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BURKE SUCKS- Five Hole For Food
Well, not really, but now that I have Leafs Nation's attention, the Toronto Five Hole For Food event is going on from 12-4 at Yonge-Dundas Square. Come down, bring a donation to the food bank, and play a little hockey. For more information, visit
CLICK HERE
Marc-Andre Gragnani
2012/13 Fantasy Hockey sleeper alert should have been the headline, as Gragnani inked a one year deal with the Carolina Hurricanes for 800,000. I like the signing by the Canes and still believe that Gragnani at least has the potential to rank up points at the NHL level. I really wish Vancouver had of retained his rights, but with the addition of Garrison, Vancouver must have felt Gragnani was expendable. I can see him getting a serious look on a Canes PP that will include Staal, Staal, and Skinner. The points are there for Gragnani, now it's just up to him to work on his game all summer and go and get them. If you need a D in your hockey pool late, and aren't too picky on +/-, hits, or PIM, I believe Gragnani could end up in the 40-50 point range next year.
Wojtek Wolski
Wow, how the mighty have fallen. Just a few years ago, experts were slotting Wolski in for 50-70 points, and now he is making 600,000 a year. This move has been one of the biggest shocks of free agency for me. I've never been much of a Wolski fan, but to think that Mason Raymond was just re-signed for nearly four times what Wolski signed for is puzzling. Wolski still has elite skill and my guess is he is hoping to cash in next year if he can light it up with Ovie. I think he will be one of free agencies biggest bargains.
Peter Mueller
Mueller is maybe the best free agent bargain that is out there right now. As the Canucks wait on the Luongo trade and Shane Doan's decision, Mueller would be a great guy to sign right now. He has the size that Vancouver needs, and when he is healthy and motivated, he's a pretty dam good player. I honestly thought that he would have signed before Wolski, but if Wolski set the market price for high risk players, then I'd be sending Mueller an offer today.
In my opinion, a healthy and motivated Peter Mueller is likely the fifth best forward on the Canucks. He still has 50-70 point potential. He can play the point on the PP in a pinch, and is good in shootouts. If you could get him for less than a million (maybe even offer a 2yr deal at a million per), that is a deal that you make. My bold prediction for the day, wherever Mueller ends up, he will have more NHL points than Higgins, Hansen, Raymond, and Booth.
Shane Doan
Just as I guessed a week or so ago, Shane Doan was one of the first players that the Canucks contacted on July 1st. Doan and Gilman had a nice little chat on that day, and they had another one a few days ago as well (Man it's almost like I have inside sources or something).
As much as I'd love to see Doan in Vancouver, I would only put the chances of it happening at 25%. I think he is a great fit and I can see him wanting to play out west. I can also see that his wife (a good BC girl) liking the idea of having the family only a few hours away from Grandma and Grandpa (if they still do live in Kamloops). As well, he seems to have a good relationship with Gilman and he is from out west.
The reason I say 25% is because I would still give the Yotes a 50% chance at getting something done. I just can't really see Doan wanting to be anywhere else. The other 25% that I see getting Shane Doan's attention is the astronomical money that is rumoured to be out there for him. There are reports the Canadiens have offered 4yr/19.5 mil and JJ reported the Blackhawks are drawing up a big offer as well. I can't see Gillis spending that kind of money on a 36 year old, so we'll have to just hold out hope that he will take a discount.
I hope Gillis can get the deal done with Doan, but I'm not holding my breath on it.
That’s a wrap.
Ian
Five Hole For Food
Five Hole For Food is coming to a town near you this summer. For those of you that don't know, the concept was brought forward by some friends in Vancouver, who decided they would travel the country setting up street hockey games. The price to play in the game is a can of food or donation to the local food bank.
To date Five Hole for Food has raised over 70,000 pounds of food for food banks and is continuing the fight against hunger all over North America!
2012 Tour Dates
St. John’s – July 3rd
Halifax – July 5th
Charlottetown – July 6th
Saint John – July 7th
Montreal – July 9th
Ottawa – July 10th
Toronto – July 12th
Winnipeg – July 14th
Regina – July 15th
Calgary – July 17th
Edmonton – July 18th
Victoria – July 20th
Vancouver – July 21st
So get out and support this great cause this summer. For more information on Five Hole For Food
CLICK HERE
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