Training camps opened Friday and over the weekend a lot of people (who weren’t me) got to see some pre-season hockey. It looks like the Blackhawks had the most fun, as the Champs should, by hosting their annual Training Camp Festival including… wait for it… a rollerblading race! Mr. Pants is very jealous because he thinks he’s French and it’s 1994.
Easier than ice skating?
The Penguins unveiled some prospective line combinations, including Evgeni Malkin at right wing next to Mr. Hillary Duff, with Eric Tangradi on the left. It was also announced that Malkin will be talking more with the media this season, and in this video his English has improved a ton. He even smiles, instead of looking vaguely terrified. Of course, it means he’ll have to answer questions if his productivity does pickup stat. (Helpful hint: Don’t Google Malkin. There’s a photo of him tongue-kissing some girl that no one should ever have to see.)
Geno on the mic.
The Canucks, who still don’t have a captain, presented an episode of WUYS’s favorite show: I Should Have Been a Trainer.
Drop and give us...
The Phoenix Coyotes took two pages from a politician’s handbook – they hosted a Town Hall-style meeting and they said nothing. According to their COO, a potential new owner is sniffing around with “money on the table” to keep the team in AZ. So say we all. Thanks for the Coyotes for the best countdown clock in the league.
Tik tok, on the clock, DJ turn this party up tonight...
Kari Lehtonen debuted the coolest goalie mask in the history of time – the Chuck Norris edition. Mr. Pants agrees.
Insert 'Walker, Texas Ranger' joke here.
In other clips from camps:
- Lightning coach Guy Boucher’s scar is still really scary, like the one Mark Hamill is covering with that beard in Empire Strikes Back.
- The Islanders have a mascot (I did not know this). What the eff does Sparky the Dragon have to do with Long Island?
- Hollywood loves the St. Louis Blues – John Hamm talked about his team during The Town junket and in the trailer for Life as We Know It, Josh Duhamel is wearing a Blues hat.
- The Canadiens are looking for an host for their live in-game promotions. Too bad all the French I can remember is the “Je Suis un Pizza” song and how to say [CENSORED] in case I ever meet Max Talbot.
There is still time for us to change our occupations! I want to be a trainer! This was a great way to start my monday. Thanks for the round up Pants.