Trade Deadline Day 2015 has come and gone. It didn't seem nearly as exciting for me this year. I didn't see any big names that make me say "Wow, they're going in the right/wrong direction!" I know Florida picked up Jagr recently. That's usually my "bum deal" thought. I don't know, I'm just not big on Jagr. He's like the Brett Favre of the NHL. Well, at least Favre knew when to let go and let football be a younger man's game. It's not like Jagr has been a part of a team that has WON the Cup since he's come back from retirement. Though, I was heartbroken for the rest of the Bruins when Chicago came back and took the Cup from them a couple years ago. THAT was rough going. I don't blame him, I'm not that kind of non-fan, and I'm not saying he absolutely sucks. He's a good player in his own right. He's just not my cup of tea.
Anyways, the Detroit Red Wings made a good move I think picking up Zidlicky. I've got a soft spot for the Devils organization and I've got respect for the Red Wings, who've overcome the conference switch last season and are still competing at playoff level hockey. I regret my decision to write them off before the season even started last year, and ate my words come playoff time. Though, I was more wrapped up in my prediction that the Columbus Blue Jackets would soar in the Eastern Conference, which they did, sort of. They really should've beaten the Penguins. I'll say that forever, I'm sure, but you can't change the past, and the Pens didn't play like a team that won the first round of the playoffs come round two. Here's hoping for something a little bit better this year.
The Blue Jackets made a good move keeping Atkinson, I know that. He and Foligno and Johanson... solid team. Too bad they got rid of Comeau in the off season. But he's in Pittsburgh now, so if I ever make it to a game, I'll be wishing I could show off a tiny flare of Blue Jacket Blood. And I'm not sure how the Horton / Clarkston trade will work out, but as long as they're both healthy for the rest of the season, I wish them both the best.
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I realized today that I can listen to NHL games in my car. Any NHL game, I should say. When I left work I listened to the Sharks / Canadiens on my way home. That will come in handy come playoff neuroticism next month.
I'm looking forward to some good tough-it-out hockey for the next month as the playoffs are looming on the horizon. Now that my schedule gives me week days off, I have been soaking up as much NHL action as I can. And even soaking some up at work when the opportunity arises. All that's left for me is to actually check in with the standings. I've been pretty bad at keeping up on that. Here's hoping my teams excel. And maybe the Panthers will make it to the playoffs so I can see some NBC crappy coverage of the "Travelling Jagrs" like when he played for Philly, and Boston. Not so much when he played for New Jersey.
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AND.... MLB Spring Training games really start tomorrow! I got pre-emptively excited for a game I couldn't watch today. Spring is Springing. And that means it's time to dig in my cleats and absorb as many sporting events as I can. If only I could find something to actually participate in a sport. Time to turn up the the initiative.
