CanadianChris

All those teams were keeping budgets low and banking extra money in the seasons leading up to the lockout, so they could do exactly what they're doing now. The big market teams, for the most part, don't have nearly as much flexibility under the cap, either, so they're limited in their ability to go after the big names. They have to go somewhere, so the smaller teams are able to grab them. The Blackhawks shouldn't really be thrown in there, either, because they make OK money, but their owner is the biggest tightass in the league (even more than Jeremy Jacobs).

Wow, Randy Johnson just got shelled. 10 hits and 5 earned runs in just 4 innings. When was the last time the Yankees made a pitching acquisition that really worked out well for them?

Arizona State could be another contender. They return all of their offensive starters but one. If they can get through the first six weeks unscathed (at LSU, home to USC), they should have a real chance.

Hejduk resigned with Colorado, Rick Nash resigned with Columbus. Both 5-year deals.

Oh Lord, welcome to 19 months ago when we debated this when it was actually relevant. To describe the losses that way is to gloss over some very important facts, such as: - USC's loss was on the road; LSU's was at home. - USC lost by 3; LSU lost by 12. - USC lost in double overtime. Plus, neither team was ranked, or even above .500 at the time of the game. Cal was 2-3, while Florida was 3-3.

I saw a good number of his playoff games, and a few in the regular season. All I can say is, it's easy to look like a million bucks when your defense only allows 25 shots a game. A .915 save percentage isn't going to put you in the top part of this league. If he can post a .915 save percentage this season with the rule changes, then I'll be impressed. He's not terrible, but he's certainly not an elite goalie by any stretch. That's not saying anything. Philly's goaltending situation has been pretty shaky for about the last decade. The Flyers are looking good to make the finals, but if the make it, it's going to be the snipers that carry them there.

I think Robert Esche is a damn good goalie. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think he's a very middle-of-the-road goalie who benefitted from a very good defense (5th in GAA but 16th in save %, and Philly allowed the sixth-fewest shots in 2003-04), and has the potential to win many games of the 4-3 or 6-4 variety.

I think Ottawa is mostly intact from 2003-04, so they really don't have much wiggle room... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> True. If Ottawa can bring everyone back, they'll still be pretty formidable, although Philly has caught up in every category except the one they're always weak in (goalie). If they don't get their free agents signed, thoguh, they'll be in trouble...but there are fewer and fewer teams every day who can sign big free agents.

The FACT is that only one of the two polls in the formula is contracted to strictly follow the formula at the end of the year. The FACT is that there is a split "national championship" whenever the polls disagree at the end of the year. Regardless of what anyone's OPINION is, neither USC nor LSU is considered the one true "national champion" of 2003. The "championship" was split between the two schools. USC was named champion by the AP, and LSU was named champion by the coaches, and both of those titles historically carry equal weight.

Kariya is an unrestricted free agent.

I doubt they would be deemed "hostile and abusive," then.

Just a generic name. Sounds a lot better than "Joe Hustle."

Wow. Someone must have Bill Wirtz under heavy sedation somewhere.

CuJo to Pittsburgh? Have they given up on Marc-Andre Fleury already? EDIT: Oh, and the Canucks resigned Brendan Morrison.

I thought it was the Round Mound of Rebound.

I can't believe this is going to see the light of day again.

"The Nigerian Nightmare" Christian Okoye And thanks for reminding me of good old Red Light Racicot. Good times.

There is no such thing as a "BCS national championship." Never has been. The only two polls that hand out "recognized" national championships are the Associated Press poll and the USA Today coaches poll. The coaches poll just happens to be contracted to vote for whoever is #1 in the BCS standings. Both polls, though, are equally accepted as "national championship" polls.

JR just got traded to the Kings for a third-rounder and future considerations, as expected.

As my favourite wrestler ever, and as the man who, on July 6, 1997, made a building in Calgary shake.

1996 had the epic Hogan/Piper NON-TITLE main event. Not surprised you blanked on that one.

Halladay reported some pain in his leg after throwing a simulated game the other day, and won't be back until next week at the earliest. If Bush can keep throwing the way he has been lately, though, they'll still be in decent shape. Of course, now I've jinxed them, but what the hell.

OK, that's scary...