JR returns to the Coyotes

Well, at least there’s some good news on the hockey front since my Flyers are getting trashed in the free agency derby that started on Saturday. Pronger went to Anaheim, Grier went to San José, Redden stayed in Ottawa and Chara went to Boston. So GM Bobby Clarke grabbed another pair of garage-sale caliber defensemen as Kim Johnnson landed a four-year deal with Minnesota. The Swedish player Lars Jonsson seems promsing but the guy from Vancouver, Nolan Baumgartner, blech! the dude finally completed his FIRST season in the NHL at age 30. I believe in giving players the benefit of the doubt yet he makes the Matt Ellison for Patrick Sharp deal look brilliant. Meanwhile, Clarke grabbed a couple more mediocre forwards who’ve been passed around numerous other teams like they were doobies at a college dorm party; Randy Robitaille and Brad Tapper. They’re just Brian Savage without the facial hair. Seems like the Flyers will not be a three-line team next season. If the Flyers finish as poorly as last season, I will be joining the chorus of demanding Clarke’s firing. 
 
Anyway, my favorite US-born player JR has a one-year deal with the Phoenix Coyotes. Not quite the Canadian team he wanted to join according to the rumors and his open letter to fans, but the Coyotes did used to be the Winnipeg Jets so it’s not a total wash. It was a rather logical move since he still has his a house there. I think he’ll also play more than a few games before retiring like Bret Hull because he can skate. What’s even better is that the San Antonio Rampage is Phoenix’s farm team and they’re doing an exhibition game on September 23rd. This means he’ll still be in the Pacific Division so I will have up to four chances to see him play in Dallas too.