| Edmonton
deals a “Lowe” blow.
By: Shellymarie C. Lucas
As the post season winds down and the new 2007-2008
hockey season moves closer, few Unrestricted
Free Agents (UFA’s) and Restricted Free
Agents (RFA’s) remain. On the 2nd of August
the number of remaining RFA’s diminished
by one, as former Anaheim Ducks left wing, Dustin
Penner, became the newest member of the Edmonton
Oilers.
Last Thursday on July 26, Oilers GM Kevin Lowe
pulled yet another interesting move in this
post season by offering Penner a five year contract
worth $21.25 million dollars, or roughly just
over $4 million a year. The 24 year old Winkler,
Manitoba native, who had a career year in his
first full season in Anaheim, scored 29 goals,
tallied 16 assists for a total of 45 points
in 82 games. Penner also made his mark in the
post season, picking up 5 assists and three
goals, including a game winner, in 21 games.
As Anaheim did last year with Joffrey Lupul,
the Ducks lost a young player with star potential,
but at what cost? Last year Ducks GM Brian Burke
added key defenseman Chris Pronger by trading
Joffrey Lupul and minor league player Ladislav
Smid. That trade turned out to be the right
move as Anaheim found the answer to the previous
years playoff exit after the second round, going
on to win the coveted Stanley Cup in the 2006-2007
season with their missing link, Pronger. Lupul
didn’t fare so well in Edmonton, posting
only 28 total points, down 25 points from the
previous year, as well as finishing the season
with a -29, but the right wing will not reunite
with his former teammate, as he has since moved
on to the Philadelphia Flyers where I am more
than sure he will reignite his career.
Since the Ducks did not match the offer tendered
to Dustin Penner, who turns 25 in September,
the Ducks will receive Edmonton’s 1st,
2nd and 3rd pick in the 2008 NHL entry draft.
This could also prove to be a good move for
Anaheim as they will more than likely be negotiating
soon with Wingers Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry
whose contracts expire at the end of the coming
season. Signing Penner for $4 million a year
could have meant losing one or both of the young
star players. Ducks fans are no stranger to
Burke’s GM tactics, as many have seen
Burke successfully dangle draft picks in front
of teams who desperately need them, trading
the picks or packaging them with another player
as he wheels and deals for good solid talent.
Last Friday, a day after the offer was made,
Brian Burke scheduled a conference call from
Penticton, British Columbia where he was being
inducted in the British Columbia Hall of Fame.
It was clear he was not impressed with Lowe’s
tactics, calling him “gutless.”
Since the two used to talk quite a bit, Burke’s
response could be a knee jerk reaction to an
offer that he had only found out about when
Dustin’s agent faxed him the offer sheet.
Although Lowe was not obligated to tell Burke
of his intentions, you would assume that Lowe
might have given Burke a courtesy warning (though
that also might have meant Burke acting quickly
to keep Penner), given that the two seemed to
be friends who also set up last season’s
blockbuster trade. This was the same move made
by Lowe which cost the Buffalo Sabres $50 million
dollars to keep 23 year old left wing Thomas
Vanek in the fold after he too was tendered
an offer sheet by Kevin Lowe.
The if’s, and’s or but’s are
all present, but it’s no secret what many
are thinking when it comes to Kevin Lowe saying
it is “an act of desperation by a man
trying to keep his job.” He blew it with
Ryan Smyth, lost his bid for Vanek and got Dustin
Penner for what may end up being too much money,
though I hope that is not the case. It has been
a busy 2007 for Mr. Lowe and I am sure everyone’s
waiting to see what he does next.
To Dustin, good luck and thank you for all you
did in Anaheim.
That’s my opinion and I am sticking to
it. Until next time, this is Shellymarie signing
off.
The Second coming of Todd Bertuzzi?
By: Shellymarie C. Lucas
As
the second week of July slowly fades into recent
history and the NHL’s Unrestricted Free
Agent Market winds down, I find myself pondering
a question everyone keeps asking me, “What
do you think about the Ducks acquiring Todd
Bertuzzi?” His reputation forever tainted
by an incident before the 2004-2005 lock out,
Bertuzzi has recently bounced around the league,
from Vancouver to Florida, Vancouver acquiring
star goaltender Roberto Luongo in that trade
and onto his most recent and shortest stint
in Detroit as the cliché “Rental
Player” for the playoffs.
