Well, well, well... at last we meet again

by Anne

Why hello, people who have not removed this blog from their blogroll.

It has been 2 1/2 months since I last posted in this, what once used to be a daily+ blog.

I'm sure you've all missed my witty banter with myself.

Anywhoozle.

When the All-Star weekend arrived, it occurred to me that I had missed out what has truly been the greatest part of the hockey season for me for the last few years: choosing the All-Star hotties team. Spending what usually totals HOURS pouring over Google Image results pages and NHL "Let's send the players into the real world and take photos of them with babies" galleries, I compiled a list of hot, hotter, and hottest players from each conference.

Reflecting further, given the free-for-all style of team selection this year, I have no clue how I would have selected my nominating pool. It used to be East v. West. What this year? Blondes v. Brunettes? 5'11" and under v. 6'0" and taller? The hockey players of Twitter? Perhaps I dodged a bullet this year.

YET I HAVE RETURNED IN TIME FOR THE MOST SACRED OF ALL HOCKEY DAYS:

Trade.

Deadline.

Day.

My lingering bout of the affliction known as "unemployment" means that I will be 100% available to sit on my duff at my computer, checking the tweets, and hitting "refresh" on various trade tracking websites, tuned in to NHL Live to hear the dulcet tones of EJ Hradek waxing poetic about the careers each player is leaving behind at their former teams, and the "give it to me straight, I can take it" trade reporting style of TSN's James Duthie. Makes you feel alive.

Ah yes, like Christmas morn, my birthday, and the day your tax refund appears in your bank account all rolled into one, trade deadline day is truly a time to appreciate the things you have.

Remember, 'tis far better to give Tim Connolly than to receive him. 

IT'S FINALLY HERE!

by Anne

Get out your abacuses and spread sheets and try to follow the fun as it unfolds until 3:00pm EST today!!

Glowing, flashing, pink sparkly text was the most appropriate choice for today, right?

Here's what's a-happenin':

First trade text: 10:00 am Senators acquire Goaltender Pascal Leclaire and 2nd round pick from Columbus for Center Antoine Vermette. Maybe with this acquisition of a center that means they won't be getting Timmy and we won't have to get Rositslav Klesla? And the turnstile in net continues for the Ottawa Senators.

*~*More than $4 million a season for two years of Timmy? I don't know about that. But this "Connolly to Chicago" rumor is magical. Brian Campbell and Tim Connolly back together again to troll the bars of ChiTown? I'd be so jealous. It brings a tear to the eye.*~*

10:45: He stays a Sabre! Timmy signed a two year extension for $9 million. Aw, ok I am happy to keep you Timmy!

11:40 Colorado sends Defenseman Jordan Leopold to Calgary for Lawrence "three teams in three days" Nycholat, prospect Ryan Wilson and a 2nd round pick

11:45: In a deal ROCKING the league the Blues send Andy Wozniewski to Pens for DANNY RICHMOND. I need to sit down, these trades are making my head spin.

12:00: Darcy press conference. I can't hear anything but I can see Timmy:

Does his hat angle fall into douchebag range? Its slightly off to the side but most straight back...

Also: Toronto claims Martin Gerber and Dallas claims Brendan Morrison off waivers

As soon as I hit "publish" of course we make a trade.

12:08: Buffalo Sabres trade for Michael excuse me, Mikael Tellqvist from the Phoenix Coyotes for a fourth round pick. Portland will be happy to get Enroth back?

12:13: More waiver claimings: Toronto also claims Eric Reitz from NYR and Pittsburgh claims Craig Adams from Chicago

I love that Bucky's reaction to Timmy's deal is to completely rip it apart because he was wrong about being COMPLETLEY CERTAIN that the Sabres were DEFINITELY going to deal Timmy today. He's right that its a lot of money but his whole post has a very pouting tone to it.

12:40: Olli Jokinen traded from Phoenix to Calgary for Matthew Lombardi, Prust and a first round pick. This will be Jokinen's first post-season appearance in his 10 years in the NHL. Yeesh, Calgary gave up a lot for this guy.

