And so, Gentle Reader, the trade deadline has come and gone, and there’s… not much different about the Devils. Sure, we’ve railed in this space about wanting a shakeup, or wanting Lecavalier (seriously, how did the Lightning not jump at the chance to have a few of our extra D-men?), or wanting moon particles to be named later in exchange for Gio, but now that it’s all over, we’re pretty cool with it. Because the looming specter of Janssen ruining the season is now a looming specter in St. Louis, and we’re back to the regular things that ruin Devils seasons (like “lack of scoring”, “tired goaltending”, and “roster-wide apathy”). It feels so nice to be back to normal.
Okay, perhaps “normal” isn’t the right word, unless you consider having nine (9) defensemen normal. We will spend all evening being delighted with Sutter’s quote on Tom Gulitti’s blog, about how he’s going to deal with having 9 D-men by skating “three pairs of three”. Just to drive the point home about how ridonk the Devils blue line is, here’s FSN’s graphic showing us our D-pairings… and extra pairing… and spare D-man to go after that.
FIRST PERIOD
19:38 We are crushed to find out that neither team is unveiling their hot new pickups tonight, since Salvador hasn’t joined the Devils, and Tuomo Ruutu is still en route to the Canes from Chicago.
18:57 Chico tells us, as he and Doc start their banter for the evening, that Marty has not given up a single soft goal this season. Boomer: “Chico.”
17:50 Doc hastens to tell us he lied when he said Ruutu hadn’t made it from Chicago – the newest Cane is actually in the lineup, although no one knows what number he’s wearing.
17:08 As the Devils go offsides after some mild pressure, we see the man himself! It’s Ruutu on the bench! We nearly swoon with excitement. Chico tells us Salvador was told by the Devils not to hurry to get himself to Jersey, since the need for another healthy body on the blue line is, well, not pressing.
16:27 Samsonov tries to show off that he’s not entirely done yet as an effective NHLer and leads a feisty little shift in the Devils zone that wakes the crowd up.
15:33 Ruutu runs Whitey hard in the corner to Marty’s left as the puck squirts past him. Chico thinks it should have been interference. Considering the puck was in Whitey’s feet at the time, we beg to differ.
15:21 Walker sneezes on Marty and gets called for goalie interference. Pookie: “Pookie = confused.” It is… not a good call.
14:03 Pookie: “Paulie looks sort of like a hunchback tonight.” Schnookie: “Paulie’s like, ‘Now that the trade deadline has passed, I can let my hunch show.’”
13:08 As the power play expires, the Devils manage their best scoring chance of the period, collapsing on a loose puck in the crease, but nothing really comes of it, since Zubrus is the guy who ultimately corrals the puck. Predictably, he shoots into a defender’s shinpads, and everyone just moves on.
12:51 Playing the role of Cam Janssen now that he’s gone is Mike Rupp, who throws an idiotic, crushing, sickening, head-first-into-the-boards hit into Gleason. He is rightly called for a major for boarding, and Gleason has to be supported off the ice by several teammates. Hedican goes after Rupp and gets tagged for roughing. We go to commercial, and when we come back, FSN shows us Walker limping off the ice after drilling his own thigh into Greener’s knee on an earlier play. This is not going well for the Canes, health-wise.
11:33 As the Canes try to settle into their formation in the Devils zone, Ruutu gets called for holding. And so the Devils go onto a four-on-three power play.
9:00 Nothing happens on the weirdly man-powered PP situations, and now we’re down to the remains of the major PP for the Canes.
8:18 The Canes seem to have been taken by surprise by this man advantage.
7:24 This game feels so weird already, what with the trade deadline vibe, and then the injurious hit to Gleason, and Doc having no idea who’s in the lineup and who isn’t, and now we’re told that a major for boarding doesn’t include a game misconduct, so apparently Rupper’s still in the game. The fuck?
6:28 The Canes are building up a head of steam now, and the Devils are forced to ice the puck.
5:50 An out-of-nowhere rush by Madden turns into a nifty little shot that Ward has to be sharp on. We are kind of surprised that there’s still hockey happening. It’s that kind of game.
4:52 Not surprisingly, Wade Brookbank fights Rupper. And for the people out there who think this is how the game should be policed, we guess this means Gleason has been avenged and right is now done. Those people are idiots.
3:44 Chico chirps, “It’s a good news/bad news situation here in the first, depending on who you’re cheering for.” (The news is that Ward is looking sharp so far.) Pookie: “Chico is so strange. He’s such a homer, but now he’s being careful to address how Canes fans would be happy at how Ward is doing.”
2:01 Travis intercepts the Canes’ forward thrust at the blue line, and proceeds to put on a clinic demonstrating to Langer how to correctly respond to having a puck in your feet.
0:53 Hooters gets a bit too close to Marty for the Devils liking after Marty freezes a shot, and all hell breaks loose. All five skaters pile onto Hooters, and while they hold him down, Marty takes a swat at him with his catching glove. Hooters then half-heartedly swats Marty back (while taking a soft punch to the head from Brookbank), and Marty flailingly loses his balance and collapses to the ice. Hooters and Brookbank get matching minors, and Chico giggles about how marvelously old-time hockey this whole game is getting.
0:42 Doc and Chico have been discussing how odd it was that Emery apparently wasn’t in practice today for the Sens, but then wasn’t traded. As Doc is meandering through an out-of-town scoreboard update, he wonders if Emery was just told by his coaches to take the day off, following the Sens losing 5-0 to the Leafs yesterday. Chico: “Because he played so well last night.” Pookie: “Day-um! We need to hire Chico to do our game diaries!”
0:20 Pando follows a desperately-leaning Cole near the point in the Canes zone and when he reaches in front of Cole with his stick, Cole loses his balance and topples over. The official at center ice calls Pando for tripping, and Pando is, for the first time in his career, demonstrably astonished at how shitty that call is.
0:00 This period was just really weird. Strange goings-on, strange officiating, no real flow… We thought this was supposed to be normal now!
FIRST INTERMISSION
We get to see sound bites from a bunch of Devils saying the same old line, about how sometimes the best move on trade deadline day is to make no move at all. Our boys have had a lot of practice with that one.
FSN shows us a shot of Chuck The Duck perched on a wood sculpture of Rod Brind’Amour with the Cup that’s in the Canes’ arena’s vestibule. Doc jokes that Chuck is “looking for his name on the Cup” and that while it’s not there yet, “maybe this Spring.” Schnookie: “That’s not going to happen.” Pookie: “Maybe he’ll get a front-office job with Detroit. You know how they are about putting everybody’s name on the Cup.” Pause. “I figured in the spirit of all the old names on the trade deadline today, I’d pull out that old joke. I mean, it hasn’t been funny in ten years to joke about the excess names the Red Wings put on the Cup.” Boomer: “Like ‘Sergei Fedorov.’”
SECOND INTERMISSION
19:19 Chico tempts fate as the Devils watch the Canes wheel around the zone on the PP for Pando’s bullshit penalty, when he says, “The Devils will take this – no shots!” Pookie: “Cue: Canes scoring.” (Actually, the Canes promptly weakly lob a blockable shot into the defense and then give up the zone.)
18:32 The officials make up for the Pando penalty when Brookbank tries to be the hard-driving trailer on a Madden shorthanded rush, and bumps into Ward with a lot more emphasis than Walker had on Marty on that earlier goalie interference call. There is no call.
18:10 WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gio sprints down the wing, then hooks a pass attempt toward the slot where Travis is slowly following up on the rush, and the pass goes tape-to-tape perfectly to Hedican instead, and he helpfully deflects it perfectly off the pipe and into the net. 1-0 Devils. Boomer, who wasn’t really watching, says, “So Hedican tipped that in?” Pookie and Schnookie, in unison: “Hedican shot it in.”
16:03 Mottau gets called for high sticking Ruutu. Chico tries to tell us what the infraction was for while watching replay of an exchange between the two players from moments before the penalty actually happened. He stumbles around trying to figure out what the call is being based on, since there is no obvious “stick near head” stuff going on, and then just as he is getting a good het up about how bad the call is, FSN finally shows us footage of Mottau trying to corkscrew Ruutu’s head off. Um, yeah.
14:04 The PK seems to have everything under control, but then the guys in front of the net lose Samsonov, and he is able to punch a loose puck past Marty following a quick Aucoin shot on the rush. 1-1 game.
12:56 FSN gives us a graphic showing the trades the Devils have made in the years they’ve won the Cup, and Doc concludes by saying we’re all hoping Bryce Salvador gets his name on the Cup this Spring. Schnookie: “That’s not going to happen. Unless he gets a front-office job with Detroit.”
12:51 After a surprisingly good rush by the Devils, Brookbank and Clarkson face off because Brookbank takes umbrage to Clarkson tapping at Ward’s pads. And when we say Brookbank, we mean Wade. It would be a lot cooler if it was Sheldon.
