Breakout on Bremner

In Jeff Blair's most recent blog post, he mentions that the Jay's are trying to showcase Rolen and Overbay, to try and dump some salary. This is all fine and dandy. Although Rolen is earning his salary for the most part, the injuries really hurt his reliability on the field. And despite Overbay's solid defence I still have doubts about him bouncing back from the wrist injury he suffered a few years ago, and I don't know how well he'll be able to perform this year.

Blair also says that the Jays are trying to clear salary to sign Orlando Cabrera. Wait wait wait, Orlando Cabrera the guy who hasn't posted an OPS higher than .750 since 2003? Yeah that guy. Is it really worth going after him when you have Scutaro, who is a solid player, albeit not as good as Cabrera, but still almost as good (Scutaro was worth 2.8 wins last year, compared to Cabrera's 3.7).

On one note, Cabrera would come on the cheap, you know with this end of the world economy and what not. But he would almost certainly require a 1 year deal, with hopes of getting a better contract next season, but he would also mean giving up our 1st round pick. The Jays in no way shape or form, should give up their 1st rounder, in order to sign a 1 year rental player, who isn't all that good. It's just foolishness.

If the Jays are able to move Overbay or Rolen's contract, I'm not really sure who they would sign. Cabrera is useless, Ramirez would be awesome but he'd still take $25m+/year, and everyone else is a replacement level bench player. The only thing I can think of is saving some money to add a guy during the season through a trade when teams are being hurt even more by the economy, but that would mean surviving with the corners being manned by Bautista and Millar (PLAYOFFS!).

• The Tao talks about how Beeston is more commited to spending on draft picks this year. Even more reason NOT to give up a first rounder.
• Halladay trade rumours hopefully put to rest?
• Why Carlos Delgado is, and always will be great.
  

The very young Chicago Blackhawks are primed to make the playoffs this year, so they could use some veteran help. Dominic Moore is your prototypical 3rd line center, great attitude, no quit, and very gritty. Burke's been in talks with the guy for a while, but he wants top 6 money for being a bottom 6 guy. Yeahhhh we aren't the New York Rangers Dominic hate to break it to you. Antropov well he's been one of our best forwards, and is definitely a valuable asset going forward. Both are UFA at the end of the season so don't be surprised when they are both gone.

So, Steve Mason has all but written his name on the Calder Trophy. No one other rookie can hold a candle to this kid anymore, he's been absolutely phenomenal.

Now we all know that Columbus plays a horribly defensive system. Boring for most, exciting for Blue Jacket fans. He could very well be a product of Ken Hitchcock's system. This one was easy for him though. The Oilers did nothing to make him work. He faced 19 shots and barely broke a sweat. My only question is when the hell is Craig "I hate Robbie Schremp" Mactavish going to get fired?

Post game thoughts: This game was horrible. Stupid roller coaster of nothingness. As most of you can tell I'm a tanker (I'd rather the Leafs lose now, and get a higher draft pick.)so now the Leafs have the 7th overall pick instead of the 4th which we had last week. But then again these are the Islanders and they're icing a horrible team right now. Next week the firesale begin.

Sources say that the Blackhawks and Canadiens had scouts at the game tonight so maybe they were looking at Antropov who didn't disappoint. No pretty sure the Habs scouts wanted Streit. Either way Leafs Nation next week will be a defining point in this rebuild.

Two games into spring training I have a few thoughts...

1. Travis Snider is raking it.

2. Scott Richmond and Cecil are both looking good. I'm not too sure anymore who I want to make the team, or who should make the team for that matter...

3. Scott Campbell, the loveable Kiwi, is playing 3B. If Jose Bautista gets let (HOPEFULLY), and Rolen's shoulder breaks down once more (PLEASE NO!), then Campbell might be able to fill in. I'm not sure if his offence will be able to fit in longterm, but I'd much rather have a young guy filling in who has the potential to be a great player down the road.

As much as I hate the habs, I love the stupid deals they've been putting out.

Steve Begin is off to Dallas in return Montreal gets Doug Janik. To me it's a lateral move.

Damn it's like Trade Deadline jr. today, $1.49 off of the NHL's value menu.

My sources are telling me Janik has just been waived...

This just in Penguins trade 6'4 puck-moving defenseman Ryan Whitney to Anaheim for scrappy Chris Kunitz and top prospect Eric Tangradi.

Basically this trade affects Kaberle since they're both puck moving defensemen. The great(ex)GM Ron Maclean say both Pronger and Ryan Whitney are worth than Kaberle. This is the same man that thinks Rick Nash is worth 2+ million more then Crosby and Ovechkin make. Pronger sure he's worth more proven playoffs performer having a cup ring and all. Whitney is 26 and has 4 years on his contract left. Kaberle is 31 on Monday has 2 more years left at 4.25 million, and is second only to the future hall of famer Nik Lidstrom in points since the lockout. Here's to a hectic week ahead, and many more first rounders.