The Puck Drops Here...Why Hockey is the World's Greatest Sport

Everyone has a personal favorite. Weather it's a restaurant, pet or a movie we know what we like. And I love hockey. I'll say that going in. It's my favorite sport and millions of others share that same view. Like myself most of them probably grew up or are still playing the game. For many of us the game itself congers up memories of early morning trips to practice or a late night on an outdoor rink under the gently falling snow.
It's a part of our heritage as Canadians and something we're very proud of. As a result many of us consider it to be the best sport in the world. But why? Because it's ours? Well sure, we can always defer to that, but endearing as that is, I believe there's much more to the argument. More empirical evidence to prove that it is in fact the ultimate team game.

The question is what makes a sport great? I think there are certain key attributes to any sport that are challenging and add to it's appeal. Like any team sport hockey shares it's key attributes with most others. Many sports have more complex play structures, I mean have you seen an NFL playbook? Or a superstar that can single handedly take over a game but hockey not only shares these attributes, it takes them all and pushes them to an incredible pace. 

And for those of you who may not be in Canada reading this, please, there's no need to refer to it as ice hockey. We're aware of where it's played. If you need to use the prefix field, or road to differentiate, have at it but it will always be a winter sport! I mean after all they don't call it the Indoor Basketball Association do they?

Physicality - Hockey is as physical a sport as there is. It's full contact with no our of bounds. No place to run, nowhere to hide. The speed and force at which players are hit is tremendous and it's no wonder so many are injured as a result. Like Lacrosse and Football players wear a lot of gear to protect themselves but even that it not often enough. The game's physical nature is demanding and a big hit has the ability to alter the course of a game.

Dexterity - Skating itself requires a tremendous amount of dexterity, especially with the speed and quick turn around within the game, but think of those who tend goal. Their acrobatics and flexibly is incredible and many of their teammates have taken to limbering up more and more before games to prevent serious injury. The ability to absorb a hit and continue or quickly adjust your body to better handle the puck are second to none when it comes to this attribute.

Hand Eye Coordination - Like baseball, lacrosse or cricket, hockey requires a tremendous amount of hand eye coordination. Handling the puck deftly is hard enough but imagine trying to tip a puck moving at over 90 miles an hour or to knock a pass out of mid air...No easy task. This ability is vital for players at such a high level and the skill and wizardry these athletes preform at such high rates of speed is truly incredible.

Speed - Hockey is the fastest team sport going. Basketball may have it's fast break but that's nothing compared to what happens when a hockey puck is turned over. The shift in speed and momentum at such a quick pace gives these athletes only a second to respond to the change in flow and react accordingly. Football has its moments of fast burst but these come in shorts spurts as is the case in baseball.

Variations - Many people would argue that soccer is a superior sport because it enables more of the world to play. However Field hockey and even road or indoor versions enable people to play in all climates.

International Competition - Like Baseball or Soccer hockey has a strong international presence, certainly nowhere near the level of these sports but a solid one nonetheless. Long gone are the days when Canada and the USSR were the juggernauts and dominated every tournament. There are at least seven or eight countries whose best can beat anyone at any given time and numerous up and comers like Switzerland, Denmark and Norway who are now developing players capable of playing in the NHL. A sport like football is basically a national one and only really exists in the US and Canada. There's no international flavor to it. Baseball and basketball have strong international appeal and soccer is the most played game across the globe but the NHL is the most diverse in terms of it's athletes of the big four sports leagues and this is directly reflective of the international appeal of the game.

Rivalries - No sport is complete without great rivalries, it's what makes the game more intriguing, and due to the amount of teams playing at a high level, there's no shortage in hockey. Weather you look back at the classic Canada Russia or more modern US Canada or Sweden vs. Finland hockey has always had these great rivalries. Even within the NHL itself there are still great ones left. Even after all these years people still get fired up when the Leafs play the Habs or the Habs play the Bruins. The Red Wings and Blackhawks have had a long time rivalry but the playoffs had bred new hate like the Canucks and Blackhawks or Caps and Pens. I'll never forget watching the classic series the Red Wings and Avalanche met up in several times in the late 90's. This ability to generate rivals allows for the sport to continue to entertain and grow. 

