Hockey Trade Rumors

The Philadelphia Flyers were one of the most talented teams (on paper) in the league. They were the natural favorites to win the eastern conference, and with good reason. They signed Jeremy Roenick (1,000 point scorer), John LeClair (50 goal scorer thrice), Simon Gagne (superb young talent, whose scoring numbers have improved each year), Roman Cechmanek (Vezina runner-up the year before), and after the deadline, they picked up Adam Oates, the best playmaer in the league. Now, the Flyers will be looking to add MORE talent, and I’ll look a the pros and cons of some of the rumored moves.

ACCORDING to Toronto Star and The Hockey News writer Ken Campbell, the Toronto Maple Leafs have re-invented themselves more times than Madonna. In the transitions, Campbell argues, the Leafs have gone from sluggish (1998), to skilled and soft (1999-2000), to slow and plodding (2001) to this year’s mishmash, which Campbell declines to describe. That is, until now, where his report on the Leafs’ constant yapping yielded the headline “the Lippy Leafs”.

This week:

Lumme on shelf

Anti-Clarke Site up

Canucks win “Spirit of Vancouver” Award

(Sources: TSN.ca, www.clarkemustgo.com, Canucks.com)

(World Issues Page Announcement Inside)

(NOTE: This is NOT an anti-fighting rant. I want this to be an open argument)

WITH these play-offs some of the most violent on record, sportswriters and fans on both sides of the border are beginning to wonder where fighting stands as a part of the game of hockey. For some, fighting is as integral to the game as assists and hip checks are, while others see fighting as a disgraceful act that mars what should be a beautiful game. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of fighting, but, even so, I’m starting to have doubts that fighting should be taken away, as some writers suggest, as a “presentable” image of the “coolest game on Earth”.

With three days to go in the National Hockey League regular season and one of the closest Conference play-off battles in recent memory, I’ve decided to compile the mathematical possibilities of what each team still in the Western Conference play-off chase needs to clinch a play-off spot, and the likelihood of such an event. Those teams are (in order): the Los Angeles Kings, Vancouver Canucks, Phoenix Coyotes and Edmonton Oilers (No. 10 Dallas Stars are officially eliminated).

Hello again.

I know it seems a little late for the third quarter, but I’ve decided the fourth will come at the conclusion of the play-offs, so, techinically, I still have some room for this quarter. Anyway, here is this quarter’s list of those who are doing better than expected and those who would just be better off being rink rats.

(Stats: ESPN.com)

A few days ago, Toronto Star columnist Jim Coyle wrote a piece on the issue of road hockey, debating it’s merits and wondering why politicians are considering banning the great Canadian tradition. Even though it’s not an ice hockey story, I felt this is an important subject to bring up with the HockeyTradeRumours.com community, because I’m sure many of us had played road hockey (like I did) and because so many of our hockey heroes played the game to get better at their ice game.

The Florida Panthers made a few moves this trade deadline. Here is my opinion on the deals, the rest of the Panthers season and some things they should do in the offseason.

Here are some suggestions on all 30 teams on what they need to do after the olympic break and before the trade deadline.

Watching the National Football League play-offs has made me wonder: what if the National Hockey League adopted the same idea, with single-game elimination rather than a full seven-game series? I know that my idea is increasingly idealistic, but I have my reasons.

I know this has been covered before, but ESPN and ABC’s coverage has become ridiculous. It’s become unbearable! It’s hard to even enjoy a game.