Destitute in the Desert

The circus that is the Phoenix Coyotes ownership situation continues to be a topic of great concern for the NHL and the Coyotes players. With realignment being shot down by the players association there is little time now to decide where Phoenix would play next year or even if the team should be moved, (which it should) by next season. The franchise is hemorrhaging money (to put it lightly) and the residents of Phoenix had to pick up a $25 million price tag just to keep the team around this year. If I was a tax payer I would be seriously unimpressed throwing good money out the door. I really do feel for the players and captain Shane Doan who illustrated the complexities of picking up and moving the team. These are people with families that would be up rooted, the people who work for the franchise would be out of a job, and yes the few fans that are there would miss their team. Sound familiar Winnipeg? Quebec City? Not to be unkind Shane but you were there when the Jets were uprooted to the south, so you should understand that financial decisions have to be made and that it's not always fair as, while we may like to think it's all about the game, this is in reality big business, although Gary Betman (@commish_Gary) seems to forget that. He had no problem moving Canadian teams, (and yes Atlanta too) but now seems to be willing to move Heaven and Earth to make sure Phoenix stays put. I know that he did help small market teams north of the border like Ottawa and Calgary but they were never losing the kind of money Phoenix is, and never had serious problems filling the stands. The Coyotes are pulling down the leagues overall revenue and while I'm not a business major, that seems contradictory to good financial planning. Whether it's out of pride or spite what conceivable reason is there for keeping the Coyotes in Phoenix? Is it a feasible market? If it is the residence of Scottsdale haven't proven so, and it's not as if they haven't had the opportunity. This is simply another example of trying to force the game on an American market that has no interest. There are other markets out there, Seattle, Kansas City, Quebec City and southern Ontario are the most sensible, and would certainly not lose the kind of money the team is now. Personally I'm not sure why the league looks at contraction as such a dirty word. It would improve the overall quality of the game and the game would be where its wanted. Why bother trying to sell something to someone who has no interest in it? How long can you keep trying to jam it down their throats before the league chokes? Money is tight, times are tough, why spend so much time on an obviously toxic situation where there is a simpler way to resolve it? 

Crosby Update

Quick update on Sidney Crosby. Crosby's doctors have determined that he doesn't in fact have a fracture in his neck but rather soft tissue damage and they are now continuing to work on the problem. According to the medical personnel this could be playing a large part in the symptoms he is suffering from. Crosby himself said he is still not where he wants to be but is feeling better over the last few weeks and is happy to be able to have a few more answers and move forward with treatment. Whatever the case it was good to see him looking positive and confident in his recovery as he moves forward in his return to the NHL.

(Not So) Pro Bowl vs. All Star Weekend

The NFL Pro Bowl and the NHL All Star Game were both held this past weekend and while these games are often criticized by the media as a poor reflection of their respective sports (often rightfully so) the Pro Bowl in my estimation leaves a lot more to be desired in terms competition. At least this year many of the true all stars, like Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers were able and willing to go, unlike a certain Russian NHL Superstar (@Ovi8). But what about the like of Tom Brady, Eli Manning and Rob Gronkowski who all surely would have received an invite had they not been busy leading their teams to the Super Bowl. The schedule almost seems to punish those who are successful enough to make it to the big game and robs fans of the opportunity to see many of the leagues best. Granted I'm sure many players, if not all, would rater be in Indianapolis this week instead of Hawaii (How often can we say that?) but there really is no reason not to have it after the season like they used to. The game itself was described by Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) as a 7 on 7 passing drill on PTI (@PTIShow) and that pretty well sums it up. The defense is none existent as Larry Fitzgerald (@larryfitzgerald) and other skill players were able to make grabs without so much as a tap on the shoulder. Brandon Marshall set a TD record with 4 and the 100 combined points was the most all time behind 107 in 2004. This is not to say that the game doesn't showcase skill, which is really all it's meant to do and I'm sure the guys signing the paychecks don't want to see their high priced talent go down in such a meaningless game, but that doesn't mean it has to turn into a pillow fight either. The NHL All Star game isn't exactly a reflection of the games often rough and tumble style but it does lend itself to being more entertaining, especially as the goaltender's pride is on the line and none of them want to get lit up like a cheap cigar. The hitting is gone but that doesn't mean guys are trying to make plays and showcase their talents. The goals are more frequent and anyone blocking a shot is pure accidental, but the nature of hockey just seems to play out better in a non contact situation (Even if Keith Yandel had a, we'll call it collision with Zedeno Chara). The added element of the NHL skills competition which is perhaps more intensely fought than the game itself also help to push it over the top, or at least gives us a chance to marvel at a 108MPH slapshot. The fact is these are both events for the fans to simply sheer on their favorites and an excuse to get together, have a little fun and remember that in the end, it's only a game.

