Sens of Entitlement

"If it becomes a disaster here, yeah!".... Happy Holidays Sens fans!

I'm not gonna fault Eugene Melnyk for thinking in line with any other owner in professional sport. If the situation becomes untenable you'd be foolish not to look elsewhere. Thing is, it hasn't, and by answering the question about moving the team (which to be fair he was asked) in this manner he ignited what he had to know would be a firestorm that would keep the eternal flame on Parliament Hill burning for a millennium.

I'm no PR expert but I'm pretty sure this wasn't going to go on 'how to' reels. Instead of spouting off incendiary remarks he easily could have steered the questions in another direction or made it all about what it should've been in the first place. The NHL 100 classic. The focus of the leagues' attention was on Ottawa. Thousands of fans were gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the NHL and enjoy the spectacular, all be it chilly, setting at Parliament Hill for the alumni game Friday night followed by the match up with the rival Montreal Canadiens at TD Place Stadium on Saturday. He may have perhaps mentioned that it was about two huge points for his franchise which he assured people "are a playoff team", or that many Sens legends had returned to celebrate with the fan-base. Instead it was about him.

His comments in and of them self certainly weren't the most egregious thing one could have said. As point out by Sportsnet's Tim and Sid (Shout out for airing my tweet!) had they been said at another time, it likely doesn't cause anywhere near the commotion, especially as it was hypothetical and he stated he has no intentions of moving the team anywhere. However, as Chris Johnston point out on the show, timing is everything and this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

To start there's the team's record. They've been struggling, the fan base was already edgy, so you'd think coming off a big win against the Rangers and into a fun filled weekend you'd want to build on that....or so common sense would suggest.

Then there were Erik Karlsson's comments on his upcoming contract and Melnyk's subsequent reaction. Karlsson said when asked that he wants to get paid what he's worth. He reiterated he hopes its in Ottawa but it is a business. Not exactly reassuring for those in Sens Army, but no reason to blow a gasket either. Apparently that wasn't the case for Eugene. He wasn't happy his star player spoke so honestly and there was apparently a heated discussion amongst the sides. So you can forgive Sens fans for noting the hypocrisy here. Melnyk is moaning and groaning about not selling out every game, putting money in his pocket (after all its a business) but heaven forbid your BEST player, one of the top players in the entire league suggest he get a fair shake!! For shame!! If you're having trouble selling tickets with him...

Then came the Kyle Turris bombshell. He revealed he was disappointed he couldn't remain in Ottawa and that the GM wanted to sign him to an extension but the owner didn't. GM Pierre Dorian promptly played the role of good soldier and refuted this claim saying all hockey decisions go through him, prompting Turris's wife to LOL at these remarks on Twitter. To be fair a significant contract like that would be discussed with any owner, but its the constant whispers of meddling, and many still blaming Melnyk for favourite son Daniel Alfredsson's departure from the team, twice, along with the unceremonious departure of Cyril Leeder earlier this year, a man who played a significant role in hockey returning to the capital, and the evidence is starting to pile up.

Then, for good measure, there was the New York comparison. He noted that playoff tickets in New York were going for a $1000 dollars, making it sound as if Sens fans should be grateful they only have to pay a few hundred! The man's a saint! This merely reinforced to many how out of touch he is with the average fan in his market. I'm not suggesting they give them away (though I'd take them), but lets be realistic. Ottawa is a predominantly government town. Many haven't been paid in ages because of the debacle that is the Phoenix pay system, nor are they allowed to take tickets as gifts from corporations. There aren't a huge amount of corporate sponsors here so its on regular working class people to shell out their hard earned money. They're around the top third in ticket prices per game despite being a smaller market. Unlike Manhattan it's not a place where you can throw a rock down the street and hit three millionaires. If the prices were lower you'd likely see an increase in attendance and all that comes along with it revenue wise: parking, concessions etc...

To be fair Sens fans can be fickle. This isn't Montreal or Toronto where you sell out simply by virtue of existing, and this can be a sore spot for some. You can't sugarcoat those financial realities and he's certainly not to blame for them. However, if the situation were truly that dire, they wouldn't have survived here this long. Oh, and about those playoff seats many, including himself, are quick to point out weren't sold, they were in later rounds when prices were once again jacked through the roof.

Lets play devil's advocate for a moment, Melnyk didn't build the rink out in Kanata. The prospect of a new downtown arena at Lebreton Flats would certainly help in the attendance regard. Lets face it, atmosphere counts and a parking lot is, well lets just say maybe Bills Mafia could help but aside from that...They need look no further than down the street at TD Place where the CFL's RedBlacks have revitalised Lansdowne and doing very well. Having a winner helps too mind you, but its hard to deny the fun around the game has been a major factor in their success. People are sick of driving out to the middle of nowhere and shelling out $20-30 bucks for parking before even getting in the door. A development similar to what other cities like Edmonton have seen would be a boon to the city and the team.

That said lets not pretend the Sens attendance has plummeted off the map. They've been among the top half of the league for years. I'm not going to argue that Melnyk doesn't want the team to be successful, if only to fill his own pocket book, and the franchise certainly hasn't been run into the ground on his watch, but the way he's gone about it has become tiresome.

Owners are always going to view it as a business and fans should't expect them to bleed for the franchise the same way they do, but many here are sick and tired of the seeming disregard ownership has for them. Ironic given that he reached out to this same community when he needed a liver transplant and they came through for him. He often comes off as self serving, noting he's finally spending money on the team, but lets not pretend that's always been the case (see: internal salary cap). There are reports of scouts worrying they'll not get reimbursed for expenses and discontent within the organisation. At the end of the day its his team and he's free to do what he wants but how exactly is picking fights with star players and fans going to win you any favour? What's irked so many is the appearance that Melnyk simply views them as nothing more than an ATM. The outpouring of anger wasn't just about his comments, but they certainly were the match. Fans are speaking up, question is will the NHL take notice?

Stop the Presses...?

An interesting argument's brewing on social media right now thanks to a comment by Mark Spector of Sportsnet who derided guys who admit to feeling media pressure, suggesting they should be traded because you can't win with them. Mentally weak was him assessment...as some would suggest his take was. But nonetheless, I get that the press needs to be honest (insert fake news joke here) and I'm certainly not advocating that every article has to be glowing (unlike some leaders...) by any means. However, it does beg the question where's the line between honest criticism and negativity for the sake of it?

We need only take a look at the fans and media's reaction in this country when things aren't going well to see how ugly it can get. If you listened to Sens Twitter right now you'd think they were 0-22. Edmonton's down one day, up the next and Montreal is well, Montreal. Vincent Lecavalier won a cup in Tampa Bay and was one of the best players of his generation. He also made it known he had no desire to leave for Montreal because of the pressure that comes with playing in that market. He was called out by some because of this but I'd never characterise him as mentally weak. Joe Thornton has spoken on many occasions about his love for playing in California. How you can go to practise in shorts and walk around town without being recognised...presumably in his pre-Grizzly Adams days. Hockey players generally aren't much for the spotlight and when all that light is negative it makes it even harder to deal with.

We're all accountable in our line of work and holding these players to such a level isn't the issue as I see it. It's how easy it is to belittle them for faltering under this intense pressure while not having to deal with it yourself. Unlike a writer if they get negative feedback players can't just hit the block button and hide behind their laptop thinking themselves beyond reproach. It's easy to criticise (fun too!) especially when you're as established as many of the prominent hockey pundits here in Canada are. Lets face it, short of a Hollywood-esque scandal these guys aren't going anywhere. That type of security leads to comfort which can lead to arrogance when it comes to your approach in covering the team. You see fault and you start to feel that you know more than the guys on the ice or upstairs, that your insight is flawless. If you write a lousy article or a take someone disagrees with you may get hammered on social media but it doesn't impact your life in anywhere near as serious a  manner. You are so unwavering in your belief, right or wrong, that you don't care. You're up their on your pedestal scoffing at anyone who dares to disagree. That's not the case in the NHL.

One of my favourite lines the last few years was from the Blue Jays John Donaldson when discussing the team's slump. He said "this isn't the try league, it's the get it done league". One could hardly sum up professional sports any better. Now, I'm not gonna feel too terrible for a bunch of multi-millionaires who play a game they love for a living, but I can see where they're coming from given this expectation. When you get paid what they do you're expected to perform. Period. That's definitely not unreasonable, few things are in fact more reasonable, so being criticised for not carrying your weight is, as Taylor Hall pointed out, not unfair. Its all part of the business. But if all people write about is the negativity and feed into that downward spiral, how is one not affected? It becomes a slippery slope that snowballs rapidly. Hall, refreshingly, pointed out the human side of the game and speaking, far as I know, as a human being, it'd definitely be something that's hard to drown out. Hall had personal success in spite of it, but to write guys off because their confidence is shaken when all they see is trade rumours in the paper everyday or constant articles detailing how it's their fault the team is failing, it's not easy at all. That's not say these things shouldn't be written about, facts are facts, but its how they're presented that matters. Thees are grown men and we need not treat them with kid gloves, but what would you do when people see you and start giving you a hard time at the mall or grocery store? When you're being made to feel that you're letting an entire community down? Easy to say "they know what they signed up for!" not so easy to brush aside.