The Ultimate Team Game - Hockey has obviously had it's share of superstars, but unlike the other major sports they don't have as much of a direct influence on the game as say a quarterback or an NBA superstar. Obviously a Crosby or a Roy could take over or dominate a game, but Gretzky never won those cups alone. Hockey has much more of a dependency on chemistry than other sports, predominantly basketball. This sin't to say that chemistry isn't important in the NBA, it's just that with only five guys on the court and a short bench, less players are involved and so overall there is less dependence on role players and more importance given to the likes of Lebron or Kobe as they have a disproportionate impact on the game because they have the ball so much of the time. Like football it has more role players and requires this mix of skill, grit and defensive prowess in order to succeed. There are face off specialists, penalty killers, offensive play makers, goal scorers, grinders, scrappers, it's a complete package. Many sports have players who excel at various traits within the sport, the defensive substitution is very common in soccer or baseball, but not to the same extent are these players utilized as they are in hockey, nor is there often such a distinct difference in their particular roles.

Fighting - Yes this one may be a bit questionable but hear me out. I think fighting has it's place in the game though personally I'm not a proponent of the guy who's solely there to fight and can't play a regular shift. I think those days are over and that's fine with me. I'm talking about guys who go out there and hit and can contribute to the team offensively the odd time and drop the gloves to protect their teammates or get them going when things are down. If you don't think this works, ask the other guys on the bench. Fighting also allows these guys to settle disputes on the ice instead of whining like some passive aggressive little kid. I'm not suggesting we apply to our everyday lives, believe me, but in the context of such a physical game tempers boil over and I believe this is a way to get out that frustration and get it over with. It's a code of honor within the game. And I'm interested to see the statistics as to how many guys suffer concussions as a result of fighting vs. how many are caused by cheap shots. Fighting is supposed to be a deterrent to those kinds of actions and keep players honest. It's the players themselves who have turned their back on this code of respect for one another, not the game. Running guys from behind or stick work has lead to more injuries and is a more serious cause for concern.

Tempo - The game itself, especially with the new rules implemented after the last lock out, is a fast paced a sport as there is and keeps the flow going.  I mean football is great for a few seconds then it's back to the line, huddle up and go again, and baseball is well, let's just say nobody's in a hurry.

Conditioning - This is a direct follow up and a direct result of the tempo as those beads of sweating poring off them in interviews aren't for show. Hockey players are among the top conditioned athletes in the world, not my words there have been studies to prove this, and so the game benefits from this. Unlike others like baseball or football where being a shall we say, larger gentleman may be an attribute, hockey requires you to be in peak physical condition and you're iced if you fail to keep up. The top athletes train year round to ensure they can continue to perform at such a high level.

Strategy - While the playbook may not read like an NFL team's there is a great deal of strategy to hockey. Line matching and chemistry are of vital importance. Knowing who to put out in what situation, who plays well with whom, which way they shoot, how to line up on the draw, which centerman to use and how they will react if they win the draw all give you that much needed edge and can tip the game in your favor. The powerplay is often a game decider and moving the puck well is pivotal. This again is all dependent on knowing how to set up in the attacking zone and how they'll defend you. Like drawing up a play off a time out in basketball, NHL teams often employ a set play or structure in a given situation or much like going to the bullpen in baseball may have a specific guy to win the draw late in a game or in a defensive situation. It's the little things in sport that can decide the big picture and the intricacies of hockey are no different.

The Shoot Out - While I may personally may not be a hue fan, I have to admit it is highly entertaining and has provided many a highlight reel finish. It's a skills competition of sorts and many complain that teams with high end talent will play for the shoot out, but goal tending has a decided edge statistically and there is never a sure thing.

Traditions - Like most major sports hockey is steeped in tradition. From the ceremonial face off to the shaking of hands at the end of a playoff series, or it's annual awards hockey has it's time honored rituals that make the game what it is. 