Everyone has an opinion regarding Bertuzzi since
“the incident”, but let’s
put that aside. No matter what ones opinion
might be, it is apparent that “Berty”
as he has been known by former teammates, has
done what he can to make amends including numerous
attempts to apologize personally to Steve Moore.
He was suspended without pay, had his reputation
tarnished and will forever have to live with
what happened that fateful night. The question
is when do we let go and allow him to get on
with his hockey career? I know some people don’t
believe he should be playing, but he is. I think
there is still promise for the veteran player
and I think he will be a good addition to the
Ducks, if he stays healthy and focuses on the
game at hand.
Born in Sudbury Canada on February 2, 1975,
the thirty-two year old right winger began his
career in New York for the Islanders who drafted
him twenty-third overall in 1993. He immediately
went to the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) and
played for the Guelph Storm until the 1995-1996
Season when he saw action on the Islander bench,
playing 76 games and accumulating 39 points
and 83 PIM. The following season found him bouncing
between New York and the Utah Grizzlies of the
International Hockey League (IHL).
In 1997 Bertuzzi, along with Brian McCabe, was
traded to Vancouver for Trevor Linden. He didn’t
play much his first few years with the Canucks,
but that changed in the 1999-2000 season, when
Bertuzzi played 80 games, accumulating 50 points
and 126 PIM. His best season came in 2002-2003
when he scored a career high 97 points and racked
up 144 PIM. The 2006-2007 season is the first
in seven seasons that Bertuzzi did not play
in more than 60 games or rack up more than 60
points. In a season marred by injuries, the
6’3” hulking wing played only 15
regular season games between Florida and Detroit,
collecting 11 points and 16 games in the post
season, with a point tally of 7. So you’re
probably wondering why I keep throwing stats
at you, but isn’t it clear? A healthy
Todd Bertuzzi is not only a force to be reckoned
with, but a guy who can not only find the back
of the net, but also help his teammates do the
same.
Do I think he is washed up? No. Do I think he
can add some offense to the Ducks? Yes. Do I
think he can put the past behind him despite
some objecting fans? Yes. Todd Bertuzzi has
always said he wished that night had never happened.
I believe he means that in not only a personal
way, but also because it hurt so many others
involved in the incident. I don’t think
the hit was intended to damage Moore, but retribution
for another teammate is not always wise. What
gets lost in the entire tragedy is that THE
hit stems from a hit Steve Moore put on Vancouver
Captain Markus Naslund, which left Naslund out
for a period of time with a concussion. What
would the Hockey world have been like, if a
relatively unknown player named Steve Moore,
had given Naslund more than just a concussion?
Would he have suffered the scrutiny a more well
known enforcer like Bertuzzi had? Yes, but only
because it was Markus Naslund, otherwise, like
most other hits on lesser known players who
fade away into obscurity, Moore’s actions
would have more than likely gone unnoticed by
the majority of the cities in the league, as
so often it happens. Think about it, the incident
involving himself, has seemingly removed all
blame for Moore’s own actions against
Naslund, who is well and still leading the Vancouver
Canucks. In no way am I attempting to shift
blame for the hit on the former Avalanche player,
but does anyone really remember what initially
caused the fire storm? No.
If Bertuzzi keeps his head in the game and focuses
on his team and coach, this could be his comeback
year. It won’t erase the past, but it
might help people move on from it. By no means
has he slacked off, posting 71 points in the
first season after the lockout, but this past
season will either be his turning point, or
a sign that it is time to quit.
