Just a quick item. It's not even an item, really. Do you know that upstate New York sports anchor who took ESPN to task for bugging him for video?
We went to college together, both working on the college paper at the same time. So while it wasn't framed this way, this whole thing is a big victory for the SUNY-Binghamton Pipe Dream.
And the hockey connection? My first two years in school, Binghamton was home to the New York Rangers farm team.
So what is Chad Kilger's end-game exactly? He's been suspended by the Panthers for not showing up from Toronto. I'm kind of curious why Florida even wants him to show up. I thought they'd just pretend they weren't expecting him.
Also, Mike Harrington has a funny take on the too-many-men on the ice call that wasn't called against Buffalo Tuesday night. He says, and Lindy Ruff agrees no doubt, to get over it, and that things often don't get called that should. Obviously, Buffalo has heard this refrain before. Still yet, it brings up the idea of video replay in the NHL.
To be honest, I'd much rather have a few blow calls then long game delays while people look at video. But I'm pretty shortsighted. I often shoot my TV rather than find the remote to switch it off.
Spector reveals a waiver secret I wasn't aware of: players can be claimed on re-entry waivers after the trade deadline, but the player can't be played. I'm impressed people know this stuff.
Finally, Elkin's goalie school has a new feature where they ask goalies at all levels of play to discuss their pre-game rituals. This kind of stuff fascinates me, and it's especially interesting to hear from goalies, who are so mysterious. It's shocking to think they do mundane things like eat breakfast. For whatever reason, I tend to picture them spending their pre-game time in coffins.
I can't believe Peter Forsberg really came back. And then he played. He didn't put up any points in last night's win over the Canucks, but playing on a line with Joe Sakic and Milan Hejduk, it seems to just be a matter of time.
Also, big news in New York City: The New York ratings for Sunday's Rangers-Flyers game on NBC just beat a Yankees pre-season game on cable. Take that A-Rod!
I know it's kind of mean, but the goalie "controversy" in Pittsburgh really cracks me up:
- It's Ty Conklin. I always felt his whole NHL career was predicated on the idea that U.S. international teams always need a third-string goalie.
- He's potentially bumping Marc-Andre Fleury, who's so emotionally fragile. The poor kid probably hasn't slept in two weeks.
It's cool to watch, though. Although, to be fair, I should admit I'm kind of just waiting for Fleury and Conklin to fight it out.
Out in St. Louis, a franchise that oscillates between being playoff bound and moribund, comes reports coach Andy Murray has lost the locker room. If that sounds familiar, it's because that's how Murray's time in LA ended, too.
It's got to be worse in Colorado, though. No one can stay healthy there. Ryan Smyth and Marek Svatos are the latest players to go down. But don't worry. At least the Avs have Peter Forsberg. Whever he's ready, that is...
How sad is it that I read this whole Times thing on the rise of Russian professional hockey, and my big thought was, 'Wow. I can't believe Carol Alt moved to Russia with him."
John Dellapina has a great story about the Rangers throwing new defenseman Christian Backman under the bus, with the team telling a ref he was responsible for a penalty so that penalty killer extraordinaire Blair Betts, the actual guilty party, would be free to kill the penalty. Backman is having trouble adjusting to New York; his first five penalties (he's been in New York for two games) have all been for different calls.
Also, my fantasy column is up.