12:37 Marty freezes a shot from a Cane on a rush after the post-fight faceoff. Boomer: “This game has had no flow.” Schnookie and Pookie: “No.” Pookie: “The next instance of flow is going to be huge.” Boomer: “Zzz… Huh? I think the paint is dry now. It’s time to put another coat on.”
11:29 A decent bit of offensive-zone play by the Devils ends with a Cane blocking a shot above the faceoff circles and losing the puck in his shorts. Langer then jostles the guy, and another scrum breaks out. Meanwhile, Pookie announces, “I was going to say that Zach looks like he’s wearing suspenders tonight… but I think he actually is wearing suspenders tonight.”
9:45 Hey, is that flow we see on our television right now? The teams actually back-and-forth a bit, and suddenly Aucoin finds himself swooping in on a breakaway that Marty calmly takes care of with a showy glove save. We go to commercial waiting to figure out which defender it was who took a hooking penalty trying to catch up to Aucoin. We come back from commercial to find out it was Brookbank. Sheldon. It would have been pretty cool if it was Wade.
8:20 You know who we’ve liked on the PK in the last few games? Patty. Don’t tell him we said that, though, because that sort of thing always goes to his head.
7:16 Travis and Zubrus start up some nifty swirling forecheck, and Pookie exhorts, “Come on, Travis! Show Lou he was right to not trade you!” The puck promptly finds its way to Paulie at the high point, and Paulie shoots it straight into a defender. Pookie: “Urgh. Next question!”
6:31 Marty covers a shot with a bit of Carolina rush barreling down the slot, and then looks like he’s whining to the official about the snow shower the charging forward sprays on him.
6:12 Ruutu flattens Patty just inside the Devils blue line, and as FSN shows us the replay about 600 times, Chico remarks about what a great, high-energy game Ruutu’s had tonight. “I don’t know what he drank before the game,” he marvels. Pause. “I’m talking about caffeine, of course…” Pookie, through our screeches of laugher: “I’m talking about cocaine, of course.”
4:46 We have no idea what is going on anymore. The best descriptor for this shift in the Devils zone is “chaos”.
3:09 Did we complain that there was no flow in this game? The teams are now sprinting from end to end, and Pookie says, “This game is like part playoffs and part…” she trails off. Schnookie finishes for her, “And part preseason.”
1:59 After Marty makes a miracle save through traffic, Langer wheels up the wing while Asham chugs up the middle on the rush with him. Somehow they cross the blue line without a whistle, and Boomer wonders aloud, “How was that onsides?” Schnookie: “Generously from the linesman.”
1:31 Chico and Doc are talking about what Janssen is going to be expected to for the Blues, and Chico says that he should not be expected to fight, because he can’t anymore after the shoulder surgery. Pookie: “So then what would you have him in the lineup for?”
0:18 In discussing how things went down today, Doc says that it’s hard to assess who made “good” trades, “because no fan ever considers a trade 100% good.” We beg to differ. We’ve thought from day one that the Langer-and-Nieuwendyk-for-Arnott-and-McKay trade was 100% good.
0:00 Whew! That period ended up being absolutely wild. And surprisingly enjoyable.
SECOND INTERMISSION
Steve talks to Gio. He seems happy that he wasn’t traded. Meh.
We also get interviews from Devils about their feelings on the Hossa trade. Marty seems to be laughing about it. So does Patty. Actually, so does Langer. As does Whitey.
THIRD PERIOD
We come back from intermission to see our new favorite ticket-checking usher person at the Canes’ arena – she is clutching Chuck the Duck under one arm while checking the tickets of a stream of fans walking past her.
We then cut to the ice surface, and Chico is wondering, “Where are the Devils?” The Canes and Devils coaching staff are on the benches, but the Devils are nowhere to be seen. Finally they stream out of the tunnel onto the ice, and Pookie suggests one of them turned around for some reason and the entire rest of the team filed after them. Boomer: “Yeah, Marty went back into the room to get a Sprite.”
19:11 Doc is still apologizing for misinforming us about Ruutu’s presence in the lineup for Carolina tonight. Doc, it’s really not that big a deal.
17:57 As there is strangely no call on a clear trip of a Cane in the corner to Marty’s left, Doc tells us how the landscape of the Southeast has changed thanks to the Caps acquiring “a star, in Sergei Fedorov.” Schnookie: “No, a former star.”
15:41 For the umpteenth time tonight, the Canes make Brookbank and Greener look like they have no idea how to play defense. We can only assume Rachunek and Vish-Dog are like, “Can we get back in the lineup now?” Maybe Salvador should have hurried to get here.
15:01 Pookie: “I think Lou had a ‘Let’s put a sumo wrestler in net!’ idea, and tried to get every defenseman so none of the other teams would be able to have any. But when he got to nine, he had to stop.”
13:55 Pando gets a penalty for being near Cole when Cole blows an edge, and Travis gets flat-out tripped below the Canes goal line while trying to walk out of the corner with the puck and there’s nothing? PandoNation is incensed.
12:41 More chaos reigns as a Hurricanes shot from the point goes wide, and Marty goes to play the ricochet off the end boards to the other side of the net… except it kicks right back out the way it came. A Cane leaps on the puck at the side of the net, and Marty just manages to scramble back to hold the post with the paddle of his stick.
12:07 We get a little tutorial in how “Dancing With The Stars” works, thanks to Chico telling us about how Kristi Yamaguchi is going on the show. We promptly begin discussing which Devils should go on it. Schnookie suggests Zach would be great because he’d make Rupper dance for him, and Pookie suggests Marty would do a number where he’d be Jabba the Hutt and his dance partner would be Princess Leia.
10:07 The teams go back and forth a bit and Doc says, “The probing continues.” Schnookie: “God! I’ve been thinking of Marty as Jabba the Hutt. The last word I wanted to hear was ‘probe.’” (We are delighted, though, that Doc breaks out the Steve Coates call, “We got it, then they got it, then we got it, then they got it.”)
9:12 What is going on? The Devils, to a man, including Marty, are running all over the zone, and the Canes keep coming within inches of scoring, but then gacking at the last second. Replay shows Marty makes an insane, blind, split save on what looked like a sure goal. And replay also shows that Rachunek and Vish-Dog should totally get back in the lineup soon.
7:43 Langer gets a weak shot on Ward after more sustained pressure from the Canes. It is, according to Chico, the Devils’ third shot in this period. That’s at least ten more shots than we thought they had.
6:53 Schnookie: “You know, the fact that I don’t hate the Canes is disguising the fact that the Devils are being badly outplayed for the second game in a row.”
5:12 Doc is confident this is going to OT 1-1. Not if Brookbank and Greener get another shift, it won’t.
4:12 Marty is reduced to making himself as tiny as possible in his own goal mouth as the defense in front of him keeps pushing the puck haphazardly across the crease. We’re about to grouse loudly that Greener and Brookbank are sucking again, but then we realize – whoops! – that’s Paulie.
3:47 Suddenly the Devils are, shockingly, on the inside of the Canes blue line, and Madden rips a hard shot through a screen that Ward makes a snappy glove save on.
3:09 Play continues as the Devils mount their first sustained offensive-zone pressure despite Patty apparently taking a piece out of Ruutu’s mouth with his stick in the neutral zone. The fans boo. Classless.
1:57 Gio busts past Hooters on a bobble at the point, but the puck is too far ahead of him for a breakaway, and Ward beats him in a race for it. Sigh.
FSN shows us a replay of the high stick that split open Ruutu’s face, and basically the sequence involved Patty slamming his stick into Ruutu’s nose and Ruutu falling to the ice, bleeding profusely. Chico explains away the non-call by saying, “It was so subtle!” Schnookie: “Yes. That was the essence of subtlety.”
0:55 Another gruesomely oppressive shift in the Devils zone leads to another icing by the Devils. The fans are in full, furious boo over all manner of defensive plays that they think should have been penalties. Sutter calls a timeout, and we get a look at Marty at the bench, with his mask pushed up over his forehead, grinning from ear to ear and looking as relaxed as a guy goofing around at an optional practice. Pookie: “It’s like working in the salt mines for him.”
0:00 The buzzer finally sounds, and somehow, miraculously (read: Marty), the Devils are not losing.
OVERTIME
4:46 There is a moment that looks like Patty is setting up a good chance for Oduya swooping down on a deliberate rush, but his pass bounces hard off Oduya’s stick, and Oduya staggers awkwardly into the boards, flailing after the puck. Pookie: “This game is going to go down in history as ‘The Flubber Game.’”
