Greetings and salutations everyone and welcome to another blog here on BlueCollarBlueShirts.com. Like a Vin Diesel movie, this week is about to become “The Fast and the Furious.”
Despite the league (especially after Monday night’s award show), now presently in the off-season; arguably, the most busiest week of the NHL calendar takes place this week. Buckle your seat-belts – as the ride will be bumpy and full of twists-and-turns.
On Monday, June 26th, the NHL “officially” wrapped-up its 2022-23 campaign by holding a self-pat on the back and masturbatory ceremony – “The 2023 NHL Awards” – a mind-boggling affair that ran for an excruciating 133-minutes on the TNT network.
While in real-time, it felt like this award show would never end, as it felt longer than the “Titanic” movie, but imploded faster than the “Titan” submarine; I do have an entertaining review of the event for you below.
Come Tuesday, the day when you’re most likely reading these words; you can expect more trades in the NHL to trickle in – and like their award show – I’ll have the latest for you in this area as we mosey along – as already, we’ve had some big trades accepted – and some big trades declined too.
Following what could be the “slowest” day of the week (but don’t bet on it!), Tuesday; on Wednesday, June 28th, the NHL will conduct their first-round of the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, followed by rounds 2-7 on Thursday, June 29th.
For the Rangers, who possess the 23rd-overall pick of the draft, and like the other 31-teams in the league – it will be interesting to see what they do – as really – no one can predict what will happen next.
While it’s highly doubtful that the Blueshirts will trade away their pick, unless they are looking to move up, which doesn’t sound like a realistic plan to begin with; Rangers’ general manager, “The Pizza Man,” aka Chris “ZOOM ZOOM” Drury, could be busy by making several trades, whether salary-cap dump inspired or otherwise.
It’s believed among the Canadian reporters who would know, that this may be one of the busiest draft trading days in some time – the end result of what’s perceived to be a very poor 2023 free agency summer class – and where all unrestricted free agents, their own agents and NHL GM’s will officially be allowed to burn the phones and sign contracts on Saturday, July 1st, at 12:00PM EST.
Adding to the potential trade-madness is the fact that most teams in the league are salary-cap restrained – and really – don’t have the money to burn on high-priced free-agents – and that better value can be found elsewhere.
As I write these words – in just a week’s time – there will be hundreds of transactions made throughout the league.
And once all of the hysteria is over – perhaps then, and only then, can everyone in the hockey world finally go to “cottage” – and where yours truly can also finally submit the rough draft of my upcoming book, “The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History,” to my editor!
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After all, should the news hit as hard as expected; then I can stay current, rather than trying to find a three-hour time block to post one of these blogs late at night!
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Let’s kick off today’s blog by first looking at the 2023 NHL Awards ceremony – and then get into everything else.
In recent years (sans the COVID-19 era), the NHL’s annual award show runs anywhere from 60-90 minutes. This year, both the league and its television partner, TNT, held its longest show yet – with a whopping run-time of 133-minutes – and where I’d reckon to guess that about 85% of the broadcast was dedicated to time-filler musical acts that 99.9% of the audience had never heard of before.
While I understand all of the inclusion of music, as the event was held in Music City, USA, aka Nashville, Tennessee; it was just too much.
No better than all of the excess nonsense was this year’s host, Dierks Bentley – a country musician, that I’m sure like me – you didn’t have the foggiest idea of who he was either.
Just as annoying as Bentley (and my gripes about him will be included below), was his nine-year-old son, Knox Bentley.
While it’s not my goal to “Knock Knox,” nor will I include a picture of a minor on this website despite his face being publicly shown on-air no less than 100 times; the kid poured out energy and vibes akin to Andrew Guiliani – when Andrew’s father, Rudy Giuliani, was sworn in/inaugurated as the Mayor of NYC on January 3rd, 1994.
(Put it this way: Young Knox wasn’t exactly as charming, nor as endearing, as a “Home Alone” Macaulay Culkin.)
I know that this reference is one that mainly New Yorkers will most likely pick up on; but whenever Knox appeared on the broadcast – I was reminded of Chris Farley’s SNL’s sketch of Andrew Guiliani, when “Saturday Night Live” was actually worth watching:
(NBC doesn’t allow you to embed this video, nor is it on YouTube either, or else I would’ve just shared the clip here.)
