From Russia with notes. …
Hockey, like every other sport, is a game of inches.
Or, in the aftermath of the NHL’s new rules changes, 1 inch.
That’s how much the goaltenders’ pads have been downsized as part of the league’s post-lockout push for more scoring and less clutching and grabbing. One inch. Twelve inches to 11.
Don’t think for a minute that David Aebischer can’t tell the difference.
“I feel better and better every day,” Aebischer said on Day One of Avs training camp. “It’s 1 inch. It’s not a lot, but at the same time, it is a lot. It’s definitely different.”
Aebischer had a solid 2.09 goals-against average last season – we are supposed to call it last season, aren’t we? – in his first full year as the Avs’ No. 1 goalie. So, with all the rules changes and less padding at his disposal, how much does that number figure to rise?
“There will be more scoring, but I can’t say how much,” he said. “It’s going to depend on how the game is called and how teams are going to play. The thing is, it’s going to be the same for everybody.” …
How eager were the Avs to get back on the ice after 15 months in labor limbo? Here’s all you need to know: Milan Hejduk said: “What’s up guys? Good to see you.” And he was talking to the media, not his teammates. …
If you follow the NFL in this new millennium of ours, then you know 300-yard passing stats are for losers, for teams that fall hopelessly behind, then pile up meaningless yardage. So which was the only team in the first week of the season to buck that trend, to have a 300-yard passer and win? You got it. The one, the only, the Patriots. …
Not to, you know, overreact after one game, but can I have a mulligan on my choice of the Vikings as the Not For Long’s surprise team? Daunte Culpepper, who served up three picks Sunday, averaged 295 passing yards in 2004 – 322 with Randy Moss in the lineup, 233 without him. …
Can you believe the price of gas these days? It’s so bad, I’ve got less in my tank than Jeff Francis. …
If you misplaced your scorecard, seven NFL teams that didn’t make the playoffs last season won their openers. Nothing unusual there. There have been, for eight years running, at least five teams make the playoffs after failing to the previous season. …
One year older, if not wiser: The Colfax Kid, Denny Neagle, who turned 37 on Tuesday. …
Champ Bailey dislocates his shoulder, but plans to play against the Chargers? Just to prove I’m a tough guy, too, I’m going to pass on that second doughnut in the press box. …
A tale of two rookie cornerbacks: Darrent Williams, who would be a first-rounder if the draft were held again today, and Pacman Jones, the sixth overall pick, inactive Sunday for the Titans. …
Jermaine O’Neal to SLAM magazine on the Pacers’ championship aspirations: “This team has one major chip on our shoulder because we believe we wasted two years. We believe we should be champions now. To me, either you’re a champion or you’re not. I’m tired of playing my season out for nothing.” …
Enough already with the Broncos e-mails. OK, so they got punked on opening day. Life goes on, people. Oh, and to put your minds at ease, they won’t go 0-16, as one particularly optimistic e-mailer suggested. …
Streaking: The Eagles’ loss to the Falcons on Monday night marked the seventh straight year in which the loser of the previous Super Bowl lost its season opener. …
The news isn’t all bad for the Broncos. The Redskins, who traded their 2006 No. 1 draft choice to the Bronx, officially are in quarterback-du-jour mode. Mark Brunell was elevated ahead of Patrick Ramsey after the opener, but both are keeping the seat warm for rookie Jason Campbell.
Catch Jim Armstrong from 6-9 a.m. during “The Press Box” on ESPN 560 AM and Fox Sports Net’s “Insider Edition.” He can be reached at 303-820-5452 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
