The title is pretty self-explanatory, the last week or so has seen a trade, putting people on waivers, claiming people off waivers and some shitty play (see last night's game). I only got to see bits and pieces of first and second period and none of the third so I can't really say anything about it. I did see Zherdev being a boss though, that was nice.
Anyways, back to Homer. The Versteeg trade with the Leafs was a pretty damn good one the way I see it. He is a proven stud when he needs to be, he wreaked havoc on us last year during the finals and has a reputation of not letting pressure get to him in the big games. He also comes semi-cheap, at just a tad over $3 million per season, he is probably worth anywhere from 3.5-4 million so we got top notch talent at a bargain price. Now just to be clear, I'm not saying that he's gonna be this huge stud, I'm not saying that he's the piece that was missing and he's gonna deliver Lord Stanley to us. He's a gritty bulldog that works his ass off in the corners and has a pretty nice wrist shot. He's a great compliment to Richie's play making ability and has the attitude that both the Flyers staff and fans want and enjoy. And what did we have to give up for this guy? A first and third round draft pick, which is a kin to robbing the Leafs blind.
I understand why they did it, they know they suck....they know that unless they can get some studs via draft, they will always suck. They're not making the playoffs this year so they give up one of their top scorers in exchange for a few future hopeful studs. Looking at it that way, it sounds pretty reasonable...but there's a catch. They gave up a proven goal scorer and a pretty cheery personality in the locker room for some unknowns. Next year's draft class isn't a particularly impressive one, there's no future Ovechkins or Stamkos's or anything like that the pick they got in the first round is most likely going to be in the last five of the round. So I'd have to say when you look at it that way, we really got a deal and they kind of got screwed. Now their first round pick might end up being the next Gretzky, in which case I will have to shove my foot down my throat, but it's not likely.
Then there was the whole Zherdev being put on waivers thingy, honestly I knew it was coming, but I thought it would have been a trade. I never expected him to be waived. Anybody who's read anything I've written before knows that I always defended Zherdev, shortcomings and all, I've even said they needed to trade him so the poor guy could get some playing time somewhere. I thought maybe Lavy just hated Russians or something but it turns out that what really sunk him was his attitude. In my playing days I ran across a few guys like him, they think their shit doesn't stink and that they're the best thing to ever step on the ice. Yea, they're good and they can deliver when they want to, but you hate being around them cause they're so damn cocky, they never pass and they feel like they don't need to try that hard cause they're so good. Remembering how much I disliked those guys, it wasn't that hard to see why he was scratched so often. So he bitched to his agent, who bitched to Homer, who bitched to other GM's to take him, they bitched back at him because he was a selfish bitch, and he bitched that no other teams wanted him...yea, there was a lot of bitching going on during this. Let's not even discuss the fans bitching, I can't handle it. So after the bitching, they decided to just put him on waivers and see if he would get claimed...he didn't. And to a guy with an ego the size of a blue whale's erect penis, that's like getting told that santa isn't real again. He had a few talks with Lavs and Homer, productive talks I hear, and they explained why they did what they did and what he needed to do to get out of the dog house. I know, he's only been back one game, but the way he played last night...it definitely looks like he got the message. Dude was everywhere, even in the defensive zone...and no, you read that right, DEFENSIVE ZONE. Only time will tell but he definitely made a case for him to play at least the next game, hopefully we're gonna get to see the highlight reel Z from now on.
Finally, getting Boynton off of waivers. In my opinion, another solid move by Homes. He's going to be scratched unless there's an injury of course, but he's a hell of a lot better than Barts is. Barts only has about 65 NHL games to his name and owns a very depressing -16 +/- rating, and no points in his NHL career. Boynton on the other hand, has almost 600 NHL games on his record, a Stanley Cup ring, respectable +22 rating and 144 NHL points. He also has over 850 penalty minutes, so he'll be a great fit with our club. He's been around the league for a while so there's more of that oft-mentioned "veteran presence" in the locker room...oh yea I forgot, he's actually cheaper than Barts is. He makes 500k while Barts makes 600k, so we got a better player than we have now, for cheaper. I'm definitely not gonna miss Barts but Bob probably will...that's one less person for him to talk to in the locker room. Only got Z, who doesn't talk to anybody and Andrej the Giant left now. He better kick it in the ass with his English lessons.