Then, when the younger Bentley was interviewing the three Hart Trophy candidates, Connor McDavid, David Pastrnak and Matthew Tkachuk, he reminded me of Farley again, now during those old “REMEMBER WHEN?” sketches, like this one:
The one Farley sketch that Knox Bentley didn’t emulate or remind me of?
Probably the one that the hockey media wanted to see – and more about this in a bit – and perhaps Farley’s most famous sketch – his epic skit with the great Patrick Swayze:
And yes – this is the only site that will make three Chris Farley references when talking about this award show!
Moving on.
Knox’s father, Dierks, really had no clue about hockey, as he mixed-up names, came off as phony – and at one point – looked like a complete wuss when trying to drink beer out of the Stanley Cup.
Of course, Mr. Bentley’s horrendous attempt of attaining alcohol from the silver followed a passionate speech from the Bruins’ Jim Montgomery – who emotionally talked about his own struggles with alcoholism.
You can’t make this up – but this was on-brand for the NHL.
However, I am getting ahead of myself here, so here’s my recap of the event and in a chronological order.
TNT opened their broadcast by showing us that Mark Messier was in-attendance, their “ESPN rival.”
On the TNT panel was Paul Bissonnette, Liam McHugh and two Canadian reporters for the first time on TNT airwaves, Elliotte Friedman and Frank Seravalli.
Sadly, the two reporters, the heavyweights of their field, didn’t really get a chance to do much of anything – but the fact that the relationship is now there – it is promising for TNT – a network that has by far, blown away their ESPN competition – and where even using the word “competition” is being polite and generous.
As someone who doesn’t mind Biz (and as someone who actually enjoys his Mike Milbury inspired “shtick”); I found all of his stuff to be forced – and also thought that all of his never-ending comedy bits bombed.
But of course – no one hits a grand slam every night neither.
TNT didn’t really do much with the Canadian scribes either – outside of Friedman saying that he thinks that Pierre-Luc Dubois is heading to Los Angeles – a rumor that he’s been talking about for over a week now.
Seravalli just ate spicy chicken – and I’m not making this up. I wish I was!
The broadcast, as mentioned, had about 786789678967896976 country musical acts – where I didn’t know any one of them. Maybe a younger generation, who I guess this broadcast is catered to, did.
Furthermore, while I’m sure that some people may have recognized one or two of these names; but the biggest country music star that owns a bar on Nashville’s Broadway (steps away from the Predators’ barn, where this event was held), and one that I’d know, Kid Rock, wasn’t there.
Of course, the hockey media was probably demanding that Bud Light be served during the two beer-drinking segments on the broadcast, hence Mr. Rock’s omission.
The first award doled out was the Ted Lindsay Award, one that McDavid predictably (and who definitely earned it) won.
The topic of player unions was brought up, but it was never mentioned that the NHLPA is the weakest union in all of sports. (It’s also never mentioned that the Rangers’ Alex Shibicky tried unionizing before Lindsay did either.)
Following the first of many Knox Bentley stomach-turning bits, where he immediately reminded me of Farley; the Kings’ Anze Kopitar was then announced as the winner of the Lady Byng Trophy.
Kopitar wasn’t in-attendance to accept this trophy and as a result, we watched a prerecorded speech from him – which confirmed that all of the winners of these awards were known way in-advance – hence the reason why we weren’t bombarded with in-broadcast gambling commercials to bet on this ceremony.
But don’t worry – TNT still found a way to plug their gambling sponsors anyway. WHEW!
In something that only wrestling fans would care about; TNT, who works with the second/minor-league of wrestling, AEW, had Sheamus, from the WWE/major-league of pro wrestling, introduce some musical act that may as well have been blowing into empty booze jars while strumming on a banjo.
This band was playing outside to a bunch of sweaty men who probably reeked like a wrestling locker room too.
Mark Messier was out next – where one more time – wouldn’t it be nice to see him paired with Henrik Lundqvist on MSGN broadcasts – rather than having to suffer through the inane nonsense that regularly spews out of the five-hole of Sieve Vagistat?
