It’s been the offseason in the NFL for almost a month but today was the first day free agents could sign with other teams. As expected, it was quite busy with key players switching rosters.
Unfortunately for the Super Bowl champion Giants, that included former middle linebacker Kawika Mitchell, who cashed in by inking a five-year $17 million deal with the Buffalo Bills.
The 28 year-old Winter Springs, Florida native had a nice season for Big Blue after coming over from the Chiefs, finishing with 76 tackles and a career best three and a half sacks plus an interception. He really proved beneficial when Mathias Kiwanuka went down and came up with some big plays down the stretch as the Giants surprised many by winning their third Super Bowl.
Reaction: It’s definitely a hit but you have to expect that around this time of year. It’s impossible to keep everyone together. No doubt Mitchell should help the Bills and I wish him the best of luck and thank him for how he played here. Does Gerris Wilkinson take his place?
In other Big Blue related news, former safety Gibril Wilson landed in Oakland for six years and a hefty $39 million. In 13 games last season, he finished with a career best four picks along with 92 tackles. Since the 27 year-old San Jose native entered the league in 2004, he’s paced all safeties with 284 solo tackles. Not bad for a player former Giant GM Ernie Accorsi grabbed in Round Five.
Reaction: Obviously, the Giants were never going to be able to retain Wilson. Especially for that type of money. Overpayment for sure. Wish him well playing in the Black Hole (in more ways than one). Jerry Reese will either replace from within with Michael Johnson or in the upcoming Draft.
Meanwhile, the Jets were pretty busy finally dealing away linebacker Jonathan Vilma to the Saints for a conditional draft pick.
“I enjoyed my four seasons with the Jets and thank them for the opportunities they gave me,” the 26 year-old Miami Hurricane product said via a statement released to the AP in taking the high road. “But this represents a new chapter in my football career and in my life and I am truly excited and fortunate to be joining a team that just a little over a year ago was one win away from appearing in the Super Bowl.”
Reaction: Vilma is lucky to get out of Jets land where the zany Eric Mangini is destroying that franchise with his off the wall schemes. How do you ruin a player as talented as Vilma, who won Defensive Rookie of The Year in 2004? By installing a 3-4 D instead of the 4-3 and not playing to his strengths. This past season Vilma only got into seven games before injuring his knee. He finished with 39 tackles. Watch him comeback healthy and make an impact with the Saints.
In other team related news, Gang Green traded for former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins from Carolina, sending third and fifth round picks. The 28 year-old from Michigan once was part of a terrorizing Panther D which made the Super Bowl. He’s been healthy the past couple of years producing 79 tackles and five and a half sacks.
Reaction: Jenkins replaces Vilma in the Jets 3-4 and obviously will be looked upon to make an impact. He’s not what he once was but still a solid DT.
The biggest splash on Day One of the NFL FA period was made by the Eagles signing former Patriot corner Asante Samuel to a six-year $57 million deal with 20 million guaranteed.
Since the Pats drafted him out of Central Florida in the fourth round five years ago, the 27 year-old has been a shutdown corner and easily one of the best in the NFL. A season removed from setting a career high with 10 picks, the Fort Lauderdale native int’d six more including one for a TD. Now he’ll switch conferences and play for Andy Reid.
Reaction: Samuel’s one of the game’s best. This is a great move by the Eagles. The years might be a little much but it definitely should improve their secondary. Mean time for Bill Belichick’s Pats, it’s another elite player gone. Somehow, they’ll manage and continue to remain good.
In other news, the Browns didn’t wait long re-signing starting QB Derek Anderson to a three-year deal worth a reported $24 million with over $13 mill guaranteed. The 24 year-old Portland, Oregon native had a decent season as the starting tossing for over 3,700 yards along with 29 touchdowns and 19 interceptions.
Reaction: Poor Brady Quinn who will be most likely riding the pine unless Anderson falters. The Browns want to remain competitive but can Anderson really do what they want? Maybe they’d be better off letting Quinn take over and learn on the job.
