Wow, I can’t believe it is almost December already. Time for teams to either make it or break it. What happens over the course of the upcoming month will define weather or not some teams will get back on track and if some teams will fall from grace. This is the point of the season where it is still not too late to make a push as well as not too late to stumble and let other teams pass you by. For this month’s edition of my Eastern Conference Notebook I will be looking at trends, both good and bad.
Northeast
For the first time all season the Ottawa Senators are starting to look in the rear view mirror. What they see is the distinct colors of rouge, blanc and bleu and black and gold. There has been a noticeable trend over the last 10 games for the Senators and not a good one. Going 3 – 5 – 2 the Sens have left the back door open and the wolves are licking their chops to enter. The Canadiens have been playing .500 hockey lately but feasting on the power play with deadly accuracy which keeps them afloat. If they can find some consistency playing 5 on 5 the Habs can trend upwards and catch the napping Sens in no time. However they are not alone. The hottest team in the Northeast over the last 10 games have been the Bruins going 6 – 3 – 1. That’s right I said the Bruins it wasn’t a typo. The B’s have been solid defensively so far this season and have recently found the scoring touch even though they are without offensive catalyst Patrice Bergeron. They have become a tough team to play against and if you are going to beat them you will need to match the physical play and accept that you will be sore the next day. If the trend continues for the Bruins they will pass the Habs and be nipping at the Sens heels by Christmas. The Leafs are in the midst of a freefall going 3 – 4 – 3 in their last 10 games, certainly not the kind of trend that will get the Toronto media off their backs. The Sabres fall from grace is starting to trend upwards as they have gone 6 – 4 – 0 bringing them back to playing .500 hockey, but there is still a ton of work to do if they have any hope of catching the front runners.
Atlantic
Look out. The Rangers and Devils are starting to find their groove again which spells trouble for division foes. The Rangers have caught up to the Flyers going 7 – 2 – 1 in their last 10 games which is the trend everyone thought we would see from the start. The main reason for their upward trend has been the solid play of goaltender Henrik Lundqvist who posts a 1.82 GAA and a .930 S% giving the Blueshirts a chance to win every night. The Devils got off to a rocky start uncharacteristically playing shoddy defense, but have tightened up over the last 10 games going 7 – 3 - 0. They have also found some scoring recently and if they lead after 2 periods they have been deadly. The upward trend for the Devils, have them once again in the playoff hunt. The Islanders have not been trending in the right direction lately and are starting to show their weakness. They are one key injury away from dropping like a rock. The only trend the Penguins have seen this year is a losing one. Playing .500 hockey on the road and sub .500 hockey at home, the young guns have come down to Earth after their surprise attack of last season. It is not too late for the Pens to start trending upwards, but until they find some consistency between the pipes the current trend will continue.
Southeast
This division is up for grabs and so far the Hurricanes are the only team willing to play hard enough to grab it. Although the trend for the Canes over the last 10 games would suggest otherwise as they have a mere 4 – 6 – 0 record. This is not the time to stumble as the Panthers are starting to catch them going 5 – 4 – 1 in their last 10. The key to the Panthers upward trend has been the power play and they will have to thrive on that if they want to continue to close the gap. The hottest team in the division over the last 10 games has been the Thrashers going 6 – 4 – 0. The rough start to the season has put them in a hole that they are desperately trying to dig out of. The trend is favorable, but the question is how long will it last? When thinking of trends in reference to the Lightning it has been a tale of two teams. One that plays lights out at home and one that sucks wind on the road. At home the Bolts boast a 8 – 3 – 1 record so far which makes for happy fans, but on the road they have been anemic going 2 – 10 – 1. It is the trend away from home that keeps this team from gaining any ground. As for the Caps, the only trend has been a pathetic one. This team was supposed to sneak up and surprise everyone this season and so far the biggest surprise has been that they don’t work hard for 60 minutes. It will be interesting to see if more shakeups are planned for the Caps in the near future in order to reverse the trend that has plagued them all year.
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
MISER'S WESTERN ROUNDUP
Hello, again! I hope everyone had a great holiday! Here is a look at what’s happening in the West:
GOALIES STAND TALL: Two Western netminders were included in the NHL’s Three Stars of the Week for the week ending Nov. 24. Ilya Bryzgalov, claimed by Phoenix on Nov.17 after the Anaheim Ducks placed him on waivers, was selected as 2nd Star for posting a 3-0-0 record with a 1.62 GAA and .938 SV%. Mike Smith of the Stars was selected as 3rd Star, also going 3-0-0, with a 1.00 GAA and .963 SV%.
The move of Bryzgalov to the desert came after several teams had made calls to Ducks’ GM Brian Burke about the 27-year old goaler, but no deal ever came to fruition. With J.S. Giguere under contract for four years, and with up-and-comer Jonas Hiller waiting in the wings at Portland (AHL), Burke agreed to let Bryzgalov go via the waiver wire. Burke made the following statement:
“He’s been great. He has not asked for a trade. This whole schematic here is mine. He never came to me and said, ‘I want out.’ His agent never said ‘I want out.’ When we signed Hiller during the playoffs, you didn’t hear a word out of Bryz. We gave Giguere the four-year deal with a no-trade clause and you didn’t hear a word out of Bryz. He’s been terrific.
"I think organizations need to have reputations for honest answers with their players. And since this player came through for us: he won three playoff rounds in the last two years, he’s a quality person who helped us win, then he deserves to go somewhere else and play. The market has not materialized and I’m keeping my word today.”
The Coyotes have welcomed him with open arms. Opening Night starter David Aebischer, who appeared in that one game with Phoenix, has been loaned to HC Lugano of the Swiss-A league. The Dogs had been switching off between Mikael Tellqvist and Alex Auld in net; the arrival of Bryzgalov should give them some stability in that position. If they can get their game going at home (PHX is 4-7-0 at home but 7-3-0 on the road), the Coyotes could still make a run for a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, Mike Smith has helped what was a beleaguered Stars club regain an even keel. On Nov. 10th at Los Angeles, Dallas coughed up a four-goal lead, allowing five goals in a Kings’ record 5:07, and ended up losing to the Kings in OT, 6-5. Marty Turco took the loss in a game that not only shook his confidence, but embarrassed the entire organization. GM Doug Armstrong was fired three days later, replaced on an interim basis by assistant GM Les Jackson and former Star Brett Hull. The pair will run the hockey department for the rest of the year. It is an interesting idea, to say the least, and it may fall apart completely. However, the team has flourished since the move, winning six straight games after a shootout loss at home to San Jose. Smith has been a rock in net, especially on Sunday past at Madison Square Garden, stopping a career-high 39 shots in an improbable 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers. Could there be a move in the works… and could it be Turco moving on? I should point out that I have heard nothing in that vein… it is pure speculation on my part. The biggest problem about that idea is finding someone who would take Turco’s contract (one of the items that got Armstrong in hot water with the fans in the first place…).