Messier was there to present the award in his own namesake, “The Mark Messier Leadership Award.” After a long video package, which highlighted all of Steven Stamkos’ charity work in the Tampa Bay community – the captain of the Lightning then received the award.
DESPITE ABOUT FIVE MINUTES OF TNT, THE NHL AND MESSIER TELLING US ABOUT ALL OF THE GOOD WORK THAT STAMKOS DOES; do you know what the media asked him about afterwards?
Of course, the tired topic that nobody cares about anymore – the almighty RAINBOW pregame jerseys – you know – the pieces of fabric that players wear for about 10-15 minutes a year – but a sweater that’s now become a witch hunt, akin to “The Ribbon” episode of “Seinfeld” – as the media is more obsessed with the few players who aren’t wearing them than the players who are.
(And I wish that I was making this up too. All of Stamkos’ charity work was brought up on TNT, including his stuff with the Ronald McDonald House – yet the media couldn’t be bothered with any of this positivity. FOR SHAME!)
Here’s one of the rainbow flag torch-bearers, ESPN’s Greg W., who without realizing it, is one of the reasons why the NHL rebelled and nixed these jerseys for next season:
Steven Stamkos of the @TBLightning was asked about the NHL banning players from wearing speciality jerseys during pregame skates, and gave an insightful answer, as he does. pic.twitter.com/HC4pOzzoUj
— Greg Wyshynski (@wyshynski) June 27, 2023
I thought Stamkos’ response was perfect – and he really gave it to the “holier-than-thou” liberal media too – and yes – I hate getting political on this site – but it’s unavoidable whenever talking about this media-driven subject.
I don’t want to do another whole rant on this subject again, because one, it’s redundant, two, we’re all entitled to share our own beliefs, and three, no matter what’s said amongst each other won’t change any of our personal opinions on this matter – but make no bones about it – you can blame both the ultra-liberal hockey media, and the rainbow community, for the NHL doing away with these jerseys next season.
While sure, the NHL is also aware of what’s happened with Bud Light and Target (and don’t lose sight of this fact – the NHL is a business like these two companies); I just go back to what I’ve been saying from day one:
I don’t think the majority, a vast majority at that, care about “LGB” – but once “LGB” became a 78967868967896896 letter-and-number acronym – that was that – and the reason why the players, where many of them have young children, had enough – especially when you have people at PRIDE parades in 2023 chanting, “We’re here, we’re queer, we’re here for your children!” Joke, parody or real – this chant doesn’t help anyone – nor does it positively promote the cause of any PRIDE group or parade.
Unless you want to put your head in the sand and ignore this – what’s hurting “LGB,” which for the life of me, I’ll never understand why these people, who were born this way, were grouped in with everyone else (hence “The Gays Against Groomers” group that speaks out about this very same thing), is all of the grooming, pedophilia, and sex-talks with kids that are associated with an acronym that no one can say without stuttering or omitting a letter, number or punctuation mark.
In my heart of hearts; if “LGB” remained as just that, then I don’t think you’d see all this drama and warring between the aisles about this topic.
That’s my Ted Talk on this. Moving on!
(And before you throw all the -isms and -ists at me – I do have gay and trans friends. In fact, I let some of them speak out on this very topic a few months back on this site – and you can read their testimonials about this topic here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/12723/ . Furthermore, I also employed many people from this community when I owned my own business.)
In one of the most made-up and dumbest awards of all time, Connor Bedard, the future Blackhawk, won the “E.J. McGuire Award” – for best prospect at an NHL combine.
Can everyone admit the following? Try this on for size:
No league in sports, or business either for that matter, has more trophies and awards than the NHL – whether it be league or team-specific.
In a way, if you’re an NHLer of ten-years or more and have never won an award – then something is wrong.
Here we have the NHL honoring seventeen-year-old prospects?
They might as well call this the “First-Overall Draft Pick Award.”
Following Bedard’s win; Biz continued his on-air “feud” with the expected-to-be future superstar – and perhaps a “rivalry” that will run for the remainder of this decade and beyond.
However, all of this, both the award and the “comedy bit,” was a waste of time.
Up next, was some country music star who looked like Ethan Suplee from “American History X,” and perhaps the movie that inspired “Proud Boy Panarin” and his recent hairdo – as it was this musician who presented Seattle’s Matty Beniers with the Calder Trophy.