All in all, I give Homer a solid A for the moves he's made in the last year. The Gagne trade hurt a bit, but it all turned out for the best. With the deadline tomorrow, it will be interesting to see if anything changes. Rumors are circulating about possibly getting Marty Reasoner but I have no idea where it came from so don't be surprised if the rumor is just that. The way the team is set up, I really think that he could either make a move or not make one and we'd be okay. A stud goalie would be nice but Bobs and Boosh are doing a fantastic job, so it's not really necessary.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Down Kitty
Shout out to my boy Eric Superfan on facebook for the title. But that's probably somewhere in the neighborhood of what the players and coaches were thinking in that third period. Our first period was absolutely spectacular, when you hold a team to 5 shots you know you're doing a good job. And how about Versteeg getting his first point as a Flyer? As much as I resent the guy for winning the cup last year, he really is a good player. Nice soft hands, good hockey smarts, and the type of grit that all of us Flyers fans love. Carle and Coburn had silently good nights, and Noodle finally got that elusive 10th goal of the season. And I'm nominating him for the Veznia Trophy for that series of saves he made behind Bob.
Speaking of Bob, jumpin Jesus was he spectacular last night. He looks more and more like the Bob of the beginning of the season every start he makes. It does help that in his rookie season, he has one of the best if not the best defense corps in the league but this kid definitely has what it takes to be a difference maker in this league. In other news, The Redemption Line wasn't complete today, with Villie being out with some sort of mysterious lower body injury. Which brings me to what's really getting on my nerves...
Dan Carcillo and Jody Shelley both got the call today while, once again, Nik Zherdev was banished to the press box. I could understand if it was a real physical team, like Boston/Shittsburgh/NY or something like that. But as far as I know (and I really don't pay attention to the Panthers so I could easily be mistaken) they aren't a real physical team and don't have a bonified enforcer, so really neither Carcillo or Shelley was necessary let alone both of them. What I do know about Florida though is that they have what it takes to beat almost any team in the league, including shutting us out right before the Christmas break. They have a great goalie and a few potent scorers, so I would personally think we would need more offense, not someone who's gonna log 4 minutes of ice time and possibly take a stupid penalty. Yes, we know Z doesn't play D, yes, we know he can get lazy. But with the defense and other players on his line, is it really THAT necessary that he's a back checking genius? I don't think so. If you look at Z's stats from back when he was on the Jackets and the Rags, you'll see that this year is actually the first year in his career that he's been a + player. He has definitely changed up his game a little bit and it seems to have gone unnoticed. I like the kind of game he plays and I feel sorry for him that his come back year is getting cut short. This is essentially his try out for a contract for another team next year, and he doesn't even get to play. Hopefully they either knock this shit off and they sit someone that deserves to be sat *cough* Carcillo *cough* or they just trade him so he can actually play somewhere else. With his skill set and his measly $2 million cap hit, many a team that needs a creative winger would be interested in him, he would fetch a draft pick or 2. It's painfully clear that he will not be back next year, and it's equally clear that they don't want him to play so I see Zherdev out of Philly before the deadline.
What are your thoughts? Should they keep him, trade him? What will he fetch?
Speaking of Bob, jumpin Jesus was he spectacular last night. He looks more and more like the Bob of the beginning of the season every start he makes. It does help that in his rookie season, he has one of the best if not the best defense corps in the league but this kid definitely has what it takes to be a difference maker in this league. In other news, The Redemption Line wasn't complete today, with Villie being out with some sort of mysterious lower body injury. Which brings me to what's really getting on my nerves...
Dan Carcillo and Jody Shelley both got the call today while, once again, Nik Zherdev was banished to the press box. I could understand if it was a real physical team, like Boston/Shittsburgh/NY or something like that. But as far as I know (and I really don't pay attention to the Panthers so I could easily be mistaken) they aren't a real physical team and don't have a bonified enforcer, so really neither Carcillo or Shelley was necessary let alone both of them. What I do know about Florida though is that they have what it takes to beat almost any team in the league, including shutting us out right before the Christmas break. They have a great goalie and a few potent scorers, so I would personally think we would need more offense, not someone who's gonna log 4 minutes of ice time and possibly take a stupid penalty. Yes, we know Z doesn't play D, yes, we know he can get lazy. But with the defense and other players on his line, is it really THAT necessary that he's a back checking genius? I don't think so. If you look at Z's stats from back when he was on the Jackets and the Rags, you'll see that this year is actually the first year in his career that he's been a + player. He has definitely changed up his game a little bit and it seems to have gone unnoticed. I like the kind of game he plays and I feel sorry for him that his come back year is getting cut short. This is essentially his try out for a contract for another team next year, and he doesn't even get to play. Hopefully they either knock this shit off and they sit someone that deserves to be sat *cough* Carcillo *cough* or they just trade him so he can actually play somewhere else. With his skill set and his measly $2 million cap hit, many a team that needs a creative winger would be interested in him, he would fetch a draft pick or 2. It's painfully clear that he will not be back next year, and it's equally clear that they don't want him to play so I see Zherdev out of Philly before the deadline.