So, I was hearing this song in my head all day and just had to check out the video. Boy, am I glad I did. Oasis is an excellent British rock band with hits such as “Morning Glory,” “Wonderwall” and “Don’t Look Back In Anger.”
I personally love Wonderwall but also really like “Champagne Supernova.” It combines everything you’d want to see in a rock song as it’s wonderfully played and sang. Oh. And it’s also over seven minutes long and the video makes you feel like you’re in a different world.
The lyrics are very strong. It’s just a powerful song with a message.
lapton and Steve Winwood perform Voodoo Chile]I figured I’d give this a try again and see if I could upload some classic videos from the totally awesssome Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood MSG concert the other night.
In any event, let’s give this a go.
If it doesn’t work, then here:
Clapton and Winwood perform the Jimi Hendrix classic “Voodoo Chile”
Being there and hearing them play this was off the fuckin’ charts!!!!! It happens to be one of my all-time fave Hendrix songs and was played quite well by two rock in roll legends.
If you love blues, then this is for you as their blues stuff was exceptional the other night as well. I’ve never really been a big blues person but this is excellent stuff.
Listening to this, it becomes evident just how multidimensional Winwood really is. Between the piano, organ, keyboard, bass and his still great pipes, it makes one appreciate the talent. Everyone loves Clapton and for good reason but Winwood is also a brilliant musician which shouldn’t be forgotten.
I must say it was just out of this world. So well played and the crowd as you’ll notice ate it up. I was pretty lit by then but wow!!!!! I want to say it was the second to last song.
They gave a better effort but ultimately came up short of their main objective. Sometimes, a few plays here and there decide big games which is exactly what transpired in the Berkeley Carroll Girls Varsity 48-38 loss to the Staten Island Academy Tigers- allowing their worthy opponents to capture the PSAA championship at Martin Luther High School Thursday afternoon.
Having advanced to a regular season rematch after a strong effort in the semis over host school Martin Luther, the Lions tried to settle the score and capture a league trophy. Instead, they were outgunned by tournament MVP Chelsea Aronica. The junior SIA guard came up with some big shots down the stretch to finish with over 20 for a second consecutive game. She also paced the Tigers with 26 in a semifinal win over Long Island Lutheran.
Early on, there was little separating the same teams who will also be meeting a third time next Monday at Staten Island Academy in the ACIS playoff semis. In fact, they were deadlocked at eight after a hard fought first quarter.
Despite some questionable touch calls which put her in early foul trouble, senior leading scorer Zoe Cohen was still able to play most of the first half and converted a couple of hoops in transition to put BC in front. However, SIA 1,000-plus scorer Alexa Milchman found the range draining a couple of deep three’s off well executed screens.
The top seeded Tigers’ hot shooting from the perimeter helped keep them afloat allowing Mike Reape’s club to stay deadlocked with Walter Paller’s tied at 22 through one half.
Following an early Aronica runner, some excellent passing freed up sophomore Tess Salvatore for a top of the key trey which she banked in to give her school a one-point lead. But seemingly everytime it looked like the Lions were ready to make a run, the tournament MVP stepped up. She connected on at least three from downtown and helped make up for an off night by Milchman, who was held in check by BC for either 14 or 15.
A critical Lions’ possession in the final 30 seconds turned a two-point deficit into four. With Coach Paller asking his team to hold for one shot, instead Mia James took a wide open three from the key with seven seconds left. Unfortunately, it didn’t go and allowed SIA to get an easy deuce as Milchman laid one home before the buzzer.
The Tigers got an early basket to increase their lead to six but the Lions hung around thanks to a solid effort from freshman Keyanka Bailey. Having hit a left baseline three in the first half, she scored inside and out during a productive final quarter which saw her get more than half her 15 or 16 point total. She also setup Cohen for an easy hoop in transition after a block and steal which got the deficit back down to two.
