*bleep* Tärnström Signs With AIK

When the Oilers traded Dick Tärnström to the Columbus Blue Jackets, censorship reared its ugly (but in this case, humourous) head.

Fox Sports blogger Lyle Richardson (AKA: Spector) posted a story that didn't meet Fox's dubious standards of publishable content. It seems that they don't know Dick.

Like Tärnström's time in Edmonton, his name got a raw deal.

Actually, much of his NHL career was a bit of a raw deal. He played 2 ½ seasons (02-06) on a mediocre Penguins team. Though he racked up the points, the team won not much more than an NHL Draft lottery pick (Sidney Crosby). He was hardly around to reap the rewards of the Crosby phenomena but instead lucked onto a trip to the Stanley Cup finals with the Oilers. Unfortunately for Dick, much of his time was spent in the press box as that 7th defenseman, as was often the case in his return to the Oilers during the 07-08 season.

The tides haven't necessarily gone his way during his NHL career.

Tärnström has turned his sails back to Europe and will suit up the 08-09 seaons with AIK (Stockholm) in the Tier II Allsvenska. Though it may be a double step downward - out of the NHL as well as a step below the Elite Series - it is a promising prospect for his future. He returns to his so-called "mother-club" where he played 1992-2001.

AIK seems to be assembling a strong cast of proven talent in hopes of topping of the 08-09 Allsvenska and achieving possible promotion. They signed successful coach Roger Melin and talented young goalie Christopher Heino-Lindberg (Drafted by Montreal #177 in 2003).

If I know *BLEEP*, he does not *BLEEP* around with the puck in his own end, and plays intelligent hockey. *BLEEP* & AIK is a good match!

SIDEBAR: During the NHL lockout, former Oiler Georges Laraque played 16 games for, then tier III (Div 1), AIK and scored 16 pts (11G+5A).

OTHER NOTES: Edmonton Oiler Robert Nilsson scored and assisted yesterday in Sweden's 4-3 exhibition win over Latvia. The Latvians, who will play in Group B with the US, Canada and Slovenia, faced a 3-0 deficit after only 9 minutes. The Swedes will play a final exhibition match against the US April 27 in Portland, Maine.

TEAM SWEDEN ROSTER:

• 9 NHL players
• 15 Elite Series players
• 1 Allsvenska player
• 1 Russian Super league player

Oldest: Florida Panther defenseman Magnus Johansson (age 34.66 - as of tournament start)
Youngest: Washington Capital forward (& finalist for the Rookie of the Year) Nicklas Backström (age 20.44)

Notable: Sweden won Gold in 2006 with a similar mix of NHL & Elite Series merited players.

TEAM CANADA ROSTER

• 23 NHL
• 2 CHL (1OHL, 1WHL)
• 1 US College
• 1 Russian Super League

Oldest: Carolina forward Ray Whitney (age: 35.98)
Youngest: Uni. of Wisconsin (Phoenix drafted) forward Kyle Turris (age: 19.78)

MORE OTHER:

Canada clobbered Russia in the gold medal game in the U18 world championships 8-0!