Conn-spiracy Theory

The NHL, like most professional sports leagues, is driven by it's major markets and there are few if any larger than Toronto. The self proclaimed center of the universe is a hockey mad mecca that bleeds blue and white. In fact Maple Leafs fans border on the insane (the definition of insanity being to do the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result. In this case expecting their team to win the Stanley Cup.) Gotta admire their dedication. With their cup drought approaching 50 years and little to no sign of that finishing anytime soon could the NHL's new Draft Lottery rules actually help to end this torment? And could the league itself be complicit?

With the trade of Cody Franson and Mike Santorelli to Nashville it's safe to say the Leafs have bid sionora to the season. Though I give them a full credit this time around as for once they're actually positioning themselves for a top pick and acquiring assets for potential unrestricted free agents after years of foolishly clinging to the belief that they could make the playoffs and holding on to such players only to see their hopes dashed along with any shot at a top prospect. GM Dave Nonis and his group have, I guess you can say earned a shot at getting a top pick and as a result of the new format of the NHL Draft Lottery, could even get the first overall pick.

This is where the fun begins. The NHL's new Draft Lottery format allows any team that doesn't qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs to have a chance at winning the lottery and picking first overall. Now, the percentages are drastically lower the further back you are but to quote Lloyd Christmas: "You're saying there's a chance?!" The Buffalo Sabres currently sit in the NHL's basement and are set to have the best odds, (20%) at picking concensus number one overall pick Connor McDavid. McDavid is touted as a generational talent, a player who could single-handedly transform a franchise's fortunes. The long suffering fans of Buffalo could use such a saviour. GM Tim Murray has stockpiled a number of talented young players and draft picks to rebuild, but this would be the ultimate payoff for several lackluster seasons on the ice. It's a city with a loyal, knowledgeable, fan base, long hockey tradition and Hall of Fame players like Gilbert Perreault and Domink Hasek but would the league be best served by having McDavid there or say, in a much larger hockey market not that far north?

This is a league who has few universally recognizable faces or names to market across the US. While Buffalo is a certainly hockey town it's a small market so the question is would McDavid and the league be well served by having an up and coming young superstar playing here, or in some hockey backwater like Carolina or Arizona? Well, sure....maybe. The argument for how this benefits everyone is simple: if he goes to a floundering team like Arizona or Carolina he'll instantly drum up interest and put fannies in the seats, both at home and when those teams are on the road. There are no more tickets to sell in Toronto and Leafs fans will cheer for them regardless so how is this more beneficial to the league?

A. Jersey sales. While Connor McDavid is exceptionally talented he alone is unlikely to turn North Carolina or Arizona into hockey mad states where there is a jersey on the back of every fan and they dominate any and all sports conversation. The NHL is always front page stuff in the great white north and the sheer amount of product he would move in TO would be staggering and most importantly from a league standpoint extremely profitable.

B. Actual Ticket Sales: Are these arenas, which have thousands of empty seats on any given night suddenly going to be the hottest ticket in town selling out every game? No. The reality is while it would in all likely-hood increase ticket revenue and attendance in these markets, it's not going to suddenly drag non hockey fans out to the rink. Carolina is a Stanley Cup champion not that long ago. If that didn't create a true hockey market, neither will this.

C. Playoff Revenue/Ratings: If McDavid can get the Leafs back to the playoffs, even if this only resulted in the minimum two home games, it could generate more interest and revenue than a long run in other markets. When the Leafs were in the playoffs a few years back the average ticket price was $218. 20. This is almost as much if not more than the most expensive seats in other markets. Say what you like, money talks. Also, hockey fans south of the border recognize the blue and white and are much more likely to watch a hockey game involving a traditional six team than other markets. This has been illustrated by the significantly higher TV ratings when a market like, Boston, Chicago or the Rangers were in the Stanley cup finals over the past few years vs. when teams like the Devils and Kings faced off several years ago.

D. Bandage Solution: McDavid would undoubtedly help the league in a small market while he played, and that team could even attract better free agents to help him purse a championship, but the question is will the effect last? During his tenure, sure, but afterwards? And could these teams generate the revenue necessary to fill a roster will top end talent needed for such an endeavour even with him?

Yes it's a reach to suggest that the league would do whatever they could to put McDavid in blue and white come October. This is a billion dollar franchise who doesn't even need to win, but if they ever did...

