Well, the Boston-San Jose trade invovling Joe Thornton was quite a shocker but in others wasn’t. Both teams are struggling and something had to give, I just didn’t think the Bruins would give up their star player (I’m drawing a blank on anyone famous currently playing there). Then I remind myself that Boston’s owner was one of the eight driving the lockout so he has no problem urinating on the fans.
Some changes finally hit the Flyers too. Patrick Sharp was traded to Chicago because GM Bobby Clarke said they had too many centers. The Flyers received a RW-Forward who seems promising. However, I don’t forwards are the problem, slow defensemen is why they get beat on the breakouts. Penalty Killing is everyone’s fault and that one I have no idea how to remedy.
Leadership was argued on the podcast last week too. I think the three hosts would agree with me though, with Primeau out and Recchi and LeClair gone, there is a leadership gap on the team. I thought about it and I think the nod should go to Eric “Rico” Desjardins until Primeau returns. He was captain after Lindros and he got in the faces of the referees over the no-goal call that the Islanders were demanding for review. Gagne was letting it slide until Desjardins went back to defend his team. I watched the replay too and still can’t tell. The review people in Toronto must have sharp eyes to declare that it was Esche’s stick behind the line, not the puck.
Final distraction over hockey that everyone will find funny. Due to injuries to Primeau, Forsberg and Pitkanen, the Flyers called up a couple players from the Phantoms. Nothing new except for this duo. I think they were brought up only for their names even though they’ve been contributing. Ryan Ready and Ben Eager. No joke, those are their last names.
Oh yeah, overall, two decent wins and a loss in their first shoot out. We at least got a point for it.
Let’s see if Gagne pulls off 50 in 50!