That's not to say it's easy to write, believe me, particularity with the ever evolving media market. However, these columnists don't have to live with the same type of burden those they cover do, so they can fire shot after shot with little recourse. If a player doesn't succeed it can mean a demotion, a trade, a family being up rooted. It's not writers kids at school hearing about it. It's rarely their job on the line. All a difficult part of the industry, and one that players and coaches inevitably have to deal with. It's a part of why they get paid so well. But to say that it doesn't affect you is asinine. Look at the results when guys have moved on. Taylor Hall, who to be fair always put up solid numbers, continues to in New Jersey and Jordan Eberle has been revitalised on Long Island. A fresh start can make a world of difference because mentally they're in a better place. Why have people avoided coming to the Maple Leafs over the years? Because they don't want to shoulder that burden. It's why guys who have won there are so revered and why those like Jonathan Drouin who speak about embracing the challenge in Montreal are praised by the media.

I see why hockey writers are so quick to defend their craft, and why both sides of this argument elicit valid points. No GM, owner, coach or player should be able to avoid answering the tough questions when they aren't meeting expectations, like anyone else. Without honest writing to look at what the team is doing, and holding them to a certain level of accountability, it does a disservice to fans and its why great writers are so respected. That said, there's an art to tactfully and honestly assessing people. Often the truth hurts and we should never be afraid to speak it. I'm not all about participation ribbons and avoiding pointing out the facts because someones feeling may be hurt. Such is life. However, there's a line there somewhere where it can become personal. Just ask Jason Spezza who got tired of being the whipping boy here in Ottawa and asked to be traded because of it.The fans turned on him, much of it fuelled by the press, and he had enough. A genuine critique is a necessary part of the business but when you see things like this start to happen, is it time to take a harder look at how they're covered? Some may laugh this off, suggesting players are soft, overly sensitive and indulged. Some well may be, after all these are elite athletes one generally assumes aren't lacking for confidence. That said even the greats face self doubt at times and if you're constantly living in a negative head space, escape is a welcomed relief. Why do you think so many have turned to sports psychologists? It's simple to fire off an angry column or tweet, but do we really understand the ramifications of what they're going through? We all face pressure at our jobs and worry about providing for loved ones, (like I said I don't feel too bad for a bunch of rich guys) but imagine if on top of that you had your name scrawled across the paper everyday demanding you be fired. If every decision you made was analysed to death. Not something most of us are equipped to deal with. In this click bait, 24/7 press world, columns and headlines everywhere often focus on the negative because we as a society seem to feed into it. Lets face it, its often more fun to read and write when you can take a funny shot at someone rather than deliver a puff piece lauding their success like some sycophantic fan. And to be fair to those of us who do endeavour to write, if all we ever did was gush about how great things were we'd be equally (and rightfully) lambasted.

What can we gleam from all this? Well, like most things in life there's a happy medium somewhere. Like any good night out, you gotta know when to say enough. Writers, be critical, be honest, be fair but most importantly be respectful. Players, remember what got you here in the first place and accept honest criticism like we all have to face in the workplace. Be a lot easier for us all.

Rewriting the (Rule) Book

The NHL saw a pair of 10 game suspension handed down this week and, well, that's about where the similarity between the two ends. You may as well be comparing apples to pucks in terms of how they were decided.

To start there was a good old fashioned dust up late in the Flames Red Wings game last Wednesday. It began when the Wings Luke Witkowski who was headed to the dressing room was apparently slashed...? by the Flames Matthew Tkachuk who was, well, being Matthew Tkachuk. Anyway, all hell broke lose and, fairly or unfairly, Witkowski now pays the price. That's because when a player returns to the ice to fight it's an automatic 10 game suspension, per NHL rules. Now in this case, it kinda seem like a lot. The player was literally only a few steps down the tunnel when Tkachuk tapped him with his stick and he then turned around and charged back out. The idea of this rule was to prevent the wild, all be it entertaining, incidents that were common place in the 60-80's. The NHL set about instituting a strict punishment and you'd have to argue that it's worked well. However, as Wings coach Jeff Blashill pointed out circumstance should be taken into account. While the spirit of the rule is to be admired, was this really something that was 10 game worthy when hits, and dirty plays (like the one we'll get to) often get far less? Tkachuk was suspended 1 game for his part and it may not seem fair but the fact is the rule is clear (even if Witkowski was apparently unaware of it) applied accordingly, and he won't appeal.

This brought to mind the Denis Wideman and Antoine Vermette incidents where players contacted an official and were subject to similarly clear rules (OK, maybe less clear in the Wideman saga...) and subsequently suspended as a result. If the punishment for these types of incidents is laid out by the letter of the law, it begs the question, could the league change the rule book to implement stricter punishment in other situations where a lengthy suspension should be the outcome?

The second suspension stemmed from the Flyers Jets game where the Flyers Radko Gudas attempted to remove Jet Matthieu Perreault's head, which inevitably had people calling for his. The league responded with a ten game suspension that many feel wasn't enough, especially given the repeat nature of the idiot, um, offender. I understand why people would like to see a harsher penalty, (particularly to a guy like Gudas) there's no place in the game for that crap, but the fact is, with the current structure in place, it's not that simple.

First off with any suspension there has to be proof of intent and the fact is the league has no idea what's going on in Gudas's head (spoiler alert, not a hell of a lot). As mentioned he's a repeat offender and a guy who walks the line constantly. However, the act itself isn't enough and unless the file against you fills up a hockey bag (ala Raffi Torres) odds are he wasn't gonna get more. This begins to shine a light on one of the biggest problems in the league when it comes to discipline: how do you protect the players from themselves and punish these sorts of acts in such a way that more strongly discourages them?

If the league had gone to 20 games for example, Gudas would be quick (far more so than he is on the ice) and foolish not to go to an independent body to appeal, both from a professional and financial standpoint - Gudas will forfeit over 400k in salary as a result of this suspension. Then there's the process. The body involved in appeals is not a hockey one and what may be seen as obvious to some in the game may not be to them. They simply look at what's happened in similar incidents and apply justice as such. Gudas was falling forward and I've heard (morons) argue that he simply lost balance and didn't have any sort of control over what he was doing. There's also the fact that Perreault (thankfully) wasn't seriously injured on the play. These mitigating circumstance would be argued and a reduction in games would likely be the outcome. The NHL would rather not push the envelope by trying to implement such a lengthy ban then look bad by losing in arbitration.

The issue then becomes precedent. The fact that the player would probably win isn't because he wasn't wrong in committing whatever transgression got him suspended, but simply because the league, generally, hasn't tossed guys for long periods of time previously so it wouldn't seem fair to do so. Sure you have the odd Dale Hunter or Chris Simon thrown in but for the most part 10 games is seen as a sort of max for this sort of thing.

This got me to thinking should the league look at rule changes that would remove the sort of grey areas that lead to arbitration? Whether it's head shots, stick work, whatever, can they find a system that would outline the proper suspension? While I'm sure the players would jump at this idea, it may simply lend itself to further grey areas. Not all these plays are going to fit into a nice little box you can merely check off and say that's what they should get. However, it'd be a start and provide a much clearer guideline to work from.

Or do they go another route and put more weight on previous suspensions and punish repeat offenders more harshly? While this is already, supposedly, taken into account by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, should they up the anti make the punishment more sever to these particular players? To be fair Gudas likely would've gotten less had he not been a repeat offender, but how do you explain to the casual fan that these two guys got the same suspension given the optics? Not that the fight in Detroit looked like a picnic, but one is clearly more egregious than the other.

The whole thing seems contradictory because you're talking about protecting players from players and essentially the same body is arguing for both their rights, so should the victim's plight not be given more weight? Whatever the case the league, and the players association, need to take a serious look at how they dole out discipline. That's not to say there's been a rash of incidents like this, but until the issue is addressed there really isn't a strong enough deterrent in place to prevent guys from acting out.

What About Bob...? Ryan Key to Sens Success

The Sens surprised well, damn near everyone last season, with an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. It took a heartbreaking Game 7 double overtime loss to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins to stall this magical run. As much as Guy Boucher’s ‘The System’ was a rallying cry for the Sens faithful, and a key part of their success, (much to the malign of many in the hockey world)  last I checked you still need to outscore your opponent to win. A huge part of their run was Bobby Ryan returning to form after a lacklustre regular season. If the Senators want to again find themselves among the East’s elite, they’ll need Ryan to produce at his highest level.

THE TRADE:

With Daniel Alfreddson’s unexpected departure for Detroit, (on July 5th 2013) Sens GM Bryan Murray had to act fast. The Flash rarely moves quicker. Later that same day he filled this void by acquiring Bobby Ryan, whom he had long coveted, from Anaheim in exchange for young forwards Jacob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and  a 2014 1^st round draft pick (which they used to acquire Nick Ritchie). Silvferberg has been solid for the Ducks while Ritchie has yet to live up to the billing. Noesen bounced back and forth between the Ducks and the AHL, eventually being claimed off waivers by the New Jersey Devils.  

Ryan certainly wasn’t expected to replace Alfredsson, at least not in a leadership capacity, though to be fair, few could. He was however, going to be counted on to carry the load offensively after four 30 goal seasons with the Ducks. (Granted even I may be able to put up 7 riding shotgun with Getzlaf and Perry, but we digress.) He’s yet to crack that number with the Sens (he had 23 his first season) and at his 7 million dollar price-tag, patience is waning. Ryan himself joke that the Vegas Golden Knights wouldn’t pick up his contract should he be exposed in the expansion draft. (They didn’t) 7 million doesn’t get you what it used to…

After just 13 goals and 25 points in 62 games last regular season let’s just say there was something left to be desired, both by the organisation and, to be fair, Ryan himself. This is a player who holds himself to a higher standard and does have a level of intensity to his game. (Brian Burke’s opinion not withstanding …) However, it was the intermittent flashes of it that grew so frustrating. At times he’d go on a run for a few games and look like the elite top line winger the Sens had envisioned. Then he’d disappear for what felt like an eternity. Goal scorers are by nature a streaky bunch but he was colder than an Ottawa winter. The Sens aren’t exactly a high flying offensive unit to begin with, particularly with Clarke MacArthur out, (That Spezza trade just keeps paying dividends...) so when top guys go long stretches without producing it can get ugly in a hurry.

