Ducks transmit the disease Emingitis to Rangers

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 2:04 PM PDT Comment 52 comments

Well, while Rudy's off to a bachelor party weekend pretending not to follow the Kovalchuk sweepstakes, I've been devoting my blogging energies to ridding the west of CGI menaces in Red Dead Redemption. Imagine my surprise, then, when Rudy texted me to let me know that Steve Eminger was no longer an Anaheim Duck.

Indeed, it's not a bachelor prank: Ducks trade Steve Eminger to the NY Suckers Rangers for Aaron Voros and prospect Jonas Ryan Hillier. Here's a cartoon of my surprise -- the duck is playing the part of me:

He's also demonstrating how I drew this cartoon -- drawn on a mousepad in fake-Paint.

Now we Ducks fans here at BoC may have been a bit hard on ol' Eminger -- one of his biggest problems was showing up in the immediate departure of Chris Pronger. We had become so used to overall blueline competency that the mistakes of Eminger (and others for sure, Mr. Whitney) became a bit more glaring. His inability to hit the net on his shots, his unwillingness to even pretend to play the body -- these failings became his traits, in a way. All we could see was shortcomings.

It's not that he didn't try hard, or wasn't an okay player for his not-too-terrible salary; he can be a bargain next year if he's not relied on for too much and expectations are kept pretty low. But I'm glad the Ducks aren't doing it again next year -- without Niedermayer now, there's too many minutes to distribute, and some would have definitely fallen on poor Eminger. And whether fairly or not, he's not a guy I have that much confidence in when I see him out there -- sorry, dude, I'm too used to being comforted by Pronger. :)

Salary-wise, Eminger is on the last year of a two-year contract that pays him $1.500M for a cap hit of $1.125M. Voros is on the last year of a three-year contract that pays him $0.900M for a cap hit of $1.000M. It's another case of Rich Dad, Poor Dad, sort of, but on a smaller scale -- the Ducks are taking the cheaper player in terms of overall cash while cap hits remain pretty similar.

This isn't truly a huge deal -- shuffling deck chairs, sort of -- the Ducks certainly have more to do as this summer progresses, especially on the blueline and especially with a particular Finnish 40-year-old. But it is nice that the Ducks are replacing some of the blueline toughness in Mike Brown's draft-day departure (I swear, that's a post I'll write during a break in my cowboy journeys) -- I think Voros is pretty safely pencilled in the Ducks' bottom six, but I haven't really watched a lot of Rangers games to know for sure. Mostly I remember him as a member of the Wild, and he seemed pretty good then -- looking forward to seeing him lace up an Anaheim sweater.

At least more excited than I would be to see Eminger in a Ducks uniform again next year.

Go Ducks.

0 recs | Comment 52 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Sorry I posted right above you – maybe you can move mine down below yours? I don’t know how to do that. Yours is much more relevant.

Mine involves an old lady though.

I'm just saying: I'm pretty sure this means deaf people are devil worshipers.
Battle of California

by Megalodon on Jul 9, 2010 2:03 PM PDT reply actions

Updated the post time — though I probably shouldn’t have. I was typing this up about Eminger and was thinking almost solely on my next cowboy rampage — things will get interesting now that I’ve picked up some molotov cocktails (or whatever the western equivalent is).

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Stop making me want that game!

I'm just saying: I'm pretty sure this means deaf people are devil worshipers.
Battle of California

by Megalodon on Jul 9, 2010 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Okay, here’s some downsides:

1. Rampaging is way less fun than GTA, mostly because they will only send a wave or two of cops at you, and they’re sort of idiots (that’s not new). But it gets tricky — you either have to kill them all or get out of their map radius in order to get more to come, and either way it takes some time.

2. I spend stupid amounts of time playing poker to make money, and I’ve even picked up a spiffy suit that lets me cheat, but I’m terrible at it — I get caught every time and it ends in a duel. So now I don’t even cheat and just end up playing stupid hold em against terrible AI computers. It’s awful.

3. The thing you linked about women missions sucking is absolutely true. Hey, drive me here — herd this cattle — it’s all pretty dull.

