Clan Wars » One mustnt be any less engrossed in Notre Dames visit to

Thanksgiving is traditionally when general managers size up their rosters and begin to strategize their trade plans for the months ahead. Mind you, I would argue in todays salary-cap/crushed beer-can standings era, some teams dont know if theyre buyers or sellers until 24 hours before the deadline. Still, lets look at five players (in no particular order) who could be moved before the March 1 deadline:Evander Kane, LW, Buffalo SabresEver since he scored 30 goals as a 20-year-old with the Winnipeg Jets?in 2011-12, you figured there was more of that to come for the Vancouver native. And certainly his 17 goals in the lockout-shortened, 48-game season of 2012-13 suggested as much. But hes essentially been a 20-goal scorer ever since, and thats disappointing, probably as much to him as anyone else given the pure goal-scoring talent this guy has. No question the Sabres would be open to moving him, and a top-four defenseman is what they would covet in return. On the one hand, given some of Kanes off-ice issues, you wonder if teams will be scared away. On the other hand, hes still only 25, and you know the talent is there. Hes got one more season left on his contract at $5.25 million before becoming an unrestricted free agent in July 2018 -- which happens to be the same summer both Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart will have lucrative new contracts kick in for 2018-19. Can the Sabres move Kane for a decent return?Martin Hanzal, C, Arizona CoyotesYou cant teach 6-foot-6. The pending unrestricted free agent would be some kind of addition for a playoff contender. The postseason becomes a grind-fest and Hanzals beast-like strength would be a handy addition. The Coyotes talked contract extension with him before the season, but nothing seemed to gain traction. I figure the Coyotes are wary of giving him term; theyve got a bevy of young forwards and dont want to block their way long-term. But you cant blame Hanzal, 29, if he wants to cash in for what really will be his last chance to do so. The buyer-beware tag on the Czech is that hes hurt a lot; he hasnt played 70-plus games since 2009-10 (although he played 39 of 48 in 2012-13 lockout season). My guess is the Coyotes will try to re-sign Hanzal before March 1. But if they cant, it goes without saying the rebuilding club needs to acquire an asset or two in exchange for letting him walk. He would help any team, but boy, would he ever look good helping the Montreal Canadiens get bigger down the middle.Marc-Andre Fleury, G, Pittsburgh PenguinsIt was a good idea, in theory, that the Penguins would benefit from having two No. 1 goalies in this seasons compressed schedule and then wait until after the season to figure out where to send Fleury before the expansion draft while protecting Matt Murray. But I think reality is setting in. There is just not enough net to accommodate two guys who need to play a lot. So I think the Penguins would be open to moving Fleury before March 1 if a team stepped up. And Fleury certainly controls a lot of this with a full no-movement clause, but the Penguins want to do right by him because hes been such a classy guy for the community and organization. The question is whether Fleury would waive his no-movement clause for the purpose of the expansion draft and simply go to Vegas in June. Thats possible. But I have to think hed rather get this over with sooner and find a new home before March 1. If Brian Elliott (unrestricted free agent on July 1) doesnt turn around his game, would the Calgary Flames come calling? Or the Dallas Stars? Fleurys contract has two more years left after this season at a $5.75 million cap hit, which is a nice bargain for a guy with two Cup rings and who remains one of the leagues elite netminders. If youre a team needing a goalie upgrade, wake up and call Pittsburgh. Youre not only getting an elite goalie, but an even greater person in the dressing room.Ben Bishop, G, Tampa Bay LightningThe Flames problems run deeper than their goaltending, but its hard not to wonder how things might look for Calgary with Bishop in net if a deal with Tampa Bay at the June draft not fallen through . Bishop is an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and its pretty clear the Lightning made their choice when they extended young Andrei Vasilevskiy to a three-year, $10.5 million deal last summer (a deal that kicks in next season). Not to mention the fact that they agreed to trade parameters with the Flames only to see the deal fall through because Bishop couldnt agree to contract terms