Also: Boston acquires Defenseman Steve Montador from Anaheim for Forward Petteri Nokelainen.

1:40 Ok so my test was easy. More trades:

Mark Recchi to Boston for two dudes I've never heard of

Lots of goings on for the 'Hawks but last I checked, nothing official yet? Dominic Moore is apparently headed to Chicago?

Also toss in Phoenix sending a 3rd round pick to Calgary with Jokinen for Lombardi, Prust and a first round pick. Still, I think Calgary is overpaying.

*~*Please tell me the Sabres aren't done dealing for the day. That would be sad times.*~*

Where are the "all but guaranteed" deals for Guerin, Morris and Antropov? Just over an hour left til the deadline, kids.

2:00 Final hour of trades.

Bill Guerin apparently headed to Pittsburgh.

Dominic Moore NOT going to Chicago apparently.

Bouwmeester may be headed to Vancouver.

Still waiting, Darcy.

2:08 Its official: Bill Guerin to Pittsburgh for a conditional pick. Wow. I'm sure that's REALLY what the Islanders were hoping to get for their captain.

2:40: Chris Neil to the Panthers. This would be even better if we didn't have to play the Panthers a few more times this season. (This isn't official yet I guess)

Also: Daniel Carcillo from Phoenix to Philly for Scottie Upshall and a 2nd round pick. Awww, Scottie the Hottie. One of our All-Stars is headed to the West. This is a crushing blow.

I'm going to be sick if the Sabres do nothing else in these last few minutes.

2:49 Rangers acquire Antropov from Leafs, no details on what the Leafs are getting in return yet. (Its a 2nd round and a conditional pick for the Leafs)

2:57 Ponikarovski from Toronto to Nashville for two picks. I'm reeling at the "new look" Eastern Conference. YAWN.

3:00 Derek Morris to the Rangers. And that's all she wrote, folks. There may be a few more deals trickling in but that's basically it.

What a waste of time for Sabres fans. A temporary back up goalie and an overpaid Timmy. Great. We still have Max and a lot of other pieces that probably could've brought a great return.

Wow. I can't wait to get to the game tonight.

Late announcement:

3:09 Dominic Moore from Toronto to Chicago for 2nd round pick.

CORRECTION Dominic Moore to Buffalo?!?! Is this the top 6 center I whined about earlier in the season?!

3:17 Sammy Pahlsson from Anaheim to Chicago

Erc Christensen to Ducks for Eric O'Dell

Maybe Moore isn't coming to Buffalo??

3:23 Nevermind, Moore is still coming to Buffalo. Wow, Darcy trading within the division. He rarely does that.

4:07 Ok like 90 trades happened on my drive home:

Sammy Pahlsson to Chicago for James Wisniewski (awwwww :( )

Lightning trade Steve Eminger to Florida for Noah Welch (both D)

Kyle McLaren traded from San Jose to Philly (and the girls at Slightly Saucy rejoice)

Ducks trade Travis Moen (F) and Kent Huskins (D) to San Jose for some random prospect type players

Some complicated trade is going down involving like 4 teams but all I've heard is Patrick O'Sullivan from LA to Edmonton :( Ask Greener for advice! :(

ALSO in that trade: Kotalik to Edmonton?! Are we getting anything in return? So help me if its Dustin Penner...

ALSO Justin Williams to LA, Eric Cole to Carolina

ALSO we get a 2nd round pick? We lose our top shoot out guy for a 2nd round pick?!?!

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Bye bye

by Anne

Bye bye Soup.

Hello, Bernier and a 1st round draft pick.

I'll now sort of retire a tag, and start a new one.

Fare thee well:

Goodbye "Brian Campbell" tag

Welcome, "Steve Bernier" Tag

Will there be any more Sabres moving today? Kalinin might go, people were crying for the Soviet Bomber's head at times in this season.

We shall see.