Florida Orange (NOT) Juice & Roy’s Rejection
While we watch to see whether the Detroit Red Wings or Chicago Blackhawks will provide opposition for the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Finals…here are a coupe of items that have caught my attention today.
We’ll start off with this story that broke in Lakeland, Florida…just down I-4 from where I am this week.
“Orange” Isn’t The Only Kinda “Juice” Comin’ Outa Florida It Seems
It’s not been a good couple of weeks for the Washington Capitals, has it? First they get dumped in the second round by the Penguins…being thumped in a game seven at home. Then they find out that two of their players are taking their pucks and going home to mother Russia…now we find out that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is looking into the possibility that two alleged steroid dealers were funnelling the product from their home in Lakeland, Florida to players belonging to the Washington Capitals and Washington Nationals.
Richard “Andy” Thomas and his wife Sara were arrested by Polk County sheriffs Tuesday. Sheriff Grady Judd indicated that an estimated $200,000 worth of illegal steroids were seized when they took the pair into custody.
Samara Sados of Tampa Bay Online writes that authorities are “still trying to determine whether Richard Thomas was telling the truth when he said he is the biggest steroid provider in Central Florida and that he sold mostly to professional athletes, including those on the Washington Capitals hockey team and Washington Nationals baseball team”.
In response to these allegations, the Washington Capitals’ President Dick Patrick has released the following statement:
“We have no reason to believe there is any merit to this story, but the National Hockey League and the Washington Capitals take all such allegations seriously. Capitals players have fully participated in the NHL’s random drug testing program, and at no point has a Capitals player tested positive. In addition our players have been tested at international events, such as World Championships and Olympics. We welcome and will fully cooperate with the NHL’s investigation.”
Also, NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly has released this statement on behalf of the league:
“The Washington Capitals have no knowledge of any aspect of this allegation. Capitals players were subjected to no-notice testing three times in each of the past two seasons pursuant to the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement and there was no indication of any improper conduct or wrongdoing.
“Even though there are no specifics provided in the story and we have no reason, at this point, to believe the allegations are true, the National Hockey League takes all matters of this nature very seriously and will conduct a prompt investigation.”
Roy Tells Avalanche “Thanks, But No Thanks”
Patrick Roy, who won a pair of Stanley Cup championships with the Colorado Avalanche, was offered the team’s head coaching position recently. However, Roy has turned down the offer citing family reasons…the story being confirmed by both the Avalanche and Quebec Ramparts, the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League team he co-owns and coaches.
“He made the decision last night that he’s staying,” Nicole Bouchard, the Remparts’ director of media relations, told The Associated Press.
Appearently Roy and Avalanche President Pierre Lacroix back on May 7 to discuss the coaching position that…to the best of my knowledge…is still occupied by Tony Granato.
Hmmmm…if Granato hasn’t yet brushed off the ‘ol resume, he might just want to start considering doing so don’t ya think?
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75 comments Add your comment
R. Stroz
May 29th, 2009
11:20 am
Once again the problem is twofold: OWNERS and GM.
The owners are using the L.A. Clippers business model. In other words, come see the other team play because we aren’t going to invest in our team. The DASG/FUBAS could care less about the fans, only money. Eventually, the DASG/FUBAS will realize that they must invest money in the product. As things are now, the fans are being sold Walmart jewelry at Tiffany prices. The fans have finally caught on; and, as a result, sales retention sucks and discounted tickets are prevalent. So either, the DASG/FUBAS can change their business model by investing in a better product or continue to discount tickets and watch ticket package sales dry up.
The second half of the equation is an inept GM who has shown a prolific ability as a pathological liar. Does anyone believe a word out of Waddell’s mouth anymore? NO. The only trait that a person can control in their life is their integrity. Waddell has shown year after year, excuse after excuse, lie after lie, that he has no integrity. I have no use for such individuals.
GaVaHokie
May 29th, 2009
11:42 am
As things are now, the fans are being sold Walmart jewelry at Tiffany prices.
Hey, you gotta pay to see the Red Wings, and Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin… those fans don’t mind spending Tiffany prices to see their players beat a Walmart team.
You’ll have to find a reason to convince Flyers fans that they shouldn’t pay full price.
Ownership has to make up for the empty seats for the Tuesday night games between the Thrashers and the Panthers.
ranallo10 (in AT)
May 29th, 2009
11:53 am
A few asides:
1 — Hockey’s Future does a report on the Thrashers 2004 draft.
2 — Would anybody be opposed if Waddell were to pursue a RFA like Brian Boyle (C/D – LA Kings)?
In my opinion he’s a huge body (6′7″ 235), and was brought up briefly as a Center after an experiment in Manchester had him playing defense for a while. He shouldn’t be expensive, which would also mean matching the offer sheet wouldn’t require too many high picks (or alternatively trading for him shouldn’t cost too much), but he has upside as a power forward center who can score or simply stand in front of the goal.
