Kings' 3rd Jerseys

A lot has been said about the Kings' new 3rd jersey, but personally, I like them.


i also like the hawks' 4th jerseys

My Eastern Conference All Star Ballot

EASTERN CONFERENCE

GOALTENDER:
Henrik Lundqvist - He has now played 18 games and ZERO shutouts. On the (very) bright side, he has 12 wins, and a sub 2.00 GAA, playing on a team that is leading the conference. He has been amazing, only letting 2 goals or more twice this season.
I wouldn't be disappointed if... Tim Thomas, who isn't even on the ballot get voted in. He has played lights out this year, and possibly would have stolen my vote for East 'tender, but he lost to King Henry in a shootout last week.
I would be disappointed if... Carey Price gets voted in, even though he probably will. There have been at least 2 goalies that have outplayed Price so far this season (3, if you include Ryan Miller, who would have been a good pick two weeks ago)

FORWARDS
Simon Gagne - Great comeback story. Leads the league in shorthanded goals and is keeping the Flyers afloat. He is also scoring with a ridiculous 27.5% shooting percentage. He is doing this without his #1 center, Danny Briere. Gagne deserves a nod
Evgeni Malkin - Leading the league in points. I'm going to be honest, I did not think he would be able to put points up like he did last year with Crosby in the lineup, but he is, at a torrid pace.
Alexander Semin - The breakout season will pay off for the other AL, as he deserves to be an all star. He has kept Washington competitive early in the season, while Ovechkin and Backstrom struggled for the first month of the season.
I wouldn't be disappointed if... Sidney Crosby bumps out Malkin or Gagne and plays on a starting line with Semin. This is what the NHL needs. Spark a little bit of controversy among young All Stars, see what happens and build off of it. Despite Crosby's struggled, his numbers are still good enough to start.
I would be disappointed if... Vincent Lecavalier makes the squad. I love Lecav. He's a great all around player, but 13 points in 18 games for a supposed captain and leader of a basement team does not cut it. Blame it on the circus that is the Tampa Bay management, but Vinny needs to start producing.

DEFENSEMEN
Mike Green - This pick is more of a recognition for his break out second half last year. Luckily, I can justify this pick because of his 14 points from the blueline, which ties him for second in the East. He's got a great shot from the blueline, and pinches in when need be. He is also a +11
Andrei Markov - a great start to the season. Has dropped off a little recently, but so has the rest of the Habs. Marko deserves the recognition here, and I am certain he will get it
I wouldn't be disappointed if... Daniel Girardi or Filip Kuba get voted in. These two are not on the ballot, while Ryan Whitney, Sergei Gonchar and Teppo Numinnen are. Kuba is leading the East defenseman in points and recorded a streak that Bobby Orr did not even match. Girardi (14 points) on the other hand has been the best defenseman on the best team in the East. These two both deserve recognition.
I would be disappointed if... If anyone else, but Chara and Kaberle (and the above mentioned) from the ballot get voted in. The East ballot for defenseman is weak an questionable. Some guys on the ballot have not even played. NHL has to do something about this. After getting pumped by Milan Lucic, I will be extremely upset if Mike Komasarek gets voted in.

Take that Lundy.

Henrik Lundqvist has now gone 16 games without a shutout. By this time last year, he had 4, and led the league with 10. It's time to let King Henrik go. Go ahead and pick up Ondrej Pavalec until Henrik gets a shutout... psyche.
Despite Lundy's struggles to post a shutout, he is tied for the league lead with 10 wins and has only let in 2 goals or more twice this season... TWICE!
He beat the Devils tonight for the 14th time in 16 games for his career.
Fantastically, keep Lundy active in all situations.

Bruce Boudreau's Frankenstein is alive. Fantasy freaks are finally rejoicing after Coach BB put Alex Semin, Nick Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin on a line together tonight. The Caps beat the Canes in a Southeast battle and the trio had their hand in every goal... EVERY GOAL! They combined for 12 points... 12 POINTS!! Semin had 2 & 3; Backs had 1 & 3 and OV had 1 & 2.
Fantastically, if you are an owner of any of these three, start sending your secret crush letters to Coach BB and book your ticket to the top of your league.

The Columbus Blue Jackets lost 5-2 tonight to the Phoenix Coyotes. Despite their 2 goals, Derick Brassard had his hand in 2 of them, tallying a G and an A.
Fantastically, if you haven't picked him up by now, you're probably too late. If he is still in the FA pool, you're league doesn't deserve to exist. Grab the leading Calder candidate now. Do not pay high for him in trade.

Craig Anderson posted a 24 save shutout over the Lightning... take that Lundy. Roberto Luongo goes for his 4th straight shutout tonight vs the Aves... take that Lundy.
Fantastically, if you want to grab Anderson, go ahead. But there is a reason why he is owne in 2% of Yahoo! leagues.

Evan Longoria: AL Rookie of the Year

It wasn't even close. Who was even considered? Alexei Ramirez... gimme a break. Become a fan of Longoria because he's going to be around for awhile.

