The Broken Chair

The NHL trade deadline is today, and while blockbuster trades aren't as common as they were pre-salary cap, there is still potential for some nice deals.

Here are some of the bigger names that are popping up in the rumor mill with some comments and the likelihood of being traded.

= Unlikely to be traded

  = Likely to be traded

Forwards

Defensemen

Jay Bouwmeester - It is going to take a package of players that will help the Panthers (who are in the tick of a playoff race) now and in the future to get a deal done, but Bouwmeester's impeding UFA status makes a trade possible.

Derek Morris - Look for Morris to be moved today.

Sean Pronger - Anaheim has stated he is off the trade block but you never know what could happen.

Forwards

Nik Antropov - GM Brian Burke has stated this guy will go today.

Bill Guerin - Sitting out since Saturday there seems to be a hitch in a pending trade.

Olli Jokinen - Salary may be an issue but would be a nice fit for a playoff bound team.

Vincent Lecavalier - I'd be shocked if he was traded.  His contract and status with the franchise make it nearly impossible but Montreal has long been a rumored destination.

Martin St. Louis - The fan favorite could be on the move to a team that needs some scoring.

Keith Tkacuk - Fits the mold of a deadline deal player but I think the Blues will hold on to him.

Goalies

Scott Clemmensen - Carried the team while HOF goalie Brodeur was injured but is now back in the minors.  GM Lou Lamoriello said he'll try to trade the pending FA goalie.

Check out the Trade Center page on  TSN.ca for more updates.

Posted by Ed Z at 12:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

If you like baseball, this is a must watch.  It is Kirk Gibson's HR as told by baseball cards with Vin Scully's play by play audio.  Awesome!

Thanks to Morpheus for sending it in via Big League Stew.

Posted by Ed Z at 02:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Today at 3pm marks the NHL trade deadline.  If you're a fan of hockey, this is usually a busy day.

Several big trades have already taken place with the Buffalo Sabres sending impending free agent defenseman Brian Campbell to the San Jose Sharks for forward Steve Bernier and a pick.  This takes the best available defenseman out of play for other teams looking for a powerplay quarterback.  The New York Rangers will not be pleased.

Also, the Tampa Bay Lightning sent 2003-04 Conn Smythe winner Brad Richards and goalie Johan Holmqvist to the Dallas Stars for goalie Mike Smith and forwards Jussi Jokinen and Jeff Halpern.  Tampa Bay makes salary space for the recently signed  defenseman Dan Boyle (another Rangers target) and gets a potential star starting goalie.  The Stars add offensive punch with Richards who is bound to improve with a better cast around him.

One of the last big name players available is Atlanta Thrashers sniper Marian Hossa.  His rumored destination has been The Montreal Canadiens.

TSN has a running log of all the activity for the day.

And for a look back at some of the past blockbuster deals on deadline day check out this ESPN article.

Posted by Ed Z at 12:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The head count comes to over one million people and the noise and energy seemed like 10 million.

JR set up a gallery of his pictures, click on the photo below to check it out.

Posted by Ed Z at 02:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The New York Giants victory parade will begin in downtown Manhattan right outside my office.  Here are some pictures of the setup.

Thanks to JR for the photos.  I'll try and get more later.

1010 WINS has a live video feed.

Posted by Ed Z at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

You might go your whole life and never see a play like this again.  What makes it so special is both ends of it.  Eli Manning's determination to avoid the sack and David Tyree's amazing catch.

It is a moment, as a Giants fan and as a sports fan, you'll never forget.  I'll tell my grandkids about how the Giants beat the unbeaten Patriots and how Eli's miracle play gave them the lead and how the Giants defense dominated the best offense in history.

The New York Giants are Super Bowl champions.

Click on the screenshot for the "Eli Miracle".

Posted by Ed Z at 08:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

One of the best games I've seen in a long time.

After Tynes missed the field goal to win it in regulation I was ready to throw my television out the window.  Thank goodness he redeemed himself.

Also, I thought the officiating was one sided in favor of the Packers.  I know having Favre going to the Superbowl was the sexy story but don't let it get in the way of calling a fair game.

Oh and that clip from Coming to America is freaky!

Posted by Ed Z at 11:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Photo taken from Giants.com

An incredible game to watch with a rollercoaster of emotions.

