HockeyDirt.com

Wayne's Wine

I recently uncorked a bottle of Wayne Gretzky Estates 2006 Merlot. 

This is not the Wayne Gretzky of wine.  Its more like a useful 3rd line winger - the oenophilic equivalent of the journeyman winger - well prepared, professional, responsible but not flashy, and at $15.95 a reasonable Cap hit. 

In addition to the Merlot, Wayne Gretzky Chardonnay is also available. 

In typical Gretzky fashion Wayne is funneling a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the wines to the Wayne Gretzky Foundation that provides underprivileged youth with an opportunity to play hockey. 

Too bad Wayner didn't get a little more creative when naming his wines.  Whacky wine names like Fat Bastard, Goats do Roam or Cat's Pee on a Gooseberry Bush are all the rage.  How about "215" in honour of his ridiculous 1985-86 point total, or "50 in 39" to commemorate his record for scoring 50 goals, "WWW" (Wayne's World Wine), or "Janet Juice" in honour of his wife's gambling habit.....suggestions welcome.

Miss Dewey

Check out MissDewey, she likes hockey.

Mediocre search engine, fun interface. 

THN Proposes Fisher for Sundin Deal

Hockey News Columnist Ken Campbell has proposed that the Ottawa Senators trade Mike Fisher for Mats Sundin from the team down the highway. 

Campbell argues that with reports that Peter Forsberg's comeback has suffered a setback, Ottawa GM Brian Murray needs to make a "bold" move to get the Senators over the hump.  He thinks Sundin is the answer.  Setting aside the fact that Sundin (unlike Forsberg) has never won a Cup - the fact is that Fisher is way to high a price to pay in exchange for player soon to turn 37.  Sundin is a future Hall of Famer (500 goals, most of them scored in a Leaf jersey will secure those HoF votes) but Fisher is 10 years Sundin's junior and the Senator's captain-in-waiting. 

Forsberg's appeal is (was?) that teams figured on getting him without giving up a roster player, and possibly without giving him a long-term contract.  At a minimum, any Forsberg contract will be written with gaping escape clauses in the event of (another) career ending injury.  Sundin has hinted that he'd only waive his no-trade clause with the Leafs in exchange for a multi-year deal. 

In the past the knock on the Senators has been a lack of grit and players willing and capable of playing "playoff" hockey.  Fisher is just such a player - it doesn't make much sense for Murray to start trading awy the pieces that were lacking for so many of the seasons that ended in post-season disappointment. 

While Murray is undoubtedly be looking to tweak the Senator's lineup in the hopes of landing a skilled veteran to serve as an inspirational rallying point (à la Teemu, Bourque, Andreychuk...), giving up Fisher smacks of the short-term lunacy that has ruled the Leafs for decades.  The Senators have a record of avoiding just this sort of short-term move.