FRESH START:

The great thing about any new season is the opportunity to start over. The playoffs are no different. You don’t get within a goal of the Stanley Cup Final without contributions from top players and Ryan stepped up big time in the post season, showcasing the sort of game Sens fans had anticipated since his arrival. He tallied 6 goals and his 15 points in 19 playoff games lead all Senators forwards (Demi God Erik Karlsson was not to be upstaged) resulting in an Eastern Conference Final birth along with a collective “Where the hell was that all year?!” from Sens nation. As a result Ryan came into this season with a renewed confidence, a better mental state after dealing with some personal issues and a commitment to be the player he knows he can be.

The old adage actions speak louder than words is never more true than in the world of professional sports and getting off to a quick start this season has placated the fan-base (for now). He’s seemingly found some chemistry with Derek Brassard and Mark Stone. Their line has been solid through the first six games, though we’ll not jump to nickname status just yet. Now, granted, while four points through six games isn’t exactly going to generate any Art Ross buzz, when you consider last seasons totals, it’s a welcomed sight. Ryan’s career average is 0.70 PPG so if he can get back anywhere close to that, the Sens should be in a position to contend for (at the very least) a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Puck Drop: 2017

#HockeyIsBack

It's that time of year again so we'll drop the puck an take a quick shift to look at a few story lines for each of the 31 teams.

Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks are coming off a conference final appearance and boast a line up full of veteran talent, who are generally as popular as a socks for Christmas. They added veteran goaltender Ryan Miller to either back up or challenge John Gibson for the number one spot depending on Randy Carlyle's temperament. They have a talented blueline with a mix of emerging young stars and veterans, and if thees Ducks can fly together there's a chance they can make another Stanley Cup run.

Arizona Coyotes: The Coyotes are a team many thought would take a step forward last season but their bark was worse than their bite and the desert dogs were just that. If this team wants to get out of the dog house their young pups need to step up and live up to their talent. The addition of Antti Raanta ideally helps solidify the net position after Mike Smith left for Calgary, so it's up to the rest of the team to make that push.

Boston Bruins: The Bruins squeaked into the playoffs last season and were bounced by the Sens in the first round. Their biggest move of the off season was resigning David Pastrnak to a contract extension. They have a mix of veterans and young stars coming along so it will likely be an up and down year. Captain Zedno Chara is bound for the hall of fame but how much does he have left after appearing to lose a step last season. There isn't a ton of depth upfront so (filed under painfully obvious)  human mosquito Brad Marchand will have to continue to produce at an elite level if the B's have any chance of competing in the Atlantic division.

Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres made some big moves in the off season firing head coach Dan Bylsma and GM Tim Murray and named star centre Jack Eichel the new GM...I mean signed him to an 8 year 80 million dollar extension. New head coach Phil Housley takes over a team that has a lit of young talent but has a lot to prove before that bandwagon starts filling up.

Calgary Flames: Well, all was quiet on the western front....After adding Mike Smith to presumable improve their goaltending (really only had one way to go) and Travis Hamonic to an already strong blueline, arguably one of the best in the league, the Flames look poised to be a contender in the west. If nothing else they'll be driven by their long time Alberta rival. To top it all off, the legend himself Jaromir Jagr and his mullet will don the flaming C this season. He may not set the ice on fire but if he can be effective on the Power Play, the Flames will make a run.

Carolina Hurricanes: The Canes days of getting blown away appear to be coming to an end. They have a young team poised to make a playoff push in the east for the first time in years. They are in tough in the Metropolitan Division and a lot of things will have to go right for them to make it, but it's certainly a possibility. A lot of that rests on new acquisition Scott Darling (goaltending matters folks) but if he can be what they expect GM Ron Francis has them headed in the right direction.

Chicago Blackhawks: The Blackhawks off season was overshadowed by the whole Marion Hossa saga. Cap circumvention seems about as trendy as Yoga these days and so when a team as desperate for cap space can pull this off there will always by cynics but they will miss him. Big time. He's a special talent not easily replaced. Their core remains in tact and Sadd and Sharp are back so they will be competitive in the West but that window may be closing.

Colorado Avalanche: When an Avalanche gets rolling its hard to stop...for better or worse. When GM Joe Sakic was playing for this team, it meant Stanley Cup glory, these days its, what can go wrong next? The franchise is not on good terms with one of its best players Matt Duchene (who looked more like a hostage in his pre season photo op than as all star) and are coming off one of, if not thee, worst seasons in the salary cap era. So yeah, other than that all's great in the mile high city...The Duchene drama will hopefully be dealt with, for all our sake, sooner than later, and they can hopefully get back to rebuilding a one proud organisation.

Columbus Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets were one of the surprise teams last season vaulting up near the top of the Eastern Conference mainly backed by a stellar Power Play and goalie Sergi Bobrovski. Will this continue? Maybe. They have a solid lineup and look to be a contender in the east but will be hard pressed to repeat that season. The Torts effect tends to wear thin after a while as well, shocking given his puppy dog personality, so we'll see if this go around is any different.

Dallas Stars: Two years removed from finishing the regular season first in the west, the Stars missed the playoffs last year and were arguably the most disappointing team in the league last year. The yoyo looks to continue as many, (with good reason) have picked them to bounce back in the big way. They added Texas sized goalie Ben Bishop and Defenceman Marc Methot to bolster the back end along with Alex Radulov to supplement an already potent offence. Coach Ken Hitchcock returns behind the bench where he won a Stanley Cup in 1999 looking to return them to glory. They do things bigger in Big D and the Stars hope a let down isn't one of them.

Detroit Red Wings: We're going streaking...no more. After an incredible run of 25 straight post season appearances and four Stanley Cup championships the Red Wings missed the playoffs last season, and will likely start a streak of another kind. After years of trading the future for success the time has come to pay the piper and they rebuild has begun. They don't look poised to push for a playoff spot so at least they got a new arena...

Edmonton Oilers: Good things come to those who wait...and wait...After a decade of misery in the Alberta capital the Oliers made the post season and look poised to be a real contender this year. After backing up a Brinks truck to sign Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, they have a solid core moving forward. Cam Talbot was great last season and as long as he's consistent the glory days may indeed return to the 'City of Champions'.

Florida Panthers: The enigma in Florida goes way beyond counting all those empty seats. They looked like an up and coming team a few seasons ago, then last year happened. A fired coach, injuries and a disappointing performance later, where are we? They have a lot of young guys and solid goaltending but what will it all amount to? They let two of their top scorers go in the entry draft, because well, why not, so this will be one of the more unpredictable squads to watch moving forward.

Los Angeles Kings: The Kings have fallen off their throne. After winning two Stanley Cups with their core they missed the playoffs and don't appear poised to be crowned anytime soon. They have Kings legends Luc Robitaille and Rob Blake running things now, who, while sharp hockey minds are in their first go around in such a position. Drew Doughty will need a new contract before long and they have young starts to resign as well, so the kingdom has much to do.

Minnesota Wild: The Wild had a great regular season last year, relying on Devan Dubnyk heavily at times. Like really, heavily. They have a lot of talent throughout the roster but getting over that hump remains the challenge. Ultimate they'll compete in the west, probably making the playoffs then inevitable realise Bruce Boudreau is still their coach...

Montreal Canadiens: There's never a dull moment in La Belle Province. They put the fan in fanatic and the Habs off season drama was mostly centred around, centre. Or the lack there of. They signed Alex Galchenyuk presumably to play up the middle, then promptly announced he wouldn't. They acquired Jonathan Drouin for a promosing young prospect and lost ling time Hab Andre Markov as well as Alex Radulov. Despite the fact they won the division and look to be strong again there was constant turmoil and a lot of questions moving forward but hey, at least Carey Price is locked up...

Nashville Predators: The music city was rocking last season. The Preds lost in the Stanley Cup finals to the Penguins but took the hockey world by storm in the process. The city looked great in showcasing one of the non-traditional market and hopefully others take notice. They have a steady D core, solid goaltending (at least when Rinne plays at home...) and finishers up front. They lost captain Mike Fisher to retirement so new captain Roman Josi will have to lead this bunch moving forward. Losing Ryan Ellis to start the year hurts as there's little margin for error in the West.

New Jersey Devils: The Devil went down to...Switzerland? Whatever works. The Devils won the draft lottery, and little else, last season and selected Swiss born forward Nico Hischier with the top pick. They lost veteran Mike Cammalleri so look to the future to return to the glory days. Much again will ride on Cory Schneider in net. Ultimately the Meto division may prove too tough a task but they should be improved if only to give the Devil his due...

New York Islanders: If they started their own soap opera would anyone be surprised? Whether it's arena question, a rink they only moved into a few years back, what to do with Captain John Tavares or who will be their goalie moving forward, there's a lot of questions around this squad. They did finish strong under Doug Weight last season after firing mullet enthusiast Jack Capuano. Weight has the job full time for his first season and looks to get them back into the post season.