CENTRAL DIVISION
For the past two seasons, the Central Division has been one of the weaker divisions in the league; with only two teams (Detroit and Nashville) making the playoffs. With the weakness of the other Central clubs, the Wings and Preds rolled up 100+ point seasons last year, while 3rd place St. Louis could only muster 81 points.
Change has arrived in the Central. While Detroit still leads the division (and conference) with 34 points, St. Louis and Chicago currently hold the 4th and 5th slots in the West with 26 points each. Also with 26 points (7th in West) are the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Each club is facing injury problems. The Blackhawks have lost C Kevyn Adams for the year to an ACL injury, but will get RW Jason Williams and RW Martin Havlat for tonight’s match against Tampa Bay. The Jackets are missing LW Fredrik Modin and D Duvie Westcott., with C Jiri Novotny listed as day-to-day with a bum shoulder. The Blues’ Martin Rucinsky is dealing with a bruised hand; while rookie RW David Backes is out with an MCL injury.
While those clubs have been on the rise, the Predators are struggling to keep pace. They are only two points out of the playoffs at this early stage, but have scored one less goal than they have allowed (62 to 63). In addition their special teams rank in the bottom third in the league; and starting goalie Chris Mason is sporting a goals-against of 3.07 and an .897 SV%.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
The Vancouver Canucks have charged to the forefront by winning five of their last seven; the last two coming via back-to-back shutouts from Roberto Luongo. The Canucks are 7-1-2 in their last ten; and have been road warriors (7-3-1 away from GM Place). A 6-6-1 home mark is perplexing, to say the least. Minnesota has faded a bit after a strong start to the year, but still hold down second place. The Wild has split their last ten; and for the season are being outshot almost every night. Colorado takes no prisoners on home ice (9-2-0), but are a poor 3-7-1 on the road; and have been outscored 63-66 this season. The Avs power play (13.2%) has been anemic despite the addition of Ryan Smyth; and the team ranks 27th in faceoffs won. The Flames are struggling under Mike Keenan – or is it the play of Miikka Kiprusoff? Kipper is on his way to the worst season of his career: 10-10-3, 2.96, .886 SV%. The trio of Jarome Iginla (33pts.), Alex Tanguay (22), and Daymond Langkow (21) leads the way on offense, but the defense and 27th ranked penalty kill have been Calgary’s undoing. Edmonton has been racked by injuries, with five players on IR. The Oil has been outscored 74-57, and has the worst power play in the league. It looks to be a long, cold, and restless winter in Alberta.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Despite the upheaval in Dallas mentioned above, the Stars have moved to the top of the division. For the first time in seemingly forever, Dallas is averaging three goals a game. The Stars are 7-1-2 in their last ten games, and are once again above .500 on the road. There are bumps ahead, however. Marty Turco must get his game in order if the Stars are to hold their position. Also, Selke Award winner Jere Lehtinen requires hernia surgery and will miss the next 8-10 weeks. This will affect Mike Ribeiro and Brenden Morrow, who had forged one of the best lines in the league with Lehtinen. The recent flurry by Dallas has allowed them to open up some space on a division that is middling, at best. The Ducks are 8-3-3 at home but have been outscored 70-61. In San Jose, the Sharks are second in the league in goals allowed (2.09) but are an inexplicable 3-5-1 at home. Injuries have hurt the Sharks, with the likes of Ryan Clowe and Marcel Goc on IR. Jonathan Cheechoo continues to struggle, with seven points in 22 games. Evgeni Nabokov should be an All-Star this year: third in the league in minutes played (1307) with a 2.02 GAA and three shutouts. As described above, Phoenix is making a move behind new tender Bryzgalov. Shane Doan’s 18 points leads the way on a club with eight players in double figures. The Los Angeles Kings have won one of their last seven, and have lost Scott Thornton to injury (groin). Alexander Frolov is battling a chest injury, and is day-to-day. Ugly stat: defensemen Lubomir Visnovsky and Rob Blake are a combined -22.
Quotes courtesy ducks.com
GOALIES STAND TALL: Two Western netminders were included in the NHL’s Three Stars of the Week for the week ending Nov. 24. Ilya Bryzgalov, claimed by Phoenix on Nov.17 after the Anaheim Ducks placed him on waivers, was selected as 2nd Star for posting a 3-0-0 record with a 1.62 GAA and .938 SV%. Mike Smith of the Stars was selected as 3rd Star, also going 3-0-0, with a 1.00 GAA and .963 SV%.
The move of Bryzgalov to the desert came after several teams had made calls to Ducks’ GM Brian Burke about the 27-year old goaler, but no deal ever came to fruition. With J.S. Giguere under contract for four years, and with up-and-comer Jonas Hiller waiting in the wings at Portland (AHL), Burke agreed to let Bryzgalov go via the waiver wire. Burke made the following statement:
“He’s been great. He has not asked for a trade. This whole schematic here is mine. He never came to me and said, ‘I want out.’ His agent never said ‘I want out.’ When we signed Hiller during the playoffs, you didn’t hear a word out of Bryz. We gave Giguere the four-year deal with a no-trade clause and you didn’t hear a word out of Bryz. He’s been terrific.
"I think organizations need to have reputations for honest answers with their players. And since this player came through for us: he won three playoff rounds in the last two years, he’s a quality person who helped us win, then he deserves to go somewhere else and play. The market has not materialized and I’m keeping my word today.”
The Coyotes have welcomed him with open arms. Opening Night starter David Aebischer, who appeared in that one game with Phoenix, has been loaned to HC Lugano of the Swiss-A league. The Dogs had been switching off between Mikael Tellqvist and Alex Auld in net; the arrival of Bryzgalov should give them some stability in that position. If they can get their game going at home (PHX is 4-7-0 at home but 7-3-0 on the road), the Coyotes could still make a run for a playoff spot.
Meanwhile, in Dallas, Mike Smith has helped what was a beleaguered Stars club regain an even keel. On Nov. 10th at Los Angeles, Dallas coughed up a four-goal lead, allowing five goals in a Kings’ record 5:07, and ended up losing to the Kings in OT, 6-5. Marty Turco took the loss in a game that not only shook his confidence, but embarrassed the entire organization. GM Doug Armstrong was fired three days later, replaced on an interim basis by assistant GM Les Jackson and former Star Brett Hull. The pair will run the hockey department for the rest of the year. It is an interesting idea, to say the least, and it may fall apart completely. However, the team has flourished since the move, winning six straight games after a shootout loss at home to San Jose. Smith has been a rock in net, especially on Sunday past at Madison Square Garden, stopping a career-high 39 shots in an improbable 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers. Could there be a move in the works… and could it be Turco moving on? I should point out that I have heard nothing in that vein… it is pure speculation on my part. The biggest problem about that idea is finding someone who would take Turco’s contract (one of the items that got Armstrong in hot water with the fans in the first place…).