MATT HOLLID - A's

The East gets BEAST-lier

A day after I dreamt of a dream lineup for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Okland A's have won the Matt Holliday sweeps, as they acquire Holliday for Huston Street, Greg Smith, Ryan Sweeney and Carlos Gonzalez. Buster Olney, as well as other baseball gurus have reported this transaction.
Great trade for both sides, as Colorado gets what they wanted - a major league ready contributor (Smith and Street) and two super prospects who have potential down the road.
In terms of fantasy impact, the AL West just got tougher to pitch against. But who will protect Holliday in the middle of that order? Oakland still has some work to do in the off-season (Jason Giambi, perhaps? to keep team from pitching away from their newest slugger.

A deeper look into the dimensions of Oakland Coliseum display a standard 330 ft to the poles and 400 ft to center. However, to the gaps, it is (only) 362 ft. Compare this to Coors (where Holliday was so comfortable, according to Rosenthal) 350 ft to the poles, 415 to center and 390 to the gaps.
Comparing the smaller dimension of the Colesium to the light air of Coors is something for the Discovery Channel (good show, actually. Check it out). However, I would safely predict that Holliday should not see a dip in productio. Facing the Texas Rangers' and Seattle MAriners rotation during divisional play should help some as well.

One thing remains: how does Holliday look in green and gold?

Pink Sunday

CARMELO ANTHONY CUT HIS HAIR! Apparently he lost a bet to his friend "Munch". I'm sure the plug for NBA 08 had nothing to do with it. Watch the video.





MATT HOLLIDAY WOULD SURE LOOK GOOD IN (PHILLY) RED The Rockies look like they are going to trade their star before he hits free agency next year. Among the teams vouching for his services are St. Louis and Philadelphia. Can you imagine a lineup with Utley, Howard and Holliday? Article: Ken Rosenthal examines Holliday's significance outside of Coors










Jake Peavy's Train has left the Station This, according to Padres GM, Kevin Towers, who has narrowed it down to Atlanta, the Cubs (and St Louis).
If he goes to Chicago, the Cubs will have potentially three 20 games winners If he goes to ATL, he will be close to home, which is nice, but with the Mets and Phillies in the same division, will be tough road to the playoffs.







TOM KOSTOPOLOUS SHOULD BE SUSPENDED His hit last night on Mike Van Ryn was brutal. What an asshole. Watch the video. Apparently this cheap hit inspired other Habs players (Saku Koivu and Sergei Kostitsyn) to take more cheap shots, this time on Mr. Hot - Mikhail Grabovski.






MILT STEGALL - FIRST CLASS IDIOT
Milt guaranteed victory last night, and lost. He wanted the stadium sold out and didn't get that either.
Here's his rant on how hockey isn't a sport. I don't like it when people bash other sports. Which is why i lost respect for Tiger Woods. If he can tell me why people should care about the CFL, I'll tell him why hockey IS a real sport. To say he would challenge a hockey player to a fight is ridiculous.

NHL Saturday Recap

Roberto Luongo just scored his 3rd shutout in a row. He hasn't even won 3 games in a row yet this season. He stopped 29 tonight against the Minny Wild. Nicklas Backstrom has been playing lights out as well, but Louie has been unstoppable this week. If you can somehow relate his recent success to Brodeur's injury, be my guest.
Fantastical View - The Canucks may not score more than 2 games every night (which is understandably frustrating for owners), but if Louie isn't letting up any goals, then the Canucks can score as less as they want. Keep Louie as a must start.

Danny Briere stormed back from the IR tonight with a goal. The Flyers did lose, however. In other Flyer news, new acquisition, Matt Carle was second on the team tonight in TOI with 25+ minutes. He was a -1.
Fantastical View - Lining up with Gagne and Knuble, and seeing first unit powerplay time, Briere is definitely going to have a better year than last.

In a night of "welcome back's", Olli Jokinen had a G and an A; while Kristian Huselius did not play against the Flames tonight.
Fantastical View - My prediction of the big line of the Yotes to break out against the Panthers was somewhat true. Jokinen had 2 points, Mueller had a goal, but Doan was left off the score sheet. In Huselius' place on the Brassard line tonight was Jason Chimera, who popped a goal. Brassard also scored his team leading 6th goal. Turned out to be the game winner.

Speaking of the Jackets, Steve Mason won his 3rd straight game tonight, stopping 22 of 23 shots against the (hot) Flames.
Fantastical View - Mason's recent play has forced Ken Hitchcock to take away the temporary #1 goalie position from Frederick Norena. Until Pascal Leclaire comes back, stash Mason as a good 3rd option and ride him while he is hot. Interesting turn of events in Columbus. Ken Hitchcock is not one who likes to play young studs, but is forced to because of results. Mason, Brassard and Voracek have been standouts this season. This team will be competitive for years with the addition of Nikita Filatov in the near future.

Leafs beat the Habs 6-3.
Fantastical View - Wow. That Grabovski is sure fun to watch. Even when he is getting cheap shots from Saku Koivu and Sergei Kostitsyn.

When will you slow down, Alex Semin? Another G and an A tonight for the other Alex.
Fantastical View - 21 points in 13 games... his value will never be so high as it is right now. Sell high - it's the capitalist way of life.

Brian Boucher got the start tonight, as promised, against the Dallas Stars. He won, no surprise.
Fantastical View - one more guaranteed start, and maybe another one after that. If you need cheap and temporary wins, Brian's your boy.