Slightly North

As the next (and maybe last for a while) NHL season looms ever closer, news is starting to pick back up. First of all, I would like to put everyone's minds at rest and announce that I have finally ordered the inDemand NHL Center Ice package, and will be able to watch (if I never went out of the house) every game of the 2003-04 season. I know you will all sleep better knowing that.

A few days ago it was announced that Doug Gilmour is retiring. This time he means it, unless of course his knee heals quick and Toronto asks him to come back. Not a good chance of that though after Quinn and Ferguson announced that they want to see the younger guys take the empty spots in the roster. The league is going to miss Gilmour, that is for sure. He has a mean streak sometimes, but he gets the job done no matter where he plays. A great all-around player.

Also, Joe Nieuwendyk was just signed to a one year contract and will be sporting the Maple Leaf this season. Joe has won 3 Cups, and is looking for his fourth. Suddenly a line with Nieuwendyk, Mogilny and Nolan is sounding really good.

Finally, Montreal Canadiens’ forward Gino Odjick will retire. He suffered a concussion before beginning of the 2002-03 season and has not obtained medical clearance to play in the upcoming season.

FINALLY!!!

The Toronto Maple Leafs can finally look for some blueline help.

The agent for defenseman Robert Svehla, Rich Winter told the Fan 590 radio station in Toronto that his client will make his retirement official, therefore freeing up $4 million for the Leafs to spend.

Svehla, 34, announced his retirement during the world hockey championships in May but the Leafs - aware that he had attempted to retire when he played with the Florida Panthers - picked up his $4-million US contract option for 2003-04 to prevent Svehla from playing in Europe.

More details to follow.

UPDATE: I'm not Canadian, and I don't use drugs.

The Leafs put out a vague news release on McCabe's knee condition yesterday, saying he will be "sidelined indefinitely, evaluated on a week-to-week basis and will undergo conservative therapy." The only elaboration on McCabe was that surgery is not required for the injury, which occurred during training.

Also, Phoenix have unveiled their new image. It is a lot more old school, but they did away with the great colors. The logo is also changed. Damn, I so wanted a phoenix away jersey. I love that logo.