Crosby Situation Real Pain in the Neck

Sidney Crosby, the best hockey player in the world spent All Star weekend not showcasing his tremendous skill for his legions of adoring fans in Ottawa, but rather in California getting some rather unsettling medical news. It turns out the Pittsburgh Penguins captain had a fracture in one of his vertebrae, not simply a concussion. This is troubling to say the least as, not being a doctor, I cannot speak with any medical certainty but something tells me when a patient is complaining of neck pain, you may want to take a closer look at the area. Now the work is being down to say all the right things about the Penguins medical staff but in what way could he possibly have total confidence with a group who missed what could have been a very serious problem? Crosby is back skating again and according to agent Pat Brisson fully intends to get back this year. Still rumors (perhaps spread by bloggers?) that Crosby may eventually retire due to lingering problems persist. More news is expected today on this development. Some have reported, according to Daren Millard (@DarenMillard) that Crosby has in fact only suffered one concussion and that this set back was caused by the neck injury which was causing more symptoms. Again, not a doctor, so I'm not sure exactly what he was suffering from, though I'm sure missing time from the game he loves was the greatest suffering of all. Crosby has always conducted himself with class and continues to do so despite the nagging questions regarding his future that would have to grate on even the most reserved persons nerves, but it is a scary though nonetheless to think of the uncertainty that lies ahead for Crosby and others like Marc Savard (Msavvy91) who have suffered serious head trauma. Not knowing the extent or long term effects of these injuries is beyond frustrating for those trying to cope. The hours of recovering and patient waiting to see what tomorrow will bring likely seem endless. However with proper treatment he made it back before, and here's hoping there is a happy ending for Sid the Kid, for as much as he needs the game, the game needs him.

Footbal: America's Gift to ... Itself

KICKOFF:

            The Gridiron, the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field, the Lombardi trophy – iconic images that conger up the legends of the game. From Johnny Unitas to Peyton Manning, Don Schula to Tony Dungy there is nothing more American than football. And they’d be the first to tell you that…even if baseball is America’s past time…But nonetheless, football is their passion.

Football is intense, tough, rugged, a man’s game that requires perseverance, determination and a kind of raw courage few are able to summon. Football is a game played with speed, strength, agility and mostly…your hands…But, what’s in a name? Besides who would call a game where you use your feet most of the time futeball…oh, right…

Football is a religion unto itself and every Sunday they come to worship…hell, even the Saints play…It is steeped in a rich tradition all across the US as millions huddle in their rec rooms draped in their team colors, or in dens decorated with every possible nick-nack one could imagine adorned with their team’s logo. They loose precious sleep over their fantasy league roster each week, painstakingly searching for that one move to put them over the top. They wear nothing but paint in the freezing cold so that their team knows how much they are willing to sacrifice for them, hoping perhaps to elicit a similar reaction from those on the field.

It is so big even President Barak Obama took time out of his very busy schedule to address not the economic or housing crisis, not the war or unemployment but the confusion and calamity that is the BCS rankings system, which should of course dramatically improve the value of everyone’s 401k…

FIRST DOWN:

Football’s culture is one that outsiders are not necessarily warming up to and it is certainly not a global phenomenon. In fact of all the major team sports across the world football is perhaps the most ethnocentric. It is America. Hockey defines Canada but we are certainly not the world’s only hockey power. Soccer is more than beloved across Europe and South America but once again there is no one country who can claim to be soccer. Baseball and basketball are international success stories like few others and players from all over globe filter into the North American leagues every year, but football is nationalistic. It is the USofA. More than NASCAR, Hollywood or obesity, football is America’s gift to itself.

            American sports television is dominated by football, basketball, baseball or, if Tiger Woods is playing, golf coverage, giving much less time to other sports, which only makes sense as these sports are clearly the most popular while others like hockey and soccer are so far down the list that you actually have to dust them off before usage. I understand completely as coming from a hockey mad nation the NHL is at the forefront of sports coverage. It only makes sense to give the viewers what they want and what they want is their pigskin fix. Though this term is somewhat outdated as the balls are now made with synthetic…uh, moving on, football is the biggest thing (and not just because of the players size) in the country when the fall starts. From the Friday night lights of a high school game to the prime time stage of the Monday nighter it is what drives the American sporting world. I was watching Around the Horn (@AroundtheHorn) a while back and one of the writers Kevin Blackistone (@profblackistone) suggested that the by-week before the Super Bowl, which is where the Probowl now foolishly resides, was the worst week in sports as, brace yourself, there was NO football played! And yet, here we are….