It will be interesting to see if the Kraken produces another winner of this award next year – assuming that Shane Wright is ready.
After several more hillbilly country music acts (I wonder if the liberal hockey media is complaining about the lack of diversity – as outside of “Hootie,” who wasn’t with his “Blowfish” when presenting the Hart Trophy, there wasn’t one musician that wasn’t white on this broadcast); Dierks Bentley did a forced comedy act – and where he promoted “Fan-Duel” during it. He then closed the misery by promoting Bettman’s affinity for “Wordle.” There was no knee-slapping or laughter during any of this. The whole bit was as gleeful as a funeral.
In some more predictability, Boston’s Patrice Bergeron won the Selke Trophy – a reminder that the league has about 978678678967896897698 awards and trophies for forwards, including best defensive forward as this trophy is – but only one award exclusively for defensemen.
And yes – you know what I’m getting at here! Eff Erik Karlsson!
Bergeron couldn’t be bothered to attend this shit-show either, so his acceptance speech, like Kopitar’s, was also of the prerecorded variety.
Up next was the Bill Masterton Trophy presentation and as won by the Penguins’ Kris Letang.
I’ll say this once and get it out of the way:
When it comes to the Masterton and King Clancy Trophies – and the new Willie O’Ree Award too – I have no clue how the voters, nor the league, determines these winners.
During these three presentations, we saw nine different candidates highlighted – and I don’t know how you pick a winner – as I thought that every nominee was deserving.
It’s sugary, cliche and perhaps pandering too – but really – the winners here are the communities that are positively impacted by all of these men.
Following Letang’s win; Linus Ullmark joined the TNT set, where Biz, in homage of “Smashville” being both the bachelor and bachelorette capital of the world (eat your heart out Vegas – although they do have the Stanley Cup), presented the Vezina candidate with a sash and a hairband.
All I could think about during this is that the headband would’ve suited the Rangers’ CZAR IGOR much better than the B’s backstop.
In what felt like child-abuse; Bentley’s kid was forced into another segment – where when he gets older – he will just cringe when watching himself back. However, unlike Andrew Giuliani – SNL won’t be parodying this crapola.
To make sure that the NHL has devalued all meaning of these awards; up next was a best hair trophy – one that admittedly, I left my TV room for my bathroom while being presented.
Once returned from a lengthy beer-induced urination, a relieving one at that; we had more country music and a crappy bit from father Bentley – and one that he teased the “f-word” during.
I could only imagine the reaction of Phil Mushnick, of the New York Post, when watching this – as no one loves bringing up vulgarities in sports more than the cantankerous writer – even if more times than not – he’s right.
Following his nonsense with Biz; Ullmark won the Vezina Trophy, where the only highlight here was the fact that the Islanders’ Ilya Sorokin didn’t win it.
Somewhat comical, the final results:
While it means absolutely nothing, and where it’s true too – Alexandar Georgiev deserved to finish ahead of his former teammate, CZAR IGOR.
It’s not worth breaking down this entire thing; but Georgiev did have a stellar season, while Shestyorkin came out the gate slow before returning to his normal thoroughbred levels.
Something else that was noticeable during this?
Sorkokin staring down Ullmark with evil eyes during the Bruins’ goaltenders’ acceptance speech.
However, maybe this is just a serious “Ivan Drago” Russian thing – and not anything personal.
That said, and my prediction? This:
Sorokin has the best season of his career in 2023-24.
Following the Vezina presentation; we then went back to the TNT set, where Biz and Jack Hughes shared some laughs. I always knew that the Devils’ superstar was small, but without his gear on – he looked like he was celebrating his Bar Mitzvah – as he looked like a midget wrestler or a horse jockey.
We then had another musical act, this time, Mackenzie Porter, who sang her “hit single” (at least that’s what father Bentley described it as), “Chasing Tornadoes.”
I wonder if this song is an ode to Bettman’s love to keeping the Coyotes in Arizona?
Speaking of Bettman; the walking bobblehead, whose head (and hands) can not stop shaking (I still wonder if he has Parkinson’s – although he has denied this – and as Michael J. Fox once denied too), bumbled his way out to the stage – and where of course – he received some hearty boos as he approached the podium.
