-> The retirement of Scott Niedermeyer marks a dark day for the NHL. In my opinion Nieds lands right behind #4 Bobby Orr and Nicholas Lidstrom in the discussion of all time great D-men. 4 Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe and mysteriously only one Norris trophy. I think Niedermeyer's understated style left flashier but less talented peers to steal his deserved hardware (Chelios, MacInnis, and Bourque are prime examples) When on-ice his play controlled both teams. Even as a 13-year Devil I can proudly give Nieds a standing ovation on an amazing career.
-> Today I watched my first soccer match, start to finish. The US played great offensively, really deserving more than the one dramatic stoppage time tally. I found that while I really still don't like soccer, all out desperation soccer with my country involved is appointment television.
-> Days later and I still sit flabbergasted at the Canadiens' dealing of their playoff hero. Halak had by no means the best playoff performance I've ever witnessed, but nobody came up bigger in desperation spots against two better teams. The new NHL dictates bold decisions to maintain salary cap compliance, but this move has little justification. The Habs can't say he tried to break the bank; Halak was never approached in formal negotiations. Halak's value is at its peak, so Habs management got two potential players to fill his roster for future years. More importantly, both players' rights will be controlled by the Canadiens for years. Its a sound investment, you just have to gamble on your team's most integral position. Carey Price is unproven in any meaningful playoff action and was benched in order to help the Canadiens slide into the playoffs through the back door. I'm still baffled.
-> After the first round at Wimbledon is (almost) complete, it should be pretty obvious I know nothing of tennis. I've already lost two of my male semifinalists in what has been a wild opening round. I can't remember this many high seeds getting knocked off in their first matches. If Isner and Mahut keep going the coolest opening round will just keep truckin' as they hit 200-200 fifth set some time Saturday afternoon.
-> Congratulations to Tom Renny in becoming head coach of the Edmonton Oilers. Tom was a class act whose Ranger teams always worked in the defensive end. His teams struggled to score, as should the Oilers next year, but they will hang in every game. He was really jobbed by Sather's decision to let Jagr walk.
-> Now on to the underachieving San Jose Sharks: How is replacing Joe "Mr. Invisible" Thornton with Jason Spezza an upgrade? Spezza and Heatley playing at their absolute peaks to will a team in the Eastern Conference to the Finals, where they were then outplayed. Bringing back Patrick "Mr. Softy" Marleau for the money he will seek is insane. The Sharks have already informed Nabokov, their talented but expensive and overworked goalie he is free to find new employment. Evgeny will rake in huge cash from some goalie-deficient franchise, and it will prove a prudent financial move for the Fins. Now they should tell Marleau the same and send Jumbo Joe packing, for draft picks preferably. No need to handcuff yourself with another immovable Senator contract (or any other team's headache). Re-sign Joe Pavelski and reluctantly focus your attack around Heatley, whom you are stuck with for the duration. The core didn't get it done when they had their numerous chances. Time to reinvent on the fly.
-> Glen Sather is still employed by the New York Rangers.
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