This week in Bubbletown

by jamestobrien on Feb 23, 2009 12:02 PM PST

So, the Stars play the Sharks on Versus tonight. Despite the formidability (is that a word?) of San Jose, Dallas has a chance for the simple reason that the Sharks are not named the Chicago Blackhawks.

Let's take a little field trip, kiddos. After the jump: the week ahead for the bubble teams.

5. Vancouver (59 GP, 68 points)

The Canucks are 8-1-1 in their last ten games. For Stars fans, that might be good news: the fifth seed is drifting blissfully off into the distance.

This week's games: @ Montreal, vs. Minnesota, vs. San Jose

6. Columbus (60 GP, 66 points)

This is a huge week for the Blue Jackets. It's a three game road trip against the best team in the Northwest division, plus two of Calgary's Canadian division-sharing cousins. Just a huge week in the Battle of the Bubble Bulge.

This week's games: @ Calgary, @ Edmonton, @ Vancouver

7. Dallas (58 GP, 65 points)

During the Stars' impressive run back into the playoff picture, it was hard to imagine the team making a big trade. But what happens now that Brad Richards is injured? Let's just hope that the Michal Rosival to Dallas trade rumor is one of those "Malkin to LA" blow-jays.

This week's games: vs. SJS, vs. STL, vs. Ana, vs. Pitt

8. Minnesota (58 GP, 64 points)

Let me reiterate a challenge I made on my blog: anyone who thinks the Wild are actually going to make the playoffs, step forward. They're about to start their long fall from grace this week. After a home game against LA, reality (in the form of huge road trips) will take a big bite out of the 'Soters.

This week's games: vs. LA, @ CGY, @ EDM

9. Edmonton (59 GP, 63 points)

This is the opportunity the Oilers needed to make up ground. Can they rise above their level of consistent mediocrity to strengthen their stance?

This week's games: vs. TB, vs. CBJ, vs. MIN

10. Anaheim (61 GP, 63 points)

Junior: Daaaad?

Dad: Yes, son?

Junior: What is Anaheim made out of?

Dad: Mystery meat, son. Mystery meat.

This week's games: @Buffalo, @Boston, @Dallas

***

The Kings, Coyotes and Predators have some sort of chance but for right now I consider them "fading out of the picture." That could change next week, but for now it is what it is.

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Fun Fact for the Day

Interesting tidbit in the wake of head coach Tom Renney being fired by the NY Rangers.

That means at the start of the past two seasons, there have been six NHL teams that have played opening games in Europe — last year’s Kings and Ducks, and this year’s Penguins, Senators, Lightning, and Rangers.

And of all those six teams, the Ducks (for now) are the only team still employing the NHL head coach they used overseas. Way to survive, Carlyle.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Feb 23, 2009 12:31 PM PST reply actions

And according to this OC Register article, it looks like Carlyle’s job is fairly secure. A Bob Murray quote from the very end of the article: “Our players better not be using that as an excuse, because a lot of them will be gone before [Carlyle]’s gone. He’s a good coach. It’s not an issue.”

Also interesting: The article mentions that Pahlsson (and Huskins) might be involved in trade talks, but illness/injury might keep them out of any deals. Ironically, Sammy’s mono might actually be a good thing for Ducks fans, if it ends up being even partially responsible for him not getting traded and therefore being more likely to sign with the team in the off-season.

by g r a c e on Feb 23, 2009 3:16 PM PST up reply actions

I of course will take any trickery or slight-of-hand to get a solid Pahlsson extension, but I think that’s looking at the trade issue a bit backwards. It shouldn’t really be a matter of “if we can’t trade ‘em for whatever reason, then we’ll re-sign them”, but instead I hope that GM Murray knows who he wants to re-sign before making any deals. And I really really hope that Pahlsson has signed an extension before his mono medicine lets him think straight.

Still, I dunno. I heard that Doug Weight still might get moved despite his injury (the receiving team has to waive a physical, I believe), so it’s hard to say.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Feb 23, 2009 3:30 PM PST up reply actions

That part of the article is not supported by any direct quotes from Murray, so it doesn’t shed much light on what’s going on in the GM’s head. I, too, hope that Murray regards Pahlsson as a high priority re-sign, and that, in general, he decides who he wants to re-sign before he makes any deals. But it’s possible that he’s in a “Nobody is safe — anyone could be traded for the right return” kind of mentality.

The bit about Carlyle is probably more interesting/important. I just found it slightly encouraging that Pahlsson’s mono (cloud) might make him less attractive to other teams (silver lining). The rest of my life (= school) is too depressing right now — I need to find something positive in hockey.

by g r a c e on Feb 23, 2009 4:04 PM PST up reply actions

The rest of my life (= school) is too depressing right now — I need to find something positive in hockey.

Well, I’m not sure this will impact you at all, but they’re not raising prices on next year’s tickets.

Doesn’t mean that they haven’t asked me for playoff ticket money, though.

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Feb 23, 2009 4:16 PM PST up reply actions

Wow. I guess it pays to rarely smile, eh? It’s kind of like how James Brown (former Cleveland Browns HOF RB … not Rock’n’Roll HOF/“high off a God” R&B singer James Brown) would get up sluggishly after EVERY tackle, so the defense wouldn’t ever know when he’s actually hurt.

Nah, that doesn’t equate at all. Shit.

by jamestobrien on Feb 23, 2009 12:46 PM PST reply actions

for a second I thought I read Chris Brown

and I was thinking, He WAS hurt after every tackle. Then I re-read the post and realized it’s Jim not Chris, Clevland, not Tennesse.

by Mike in OC on Feb 23, 2009 3:35 PM PST up reply actions

Battle of the Bubble Bulge

The Sharks bubble bulge has been bursting seams since what seems like forever.

Edmonton is a lock for no other reason than Dwayne Roloson is a goddamn machine. Here’s to Turco crapping the bed tonight, spectacularly I may add.

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Feb 23, 2009 12:56 PM PST reply actions

I bet Rolo is not feeling to great today after letting in that weak ass wrist shot with under 2 minutes to go against Calgary (who won in the SO).

I have always hated when we face Rolo. Kipper too for that matter. There are no other goalies I fear more on the west cost. I am sure that will change when Vancouver gets better because we all know what Luongo is capable of.

by Mike in OC on Feb 23, 2009 3:40 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah, someone must’ve reminded Rolo that it’s his contract year.

You know … come to think of it, maybe I’ve always had a slight disdain for Roloson because his nickname represents one of my least favorite candidates. Rolo = malo.

by jamestobrien on Feb 23, 2009 1:17 PM PST reply actions

candidates? Jeez, “candies” is what I met. Thankfully I tend to proofread posts, at least.

by jamestobrien on Feb 23, 2009 1:18 PM PST reply actions

You could have said nothing and I would have read right past it. That said, I like the mixed-pun notion of candy-dates for my favorite sugar punch. (In my case, the front-runner is SweetTarts).

http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Feb 23, 2009 1:21 PM PST up reply actions

his nickname represents one of my least favorite candidates. Rolo = malo.

Yeah, he dropped out early. Not enough campaign funding from the state of Texas and when things got too hot he ran a “smear” campaign.

Fear The Fin: Where The Second Round Is Overrated

by Mr. Plank on Feb 23, 2009 1:48 PM PST up reply actions

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Pacific Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
San Jose Fear The Fin	51	29	16	6	64
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	54	26	18	10	62
Phoenix Five For Howling	54	25	21	8	58
Dallas Defending Big D	52	27	23	2	56
Anaheim Anaheim Calling	53	21	24	8	50