3:24 Samsonov blows past the defense (*cough*GreenerandBrookbank*cough*), wrists a quick shot on Marty, then darts across the front of the crease without a defender following him, and he bats the rebound out of the air into the net. Canes win 2-1. Pookie: “That was a strangely unsatisfying end to a thoroughly strange day.” Rachunek and Vish-Dog: “Can we get back into the lineup soon?”
WOO Devils feed tonight. :)
You know what that means? No interviews! With anyone!
Awe that’s right. I hadn’t considered that. :( Thanks Pookie. :(
Hey, it’s all about that 1/2 empty glass! Seriously, though, I’m so happy for you that you get to hear Doc and Chico! From my years in AZ having to see 1/2 of the Devils games on the road feed, I understand completely the joy of getting an extra Doc feed!
Wait. There’s HOCKEY tonight? I figured trade deadline day was a hockey holiday!
Yes it is great to get an extra Doc feed. Especially when he’s one of the only announcers I can stand listening to. Him and Darren Pang but Doc is definitely the most interesting.
But Zach looks all fuzzy. Well they all do.
Kate, I just realized, you’ve survived your first Trade Deadline Day! Congratulations! It was fun, right? And is your felt owl feel peppier now that Buffalo is a Soupy-free zone?
And is your felt owl feel peppier now that Buffalo is a Soupy-free zone?
TOTALLY! My owl is hopping happily around the apartment right now! Trade Deadline Day is SOOOOOOO much less horrifying than Free Agency Day.
Yeah, Free Agency Day can really, really suck. But that’s MONTHS away! Now is the time to focus on what’s at hand — the stretch run, baby! (I’m trying to psych myself up; it’s… not working.)
Is anyone else scared of Pittsburgh now? I mean Hossa, Malkin, and Crosby? That will be rather lethal.
I don’t really like the stretch run very much to be honest. I wish we could have another A-S break or something. I need a rest.
KG, I think Pittsburgh’s pulling a Gob Bluth: “I’ve made a huge mistake”. Sure, Hossa, Malkin and Crosby is pretty scary but what about team chemistry? What about losing two capable 3rd liners? What about the pressure on the team when their GM says, “You must win NOW.” Seems like a disaster to me. Sure they might go farther this year, but in the long term? Disaster.
Also a disaster? That hit by Rupp. That… was so bad. Very, very discouraging. Very, very dispiriting.
Pookie, Good points. I think Sid the Kid is going to be devastated about losing Colby Armstrong. I mean Armstrong was his roommate on the road and from everything I’ve heard from Crosby (in interviews) he seemed to be pretty close with Armstrong. So hopefully for the Devils sake it will be more a disaster than a good hockey move.
And I have very bad feeling that someone is going to get hurt in this game on the Devils. It’s going to be brutal. I’m worried it’s going to be little Zach or Travis.
A quote from Zach?! :) That’s gotta be a bad omen though…Eep.
I’m not a big supporter of guys ensuring that their teammates are buddies (like when Wayne Gretzky brought Brett Hull to St. Loius) but I have to wonder what Shero was doing trading Armstrong. Sid was publicly unhappy with the Laraque pick-up last season, and then this season they trade the one player he’s said he’s most comfortable with? What the phonk? That doesn’t seem like a real good idea to me.
Yeah I’m kind of wondering if maybe Shero is trying to piss off Sid to light a fire under him or something. But Sid’s not even in the lineup yet so I don’t know. Maybe he has a good reason. Maybe not.
I just hope it’s not as bad as it seems for the Devils. That’s all that really matters, our boys in black and red.
I just hope it’s not as bad as it seems for the Devils.
Right! Good point! Gotta keep our eyes on the prize!
Katebits, I can’t believe you’re not ready for the stretch run! Surely the constantly changing ups-and-downs with really high stakes mesh perfectly with your fan style!
Sid was publicly unhappy with the Laraque pick-up last season, and then this season they trade the one player he’s said he’s most comfortable with? What the phonk? That doesn’t seem like a real good idea to me.
Unless management did it to try and stop the perception that its not all about Sid all the time.
Hmm I like that idea Amy!!
And anybody see how Marty’s helmet came off?
Wow bs penalty on Pando. The guy lost an edge. But that was a priceless reaction from Pando.
Pando is innocent! FREE PANDO!
Surely the constantly changing ups-and-downs with really high stakes mesh perfectly with your fan style!
No! I do not enjoy the constant ups-and-downs! I like to sit calmly and giggle with happiness. I DO NOT like grinding my teeth and crying with frustration.
His helmet came off because his head hit the official, I think.
I have never seen Pando protest that much before! He was totally justified in complaining, too!
FREE PANDO!
Exactly! Pando Pandolfo graduates! Pando Pandolfo graduates!
Pando Pandolfo graduates! Pando Pandolfo graduates!
Poor kid whose parents named him Pando Pandolfo. ;)
They wanted to be sure he’d have a good nickname when he hit the bigs.
Pando Pandolfo graduates! Pando Pandolfo graduates!
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I thought it was really funny how Chico (was that Chico?) kept saying, “Oh, Jaaaaaay!” I was like, “who the hell is he talking about? Pando?”
I’m constantly weirded out that Pando’s real name is “Jay”.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
WOOOOOOO!!! Although own goals like that really warrant a “woo?” instead.
I’m constantly weirded out that Pando’s real name is “Jay”.
But is his name really Jay or is Jay short for something? Or, is he like Jay McKee who really isn’t a Jay at all?
Good question, Amy. I have no idea, actually. I’m pretty sure he’s on the Cup as “Jay” not “Jason”. For what that’s worth.
Good question, Amy. I have no idea, actually. I’m pretty sure he’s on the Cup as “Jay” not “Jason”.
Jay as a nickname for Jason makes sense. Jay as a nickname for someone named Robert doesn’t make any sense, in Mr. McKee’s case.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Jay McKee’s name is Robert? It’s like his mom wanted to name him Robert and his dad wanted to name him Wolfgang, so they went with Jay. (That’s also keeping with my theme of hockey jokes that were funny 10 years ago.)
BOOOOO, indeed!
I love the stretch run! I’m so pumped to see my team slide in to the playoffs with limited secondary scoring, have all the d-men slip on banana peels and break limbs at the worst time (Stay in your bubble Matty!), and have Lui make a bajillion saves to keep the Canucks in it, but then let in the last shot by a freakin Neidermayer in the elimination game! Oh what? That was last year? Phew!
I’m convinced that deal is going to go horribly for the Pens. And they’ll be sorry they took away Crosby’s life partner and gave up all those gritty third liners.
Jay McKee’s name is Robert?
Yeah, it was in the paper when he got married. Jay is actually one of his middle names.
Jay is actually one of his middle names.
Like Homer J. Simpson?
Like Homer J. Simpson?
More like Homer Jay Simpson.
Just dropping in to say that I don’t think Bouche is in tonight. But I can’t be sure. They’re all so cryptic.
(Poor Halpie, Jussi and Smitty.)
I hope he is, Patty! Did you get tickets to his first home game? Is Richards there yet?
AHHHH! I’m still freaking out about my division getting Chris Simon. I should just let it go.
Patty, your Bouche sensors aren’t going off?
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! I JUST SAW HIM!!!!!
Sorry to hijack, but Boucher is IN! He’s IN THE GAME! This the happiest day of this season! Even with the whole trade thing!
Woo-hoo! *tosses copious quantities of Bouche-colored confetti* Is PK bedecked with Bouche-colored bunting?
they took away Crosby’s life partner and gave up all those gritty third liners.
:^:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Great, I will see Armstrong now and think “Crosby’s Life Partner” forEVER.
Patty, your Bouche sensors aren’t going off?
They were, but they kept making odd comments that made me think he wasn’t. So I was right, then thought I was wrong, then turned out I was right. Keeping the always-right streak alive! :D
BOOBOO’s FIRST SHIFT BACK! Whee!
YAY BOUCHE! Gettting your favourite back is the best thing ever! Now we just need to get Russian back and we’ll be all set.
“Great, I will see Armstrong now and think “Crosby’s Life Partner” forEVER.”
Hee! My work here is done.
I see Gionta is relishing his trade to the blue line.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::
Yeah, the minute he got on the blue line he realized he needed to start scoring!
Yay BooBoo! My Happy Meals has a bruised foot and isn’t playing. :( Poor Happy Meals.
YAY BOUCHE! Gettting your favourite back is the best thing ever!
It really is!
I don’t know how many of you caught it, but I’m all for this particular cause so I’ll repeat it…
Pre-register to give blood at The Rock between 6am and 2pm on Saturday, April 5th and you’ll get a free Devils jersey.
Link
Thanks for the info, Matt! A worthy cause, indeed!
Thanks for the info, Matt! A worthy cause, indeed!
I may be a selfish, mean SOB but the one thing I always do is give blood every 8 weeks. If I could do it this time, I’d love a free jersey =)
LOL! That bunny-hop by Brodeur to get back into the crease was funny as hell.
