Videos Before Bedtime!!

Cogito ergo video....well my Latin is lousy. So here come the videos!!!!!



NHL 10 refinements....lovely!




NHL Hitz 2002.....nice classic!




An old Sharks classic....part of it.



Good night everyone!!!!

Rick Nash Cashes In!

Give Columbus credit...they secured their star for a long time....about oh...eight years. GM Scott Howson confirmed to the CP and now AP that the deal is worth 62.4 million dollars over eight years. Using rough math translation...that is right at 7.8 million per year. Turns out that is almost in between what Howson originally asked for (7 million) and what Rick Nash asked for (8.5 million). Weird how that works out.

Some quick notes along the way......

Nash, who would have been an unrestricted free agent after next season, set career and team highs last season with his 79 points (40 goals, 39 assists) in 78 games in leading Columbus to its first trip to the playoffs in the franchise’s eighth season.

The 25-year-old left wing from Brampton, Ontario, tied for the NHL lead in goals with 41 in the 2003-04 season.

Now I guess he is going to have to really earn it. At least to me considering he is healthier than Marian Gaborik has been the last several years...this is a pretty nice deal.

Not What You Were Expecting...

Honestly people are probably expecting grades at this time and juncture for the Free Agent Frenzy but since there are still several pretty big names out there and a couple that may still play in the NHL....it just would not feel right giving out an overall grade. We will do that sometime next week.

For most this is a getaway Friday and if you look at the list and of course do subtract Clowe's signing as that "technically" happened last night...we had a total of 3 signings today so far...that is right...3. Even yesterday had some intrigue to it that today does not quite have. At any rate, for pretty much everyone the holiday weekend is upon us.

That is just what we are going to pretty much do. Unless something big breaks...we are going on holiday for the day. Surely there will be some videos up later but today and tomorrow will be kind of well.....a holiday for us too to a point at least. If Mr. Banana Peel or Mr. Snowblower happen to make a decision...we'll be right on it but no one at The Program is holding their breath for either to occur.

Enjoy a safe and Happy 4th of July and naturally try not to drink and drive. Basically do not do anything stupid that you will regret later but at the same time....enjoy life a little. Aloha from the desert for now!


Sincerely,

Chris Wassel

Director Of The Program

This Day In Hockey History

The day before the fireworks err the 4th. I wonder what moment was dug up for today. Time to find out.



Bob Pullford in the old days....

July 03, 1997

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Bob Pulford announced his retirement as General Manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, after 20 years with the team. Bob Murray was named as his replacement.

Free Agent Frenzy Day 3

Sorry we will be in and out with updates due to once again Time Warner and their upgrades but said updates should be timely. Thanks Ryan for the morning help.


Jason Krog signs with Atlanta
Career minor league wonderkind Krog goes back to Atlanta to likely to play in the AHL. Blasted late night signings.

Fedotenko goes back to Pittsburgh
Ruslan Fedotenko has reportedly signed a 1-year deal to return to the defending champs. The money is $1.8 million a season... great news for Pens fans! And the cap hit was not that bad.

Shane Hnidy to Minnesota
Michael Russo of the Star Tribune is reporting that the Wild have signed d-man Shane Hnidy... Terms TBA. This seems to shore up their blue line with Burns, Zidlicky, Schultz, Johnsson, and Zanon already in the fold. The Wild may be set up on D....just a hunch.

Koivu & Kovalev under hot pursuit
Saku Koivu apparently down to 4 teams: Devils, Rangers, Wild, and Ducks. Talks yesterday with the Wild apparently broke down, bringing these other 3 teams back into the picture. Alexei Kovalev is being pursued by 5 or 6 different teams, according to cyberpresse.ca... and the Habs are not one of them! Stay tuned...

Vancouver signs Samuelsson
The Canucks have signed Samuelsson to a 3-year deal, worth $7.5 million! I like this move for them, as he can play on the 2nd or 3rd line. He seems like a perfect fit with Vancouver...

Detroit to lose Samuelsson
Mikael Samuelsson seems destined to sign elsewhere, and Sportsnet is reporting that he is close to signing with a Canadian team. He'd be a nice addition to any team, and if I were to guess who that Canadian team is... Canucks or Senators.

Rangers sign Arnason
Tyler Arnason has reportedly signed a deal with the Rangers, per Sportsnet. Terms TBA...

Wings re-sign Leino
RFA Ville Leino has re-signed with the Red Wings... it is said to be for 2 years. Good move by Ken Holland. Leino could very well be the next Zetterberg or Cleary.

Jackets & Nash close to extension?
According to Eric Smith, the Jackets' writer at HockeyBuzz, Rick Nash and the organization are close to an extension anywhere from 7-10 years. Columbus has to get this done before the season to eliminate any distractions.


More as they come in.....

A Clue Or A Clowe.....

The small mug shot was needed at this late hour.


In what can be best described as a very strange move (timing wise). The San Jose Sharks resigned Ryane Clowe tonight.

Ryane still may have the weirdest spelling ever in the history of man for Ryan's. However the career high 52 points offers a glimpse of serious potential in the future. The 4 year, 14 million dollar contract is only a 3.5 million dollar cap hit per year. That really is not so bad at all when you think of it.


Clowe's 2009 season outlook thanks to ESPN:

2009 Season Outlook
Clowe recently expressed interest in staying Teal, and now according to sources has resigned with San Jose. While Clowe was far from dominant in this year's abbreviated postseason (1G, 1A in six games), he showcased his skills to the tune of 52 points (22G, 30A) in the regular season.


Prognosis: Clowe has a promising future ahead in San Jose and might hit that 70 point plateau in the next year or two.