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Over the past couple of months, as I followed the news of Claude Lemieux's quixotic attempt to return to the NHL at the age of 43, I have to admit that I didn't quite believe that one of the most hated men in the history of the game really had a chance to make it happen.
Then again, this is the same league where a 46-year old Chris Chelios still manages to take regular shifts in Detroit when he isn't injured, so I guess we shouldn't be too surprised that the Sharks recalled Lemieux from their AHL affiliate in Worcester a few hours ago. Depending on how San Jose head coach Todd McLellan feels, Lemieux may be in the lineup again as early as Tuesday night when the Sharks host Vancouver in San Jose.
Earlier today on NHL Live on XM Radio, ESPN.com's E.J. Hradek noted the news of Lemieux's comeback with a touch of incredulity, adding that it was only a matter of time before Gordie Howe and Alex Delvecchio returned to the lineup in Detroit, while not ruling out the late Hobie Baker attempting a comeback with the Devils.
All kidding aside, the call up may not be the last twist or turn in the story. We need to remember that Lemieux is on a two-way contract, and could wind up getting shipped back to Worcester and obscurity without much muss or fuss if he and his 43-year old body prove not to be up to the rigors of the NHL game. As it turns out, Tuesday night's game is on TSN in Canada, so a nationwide audience back home will get to see if Lemieux can manage to get anything more than a couple of perfunctory shifts.
And for those of you who might be disappointed that the Sharks decided to wait until after Saturday night's 6-5 win over Detroit to call Lemieux back to active duty, the next date to circle on the calendar is February 25, when the Sharks are due to visit the Red Wings in Detroit.
This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.
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CLOD LE’PEW! What a bag of trash. This should be good. Red Wings aren’t the only team with aspirations to free Clod from his teeth. What a piece of work.
by nines09 on Jan 19, 2009 6:51 PM EST reply actions
I’m not quite sure what Claude is thinking here…. Maybe he watched the lastest ‘Rocky’ film and decided he still had some "stuff in the basement". Or maybe he just has a hankerin’ to punch someone!
by swillie28 on Jan 19, 2009 7:32 PM EST reply actions
The NHL just got rid of one pain in the arse(Avery), now it brings an old one back. Looks like the Sharks will do anything to eliminate their Red Wing Nemesis in their destined playoff match. I can see the headlines now…"The Turtle returns to receive another beat down from McCarty in Motown" .
by SKCrow on Jan 19, 2009 8:58 PM EST reply actions
If he had ANY thing left in the tank he would have been playing in the NHL the last few years. The ONLY possible reason the Sharks signed him was to be a goon but like SKCrow said D-mac will take care of bizness.
by ORDRW on Jan 20, 2009 3:24 AM EST reply actions
This is absolutely ridicules! Lemieux, as a reporter pointed out was not fast enough when he left the NHL, and now its faster, and better, what makes you think he is going to any better now?? Look at the stats for the Sharks affiliates in the AHL, and you can even see that there should be the whole team called up before Lemieux?? Good luck winning with a liability like Lemieux on your team…
by 69er15 on Jan 20, 2009 10:01 AM EST reply actions
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