Monthly Archives: August 2012

BURROWS…do the Canucks need him? YES…get it done MG! & a few other tidbits

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Rumor has it that the Vancouver Canucks are in the midst of signing one Mr. Alexandre “Clutch” Burrows to an extension [his current contract ends in 2013]. Can I just say that love this rumor?…No one has more heart that Burr when that puck drops & no one has ever had the chemistry that he has with the Sedins…he completes the #triplets! He has scored some of the biggest goals in recent #Canucks history: February 2009 scored the goal that broke the Canucks longest losing streak, 2009 series sweeping goal vs. St.Louis, the series clinching goal in OT vs. the Blackhawks and the whole city cheered in unison[BLACKHAWK down..favourite goal ever]…need I really say more?!..yes? okay there was the goal that ended Detroit’s ridiculous home winning streak[23 games!]. After the way this guy has played the last 3 1/2 years…he is indeed insured a raise…..prior to his current contract[ signed in 2009 pays him $2 million] he was only making $550,000 per season[through the 08/09 season]. Over the last 4 years Burrows has scored 28, 35, 26, and 28 goals respectively(that’s 29.25 goals per season!). He deserves a raise…he might not take a large one because for Burrows it is not about the money…it never has been, he loves this game. This is the guy that was never supposed to play in the big time….never drafted….was an amazing ball hockey player before moving to ECHL and getting a chance in the AHL that would change his life. The dream was to play hockey…but would it happen. A team in Manitoba needed a gritty player and their coach at the time was one Alain Vigneault…[also on that Manitoba team were one Ryan Kesler and one Kevin Bieksa these guys have played together since 2005 first with the Manitoba Moose & now my Canucks!!!]. As luck would have it he did well in Manitoba and earned a call up to the big club…the Canucks…where he spent most of the remainder of the year. He joined the Canucks in 2006 and never looked back. In 2006 Vigneault was named as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks and in 2006/2007 Burrow was a permanent part of the team. This guy has been my favourite since that first call up…him and Kesler developed as 2 of the best penalty killers[still are when paired together..my favourite short-handed goals are from those 2!]. It was not until the 2008/2009 season that his potential to be a 1st liner goal scorer playing with the Sedins was revealed…it was an idea of desperate need to spark the team…and it paid off…big time. Burrows has been playing with the Sedins since that fateful February day in 2009 and the fans have been treated to see many acts of #sedinery+burrows. Burrows story is so incredible..its a wonder that it hasn’t been made into a movie…[if the Canucks win a cup in the near future…you never know! *fingers crossed*]. I think Mike Gillis must get this deal done and knowing Burrows…he will not ask for a lot of money and his loyalty goes deep. Let Burrows finish his career as a Canuck not just because it would kill me to see him wearing a different uniform..but because this guy is the HEART & SOUL of the team. Your move Gillis…but not signing him would be the wrong move! #14 will always be a Canuck…I have a feeling one day it might join #12, #16, & #19 in the rafters….so too will #22 & #33.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmoqnNkUbAk&hd=1

In other hockey news the deadline of September 15th is looming ever closer and both sides need to come closer together before any deal can made. The NHL & NHLPA will meet again next week to continue talks…both sides are growing uneasy with the gap that separates both sides. They will both have to compromise to make a deal a reality.

Philadelphia signed forward Wayne Simmonds to a 6-year extension(annual cap of $4 million…Burrows could easily ask for that or more if he wanted to…get BURR signed, MG!). Also making headlines yesterday…Alexei Kovalev is aiming to return to NHL once more. Of course I also must mention that Doan is still holding everyone at bay with no decision yet made…what’s it going to take for him to just tell us YES he’s signing in Phoenix or NO.