New York Rangers: The Rangers bought out long time dman Dan Girardi and sent backup goalie Annti Raanta along with Derek Stepan to Arizona. They lost in the second round of the playoffs to Ottawa and one wonders how many more runs 'King' Henrik Lundqvist has left in him. They lack the flashy names up front they used to have, or those names lack the lash they once had, (*Rick Nash*) so it will have to be done by committee in the Big Apple. They did thrown big money at a free agent (Kevin Shattenkirk) because, New York. There is enough talent there to compete but the depth will be tested against the best of the East.

Ottawa Senators: "What have I done to be treated with such disrespect" might as well be written across the Sens uniform. They were a goal away from making the Stanley Cup final and most are writing this off as luck. You don't win by luck in the NHL. And yes, the Sens could certainly take a step back, largely due to the improved teams in their division, but the reality is as long as they stay healthy their frustrating, if not exactly flashy, defensive style combined with solid goaltending, game breaking talent up front and the best denfenceman in the world Eric Karlsson they have a shot in the East.

Philadelphia Flyers: They Flyers are probably sick of seeing their biggest rival continue to succeed as they sputter along. Well, it's not gonna change anytime soon. They Flyers should push for a playoff spot but goaltending is a question mark...again...and they'll need guys to have much better seasons then last year (understatement noted) captain Claude Giroux chief among them, if they're going to make the post season.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Three-peat? It seems almost improbably with the parody in the cap era has ushered in, yet we've seen the Cup change hands between only several teams the last decade. The Pens won their third cup of the Crosby era and there's little reason to doubt they could do it again. They have plenty of star talent, Kris Letang is back and healthy and they get key contributions from inexpensive young talent, perhaps the biggest factor in today's NHL. Matt Murray has won two Cups (as a rookie...yeah) and until proven otherwise they'll be a favourite to hoist the chalice again.

San Jose Sharks: It seems these Sharks just keep treading water long enough not to drown. With all star defenceman Brent Burns and the return of Joe Thornton this team will again compete for a playoff spot but their window may have closed in. Long time Shark Patrick Marleau was let go and signed in Toronto so Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture and co. will have to be the next generation to try and shake the mantle of great regular season team who can't get to the top.

St. Louis Blues: The loss of Robby Fabri wasn't an ideal start to the year. Throw in Jay Bouwmeester's injury and their already Blue in Missouri. They made the post season last year after employing the ever popular fire your coach and replace him with the guy who was already there to replace him strategy. The Blues look to have a balanced lineup that should compete for a spot in the central again, but it won't be easy particularly if they get off to a sow start. Jake Allen had a meltdown last season but bounced back so if he's got his head on straight things may not end on such a sour note.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Lets be honest, if they were healthy last season things would've been very different in Tampa last year. Fans are hoping lightning doesn't strike twice and that Steven Stamkos can finally enjoy a healthy season after being injury riddle the past several. They handed the goaltending reigns to Andre Vasilevskiy so it's up to him to take them to that next level. They have a deep roster just a few years removed from a Stanley Cup Final and they will be a force to be reckoned with in the East.

Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs slow and steady rebuild took a giant leap forward last year and they added veterans like Ron Hainsey and Patrick Marleau to supplement their vast crop of young talent. They pushed the Capitals in the playoffs and look to take that next step. Barring any unforseen setbacks they'll be competitive and at the very least push for a playoff spot. Let's not plan the parade route just yet though...

Vancouver Canucks: Coming off a rough season the Canucks have seem to embrace the fact they need to rebuild. They are hamstrung by a few contract, looking at you Loui Ericsson, and the Sedin's have made it clear they aren't going anywhere anytime soon, so new coach Travis Green will have to blend the youth with his veterans as they push forward with this plan. They're not expected to challenge for the playoffs, with good reason, but will let Bo Horvat and co. continue to develop as they build for the future.

Vegas Golden Knights: It's not saying a lot when the most entertaining thing about a team is their twitter account, but that may be the case in Sin City's inaugural season. To be fair, it's pretty funny. They Knights, aided by new expansion draft rules, (mercifully) shouldn't be as awful as most of the expansion teams of years past, but don't expect them to push for the Cup anytime soon. At least game experience will be a blast, if you can remember it...

Washington Capitals: At this point they are the Charlie Brown of the NHL. They keep going for that football only to fall flat on their face again and again. What's going to be different this season? They lost several pieces on the blueline (Alzner, Schmidt, Shattenkirk) and up front (Johansson) so their depth will be tested more than in years past. Their core is still strong but if they haven't gotten them to the promised land this far what makes this go around any different?

Winnipeg Jets: The Jets have rarely soared since moving to Winnipeg but seem to have all the parts to take off this season. They addressed their goaltending by bringing in Steve Mason, and still have a deep roster of young players poised to push they best of the West. They will need all of them on the same page and signed both Brian Little and Nicolaj Ehlers to new contracts so they've committed themselves to this group as well as their coach and GM so its up to them now.

It Takes Two...The Great Calgary Arena Debate

Hockey is our world. Money makes the world go 'round.  Worlds are colliding...

The Calgary Flames are in need of a new building. That's no secret. The Saddledome's over thirty years old and, much like their former goalie tandem, in desperate need of being replaced. This is hardly new for any arena. However, this has relaunched on of the more heated debate in sports, should public money be used to help build a privately owned arena?

I've thought about this a lot over the last few years, and seen both sides of the argument. At first I found myself siding with my brethren, the everyday fan, people who said hell no, but strangely enough, I've started to come around. This wasn't out of some sort of misguided sympathy towards this wealthy lot as, lets be honest, its not as if the billionaire owners couldn't afford to put up the money for the facility, it was more about the economic realities of it. For as much as we perceive it to be a sport, reality is it's a business, so, if I were in their shoes, (as much as I can relate) why would I?

Think about the handouts, tax brakes and other perks given to large corporations who want to set up in a city. The municipal and other levels of government do everything they can to ensure this financial gain for their city yet this is hardly ever met with the same level of scrutiny as when its a sports team even though the principle is essential similar. These big corporations could afford to build their own facilities or pay the taxes they get a break on, they're just looking for a break, a sweetheart deal if you will, because they understand what they can mean to the community. So why wouldn't a professional sports team? After all a team may profit from the arena but it's the city who reaps all the other benefits.

If (when...?) I owned a team I'd look at the overall impact it brings to a city. Living here, I'll use Ottawa as an example. If you head down to Elgin st. a popular street downtown which is lined with bars and restaurants (it's designated the Sens Mile during the playoffs) its usually a reasonably busy spot, especially considering the very 9-5 then off to the suburbs nature of the city. However, when the Sens are in the playoffs its the difference between a quiet Tuesday night game in Arizona and a jammed packed Saddledome. There's hardly a seat to be had. Pints flow like the Ottawa River and the happiest people around when the Sens are doing well are the owners and staff at these places, as the extra income generated is huge. I've spoken with a number of people, either managers or bar staff about this impact, (even sober on some occasions) and it's definitely not something that can be ignored. It's a major influx in the economy that would otherwise never happen.

Now I understand the main counter argument and I realise there is also much more significant, necessary infrastructure this money could be spent on, ie: schools, hospitals, roads etc. but by investing in an arena you're generating money back for the economy unlike these other expenditures (Not that we shouldn't fund them, obviously!) The thing is having a viable NHL franchise in town isn't a financial loss for the city so to say it takes away from these other necessitates wouldn't be entirely accurate. It's putting money upfront that inevitably you'll get back. An investment in the community itself. Basically it comes down to cost, which it should. There shouldn't be a burden on a city to handle all the expenses. Period. However, by contributing and ensuring the franchise stays around everyone benefits. It's a simple cost benefit ratio. Look at the NFL franchises that have recently moved. The Rams & Chargers to LA and the Raiders are heading to Vegas before long. This was mainly because the amount of money required to build an NFL stadium is so significant. We're talking...one billion dollars!!...(had to). John Oliver did a great in depth look at these costs on his show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcwJt4bcnXs

Now while the revenue stream is significantly higher with an NFL team, that doesn't necessarily offset the cost for a city and so, understandably, citizens were not ready to spend that type of money. With an NHL team however, the cost is much, much lower, so really its comparing pucks to oranges. I'd understand people's outrage more if their taxes were going to be raised a significant amount, (again what one considers significant is another topic all together) but the difference it would make to the average citizen definitely isn't a major one.

Then there's the organisation as a whole. I've posted a link below where you can see the operating profits of NHL teams from a few years ago. Spoiler, they're not enough to build a new arena...

https://www.statista.com/statistics/193744/operating-income-of-national-hockey-league-teams-in-2010/

The people who own these teams didn't make their megabucks from owning them. The value of the teams may have risen of late as the league has had more success but this sure as hell isn't a get rich quick scheme.

The Arizona Coyotes who have threatened to move well, I've lost track at this point, actually tasered a local politician as part of a fund raising campaign to keep the Coyotes in town. Shane Doan made a passionate plea talking about what would happen to the people not just with the organisation, but the staff who work at the arena for various events. These arenas generally employ hundreds of people for numerous different events and should they be laid off, it'd certainly be a hit to the local economy. Not to mention the taxes generated from the players salaries themselves. The average NHL team salary here in Canada would dump millions back into the city with the taxes they pay, thus helping to cover the costs, that granted they were responsible for incurring, but you see how it all works out in the end. The other major difference that has to be taken into account is that Calgary isn't a team haemorrhaging money like a drunk guy in Vegas (which the league will enjoy soon enough). I understand, even applaud, a city's reluctance to throw good money after bad as in Arizona or Florida, but this is a viable market that would eventually pay for itself. They league and city's posturing aside it should get done amicably for gone are the days of the Big O boondoggle where a city is left paying for an outdated facility decades later...I hope...

