Yesterday I wrote about how there will be some trades that would come from left field and catch us off guard, and “to most”, that trade was the Hossa to Penguins deal. I said “to most” because yours truly along with some Pens fans with big dreams saw this as a golden opportunity over month ago. Yes, we all got blasted when we made the bold statement on our blogs, message boards and rumor sites where we were laughed at and called silly. For my thoughts back in January just scroll a few posts down to CROSBY NEEDS HIS OWN KURRI and you will see how silly I was.
Now, in no way am I saying that the Pens didn’t give up a lot to get Hossa, but keep in mind when a chance to give the best playmaker in hockey a true sniper with speed riding shotgun, you do what ever it takes to do it. Sure there is no saying that Hossa will re-sign with the Pens and he may become a really expensive playoff rental, but they have the rest of the year figure it out and I just have the feeling that once Hossa and Crosby connect Hossa wouldn’t think of going anywhere else. Why would he? This is a win-win for both players and their production could easily hit the roof.
When you are talking about one of the most gifted players to ever play the game you have to surround them with the best possible players in order to get the best out of them. Remember how important Kurri was to Gretzky? Remember after Wayne went to the Kings how imperative it was for them to acquire Kurri? Remember the names involved in the 3-way trade between the Oilers, Flyers and Kings? Okay, I know you remember how important it was for the Rangers to get Kurri when they got Gretz and the names involved in getting that one done, right? Well then, what makes the Hossa deal any different? There is no questioning the dynamic that Kurri brought to Gretzky’s game and Hossa and Crosby are on the cusp of bringing us that same kind of brilliance.
I openly applaud the Penguins management for making this bold move and bringing the city of Pittsburgh a team that fans haven’t seen since the days of Mario, Francis and Jagr. If anyone is worried about screwing up the chemistry of the team, think about it. You are talking about a couple of truly gifted players who can play with anyone and now have a chance to take chemistry to a whole new level. They have some time left to click and when it happens, look out; this could be the best thing we’ve ever seen and the best thing for the game in decades.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
THE HYPE IS BETTER THAN THE TRADES THEMSELVES
Psst……I heard a rumor……
Well, today is the day hockey fans perk up and play GM in anticipation that their team will pick up the missing piece of the puzzle to put them over the top. The excitement and buzz on Trade Deadline Day is traditionally better than the deals themselves. The speculation of big names involved in movement chew up a ton of time while big media places “name” analysts to hype it up for hours until trades slowly start to trickle in. Granted some big names do move on Deadline Day but for the most part it is the minor acquisitions that ultimately have the most impact. There are always one or two trades that seem to come from left field and catch us all off guard, but predicting where players will go is the fun part. And that is the part that makes us all pay attention and listen intently to the big media hype while wiping the drool as they mention our favorite team.
Will Hossa practice today? Will the Leafs move anyone? Will the Habs swing for the fences? Will the Bruins stand pat even though they need a scoring winger? Will Dallas find help for the Modano line? Will the Panthers actually move Jokinen? Do the Ducks tinker at all? Will the Wings get tougher? Will the Rangers move anyone to get defensive help? Where in the world will Brad Richards land this afternoon? The buzz engulfs us all – and the buzz itself is better for the game than the answers to the questions. Anytime hockey talk takes center stage it’s a good thing all around. I guess what I’m driving at here is enjoy the day, get fooled by the hype and dream big my friends, because today is the day for hockey talk.
As for myself, I’m not expecting too much as the months leading up have been anemic as far as trades are concerned. And to me that is a telling sign that too many teams are on the fence and reluctant to trade away the future for rental help. Parity is what the league wanted and is just what they have accomplished. Because of that and cap space, major trades have diminished drastically. Of course there will still be headline moves and that is why I’ll be here at the computer all day, as will most of you.
Well, today is the day hockey fans perk up and play GM in anticipation that their team will pick up the missing piece of the puzzle to put them over the top. The excitement and buzz on Trade Deadline Day is traditionally better than the deals themselves. The speculation of big names involved in movement chew up a ton of time while big media places “name” analysts to hype it up for hours until trades slowly start to trickle in. Granted some big names do move on Deadline Day but for the most part it is the minor acquisitions that ultimately have the most impact. There are always one or two trades that seem to come from left field and catch us all off guard, but predicting where players will go is the fun part. And that is the part that makes us all pay attention and listen intently to the big media hype while wiping the drool as they mention our favorite team.
Will Hossa practice today? Will the Leafs move anyone? Will the Habs swing for the fences? Will the Bruins stand pat even though they need a scoring winger? Will Dallas find help for the Modano line? Will the Panthers actually move Jokinen? Do the Ducks tinker at all? Will the Wings get tougher? Will the Rangers move anyone to get defensive help? Where in the world will Brad Richards land this afternoon? The buzz engulfs us all – and the buzz itself is better for the game than the answers to the questions. Anytime hockey talk takes center stage it’s a good thing all around. I guess what I’m driving at here is enjoy the day, get fooled by the hype and dream big my friends, because today is the day for hockey talk.
As for myself, I’m not expecting too much as the months leading up have been anemic as far as trades are concerned. And to me that is a telling sign that too many teams are on the fence and reluctant to trade away the future for rental help. Parity is what the league wanted and is just what they have accomplished. Because of that and cap space, major trades have diminished drastically. Of course there will still be headline moves and that is why I’ll be here at the computer all day, as will most of you.