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

NHL & NHLPA still have work to do+ Detroit looking to get a ‘yandle’ on D

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Well just like that another day of meetings between the NHL & the NHLPA (NHL Player’s Association) have come to a close. It has been called a clever and creative initiative designed to avoid a  work  stoppage. A few details regarding the NHLPA’s ‘alternative view’ the NHL’s original proposal have become public knowledge: it would give extra draft picks to teams in financial trouble(they would build for the future); franchises[under special circumstances] would be able to trade/sell up to $4 million in cap space to another team. Bettman and NHL however view this as slightly too ambitious as he has stated that there is too wide of a gap between the two sides and must be resolved prior to the deadline. There is one more session of meetings tomorrow and then the next major meeting of both sides is next Wednesday. There is still work to be done before all is said and done. I remain one the sole optimists in this situation and I will remain so until otherwise filled with rage by Gary Bettman making an announcement that will anger all fans. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen.

Rumor has it that the Detroit Red Wings have inquired about Phoenix defenseman Keith Yandle. They lost both the Suter & Weber sweepstakes & Lidstrom retired…so it appears they are looking for younger solid defenseman to fill the void left behind. Detroit has also been in the pursuit of Bouwmeester from Calgary….it will be interesting to see if they acquire either and what they would have to give up to make either deal a reality.

Below is a link to a tribute one of my favourite Canucks, who will sadly never lace up the skates again…but in his short time here, left the fans with many vivid memories. Rick Rypien had no fear when it came to taking on the bigger guys…his fights and goals always had the crowd on their feet to give him a standing ovation. He may have been small but that did not stop Rypper from playing his tenacious style. #37 will always be remembered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHX9rOEJnVs 

We await the coming drama that shall unfold as the off-season winds down. As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

NHL & NHLPA continue meetings + HABS go to the MAX + still waiting on Doan

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Today marks day 3/4 of the meetings between the NHL and the NHLPA in Toronto. The NHLPA took their time in diligently putting together their perspective and yesterday Donald Fehr and the NHLPA presented their alternative view to the NHL’s original proposal. Fehr brought out the big guns(Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin & Steven Stamkos) for his presentation in push to make it known that the NHLPA wants to get a deal done. Other players were also present including: Jason Spezza, Mike Camalleri, John Tavares, & P.K. Subban. Bettman was very quiet following yesterday’s meeting only stating that the NHL is going to evaluate the proposal and hopefully respond in today’s meeting(at 12PM Eastern). Meetings go through Thursday. Rumor has it that this round of meetings have taken on a sense of urgency with both sides wanting to avoid a lockout. Let’s hope that the positives keep on coming & that we get that official announcement we are all waiting for(that the season will continue as planned) in the next 4 weeks! Bettman will have to deal with fans around the world should he even utter the word lockout as a reality. Here’s hoping he makes the right decision!

The hits just keep on coming. The Philadelphia Flyers have taken yet ANOTHER hit to the blueline. Defenseman Andreas Lilja is out until November(optimistically) due to recovering from hip surgery. The Flyers have already lost Carle(to free agency), Meszaros with his torn achillles tendon(out indefinitely), Pronger(to concussion…still no official word on when/if he will be able to to play), and Weber(thanks to Nashville’s matching of their outrageous offer sheet)

In other news the Montreal Canadiens have signed Max Pacioretty to a 6-year extension worth $27 million(or $4.5 million annual cap hit). He led the team last year with 65 points. The fact that he played at all last season(let alone led the team in scoring) is impressive following the controversial hit by Chara late in the 2010-2011 season. Despite offer sheet rumors, restricted free agent P.K. Subban is hoping to have his own contract with the #Habs signed as soon as possible…he believes that he will have a long career in Montreal. It is where is he is from, it is the team he grew up cheering for, the team that drafted him & the team he desires to stay a part of. The Edmonton Oilers are looking to be ‘taylor-made’ and  have resumed talks to extend Taylor Hall beyond next season. The Calgary Flames have invited veteran forward Steve Begin to their training camp on a professional tryout. Begin missed all of last season recovering from hip surgery. Best of luck to him on his comeback!

Still waiting…yes its true Doan has still YET to make an official decision. The guy cannot be called hasty as he really takes everything into consideration for this decision. It feels like the longer this saga takes, the more likely it is that he stays in Phoenix but then again who knows, maybe he will shock us all. Once again, we will have to wait until any official announcement is made.

I’m sure there will be drama before this day is done…all eyes will remain on the NHL/NHLPA meetings in Toronto.

