Hockey Notes.

How ridiculous are the New York Islanders? Newly appointed GM Neil Smith is out already. Smith was appointed not even 2 months ago during the Cup finals. That has to be record for shortest stint. They haven't even opened training camp yet. It be would be hilarious if this had something to do with Ted Nolan after the problems he had with John Muckler in Buffalo but there's no way that can be it. I think the Islanders will be forever cursed for sticking with the incomparably incompetent Mike Milbury as long as they did.

I've long thought that Mike Peca was the most overrated player in the NHL so I am not exactly jumping up and down now that he has signed on with the Leafs. He's a good player but not great and I think $2.5 million a year is the going rate. But his signing isn't going to jump the Leafs into a playoff spot on it's own. I still want to see them sign Anson Carter. He's another Toronto boy and fit perfectly on a line with Mats Sundin. Hell, he scored 33 goals last year playing with stiffs like the Sedin tiwns. He would score 40 with Sundin. I can only imagine Mats' excitement over looking to his right and seeing Ponikarovsky and to his left and seeing Antropov.