What are your thoughts? Should they keep him, trade him? What will he fetch?
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Bittersweet
That's kind of how I felt when I got wind last night that we had acquired Kris Versteeg from Toronto for the 1st and 3rd round draft picks. Bitter for obvious reasons, Versteeg was part of that asshole Chicago team that snatched our cup dreams away from us on our own ice. And he was pretty stellar against the Flyers in particular, posting I believe 5 points in 6 games against us in the finals. Dude even has a tattoo on his arm of the date he won the cup on his arm. But now by a strange turn of events, he calls Philly home now and presumably will until the end of next season, so we might as well get used to him. There is an up side to having a former Hawk on our team though...
Versteeg already has 35 points this year, 14 goals 21 assists. And he got them on one of the worst teams in the league. He doesn't have the supporting cast that he did in Chicago, Dave Bolland in particular, and he still manages to put up the points. He's not the biggest guy, and he's not the fastest guy, but he is pretty adept at being a pest. Picture Carcillo with JVR's talent and not as much temper and you got a pretty good idea of what Versteeg can do. And as for giving up the picks to get him, relatively speaking this next draft class is pretty weak and we would be in the bottom 10 to bottom 5 in the first round anyway so really this was a pretty good move to make. He's a very talented player and when he's surrounded by other talented players he can really flourish. He's a great compliment to the style that Richie likes to play, my prediction...Versteeg gets 7-12 goals at least before the playoffs start if he can buy into Lavy's system in time.
Oh and a little side note...this is apparently how Tampa Bay's stadium decides to try and pump up their fans, I'm sure I'm not the only one that would probably walk out of the Wells Fargo Center if they every tried to pull shit shit on us.
Versteeg already has 35 points this year, 14 goals 21 assists. And he got them on one of the worst teams in the league. He doesn't have the supporting cast that he did in Chicago, Dave Bolland in particular, and he still manages to put up the points. He's not the biggest guy, and he's not the fastest guy, but he is pretty adept at being a pest. Picture Carcillo with JVR's talent and not as much temper and you got a pretty good idea of what Versteeg can do. And as for giving up the picks to get him, relatively speaking this next draft class is pretty weak and we would be in the bottom 10 to bottom 5 in the first round anyway so really this was a pretty good move to make. He's a very talented player and when he's surrounded by other talented players he can really flourish. He's a great compliment to the style that Richie likes to play, my prediction...Versteeg gets 7-12 goals at least before the playoffs start if he can buy into Lavy's system in time.
Oh and a little side note...this is apparently how Tampa Bay's stadium decides to try and pump up their fans, I'm sure I'm not the only one that would probably walk out of the Wells Fargo Center if they every tried to pull shit shit on us.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
0-10-1
Wow man, Kari Lehtonen must absolutely hate when he sees the little Flyers logo on the game schedule. Not posting a single win against Philly in his entire career is a pretty shitty stat. He has the longest standing winless streak against a team out of any goaltender...that's not a record anybody wants to have. But that's good for us, as we post yet another loss in his stat book. I was expecting a bit more scoring in this game, but you can't always get what you want right?
The overall effort of the O&B tonight wasn't that bad. There was a few times, particularly in the 2nd period, where they were chasing the puck a bit and looked like they were a little lost. The Dallas goal was a perfect example of that, but aside from those tense moments, it was a pretty decent game. Seriously though, what the hell got into Boosh and Carter? Bob gets pulled against Tampa and Boosh only lets in 1 in 2 periods and then slammed the door big time tonight, particularly in Ott's face. I have no idea who this new Boosh is, but I like him. And Carter, it might be his juicy contract extension, it might not...but whatever it is, it's lit a fire under his ass. He has 14 points in the last 11 games I believe and 25 goals on the season, he also seems to be hustling a lot more this season. Whatever has gotten into those two, I hope it stays. And just a side note, I personally believe Burish intentionally got his ass handed to him up in Boston so he wouldn't have to play against Pronger and get a super elbow. Stupid pussy. That's all I really have to say about the game tonight, nothing really remarkable about it except for....POWE right in the kissa! Beautiful short-handed goal, and first of his career so kuddos to him.
Some notes around the league: Crosby and Malkin will get to cry eachother to sleep every night now, which is awesome. So far the flightless birds haven't followed the trend I predicted if they lost Cindy and Sloth/Geno. But I don't think this winning will last long, and definitely won't survive the playoffs if Cindy isn't back in by then.
Foopa is skating with the Avs again. Seriously, I love the guy to death, he's an extremely nice person and one hell of a hockey player, but enough is enough man. One Brett Farve in the world is enough (hopefully Foopa has enough sense not to take pictures of his dick and send them to chicks too).
