My thoughts on Euro-bashing, the free agent crop and Mad Max Bernier

No, this post isn't about the Euro 08 tournament, that will have to wait until later in June. Instead, I hope we can put an end to the small-minded thinking that permeates through certain sectors of the hockey fan population when it comes to European captains in the NHL.

Let's start with a quick exercise. Who can name a European captain in the NHL before 1997? What? Nobody? That's probably because there had never been a captain from across the ocean before 97. The only exception would be Alex Mogilny who was given the nod after Pat Lafontaine suffered a serious injury in 1994. But that was merely on an interim basis. So this is a relatively new phenonmenon.

Before Derian Hatcher won a Cup with Dallas, the thinking was it took a Canadian captain to win in the playoffs. But now, that has been extended to all of North America. Thankfully, when Nick Lidstrom hoists the Cup we can put an end to this sorry way of thinking.

Goalies Anonymous

I bet Cristobal Huet is feeling pretty good about his situation heading into the offseason. He is the premier unrestricted free agent on the market when it comes to goaltenders. Hab fans should be sitting pretty considering they're loaded with a pair of goalies under the age of 23. Aside from Huet, you're looking at Jose Theodore, Dan Ellis and Ollie Kolzig as the best options. Of those, Ellis and Theodore will almost certainly re-sign with their teams before Canada Day. Right after Washington was eliminated by Philly, a report surfaced in the DC post (no, it wasn't a piece by Tony Kornheiser) that suggested that Huet was close to a deal with the Caps worth over 4 mil a year. That proved to be erroneous. But nonetheless, it's a weak market out there. Don't be surpised if somone goes after Pascal Leclaire from Columbus. He had an outstanding season and is a restricted free agent this summer.

Mad Max

What do you need for a perfect scandal? Sex, money and ignorance. Maxime Bernier will have to settle for two out of three. Our former foreign affairs minister resigned in disgrace after leaving secret documents at his ex-girlfriend's house. They stayed there for five weeks without anyone noticing. This man had everything going for him. He's from Quebec, well educated, well connected, is good looking and bilingual. He could've been Prime Minister in a few years. Now, he's become the butt of jokes on the Rick Mercer show. I guess this is what happens when powerful men think with their little head instead of their big one.