The two best things about the Hurricanes season is dumping the defense at the deadline and the Charlotte Checkers are gonna be the AHL affiliate for them next year. So long, Rangers and ECHL!

Thanks for thinking of me,

that-one-guy-from-Carolina-who-occasionally-defends-his-team-that-we-haven’t-really-heard-from-much-this-year

Two things I love about this trade though.

One, Belanger told Mike Russo after the trade that he thinks he can turn that Ovechkin kid into a player.

Two, Jason Chimera (also of the Caps) absolutely HATES Belanger because of a check from behind that left Chimera spending a few days in the hospital. I mean hates to the extent that, the last time the two teams played, Chimera spent every damn shift chasing Belanger around the ice trying to get even. Now I don’t know about karma or anything like that…But hot damn would I love it if their lockers were right next to one another. AAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWKWARD!!!

Because the alternative was keeping Anders Eriksson. Seriously.

Re: Schneider, maybe he’ll make me eat my words, but that guy was easily the worst player on the ice for Vancouver every time he got into a game. He was an absolute mess in his own end, looked two steps behind everyone, and didn’t play physical. The result? He flew down the depth chart, didn’t get into games, pouted, claimed he wouldn’t play at all, then grudgingly returned to the AHL after realizing he wasn’t going to get a paycheck. I’m happy the Canucks got a cent back for him because the word was he wasn’t getting along with anyone and made the Canucks management despise him in just months. (Cue the 12 PP goals in 20 games music….).

That was sweet to see Booth drop the gloves. Even sweeter was seeing Richards 1) give him a decent shot to get his gloves off, square up, etc. 2) Give him the first swing (could be wrong…) 3) Not pummel him to death like everyone knows Mike Richards could have. Richards is known for his borderline hits and replays tend to make it look like he puts 110% into a guy’s face when 80% would do just fine, but his attitude in this fight won him some points with me. It’s a shame the Flyers are going to have yet another horribly disappointing year. A horrible shame.

Pittsburgh’s moves might be bigger, but the Pens also had bigger holes to fill. Since I’m a Caps fan and I love to rain on Pittsburgh’s parade, would Poni crack Washington’s top two lines? And if Leopold is so good, why has he been traded away by 3 teams (Calgary traded him twice)? Could Leopold be one of those guys who has all the physical gifts that constantly entice GMs, but can’t put it together in the NHL and ends up disappointing?

You are dead on that it is nice to see guys stick up for themselves! but, where was the fight, lol? I was expecting to see a half decent tilt.

I was kind of surprised to see Colorado trade Wolski, form their perspective I must admit I don’t understand. Good on Phoenix though for getting a guy like him!

As far as the Washington Pittsburgh debate is concerned, I would give the win to Pitt. I think all they did was add good depth that shouldn’t really hurt them in any way. Washington added, Walker who I think is gonna cause you as much harm with penalties as he will do good with adding energy. Jurcina, meh nothing to write home about. Corvo, they don’t call him Oh No Joe for nothing, half decent offensively but has a penchant for turning the puck over. With Mike Green there his role seems pointless to me. Belanger I think is a great pickup for them though. Some offensive punch, not that they need it, but he come from Minny so you know he knows his way around the defensive zone, which will be really helpful in the playoffs.

Finally, you were hosing AiH in that trade, it is only coincidence that those guys are working out right now. Almost 2 months after the fact.