As always,until next time,  nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

All eyes on NHLPA’s presentation + optimism enough for all hockey fans!

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All eyes remain on the NHL & NHLPA meetings taking place in Toronto this week. Talks began 7 weeks ago…and there has been a constant back & forth until Bettman enforced a Sept. 15th deadline. Tomorrow is the day that the NHLPA led by Fehr will make their presentation of their alternative view for a new CBA[Collective Bargaining Agreement- settles the team salaries/cap/bonuses/franchise revenues/etc]. It is rumored that Sidney Crosby will be one the players present in representing the NHLPA at tomorrow’s meeting. Bettman is said to be ‘curious of the players view’, but the end result will tell the whole tale. Both sides remain optimistic that a new CBA can be established by September 15th. As I previously stated, I might be the only optimistic fan out there…but I  do think there is room for optimism in this scenario and I will just have to be optimistic enough for all hockey fans. Even if it ends up a shortened season….I would rather shorter than NO season. I do not like to entertain the idea of no hockey…we had that in 2004-2005(delaying Alex Ovechkin’s NHL debut until the 2005-2006 season when he was drafted in June 2004!) and it was brutal! Fingers crossed that the players, NHLPA director Fehr & Bettman can all come to an agreement that makes all sides happy and gives us a FULL season beginning in October:)! I refuse to join all those who are accepting the lockout before it is even official…what will you all do if it doesn’t happen, or is not all season long? Hear’s hoping this week goes well in Toronto for the NHLPA!

#59days

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

NHL meets w/ the NHLPA, Doan still running in circles & The Canucks sign Gaunce!

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Rumor has it that should the ever horrid reality of yet another lockout(ahem I mean a ‘work stoppage’ as they are now referring to it) with Bettman at the helm take place, that the NHLPA is working to organize at least a few exhibition games for the fans that would involve not just NHL players, but also KHL player(Kontinental Hockey League…aka the Russian league). Negotiations begin today between the NHL & the NHLPA and go through Thursday, the NHLPA will present their counter-proposal[alternative view] tomorrow. New Year’s hope? Will the Winter Classic save this year’s NHL season from complete demise? The league has until the January 1st date to cancel the fan favourite event(not to mention canceling the game last minute…would be a low blow). Could the Winter Classic act as the brake that will save the season from being axed completely? The Winter Classic brings with it great economic benefits for the NHL(the merchandising alone for this event…special jerseys, hats, flags, t-shirts,  sweaters, etc…its endless!) and some people have already committed financially to this event. There is still time to make a deal before the Bettman imposed deadline and hopefully these next 4 days of meetings go well. Do I want there to be a full 82 game schedule next season? YES, but I don’t know about you, I would rather have a shortened season than NO season at all.

Cristobal Huet has officially ended his waiting for a goal-tending job to open up in the NHL by signing a 4-year deal in Switzerland. He’s not the only one the leave the NHL behind, Gilbert Brule has signed a one-year deal with a team in Switzerland deciding to chance a return to the NHL in a year. A one-year deal with the European league gives Brule certainty for a job next season(with the CBA in limbo at the moment) and keeps him viable when the year is over to return to the league.

The Colorado Avalanche announced the re-signing of J.S.Giguere to a one-year extension worth $1.5 million.

Rumor has it that when the Shane Doan saga finally comes to a close, teams will make take a shot at landing Brenden Morrow from the Stars…via some sort of trade, not too sure that Dallas would willing to part with him though. Rumor has it that the Detroit Red Wings are also still actively interested in acquiring Doan but is he interested in Detroit? Reality suggests that Doan does not want to leave Phoenix, but it might be in his best interest to move forward if ownership cannot guarantee that the Coyotes will remain in Phoenix.

In other news my Vancouver Canucks have signed 2012 1s round pick Brendan Gaunce to entry level NHL contract. I look forward to seeing this kid unleash his potential at training camp, pre-season & potentially playing the line-up if he gets the call from the Canucks AHL affiliation the Wolves.

