The Word “REBUILDING” Makes Me Wanna Puke
The Ducks general manager Bob Murray has acquired the nickname “Demolition Man” (no relation to Wesley Snipes) because of the restructuring of the blue line. True, we blew leads because of defense missteps last season and even Scotty admitted that he didn’t play up to his own high standards at times, but there are always so many pieces to the puzzle that an almost infinite number of possibilities for failure can be posited.
Hence the reason there is an infinite number of websites, blogs and writers pondering these intricacies.
Let’s take a look at the story so far.
When Scotty so graciously retired, the purse strings were loosened and the Ducks were able to start making some power decisions even before the Draft – i.e., who to keep and who to dump on the curb outside the Ponda with a “free to a good home” sign dangling around their neck.
We’ve made some incredibly smart moves over the course of the past couple of months: Drafting Emerson Etem, signing Cam Fowler and Kyle Palmieri to entry-level contracts, nabbing ex-Ottawa Senator Andy Sutton (boy, I bet he’ll be glad he won’t have to wear SENS across his chest ever again), inviting Nick Bonino and Dan Sexton to training camp, dumping the hellaciously overpriced James Wisniewski on the ever gullible and unsuspecting Islanders for a third round pick and snatched the 6’-6”, 245lb freight train that goes by the name of Andy Sutton.
Think about this for just a moment. Imagine you’re playing against the Ducks and you suddenly realize Georgie, Bobby, Sheldon and Andy are all on the ice all at the same time (okay, okay, fantasy land, but bear with me). You’re only 5’-10” and 175lbs (because you’re a Hab) and you have the puck in the corner and they’re all bearing down on you at 35 mph.
You about ready to yell for Mommy?
The rest of our D is sort of up in the air, we’ll just have to see how everything works itself out. You know, gotta shift the lines around, right?
I hope the Ducks learned their lesson after the failed Evgeny Evgenyevich Artyukhin experiment (who was more of a cement truck with a couple of blown tyres than a freight train at full speed on a 30% grade).
One thing that’s got me doing the happy hockey dance is that no only has Cam Fowler (can anyone come up with a nickname? I’m stumped) said he has striven to emulate Scott Niedermayer, but Scotty’s going to basically be the kid’s mentor!
Hmmm, I wonder if we’re gonna hear some “Karate Kid” style stories?
We’re still waiting on the Finnish Flash who – rumour has it – will make his decision once the Ducks have locked down defense.
I just noticed that the Ducks have a sign in their locker room that reads “DON’T SULK” That’s funny.
Finally, Bobby Ryan has been listening to the devil inside and is holding out for more moolah. I say GIVE HIM ANYTHING HE WANTS! Money, hookers, booze, a boat, a fancy hat, whatever!
Maybe he’s still pissed off about being called “Silver”…