“I Might Just Be A Hockey Fan In California” is a feature that will be posted every Saturday here at the View From My Seats. There are plenty of things going on in the hockey world (and even the sports world); and you know everyone has an opinion. This is a place for some quick hits of the week that was.
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I might just be a hockey fan in California, but:
- Yes, there WAS hockey news that happened this week. Surprisingly, the NHL ignored ESPN’s request for a 96 hour period of mourning for Brett Favre.
- What a crappy year to be a free-agent goaltender in the NHL.
- Looking at the Ducks blueline after the James Wisniewski trade just reminds me that they didn’t have an AHL team last year. Maybe they’re trying to make up for it by using an AHL defensive corps in the NHL?
- Dominic Moore: NOT the greatest player ever.
- After the United States won the World Juniors last year, the under-18’s, saw 11 first rounders this year, and are one of the favorites to win the World Juniors this year. I’d say that the National Team Development Program is working quite nicely.
- You know what this offseason needs? More Dany Heatley.
- How badly would Oilers fans like for Khabibulin’s DUI charge to nullify his horrendous contract? Maybe Edmonton can convict Kevin Lowe of a DUI charge and get a few more contracts thrown out.
You know, Anaheim, CA is not very close to Cherry Hill, NJ...
- You know the whole Andy Sutton/ “Are you an expert” thing? Yeah, it’s tired.
- If the NHL Draft wasn’t getting more publicity every year, would kids still be rushed to the NHL level when they could still use another year in juniors? I’m looking at you Boston Bruins.
- NHL Network: Your programming in the off-season leaves a lot to be desired.
- Maybe Bobby Ryan wants a 3-year deal with the Ducks (and no longer) because he wants to bolt from Anaheim as soon as possible. Maybe it’s not about short-term money or about losing UFA years when he could get paid and the real kicker is that he just doesn’t want to play in Anaheim for any longer than he has to. Maybe he wants to be paroled.
- Quick thought: The Penguins were the defending Cup champs last year and were eliminated because they had serious problems on the blueline. Then they went out and bought two of the best defensemen on the market. So how are more people not talking about them as serious contenders?
- When Mike Santorelli and TJ Fast trades make news, you know we’ve reached the dog days of summer.
- I have no idea what it is, but I kind of dig the Flames Heritage Classic jerseys. My favorite part: the absence of any baby-blue in the color scheme.
- The Caps better be careful. With all of this talent and all these expectations, they’re about one step away from becoming the San Jose Sharks of the East.
- How do I know that I’m a huge hockey fan? Because I think Traverse City, MI is a perfectly decent travel destination.
- How is Willie Mitchell not signed yet? Injuries be damned, I’d take that guy on my team in a heartbeat.
- I don’t care if you like or dislike the Red Wings. I don’t care if you like or dislike Mike Modano. But you have to admit, Modano in a Red Wings sweater just sounds weird.
- I’m sure Canadiens fans would love to trade for Bobby Ryan and Jonas Hiller. And I’m sure it will happen—right when the NHL says, “Nah, that salary cap thing doesn’t apply to you.”
- I wonder if Cristobal Huet’s agent has already picked up a pamphlet from the Rockford Chamber of Commerce for his client.
- Gary Bettman is a pompous little person that needs to be fired for the good of the game.
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Click here for our archive of past editions of our “I Might Just Be A Hockey Fan In California” feature.
Matt Reitz is the Editor-In-Chief here at ViewFromMySeats.com and former NHL Writer for ProHockeyTalk on NBCSports. When he’s not shoving a mic in the face of NHLers or explaining why home teams should wear white, he’s usually trying to figure out what song to play next on his iPod. It’s a never-ending job.
