CrashingTheGoalie

CrashingTheGoalie header image 1

Entries from July 2009

HOW ARE THE YOTES DEALING WITH THINGS?

July 5th, 2009 · No Comments

What’s it like playing in the uncertain hockey environment of Phoenix?
*****
Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic talked to Scottie Upshall:
“It’s like hearing yourself in trade rumors — it’s almost like your whole team is going to get traded,” Upshall said.
“For us, we love where we are … We want to make it work.”
Still, the bottom [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: ECONOMICS - NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB

SOME N.Y. TIMES HOCKEY HUMOUR

July 5th, 2009 · No Comments

This on the Marian Gaborik signing:
“Either Drury or Brandon Dubinsky will center Gaborik, who scored 13 goals in 17 games last season after returning from hip surgery.
Gaborik, 27, has a history of hip and groin problems, the only potential downside to his signing.”
That’s like saying that Arnold Schwarzenegger is a great governor, but has trouble with [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: HOCKEY HUMOUR

THE OLD AND THE NEW

July 4th, 2009 · No Comments

by Ron Spence
Ohlie was a ‘nucklehead last week and now he’s a poster boy for the Tampa Bay Lightning.
It’ll take some getting used to:
 

*****
Mikael Samuelsson is leaving the Detroit locker room on June 12th – after Detroit’s loss to Pittsburgh in game 7.
 

courtesy of the detroitnews.com
Did he know that he’d never return?

[Read more →]

Tags: ANALYSIS - RON SPENCE

A SEASON IN THE LIFE OF MATT POPE

July 4th, 2009 · No Comments

by Ron Spence
Matt Pope was a square peg in round holes.
He left the ECHL with 30 goals and 63 points in just 54 games with the Condors. He had set team rookie marks for points and assists and was named to the ECHL All-Rookie and All-Star Teams.
He hadn’t been drafted, and next went to Binghamton [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: MANITOBA MOOSE

THE ULTIMATE LEAFS INSULT

July 3rd, 2009 · No Comments

by Ron Spence
In ESPN’s ranking of major league sports franchises, the Leafs were ranked below the Detroit Lions (As you will remember, during the 2008 season, the Lions were winless (0-16), becoming the first team in NFL history to lose 16 games in a single season.).
 
The top 10 and bottom 10 overall
TOP 10
1. Los Angeles [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: ECONOMICS - NHL, NBA, NFL, MLB

MIKAEL SAMUELSSON: EXPANDING HIS ROLE

July 3rd, 2009 · No Comments

There are two stories here: how the Canucks signed Mikael Samuelsson, and the cap problems that the Red Wings are facing.
*****
link
DETROIT — The NHL salary cap continues to eat away at the Detroit Red Wings’ depth.
On Friday, Mikael Samuelsson became the third free-agent forward the Red Wings lost in three days when he signed a [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: CANUCKS - RON SPENCE

IF I'M MIKE GILLIS….

July 3rd, 2009 · 1 Comment

by Ron Spence
I’m breathing  a sigh of relief over the last minute Henrik and Daniel signings and I’m crossing the “t’s” and dotting the “i’s” on Roberto’s contract extension.
I’ve got my feelers out for another top six forward and a good, cheap backup – via free agency.
But most important, I’m looking to package Cory Schneider [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: OPINION

BABY PACIFIERS AND DANY HEATLEY

July 3rd, 2009 · No Comments

by Ron Spence
There have been no deaths or accidents reported.
Health Canada and CS International Inc. are recalling 6,488 pacifiers manufactured in China.

Evidently the pacifier button, ring handle and shield with nipple can detach, posing a choking hazard to children.
The products were sold from February 2008 to June 2009 at Zellers, Walmart, the Bay, team stores, and [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: HOCKEY HUMOUR

MATTIAS CONFERENCE CALL

July 2nd, 2009 · 1 Comment

“I think it’s a great opportunity for me. I was ecstatic when they called and I felt from the beginning this is the place I wanted to be. It felt right and felt like something I wanted to be part of. Having said that I’m also grateful for the 11 years I played with Vancouver. [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: PLAYER PROFILES

THE TIMING OF THE ROME SIGNING

July 2nd, 2009 · No Comments

by Ron Spence
Mike Gillis is in the process of signing a contract extension with Roberto Luongo.
Roberto was manhandled during the Chicago playoff series and Gillis has acquired a large, tough dman – who will drop the gloves.Coincidence?
I don’t think so.
Will Rome’s 222 pounds match up against Dustin Byfuglien’s 247 pounds? We’ll see this winter.
*****
You Tube [...]

[Read more →]

Tags: OPINION