Before I begin the girth of this post I want to explain something before some jump out of their seat. When I go to view Hockeybuzz with Eklund and his other cronies I go there for entertainment purposes as well as informative reasons with a ratio of 60/40% respectively. A rumor is just that, a rumor. I don't view any of these as full truth nor do I see any of these as falicies. I am a believer that Eklund doesn't just make this stuff up. However, I do believe that he takes information and runs with it on what he does see could work. He is usually wrong but, we all would be as well. If he hears that the Kings, Oilers, and Rangers are in talk with say, Wayne Gretzky (for example) and Eklund reports this. Say at the 11th hour, the Panthers sweep in and sign the Great One for more years and more money. Most would jump out and criticize Eklund and his "e" system even though none of it was his fault. I feel like this happens often. Either some crazy happens last minute, his sources are just trying to make a name for themselves, or teams and their employees are sworn to secrecy on trade/free agent talks.Although some sources are saying pretty much the same thing regarding Gaborik's desire to remain a "Wild" (?) reports are that some very serious trade offers may make things complicated including a mega offer from a "team in the Northeast" that I believe to be either Buffalo or Boston. There is one scenario where Boston would attempt to unite Hossa and Gaborik in Boston.Now, I think a trade would have to include Phil Kessel whom I would be torn on parting with. However, could this be a Celtics situation from last season while ironically talking with Minnesota? KG said no thanks to a trade to Boston (granted he had say in where he went so it is similar to free agency...ie Hossa). Ray Allen comes into the picture and KG suddenly thinks he can win here with himself, Ray Ray, and The Truth. Despite this intriguing picture, many of Celtic diehards did not want to part with budding star, Al Jefferson. Taking nothing away from Big Al's talents I need to ask, who misses him now? No one. In fact, he was missed so little, there was barely any talk about him from callers on WEEI despite his outstanding numbers.
So, this would be a similar scenario. The Bruins world is in love with the talent and the potential of Phil Kessel, including myself. With Gaborik in town after a trade with Kessel (among others) this could make Hossa turn his head a bit and think about the possibilities in a market like this. Can you imagine a top line of Sturm-Savard-Hossa and a second line of Kobasew-Bergeron-Gaborik (i know, thats two RWs). That is a pair of pontent lines. Then you add on some of the kids on the 3rd and 4th lines to continue to learn and can still offer a scoring threat taking more pressure off of the youngsters and the top dogs. I know it is not likely but, it certainly is a minute possibility.
My boy Marty Turco lived up to his high expectations and the team I chose after the Bruins were bounced remains in tact. I have to admit, the Brad Richards pick-up by Dallas was easily the best move at the trading deadline (with Hossa a close second considering his performance on Sunday). However, Richards was absolutely flying last night. If it weren't for one of the most marvelous glove saves in the history of televised hockey by Evgeni Nabokov, Richards would have been the hero in the first overtime.
For those that missed last night's game, I feel sorry for you. It was completely worth being exhausted today. Nabokov deserves all the credit in the world as the final goal was not nearly his fault because it was on a powerplay and no one could cover Morrow in front of the net. Kudos to both teams for an outstanding performance.
Alright, I need to blow off some steam here. I am shocked and appalled that anyone would consider making any type of adjustment to goalie equipment. Unless guys are getting hurt, which I do not think they are, there is no need for change. I understand that the NHL is trying to make this game more appealing to the fans outside/on the fence but, this is not the way to do it. As a goalie, I am already shocked that they shrank the goalie equipment when they continue to make sticks that are so light and have so much torque that goal scoring has become almost effortless for marginal players. Let me give you two simple suggestions that the league should not do.
Before the start of the second round a friend asked me who I was rooting for now that I no longer had a dog in the fight. I started thinking about teams in the East but, quickly decided that it would go against some moral code to pull for another team in the East considering that three teams would easily be considered rivals of the Bruins (Philly, NYR, and the [gulp] Habs). The other team has the biggest pink hat following because of Sidney Crosby. So, I turn toward the West and instantly remember how much I absolutely love Marty Turco.
