a complete idiot, but it is still alarming to hear that this is a lot of peoples' idea of what hockey should be.
Most people will claim that the fighting element in hockey dates back to the very birth of the game, which is probably true. That, however, doesn't make it right. The same people who worries and complain about the rise in violent crime in society can sit in the stands at a hockey game and cheer on as two or more players are pounding each other bloody. To me that is just crazy. The other night I was watching a game on TV (can't remember what game it was) and there was a fight. I happened to catch a glimpse of a woman behind the plexi who was applauding and cheering her guy on in the fight. She was so into the fight it was kind of scary. Is this how she releases her weekly frustration perhaps?
Hockey is the only non-fighting sport (unlike boxing and martial arts) that have rules for fighting. There are no rules about fighting in soccer, for example. If you fight, which is rare but it happens, you're simply ejected from the game. Players usually don't fight in basketball, baseball or football, because it's not needed. These games are exciting as they are. In my opinion hockey is exciting without fighting. It is a fast and tough game that demands skill, stamina, and teamwork. So why do people in America and Canada go to such great lengths to protect this "part" of the game? I have been told - "You don't understand", which of course is just a bullshit excuse, just like the tradition argument. We have been playing hockey in Sweden for a hundred odd years and fighting has never been a part of it.
The coaches for Niagara Falls Thunder och Duffield Devils were suspended from coaching hockey for three years. I think these people are terrible role models for young players that are setting an awful example of how to not only play the game with respect for the opponent, but also on how to behave in society regardless of hockey. They have proven they are not suitable to coach kids, and they should be banned for life. It is time for people to ask the question whether the entertainment value of fighting is worth sacrificing setting a good example for the kids in a time of so much violence, terror and war. Sports are supposed to be fun. Tough, but fun.
Recently, a game between Niagara Falls Thunder och Duffield Devils, two Canadian teams of eight-year-old players, ended with all the kids fighting each other on the ice. To top it off, the grown-ups were also fighting. I think this incident says a lot about North Americans attitude toward the game, and it worries me. Of course the standard of the game is set by the NHL. What the kids see there is what they will learn to mimic. What worries me even more is when some people comment the incident by saying the eight-year-old kids were lame fighters and that they should learn to fight like ten-year-olds. Obviously, I realize the guy who wrote this in his blog (I won't mention the name of the blog, because I don't want to advertise this moron) is a complete idiot, but it is still alarming to hear that this is a lot of peoples' idea of what hockey should be.
Most people will claim that the fighting element in hockey dates back to the very birth of the game, which is probably true. That, however, doesn't make it right. The same people who worries and complain about the rise in violent crime in society can sit in the stands at a hockey game and cheer on as two or more players are pounding each other bloody. To me that is just crazy. The other night I was watching a game on TV (can't remember what game it was) and there was a fight. I happened to catch a glimpse of a woman behind the plexi who was applauding and cheering her guy on in the fight. She was so into the fight it was kind of scary. Is this how she releases her weekly frustration perhaps?
Hockey is the only non-fighting sport (unlike boxing and martial arts) that have rules for fighting. There are no rules about fighting in soccer, for example. If you fight, which is rare but it happens, you're simply ejected from the game. Players usually don't fight in basketball, baseball or football, because it's not needed. These games are exciting as they are. In my opinion hockey is exciting without fighting. It is a fast and tough game that demands skill, stamina, and teamwork. So why do people in America and Canada go to such great lengths to protect this "part" of the game? I have been told - "You don't understand", which of course is just a bullshit excuse, just like the tradition argument. We have been playing hockey in Sweden for a hundred odd years and fighting has never been a part of it.
The coaches for Niagara Falls Thunder och Duffield Devils were suspended from coaching hockey for three years. I think these people are terrible role models for young players that are setting an awful example of how to not only play the game with respect for the opponent, but also on how to behave in society regardless of hockey. They have proven they are not suitable to coach kids, and they should be banned for life. It is time for people to ask the question whether the entertainment value of fighting is worth sacrificing setting a good example for the kids in a time of so much violence, terror and war. Sports are supposed to be fun. Tough, but fun.
12/12/2007
Returning Penguins pounded
Sidney Crosby and his Pittsburgh Penguins returned home to Pennsylvania after wrapping up their successful tour out west, only to get a more than warm 'welcome home' from the Philadelphia Flyers, who gave the Pens an early Christmas pounding they won't soon forget.
