It would seem that Mike Keenan did not quit. Apparently his job was offered by Panthers owner Alan Cohen to Jacques Martin while Keenan was still in the employ of the Florida organization. That sounds like fired to me. It's really interesting that Keenan and Neil Smith, two highly regarded hockey men were apparently undermined by their owners. It sure seems odd that Wang and Cohen wouldn't let their GM's do their jobs. Smith and Keenan have been around a long time and know the game of hockey. Let them breathe. I doubt that Keenan and Smith will be out of work long, if some teams stumble out of the gate then some GM's will be on the chopping block. You can put Toronto on the top of that list, JFJr. has no contract for next season, it wouldn't be devastating financially if they let him go early.
Still on the Leafs front, no contract yet for Matt Stajan. I wonder if he's looking for Nik Antropov money?
Nice no hitter last night by Anibal Sanchez. First no hitter on a Sept. 6th since 1905 when Frank "Piano Mover" Smith of the ChiSox no hit the Tigers. What a great nickname, "Piano Mover", I guess it's better then being called, Frank "Manure Shoveller" Smith.
Simon Gagne has been offered $5 million a year for either four years or five years by the Flyers. But Gagne wants three years, but he won't get $5 million a season. This type of negotiating reminds me of when George Costanza turned down NBC's offer and then negotiated for less. Take the four years at $5 million per season and be happy, what's one year if it means getting more money? Who knows what Gagne will be playing like in three years, don't gamble, take the $20 million.
You know that song by The Killer's, "I heard a rumour that you have a boyfriend, that look liked a girlfriend that I had in February of last year" does this mean the guy was dating a transvestite? or as Austin Powers said, "she's a man baby" What's the deal there?
On This Date
30 years ago today, Craig Patrick formally of the Kansas City Scouts, scores not once but twice as Team USA ties one on at four with the Czechs at the Spectrum. Also scoring for the Americans, were Robbie "The Cardigan" Ftorek and Alan Hangsleben. The US had a 3-1 first period lead behind the solid goal-tending of Mike Curran before the Czechs rebound in the final forty to earn a point.
In other Canada Cup action on Sept. 7th 1976, Canada beat Sweden 4-0, Bob Gainey scored twice for Canada (a good day for future NHL GM's on the score sheet). Bobby Hull and Marcel Dionne also lit the lamp and Rogie Vachon had the shutout. Don Cherry's soon to be best friend, Hardy Astrom was in net for Sweden.
Trivia
Name the Venezuelan born member of Team USA 1976? answer below.
Little Known Fact
Craig Patrick was once involved in a trade that in a round about way included Brian Sutter. Patrick and Denis Dupere were traded by the Blues to the Scouts for Lynn Powis and the Scouts second round pick in 1976 and the Blues picked Brian Sutter. The KC Scouts by the way moved to Colorado and became the Rockies and then the Rockies moved to Jersey and are of course, now the Devils.
Offside
I'm finding more and more that people are inventing their own line ups, whether it's waiting for the train in the morning or at a fast food place. The GO Train has two doors, logic tells you that the first two people at the station are at the front and thus they start the formation of the line. But no. It seems like 6 or 7 people think they are at the front of the line, how ignorant is that? just get in line behind the people who were there first instead of trying to bud in front, it takes 6 seconds to get on the train. Then the fast food places, four cashiers open, but yet one line and it's started 10-15 feet back. Why? pick a line and move up within 12 inches of the person in front of you. It's almost like there needs to be a school to teach people how to line up properly.
Trivia Answer
Rick Chartraw
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