I don't care much for Chris Pronger in any way, so when I say "shut up" I don't mean to be rude, just some friendly advice for Edmonton's "Public Enemy No. 1". [Which he dubbed himself, which...sure, okay.]

I know this story came out a few days ago but Chris Pronger really needs a better publicist. Or get one. Do hockey players get publicists?

Of course this has become a PR nightmare for the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Pronger said he was disappointed because he thought those comments weren't going to be published. You've been in the hockey business for a long time already Mr. Pronger, but I shall acquaint you with three beautiful words that could do wonders for you: "Off the record". You know, like that show they have on TSN that talks about you almost every night.

Of course the Edmonton fans loved him when he signed because this was a big name willingly signing with the team for a long-term committment when there was a history of an exodus of big names out of the city. I didn't even have a problem with him requesting a trade because of "personal reasons", 5-year contract or not. He's right, he should be doing what's right for his family, and he has no obligation to tell anybody the reason why that is. You don't decide to rescind on a 5-year contract without having a damn well good reason...likewise don't sign a legally binding contract for 5 years without talking about whether or not you're ready to make that committment.

It's the way that everything went down that just screams unprofessional. Don't blame the fans for being angry, for demanding an explanation. They're the ones who allow the guys upstairs to give you your hefty paycheque at the end of the day. Jetting off to Mexico while leaking your trade request to the press through your agent? It's reason for criticism. Not to mention he put the Oilers organization in a difficult bargaining position because all the other GMs around the league knew they had to unload him.

People did see him as a hero and I doubt he had a problem with the fans then. Now he's calling them out because they wanted an explanation as to why one of their best players decided that there was no possible way for him to stay there? Sounds like he's the one that's fickle.

The rumours swirling around the reasons why he wanted out were ridiculous [okay, I actually found them hilarious at times. Because nobody ever lies on the Internet] and I can understand why that would upset him. But the Oilers organization threatened legal action in an effort to try to protect everybody involved. The story had been dead and burried for a couple of months, what exactly was the point of him drudging up all of the unpleasantness again? He got the trade he was looking for and as Jordi said, move on. It's not like they moved him to Long Island or anything. He's a professional, he ought to start acting like one.

News from Away:
- How much do I love that S.J. Sharkie helped paint the ice at the HP Pavilion. I still have visions of the poor mascot getting stuck in the rafters during a pre-game presentation. Interestingly enough I predicted a San Jose-Ottawa final this past season. I've since stopped predicting.

- Malkin dislocated his shoulder but the trainers managed to pop it back in for him. Which, ew. Unfortunately Chara's supposed leg injury just turned out to be a bruise. Still waiting for my Chara voodoo doll to arrive.*

- Next Sens game is on Friday against the Buffalo Sabres. Bryan Murray is shuffling the lines a little to accomodate Alfredsson and Schaefer sitting out because of "groin tweaks". I'm not willing to call it a full blown injury yet. If there are only two things that Sens fans have not had and luck with they are groin injuries and guys with any variation of the name "Alex". Vermette will be joining the Spezza and Heatley line, dropping Eaves to the right of Kaigorodov and Hamel will take over for Schaefer on the left.


*Just as a note, I love Chara and it just broke my heart he couldn't stay with the Sens, which I know wasn't entirely his fault. And I don't practice Voodoo.