As a Ducks fan, I welcome Todd Bertuzzi’s
reunion with Ducks General Manager Brian Burke,
who expressed interest in Berty during the trade
deadline, but was unwilling to give up Corey
Perry to acquire him. This turned out to be
a wise choice, since Bertuzzi’s contract
was up this season anyway and Perry was one
of the key factors in Anaheim’s run for
the Cup. Some might wonder why I welcome Berty
to the team, but I do it for two reasons, because
I support our General Manager’s decisions,
since he has not lead this team astray yet,
and because someone I know reminded me during
a phone call a week ago that everyone deserves
a second chance. Though I always believed he
should have gotten one, who am I to cast judgment
otherwise? I’m certainly not perfect.
Todd Bertuzzi was given another chance when
the league lifted his indefinite suspension,
but I truly believe his real second chance will
come with the Ducks. A clean slate and a new
season will tell the tale.
That’s my opinion and I am sticking to
it. This is Shellymarie signing off until next
time.
Oh What a Ride…
By: Shellymarie C. Lucas
On
a warm June night in Anaheim, a city known more
for Disneyland and it’s 2002 World Series
baseball team, a group of men emerged from their
famous neighbor’s shadows and near anonymity
to claim their small spot on one of sports’
most sacred trophy’s, the Stanley Cup.
This is no ordinary trophy though. Standing
three feet tall and weighing thirty-five pounds,
Hockey’s prized possession is so famous
that it has its own keepers. That’s right
folks, for those who don’t know much about
the sport, or maybe just the trophy, it has
its own case, it gets polished, held with white
gloves by its keepers, and flies anywhere. The
trophy is so famous, it often eclipses the team
that won it, but not after this paragraph.
While I admit that I might have been drooling
when they brought the cup out of the Ducks Locker
room, I had enough presence of mind to quickly
take a few pictures of the cup I had watched
many other teams receive. I wanted to cry with
joy, but the excitement and disbelief running
through my body wouldn’t let me, instead
I felt like I was flying high. I had goosebumps
on my arms, I could only manage the words ‘Oh
my God’ and breathing seemed like an afterthought.
At last it belonged to Anaheim. After several
failed playoff runs, including that heartbreaker
after game seven in 2003…Lord Stanley’s
Cup finally belonged to Orange County.
.The road may have seemed like a short one,
but it wasn’t. The ride to this year’s
Stanley Cup, for me anyway, didn’t begin
when the playoffs started, but at the beginning
of the season when the Ducks were neck and neck
with the Sabres for the best regulation record
(both teams had lost in OT). Eventually the
Sabres lost to the Maple Leafs, unable to push
another overtime leaving only the Anaheim Ducks
to carry on.
After a record sixteen games, the boys from
Orange County had their magical run cut short
by the Flames who played a hard fought game
and sent the Ducks packing in their first regulation
loss of the season. This run would be a catalyst
for a season that would bring ups and downs
when it came to injuries, several weeks on top
of the Western Conference, record setting penalty
minutes, Anaheim’s first Pacific Division
title and an eventual second place finish behind
the favored Red Wings in the overall conference
standings…that also meant home ice for
three out of four rounds. Anaheim only lost
their home ice advantage in the Western Conference
finals, when they played long time playoff rival,
the Detroit Red Wings.
An interesting note is that in Round two, three
of the four coaches still in the playoffs all
got their Head Coaching start in Anaheim California
with the Ducks. Ron Wilson who helms the San
Jose Sharks bench, was the first, Red Wings
head Coach Mike Babcock who took the 2003 Cinderella
Ducks to their first Finals and of course current
head Coach Randy Carlyle whose team eventually
beat his predecessor and took the Ducks all
the way to glory.
There wasn’t much more magic that could
be had that night. With streamers and confetti
falling from the rafters for what seemed like
an eternity, I could only think about how magical
this run had been. Sure everyone wants a repeat,
but nothing is quite like the first time.
That’s my opinion and I am sticking to
it. For more about my playoff experience from
the beginning, please see the Ducks report.
It should be up soon.
Questions A-plenty
Fan Commentary,
by Mr. Miller
January 26, 2007
Well. It's that time of year again in the NHL.
The All-Star break is over and teams are gearing
up for the second half of the season trying
to position themselves for a chance to earn
the greatest title in sports: Stanley Cup Champions.
