Unless...

Unless Kyle makes a more delayed comeback than Theo Fleury, this may be the last post for about a month. The winds of change are sweeping me to the Middle East and I'll be missing the first 10 games of the season. If I have internet access, I'll be keeping up to date with scores and seeing how this preseason to regular transition is working for teams.
Some observations thus far:
-Is there any possible reason why Nazem Kadri won't make the Toronto roster opening night? I'm not a huge fan of him, though he's still very young and will no doubt mature, but he has been a consistent point producer so far. With the addition of Kessel, the Leafs may have some offense to speak of. Expect Gustavsson in net often. UPDATE: So I called this one wrong, Kadri was sent back to London today. As a Sabres fan, this is good news because it's one less threat.
-Max Afinogenov playing for the Thrashers aka Atlanta Dynamo. Despite rumors of ending up in the large Russian contingency of Washington, Max joins Kovy, Kozlov, and kompany in the dirty south. He's actually putting up points. Good for Max.
-Edmonton, (pulls collar) eesh.
-John Tavares, stop trying to play like you need to prove you're a #1 draft pick. We know you're talented, but try being smart too.
-Gretzky out, Tippett in. I think more people follow the plight of the Coyotes than the play of the Coyotes.
-Even though he's had an incredible career to date, I'm making the prediction that this will be a career year for Pavel Datsyuk. Despite being notoriously inaccurate with predictions, book it.

So long, 'Merica. See you when I see you,
Michael

The Equivalent of...

last year's Mats Sundin saga has come to rest. Dany Heatley has been traded to San Jose where Joe Thornton will likely get him baked out of his mind, teach him how to give a shirtless interview, and also set him up for 50 more goals this year. Cheechoo, Michalek and draft picks were the other pieces, and depending on if Cheech can have a bounce back year, this could be a decent trade for both sides. That's a big 'if' though. Despite the Sharks becoming a better team over the past few years, Cheechoo's goal totals have dropped from 56 to 12 in recent years.
The season is so close!

Pre-season games are starting up this week, and I'll be reporting back after two Sabres games against the Caps, one in Buffalo, one in D.C. My hopes: Tyler Myers bumps his head on the jumbotron while Mike Weber crushes skulls. Gerbe goes into beastmode and makes the team. Same goes for Kennedy and Ennis, though I know we'll get one of those three on the roster if we're lucky. The dead weight needs to be cleaned up and new blood injected.

I am ready for this season to begin. This summer has been like listening to an interview with Jay Bouwmeester. Especially after seeing the Buffalo Bills snatch defeat from the jaws of victory last night against the New England Tom Brady's, I could use a team I can believe in.
Until next time, here's Wojtek Wolski being Wojtek Wolski.
-Michael

The Latest Monster Contract

goes to Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo.

Luongo has been locked up for 12 years 64 million dollars. Like most of these recent major contracts, it is frontloaded beginning at 10 million and tapering down to 1 million in the final year (with Luongo at age 43). I expect the NHL to look into this, much like they have suggested with contracts like Hossa and Pronger, who likely won't be playing through the full contract term, yet help the team by lowering the yearly cap hit. For the team and player it is a win-win, but the league is wary of this process, as it in a way undermines or circumvents the CBA.
Bottom line, Canuck fans should be thrilled that they have one of the leagues best goalies locked up for the rest of his career. Since there has been a lot of movement to and from the Vancouver roster, I imagine the next few years will be more of the same. Any time a sizable contract is added to a team, there are compromises that need to happen elsewhere (see: 2010 Chicago Blackhawks). It will be interesting to see if Luongo can reverse the trend of his career-- being an elite goaltender on a mediocre team. Vancouver has certainly been more of a competitor since he joined the ranks, but this is a team that is still searching for a true identity, as we've seen with the mass exodus of veteran players in recent years, and a younger crop filling in.
On another note, similar to the way things work in Detroit, I respect that the Captains (Luongo and Lidstrom) are the peak of the pay scale. In these cases, this delineation is justified, seeing as both of these guys are incredible players, but I like teams who take this stand and stick to it. It has kept negotiations in Detroit Rock City civil, and kept their team a contender year after year. Luongo seems like a great guy, and is one of my favorite backstops in the league. Good for him. Though... Mike Gillis... any regret in signing the Sedins for 6+ million/year? That might hurt in a few years.

And really, who wouldn't want to make this place their home?
-Michael