I see over the weekend that Kootenay has resolved their overage situation by trading goaltender Kris Lazaruk to Kelowna for a 2010 4th round bantam pick. I know a 4th round bantam pick seems awfully little for a good #1 goalie like Lazaruk, but that's the reality of trying to trade an overage goalie in a market where most teams are either set in net or set on their O/As. There just aren't that many suitors out there so the Ice probably did about as well with this trade as could be expected here.
The situation gets more interesting in Kelowna though, where apparently previous #1 goalie Torrie Jung has been told to clean out his locker and go home to wait for a trade. We can only wonder what caused the relationship between Jung and the Rockets to go so sour so quickly. I also have to wonder where Jung will end up....his numbers in his career are not outstanding (career 3.13 GAA, sub-par .894 save%, for example) so we'll have to see if there's anyone out there who sees him as a #1 goalie or whether he's destined to be a backup somewhere instead.
Another sticky situation is arising over the Evan Pighin problem too. Pighin has begun playing games for the BCHL's Victoria Grizzlies despite still not having his release from the WHL. Apparently the BCHL went to B.C. Hockey about the situation, and B.C. Hockey told them they could start using Pighin. The WHL (or at least, the Bruins) are not happy about this at all, so we'll see if the WHL office gets involved in this. I think they kind of have to get involved and go head to head with the BCHL on this one....if they don't, then that sends a message that the WHL won't enforce its contracts, and that will lead to other disgruntled players dropping down to Jr A without releases.
And is it just me or have the NHL camp players been slower to return this year than in the past? The opening weekend is in the books now and most teams in the league are still missing 2-4 or even more of their best players. Hopefully we'll see more guys come back this week so WHL teams can start icing full rosters. The points they win/lose early in the season here count just as much in the standings as the points in March so I'd like to see full rosters ASAP!
For a chuckle, read this Edmonton Sun story on Alex Plante. Apparently Plante is the older brother of Brandon's Brayden Schenn. I'm sure that comes as a surprise to Mr. and Mrs. Plante. And Mr. and Mrs. Schenn too.
And for the folks who thought it was unfair of me to single out the Ice for their attendance last Thursday: Portland drew only 3236 for their opener on Saturday and half of that, a pathetic 1823, for their 2nd game on Sunday. This team is in big trouble if things don't improve in that area....of course, improving the product on the ice would help with the fans, but drawing only 1823 fans for a weekend game is terrible anywhere in the league.
2 comments:
with NHL camps opening a week later it's having a huge effect on not just the WHL, but the CHL overall.
http://theworldofjuniorhockey.blogspot.com/2008/09/nhl-camps-effecting-chl.html
portlands current ownership has done zero advertising. you havent seen a peep on tv or radio about the season starting. it's a pretty sad state of affairs for portland fans right now. season ticket packets missing tickets. no pocket schedules to hand out at the games. they use to always give out a signed stick to one season ticket holder every game, now they get a little signed banner. feels like the owners are standing pat on spending any money and waiting for the sale to become final so the new owners get the bills. ohh and big shock, the replay screen died during the season opener. hurry up whl and make the sale final!! save us!!
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