Around the NHL
Posted 1:51 PM ET | Comments 0
Here are a few quick thoughts about some happenings around the NHL.
Draper Retires
And so the NHL bids farewell to one of its fiercest competitors. Few would dispute that age was finally catching up to Draper these past couple seasons. However, his recent difficulties cannot tarnish a brilliant career that saw him help the Wings to four Stanley Cups, take home a Selke in 2004, and represent Canada on numerous occasions, including helping the country to back-to-back gold medals at the World Juniors in '90 and '91. I grew up resenting the Red Wings and their success, of which Draper was an important piece, but have like many grown to respect the franchise and its players. Draper was always a frustrating opponent, but a player I'd have loved to see in the bleu, blanc et rouge in Montreal. So enjoy retirement Kris; you certainly worked hard for it.
Yashin Returning?
Many will say I'm naive, but I do believe that people and their motivations tend to change over time, and I'm a lot less cynical than most seem to be when it comes to Alexei's apparent desire to suit up in the NHL once more. While it's entirely possible that he's just trying to "cash-in" one last time or gain leverage for a greater deal in the KHL, I have a feeling he genuinely would like to come back and prove something. And I think that Jagr's return was the catalyst for that. Jagr and Yashin have been the marquee names in the KHL for the past few seasons (those who follow the KHL all-star game would have gathered that) and when Jaromir decided on a comeback I think Yashin felt an urge to follow suit. Further, I don't think an NHL team would be insane to bring him back, at the right price. He may still be poisonous, but he may be a more mature man with valuable lessons to teach as well. He certainly has something to prove if he's motivated to do so. I would be interested in seeing where things go if he does indeed come back, and I would not be ready to write it off before we actually see him back on NHL ice.
Dry Island Fiasco
This has proven to be a very interesting story, and one for which none of us are likely to get the whole story. It's a believable scenario given the long-standing rumours of locker-room discord in Philly and seeming tension between some particular individuals. And no matter what Paul Holmgren says, I have a hard time believing that you ship both Carter and Richards out at the same time for purely hockey reasons. Whether or not Dry Island played out as reported, I believe there needs to be some bigger issues at play to deal a captain signed to a 12-year contract. In the end, though, we won't know the exact reasons behind what happened, and can evaluate the deal only as we see it. I think the deal has the potential to make Philly better: I'm a believer in strong goaltending and a Bryzgalov fan, so besides the madness of a 9-year deal I liked this move on the part of the Flyers; the direct return on the trades wasn't bad either with Schenn, Simmonds and Voracek adding to the depth of the team while others like Giroux and JVR are thrust into more significant roles; further, if you are able to resolve some locker-room issues there is no telling what that can do for a team. Add in Jagr and a healthy Pronger and this team should continue to compete for the Atlantic Division this season.
I think the move will benefit Richards as well. While I initially saw him as the quintessential Flyers captain, his in many cases justifiably poor rapport with the Philly media made his job a lot tougher than it needed to be. Playing out west will allow a pretty quiet guy to go about his business in a more focused manner. Add to that the motivation that comes from a trade like this and some very talented new (and old re: Gagne) teammates, and I fear for the rest of the West. Carter is a tougher read, though he no doubt improves an offense that was 13th in the West last season.
The Jets' New Look
I am thrilled that Winnipeg has an NHL team again. While I was too young to fully understand the ramifications of the Jets leaving 15 years ago, I've always felt that the city deserved to have a team and based on the response so far, they truly do. Plus, the Jets will now be the third closest team from my home of Saskatoon at a mere 830km (compared to Calgary at 600km and Edmonton at 520km). However, I am not at all thrilled about the logos unveiled by TNSE late last week. I appreciate and respect the connection that the Jets are making, I really do. I just don't think the end product looks good. The logo is boring. I appreciate keeping things simple, but that still needs to be done right. I read a comment somewhere and agreed instantly that the primary logo is much better suited as a secondary one; I'm having a hard time imagining it adorning the front of a jersey. And the wordmark just screams "Blue Jays" to me for some reason. I don't hate the look, and it may well grow on me somewhat. But for now, I can't wait for the inevitable retro nights when they pull on the throw-backs.