It's also the time of year that Blackhawk fans
start asking the usual questions: When does
the fire sale start? Which of the kids be brought
up? How, the hell, is Nashville in first place?
Coming out of the break, the Blackhawks sit
13 points out of the final playoff spot with
5 teams ahead of them. They're the losers of
nine straight including a recent 6-3 embarrassment
to the afore mentioned Nashville Predators.
The powerplay is last in the league and only
a single team, the Flyers, have scored fewer
goals. Even the most die-hard, optimistic, fans
have to wonder when will it all end?
The usual answer, as borrowed many times from
the Cubs: just wait until next year!
Freeing up some salary cap space should be a
priority right now for GM Dale Tallon. Going
into next season, he's going to need the extra
money to sign a top forward, a center and resign
a player or two from the current roster.
Adrian Aucoin and Jassen Cullimore seem to be
the obvious choices for Tallon as he begins
looking to deal with other teams. But salary
issues and poor play might make both of them
impossible to move without getting the short-end
of the stick by other teams. Goaltender Nikolai
Khabibulin might be the Blackhawks best trade
asset, but at $6.75 million per for the next
two seasons, the greedy Russian might difficult
to deal as well.
But don't underestimate the stupidity of NHL
teams as the trade deadline approaches. Unlike
Tallon, other General Managers actually have
job security to worry about if their respective
team doesn't win - or even compete.
Khabibbulin to Phoenix? Lapointe back to Detroit?
Cullimore back to pee-wees? It doesn't matter
just as long as the kids stay in place, the
'plan' continues to move forward and Havlat
remains untouchable.
Perhaps the 2006-2007 marketing campaign can
be better utilized in the coming weeks: Bryan
Smolinski is a Blackhawk. And on waivers.
Which brings up the truely important question
on many Blackhawk fans' mind right now: What
time does the Superbowl start?
Mr. Miller
WirtzSucks.com
‘Tis the Season Schedule…boring?
By: Shellymarie
C. Lucas
Ho Hum…someone please pass me a pillow,
my excite-o-meter’s needle is teetering
in the blah zone. Okay, so maybe the schedule
isn’t that bad, but it certainly isn’t
that good either. Since changing the format
from six games to eight games against division
teams and significantly shortening the amount
of times the East meets the West, conferences
that is, I can’t say I have been all that
happy.
Everyone who knows me knows that I am passionate
about the sport of hockey. I love it and on
occasion I think I may even breathe it, but
part of the experience is seeing teams that
play in the Eastern Conference. I don’t
just mean the likes of, Ovechkin, Malkin and
Crosby, but also players like the Devils Martin
Brodeur who has been a personal favorite since
around 1997, as well as players like Mats Sundin,
Daniel Alfredsson and many many more, whether
they’re stars or not. I am sure there
are some on the East Coast who wouldn’t
mind taking a peek at what the Western Conference
has to offer either.
According to an article on CBC Sports online
that was posted on July 27, 2005, the NHL’s
reasoning behind changing the schedule is as
follows;** “-The new schedule strengthens
division rivalries. -The new schedule maintains
the integrity of the conference-based playoff
format. Each Club continues to play 40 games
against non-division, intra-conference opponents,”
and lastly, “- The new schedule allows
for continued exposure of teams and star players
from the other conference.”
Okay, I’ll bite. Let me and my opinionated
self pick this apart. I’m not so sure
that you can really create rivalries by adding
two more division games to each team. You might
create one amongst the opposing fans, but there
is no guarantee of that either and that’s
really based on how you would define a rivalry.
Next, it “maintains the integrity of the
conference-based playoff format.” I’m
not to sure what this is supposed to mean, perhaps
my inner non-sports girl is momentarily emerging,
but I will take a stab in the dark at this…it’s
not baseball! That said, moving on to item 2
in section 2…four games each against intra-conference
teams to make up 40 games, plus the 32 division
games comes out to 72 games of intra-conference
play, which leaves 10 games to see the “continued
exposure of teams and star players from the
other conference,” which is covered in
item 3. Ten games in the other conference…five
at home and five away.