Bettman was here to honor David Poile, the legendary NHL general manager of 41-years – and who has never won a Stanley Cup.
Maybe next year, Bettman can honor James Dolan?
This all led to the King Clancy presentation – where no joke – this was the best part of the show.
With Poile, a local Nashville teacher and two members of the Nashville P.D. on stage (where the school shooting tragedy from 3/27/23 was brought up – hence why both the hero teacher and the cops were there); all of these men received a standing ovation – the only thing that felt truly genuine during these two-plus hours of nonsense.
Calgary’s Mikael Backlund won the trophy and then gave a pretty good acceptance speech.
Following the realness; more campiness ensued, as Bentley’s brat and Pastrnak sang “Barbie Girl” for only god knows why.
Whatever this segment was supposed to be – and I’d assume it was intended to be comedic; wound up becoming the middle of a real sandwich, as up next, Willie O’Ree presented the award in his own namesake.
James McCrimmon, from Detroit, the head of the “Ice Dreams” group, won the award.
Again, I don’t know what gave him an edge over the two finalists that he beat out, as everyone nominated seemed like they should have won.
It was also nice to see the NHL parade out O’Ree in late June – as this was the first time the league has dusted him off during a non-February month of the year. (Once February becomes March – you never see O’Ree again. I wonder why?)
Following McCrimmon’s win; Barry Trotz, who looked as built as a brick shithouse, presented the Jack Adams’ Award to Boston’s Jim Montgomery. This is when Montgomery gave his passionate speech and talked about how he overcame & beat alcoholism.
Prior to the NHL somewhat making a mockery of what Montgomery had said (and don’t get it twisted – I’m drinking whiskey as I write these words – I’m not a teetotaler by any means – but I just thought the format and the production of this show was all wrong and mistimed); we then went to McDavid at the TNT desk.
McDavid was asked by Friedman, who wasn’t having a good hair-day, nor would be nominated for the “Best Hair Award” either: “What advice would you give to Connor Bedard?”
I was kind of hoping that McDavid would say to the prestigious E.J. McGuire winner, “Don’t get drafted to Edmonton, and also, don’t cry too much when the guy drafted 2nd overall in your draft, Jack Eichel, wins a Cup before you,” but sadly, that’s not what #97 said.
Instead, McDavid said “blah-blah-blah, enjoy it, work hard, blah-blah-blah” and that was that.
As this ceremony was nearing the two-hour mark, and following Montgomery pouring his heart out – the league poured out the drinks for everyone sitting at floor-level.
Some scantily-clad cheerleaders came around with red solo cups full of beer – but TNT panned away as one actually approached Montgomery.
Much like the country music acts on this show – I don’t blame the women for this – as I doubt that they were paying attention to what he had said, nor knew about his affliction either.
As everyone started to imbibe, and where you have to wonder if the media was drunk when they voted on the Norris Trophy – Erik Karlsson was then named as the 2023 winner – thus making a mockery of the once-valued trophy.
I’ll try not to get too redundant here – as I know I have said all of this before – and as many times as the league has trophies and awards.
Let me bullet-point my usual talking points about this subject, purge all of it out of my system and then move on:
— During the media age of these awards, and when they weren’t held in a dinky Canadian hotel ballroom; these individual awards were exclusively reserved for players of playoff teams. This is a fact that can not be denied.
— Need evidence? Do you know why McDavid has three Hart Trophies instead of four of them? Because his 2018 Oilers missed the playoffs, while that year’s winner, Taylor Hall, of the Devils, reached the playoffs – and then lost in five-games during a first-round series with the Lightning.
— Yes, I know that all of these awards and trophies are used to drive debate, including during Hall of Fame time; but while McDavid is already a HOFer – arguably, he has a shot of one day matching Wayne Gretzky’s record of nine Hart Trophies. He’ll now have to win six more of them, no easy feat, instead of five. (And who won the Ted Lindsay Award in 2018, as voted by the players and not the media with red noses in 2018? McDavid over Hall.)
— Adam Fox is not in the same boat as McDavid, but of course – not many are.