Another issue is the small market nature of many of these teams. If you look at the list of top earning franchises its clear the major markets are at the top and with good reason. They have the population and in most cases history, to make money. People tend to look at these haves and assume everyone is in the same boat. This isn't to say they don't all have rich owners, obviously, but they don't all make the same profit and can't all rely on a packed house regardless, (ie: Toronto or Montreal) of how the economy or team are doing. They need to work hard to turn a profit, and in order to get people out they need to create an atmosphere around the arena like they've done with a new facility in Edmonton (which the city helped fund) and are planning to build here in Ottawa in the near future. These facilities also bring concerts and other major events to town that otherwise wouldn't be possible, again generating more money and are a draw for the city itself.

This is by no means a cut and dry issue. It's complicated and as I've said I've wrestled with it a lot. I get that it ticks people off to see rich people getting public money, to feel as thought they're being given preferential treatment, and realise its particularly tough to separate the business side of  sport from the game we love, but there's a certain value that comes with having a team that can't be put down to dollars and cents. It has a certain prestige, and civic pride. Why do you think groups in Seattle and Quebec City are so eagerly clamouring to get franchises? They, like all the owners, understand the impact this has on community, how few things bring us together like sport, unite an entire city, provide those "remember where you were when" moments or move us to tears? Maybe I'm a sucker for sentiment, but that's gotta count for something.

Offside Under Review

It's late, you're tired, you get home just in time to crash on the couch and turn on the game. All you want to do is crack a cold one, relax and...the cable's out.

You manage to put down your beer, get up and call the cable company. You go through the initial hassle of answering the many, many, prompts only to continue waiting....Eventually, you get through to a person, who then proceeds to ask more questions, some of which you may have already answered...You again explain your situation, trying your best to remain calm, and they tell you they'll look into it. They may even get a colleague or two on the problem to try and solve the issue. It feels like time has stopped, maybe even at some point moved backwards, and you're right where you started. Meanwhile they review the circumstances, gathered around, looking over their notes and, well, "perhaps we'd better get our supervisor on the phone..."

This is the NHL's offside review...

First off, I don't entirely mind the idea. Really. The game is incredibly fast, referees are human (for now) meaning they may miss the odd, very, VERY close call. Fans, for the most part, understood that and didn't seemed all that bothered (as long as it went their way) until they blew a really obvious call. See, years back Matt Duchene scored a goal when he was as about as offside as a frat boy at a kegger and all hell broke loose. People started to whine that we need to 'get it right' and thus the idea of offside review eventually came to life. Now, I'm all for getting it right, generally, but if a skate blade is hovering over the blueline, or a player is in the zone by a third of an inch, honestly, I don't care. And I don't blame the linesmen for missing these.

The NHL has done plenty to try and increase scoring: no line changes after an icing, delay of game for flipping the puck out, smaller goalie equipment, etc. so you'd think they'd try to help that anyway possible. Calling goals off on a review, sometimes minutes after the goal has been scored, seems well, counter productive to that agenda. Personally I think they should just have the blueline set up akin to the goal line in football and as long as the players skate is 'breaking the plain' then it's good. Not to say I want to see NHLers trying some half-assed figure skating move at the blueline to try and stretch it out, but you get the idea. It would speed things up and eliminate what has become one of the most annoying things in hockey since the glowing puck.

The idea of instituting a penalty for delay of game for an unsuccessful challenge is brilliant, at least in my humble opinion. Not only will it speed the game up, it will also lead to more offensive chances should a team get a power play out of it...provided of course that team isn't the Avalanche. Previously the punishment was that you lost your timeout, and granted each team only has 1 per game (in regulation), but this seemed about as effective a scare tactic as the linesman saying 'I told you so'. It'll have coaches thinking twice and guys on the ice will, theoretically, be able to be more focused on the play. It eases the burden on officials as well and is just better for everyone involved, including those of us watching. It still gives coaches the option to challenge and 'get it right'. You'd just better be damn sure the linesman got it wrong.

Captain Coyote: Shane Doan Calls it a Career

2004, the World Cup of Hockey. The first in nearly a decade. Team Canada was looking for redemption after falling to the US in 1996. They met the ever pesky Finns in the final and as is usually the case it was nail biter. The teams traded goals and at 2-2 heading to the final period everything was on the line. Then, almost before you could sip your beer, Shane Doan made a great move in front to bury an incredible Joe Thornton pass that proved to be the winner as Canada once again reigned atop the hockey world. This was the biggest goal Shane Doan ever scored and when asked about it afterwards, guy he is, the credit and moment was all about the team.

Few athletes have meant as much in recent history to their franchise as Shane Doan. In fact, if you ask many, the Coyotes would've moved on one of the, well actually, I've lost count of how many times they've appeared headed for relocation, if not for his leadership and commitment to keeping them in the desert. When men like John McCain and Larry Fitzgerald are saying you're among the best leaders they've met, you've done something right. And Doan always seemed to say the right thing, taking home the Mark Messier leadership award in 2012 for his efforts. Even if I personally disagree that the franchise is better off where it is than say, Quebec City Doan was always there for the organisation and the community. His commitment to this new found home was unquestioned and he enjoyed every aspect of what if offered.

The last remaining player from the original Winnipeg Jets, his 21 years with the franchise has seen Doan hold team records in a number of offensive categories. He was the consummate professional and a leader on and off the ice. While relocating from hockey mad Winnipeg to Phoenix must have felt like being shipped off to the basement, Doan helped the franchise create a loyal, all be it small, band of fans who embraced them thanks in large part to his constant, workman like effort and easy going nature with media and fans. Auston Matthews among others is in no doubt a byproduct of this. Doan was a two time all star, a King Clancy Trophy winner and also represented team Canada on a number of occasions. With all his success he stayed loyal to the team through some lean years and saw it  have some unexpected runs in the post season as well. The last few years have seen the Coyotes struggle in rebuild mode, and there's little doubt he was asked to waive his no trade clause. However, he has established his family there and couldn't see himself playing for another team. Whether or not that was the wisest decision, we may never know, but you can't fault the guy for wanting to stick it out with the only team he's ever known and believing that he can help them.

This is why it was surprising for so many that the announcement that he wouldn't be resigned came with about as much ceremony as you would announce hiring a new janitor. The team issued a press release but there was little said or done until the other day when he officially announced his retirement. The team then stepped up and made a more formal show of things, and will no doubt be honouring him at some point this season, but one could safely assume there were still some hard feelings. No matter the circumstance though, Doan will be remembered for his compete level on the ice and being the face of the organisation and hockey in Arizona.

The next question is does he don the Maple Leaf again, perhaps even the C, for Team Canada at the upcoming Olympics in Korea. His former teammate Sean Burke is running the team and could use his leadership. Doan was on the 2006 Canadian team (the less we say about it the better...) And when you think about the opportunity, how many guys get to cap their career with a gold medal?

Pride of the Pontiac: A Farewell to Bryan Murray

In the Ottawa Valley hockey's more than jut part of everyday life and Bryan Murray was as synonymous with the game as anyone this area's ever known. The guy from Shawville rose from the ranks of the Pontiac and Ottawa Valley minor systems to coach and manage at the highest level. He put his hometown on the map, in his usual humble manner, and never forgot his roots.

I had the good fortune of meeting him several times, my mom runs a charitable foundation back home in the Ottawa Valley and he and his wife Geri were its honorary heads. This simple, meaningful gesture reflected the kind of people they are and their commitment to the people and area they called home. They attended a handful of events over the years and there was always an excitement when we knew he was coming to town. Everyone wanted to hear him speak. He had a way of making you feel connected to the big time, if only for that evening.

Bryan would hold court at these gatherings, always happy to answer any questions, and his legendary wit was as fast as today's game and as biting as ours winters, but  never came across as mean spirited. His captive audience clung to every word about the players and league we so greatly admire. With every joke and incredible story you understood just how much he'd accomplished. Here was someone living for what many of us was a dream, but he never lorded that over you. He simply spoke matter of factly and just genuinely seemed like a guy who loved what he was doing. He was a favourite of local coverage on TSN or national shows like Hockey Central at Noon & Hockey Night in Canada because of his insightful, straightforward manner. He was well respected in hockey circles far and wide as evident from the tributes pouring in from across the globe. They respected him as a colleague and his players understood what was expected of them, often being told so in no uncertain terms.

Bryan was said to be direct and honest, and was held in the highest regard for it. He showed his players the same courtesy and more often than not they responded. He guided a lot of great players to a lot of great seasons but it was the personal nature, how much he cared that stood out. Little things like making sure he could work out a deal for Mike Fisher to be closer to new wife Carrie Underwood in Nashville, (Bryan claimed trading him was one of the hardest things he ever had to do) or how much you could tell it pained him to see Daniel Alfredsson leave for Detroit. People were important to Bryan as he was to them, and he managed them as human beings, not dollar signs or pieces of a puzzle. Not as something expendable to be marketed or exploited. Those who knew him would tell you he was as competitive as anyone you'd ever met (often peppering officials with what my grandma refers to as 'salty' language') he simply got the bigger picture. Friends and family were not simply words to be paid lip service to. That fire continued to burn as he was part of the Sens organisation until not long before his passing.

