The weather in Edmonton turned ugly this week, 11 above, Celsius of course, being Canadian and all. Wind, clouds, down right ugly and the mood of many people reflected it. Not me however, the blast of cooler temperatures only signaled one thing for me, that being September is almost here and the start of NHL training camps is just around the corner. That though was backed up in that a few hockey moves and rumours begain to surface last week as NHL GM’s returned from their lakes, cottages, and summer retreats, and the last push to make things just right their respect teams at training camp has begun. I believe the next 3 weeks leading up to camp, will give us a few things to talk about. A few of last weeks headlines are worth touchiung on today.
I’ve always believed that the team that wins the Stanley Cup is more often the one that has the best 3rd and 4th lines. In short depth that any given coach has complete faith in sending over the boards, late in hockey games, to either shut down the other teams top lines or get a lunch bucket goal from just plain old hard work that seals the win for the hockey team. In my opinion the Vancouver Canucks have that depth and only made it stronger this week in signing winger Raffi Torres. In Torres they get a speedy firecracker of a player that can score 20 goals in an NHL season, will blow people up, and even drop the gloves if he has to. He was signed as 3rd liner for that hockey team, but if required he can play in the top 6, and Gilles got him done for a million bucks. I can’t stand Vancouver, but in being honest with myself I believe the club is poised to do big things this NHL season. The teams front office has accumulated a perfect storm of high end talent, mixed with players that are just plain old SOB’s to play hockey against, all backed by a BIG world class blueline. Props to them, and good luck, they just might be the group that brings the cup back to Canada.
The Edmonton Oilers off season took a twist last night that in news that goalie Nikolai Khabibulin was found guilty of DUI in Arizona. By the sounds of things he will need to see a jail cell for at least 30 days and it could be as long as 6 months. Speculation says that the Edmonton Oilers could now cancel Khabibulin’s contract, but I don’t know that to be 100% true, nor have I heard a source I trust say that to 100% true either. Even if it was would the Oilers actually do it? Good question, as the Oilers biggest weak point last season was the lack of a true starting goalie. Another interesting point to ponder, as mentioned by an ever thinking hockey fan I know, is will the NHL suspend Khabibulin on top of whatever jail tie he gets? They did with Mark Bell, so president has been set. Interesting to watch what happens no matter what I think, but I know how I would play it. I’d cut the guy lose. The Oilers are 2 or 3 seasons away from being a contender if they are lucky, so Khabibulin isn’t the guy for the future anyway. Get his contract off the books and decide what path to take as far as the goalie of the future for the Edmonton Oilers. They have a number of goalies in thier system, and one Antti Niemi is also looking for work for 2.5 million bucks right now, which is way less then what the Oilers would be paying Mr. Khabibulin to do the same job. Not to mention, Niemi has an upside still in his young career.
Then again, this is just another damned opinion.