A frustrated Reape used a timeout to fire up his club. It apparently worked as they setup an easy lay-up for returning 6-3 center Mayana LeGrande, who missed significant time due to a broken bone in her foot this season.
Money all game despite being chastised by her demanding coach, Aronica helped finish off the Lions with another basket and a few free throws after Paller had seen enough of the officials and got a technical. His team was already down eight with about a minute left.
To their credit, BC played to the final buzzer with Bailey draining her second trifecta from the right wing as Paller used another timeout urging his players to go for the steal without Cohen, who fouled out. The floor leader finished with 15.
Ultimately, they ran out of time allowing the Tigers to win by 10 and take home the championship trophy along with a deserving Aronica netting MVP.
Notes: The ACIS semifinal between the Lions and Tigers is slated for 4:30 Monday afternoon in Todt Hill. The ACIS championship is the following day at 4 over at Poly Tech.
It’s late and I really should be asleep already with work today. But since I’m not and am feeling in my usual random mood, this is what’s going on in my la cabeza. Hey. It’s one of the few Spanish words I remember. I prefer Russian! Now let’s get to it:
1.All the Mets and Yankees talk on the radio airwaves has gotten annoying. Are these people nuts? It’s freaking not even the end of February and all you hear about is baseball. I like baseball as much as anyone but can’t get too excited when they’ve barely broken a sweat down in Florida. Talk to me in the final week of March.
2.The real sports stories at the present time should be about college basketball, the NBA and the NHL as playoff races and March Madness is around the corner. There’s plenty of good games to catch. Even if you’re a Knick fan, there’s lots of hoops to choose from. I’m a Ranger guy and it’s nice to actually see that they’re on the schedule tonight after another long hiatus.
3.Everyone knows that Roger Clemens is a big fat liar. Could he just go away already for good?
4.Another thing I’m sick of is all the Mats Sundin bashing. Yeah. Let’s get on a guy who wanted to be loyal to his teammates instead of going to try to win his Cup elsewhere like Ray Bourque. You remember Bourque, right? Devil fans loathe Bourque about as much as they dislike the Rangers. Sundin’s earned the right to stay in Toronto. Even if it does seem kind of dumb because that club’s going nowhere, he’s played there a long time and obviously is loyal to a fault. Wasn’t that Brian Leetch also if Glen Sather wasn’t such a jackass? Ironically, Sundin and the Leafs are playing their best hockey and believe it or not stand only six points out of the final playoff spot.
5.Hedo Turkoglu doesn’t get much press for Orlando’s resurgence but he’s a lot more proven in crunch time than Dwight Howard. Just ask the Nets and a few other fourth quarter victims this season.
6.Stat of the night: The Bulls bench outscored the Pacers bench 67-19 accounting for nearly 60 percent of their offense in a 113-107 road win. Who says the bench doesn’t matter? A productive second unit can help swing a game in the NBA. The additions of Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden are already paying dividends.
7.Props to LeBron James for becoming the youngest player in NBA history to reach 10,000 career points. Even if it did come in a loss to Boston where he shot just 7-of-24 including a dreadful 1-for-6 from long range.
8.How can Eddy “Fat Albert” Curry finish 0-for-3 from the field while taking a collar in only 15:47 while his teammates hammered Charlotte by an un-Knick like 24?!?!?!?!?!
9.In other Knick related news, Lord Isiah is saving rookie Wilson Chandler for the home stretch.
10.The Jets sure are an NFL franchise in turmoil thanks to Mangenius.
11.Based on how he’s performed in recent wins over Jason Kidd’s Mavs and Steve Nash’s Suns, who still thinks Chris Paul can’t take those Hornets deep into the playoffs? Wouldn’t a Utah-New Orleans conference final be a breath of fresh air? Paul vs Deron Williams. The betting money will be on the Lakers and Spurs though.
12.How bad has it gotten for St. John’s basketball? In their 100th men’s bball season, when they keep former close Big East rival Georgetown close, it’s considered an accomplishment.
