- The Avalanche are playing abysmally, and their captain, Joe Sakic is out with an injury. Still having back problems? No, those are gone. Poor Joe has a toothache thanks to a root canal. A root canal? I remember when he played with a broken jaw! If there were any indication that Sakic needs to retire, this is it. Need another? How about Paul Stastny’s 5 year, $33 million contract extension? Expect a new captain by next season, though I don’t think it will be Paul.
- From the “I Wanna Be Like Brett (Favre)” Department, Claude Lemieux is one step closer to a comeback after playing two games in Shanghai with the China Sharks, a San Jose affiliate and part of Asia League Ice Hockey. He’s now with the AHL’s Worcester Sharks (also a San Jose affiliate) in an attempt to make it back to the NHL. After 5 years, what does Lemieux have left to offer? You’d think 4 Stanley Cups and a notorious legacy with the Red Wings would be enough…
- Let’s all give a round of pity applause to Ryan O’Byrne of the Montreal Canadiens, who scored one hell of a goal for the visiting New York Islanders on Monday night. O’Byrne was trying to play the puck to goaltender Carey Price, but oops! Price had gone to the bench on a delayed penalty call. The goal tied the game and sent it to shootout, which the Islanders won. It’s Ryan’s first goal of the season, let’s hope number two is more memorable.
- In a most unsurprising move, Brian Burke is close to becoming the new GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Fresh from rejecting a contract extension and ending his tenure with Anaheim early, it looks like the only piece missing from the perfect Leafs puzzle is a good team.
- Finally, Frederick Roy has joined his brother among the ranks of classless QMJHL goons whose dad is Patrick Roy. Fred, a member of the Quebec Remparts, was suspended 15 games after striking Vincent Bourgeois, a defenseman for the Montreal Juniors in the mouth with his stick during a timeout. This latest suspension is twice the length of his brother Jonathan’s, which was doled out eight months ago for his little indiscretion. Patrick needs to get his kids of their rock star pedestal before more innocent, non-crazy players get hurt.