Every minute detail and possible scenario is played out for hours before and after on sports programs, every decision second guessed and every incident blown out of proportion. Now this is true of most major sports in their respective havens, (can't count how many hours I've spent fretting over the NHL playoffs) so football is certainly not alone in this, but having the majority of games played on one day does make it that much easier.

            However you cannot talk about football and television without talking about the biggest stage of all, the Super Bowl. Arguably the largest single day in American television, the game garners over a 40% rating according to the Nielson polls[1]. It’s huge, larger than life, it is where thirty seconds of commercial time costs more than most people would make in four life times. Tens of millions around the world tune in to watch this event as yes, it does have international cache. The NFL is known across the world even if most league members have never been there, or have a player in the league from there, or couldn’t identify these places on a map…

SECOND AND LONG:

            As far as a world championship for football is concerned, well the Super Bowl will have to suffice as there really isn’t one. The other three major North American team sports, hockey, baseball and basketball, all three have international tournaments or Olympic competition where the best players in the world represent their country in order to determine who has the world’s best team. Golf has had players from all over the globe win major tournaments and the World Cup of soccer is arguably the biggest sporting event in the world outside the Olympics, not to mention that they are all or were Olympic sports. Football is…well, not. Let’s face it, there really aren’t that many, if any other countries legitimately interested in fielding a football team and it would certainly be so lopsided in favor of the US that it really wouldn’t be worth playing.

            Every North American team sport has its MVP, a player selected as it’s most valuable and while predominantly the Heart Trophy for the NHL’s MVP has gone to a Canadian men like Alexander ‘the Gr8’ Ovechkin and Sergi Federov have won, and Larry Walker and Justin Morneau are among many non-American MVP’s in baseball. The NBA has had Hakim ‘the Dream’, Dirk Novitski and of course ‘Hair Canada’ himself, Steve Nash (@SteveNash) as their most valuable. But who would even be considered a winner in the NFL other than someone born and bred in the USA? Now common sense suggests that it is highly unlikely someone other than an American would win as well, it is highly unlikely someone outside the US has been playing at a high enough level to obtain that kind of success, which again speaks to the nationalistic nature of the game. The only other seeming compatriot of the NFL seems to be a few scattered indoor leagues and our own CFL.

The CFL (@CFL) is often seen as the NFL’s little brother,  (Much like Canada itself) an NFL light, a place where you can, say, take a year off if you are suspended for drug use…Despite boasting the oldest consecutively running championship in football in the Grey Cup, the CFL is just not in the same league as the NFL. They actually implement rules to ensure that their game is unique, mostly for nationalistic pride, and reserve enough roster spots specifically for Canadians as the teams would be dominated by even more by American influence. In this sense we can see that one of the only other professional football leagues in the world, despite not being in the US is still dominated by Americans or did you really think Doug Flutie was from Calgary?

THIRD AND SHORT:

            One reason that football may not have taken off across the globe may be because of the need for so much equipment that to be honest many cannot afford. Face it soccer and baseball are the world’s leading sports because they are so cost effective. Stick, ball, doesn’t get much more basic than that. Many kids in Canada or Europe cannot afford the hockey equipment they desire and it is a sad reality of these games. Though this leads ones self to wonder why rugby isn’t more popular as it is rather football-esque sans the gear but this is likely a result of the British influence in their colonies and their continued love, and domination, of the sport.

            Football is also a very complex sport and requires a great deal of practice, knowledge and development within a team atmosphere and without a lot of people with a knowledge or love of the game to instruct the next generation at a grass roots level the development stalls and people find other ways to amuse themselves.