with Calgary on a new extension. The question, however, is whether a serious Cup contender such as Tampa Bay would actually deal Bishop before March 1 or just keep him and all hands on deck for a championship run and let the chips fall where they might after the season. If Bishop walks away for nothing July 1, its not nothing: The Bolts get $6 million in cap room, which they can use on new contracts for Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Jonathan Drouin, all pending restricted free agents. Plus, perhaps, Bishop helping the Bolts win a Cup before leaving? I suppose it all comes down to what kind of offers the Lightning get for Bishop before March 1.Dennis Wideman, D, Calgary FlamesThe 33-year-old veteran is an unrestricted free agent July 1 and given all the money tied up on the Flames blue-line, it seems unlikely they re-sign Wideman unless somebody else is moved out, which is also a possibility. But if the Flames dont get back into the playoff race before March 1, they would look at recouping an asset. Hes a right-handed, top-four blue-liner who still has bite in his game, playing more than 21 minutes a night. Theres got to be a market for that among serious playoff teams, right? Authentic Jordan 11 For Cheap . 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Peer into our crystal ball as we envision how it might play out.by Ted MillerIllustrations by Greg Kletsel9/3/20167:30 a.m. ETHow about some Irish breakfast in bed?Boston College and Georgia Tech kick off in Dublin, Ireland. So that means one needs a full Irish breakfast: bacon, sausages, eggs, black-and-white pudding and Irish brown bread. Guinness is optional, though it might help you get into the spirit of things. Wonder how that outstanding Boston College defense will look without coordinator Don Brown -- now at Michigan with Jim Harbaugh -- against Paul Johnsons triple-option attack? OK, well have that Guinness. And maybe a Jameson chaser?Noon ETHarbaugh? Harbaugh! HARBAUGH!Upon hearing that Hawaii had traveled nearly 10,000 miles while opening its season against Cal in Australia on Aug. 26, then flying to Ann Arbor for its second game, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh says in a pregame interview that he flies 10,000 miles everyday. Er, you mean walk 10,000 steps everyday? the reporter asks. No, Harbaugh barks. I just flew 10,000 miles. And, no, my arms arent tired.12:30 p.m. ETHoustons hoping for some posingHouston QB Greg Ward Jr. announces himself as a Heisman Trophy candidate and the Cougars as a potential Group of 5 force with two early touchdown passes against No. 3 Oklahoma. New College Football Playoff selection committee chair Kirby Hocutt calls former chair Jeff Long to see if he wants his old job back.1:15 p.m. ETOkay, not so fast, CougarsAnswering Ward Jr.s Heisman statement, Baker Mayfield leads the Sooners to 21 unanswered points against the Cougars and silences the NRG Stadium crowd. Hocutt lets out a deep breath and decides to have a Guinness.1:35 p.m. ETYour inspiration for the day (month? decade?)Panthers running back James Conner completes his comeback from Hodgkin lymphoma with a 12-yard touchdown run against Villanova. The crowd goes bonkers, and by crowd, we mean every single college football fan in this country.3:25 p.m. ETNo Lambeau Leaps, but Les will love the grass!LSU coach Les Miles samples the grass at Lambeau Field before his Tigers take on Wisconsin. Well, he says. I love the deep, traditional flavor and bouquet of Kentucky bluegrass, but the Desso GrassMaster synthetic reinforcement provides an unpleasant aftertaste.3:35 p.m. ETAnd now for your matchup of the day...Know the classic three-man showdown at the end of The Good, The Bad and The Ugly -- Blondie vs. Angel Eyes vs. Tuco? Thats UCLA QB Josh Rosen vs. Texas A&M defensive ends Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall. Or is it Rosen vs. Garrett vs. UCLA offensive tackle Conor McDermott? And who gets the winners line: You see in this world theres two kinds of people, my friend. Those with loaded guns, and those who dig. You dig? That, my friends, is why we watch.5 p.m. ETBreaking: Tiger runs over 11 BadgersLSU running back Leonard Fournette piles up 96 yards by halftime against the Badgers, thereby eclipsing what Wisconsins run defense yielded a season ago per game. New LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, the Badgers 2015 coordinator, tries not to look smug on the sidelines during much of the Tigers blowout victory.5:45 p.m. ETDear remote control, I love youPause for a moment, as you switch your attention from LSU-Wisconsin to UCLA-Texas A&M to North Carolina-Georgia and back again, to wonder how the world functioned before HD TV, the recall button on the remote, screen-within-a-screen, your phone doubling as a TV and giant monitors stacked upon one another. Sure, the wheel, internal combustion engine and telephone were great inventions, but devices that empowered the college football fan are the true signs of an advanced civilization.6:25 p.m. ETSaturday weather in Sumlinville: Hot and humidRosen throws the shovel to Garrett. You dig, he says. Actually, he throws four touchdown passes as the Bruins slip the homesteadinng Aggies, bringing about two Hot Takes: 1.dddddddddddd Rosen is a Heisman Trophy candidate; 2. Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin is our first big-time coach thrust upon the hot seat.7:10 p.m. ETMove along, nothing to see hereWait ? Rhode Island is playing Kansas! Must avert ? eyes.7:45 p.m. ETA-C-C! A-C-C!Breaking news: Kirby Smart isnt Nick Saban. Or, to be more fair, Georgia is not Alabama. With Nick Chubb still not fully Nick Chubb after a 2015 knee injury, and the Bulldogs offensive line unable to take advantage against a questionable North Carolina defensive front seven, the Tar Heels make a statement that the ACC is not just Clemson, Florida State and the 12 dwarfs.8:47 p.m. ETOuch, that glare is going to leave a markLane Kiffin has turned to stone on the Alabama sideline after a glare from Saban -- the Crimson Tide offensive coordinator petrified, his face captured with pursed lips while emitting a Whoops. After 10 consecutive running plays behind a dominant offensive line pushed Alabama to USCs 22-yard line, Kiffin opted to throw into the end zone to Calvin Ridley, but Cooper Batemans pass was intercepted by Adoree Jackson and returned 100 yards for a touchdown.8:50 p.m. ETHmm, what to do, Auburn fans?Jacksons interception return is replayed on the video board at Jordan-Hare Stadium while Auburn and Clemson enjoy a TV timeout. Tigers fans are flummoxed. They feel they should cheer against hated rival Alabama. But can they cheer for USC -- which stomped them in 2003, stole the 2004 national title from them and represents the hated, quinoa-eating, snobby Pac-12 -- against their SEC brethren? A vote is taken, and the general feeling is that it would be best if AT&T Stadium were sucked into the earth and neither program is heard from again.10:50 p.m. ETThe empire strikes back ? againSaban politely requests that AT&T Stadium officials turn off the Darth Vader Imperial March music that played as he entered his postgame news conference after a 35-20 victory over USC. He then quietly hums the tune to his Coke bottle before taking questions.MidnightNeed a thesaurus, asap, pleaseDeshaun Watson throws three touchdown passes and runs for another in a win at Auburn, and you ponder just how many adjectives relating awesomeness will be used to describe the Clemson QB over the course of the season. Or whether Clemson should allow him to don an orange cape during games.12:03 a.m. ETLate night with the Pac-12!Bedtime? Heck no! Pac-12 after dark!2:03 a.m. ETSo. Much. FootballYou stare bleary-eyed into the mirror. Going 20 or so hours with multiple reapplications of face paint has left you looking like a cross between Darth Maul and David Puddy in the 109th episode of Seinfeld. Its indescribably satisfying.7:30 p.m. ETWhat, you thought we were finished?You sleep all day. Not because you want to but because you owe it to college football. One mustnt be any less engrossed in Notre Dames visit to Texas than you were during peak form on Saturday.10:30 p.m. ETBevo, BBQ and Buecheles debutTexas wins! The Longhorns are back! Freshman QB Shane Buechele announces himself as the Next Big Thing, thereby earning the greatest honor Austin, Texas, can bestow: a front-of-the-line pass at Franklin Barbecue.8:10 p.m. ETCome on, pick yourself up off the matYou feel like Rocky getting off the canvas in the 14th round of his first fight with Apollo Creed. You say, It doesnt matter if this college football weekend opens my head. I just want to go the distance.10:56 p.m. ETDown goes the SEC!Florida State rolls over Ole Miss, giving the ACC a 3-0 record against the SEC on this epic opening weekend. The world has turned upside down. Whats next? Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together ? mass hysteria!11 p.m.Thats a wrap, everybodyIts over. Fin. Two words: total exhaustion.11:01 p.m.Or is it?Wait a second ? Louisville at Syracuse, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2, Friday, Sept. 9. That might be cool.by Ted MillerIllustrations by Greg Kletsel ' ' '