Since baseball has the HOT STOVE LEAGUE during the off season, Hockey has what I call the COOL AC LEAGUE. That lovely time where 30 GM’s tend to lose more hair or get more excited for a time of year than any point on the calendar.

Some thoughts…

First of all, does anybody feel that Gainey is getting ready to drop on his sword? Getting Gomez was just a dumb move. It just made the Rangers clear so much cap room to get their prize of Gaborik, and get a local in the house as well with Higgins. Camilleri will be nice, but not trying to secure Komisarek will kill him for sure. Be real interesting to see what happens to the Long Islanders when they head back for the first time in road colors? And dont forget that Saku the Captain is probably heading out too… A long year in Montreal for sure.

As for the aforementioned Rangers, Gaborik will fare well and will make lots of Blueshirt fans real happy. But all that “Ranger Love” went out the window when Sather signed Brashear to a 2 year deal. Why they let Colton Orr go – is beyond me. I, personally did not like the guy, but he was loved by the fans, and did the role real well, for a small price. Has Sather completely forgot what Brashear did to Blair Betts? And now – at Greenburgh, it will be a love fest between the two of them? Yea right? I have had Ranger fans ask me if we want Donald…. I think you can guess what the answer to that question is? Yes – #87 on the Rangers can contribute more offensively than Orr did, but really? What version of Petrone were you drinking Glen, before letting Colton go? I wish we would have gotten him, rather than Toronto…

As far as Garth is concerned, I expected him to remain light in his additions. ut snapping up Dwayne Roloson is brilliant.

“Yea, but he is 39?”

Yes he is – but is a very conditioned 39, that should be able to fill a more productive role than most backups.

“Conklin, among others were available?”

Yes they were – but I feel much more comfortable with “Rollie the Goalie”. Plus – he has a relationship with Ricky, and feels comfortable in the role. Conklin would have been fine, but I think would have been a lot more disappointed if Ricky came out of camp like the stud we are hoping for. Rollie can be the mentor and friend, that would help this team.

Honestly – I think Garth may be done, except for a light tweak here and there. He wants to keep the youth movement going, and why not. I think he still needs an enforcer to assist with the maturation and growth of JT. Eric Godard could come back? I think Joel Rechlicz is still at least a year or two away from fulfilling the role with the big club.

Havlat to Minnesota – wanting a new direction – they got a good offensive force. Let’s see if they like him more than Gaborik?

Chicago and the potential big mistake by Tallon – sending letters instead of e-mail or courier to players with qualifying offers, and now they may be free agents? That may take the love out of the fans with the GM. Also – seeing The Bulin wall head north to Edmonton, meaning their hopes rest of Huet? If he is healthy in body AND HEAD, he could be fine – if not – uh oh?

Pronger to Philly? Just the kind of player the bullies need? That will really peeve the rest of the conference!

And when will the Devs get a coach? I am wondering if Peter Laviolette will head back to this area again…

BTW – congrats to Ted Nolan getting back in hockey – this time as a VP with the Amerks in Rochester.

Well – that’s enough for now. Talk more soon.

Posted under Cool A-C League