Allison joins unlikely comeback parade
by James Mirtle on Aug 28, 2009 12:00 PM CDT
27 comments
The Toronto Maple Leafs have granted a tryout to veteran forward Jason Allison.
The 34-year-old will attend the Leafs training camp without a contract next month, even though he hasn’t played in the NHL since his 2005-06 season. That season with the Leafs was cut to 66 games after he suffered a hand injury.
After his three-year hiatus from the game, Allison approached the Leafs about a comeback this summer. The Leafs’ brass felt that Allison deserved a chance to strut his stuff.
It's been a weird couple of years for unlikely comeback attempts, no? Claude Lemieux, Jeff O'Neill, Petr Nedved and Jeremy Roenick ... and now Theoren Fleury, Dave Scatchard and Jason Allison?
Plus whoever else I'm forgetting.
Allison's an interesting case. For a while there, it looked as though he had retired after the 2002-03 season at only 27 years old, but he made a comeback after sitting out two years to put up 60 points in those 66 games with the Leafs three years ago.
And that's the last we've heard from him.
He always had excellent hands and, for a span of about five seasons anyway, was one of the top playmakers in the league. He topped out at 95 points one year in Boston, but would merely be a role player in a return to the ice this coming season.
And, don't look now, but Peter Forsberg's feeling spry again.
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Great hands, good vision, and glacial skating speed.
But for some reason I always liked the guy. Maybe it was just NHL 2002.
by Afino on Aug 28, 2009 12:26 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Although for some reason (didn’t they play together on the Kings?) I always tie Allison to Adam Deadmarsh.
Both talented guys whose careers were altered far too soon by unfortunate injuries.
by Afino on Aug 28, 2009 12:28 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, they formed one of the best lines in hockey at the time with Palffy. Great to watch too, that one.
by Malurous on Aug 28, 2009 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I confess to not appreciating that combo more because I was still bitter the Isles Owners of the Month dumped Palffy.
Not that Jokinen, Biron and Josh Green weren’t just lovely.
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Aug 28, 2009 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don’t fret. Olli Jokinen was the key piece that got you guys Oleg Kvasha and Mark Parrish, if I remember correctly. :)
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Aug 28, 2009 5:10 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah! Wait…
That’s what made the Luongo deal so special: Everyone forgets the part about buying high and selling low on Jokinen, too. (Although in truth, like Bertuzzi I’m not sure Jokinen would have ever figured it out on Long Island.)
Lighthouse Hockey: Side effects may include Weight gain and frequent game loss.
by Dominik on Aug 28, 2009 10:20 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Although for some reason (didn’t they play together on the Kings?) I always tie Allison to Adam Deadmarsh.
Affirmative. Along with Ziggy Palffy they formed the L.A.P.D. line (I think the “L” stand for “Losangeleskings”). Lots of injuries throughout that line’s time together.
http://www.battleofcali.com/
by Earl Sleek on Aug 28, 2009 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Forsberg?
Are his feet feeling as spry as he does?
You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
by zyllyx on Aug 28, 2009 12:55 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Ahem… RTFA.
Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com
by James Mirtle on Aug 28, 2009 12:57 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did… but there’s a difference between “feeling spry” and “not acting up.”
There are several things I as a GM would never gamble on – among them Dave Scatchard’s head, Marian Gaborik’s groin, and Peter Forsberg’s feet. Until I read an article saying that Forsberg purchased a pair of bionic loafers, I’m not buying that he’s ready for the NHL… :P
You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
by zyllyx on Aug 28, 2009 5:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just wanna believe he’ll come back and make magic, but you’re probably right.
Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com
by James Mirtle on Aug 28, 2009 6:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Having said that, I’d sign Forsberg and his sad, rickety feet any day before I’d sign a healthy Petr “Chicken Legs” Nedved.
You are validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.
by zyllyx on Aug 28, 2009 6:18 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just tell that dumbass not to fight and he should be fine.
The West Coast is the Best Coast.
by RudyKelly on Aug 28, 2009 1:10 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
For our sake, tell him not to take penalty shots either
by Hansmoleman on Aug 28, 2009 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
what, no Mats Sundin news to share? ; )
I find sometimes it's easy to be myself
sometimes I find it's better to be somebody else
by Fauxrumors on Aug 28, 2009 1:18 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
He’s got that “take the picture, quick” look on his face, like he’s afraid he’s got a stalker.
by garth the hoser on Aug 28, 2009 1:40 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Dunno. Found this pic on a site for handbags.
Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com
by James Mirtle on Aug 28, 2009 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Does Scatchard’s even count as a comeback? He’s still on Phoenix’s books.
by Bosc Ulrich on Aug 28, 2009 3:57 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Phoenix quit paying him when they filed for bankruptcy, at least according to the NHLPA. That’s probably why he’s trying to come back. :)
Hockey blogging can't get any flatter.
by saskhab on Aug 28, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Aren’t buyouts lump sum payments while the cap hits are spread out ? Or maybe they agree on some sort of payment schedule…?
by Bosc Ulrich on Aug 28, 2009 6:06 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I think they receive their salary in biweekly payments, just like always. It’s just smaller amounts.
Blogging on hockey at fromtherink.com
by James Mirtle on Aug 28, 2009 6:07 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe the Islanders ought to declare bankruptcy then…
by Bosc Ulrich on Aug 28, 2009 6:14 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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