Goodbye & Goodluck Mr. Gomez

The Montreal Canadiens have acquired centre Scott Gomez, winger Tom Pyatt and defenceman Mike Busto from the New York Rangers in exchange for winger Chris Higgins and defensemen Ryan McDonagh and Pavel Valentenko from the Montreal Canadiens.

Clearly this is a move by Sather (and an impressive one if you can imagine) to make a big time signing in the next 24 hours. Free agency starts Wednesday at noon. You've got to think he plans on making a run at Heatley, Hossa, Gaborik or the Sedin Twins.

Kournikova A Rowdy Drunk?

She seems like she's all fun and giggles, but it sounds as though the princess has a little bit of a choppy side. At least when she's drunk. And at least in Vegas. This article was published today in NY about an incident involving Anna Kournikova:

Anna Kournikova got into a fight Saturday night in Las Vegas after an unidentified woman threw a drink at the tennis ace. Kournikova and her pals were partying at Lavo after attending the Hardbat Classic table tennis tournament when a woman at the next table "threw a drink at Anna. She felt Anna was invading her space." Kournikova "sprung into action" and starting screaming at the woman and shoving her. "It was a big fight." The woman was kicked out only after leaving Kournikova with some vicious scratch marks on her neck.

Lets remember that she was drunk. And this is Sin City we're talking about here. Vegas will do that to anyone. In fact, she was probably acting rationally compared to most others around her. Especially if they had just come from a table tennis tournament. Yikes. But it could have been a lot worse. Put any rowdy drunk male in front of that girl and all bets are off. If I had an O'Doul's in my system I would probably have been singing "I Can Be Your Hero" to her on both knees.

Something Big On NHL Draft Day?...You Can Just Feel It

The NHL draft is Friday and the amount of buzz surrounding who the Islanders will pick with their #1 choice is absolutely baffling. This draft choice for them is so huge that the franchise's abliity to stay in Long Island depends on it. If the Islanders do not pick John Tavares as their man, the fans in Long Island are going to revolt, and in my eyes the owner will not hesitate to begin investigating relocation options for the team. The arena situation is enough of a reason to move the franchise, so this would be the icing on the cake. We'll see what Garth Snow does. I would be shocked if John Tavares is not the #1 draft pick. Only time will tell, but for now I'm finished typing about the Islanders, that's the most I've ever talked about them, other than when they play the Rangers.

All of Friday is going to be a very interesting day to follow hockey (and there's not even a game to be played). You just get the feeling that there are going to be some major splashes across the NHL. From draft picks being traded, to salaries being shed, to soon-to-be free agents being signed. There are some big time names out there, and many GMs are fishing for them. It is a matter of the best offers that will determine the winning bidders, and I think that is going to result in some trades that really open eyes. Hopefully the Rangers don't give up any of their core youth (cough...cough...Staal...cough). But Sather knows what he's doing, right?

Nadal A Surprising No-Go For Wimbledon -- Roddick's Door Opens

In a stunning decision, Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from Wimbledon citing his knee injuries and not being 100%. He won't be defending his title and there will be no rematch of last years epic finals versus Federer. With an initial thought, you would think Federer is the one who would be jumping for joy, but there is someone else who just got a major break by Nadal's announcement. But no one is talking about him STILL. Every article I've read says Andy Murray caught the biggest break with Rafa's withdrawal. But he potentially could meet Gulbis (2nd round) and Blake (quarters). The only break Murray could get is finding out he's actually not British. Until then he's sunk at Wimbledon. The guy who undoubtedly benefits the most, and in my eyes becomes the favorite in the top half of the draw, is Mr. Andy Roddick. He is playing some of his best tennis ever right now, and his serve is on fire. With Roddick's serve hitting a groove, how does that not make him a favorite to get to the finals? The Hasty thinks it does.

Who wouldn't love to see a Murray vs Roddick semi-final? And then a Roddick vs Federer finals? Maybe I'm in a pipe dream but I think there is a real shot for this. Murray is going to have his ups and downs over the two weeks, and with the whole country of England watching, one of those "downs" is going to finish him, as usual. That said, if Nadal was in the tournament, a Nadal vs Roddick quarter-final would have been extremely tough for Roddick. If he did advance, how much gas would he have left in the tank for the semis and the finals? But that is moot, now there is no Nadal, no quarterfinal hurdle, no mental wall in Roddick's mind knowing Rafa is in his section. I think Roddick is a lock for the semis. I only see one potential speed bump along the way, and that's in the fourth round. He potentially could play Davydenko. That match is scary.

