Week Fifteen of NHL 2006-07

The All-Star break will soon be upon us and the Flyers are on track to delivering their worst season in franchise history; they’ve never finished with less than 58 points. At least they’re currently up five points over the most pathetic season in the NHL’s history which is unsurprisingly held by Washington, 21 points in their first season. Flyers beat reporter Tim Panaccio thinks they’re on track to ending with 48. My guess is it’s a formula based on the average number of wins, losses and shootout losses. On the upside, Richards and Sanderson have returned from their injuries. There were rumors going on about Esche being traded since Coach Stevens wants to keep losing with Niitymaki in goal, the worst of the pair in my opinion. Sure Esche was the number one guy at the beginning and he got pelted in the Sabres loss that led to Hitchcock’s firing. I highly doubt Niitymaki would’ve done better because the fault also lies in a sluggish group of defensemen. Anyway, the leading suitor for Esche was the Kings since both of their goalies are injured and the Japanese fellow isn’t ready for the big time. Not anymore, they grabbed his buddy Sean Burke off waivers from the Lightning. I thought Burke, known as Big Bird, had retired. Well, I do hope Simon Gagne has a good time in Dallas and I’ll know how things are going to shake out when the trade deadline on February 27 passes.

The Coyotes are faring better despite the 1-4 record after their awesome winning streak on the road. They’re already on “vacation” for the All-Star break. Then their next game is against the Kings should get them rolling again. The season may be half over but they are in 11th place in the Western Conference and the four teams ahead of them are vulnerable. So there’s a good chance they will make the playoffs. I did some research on my favorite player Jeremy Roenick for his birthday too. He’s only 12 goals away from tying Joey Mullen’s record. Mike Modano is closer at seven but he’s indefinitely injured. I think I’m going to write him a letter in a belated birthday card asking him to not give up, don’t retire yet since he can make it and break one NHL record to end on a high note.

As for the rest of the NHL. Marty Brodeur continues to amaze me. His climb to the top to beat Roy and Sawchuk’s records are no longer matters of “if” but “when.” I also hope the new uniforms we’ll see next week on Versus don’t turn out as ugly or silly as those White Sox ones I remember from the Seventies.

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