Joffrey Lupul scored a hat trick and had six points. The last time a Flyer scored six points in one game was against Toronto ten years ago. That time it was Eric Lindros. R.J. Umberger added to the Penguins misery as he also notched three for a hat trick of his own.
The only Penguin to really stand up in this game was the forty-one year old Gary Roberts, who gave Ben Eager (who is half his age) a really good ass-kicking. I am not a big fan of fighting in hockey (I don't think it belongs there more than it belongs in football, baseball, or any other essentially non-fighting sport), however, I can't say enough how valuable a guy like Roberts is to his team. After some twenty odd years in the NHL he has gathered more experience than half the team put together, and he is putting it to use every night, on every shift he plays. He plays with heart and will always back up a teammate and as we saw last night he will also never back down from a fight.
Unfortunately, the Penguins weren't ignited by the incident and the Flyers could maintain their momentum and cruise to a 8-2 victory. The win snapped a five-game winless streak at home for the Flyers.
Joffrey Lupul scored a hat trick and had six points. The last time a Flyer scored six points in one game was against Toronto ten years ago. That time it was Eric Lindros. R.J. Umberger added to the Penguins misery as he also notched three for a hat trick of his own.
The only Penguin to really stand up in this game was the forty-one year old Gary Roberts, who gave Ben Eager (who is half his age) a really good ass-kicking. I am not a big fan of fighting in hockey (I don't think it belongs there more than it belongs in football, baseball, or any other essentially non-fighting sport), however, I can't say enough how valuable a guy like Roberts is to his team. After some twenty odd years in the NHL he has gathered more experience than half the team put together, and he is putting it to use every night, on every shift he plays. He plays with heart and will always back up a teammate and as we saw last night he will also never back down from a fight.
Unfortunately, the Penguins weren't ignited by the incident and the Flyers could maintain their momentum and cruise to a 8-2 victory. The win snapped a five-game winless streak at home for the Flyers.
12/10/2007
Coach's nightmare
Joe Sakic wasn't even playing, still the Colorado Avalanche managed to turn on the high-scoring mode to beat the St. Louis Blues 9-5, a record number of goals in one game this season. Milan Hejduk had a hat trick and three assists, Paul Stastny added two goals and three assists, and Ryan Smyth had a goal and two assists. As impressive as their total 14 points is, a game like that has got to be a coach's nightmare. Winning is of course the most important thing. But no coach, or goalie for that matter, likes to see his defense give up five goals. A guy like Jacque Lemaire would probably rip out his hair after such a win.
However, I think the Avs are pretty happy with the way they handle them selves in the absence of their captain. It's also nice to see a great goal scorer like Hejduk returning to his old form. Due to injuries over the years, we probably haven't seen half of what this guy is really capable of. Let's hope he can stay healthy this entire season and give us a bunch of spectacular goals.
However, I think the Avs are pretty happy with the way they handle them selves in the absence of their captain. It's also nice to see a great goal scorer like Hejduk returning to his old form. Due to injuries over the years, we probably haven't seen half of what this guy is really capable of. Let's hope he can stay healthy this entire season and give us a bunch of spectacular goals.
12/09/2007
Devils, Rangers, and Whalers
There is a lot at stake tonight. The seemingly unstoppable New Jersey Devils take on the slumping New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Should the Devils win their tenth straight game they will move into second place, passed the Carolina Hurricanes (should they lose in Detroit tonight), behind Ottawa in the Eastern Conference. Ottawa managed to put a halt to their free fall, but they have to watch out for the Devils, who seem to be back into their old menacing form. Ranger goalie Henrik Lundqvist has lost his two last starts, giving up four goals in each of those, and the team is on a three-game skid. The Rangers have been victorious in all three meetings with New Jersey this season, and they will certainly make sure the Devils have to work hard for this one.
Detroit are looking to extend their winning streak to six. They also have a good chance of being the first team in the league to score a hundred goals, they need three against Carolina. Three goals doesn't seem like much of a challenge for the awesome Red Wings, but the Hurricanes would sure like to win this one. The last time they managed to win one in the Motor City was as the Hartford Whalers back in 1989.
Detroit are looking to extend their winning streak to six. They also have a good chance of being the first team in the league to score a hundred goals, they need three against Carolina. Three goals doesn't seem like much of a challenge for the awesome Red Wings, but the Hurricanes would sure like to win this one. The last time they managed to win one in the Motor City was as the Hartford Whalers back in 1989.
