Hit and Run: In a New York Minute

39, and yet he still does this. (Photo: AP)

Sweet American Jeebus. Because having two aging outfielders simply wasn’t enough for the Yankees, they shipped two prospects to Seattle today in exchange for one Ichiro Suzuki. Classic Cashman for you: just when you think he isn’t going to make a move in late July, this happens.

A part of me didn’t feel the move was necessary. The Oakland series notwithstanding, the team has played well in the absence of leftfielder Brett Gardner, who is now out for the season. But the Yanks do miss his stolen bases, of which Ichiro has 15 this season. That’s more than Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez combined.

So YAY, WE HAVE ICHIRO! Although I feel for Mariners fans, who have had the pleasure of seeing him play in Seattle his entire MLB career.

Ichiro isn’t the only pro athlete packing his bags for the Big Apple…

It’s Friday. Have some Mike Cammalleri.

It’s been three minutes since we last mentioned Calgary Flames’ forward Mike Cammalleri, so we thought we’d treat you to his new spot for Adidas. I guess there’s some sort of shoe that suited for barefoot training that they’re pushing? I wouldn’t know. Too busy pretending I’m chasing Hot and Sweaty Mike.

Hump Day Hottie: Doug Gilmour

The face that launched a thousand crushes in the 90s, including mine.

My post this week was originally supposed to be about the NHL Draft until Tuesday when I learned that JESUS LORD DOUG GILMOUR IS GOING TO THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME!!!

You’re damn right that deserves to be written in all caps. Doug Gilmour is one of the biggest reasons I became a Leafs fan, although I admit that even when I was still hanging on to my childhood affection for the Canadiens, I already had a crush on Killer. What sane girl didn’t? And for that matter, what sane guy? Because there is no platonic man love like the love of a Leafs fan for Dougie Gilmour. Just ask Don Cherry once you get past the jump.

NHL Heritage Classic Results: Hogwarts 4, Habs 0

(Photo: Andre Ringuette/Getty Images)

Happy Monday, readers! Just a quick hit until I can write something more substantive tonight, as I couldn’t let this one slide. The talk of last night’s NHL Heritage Classic outdoors at McMahon Stadium was not about the crummy ice, Metric’s chilly halftime second intermission performance or Kipper’s shutout – at least not at my house. No, the talk was about Calgary’s unis, which may or may not have been channeling some sort of wizardry. Seriously, isn’t the cut on those jerseys bad enough without dipping it into the ugly bath?

Advent Calendar of Hotness – Day 3

When it comes to Steven Stamkos, colour me guilty: I kind of forget to point out how awesome he is because, well, he plays in Tampa Bay and I live in a Crosby-centric part of the world. How is last year’s Rocket Richard Trophy winner doing these days? Let’s get you up to speed: 20 points in the last 14 games, 21 goals and 19 assists for 40 points overall, just trailing Sir Sidney.

Oh, and he’s kind of cute, too. Go see!

Your 2010-11 NHL Hotness Preview: Northwest Division

 

Happy Columbus Day and Canadian Thanksgiving! The NHL season is finally underway, and yes, we realize we are a little late filing our previews. But it’s still early enough in the season – heck, TORONTO is tied for first in the East as I type this. I’m not joking! See?

 

(Screen shot courtesy tsn.ca)

 

Sorry. I know we’re two games in but it’s been far too long since I’ve seen these guys at the top of the standings. Just let me enjoy this Very Special Moment.

OK! On to the Northwest!

Your NHL 2010-11 Hotness Preview: the Northeast

Save some of that for the regular season, Dion. (Photo: Getty Images)

The countdown to October 7th is underway! That’s when the puck drops and the ice is prepped for a brand-new NHL season. Raven and I will be bringing you previews the only way we know how…with photos of hot men.

We bring you the Northeast after the jump.

Your 2010 NHL Playoffs of Hotness Winner

As chosen by our readers, Washington Capitals center Brooks Laich!

The Saskatchewan native with the dreamy blue eyes racked up some respectable numbers in 2009-10: 25 goals and 34 assists in 78 games in the regular season; two goals, one assist and one spare tire in their seven postseason games against the Canadiens (Moment of Silence on Raven’s behalf, please.)

We love, love, love Laich! Oh, NHL training camp. You can’t come soon enough.

The NHL Playoffs of Hotness: For The Win

Well done, Habs. Well done.

The Ladies… have an innate sense of right and wrong. For example, this trade that Montreal made yesterday to ship their better goaltender to the Blues? Wrong. Horribly, horribly wrong.

It should probably be wrong to have to choose between two hot hockey players, but we’re making you do that anyway. We’re down to two gentlemen in our NHL Playoffs of Hotness. Vote now through Monday night at 9pm Eastern.

