Polemic Hockey

I thought Niedermayer's "imminent" retirement announcement was (e5) but out of respect to Niedermayer was just called (e4).

Eklund just has no smell test for anything.

Niedermayer to retire imminent (e4) ...week after Cup
Niedermayer to retire after brother's wedding (e4)
Niedermayer to retire this week (e4)
Niedermayer to retire after his day with the Cup?

If those sources are legit, either Scott is changing his mind a lot, or he's communicating with that source in Klingon.

I don't have much to add. I think the Ducks did the right thing, obviously, and I think they are in a good position to bring in another impact player if need be. The Oilers may very well have figured that they wanted Penner, and they had plenty of room, so if $4.3 is what it took, $4.3 is what it took. But I think they are overpaying, and I do not expect Penner to live up to his expectations there. Bad advice from his agent--he was a better player on the Ducks, and could have stood to make a lot more than that with a few more good seasons on a good team.

We won't know who "won" this one for a long time with certainty, but on it's face, this was a very odd maneuver for the Oilers.

The rumor tonight is that the Ducks will silently let the 7-day deadline pass tomorrow on Dustin Penner.  That's the right move.  I'm interested to see the reactions either way.