As always, until next time or [later today should more drama unfold], nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Bettman+Fehr=both sides optimistic & other thoughts before the new week begins

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According the Bettman & the NHLPA  director Fehr, a first counter proposal is expected to be presented next week. Both sides remain optimistic that an agreement can reached before or by the ‘deadline’ enforced by Bettman. Fingers crossed that that optimism turns into a brand new CBA by/before September 15th. I might be the only one who’s choosing to be optimistic about this scenario as it is Bettman at the helm of the ship…but I REFUSE the thought of no hockey next season, it is just unfathomable to me. I cannot think one other NHL Commissioner who had 2 lockouts(&potentially a 3rd) in their tenure[and he’s only been it since ’93!]. I might be the only one…but I will shout my optimism loud enough for all hockey fans! I demand that we get to see some #Tripletmagic & #Sedinery +#AllAmericanExpress not mention the other great moments for other great players in this league.The madness will be starting in October!

Word is that Conn Smythe winner Jonathan Quick has had surgery to repair disc fragments and a cyst. Rehab is expected to begin next week and the estimated minimum amount of time for a full recovery is projected to be 6 weeks(aka just in time for pre-season).

If Doan is looking for money and it is indeed around $7 million…then it will more than likely be with Phoenix or another team that he signs, not Vancouver. I do not think the Canucks should take on a $7 million annual cap hit. However, if it is not about the money and indeed where he would fit best & have a chance at winning that elusive Cup…then he could end up in Van City, Pittsburgh or New York. It seems today that the supposedly signed & sealed offer by Jamison(*apparently he got the funds he was short on just a mere few weeks ago…but questions have arise where did it come from?) is not all it seems and the Phoenix ownership is once again basking in uncertainty. The favourites in the Doan sweepstakes seem to change daily 2 days it was New York, yesterday it was Phoenix…today there have been whispers of Pittsburgh. There will continue to be rumors and whispers until there is an official announcement. Should the Phoenix sale & ownership go through officially ensuring that the franchise remains in Phoenix, it is almost certain that Doan would no doubt sign to finish his career with the Coyotes.

P.S. When I refer to the #triplets that refers to Henrik & Daniel Sedin + Alex Burrows… or my other favourite when referring to the twins #sedinery = their unreal chemistry..its magical…just you wait until October & they dazzle us with their seamless no look passes.  When I refer to the #allamericanexpress that refers to Ryan Kesler, David Booth, & Chris Higgins. In the future I will probably make many more references to these combos & state some new ones…just a little preview of what comes once hockey finally begins again!!!

As always, until next time[& I know there is still dramatics still to come before all is said & done this off-season], nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Strike 3, Bettman’s at it again!+ Detroit looking to the Flames?+ a few other thoughts

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In the news today everyone’s favourite(as in the one we love to despise!) NHL commissioner was at it again! Gary Bettman officially made the statement that should there be no new CBA in place by September 15th there will indeed be a lockout(yes I know we are ALL shocked…but WAIT we already knew that!) Don’t you just love how Bettman thinks he’s alerting the hockey world to brand new information? Although following his statement today, he also stated that there is still ample time until then for both parties to come to an agreement. Once again tell us, something we didn’t already know Bettman! It is yet to be decided how drastic this lockout could be(delayed shortened season or the entire year with no hockey), but since Bettman became NHL commissioner in 1993 there have been 2 lockouts….one in 1994 which cut the 1994-1995 season to just a 48 game schedule and then the entire 2004-2005 was canceled, and he potentially could force a 3rd one! Anyone else just as frustrated with the way Bettman ‘controls’ the league?

Rumor has it that Detroit is actively looking into Calgary Flames defenseman Jay Bouwmeester in what could be an interesting trade. Rumor has it that Calgary has been looking to trade Bouwmeester(who has a cap hit of $6.68 million after signing defenseman Dennis Wideman to a 5 year contract worth $26.25 million(or an annual cap hit of $5.25 million) earlier this off-season. Apparently Detroit feels they need to fill the void left by Lidstrom’s retirement & losing Brad Stuart to San Jose. Detroit also lost the race in free agency when they lost the Suter/Parise lottery and had no chance in signing Weber after Philly upped the stakes that only Nashville could match. All in all, Detroit needs a defenseman to help stabilize the back end, and it will more than likely cost them a trade as the free agent market has not produced them the player(s) that they hoped to nab. It will interesting to see what both sides give&take if this trade does go through. Rumor has it that Calgary is attempting to rebuild & make a run for the cup, but I wasn’t aware that you could do both at the same time? Colour me confused.