He’s on my list of RFAs to watch.
Alan
May 29th, 2009
12:09 pm
ranallo
1. 2004 sucked. I saw this last night. We should at least be thankful our first rounder made it to the NHL on a consistent basis last year, when a couple of higher picks have yet to.
2. I’d make a deal/file an offer sheet for the kid. Having Valabik is nice, at 6′7″ 240. Having another big, tall guy is even better. And with his size, screening the goalie would be a perfect role for him.
R. Stroz
May 29th, 2009
12:09 pm
GaVaHokie – The L.A. Clippers business model worked for awhile. However, as ticket prices increased, attendence, patience, and interest dropped. There are only 2 Buffalo games, 2 Flyers games, 2 Boston games, 2 Penguins games, and 4 Capitals games per year. Those games don’t even sell out anymore. Those ten to twelve games per year aren’t going to subsidize the other 30 games.
The business model must change.
Tony C.
May 29th, 2009
12:11 pm
ranallo-I was under the impression that the “experiement” @ RD was started because Boyle didn’t show the type of speed LA wants in a forward.
While I think everyone would agree we need more size up front, I don’t know that we need a guy that our other top-6 guys are going to hold up and wait at the blueline for.
Having said that, I have no idea if that’s the case or if that’s just something the guy on television said to fill the air while waiting on the ice in the crease to be patched up.
If he can keep up, then yeah he might not be a bad RFA target…although I saw one of those LeCavallier-to-LAK scenarios that had Boyle as part of the package going back, so there’s value there certainly. I mean hey, if he turns into a fast-ish huge defender-well, we could use a guy like that too.
ranallo10 (in AT)
May 29th, 2009
12:42 pm
Tony C. — I don’t think he has the speed you’re hoping for, otherwise I doubt he’d be expendable. I think he’s a scoring capable big bodied “power forward” who excels on the PP. They tried him at defense and to my understanding it was due to his inability to pick up defensive nuances (and being beaten consistently by smaller faster forwards) that he didn’t work well there. However, he’s huge, and if he has a scoring touch I’d be perfectly fine seeing him stand in front of the goalie while someone winds up a slap shot. I’m guessing he’s pretty decent along the boards too, but I can’t remember his game well enough to say.
As for those Lacavalier to LAK scenarios, I have yet to read them but I’d imagine someone like Hickey or even Moeller would be more likely targets than Boyle…who has yet to prove anything as a prospect. Maybe as a sweetener due to his upside, but I would think a prized prospect must be involved (maybe even Bernier if they’re happy with the Quick/Ersberg duo) in order to see that proposed swap come close to fruition. If anybody has the talent depth to pull off a Lecavalier swap it would be Los Angeles…the inner Kings fan in me thinks that would be an exciting trade that could benefit both parties (though, losing Lacavalier couldn’t be made up easily by Tampa Bay).
Alan — The article did make mention that it was Marr’s first draft as head scout…so maybe we shouldn’t be surprised it sucked so bad. Lehman/Lewis/Siddall are ‘tweeners at best, it seems. Valabik hasn’t yet proven he can play at the NHL level but might with time (as could Lewis). Overall it was a bleak draft year once you read the opinions Hockey’sFuture offers.
Tony C.
May 29th, 2009
12:44 pm
Ok after going through the first page or so of youtube clips, I say hell yes-go after this kid. Although I would daresay that LAK is going to match up until the point that it might not be such an attractive move.
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=brian+boyle+hockey&aq=f
Tony C.
May 29th, 2009
1:08 pm
And oddly enough, LA’s blogger Rich Hammond just put this piece up:
http://www.insidesocal.com/kings/2009/05/to-boyle-or-not-to-boyle.html
FWIW, Spector thinks they’ll try and resign the behomoth.
GaVaHokie
May 29th, 2009
1:17 pm
Concerning Brian Boyle… I think I’d rather spend $4-5 million and get Antropov. They’re both about the same size and Antropov is a much better skater and proven scorer.
Boyle is certainly interesting though.
Tony C.
May 29th, 2009
1:38 pm
ranallo-The word out of the LAK blogosphere seems split 50/50, divided thusly:
1) Kid came from college and has had trouble adjusting to NHL, then Lombardi decided he should try defense (as he did @ BC when their blueline was decimated by injury) that “experiment” in the AHL was a disaster-then Kings seem to keep slotting him as a grinder, whereas the guy has been a top-6er up until he hit NHL ice. He did a bang-up job as a scoring forward in Manchester, but LAK’s glut of centRemen has relagated him to unfamiliar duties. This viewpoint sees him as a guy who still needs to grow into his body and abilities.
or
2) Guy plays from the perimeter, yes he has sweet hands and great vision for a big man, but he doesn’t play up to his size (not a bruiser), and although he answered the bell, seems a very reluctant (some said scaredy-cat) fighter. His “compete level” has been questioned both by fans and apparently LAK coaching. This viewpoint sees the guy as a big, talented-ish wuss. This viewpoint feels that further effort expended on Boyle is putting good money and effort after a bad investment.
