The struggling Ottawa Senators hope to pick up a much-needed boost by acquiring a new defenceman before the Feb. 21 trade deadline.
I’m told the Sens have set their sights on Rob Blake, 38-year-old captain of the Los Angeles Kings.
•The NBA’s trade deadline is nearing, as well, and the New Jersey Nets are trying to deal ex-Raptors superstar Vince Carter.
No takers yet, and that likely won’t change unless the Nets agree to eat some of Carter’s four-year, $69-million US contract.
•OK, I jinxed the New England Patriots’ offensive line here last week when I mentioned how well it protected quarterback Tom Brady all season.
On Super Bowl Sunday, the same O-line resembled creampuffs and couldn’t handle the Giants’ front seven, which is mainly why New York was able to record its remarkable upset. And the weakest link in the Pats’ O-line Sunday, I hate to say, was the lone Canadian in the game — Nick Kaczur of Brantford, Ont.
Giants receiver David Tyree, incidentally, made three important catches for 43 yards and a touchdown Sunday, which is incredible since he caught five passes for only 40 yards and no TDs all season.
“And he dropped everything he was thrown in practice all week,” teammate Plaxico Burress said. “Unbelievable.”
•B.C.’s Jason Bay is still on the trade block and you sense the star outfielder hopes the Pittsburgh Pirates unload him sooner rather than later.
“It’s pretty obvious we don’t have the guys to get it done,” Bay said. “I’m not saying we’re terrible, but…”
Marty York
In three-plus decades as a columnist and broadcaster, Marty York has built a network of solid contacts and a renowned reputation for his hard-hitting, groundbreaking style. The tradition continues in Metro Sports.
