Hordichuk the Philanthroper that will also kick your

behind every athlete, there lies the potential to make something of them self outside their sporting arenas. Some choose to use that to their advantage, while others tend to lean towards jackassery. After further research on Darcy Hordichuk, he is obviously a character guy who is making the most of his opportunities in life.

I perused his awesomely nasty website, DarcyHordichuk.com and read about his charitable donations that he does (did) during every Preds game. Similar to what Ward does with "Cam's Champs", but as an offensive player:

For every goal scored: $160

For each assist scored: $116

For each hit recorded: $16

For each standing ovation the crowd gives at home games: $16

Goes towards the Best Buddies program or to help fight Leukemia. And as he puts it "no one is going to mistake me for Mario Lemieux", so he alternated his teammates throughout different months of the season (for example, say the month of October -- every time Staal has a goal, assist or hit... as well).

It is certainly character guys like this that Jim Rutherford has always sought out in his players. Seeing as he's still relatively young (he'll be 28 by the time the season starts), he's a stand-up guy off & on the ice and that he will protect our team against the goons -- this is looking like a shrewd move by Jimmy Rutherford if he can in fact get him signed.

Timmy Gleason is back for four more, Hordichuk a big maybe

Sweet! Some actual news for all of us hockey-starved Caniacs!

Tim Gleason signs to a four year deal & Darcy (tee hee, Darcy) Hordichuk's rights are acquired by Carolina from Nashville for a 5th round pick.

The Tiiiimmmmmmmmaaaaah news is outstanding, for it seemed that all the negotiations on re-signing him were going nowhere. I figured that my boy Jimmy was low-balling him. Young stud defenseman don't just grow on trees these days, nowdon'tyaknow... but the strides he has made in the past two seasons have been great and it's good to know that his reliability is here to stay. Love his toughness too. Favorite moment from this past season was when he body slammed Nathan Horton onto the ice. Looking forward to many more occasions like such. I'm thinking that the 4 year $11.5Mil contract is a number that all sides can live with, though I bet Gleason and his agent were after a bit more.

In another off the wall move today, the Canes brought in Darcy Hordichuk from the Nashville Predators who I'll admit I know very little about. Judging from his stats - he appears to be a hit or miss kind of player who has dealt with the injury bug before (welcome to Raleigh, you'll fit right in!). He is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent as of July 1st, but something tells me that Jimmy Boy will get a contract on this cat before that happens. The good thing about this player is that he's the "tough guy" who can actually win a fight. Check out his fight card over at Hockeyfights.com.

So if Hordichuk signs to play on our fourth line, you can pretty much guarantee that Wade Brookbank won't be back... (Darcy loves the ladies, is someone stepping into the Pimp hat role for the departed John Grahame?)

"Get Your Hands Off Of Me, You Damn Dirty Apes"

This picture is too good not to be seen by all. This is the governor of Tennessee and his wife holding a sign that was handed to them by a rallier in the crowd at yesterday's "Our Team" season ticket drive. I like it, if I had to pick a Western Conference team that I actually am a fan of, the Preds are it. I hope they can stay.

SaveThePreds.com

Keep the Predators In Nashville Petition

Nashville Predators: "Our Team"

Scottie Walker Might Test The Waters

OK

On both sides of the Scott Walker deal:

If you're Jim Rutherford:

• "Do we need to sign another late 30 something skater before we get too attached to him? He deserves a lot more cashflow than he's been getting and Nashville let him go because of chronic injuries."

If you're a Canes fan at the RBC 05-06 season:

• "Dude, did you see that little guy just knock out a guy 3 feet taller than him?"
• "Shit! I was out getting another $8 adult beverage! Always miss the action! Oh well, at least I was also in the beerline when that other SE Division team scored 3 goals on 6 shots against."

Dear Scottie Walker: We'd hate to see you go, but hope you sign with a Western Conference team if you must. (Nashville could use their A-captain back)



That can of WhupAss was well worth missing the following game with a "hand injury" for Mr. Walker. Not to mention, the Wiz scored the fastest natural hat trick of the NHL reggie season shortly after this beat-down.