Personally, I think we would do well to take a flyer on this guy-seems like a defined role and a change of scenery may be just the thing for him to blossom. He’s not going to see top-line minutes while Handzus and Kopitar AND Stoll are in front of him, but he’s never really been a grinder-he’s always been a scoring-line guy… His name keeps getting mentioned as part of “the package” for Vinny-not the centerpiece, but a “sweetner” as Brendan likes to say.
I’d see if he’s available for a 2-year offer. Or I might just make a “hockey deal”-maybe Crabb for Boyle straight up (providing that Boyle’s signed to a contract), otherwise I’d look at putting together a prospect(s)-for-prospect(s) type deal.
ranallo10 (in AT)
May 29th, 2009
1:45 pm
Hokie — Well yeah, Antropov would be a fine signing, but do you really think that’s a possibility? Waddell and Co. convincing Antropov to sign in Atlanta is not something I’d bet on. Trading for the rights to Boyle would be a cheaper option that continues the “youth movement” and still allows money to be wasted on a big UFA defender or top line forward.
And for the record, I don’t expect Boyle to be a top line center…more of a third line player who can play off shifts in front of the goalie allowing for everybody to shoot at him hoping something gets past the goalie.
I’m also curious if Jokinen will be resigned by Carolina, and for how much. He’s another second line center I wouldn’t mind seeing in Atlanta (realistically, that’s the most we can hope to see signed), and he had a breakout in the playoffs this year scoring a few game winning goals. Who was it in these parts that also mentioned him when he was put on waivers by Tampa Bay, and was traded from Dallas?
R. Stroz
May 29th, 2009
2:17 pm
Does anyone have some you tube links on MPS which shows his speed and skating ability?
GaVaHokie
May 29th, 2009
2:42 pm
Ranallo… have a gut feeling Antropov might be one of Kovalchuk’s recruiting assignments.
Stroz… there’s not a whole lot out there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-go4oS-QShQ
Tony C.
May 29th, 2009
3:33 pm
MPS highlights aqui:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=Magnus+Paajarvi+Svensson&aq=f
This clip gives you a pretty good idea of his elusiveness, speed and quickness
Tony C.
May 29th, 2009
3:34 pm
OOPS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-go4oS-QShQ
Tony C.
May 29th, 2009
4:12 pm
I Antropov part of the “cool kids” clique though? Russian if you have any insight/rumor/opinion on whether #17 would in fact like to have Antropov here?
I’m scared they’ll go after Zherdev instead.
ranallo10 (in AT)
May 29th, 2009
4:23 pm
Antropov is from Kazakhstan … I’m guessing he’s not in the Russian clique.
R. Stroz
May 29th, 2009
4:38 pm
JT skipped the upper body exercises at the combine. I wonder if he is trying to persuade the Islanders that he is injured so they pick someone else.
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=280255
Alan
May 29th, 2009
5:03 pm
I read that Kane looks good up there, Stroz.
Tony C.
May 29th, 2009
5:24 pm
ranallo-Thanks for the info-so yeah, not part of “the gang”. Also, would yall really be keen on signing Havlat as a UFA? I know he had a great (contract) year, but his injury history is even more frustrating than KL’s
LAC
May 29th, 2009
5:35 pm
Would it make sense to trade one of the goalies, EX and Todd White to Colorado for #3 pick, and Savots (Know that’s spelled wrong), ?
He had a down season this year but has a big up side ?
Then Kane & Duchene could be our crosby & Malkin so to speak ???
That would put us in a very positive light and maybe…. maybe
start a turn around and get some POSITIVE expouser rather than all this crap we all keep talking about… But then remember as Brenden says They are CHEAP as Pennies !
Tony C.
May 29th, 2009
6:00 pm
LAC-I’m pretty sure Lacroix would have to be rushed to UCH for asphyxiation treatment caused his uncontrollable laughter when he hears that offer. We’d have to give up a lot more. Pavelec, X, White and a prospect plus both our 2nd-round choices might get us the #3 overall pick and Chris Stewart. maybe.
Trust me, I’d love to cath ol’ Pierre high on crack and making poor choices, but let’s just look at it this way:
DATELINE MONTREAL 26 JUNE 2009
“Don Waddell and Pierre Lacroix announce a trade”
- which guy do you honestly think would get fleeced and which would get left holding the dirty stick?
LAC
May 29th, 2009
6:03 pm
Hey Tony… You never know, Just a thought ???
Found this on Kane INTERESTING !
Evander Kane (#3) had an excellent workout. He had 17 bench presses, which ties the unofficial high for the day. Kane also did 47 push-ups, which seems to be far and away the best so far. In general, the 17-year-old looks like he’s in really good shape. Kane has lots of room to grow but was certainly ready for this judging by his workout
Tony C.
May 29th, 2009
6:07 pm
true. hope does spring eternal