Because as we are all painfully aware of, Tyler Arnason is not a depth player We’re not even sure if he still plays hockey at this point. It actually makes me sad that I said it was good that the Avalanche re-signed him last summer.Sakic did not hamstring the teamJoe Sakic not deciding his future has had minimal impact on the team’s future direction. Yes, if Joe does retire (*knocks wood*) then there is a problem down the middle for the team. I don’t know if Wolski is cut out to be a center at the moment so having Stastny, Wolski, Arnason and Guite doesn’t fill me with a ton of confidence.
The first and last I’m fine with but the middle feels a bit soft.However, find me a top-line center to replace Sakic in the UFA pool and I’ll give you a cookie.You could make an argument for a 2nd-line center within that group but there’s no real standout that would have appeased fans. And no, Mats Sundin doesn’t count since he is still undecided on his playing future.And for goodness sakes, please quit saying Joe Sakic is being selfish.Related LinksReality check on Huet/KolzigAvs moves nothing major. ANCHORAGE, Alaska, April 22, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northrim BanCorp, Inc.(Nasdaq:NRIM) today reported first quarter 2009 profits of $2.0 million, or$0.31 per diluted share, compared to $946,000, or $0.14 per diluted share, inthe fourth quarter of 2008 and $2.1 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, in thefirst quarter a year ago.Financial Highlights (at or for the quarters ended March 31, 2009, compared toDecember 31, 2008 and March 31, 2008) * Northrim remains well capitalized with Tier 1 Capital/risk adjusted assets increasing to 13.60% up from 12.65% in the immediate prior quarter and 12.54% a year ago. * The net interest margin was 5.20% for the first quarter of 2009, up from 5.13% in the immediate prior quarter and down from 5.60% in the first quarter of 2008. * Book value per share was $16.76 and tangible book value was $15.30 per share.
* Contributions from financial services affiliates helped generate a 23% quarterly increase and a 48% year-over-year increase in other operating income.Mortgage refinancing has accelerated significantly and contributed $848,000 to revenues in the first quarter of 2009. * Nonperforming assets were $35.3 million at quarter end compared to $38.6 million last quarter and $23.2 million a year ago. * The allowance for loan losses increased to 1.97% of total loans at March 31, 2009, from 1.78% a year ago. * Construction loans declined to $83.5 million, or 12% of portfolio loans, down from $125.0 million, or 18% of portfolio loans a year ago.Capital Adequacy and Liquidity”The strong earnings we produced in the first quarter of 2009 contributed to thegrowth in our capital position, which is very solid,” said Marc Langland,Chairman, President, and CEO. “All of the financial ratios used to evaluate ourcapital position are above our peers based upon asset size according tostatistics compiled by the FDIC.