Since the cloak-and-dagger Hall of Fame has no standards, precedents or rules when it comes to their voting (more on this subject here: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/hlhof/ ); in the future, could one extra Norris Trophy be a deal-breaker for a potential Fox induction?
After all, who knows if Fox will ever win it again, as the second runner-up, last year’s winner, Cale Makar, was injured during most of the 2022-23 campaign.
At least Fox doesn’t have to worry about being “Bobby Orr’d” as former Ranger, Brad Park, once did – as Fox does have the 2021 win. But he should’ve had the 2023 win too.
— Erik Karlsson finished -26 – MINUS TWENTY-SIX – and he’s the best defenseman of the 22-win San Jose Sharks – and the team that finished the season with the least amount of wins in the league?
— And I don’t care if you don’t think that Fox was deserving. You can use these points for any other top d-man in the league of a contending team. MINUS TWENTY SIX ON A SHIT SQUAD – one that your 2023 Norris Trophy winner, with the worst freakin’ contract in the league, is on his hands-and-knees begging for a trade from!
—- And who in their right mind would trade for Karlsson and that wretched contract?
Conversely, how many teams would trade for the contracts of the two runner-ups, Fox and Makar – two players, that unlike Karlsson – star during 5×5 play and on their respective first team power-play and penalty kill units?
— How about this? Yes, Karlsson hit the century-mark in points – but wasn’t he just a compiler on a garbage team?
Furthermore, had Brent Burns not been sent to Carolina – would Karlsson have ever hit 100+ points?
— In no shape, form or how, did Karlsson better his team than Fox and the other players who received Norris votes, including these stellar defensemen:
— When I look at this graphic above – it tells me that there are 123 idiots voting on these awards – as 123 red-nosed punks gave Karlsson the Norris – BECUZ HE SCOREZ MANY POINTZ!
— Defense be damned – you know – what the Norris Trophy is SUPPOSED to be all about.
— Yes, the oldest talking point around – the league, and if it’s their desire to annually perform voting fellatio on defensemen who strictly compile points come Norris time; then it’s also time to create a defensive-defenseman award too – in order to honor the real rearguards of the league.
Plus, the NHL loves all of their awards and trophies anyway – so what’s one more?
UGH – and I could say a lot more about this – and I have in the past – and you can check the archives of this site for all of that.
Following the predictable travesty which was the Norris Trophy presentation; we then went to more country music, where these singers probably sang about battering women, broken down pick-up trucks and Wrangler jeans.
As we crossed the two-hour mark, the league, and with Bentley still as emcee; celebrated Vegas exploiting the salary cap loophole – and one that every GM with a brain should also exploit – the LTIR loophole.
Again – and one more time – Montgomery was just mere minutes removed from his passionate speech – and up next was the older Bentley, with his son watching him, attempting to drink beer out of the Cup.
As a FULL-BLOODED BIOLOGICAL MALE (“Oh no Sean, you’re going to get canceled for saying that!”); I was horrified, embarrassed, mortified and demoralized when I watched this new-aged bumpkin-hick try to drink the suds from the holy chalice of hockey.
Listen, I understand the art of “back-washing” – especially when you’re fifteen-beers deep and without any food in your stomach.
But to be back-washing after one sip, the size of a sip that a baby takes out of their “Sippy Cup?”
This unholy act of both unprofessional and novice drinking was worse than anything that you’d see at a town bar on Thanksgiving Eve.
While Bentley didn’t puke on himself or anything like that; he was begging to drink beer out of the Cup all night – and for the grand finale – he took one sip and looked like he was going to break out in hives and diarrhea after it.
As both a professional drinker and “Maven” of the hops-and-barley myself – I just hung my head in shame after watching this.
And whatever happened to the rough-and-rugged shit-kicking country music stars of old, where whisky was king and beer was an appetizer?
This Bentley guy looks like he nurses White Claws – while getting a manicure – and with a matching pedicure to boot!
DISGRACE!
To close out this nightmare of a show – we saw McDavid being presented with the Hart Trophy – an event that we all knew was going to happen.
The best thing about all of this?
McDavid’s speech, especially when the recently-engaged superstar closed with, “Thanks to my, uh, fiancee, I guess you can say that.”
I don’t think his middle name is “Romeo.”
