Musings after two

Well, I will say that this has been an interesting Stanley Cup Finals series so far. Chicago's up 2-0 at this point, and Philadelphia is going to have to work at it to get back in it, I think.

First off, Game 1 was so absolutely amazing. If you missed it, I feel really sorry for you because that was some exciting hockey. I mean, assuming, of course, that you like offense. If you like goaltender-based or defensive hockey (hello readers from New Jersey!), you must have absolutely hated this game.

5 goals after the first period, 11 overall - man, it was like every time you blinked someone else was scoring a goal. And the weirdest part was that neither of the teams' top lines contributed to the scoring!

Game 2 was low-key, comparatively, the teams only scoring 3 goals during the game. Toews and Kane still didn't contribute to the scoring.

After two games, I think, obviously, that the Blackhawks are in a very strong position to win it. And, yes, I am a fickle fan with this series. I was somewhat on the Flyers side when the series began, probably because I think it's hilarious that Marian Hossa can't win a Cup, and that I always liked Peter Laviolette. But then, after watching these games I remembered how much I hate Chris Pronger and how much of a punk Dan Carcillo is. So I think I'm not going to be too upset if the Blackhawks win.

But even still, I can't give the Blackhawks a certain victory. Philadelphia has obviously come back in these playoffs before, and tonight they come back to their home building. Antti Niemi is playing well, but as we saw in Game 1, he can obviously let in goals. However, on the flip side, can the Flyers continue to shut down the Blackhawk's big name players?

Unfortunately tonight is my last sure bet at seeing the games on TV... my family vacations to the backwoods of PA never have any respect for the hockey blogging schedule. Don't expect a post until days after Game 5... so I suppose I'm no longer cheering for a team, but at least a six game series. Although, more hockey before the offseason can't be a bad thing, can it?

It's the most wonderful time of the offseason

Let's see, what all has happened with the Canes since Friday afternoon?

On Friday, the Canes selected Philippe Paradis with their first round pick. Apparently there were something like twelve players ranked above him that were still on the board when he was picked. I guess the Canes' scouts must've had some really solid material on him - you can only hope so...

The Canes also picked five others in this year's draft, three defenseman and two wingers.

Then on Monday came some good news from the re-signing front. Jussi Jokinen signed a two year deal, gets $1.5 mil this year and $1.9 the next. I think a very good deal, especially if Jussi can carry his playoff voodoo into the regular season.

Of course, today is the beginning of free agency, which means a huge amount of deals to sift through. The most important for the Canes (and my sanity)? Erik Cole signed a two-year deal for about three mil a year. Probably would've been better for the Canes cap situation if he got a bit less - but I'm not complaining! No exile in Edmonton this year for my man Cole, thank goodness.

Also in Canes-land, no news (as of 9:03pm EST) about Chad LaRose. Is no news good news? As long as he ends up signing with the Canes, then yes.

Elsewhere around the NHL, both of the Sedins resigned with Vancouver for 5yrs/$6.1per. Marian Hossa got a crazy contract with the Blackhawks - 12 years for $5mil per. Marian Gaborik signed with the Rangers for 5yrs/$7.5per (how the heck do they still have cap room for these kind of contracts?). Going back to draft day, the Flyers shipped out their entire future for Chris Pronger.

Y'know, it's almost a good thing that the Canes are stingy with their money - that way I don't have to bother trying to justify some of these outrageous contracts.

As always, updates whenever I get them. I can't tell you how good it feels to have an internet connection and access to hockey news again.

Chris Pronger is a jerk.

Glen Wesley was resigned on whatever day it occured. A one-year contract for 1.4 mil. It will be his 20th season in the NHL.

A good signing, I suppose. He is getting up there in years, but he wasn't the worst defenseman on the team last year, let's just put it that way.

As for the quest for the best sports trophy evah!, Ottawa did what they needed to and won Game 3 by a score of 5-3.

And let me just state that Chris Pronger is a jerk, and deserves to be suspended for Game 4 after the elbow to Ottawa's Dean McAmmond (YouTube footage here).

That is all.