On Hossa: You know, I distinctly remember back when Hossa was finishing up his tour of duty in Atlanta making comments to my wife that he was not dropping his shoulder and driving to the net as he had done the previous year during the playoff run. I certainly was not the only one making that observation as it was well documented in the blogs of the time. However, I am not sure off my head which shoulder is now being revealed as injured. I know that he is a left-handed shot. I would expect that to mean that he would usually drop his left shoulder (especially if coming down the RW, as was his position) when driving the net. Does anyone know if it is his left shoulder that is injured?

Does that mean that he was hurt then? By no means. However, it’s an interesting fact to note, nonetheless.

On the Isles’ goalie logjam: Okay, Being the FIF that I am, this one raised my eyebrow when I saw it. The ony thing I can think is that DP was/is FAR more injured/slower into recovery than anyone has let on and won’t be back any time soon (re: before January 2010). As I recall from the all-star game in Atlanta, DP made the comment about pulling his “f*cking hip” (ergo, it was not a knee injury). My guess: pretty much what people have said: Biron and Rollie will be the tandom on the Island until DP comes back and then the Isles will look to trade whichever of them they can get better value for (Rollie is a 2yr contract, Biron is a 1 yr, I believe).

Brendan, who is David Vecsey, is that PV’s son? Does he do hockey? Anyway, what was the general feel about Hossa before we traded him around here? Some folks I talked to would whisper the “he’s afraid to get hurt” lines because he didn’t drive hard on a ton of plays but we treated them like they were conspiracy theories, nothing legit. But now that you say it like this, it is interesting.

That’s a whole lot of speculation, mind you. But I do recall those discussions taking place here. Others labeled Hossa a “quitter,” who wouldn’t try as hard as before. If it turns out that Hossa has been playing hurt all that time, it would explain some things. But I would have thought Pittsburgh’s doctors would take note of it, if he were hurt while with the Penguins. Hossa’s 2008 playoff numbers were very good. Better than a point a game, if I recall correctly. Maybe Hossa was thinking, “I gotta get to Detroit. Forget the surgery. I’ll go for the Cup with the Red Wings in 2009. And after the season, I’ll have the surgery after I get my contract.”

I must also confess that I am also Ice Meister. This name is now retired.

Alan-never sit down at the blog with coffee, wine or beer (depending on where you are at the time).

What ever happened to Rucchin?

This stuff about Hossa is comical. Now we have a potential pissing contest between Detroit and Chicago over the origin of his injury and who knew about it. Ay those tier 1 free agents, why I always liked tier 2 instead.

Another question, has anyone heard any good rumors about San Jose aside from them possibly picking up Dany Scumbag? That’s all they need, another selfish slug who totally lack leadership. I thought they would have made a trade or 2 by now.

In addition to this, I have no idea why BArry Melrose would give up his cushy job at ESPN to return to coaching the sorry Lightning. He’s lucky he was able to get his job back. He and Barnaby make a great team.

We have all had enough of seeing the Thrashers make their off season place in February. Let’s hope the blog this year is all about how we can compete for the division and hopefully bring home a playoff spot without mortgaging our future-again.

Pam – the name is great as long as we are talking Charlie the Butcher, Anderson’s Anchor Bar or Schwable’s Beef on Wick.

Perrin is still available