Notes from the cheap seats. …
The NHL trading deadline is just over the dashboard. In other words, the Avs’ front office must be up to something.
If history is any indication, some players are staying and some are going. And they know it. They’re just trying not to think about it.
“It’s part of the game,” Ian Laperriere said. “What are you going to do? It’s been part of the business forever. Names are going to fly here and there, but what can you do? I won’t lose any sleep over it and I know all the guys here won’t lose any sleep over it. If it happens, it happens.” …
Laperriere, when asked if he had ever checked out Mardi Gras: “I’ve never had the chance. And I’m not a big party animal, either. I’ve got my two animals at home that keep me busy. I don’t have time to party.” …
Like so many others in the Avs’ room, it has been a tough year for John-Michael Liles. But at least his Colts won the Super Bowl. Liles, an Indiana native, was thrilled for Peyton Manning when Manning finally won a championship. Said Liles, “Any time his name came up it was, ‘If he wins the big one, he’ll have cemented his legacy.’ And as soon as he wins one, it’s, ‘Doesn’t he have to win a second one, too?”‘ …
Granted, I barely know the difference between YouTube and U2, but I know a mediocre team when I see one. And if you don’t believe me, check out the numbers: The Avs were 28-27-4 going into Tuesday night, with 190 goals scored and 187 allowed. …
Steroids, crew chiefs using rocket fuel, amped-up club heads, oversized goalie pads, blood-doping accusations. … If you ain’t cheatin’, you ain’t competin’. Or breathin’, from the sounds of things. …
Charles Barkley just kissed Dick Bavetta on the lips, Michael Jordan has more hair than Britney Spears, and Wisconsin is No. 1 in the latest AP college hoops poll. And we’re worried about a little global warming? …
Relax, just because I went to school at Wisconsin doesn’t mean I’m going to talk the talk. Just as Woody Paige wouldn’t do that if Tennessee were ever No. 1 in the college hoops poll. What’s that? Oh, yeah, I forgot. Tennessee has never been No. 1 in the college hoops poll. …
By the way, Tim Hardaway just apologized again. …
So Derek Jeter would rather go to dinner with models and Hollywood hotties than A-Rod. Talk about a huge news story. Next thing you know, the government is going to start collecting taxes. …
Is Major League Baseball cleaning up its act? The wiseguys in Las Vegas think so. To wit: The Las Vegas Hilton’s over/under is 51 1/2 for the most home runs in the majors – 20-plus fewer than Barry Bonds hit when we all thought he was drinking a lot of milk. …
Charles Howell III may have gotten away with it at the Nissan Open, but Phil Mickelson is not somebody you want to stare down in a playoff. Lefty’s loss Sunday dropped his career playoff record to 7-2. That’s third-best in PGA Tour history behind Walter Hagen (6-0) and Tiger Woods (10-1). …
Some supporting cast. The Cavs’ front office has let it be known that everyone on the roster who didn’t drive an $80,000 Hummer to high school is available. …
He bounces from the Raiders to the 49ers, then lands on his feet as head coach of the NFL’s most talented team. You can wake up now, Norv Turner. It’s not a dream. …
And finally, Laperriere, when asked if he ever noticed the smell of those 18-year-old pads of Joe Sakic’s: “We’ve got great trainers here. They keep it clean.”
Jim Armstrong can be reached at 303-954-1269 or jmarmstrong@denverpost.com.