13.I thought Shaq was supposed to make a difference against teams such as the Pistons. Oh well.
14.Hart race update:
A.Evgeni Malkin
B.Alexander Ovechkin
C.Marty Brodeur
15.Who ever would’ve thought Kyle McAlarney would become one of the Big East’s most explosive scorers? Three 30-plus point games including a Notre Dame school record nine treys in their home win over Syracuse along with over 46 from behind the arc has Staten Islanders very excited about the former Moore Catholic product. He also makes his free throws. Could he someday make the NBA? Who knows? He’s a little small but anyone who can shoot the rock that way could find their way onto a bench.
Memorable. That’s one of many adjectives you could say about Tuesday night’s spectacular concert put on by rock n’ roll legends Eric Claptonand Steve Winwoodat a packed Madison Square Garden.
Performing many Blind Faith hits, the dynamic duo was breathtaking. Sounding timeless with the 62 year-old Clapton smoothly shredding extended jam after extended jam on the guitar as only the nicknamed Slowhand can plus former Blind Faith innovator and Traffic star Winwood putting his array of unique talent on display on the piano, bass, organ/keyboards and backup vocals, the two put on the kind of show most spectators including this fortunate one are still talking about.
They played roughly 18 songs with each getting stronger as the two-plus hour night went on. Coming out early to “Had To Cry Today (Crossroads),” they had an enthusiastic crowd behind them right from the outset.
Timeless hits such as “Forever Man,” “Cocaine,” “Presence of the Lord,” “Traffic,” “Can’t Find My Way Home,” ”Dear Mr. Fantasy“ and “After Midnight” were all effortlessly played making for a magical night.
My seats were up in 408 facing the left side of a nicely setup stage which included a cool mat which I wish was part of my room. Can’t lie.
However, I had heard from a couple of people seated next to me that it sounded much better from behind the stage over by 411. So, I moved and watched the rest from there and wow, were they dead on! Electrifying stuff.
The 58 year-old Winwood’s vocals were tip top as was his organ/keyboard and piano playing. Clapton was smooth on the mic while delivering the kind of solos an avid music fan would come to expect from one of the all-time great guitarists.
There was even a moment where the musicians smiled. It was very easy to see how much they enjoyed playing again together as the chemistry was there from the start. They had gotten favorable reviews the night prior and did nothing to change the opinion of what was easily one of the best (if not the best) concerts I’ve been to.
My father had seen the reformed Cream at MSG two-plus years ago and raved about that but concluded that this concert topped it. Fyi…I got to hear some of that one and it was pretty damn good.
As I proceeded to get lit while enjoying every song played, all around was what makes these kind of concerts so great to be at. An awesssome atmosphere with your fair share of unpredictable fans decked out and screaming louder than even me.
I was mildly entertained by a dancing young woman from Italy who seemed to be more into herself along with the music than anyone around her as a young Russian dude later found out. Haha.
I could tell that she didn’t want to be bothered but it still made for a hilarious scene watching her dance all weird. The Russian was cool and noted that he was from Bricktown New Jersey and had a brother who got traded from the Devils.
Editor’s Note: Tuesday was NHL deadline day.
Who knows if he was telling the truth? It made for a good story regardless. He also hated the Rangers. According to him, “They suuuuuuuuckk and Tom Renney suckkkkkkkkkkss!!!!!”
Freaking classic. I also ran into another Devil fan who was much older before the show began. We were discussing the deadline and he said the Canadiens were supposed to get Nikolai Khabibulin from Chicago but it fell through. They had earlier traded Cristobal Huet to the Caps for a second round pick.
I also told the fan that I wouldn’t mind facing his team in the playoffs and got the predictable sweep reminder which didn’t bother me because that team had no chance winning that series. I think this Ranger team if they get in (which they should) matches up fairly well against the Devils. If they continue to play the kind of hockey they’ve played recently, no worries.