And how about Nabby telling Garth Snow to go fuck himself and not reporting to Long Island after getting picked up on waivers? That definitely made me chuckle a little bit. I think the Isles handled it right though, he wanted them to either trade him or place him back on waivers but they decided to play hardball and suspend him so they still own his rights going into next season. For an aging goalie, who thinks he's worth more than he is and has a horrible playoff pedigree...I think he went and fucked up a little bit.
The trade deadline is coming up, and coming fast. There's some buzz going around the Shittsburgh sphere about possibly getting Rick Nash. Not exactly sure what the rumored trade was supposed to be but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with Malkin. Funny how fast the Shittsburgh "fans" jump off their player's dicks isn't it? Ray Emery is trying to get back into the league, and apparently Holmer has shown some interest in him. We already have 3 NHL goalies, we really don't need another one. Detroit and the Ducks are supposed to be the other 2 teams showing interest, and in all honesty, with the goalie problems they both are having, don't be surprised if either of those 2 teams get him. It will be interesting to see how the next few weeks pan out and see which players get dealt to which teams. I have a feeling that some kind of big trade is coming somewhere in the league. There usually is one, hopefully not one that cripples a team for the next 15 years like what happened to NJ last year. Not only is he a Devil...he's in both of my fantasy leagues, dude is getting on my last nerve.
Superbowl Sunday, with a winter classic rematch at 12:30 on NBC so tomorrow promises to be jam packed with good sports and a few beverages. Any predictions about either the pens/caps game or the superbowl? Or both?
The overall effort of the O&B tonight wasn't that bad. There was a few times, particularly in the 2nd period, where they were chasing the puck a bit and looked like they were a little lost. The Dallas goal was a perfect example of that, but aside from those tense moments, it was a pretty decent game. Seriously though, what the hell got into Boosh and Carter? Bob gets pulled against Tampa and Boosh only lets in 1 in 2 periods and then slammed the door big time tonight, particularly in Ott's face. I have no idea who this new Boosh is, but I like him. And Carter, it might be his juicy contract extension, it might not...but whatever it is, it's lit a fire under his ass. He has 14 points in the last 11 games I believe and 25 goals on the season, he also seems to be hustling a lot more this season. Whatever has gotten into those two, I hope it stays. And just a side note, I personally believe Burish intentionally got his ass handed to him up in Boston so he wouldn't have to play against Pronger and get a super elbow. Stupid pussy. That's all I really have to say about the game tonight, nothing really remarkable about it except for....POWE right in the kissa! Beautiful short-handed goal, and first of his career so kuddos to him.
Some notes around the league: Crosby and Malkin will get to cry eachother to sleep every night now, which is awesome. So far the flightless birds haven't followed the trend I predicted if they lost Cindy and Sloth/Geno. But I don't think this winning will last long, and definitely won't survive the playoffs if Cindy isn't back in by then.
Foopa is skating with the Avs again. Seriously, I love the guy to death, he's an extremely nice person and one hell of a hockey player, but enough is enough man. One Brett Farve in the world is enough (hopefully Foopa has enough sense not to take pictures of his dick and send them to chicks too).
And how about Nabby telling Garth Snow to go fuck himself and not reporting to Long Island after getting picked up on waivers? That definitely made me chuckle a little bit. I think the Isles handled it right though, he wanted them to either trade him or place him back on waivers but they decided to play hardball and suspend him so they still own his rights going into next season. For an aging goalie, who thinks he's worth more than he is and has a horrible playoff pedigree...I think he went and fucked up a little bit.
The trade deadline is coming up, and coming fast. There's some buzz going around the Shittsburgh sphere about possibly getting Rick Nash. Not exactly sure what the rumored trade was supposed to be but I'm pretty sure it had something to do with Malkin. Funny how fast the Shittsburgh "fans" jump off their player's dicks isn't it? Ray Emery is trying to get back into the league, and apparently Holmer has shown some interest in him. We already have 3 NHL goalies, we really don't need another one. Detroit and the Ducks are supposed to be the other 2 teams showing interest, and in all honesty, with the goalie problems they both are having, don't be surprised if either of those 2 teams get him. It will be interesting to see how the next few weeks pan out and see which players get dealt to which teams. I have a feeling that some kind of big trade is coming somewhere in the league. There usually is one, hopefully not one that cripples a team for the next 15 years like what happened to NJ last year. Not only is he a Devil...he's in both of my fantasy leagues, dude is getting on my last nerve.
Superbowl Sunday, with a winter classic rematch at 12:30 on NBC so tomorrow promises to be jam packed with good sports and a few beverages. Any predictions about either the pens/caps game or the superbowl? Or both?
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