FUNHL News and Notes

Massive trade occurred this weekend between the Wolves and Bladerunners - in what is another deal that could have decade long effects:

---> Bladerunners: Iginla-R Cgy FP, Huselius-L Cgy RFA, Visnovsky-D LA, Giguere-G Ana, Kobasew-R Bos P2 (inj), Legwand-C Nsh, Shadowmen 1st PRD, Bladerunners 3rd.

---> Wolves: Luongo-G Vcr FP, Parise-L NJ P3, Stastny-C Col P1, Cheechoo-R SJ, Martinek-D NYI (inj)

Lots of ramifications here. When I heard this deal had gone down, the following thoughts shotgunned through my consciousness;

- Luongo's fate was effectively sealed with the Kiprusoff trade. Nobody can afford to invest a franchise contract to their backup goaltender for long.

- The Bladerunner's have now collected all the best available Flames (Iginla, Kiprusoff, Huselius), except one, Dion Phaneuf-D Wolves (ok, two - Tanguay FP for the Scourge) As a cup drive strategy, this is intriguing. Is Calgary heading for an offensive explosion that I wasn't aware of?

- In Luongo, I believe the Wolves have now got one of the best 4-5 FP's in the league. And he's only getting better. Vancouver is building their team ala the New Jersey model - from their franchise goaltender out (seriously - watch for the search for Niedermayer/Stevens clones to begin for the blue-line). Luongo is going to be handed 70+ starts a season, a rock-N-roll defense corps (as I say, that's coming) and a team focussed on playing defense first (take a look at Naslund's stats - he's back-checking now). He's going to win hardware. Iggy on the other hand, is arguably not even one of the best 4 RW in the FUNHL (off the top of my head; St Louis, Jagr, Gaborik, Selanne, Hossa, are all playing better. Hejduk though, is definitely playing worse.), and he plays the kind of complete power/checking/defense/offense game that guarantees his points don't remain competitive with the goal sucks and puck hogs. If I were an NHL GM I'd love to build a team around Iggy, but as a FUNHL GM he's a declining asset.

- Does this trade actually improve the Bladerunners anywhere obviously? Defense with the addition of Visnovsky. Cheechoo vs Iginla at RW? Sure, I guess Iggy is marginally more reliable (if less explosive in potential - see Cheechoo's Richard trophy from last year). Luongo to Giguere? A wash - if only because both are backups. Huselius RFA vs Parise P3? Colour me biased, but despite Huselius' hot streak, I prefer Parise. Stastny P1 vs Legwand? Even if Stastny had NO status, I'd prefer him.

- All in all IMO the deal opens up some flexibility for the Bladerunners by unlocking the goaltending position, but doesn't put them over the top. For the Wolves, it's a win, win, win. They add a LW with upside in Parise, a 2nd line centre playing at a ppg to compliment Kopitar, and they secure a franchise goaltender as FP.

Big, I mean BIG, day for the Wolves.

In other news;

-Did anyone else see the goal by Malkin the other night where he drops the hammer and picks the short-side corner from the boards? Oh. My. Goodness. I got so excited by the replay I had to change my pants.

- Crosby's touch for scoring goals seems to have disappeared - which is bad news for the Bladerunners. Why? Because the Highlanders are nose to nose with him and Crosby will undoubtedly eventually recover.

- Recchi is making a mockery of the Severed Heads Omnivore. He's had two of his biggest games since the trade, including a 5 point night today. Ugh.

- Has anyone been hotter than Lecavalier of late? Given he's almost a goal per game - Nope. So, it can't last.

- How many times will Richards and Sakic be traded for each other this season? 4? Can we see it happen twice in a week?

- My reaction on the Forsberg to Nashville deal? Hand this round to the Flyers, cuz Nashville WAY overpaid. The first and third round picks, I can understand. Scottie Upshall I can understand. Ryan Parent? No chance. Yes, Forsberg gives them a chance to win it all, right now. But a first, a third, Upshall and Parent is simply too much for a guy who is breaking down physically, and an unrestricted free agent at the end of the playoffs.

- What's even sadder? The Predators could well be the best team in the league, and they still wouldn't sell out their Nashville arena. It's like seeing the NJ Devil's put together Cup winning seasons in front of half filled houses. It just makes you say 'what a waste', and wonder why they don't just move NJ to Hartford where at least they would be appreciated. Nashville, Florida, Atlanta, and Anaheim should be moved to Hartford, Quebec, Winnipeg, and Kitchener respectively. If we could get Carolina to relocate back to Hartford and then convince Nashville to play in Regina, we should.

-When the analysis of how the Severed Heads season came apart is completed one of the areas we are sure to reccomend improvements is with team toughness. In most weeks the contribution of goon minutes has been all but non-existent, and the result is the Heads have been pushed around. The Coach recently had words with the GM, and with the playoffs for the Challenge Cup approaching, finding some toughness for the stretch drive is still a possibility.

- As far as the NHL goes it's Lidstrom's Norris to lose. As far as the FUNHL goes, Sheldon Souray has all but locked it up. His play as goon as has been occasionally sporadic, but also devastating.

- My short list for FPs in the next ED looks something like this;

1. Spezza-C Ott

I give him top spot for; being younger, having more play-making abilit, and for having a better gunner as his side-kick in Heatley than Big Vinny.

2. Lecavalier-C TBay

All is going according to prophecy. As per my endless simulations on the X-Box, Lecavalier will now go on to record a 65-65-130pt season and win the scoring title next year.

3. Gaborik-R Min

One of the purest gunners in the league along with Kovalchuk and Ovechkin. Just entering his prime, and his GM seems intent on giving him offensive support.

4. Havlat-L Chi

Havlat has all the tools, warp speed, an imposing shot, and phenomenal stick handling ability. Only concerns are his durability and team mates. In many ways, he's like a youngish version of Elias, or a more consistently offensive Kovalev.

5. Bouwmeester-D Fla

The only defender FP on the horizon as far as I can tell. Blessed with massive frame, terrific skating and all-purpose offensive skills, it's just a matter of time before he is unstoppable, and like Pronger, picking up points just by breathing.

6. Nash-L Clb (Great Whites have right to match)

Was a better candidate two years ago, and has seen his stock slip a little. Mostly, he has just been going through the growing pains of a team in transition. Will eventually take a run at 50 goals in 50 games once the team finds him an elite playmaker.

7. Zetterberg-L Det

He had a horrible start to the year that has been redeemed by an absolutely mental second half. He's the safe late FP gamble when the exciting picks are off the board.

Crosby-Malkin will eventually both be FPs - just not this year.