Here is Nadal's press conference where he announced he was withdrawing:

Nadal Has To Play, But Winning The Whole Thing Is Another Story

Rafael Nadal will defend his title at Wimbledon despite his knee woes. And you can quote me. Now don't get me wrong, Nadal's knees are killing him, but his coach Uncle Tony is a drama queen. That guy is going to build up the doubt and uncertainty of Rafa playing in the tournament for sure. He always seems to do that throughout the season, and he's doing it here. But Nadal's camp announced today that he will be playing two exhibition singles matches on grass at the Hurlingham Club in London this week. So tell me this, if he is so hurt why in world would he step on a court between now and his opening round match on Centre Court? Now if he pulls out of his first exhibition match in the second game, then we've got a problem. But for Nadal to even attempt to play this week is a sign that he thinks he is okay to go next week in the big one in London. Don't forget, Nadal hasn't played a single match on any surface, let alone grass, since his 4th round loss in the French on the red clay. So it is extremely important for him to play a competitive match on grass before Wimbledon. You know Federer is salivating to win back the Wimbledon crown, and a rusty Rafael Nadal on grass isn't going to get in the way of that, whether he's the defending champ or not.

The Hasty thinks the biggest wild card headed into Wimbledon are the "semi" favorites...the ones who are happily sitting on the back-burner. I really like (depending on the draw) Djokovic and Roddick to both get into the semis. And you've got to consider Federer a lock to make it to the final four. The last slot is as good a guess as anyone's. Forget Del Potro, he's going to be gas'd from his emotional semi-final match versus Federer at Roland Garros. I would be surprised if Nadal is there, especially with his floundering confidence right now. And I'd be surprised if Murray was there too, because he's shown (thus far) that he can't handle the weight of England on his shoulders. In my eyes, I think we'll see someone in there that is somewhat accomplished yet flies under the radar. Someone just like Davydenko, Haas or even Tsonga. In the end though, is anyone actually going to beat Roger Federer here this year? I doubt it. He is the heavy, heavy favorite.

DO OR DIE ---- CUP OR NO CUP

There really is only one thing better then a Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, and that is overtime of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. That would produce the optimal scenario of "next-team-to-score-a-goal-wins-the-cup". Imagine that. My heart isn't rooting for a team in this series, therefore I'm pulling for a close game that is intense and physical. And some OT (for the first time in this series) would be the best case scenario. That would top off a great 2 months of playoff hockey indeed.

The Hasty's final prediction of the season (other then the Rangers landing Heatley or Kovalchuk in the offseason) for tonight's game is this...RED WINGS. There are 3 reasons why: 1) Home Ice Advantage: Red Wings; 2) Fleury vs Osgood: Osgood; 3) Depth Players: Red Wings. Those are the factors that are going to determine who takes The Cup from Mr. Bettman tonight and hoists it to the rafters. I will leave you with this one minor twist: The Penguins do have those two guys named Crosby and Malkin, who have both been pretty quite of late. Are they do? Scary thought.

Just one more thing, and I'm sorry for anyone who this offends, but while searching the web for the Stanley Cup photo I headed today's article with, I came across this photo above. For anyone who likes Lindsay and hockey, this is a match made in heaven. Enjoy the game tonight, it's the last one for over 3 months. And just think, after tonight The Hasty will have plenty more time and ink to dedicate to people just like Lindsay!

The New Jersey Devils Are A Mess Of A Business

No joke, The Hasty got a call yesterday from a representative with the New Jersey Devils asking if I had any interest in Devils hockey discounted ticket packages. Wow. If that isn't a sign of a financially struggling sports franchise, then I don't know what is. That team is going to go belly up. Perhaps it is time for the team to instill a less "defensive" and more "entertaining" on-ice strategy so that maybe they can fill a few more seats. What do you say Lou? Either way, this organization is in trouble.

Oh yeah, did I mention that their coach quit the other day?