Marty’s looked like such a spazz! He’s making great saves but looking… well spazzy!
I figure it’s because there are too many defensemen and he’s starting to worry about his own job security. Lou’s trying to make everybody a defenseman!
This game is insane!
I think you’re onto something, Matt!
grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. trade day sucks.
Ew!
Well that sucked! Not that the Devils deserved to win, per se, but still.
Uh-oh.
Well that sucked! Not that the Devils deserved to win, per se, but still.
So? I believe my insane wailing last night will serve as evidence that I believe “deserving to win” and “insane wailing” are not mutually exclusive.
The Stars game is apparently being broadcast from a Nickleodeon.
Good point, Katebits! WAIL!!! WAIL!!!! WAAAIIILL!!!! THE DEVILS ARE NEVER WINNING AGAIN AND I’M GOING TO BE A BAG LADY SOON IF THEY KEEP THIS UP!!!!
Patty, is the Stars game PPV — one nickel?
The new nine-D Devils are POOPTASTIC!
I like to call the post-trade deadline Devils the DDDDDDDDDevils. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I’m so funny.
Sigh. This game bit.
Now we just need to get Russian back and we’ll be all set.
Indeed! RUSSSSSIIIIAAAAANNNN! :wails and pulls hair:
Stupid trade deadline day…I hate this day.
BOOO I hate hockey. :( This ruined my day. (Well that and my internet crashing while I was doing something that I needed to get finished and now can’t.) :(
A nickel would be too much for that picture. It almost gave me a seizure.
I like to call the post-trade deadline Devils the DDDDDDDDDevils.
I get it.
BOOO I hate hockey. :( This ruined my day.
Aw, it’s okay, KG! They got a point! They’re still first overall! And we don’t have to see them again until Friday! That’s a positive!
Wow, Sutter reads our diaries! And so soon after a game! He pretty much just assured us Andy Greene will not be in the line-up next game!
I hope you -ookies are satisfied. Making Cam go away like that. :( Don’t play it coy, I know you totally planned that all along. The Lecavalier-for-a-small-village-of-defensemen deal was just a rouse for you real intentions of ridding this team of Cam. :P
Oh noes! Our devious plan exposed!
I’d say I’m sorry, Josh, but… I can’t do it.
Bouche did his little down-on-one-knee, sliding block at the corner of the crease. I forgot how much I missed that!
Ah yes I suppose that’s true Pookie but that also means no little Zach until Friday.
I didn’t realize we’d been hiding our intentions of ridding the team of Janssen. Sorry about that — we never meant to be trying any subterfuge. :P (No, but I am sorry that you had to see a player you liked go today. He’s not a player I’m sorry to see go, but I can try to be nice and recognize that not everybody agrees with me…)
This has been a long day, eh?
I even had my Mid-Year review. Remember when I had to do a self-review? My boss actually raised one I put as needs improvement (which I put, just to be humble) to Satisfactorily Meets and one SM to Exceeds!!
Patty, you’re such a superstar!
I desperately want an ice-cream-and-alcohol treat. It’s been a REALLY long day of blogging today. I’m feeling sorry for myself now.
I even had my Mid-Year review. Remember when I had to do a self-review? My boss actually raised one I put as needs improvement (which I put, just to be humble) to Satisfactorily Meets and one SM to Exceeds!!
Yay! And they’re interviewing Boucher RIGHT NOW! :D
Awww, Boucher! Philippe, you’re so awesome.
Awww, man. Smitty, Jussi and Halpie? Will never get another Best Buy/Lombardo Custom Apparel gift certificate. However, they are eligible for the Perry’s gift card. :tear:
Awwwwww! Bouche interview! Ralph told him he did a good job as an analyst but it’s better to see him on the ice. Bouche said, “Yeah, I’d much rather be in my equipment when I talk to you.”
Now I’ll shut up.
He’s not a player I’m sorry to see go, but I can try to be nice and recognize that not everybody agrees with me…
I can’t.
(Just kidding. Sorry, Josh.)
Awww, man. Smitty, Jussi and Halpie? Will never get another Best Buy/Lombardo Custom Apparel gift certificate.
Oh, and poor Smitty never even GOT those!!
Awww. Bob Mckenzie said the Canucks are a good young team, and were smart not to deal Edler and Kesler to Tampa. That’s refreshing. I’m so used to hearing blah, blah, blah, only Luongo, blah, blah, no help for Sedin twins, blah, blah.
My boss is a sucker.
A really nice one, that fortunately is too busy to care about anything other than whether I get my work done.
If he had any idea how much time I waste, he’d be appalled.
Boy, Soupy’s kind of dopey-looking, isn’t he? Do you think SJ will sign him after this season?
At least the boys get to go to Tampa together. They can face big scary Tortorella together.
A really nice one, that fortunately is too busy to care about anything other than whether I get my work done.
Hmm. Does your company have any openings?
At least the boys get to go to Tampa together. They can face big scary Tortorella together.
I was thinking that very same thing! I think Halpern can help out Jussi, who I picture as being kind of shy in a new locker room. But his English has improved hugely over the last couple of years, so maybe not.
Poor kids.
Oops. It was actually James Duthie that said that about the Canucks. But still. Nice to hear.
Canucks are going to Tampa? I thought Cooke when somewhere else. @@@@
So many, I lost track.
WENT, not when. Sheesh.
Cooke went to Washington.
Oh no sorry, that was about my earlier comment about the TSN panel saying the Canucks were turning into a good, young team and Nonis was smart for not giving Kesler and Edler away for a potential scorer.
Cookie went to Washington.
WOoooooo! We take the lead!
Oh, sorry, alix. I gotcha now!
YAY! I love the Caps! They schooled the Wild! HA. I love how everybody was saying a week and a half ago that anybody in the NW would be lucky to catch the Wild. Not anymore!
YAY Stars! Richards isn’t there yet, right?
WOOO HOO! Now it’s 3-1!
I think they cough up the first goal on purpose. It’s part of their game plan.
It’s Tippett’s version of the left-wing lock.
No, alix, Richards didn’t make it in time.
S’posed to be there for practice tomorrow.
Hopefully he works out. (But not too well if we have to play you in the post season :p)
Woooo!!! We won! Down 1-0 partway into the third and won 3-1.
They’re never going to lose again!!!
Hee! YAY!
WOOOO!!! Go Stars! You aren’t ever going to lose again!
Man Nazzy’s pretty. Usually I hate soul patches, but he even rocks one of those.
That picture from yesterday where he was blowing a bubble was very cute, alix. He is very pretty. He has GREAT hair.
Wait, what picture of Nazzy blowing a bubble?
I LOVE that picture! He does have great hair, eh? I better go lust after some Matty pictures so he doesn’t get jealous… :D
This picture of Nazzy blowing a bubble:
http://bp1.blogger.com/_Gy1HdymmQNM/R7_h4hgCpdI/AAAAAAAACE8/mKIF5GoNwzo/s1600-h/markusbubbleawwww.jpg
Ohhh, that’s nice. He is a beautiful human being.
I like it when he lets his hair grow out longer. Just sayin’.
Boy, Detroit is strugg-el-ling.
Yeah I think I prefer the longer hair too. Just a bit. :) Anyways, I’m off to bed. Congrats on your win, Patty. Sorry about the Devils Ookies.
Did they lose again, Patty?
In the shootout! They got a point, but we got two! So we’re only 5 points behind them. Who could have predicted that?
I never would have! (no offence Starsies)
I know they have some key guys injured and stuff but geez! They’re flaming out just in time for the playoffs.
So the Caps now have 3 goalies. What are we supposed to make of that? And Olie does not have a contract and Brent Johnson does. I sense a disturbance in the force…
And I thought we had an ARRANGEMENT. You were supposed to beat Carolina! That was the agreement, and I may have to rescind my offer of dinner…
:)
I’ll go back and read the rest of the thread later, but I saw Matt’s comment about the blood drive and I have one itty bitty complaint: what about the people (ie, me. And everyone else who has ever been to a tropical country and got vaccinated for it) who are not allowed to give blood? WE WANT A JERSEY TOO.
We get a little tutorial in how “Dancing With The Stars” works, thanks to Chico telling us about how Kristi Yamaguchi is going on the show. We promptly begin discussing which Devils should go on it.
I’ve thought hockey players would do well on Dancing with the Stars. Their reasonably coordinated and are used to practicing hours and hours a day.
Pookie suggests Marty would do a number where he’d be Jabba the Hutt and his dance partner would be Princess Leia.
It would probably be better than the routine that Joey Fatone did to the Star Wars theme where he was Luke Skywalker and his partner was Princess Leia. I’m still trying to figure out how one tangos to the Star Wars theme.