Seeing Stars...NHL All Star Injury Problem

The NHL All Star game is once again upon us. After missing the last few with the NHL lockout and the Olympics, the Columbus Blue Jackets are set to host the league's best players in a skill show case. Or what's left of them anyway...The latest news is that Pittsburgh Penguins star Sidney Crosby will join teammate Evgeni Malkin on the sidelines with a lower body injury meaning they will both miss this game, and the next Penguins game as per league rule a la Nic Lidstom and Pavel Datsyuk a few years back. Another prominent injury was to Columbus's own goalie and Vezina trophy winner Sergi Bobrovsky who was injured in their final game before the break against Winnipeg. This leaves a lot of people asking who should fill the void.

The All Star Game itself is less intense than most games of pond hockey you'd find in any Canadian outdoor rink, but the idea is a lot of fun and lets face it it's a spectacle for the fans, particularly the young ones, to watch their favorite players show off their tremendous skill and have some fun. The idea of a Fantasy Draft has added an exciting and entertaining element to it, pitting friends, countrymen and teammates against one another. A lot of players enjoy this aspect as they get to commiserate with guys they rarely see and may not know so well. Perhaps that's the whole point. But the question is without many top names, who's left to fill the void?

Personalities like P.K. Subban are not on the list and when the league has an opportunity to market itself like this, that's a tough blow. The NHL has few universally recognizable faces in the US market and this is an opportunity to get people out there and show the fans what these guys can do and just how talented they are. Perhaps there ought to be more onus on the players themselves to get out of their comfort zone and market themselves and the game more but that's not the mentality most of us in Canada grew up with. Just look at the captain of one of the teams, Jonathan Toews. 'Captain Serious' is a team first guy who shuns personal bragging in any interview. The likes of John Tavares and Carey Price fall into this same category so, at least in my opinion, it'd be nice to see them mix it up a bit, sell the game or themselves a little, not to Richard Sherman lengths, but to try and call a little attention to the league while the spot light it on it.

These injuries also give a chance to some lesser know or younger players to step up and the inclusion of young stars like Ottawa's Mike Hoffman and Montreal's Jiri Sekac can intorduce some future stars of the league. Hopefully this can translate into a successful weekend that stands out, at least they jerseys will, or be successful in terms of ratings but I fear there is little to drag the casual or non fan in.

The Big Irish Man

In the early 2000's Pat Quinn was simultaneously the bane of my existence and a welcomed hero. His Toronto Maple Leafs defeated my Ottawa Senators on four separate occasions in the post season yet he was the man who guided our nation to Olympic gold in Salt Lake in 2002. The Big Irishman left a lasting impression on the game that few can measure up to.

His imposing stature and strong personality could be intimidating to those around him but those who knew him have spoken of a kind and good natured man who was ready to listen and communicate with his players. He as an old school coach and his players knew where they stood and exactly what was expected. If they need a pat on the back or a kick somewhere a little lower he would deliver and but was always fair. What more could they ask for? From his time in Los Angeles, to Philadelphia, Vancouver, Toronto and Edmonton, Pat Quinn had the respect of those around him. His players played hard for him because of a mutual respect and perhaps a little fear.

He was a key component in building the Canucks organization and many this week have noted that it would not be where it is today without his tenure there. He drafted the likes of Pavel Bure and Trevor Linden and help create a strong hockey tradition in that market.

His teams were successful though hockey's biggest prize, the Stanley Cup, eluded him he was an Olympic Champion with Team Canada and won and the under 18 worlds and the 2009 World Junior Championship, Canada's most recent and one of the more memorable victories.

From his legendary hit on Bobby Orr to his infectious laugh he will be missed by all those in the game. His post with the hockey Hall of Fame was well deserved as Pat had a lasting impact on many who are now enshrined there.

Capital Gains in D.C.?

Another season, another new coach and another round of questions in D.C. Can Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals finally make a serious run in the playoffs? Will new coach Barry Trotz be the long searched for answer? And will it be worth all those millions to shore up a porous blue line?

Since he's been in the league Alex Ovechkin has gone through coaches like Hugh Heffner goes through girlfriends. From Bruce Boudreau, to Dale Hunter then Adam Oates the changing systems and voice behind the bench have lead to one constant: playoff disappointment. After a while you need to look beyond the bench and long time GM George McPhee was iced earlier this year. The fact is he had to answer for his under performing team and superstar. At a certain point the players need to step up and McPhee's replacement Brian MacLellan now faces the unenviable task of taking a group of underachievers and making them into something more.

