Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Performance of young forwards crucial to Sharks' success

Source: http://www.fearthefin.com/2011/8/6/2348360/performance-of-young-forwards-crucial-to-sharks-success

Edward J. Jeremiah Elwin Doc Romnes Esposito, PhilPhil Esposito Esposito, TonyTony Esposito Farrell, ArthurArthur Farrell

A player's guide to NHL free agency

Every decent 2011 free agent: the group photo.
Free agency officially begins today, with hundreds of players available to the highest bidder. Some will strike it rich, while others may be left without a job when the dust settles. But at the very least, most will get a phone call or two from NHL general managers looking to improve their rosters.

The chance to be an unrestricted free agent is no doubt an exhilarating experience for NHL players. But it can also be confusing, and in an era where many players will only get to have the experience once in their careers the risk of committing a unfortunate faux pas is high.

I want to help avoid that. So for those who are new to the process, or who could simply use a refresher, here's a player's guide to the do's and don'ts of NHL free agency.

DO: Feel a sense of pride when a media preview includes you on a list of the most intriguing names available in this year's free agency crop.
DO NOT: Feel any less proud just because they have you tied for second place with "everyone not named Brad Richards".

DO: Instruct your agent to refuse to discuss your status with any team before free agency officially begins at 12:00 ET on July 1, as it's only ethical that you carefully follow all league rules regarding tampering.
DO NOT: Suffer any cognitive dissonance when your agent faxes you a completed 10-page contract to sign at 12:03.

DO: Tell the team you eventually sign a long term deal with that "I'm looking forward to spending the next several years of my career in your wonderful city."
DO NOT: Be surprised by the awkward silence that follows when you say that to the front office from Phoenix.

DO: Tell any local media who interview you that signing with a team where you have a chance to win is far more important to you than money.
DO NOT: Roll your eyes and mime a shovelling motion while you say that, if the reporter is standing in front of you instead of on the phone.

DO: Say something to express your interest when Brian Burke calls to offer you a contract with the Maple Leafs.
DO NOT: Go with "Cool, I'd love having every spring off!"

DO: Listen courteously to any general manager you speak to on the phone and carefully consider the offer he is presenting to you.
DO NOT: Forget to make sure you can recognize the area code for Winnipeg on your call display before instituting that last rule.

DO: Be aware that if you are a restricted free agent, teams can still sign you to an offer sheet and will no doubt be lining up for the chance to land a player as young and talented as you are.
DO NOT: Be rude when explaining to the phone company customer service rep that there's obviously something wrong with your phone, since it hasn't rung once all July.

DO: Start having visions of a massive payday and a celebrity lifestyle when your agent calls to tell you he's negotiated a long-term deal with New York.
DO NOT: Get so excited that you don't notice that his cough immediately afterwards sounded kind of like the word "Islanders".

DO: Accept that every team rates players differently, and some general managers just won't be interested in your services even if you'd really like to sign with them.
DO NOT: Drunk-dial Mike Gillis in the middle of night and tearfully sing "Didn't we almost have it all" into his voicemail.

DO: Feel free to sign a contract before free agency begins with a team that has traded for your rights if they're willing to meet your demands for a nine-year, $51 million contract.
DO NOT: Turn to the GM after signing that contract and say "By the way, if there's any money left over you should really try to acquire some top-tier centers".

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/DownGoesBrown/~3/Qghfi01FSnE/players-guide-to-nhl-free-agency.html

Bylsma, DanDan Bylsma Calvin Cal Marvin Cameron, HarryHarry Cameron Cammi Granato Capuano, JackJack Capuano

Monday Off-Topic Open Thread

Source: http://www.japersrink.com/2011/8/15/2363760/monday-off-topic-open-thread

Hobey Baker Bill Barber Barry, MartyMarty Barry Bathgate, AndyAndy Bathgate Bauer, BobbyBobby Bauer

Notes at Noon: Updates For Wednesday

Source: http://www.canescountry.com/2011/8/10/2352796/updates-for-wednesday

Aaron Broten Abel, SidSid Abel Adams, JackJack Adams Alfred Ralph Winsor Amo Bessone

Mike Comrie, Mr. Mom? Hilary Duff is pregnant

Please recall last week when former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Mike Comrie, 30, announced his NHL career is on hold until his injured hip is properly healed. "I will return to the NHL when I am healthy and able to play at the level I have come to expect of myself," said the free agent, through the NHLPA.

Turns out there's another reason to hang at home for a bit: Comrie's wife, actress and singer Hilary Duff, is pregnant with the couple's first child. And nothing says "injury rehab" like "no, honey, I said I wanted Chunky Monkey not Cherry Garcia. Back to the Safeway!"

Please begin planning your gift-purchasing for the Duffrie spawn. From the appropriately named Gossipology:

The 23-year-old confirmed the news on her website writing, "Hello everyone! This weekend, Mike and I are celebrating our 1-year anniversary! In memory of the special day, we decided to post some of our favorite pictures from our wedding! I can't believe it has already been a year, time really flies when you're having fun! We also want to share the exciting news that BABY MAKES THREE!!! We are extremely happy and ready to start this new chapter of our lives. Thanks to everyone for the continued love and support throughout the years!"

You have to hand to Comrie when it comes to gifts. Baby for the anniversary. The $1 million engagement ring. The $100,000 Mercedes-Benz SUV for her 20th birthday, Their kid is going to one day own his or her own elephant. Bank on it.

So if this is the end for Mike Comrie's hockey career, the opportunity is there for him to Michael Keaton this thing and become Mr. Mom. Hey, changing diapers should be a snap; he doesn't have the wheels anymore, but he's always had decent hands.

Congrats to the happy couple. May your child grow up to be a 10-year NHL veteran or a pop starlet or a combination of both. Your move, Carrie Underwood and Mike Fisher ...

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Mike-Comrie-Mr-Mom-Hilary-Duff-is-pregnant?urn=nhl-wp10598

Gardiner, HerbHerb Gardiner Gardner, JimmyJimmy Gardner Gartner, MikeMike Gartner Gary Gambucci Geoffrion, BernieBernie Geoffrion

Morning Links (8/12)

Source: http://www.secondcityhockey.com/2011/8/12/2359006/morning-links-8-12

Jackson, BusherBusher Jackson James Claypool James Fullerton James, AngelaAngela James Jeremy Roenick

Columbus Signs Prospal To One Year Deal

 According to Columbus GM, Scott Howson:
Very pleased to tell you all that we have signed Vinnie Prospal. He is a top 6 forward to help replace Kristian Huselius.

 Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports that it is a one year deal for $1.75M plus bonuses.

Good luck to Vinnie in Columbus. He was a good Ranger and I wouldn't have minded seeing him back in New York for another season but it was a numbers game and with an abundance of forwards already under contract for next season it was expected that Prospal had likely played his last game as a Ranger.

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Agree or Disagree with what was said? Use the comments link below...let your voice be heard!

Source: http://puckcentral.blogspot.com/2011/07/columbus-signs-prospal-to-one-year-deal.html

Carl Cully Dahlstrom Carlyle, RandyRandy Carlyle Charles Charlie Holt Charles Schulz Cheevers, GerryGerry Cheevers