One of my favourite films of all time is Shawshank Redemption. Remember the film's climax? When Andy "crawled to freedom through five hundred yards of crap-smelling foulness I can't even imagine. Or maybe I just don't want to. Five hundred yards. The length of five football fields. Just shy of half a mile." But Andy emerges from the sewer, open sky above him, fresh rain falling on his face and lifting his thankful arms up to the heavens.Had the Senators been able to land Peter Forsberg, I think Sens' fans may very well have resembled Andy Dufresne at that moment.
But that ended today with news that Forsberg is still too banged up to play this season. It would have been tremendous to aquire a talent like that and not give up any of your future.
There is a silver lining in this for GM Bryan Murray. Last year the owner was not pleased that John Muckler couldn't secure Gary Roberts at the deadline. Not pleased at all. Let's just say there are some pretty strong parallels between the Roberts story last year and Forsberg's this year.
- Was having coffee after the show this morning with fitness trainer Tony Greco when one of his clients, Gatineau Olympiques' star Claude Giroux called to share the news that he'd just been called up by the Flyers, ready to make his NHL debut Tuesday night. Giroux had just taken over the Quebec League scoring lead with 88 points.
Last fall, you'll recall Flyers' GM Paul Holmgren pulled the rug from beneath Giroux, sending him down to the minors, just hours before he was set to play a pre-season NHL game here in Ottawa. It'll be that much sweeter, realizing the dream in a very meaningful game Tuesday night.
For some reason, Ray Emery will draw the start in that game. So much for "Win and you're in", the first time John Paddock has stepped away from the plan since January 24th. Emery wasn't good in the 3-2 loss to the Devils Saturday. More importantly, he lost. So Paddock will suddenly make an exception for Emery after a game like that. But he wouldn't for Gerber who was very good in a loss last week. Uh-huh.
For some reason, Ray Emery will draw the start in that game. So much for "Win and you're in", the first time John Paddock has stepped away from the plan since January 24th. Emery wasn't good in the 3-2 loss to the Devils Saturday. More importantly, he lost. So Paddock will suddenly make an exception for Emery after a game like that. But he wouldn't for Gerber who was very good in a loss last week. Uh-huh.
In last year's playoffs, you had a confident Emery and a good team guy in Tinu. Now you've got two guys who are confused, frustrated and completely without confidence. You can debate all you want about Paddock's systems, decisions, line juggling, motivational skills and whether he's generally done a good job this season. But I don't think you can debate this fact: He's done a terrible job handling his goaltenders.