When he joined the Sens in 2005, they were among the leagues best teams but Bryan brought with him a confidence the team and organisation sorely needed. This was a team used to expectations and he embraced them, along with the renewed excitement his arrival heralded. He guided them to the 2007 Stanley Cup Final, still the high watermark for the franchise, only to lose, ironically to a team in the Anaheim Ducks he had built. In the years following he took on a management roll with the club eventually stepping aside, sadly because his deteriorating health forced him to. His love of the game was ever present. Bryan's journey in the NHL took him all across the continent, from Washington, to Detroit, Florida to Anaheim, but he would return to a special place year after year, as is often the case with home. This community and the Sens organisation are better off for having had him and learning from the example he set, not just from a hockey sense but as an individual. He will be remembered as a class act and a man of his convictions. While he was never able to bring that elusive cup home, no one tried harder or cared more.

Preds Pack - How a Brand of New NHL D are Leading the Way in Nashville

The St. Louis Blues season once again ended on a sour note Sunday, as for the first time in Nashville Predators history, the Preds are moving on to the Western Conference Finals. Do they sing about happy occasions in country music...?

Anyway, the music city is a buzz, and good on them for creating one of the better playoff atmosphere's in the game. Much of the credit has to go to goalie Pekka Rinne who's been all world this post season, shutting down skilled offensive teams in Chicago and St. Louis. He's more of a wall than his 6'5" frame would suggest, with a ridiculous .951 Save %. However, if the Beatles taught us nothing else, "I get by with a little help from my friends". The Preds have had timely depth scoring up front, but it's their impressive defensive core that's lead the way thus far.

This D core, shrewdly complied by GM David Poile, has put up big points in pushing the Preds into the Conference Finals and in doing so showed how the game is evolving in today's faster paced NHL. They can hit, shoot, pass and most importantly, skate. This is a blueline that moves the puck. Quickly, and effectively. They can clear the zone with a crisp breakout pass or their speed. Which is impressive, I mean considering all the time Subban spends being a 'clown'...They're not a big group, aside from Mattias Ekholm, but the can check well. PK Subban, Ryan Ellis and Roman Josi can all handle the puck and have heavy shots from the point on the Power Play. This lack of size seems to go against the grain when it comes to conventional wisdom of what blue liners should look like. (Time was they were more akin to Shrek) Josi and Subban are about 6' and Ellis is listed at 5'10". Not exactly the most physically intimidating of guys to battle with in the corner. Fact is, they don't need to be. That's not to say these guys aren't tough or can't handle themselves in a puck battle, (this is the NHL people) but they rely on their speed and deft checking ability with quick sticks and positioning so that they don't need to worry about getting crushed into the boards as much as a slower skater.

This stems from also having skilled guys up front to move the puck to. Filip Forsberg, Viktor Arvidsson, Ryan Johansson and co. are great targets to have when trying to get out of your end and alleviate a lot of the pressure on their D core. They also have strong two way guys like captain Mike Fisher looking after their own end as well. That said you still need the ability to get it to them and the Preds have shown they move the puck as well as any defence core in the league. The analytics community has been in love with them this season and their admiration has added up to be full value.

Teams that have hoisted Lord Stanley's mug have been built around tough, physical guys shutting down opponents and being hard to play against. But more recently, with the speed of the game picking up, teams like Pittsburgh and Chicago with a sets of D men possessing similar skills to Nashville's group, have found their way to hockey glory. Guys like Kris Letang and Duncan Keith spearheaded the attack and got the puck out of danger quickly. Many are worried about the Penguins this post season because of Letang's absence, some see the Rangers slower, older D men as a liability, and many see Chichago's lack of depth on D as the reason the Preds swept them aside in round 1 this year. Where would Ottawa be without Erik Karlsson? The Preds have balance in not a true Superstar a collection of really, really solid, all star calibre guys.

Hockey has long had guys that could rush the puck from the back end, from Bobby Orr, to Paul Coffey to Nick Lidstrom and Scott Niedermayer, these guys were key offensive catalysts for their team while keeping opponents from generating much in the offensive zone. That said they were often surrounded by larger, more bruising guys who job was to physically punish opponents for crossing the blue line or standing anywhere near the net, a la Scott Stevens. Now, if you've watched the Preds games this post season you know it sure as hell isn't a pillow fight in front of the net, (Their nickname is Smashville after all) but they're not that kind of group. They fight as hard as any group for position and space but perhaps with the way the NHL is going, this is the type of group you need to have success. The less time the puck is in your zone, the better your odds of winning, (to the best of my limited knowledge), and when you've got guys who can effectively transition the puck and provide offence you're dictating the game, Speed and skill at every position is at a premium and with this group the Preds may have a perfect balance of what they need to go all the way.

Catch 14: What to do with Jordan Eberle

Ah, how one yearns for the good old days. Hero of the World Juniors, a western kid picked in the first round by a Canadian franchise. A highly touted prospect with tons of potential...Such was the life of Jordan Eberle.

He burst onto the national scene with a bang. A clutch perform for his country. Scoring a big goal against the Russian is essentially the Canadian version of being knighted. His much anticipated arrival in Oil country started off with a highlight reel goal against the arch rival Calgary Flames. Life was good. He was going to be part of the rebuild. A cornerstone of an impressive young core that would bring respectability and success back to the 'City of Champions'. I mean technically that's still true but...

As the years have gone by that potential hasn't manifested itself. That success? Only now coming about because of a generational talent and roster overhaul. The glimpses, the flashes in the pan only made the inconsistency that much more frustrating. Kept die hard fans mutter 'if he could just...'

And lets face it. It can't be easy. His name's been floated in trade rumours for years, every deadline day, every off season. The Oilers needed blueline help and he was the one that was thought to be shipped off to get it. He seems to be the poster boy for all their failures, the reason why the team hadn't taken that net step, and now that they have the reason they may not go further. This is reminiscent of Jason Spezza being run out of town in Ottawa. Though to be fair Spezza put up much better numbers. The Oilers were deemed all season to be a one man team, the Connor McDavid show. Given the special talent he is, it's not exactly unfair to hype him up, but other guy needed to step up if this team was going to have success and be taken seriously. Their depth was questioned by many and a lot of that had to do with the lack of production from Eberle.

Eberle has found himself demoted of late, many suggesting he be scratched outright, publicly called out by his coach, demanded more of by fans and the organisation. Part of playing the NHL? Definitely. Does knowing that make it any easier? If I knew I'd actually have to be in the league, so, I can only guess no and we'll go from there.

This is where the Catch 22 comes in. It's not as if he forgot how to play hockey overnight, or stopped caring. The skills that got him to this level didn't suddenly abandon him. He showed flashes of them here and there but consistency eluded him. The age old dilemma to wondering, to quote Blue Rodeo, I want to know where my confidence went. This is the issue. He needs playing time to get going, and get his confidence back but his play hasn't exactly warranted that trust. The fact that he has several years left on this contract and a cap of 6 million per don't exactly make his deal all that palatable if he can't start producing. IN the end the fact is it's got to be up to him to snap out of this, as teams aren't exactly going to be throwing prospects of value at them. They may be stuck and so all you can do is let him play his way out of it. Or wait out the next two years and remember those fleeting glimpses of magic fondly...

Star Struck - Why the NHL Needs to Protect its Superstars

I love a good conspiracy theory. They're full of intrigue, paranoia, nonsense and while perhaps this says more about me than I care to admit, I certainly don't think Matt Niskanen stepped onto the ice in Pittsburgh last night with the intention of concussing Sidney Crosby. That said, he sure as hell didn't shy away given the opportunity.

Lets go back to April 12th. The NHL's been on a pretty good run since the Stanley Cup playoffs started this year. A record 18 games wen to overtime in the first round. You had stunning upsets: The Nashville Predators sweeping the three time champion Chicago Blackhawks. Young guys stepping up in Toronto to put a scare into a number one overall seed. A gritty team in Ottawa refusing to listen to the odds. An emerging Superstar in Edmonton leading his team back to the postseason for the first time in over a decade. There were incredible comebacks, great skilled plays, the games were close and entertaining. You had heat warming stories and great battles. All good. Then to top it off they got a great second round match up between the Caps and Penguins. Crosby and Ovechkin. Bitter rivals who happen to be two of the top teams in the league. This should've been another epic chapter in a solid playoff campaign. Then, Matt Niskanen stepped in,

A little over five minutes into game three, with Pittsburgh up 2-0 in the series, at home with a chance to (yet again) all but put Washington away, Matt Niskanen slammed his stick into Sidney Crosby's head and took him out of the game. We learned today Crosby has a concussion and will be out at for least tomorrow nights game, and one could probably assume with some certainty, given his history of concussions, the foreseeable future. Great. The best player in the game gone. But hey, at least the culprit was swiftly and severely disciplined for his reckless action...oh right. It's the NHL. Apparently five and a game is enough for removing the best player in the game from said sport. That's not to say Niskanen shouldn't have been punished for a hit like this on another player. It doesn't matter who it was, he should've been suspended in my opinion. But the fact that it's a superstar should mean it's taken more seriously. Like it or not.

