paul_kukla's blog
So, how many of these rumours ever happen?
Tuesday February 05, 2008 @ 12:30 PM EST
Trade talk is heating up and is sure to pick up as we get closer to the Feb. 26, 3 p.m. ET trade deadline. Already we have had a handful of big-name players “traded” to about six teams each, but not one of these players has been moved.
When these players are not moved, it is always the “my sources were wrong” excuse. For once, I would like one of these rumor creators to say “I was wrong” and then go on to explain how they came up with this ludicrous trade rumor in the first place. But then again, they would be exposing their “sources” and they would never again be able to get another rumor from them. Hmmm, that may not be such a bad thing since their success rate is about one in 500.
Sell & Buy
My gut feeling is we will be seeing players being added in the West at the trade deadline and players being moved in the East. Right now, the Detroit Red Wings are the team to beat in the West, but with a move or two, teams like Anaheim, San Jose, Calgary, Dallas and a few others can tweak their roster just enough to put them on the same level as the Wings. Of course, injuries will play a part in the race for the Cup, so expect some depth moves too this month. As a matter of fact, we will probably see more of these depth moves than big name players being traded. Team GMs may be hesitant to give up their future just to get that one, big-time player who in the recent past has not been a factor during the playoffs.
The Big Game
No, not that “Big, Big Game,” but the game between the Canadiens and Rangers this past Sunday. In my opinion, it was the game of the day. Sure, the last eight minutes of the “Big, Big Game” were exciting, but the NHL game on NBC/CBC was a game that should not have been missed. First off, any game in Montreal is a treat, the fans are the best in the league which makes for a great atmosphere. Then we had the Canadiens taking a 3-0 lead and all was well in Montreal, but the Rangers scored five unanswered goals, stunning the crowd and truthfully, stunning even myself. I am anxious to see how both of these teams respond in their next game. Will the Rangers use the momentum gained and put it to good use and can Montreal shake off a stunning loss and rebound, or will they step out onto the ice with that game still in their head?
My Favorite Day Of The Year
All hockey eyes will be on Winkler, Manitoba, on Saturday, Feb. 9. Winkler is the host city for Hockey Day in Canada. Hockey all day, all night and I am in hockey heaven. The CBC crew does a great job of bringing us all aspects of the game we love and I am looking forward to it. I have once again invited about 50 hockey and non-hockey friends over to watch the games, exchange old hockey stories and hopefully create some new ones. I also plan to blog about during the day and will pass on a link as we get closer to HDIC.
Your Turn
I want to know who you think is the NHL MVP at this point of the season. Please leave a response and you must tell me why you think your selection is worthy of MVP honors.
I won’t disclose my selection yet, but it just may surprise a few of you.
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9 Comments - 6 Replies
Cranman77
Feb 12 2008 21:25
I retract my last statement
Since my last post, ovie has carried his team to the top ranked team in his division. Now, i must retract my statement saying that he isn’t deserving. Assuming the ‘Washington Ovechkins’ can maintain the number one position in the division, he definately deserves the MVP
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ushockeyfan...
Feb 07 2008 18:04
LeClaire has carried Jackets on his back...
Rick Nash has really grown up this year, but the Blue Jackets aren’t even in contention if not for the stellar play of Pascal LeClaire. You also can’t overlook the impact of Ilya Brzygalov in Phoenix.
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qulinesti
Feb 07 2008 12:16
An old favorite
I have to go with Marty Brodeur, year after year he gives the devils a chance for the cup and shows no real signs of slowing down. Possibly and probably the greatest goalie of all time he carries the devils on his back, i shudder to think what the devils would do without him.
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confuxion
Feb 06 2008 20:38
how about a dark horse?
I realize I’m being pretty subjective here (Marty is an old friend from college) but why not take a closer look at Marty St. Louis for MVP (again)? Statistics aside (7th in scoring, 2nd in assists, 1st in TOI for forwards), if anybody has seen him play on a regular basis, they’d realize that Lecavalier would be (and soon will be) nothing without him, Tampa would suck even more if he weren’t around (Dallas will soon realize this benefit), and the guy absolutely works harder than anyone in the league – both during the season and after.
Ok, ok, Ovechkin probably deserves it more. So does Alfie, Tim Thomas (another college pal; hey, at least I’m honest) and maybe Iginla or Kovalchuck. I just wish more intangibles were taken into consideration when it came to the MVP, and all the awards for that matter. Marty would be a great choice if that was the case.
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Cranman77
Feb 06 2008 01:18
I disagree
I don’t think that ovechkin deserves the MVP until his team at least makes playoffs.
As of right now, it’s hard to say becuase so much can change in the rest of the year, i would go with Marty Turco, Alfredsson, then Tim Thomas, in that order.
After vechkin plays a few playoff games, then he might be deservant, but not now.
I like the choice of lidstrom. He would be a pretty safe bet seeing as detroit is nearly untouchable this year, and he is SUCH a key part in that. However, i don’t think i would go as far as to say that if he goes down so do the wings. I am pretty sure The wings would be fine without him.
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Matt__Fry
Feb 05 2008 14:08
I have to admit...
That Ovechkin is MVP quality. Not a fan of the Caps but he is the engine that runs the Capitals bus. Without him, I don’t think they have a chance at the playoffs. He plays his heart out every shift. He’s has definitely gained my respect this year. Hart trophy validity, for sure. Maybe Richard and Art Ross and Pearson. No one deserves these more (at least right now) than ‘vechkin.
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TeamCarrier
Feb 05 2008 13:41
MVP
I say Lidstrom if he goes down so do the wings. Ovechkin is a great choice too.
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KITT31
Feb 05 2008 13:23
Ovechkin
I’m gonna have to go with the big ‘O’ as well. This team literally doesn’t go without him. He leads a team of middle-of-the-road players and keeps them at a modest record. Without him, this team could have by far the worst record in the league. Even putting Crosby in Washington may not have the same effect as Ovechkin does. Take that and pair it with him leading the league in goals and points, and you’ve got an MVP. Side note: If this team makes the playoffs…Bruce Boudreau takes Jack Adams…adding him was like giving the team another Ovechkin cause he got the rest of these guys focused and playing to the top of their individual potentials. This team isn’t a playoff team, and to think they could be contending since he came in is coaching-of-the-year type coaching!
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craig_7296
Feb 05 2008 12:48
Alexander the Great...
is of course the MVP this year. He IS the Washington Capitals. He leads them with his passion and relentlessness. He should be their captain and pretty much is, and the only reason he isn’t is because he turned it down to work on his english! And I would be saying all this even if he hadn’t just taken over the points and goals lead, but he has, and by a fair margin. He’ll be the first player in quite a while to score 60+ goals, and he is going to do one better than Crosby last year by winning 4 trophies (maybe even 6 if you know what I mean, but that might have to wait a few years).
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