And I thought we had an ARRANGEMENT. You were supposed to beat Carolina!
Believe you me, if I couldda changed the outcome, I wouldda! Stupid Devils.
And Olie does not have a contract and Brent Johnson does. I sense a disturbance in the force…
That does not bode well for Olie… which in turn bodes well for Washington. Just kidding!
Amy, tangoing to the Star Wars theme does indeed sound difficult. That’s what Marty’s just going to loll around smoking a hookah-like thing while his partner dances.
Alright, I’m off to a day-long training in learning some useful computer-themed Spanish phrases. I’m hoping they teach me how to say, “I’m going through blog withdrawl, I really need to get back to my computer now!” Catch y’all later!
Have fun at your training thing, Pookie. If that is reasonably possible. See you later!
Yes, have fun, Pookie!
Morning, IPB. I feel like I have Trade Deadline Day Hangover. Gah.
Morning! I also have trade deadline day hangover, but I think that’s because we blogged over 5500 words yesterday. Was it absolutely necessary for the Devils to have a game yesterday too? I was still in “narrating in blog form” mode when I was getting ready for bed last night, my brain rambling along, “We are very nearly sound asleep already while we brush our teeth, and our eyes have dried out to the point where they feel like raisins…”
I feel like I have Trade Deadline Day Hangover. Gah.
Me too. But not as bad as Flutter, I think. I’m totally blaming Ray Shero for the fact that she went and dislocated her elbow. Army being traded had her so discombobulated.
Shoulder, not elbow. Jezus, where is my brain today?
I’m totally blaming Ray Shero for the fact that she went and dislocated her elbow. Army being traded had her so discombobulated.
Poor Flutter. I’m so sorry about her shoulder! (Painful!) I bet. Hell, I’m not that much of a Pens fan, and Army being traded discombobulated ME!
That being said, I think Brad Richards (I always want to call him Mike) really hated Tampa Bay. I just read a quote from him that was totally bitchtastic, where he basically said, “It’ll nice to be playing in the playoffs again, because it’s been a while.”
She’s being all stoic about it. She said it was because she was going off piste to find a place to his Shero’s body.
“It’ll nice to be playing in the playoffs again, because it’s been a while.”
Oioi, Richards, that’s not very nice! (also, hee!)
Poor Flutter!
Is it wrong that I’m laughing at Dion Phanuef for getting his car stolen while he stopped for a pre-game latte? He left his car running at Starbucks, and walked out of the store to see it being driven away.
HIDE, not his. Cripes. I should just quit while I’m ahead.
He left his car running at Starbucks, and walked out of the store to see it being driven away.
Are you serious? O man, that is cracking me up.
Are you serious? O man, that is cracking me up.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=230699&hubname=
Its also pretty funny that they cops had to drive him to the arena. Could you imagine the team’s reaction to him pulling up in a cop car?
He left his car running at Starbucks, and walked out of the store to see it being driven away.
Why do I have a sudden image of Frankenstein crying in my head? Also, what an idiotic thing to do. Also, the idea of Phaneuf having “pre-game lattes” is also quite hilarious.
She’s being all stoic about it.
Does this mean Flutter’s going to follow the Thrashers now for Army?
Could you imagine the team’s reaction to him pulling up in a cop car?
No I can’t, but I bet he won’t ever forget.
Oh that is just fantastic. Heeheeheeeeeee.
Does this mean Flutter’s going to follow the Thrashers now for Army?
She followed the Pens for him even though she’s a Rangers fan. I think she’ll stick with him.
“Is it wrong that I’m laughing at Dion Phanuef for getting his car stolen while he stopped for a pre-game latte? He left his car running at Starbucks, and walked out of the store to see it being driven away.”
OH MY GOD! Thank you for making my day, Amy! I hate that guy so much and that’s the funniest thing I’ve heard in a while! HA HA HA!
That is hilarious about Phaneuf’s car. What a jackass! (Of course, Morgan reported that he visited Calgary sometime during his college years [so not terribly recently, but not too long ago] and they were apparently dealing with a rash of car thefts in the area. So there was this big public safety awareness campaign going on to help the locals learn how to decrease the chances of their own cars being stolen. The radical steps they could take included… locking their car doors when they parked and walked away. So maybe it’s still kind of standard to keep your car running and unlocked in Calgary. :P)
Is Phaneuf on the Suzuki/NHLPA, envirofun list? If so, I hope Mr Suzuki goes and KICKS HIS ASS for leaving his car running. Jackass indeed.
She followed the Pens for him even though she’s a Rangers fan. I think she’ll stick with him.
I had forgotten about Flutter being a Rangers fan — I think I selectively blocked it out. Huh. Awww, Flutter is so dedicated! I don’t think I can endure Tampa games for the love of Jokinen.
Bah! The Vancouver media can’t stop talking about how much better Colorado is now. Am I the only one that doesn’t see it? Sure, they get Burnaby Joe and Statsny back, which is obviously good, but Forsberg hasn’t even played one game on his bionic foot yet. And Foote is super old, yeah?
And Foote is super old, yeah?
If 36 is old, yeah.
Oh, man, Richards is just burning Tampa:
“It’s kind of like getting let out of a cage. I felt hand-cuffed (in Tampa) and I’m excited just to get a new start and play with some players that are really great players and have done a lot in this league, and it’s kind of like Christmas morning for me right now in one way.”
Wow. Tell us how you really feel, Brad!
The Vancouver media can’t stop talking about how much better Colorado is now. Am I the only one that doesn’t see it?
I don’t see it either, alix. I think the two teams that won hardcore yesterday were Washington & Pittsburgh.
Oh, I thought he was older than that. Like 39. Meh.
Well, Richards is lucky they aren’t much like Bflo in Tampa (at least as far as I know). Buffalo would be burning his sweater right now.
HA! That kind of makes me like Richards. I still wouldn’t like his 7.8 though. But I hope he works out for you guys (Until we play you of course).
I think Brad Richards (I always want to call him Mike) really hated Tampa Bay.
He played for Tortorella . . . of course he hated Tampa. It probably took great restraint for him to avoid saying, “It’ll be really nice to have a sane coach again.”
Also, I don’t know Caitlin. I kind of like watching Tampa games. On the one hand, they frequently lose which is good, and on the other I really like St. Louis. He’s so wee and elfin.
Buffalo would be burning his sweater right now.
True! Speaking of traded Buffalo players, I like how Soupy asked the fans not to boo him when he comes back with San Jose.
HA! That kind of makes me like Richards. I still wouldn’t like his 7.8 though.
I don’t like his $7.8 mil either, but I think this means there’s no way the Stars will resign Norstrom, whose contract is up at the end of this season, and he’s making $4.25 mil/year. They can bring up a defenseman from the AHL who has already played up here (like Fistric or Grossman) permanently and pay him much less than Norstrom. That, and with Smitty, Halpern and Jokinen gone, it would probably come out to only $1-$2 mil/year more than we’re paying now.
And we stop eating the Guerin contract ($2.something mil/year) this year.
So, feasible on the cap, I think. Assuming, of course, Norstrom goes. But Matty Norstrom is like my Soupy.
That would make sense, Caitlin. And I LOVE Fistric!
That would make sense, Caitlin. And I LOVE Fistric!
I love Fistric too! When we got Jen’s birthday presents signed, it made me laugh that Fistric was surprised that people wanted his autograph. He would skip people in line and they’d freak out like, “No! Come back!” and he’d have this horrifically shocked look on his face like, “Are you sure?”
That guy never quits – even if he has to crawl off the ice. I adore him and Grossman. It was a great sign that Hull wasn’t willing to trade Fistric, in my opinion.
I still hate you for giving away Juicy, Brett. :(
I like how Soupy asked the fans not to boo him when he comes back with San Jose.
Even after everything he’s done, all the whining and the playing the media and the fans for fools (which he succeeded in to a large extent) I don’t think I’d boo him. And boy am I a booer. He shouldn’t have to ask.
I don’t think I’d boo him. And boy am I a booer. He shouldn’t have to ask.
I don’t care enough about him to boo him. Ask me halfway through the season next year though, after we’ve played San Jose approximately 87 times, and I’ll see how I feel then. Hmm.
Ask me halfway through the season next year though, after we’ve played San Jose approximately 87 times, and I’ll see how I feel then.
That’s only if he stays in San Jose.
I don’t think I’d boo him. And boy am I a booer. He shouldn’t have to ask.
I don’t really expect him to get booed too much because he was traded and whatever, but Buffalo fans being what they are I wouldn’t be terribly surprised either.
Well, Richards is lucky they aren’t much like Bflo in Tampa (at least as far as I know). Buffalo would be burning his sweater right now.