So case closed right? Hockey is number one. Well, again, like anything in life it's subjective. Many people love football. basketball, baseball or soccer for many of the reasons stated above. Millions around the world love cricket or rugby for their esoteric appeal. They are all great sports and while I truly enjoy them all, I don't think any other sport combines all these attributes as well as hockey. Baseball may be the ultimate numbers game, and football one of the most complex but they are not without their flaws. And neither is hockey. Hockey like football, requires a lot of equipment that may not be accessible to everyone and in the case of hockey you need an arena. Many people dislike the violence or simply prefer a non-winter sport. I'm not sure if I'd grown up in Alabama that I would love hockey, but that  doesn't change the arguments made here. It doesn't alter the facts nor does it mean they're going to persuade anyone. The evidence is there for us to decide on our own what we prefer so with that in mind, take this argument for what it is, a closer look at a game we love.

Sacked...NFL caves

So we're back after an unintentional hiatus, much like the NFL's real officials. After the debacle/travesty/joke etc. that was the Packers/Seahawks game Monday night in Seattle the NFL did what it rarely if ever does and it caved. It finally came to it's collective sense and reach an agreement with it's officials on a long term deal to keep the proper men doing the job for seven more years. The league owed it to the players, coaches and fans to have the best possible product on the field and this wasn't the case without them. This is clearly not to say there won't be issues now that they're back but they are at least going to be respected by the coaches and players and the rest of us can take comfort in knowing that the most qualified people are back on the job. Much has been made about how the league has been such a proponent of player safety and it was incredibly hypocritical of them to have men out there who couldn't control the game and put them in dangerous situations. They league argued about the money then after the disaster Monday said it was about getting a better crop of officials long term. The fact is it should have been resolved weeks ago as the players, the league and everyone else deserved better and player like Aaron and Rodgers and Drew Brees were leading the charge and speaking on behalf of the rest of us.

The officials will be back tonight as the Ravens take on the Browns in Baltimore and it will be interesting to see how the crowd reacts. Does anyone think they won't be booed after a bad call? I have officiated hockey as a kid and know how difficult that was so I can't imagine how hard it must be to do it on a professional level so hats off to the replacements for doing the best they could, and now we're ready for some football!

From Nash to Nashville...NHL news

So the big fish has landed in the Big Apple. Rick Nash, one of the most highly sought after players in the league after he asked for a trade last season, has been dealt by the Blue Jackets to the New York Rangers. The question is, that's what they got back? With all due respect the team getting the best player always seems to win the trade but this could be a run away victory for the Rangers. They didn't have to part with any of their prized youngsters like Michale Del Zotto or Karl Haglan instead sending Brandon Dubinsky, Artam Anisimov and Erixon and a first rounder. This is not exactly overwhelming, or even close to, big value. This trade as reported by Darren Dreger was likely on the table since the beginning and GM Scott Howison saw that the other teams weren't willing to deal, that Nash wouldn't expand his list and that the Rangers would cough up one of their young stars so he pulled the trigger. This could be a big blow to the Columbus franchise as without a real star player who will they turn to to lead this organization? This is a franchise that needs to ice a winning team for fans to be interested and I'm not sure that's likely in the very competitive western conference. Nash got his wish and is happy which is more that I can say for most fans in Ohio.

Elsewhere the Shea Weber signing has forced the hand of David Poille and the Nashville Predators. The massive offer sheet he signed with the Flyers is interesting in many ways, not the least of which was pointed out by Paul Bisonette in that the owners are trying to get more money from the players then offering these exorbitant contracts. The Weber signing no doubt had much to do with Ryan Suter going to Minnesota and the Predators inability to really do much in the off season to improve. The Flyers need a D man with Chris Pronger's future uncertain and went after him. Weber signing shows he clearly wants out of Nashville even if they match and he says otherwise, but the question is can they afford to. Can they afford not to?

