Your (almost) daily lunch update from the world of sports...
-The NHL trade deadline came and went yesterday, and other than the flurry of deals right at the 3 pm deadline, there wasn't that major blockbuster that tends to happen every year (unless you count Olli Jokinen, but a trade involving a player who's considered a cancer and has never been in the playoffs in his 10-year career isn't what I call a blockbuster.) The Pens and Ray Shero didn't listen to the numerous insane asylum escapees who clamored for the trade of Crosby and Staal, instead settling on a couple guys with grit, leadership and Stanley Cup rings (Guerin and Adams) without giving up much in return (a third round draft pick at the very worst.) If you've ever watched playoff hockey, you'll know that guys like Guerin and Adams are vital, especially when you know the refs are going to swallow their whistles and things are gonna get a bit chippy. Guerin also will also bring a solid leadership presence and ease the burden on 21-YEAR OLD Sidney Crosby.
-A player that I thought would look good in Black and Gold was former Toronto forward Nik Antropov. The man has tons of size and upside, and I thought playing alongside Sid would give him a kick. Many said he wilted under the intense spotlight in Toronto, so they gave him a change in scenery and sent him to another place with an intense spotlight, New York. I don't see much benefit for either sides in this trade.
-Unless you count the ageless Mark Recchi as a monster deal, many Eastern Conference teams didn't do much to shore up their teams heading into the playoffs, which could bode well for your Pens. The Panthers holding onto Jay Bouwmeester is a huge gamble, I think it shows the players there that they're committing to winning this year, but I don't see them making it past the second round, if they get in the playoffs at all. And if Bouwmeester bolts via free agency this summer without a Cup in Miami, you have to consider that lack of a move to be a giant mistake.
-God bless TSN. It's almost impossible to be a hockey fan in the US. There was absolutely no coverage of one of the biggest days in hockey on any of the major sporting networks yesterday. ESPN thought that Shaq flopping in a meaningless NBA game was the biggest story of the day yesterday. What a joke. Does anyone watch the NBA? I'd watch it if I was suffering from insomnia, cause it would put me to sleep in less than 10 minutes.
-In NFL news, Ray Lewis finally signed, and he's decided to stay in Baltimore. I applaud both sides for keeping him where he belongs. Well, he really belongs in prison, but that's another story. I'm glad he's staying a Raven, because it keeps the hate level high for me. And Terrell Owens was finally cut by the Cowboys. I've got fifty bucks Al Davis has a #81 Raiders jersey waiting for him.
-Don't look now, but you're Pittsburgh Pirates are 6-1 this spring, with another impressive 2-1 win over the Twins yesterday. There was an Andy LaRoche sighting, his two-run homer provided all the offense your Buccos needed. What's been most impressive is the pitching staff. Hopefully for all of us the Bucs can keep this going into the regular season, but I'm sure none of us are holding our breath.
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I had to watch the NHL network talk radio shows to get trade info, then read some stuff on yahoo while making some waiver pick ups for the Nordiques. ESPN was seriously all basketball.
ReplyDeleteHopefully Guerin will provide that big power forward the Pens are desperately in need of, along with our newly acquired Kunitz who is also doing very well their playoff hopes have increased dramatically, in my opinion anyway, which I also credit Bylsma for.
I'm also very disappointed in the lack of posts on BLT as of late.