Posted by Gayle Simone, Sun Staff
Okay, first I have to ask ... is Capitals GM George McPhee drinking the same thing as Islanders GM Garth Snow? I mean I love Alexander Ovechkin and all, but a 13-year contract for $124-million? Ovechkin is 22-years-old now and will be 35 when his contract expires. This is the second longest contract behind Rick DiPietro's 15-year deal. I don't think any player deserves more than a five to seven year deal. Why sign then for life all at once? I don't care how good you are - 13 and 15 years are too much in my book.
The starters for the NHL All-Star game were announced Tuesday and Bruin blueliner Zdeno Chara was named to the Eastern Conference squad. Friday the rest of the Eastern team will be announced. Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas and center Marc Savard are the only two other members of the team that might have the chance to join their captain for the festivities.
Sunday was the 18th Annual Bruins Wives Carnival and my parents were nice enough to get me a VIP Ticket for Christmas and I have to say - BEST Christmas present I have received in a long time! Thanks mom and dad!
When I arrived at the TD Banknorth Garden and made my way up to Legends the first thing I saw was the Stanley Cup - yes the Bruins were given permission by the league to have the Cup on site for the day.
After the tears welled up in my eyes as I read the names of the 1971-72 Stanley Cup Champion Bruins I was simply in awe of being that close to the most coveted trophy in all sports. And yes, I am as superstitious as the player which means NO I did not touch it. I did however have my picture taken with not once but three times including once with Johnny "Chief" Bucyk and Ray Bourque.
It was a great day to be a hockey fan, unfortunately Patrice Bergeron and Andrew Alberts were not there because of injuries, Alex Auld was with his wife after the birth of his son Sam, and Shane Hnidy was also abset from his first Carnival because he was looking for a place to live after being traded from Anaheim for a sixth round 2008 draft pick and Brandon Bochenski Along with Bucyk and Bourque, Cam Neely was also on hand for the "retired numbers" portion of the Carnival.
The Bruins Foundation also gave each of the VIP ticket holders a pair of complimentary club seats to Tuesday night's game against the Carolina Hurricanes, which I gave the other ticket to my dad. The Black and Gold may have lost the game 1-0, but for this hockey fan it sure was great watching Chelmsford native Keith Aucoin play on the Causeway Street ice.
Comments (5)
Gayle,
First of all- nice pic with you, the Chief, and the Cup. Hopefully it can be back at the Garden someday with the Bruins holding it aloft although I'm afraid that day is going to be a ways into the future...
My guess on the Caps is that, because hockey players usually have pretty long careers he is trying to spread out the deal so that by the middle of the deal he's getting Ovechkin at a bargain. When Crosby is looking for $10-15 mil a year he'll have Ovechkin at a discount. I do agree with you that I think I'd only grant 5-7 myself but I guess it's not our money, right?? At least Ovechkin is a forward and more likely to still be worth it at the end of the deal than DiPietro. I guess Alex can find himself nice home(s) in the DC area as he's not going anywhere...
Sounds like the carnival was fun. I remember when the Lock Monsters used to do one for season ticket holders in December for free which was always a lot of fun. I remember crushing Jason Krog at Stiga table hockey which was fun.
Agreed on Aucoin. Hopefully he can remain with the big club for a while. His play in the AHL really has earned him a shot to stick up there.
Posted by dboisver | January 11, 2008 11:46 AM
Posted on January 11, 2008 11:46
I would like to take some time to bad mouth Rick Dipietro. I went to middle school with him and let me tell you, the kid was a total jerk. He was back then and he is now. Look at him with all his fancy puck handling and stupidity. He gets a 15 year contract, that's ridiculous. I would like nothing more than to see that cocky little scoundrel get injured and never play another game of hockey in his life. That would serve him, his family, and his team right.
Posted by Danimal | January 11, 2008 12:24 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 12:24
DB - Thanks for the compliment on the picture - trust me I was in my glory because it was the first time I had ever seen the Cup that close up. I mean I was one of the 50,000 people at Govt. Center when Bourque brought it after winning it with Colorado, but Bourque was on stage and we weren't and I agree with you I would love to see the Bruins hoisting the Cup, and yeah it will definitely take a few years for that happen - especially if they can't beat Montreal!! Last night's game was pitiful.
I hear what you're saying about Ovechkin and believe me I love his style of play, I just can't see giving him a 13-year extension after less than three years in the league. I guess that's why I write about the sport and I'm not an owner or GM.
I have to say the Carnival is a blast, watching little kids play Dance Dance Revolution against Phil Kessel, or Guitar Hero with Milan Lucic and this year they even had a dunk tank in which Mark Stuart volunteered to do - he was wet and cold - but everyone, including Stuart, had smiles on their faces.
Unfortunately, Aucoin has already been sent back to Albany, but he will be the captain of the PlanetUSA team in the AHL All-Star Classic on Jan. 28 in Binghamton, N.Y.
Wow, Danimal not a fan of DiPietro, huh? I've never met the guy so I can't say if he's a jerk or not, but having said that I would never wish a career ending injury for any player of any sport. But I guess we all have our opinions now don't we.
Posted by Gayle S | January 11, 2008 1:09 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 13:09
Yeah gayle, i may have gone a little too far with wishing a career ending injury. But the kid was very mean to me back in sixth grade
Posted by Danimal | January 11, 2008 1:25 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 13:25
Danimal- At least he's stuck for 15 years with the Islanders if that's any consolation to you. Not like he's got 15 years with the Red Wings, Ducks, Devils, or other year in-year out contending team.
I was a big fan of the Isles back when they were decent (Bossy, Trottier, Gillies, Potvin, Morrow, and Billy Smith) and I was very small but those days are long, long ago. That team may not contend again until his 15 year deal has expired!
Posted by dboisver | January 11, 2008 3:00 PM
Posted on January 11, 2008 15:00