To do this he poached two defencemen from the rival Pittsburgh Penguins at a cost that again has us wondering what they're putting in the water down there. Sure Matt Niskanen was arguably the top available defencemen in free agency this summer and with such a poor crop he was likely to get overpaid regardless of where he ended up but the contract they gave him at 7 million per season is something that will be both tough to live up to and could hinder them as far as salary cap structure moving forward. This however wasn't the biggest head scratcher. They then went out and signed Brooks Orpik for just over 5 million per season. Here is a shut down guy who provides minimal offence and perhaps even less foot speed and is getting this kind of money on a long term deal when he will be entering his later thirties, Now, there's something to be said for experience and leadership but this is more confusing than a Chris Nolan thriller.

The man set to lead this group is Barry Trotz, the only coach the Nashville Predators franchise had ever known. Barry has garnered a reputation of being a tough coach getting a lot out of the little he had to work with in Tennessee. That said he had something he may not here and that is an elite goalie in Pekka Rinne. It will now be up to the talented but still young Braden Holtby to shoulder the load for this team and Trotz will have to convince his flashy stars up front to play a complete game and the physical close checking style he employed in Nashville may not fly with the personnel.

All of this leads up to them hosting the Chicago Blackhawks for the Winter Classic in Nationals Park in January. There will be a lot of attention on the team this year, especially in a year where the east looks like it could be open for the taking. Can Ovi step up and be a leader? Can his supporting cast of Backstrom and co. find another level come the post season? Will this newly minted defence core stand up to the test? As always in Washington there's a lot to deal with...

'A' for Effort

Marc Bergevin is either Santa Clause, the easiest grader the world has ever seen or doing his best Oprah impression "You get an A, you get an A, everybody gets an A!". The Habs GM has decided to go without a captain instead opting for a leadership committee naming a number of the young teams leaders to wear the A instead. This decision is one that may cause a bit of stir in the media and perhaps in the locker room but ultimately could work out for the best. Some of the biggest names the game has ever seen have won the C for Les Glorieux so needless to say the pressure that comes with being the captain of the Montreal Canadiens is immense.

The Habs are a young team full of talent and up and comers like Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk, newly added PA Parenteau and a proven goaltender in Carey Price, so all signs point to them having another successful season. Are they ready to take that next step? Who knows, but the four men who will shoulder this leadership burden, PK Subban, Max Pacioretty, Tomas Plekanec and Andrei Markov are all key player with different but major roles on the team. You have their leading goal man in Pacioretty, a proven two way defenseman in Markov and a top two way center in Plekanec and an enigmatic often talked about star in Subban who is not one to shy away from the limelight. It will fall to them to lead this group and step up when it matter most.

The theory here perhaps is that the burden may be to much for the younger stars (Subban, Pacioretty) so this will take some of the pressure off, buying them some time to mature into that role. The other issue that cannot be denied in Montreal is the French speaking aspect and their comfort level in dealing with the French media. Former captains have tried their best to learn the language to accommodate this important factor and undoubtedly this new leaders will have to make a similar effort.

Montreal made it to the Eastern Conference finals last year losing to the New York Rangers after knocking off Tampa Bay and their bitter rival Boston Bruins in one of the more entertaining playoff series, and in an Eastern Conference that looks to be there for the taking there's no reason they can't put together another solid post season run.

That said there were a few key departures in the summer that may significantly impact the club. Former captain Brian Gionta and stalward defenceman and fan favorite Josh Gorges are now both with division rival Buffalo who look to improve after several down years. Gionta is a veteran leader who, while not piling up the points like he used to, played a steady two way game and had the experience and respect that you need in a leader especially on a young team. His departure may be missed more in the locker room than on the ice but that's not easily replaced. As for Gorges he was thought perhaps to be the next captain after Gionta and that he was let go puzzled many, myself included. He has had a rash of injuries and knee problems over the past few years so perhaps the Habs know something the rest of us don't but he was a steadying presence on the back end and from all accounts well like by teammates so it will be on the young defence core, the likes of Beaulieu and Tinordi to step up and fill the void. If they can Montreal may find themselves playing late into the spring.

Steel City Meltdown

Another season, another bitter failure for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Sidney Crosby and company laid the proverbial egg blowing a 3-1 series lead against the rival New York Rangers and now have another long off season of questions ahead.

