Greater than Ali V. Frasier… the ongoing feud between Anaheim Ducks GM Brian Burke and Oilers GM Kevin Lowe. For those who don’t know this all started the year before last when Kevin Lowe offered young Ducks power-forward Dustin Penner, a Restricted Free Agent, an offer sheet worth $21.25 million over the course of 5 seasons. This of course came after the Oilers offered Thomas Vanek of the Buffalo Sabres (who was also a Restricted Free Agent) a $50 million contract, 7 years deep. The Sabres were able to match and keep the star winger but the Ducks were not. Penner became an Oiler.
Burke was quick to strike, calling Lowe’s maneuver both ‘gutless’ and ‘classless.’ Also stating the obvious, that both offers from Lowe were ‘grossly inflated.’ Since then the words have gotten much stronger. Burke now pins the absurd salaries and contract offers that we have seen this free agent season on Lowe. Even going so far as to say that Lowe has completely eliminated the second contract. Normally that is the deal that bridges the gap between being a good young player and a good veteran player. Lowe fired back at Burke this off season stating; “He’s a moron” and also claiming that Burke butchered the Vancouver franchise before leaving and ‘inherited’ a great team in Anaheim.
No need to fear if you are an Oiler or Ducks fan however — Gary Bettman is putting his foot down (Take a moment to get the laughs out….). Yes it’s Pee-Wee Herman to the rescue ladies and gentlemen.
”We felt for a host of reasons it was important to bring the parties together and make it clear to both organizations that public comments disparaging the other were bad for the business and would no longer be tolerated.”
Bettman couldn’t be more of an idiot. If he knew anything about business he would let these two have it out. The media loves the trash talk and I think most of the fans do as well. Let these two go to war. Give them some boxing gloves and put it on PPV if you have to. Edmonton and Anaheim is a great budding rivalry and I say we pour some fuel on this fire. Chris Pronger being a jerck-ass to the people of Edmonton isn’t enough. We need a steel cage match. On one side you have the Oilers, a storied franchise in the heart of Canada. And on the other side you have the Ducks (should have stayed Mighty), a franchise that was built in memory of an awful Disney movie… that somehow won a cup. Let this hate grow! Charlie Conway (Long time Ducks Captain) is an obnoxious punk… I would love to see Fernando Pisani take a run at this softy.
I also wanted to talk some more about the Free Agent Frenzy as it seems to be winding down.
Owen Nolan signed a two year contract worth $2.75 million a season with the Minnesota Wild. In retaliation the ‘Just For Men’ hair people immediately extended Keith Hernandez, Walt ‘Clyde’ Frasier, and Emmit Smith. I thought this was 2008… not 1998. But on the other hand he does still bring a fine physical presence to the ice. No one crashes and bangs like Nolan, even now. And who could forget that sweet move he had at the 97′ All-Star game? Messier lost the puck in his legs, Nolan got the breakaway, called his shot top corner, and drilled it. Hasek hadn’t looked so confused since Rob Ray asked him to sign a stick for charity…
Also getting signed recently was Todd Boo-tuzzi. The Calgary Flames signed him to a one year deal worth $1.95 million. Soon after the signing Steve Moore quickly demanded $1.9 million of it. Bertuzzi has never been the same player since the Moore incident. Last year with the Ducks he scored a lousy 14 goals despite getting Power Play time and playing the wing at times for Ryan Getzlaf. Canucks fans were thrilled to find out they would be seeing Bertuzzi 8 times this season, 4 of which will be played at GM Place.
And finally I would figured I would talk about the Tampa Bay Lightning. Let me start off by saying that I couldn’t be happier to see the return of THE mullet. For all the naysayers out there you need to cool it. Tortorella was a great coach but Melrose belongs behind the bench. Tortorella is bound to find himself a new team soon (Probably should have been the Leafs). For those who grew up watching Melrose run the bench in LA and followed his every word on nhl 2 night (ESPN 2 was too cool for capitol letters back then) this is a time for celebration. He’s no Don Cherry but hes all American Kids have. We don’t get Coaches Corner or Behind the Mask here in the states… we get MELROSE!
Hope you all enjoy my newest blog and stay tuned for more to come….
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