I can work, I can travel
Sleep anywhere
Cross every border
With nothing to declare.
You can look back babe,
But it's best not to stare....
I need a big weekend
Kick up the dust
Yeah, a big weekend.
If you don't run, you rust....
Can't beat Tom Petty to open up a big weekend, with good weather and cookouts projected, the Cup Finals starting, Jaromir Jagr in the pool and who knows where else at the MGM Grand in Vegas (according to Blueshirt Bulletin) and summer's in the air.
Me, I spent most of Wednesday and Thursday at Yankee Stadium (and why didn't I see some of you in our live gameday chat room? Shame on ya. Maybe next time) covering two games in the O's series with some of our insightful and delightful (whoa, a Clyde Frazier moment) baseball writers. That explains my absence in this space.
But Blue Notes and Newsday's coverage still made news in Canada. Check the lower third of William Houston's column:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080523.truth23/BNStory/GlobeSportsHockey/?query=
So, yes, the word is spreading. But no, like many major newspapers, we won't be in Detroit (hopefully we'll figure out a way to be at the Finals next year) but we'll be watching closely and commenting right here, so swing by and contribute.
Around the league: I'm shocked Tony Granato will be the bench boss in Colorado,
but certainly wish him well. And Alain Vigneault was extended for a year in Vancouver. Wonder if that means Joel Quenneville is close to a deal elsewhere?...Just an opinion, but the two most overpaid players among free agents will be Wade Redden and Brian Campbell. Of course, almost everyone will be overpaid. I'd still like Ryan Malone to be a Ranger, though...You know which Yankee I spoke with reminds me the most of an NHL player? No not Giambi. Please. None other than Kyle Farnsworth.
Ah well, that's a wrap for now. I'll be back tomorrah before Game 1.
Comments (10)
"It's better to burn out than it is to rust"
Neil Young
Nobody is more overpaid than Shanahan and Betts and Malik as well as Renney and Sather.
"I'm shocked Tony Granato will be the bench boss in Colorado,
but certainly wish him well. Wonder if that means Joel Quenneville is close to a deal elsewhere?"
I don't get the logic here. I thought Quenneville was fired weeks ago.
ah... more imposters....
my ego is growing
whatever... f*ck off... its not me
The lyric is "it's better to burn out then it is to fade"
BOB IS BACK!!!!!
MSG,
from the previous thread...I don't necessarily disagree with your imaginary scenario but allow me to give you the flip side to that logic. Let's say that you are the Wild's GM and all signs point to the fact that you will not be able to re-sign Gaborik and will thus lose him to free agency and get absolutely nothing in return. So now does Prucha, Callahan and a 1st rd pick seem better? I agree that in a fair and even trade there is no way anyone would give up a Gaborik for the players listed on our side. But when a team is desperate then they have to accept what is offered. Now maybe another team makes a better offer and we lose out.
I like the idea of a trade for Gaborik, a trade for Pitkinin and then sign Malone and Orpik. Or you can swap out Avery for Malone or Webber for Orpik. But we need to replace Jagr and get meaner and stronger both up front and definitely on the blue line.
joke - but a team gets compensation if they leave as restricted. when does Gaborik become a totally free agent.
LI Joe,
I'm not positive but I believe he will be a UFA 7/1/09 - meaning they have him for one more season and then need to sign him before 7/1. So unless they think they will win the cup because of him this year, then it makes sense to try and get what you can. Unfortunately they might wait until the trade deadline to get more from a "buyer" at that time. But that can also hurt you, Atlanta didn't really make a killing with their Hossa trade.
I think it's an interesting possibility depending on who we actually would end up trading. I'm guessing he would want a HUGE contract from us as well come 7/1/09. But when he's healthy I don't know if there is a better sniper/ scorer out there besides Ovechkin maybe? So give him the $$ and let Gomez feed him the puck for the next 4 - 5 years, if not more.
I'm looking forward to being a big time Red Wings fan tomorrow!!!!!!
Joke, all great points on Gaborik, however when you have a talent like him, you need to lock him up. I can't see any scenario where the Wild is not going to make him the face of their franchise. As to when he is FA, certainly at the trade deadline the ante would be substantial and I believe they would get great value for him then if they were silly enough to not lock him up. Again, this is all nice in theory, yet the rumor blogs come up with BS all the time, I don't seriously believe that he is available at all, and certainly the price you have quoted is not even in the ballpark, so the rumor mill is simply BS. Ps Atl got better value then PRUCHA! When is everyone going to come to the realization that Prucha was a roman candle, and the Rangers needed to move him prior to this past season when teams where still interested, I don't think any team has a serious interest in Prucha, and even if he is packaged he will never be a serious thought in a trade for someone like Gaborik. Honestly, do you think Prucha is better than Armstrong?
We're serving Calamari tonight!
LET'S GO PENS!
MSG,
You are very right that Minnesota will do everything in their power to sign Gaborik, but I think he has more than hinted that he is not a fan of the coach or team strategy (the trap). So they can offer him 8 million a year but he might rather play for a team with some star power and more wide open system. The rangers have one of the best set up men in hockey (Gomez) and a system that while not the 1980's Oilers, is still more offensive than the Wild. And the trade is not just a rumored Prucha for Gaborik. We are also supposedly offering Callahan and our 1st rd pick which is nothing to sneeze at. My question though is if he really is available than is the Rangers rumored offer the best out there? I would have to think another team would make a better offer.
Lets hope the Wings blast the flightless baby birds right out of the building!!!