Re-runs: Return of Sundin, Shanahan...... And Lemieux?

1) Firstly the 2 players most likely to see time in an NHL uniform this season. What we hear about Brenden Shanahan is that he wants to stay in the Eastern Conference. When the Rangers didn't work out he got a call from St. Louis, but he declined the offer, hoping instead to either hook on with his old team, The Devils, or perhaps in Philly. After the Brodeur injury Lamarello was cool to bringing yet another older forward (they already added Holik and Rolston in the off season) so that option seems to have fizzled. The Philly option remains viable and we could see movement in that direction before the month is over.

2) As for the other wayward son, Mats Sundin there does seem to be some real news (finally). The big Swede appears ready to resume play in the "next 2-3 weeks". The biggest question mark is where. Here is what we know for sure. Sundin will NOT be coming to NY. The Rangers have no interest, and would have to redo their roster to accommodate Sundin even at a reduced cost. The rumours we continue to hear is that Vancouver is the most likely destination for Mats. Their offer is still on the table, and they are one of only a few who have the available cap space available. Long shots remain the Leafs, and in a real surprise, the Lightning have recently inquired about Mats joining the circus in Tampa Bay!

3) In a bizarre turn of events apparently Claude Lemieux the four-time Stanley Cup Champion and former Conn Smythe Trophy winner has joined the Central Hockey League's Arizona Sundogs for formal on-ice workouts in late October. Since September, Lemieux expressed interest in making a return to the National Hockey League. Lemieux now 43, won four Stanley Cup Championships with three different teams (Montreal in 1986, New Jersey in 1995, Colorado in 1996, and again in New Jersey in 2000) during his 20 seasons in the NHL. A veteran of nearly 1,200 NHL games, Lemieux won the Conn Smythe trophy while with New Jersey in 1995, In 1197 regular season NHL contests, the Buckingham, Quebec, native registered 379 goals, 406 assists and 1756 penalty minutes (PIM).

4) Known best for his postseason heroics, Lemieux added 80 goals, 78 assists and 529 PIM in 233 playoff appearances and ranks among the league’s all-time best in several playoff categories. His 233 playoff appearances rank tied for fourth all-time and his 80 career playoff goals rank ninth all-time. Lemieux also ranks third all-time in career playoff game-winning goals (19) and career PIM (529). So the question is, does he have anything left in the tank to make an NHL team? Based upon what we saw of him when he last played in 2002-03 splitting his final season with the Phoenix Coyotes and Dallas Stars He won't make it!! Sorry Claude.

5) So what do we make out of all this discussion? Firstly Sundin Might have an effect in the right situation. Maybe not a deal breaker, but he could compliment a team in need of offensive depth. The other two, especially Lemieux have long passed their primes. Its time for Shanny (a certain Hall of Famer) to hang em' up. He had a decent season last year, but mainly on the PP. At 5-5 he was a detriment. As for Claude. The game passed him by 5 years ago. To turn back the clock a decade is unrealistic/difficult enough for the best players, but near impossible for someone who got the most of his ability when he was younger, let alone at age 43! By the way, any recent Jason Allison rumours from Eklund? LOL

Something Nice To Say

1) The majority of the time when we at FAUXRUMORS have discussed the franchise located on Long Island NY it has been unfortunately for their fans a negative story. Usually deservedly so with the significant amount of front office/coaching turn over, the bizarre 'round table' of hockey advisers, and the VERY long term contracts to Alex Yashin and Rick DiPietro, etc.

2) However we read a story last week that we wanted to share with our readers. Written by the team's former longtime media relations VP.(now independent blogger), Chris Botta. (Linked above) In his story he rightly points out how since Charles Wang Islanders in April of 2000 (8 1/2 years already?!) he has steadfastly refused to play political hardball with regard to getting a new arena. In that time he has never spoken or leaked through a spokesperson a direct or even veiled threat to move the team if he doesn't get concessions.

3) We want to give credit where it rightly belongs, and Wang deserves credit for retaining a great deal of public patience on this matter. Few would have predicted that after 8 1/2 years the team would still not have at least a new building under construction. Since Wang purchased the team the Yankees, Mets, Giants, Jets and Devils have all either built or are in the process of building new facilities. Meanwhile the Isles remain in limbo, playing in the second worst arena in the NHL (The worst-Igloo in Pittsburgh, has its replacement under construction). Yet, not even subtle mention that "if a deal for the new arena does not get done soon, the Islanders are left with no alternatives but to start looking elsewhere.”

4) There is no doubt that despite a very lucrative TV deal (this is probably the thing that saved the franchise prior to Wang taking over) that Wang is losing money. Its speculative as to the amount, but with lagging attendance, few of the revenue generating boxes the team can not be in the black, yet Wang continues to publicly avoid confrontation. We may not be huge fans of Mr. Wang for other already discussed issues, but on this very important topic, he deserves praise!

Week 6: Results

1) The Results are in for week 6. We definitely came down to Earth with a thud. Going a miserable 4-6 on the night. Bringing our season total to 48-27 or a .640 winning %. We lost our first Lock of the week reducing that to a still strong 5-1 on the season. Look for us to get back on the winning ways next Saturday for week 7. As always keep it here for all the latest!

Picks: Week 6

1) We come into Week 6 of our Hockey Picks with a season high winning % of .677 with a record of 44-21. We take that into this week's relatively light Saturday night schedule of 10 games.