And You Thought I Was Crazy...But You Heard It Here First

Over two weeks ago, The Hasty wrote about the Dos Equis beer advertising campaign centered around "The Most Interesting Man in the World." It's a great (and effective) commercial, and one that draws the viewer into the curiosity of this one man's life. At the time, you probably thought The Hasty was crazy, but it certainly seems as though that is not the case. Clearly this man and the Dos Equis commercial has grown exponentially in popularity. You don't believe it? Watch this clip below that SportsCenter produced...

Tennis Security A Joke In Paris

A pretty scary scene occurred at the French Open men's finals on Sunday. One that was pretty embarrassing for the security staff at the tournament too and one that should be a lesson to all tournaments on how moments like these should not be handled, although there shouldn't be a need for another lesson after the Monica Seles stabbing. Pretty pathetic. As you can see, a man ran on court, startling Roger, and then approached him to attempt to put a hat on Federer's head. The man then proceeded to run around the court, jumping over the net onto the other side, all while the sloppy and overweight security guards, who were sleeping at wheel, chased him around. Finally one security guard took him down forcefully and the others eventually caught up. Federer was pretty shaken up, understandably so, but he collected himself just fine. The fact that this intruder was able to get out on court for a good 30 seconds without anyone laying a finger on him is inexcusable. Why weren't those guards quicker to grab him? The guards approached him on court in a caveman-like style, clearly without any strategy whatsoever. The man easily maneuvered his way from all of them. But the fact he had enough time on court to get in the face of Federer and attempt to put a hat on him is sad. Imagine what he could have done if he had some sort of weapon, or simply a sharp object. Thank goodness it was all non-violent. You just never know though. The full clip of the situation is below. And the clip under that includes his press conference reaction to it.

Anyways, congrats to Roger Federer for winning his first French Open. I think this pretty much locks him up as being the best tennis player ever.

Federer's French Open Final Is His Semis; & NHL Game 4

First of all, I apologize for the large time gap in posts. Now with that out of the way...

I'm sorry, but there is no way that Fernando Gonzalez or Robin Soderling are going to beat Roger Federer in the French Open finals. I don't care how hot they are. So in my eyes Federer needs to defeat Juan Martin Del Potro in the semi-finals tomorrow and he'll almost certainly capture the elusive French Open title. And this will crown him as the best male tennis player of all time. I know Pistol Pete would still be tied in grand slam titles with Roger, but Pete's resume still has a massive hole - he never won the French. How could you say Roger isn't better for that simple reason? In the end, that will be moot though, because Federer is going to win another grand slam on top of this potential French title. But lets be clear, Del Potro isn't even close to being a pushover. This will be Federer's toughest match of the tournament, beginning to end. Tommy Haas came out of the gate flying, but couldn't finish Federer (or anyone for that matter) as usual. Gael Monfils is way too hot-and-cold, and Federer jumped all over him. But Del Potro is the best all-around player of the bunch. I expect this match to be a dogfight, and one in which I wouldn't be surprised if Del Potro wins. But with Nadal at home for the first time in his career and not holding the trophy, Federer is on a mission. This, in my opinion, is his one and only chance to win the French Open. And Federer knows it.

One note on the Andy Roddick meltdown again Monfils in the 4th round. Roddick is 100% right with his anger. If you didn't see it, Roddick was consistently complaining to the chair umpire that the light was too dim to play, and that he wanted the match suspended. In the second set, not only was the sun setting, but there was significant cloud cover that rolled in. No joke, it was 9PM local time in Paris when they started the 3rd set. The fact that the chair umpire did not suspend play is a disgrace. Who's call was it to even start this match that late in the evening? Why not make it the first match the next morning? I'll tell you why. They started the match out of stupidity, Monfils then wins the first set, Roddick complains in frustration about the sunlight, the French officials don't mind, and they simply decide to keep the match going. Why? Monfils is French.

One last thing, Game 4 of the NHL Stanley Cup finals is tonight. This series has had amazing action, especially in Game 3. The only difference in the series has been goaltending. Games 1 and 2 would have been a toss-up if Fleury had played half-decent. Detroit is going to come out flying tonight, and the only way they lose is if Crosby wakes up. He's actually not playing bad, he's just being so heavily covered that he seems invisible at times. But he is creating his chances, he's just not finishing them. If that doesn't change then the Pittsburgh ship is sunk, they'll lose tonight and they'll lose the series. But no matter the result, tonight's game will be another back-and-forth game with a plentiful amount of offensive opportunities. So enjoy it.