CENTRAL DIVISION
For the past two seasons, the Central Division has been one of the weaker divisions in the league; with only two teams (Detroit and Nashville) making the playoffs. With the weakness of the other Central clubs, the Wings and Preds rolled up 100+ point seasons last year, while 3rd place St. Louis could only muster 81 points.
Change has arrived in the Central. While Detroit still leads the division (and conference) with 34 points, St. Louis and Chicago currently hold the 4th and 5th slots in the West with 26 points each. Also with 26 points (7th in West) are the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Each club is facing injury problems. The Blackhawks have lost C Kevyn Adams for the year to an ACL injury, but will get RW Jason Williams and RW Martin Havlat for tonight’s match against Tampa Bay. The Jackets are missing LW Fredrik Modin and D Duvie Westcott., with C Jiri Novotny listed as day-to-day with a bum shoulder. The Blues’ Martin Rucinsky is dealing with a bruised hand; while rookie RW David Backes is out with an MCL injury.
While those clubs have been on the rise, the Predators are struggling to keep pace. They are only two points out of the playoffs at this early stage, but have scored one less goal than they have allowed (62 to 63). In addition their special teams rank in the bottom third in the league; and starting goalie Chris Mason is sporting a goals-against of 3.07 and an .897 SV%.
NORTHWEST DIVISION
The Vancouver Canucks have charged to the forefront by winning five of their last seven; the last two coming via back-to-back shutouts from Roberto Luongo. The Canucks are 7-1-2 in their last ten; and have been road warriors (7-3-1 away from GM Place). A 6-6-1 home mark is perplexing, to say the least. Minnesota has faded a bit after a strong start to the year, but still hold down second place. The Wild has split their last ten; and for the season are being outshot almost every night. Colorado takes no prisoners on home ice (9-2-0), but are a poor 3-7-1 on the road; and have been outscored 63-66 this season. The Avs power play (13.2%) has been anemic despite the addition of Ryan Smyth; and the team ranks 27th in faceoffs won. The Flames are struggling under Mike Keenan – or is it the play of Miikka Kiprusoff? Kipper is on his way to the worst season of his career: 10-10-3, 2.96, .886 SV%. The trio of Jarome Iginla (33pts.), Alex Tanguay (22), and Daymond Langkow (21) leads the way on offense, but the defense and 27th ranked penalty kill have been Calgary’s undoing. Edmonton has been racked by injuries, with five players on IR. The Oil has been outscored 74-57, and has the worst power play in the league. It looks to be a long, cold, and restless winter in Alberta.
PACIFIC DIVISION
Despite the upheaval in Dallas mentioned above, the Stars have moved to the top of the division. For the first time in seemingly forever, Dallas is averaging three goals a game. The Stars are 7-1-2 in their last ten games, and are once again above .500 on the road. There are bumps ahead, however. Marty Turco must get his game in order if the Stars are to hold their position. Also, Selke Award winner Jere Lehtinen requires hernia surgery and will miss the next 8-10 weeks. This will affect Mike Ribeiro and Brenden Morrow, who had forged one of the best lines in the league with Lehtinen. The recent flurry by Dallas has allowed them to open up some space on a division that is middling, at best. The Ducks are 8-3-3 at home but have been outscored 70-61. In San Jose, the Sharks are second in the league in goals allowed (2.09) but are an inexplicable 3-5-1 at home. Injuries have hurt the Sharks, with the likes of Ryan Clowe and Marcel Goc on IR. Jonathan Cheechoo continues to struggle, with seven points in 22 games. Evgeni Nabokov should be an All-Star this year: third in the league in minutes played (1307) with a 2.02 GAA and three shutouts. As described above, Phoenix is making a move behind new tender Bryzgalov. Shane Doan’s 18 points leads the way on a club with eight players in double figures. The Los Angeles Kings have won one of their last seven, and have lost Scott Thornton to injury (groin). Alexander Frolov is battling a chest injury, and is day-to-day. Ugly stat: defensemen Lubomir Visnovsky and Rob Blake are a combined -22.
Quotes courtesy ducks.com
Thursday, November 22, 2007
THE NHL'S BIGGEST TURKEY AWARDS
In honor of the Thanksgiving holiday I will be handing out “The NHL’s Biggest Turkey” awards. These awards are given to the worst the NHL has to offer so far this season. I’ll break them down into two categories for your viewing pleasure. I hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday. Enjoy!
INDVIDUAL AWARDS
The “You mean I’m supposed to play defense?” award goes to…
Scott Hannan of the Avalanche for his –11 through 20 games.
The “I’ll be taking a bus to games soon” award goes to…
Sergei Samsonov of the Blackhawks for his uninspired play.
The “Boy this game is fast” award goes to…
David Steckel of the Capitals for being a rookie in over his head.
The “Did they make the nets bigger?” award goes to…
Miikka Kiprusoff of the Flames for his 2.96 GAA and .888 SV% through 21 games.
The “I was supposed to repeat that?” award goes to…
Jordan Staal of the Penguins for his 2 points and –8 through 21 games.
The “I’m supposed to lead this team?” award goes to…
Maxim Afinogenov of the Sabres for not stepping up.
The “NHL’s Biggest Turkey” award goes to…
Sean Avery of the Rangers for being Sean Avery.
TEAM AWARDS
The “Can’t play for 60 minutes” award goes to…
The Washington Capitals
The “Failed experiment” award goes to…
The Edmonton Oilers
The “Boy do we suck” award goes to…
The Buffalo Sabres
The “What do you mean the Coyotes are better than us?” award goes to…
The L.A. Kings
The “Weren’t we supposed to win the division?” award goes to…
The Pittsburgh Penguins
The “We forgot how to play defense” award goes to…
The N.J. Devils
The “What’s so special about special teams anyway?” award goes to…
The N.J. Devils
The “Thank God we have a good goalie” award goes to…
The N.Y. Rangers
The “We play better a man down” award goes to…
The Edmonton Oilers
The “NHL’s Biggest Turkey” award goes to…
The Washington Capitals
INDVIDUAL AWARDS
The “You mean I’m supposed to play defense?” award goes to…
Scott Hannan of the Avalanche for his –11 through 20 games.
