Evil Claude is back...

Not much in the NHL or the world in general shocks me these days, but I had to do a double-take when I read the following sentence last week on the TSN of Canada news page:

"Claude Lemieux signs in the AHL after a two-game stint in China."

Then, on Monday:

"Claude Lemieux signs professional try-out contract with Worcester Sharks, expected to make return to NHL soon."

Whaaaa?

I mean, people didn't take Guy Lafleur too seriously when he came back with the New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques in the late 80s, and he was a certified Hall-of-Famer upon retirement; Though Lemieux built a reputation as an invaluable playoff performer he also cemented a rep as an opportunistically dirty player, so much so that I can't imagine anyone thinking this comeback try is serious.

He's 43. He hasn't played in the NHL since 2003. Before that, he was locked out of the league and without a contract for all of the 2000-01 season and most of 2001-02 until Phoenix rescued him from the scrap heap. He played in friggin' China to start his way back to the NHL.

Off the top of my head, I can think of a dozen former NHL players who gave up when they realized the post-cancelled-season game was played at a faster pace. What makes Lemieux think he can catch up after an undefined period in the AHL - which, by the way, has changed drastically since he last skated down there in the mid-1980s - and then make the big step against athletes half his age?

Who knows? There are probably 10 teams who might bite on Claude as a sideshow attraction.

I'd figure Toronto first and foremost because they've been flat ever since the new NHL phased out Tie Domi and that Darcy Tucker took his circus act to Denver.

Atlanta, Florida, Nashville and Columbus are all currently having trouble with attendance with the former two showing an alarming number of empty seats in the lower level.

Dallas is looking for its nasty edge in all three zones once again, and besides, Lemieux finished his career with the Stars six years ago. Los Angeles could use a Tiger Williams-type to get the young charges going, and Colorado ranks near the bottom of the league in hits - a fact lamented in the Denver Post today.

Ottawa and Buffalo also lack a hard edge to complement each's smooth offensive attack, while Tampa Bay probably could use an extra forward or seven because it simply hasn't had enough time to buy up all remaining spare parts to stock its roster.

While you're mulling over the implications of #22 running amok once again, here's a link to Claude's greatest hits just as an Av against the Detroit Red Wings.