While I tried to be funny with you here, and perhaps went over-the-top at points; I did enjoy getting some sort of a hockey fix on Monday night – but I can’t say that this show was worth watching either.
If you really wanted entertainment, and if the network really wanted to drive ratings; then they’d just show us live shots from the Broadway bars, during all of the post-game shenanigans – but of course – they would also show Montgomery’s speech before doing so!
Moving along!
As teased earlier – we have some trades – and some trades that were rejected too.
Over the weekend, the Flyers, who we all know are in rebuilding mode, which was also one of Daniel Briere’s talking points during his first press conference as Philly GM; tried executing two trades – two trades that were executed by the league and the players themselves.
The first alleged trade, and according to the Canadian scribes, was one featuring former Ranger Kevin Hayes and Travis Sanheim to St. Louis – and where it was thought that Torey Krug would be one of the Blues going the other way.
It was also speculated that once traded to Philly – then the Flyers would flip Krug to another team, for a package of prospects and picks.
It was later reported that Krug, who has a NMC, rejected the trade – and can you blame him?
However, if you just want the facts – then this tells us that the Flyers are interested in dealing both Hayes and Sanheim this summer.
The other rejected orange-and-black trade featured Tony DeAngelo returning to Carolina, for either a prospect or a pick. Unlike Krug, who had a NMC – this trade was rejected by the league itself.
ESPN was first to report about this transaction being denied and you can read about it here: https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/37918450/source-tony-deangelo-return-hurricanes-slowed-cba
In short, the deal was denied because of cap-circumnavigation reasons, as DeAngelo played for Carolina for little money one-year prior, then got a huge raise in Philly and now the Flyers want to deal him back to the Canes.
The league will have to rule on all of this, especially since Briere wasn’t the GM on record who was involved in acquiring DeAngelo.
But like Hayes and Sanheim, the fact of the matter is what we all knew – the Flyers will be looking to move on from their $5,000,000 defenseman as they orchestrate their rebuild.
In a big trade that actually went down, and one of the “salary-cap dump” variety; took place on Monday, when two of the Original Six teams, the Bruins and Blackhawks, made a deal:
Trade time ‼️ pic.twitter.com/kKCm0Sp7Y1
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 26, 2023
This is a huge deal, as Taylor Hall, the first-overall pick of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, will now be joining his sixth team in a time-span of thirteen-years.
It kind of makes me wonder – will Alexis Lafreniere, picked ten-years after Hall at the #1 position, be on his sixth team in the year 2033?
Hmmm – and let’s hope not – for the sake of Rangers’ success!
This trade allows Boston to address other areas, where it’s assumed by freeing themselves of Hall’s contract – that they can now aggressively pursue Tyler Bertuzzi to a new deal.
While Nick Foligno has yet to sign with the Hawks; should he, and with the addition of Hall, it also makes you wonder if Chicago is back to being a franchise where free-agents will want to play for.
You already know about the Brad Aldrich crimes; but with Bedard soon to suit-up for the Indian head – it looks like the Blackhawks are trying to surround him with top-flight and accomplished veterans – and as the Penguins once did with Sidney Crosby.
The Blackhawks are looking forward to the future, while trying to move on from their past (but not ignoring it) – and it will be interesting to see what else they do this summer, as they try to create the best possible environment for their 2023 first-overall pick.
As stated earlier – based on the news – I might just post quick hits as they come along on this site – and then save a big manifesto for later on.
Hit that subscribe button below should you desire!
While it’s impossible to predict whenever those three words of “slow news day” will come along; in the meantime, I’m back to working on “The Top 100 Villains of New York Rangers History” – where it’s also my goal to post some sample chapters, and of course – some preorder information in the weeks ahead!
And yep, and if you didn’t read my last blog – I’m not a prospects guy. History is my forte, which is why there is no draft preview posted on this site – because unlike others – I freely and openly admit to you that I know nothing about these teenagers – nor will I ever pretend to.
Plus, it’s the Rangers – and where I’m more interested in the potential trades for this self-described “WIN NOW” club than I am about the players who won’t be ready for years.
Furthermore: No one can predict what the Blueshirts will do during the draft – and as HISTORY will tell ya!
See ya soon.
