In A World of Sports

So as you are well aware, the NHL (and NBA but we’ll cover that later) trade deadline is fast approaching.  There is obviously a lot of talks surrounding who is going to be a buyer and who is going to be a seller at this time of year and with February upon us who is what is starting to sort itself out.

With that in mind, let’s have a look at several big names that could be in a new city come February 26th.

1. Mats Sundin - Well documented.  Leafs need to retool but they have so many big names with large, unmovable contracts.  Sundin is one of the only desirable commodities the Leafs have and will look to acquire drafts picks and prospects.   Rumoured suitors for Sundin include: Detroit, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, San Jose and Anaheim.  Sundin maintains that he wants to remain a Leaf but I think he knows that to maintain his beloved legacy he has to go and maybe return in the offseason if the grass is NOT greener on the other side.  I also think Fletcher is smart enough to package a stupid contract with Sundin, like a Tucker, or Blake.  If teams want Sundin, they will have to eat one of those less attractive salaries.

Marian Hossa - This guy wants out of Atlanta.  He is not going to sign an extension so it is not a matter of if but when this guy is going.  What you get with Hossa is a good two way guy but his production has been less than usual this year (maybe cause he wants out) and he often disappears in the post-season anyway.  Regardless, he is one of the premiere names available.  If I move for him, I would like an assurance that I can sign him to an extension before I give up assets for this guy.  The Habs are rumoured to be very interested in Hossa’s services despite GM Don Waddell saying he is still trying to sign him.

Olli Jokinen - I’ve always liked this guy and wondered what he can do in a good market with a good supporting cast.  He is like Sundin in that sense, he has never had a supporting cast but I wonder why he still couldn’t do more, carry a team more.  Furthermore, we have never seen this guy in the NHL post-season, will he perform or fizzle out?  However, he is pretty big and strong, good on face-offs, responsible in his own zone and can score.  He likes Florida, maybe because there isn’t pressure, and it’s Florida but is likely going to be shipped.   Calgary and Dallas are looking to make deals on this guy and will likely increase their interest after the recent Forsberg news (more on that later).

 Brian Campbell - After being burned time and time again by players leaving town without getting anything in return (see Drury and Briere for starters), The Sabres will not make the same mistake with Campbell.  Apparently Campbell wants to test the free agent market and has even turned down $5 million a season from Buffalo to do so.  So he is likely going somewhere.  However, if he is really intent on testing the free agent market, is he a definite rental piece?  I think that will decline the value of the package Buffalo gets in return.

So, those are a few names rumoured (and expected) to be moving.  With all that said, the bidding will heat up soon after Foppa decides where he wants to land.  I’m liking Ottawa’s and Phillies chances, with Montreal having an outside shot.  Forsberg has recently told Calgary, Detroit and Dallas he is not interested in them, so those teams will now look to other names, including those above, to solidify their post-season rosters for a chance to hoist the cup.

 More to come as the deadline approaches.

The Leafs got pummeled mercilessly by The Panthers last night, at home.  I really have nothing to say about that.

I don’t really understand this trade. Phoenix will get Shaq for Marion and Marcus Banks. Now I know Marion has been unhappy there for a while, but most nights he’s still playing pretty good ball, though he often runs around launching his weird jumper with a really sour look on his face.

But Shaq? Is this the best Phoenix can get for Marion? I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m a fan of Shaq, but his best years are behind him and he can barely suit up for half the games let alone play in a run and gun style offence. Seriously, since Shaq came to Miami after Kobe ran him out of LA, he has played in 73, 59, 40, and 32 games each year. Sure this year isn’t done yet, but I don’t see him playing more than 55 games this season. Needless to say the happy days of Shaq being “A Rappin’ Genie With An Attitude” are behind him.

I think this is a panic move after having seen their bitter rivals land Gasol. I can’t explain this trade. Sure Phoenix needs toughness, defence, someone who can grab boards, but I don’t think Shaq is the answer. But maybe I’ll eat my words if Shaq heals up nicely and plays like only The Daddy can in the playoffs. He could still be a force that will demand double teams and dominate in the paint, but I really don’t see that happening.

Colangelo must be shitting himself. He built this team into an exciting team that seemed destined to win a championship at some point in the near future. He built it, the wins came, then he left to do the same thing in Toronto, leaving the franchise to win without him. But since Colangelo left this team has hit a plateau, and this year has declined. Maybe ridding themselves of Marion and his sour face and wonky shot will make Phoenix fun again, but I don’t know. I think they should have tried harder to pull the deal on a KG trade in the summer. For what Minnesota got, Phoenix could have packaged a deal very similar around Marion without giving up Stoudemire, now Phoenix is going to have to eat Shaq’s massive salary, his ego, and his bum hip for 2 years. I smell buyout coming next summer.

Oh ya, but this deal is pending Shaq passing a physical. I don’t think anyone in professional sports has not passed a physical.

So this is my first posting to this site.  What this site is and what it will be I really have no clue just yet.  However, it will be about sports.  Hockey, basketball, football, baseball, whatever I have an opinion on.  I see and hear a lot of things in sports that I wish I could have my own say on, and that’s what this site will do.  I’m not saying I’m always going to be right, in fact I’ll more often than not be wrong, but I don’t care.  

 This is my first post, more to come.