The “I’ll be taking a bus to games soon” award goes to…
Sergei Samsonov of the Blackhawks for his uninspired play.
The “Boy this game is fast” award goes to…
David Steckel of the Capitals for being a rookie in over his head.
The “Did they make the nets bigger?” award goes to…
Miikka Kiprusoff of the Flames for his 2.96 GAA and .888 SV% through 21 games.
The “I was supposed to repeat that?” award goes to…
Jordan Staal of the Penguins for his 2 points and –8 through 21 games.
The “I’m supposed to lead this team?” award goes to…
Maxim Afinogenov of the Sabres for not stepping up.
The “NHL’s Biggest Turkey” award goes to…
Sean Avery of the Rangers for being Sean Avery.
TEAM AWARDS
The “Can’t play for 60 minutes” award goes to…
The Washington Capitals
The “Failed experiment” award goes to…
The Edmonton Oilers
The “Boy do we suck” award goes to…
The Buffalo Sabres
The “What do you mean the Coyotes are better than us?” award goes to…
The L.A. Kings
The “Weren’t we supposed to win the division?” award goes to…
The Pittsburgh Penguins
The “We forgot how to play defense” award goes to…
The N.J. Devils
The “What’s so special about special teams anyway?” award goes to…
The N.J. Devils
The “Thank God we have a good goalie” award goes to…
The N.Y. Rangers
The “We play better a man down” award goes to…
The Edmonton Oilers
The “NHL’s Biggest Turkey” award goes to…
The Washington Capitals
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
CLOUDS IN MY COFFEE
Glad to see that teams are getting the message about offer sheets and signing their young players before they become targets. No more waiting around all year to negotiate contracts, the 800lbs. gorilla in the room won’t be ignored anymore.
With Tuukka Rask, the Bruins future between the pipes looks bright.
Looks like the Wild will have some choices to make for next season. I hope they choose wisely and find a way to keep Rolston.
Am I the only one who could care less to even know about Jiri Tlusty’s exploits?
Good to see that all those moves Kevin Lowe made over the summer are working out for him. Don’t despair Oil fans, the farm team looks good.
Is it really that surprising that the Penguins are struggling and the Blackhawks aren’t? Yes. Yes it is.
Don’t look now, but methinks the Rangers got their groove back.
The Islanders just won’t go away, yet.
It’s time for the Caps to do some soul searching and find out what kind of team they want to be. One that works for 60 minutes or one that works for 30 minutes.
How rich is Thomas Vanek?
Too many goalies is a nice problem to have for the dessert dogs. I can think of a few teams that wish they had that problem.
The Thrashers are doing their best to erase the hole they dug to start the season.
The Avs are wishing they could play all of their games at home this year. The Bolts second that.
Iron Mike has been pretty quiet so far, how long can it last?
Congrats on your 400th as a Leaf Mats, now try translating that into some wins.
With Tuukka Rask, the Bruins future between the pipes looks bright.
Looks like the Wild will have some choices to make for next season. I hope they choose wisely and find a way to keep Rolston.
Am I the only one who could care less to even know about Jiri Tlusty’s exploits?
Good to see that all those moves Kevin Lowe made over the summer are working out for him. Don’t despair Oil fans, the farm team looks good.
Is it really that surprising that the Penguins are struggling and the Blackhawks aren’t? Yes. Yes it is.
Don’t look now, but methinks the Rangers got their groove back.
The Islanders just won’t go away, yet.
It’s time for the Caps to do some soul searching and find out what kind of team they want to be. One that works for 60 minutes or one that works for 30 minutes.
How rich is Thomas Vanek?
Too many goalies is a nice problem to have for the dessert dogs. I can think of a few teams that wish they had that problem.
The Thrashers are doing their best to erase the hole they dug to start the season.
The Avs are wishing they could play all of their games at home this year. The Bolts second that.
Iron Mike has been pretty quiet so far, how long can it last?
Congrats on your 400th as a Leaf Mats, now try translating that into some wins.
Friday, November 16, 2007
CAN THE MAPLE LEAFS BE FIXED?
Stuck in the midst of over 40 years of drought, the once mighty Maple Leafs have fallen on hard times of epic proportions. Not financially by any means as they were recently touted as the NHL’s most valuable franchise by Forbes, but in terms of on ice futility. 1967 was the last time that Leafs Nation tasted victory in the form of the Stanley Cup. Since then, not so much as getting close enough to even sniff it.
In 1969, 1972 and 1974 the Leafs were ousted by the Bruins in the playoffs. 1975, 1976 and 1977 they ran into trouble with the Flyers. 1978 and 1979 it was the Canadiens turn and in 1980 and 1981 it was the North Stars and Islanders turn to snuff the hopes of Leafs fans. 1983 the North Stars took them out again and 1986 St. Louis got in on the act. 1987 and 1988 the Red Wings did the honors and St. Louis again took them out in 1990. 1993 seemed to be the year that they would finally bring some glory back to Toronto, that was until they ran into Gretzky’s Kings and a barn-burner 7 game series that found the Leafs heading home early once again. 1994 they ran out of gas falling to Vancouver and 1995 Chicago sent them packing. 1996 the Blues shattered the dream once more marking the last time they would see playoff action in the Western Conference. Trying their luck again in the East, they made a run in 1999 where they ran into trouble with the Sabres. 2000 and 2001 New Jersey took over as Leaf killers and 2002 had the Hurricanes giving them the boot. 2003 and 2004 the Flyers took them out and they haven’t made the playoffs since.
This season’s version of the Leafs generated some buzz over the summer as additions to the lineup had Leafs Nation thinking playoffs again. Consistency has so far eluded this year’s version and a weak blueline now has fans second guessing earlier predictions. It is understandably difficult to play in Toronto under the constant microscope of the media and fans, but it is no different today as it has been all along in Toronto. Eleven Stanley Cup championships as the Maple Leafs gives the franchise its historical clout, $83 million in profit gives them the financial clout, but on the battlefield, between the whistles where the war is waged the Leafs have come up empty for the last 40 years. This is the reason for the constant scrutiny, the calls for front office change as well as on ice changes. Change can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered, but there are no guarantees that change will actually fix anything. Until the right formula is put together from top to bottom the drought will continue. Don’t forget that there are 83 million reasons not to change a thing and in today’s world the bottom line is the bottom line.
There is only one easy answer to what will fix Leafs Nation and that is winning the Cup. Trouble is, that is the hardest task to accomplish in all of sports and this year’s version isn’t off to a roaring start. Winning is the cure-all for what ails this once proud franchise and it remains the only way to bring glory back to the city. Winning is the only change that needs to be made and it starts with a face-off, a battle in the corner or in front of the net, one shift at a time and one game at a time. No matter what changes are made in the front office, it comes down to the guys who take the ice to make the necessary changes in order to win. Sure the front office can put together the best possible product, but even then winning isn’t in their hands it is solely up to the players to generate the wins. Winning is an attitude, a culture, a measure of pride and status and something that has been missing in Toronto since 1967.
