Email hacking (December 2002)
I got bored over the weekend. I sat out this road trip and tooled around looking for something to do. There was no big blockbuster movie opening this week and the Habs were playing the late game on Saturday night. Yawn. And you think sports reporters live the exciting life - HA! A mega-bag of cheesies and a 6-pack of cream soda is about as daring as my weekend gets.
Being on the bleeding edge of the high-tech internet information delivery systems, I decided to put my highly-tuned computer skills to work, to help fill up my empty hours. Now I'm not the best hacker on the block, but I can weasle my way through the odd socket and poke a hole into a weak firewall. I started tapping away and voila! I was trolling through Andre Savard's e-mail! The Montreal GM was down in Phoenix with the team and didn't seem to notice me surfing through his missives and chat archives.
Let me give a little taste of Savard's correspondence over the past few days. What's a good hack if you can't share, I always say.
Wednesday December 4, 2002
To: allGMs@nhlhockeydudes.com
From: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
Hello friends
I'm writing to you all before the December 19th trade freeze just to see if anyone is interested in doing some business before Christmas. I have a couple of players I'd like to unload... er.. that is, some quality skaters who could help any one of your teams.
Imagine, a player who has so much potential, who has seen some struggles over the past 2 years but is so close to being that nifty finisher you're looking for.
Imagine, a back-up goalie who could be your lucky number one.
Imagine, a veteran who could put you over the top come playoff time.
All I ask in return is a solid power forward and maybe a 2nd string defenceman in return.
I look forward to hearing from you.
savvy_andy
>>>>>
Wednesday December 4, 2002
To: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
From: lucky_paddy@leafhockeydudes.com
Andre my friend, we're looking for a skilled forward with good hands, Mogilny and Sundin need someone to take the pressure off. I had no idea you'd be interested in trading Saku. I know he's had his troubles and I agree he could be great again, so why would you give him up? I'll give you Travis Green straight up.
lucky_paddy
>>>>>
Wednesday December 4, 2002
To: lucky_paddy@leafhockeydudes.com
From: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
Umm, no, Pat, it's Mariusz Czerkawski I'm talking about. You know, he's scored 20 or more goals 5 times, he's a great little player... and, well, I was thinking maybe we could get Nik Antropov for him...
>>>>>
Wednesday December 4, 2002
To: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
From: lucky_paddy@leafhockeydudes.com
Ha ha ha! ROTFL! Czerkawski? I wouldn't give you Wade Belak for that slacker. Andre, you're killin me! :-D
>>>>>
Thursday December 5, 2002
To: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
From: Flyer_king@bigbadhockeydudes.com
Say, Andre. Your organization and mine have always done good business together so let's keep it going eh? I can't believe you call Theodore a back-up goalie. I know he's had his troubles this year, but to call him number 2? I guess you know best. I'd be happy to take him off your hands and you know I've got just the defenceman for you. Eric Desjardins. Or Eric Weinrich. Either would fit in well in Montreal. Let me know.
Flyer_king
>>>>>
Thursday December 5, 2002
To: Flyer_king@bigbadhockeydudes.com
From: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
No, Jose is not going anywhere. But Hackett could be yours in return for a Dennis Seidenberg or Kim Johnsson. Maybe throw in Primeau? Jeff in your net instead of that big lazy fella would do you good.
>>>>>
Thursday December 5, 2002
To: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
From: Flyer_king@bigbadhockeydudes.com
ROTFL! Hackett's about to retire and he's too rich for us as a back up goalie you little twerp! This is the NHL not Ringling Brothers. Get a job!
>>>>>
Friday December 6, 2002
To: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
From: sinBos@bruinhockeydudes.com
A veteran, eh? Well there's no doubt old Killer Gilmour could help our boys down the stretch, give young Thornton someone to look up to. Throw in one of your defencemen from the farm, Komisarek or Hainsey and I'll give you Martin Lapointe. You wanted him last year and we found we can win without him and his salary... um, I mean, he's worth every penny as an NHL power forward. Let me know and the deal is done.
>>>>>
Friday December 6, 2002
To: sinBos@bruinhockeydudes.com
From: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
I was thinking more in the line of Donald Audette. You saw what he did to you guys in last year's playoffs, just imagine how he could help you get past the first round next spring! I'll add Karl Dykhuis to the mix if you give us Kyle MacLaren as well. I know, I know, lots of bad blood, but hell, Zednik and Karl don't get along either! I await your response.
>>>>>
Friday December 6, 2002
To: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
From: sinBos@bruinhockeydudes.com
ROTFL! Audette? An inspiring veteran? I want some of what you're smoking, pal! Wuhoo that's a good one! See you in the playoffs... NOT!
>>>>>
Saturday December 7, 2002
To: dearAbby@hopelesscauses.com
From: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
Dear Abby,
Nobody likes me. No one wants to play with me. They all have better players than I do. And they laugh at me when I offer them some of mine. What should I do?
Sad little French Canadian hockey dude
>>>>>
Saturday December 7, 2002
To: savvy_andy@habbyhockeydudes.com
From: dearAbby@hopelesscauses.com
Listen Sad little French Canadian hockey dude, suck it up and be glad you aren't in Calgary! Go Habs go!