David Amber's column.
Ha.
He argues the top-ten most cap-strapping deals in the NHL. I say every single one, but ONE is erroneous.
Let's start with No. 10- Todd Bertuzzi:
Amber argues that Bertuzzi isn't worth the $8-million over two years. I say: Wrong. This 6-4, 230-pound winger is worth every penny. He may not have the numbers Ryan Getzlaf or Corey Perry do, but who goes into the corner and beats the bodies?
Bertuzzi.
Who drops the gloves in defense of these guys?
Bertuzzi.
Who is a solid voice in the locker room?
Oh...Bertuzzi.
And, finally, don't bring up Steve Moore. That's in the past. Let the last two years define who he is. And he's been an injury-prone, big winger. Nothing more; but, he does beat the bodies. And for me, he's worth more than the $4.25 the Thrashers pay Bobby Holik.
No. 9- Pavel Kubina
It's John Ferguson who signed him to this deal. Let's put it that way. Mats Sundin should have been gone from Leaf country years ago, yet this guy keeps has-beens and players signed to inflated contracts around.
1967.
No. 8- Dustin Penner.
Don't blame Pens. Blame Kevin Lowe who tried to rope a "young gun" under the new CBA. He failed with Vanek...might as well try Penner. Well, Brian Burke didn't argue and the Oil were stuck with a four-year, $20-million dollar deal on a rugged winger who hasn't proven himself yet.
Penner is a solid player, but no where near worth the contract he received. Kevin Lowe felt heat from the owners because he didn't land a high-profile free agent forward. Blame Lowe....Not Penner, David Amber.
No. 7- Kimmo Timonen
Holmgren has done a hell of a job as GM for Philly. Don't claim this contract is too much. Going from worst to a solid playoff team in less than eight months...Mad props to the Flyers and Paul Holmgren.
No. 6- Ed Jovanovski
JovoCop is the only thing going for Phoenix besides Gretzky. He'll be moved before the deadline. They signed him to this deal to atleast get a big name playing at Jobing.com Arena. David Amber, while you may not agree with this deal, without a Gold Medal winning defenseman, who
do the 'Yotes have?
Seriously?
Don't mock this contract.
No. 5- Michael Nylander
Should have stayed with Jagr on Broadway.
Washington?
Really?
Went for the money. Enough said.
No. 4- Tomas Vokoun
On paper Florida is a good team, but, unfortunately, paper isn't good enough. In July, I picked the Panthers to win the division. Vokoun replaces Luongo, who the Panthers SHOULD NEVER HAVE TRADED. Anyway...this contract tries to save Panthers management for trading Luongo for virtually nothing.
No. 3- Brad Richards
This inspired me to write this.
Brad Richards is the glue to the Lightning.
Go ask Jay Feaster, David Amber, if he thinks Richards is worth it. $7.8-million is enough to pay the former Conn Smyth winning player and quarterback of the power-play. While a two-man box is defending his laser shot, it creates enough room for Vinny and St. Louis to wreak havoc near the net. He may not be registering on the scoresheet as much as last year, but his awareness, shot and passing are invaluable. Learn the game, Amber. Learn it.
No. 2- Bryan McCabe.
Amber...You are correct. Blame Ferguson...
No.1- Zdeno Chara
David...If you were a forward....would you want Chara behind you or would you rather try to deke past him?
Exactly.
The only reason why this contract looks bad is he has no help besides Savard. Sure, Kessel is coming along...but besides that Boston is terrible. No goaltending, missing five defensmen and two lines....
The 6-9, 260-pound defenseman can only do so much.
Don't blame him and his contract. Blame the GM for not giving him and Savard enough talent to compete every night.
Monday, November 26, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Greatest Generation
Today, possibly the best class ever will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The class consists of Mark Messier, Ron Francis, Scott Stevens, Al MacInnis, and Jim Gregory (will be placed in the builder category).
They have 11 Stanley Cups to their records. 12 major awards. Countless All-Star Games.
Let's play the "What If Game" for a minute. What if you were a GM looking for a player to build your team around. Which one of these players would it be?
Mark Messier (1982-2004) - 1,756 GP, 694 G, 1,193 A, 1,887 Pts, +210, 1,910 PIM
Scott Stevens (1982-2004) - 1,635 GP, 196 G, 712 A, 908 Pts, +393, 2,785 PIM
Al MacInnis (1981-2004) - 1,416 GP, 340 G, 934 A, 1,274 Pts, +374, 1,501 PIM
Ron Francis (1981-2004) - 1,731 GP, 549 G, 1,249 A, 1,798 Pts, -10, 979 PIM
For me, I have to take Al MacInnis. He could do everything from penalty kill, lead the power play, and bolster the blue line. The Inverness, N.S. native consistently had over a 100-mph shot. Imagine what he could do with composite instead of wood, today? Yikes.
I had the previlege of watching all of these players play in-person. The most exciting player, I thought, was Scott Stevens. You never know when he was going to catch someone with his head down.
Just ask Paul Kariya or Eric Lindros.
Check out Scott's Top Ten Hits below.