In 1969, 1972 and 1974 the Leafs were ousted by the Bruins in the playoffs. 1975, 1976 and 1977 they ran into trouble with the Flyers. 1978 and 1979 it was the Canadiens turn and in 1980 and 1981 it was the North Stars and Islanders turn to snuff the hopes of Leafs fans. 1983 the North Stars took them out again and 1986 St. Louis got in on the act. 1987 and 1988 the Red Wings did the honors and St. Louis again took them out in 1990. 1993 seemed to be the year that they would finally bring some glory back to Toronto, that was until they ran into Gretzky’s Kings and a barn-burner 7 game series that found the Leafs heading home early once again. 1994 they ran out of gas falling to Vancouver and 1995 Chicago sent them packing. 1996 the Blues shattered the dream once more marking the last time they would see playoff action in the Western Conference. Trying their luck again in the East, they made a run in 1999 where they ran into trouble with the Sabres. 2000 and 2001 New Jersey took over as Leaf killers and 2002 had the Hurricanes giving them the boot. 2003 and 2004 the Flyers took them out and they haven’t made the playoffs since.
This season’s version of the Leafs generated some buzz over the summer as additions to the lineup had Leafs Nation thinking playoffs again. Consistency has so far eluded this year’s version and a weak blueline now has fans second guessing earlier predictions. It is understandably difficult to play in Toronto under the constant microscope of the media and fans, but it is no different today as it has been all along in Toronto. Eleven Stanley Cup championships as the Maple Leafs gives the franchise its historical clout, $83 million in profit gives them the financial clout, but on the battlefield, between the whistles where the war is waged the Leafs have come up empty for the last 40 years. This is the reason for the constant scrutiny, the calls for front office change as well as on ice changes. Change can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered, but there are no guarantees that change will actually fix anything. Until the right formula is put together from top to bottom the drought will continue. Don’t forget that there are 83 million reasons not to change a thing and in today’s world the bottom line is the bottom line.
There is only one easy answer to what will fix Leafs Nation and that is winning the Cup. Trouble is, that is the hardest task to accomplish in all of sports and this year’s version isn’t off to a roaring start. Winning is the cure-all for what ails this once proud franchise and it remains the only way to bring glory back to the city. Winning is the only change that needs to be made and it starts with a face-off, a battle in the corner or in front of the net, one shift at a time and one game at a time. No matter what changes are made in the front office, it comes down to the guys who take the ice to make the necessary changes in order to win. Sure the front office can put together the best possible product, but even then winning isn’t in their hands it is solely up to the players to generate the wins. Winning is an attitude, a culture, a measure of pride and status and something that has been missing in Toronto since 1967.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
MISER'S WESTERN ROUNDUP
We’re nearing the quarter-pole of the 2007-08 NHL season. (Can it really be November already? Seems like the season started just last week…) Looking at the top of the Western Conference, one might think this was the “old” NHL, where teams could win simply by opening their wallets to procure the talent they needed.
The similarities stop there.
Look past the top three, and you not only see the effects of the “new”, salary-capped league, but also the infusion of youth and talent that some clubs have been able to assemble. In my estimation, there are three clubs in the West with serious designs on the Stanley Cup, two upstart clubs, and then a gaggle of teams hoping to squeeze their way into the postseason.
THE CONTENDERS
Detroit (12-2-1, 25pts): The Wings started out with wins in four of their first seven games. Since then, they have won eight straight, outscoring opponents 29-13 in that span. Henrik Zetterberg has played like a man on a mission, recording at least one point in all 15 games, and leading the NHL in scoring (12-13-25). Five of his goals have come on the power play, and he is winning 57.4% of his faceoffs. I haven’t even mentioned the names Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Lidstrom, or Rafalski (all with 12 points or more). Chris Osgood has won all eight games during the streak (8-0-0, 1.48 GAA). It’s early, but it appears that the only team that can stop Detroit is…. Detroit, or possibly….
Colorado (10-5-0, 20pts): After missing the playoffs last season, the Avs have stormed back to prominence. Ryan Smyth has worked his way into the offense nearly seamlessly, but the best part for Smyth is that he doesn’t have to be THE man in Denver. With Joe Sakic, Paul Stastny, and Andrew Brunette leading the way (15 G, 34 A between them), Smyth can use his skills in a complementary fashion. The Avs have yet to max out their talents, which should scare the rest of the West.
Minnesota (9-4-2, 20pts): My apologies to all Wild fans. I thought Minnesota would get buried by an early, road-heavy schedule. I was wrong, OK? (To my relatives in Minny… ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?) Niklas Backstrom (7-1-1, 1.88 GAA) is the real thing. Balanced scoring – six players have 10+ points – keeps opponents guessing. Of the three contenders, Minnesota is the longshot, but they could be dangerous.
THE UPSTARTS
Columbus (8-4-2, 18pts): Ken Hitchcock is working his magic once more. The jackets have a good mix of talent and grit. Rick Nash (16 pts) and Nik Zherdev (10 pts) lead the way, while Sergei Fedorov, Jason Chimera, and Jiri Novotny have chipped in with timely scoring. Netmindr Pascal Leclaire has been a huge surprise, going 7-2-0 with five (yes, FIVE) shutouts. The biggest question marks: 1) Can Leclaire continue this torrid pace? 2) Lack of scoring depth – Nash has 10 goals; no other Jacket has more than four.
Chicago (8-7-0, 16pts): While the Blackhawks mourn the passing of team president William Wirtz off the ice, there is a renaissance beginning on the ice. Patrick Kane (5-12-17), Johnathan Toews (6-7-13), and Patrick Sharp (6-4-10) bring scoring and loads of youthful enthusiasm to the Windy City, while experience is provided by Robert Lang, Jason Williams, and Yanic Perreault. The D-corps is solid, if unspectacular. The question mark is in net. Nik Khabibulin (5-6-0) has a GAA north of 3 and a save% south of .900. If the “Bulin Wall” can be patched up, the ‘Hawks might just scare somebody.
THE GAGGLE
Dallas (7-7-2, 16pts): OK, so they lead the Pacific and would claim the No. 3 seed if the postseason started today. That means very little. To say the Stars are inconsistent would be an understatement. Dallas has yet to string three wins together, and has lost five of their last eight. Last week, the Stars lost three consecutive home games; surrendering third period leads in two of them and getting shutout by Phoenix in the third. The Stars are poster boys for mediocrity. 3-3-1 at home. 4-4-1 on the road. 5-5-0 in their last ten. 44 goals scored, and 44 goals allowed. There was no move to add scoring during the summer, and the normally solid defense and goaltending have become pourous. The only positive right now is the weakness of the Pacific Division. It might be the only reason the Stars qualify for the postseason – someone has to win it.