Back to the concert. There was a cool female fan wearing a Beatles shirt running around with her friend. And there also was some dude with a crazy tie dide shirt slapping me five nine thousand times. Hahaha.
All in all, it made for a memorable night and one hangover. I’m going to see if I can find some clips and put them up.
The third time wasn’t the charm for the Berkeley Carroll Lions. The Boys Varsity basketball team fell to top seeded Dwight in the ACIS semifinals 68-58 Tuesday at the Al Smith Recreation Center in Lower Manhattan.
Despite getting swept by their opponents in the regular season, the Lions weren’t intimidated and got off to a strong start jumping out to an early 7-4 lead forcing Dwight to call for time. Coming off a memorable 34 point showing in a 13-point home quarterfinal victory over Packer, senior leading scorer Jason Lewis again had the hot hand torching their bigger opponents for 13 early points including three long treys.
Following a dunk by Dwight center Maleik Patterson, Lewis’ off balance heave from the corner hit nothing but the bottom of the net to give the Lions a 23-19 lead at the end of one quarter making his teammates believe they could pull off the upset.
But a strong surge by the bigger home team on the neutral court gave them the edge in the play. Beginning to make adjustments to an aggressive Berkeley D which forced several turnovers, the top seeds took advantage of Patterson inside. Getting the ball into the big man, it forced several double teams leaving their pair of senior guards open for uncontested jumpers and lay-ups.
In particular, No.10 hurt the Lions with an array of strong finishes near the basket which turned the tide. Patterson also netted three easy buckets from in close including a jam to help finish a 13-3 run. BC junior Giancarlo Hirsch sliced it to 32-28 before the half.
With Lewis nursing an injured shin which prevented him from getting hang time in the second half, Dwight slowly built a double digit lead on the strength of No.25 who scored everyone of his points in the final 16 minutes. Most came from in close and he also did the Lions in from the charity stripe converting at least seven of 11.
Trailing by 13 midway through the final quarter, it looked like the fourth seeded Lions would go quietly but a strong finish from junior Phil Seay allowed them to hang around. The shooting guard netted more than half his team-high 22 in the fourth which included three trifectas.
Unfortunately for Seay and teammate Hirsch who heated up late to get into double figures for a second consecutive day, it came a little too late. Forced to put Dwight on the line, they ran out of time but not before senior Danny Halper scored his final basket from beyond the arc drawing some cheers from the Lion faithful. It was a fiery Halper who earlier in the period got after his teammates to suck it up with only six minutes to go.
Lewis also left to a nice ovation as his four-year Varsity career of more than 1,250 points came to an end. Senior Sam Adler’s career also came to a disappointing conclusion as did Max Peskowitz.
They had nothing to be ashamed of as they gave Coach Bob Merrill everything they had. On this day, it just wasn’t enough against what proved to be a better team who advanced to the ACIS championship round.
Dwight will take on the winner of last night’s other semi between Friends Seminary and Staten Island Academy at Poly Tech later tonight.
With the 3 PM deadline coming and passing, a huge deal was completed by the Pittsburgh Penguins. They acquired star right wing Marian Hossa and left wing Pascal Dupuis from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for center Erik Christensen, right wing Colby Armstrong and prospect center Angelo Esposito along with a 1st Round Pick.
Analysis: It was rumored last night that Hossa’s likely destination would be the Canadiens. Instead, the former Senator is on his way to the Penguins to team up with Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. For as good a player as he’s been, Hossa’s never fared too well in the playoffs. We’ll see how he does this time around surrounded by superstar centers.
A couple of other deals went down as well:
1.NYR acquire D Christian Backman from Stl for a 4th Round Pick.
Analysis: The Blueshirts desperately needed another defenseman with Paul Mara sidelined and get a serviceable one for a cheap price.
2.Pit acquires D Hal Gill from Tor for a 2nd Round and 5th Round pick.
Analysis: The Pens get the physical stay-at-home defenseman to bolster their blueline. Leafs do alright getting two picks in return.
