Ryan Getzlaf
News broke last evening that Corey Perry had signed an 8 year deal totalling 69 million dollars to stay with the Anaheim Ducks and his newly signed centerman (also of 8 years), Ryan Getzlaf. [more…]
Just a quick hit here; Darren Dreger reports from Insider Trading that the Leafs have received an offer for Mikhail Grabovski.
From @DarrenDreger:
For those unable to see Insider Trading. Offer for Grabovski is for a 2nd rnd pick and prospect. Could get more. Still hope to re-sign him
Not much in terms of a return, but we obviously have no idea who the prospect is. Dreger also hinted that the deal could grow and the 2nd be upgraded to a first, for example.
Grabovski is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. A negotiating tactic to release the news of the offer? Perhaps.
In 2005, the NHL was returning to work after a year long lockout, a bitter battle between players and owners over cost certainty. Â The entry draft in June of 2005 was really the beginning of a new era in hockey, and a new era for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who drafted Sidney Crosby first overall, a move that would change their fortunes forever.
Drafted second that year was Bobby Ryan. Â A big bodied power forward with tremendous skill, I had the chance to watch Ryan in person blaze up and down the ice for the Owen Sound Attack. Â One look at Ryan moving swiftly between checkers, puck on a string as he bobbed and weaved his way into a prime scoring area, and it was clear.
This dude was one heck of a consolation prize.
And the GM who was afforded that consolation prize, as you are all aware, was one Brian Burke. [more…]
Fresh off last night's 8-2 thumping of the Germans, Team Canada will look to translate that momentum into yet another strong performance as they prepare to face the Russians this evening (7:30 EST/4:30 PST on CTV).
True, the victory last night was over a German team which was not exactly expected to be a medal contender to begin with. However, a win is a win and last night's performance should serve to help some of the bitterness and doubt stemming from Sunday's loss to the United States subside.
As in all sports, momentum is key and Team Canada will certainly need all they can get against a typically strong Russian squad.  The Russians are fast and skilled, but not overly physical; if the Canadians can get in a couple of momentum-setting hits from the outset, establishing control throughout the game will become a much easier task.
Canada shuffles their lines, turns to Roberto Luongo and looks to rub out Germany from medal contention. Should they win tonight, they will then play Russia, so no matter what hockey fans, you still get the see the battle of Canada and Russia.
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Keith Aulie has been injured indefinitely. Ryan Getzlaf will be a part of Team Canada. Brian Burke talks the favorite in the tournament, and the NHL has released its attendance records of this season. The numbers are shocking, read on to learn more of each of these brief news stories.
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My Team Canada Roster selections may seem a little vanilla, but they've been selected to play out various situations. Penalty killing, power play and balance on all the forward units took precedent over sheer offensive/defensive ability.
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Player Profile
Chatter ... non existent.
Rumors ... rampant speculation, but nothing really.
Movement ... absolutely dismal amount of transactions (if you don't count waiver placement)
Just, eerily quiet ...
And I have a theory as to why. But first, some good news.
That's what I think of when I hear the rumors and buzz going on about Brian Burke potentially being the next Leafs GM. Everyone associates him with the ability to assemble a championship calibre core and then win it all like he did with the Ducks in '07. The reality of the situation is that he is NOT the right man for the Toronto Maple Leafs job, and I'm going to explain why I think so. [more…]