12/07/2007
Oh Captain My Captain
The captain has returned, and boy, does Scott Niedermayer have his work cut out for him. Sure, Anaheim have 30 points this season, same as the Chicago Blackhawks, who currently holds the eight and last playoff spot, but the Ducks are struggling. Like most Stanley Cup champions since the Detroit Red Wings won back-to-back cups in 97 and 98, the Anaheim Ducks have had trouble maintaining the game that got them the cup. Their 9-4-3 home record is okay, but they are 11-11-4 within the Pacific division, and their record on the road is awful. Defensively the Ducks are not looking as confident as last year. They have given up 81 goals so far, which is terrible compared to a year ago. Offensively, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry are pulling a heavy load in the abscess of leading scorer Teemu Salanne, and last years excellent shutdown line with Samuel Pahlsson and Travis Moen is not working at all.
Obviously it takes more than one player to turn a situation like this around, unless that player is Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, or.. Scott Niedermayer. Great to see you back!
Obviously it takes more than one player to turn a situation like this around, unless that player is Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, or.. Scott Niedermayer. Great to see you back!
12/05/2007
Detroit, class of the league
The Detroit Red Wings once again got into trouble with their airplane. A few weeks ago it got stuck in the St. Louis mud, this time they had trouble landing in snowy Montreal. After turning around four times the plane could finally land safely.
Luckily this did not effect the Wings, who are the class of the league right now, and they comfortably beat the Canadiens 4-1. It is a shame we don't get to see more games between these teams, or between Detroit and Toronto, Boston, or the New York Rangers for that matter. Hopefully, with the new schedule the Wings will make a lot more trips to these cities next season.
The highlight of the night was when Chris Chelios was awarded the 3rd star of the game and the ovation the crowd, that booed their own team, gave him when he acknowledged his old fans. This is where he began his NHL career in 1984-85. That really warms your heart. In a pre-game ceremony he was joined by a bunch of greats, Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio among others, to celebrate the 81 years of competition between the two so-called Original Six clubs.
* * *
Today the total amount of visits to my blog reached the 1,000 mark (since October, when I started monitoring the blog). I just want say that it is great that so many people from all over the world seem to enjoy what I'm writing about. I will do my best to keep it up and not disappoint you.
Luckily this did not effect the Wings, who are the class of the league right now, and they comfortably beat the Canadiens 4-1. It is a shame we don't get to see more games between these teams, or between Detroit and Toronto, Boston, or the New York Rangers for that matter. Hopefully, with the new schedule the Wings will make a lot more trips to these cities next season.
The highlight of the night was when Chris Chelios was awarded the 3rd star of the game and the ovation the crowd, that booed their own team, gave him when he acknowledged his old fans. This is where he began his NHL career in 1984-85. That really warms your heart. In a pre-game ceremony he was joined by a bunch of greats, Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio among others, to celebrate the 81 years of competition between the two so-called Original Six clubs.
* * *
Today the total amount of visits to my blog reached the 1,000 mark (since October, when I started monitoring the blog). I just want say that it is great that so many people from all over the world seem to enjoy what I'm writing about. I will do my best to keep it up and not disappoint you.
12/04/2007
Some early picks
Some see Vincent Lecavalier as the front-runner for the Hart Trophy as the leagues MVP. I don't get that. The Hart Trophy is awarded to the player considered to be the most valuable to his team. Lecavalier is the most dominant and dynamic player in the NHL right now, no argument there. But, to be honest, he is playing on a team that really stinks right now. Sorry Vinny, to get my nod the team has to benefit from your efforts, at least a lot more than Tampa is right now.
Instead my Hart Trophy would go to Henrik Lundqvist. Only Phoenix and the Islanders have scored less goals than the New York Rangers, and only St. Louis has given up less. Despite this glitch in the offense the Rangers sit on top of their division and third in the eastern conference. That along with his 14 wins is enough to be the MVP for now.
When naming his early choices for the All Stars, ESPN's Barry Melrose wished he could pick Nicklas Lidstrom twice for the West. The Norris Trophy is no contest. Lidstrom is top-3 in most categories and he needs to retire for anyone else to get a fair shot at that trophy.
Some say Patrick Kane, I say sure. Some say Jonathan Toews, yeah why not? Kane leads all rookies in points, but Toews a more complete package. That considered, they are both awesome and it's hard to pick, so I pick Tobias Enstrom. He leads all rookies in ice-time, averaging 23.26 in Atlanta. He is not a big guy but he plays with the confidence worthy of a veteran against the opponent's best players. His smooth playing reminds a bit of certain five-time Norris winner.