There’s less than an hour left until today’s 3 PM deadline and already we’ve seen some pretty significant deals go down.
Let’s take a quick look and break them down:
NHL DEADLINE DEALS
1.TB trades C Brad Richards and G Johan Holmqvist to Dal for G Mike Smith, F Jussi Jokinen and C Jeff Halpern.
Analysis: As expected, Richards became a Star. Now the former Conn Smythe winner will be looked to put Dallas over the top. Recent first round exits factored in. They didn’t lose any prospects. Just some decent players. Tampa gets a decent package. Jokinen’s a nice player but the deal hinges on Smith, who must fill the void in net. Why didn’t they get any draft picks???
2.Buf trades D Brian Campbell to SJ for F Steve Bernier and a 2008 1st Round Pick.
Analysis:Another Sabre leaves Buffalo. If you root for them like new blogger Sambone does, you got to wonder when exactly they try to win. Oh. The return’s solid. But still, the more things change… the Sharks add a quality blueliner who can boost their PP.
3.Mtl trades G Cristobal Huet to Wsh in exchange for a 2009 2nd Round Pick.
Analysis: Can anyone explain this one?!?!?!?!?!?! So the Habs are pinning their Cup hopes on rookie Carey Price already? Is he the next Roy? Maybe the Caps have had enough of Olie the Goalie.
4.CBJ trade C Sergei Fedorov to Wsh for prospect Theo Ruth.
Analysis: No surprise that the experienced 38 year-old Fedorov was moved. He can still help the Caps. Especially being united with fellow Russians Ovechkin, Semin and Kozlov. Who is Theo Ruth and is he related to The Babe?
5.CBJ deal D Adam Foote to Col for a 2008 or 2009 1st Round Pick
Analysis: Another experienced Cup winner leaves Ohio to try to rekindle the magic with the Avs. With Foppa back too, when are Roy and Val Kamensky unretiring?
6.Ott gets F Martin Lapointe from Chi for a 2008 6th Round Pick.
Analysis: Former Wing gets another chance to win another Cup. How much does the gritty forward have left to help revive suddenly struggling Sens?
7.Blues acquire F Cam Janssen from NJ for D Bryce Salvador.
Analysis: The writing was on the wall for Janssen with Devs all set up front. He goes back home while Lou Lamoriello adds another average blueliner. Could signal the end for Vitaly Vish-crapsky.
8.Chi acquires F Andrew Ladd from Car for F Tuomu Ruutu.
Analysis: One gritty complementary forward for the other. Unless there’s something I’m not seeing, I don’t see how this benefits either team.
9.Van trades C Matt Cooke to Wsh for F Matt Pettinger.
Analysis: Why would the Canucks deal away Cooke? Pettinger is okay but it just doesn’t seem to make much sense. Salary dump???
10.SJ trades F Rob Davidson to NYI for a 7th Round Pick.
Analysis: Just a depth forward for bruised and battered Isles. Given that they inexplicably re-signed Mike Comrie for one-year $4 million, it seems like they’re content.
11.Fla trades D Ruslan Salei to Col for D Karlis Skrastins and a 2008 3rd Round Pick.
Analysis: I kind of like this deal for the Panthers as Skrastins isn’t too bad and they got nice value for Salei. Avs are loading up but who’s stopping the puck?
12.Fla trades for D Wade Belak and sends a 2008 5th Round Pick to Tor.
Analysis: Panthers acquire character goon. One of the most popular Leafs heads south. At least it’s not Darcy Tucker.
That’s all I have for now. If there are any more as I’m sure there will be, I’ll try to update if I can from work. I have a playoff basketball game and an Eric Clapton/Steve Winwood concert tonight at MSG. So I’m not sure when I’ll be back tonight. But I’ll definitely have more on what happens including deadline winners and losers.
If you’re a diehard puck fan, then today’s your day. The NHL trade deadline has become a holiday of sorts for hockey fans. Though there might not be as many of us as say baseball or football, believe me, we are verrrrry passionate about our teams on the ice and the sport itself.
