The Ducks recently held their Power Player auditions (i.e. the girls with the snow shovels three times a period).  A lot of other teams are doing the same and recently I’ve noticed a big opinion rift concerning the idea of female bare midriffs skating around during commercial breaks.
The Ducks were one of the first teams to introduce ice girls and I (like many strongly opinionated females) was initially appalled by the idea.  I even remember reading a Ducks employee writing in his blog something along the lines of “…aah, bare midriffs cleaning the ice.  Now I know I’m home.”
**eeeewwwwww!!!**
Now, I’m [...]

I now have to relinquish my bragging rights.  I was so proud of my Ducks for eschewing the practice of trotting out retro, throwback, alternate, third, whathaveyou jerseys and sticking to their primary design.
**SIGH** Recently, the Ducks announced they will be unveiling an alternate jersey this upcoming season.  The official press release said that the organization had held off because the current design hadn’t been in place long enough and they wanted fans to get used to it before offering an alternative.  They also assure the fans that we are going love the new design.
Now, let’s think about this for [...]

Where in the world is Teemu Sandiego?
Please correct me if I’m wrong, but hasn’t it been two week since the Finnish Flash’s manager said he would make a decision?  At least Scotty had the good graces to let us know prior to the draft in order to loosen up the cap, but Selanne dragging his skates is going to really begin to screw things up pretty soon.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…
Shit or get off the pot!
So, where exactly are we right now as Cam Fowler, Emerson Etem, Nick Bonino and Dan Sexton stand around looking at [...]

 
It’s been reported this morning that Rob Niedermayer has signed with the Buffalo Sabres for one year.  Boy, talk about a guy who can’t sit still!  I guess New Jersey wasn’t cold enough for him.  Let’s hear it for “lake effect” snow which – as one of my colleagues described it – “sucks”.
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After a breakout rookie debut last season, Dan Sexton (aka Big Sexy) couldn’t take the pressure and got busted back down to the ECHL.  But despite the setback, Danny’s attending conditioning camp, still maintains a positive attitude and is looking forward to proving himself once again. 
With regard to [...]

International inline hockey action for the next few days is being hosted by The Rinks in Anaheim and iFan Sports Network is carrying the games live online (although the broadcast image I’m getting is really, really tiny).
Opening day saw the newest Duckling Emerson Etem always hard at work, dropping the puck, talking to the media and encouraging the kids.
More excitement at The Rinks this week running through Saturday, Conditioning Camp where all us nobodies can get up close and personal with the likes of Cam Fowler, Emerson Etem, Peter Holland, Kyle Palmieri, Jake Gardiner and Mark Mitera, Dan Sexton, Nick [...]

“So waddaya think? Buy you a soda after the game?”

After I posted yesterday, the Ducks signed Sabres D-Man Toni Lydman to a 3-year deal.  Now, the guy’s got talent, knows how to integrate himself well and it doesn’t hurt that he’s a Finn, but, is anyone but me a little uncomfortable with the idea of three years for a guy who is 37-years-old?  Do we need a specialized penalty killer that badly?
Hmmm, I just perplexed myself.  We just might.  Have to meditate on that one a little more.
Was the Bobby Ryan vs. Ryan Getzlaf sketch a little too real?
Bob Murray [...]

 
The skinny so far:
Goaltender Jean-Philippe Levasseur has been signed to a 1-year extension. It’ll be interesting to see if he gets called up to play more than one game this year or if he’ll be able to nab the number 2 spot. I’m hoping that now that he’s been resigned, he will be more inclined to submit to an interview!
The other two free agents who have resigned are defenseman Sheldon Brookbank (2-year extension) and center Kyle Chipchura (1-year extension).
Unrestricted players are Teemu Selanne, Saku Koivu, Aaron Ward, Brian Salcido, Joey MacDonald, Kyle Calder, Brennan Evans and Ryan Donally. Of course, [...]

 
In case anyone in the NHL hasn’t noticed, according to SI.com, Scott Niedermayer is still an unrestricted free agent, so Florida, ya might wanna jump on that one!
Now, before I start gushing about Cam Fowler, I have to set the record straight about the booing.  Every source I have been to has reported that most of the 11,000+ people at Staples Center were booing Cam.  If you were in attendance last Friday afternoon, you know that’s not true.  The booing began as soon as the word “Anaheim” began emerging from the announcer’s mouth. 
It didn’t come over very well on VERSUS.  [...]