Pekka Rinne & Shea Weber Move On Out of Nashville: Traded To Flyers

Yesterday on Pekka Rinne's instagram, this photo popped up with him & Shea Weber holding Philadelphia Flyers hats:



Flyers fans rejoiced! Only to find out it was an April Fool's joke. Damn Pekka, you got everyone good huh? It's a great prank but it's been attempted before:



My favorite one this year by far is the one claiming Jeffery Loria, owner of the Miami Marlins, is selling them to Mickey Arison, owner of the Miami Heat, for $680 million. Still, if the trade went through, the Flyers need a lot more that Pekka & Shea to pull them out of last place in the soon to be gone Atlantic.

Ilya Bryzgalov's Thoughts on Life (Also, Picture of Wife for All Those Curious)



Ilya Bryzgalov & wife Yevgeniya Bryzgalov

So the people at Deadspin knocked this story out of the park last weekend. Philadelphia Flyer's goalie Ilya Bryzgalov was asked what his thoughts were on the meteor that burnt up in the Russian atmosphere on February 15th, destroying a KHL arena & injuring civilians.

Ilya, as we all know, has a five-hole big enough to let that meteor through on any given day, so it wouldn't have mattered if he was in Russia at the moment & had super hero strength to stop it (it still would've gotten through).

His answer though was simply amazing. Showing a glimpse into the depth of Mr. Bryzgalov's mind & also showing us what a nitwit he can also be. Here's the transcript of the interview from Sporting News that Deadspin put up:

Probably every day, our atmosphere was penetrated with the smaller size of the meteors, and (they) just burned high in the atmosphere. This is a much bigger size, but that big that struck the earth like … back in the days, like when the dinosaurs was destroyed. On one thing it's very interesting. On the other hand, it's dangerous. And you know we can't protect ourselves from the space danger.
I think we've gotta like be thankful, and be happy, and enjoy every day our life with our relatives, our wives, kids, and enjoy our work every day.

...very interesting Ilya. I wonder if he was making this face as he said it:



Here are some incredible comments from the discussion:

 DialCforConcupisce… 9 days ago

I was just figuring out stranger danger. Now I have to worry about space danger too?

 

scotchnaut  9 days ago

[Bryzgalov throws skates over shoulder, walks away slowly into the sunset]
Kid: "Bryz! Come back. Bryz!"
Uncle Snarly: "He ain't comin' back kid. That kind of man never does." [takes pensive drag on corncob pipe]

 DougExeter 9 days ago

Russia actually has been continually developing a sophisticated defense system designed to prevent against meteorites and other space dangers, and, coincidentally, its code name is the "Bryzgalov." Bryzgalov I was developed in the former USSR in the 1970s, and little is known about it. Bryzgalov II was a modified butterfly net, and proved to be somewhat embarassing in its ineffectiveness. Bryzgalovs III and IV were a hybrid of the butterfly net and additional, larger padding, and were tried out in the 1990s, but saw little action during the so-called "Dead Asteroid Era" and ultimately burned up. Finally, Bryzgalov V was launched in 2011, although some say it was rushed to production, and it contained multiple structural weaknesses. Indeed, through 2012, parts of the system had already decayed and large gaps in its structure were evident. Still, when the meteor was spotted heading towards Earth last week, Moscow believed that it was on a collision course with the machine, which would save the residents from any impact. Unfortunately, it appears that the meteor went through the Bryzgalov V hole.

I really do hope, for Bryzgalov's sake, that he enjoys everday like he says he must. If not then geez, this space danger thing is going to be one big let down just like his recent play.

The Idiots Have Taken Over: ESPN Screws it up AGAIN

I can't even tell now. This ESPN (ESPNNewYork) craziness is now getting to me & I don't even know whether or not someone is out there trolling the internet (which would be awesome) or truly not doing their job at ESPN. Total Sports Blog put up this article yesterday that blew my mind.

It's about how ESPN is still mucking up the details with NHL players. Katie Strang may have written the article (which is a to-the-point, good article) on how the Boston Bruins have traded goaltender Tim Thomas to the New York Islanders, but whoever put that picture of NBA's Tim Thomas is, for lack of a better word, an idiot. Here's a screen shot from the article who they gave credit to @FlyersNation:




Normally I love this kind of stuff but this one's too much. They get the coverage right on some 17 year-old signing a piece of paper that claims he's going to this geographical location for 4 years to develop alcoholism & contract various sexual diseases, but they can't get a professional, two time Vezina winning, Con Smythe & Stanley Cup Champion's picture right. It's called Google, & here he is ESPN: Tim Thomas.

Whewww.....End Rant.

