You’re going to have to forgive me – there’s not too much Jackets’ specific content this morning, but there is a whole mess of stuff about the Bruins. Maybe we can get some love from Stanley Cup of Chowder?
Yes, it’s late, but I have an excuse – I’m afraid my “real job” needed my services at 3am this morning, and it’s rather dominated my day.
Anyhow, please enjoy these hand crafted internets, made of links of the finest quality electrons.
We haven’t really heard much about the LA Kings this offseason, aside from jokes about Dustin Penner and softball, despite having Drew Doughty as a fairly major upcoming RFA. Apparently Dean Lombardi is working on changing that, having made a “major offer“. Interesting that despite that, he didn’t opt for arbitration, leaving Doughty open to an offer sheet.
Something I missed yesterday – among the camp invites for the Blue Jackets is undrafted free agent (and Saint Johns Sea Dogs captain) Mike Thomas, who has also signed a one year deal with the Springfield Falcons following the ‘Dogs memorial cup victory. Sea Dogs blog Station Nation has more details. Thomas strikes me, on paper, as a guy who could eventually see time as a bottom 6 pivot, but I suspect he’ll be a couple years in the AHL before he cracks a roster – assuming he’s offered a 2 way deal after camp.
So after reports that the Bruins championship parade wouldn’t have a rally afterwards? They had a rally anyhow, and Brad Marchand continued a trend of hockey players attempting to drop phat beats. I’ll let you judge the success, but is it too much to hope that he and Kris Versteeg can get involved in some form of mic battle?
At JAHL, Tapeleg gives much respect to the glory of the CBC Montage. Canadians get Don Cherry, Montages, Ron MacLean, and Kelly Hrudy. We get David Jones, Mike Milbury, and soon even more Pierre McGuire. Why aren’t -we- rioting?
Aaron Portzline once again repeats that this is a big offseason for the Blue Jackets. It feels oddly like this piece was phoned in – there’s literally no new information in it, nor anything that hasn’t been printed in the last few days. Did the editorial staff at the Dispatch require an article for today before allowing anyone to fly out to St. Paul for the draft? Fortunately, there’s a better position by position look at the team and their needs on the BlueJacketsXtra page.
One area the Jackets have discussed looking for help is a third line forward with “offensive spark.” Sean Bergenheim‘s agent is making noises that he isn’t expecting to re-sign in Tampa Bay. Hmm….
The Edmonton Journal suggests that San Jose may be interested in Jan Hejda, and that Steve Mason could be on the block in exchange for a deal to acquire Corey Schneider. They also suggest the Wild might be interested in Sheldon Souray after he passed through re-entry waivers multiple times last season, because clearly a team who wouldn’t take him for half price would be willing to give up assets to pay him even more money?
Remember how I suggested that Eric Brewer is overpaid in the Jan Hejda “Should He Stay or Should He Go” comparables? Apparently Steve Yzerman disagrees, as there are reports that he’s going to get a new deal soonthat could once again pay over $4 million per season. I wish him well, but damn.
Russian Hockey is increasingly turning into “Pay to Play”, not only in the KHL but also potentially affecting their national programs. A court case which ended this week could be the start of changing that, but don’t hold your breath.
Tim Thomas could have been a Philadelphia Flyer. The sound you hear is 1,000,000 Flyer Fans screaming obscenities at Paul Holmgren.
In some classy news, the Bruins are petitioning the NHL to have Marc Savard and Steve Kampfer’s names added to their team roster on the Stanley Cup.
Adam Proteau decided to compare NHL teams to movies again. When it comes to Columbus, he remains somewhat uncomplimentary.
We mentioned that Craig Ramsay would have to re-interview with the Winnipeg ________ to get his job as head coach back? Looks like that took place this weekend, but no word on if any decision has been made.
Last but not least – the final Stanley Cup Eulogy is up at Puck Daddy: A tribute to the Stanley Cup Champions.
T-minus five days until the draft.
I can’t wait.