Turkey

The one valid point I've heard is that being the GM who finally brings the Cup back to Toronto would basically make you a hockey demi-god. On some level, that would have to be appealing to anyone. It's just a matter of whether they think the situation they'd be dealing with in the meantime would be worth it.

1 Game Suspension for Kovalchuk One game per Tsn. At least it was something. I do think this emphasizes the lack of a coherent framework for estimating how many games a given infraction is worth.

Didn't McGuire say right in the article that this was his "Dreamland" deal that he would pursue? I think he's aware that there's no chance of such a thing.

I disagree. That game is a privilege and if a player is currently being punished for something they should have the privilege revoked.

Going to have to agree w/ GST on this one. Guys who exist only to fight are a waste of space and a mockery of the game. Iginla v. Lecavalier? I loved that.

Alas, Driving in Circles is a sport on the rise these days in the US. Hockey has at best plateaued and at worst gone into decline. I try not to think about it.

I hope he gets 3-5. That would really send a message. As it stands, I don't know if anyone has any faith that the league would suspend a superstar. I'm even more sure I want to see this after reading his comments. Earth to Kovie, if Steve Downie had laid that hit on you half the world would be calling for his head. Talk about total disregard/denial about what he did. He's lucky he didn't injure the guy.

BOO on Neidermayer's inclusion.

I have no problem with Versus. I'd much rather see the NHL on Versus and ESPN, NBC, etc but if this is what I can get (along with the awesome CBC) then that's what I'll take. Let's face it folks, we follow a niche sport here in the USA. People would rather watch a race car drive really fast in a circle and maybe blow up.

The way the Leafs are run by this mysterious cabal of backroom bosses just seems idiotic. These guys seem to be totally free of accountability and the only reason they get away with it is that the Leafs came with a built in following of die-hard fans. One person should be calling the shots. Not some weird mystery committee.

Ah, thanks for that quote. That makes good sense. I suppose it would be risky to bring in a big player in a trade not knowing if you can afford to pay him and a heart and soul player like Cleary afterwards.

I think it's not too bad. Bryzgalov is going to be a big cornerstone for them. They have no real goaltending prospects (that I know of) and having him in net has already made a huge difference to the team. I see this as recognition of his importance, a good move.

I saw an ad on CBC the other day w/ Robitaille and Broduer. That was some funny stuff.

I'm happy for Malkin. That guy is one of my favorite players. He's so dynamic.

I suspect the hitch is over concern that he may ask more than the Wings are willing to pay when they have to sign Z in a year and have a number of younger players that will also be wanting their money soon. I've been worried about this myself.

Enough with this discussion. Talk about the injury. Talk about it's effect on the team or the ASG or anything other than this. If it keeps being a big long argument about the relative classiness of laughing at player injuries it'll just get shut down eventually.

I think it's pretty clear that these stats show us which players can make the most of limited ice-time. That doesn't make them better players overall (I don't think anyone is actually claiming Hudler is better than Pavel) it just means that they are making the most of what they are given. No stat proves beyond a shadow of a doubt that one player is better than any other. These are just interesting stats that provide a slightly different perspective on the players. I'm not sure why they need to be a big huge debate topic.

I'll admit up front that I really have no idea how this would impact things but would it work to give 2pts for a W in regulation and 1 pt for a win in OT or shootout? Loser gets 0. That way you get an extra bump for winning in reg but there is still a big emphasis on winning in OT or the shoot out rather than shrugging and taking your one point for being a big fat loser.

I think Igor is a long shot at this point. I think a lot of the hopeful/nice things said about him having another chance now that he knows what he's up against were said out of respect for a player that's been through a lot.

Cleary does deserve a big raise but I'm a little concerned that the Sharp signing is going to drasticall inflate his and/or his agent's expectations. There is a cap to what I'd be willing to pay for Dan, no matter how awesome he's been. I'm hoping he keeps it reasonable and we are able to resign him. If it doesn't look like he will, though, I'd be loathe to let him go for nothing.

Exactly. If Mac can't knock their socks off in Flint,I'd be surprised to see him in GR, much less on any team in the NHL. I'd love to see it happen but he's going to have to kick some butt or hope he can win a spot at somebody's training camp in the fall or something.

So he has a contract that's a few months long for a team that, at best, might maaaaaybe have a shot at the cup. Is this just an attempt to stay on the radar for a possible job next year?

Frankly, I'm not sure why we are even talking about this. Is there any indication that the league is even looking at it?

Definitely right up there with the Toews goal against Colorado. What a beauty. Toews took the puck further and maybe through more people but I think Nash's moves are way more impressive just due to the small amount of time and space he had to work with for each of them.

Not surprised by the choice of Iginla. By all accounts, he's one of the best leaders in the game today. I just want to see what he looks like playing w/ D and Z.