Good Riddance Ryan Smyth!

MOST OVERRRATED STORY OF THE SUMMER -- The Isles losing Ryan Smyth:

No matter how you shake it, Ryan is a good -- NOT SUPERIOR -- hockey player. When he came to Long Island -- at a pretty steep price -- Smyth displayed virtually no signs of greatness simply because he is what he is; a solid veteran who was deified beyond all reason in Canada.

No surprise; he did didly-squat for the Isles in the playoffs. Then comes Free Agency and, suddenly, Mister Average comes off like Superman. He was wooed up, down and sideways by the Isles to remain as captain. Fair enough.

With Alexei Yashin history, the club needed someone to wear the "C." Instead, the All-Canadian boy royally snubbed the club and moved to the team he deserves; the overrated Avalanche.

Islanders fans should feel no more remorse or hurt. Good riddance to the man who never was as effective as touted in the first place. Let him enjoy Denver with his playmate, Joe Sakic (another of my non-favorites.)

Bottom Line: Bill Guerin will make a better captain than Smyth on the best day Ryan ever had!