With just over two minutes to go the giants failed to make a first down and punted the ball to the Cowboys giving them good field position.  With one minute and fifty seconds the Cowboys needed a touchdown to win but quarterback Tony Romo threw an interception in the end zone to seal the victory for the giants.

Any Giants fan would have that feeling in the pit of their stomach knowing with that much time left a loss was certainly a possibility, if not a likelihood.  But the depleted Giants defense came up big and sealed the deal with the interception.

It was a good win.  Eli Manning, who had been raked over the coals earlier in the season has seemed to come into his own all starting with the game against the still undefeated Patriots.  He seems to have finally grasped what it takes to be a leader; not for just for a few moments in a game, such as some flashes we've seen in last minute drives, but consistently through several games.

I'm looking forward to watching how he handles the pressures of the NFC championship game at Lambau Field against the Green Bay Packers.

For a recap of the game try these links:

Giants top Cowboys, advance to Green Bay

Silencing the House

Posted by Ed Z at 10:49 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Outstanding once again.

Love him or hate him, Whitlock certainly stimulates discussion.  I'd like to see him get some more media attention because the things he writes need to be discussed.

Posted by Ed Z at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (1)

I read over at MetsBlog that the New York Mets are offering fans the opportunity to purchase engraved bricks that will surround the Jackie Robinson Rotunda at Citi Field.

Boy would I love to see a list of the rejected engravings.  And that got me to thinking about what the top rejects would be.   Here is my list:

• Go Yankees!
• I hate you Tom Glavine.
• Congrats '86 Mets, you couldn't have done it without me" - Calvin Schiraldi
• I ordered 2007 playoff tickets and all I got was this lousy brick.
• 0.1IP 5H 7R
• This is not a brick, it is Buckner's Glove
• Benitez Ball Landed Here

Feel free to add your own rejected brick in the comments.

Posted by Ed Z at 01:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBacks (0)

The Drudge headline for all the world to see:

Mets Complete Collapse, Miss Playoffs...

I'll be slamming my head against a wall if you need me.

Posted by Ed Z at 08:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Mark Ecko bought Barry Bonds' record breaking home run ball and is now letting the public decide its fate.

It has been decided.

Posted by Ed Z at 01:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Are you a Mets fan?  I am.

Posted by Ed Z at 10:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Are you a trade rumor junkie like me?

Today is the MLB non waiver trade deadline and that means rumors are swirling everywhere.  And as a Mets fan my eyes are glued to MetsBlog.  Run by Matt Cerrone, MetsBlog is the place for anything Mets, especially on a day like today when I expect Mets GM, Omar Minaya, to do some dealing.

For all other deadline day rumors and info, be sure to check out MLB Trade Rumors.

I love this time of year!

Posted by Ed Z at 01:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

There are some stories I just try to ignore.  They're there, people read about it, and everyone soft of knows the details.  But sometimes you read a bit more and realize the particulars are far worse than you could have imagined.  As a football fan and a fantasy sports player, I follow day-to-day news of players and I've been reading about Vick's legal troubles overt the property he owned but supposedly never used.  What started as a possible occurrence of dog fighting, had turned into a full blown enterprise that Vick may have been deeply involved.  And what sets this apart from just the criminality is the barbarity of the situation.  If true that Vick had knowledge of all this he has show himself to be a monster.  A suspension likely and jail a possibility.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg.  Just another chapter in the adventures of Ron Mexico.  Hot Air has more.

Posted by Ed Z at 02:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

No beer at the ballgame?  No problem, have some plastic surgery instead!

Minor league baseball team, the Newark Bears will be having Cosmetic Surgery Night as a promotion!  Fun for the whole family!

The Newark Bears made recent news for their inability to sell beer at games.

Oops, that can't be good for attendance.

Posted by Ed Z at 03:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Agitator extraordinaire, Sean Avery, on his reception at Phillips Arena, home of the Atlanta Thrashers.

Sean Avery was traded to the New York Rangers on February 5, and brought with him an edge and grittiness not seen on Broadway in a long time.  Players like Avery are the ones needed to win in the playoffs and the Rangers hold a 2-0 lead in the best of seven series.

Posted by Ed Z at 12:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

The NHL trading deadline is 3 pm today.  If you're a fan of hockey check out Spector's Hockey for all the latest on trades and rumors.