Draper Retires
And so the NHL bids farewell to one of its fiercest competitors. Few would dispute that age was finally catching up to Draper these past couple seasons. However, his recent difficulties cannot tarnish a brilliant career that saw him help the Wings to four Stanley Cups, take home a Selke in 2004, and represent Canada on numerous occasions, including helping the country to back-to-back gold medals at the World Juniors in '90 and '91. I grew up resenting the Red Wings and their success, of which Draper was an important piece, but have like many grown to respect the franchise and its players. Draper was always a frustrating opponent, but a player I'd have loved to see in the bleu, blanc et rouge in Montreal. So enjoy retirement Kris; you certainly worked hard for it.
Yashin Returning?
Many will say I'm naive, but I do believe that people and their motivations tend to change over time, and I'm a lot less cynical than most seem to be when it comes to Alexei's apparent desire to suit up in the NHL once more. While it's entirely possible that he's just trying to "cash-in" one last time or gain leverage for a greater deal in the KHL, I have a feeling he genuinely would like to come back and prove something. And I think that Jagr's return was the catalyst for that. Jagr and Yashin have been the marquee names in the KHL for the past few seasons (those who follow the KHL all-star game would have gathered that) and when Jaromir decided on a comeback I think Yashin felt an urge to follow suit. Further, I don't think an NHL team would be insane to bring him back, at the right price. He may still be poisonous, but he may be a more mature man with valuable lessons to teach as well. He certainly has something to prove if he's motivated to do so. I would be interested in seeing where things go if he does indeed come back, and I would not be ready to write it off before we actually see him back on NHL ice.
Dry Island Fiasco
This has proven to be a very interesting story, and one for which none of us are likely to get the whole story. It's a believable scenario given the long-standing rumours of locker-room discord in Philly and seeming tension between some particular individuals. And no matter what Paul Holmgren says, I have a hard time believing that you ship both Carter and Richards out at the same time for purely hockey reasons. Whether or not Dry Island played out as reported, I believe there needs to be some bigger issues at play to deal a captain signed to a 12-year contract. In the end, though, we won't know the exact reasons behind what happened, and can evaluate the deal only as we see it. I think the deal has the potential to make Philly better: I'm a believer in strong goaltending and a Bryzgalov fan, so besides the madness of a 9-year deal I liked this move on the part of the Flyers; the direct return on the trades wasn't bad either with Schenn, Simmonds and Voracek adding to the depth of the team while others like Giroux and JVR are thrust into more significant roles; further, if you are able to resolve some locker-room issues there is no telling what that can do for a team. Add in Jagr and a healthy Pronger and this team should continue to compete for the Atlantic Division this season.
I think the move will benefit Richards as well. While I initially saw him as the quintessential Flyers captain, his in many cases justifiably poor rapport with the Philly media made his job a lot tougher than it needed to be. Playing out west will allow a pretty quiet guy to go about his business in a more focused manner. Add to that the motivation that comes from a trade like this and some very talented new (and old re: Gagne) teammates, and I fear for the rest of the West. Carter is a tougher read, though he no doubt improves an offense that was 13th in the West last season.
The Jets' New Look
I am thrilled that Winnipeg has an NHL team again. While I was too young to fully understand the ramifications of the Jets leaving 15 years ago, I've always felt that the city deserved to have a team and based on the response so far, they truly do. Plus, the Jets will now be the third closest team from my home of Saskatoon at a mere 830km (compared to Calgary at 600km and Edmonton at 520km). However, I am not at all thrilled about the logos unveiled by TNSE late last week. I appreciate and respect the connection that the Jets are making, I really do. I just don't think the end product looks good. The logo is boring. I appreciate keeping things simple, but that still needs to be done right. I read a comment somewhere and agreed instantly that the primary logo is much better suited as a secondary one; I'm having a hard time imagining it adorning the front of a jersey. And the wordmark just screams "Blue Jays" to me for some reason. I don't hate the look, and it may well grow on me somewhat. But for now, I can't wait for the inevitable retro nights when they pull on the throw-backs.