This is your meal ticket. The face of the league. The sort of guy people pay top dollar to see and why TV networks pay those big dollars.  Matt Niskanen isn't a bad player, overpaid as he is, but 'Average NHL defenceman' is about as eye catching a headline as 'Used Prius for sale'. I can't name a single person who goes to the rink to see the likes of him, maybe not even his family. They're a dime a dozen these depth guys and punishing him should be a no brainer. However, the league seems to have about as much common sense a tourist at an all inclusive Mexican bar. Pierre LeBrun noted on Twitter than he'd polled NHL GM's and only a handful felt he should be suspended. Granted, this may be more pot not wanting to call the kettle black lest they find their own player in a similar situation, However I'd be willing to bet their opinion would be drastically different if it was their star struggling to skate off the ice. Crosby is the best player in the world and the likes of him are protected in other leagues, why isn't the NHL doing more to see to that? That's not to say Sid gives the most dynamic interviews. They tend to run the gamut from generic to mundane, but he carries himself well, represents his league, country and organisation with class and oh yeah, people know who the hell he is!! At a time when the league is struggling in many American markets, you need stars to carry the load, attract eyeballs to the screen, and if they're victim to cheap shots and this old school 'hockey play' mentality, it's no wonder the game won't grow. People need to see thees guys out there. They need to watch them perform something other than a baseline concussion test.

If someone in the NBA had smacked King James on the crown like this, there would've been outrage, a demand for justice by all! The networks would've no doubt called up commissioner Adam Silver looking for some kind of recompense for investing in a league who would allow such a star to be injured. I'm still amazed Lance Stevenson wasn't suspended for blowing in his ear. I mean, what if, God forbid, he'd caught a cold? All star San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey had his leg broken a few years back and the MLB almost immediately changed the rules around blacking the plate to protect catchers. The NFL is inching closer and closer to basically banning contact on the quarterback. I mean if Vaughn Miller had crushed Tom Brady like that, he'd still be suspended. But the NHL and Gary Bettman?

There's a recent history of guys like Crosby taking this kind of abuse. Look at Johnny Gaudreau, Kyle Turris and others who had their fingers broken from slashes. Crosby himself basically lopped off Mark Methot's finger and wasn't punished. So if he received 'special' treatment on that one, why wouldn't he when he was the victim? And it's not the first time. Several of the hits that have left him missing significant time over his career have gone unpunished, from David Steckel to Victor Hedman, Sid has taken more than his share of abuse. Other stars are not immune from such treatment, with guys admittedly going the extra mile to take a shot at them ie: Connor McDavid's injury last season. You never saw the likes of Gretzky or Lemieux take these kinds of hits, or this kind of punishment. Why? Well, the guys policed themselves. Enforcers acted as a barrier against guys taking things too far. There seemed to be a sort of code that you didn't run at another teams meal ticket or your guy was gonna get run. I'm not advocating they turn the league into Slap Shot, entertaining as the movie is, but the onus is on the NHL itself to protect its athletes, especially those who the fans come to see because right now, it seems like a free for all at times. Guys like Brad Marchand and even Alex Ovechkin seem to get away with slew foots and charging, launching at guys around because they're stars. So if you're not going to punish them for that because you don't want to see them out of the lineup, why the hell are you allowing other guys to take liberties that put them out with serious injuries? Crosby was in a vulnerable position (due to an uncalled slash from Ovechkin no less) and Niskanen who was lining him up for a hit slammed his stick into his head like he was trying to crack a melon. Period. He wasn't out there looking to do it but the end result was he did. Simple as that. The fact that many dismiss it as a hockey play saying Crosby was driving the net and the speed of the game blah blah blah is a ton of BS and just justifying a cheap shot. He didn't have to do it and he chose to. He alone was responsible for and in control of those actions. He should be punished for it.

Now no doubt there are people who feel a double standard isn't fair, and that it sends the wrong message. That everyone should be treat the same. We're all in this together etc. etc. We can't have people believe life isn't fair after all. I mean. that just not, true, right...

Best Stanley Cup Final 2017 Matchups

Cue the cliches and bad versions of 'It's the most wonderful time of the year.' I mean, I don't disagree with the sentiment but, lets just move on shall we?

The Stanley Cup Playoffs (mercifully) start tonight and we'll look ahead into the future to rank what I think the most intriguing Stanley Cup Finals match ups would be. This doesn't necessarily mean the best teams playing one another, just those that would be the most compelling to watch for a variety of reasons.

1. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

Defending champs vs. three time Cup champions. Crosby vs. Toews. Kane vs, Malkin. The last two winners. Goliath vs...Goliath. This series would have it all. Unfortunately Kris Letang's absence puts a damper on the odds, and would on the series should it materialise. However, these in my mind are still the two best teams in the league and the quality of hockey, not to mention the star power, would be incredible, and have those at NHL offices salivating. The Blackhawks would cement their dynasty, if they haven't already, and the Penguins would secure their own with a third cup in the Crosby/Malkin era. It's one of the few that has the ability to draw national TV attention across the US as well, given the markets and names involved.  

2. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Washington Capitals

The Capitals just can't finish ahead of the Penguins eh? The Caps were the best regular season team in the league again this year winning their second consecutive President's trophy. The Windy City crew had the best record in the west and while this may skew chalk in terms of rooting interest, it would be a great match up nonetheless. For years the 'choking dog' Caps have been, well dogged with the can the Caps finally get over the hump story line? It would no doubt be front and centre. However if ever three was a Caps team built to win, not to mention if they could pull it off against a team with the pedigree of the Blackhawks?  They'd definitely earn the right to shed the choker label. 

3. Edmonton Oilers vs. Pittsburgh Penguins

The Oilers make their return to the post season for the first time since 2006 and their superstar Connor McDavid makes his playoff debut, so the odds of this one happening are definitely way less then our first two. However, Corsby vs. McDavid would have instant star power and intrigue written all over. The best in the game vs. the guy likely to take his place in the not to distant future. McDavid plays out west so this would allow fans in the east to see what they've been missing and lets face it, both of these guys are must see TV. Although they won't contribute much in the way of epic playoff beards. Also, it would be funny to watch them tripping over each other in interviews when the go out of their way to complement the other guy and talk about how great he is, what leadership his shows and...enough already.   

4. Chicago Blackhawks vs. Montreal Canadiens/New York Rangers

A good ol' Original Six rivalry if only for, well, old time sake. The Habs and Rangers haven't won since they did so back to back in the early 90's (93/94 respectively) and a return to glory would be huge for either hockey mad city. The Rangers star goalie Henrik Lundqvist won't have too many more opportunities to capture that elusive Stanley Cup Championship and Montreal's Carey Price is the best in the world and this can only add to that label. The intensity of these rivalries likely wouldn't compare to the others (thus the lower ranking) but would make for a great match up either way. All three cities care about their franchise (at least they have the last decade in Chicago) so it's natural that it would make for a great finals. The Habs and Rangers don't play an exciting brand of hockey but lets face it. teams don't win the Stanley Cup scoring five goals a game anyway. 

5. San Jose Sharks vs. Washington Capitals

Someone would have to win, right? This would be the ultimate talented teams who have failed to capitalise (no pun intended) battle. At least in recent vintage. The Sharks and Capitals have been really good to great regular season teams for years now and the Sharks made it to the finals last year only adding to their desire to get to the top of the mountain. They have ageing stars in Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau whose days in San Jose and at cup contention may be numbered so it adds that to the mix. The Capitals as mentioned have a (well earned) reputation of choking in the post season (see basically every Caps series ever) but are possibly the deepest they've ever been and have a Vezina winning goalie in Braydon Holtby who's capable of getting the job done. One of them would finally get to shed that underachiever label and take home hockey's Holy Grail. 

Best/Worst Story Line: The Maple Leafs make the Cup Final...

Pump the brakes Leafs nation. This isn't going to happen. I'm just saying. The Leafs surprised everyone by making the playoffs this year, (aided by a lackluster Atlantic Division: Thanks Florida teams) and draw the President's Trophy winning Capitals in round one. All this means is they're likely going to play the role of 'carcass on the side of the road' as the Caps cruise into round two. However, should the improbable happen and the young buds somehow blossom before our eyes and reach the finals, the insufferable lot that comprise Leafs Nation would become that much more loathsome. That said the Leafs are a talented young team who play an entertaining brand of hockey, as structure and discipline seem not yet in their vocabulary. They'll undoubtedly be a more legitimate threat before long but it would never have the same magical feeling if they did it when it wasn't expected of them. That said, magic makes as much sense as believing they'll actually win a round, let alone make a run. 

Windy City Winners?

The Stanley Cup Playoffs get under way Wednesday (insert tears of joy) and we in the great white north are happy ecstatic to have five Canadian based teams actually make the playoffs. Especially seeing as a whopping 0 qualified last year. Seriously, it's like you could hear Here Comes the Sun blaring when they started securing spots this season.


That said, it shall be exciting, if short lived for most as the powers that be still reside south of the border, specifically in Chicago. The Habs and Oilers had the best record among Canadian squads but have tough first round matchups and in Edmonton's case may have forgotten what playoffs are. (Tongue in cheek Oil Country, we love you) Connor McDavid should be the league MVP and leads his team against the defending western conference champion San Jose Sharks. The Sharks are banged up but still a veteran squad who will give the young Oilers a quick introduction to what it takes to win this time of year.


In Montreal the Habs face original six rival the New York Rangers and if they can get by the Broadway Blueshirts their path to the East final is much easier than the vaunted Metropolitan Division. The Habs have Caery Price in net and will go as far as he, well, carries them. They don't score a ton of goals but this isn't likely to be that kind of series anyway.