They have 11 Stanley Cups to their records. 12 major awards. Countless All-Star Games.
Let's play the "What If Game" for a minute. What if you were a GM looking for a player to build your team around. Which one of these players would it be?
Mark Messier (1982-2004) - 1,756 GP, 694 G, 1,193 A, 1,887 Pts, +210, 1,910 PIM
Scott Stevens (1982-2004) - 1,635 GP, 196 G, 712 A, 908 Pts, +393, 2,785 PIM
Al MacInnis (1981-2004) - 1,416 GP, 340 G, 934 A, 1,274 Pts, +374, 1,501 PIM
Ron Francis (1981-2004) - 1,731 GP, 549 G, 1,249 A, 1,798 Pts, -10, 979 PIM
For me, I have to take Al MacInnis. He could do everything from penalty kill, lead the power play, and bolster the blue line. The Inverness, N.S. native consistently had over a 100-mph shot. Imagine what he could do with composite instead of wood, today? Yikes.
I had the previlege of watching all of these players play in-person. The most exciting player, I thought, was Scott Stevens. You never know when he was going to catch someone with his head down.
Just ask Paul Kariya or Eric Lindros.
Check out Scott's Top Ten Hits below.
Lindros Ombudsman?
L'Association de Joueurs de Ligue nationale de Hockey a annoncé dimanche que le conseil de direction a nommé Eric Lindros à la position nouvellement créée de médiateur NHLPA.
Comme le médiateur, Lindros servira d'un membre non-votant du conseil de direction, supervisera et coordonnera des activités de représentants de joueur et recevra et résoudra n'importe quelles plaintes par les membres NHLPA.
"J'ai une quantité gigantesque de fierté en cette Association et un grand respect pour les semblables de Ted Lindsay, Carl Brewer et le beaucoup d'autres individus de principe qui ont aidé à créer des opportunités pour les joueurs comme moi," a dit Lindros dans une déclaration.
"Pour être choisi comme le médiateur des joueurs est un honneur vrai et j'attends impatiemment de travailler durement pour l'adhésion comme nous entrons quelles promesses d'être une ère excitante pour le NHLPA."
Lindros a pris sa retraite jeudi dans sa ville natale de Londres, Ont., en mettant fin à une carrière faite dérailler par une série de secousses et d'autres blessures. Le pouvoir 6-pied-4, de 240 livres avait en avant 372 buts, 865 points et 1,398 minutes de peine dans 760 jeux pour Philadelphie, Toronto, les Gendarmes à cheval de New York et Dallas.
Il a gagné le Trophée de Cerf comme la ligue MVP en 1995 et a fait partie de l'équipe Olympique canadienne qui a gagné de l'or en 2002. Il a aussi gagné de l'argent pour le Canada en 1992
Comme le médiateur, Lindros servira d'un membre non-votant du conseil de direction, supervisera et coordonnera des activités de représentants de joueur et recevra et résoudra n'importe quelles plaintes par les membres NHLPA.
"J'ai une quantité gigantesque de fierté en cette Association et un grand respect pour les semblables de Ted Lindsay, Carl Brewer et le beaucoup d'autres individus de principe qui ont aidé à créer des opportunités pour les joueurs comme moi," a dit Lindros dans une déclaration.
"Pour être choisi comme le médiateur des joueurs est un honneur vrai et j'attends impatiemment de travailler durement pour l'adhésion comme nous entrons quelles promesses d'être une ère excitante pour le NHLPA."
Lindros a pris sa retraite jeudi dans sa ville natale de Londres, Ont., en mettant fin à une carrière faite dérailler par une série de secousses et d'autres blessures. Le pouvoir 6-pied-4, de 240 livres avait en avant 372 buts, 865 points et 1,398 minutes de peine dans 760 jeux pour Philadelphie, Toronto, les Gendarmes à cheval de New York et Dallas.
Il a gagné le Trophée de Cerf comme la ligue MVP en 1995 et a fait partie de l'équipe Olympique canadienne qui a gagné de l'or en 2002. Il a aussi gagné de l'argent pour le Canada en 1992
Thursday, November 8, 2007
King Kovy
I don't want to sound like a homer, but have you seen the play of Ilya Kovalchuk over the past week?
He is single-handedly winning games for the Thrashers. The twenty-four-year-old sniper had eight points in four games (seven goals, one assist), including back-to-back hat tricks.
Darren Eliot, Thrashers analyst, describes Ilya's tear in his latest article.
Right now, the Russian rocket leads the NHL in goals with 13; however, he had to leave Tuesday night's game with back spasms and is questionable for Friday's game. The Thrashers' success depends on his stick being on the ice, lighting the lamp.
He is single-handedly winning games for the Thrashers. The twenty-four-year-old sniper had eight points in four games (seven goals, one assist), including back-to-back hat tricks.
Darren Eliot, Thrashers analyst, describes Ilya's tear in his latest article.
Right now, the Russian rocket leads the NHL in goals with 13; however, he had to leave Tuesday night's game with back spasms and is questionable for Friday's game. The Thrashers' success depends on his stick being on the ice, lighting the lamp.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