I really wish I could be around for all the madness which will most likely ensue this afternoon before the 3 PM deadline. Even if Mats Sundin and the re-signed Dan Boyle are off the block, you know there will be other key players who find new teams which could make an impact down the stretch.
Names to look for who could be on the move include former Conn Smythe winner Brad Richards, superstar forward Marian Hossa, Cup winner Rob Blake, Brian Campbell and possibly Bryan McCabe and Tomas Kaberle.
I also wouldn’t be surprised to see veterans such as Sergei Fedorov, Michael Peca and Robert Lang all on the move. Other names who could find new destinations include Mike Comrie, Ruslan Fedotenko, possibly Brian Gionta (for the right center though I have my doubts), Yanic Perreault and Ladislav Nagy.
There are only so many places you can go to keep track of all the chaos which is about to happen several hours from now.
I highly recommend my good friend Patricia Greuter’s 2Man Advantage site. She and her writers are excellent and will be around tracking all the deadline deals. If you like creativity as well, she’s just totalllly awesome!
You can also check out sites such as TSN and TFP for any trade rumors. Don’t bother with Sportsnet as they aren’t the most reliable IMHO.
I’m sure my good buddy Greg Wyshynski will be keeping close track of everything that goes down.
Before I go get some sleep (only got 9,000 different things to do today), I just wanted to pass along some info from yahoo blogger Ross McKeon.
It looks like the Stars are aligned for Brad Richards and the Canadiens are about to land Hossa. If he gets these two right, then he’s certainly a leg up on the competition!
In case you missed it, the Flyers acquired forward Vaclav Prospal from the Lightning for defenseman Alexandre Picard and a conditional 2009 pick. If Philly makes the Eastern Conference Final (how likely is that considering how depleted their roster is), then the Bolts would get a second round pick as well.
Prospal can help Philly for sure. He’s having a nice bounceback season and should do alright as a replacement for the Flyers’ best player Mike Richards who’s sidelined with a torn hamstring.
The Boyle deal was six years worth a reported $40 million. Geez. Overpayment much? Oh. He’s good. No doubt. But he’ll be 32 by next Fall. To commit that many years to a defenseman at that age is insanity. And the price. Wow. Campbell’s asking price just went through the roof! Bye bye I guess to Buffalo.
Meanwhile, the Blues re-signed defenseman Barret Jackman to a four-year deal. He wasn’t all that great to begin with. I’m not certain why they felt obligated to do this.
Oh well.
So, will the locals be involved today? A quick look at what each team needs:
Devils- they’ve had a tremendous run to the top of the conference but Lou Lamoriello should prioritize a top four defenseman and possibly one more gritty forward who can contribute. They’re winning because of Brodeur and the resurgence of John Madden. That might not work in the playoffs if they run into a deeper team. Replacing Vitaly Vishnevski (Vish-crapsky) is a must. A Perreault or Lang wouldn’t be a bad pickup. As for the D, who knows what Lou’s thinking? He’s always making deals nobody sees coming.
Rangers- there’s no doubt they’ve underperformed but lately aside from that awful five-goal collapse in Montreal, they’ve looked like the Cup contender most thought. Still, they desperately need a physical defenseman. Especially with Paul Mara sidelined a couple of weeks due to facial surgery. Marek Malik’s picked it up. So he’s probably staying put. Also, they need another gritty forward for the fourth line. Might Martin Lapointe interest them?
Islanders- it’s amazing to think that Ted Nolan has this team in playoff contention when his blueline is so beat up. The loss of Mike Sillinger up front hurts big time. But somehow, with Rick DiPietro standing on his head and just enough scoring, they’re in the race. Do you unload Comrie, Fedotenko and possibly future UFA Miroslav Satan? Or do you add more pieces and take a shot? If you’re Garth Snow, after how you got burned last year with Ryan Smyth, he’ll be more careful. Plus the farm’s kind of thin. Don’t expect too much.
