Former 'Hawk & current loudmouth Roenick now in LA

[knightni]

http://www.sportsline.com/nhl/story/8705277

 

Roenick gives Kings something to talk about as moves continue

  Aug. 4, 2005

By Wes Goldstein

CBS SportsLine.com Staff Writer

 

 

While Jeremy Roenick admits that he often speaks before he thinks, he has little doubt the frenetic pace of player movement in the past few days is just what the doctor ordered for the NHL.

 

   

Luc Robitaille welcomes his new scoring partner to the team. (AP)   

"I really believe the way this league has been flipped on its side with so many guys changing teams will throw a bolt of energy into things," Roenick said Thursday when he was introduced as the newest member of the Los Angeles Kings. "It's a good way to get the game back on the front pages and to get people excited about hockey again."

 

Roenick will do his part, of course, being media friendly and all, not to mention someone who has never shied away from doing his part to raise the game's profile. Sometimes though, his efforts have been misguided, as they were recently when he was quoted telling fans who criticized players during the lockout to stay away when play resumed. But there's little doubt he draws attention, and getting him situated in a critical media market could turn out to be a coup for a league that will be challenged to reconnect with its audience this season.

 

"I'm an L.A. kind of guy, those who know me will understand that, " said Roenick, who was traded away by the Philadelphia Flyers after they signed Peter Forsberg and needed to clear salary cap room. "And I've always wanted to play here.

 

"I know I have diarrhea of the mouth sometimes, but I love the fans, and I just hope people realize what kind of push the Kings are trying to make here to put out a good team and a good product."

 

And they're not the only ones trying to revitalize the neighborhood. Down the road in Anaheim, the Mighty Ducks triggered another hectic day of wheeling and dealing by getting defending Norris Trophy winner Scott Niedermayer to sign as a free agent and join his brother, Rob, in the lineup. One of the league's top skaters and puck rushers, Niedermayer should provide a major boost to what could be a dynamic Mighty Ducks offense that will be spearheaded by Sergei Fedorov and a number of highly prized rookies ready to debut in the NHL.

 

"He's the kind of guy who could add a lot to any team he plays for," said Rob Niedermayer, who benefited from his brother's arrival by getting a new four-year, $8 million contract from Anaheim. "I'm just really excited and looking forward to playing with him."

 

Scott Niedermayer, who was one of the most sought-after players in this year's free-agent sweepstakes, made what he called a difficult decision to turn his back on the New Jersey Devils.

 

"It was a tough call to make because I've been with New Jersey 14 years, almost half my life, and it was great," said Niedermayer, allowing that the Devils had made him a more lucrative offer than the four-year, $27 million deal he accepted from Anaheim. "There was no reason to leave, but there were some really good reasons to go to Anaheim."

 

"The chance to play with my brother is self-explanatory, but I've got three kids, and this will let their grandparents come down and spend more time with them too."

 

Still, while family concerns played a big part in his decision, Niedermayer said the successful track record Anaheim GM Brian Burke had while running the Vancouver Canucks had an impact as well.

 

"Everybody's goal is to be there at the end, and I think the team (Burke) is putting together here gives us a chance to do that," he said.

 

While Niedermayer was heading west, New Jersey general manager Lou Lamoriello was scurrying to fill the hole on the Devils blue line by re-signing Brian Rafalski and coming to terms with free agents Dan McGillis and Vladimir Malakhov.

 

In the meantime, the Boston Bruins continued their makeover by signing gifted offensive center Alex Zhamnov away from Philadelphia, while the Chicago Blackhawks added right winger Martin Lapointe from Boston and defenseman Jaroslav Spacek from Columbus and the Buffalo Sabres picked off blue liner Teppo Numminen from Dallas.

 

"These are fun times for the league, because a lot of things are happening and a lot of teams are getting excited about their chances," Niedermayer said. "Hopefully the fans will too."

 

They should, at least in California.

[The Critic]

JR's still a solid player. This is good for LA.

He can score, he's very physical and he cares.

Still one of my favorite ex-Hawks.

[Art Vandelay]

"I've always wanted to play here."

 

That's the biggest pile of crap statement all these guys make. Bret Boone said the same s*** when Minnesota signed him. If Tampa Bay, Minnesota, or even Ottawa signed him he probably would have said the same thing.

[WSFAN35]

LA got him for nothing. The Hawks should've picked him up. I think he would have lit a fire under the asses of the rest of the team, and he should retire with the Indian Head on his sweater.

[kapkomet]

LA got him for nothing.  The Hawks should've picked him up.  I think he would have lit a fire under the asses of the rest of the team, and he should retire with the Indian Head on his sweater.

Chicago torched, burned, and otherwise fried the s*** out of that bridge a long time ago with JR.

[The Critic]

LA got him for nothing.  The Hawks should've picked him up.  I think he would have lit a fire under the asses of the rest of the team, and he should retire with the Indian Head on his sweater.

While I would definitely have liked to see JR come back, I am glad that the Hawks aren't using nostalgia to try to draw fans back. I'd rather they win games to get the fans back, and I'm not convinced that Amonte, Chelios, Belfour, etc. would be able to do that anymore.

[DBAHO]

LA got him for nothing.  The Hawks should've picked him up.  I think he would have lit a fire under the asses of the rest of the team, and he should retire with the Indian Head on his sweater.

Not for the current salary he's making.