Blakegate?

So, the esteemable Sean Avery is at it again. Most everyone who reads this blog has seen the highlights. Tucker and Avery jawing, Blake skating in between the two when contact was made, schoolyard threatening postures, shoulder fakes and stick rattling ensued, followed by an impromptu gathering of both teams' leaders and assorted character guys.

I wonder what Avery and Tucker were talking about? I wonder why Blake went in between the two of them, and why did that incite the festivities?

Tucker deemed Avery classless. Avery has been muzzled by the Rangers, after the game, and the following days since the incident.

Now it is alleged, by Howard Berger according to published reports, that Avery's verbal ammunition included commentary on Blake's health situation. Berger also mentioned an unnamed Rangers player wanted to "strangle" Avery after learning what was said. UPDATE - Berger explains from where the "strangle" quote originated. Rangers Report points out that Brendan Shanahan vehemently denies Avery referred to Blake's cancer.

Avery's response to that claim is a libel suit. UPDATE - released statement "I am extremely upset and hurt that false and damaging comments were attributed to me regarding Jason Blake. I made no such comments. I have lost two grandfathers to cancer and have been a consistent contributor to multiple cancer related charities, first and foremost, Hockey Fights Cancer. I am unable to comment further, as the matter is now being addressed by legal counsel."

Colin Campbell's response to the entire mess, and an earlier pre-game incident involving Avery, is a face to face with the hyperpest himself. UPDATE - Everyone has to pay the piper

And I was just happy collecting three of four points over the weekend. Hopefully JP will chime in with a Rangers' fan take. UPDATE - "I'm on the road and this is the first I've heard of the alleged comment by Avery. Of course, if he said what he's reported to have said, that is beyond low-class. Shame on him."- JP

Apologies for the ____gate title. Lame, I know.

Yesterday, tonight, tomorrow, and next year

Or for chronology's sake; tonight, next year, yesterday, and tomorrow?

Huge game tonight. A test game for this squad to see if they can hang with the best. A pride game, for all the guff the East takes, however valid, versus the road warrior West. Stevie Sullivan will be going full speed. Be careful if he is on the PK. Our best chance to is pressure their young defensemen. Gill has to man up on Arnott. And Belak needs to win a good fight tonight against Weber or Hordichuk. And stay out of the box. UPDATE - No Weber. His jaw still hurts from when Moen clobbered him.

Sundin, Antro, and Poni should win the match up against Kariya, Erat and Legwand. Sullivan, DuPont and Arnott are worrisome, as the SOS line doesn't match up well against that line's combination of speed, skill and size. I'm interested to see what Maurice comes up with (Sicking Kilger on Arnott is my best guess). Coach Mo didn't sound too sure of himself when asked about tonight's game.

Darren Dreger dropped a bomb yesterday, hinting that a no movement clause is on the table for Darcy 'An injury waiting to happen' Tucker,

As for Darcy Tucker, the hard negotiation is about to hit full stride. Toronto is faced with handing out another multi-year contract, likely to include a “no movement” clause, based on the past deals agreed to by some of Tucker's teammates.

Stop the insanity already. The only way this makes sense for the Leafs, is if Tucker signs for no more than $2.5m/year. JFJ, give him four years, with maybe a team option for the fifth. Give him the $3.25/year. But don't give him the no movement clause. Please! Other GMs are laughing at you behind your back.

Here is the yesterday...so close.


And I find this arrogance regarding the Leafs near future quite amusing at the moment.


Please forgive the heavy visual content of late.