After a blow to the head via my kitchen table (don’t ask) I am back! A couple of things caught my eye over the past couple of days, and I thought I’d share. So, I am doing my best Fred Rogers, and putting on the foil. Sizing each other up at Center Ice, and here they go!
The New York Rangers inked Joe Rullier to a deal on Wednesday. I love this signing. I was hoping Carolina might sign him to see him 40 games a year in Lowell, but the Lockmonsters seem to be staying the course, and not having any tough guys at all. At least Joe stays in the division (providing he doesn’t get a shot with NY, which I think he deserves) and us Lowell fans will get to see him a few times. With Rullier, and Trevor Gillies on the ice, one may not want to try anything stupid. I have long believed that Joe Rullier is one of the most under rated fighters in the A. He has incredibly fast hands, great balance, and really seems to enjoy the fisticuffs. I didn’t see it in person, but he gave Mad Mel Angelstad all he could handle in Manchester a couple of years ago, that was one of the best fights all year. Good signing by New York. Keeps Hartford pretty tough
Calgary signed Brantt Mhyres yesterday. I’ll say that again. Calgary signed Brantt Mhyres yesterday. This is a real puzzle. I had a chance to meet Brantt the day he was signed last season by Lowell. Lowell was playing Worcester in a preseason game, and we got to talking before the teams went out for warm ups. He is a great guy. Really cool to talk hockey, and fights with. He was saying he couldn’t wait to get going, and he was going to do a ton of fighting. Well, opening night comes along, and he fights Colton Orr. Decent scrap. Happened right in front of me. Nothing really memorable about it, save for the fact that Brantt hurt himself. This should have been an omen. For the rest of the year, he was hurt or suspended, and when he was on the ice, it was pretty obvious to me that he had nothing left in the tank. I guess Calgary needs a veteran tough guy in Omaha, and I’m sure he got a recommendation from Scott Allen, but at this point it would seem to me that Brantt has nothing left, and Calgary would have been better suited to go another way. Like I said, Brantt is a real nice guy, and I hope I am wrong about this one.
Anyway, I am going to Maine this weekend with MOL to hang with her mother. It will suck badly. If anything comes up enforcer wise, I’ll be here! Take it easy eh.
Heather
A little late, but better then nothin’– Rullier’s contract with NYR is a one-way deal. It’s why he chose the NYR over LA’s two-way offer.
Chris
Heather,
Thanks for the info. I think he deserves a shot in the Show, and it sounds like he’s going to get it.