Chicago Blackhawks owner Bill Wirtz, a chief executive so cheap even Donald Sterling and Jeffrey Loria came off like George Steinbrenner by comparison, passed away Tuesday in Evanston, IL after a long battle with cancer.

Under Wirtz’ stewardship, the Blackhawks managed to part ways with Bobby Hull, Jeremy Roenick and Phil Esposito amongst others. Chicago have not lifted the Stanley Cup since 1961, the longest such streak in the NHL.

Darius Kasparatis was waived by the Rangers on Monday, and while this was hardly a surprise given the 35 year old’s health woes over the last two years, it does afford us another opportunity to link to Keith Gessen’s fine 2005 profile of the defenseman.