Tampa Bay the New Philly?

So the Tampa Bay Lightning inked a 7-year deal with Penguin's forward Ryan Malone and a 1-year deal with Pen's veteran Gary Roberts. The Bolts now have their sights set on Minnesota Wild winger Brian Rolston. It will be interesting to see how their final roster shakes out for next season and the team is trying to strengthen said roster using the same strategies that the Flyers used in last year's free agency period. As we all know, the Flyers went from being one of the last place teams in the NHL to a second round contender in this year's Stanley Cup race. The Southeast Division may much more fun to watch next season - not withstanding the Caps who are always thrilling to watch - was referring to the rest of the division (deemed by some hockey snobs as the South"least" division)!

Crazy Fortune Teller Makes No 2009 Stanley Cup Predictions...

So as you all know, not a whole lot going on in the hockey world right now. So not having hockey on t.v. or a beach in my backyard, a friend and I ventured out to Georgetown for a little shopping yesterday. I must warn you, this has absolutely nothing to do with hockey but was quite humorous so wanted to share. So I've never had my fortune told or palm read (actually think it's a bunch of malarkey but something everyone should do at least once). We walk by one of these fortune teller places and decide to go in just for giggles. This wacky lady buzzes us in upstairs and directs us to sit down. I plop down my money and wait for her to regale me with my fortune of great wealth, good health, a winning season for my twin boys' teams and last but certainly not least, the - 2009 Stanley Cup to my beloved Washington Capitals!

So this was like something out of a comedy - she sits down, lights a cigarette, grabs her scotch and water (or whatever alchoholic beverage she was imbibing in) and tells me my "fortune" while blowing smoke in my face the entire time - nice. Although I don't believe most of it... she did mention the good health and possible wealth (better start playing the lottery now) but didn't say word one about hockey! So proves my point that it's pretty bogus - but still makes for a fabulous story!

There is some other news floating around today in the NHL. One snippet is old news, but new to me (as my subscription to The Hockey News is normally about 2 weeks late - I think they deliver it via moose!). Uber angry-man Chris Simon is headed to Russia to play in the Russian league. For you new fans, Simon is a former New York Islander whose out-of-control retaliation on other players has earned him eight league suspensions throughout his volatile career. One of the most recent cheap Simon plays can be viewed below and earned him a record 25-game suspension. I'll be curious to see if he learned anything in his league-mandated anger management classes when he steps on the ice for his Russian squad.



Another noteworthy happening is the talk that the Tampa Bay Lightning is talking to Pittsburgh Penguins' forwards Ryan Malone and veteran Gary Roberts and their deals may be wrapped up by early next week. I am a big Ryan Malone fan, especially after the SFC final game in which he took a puck to face, plugged up his bloody already-broken shnozz and went back out on the ice to fight for the win. Of course, that still takes a backseat to our own OV's game against Montreal where he broke his nose, got stitches in his cheek and then went out to score 4 goals!

So stay tuned next week, with the deadline looming there should be lots of good hockey buzz to report...we'll just keep crazy fortune-teller lady out of it next time!

Brash Blogs....

In doing some research yesterday, Hockey Mom stumbled upon the Cap's own Donald Brashear's blog. I'm sure I'm a day late and a dollar short (as my late mother would say), but who knew? Recognized by hockey fans world-wide as one of the greatest enforcers in the game, Brashear's blog offers a detailed look into some other sports franchises in the D.C. area including the Washington Nationals, Washington Redskins and Washington Wizards. And of course, what would a Brashear blog be without a best fights highlight reel? He also shares his childhood which wasn't always the happiest along with how he got into playing hockey. He didn't start on the ice until he was 8 years old, which is pretty late for a Canadian. Thanks Brash for giving this hockey mom hope that I didn't start my own guys in hockey too late and for sharing your personal story and unique sports insights! Look forward to seeing you in September....

And as I know how much hockey-loving female fans love to shop, make sure to put these on your back-to-school list! Reebok has come out with these rocking NHL skate-style tennis shoes that you can customize with your own team and colors. Being the ultimate shoe fanatic, I can't think of a better way to sport your team's colors - for guys or girls! I've already added 2 kid pairs to my own back-to-school list...along with a pair for me to go with my cool Capitals jersey purse and my sparkly new Caps t-shirt. I am so excited to see more fan gear specifically design for the ladies - thanks NHL!

Things Looking Up in Tampa Bay....

