Math class is ruining my life...

Which is why I haven't posted for a long time. I work 30 hours a week, plus I have 14 credit hours in school on top of it. Needless to say, the 2 hours of math homework I have EVERY night has become a little excessive. All of the other classes are manageable, this one, however, is not. If I fail this class and have to retake it, I'll cry. On an actual news note, it has been rumored that Billy G could potentially sign with Philly. I really hope that this won't happen. Also, in case you haven't heard, Mike Comrie (known in non-hockey circles as "Hillary Duff's husband" is officially a Penguin. I think he'll make a good fit, and it will be interesting to see which line he ends up on. Also, it's time for another commercial. This one isn't hockey related, but I saw it when I was watching one of the Avs games, and thought it was great:



Anyway, more hockey commercials will be on their way, and it will be interesting to see how I'll be able to cram watching the games this season into my schedule. Don't worry...I'll figure something out. Have a good one kiddies!

Mike Modano is a traitor

So the rumor is now official: Mike Modano has signed with the Wings for one year for the price of 1.25 million. Is anyone else as pissed about this as I am? I mean, here you have a true veteran, one who has played for the same team that drafted him for his entire career (which is sadly becoming more and more of a rarity), who says he is going to retire, and then decides on one more year...with another team. If I was a Stars fan, I would feel pretty betrayed. I know that some of you may think I'm a hypocrite because of what happened with Ray Bourque, but that was a different scenario. Modano has already been able to lift the Cup. Bourque didn't lead everyone on by saying he was going to retire, and then change his mind at the last second. I'll say it before and I'll say it again: if he would have went to Minnesota, I wouldn't be that pissed. Think about it (if you're a Pens fan): What if Mario had a longer career in Pittsburgh, only to do the same thing that Modano has done? While I would be happy that he was still playing, I would still be pissed that he moved to a different team.

Speak of pissed off fans, this is a good read, especially the comments that follow the article. Caps fans and their sense of entitlement, I tell ya.

On a happy note, Marty Turco has signed with the Hawks. I'm glad to see him given a chance, and with the departure of Niemi, I think he might have a chance to redeem himself. Stars fans gave him a hard time, not thinking that maybe, just maybe, their shit defense might be part of the problem. I think that a change of scenery is what Turco needs, and getting rid of that pointless and horrible thing known as "The trapezoid" wouldn't hurt things either, but that's a rant for another day.

By the way, has anyone heard anything about Billy G's fate? Last I knew, he has talking with the Isles and the Pens, but that was a few weeks ago.

Have a good one kids, and stay cool, that global warming has been a killer this summer.

It's free agency time!

Now that the season has ended, everyone's minds turn to free agency. Here are my suggestions on what the Pens should do...although they probably won't listen to me.

1. Billy G- Although he started the season strong, he seemed a little worse for wear towards the end of the season. I think that after next year, he won't have anything left in the tank. Should the Pens keep him? I think so, but pay him no more than 1 million, and only sign him for one more year.

2. Fedostanko- Let him walk. He doesn't add anything to the team, and his numbers this year were awful. Some people may argue that he steps it up in the playoffs, but that was more of an argument last year. This year he had no points and was a -3 in 6 games. Absolutely not worth the 1.8 million he got this year. Dump him.

3. Matt Cooke- Re-sign him for 1 million per year for 2 years. The team needs a good agitator, and he is one of the best in the league.

4. Ponikarovsky- Get rid of him. So far, he's been one of the worst trades Ray Shero has made. I can't believe that they traded the Mob Boss (Luca Caputi) for his worthless ass. A 2.5 million dollar contract last year!? You have got to be kidding me.

5. Gonch- This one has been debated the most of all. While, like Billy G, he ran out of steam by the end of the season, there is no arguing that he brought a lot to the power play this year, and the power play needs as much help as it can get. He carries a hefty price tag though, and with his age, might tank out this season. So is he worth the risk? I say no.

6. Mark Eaton- I believe he is one of the most underrated players on the team, along with Craig Adams (one of my favorites). There are simply no statistics that will show how much of a difference his defensive play makes. Is he worth the 2 million per year that he has been getting? To be honest, I'm on the fence about the salary. I am not on the fence, however, on what he brings to the team. Re-sign him, but I'm not sure for how much.

7. Jay McKee- He brings size to the lineup, but I think the Pens would be better off bringing someone up from the minors than re-signing him.

8. Jordan Leopold- I've liked what I've seen from him this year, and I think he's a good fit for the team. Re-sign him for 1.5 million per year for 3 years.

9. Ben Lovejoy- He's an unrestricted free agent IV (as I mentioned in a previous post, I'm not quite sure what that means, and I haven't been able to find any more info on it). Please, please, please re-sign him and bring him up this year. I think he is a fantastic defenseman (which the Pens need badly), and I believe this could be his breakout season. I have high hopes for him. Give him half a million for one year, and if he does a good job (which I'm sure he will), resign him to a longer contract worth more money.

So there you have it. But I'm not a GM, so we'll have to wait and see how things pan out before July 1st.

* All salary information can be found at NHL Numbers.