Wild in Minnesota

So the fourth of July fireworks started early in the hockey state as the Minnesota Wild signed both of the most coveted free agents off the off season in Zack Parise and Ryan Suter. At least the Devils have Martin Brodeur locked up for the next two years...This definitely a big win for the franchise and a message to the rest of the league that they are serious about contending for the next many years. While I don't think this makes them the best in the west or even their division it's hard to argue that they are not much, much better today. Dany Heatley how has had some off years, Miko Koivu who was injured much of the last season and others like Devin Setoguchi and Nicklas Backstrom have talent so to add pieces like this to the mix can only help. Suter and Parise each signed for 13 years and $98 million dollars so safe to say they should be there a while. The fact that they are buddies gives this a Miami Heat feel only, without anyone outside Minnesota really caring, in the US anyway. Detroit was apparently a front runner as well and after the retirement of Nick Lidstrom were certainly looking to add an impact defenceman. Parise leaves a team that just had a run to the cup to be closer to home so I admire that he's considering his life in a larger context with this decision but it will be tough to have success quickly in the ultra competitive western conference. If the new CBA gets signed of course. The Wild have not had a taste of the playoffs in several seasons so the mandate is obviously to end that drought and these moves may very well do that. If nothing else it will give their fan base hope...for now. 

Star past their Shine?

So the Dallas Stars jumped into the free agency pool and added a whole lot of veteran experience, and I mean a whole lot. Jaromir Jarg and Ray Whitney are both over forty and while they are still playing a a decent level they are well past their prime. Not only is their age a significant factor, but they both made 4.5 mill each. Seriously. That's not exactly pocket change especially in a cap system like the NHL. While this will help add some much needed leadership in the room, it is a gamble nonetheless. As much as GM Joe Nieuwendyk can look back and say they were productive last year, what's to say that trend will continue or that they will be surrounded with the talent they were previously. Jagr was given a lot of quality ice time on a very good Philadelphia team which no doubt helped his statistics. Whitney is a great set up man but whose to say he can keep up the pace. I like both these players and think Dallas was wise to sign them, but they certainly, in my mind over paid.

Kings Krowned

The LA Kings won their first Stanley Cup in franchise history last week, and the city went...? Well, I saw a few people celebrating. At least Jonathan Quick, the Conn Smyth winner as playoff MVP, spiced things up with an R rated speech at the celebration. He was deservedly the winner of this award and while the team in front of him played solid defense and finally was able to score some goals, he was always there should the need arise. The kings work ethic and constant effort was a deciding factor in the series as they generated more opportunities and won more battles than the Devils. New Jersey's Martin Brodeur showed he still has what it takes to lead a team but in the end he wasn't given enough support by the guys paid to put the puck in the other net as New Jersey just could not find a way to generate enough offense. The Kings look poised to be a solid team for years too with a young core of players locked up for a number of years, they have a legitimate shot at a repeat. Though in today's NHL there are no guarantees they will even make the playoffs in the ultra competitive western conference.

Dean Lombardi the GM and architect of this team took some risks in the off season bringing in guys like Simon Gagner, Mike Richards and eventually Jeff Carter before the trade deadline, but these moves proved to be key to their success and I think it's safe to say paid off. The emergence of their young defencemen like Voynov and Martinez along with their solid core of veterans back there was a huge difference throughout the playoffs. Dustin Brown, who was almost dealt at the deadline, lead this team and was determined to show what they had the ability to do. Darryl Sutter and his group now have an off season to enjoy before getting back to business but they will certainly be a threat again come October....that is if the NHL starts on time.

Habs go Back to the Future

With the hiring of Michel Therrien on Tuesday the Montreal Canadiens are going back to the future and bringing back an old head coach to try and turn around their fortunes. Therrien had a .500 record in his seasons with the Habs, one of only three men to coach them and not have a winning record, but with the lack of French speaking candidates the market is slim at best and so he's back. Now he did have success in Pittsburgh guiding them to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2008 when they lost to the Red Wings, but was replaced the next season by Dan Bylsma who lead them to a Stanley Cup victory over those same wings. Therrien is described as a no nonsense coach who demands respects and obedience from his players and can be short with the media. He is a good coach but many Habs fans are uncertain about how far he can bring this team. Mard Crawford was another strong candidate along with Bob Hartley, but Hartley signed in Calgary, catching many by surprise, and Crawford remains looking for an NHL gig. Both of these men won Stanley Cups as the coach of the Colorado Avalanche and this had many in Montreal wishing they could bring in a proven winner. In the end the Habs got their man, or at least one that speaks their language, and now have to live with it. They are a solid young team who had an off year for numerous reasons, but with the core talent that is there and a good coach like Therrien, the Habs should make a serious push for a playoff spot this year. Though in Montreal the bar is not set at simply making the playoffs.