Summer reading

I recently started reading a new book called “Money Players,” by Bruce Dowbiggin, which chronicles the NHL’s salary structure from the ’40s and ’50s through the end of the 2004-05 lockout. It’s a very interesting read, and since I don’t know the author, that’s not just a shameless plug. Anyway, early in the book, Dowbiggin takes readers through a complete day on July 1, the free-agent signing period, by spending the day (in 2002) with then-agent Mike Gillis, now Vancouver’s GM. It’s a fascinating look at how complicated things can get for agents, players and GMs this time of year. I thought this part might amuse some of you…

“Next up is GM Dean Lombardi of San Jose, who is also thought to have some interest in Amonte. It’s soon clear that the Sharks, who must deal with Teemu Selanne first, are not about to make any firm offers. So Gillis tries to massage the market for his guys. … Lombardi makes reassuring noises, but it’s clear that the Sharks are not players on this day.”

OK, maybe “amuse” might be the wrong word for some…