If loving these hot men is wrong, we don’t want to be right.

Vancouver is golden!

Winning at home is always sweetest. (AP Photo/Bela Szandelszky)

It finally happened!

Canada didn’t win gold in 1976 in Montreal. We didn’t win gold in Calgary in 1988, either.

But tonight, in Vancouver, it happened.

Alexandre Bilodeau of Quebec – a toddler when Canada last hosted the Winter Games – is the nation’s newest Olympic hero as he captured gold in the Freestyle Skiing – Men’s Moguls competition. He also made a little history, becoming the first Canadian Olympian to win gold on home soil. Bilodeau beat the heavily favoured Dale Beggs-Smith (a Canuck, incidentally, competing for Australia) with a score of 26.75.  Team USA’s Bryon Wilson captured bronze in an impressive effort.

Bilodeau’s inspiration? His brother Fredric, who lives with cerebral palsy, and who was cheering for Alexandre harder than anyone else in the red-and-white clad crowd at Cypress Mountain. You can read about Alexandre and his brother here and watch their story “Source of strength” here.

I don’t think freestyle skiing has ever moved me to tears. Bravo Alexandre!

Hump Day Hottie: GreenLife52

It’s been some time since I showed the Caps some love over here, and a friend of mine sent me some gorgeous pics of the boys to use, so I thought, “What the hell? These are worthy of some Hump Day Hottie love.”  So that brings us up-to-date.

Today I bring you my favorite offensive defenseman and our resident wannabe thug – Mike Green.  I’ve shown you his insanely silly website before, but now let me show you some of his hotness.  Follow me after the jump for some Mike Green adoration.

Future Hump Day Hotties: IIHF World Juniors

While the world of hockey has been buzzing about the upcoming Winter Classic and the 2010 Olympics, the IIHF World Junior Championships have been going on in Saskatchewan, Canada.  I’ve been catching some of the premier games on the NHL Network, and tomorrow’s big match-up is USA vs. Canada. (Check it out live at 8pm on NHLNet in the US, and TSN in Canada)  In honor of this so-called clash of the titans, I thought I’d introduce the Ladies… readers to, what will some day be, a few future Hump Day Hotties. 

Right now, these boys are just cutie-patooties because they’re way too young for me (now – ahem).  So follow me after the jump for some up-and-coming hockey hotties, and stay for a mini-preview of tomorrow’s match-up.  (I promise the boys after the jump are hotter than the ones before it!)

Flamin’ Friday: Caption This!

(REUTERS/Paul Darrow)

I would love to know, Sidney, how it was you were able to run through the streets of Halifax gripping an Olympic Torch with those mittens!  Because I’m thinking there’s more practical handwear for that kind of activity out there.

Just a thought.

It’s Friday! Here’s hoping you’re not spending it in a movie theatre line getting tickets for New Moon.

Hump Day Hottie: Matthew Lombardi

Ladies, I’ve flashed a few hot pics of Mr. Lombardi before, but I’ve decided he needs his own post.  This one actually comes by request from a friend of mine who, while perusing some of my posts, pointed out that Matthew was way hot and should get his own post. 

So check out more of this man’s hotness after the jump!

Friday Fellow: Joe Sakic

How can you smile at a time like this, Joe? *sniff* (Getty Images)

Yesterday we said “Happy trails!” to one of the classiest guys to ever lace up skates. After 20 seasons in the NHL (with the same franchise, no less), Joe Sakic of the Colorado Avalanche called it a day. Sadness!

A native of Burnaby, BC, Sakic was chosen 15th overall by Quebec (NORDS!) in the 1987 NHL draft and made his debut with the team in October of 1988. The list of accomplishments over the next two decades would describe any hockey player’s dream career: two Stanley Cups with Colorado (1996 and 2001), Conn Smythe and Lady Byng winner, member of Canada’s Gold-winning men’s hockey team at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, 16 straight seasons as captain for Quebec/Colorado, 8th all-time in NHL points scored (1,641)

It’s a shame that Joe couldn’t call it a career under better circumstances. His final season was plagued with nasty injuries and the Avalanche crumbled. We probably won’t see him on the ice for the 2010 Vancouver Games. I’m keeping my fingers crossed hoping he’ll be there in another capacity, and I don’t mean ticket holder.

So enjoy our final tribute to the cuteness that is Joe Sakic – at least until he makes the Hockey Hall of Fame – after the jump.

Hump Day Hotties: Tour de France

Well, I’m not a big cycling fan, but I figured there had to be hotties racing in this year’s Tour de France.  So, I went on a mini-mission to find some hot boys to share with you.  Did you know there are a lot of cyclists entered in this year’s race?  I decided to pick a few and let you be the judge.

Hop on your bike, and follow me after the jump!