That other Canadian original six city, the Toronto Maple Leafs surprised, well, pretty much anyone who has even seen a hockey game and qualified for the playoffs with an incredibly young and inexperienced roster. In fact nine Leafs will be making their post season debut against the regular seasons best team two years running, the Washington Capitals. The young buds have been impressive (enough for a Sens fan to admit it) but don't seem ready to bloom against a very potent and experienced Caps team. Top to bottom Washington has more depth and talent and should make quick work of a team that ought to be just happy the rest of the Atlantic Division was so terrible (Looking at you Florida/Tampa) so they could get in. However, the Caps don't exactly inspire confidence come the spring (See every Caps post season ever). That said, they look poised to make a run this year, particularly with Pittsburg being so banged up on the back end.


In the other national Capital the Sens take on the Bruins in what seems like an very evenly matched series that ought to go 6 or 7 games. Injuries on the back end for both teams (Methot and Krug) will play a big part in who gets the upper hand. If Ottawa can get off to a good start at home they should win but the Bruins have veteran guys who have won a Cup still playing a key role, and of course Brad Marchand's antics can only add to the intrigue/Sens fans ire.


Back out west, in what may be one of the most contentious, series the Flames look to take out the Anaheim Ducks. This would however require they win at the Honda Center which is like asking Lanny McDonald to throw on the flaming C again. The Flames haven't won there in the regular season in over 20 games and the Ducks will not go quietly with the likes of Kesler and Getzlaf up front. However Cam Fowler being injured hurts the Ducks and since it was on a hit by Calgary captain Mark Giordano, they'll certainly look to settle the score. Star Calgary rookie Matthew Tkachuk will no doubt look to continue mixing it up, employing his own version of Duck Hunt, but with the size of the Ducks, be careful what you wish for. Johnny Hockey Gaudreau


The defending Stanley Cup chaps had a solid campaign, mostly while being decimated by injury on the blueline. All Star Kris Letang is out for the year and this will no doubt hurt the Pens chances of repeating. They match up with the Columbus Blue Jackets who have little to no use for the champs and this is one of the more true rival matchups. Brandon Dubinski will no doubt try to get under Sidney Crosby's skin, as he continues to prove himself the heel, but few seem more willing to ply the role.The Blue Jackets had a great season and their reward: The toughest first round match up ever in terms of combined points. That NHL playoff system eh?


The Blackhawks continue to look like the team to beat and with good reason. The west isn't what it was a few years ago as St Louis has played well but seem in flux with the unproven thought talented Jake Allen in net. After a strong start Minnesota has fallen off the rails for which Bruce Boudreau seems to have escaped the blame he deserves. Seriously, is there a more overrated coach in the league? Not that he'd admit that's his fault either..They Blackhawks still have their core guys together and performing at a high level. The rest of this plug and play lineup seems to always fit in perfectly or contribute just enough to continually keep them at the top. In my eyes they're the best team in the league and have the depth and experience to take home a fourth cup in the last decade, cementing what is possibly already a dynasty. We'll know for sure when the puck drops, and it doesn't get any better than that.

Sens of Change?

October 8th 1992. The Ottawa Senators first game in their return to the NHL. It just happened to coincide with my 8th birthday. The Sens, to the surprise of many, went out and beat the Montreal Canadiens (who would go on to win the Stanley Cup) 5-3. It was the highlight of a year without many. In fact there were a lot of year like that to start.

I remember seeing my first Sens game at the Civic Centre later that year. They played the Buffalo Sabres who took this matchup so seriously the rested future hall of famers Pat LaFontaine and Dominik Hasek. It backfired. This was my first taste of live NHL hockey and right away I was on the Sens bandwagon.

Growing up in the Ottawa Valley the majority of hockey fans were split between the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens with a few Bruins, Red Wing or Rangers fans thrown in the mix from the original six days. My family still root for the blue and white and I was branded a traitor by my cousin for jumping ship to the Sens, despite just being a kid. And if people never supported a new franchise how could they ever exist? But I digress...

We now had a home team and this was exciting for the whole area. The franchise was young and had a lot of struggles at the outset but this was a bit of a blessing in disguise. It allowed Ottawa to, eventually, compile a roster of young talent from those high draft picks. Guys that would be part of their core more forward and lead they to a Stanley Cup final appearance in 2007. The likes of Jason Spezza, Wade Redden and Chris Phillips were acquired in these lean years and were an integral part of the organisation for years,

The high-water mark for the franchise was that lone Cup appearance and the team has floated around mediocrity ever since. There are a lot of reasons. John Muckler moved a lot of draft picks in order to build up a contending team in the mid oughts, leaving the prospects cupboard bare, and the like of Zedeno Chara and Wade Redden were lost for nothing in order to try and win a Cup. Then the all time Senator of Senators Daniel Alfredsson jumped ship to the Red Wings as a free agent. This should have been a wake up call to the organisation. Alfredsson has been welcomed back into the fold and all fences seems to have been mended, and rightfully so, but he is now tasked with the thankless task of trying to be held in the same regard as part of management.

The Sens are seen at the third Eastern Canadian team, and with good reason. The Maple Leafs and Canadiens are legendary franchises and massive fans bases, and bankroles. This is where the Sens struggles and issues with Wednesday's TradeDealine are more evident.

A quick look around the NHL at any contender will show how significant the NHL draft is. ie. Pittsburgh, Chicago, Los Angeles, Its how you build and sustain a winner in the cap era. The Maple Leafs had struggled for years but with (finally) competent management, they're staying the course, drafting well, retaining picks and playing the long game. Patience is not a luxury most teams in the NHL can afford.

There are very few big market teams with the money or die hard fan base you see in these cities and this is where the Sens are at a marked disadvantage. They are a small market franchise who have neither the history no financial wherewithal to sustain such a prolonged slump or lack of success. I say this as a Sens fan but a lot of them a fickle. It's not like Toronto or Montreal where the building will be full regardless. They struggle at the gate where things aren't going well and as a result owner Eugene Melnyk is always desperate to make the playoffs and the extra revenue this would bring. Obviously this makes sense from a financial point of view. When you're not a big revenue team every little bit helps and the more successful the team the more money you'll make throughout the year as well. However this short sighted approach can damage the organisation in the long run.

The Sens aren't a cap team and so have to rely on a mix of veterans and younger, less expensive or veteran journeymen to fill the roster. The fact that they're this close to the playoffs mean the mandate from the owner is simple. Get in. Whatever the cost. This is why young prospect Jonathan Dahlen was shipped out for help now in veteran Alex Burrows. And why they added Victor Stalberg for depth. Pierre Dorion fulled this demand and made moves to help added depth to his roster, certainly not an egregious sin, but at what cost?

The Sens have a crop of good young prospects, Logan Brown, Tomas Chabot and Colin White among them, and Dorion has made it clear they aren't going anywhere, but the fact that he's chipping away at some of his other pieces for success today show that profit may be driving things more that what's best for the organisation. Now, this would go over well in the locker room where the guys play for today and the Sens have added help in the short term. The owner is happy with the playoff push but the fact is the Sens as a team may not be able to withstand the kind of patience and lean years that may come along with it in order to build a sustainable winner.

Hockey Day in Canada

It's a question we ask ourselves a lot. What's it mean to be Canadian? (eh?)

Ask most people from outside the Great White North and they'd probably tell you Canada's a polite country. An accepting nation, diverse and unique in its heritage. As Jon Stewart once noted, we may be the only country that gained our independence by essentially asking nicely. Others'd crack a joke about flannel wearing hosers chugging a cold one. Not that they're far off...

Cross this vast land and you'll find unique cultures and landscapes, endless as the highways seem. Each province and territory their own story, their own way of doing things. But the common thread, the theme that unites us all is: the game.

Lets face it: hockey's just that most places, a game. Something to pass the time. But here, its much, much more. It's embedded in the fabric of the land, in the dreams of every kid who ever picked up a hockey stick. It's a point of pride and togetherness. It unites us, creates lifelong friendships and memories, brings us joy and sorrow with every shot, every missed opportunity and every game winning goal. Like no other characteristic, the passion and love of the game resonates from coast to coast to coast.

Whether its a lake, river, outdoor rink or, sneaking on to the Rideau Canal late at night, every sheet of ice is more than just a reminder of the harsh climate, its an opportunity. A chance to for the game to take hold and breath new life into the depths of winter. Each time it unfolds anew, the ebb and flow gracefully choreographed, the chill but a distant memory. Speed, grace and strength melding into the finest test of athletics there is to offer.

There is no other sport, no other subject that so seemingly unites out nation. Whenever our best are matched up against the rest the world has to offer there is an expectation, a demand that we succeed. It's our game. Our gift to the world. Our athletes know what it means to the people cheering them on at home, in bars and basements across the country. From the kid who wants nothing more than to be just like his idle, an old timer remembering the glory days, or the new immigrant who wants to embrace their new land. This is what we're made of. That will and determination.

The selfless nature of our superstars from Howe to Richard, Orr to Gretzky, Lemieux to Yzerman, Crosby and McDavid. This is what we aspire to. Hockey not only epitomises what we see in thees athletes, but what we see in ourselves as a nation. Tough, unassuming, yet willing to stand up for each other and what we believe. To sacrifice and focus for the greater goal. It's the best of us brought out for all to see. Hockey Day in Canada comes once a year but truly it's never far from our minds. It's our game, our day. Celebrate it always.