Rumor has it that maybe just maybe Doan could remain in Phoenix, that is if this whole ownership ordeal with Jamison has stabilized itself. Then again, until he officially puts ink to paper the eyes of the NHL will remain on him, before moving on. If he remains in Phoenix, I like the idea of the Canucks signing centre Jason Arnott(it has been rumored that he likes the potential of signing in Vancity!) to help fill the void in centre with Kesler down, and provide a leadership role as well. Time will tell with both these players. If Doan leaves Phoenix when all is said and done…it could have an adverse effect on Phoenix…as he is their franchise player and may affect ticket sales for a franchise that already struggles filling the arena on a regular basis.

Are you kidding me?! The city of Markham, Ontario has submitted a proposal  for an NHL sized arena! If it were to go through, that leaves the potential for a 3RD hockey team in Ontario(they already have the Leafs & the Senators). Would another Canadian team be exciting? YES! But 3 teams in ONE province…is a bit much….yes Ontario is large….but three teams is too many….do they want to be New York(they’ve got the Rangers, Islanders, & the Sabres!) but then again who knows it could work. Maybe Quebec will get another team too if that proposal goes through…! Another team or two would add some excitement to the league…and Canada does love hockey and will fill those arenas! Until approval is given to Markham, it is just a dream for the moment.

#isitOctoberyet?!!! #63moredays!

Until next time, as always, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Skinner determines his future w/ Carolina & 3+1=4 for Doan

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Future consideration. That is what Carolina inked today in the re-signing of forward Jeff Skinner to a six year contract extension worth $34.35 million (that’s $4.35 million for the 2013-2014 season, and $6 million for the next 5 years). This kid has so much upside and playing in Carolina’s upgraded lineup next season(& the 6 season that will follow!) is only going to make him a better player. This signing comes after a line great signings by Carolina’s GM Rutherford (Staal, Semin to name a few) as he prepares his team for the upcoming season,hoping that this new lineup will break the playoff drought of the last 3 years(I think there’s a good chance with the Staal’s united and the group of forwards that make a solid top 6 overall).

Philadelphia re-signed defense-man Marc-Andre Bourdon to a multi-year contract today, hoping he can help fill in the void on their patchy defensive blue-line. Bourdon made his NHL debut with Philly last year, playing 45 games and accumulating 7 points(4 G, 3 A). With the right defensive partner this kid will do well. Philly will need to acquire a blue-line veteran before their defense ends up hemmed in their own zone. Philly’s going to have to do something to address the absence of Pronger. Rumor has it that Philadelphia’s GM Holmgren is looking to make another defensive offer sheet, to the #Canadiens RFA, P.K. Subban(which of course Montreal would have to match, leaving Philly once again in the lurch!).

Rumor has it that Nashville’s coach Barry Trotz has stated that Nashville is also in the #DoanLimboLottery which means potentially that, that list is now 4 NOT 3.Rumor has that one of the 4 teams(Nashville, Vancouver, or Philly, but apparently it was NOT New York) have offered him that elusive 4 year term & $7 million per season. However if Doan were to choose Nashville and they were to pay that price tag….that would mean that they would have tied up $21 million of their cap space[just about 1/3 of the total cap space] for the next for years on just TWO players( Doan at $7 million & Weber at $14 million) which lets be realistic, that is, say it with me now: RIDICULOUS! 1/3 of your salary cap tied up into two players is just absurd when you need to get 22-23 guys under the cap….kind hard to get the other 20 guys tied up in what remains.

Rumor also has it that Tuukka Rask is raring to take the reigns that Tim Thomas so willingly left behind when he fled Boston to put his focus back on his life away from hockey. Rask has surprised many by stating that he is absolutely confident that following his play in the upcoming season he will rewarded with a long-term contract by the Bruins as it looks like Thomas will not be returning to Boston after his self-imposed exile. Time shall see how that unravels.