San Jose (7-7-1, 15pts): See Dallas above. The Sharks are fantastic on the road (6-3-1), but abysmal so far at home (1-4-0). C Joe Thornton is on a point per game pace, but forwards Jonathan Cheechoo (6 pts) and Patrick Marleau (5 pts) are far behind last year’s pace. Once again, the weakness of the Pacific may be their salvation.
Nashville (7-7-1, 15pts): Winners in three of their last four, the Preds currently hold down the eighth seed in the West. After winning their first two, Nashville lost six straight by a combined 29-9. The power play is in the bottom third in the league, and the Preds allow just over 30 shots each game. Dan Ellis has surprised as the backup to Chris Mason. The former Stars product is 4-0-0 with two shutouts.
Calgary (6-7-3, 15pts): I had Calgary winning the Northwest in my preview, which tells you how prescient I am. This is a head-scratcher. Last season, people were talking about how Miikka Kipprusoff had an off-year. What are they saying now? Kipper has struggled (6-7-3, 3.14, .884) this year. Has his new contract – a six-year extension – made him too comfortable? Is new coach Mike Keenan playing him too much? Is the defense that bad? Of all the teams currently treading water, I still think Calgary is in the best position to improve. From the quotes I have read, the Flames are still looking for a full, 60-minute effort (sounds familiar to those who follow Dallas…). Can Keenan find the right buttons to push?
Anaheim (6-8-3, 15pts): The Ducks look lost. They are a shell of their former selves. Anaheim has been outscored 49-39 so far, and have not won more than two games in a row. Injuries have played a role (Rob Niedermayer, Ryan Getzlaf, and Mathieu Schneider missed time), and the short summer combined with the London trip to start the year haven’t helped, either. The biggest problem seems to be that Anaheim just wants to tread water (so to speak) until Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selaane make a triumphant return. The Ducks need to move forward without them. NOW. It really is poor form for those two to hold their club and fans hostage just because they got a ring. It’s time for those two to decide. Play or go home.
That’s all for now. I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! Talk to you again soon.
Peace.
The similarities stop there.
Look past the top three, and you not only see the effects of the “new”, salary-capped league, but also the infusion of youth and talent that some clubs have been able to assemble. In my estimation, there are three clubs in the West with serious designs on the Stanley Cup, two upstart clubs, and then a gaggle of teams hoping to squeeze their way into the postseason.
THE CONTENDERS
Detroit (12-2-1, 25pts): The Wings started out with wins in four of their first seven games. Since then, they have won eight straight, outscoring opponents 29-13 in that span. Henrik Zetterberg has played like a man on a mission, recording at least one point in all 15 games, and leading the NHL in scoring (12-13-25). Five of his goals have come on the power play, and he is winning 57.4% of his faceoffs. I haven’t even mentioned the names Datsyuk, Holmstrom, Lidstrom, or Rafalski (all with 12 points or more). Chris Osgood has won all eight games during the streak (8-0-0, 1.48 GAA). It’s early, but it appears that the only team that can stop Detroit is…. Detroit, or possibly….
Colorado (10-5-0, 20pts): After missing the playoffs last season, the Avs have stormed back to prominence. Ryan Smyth has worked his way into the offense nearly seamlessly, but the best part for Smyth is that he doesn’t have to be THE man in Denver. With Joe Sakic, Paul Stastny, and Andrew Brunette leading the way (15 G, 34 A between them), Smyth can use his skills in a complementary fashion. The Avs have yet to max out their talents, which should scare the rest of the West.
Minnesota (9-4-2, 20pts): My apologies to all Wild fans. I thought Minnesota would get buried by an early, road-heavy schedule. I was wrong, OK? (To my relatives in Minny… ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?) Niklas Backstrom (7-1-1, 1.88 GAA) is the real thing. Balanced scoring – six players have 10+ points – keeps opponents guessing. Of the three contenders, Minnesota is the longshot, but they could be dangerous.
THE UPSTARTS
Columbus (8-4-2, 18pts): Ken Hitchcock is working his magic once more. The jackets have a good mix of talent and grit. Rick Nash (16 pts) and Nik Zherdev (10 pts) lead the way, while Sergei Fedorov, Jason Chimera, and Jiri Novotny have chipped in with timely scoring. Netmindr Pascal Leclaire has been a huge surprise, going 7-2-0 with five (yes, FIVE) shutouts. The biggest question marks: 1) Can Leclaire continue this torrid pace? 2) Lack of scoring depth – Nash has 10 goals; no other Jacket has more than four.
Chicago (8-7-0, 16pts): While the Blackhawks mourn the passing of team president William Wirtz off the ice, there is a renaissance beginning on the ice. Patrick Kane (5-12-17), Johnathan Toews (6-7-13), and Patrick Sharp (6-4-10) bring scoring and loads of youthful enthusiasm to the Windy City, while experience is provided by Robert Lang, Jason Williams, and Yanic Perreault. The D-corps is solid, if unspectacular. The question mark is in net. Nik Khabibulin (5-6-0) has a GAA north of 3 and a save% south of .900. If the “Bulin Wall” can be patched up, the ‘Hawks might just scare somebody.
THE GAGGLE
Dallas (7-7-2, 16pts): OK, so they lead the Pacific and would claim the No. 3 seed if the postseason started today. That means very little. To say the Stars are inconsistent would be an understatement. Dallas has yet to string three wins together, and has lost five of their last eight. Last week, the Stars lost three consecutive home games; surrendering third period leads in two of them and getting shutout by Phoenix in the third. The Stars are poster boys for mediocrity. 3-3-1 at home. 4-4-1 on the road. 5-5-0 in their last ten. 44 goals scored, and 44 goals allowed. There was no move to add scoring during the summer, and the normally solid defense and goaltending have become pourous. The only positive right now is the weakness of the Pacific Division. It might be the only reason the Stars qualify for the postseason – someone has to win it.
San Jose (7-7-1, 15pts): See Dallas above. The Sharks are fantastic on the road (6-3-1), but abysmal so far at home (1-4-0). C Joe Thornton is on a point per game pace, but forwards Jonathan Cheechoo (6 pts) and Patrick Marleau (5 pts) are far behind last year’s pace. Once again, the weakness of the Pacific may be their salvation.
