The Golden Milbury
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The Golden Milbury
That’s right, its time to give away an award. The Golden Milbury will be given to the team that makes the dumbest move (or moves) during the season. Now I need your help since I mostly follow the Islanders. There will eventually be a poll to choose the winner (or if no one votes, a judge will decide) of The Golden Milbury. My personal choices?
Carolina Waives Leighton
Following the horrible injury to Cam Ward, the Canes decided to dust off Manny Legace of all people and call him in ahead of Leighton who had been their long term backup. When Cam Ward returned, the Canes waived Leighton and the Flyers (coached by former Canes coach Lavoilette) desperate for a backup picked him up. Not only has he started in the premiere game of the regular season, but the Canes are playing half his salary AND Legace is their backup. For comparison’s sake.
GP W L OTL GAA SV%
Micheal Leighton 18 12 3 1 2.19 .920
Ray Emery 29 16 11 1 2.64 .910
Manny Legace 19 7 6 3 3.05 .900
Toronto Signs Kessel
Brian Burke. That’s all you really have to say. The argument about whether he’s good or he inherited good positions could go on forever. In his attempt to turn around Toronto he signed the talented Phil Kessel, whose rights cost him a first and second rounder in the 2010 draft and a first in the 2011 draft. Now the hope might have been to improve Toronto enough that the draft pick was a high one. Unfortunately despite Kessel leading the team in goals, Toronto has struggled all year and this years picks look like they might be a top five pick. Also of note is that any pick of the top 4 could possibly become a first overall pick due to the lottery.
Kings let Moulson go
It isn’t so much that they let him go, but they didn’t really try to re-sign him. A rebuilding Kings team could only give Moulson (a former 9th round pick) 29 games over two seasons in the NHL and only 10 points in those games. The Islanders after drafting John Tavares (an old linemate of Moulson’s) decided to sign him. He impressed from camp and just kept rolling from there. He’s the Islanders first twenty goal scorer in a few seasons and the Kings are kicking themselves for missing out on him.
Flyers Sign Emery
After making a big splash by trading for Pronger and showing they wanted to win now, the Flyers decided to go with enigmatic goaltender Ray Emery to lead them to the Cup. Now Emery does have a run to the Stanley Cup finales on his resume. But that was with a very good Senators team in front of him. Ottawa soured on him so quickly (due to off ice incidents) that the following year they bought out his contract. He did have an impressive run in the KHL last year, he still had off ice issues and arguments with the team. Although quiet off the ice, he has suffered injuries and his play left the door open for Boucher and Leighton to take over the starting job. In fact it wouldn’t be surprising if the playoffs started today and Emery was healthy if Lieghton was starter still. The cap is also another consideration in his deal, but in the end former Flyer Goalie Martin Biron could have been signed for nearly the same amount. Also former backup Nittymaki has been outstanding for Tampa Bay this year
Now that’s my four favorites, but bookmark this page. As the trading deadline passes I want to know what you think is one of the worst moves this year. Comment on this blog or email me (located at bottom of page) via the contact form. I want to make the vote for The Golden Milbury that much more fun.