PLUGS TIME! (Buy a book and support my Rangers’ induced therapy bills. After all, I don’t run ads on this site!)
My first plug of tonight’s blog – the mandatory plug for my book, “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden.”
As mentioned previously, the book is now available in hardcover, in paperback and in Kindle formats. To purchase a copy of the book, visit this link:
https://www.amazon.com/Rangers-Rafters-Madison-Square-Garden-ebook/dp/B09CM5N2WD
For those still looking for signed paperback versions of the book, I have re-ordered more copies. I now have a few signed copies for sale at $25 a pop (includes shipping price) through me directly. Here is all the information on that:
Order “The New York Rangers Rink of Honor and the Rafters of Madison Square Garden” Book Today
My four-volume set of books, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is a game-by-game recount of the Rangers 2021-22 campaign.
My second title as an author, “One Game at a Time – A Season to Remember,” is now available in eBook, paperback and hardcover formats.
To obtain signed copies, visit: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/onegamebook/
To purchase all four volumes on Amazon, visit: Amazon.com – “One Game at a Time.”
The greatest volume-set of books on Rangers’ history today!
“Tricks of the Trade – A Century-Long Journey Through Every Trade Made In New York Rangers’ History,” a four-volume set of books that meticulously covers every trade made in franchise history, is now on sale.
All four volumes of the title can be purchased on Amazon.com and are presented in three different formats – eBook, paperback and hardcover.
To purchase Volume I: Conn Smythe (1926) – Craig Patrick (1986), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume II: Phil Esposito (1986) – Neil Smith (2000), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume III: Glen Sather (2000-2015), visit Amazon.com
To purchase Volume IV: Jeff Gorton (2015) – Chris Drury (2022), visit Amazon.com
To purchase signed copies of all four volumes, visit https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Here are my last few blogs, in case you missed them:
Henrik Lundqvist Headlines the HOF Class of ’23; List of Every NYR HOFer (and the TRUE BLUES), Crazy Omissions/Canadian Bias, Goalie Floodgates Have Opened; Case For Mike Richter Stronger Than Ever, “Two Conflicting Things Can Be True,” Laviolette’s Generals, Praise For One Beat Writer, Preseason Schedule Announced & More
The Bryan Trottier 2.0 Era Begins! Peter Lateralette Officially Installed as 37th Head Coach of the Rangers; “The Cult of Personality” Chris Drury Looks Miserable, NYR Birdbrain Beat Miss the Net Again; The Questions That Weren’t Asked, M$GN’s Short Broadcast, HOF Tomorrow & More from the Uninspiring Press Conference
Peter Lateralette Hired as 37th Head Coach of Rangers’ History – But Does It Matter? The Press Release That NYR Doesn’t Want You To Read Revealed, Lavy’s Past & Present To Determine Drury’s Future; Dolan Against the Clock, Artemi History X Panarin, Vegas Golden Knights Win Their Silver Armor; A Rare Success Story for Gary Bettman, Patrick Kane & More
If you haven’t already, subscribe to this blog for the next update:
Don’t forget to order my recently released four-volume set of books, “Tricks of the Trade!”
If you don’t order through me, all four volumes are now available on Amazon.com
For more details, check out: https://bluecollarblueshirts.com/tricksofthetrade/
Thanks for reading.
LET’S GO RANGERS!
Sean McCaffrey
BULLSMC@aol.com
@NYCTHEMIC on the Tweeter machine
Here’s one more rant you could have posted about Erik Karlsson – he had a worse goals against average than every goalie on his team. How is this even possible, unless he is part of the problem? Erik the Red Light was on the ice for 139 goals against in 2100 minutes played – despite playing on 31 minutes all season on the penalty kill. Meanwhile, Kaapo Kahkonen, who didn’t get the luxury to catch a 2-minute rest on the bench when San Jose took a penalty, gave up 135 goals in 2106 minutes.
Excellent points Morey, thanks for sharing them.
Thanks for the report on the Flyers attempt to trade Tony DeAngelo back to the Hurricanes after a single season in Philadelphia. Looks like he’s getting faster. Next time he might be able to get himself traded after only half a season.
Well he did get his $10M, kind of surprised how fast the Flyers collapsed after moving on from Giroux.