4. You’ll die immediately from touching water — a step back from San Andreas. In fact, I barely understand my health at all. I supposedly have some medicine that I should take, but even if I take it after getting shot it tells me I have full health — I’ve played for days and have no idea where my health meter is. But yeah, I do die — bullets are doing some form of harm to me.

5. I hate myself that I got good at horseshoes. Stupid idiot side game gimmicks.

But there’s way more than 5 upsides I’d list — wait til it’s cheaper then saddle on up.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Health regenerates, the medicine makes it regenerate um faster I suppose, I never used it other than to give to someone as a quest item. And yeah who dies from touching water? Niko sure as hell didn’t..

Oh and Five Finger fillet is evil.

I rec’d that shit.

by Steven Hida on Jul 9, 2010 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

The best thing I learned yesterday about the game: you can’t hogtie a nun, apparently.

You see, I had found a good rooftop in a mission to do a police rampage, and was wandering through the building when I decided to rummage through an armoire. A nun saw me do it, which didn’t bother me that time (I was looking for an initial crime anyways), and the game wanted me to pay her $5 to keep quiet. I thought to myself, “Why pay her to keep quiet? I’ll just tie her up and then commit a crime once I’m on my rooftop.”

So I pulled out my lasso and roped her, but there was no hogtie option — she was already dead, and the cops were already coming because of it.

So beware lassoing nuns — it may seem like good fun, but apparently it scares them to death. Better than being hogtied to my horse, I guess.

Good times. :)

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

you can’t hogtie a nun,

I have photographic evidence to the contrary.

I'm just saying: I'm pretty sure this means deaf people are devil worshipers.
Battle of California

by Megalodon on Jul 9, 2010 3:30 PM PDT up reply actions

I’m gonna go try this…Normally I throw dynamite at nuns and women in general…

I rec’d that shit.

by Steven Hida on Jul 9, 2010 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions

I hear that if you play the game long enough, you regain your virginity. Secret achievement to unlock.

In Dinglebarn We Trust

by Niesy on Jul 10, 2010 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions

Hiller+Hillier. Dear god, save me.

San Jose Sharks: Welcome to the Failoffs

by cmatthew35 on Jul 9, 2010 2:07 PM PDT reply actions

There’s an opening on the blueline — let’s call back Kevin Haller.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Eminger just didn’t work out here, and I’m viewing Voros as a bonus.

Got me thinking, though: will Murray pursue another d-man on the market or just call up some younger d-men?

Viva los Patos.

by THATG0MEZ on Jul 9, 2010 2:18 PM PDT reply actions

Oh, there’s got to be more moves coming there, even if we somehow considered Wisniewski a done deal.

Lubo-Lydman-Wiz-Brookbank-Sbisa-Festerling?

That only scares me.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions

True… But what about Mikkelson? Salcido? Maybe even put Fowler if he impresses at conditioning and training camp?

I dunno, but the defense will definitely be a mystery for next season…

Viva los Patos.

by THATG0MEZ on Jul 9, 2010 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions

I’m not ruling out any names yet. I’ve basically never seen any prospects play, though. Maybe there’s enough in the cupboard, but it still probably needs another seasoned defender. And with Nieds’ salary freed up, I think there’s got to be budget for another solid NHLer.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 2:53 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Salcido

They seem hell-bent on not giving him a fair opportunity.

Mikk is in the top 6 in my mind already, but that’s just me. I’m against bringing in a high-priced, long-term contract guy, considering our D will be sick in a few years with Clark, Gardiner, Fowler, Sbisa, Vatanen.

I’d be ok with Lubo, Sbisa, Mikk, Lydman, Brookbank, and Wiz or a cheap alternative.

by KempKershaw on Jul 9, 2010 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions

I can’t say too much on Salcido. I think I’ve only seen him dressed twice, and that’s all I’ve seen.

I’m not sure I’m advocating going the expensive megacontract route (besides, who’s left to spdnd it on?), but we probably have another $3M or so that can be used to improve next year’s blueline; I’d use this next season for sure so all the young bets don’t have to pay off immediately.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 4:19 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

I think I’ve only seen him dressed twice

Awesome.