Henrik Lundqvist is the only goalie who is top-4 in all of the categories. His 14 wins is league leading. We've seen and heard it all before. At the moment it would be pretty damn difficult to hand the Vezina Trophy to someone else. However, come back in about 20 games and I will not be surprised if Martin Brodeur is leading the race once again.
* * *
Interestingly, if the playoffs were upon us right now, seven of the league's top-10 point scorers would not be participating. Only Henrik Zetterberg, Daniel Alfredsson, and Cory Stillman would be making a push for the cup, while Crosby, Lecavalier, Kovalchuk, Sundin, Ovechkin, Iginla, and St. Louis would take an early vacation. Luckily, there is still time to turn things around.
Instead my Hart Trophy would go to Henrik Lundqvist. Only Phoenix and the Islanders have scored less goals than the New York Rangers, and only St. Louis has given up less. Despite this glitch in the offense the Rangers sit on top of their division and third in the eastern conference. That along with his 14 wins is enough to be the MVP for now.
When naming his early choices for the All Stars, ESPN's Barry Melrose wished he could pick Nicklas Lidstrom twice for the West. The Norris Trophy is no contest. Lidstrom is top-3 in most categories and he needs to retire for anyone else to get a fair shot at that trophy.
Some say Patrick Kane, I say sure. Some say Jonathan Toews, yeah why not? Kane leads all rookies in points, but Toews a more complete package. That considered, they are both awesome and it's hard to pick, so I pick Tobias Enstrom. He leads all rookies in ice-time, averaging 23.26 in Atlanta. He is not a big guy but he plays with the confidence worthy of a veteran against the opponent's best players. His smooth playing reminds a bit of certain five-time Norris winner.
Henrik Lundqvist is the only goalie who is top-4 in all of the categories. His 14 wins is league leading. We've seen and heard it all before. At the moment it would be pretty damn difficult to hand the Vezina Trophy to someone else. However, come back in about 20 games and I will not be surprised if Martin Brodeur is leading the race once again.
* * *
Interestingly, if the playoffs were upon us right now, seven of the league's top-10 point scorers would not be participating. Only Henrik Zetterberg, Daniel Alfredsson, and Cory Stillman would be making a push for the cup, while Crosby, Lecavalier, Kovalchuk, Sundin, Ovechkin, Iginla, and St. Louis would take an early vacation. Luckily, there is still time to turn things around.
12/03/2007
Sundin trade rumors
Apparently there is a rumor of Mats Sundin in the near future being traded to Detroit. This rumor is complete news to me, and most other people I'm sure, and it's probably not true. As interesting as that trade would be, it seems highly unlikely it would happen.
First of all, the Toronto Maple Leafs will want a first round pick for Sundin, should they ever trade him, and Detroit aren't likely to give that up. Also, they would have to give up more than that and I don't think either Mike Babcock or GM Ken Holland are interested in such a high profile name at a huge price. They don't need it. I think it's more likely Sundin will end up in Ottawa for Mike Fisher plus some draft picks. To me that trade makes sense. The Senators will boost their chances at a cup while Toronto gets a player with lots of potential to start building something new around.
I'm not saying it wouldn't be cool to see Sundin in Motown, cause it certainly would, but I think Detroit will shop around for a slightly cheaper but productive centre when the time comes. As for Toronto, I think will see John Ferguson's exit sooner than Sundin's.
Having said that, I enjoy rumors as much as the next guy, and I urge you to send me more of them. How about Forsberg to the Rangers? Just kidding.. or not.
First of all, the Toronto Maple Leafs will want a first round pick for Sundin, should they ever trade him, and Detroit aren't likely to give that up. Also, they would have to give up more than that and I don't think either Mike Babcock or GM Ken Holland are interested in such a high profile name at a huge price. They don't need it. I think it's more likely Sundin will end up in Ottawa for Mike Fisher plus some draft picks. To me that trade makes sense. The Senators will boost their chances at a cup while Toronto gets a player with lots of potential to start building something new around.
I'm not saying it wouldn't be cool to see Sundin in Motown, cause it certainly would, but I think Detroit will shop around for a slightly cheaper but productive centre when the time comes. As for Toronto, I think will see John Ferguson's exit sooner than Sundin's.
Having said that, I enjoy rumors as much as the next guy, and I urge you to send me more of them. How about Forsberg to the Rangers? Just kidding.. or not.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)