Kings waive buh-bye to Cloutier
The Los Angeles Kings placed their goaltender Dan Cloutier on waivers yesterday.
Cloutier's first season with the Kings last year was dreadful, missing more than half of the season with a hip injury and the games he did play were forgettable. Cloutier ended the year with a 6-14-2 record, and .860 save percentage. Cloutier played himself out of contention for the starting goaltending job with the Kings, this pre-season, and Los Angeles appears to be favoring newcomer Jonathan Bernier.
The Los Angeles Kings risk losing Cloutier if they decide to bring him back up from their AHL affiliate, as he would have to clear re-entry waivers.... however, I think that is unlikely. Both that he would be called up (barring multiple goaltending injuries, and that he would be claimed because of his high salary, and poor play). This could be a career ender.
Tough luck to you fantasy owners who drafted Cloutier.... not just because you lost one of your goaltenders, but if this guy was actually on your roster, I'm afraid to find out who else you may have selected....
Quick Shave:
Last night I got to see some pre-season action between the New York Rangers and their cross-town counterparts the New Jersey Devils. While both squads were lightly seasoned with veteran players, it was a lot of fun to watch the young players vying for an opportunity to play for the bigs. Rangers goaltender Al Montoya stopped 12 of the 13 shots he faced and certainly made a case for his being the back up to Henrik Lundqvist this season. Ryan Callahan a late season call up for the Blueshirts last season, and youngster Brandon Dubinsky had solid performances as well. Brian Gionta, Zach Parise, and new ufa aquisition Danius Zubrus provided the scoring for the Devils, as the Rangers went on to win 4-3. The Detroit Red Wings took down the Pittsburgh Penguins in OT last 1-0 on an early score in the extra period by defenceman Chris Chelios. It seems the Montreal Canadiens have themselves an early goaltending controversy.... perhaps controversy is too strong a word. Rookie Carey Price is making his case to play for the big club, and did so again last night making 22 saves for the Habs in a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders. Unfortunately for Price, from what I'm hearing veteran keepers Cristobal Huet, and Jaroslav Halak are also having terrific pre-seasons. Huet will play the entire match against the Ottawa Senators tonight, and Halak will face the Boston Bruins on Sunday.
The Playoff Beard. com Online Store officially opened for business yesterday. While the offerings at this time are a bit limited, I do think they will cater to my beard loving friends out there. There are two different official Playoff Beard T-shirts. I plan on adding more designs as the season progresses, and I am also open to suggestions (the playoff beard faces tee was actually Stache's brainchild). Click here to visit the store!
Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh
Comments
good for price. i listened to the game, and unfortunately for him, the islanders didn't dress too much of the skill, no guerin, no satan, no dipietro, though they did play sim, and that fool scored twice on huet, so price indeed did something right.
another thing for any habs fan out there. for the second time this pre-season, defensive prospect ryan o'byrne (big, BIG guy standing 6' 5") earned second star of the night honors. it's possible he could crack the line up this year, if this kind of play continues. the guys at cjad 800 rave about his hitting, but feel his skating is still suspect. we'll see.
on a sour note, the powerplay went 0fer again, damn it. though the first d'agonstini goal came as a powerplay opportunity just expired. still, i'm not sure they've scored a power play goal this pre-season. not a good sign. but then again, at least they are scoring even strength, which is a great sign.
Posted by: mutton chops | September 22, 2007 11:58 AM
It's so hard to judge pre-season games, and players. The Rangers were blanked by the new look Flyers 5-0 Saturday night, and were gift wrapping their turnovers.
Rust, young players, and new ufa's sometimes result in lopsided scores.
The only reason I would be worried about the Habs powerplay is the loss of Souray, however losing his -27 rating might not be so bad.
Posted by: Cap | September 23, 2007 11:54 PM
Watching the Rangers put the hurt on the Isles on Center Ice online. They look pretty good to me - maybe the Flyers game was just a fluke. Got to see Marc Staal take a couple one-timers from the point on a 5 on 3. Seems like he's got a good shot, but could stand to work on his aim a little. Regardless, it has to feel good having him in the system...
And I'm not entirely sure what happened, but when I tuned in they were talking about DiPeitro getting involved in some sort of fight and perhaps ejected from the game. I'll have to check the box score to get the juice. Goalie fights are bomb.
Posted by: Stache | September 24, 2007 08:42 PM
Wow. I'm going to go ahead and apologize for apparently jinxing the living crap out of the Rangers. I turned the game on and they went up 4-1 boom, boom. Then the slow decay happens and the Isles win in OT 5-4.
Sorry Bosh!! I promise not to watch any more Rangers games!!
(However, I'd be more than happy to get on the Islanders payroll to help them out by watching their games and giving my golden touch; I'll take 1/8 of Yashin's salary.)
Posted by: Stache | September 24, 2007 09:52 PM
Found the fight!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nisE6AGr03I
And these two teams play each other 8 times this year. : )
Posted by: Stache | September 25, 2007 09:51 AM
thanks for the post stache.
wow. d.p., d.p.! or should i chant, b.c., b.c. (body count for those that don't know). dipietro looked to be the better of the two goalies on this night. i speak of course of the fighting.
isn't there some bad blood between simon and hollweg from a season ago?!?! as in that's why simon can't play the first few games of the regular season? odd, that they allow him to play in the preseason, against the team that has more reason to retaliate against him.
i'm sure there will be some more fisticuffs this season, but ricky, stay in the crease, baby. all i need is to have you on the i.r. with a broken hand you got while fighting. fantasy league draftee.
m.c., m.c., m.c.!!! out.
Posted by: mutton chops | September 25, 2007 11:48 AM