That asshole that does the news thinks he's smarter than me.

by brokenyard on Jul 9, 2010 6:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Yup, that is awesome. Nicely done.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions

That only scares me

hahahahaha

so true.

by Mike in OC on Jul 9, 2010 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Voros will be a fine replacement for Brown. A big boy, a bit slower but a bit stronger. He will run through a wall for his teammates and take on all comers but has a tendency to block punches with his face.

I have a blog too! www.scottyhockey.com
Let's Go Rangers!

by Scotty Hockey on Jul 9, 2010 2:59 PM PDT reply actions

but has a tendency to block punches with his face.

Hey, that may be promising. I once offered the same take on Travis Moen. :)

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions

"I think Voros is pretty safely pencilled in the Ducks' bottom six" - Earl

Murray agrees, which was in the article you linked (and maybe [?] read haha).

"I wanted to get a more physical forward on left wing and I found a guy," Murray said. "He’s penciled in there. He’s shown every once in a while that he can get on a run and score some goals. He can play higher."

by KempKershaw on Jul 9, 2010 4:07 PM PDT reply actions

I sometimes cheat with opinions, but I promise, when Iinked to that OC Register article, it just had the trade facts and “more to come…”

They added quotes and stuff since then, but it’s not too tough to spot the Voros-fills-Brown’s-vacancy angle anyways, if I did it, anyways.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 4:12 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Haha

I was just playing.

I seriously hope this doesn’t derail the 3 scoring lines scenario we could see this year.

by KempKershaw on Jul 9, 2010 4:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I can play, too. Was Eminger somehow critical to the three-line offense?

Maybe my imagination is too limited. :)

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 4:21 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Well, if Voros and Parros play almost every njght (as it seems Murray wants), where does that leave Bodie? I think he’s a much more ideal fit on a 4th line than 3rd line, so if he gets bumped up, it could mean no third scoring line.

by KempKershaw on Jul 9, 2010 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

We’ll see. I’m not sure where Bodie fits, but if the young blueliners are ready, then maybe so is Bodie.

One thing at a time, though. Fix our second line, Teemu!

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 4:52 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Huh, I guess Murray and I use different spellings of the word “pencil(l)ed”. Oddly, the spell check accepts them both (and I’m too lazy to look further than that), but does not accept the third variety I just used with parentheses. :)

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Good job Anaheim. You put another pylon onto the ~~skating tutorial~~ Rangers blueline.

As for the Kings… SIGN KOVALCHUK ALREADY.

In Lou We Trust: Now More productive than a New Jersey Devils Powerplay
"Pfft, Wii’s where it’s at. *Swings toy plastic racquet, separates shoulder"- RudyKelly

by Kevin Sellathamby on Jul 9, 2010 4:32 PM PDT reply actions

Shh. Why’d you have to go and ruin this Kovalchuck free day…

I rec’d that shit.

by Steven Hida on Jul 9, 2010 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Haha, I agree. I thought no Rudy here for the weekend meant no Kovalchuk. Never mind…

Viva los Patos.

by THATG0MEZ on Jul 9, 2010 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Before this trade, I was going to write about how Kovalchuk, Selanne, and other dawdlers were all playing too much Red Dead, just like me.

My suspicion, anyways.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 6:14 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

You’re behind the times. UFA’s play Crackdown 2..

I rec’d that shit.

by Steven Hida on Jul 9, 2010 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions

No, UFAs play Super Mario Galaxy 2!

Wait, wrong platform. What am I playing on my Xbox? Lemme see here… Gears of War 2?! Damn, am I behind, haha.

Viva los Patos.

by THATG0MEZ on Jul 9, 2010 7:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Not 40-year-old ones. :)

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions

I don’t really know if this is noteworthy, but this may be the first or second time this calendar year that I’ve used an AP photo on one of my posts. So is life for the non-cartooning cartoonist.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 7:21 PM PDT reply actions

you are so unoriginal.