Unlike other recent playoff debacles where much of the blame was (rightly) dumped squarely on the shoulders of goalie Marc Andre Fleury it was the Penguins high priced forwards who failed to get the job done, all be it against a very solid defensive Rangers team and one of the best goalies in the world in 'King' Henrik Lundqvist.

Sidney Crosby had only one goal in the post season and Evgeni Malkin, aside from his hat-trick early on did very little. Their leading goal scorer was Jussi Jokinen, who, with all due respect, shouldn't be their top forward regardless of how well he played (and was full value for his effort) as last I checked this wasn't a shoot out. Pascal Dupuis's season ending injury months ago through the lines into chaos and forced coach Dan Bylsma to mix and match but with the talent of Pittsburgh's top six and their skilled puck moving D their failure to capitalize on their opportunities was ultimately their undoing.

Comparisons will ultimately be made between dynamic groups of forwards and if you look around the league the like of Chicago's Toews and Kane are proving to be the ultimate clutch tandem. Crosby and Malkin? Say what you want about their effort and how much they controlled the play at times, all of which is true, they never seemed not to care or be giving less than their all, but in the end results are what matter and they couldn't get the job done when it counted most. When called upon to step up, they couldn't find an answer. Now they certainly weren't alone in that category, Chris Kunitz,, Kris Letang and James Neil did little the last few games in terms of production and now this whole group has to be held accountable.

 Many will blame the coach but that lets the players off the hook far to easily. Ray Shiero the GM has come under fire as well and rightfully so. The Penguins lack the depth they had when they won it all in 2009 and have failed to make the Finals since. When Crosby is playing with Lee Stempniak, or Brian Gibbons you appreciate that he has a roster in need of a top six forward. Now injuries play a part but again that's an excuse. Your talent either rises to the challenge and repeatedly of late in the Steel City it hasn't. You can bet changes will follow.

Captain Conundrum

With the Ottawa Senators season long since over, they've had ample time to reflect and the trade rumors have begun to gain momentum like Ray Emery cruising down the 417. The most speculated of these is of course their captain Jason Spezza and what the future holds for number 19. The fact that he is captain may be contentious in itself but the fact is when he's healthy he's a point a game player, one of the best face off men and play makers in the league and an elite forwards aren't exactly in the bargain bin. Suitors have emerged such as the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Anaheim Ducks and the New York Rangers (because that's just what they do) but is there anyone who can give Ottawa a solid return?

Now, I've never been Spezza's biggest supporter and am not totally opposed to trading him, IF the price is right. And that's the problem facing GM Bryan Murray. What is fair value for him, and how do you replace his impact on the team? Who takes those key draws late in games or runs the power play down low? That's not to say his game is without flaw. Countless times I've seen his infamous back pass to...nobody in particular, or watched other top centermen beat him to the net in his own end. However his defensive game has improved and often times this season it was his wingers or Ottawa's young defensive core that were to blame in their own end.

It's funny that he once again finds himself the center, (no pun intended) of controversy as when he came into the league Jacques Martin was afraid to play him because of his defensive inexperience. As he grew other faults were found and he was much maligned for the teams struggles for no particular reason.

The post- Alfredsson era was going to be an adjustment regardless and clearly did not start well in the nations capital but the loss of Sergi Gonchar may have hurt them every bit as much as it was the costly turn overs and mistakes in coverage in their own end that more often than not resulted in the puck going in the wrong net. Their goaltending which stole games last year was very average and their young core just seemed directionless at times. One can certainly hold leadership accountable and as captain Spezza must shoulder his share of the blame but he certainly is the only one at fault.

It wasn't all that long ago that Spezza was setting Dany Heatly up for back to back fifty goal season and helped the team reach the Stanley Cup Finals. I don't recall a lot of people calling for his head during those years. What Spezza needs and may have found with late season addition Ales Hemsky is a top six forward to play with. When Milan Michalek was healthy the other year he certainly fit the bill and both had solid seasons but that hasn't been the case of late and with Michalek's contract up perhaps Ottawa would be wisest to sign his fellow countrymen Hemsky and promote a young winger to form a 1A line after the Turris, MacArthur, Ryan unit.

Spezza's cap hit of 7 million isn't a huge sum and this is a franchise who has lost the like of Havlat, Chara, Redden and Alfredsson its most celebrated hero for next to nothing, they can't afford to let it happen again.