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...
Thursday, May 4, 2017
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
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...
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...
Wednesday, April 12, 2017
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.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 1, 2017
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.
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.
Saturday, February 18, 2017
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.
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.
Friday, February 10, 2017
Falling Stars
Things are always bigger in Texas. Including disappointment. The Dallas Stars were the top team in the Western Conference during the regular season last year and now find themselves falling out of the playoff picture, three games under five hundred and eight points out of the last Wild Card spot, (currently held by another slow starting team in LA.)
The scapegoats have generally been (and not unfairly) their mediocre goaltending tandem of Keri Lehtonen (or let-it-in) and Anti (no matter) Niemi. The team ranks near the bottom of the NHL in many goaltending categories (GAA, Save %) and are in desperate need of an occasional save. But, like shots from a Texas mickey, there's plenty of blame to go around.
This once high powered, gun slinging offence only ranks 13th in the league in goals scored and a measly 20th of the power play. One would assume all that fire power with the like of Seguin, Benn, Spezza, Sharp, Klingberg, Odyua, etc. could must a better push but so far it's been all quiet on the western front. In fact the strongest part of their game, their Lone Star as it were (sue me) is their twitter account, or in arena scoreboard. Both among the leagues best. Re: funniest.
They haven't got contributions they'd expected from other guys they need to step up like Cody Eakin, Jiri Hudler or big free agent signing Dan Hamhuis. The breakout season John Klingberg had last year seems but a distant memory as his struggles on the blue line have coincided with the departure of veteran partner Alex Goligoski. And while the goaltending stinks like a dead horse, the penalty kill hasn't helped mush either ranking 29th, 2nd to last in the league.
They've had some injuries this season to the like of Ales Hemsky, Eakin and Seguin to start the year, but on the whole this generally isn't what's held them back. And with Patrick Sharp set to be an unrestricted free agent at seasons end, big d may sand for deadline. GM Jim Nill will have a lot of decisions to make and patching up his porous back end should be paramount among them, Either Niemi or Lehtonon will be no easy task to move, they each carry a fairly significant cap hit, though when you wish upon a star...
The scapegoats have generally been (and not unfairly) their mediocre goaltending tandem of Keri Lehtonen (or let-it-in) and Anti (no matter) Niemi. The team ranks near the bottom of the NHL in many goaltending categories (GAA, Save %) and are in desperate need of an occasional save. But, like shots from a Texas mickey, there's plenty of blame to go around.
This once high powered, gun slinging offence only ranks 13th in the league in goals scored and a measly 20th of the power play. One would assume all that fire power with the like of Seguin, Benn, Spezza, Sharp, Klingberg, Odyua, etc. could must a better push but so far it's been all quiet on the western front. In fact the strongest part of their game, their Lone Star as it were (sue me) is their twitter account, or in arena scoreboard. Both among the leagues best. Re: funniest.
They haven't got contributions they'd expected from other guys they need to step up like Cody Eakin, Jiri Hudler or big free agent signing Dan Hamhuis. The breakout season John Klingberg had last year seems but a distant memory as his struggles on the blue line have coincided with the departure of veteran partner Alex Goligoski. And while the goaltending stinks like a dead horse, the penalty kill hasn't helped mush either ranking 29th, 2nd to last in the league.
They've had some injuries this season to the like of Ales Hemsky, Eakin and Seguin to start the year, but on the whole this generally isn't what's held them back. And with Patrick Sharp set to be an unrestricted free agent at seasons end, big d may sand for deadline. GM Jim Nill will have a lot of decisions to make and patching up his porous back end should be paramount among them, Either Niemi or Lehtonon will be no easy task to move, they each carry a fairly significant cap hit, though when you wish upon a star...
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