Craaaazeee People!

The NHL trade deadline is always nuts, er, interesting.

Sometimes you'd be hard-pressed not to believe that a GM took possession of the Stupid Stick and hit the roster with it. (Until it broke.) Other times, you're certain he is the most cunning genius in the league.

Glancing around the interweb, here is my favorite quote - fittingly from one of my HLOG sisters' blogs:

CapsChick: "Welcome your new Washington Capitals: Cristobal Huet and Sergei Fedorov. Raise your hand if you saw either one of those coming."

Dude, I don't care. I'm sorta, kinda ecstatic about one-half of that in a purely nostalgic way!

See, I became a truly dedicated hockey fan in the early 90s. Yeah, the big, hard-hitting guys were impressive. However, I was amazed by the skillz that arrived to the NHL from the former CCCP. And my adolescent, finesse-player loving fangirl heart skipped beats for the Troika, my pet term for Mogilny, Bure and Federov.

So to now have the possibility of watching Federov without having to suffer the limelight-sucking Red Wings or the noveau Blue Jackets sounds like a dream come true to my inner twelve year old. Because were I to visit the family and take in a hockey game, it would be the Caps versus whoever.

Part that sucks: Huet. This better not mean they're offing Godzilla! I need the cooler of the last two bad-@$$ mofu goalies in the Eastern Conference to be around. And he's a Caps lifer, which takes actual dedication and cojones! Lastly, Zilla is one of my Squees From Other Teams.

Other Interesting Trade Developments

I can hear the hearts breaking in The Burgh from Philadelphia. I'm sure they're okay with obtaining Marian Hossa, but Colby Armstrong's faithful are sure to miss his overgown puppy ways.

Wild fans, good luck with Chris Simon. Really. You're going to need it. I know a lot of people in the Eastern Conference are glad to see him gone.

There are a bunch of happy people in Denver right now. Forsberg and Foote have returned.

Lastly, Lightning staff may want to break out the Zoloft for Vinny Lecavalier. Brad Richards will now sport the black, white and green for the relocated Minnesota North Stars of Dallas.

2/25 Flyers v. Sabres

God Help Us

Bad news: The IR is not fun to look at right now. Plus, Richie joined it last game.

Good news, depending on who you talk to: Steve Downie (Fabric Softener) and Jesse Bowl-of-Rice are returning to the the line-up.

First Period

I'm not surprised. Boulerice v. Peters is a completely predictable scuffle.

Okay, two goals in less than 15 seconds is fun...when your team is the one scoring. This doesn't look good. Marty cannot do it all, and he shouldn't have to either.

There goes a third one for the Buffaslugs. Yikes! (The population of Pominville has grown by another one, argh.)

Score, Blondie! Much love to Knuble and Jonesy for the back-up on that one. Way to turn the momentum.

Fast-forward to just under two minutes later: Score, Hartsie! Thoresen, way to contribute in your second game.

Second Period

Some penalties that we killed successfully. No change in score.

Third Period

Guys, what if you woo us by flirting with your B game? I don't expect to see the A-, A, or A+ game, but B isn't asking for too much, right?

Score, R.J.! (With a little help from his friends Coby and Knuble.) Now, kiddies, hang on to your hats and wait for the ride to come to a full and complete stop.

Over Time

Please! Aaaaaaaahhhhhhh! You guys are trying to kill all of us, right?

Shoot Out

Does it even matter?

Connolly...stopped! Timonen...stopped.
Kotalik...argh! Carter...in!
Roy...fanned! Briere...Holy God in Heaven! He did it!

Take that Buffaslugs!

What is this feeling I'm experiencing?
Oh, yes...it's a win and two points that belong to the Philadelphia Flyers!

And In Other News

We picked up some guy named Vinny Prospal. Is he any good? (Insert heavy sarcasm there.)

Gettin' Ready

Yes, Joe. Those pants do make your butt look big. It's okay, I love how you rocked that line! See you tomorrow night.

Dear Flyers,

Yeah! A point!

Here's hoping it leads to an endless flow of positivity.

Love yas,
Nadine

Really? Kristin and I have only been saying this for, like, awhile now. Jim VDM, good luck in Calgary and I hope it all works out for you.

Finally, I think we all knew this was coming. Doctors have advised Simon Gagne to sit out the rest of the season. Three concussions in one season. I think it's a smart move, even though I know it has to be frustrating for Simon and the rest of the guys.

P.S. on the NHL commercials front: Peter Forsberg makes me think of Beowulf when he's all facial-hairy. (Yeah, lit types, please don't blast me. I know it's an Old English poem and Peter's clearly Scandinavian, not Anglo-Saxon. Bite me.)

My point is that I really enjoyed this commercial.

Peter, I salute you for displaying your sense of humor by filming it. Sorry we won't be seeing you any time soon. Take care and best of luck in all your ventures!

11/22 Diablitos v. Flyers

We Interrupt...

Dudes, I can't watch this one. I just couldn't handle it if we did well or if we lost big time.

So I'll be the ostrich with my head in the sand until tomorrow. If that makes me chicken s**t, well, stick and stones, baby!

Rumors Everywhere!

Dear Mr. Holmgren,

I'm sure that you consult the wisdom of all the die-hard blogging fans out there before making any changes.

That bit of sarcasm aside, here's my two cents:

Sundin: No.

Forsberg: Not unless he's severely discounted, his alabaster ankles, feet and groin have been surgically replaced with a compound created by NASA that cannot be damaged and we don't have to give up anyone.

Carter: Who is the sad sack of you-know-what that even thought of starting that rumor? Don't listen to him! You've said repeatedly that the Flyers organization will not sacrifice the young guys, so live that statement.

Please do not mess with what has worked so well, so far. Remember where this team was last year? We're vastly improved through your wise purchases. For all my occasional PMSing here, I'm happy with what you've accomplished.

So unless God him/herself has promised that such a move is going to 100% secure a visit from Lord Stanley so that I can skip out of work to watch you guys pass by my office, just say no.

Thank you kindly in advance.

Yours truly,
Nadine

Forecast: 2007-08 Flyer season

Face facts: we imploded last season. In fact, it was the worst one in franchise history.

So what? It's over.
Filed away.
Done.

Holmgren made some smart moves. The team's younger, more dynamic line-up is better suited to the current game.

Here are the coming attractions I can't wait to see:

Marty Biron: Goalie. Athletic and technically-sound. I'm looking forward to hearing Marty trash-talk opposing players from our crease and bench. He's quite the talker, but I think he's funny. Mic him up!
Kimmo Timmonen: Defenseman. In this NHL, defensemen must be mobile, able to handle the puck, and make the big hits. Kimmo is one of your men.

Jason Smith: Defenseman. Tough. He was the Oilers captain. Right-hand shot, which is kind of rare.

Daniel Briere: Center. Speedy little bugger. Sucking up a lot of our cap. He was the All-Star Game MVP with one goal and four assists. And he gave the Dodge Nitro to his sister.

Joffrey Lupul: Right wing. Admits he didn't have a good season with the Oilers. He's committed to working his tail off. Friendly faces like Jason Smith and Scottie Upshall should help him settle in. I like his honesty.

Scott Hartnell: Left wing. Gritty. Will appreciate the consistency of having Kimmo, Scottie Upshall and Ryan Parent here. Need I say more?

No one can say what will become of good trades, and it's up to Coach Stevens to sort it all out. But the talent is there and many of them have played together before. I'm looking forward to seeing what becomes of it.