The Ditch

Hossa is a true professional.  Ottawa taught him what loyalty was.   Hossa just wants to win and he just wants to play.    He's one of the most professional star players in the league since the lockout.      He's been the best wing away from the puck I've ever seen in all zones.   He's even pretty good with it.     

I hate agents, because when it comes to the NHL, I don't think they've done nearly enough for their clients outside of contracts.     Doan's agent Bross is my number 2 dbag behind Allan Walsh right now.     Walsh is firmly entrenched in the top spot.  

I take issue with all the big firms obviously, and I've not been impressed with Larionov types.   Plenty of agents have stayed of my haterizing list, but there's still time for them.  

Dupuis might be the most cost effective player in the NHL, not on a ELC, in terms of salary versus points.

Tough to quantify given the nature of veteran contracts (age puts low ceilings on average veteran contracts) but he's been an outstanding value without question.    With all the defensive issues we're likely to see among the forwards around the league in a shortened season, I would think a nice complimentary 2-way vet like Dupuis is in for a very tasty 3+ year deal if he wants to hit the market.

Shero has some huge decisions to make for next year too.    He has to keep plenty of money around for Malkin and Sutter too.   Should be interesting to see who he keeps.    I wonder if we'll see movement during the year.  

Things that don't suck:

A hockey game to watch during lunch

I find it pretty stupid that the Penguins/Rangers game is blacked out right now on NHLNetwork. I understand live games, but the replay the next day is just dumb. Next thing you know they will start blacking out "oil change" in Canada.

Great national game tonight on NBCSHD. Wounded Red Wings vs sucky Blue Jackets.

Great national game tonight on NBCSHD. Wounded Red Wings vs sucky Blue Jackets

Bluejackets are undefeated.    I would like to see them get on a run just because I think Nash has been a flaming dbag for years who has been able to dodge real media scrutiny.      I'm not expecting Detroit to have a solid game because CLB is going to try and I think the Wings are still sleepy.   

bob, you fear the BJs? c'mon, i know it looked like midgets could get behind that blue line of yours, but that doesn't mean Blue Jackets can.  

 I would like to see them get on a run just because I think Nash has been a flaming dbag for years who has been able to dodge real media scrutiny

well, i guess we're gonna see what happens then. you know who is a huge fan of Nash? Blue. i bet he's around here somewhere.


I'd also still swap blue lines with you. i think. maybe.    

I'd also still swap blue lines with you.

that's the joke going around.  I think Proteau started it.   They're saying Teo is dating the Flyers dman corps now. 

Next thing you know they will start blacking out "oil change" in Canada.

I wish they would black it out in the states.

can't have the ravens winning it for ray lewis! go sf !

Flyers gotta win tonight !

Does KFC gravy substitute as ink well?

KFC gravy dosent substitute as gravy well

KFC gravy dosent substitute as gravy well

For some reason (maybe survival instinct) I don't think I've ever had it.   I guess I'm fortunate. 

cleans you right out

Would you recommend it be used as a laxative or as a lubricant?

laxative. i am not dating the Flyers d

It can also be used like syrup of ipecac

I'll remeber that next time I drink a quart of kitchen cleaner. 

Speaking of laxatives, holmstrom is retiring today at 430 at JLA I read.

I never would have thought he would have had such solid career as a role player for so long 7 or 8 years ago.   

As the crazy injury list rolls along:

Briere is out, Kopitar is in, Burns is out for weeks, Greene done for the year, Carbomb out for a month, McDonald is fine.

In an absolute shock of a development, Colaiacovo is out for a while (weeks) with an upper-body injury.     Good thing they have the mighty Lashoff.

anything about DiPi?

You guys think there is any chance of the three big remaining RFAs getting moved?

you're just rubbing your hands together and thinking about Benn, aren't you

You guys think there is any chance of the three big remaining RFAs getting moved?

The "experts'" in depth investigation and analysis of tweets from agents tells that Benn is close, Subban and O'Reilly are not. 

I don't think O'Reilly will be moved since he opted to stay in Russia.    Subban may be moved and keeping him out to force a trade may have been Bergevin's plan the whole time.    Benn isn't going anywhere if Galiardi wants to start repairing the brand.    Niewendyk is too used to being on a budget and his agent is too busy worried about the next contract.   Might cost them a playoff spot which is bad for Niewendyk's budget and bad for Benn's next contract...go figure.

you're just rubbing your hands together and thinking about Benn, aren't you

That wont be all that Ill be rubbing if we get him. Unfortunately the cost would be to high not only salary but compensation. I still think Subban could be wearing orange.

the Pens are gonna dip into the Dallas well again?  i guess it's worked out so far.  who needs Wilkes-Barre?  we have Dallas!

I don't think O'Reilly will be moved since he opted to stay in Russia.    Subban may be moved and keeping him out to force a trade may have been Bergevin's plan the whole time

This is another example of whey I don't have a lot of respect for unions.  During CBA negotiations they sometimes fight for the dumbest things but leave out something so important that so many young players are going to suffer through.  Kids coming off rookie deals have absolutely no negotiating power or leverage at all which in my opinion is ludicrous.   I'm not saying they should be UFA's but I think arbitration should be an absolute right since it's only fair they have someone to turn to.  

Instead because of today's stupid rules kids like Subban and O'Reilly are stuck.  Teams 99 percent of the time refuse to go after RFA's which in my opinion is collussion at its best but since that can't be proven and since the union doesn't care nothing ever happens. 

Montreal's original offer to Subban was estimated to be around 5 million for 2 years which miraculously happens to be around what Del Zotto and Kulikov received in their deals.  Either the Habs are hiring psychics for GM's or boy are they great at predicting the market because to me it's incredible he knew exactly what to offer Subban from day 1.  Even more incredible is the GM's of the other 2 players I mentioned were awesome too and without ever speaking with each other offered around the same money their players both accepted.

OR.. maybe it's not so much the "market value" for these kids coming off rookie deals but maybe GM's have made a decision of what they feel like paying and that's it.  The union doesn't care, they only care about big money players raising the stakes for GM's and for UFA's. 

It's stupid.