Roshan's Blog-O-Matic

Deals involving Newcastle United dominated the market in Britain on the day the transfer window closed until January. The Magpies concluded the biggest deal of the day, signing England striker Michael Owen from Real Madrid for £17 million. But they also sold midfielder Jermaine Jenas to Tottenham Hotspur for £7 million and, last thing at night, they brought Nolberto Solano back to Tyneside from Aston Villa. Also in a last minute transfer Everton signed on Inter Milan's unsettled winger, Andy Van Der Meyde. But the Dutchman's and several other signings this season are completely overshadowed by on the biggest signings of the English Premier League when Owen signed on the dotted line for $24 million.

His not being gaurenteed a regular starting spot on Real Madrid's team would have been the biggest reason to have made Owen sign with the Tyneside club. Also, with Germany 2006 just around the corner, he is going to need regular matches to make him the firm number one in England coach Sven Goran-Eriksson's mind (although how Sven could select anyoneelse is beyond me; even if Owen was only 70% fit). Anyhow, Newcastle have signed him and they cannot offer him European competition at all this season. Maybe that is all for the best; the Toons are going to have to pull their socks up and get some good wins if they don't want to end up being in a relegation struggled.

Scott Mellanby #19 Position: Right Wing Born: June 11, 1966, Montreal, Quebec Height: 6' 1" Weight: 208 Shoots: Right

Acquired: Traded to St. Louis for David Morisset along with a 2002 fifth round draft pick or compensatory pick
A combative right-winger with an above average scoring touch, Scott Mellanby entered his 19th NHL season in 2002-03. Over the years, he reached the 20-goal mark eight times and was valuable team leader who often played his best hockey in the post-season. He came by his love of the game honestly as his father, Ralph, was the executive producer of "Hockey Night In Canada" for 19 years. Born in Montreal, Quebec, Mellanby starred in Toronto with the Don Mills Flyers and Henry Carr Crusaders. After being chosen 27th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1984 NHL Entry Draft, he joined the University of Wisconsin for two seasons. Following the 1985-86 college season, the young winger turned pro and played two games with the Flyers at the end of the season. The hard-working youngster scored eleven goals and played solid defensive hockey under Mike Keenan in 1986-87. He also contributed ten points when the club reached the Stanley Cup finals that spring. Mellanby's scoring touch and diligent effort all over the ice made him one of the Philly's top players. In August 1989, he suffered a major setback when he suffered severe nerve and tendon damage to his forearm while coming to the aid of a friend in a barroom incident. He recovered to play two-thirds of the 1989-90 season but was not the same player.

On May 30, 1991, Mellanby was involved in a multi-player deal with the Edmonton Oilers that saw veteran Jari Kurri end up in Philadelphia. The robust forward scored 82 points over two years with the Oilers and helped Edmonton reach the semi-finals in 1992. After the Florida Panthers claimed him at the 1993 Expansion Draft, Mellanby became a regular with the club for seven and a half years. Mellanby scored 30 goals for the Panthers in 1993-94 and helped them set a new NHL record for an expansion club with 83 points. Two years later, he was an offensive and emotional leader on the young club when it marched all the way to the Stanley Cup final. During this time, he inspired the fans' tossing of toy rats on to the ice after he killed a stray rodent with his stick in the club's dressing room. As the team struggled in the late 1990s, the classy veteran continued to battle. In February 2001, the powerful St. Louis Blues acquired him as they readied themselves for the playoffs. Mellanby scored three goals while helping the club reach the Western Conference championship. Injuries plagued Mellanby's 2001-02 season, limiting him to 64 games. In 2002-03 he returned to form scoring 26 goals and 57 points while racking up 176 minutes in penalties before signing as a free-agent with the upstart Atlanta Thrashers in the summer of 2004. Nickname "Mel"... Enjoys playing golf and tennis … Founded the Mellanby Autism Foundation, which hosts a golf tournament and auction every August to benefit autism research … Put on his first pair of skates at three … Married; wife, Susan, sons; Carter and Nicholas, daughter Courtney.