What Really Grinds My Gears II

It is time for a new installment of my favorite segment here at Sunshine State Hockey, What Really Grinds My Gears.


You know what really grinds my gears? The fact that the Philadelphia Flyers continue to get away with cheap shots. For those who did not see it, Jeff Carter of the Philadelphia Flyers nailed Anssi Salmela of the New Jersey Devils after he scored a short handed goal, leaving him out cold on the ice for several minutes before being taken off on a stretcher. I have watched the hit multiple times, and I will say the hit itself is clean to an extent. It was a shoulder to shoulder hit, but it was the timing and the angle that I have a major issue with. Carter hit Salmela AFTER he scored a goal, in his blind side. People can continue to defend these hits, but I see nothing clean about a player targeting another player and hitting him at an angle where he cannot see it coming. There is a major difference between hitting a player when his head is down and hitting a player when he cannot see. Ask Mike Richards, he knows what i'm talking about.

You know what really grinds my gears? The fact that Kamil Kreps still has a roster spot on the Florida Panthers. Kreps has been down right terrible all season long, but continues to get ice time. The coaches say hes a good PK guy who can win faceoffs. I say so what, the Panthers are a team full of guys who are good grinders for the PK.

You know what really grinds my gears? The fact that the "savior", Peter DeBoer, is so against fighting. We have an AHL team loaded with scrappers who can make an impact on the Cats roster, but yet they are very rarely called up. This years Panthers team is soft, and that falls on coach DeBoer.

You know what really grinds my gears? The fact that the Florida Panthers seem to be scared to shoot the puck. The Cats recorded a season low thirteen shots against the Calgary Flames last Friday while allowing forty shots on net. The Panthers are no offensive power house, but you might be surprised with what could happen if they would just shoot.

And to wrap things up...

You know what really grinds my gears? All of the broken sticks for the Panthers this season. Heck, all of the broken sticks over the past month and a half! Where in the world is the organization buying these sticks from? The guys should switch to the plastic Franklin sticks little kids play with, they might just hold up better then the batch of garbage the team is using this year.

That is all for tonight. If anyone has any comments or questions feel free to post them on SSH's facebook page or contact me at SunStateHockey@hotmail.com.

Trade Winds Blowing In Sunrise?

The Florida Panthers need a change, and that change seems to be coming as soon as this week. General Manager Randy Sexton spoke to George Richards of the Miami Herald Saturday evening, with Sexton claiming that he has as many as nine different trade scenarios on the table, and that he would like to get some deals done before the Olympic break.

"We are being active, there's no doubt about that." Sexton said.

Of course, when a GM has such talks you can expect some rumors to come up in conversation around the league. One rumor that I have heard, which does not seem to be from a reliable source, claims that Rusty Olesz may be dealt to the Edmonton Oilers along with prospect Drew Shore for Shawn Horcoff and a 5th round pick.

Just a note about the source, he/she claimed that New Jersey was out of the Kovalchuk running a day before the deal happened.

I will say though that it is a nice change of pace to see the organization trying to make changes in tough times. Former General Manager Mute...er...Jacques Martin didn't seem as active during his time is the sunshine state.

All of this information begs the question, who exactly is on the block for the Panthers? Well I cannot tell you for sure, but I will sure give you all an opinion.

SSH's Panthers Trading Block 2010:

Rusty Olesz - As much as I like Rusty I think his days here may be numbered. He is one of the better pieces of trade bait we have to offer and I think teams in seller and buyer mode will be interested.

Jordan Leopold - Jordan has had a good year, but is a UFA this off season. He has expressed desire to stay, and I wouldn't be surprised if Sexton keeps him the rest of the season and signs him back on in the off season. But you always have to keep your options open as a GM.

Dennis Seidenberg - ^ditto.

Dom Moore - Moore has been a decent addition to the Panthers this season, which also makes him a decent trade piece. I would not be surprised if he is dealt.

Cory Stillman - Stillman could be dealt depending on which mode the Panthers fall into. If they are buyers, then Stillman most likely stays. If the Cats are sellers then Stillman could go for younger talent.

Kamil Kreps - Kreps will not get the Panthers much, but he needs to go.

This week will be interesting for everyone in Pantherland. Stay tuned for what hopefully is an active trade week, and check back often for any info on possible deals.

That is all for today folks, have a good Monday and talk to you all soon.

You can leave your comments our question on SSH's facebook or send them to SunStateHockey@yahoo.com

Quick Thoughts VI

Happy February folks.

It has been a while since I did a quick thoughts article, so I figured there is no better time then the present.

- The biggest news this morning is that Ilya Kovalchuk has been traded to the New Jersey Devils. Everyone knew a trade was coming after Kovalchuk reportedly turned down a twelve year, $101 million dollar contract, but to the Devils? This is a team that invented the trap under Jacques Lemaire and still play defense first hockey. In my opinion I see this as New Jersey making a last ditch effort to win a cup this year. Martin Broduer is not getting any younger and I think the Devils want to take one last run with Marty before it is too late.

- Keith Ballard was snubbed yet again by team USA general manager Brian Burke. Mike Komisarek and Paul Martin were both lost to injuries earlier this week, forcing Burke to find two replacements on D for his Olympic squad. Going in place of the two injured players are Tim Gleason and Ryan Whitney.

- Jay Bouwmeester makes his first return to South Florida as the Calgary Flames come down to take on the Florida Panthers. In an interview Jay did his best to get his little shot in on the fan base, claiming that Calgary cares about hockey. So to show Jay that South Florida cares as well, I hope everyone comes out and boo's Bouwmeester every time he touches the puck, because I plan to.

That is all for now folks. If you have any questions or comments feel free to E-mail me at SunStateHockey@hotmail.com or post them on SSH's facebook.