Hockey Fight: BJ Crombeen vs. Zac Rinaldo

This incredible knock-out fight between Philadelphia Flyer's Zac Rinaldo & Tampa Bay Lightning's BJ Crombeen has been one of the best one's this year. Here's the clip via NBC Sports Network:



This got me thinking of some of my most memorable and incredible fights I've seen:



Who can forget this phenomenal showdown:



& what about this rampage??:



I don't think I've ever done 4 videos in one post, but it just happened! Enjoy the savage carnage!

Brayden Schenn Lays Down Illegal Hit on Anton Volchenkov

I'm usually in full support of Brendan Shanahan's decisions as head of player's safety & today makes no difference in my opinion. Philadelphia Flyers' Brayden Schenn performed a serious infraction the other night on the ice against New Jersey Devils' Anton Volchenkov. The video below is a formal explanation by Shanahan on the parameters of the hit, as well as the justification of the penalty:



This hit could have been dangerous but thankfully Volchenkov wasn't harmed. Since it was Schenn's first major offense I like how Shanahan basically gives him a stern warning in a one game suspension. Let's hope players get the message soon & try not to get too excited out there on the ice sometimes.

2013 Pre-Season Power Rankings #10-1

So we've come down to the final 10. The creme de la creme. All teams here are under the assumption as shoe-ins to the playoffs & favorites for Lord Stanley's Cup. Who will take the top spot? Let's find out!:

#10

Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago has become a perennial contender. Even though Patrick Kane is out getting in trouble all the time, the rest of the team doesn't depend on him showing up every game, which he actually does anyways (incredible). To be successful this year: get dirty & lock down on defense. The Blackhawks just may be cup contenders.

#9

Detroit Red Wings
Nicklas Lidstrom wasn't everything in Detroit. Sure he was the captain & heart & soul, but something tells me he left with a plan installed. We all know Henrik Zetterberg & Pavel Datsyuk can get it done, but the rest of the Red Wings squad can also, & that's why this season can be exceptionally great even without there beloved long time captain.

#8

Philadelphia Flyers
Claude Giroux is just riding an incredible crest right now. Cover of NHL 13, the new captaincy, but is it enough to transfer on ice? I placed Philadelphia up at #8 because they have been getting it done year after year. Even with the loss of Jake van Riemsdyk to Toronto, the Flyers can manage an elite season.

#7

Los Angeles Kings
This is another team that will benefit or suffer under the shortened season. The Kings are back defending the cup this year & that is probably the only reason they are ranked this high. The reason? Injuries. The short schedule keeps the time to heal down to a minimum which can't be good when you have Anze Kopitar out. Besides that, look for the same energy from last season, but I doubt a repeat year is in the mix.

#6

St. Louis Blues
The Blues had a phenomenal run last year which ended in upset. With David Backes leading the way again, expect youngster T.J. Oshie to post up monster numbers if he can avoid the injury bug. St. Louis has the chance to create havock in the standings and possibly go further than they did last year because of the shortened year.

#5

Edmonton Oilers
#5?? Really? Yes, really. Check it out: Jordan Eberle, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, & Nail Yakupov all studs and under 25? This team may or may not reach the bar I've set for them this year, but if they don't then watch out for next year, and the year after that, and the year after that, and...well you get what I'm saying. Edmonton's future looks bright.

#4

Vancouver Canucks
The only reason Vancouver is up at #4 is the same reason they should be lower, & that's the Roberto Luongo saga. Even when he wants to get traded & is upset with his location, the guy somehow manages to run for the Vezina almost every year without trying. Along with the Sedin twins, the Canucks always have a shot at the cup, or at least the President's trophy (u mad?).

#3

Boston Bruins
Boston's another one of those teams that you sit there and wonder, "How do they do it every year?". This strong TEAM is full of talented individuals that move as a group towards one goal. I expect a superb season if Nathan Horton can pull together a stellar performance & if Tuukka Rask shuts down the angles.

#2

Pittsburgh Penguins
Everybody wishes they had one, Pittsburgh has them both! Sidney Crosby & Evgeni Malkin are just flat out sick. Sid, by far the best in the league when he's healthy, & Geno the best when he's[Crosby] not. This club lost Jordan Staal but I know Penguins fans are like, "Jordan-Who??". If Pitt can have fast start & maintain, the Stanley cup can most likely be in Pennsylvania this year.

#1

New York Rangers
With the amount of talent these guys stack up each year they should be playing outdoor games in Yankees' Stadium just to rub it in people's faces the dominating rosters both teams have. Rick Nash is the big story here, & now that he has his team around him he always wanted, let's see if he can produce. The top line looks scary & if Henrik Lundqvist does his thing like every year, the cup's in the bag for the Rangers.


Well there you have it. I hope everyone enjoys the season! Hockey's back and it's amazing to see the clubs skating again. Stay posted for more Power Rankings throught out the season!