I don’t know… Maybe. He’s not really insulting the city or the fans which is what we Buffalonians don’t like. It’s hard to argue that his team sucked and his coach was a whack-a-doo. But maybe we’d burn his jersey just to be on the safe side :-D
If Soupy lands with a WC team and it takes him some time to get back here he might be okay. Otherwise he’s toast. I think he’s a little more Jay McKee than Drury and Briere – he was here for a long time and there was a pretty big difference between the two sides – but he handle the negotiations so badly and was pretty clearly about money in the end… Yeah, dude, you’re getting booed.
Even after everything he’s done, all the whining and the playing the media and the fans for fools (which he succeeded in to a large extent) I don’t think I’d boo him. And boy am I a booer. He shouldn’t have to ask.
He might get booed at first, but then he’ll fall into the ambivalent category that Marty Brodeur falls into.
There was an interview on the radio this morning that Soupy apparently spent fair amount of time visiting a local school for autistic children, and participated in many fundraisers for them. So this school is now scrambling for someone to replace Soupy.
I don’t care enough about him to boo him. Ask me halfway through the season next year though, after we’ve played San Jose approximately 87 times, and I’ll see how I feel then. Hmm.
He’s not the kind of player opposing teams’ fans tend to dislike particularly. When he does hit it’s clean and he doesn’t do anything else dirty either. Unless you have an intense hatred of defensemen who are good at carrying the puck up ice and skate nicely I really can’t see him being the kind of player you’d want to boo.
He’s not really insulting the city or the fans which is what we Buffalonians don’t like.
True. Granted we also wouldn’t like someone insulting Lindy but that’s because he’s wonderful and sane. And hey, Campbell was about as far as it was possible to be from saying bad things about Lindy.
Soupy apparently spent fair amount of time visiting a local school for autistic children, and participated in many fundraisers for them. So this school is now scrambling for someone to replace Soupy.
Damn, that’s breaking my heart. Poor school! Soupy, tell people these things EARLIER. I could have liked you for something more than red hair! (Of course, then there would be the whole fascination with teenage girls he apparently has and the suspect defense and I’m not sure.)
He’s not the kind of player opposing teams’ fans tend to dislike particularly.
This is true. I don’t see why anyone cheering for the other team would dislike him. He’s actually kind of fun to watch – good puck carrier, beautiful skater – and hey, he’s sure to misplay one of your guys into a goal at least once over the course of the season :-D
Time heals all wounds. Yes, Soupy was a moron and handled things kinda poorly over the past few months, but he’s going to the WC. He may not be back for two seasons, depending on which city SJ and Buffalo play in next year. I would be willing to guess that if he doesn’t make it back for over a year, he’s not getting booed. Just like Jay.
“When we got Jen’s birthday presents signed, it made me laugh that Fistric was surprised that people wanted his autograph. He would skip people in line and they’d freak out like, “No! Come back!” and he’d have this horrifically shocked look on his face like, “Are you sure?”
That’s so adorable! Awww baby rookies!
It probably helped Soupy that he was devasted in his interview, but there was the money brouhaha, so I might be tempted to boo if I were a member of Sabre land.
Hee! I heart Alex Burrrows. While other guys are watching game tape before games, he researches dirt on opposing players to bug them about. I guess that’s why he knew about Aaron Downey’s potato farm. But he never says anything about illness/families, so he’s not Sean Avery.
It’s hard to argue that his team sucked and his coach was a whack-a-doo.
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Yeah, I feel for our guys going to Tampa Bay now. Dave Tippett is a pretty level-headed guy who’s fairly calm and collected. Now they get to go to Tampa, where the inmates are running the asylum. (Hey, and Smitty’s even starting goaltender tonight for Tampa, wooo! :D)
I really can’t see him being the kind of player you’d want to boo.
True, but hey, you never know. He could do something to really piss me off! Maybe!
And that’s sad about the autistic kids. :( I hope they find someone to replace Soupy — and soon.
Burrows burrows into people’s past.
God, that was a TERRIBLE pun. I’m so sorry.
I would be willing to guess that if he doesn’t make it back for over a year, he’s not getting booed. Just like Jay.
Yep, I agree.
I enjoy when guys finally get out of Tampa. It’s like they were P.O.W. spending three years in a tiny, dark room and they’re seeing the sun again for the first time. It’s crazy. I like listening to Tortorella but if I had to play for him or watch him coach my team I’d probably hate him.
Smitty’s even starting goaltender tonight for Tampa
Oh dear. I hope he does well. Who are they playing?
While other guys are watching game tape before games, he researches dirt on opposing players to bug them about.
Man, this makes me think Alex Burrows is some sort of internet hockey stalker now, and he has a room full of vast files on every player in the NHL and their sordid pasts.
he has a room full of vast files on every player in the NHL and their sordid pasts.
There’s no way he doesn’t.
Yo Alex, send us some dirt!
I heart Alex Burrrows. While other guys are watching game tape before games, he researches dirt on opposing players to bug them about.
I seem to remember that Barnaby used to do that to. Hey, agitating is an art.
Oh dear. I hope he does well. Who are they playing?
Minnesota Wild. Some reporter asked Tortorella if they were going to start Smith and he pretty much said, “Hell, yes”. Welcome to Tampa, Smitty…
Whee, it looks like I’m going to go see Be Kind, Rewind tonight! I’m so excited! :D
“Burrows burrows into people’s past.”
Heh. I thought it was cute.
“Man, this makes me think Alex Burrows is some sort of internet hockey stalker now, and he has a room full of vast files on every player in the NHL and their sordid pasts.”
Hee! I can just picture him yelling out in his crazy french Canadian accent “Ruzzian haz an alligator that eats camera men!”
“Hey, agitating is an art.”
Word. Apparently he smack talks Vinny only in French. Heh.
I can just picture him yelling out in his crazy french Canadian accent “Ruzzian haz an alligator that eats camera men!”
How could he possibly know that?! ;)
Ok folks, I’m headed out for a while to go pester some friends. (AKA, watch field hockey practice). See y’all in a bit!
Hee! I can just picture him yelling out in his crazy french Canadian accent “Ruzzian haz an alligator that eats camera men!”
:^::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Ok folks, I’m headed out for a while to go pester some friends. (AKA, watch field hockey practice). See y’all in a bit!
I’m out for lunch! Be back in an hour…ish.
See ya, Mags and Caitlin!
Is it wrong that I’m laughing at Dion Phanuef for getting his car stolen while he stopped for a pre-game latte? He left his car running at Starbucks, and walked out of the store to see it being driven away.
HAHAHAHAHA!
Wow! He’s even dumber ‘n he looks.
(Hey, and Smitty’s even starting goaltender tonight for Tampa, wooo! :D)
Dang it, I should have set my TiVo! I guess I’ll have to start following the ‘Ning again.
Smitty’s going to blow them away. They won’t know what to do with a goalie that can make home-run passes or lob the puck on the penalty kill or set picks on opposing forwards behind the net. They are going to LOVE him.
I guess that’s why he knew about Aaron Downey’s potato farm.
But a potato farm is kind of cool in a “you don’t see that every day” kind of way.
True, Amy. And he said he must like the french fries he gets the best because he’s a little chubby *giggle*.
I don’t like Smitty all that much (because of flapgate), but I hope he does well tonight and shuts out those Minnesota losers! It’s so fun watching them totally mess up their division lead! (Sorry Kirsten)
I love the agitators doing research. There’s a famous story about Ott learning insults in several languages in preparation for the World Juniors. :D
Smitty’s going to blow them away. They won’t know what to do with a goalie that can make home-run passes or lob the puck on the penalty kill or set picks on opposing forwards behind the net. They are going to LOVE him.
Yeah, they’re going to lose their shit, especially when he skates out really fast to catch the puck and almost crosses the blue line. :D That being said, Razor was making a big deal about how Holmqvist is going to think he’s died and gone to heaven when he comes to Dallas last night, I noticed. Hopefully that means Holmqvist will improve. My main problem with Holmqvist is that I know nothing, absolutely nothing, about him.
I need to put Smitty on my fantasy team. Luckily for me, there IS no trade deadline on Fantasy Challenge :D.
There’s a famous story about Ott learning insults in several languages in preparation for the World Juniors.
That’s funny.
They’re going to lose their shit, especially when he skates out really fast to catch the puck and almost crosses the blue line.
I lose my shit when my goalie wanders behind the net to play the puck, so I can completely see where you’re coming from with that.
Hopefully that means Holmqvist will improve. My main problem with Holmqvist is that I know nothing, absolutely nothing, about him.
Holmqvist isn’t good but I don’t think much of Tampa’s defense either. It’s certainly not as good as Dallas’s. Also, I’m sure that he too will be thrilled to get away from the raging maniac.
I lose my shit when my goalie wanders behind the net to play the puck, so I can completely see where you’re coming from with that.