I recently watched two separate interviews with
Anaheim’s J.S. Giguere and San Jose’s
Jonathan Cheechoo. When asked what they thought
of the new schedule, both tried desperately
to be diplomatic when responding with the same
answer, they want to see more Eastern Teams.
I don’t know what players on the East
Coast are thinking, but these two gentleman’s
sentiments mirror my own.
In the long run, the new schedule benefits the
Eastern teams more and by this I mean that they
don’t have the amount of travel that Western
teams have. Even in the Western Conference there
is still travel, depending on your starting
point, to the West Coast, Mid-West and East
Coast to play the likes of Detroit or Columbus,
Minnesota or Edmonton, the California teams,
etc., but I’m not complaining, honest.
It’s just a fact.
I am sure there are many of you out there who
do not agree with my point of view and of course
everyone is entitled to their opinion, but I
do miss the days of seeing teams from the Eastern
Conference. I love going to see the guys play
every night they’re home and nothing will
change that, but being able to watch teams that
you maybe see once a year, well, it made that
particular game that much more special and fun.
That’s my opinion and I am sticking to
it. Until the next time, this is Shellymarie
signing off.
**Please note that this information was taken
directly from the article on CBC Sports Online
July, 27, 2005.
The Missing Link?
By: Shellymarie C. Lucas
I have seen the Ducks victories and
felt their defeats, none more heartbreaking
than losing Game 7 in New Jersey against the
Devils, but one loss came close to that dreadful
memory from 2003 and that was when the Ducks
lost to Edmonton in the Western Conference finals
in 2006. I missed the last home game of the
season, but I watched from a family gathering
in Arizona, as the Ducks became yet another
brick in Chris Pronger’s and the Edmonton
Oilers path to the Stanley Cup Finals.
I cursed him and the Oilers, as I watched the
TV and remembered why I hadn’t liked him
in years past. Okay, you might say that’s
not fair to judge someone so talented, but that
was exactly why I cursed him. That night I looked
back on a great year and wished that I had at
least been able to see the last home game of
the hockey year and clap and cheer for the Ducks
as they left the ice. It was a solemn moment
that slowly dissipated over the following week,
but on July 3, 2006, that gut wrenching feeling
I had felt on that day, was about to become
a distant memory. Admittedly, having Chris Pronger
join the Ducks, seemed a little odd, as I have
spent much of his career complaining about him,
but even those that I know who aren’t
sure how they feel about him, knew that the
Ducks were getting a solid player and a priceless
gem to compliment our defensive king and team
Captain, Scott Niedermayer.
Barely thirty-two, Chris Pronger, Brian Burke’s
latest acquisition, was just what this team
needed and perhaps the last missing puzzle piece,
during last years shortened run to the Cup Finals.
Prongs, as he is known to his teammates, adds
a certain skill and finesse to the defense and
the team, that isn’t easily matched. His
presence should also bring a sigh of relief
to the Ducks, who on some nights you would think
was on the ice for sixty minutes.
Some of the best players in the league are now
matched with two of the best defenseman to ever
skate in the NHL and Anaheim. On top of that,
scoring against the Ducks, when these two are
on the ice, is no easy feat. Just look at Pronger’s
+/- rating. Though some would not consider it
the most important stat on the books, a +21,
third best in the league, is certainly something
to brag about, but not totally uncommon for
the 1999 Hart and Norris Trophy winner.
Going into Tuesday’s game against the
San Jose Sharks (12/26/06), the Anaheim Ducks
were tied with the 1975-1976 Montreal Canadiens
for the most points in 38 games with 60 points,
by the end of the night, with another assist
under his belt, Chris Pronger and the Anaheim
Ducks had 62 points. It seemed as though number
25 never left the ice and without any bias,
he never looked like he missed a beat either.
In one of his shifts, two of his defensive partners
had come and gone by the time the 6’6”
defenseman finally made his way towards the
bench.
This has been, so far, a successful year for
the Dryden, Ontario native. Leading the league
in ice time, he is followed closely by the Anaheim
Captain, with Toronto’s Brian McCabe rounding
out the top three. Though ranked 25th in current
overall point totals, Pronger leads all defensemen
with 39 points and is second only to Teemu Selanne
for Anaheim’s team totals.
