NHL Ads, New Players and what goalie controversy?

I haven't had time the past 3 weeks to really post as much as I've wanted to. I've had plenty of ideas, but the job that pays the bills has had me too busy to actually make the posts. So here I am with a quick summary of what's been going on in my mind.

NHL Ads
This year the NHL has been pushing their "Just like you, and really good at hockey" campaign. In their troubles they've really come up with some comical ads - here's a couple of the recent ones that have made me laugh (one even includes Marty):

New Player(s)
I say this in the plural form because between contract extensions, injuries & actual new players the team seems to be growing. First and foremost, we obviously have a few guys off injury, namely Modano, making a difference. Second we got a great contract extension, 2 years worth $2m for Mike Smith. Smitty has been great when he's played this year, and now that he's healthy again as well we'll be seeing more of him. I'm glad to see next year we go into the season knowing who our goalies are. Lastly, and certainly not least, we had a trade.

Tippett and Hicks showed their hands early this year, as they have done in the past, and made a trade for the Playoffs ... Mathias Tjarnqvist has played well in the few games he was up in Dallas and shown that he's going to be a worthy player in the NHL. However, it won't be for us. Tjarnqvist was traded to division foe Phoenix for an offensive player who, on his new line with Modano & Lehtinen, is sure to help us get more goals ... and seeing Dallas Sunday with 7 goals? Yeah, I have confidence in the playoffs this year. For those of you concerned, this was the right move for Tjarnqvist too. I don't think he had his heart set to be in Dallas, so I don't think there is any love lost, and in Phoenix he has the chance to become one of the stars on a (going to be) young and growing team. As for the concerns over Nagy, and there are many of them, I say screw it. He has the history of being a +20 goal scorer twice in his career, and with the right team can be again. Jere & Mo are a great combination, and with another goal scorer by their side this line is going to be very dangerous.

Goalie controversy
Bugger off. This is a media story, and only a media story. Marty has a history with this team of being a strong player ... one of the best honestly. He just played 23 straight games before Smitty rescued him in 2 of these last 3 games (some would argue he rescued him in all 3). 23 straight games of 80 to 100 mile an hour pucks flying at his head. We're lucky he took it as well as he did. Yes, Smith has a LOT of promise, but he's still a rookie. He will be here until Marty retires, and then he'll be here after that. This isn't about who is the starter, as Tippett has said, if the playoffs started today against Detroit Turco would be in goal. So big media, stop pestering our boys with your headline news that means nothing. Let them concentrate on playing the game. Cover them, but don't pester them. Goalie controversy ... bah!