Want full access to the RUMOUR CHART, Chat Room, Free Fantasy Games, Insider Emails and NO MORE AUTO PLAY VIDEOS? Then support the site and become a Season Ticket Holder for ONLY $20 a year. CLICK HERE FOR MORE
If there was one player whose stock rose the most this past playoffs it is Brooks Orpick. Brooks showed a ton. Most of all, the guy can do it all. His four hit shift in Game 3 of the Finals was the stuff of legend in hockey, his ability to pick up Gonchar's game over the past few years has truly revitalized Gonchar's game. To be paired with a puck moving defenseman like Gonchar and to be NEVER out of position is an accomplishment.
However, word has been out these playoffs that Orpik is almost certainly moving on. The Sabres, Bruins, Sharks, Rangers and Kings are teams currently rumoured to have interest in the rugged blue-liner. My bet. Buffalo, where Orpik reminds me very much of a young Jay McKee. A player the Sabres have not replaced.
I will be back this afternoon with the Stories on Malone, Dupuis, and Brad Stuart....
from yesterday...On Hossa.
1. Marion Hossa
He is the biggest prize of this July 1st. We have all known that for a LONG time. The irony is the Penguins had zero intention of landing Hossa at the deadline. As the story goes, Mario made a call to Shero mid-day and it got done. It was a hell of a trade, and even should Marian move on...It was a hell of a trade.
Let me be the first to say that I was NOT the biggest Hossa fan prior to these playoffs. Even though I recall writing an article stating that he was "The best player in the game" for a stretch two years ago. I was not a fan.
Hossa showed up in Pittsburgh. He really did. His goals were huge and his timing was outstanding for them. His OT goal that sent the Rangers packing. Several multiple point games from a guy who was "not a playoff performer." In the Finals he was the Pens best player.
The moment I remember came with about a minute left in game five while the champagne was on ice and the Red Wings scratches were waiting to come on the ice in their jersey's to carry the Cup. It was a little deke at his own blue line. The kind you would make on your kid. At full speed, in the most pressure of situations, Hossa slipped the puck through a Red Wing's player's skates, went around him, picked up the puck and was gone...you know what happened next?
So will Hossa stick around?
People I talk to say that they feel it is about 40% that he will. Which frankly is about 30% more than they said when the playoffs began. This is Hossa's time and he will be the big pickup this year...One source told me-during the Conference Finals when I was in Pittsburgh with Philly- that Hossa would stay in Pittsburgh. I think Hossa falls into the category of players who should consider how perfect a fit he is with his current team.
But I don't get the sense that he will.
Boston is his most likely home. Detroit ironically is another. As are Ottawa and Montreal.
In Boston he would rejoin Chiarelli and his really good friend Chara. Both former Sens.
Detroit, Ottawa, and Montreal all went VERY hard for Hossa.
OTHER PLAYERS FROM THESE TWO TEAMS INCLUDE....
Ryan Malone
Pascal Dupuis
Brooks Orpik
Jarkko Ruutu
Georges Laraque
Dallas Drake
Aaron Downey
Andreas Lilja
Brad Stuart
Join the Discussion:
»