So far the biggest trades have been the Blues sending Billy Guerin to the Sharks, Sabres goalie Martin Biron going to the Flyers and the Penguins getting Gary Roberts from the Panthers.

The New York Post reported yesterday that the Rangers may be willing to part with Jaromir Jagr for the right package.

As a Rangers fan, I would be in favor of this trade if they could get a package of prospects and picks.  The Rangers are seven points behind eighth place Montreal for a playoff spot and aren't playing inspired hockey.

*Update*

Here is an updated list of all the trades today.

Posted by Ed Z at 12:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am not a fan of basketball, pro or college, but I couldn't avoid reading about the disastrous All-Star Weekend.  AOL Sports' Jason Whitlock writes about what the event has become.

He goes as far as to suggest NBA commissioner David Stern should move the whole event out of the country, stating he is "not sure [the NBA's image] can survive the embarrassment of a New Orleans standoff between its fans and the National Guard".

I'm not sure what the sport can do to shed this image of a game filled with thugs and criminals,  it may be too late for any rescue.

Posted by Ed Z at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Matthew Cerrone over at MetsBlog is reporting that the New York Mets may be naming their new stadium Monday. The stadium is set to open in 2009 and while I'll be happy to see the Mets in their new abode, I'll miss Shea's grotesque appeal. I have so many great memories there but I look forward to the new ones

.

So far, nobody has leaked the new name but as Matthew's post points out, someone mentioned CitiField.

Since the announcement of a new stadium, I hoped MetLife would buy the rights. MetLife Park, Met Field... it just makes sense.

Let me know what you'd like to see as the new name. Also, what do you think is the worst name in current MLB parks? I vote for U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox.

Posted by Ed Z at 03:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBacks (0)

By the time the game was over, I had just about chewed my left thumb off and my hands hurt from clenching my fists so tightly. No permanent damage done, though with games like the one last night, the damage is all in the heart.

The Mets lost game 7 of the NLCS to the Cardinals, but they never lost the fight that got them there. When Endy Chavez made what may be the best defensive play in franchise history, given the situation, robbing Scott Rolen of a home run, I thought the game had turned. But after threatening in the bottom of that inning, the Mets couldn't plate the runs.

Even to the very last at-bat, to the very last strike, there was hope…fight. Oliver Perez, who some were saying was the worst game 7 started in baseball history, probably turned his career around with six innings of 1 run ball. Met fans should take some comfort in knowing that we have two young pitchers in Perez and game 6 starter John Maine, who when asked to save their team's season (our team) showed up ready and pitched their hearts out.

As I look out the window, it is a rainy and dreary day in New York, reflecting the mood of many Met fans. The pain in my hands is gone but it's going to take a little longer for the heartache to disappear.

Posted by Ed Z at 08:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

I'm off to see the Mets play the Colorado Rockies this evenings in what should be a special night.  The Mets are going to have a ceremony honoring the 20th anniversary of the 1986 World Series team.

Let's go Mets!

Posted by Ed Z at 02:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

When you see a celebrity pitching a product in an advertisement, right off the bat you know they are being well compensated for the appearance. And even though there are laws that are supposed to keep some sort of reality to the endorsement we all know they are bending the truth. But to what degree? Phil Mushnick, of the New York Post, writes about the blatant hypocrisy of some celebrity athlete endorsers.

http://specialsections.nypost.com/news/nypost/tvweek/20060709/p12_s1.htm

Posted by Ed Z at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Like hockey? Today is the NHL entry draft and probably more than any other sport, there usually are trades galore leading up to and through the draft.

Already a major deal went down sending top goalie Roberto Luongo to Vancouver for monster forward Todd Bertuzzi.

To keep up with all the events of the day visit Spector's Blog.

Posted by Ed Z at 10:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Joey Porter, linebacker for the NFL champion Steelers, feels it is necessary to use his team's visit to the White House as an opportunity to deliver a personal message.

It used to be an honor to visit the White House, but Mr. Porter's behavior is just another example of the disrespect our President endures.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06135/690263-66.stm

Posted by Ed Z at 02:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

ESPN's Jeff Pearlman writes about the time leading up to Barry Bonds decision to use steroids.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2368395

Posted by Ed Z at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)