Well… Our goalie is really, really bad at handling the puck so you have good reason to freak out, Amy.
FYI, if you guys hadn’t already heard:
Bernier is playing on the top line with Vanek and Roy tonight. Good for Lindy, give the kid a chance to build some confidence early.
I lose my shit when my goalie wanders behind the net to play the puck, so I can completely see where you’re coming from with that.
Yeah. Smitty can be slow sometimes. “Lumbering” is a good word to describe Mike Smith. Nice guy, though.
Also, I’m sure that he too will be thrilled to get away from the raging maniac.
Isn’t Tortorella supposed to get fired soon? It was my understanding he was practically half out the door.
andrew, I was JUST going to say that! CREEPY! :P
Kalinin also moving up to play with Spacek, Paetsch in with Pratt. I approve.
Anyone know if Jochen skated this morning and if he’s in or out tonight?
Bernier is playing on the top line with Vanek and Roy tonight.
I read Lindy wants the big body on the line that’s been missing since Staffy went out.
Anyone know if Jochen skated this morning and if he’s in or out tonight?
No skate and out tonight. Max surprisingly is the closest to returning from the walking wounded status.
“andrew, I was JUST going to say that! CREEPY! :P”
It’s like a jinx, but not really!
Yeah, I think it’s going to be important for Bernier to get some quality minutes and hopefully a few good scoring opportunities early on. He’s young and a little immature, so good and bad stretches affect him quite a bit sometimes.
Isn’t Tortorella supposed to get fired soon? It was my understanding he was practically half out the door.
I think he’s been practically half out the door for the last year and a half. Man, Feaster should take a tip or two from Lou. Lou would have taken care of that problem in a hurry if he’d been in charge. :P
I don’t want Max back! I want Yo-Yo back!
Roy and Vanek have been two of the most productive guys over the last few games so that should give Bernie a chance to get some good opportunities quick. I like that move too.
Isn’t Tortorella supposed to get fired soon? It was my understanding he was practically half out the door.
I think he’s been practically half out the door for the last year and a half.
Yeah, that’s the impression I’m under as well. I think the thing about Tortorella is that he’s an excellent coach to have for a couple years. I mean, he’s coached teams to championships in the AHL and the NHL for a reason. The problem comes when he stays in one place for a long time with the same group of players and they get sick of his, shall we say, fiery nature.
Why, hello there, andrew and Heather!
Man, everyone seems to have a post trade deadline day hangover in addition to me. There’s virtually no news to speak of today in the hockey world.
Bah!
“The problem comes when he stays in one place for a long time with the same group of players and they get sick of his, shall we say, fiery nature.”
Sounds familiar *cough*Keenan*cough*
“Why, hello there, andrew and Heather!”
Hello Caitlin! Are you warming up to Brad Richards yet?
Given the results they’ve had this season, I don’t understand how Tortorella’s not gone. Or how his own players have not (rightfully) coach-killed him.
Tampa Bay is such a weird team.
I think the thing about Tortorella is that he’s an excellent coach to have for a couple years.
Exactly! Unless you’re going to roll over your entire lineup every few years and commit to Torts as the centerpiece of your franchise, there doesn’t seem to be much sense in keeping him around so long. It can’t be all bad cop all the time! (As a long-time supporter of coach firings, I have to say that I always hate the knee-jerk response from outside observers who snot, “What, did the guy forget how to coach or something?” I remember how desperately the Devils needed to get rid of Jacques Lemaire when we first came aboard with them, and it was just like, “Of course we don’t think he’s a lousy coach. He’s just not the right coach for these players anymore.” It’s not that hard a concept!)
Hello Caitlin! Are you warming up to Brad Richards yet?
A little, yeah. The jury’s still out until I see him play, of course.
He’s just not the right coach for these players anymore. It’s not that hard a concept!
Unless it’s Lindy Ruff. In that case it’s probably the team that’s not right for the coach anymore.
I agree, Schnookie. Which might surprise you given that I’m all “Lindy Ruff for Life!” but I do think he’s the exception as opposed to the rule in the sense that I don’t think that his players have stopped listening to him or that he’s stopped wanting to coach them.
I’m rather pissed the Lames haven’t totally tuned Mike Keenan out and ruined their season yet. That’s what I thought would happen. Oh Keenan. I have such a weird reaction to that man.
Or how his own players have not (rightfully) coach-killed him.
Maybe they’re just really bad at coach-killing? Again, take some tips from the Devils organization, Tampa. We can help with this situation.
I do think he’s the exception as opposed to the rule in the sense that I don’t think that his players have stopped listening to him or that he’s stopped wanting to coach them.
Lindy’s also had a huge turnover of players over the past few years, so it’s not like you’re looking at a core of guys who are tuning him out, like the Devils were with Lemaire. And Ftorek. (They never bothered tuning Julien in.)
It’s not that hard a concept!
It really, really isn’t. I cannot believe that anyone would want to keep a coach behind the bench who’s had a season like Tortorella.
At least Prospal got what he wanted, huh?
“It really, really isn’t. I cannot believe that anyone would want to keep a coach behind the bench who’s had a season like Tortorella.”
I’m thinking he had a built in excuse, with their dismal goaltending. Now that Smith is there (and Boyle’s re-signed) I would bet that Tampa management figures their problems to be solved. Therefore, in their minds, the climb up out of the cellar begins.
Hmmm…Pettinger is kinda cute. And I can yell out “petting zoo!” when he scores.
Now that Smith is there (and Boyle’s re-signed) I would bet that Tampa management figures their problems to be solved. Therefore, in their minds, the climb up out of the cellar begins.
That’s so sad. I hope life is not too miserable for that entire team. Because if they don’t start climbing up out of the cellar, that’s pretty shudder-worthy.
Hmmm…Pettinger is kinda cute. And I can yell out “petting zoo!” when he scores.
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Lindy’s also had a huge turnover of players over the past few years, so it’s not like you’re looking at a core of guys who are tuning him out, like the Devils were with Lemaire.
I think that over a 10 year career any team has a huge turnover. There have been a great many players over the years who’ve played for him for 5 or more years just as players played for Lemaire. Of the current group that includes Afinogenov, Connolly, Hecht, Kalinin, Kotalik, Mair, and Tallinder but there are plenty of past players that also played for him for at least that long without tuning him out like Campbell, McKee, and Dumont. I don’t think it makes sense to look to turnover as the reason.
Joining Bucky Gleason and TBN on the banned list? John Buccigross!
Joining Bucky Gleason and TBN on the banned list? John Buccigross!
What did he do this time?
Joining Bucky Gleason and TBN on the banned list? John Buccigross!
What? What now!? (I never read Bucci, so once I started visiting IPB and heard what everyone said about Bucci, I just made a conscious decision never to START reading him.)
Joining Bucky Gleason and TBN on the banned list? John Buccigross!
You mean you don’t like the Otter scale?
What did he do this time?
Oh, nothing. Just feeding into the doom and gloom of Buffalo losing another important player. At least Scott Burnside pointed out that Darcy really had to move Campbell. I’m tired of Bucci. He’s stupid.
Really, Bucci didn’t say anything terrible this time. It was just one more log on the fire and now I’m burning him down! Or something.
Just feeding into the doom and gloom of Buffalo losing another important player.
Methinks someone needs to take Bucci aside, poor him a stiff drink and let him talk it out. The guy is getting stuck in the moment.
He’s pandering to the audience, just like Bucky does. I’m over both of them.
“He’s pandering to the audience, just like Bucky does. I’m over both of them.”
Lowest common denominator. That’s all they’re good for.
In other news, apparently Doug Wilson had a Kubina for McLaren trade all ironed out before everyone realized that Kubina had never really agreed to waive his NTC. With all this haphazard calling and faxing that goes on, it’s amazing to me that any trades actaully make it through.
apparently Doug Wilson had a Kubina for McLaren trade all ironed out before everyone realized that Kubina had never really agreed to waive his NTC.
Impressive.
You’re right though, you do have to wonder how anything goes through when things like that are happening.
In other news, apparently Doug Wilson had a Kubina for McLaren trade all ironed out before everyone realized that Kubina had never really agreed to waive his NTC.
That’s almost as good as the broken fax machine. :D
apparently Doug Wilson had a Kubina for McLaren trade all ironed out before everyone realized that Kubina had never really agreed to waive his NTC.
I think he’s better off with Campbell anyway.
you do have to wonder how anything goes through when things like that are happening.
One year, a Sabres prospect re-entered the draft because his paperwork never made it through the fax machine correctly.
I’m surprised the league hasn’t switched to e-faxes or sending pdfs electronically.
One year, a Sabres prospect re-entered the draft because his paperwork never made it through the fax machine correctly.
Do people never check for confirmation sheets anymore, or what? I send 8,000 faxes a day, roughly speaking, and I always make sure I have that stupid confirmation sheet.
