Last Week in Hockey: September 28

The last week has featured some wild back and forth hockey games, will they/won’t they trades and other various rumours.

Can Tampa Bay close out Dallas tonight?

A back to back in the Stanley Cup Final seems bananas to me. I get the NHL doesn’t want to compete against the NFL, but you’re in the bubble with no competing arena bookings – give the boys a break in between. Games 4 and 5 both went to overtime, the latter double, and the Tampa and Dallas wins, respectively, have made this a 3-2 series. But again, in 28 hours, there was 155:57 of game action, 227 hits, 88 blocked shots and 139 shots on net (thanks, Sportsnet), and this is not easy, regular season hockey. This is grueling, anything goes type of hockey. Guys are banged up, they’re tired and only Canadian-based families were allowed into the bubble, which only adds to the mental fatigue these guys are feeling.

One guy the Oilers tried to sign last offseason, Corey Perry (aka The Worm), has been instrumental in Dallas being in this series still. He seems to have revitalized Tyler Seguin as well. Sometimes that makes me wonder if the Oilers should put more emphasis on finding a few effective veterans?

I’m currently standing with my prediction on this series, Tampa in 7. I think the Stars will empty the tank tonight and pull this one out, and then lose in Game 7 by three goals or more. And that’s with Stamkos out (who I feel extremely bad for – not many have had worse luck than him). We’ll find out in a few hours.

FYI, at time of posting, it is 1-0 Tampa Bay. Maybe I’m wrong about 7.

Ottawa spurns crowd favourite, Masterton winner

When Bobby Ryan came back and scored the hat trick in his triumphant return to Ottawa, after going through therapy and the NHL’s substance abuse program, he and many others watching the game/highlights had tears in their eyes. Flip the calendar a few months forward, and one Masterton Trophy later, and the Ottawa Senators bought out the embattled forward to save a few bucks. Personally, though I’m often critical of Oilers ownership, there is no ownership team worse than the Ottawa Senators.

I hope Bobby Ryan signs with a good team, finds himself as a scoring forward in the middle 6 of their group, and has a great year. I would not mind that team being the Edmonton Oilers – I always have time for a guy who has worked hard, overcome adversity and has an offensive touch.

Penguins botch trade of Hornqvist for Matheson

While this did eventually get done, did it ever seem like the Penguins and good ol’ Jim (blame Justin Schultz) Rutherford blew it before it could get done. The trade, Patric Hornqvist for Mike Matheson (and Colton Sceviour, later), literally made no sense. Matheson has what, 5 years left at $4.875M AAV? And couldn’t even crack the Panthers lineup? GMJR sure loves projects like Jack Johnson and Mike Matheson. Woof.

Trade rumours in the stratosphere

Here are some of the big names rumoured to be available via trade:

• Patrik Laine
• Jack Eichel (though his agent tried to disprove this earlier today)
• The rights to Alex Pietrangelo and Torey Krug
• Matt Murray
• Frederik Andersen
• Every Florida Panther (Ekblad?)or Arizona Coyote (Ekman Laarson?), probably
• Shayne Gostisbehere

I wish the Oilers were in a better position to make a move here. Especially for the rights to Krug or Pietrangelo. Also, at the cost of acquisition, I’m not overly interested in a Patrik Laine.

As always, give me a shout in the comments if there’s anything you think I missed. I’m enjoying sharing my hockey thoughts with everyone, and I appreciate anyone who takes the time to read. Have a great week, all.