Nashville (7-7-1, 15pts): Winners in three of their last four, the Preds currently hold down the eighth seed in the West. After winning their first two, Nashville lost six straight by a combined 29-9. The power play is in the bottom third in the league, and the Preds allow just over 30 shots each game. Dan Ellis has surprised as the backup to Chris Mason. The former Stars product is 4-0-0 with two shutouts.
Calgary (6-7-3, 15pts): I had Calgary winning the Northwest in my preview, which tells you how prescient I am. This is a head-scratcher. Last season, people were talking about how Miikka Kipprusoff had an off-year. What are they saying now? Kipper has struggled (6-7-3, 3.14, .884) this year. Has his new contract – a six-year extension – made him too comfortable? Is new coach Mike Keenan playing him too much? Is the defense that bad? Of all the teams currently treading water, I still think Calgary is in the best position to improve. From the quotes I have read, the Flames are still looking for a full, 60-minute effort (sounds familiar to those who follow Dallas…). Can Keenan find the right buttons to push?
Anaheim (6-8-3, 15pts): The Ducks look lost. They are a shell of their former selves. Anaheim has been outscored 49-39 so far, and have not won more than two games in a row. Injuries have played a role (Rob Niedermayer, Ryan Getzlaf, and Mathieu Schneider missed time), and the short summer combined with the London trip to start the year haven’t helped, either. The biggest problem seems to be that Anaheim just wants to tread water (so to speak) until Scott Niedermayer and Teemu Selaane make a triumphant return. The Ducks need to move forward without them. NOW. It really is poor form for those two to hold their club and fans hostage just because they got a ring. It’s time for those two to decide. Play or go home.
That’s all for now. I want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! Talk to you again soon.
Peace.
Thursday, November 8, 2007
I BETTER GET OFF THE PHONE NOW
A friend recently called me and wanted to do a little Q & A with me about a few recent happenings in hockey. Whenever I get a call from him it turns into a heated debate for an extended period of time (my wife hates it because the phone is usually attached to her head and she gets jealous). I figured I would share the raw results and estimated time with you.
Q: Is Eric Lindros Hall of Fame worthy?
A: No. When Glen Anderson and Rick Middleton get the call then we can start to talk Lindros, until then the answer is no.
Q: So you don’t think he will get in?
A: I’m sure he will get in. There are enough supporters to push him in, but you asked if I thought he was worthy and my answer is no. There are still some players on the outside who need to get in before considering Lindros. The problem is politics and agendas drive the selection decisions and until that changes I don’t put any stock in HOF choices.
Q: So you don’t agree with the selection process?
A: I feel that the benchmarks are blurry and without clear-cut benchmarks it is subject to tainted decisions. If you solely went with production numbers (for forwards) and set a benchmark of say 1000 points and weighed that against games played and championships won, then you would have a base for decisions that couldn’t be argued. The process right now allows too much wiggle room and we have players getting in that shouldn’t and players not getting in that should.
Q: With your suggested benchmark, Middleton wouldn’t get in. I don’t think he broke 1000 points and he has no championships on his resume care to explain?
A: Exactly. Neither did Lindros and that’s why I say he isn’t worthy.
Q: What about considering what he could have accomplished if not for injuries?
A: Projected stats? I truly hope that doesn’t play a factor. That could be done for a ton of players and the Hall would be full. Bob Carpenter in the Hall? Just look at Mario, Bossy and Orr they had shortened careers due to injury and their numbers blow Lindros away. No, projected stats are a waste of time.
Est. time 14 min.
Q: Right now, who is the best player in the NHL?
A: Right now? Henrik Zetterberg.
Q: Just because he is leading the scoring race?
A: Yes. And when the game is on the line I want the puck on his stick. Until someone plays better he is my choice.
Q: Do you think Crosby will pass him by soon?
A: Sure, and maybe Thornton or Iginla too, but right now he is playing better.
Q: Where do you see Zetterberg at season’s end?
A: In the top 10, maybe #6 or #8 – higher if he stays healthy all year.
Q: So if he stays healthy, do you see the Wings as the best in the West?
A: Yes. Even if he isn’t healthy all year the Wings are the best in the West. They are solid in all areas and their record shows it.
Est. time 6 min.
Q: Are the Bruins actually better this year or are the teams in their division weaker?
A: They are tougher to play against. If that makes them better, than okay sure. I’m not sure the other teams are weaker, just off to rough starts.
Q: Do you think the B’s have a shot at the playoffs?
A: Everyone has a shot – the Bruins need to find some scoring if they want to win. They have tightened up the defense and that keeps them in the game longer and their physical play makes them tougher to play against. Relying on an aging Glen Murray oft injured Sturm and youngster Kessel to carry the scoring while Bergeron is out makes me think they will start to slide soon.
Q: About Bergeron – what do you think about the 2 game suspension?
A: Maybe it should have been a little more, but Jones isn’t a dirty player and I think he just used poor judgment on that hit. It’s hard to tell if a player is going to turn to face the boards at the last moment when you are committed to making the hit. Jones should have just pinned Bergeron to the glass instead of finishing off the check, but the decision was made and a 2 game price was paid.
Q: You don’t think the punishment should reflect the injury?
A: Hits like that are a tough call. Clearly Jones didn’t mean to injure him just take him out of the play. No one wants to see a lasting effect from the injury, but keeping Jones from playing until Bergeron recovers makes little sense. Maybe the suspension should have been 5 games to give Jones time to think about his decision, but more than that wouldn’t have made sense.
Est. time 8 min.
Q: What do you think of Mike Modano setting the record for U.S. born players?
A: Good for Mike. He is the face of American hockey. Trouble is that here in the U.S. it is back page news. This is where the league fails to market its players to the U.S. audience. Instead of pushing Americans to like Crosby they should hype the likes of Modano to give U.S. fans an American hero.
Q: You don’t think Mike is too old to be hyped as a hero?
A: Not at all – actually there are several U.S. players that should be hyped and the fact that they aren’t shows that the league is content on pushing Crosby and Ovechkin on everyone. Not that I don’t think those two deserve to be hyped, only give Americans a homegrown hero to cheer for.
Q: So who is your favorite U.S. born player right now?
A: Ryan Suter – there are tons of appeal to push him through the hype machine – solid game, big hits, terrific work ethic, great lineage – there is a story just waiting to be told.
Q: And your favorite all time?
A: Pat LaFontaine.
Q: Do you think we will start to see more U.S. players becoming stars in the near future?
A: Yes. U.S. hockey is doing a wonderful job with their development programs and the last few drafts are starting to reflect that. It won’t be long before some kid out of Texas or Florida goes on to have a celebrated career.
Q: You take in a lot of youth hockey games – Do you think hockey is growing at the grassroots level in the U.S.?