…and I wouldn’t have noticed, but that’s probably because you still added a fine cartoon anyway. :)

GO DUCKS!!!
DUCKSandPUCKS.com
SKeleven on Twitter

by SK eleven on Jul 9, 2010 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I don’t know really why I shy away from it — it’s incredibly easy to use and does have a pretty big database of game photos. But I dunno — wasn’t really a feature of blogspot, and I’m a traditionalist.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I ran into Kent Huskins the other day, he told me “I really really want to go play for the quacks again… Everyone hates me in San Jose because I suck at hockey”

He was crying and all snot faced, you should take him back…

by Getzlaffedat on Jul 9, 2010 8:03 PM PDT reply actions

Poor Huskins — too bad the Rangers already have eight or so defensemen after today’s trade. If they’d take Eminger, I’m sure they would have taken Huskins.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 9, 2010 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I didn’t find Eminger that bad of a player. But I guess I’m comparing him to the other Ducks’ #7s in recent memory.

by BuckyHermit on Jul 9, 2010 11:58 PM PDT reply actions

you smoke crack…i dont think there is any other way to explain this comment

2009-2010 Anaheim Ducks.."Hey at least were not the sharks!!"

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jul 10, 2010 7:15 AM PDT up reply actions

No, it’s somewhat valid — more certainly was expected out of B-Mo and out of MABergeron when they were acquired.

But still — enough Trnka bashing! It’s hard to play defense with so few vowels. :)

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 10, 2010 7:18 AM PDT up reply actions

So you’re saying Brendon Morrison, Marc-Andre Bergeron, and Shane Hnidy DIDN’T underperform?

by BuckyHermit on Jul 12, 2010 1:06 AM PDT up reply actions

ill take bergeron over those 3..ESPECIALLY earls main man Hnidy..probally morrison too…guy was hurt when he was with us ….but shitty

and i forgot a question mark on the you smoke crack?…i was hoping we could do that together..see what kind of trouble we could get into

2009-2010 Anaheim Ducks.."Hey at least were not the sharks!!"

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jul 12, 2010 5:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I’m not living in my home country right now, so that’d get me deported in a hurry. (Korea does NOT take kindly to foreign druggies.) Thanks for the offer though.

by BuckyHermit on Jul 25, 2010 5:46 AM PDT up reply actions

I see what you’re saying. Personally, I always found solace in the fact that Eminger isn’t Ric Jackman or Ian Moran.

We need more Boyntons.

by yankeeken on Jul 10, 2010 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions

what? i always liked the beatiful looking jackman..

2009-2010 Anaheim Ducks.."Hey at least were not the sharks!!"

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jul 10, 2010 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Jackman was awesome the game he had to be. Rawr!

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 10, 2010 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

ok..ok I got the fuckin game red dead..(wont get to play till tonite doooh)…fuckin earl and him making it sound fun..

had to give a fat ugly guy from target a hummer to get it…but shit….were defined by results not the means to get those results right?

2009-2010 Anaheim Ducks.."Hey at least were not the sharks!!"

by SPADE-IN-VICTORHELL on Jul 10, 2010 2:40 PM PDT reply actions

…were defined by results not the means to get those results right?

Nick Boynton certainly agrees.

"Ridin’ The Meat Train & Dreaming of Jack’s Johnson All Summer Long!"
http://www.battleofcali.com/

by Earl Sleek on Jul 10, 2010 2:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Search

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

FanShots

Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.

Recent FanShots

Marchant is ten points short of five hundred on his career and he'll...

by Earl Sleek 1 day ago 2 comments

New off-season vehicle for Sharks fans/players?
(seen first at PPP)

by Semi_Colon 11 days ago 6 comments

I've always thought this was uncanny. In case you've been living under a rock the last 10 years, that's Salma Hayek.

by Wooster11 22 days ago 8 comments

Pacific Standings

	GP	W	L	OTL	PT
San Jose Fear The Fin	82	51	20	11	113
Phoenix Five For Howling	82	50	25	7	107
Los Angeles Jewels From The Crown	82	46	27	9	101
Anaheim Anaheim Calling	82	39	32	11	89
Dallas Defending Big D	82	37	31	14	88