The NHLPA is still preparing their counter-proposal to be presented to the NHL & hopefully soon both sides will agree to a new CBA that will benefit both parties.

As the off-season draws nearer to an end, the winds are shifting signaling more change is yet to come. After August comes hopefully a brand spanking new CBA (& the no more thoughts of a dreaded lockout), followed by training camps for all teams, followed by pre-season(a preview of what to look forward to & a chance to see how prospects have improved their game), and then FINALLY the 11th of October will be here!

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

Philadelphia takes another hit on the blueline! + other NHL tidbits

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Philadelphia has suffered yet another loss on the blueline, the team announced Andrej Meszaros is out indefinitely after tearing one of his achilles tendons. As Canucks fans will remember…such an injury is not an easy road back…just ask Sami Salo.Sami Salo was sidelined by the very same injury in the summer of 2010…it was thought he might not come back and if he did would, he play the same? The answer is that YES he did make a comeback and NO he didn’t play the same, he played even BETTER(just look at game 4 against San Jose in the 2011 conference final and all of last season!). It was a long road back for Salo, he only played 27 regular season games in the 2010-2011 season, but he made his presence known in those games and during the 2011 playoffs he played amazing and last year was his best season in years. I wish the best for Meszaros as he works his way back from this injury, it will not be an easy or a quick path but as all Canuck fans know, it is definitely possible. The loss of Meszaros on the blueline adds to the already decimated blueline that is the Philadelphia Flyers. They lost Carle to free agency, they lost Weber due to Nashville matching their lunacy, and all camps are quiet on the Pronger situation. The lack of any news on the Pronger situation suggest that it will not be good news when an announcement does get made. The loss of Pronger(at least in the short term) and the indefinite loss of Meszaros leaves a HUGE void for the Flyers on the blueline come October. They will have to address the matter before the season begins.

In other NHL news Toronto Maple Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul skated for the first time today since separating his shoulder in early March. The Leafs will need him in tip top form for camp next month, when he combines with Phil Kessel and both are healthy, they make a lethal duo. All eyes are still on Doan as his fate is still yet to be decided(big surprise!), the list sits at three until otherwise announced. I know, tell me something we don’t already know. In other news we already know but are anxiously awaiting, there is yet to be a formal agreement between the NHL and the NHLPA regarding a new CBA(must be reached by mid-September to avoid a shortened season or a lockout year). The Canucks would love to have a Doan-/Arnott-type player signed to help fill the void of Kesler’s absence until he returns. The dust has yet to settle on this off-season and there is bound to be more dramatics before all is said and done.

#isitOCTOBERyet??????

As always, until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.

And then there were 3….Doan shortens his list! + Will the NHLPA & NHL reach a new CBA?

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We are now into the 2nd week of August of this off-season and there are still many players & teams waiting to sign or make moves. Rumor has it that Shane Doan has shortened his list to just 3 teams outside of Phoenix that he is considering: Pittsburgh, Vancouver, and of course New York(rangers). Yes he would love to stay in Phoenix…but with the ownership situation being so uncertain, it may be cause to draw Doan elsewhere. I still think Shane Doan would look fantastic outfitted in #Canuck blue & green slotting in on the 2nd line:)

Donald Fehr director of the NHLPA has said that an agreement can be reached by the NHL and the NHLPA, but both sides need to be committed. The NHL has made a proposal but the NHLPA is working on submitting a counteroffer. The current CBA expires in 6 weeks time…but Fehr feels that is sufficient time to counteroffer and for both sides to reach a fair agreement. Fingers crossed that the agreement comes quickly(I refuse to entertain the idea of no hockey next season…aka the dreaded lockout!)!

The days of this off-season are continuing to drag on…silence and echoes filling the space. It feels as though a team or two is going to make a dramatic move or two yet before all is said and done. The dominoes have yet to fall into place.

#65more days! #isitOctoberyet?!

As always until next time, nuck said.

Sarah E.L.