So things are looking a little brighter today for fans of the Tampa Bay Lightning. They've got new owners, the number one draft pick in Steve Stamkos and a new coach who sports one of the most highly-recognized mullets in sports history. Of course I'm referring to former coach and ESPN analyst Barry Melrose. I heard Barry's press conference today and he drew a lot of laughs when he stated "there's nowhere to go from here but up," as the Bolts were one of last teams in the National Hockey League last season despite their talented and young lineup, which includes Vincent LeCavalier and Martin St. Louis. I had the pleasure of watching my beloved Caps play the Bolts from a fabulous vantage point this past season and I have to admit that despite his short stature (he's 5'9"), Martin St. Louis is one of the fastest skaters I've ever seen. Every time the guy gets the puck, it's like watching the doggone Roadrunner from Bugs Bunny - beep beep, lookout!

So best of luck to you all - I'll personally miss hearing the "Mullet" on ESPN though!

As you all know, there hasn't been much Caps news the past few days. We're still counting down until Training Camp and waiting for the news that Mike Green and Christobal Huet have been signed. The good thing is that the team won't have to go second-hand shopping during the free agency period, as the roster has already shaped up quite nicely. I'm keeping my ear to ground for any good gossip (hockey moms always get the best gossip first)! And I love discussing rumors that have absolutely nothing to do with the Hollywood wastoid set of Paris Hilton, Brittany Spears or Lindsay Lohan!

Wheelin' and Dealin' in Ottawa

So of course the big news of yesterday and today is the 2008 NHL Draft. To no one's surprise, the number 1 pick was Steve Stamkos, who will be headed to the land of sunshine and bikinis as a member of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Another deal that brings a smile to the newly buzz-cut Tampa Bay star Vincent LeCavalier, is that his bud Vinny Prospal is coming back to the Bolts after a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers. And while the Barry Melrose rumor regarding his possible new deal as the new coach of the Lightning is still floating around, I found an awesome Melrose-themed hockey blog. The theme of this blog is "nothing says hockey like a greased mullet" - awesome!

The Capitals have made several moves of their own. One of the most notable is the drafting of Swedish player Anton Gustafsson, son of former Caps phenom Bengt Gustafsson. Unfortunately, the Caps will have to part ways with d-man Steve Eminger, who was traded to Philadelphia. I really like Eminger and personally will be sad to see him go...especially to the team I love to hate most in the NHL. But I hope this is a good deal for him and he gets a lot of playing time in the City of Brotherly Love. In another deal, the Flyers lose a big player in R.J. Umberger, who's off to the Columbus Blue Jackets.

So the NHL GM's will doing more wheeling and dealing this weekend than a blue-haired retiree at the craps table in Vegas! Stay tuned - I'm sure there will be more wacky trades to come!

The Champions...OK, So I AM A True Hockey Mom

Okay, so I HAD to. Being a true hockey mom, had to post the photo of my hopefully future Sedins or Kostitsyns displaying their newly-won bling (the Pee Wee Championship trophies)! P.S. - Note the Capitals ROCK THE RED T-shirt!

And also wanted to pass on this post on HockeyBuzz.com regarding the Caps draft picks and UFAs. I think he's right with the no-Ray Emery prediction - but that's kind of a fun rumor to spread!

Rumors and Hockey Gossip

This is the time of year (right before free agency deadline) that hockey gossip spreads as quickly among NHL devotees as it would on a Saturday afternoon at Betty's Beauty Shop! I've read and heard some crazy and juicy rumors these past few days regarding the movement of players from one team to another. Like Evgeni Malkin to L.A. - WHaat?! And even better, that the Caps have an interest in bad boy Ottawa goalie Ray Emery - WHHAAT?!! Hockey mom thinks big Ray needs to spend some more time in the time-out chair...
Just an example of the wacky rumors floating around while fans wait to see what next year's roster will look like.

Speaking of next year's roster, I just heard an interview with Washington Capitals GM George McPhee about where the Caps stand in resigning Christobal Huet, Mike Green, Matt Cooke and Sergei Fedorov. Honestly, if George wasn't such a successful General Manager, he could have probably had a nice run as a CIA agent. This guy gives up no secrets! Can't say I blame him when you're trying to wheel and deal and get the best guys for your team! Hockey mom personally knows several female fans who might need an extra box of tissues for the tears in the event that Feds doesn't resign as a Cap. GM did give some good news on the status of Michael Nylander (who missed the latter part of last season due to shoulder surgery); he's been cleared to play and we hope to see him back soon! A big hockey mom shout out to his wife, Camilla Nylander, who is the ultimate hockey mom of six beautiful kids!

One of the rumors I've heard which has the most credence is that Barry (the Mullet) Melrose will most likely become head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning. I can totally see Barry down in sunny Florida, sporting his hair-product-enhanced mullet and a tacky Hawaiian shirt. Classic!

So I'll keep my ear to ground for any more juicy gossip - this is much more fun than Betty's Beauty Shop!