I have seen players come and go from the Anaheim
Ducks, whether they were a blip on the radar
or stayed awhile. I have seen favorites from
other teams, pass through the Ducks uniform
and I have followed our current starting goalie
since he arrived in sunny Southern California
back in 2000, but never before have I seen a
team quite like this.
Is it magic, or have the Ducks found the missing
link that just might help them go all the way?
We’ll have to wait and see…
That’s my opinion and I am sticking to
it. Until the next time, this is Shellymarie
signing off.
Is Andy Murray the cure for the Blues?
By: Shellymarie C. Lucas
The day after Thanksgiving is usually marked
with Christmas sales, crowded malls and the
non stop playing of Jingle Bells, but for the
Blues it has been nothing but Silent Night since
the 24th of November. The 3-2 shootout win over
Detroit, marked the 7th win of the season for
the Blues and to date, their last win. Since
that trip, the boys from St. Louis have gone
0-9-2, prompting the firing of Mike Kitchen
and the hiring of former Los Angeles Kings Coach,
Andy Murray, who is currently 0-2-2 with the
team, currently tying them with the Flyers at
20 points. However, for the one time perennial
playoff team St. Louis Blues, sitting at the
bottom of the pile in your respective conference
is not always easy to bear…but alas all
is not lost. Andy Murray has the talent to not
only formulate a winning game plan, but he could
also be the cure for, well let’s face
it, the blues.
One might ask if Andy Murray can save this team.
I don’t know the future, but if I were
a betting girl, I would put money on the answer
yes. Sure it’s a 50-50 shot, but for St.
Louis there is no other way to go, but up. They
may not have won a game in their last 11 tries,
but they’re starting to salvage points
in overtime now, and as the current league leading
Ducks can verify, those OT points can sometimes
make the difference.
Before being replaced by John Torchetti, with
12 games left in the 2005-2006 regular season,
Andy Murray was already fighting an uphill battle
to keep his job. Between the Kings woes of possibly
missing another year in the playoffs, the on
and off ice antics of Sean Avery and the pressure
on Dave Taylor to keep his own job, it was apparent
that one of the best coaches to ever grace the
Los Angeles Kings bench was about to lose his
job. It will never be known whether or not Murray
could have whipped his charges into shape to
squeeze into a playoff spot, but then again,
that is no longer the question.
Arguably the Tony Robbins of Hockey, Murray
has been known to gather motivational quotes
and make the same types of speeches to his players
in any situation, this alone could give the
Blues players the confidence they seem to be
lacking during this far from bright season.
It’s also fair to say that his semi-unique
approach to coaching, might bring them together
as one unit. I can’t tell you if they
all get along or not, since I don’t sit
in the locker room, but whatever it is that
is holding this team back, you can count on
Murray to figure it out and fix it. It may take
time and I’m not expecting miracles from
the man, but I have seen how he runs a practice
and I have also seen how he coaches and if the
players open themselves up to him, he could
be what the doctor ordered.
In six seasons and 480 games with L.A., Murray
went 215-176-56-31 for a total of 304 points,
but things started to go a little awry in the
end and one can only speculate how or if, he
lost control of the ship he had once helmed.
Was there a mutiny? A divided ship, if you will?
Who knows, but right now who cares? The only
thing on his mind is getting his new team to
win and with the way the Blues are going, that
could take all the focus he has.
As a fan, you either like him or you don’t
and while Herb Brooks he is not, in my opinion,
Andy Murray does have the same drive and the
same passion for this sport that Brooks had
and that could be the driving force behind creating
another miracle on ice...well for the city of
St. Louis anyway.
With his second shot at coaching in the NHL,
Andy Murray has the chance to show the league
what he is made of and perhaps show the Kings
what they may have lost. Can he bring victory
back to St. Louis, home of the World Series
Champions Cardinals? I think he can, but we’ll
have to wait and see.
That’s my opinion and I am sticking to
it. Until next week, this is Shellymarie signing
off.
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