Great day for the Bills.
Their founder and Owner, Ralph Wilson along with All-Time Sack leader, Bruce Smith will be inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
It was long overdue for Ralph. He may get a lot of heat for his personnel, but if there’s no Ralph, there’s no Bills. It’s as simple as that.
The Bills will also take part in the Hall of Fame game that accompanies the ceremony.
Awesome.
The Sabres lose one, overrated, under physical defenseman. That’s fine, and we could use a move to shore up the D. However, Marc-Andre is not the way to go. It is being reported that Marc-Andre Gragnani has indeed been re-called from the depleted Portland Pirates.
Darcy Regier is dragging his knuckles once again. I’m usually content with the way Darcy runs things, but if Gragnani shows up on the upcoming road trip, don’t be surprised to see the Sabres get run right out of the west.
The Sabres need more defensemen that are going to lay the body. Otherwise, come playoff time, it will be a quick exit against any physical team.
It doesn’t look good, folks. There are now some reports that Teppo Numminen may be done for the year after taking a puck to the face against Carolina.
Teppo (despite what may be said) is a valuable asset to this hockey club. He is everything that you want in a 6-7 defensemen. The calming presence on the blue line will be sorely missed for however long Teppo is out.
Also, you can’t help but point out the leadership. Teppo has aided in the development of Chris Butler who’s in his first stint in the big league.
Notes:
Nathan Paetsch will return to the line-up for the first time in 14 games. That’s an awful long time to be a healthy scratch.
Expect chippy play out west. This road trip should mean the return of Craig Rivet as well. You know, the nasty guy from the Islanders game?
Also, I’m confident that Andrew Peters will see action this month, as the West has some awful big boys. Perhaps Paille will take a seat, he’s due.
This might be the worst game I’ve ever seen. Lalime sucks, too.
Interesting little piece I came across yesterday by David Staples of the Edmonton Journal:
THE HOTTEST NEW TERM IN THE NHL: “THE EXPIRING CONTRACT.”
The cap number for the 2009-10 season will be based upon of this year’s revenues, which were mainly generated last spring, before economic calamity settled in over the world, so it will take some time for the cap to really drop off. Nonetheless some sinking in the neighborhood of $2 million per year per team is likely in order, down to the $54-55 million range for the 2009-10 cap.
At that level, the majority of teams — including the Oilers with $55 million in salaries this year, $44 million already tied up for next year — will be scrambling to be under the cap and here is where expiring contracts come into play.
If you follow the NBA, which has played under a cap system for more than two decades now, you will be familiar with the term expiring contracts because they are something of an obsession in the basketball world. Continue reading ‘Could cap crunch make Max movable?’
Ah, what an ending.
There was nothing like seeing that sellout go to the backhand and get the puck swept away like it’s a foreshadowing for his career.
I loved Chris Drury, the problem was, Chris Drury didn’t love Buffalo. It’s fitting that he finally got his share of boo’s last night, they certainly weren’t saying “Dru”. The Ranger captain is now -5 on the year, and fans in the Big Apple are left to wonder why he makes 7 mil a year.
I don’t feel one ounce bad for him. Chris could have signed a big deal here, and been the most popular player since Gilbert Perreault. Yeah yeah, I was sick and tired of the “quiet guy” routine after games. Well rest assured, no one wants your autograph in NYC, you’ve taken care of that. -5, 12 goals and no hitting…what do you do out there anyway?
I hope you made the right decision, look at you now.
From NHL.com…
Ottawa’s Jarkko Ruutu has been suspended for two games by the NHL for a biting incident that occurred in Tuesday night’s loss to Buffalo.
Ruutu was suspended after a Wednesday morning’s disciplinary hearing with NHL Senior Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations Colin Campbell, a phone conversation between the two parties that began at 11:30 a.m.
In Tuesday’s incident, Ruutu bit the gloved thumb of Buffalo’s Andrew Peters, breaking the skin’s surface, during a first-period altercation.
A familiar face will be facing the Sabres a few times in the final months of the regular season.
Brad May was traded to Toronto today in exchange for a conditional draft pick.
May, who spent parts of seven seasons in Buffalo during the 90’s, now makes his sixth stop in the NHL (twice with Vancouver) since he was traded to the Canucks for Geoff Sanderson in 1998.
“Brad will provide character, toughness, and he is a proven winner,” said Burke in a statement. “We look forward to the veteran leadership that he will give our team.”
May, 37, is in the final year of a two-year contract that pays him $600,000 this season.
Does this make Toronto tougher to play against?
I would say yes. More guys like May give Ruff more reason to play Andrew Peters. That makes things tougher.
The Sabres continue to improve while beating longtime foe, Ottawa. The game, however, was overshadowed by more controversy. Sabres and Sens? Go figure.
You’re gonna get yours, Jarkko. Known as one of the dirtiest players in the game, Jarkko Ruutu once again showed that he should probably be shackled in some dungeon. But for those of you unfamiliar with his cowardly tactics, here’s a review:
Taunting a bench… when they can’t get you?
Check. Continue reading ‘Don’t bring a mouth to a fist fight’
I was able to attend today’s international bowl in Toronto.
It was nice to see, after attending games in my youth where we’d leave at halftime.
UB played well for a half, but in the end…they couldn’t stop the run.
Drew Willy also did not play very well, as the Bulls fell to UCONN 38-20.
This program has come a long way, hopefully more success to come!
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