what's going on?

What are the chances the NHL will nullify Wade Redden's contract? Wouldn't that be a dream, especially after Larry Brooks laid out a worst-case Rangers scenario this past weekend. Not that I wasn't trying to find a spot for Avery on my lineup sheet as well, but I'd rather just ignore that possibility as long as possible. All in all I think the Rangers have had a fair free agency. I love Biron, ok with Frolov, preferred Shelley, but will give Boogey a chance. I'm pleased we didn't go all in for Kovalchuk. I kinda figured the arbitration would be more tasty, but Lamoriello V. Bettman is kinda a lose-lose for me. Personally I'd like to see Kovy land in LA. Devils will probably still win the division, those assholes!

So my two sports worlds collided this past weekend when Roger Federer, that extremely cool and handsome guy in white celebrated his birthday with none other than Sidney Crosby! What kinda of demented nightmare was this? Although Crosby looks more like a creepy delivery boy in this pic. Hey Rogers Cup, next time get some Shanny up in there, or anyone but Sid. Federer is currently in Toronto for the main warmup to the US Open. I've been mentally spending a lot of time there because due to the tournament and a screening of Scott Pilgrim V. The World I had the great fortune to see this week. It's excellent and can't be missed. No hockey action for a film set in Canada, still I cannot recommend it enough. Eagle-eyed Sloan fans may recognize a certain bass guitar in battle 3, not too surprising given that Chris Murphy taught the cast how to rock, or at least fake it.

Here's to Roger and his run for a 17th slam at Flushing Meadows. Here's to Scott Pilgrim, may you reign at number 1. Here's to a great training camp (Please sign Marc Staal!). Here's to a great rest of the summer. Enjoy it y'all!

no diablos, no mariaches

Yesterday was a banner day for Brian Leetch. He was named as a first ballot inductee for the Hockey Hall of Fame along! Congrats #2, very well deserved. Enjoy it even if you have to put up with Brett Hull the whole time.

Unfortunately it was not such a banner day me, Miss Dollie Banner. Getting ready for work I noticed smoke coming out of the outlet above my oven. Great, chances are there's a fire in the wall. I call my landlord in a panic and he sends up the 2 Spanish brothers who have been doing an interminable amount of home construction in my building. Everything's already a bit dicey when I notice the younger brother has a red and black jersey on. Sure enough he turns around and it's sporting a blasted Devils logo. Now I'm in a literal and figural hell. When my landlord came up I complained about it and he told him, "No Diablos!" Turns out my kitchen wasn't burning, but was embarrassingly dirty

It's hard to get away from the Devils, right Leetch? That club refuses to let the Rangers celebrate anything on their own. First Scott Stevens gets inducted along side Mark Messier now Lou Lamoriello is also included in this year's festivities with a special innovators citation. Whatever. I'm surprised he'll have the time what with his nearly constant search for a Devils' coach. With Sutter off to Calgary, Lou's gotta look over the available candidates, his main criteria being a hardass who's bigger than Brodeur so the prize goalie isn't the fattest guy in the locker room. I'm thinking Michel Therrien.

Maybe this is all a sacrifice for a good draft (or a good Wimbledon). My friend Mike was joking the other day that Sather should trade down just to get rid of Wade Redden. Redden and a 1st round pick for a 7th round from Edmonton sounds great to me. At least I'm pretty sure Henrik and Avery aren't going anywhere. Speaking of Avery I cannot post without some Aves content. Here's a clip of him from Bonaroo last week. Loving the remix edition of his glasses with the lavender lenses. Very Mike Viola circa 2000. I'm thinking we should hook him up with Jack the Roadie.

Here's to an exciting and successful draft. I hope this one actually makes it to the team.