A: The numbers are up and down from year to year, but overall I think it is growing and most importantly it is growing in non-traditional markets and that is the key to success for U.S. hockey. I live in Ma. so the numbers here are always strong – but if you look at what is happening in Dallas the numbers there are doubling and that is a great sign of growth.
Q: You mentioned the U.S. development programs – How accessible are they for most kids?
A: They hold tryouts every year in my area for a reasonable fee and it is a great way for kids to measure themselves against the best around. They take the best and put them in programs that focus on getting them to the next level. When 6 to 10 kids go in the 1st round from a U.S. program that to me is a success.
Est. time 12 min.
Well, that only accounts for half of the actual time spent on the phone and only because my wife threw me the “I’m gonna kill you look” did it end that soon. When it comes to talking hockey I don’t put a time limit on it, but when it comes to talking on the phone my wife’s limit for me is around the 80-minute mark before something heavy gets thrown at me. The phone is back where it belongs pressed up against her head and I will head for the computer.
Q: Is Eric Lindros Hall of Fame worthy?
A: No. When Glen Anderson and Rick Middleton get the call then we can start to talk Lindros, until then the answer is no.
Q: So you don’t think he will get in?
A: I’m sure he will get in. There are enough supporters to push him in, but you asked if I thought he was worthy and my answer is no. There are still some players on the outside who need to get in before considering Lindros. The problem is politics and agendas drive the selection decisions and until that changes I don’t put any stock in HOF choices.
Q: So you don’t agree with the selection process?
A: I feel that the benchmarks are blurry and without clear-cut benchmarks it is subject to tainted decisions. If you solely went with production numbers (for forwards) and set a benchmark of say 1000 points and weighed that against games played and championships won, then you would have a base for decisions that couldn’t be argued. The process right now allows too much wiggle room and we have players getting in that shouldn’t and players not getting in that should.
Q: With your suggested benchmark, Middleton wouldn’t get in. I don’t think he broke 1000 points and he has no championships on his resume care to explain?
A: Exactly. Neither did Lindros and that’s why I say he isn’t worthy.
Q: What about considering what he could have accomplished if not for injuries?
A: Projected stats? I truly hope that doesn’t play a factor. That could be done for a ton of players and the Hall would be full. Bob Carpenter in the Hall? Just look at Mario, Bossy and Orr they had shortened careers due to injury and their numbers blow Lindros away. No, projected stats are a waste of time.
Est. time 14 min.
Q: Right now, who is the best player in the NHL?
A: Right now? Henrik Zetterberg.
Q: Just because he is leading the scoring race?
A: Yes. And when the game is on the line I want the puck on his stick. Until someone plays better he is my choice.
Q: Do you think Crosby will pass him by soon?
A: Sure, and maybe Thornton or Iginla too, but right now he is playing better.
Q: Where do you see Zetterberg at season’s end?
A: In the top 10, maybe #6 or #8 – higher if he stays healthy all year.
Q: So if he stays healthy, do you see the Wings as the best in the West?
A: Yes. Even if he isn’t healthy all year the Wings are the best in the West. They are solid in all areas and their record shows it.
Est. time 6 min.
Q: Are the Bruins actually better this year or are the teams in their division weaker?
A: They are tougher to play against. If that makes them better, than okay sure. I’m not sure the other teams are weaker, just off to rough starts.
Q: Do you think the B’s have a shot at the playoffs?
A: Everyone has a shot – the Bruins need to find some scoring if they want to win. They have tightened up the defense and that keeps them in the game longer and their physical play makes them tougher to play against. Relying on an aging Glen Murray oft injured Sturm and youngster Kessel to carry the scoring while Bergeron is out makes me think they will start to slide soon.
Q: About Bergeron – what do you think about the 2 game suspension?
A: Maybe it should have been a little more, but Jones isn’t a dirty player and I think he just used poor judgment on that hit. It’s hard to tell if a player is going to turn to face the boards at the last moment when you are committed to making the hit. Jones should have just pinned Bergeron to the glass instead of finishing off the check, but the decision was made and a 2 game price was paid.
Q: You don’t think the punishment should reflect the injury?
A: Hits like that are a tough call. Clearly Jones didn’t mean to injure him just take him out of the play. No one wants to see a lasting effect from the injury, but keeping Jones from playing until Bergeron recovers makes little sense. Maybe the suspension should have been 5 games to give Jones time to think about his decision, but more than that wouldn’t have made sense.
Est. time 8 min.
Q: What do you think of Mike Modano setting the record for U.S. born players?
A: Good for Mike. He is the face of American hockey. Trouble is that here in the U.S. it is back page news. This is where the league fails to market its players to the U.S. audience. Instead of pushing Americans to like Crosby they should hype the likes of Modano to give U.S. fans an American hero.
Q: You don’t think Mike is too old to be hyped as a hero?
A: Not at all – actually there are several U.S. players that should be hyped and the fact that they aren’t shows that the league is content on pushing Crosby and Ovechkin on everyone. Not that I don’t think those two deserve to be hyped, only give Americans a homegrown hero to cheer for.
Q: So who is your favorite U.S. born player right now?
A: Ryan Suter – there are tons of appeal to push him through the hype machine – solid game, big hits, terrific work ethic, great lineage – there is a story just waiting to be told.
Q: And your favorite all time?
A: Pat LaFontaine.
Q: Do you think we will start to see more U.S. players becoming stars in the near future?
A: Yes. U.S. hockey is doing a wonderful job with their development programs and the last few drafts are starting to reflect that. It won’t be long before some kid out of Texas or Florida goes on to have a celebrated career.
Q: You take in a lot of youth hockey games – Do you think hockey is growing at the grassroots level in the U.S.?
A: The numbers are up and down from year to year, but overall I think it is growing and most importantly it is growing in non-traditional markets and that is the key to success for U.S. hockey. I live in Ma. so the numbers here are always strong – but if you look at what is happening in Dallas the numbers there are doubling and that is a great sign of growth.
Q: You mentioned the U.S. development programs – How accessible are they for most kids?
A: They hold tryouts every year in my area for a reasonable fee and it is a great way for kids to measure themselves against the best around. They take the best and put them in programs that focus on getting them to the next level. When 6 to 10 kids go in the 1st round from a U.S. program that to me is a success.
Est. time 12 min.
Well, that only accounts for half of the actual time spent on the phone and only because my wife threw me the “I’m gonna kill you look” did it end that soon. When it comes to talking hockey I don’t put a time limit on it, but when it comes to talking on the phone my wife’s limit for me is around the 80-minute mark before something heavy gets thrown at me. The phone is back where it belongs pressed up against her head and I will head for the computer.
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