Things are looking bad for Todd Bertuzzi.

After the hit on Moore, Bertuzzi has been suspended indefinitely with a hearing on Wednesday. He'll be out for a pretty long time I fear, but with any luck he'll be back in time for the playoffs. Fans shouldn't hold their collective breaths though.

Important to note though is the context. Moore hit Naslund - and it was dirty, I've seen plenty of replays, it was bloody cheap - and gave one of the top stars in the game a concussion. Moore managed to get away without a suspension. Vancouver players have been thirsting for revenge. I fully expected Brookbank to get involved with Moore and dish out a very severe beating. Instead Cooke (small but fiesty) scraps with him, and then Bert takes the fall with the big hit. It does show that everyone on the team was angry, and are fully dedicated to Naslund and sticking up for him, but it's just really unfortunate that a player as important to the team as Bertuzzi made the move that'll hurt the most - both for Moore and Vancouver.

I personally try not to sanction the use of excessive force to injure in the game - because in reality all it does is degenerate the sport. But I am (and others should be) well aware of the physical element, and how things work in the sport (You fuck with our man, you get fucked with). To be honest, I'd have been happy if Brookbank had taken Moore and beaten the hell out of him like he deserved, in a straight up fight. A couple times.

Damnit, Bertuzzi. Vancouver really needs you on the ice, not on the sidelines serving a long suspension. Revenge can't overcome sense.

In other hockey news, Vancouver FINALLY got on the ball and made some (5) trade moves before the deadline. As it turns out, I'm pretty pleased with the results.

First, they obtained Martin Rucinsky from the Rangers for Martin Grenier and R.J. Umberger. Rucinsky has been one of the most consistent players for the Rangers this year, and I think will be a solid fit in Vancouver.

Next, Geoff Sanderson is headed over from the Blue Jackets in return for a third-round pick in the '04 Draft. Sanderson is another good skater that will find a nice spot with Vancouvers high octane offensive game.

Vancouver also added some defense depth, reeling in Marc Bergevin from Pittsburgh for a draft pick.

The other 2 trades dealth with minor league players: Sergei Varlamov for Ryan Ready, and Sylvain Blouin for Rene Vydareny. I have mixed feelings about the Ready trade. I've seen the guy play back in Winnipeg, he was well liked by the fans and was a decent player. Varlamov on the other hand, I really know absolutely nothing about. We'll see how that works out.

So there we go! That's my hockey news for the night. I guess (now that I live right outside of Toronto) I should point out that the Leafs picked up aging verteran Ron Francis. I have all the respect in the world for Francis, he's has a truly excellent career in the NHL, but at 41, he's nearing the end of his days. That said, he'll fit right into the geriatric club in the Maple Leafs locker room.

Until next time folks.

~K

INotD: Smack-diddle.