Hmmm, slow around here today. Everybody busy?
Suppose I should be using this time to get some work done. But why would I want to do that?
Hmmm, slow around here today. Everybody busy?
I wasn’t this morning but at 1:00 all of a sudden I got slammed!
Hmmm, slow around here today. Everybody busy?
I was reading. I’m trying to decide whether or not to go to my lab exam tomorrow morning. I probably should.
Well, the Paddock firing is official now. That hiring went well.
“I’m trying to decide whether or not to go to my lab exam tomorrow morning. I probably should.”
Might be a good idea.
Man! I’m excited for tonights games! I hope Bernie and Soupy both do well. I’m nervous for the little fellas!
Well, good luck to him in all his future endeavors.
Well, the Paddock firing is official now. That hiring went well.
Wooooooah. That was awfully quick!
“Well, the Paddock firing is official now. That hiring went well.”
Meg, I’m not going to lie…that was a shining bright star in an otherwise lousy day. Thank you. Thank you.
Hee, stupid Sens.
Might be a good idea.
If not for my grade than for my conscience. Plus, I skipped out on a hockey meeting to go to the prep for the exam. I might as well go.
I hope all the guys who got traded to other teams do well. It’d be ever so uncomfortable if they didn’t.
The Sens did a really good job of coach killing Paddock.
Well nobody saw that coming. Silly Sens. Is Bryan Murray just going to take over? Cause that didn’t go that well last year in the cup final.
Aww, it’s my first ever game without Cookie tonight. Sad. But I get to see Petting Zoo.
I see Paddock got fired. I think it was because of Dallas, being all awesome and all, catching up and passing them. That’s what did them in.
The Sens did a really good job of coach killing Paddock.
Yeah, sucking that bad for a stretch of games was quite the feat.
I think karma killed the Sens. And the Wings. ‘s all I’m sayin’.
I guess Claude Julien doesn’t feel so bad now.
I guess Claude Julien doesn’t feel so bad now.
Hee! He shouldn’t. The Devils are far more skilled coach killers than the Sens, I think.
Paddock got fired? HAHAHAHAHA!!! I hope Murray’s taking over. I want to see him and Yayson squabbling on the bench again!
Paddock got fired? HAHAHAHAHA!!! I hope Murray’s taking over. I want to see him and Yayson squabbling on the bench again!
That sounds like fun! I’d love to see Lindy and Murray go another round again.
I guess Claude Julien doesn’t feel so bad now.
Heh. Although at least the Devils were a lot more subtle about it than the Sens were. The Devils are gentle coach-killers, letting the coach walk away with his dignity (if not his sanity) intact (except if your name rhymes with Blobby Bltorek). I hope Murray takes over behind the bench, just because he’s nothing if not a reliably bad playoff coach.
I hope Murray’s taking over.
He is, according to Martle.
I hope Murray’s taking over.
He is, according to Martle.
Oh that is just awesome! Hehehehehehehe.
I hope Murray’s taking over.
He is, according to Martle.
THN and Martle concur, apparently. Sens website also says Murray’s taking over.
Although at least the Devils were a lot more subtle about it than the Sens were. The Devils are gentle coach-killers, letting the coach walk away with his dignity (if not his sanity) intact
There should be a sign hanging somewhere in the Rock that says that: “The Devils: The Subtle, Gentle Coach Killers”.
There should be a sign hanging somewhere in the Rock that says that: “The Devils: The Subtle, Gentle Coach Killers”.
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I miss Murray behind the bench. I hate the Senators a little less without him and I’m not gonna lie, Mark and I have a blast imitating his lips.
“I hate the Senators a little less without him and I’m not gonna lie, Mark and I have a blast imitating his lips.”
I find myself talking to my tv, (or the dogs, the wife, anyone else in the room) in Bryan Murrays incredible lisp whenever the Sabres are playing the Sens. I just can’t not do it.
I’d make fun of Murray’s lisp but I’m still hung up on Eric Lindros’s ridonkulously high, wimpy voice. I think his voice inspires a lifetime of mockery, leaving no time to mock anyone else’s (except Sid’s, of course).
I just can’t not do it.
Exactly! I’d never do it to a “real” person I actually know but this is totally different. Totally!
One of my racing buddies pointed out that Brian Murray also sounds like Carol Channing.
And, since we were all wondering, Dion Phaneuf got his truck back earlier today.
And, since we were all wondering, Dion Phaneuf got his truck back earlier today.
The police should suspend his license for being an idiot.
Hey, I named a cat after Eric. Of course, I didn’t name him for the high, wimpy voice. It’s not as funny as Holikenstein’s.
I didn’t get to join in the trade thread yesterday and, for the people who though Fedorov was dead…no, for two reasons. First, he still buys very expensive cars from one of my clients and second, Mistress Anna divorced him before she could kill him.
Of course, I should have read farther up the thread today. Paddock was fired? They should have shot the goaltending duo instead.
And, since we were all wondering, Dion Phaneuf got his truck back earlier today.
Bummer. I’d hoped it’d be gone forever.
First, he still buys very expensive cars from one of my clients and second, Mistress Anna divorced him before she could kill him.
First: Wow. Someone is still paying Sergei Fedorov money? To play hockey? I thought he was playing for free these days. (No, really. Or at least like, $20 a year or something ridiculous.)
Secondly: Doesn’t Mistress Anna deny there was ever a marriage there? (Gross. Fedorov becomes grosser because the dude she dated post Fedorov was Enrique Iglesias. Ick!)
They should have shot the goaltending duo instead.
No kidding!
As for Eric Lindros, he was (despite what my laughing at his voice would suggest) an extraordinarily sympathetic character. I think he’s a good one for a cat to call its namesake.
Hey, look at the time! 5:00! Finally!
Caitlin, the (formerly Mighty) Ducks signed Fedorov (should I just call him the corpse – but that would be unfair since the man is actually at least half a decade younger than me) to a disgustingly long contract for a disgusting amount of money sometime earlier this decade. Apparently it runs out this summer. Nobody has thought to just buy him out and send him on his way to visit his Ferrari collection.
As for Mistress Anna, I believe she denied it because she expected that he would never say anything out of embarrassment, since she left him after only a few months of marriage for someone else. I remember reading about this in the Hockey News, of all places. When he said something about it and she denied it, I think he basically said, do you want me to show people the divorce papers? It was fairly ugly, but really, what did he expect when he dated her when she was 16 and married her when she was 18…he wasn’t exactly bright.
Sue, wasn’t the Fedorov contract something like 5 years, 40 million? Those numbers are stuck in my mind somehow.
You guys, I have been SO BUSY today. Look! It’s 5:20 and I’m only NOW leaving the office. They might was well just CHAIN me to my desk, the way they overwork me here.
Anyway, I’m off! See you all later!
See you later Schnookie! I’m sorry your boss is such a slave driver!
Sue – the Ducks are STILL paying Fedorov?
That might be the best news I’ve had all day.
Caitlin – no, I just meant they are the ones responsible for the contract he currently plays under. He and his contract have now been traded twice since they offered it and he signed, once to Columbus and now to the Caps.
This isn’t like Jagr, where the Caps are actually paying half his salary but it doesn’t hit their cap space. BTW, if JJ’s option doesn’t get renewed automatically in NY (84 pts this season plus a playoff round win), the Caps’ obligations to him are gone.
I was just commenting re: the Fedorov contract that he signed it a very long time ago for a significant amount of money and someone might have bought him out – but they didn’t.
I was just commenting re: the Fedorov contract that he signed it a very long time ago for a significant amount of money and someone might have bought him out – but they didn’t.
Ah, I misread. Either way, it’s chock full of schadenfreude, so it suits me perfectly fine! :D (You would think someone would’ve bought him out, you’re right.)
BTW, if JJ’s option doesn’t get renewed automatically in NY (84 pts this season plus a playoff round win), the Caps’ obligations to him are gone.
From what I understand there’s about a snowball’s chance in hell that Jagr will meet the quotas set out for him, so perhaps the Caps can throw that money towards the massive salary they are now paying Ovechkin.
From what I understand there’s about a snowball’s chance in hell that Jagr will meet the quotas set out for him, so perhaps the Caps can throw that money towards the massive salary they are now paying Ovechkin.
Currently, the NYR scoring leader is…Gomez. I shall refrain from comment on that matter.
On the Ovechkin situation, well, it’s only money, it’s not cap space in the case of Jagr. But, yes, it means Ted Leonsis will have more millions to throw at something. He might as well throw it paying at the Ovechkin contract. Other than the Federal Budget, the National debt and lobbyist contracts, it is about the largest monetary object in Washington. But, I like Alex. I only wish we had him and his contract as an issue. I don’t necessarily say the same thing about Crosby.