Nah, it’s actually a minor trade (if that) but thanks for clicking on the blog.
The Sens have traded away Alexander Nikulin for Drew Fata. Nikulin, a 23 year old prospect, has apparently been disgruntled with the Sens for some time. Hopefully Drew Fata will be gruntled.
Fata is a Canadian, 25 year old d-man who played a few games for the Islanders and was signed by the Coyotes last offseason. He has been playing for the Coyotes’ AHL affiliate. He’s no great prize but Murray’s trading leverage was non-existent in this deal. Nikulin complained in his blog that the Sens weren’t trading him fast enough and he used the “I’ll take my puck and go home to Russia” tactic today.
I’m not sure why anyone would want a player on their team who was willing to make that threat or publicly complain about his club but, again, Fata is not exactly a blue chip prospect.
I respect that a player can have problems with a club or can feel like a certain club doesn’t afford him an opportunity to advance in his career. What I mean to say is I could understand a really talented player becoming frustrated in the AHL if the NHL roster was packed with stars and he had no chance to move up. But where a 23 year old whose claim to fame is scoring 14 goals in 71 games in Bingo last year gets it in his head that he’s important enough to begin publicly demanding trades, I have no clue.
Whether it’s true or not, Russian players have a reputation for being prima donnas and/or for not really caring about the NHL. It’s guys like Zherdev (who at least has spectacular talent) and Nikulin who give a bad name to those who were willing to risk everything to get to the NHL, like Malkin. Or those who clearly love playing hockey more than most anyone, like Ovechkin. Even the late Cherepanov looked devastated as his stock dropped in the NHL draft. So while I know the comment “friggin Russians” is getting tossed around a lot, let’s not forget that generalizations are generally wrong.
By the way, the contest ends this Friday so get your jokes in. I’ll be back tomorrow with a full-length blog.
-
And finally, I thought I would get this blog started the right way: WITH A CONTEST!!!
That’s right, it’s time for another “win something decent and also an item from Gerz’s basement” contest. The rules are simple. This time around, I want people to come up with original hockey related jokes. It could be about a team you like, a team you hate, the sport in general, whatever. When you come up with your joke, post it on the forum here or e-mail it to me (
[email protected]) and when I feel like I have enough, I’ll take the ones I consider to be the funniest and post them in a blog. Once I do that, we will get the readers to vote (again by forum posts or e-mail) on which joke is the best.
The winner will receive some paraphernalia related to their favourite team (mug, t-shirt, key chain), a copy of Sonny Chiba’s classic film “Samurai” on DVD, a tweety-bird PEZ dispenser and more (will be announced as the contest continues). Also, as a bonus, if you live in the Ottawa area and win this contest, I will deliver the prize to your house/apartment/box along with some piping hot, that’s right – piping hot, take-out food (your choice of location).
The contest is open to everyone and I will ship the prize anywhere within Canada or the US (including the freak states).
-Gerz
Join the Discussion:
»