Running 2007 NHL regular season thread

The main thing that bugs me about Tripp Tracy is that he is slow to be critical of the Hurricanes. Even when he is critical, it's said in a gentle way.

 

I'll be available for translation ... because I'll watch it in English. You're more than welcome to join me but there's really nothing quite like hearing


le buuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuut

 

The Big Head says Hossa will be moved by deadline day ...

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/mckenzie/?id=227428

Marian Hossa is going to market.

That is the message the Atlanta Thrasher forward has delivered in no uncertain terms to general manager Don Waddell.

Sources say that Hossa, his agent Ritch Winter and Waddell met earlier this week in Atlanta over dinner and then went to an Atlanta Hawks' basketball game and that over the course of the evening Hossa told Waddell that he's not prepared to sign a long-term extension with the Thrashers at this point and will go to unrestricted free agency on July 1.

Sources say Hossa is telling friends that he expects to be traded before the NHL trade deadline on Feb. 26.

If the Thrashers trade Hossa, he could conceivably be the highest-impact rental player made available. Hossa scored a hat trick to lead the Thrashers to victory over the Detroit Red Wings last night.

 

Aaaaooooooooo, Regehr is getting pissy ...

http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/sports/heraldhockey/story.html?id=756f6910-037d-4cdc-9868-712a1a89f0b5&k=22400

"We're getting embarrassed."

"It's discouraging to see some guys not working in our own zone," said Regehr. "They're out in the neutral zone hoping to get a pass for a breakaway. We can't do that. We have to come back as a team, work together as a unit in the defensive zone, get that puck and get going. We've got guys all over the ice right now. Some guys are doing what they're not supposed to. I think that's the reason we look like we're running around."

 

Here's a cool anniversary ... the 50th for Willie O'Ree ...

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=227447&hubname=

The 50th anniversary of Willie O'Ree becoming the first black player to skate in the NHL is Friday. O'Ree remembers it as if it were yesterday.

He was playing senior hockey for the Quebec Aces when the Boston Bruins called him up for a game in the Montreal Forum.

General manager Lynn Patrick and coach Milt Schmidt briefed him before the game. It was Jan. 18,1958.

"They said, 'Willie, you're going to be the first of your race to play in the NHL,"' O'Ree recalls. "They said, 'We've seen you play and we feel you can add something to our club. Keep in mind that the Bruins organization is behind you 100 per cent behind you and if you go on the ice and hear any racial remarks don't let it affect your game."'

There were no racial slurs hurled at O'Ree that night. Jackie Robinson, the first black major-league baseball player, had been on a team in Montreal so seeing a man of colour in big-time sport was nothing new to sports fans of the city, and O'Ree had previously skated in the city with the Aces. Still, he created a buzz.

"I could see fans pointing, 'There's that black kid. He's up with the Bruins,"' he recalls. "There was no mention at the time of Willie O'Ree breaking the black barrier."

 

Busy day at the office, Flash?

 

I have so much to do ... and so little inclination ...

 

I don't think I'd want to piss Robyn Regehr off.

 

JFJ presented MLSE with a rebuilding plan. Of course, the board rejected it.

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/294494

 

The last time Leafs had a "rebuilding plan" it was under Conn Smythe when he said, "If you can't beat 'em in the alley, you can't beat 'em on the ice". Pretty much nothing since then---about 1930 something.

Jesus, right now I'd even wish that miserable racist bully would come back from the dead.

 

Oh my ...

 

I love the Leafs, Flash. Honest.