Philadelphia vs-Montreal - Habitants

Ottawa vs-NY Islanders - Senators

Toronto vs-Vancouver - Canuck

Columbus vs-Minnesota - Wild

Colorado vs-Edmonton- Oiler

Washington vs-New Jersey - Cap

Boston vs-NY Rangers Ranger

Buffalo vs-Pittsburgh Penguin

Dallas vs-Phoenix Coyote

Nashville vs-Los Angeles King (Lock of The Week)

Lightning Gamble on Tochett?

1) In a move that didn't shock the hockey world, Barry Melrose became the second coaching casualty of the relatively young 2008-09 NHL season. Of course we have to send out a Thank You to FR 2 who only 24 hours earlier had predicted that the axe was ready to fall on the man they call' The Mullet'. Referring to Barry's long past out of style hair-do. http://newfaux.blogspot.com/2008/11/mullet-about-to-be-cut.html

2) We tried to contact FR2 to get their reaction, but we're told that they are out of the country.(again!) So we asked around to our sources to see what the reactions/reasons were to this decision. The one thing that was surprising to hear was that Barry apparently took the news very well. One source tells Fauxrumors, that "Barry almost appeared relieved to get fired". The source went on: "He hadn't coached in over a decade, and was living the TV personality life its not a shock that he didn't have the commitment needed to have this work".

3) The players also appeared to not be disappointed with this change. The most happy? Vinny Lecavalier, the team captain. There was NO love lost between the coach and captain. He wouldn't say so publicly, but Vinny's talk with co-owner Oren Koules last week is what 'greased the skids' toward this move. When the star isn't happy, the team isn't going to thrive. Barry must have forgotten that. After all he was the coach to the biggest NHL star, ever, Wayne Gretzky.

4) The biggest surprise is the man who replaces Melrose. Rick Tocchet. Many may recall that Tocchet was suspended by the NHL for gambling allegations. Tocchet partnered with a New Jersey state trooper and another man, became public in February 2006. He was sentenced to two years' probation in August 2007 after pleading guilty in the investigation into the sports betting ring. Tocchet said he never bet on NHL games. (Didn't Pete Rose say something similar?) Tocchet rejoined Phoenix's coaching staff in February 2008 after a two-year absence that included a suspension by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.

5) We believe you know someone based upon the company they keep. In that case Tocchet was mixed up with some very bad people who had ties to the Tony Soprano types in Jersey. We are told that Tocchet wasn't clean with respect to gambling LONG before this incident. One source told us then: "How do you think Rick met those 2 troopers?" WE hope for the sake of the game that Rick's proclivity to put a few bucks (and take the bets of others) are done. We wouldn't have ever allowed him back, but hey maybe Gary Bettman is a gambling man? Or put another way, whats the over/under on how long Tocchet lasts? ; )

Second Team in Toronto?

1) First lets get past the joke: "When will Toronto get its FIRST NHL team?" Seriously though according to a local Toronto paper the subject has apparently been raised by the league owners at their most recent meetings. The simple question(s) should be "Why not, and What has taken so long"?


2) Toronto, hockey crazy Canada's biggest city, has but one single team. Meanwhile in the less than hockey crazy LA vicinity there are two (Kings and Ducks). The NY metro area has 3(Devils in nearby Newark, NJ, Rangers, and Islanders-20 miles to their East) So certainly the Toronto metro area can support more than one franchise. Its pretty much a no brainer, but can/would it happen?

3) There are significant barriers.

• The issue of expansion versus relocation? Will the NHL move one of the weak teams(Nashville/Atlanta/Florida) or expand to Las Vegas and a Canadian city?


• A building where they can play. Would the Leafs allow a rival to share their building? It would make them money, but the ACC is already a very busy venue


• Compensation to the Leafs for giving up their territory Of these concerns we believe the ladder is the biggest stumbling block. In our opinion the leafs organization will have this over their dead body. Two teams means less demand for hockey which equates into lowering ticket prices.

4) So we decided to ask around to our sources north of the border to hear what they knew if anything on this issue. Here's what we were told: "That story is total bullshit, (a second team in) Toronto has never been discussed with the board, the executive committee or any other league committee". This view would seem to make sense. Bettman already was told by the Sabres and Leafs that they wouldn't allow a team in Hamilton, so why would the Leafs allow a team to literally eliminate their monopoly on hockey in Toronto? The issue is mute. It ain't happening! Perhaps in Hamilton or another western Ontario city, but NEVER in Toronto! Sorry Mr. Balsillie.

The Mullet About To Be Cut?

1) Sources within Tampa Bay Lightning front office have told FR2 that the team is getting "VERY Impatient", and that this might soon translate into an another impulsive move by new owners Oren Koules and Len Barrie. The move that is most likely to take place we are told is the dismissal of new coach/TV personality Barry (the Mullet) Melrose.

2) From what we have been told Barry hasn't 'lost the team', but NEVER had it in the first place. Our source tells us that from almost day 1 Barry has been aloof from his players. Allowing his assistant coaches to do most of the communication with players. Even to the point where Barry would leave practice early (or skip practice entirely). Veteran players are perplexed, and the younger guys, specifically new phenom Steve Stamkos are without direction, and thats the biggest problem we're told.

3) One player even was over heard asking "why the fuck do we need a coach anyway"? WE surmise that if the team were performing better these issues wouldn't be as important, but with last night's embarrassment to cross state rival Florida (shut out!) the heat is definitely on the coach to alter course else he will quickly be looking for a new TV gig to reestablish his acting(hockey commentating) career.