FOURTH AND GOAL:

            In summing up I think it is best to just accept things for what they are. Football is a great game, if only for the tailgating alone, and if its place is America it should stay home. The NHL (@NHL) has tried to push its way into non-traditional (Gary Betman insists on the name even though dead zones would be more appropriate) markets with lets just say, mixed results so why would the NFL try and force itself down the throats of those who are no interested and risk loosing millions of dollars and the franchise. Aside from a brief foyer into Europe they realize that they are one of the most profitable leagues in the world and have carved out a very successful niche doing just what they are so why mess with success. If it ain’t broke don’t fix it…

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[1] http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/01/18/historical-super-bowl-tv-ratings/11044

Alfie's Time to Shine

The 2012 NHL All Star was held in Ottawa this past weekend, an honor for the city itself, and one of it's favorite sons was front and center. Senator's captain Daniel Alfredsson was voted in by fans as a starter and selected by his peers to be a captain (seriously, who else could they have picked?) along with former Sen Zedeno Chara (one of three former Sens in the game). After all he's done for the fans and people of this community they were able to show their gratitude and honored him by voting him into the game. And in typical Alfie fashion, he didn't disappoint with a pair of goals and an assist. From the Calder trophy as rookie of the year in 1996 to a 2007 Eastern Conference Championship, (where of course he scored the winner) to being the longest serving captain in the league, Alfredsson has done it all with class and loyalty to the only franchise he's ever known. This has elevated him to near God like status in Ottawa, (seriously, there's a church of Alife should you find your own faith waning) and this was a showcase like no other. Not many players get the chance to experience the joy of being an all star in their own building and having their name chanted by tens of thousands, so for Alfredsson to have an opportunity like this in the twilight of his stellar career is certainly something he'll never forget. As he said himself 'he was very humbled' and that maybe the most telling of all. This is a man who has not been flashy or brash but a true professional, going about the game and his life the right way. He made sure to look out for his friends too, like all good leaders, and drafted all three of the Sens other all stars as well as all the Swedish born players. If nothing else this assured the fans would certainly have no trouble picking sides, except perhaps those of Leafs nation. The city did a tremendous job of putting on the event with lots for fans to see and do all weekend, and turned out in force throughout to cheer on their favorite players lead of course by their captain. The game itself is never what one would describe as an epic, even slow by pond hockey standards, but nonetheless gives fans an opportunity to see the amazing level of skill these players have and provides the players themselves with the opportunity to interact with friends and fans alike in a much more relaxed setting. The event was a true success and even though his team lost, there was no way on this day Daniel Alfressdon could be a loser.

Washington's Wild Week

The hockey world was front and center in the political center of the USA this week and for all the wrong reasons. 

It started out when Boston Bruins goalie, the reigning Conn Smyth trophy winner as playoff MVP, Tim Thomas, decided to skip out on the annual trip by the reigning Stanley Cup champs to the White House to be congratulated by the president. Thomas claimed this was done for political reasons because he felt the government was behaving in such a manner that would be contradictory to the beliefs of the founding fathers. He claimed it was not due to political affiliation. Much like Janet Jackson claims she suffered a 'wardrobe malfunction' at the Super Bowl. As Tim Cowlishaw (@itstopcat) mentioned on Around the Horn (@aroundthehorn) Thomas sports a tea party logo on his helmet. Clearly this is not a man who lacks subtlety and while he claims his decision was not relevant to the party in power how many think this would have been an issue had it been a republican in the big seat? He embarrassed his team, the league and more importantly the president with this selfish snub. Let's face it, this was a golden opportunity to make a political statement, but he may have said a lot more than he wanted. He said in no uncertain terms to his teammates and organization that his own interests are more important than theirs. In fairness to Thomas he is not the first athlete to do this, Michael Jordan and Larry Bird are among those who have skipped out on the prez, and I certainly support his right to make his own decision, but when that decision is so blatantly self serving, what's there to gain? Thomas is a high profile athlete and a supposed leader on the team, surely there could have been another opportunity to voice your opinion without slighting those who sign your paychecks.

Then it was Washington Capitals superstar Alexander Ovechkin's (@ovi8) turn to 'shine'. Ovi was suspended three games for a head shot to Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Zbynek Michalek, which I will admit surprised me, though it's nice to see the league isn't playing favorites. As a result a sulking Ovechkin informed the league that he would not be attending the annual All Star game in Ottawa. This is child like behavior to put it politely. Last I checked, Brendan Shannahan (@nhlshannahan) not Ovechkin is making the league's disciplinary decisions and seems to me every other player to be suspended this year took it like a man whether he agreed with the decision or not. They didn't pout or grab their puck and go home like some sniveling child. Mind you all this could have been avoided if the league had grown a pair and enforced certain rules it had previously established, but that's for another day. Ovechkin is a tremendous talent and owes it to the fans to do the right thing and honor his commitments. Being selected as an all star is a real honor and he owes everything he has to the game, as he is certainly not getting by on his looks. He owes it to the little kid in the Ovechkin jersey hoping to one fill those shoes. He owes it to the sponsors and people behind these events who make his lavish lifestyle possible, but more than anything he owes it to the game itself.