Friday, February 15, 2008
10 THINGS THAT BUG ME ABOUT THE NHL
I think we are all in agreement that hockey is the greatest sport known to man. I think it is safe to say that we will never see such scandals in our sport as the steroids mess in baseball and the spy-gate fiasco in football. We will never hear about club shootings or as many sex, sexual harassment or gambling scandals as basketball. It is true that hockey is not exempt from scandal, but the level and frequency of such scandals is minimal in comparison to these other sports. I mean really, can anyone picture Congress getting involved in wanting answers for why the brothers Staal party hard or why Ed Belfour is known in every bar in North America? Could you imagine Ovechkin trying to persuade Congress that he really is that good and has no need for illegal enhancements? Sure we had a minor gambling issue that was found to be surrounding other sports, we had an ice girl treated distastefully and a strange purse-snatching incident. We had a poor decision made by a rookie where some odd pictures were taken, but none of that really stacks up to the incident rates of the other sports.
With that said, hockey clearly doesn’t have to worry about such things dragging it’s name through the mud as the other sports have to contend with. Instead, we deal with on ice issues more than off ice. We deal with questionable decision-making and rule interpretations. Borderline brutal hits and a lack of respect among players seem to top the list of issues hockey faces. Are there any reasons as to why hockey seems to stay clear of the types of scandals other sports contend with? Well, I’m sure we can all draw some conclusion to that question and our answers most likely won’t differ too much. Hockey may not get the exposure, air time or respect the other sports get every day, but we can hold our heads high in knowing that we won’t have to go through as much crap as fans of other sports seem to face on a continuous basis.
With that said, there are some things that are bothering me. These things are minute compared to scandals, but bug me nonetheless, so I have to spout off about them due to the fact that I seem to have nothing else to complain about. So enough with the extensive lead in… here are my TOP 10 THINGS THAT BUG ME ABOUT THE NHL…
10. Arbitration – This is an issue that needs to be addressed in the next CBA. It usually ends in a lose – lose situation for both parties
9. No Trade Clauses – I understand the purpose for it, I just hate that it puts the kibosh on what would be interesting trades.
8. Distinct Kicking Motion – Come on, either it’s a goal or it isn’t. The interpretation is too broad and the decisions are mostly poor.
7. Stick Checks Being Called For Slashing – If the stick makes contact with the body then call it slashing, if it makes contact with the opponents stick (even if the stick breaks) let it go already.
6. Four Sets Of Eyes Missing Calls – Just how many officials do we need on the ice and in the way to not even notice cheap shots behind the play?
5. Inept Marketing – The league flat out strikes out when it comes to promoting itself and its stars to the American audience. This needs to improve. Continuous missed opportunities and self inflicted wounds hasn’t worked yet and never will.
4. Unbalanced Schedule – Yes this will be changing, but until it does it will continue to bug me.
3. Not Enough Canadian Teams – Expand in the North not the South. What is so hard to understand about that?
2. The Hideous RBX Jerseys – No one likes them. Admit failure and realize some things don’t need to change.
1. Peter Forsberg, Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer – If you want to retire then retire. If you want to play then play. If you can’t make up your mind or physically can’t get back to form then just sit down and stop wasting everyone’s time. There should be a rule that states that if you are not on an active roster by December 15th then you sit out the rest of the season. Or a rule that states that if you are not on an active roster by the 15th of December than you lose your right to pick and choose what team(s) you want to play for whenever you decide you want to come back. On top of that you have to clear waivers in order to do so. Maybe then your decision will come faster when faced with the prospect of going to a bottom dweller and not a contender.
With that said, hockey clearly doesn’t have to worry about such things dragging it’s name through the mud as the other sports have to contend with. Instead, we deal with on ice issues more than off ice. We deal with questionable decision-making and rule interpretations. Borderline brutal hits and a lack of respect among players seem to top the list of issues hockey faces. Are there any reasons as to why hockey seems to stay clear of the types of scandals other sports contend with? Well, I’m sure we can all draw some conclusion to that question and our answers most likely won’t differ too much. Hockey may not get the exposure, air time or respect the other sports get every day, but we can hold our heads high in knowing that we won’t have to go through as much crap as fans of other sports seem to face on a continuous basis.
With that said, there are some things that are bothering me. These things are minute compared to scandals, but bug me nonetheless, so I have to spout off about them due to the fact that I seem to have nothing else to complain about. So enough with the extensive lead in… here are my TOP 10 THINGS THAT BUG ME ABOUT THE NHL…
10. Arbitration – This is an issue that needs to be addressed in the next CBA. It usually ends in a lose – lose situation for both parties
9. No Trade Clauses – I understand the purpose for it, I just hate that it puts the kibosh on what would be interesting trades.
8. Distinct Kicking Motion – Come on, either it’s a goal or it isn’t. The interpretation is too broad and the decisions are mostly poor.
7. Stick Checks Being Called For Slashing – If the stick makes contact with the body then call it slashing, if it makes contact with the opponents stick (even if the stick breaks) let it go already.
6. Four Sets Of Eyes Missing Calls – Just how many officials do we need on the ice and in the way to not even notice cheap shots behind the play?
5. Inept Marketing – The league flat out strikes out when it comes to promoting itself and its stars to the American audience. This needs to improve. Continuous missed opportunities and self inflicted wounds hasn’t worked yet and never will.
4. Unbalanced Schedule – Yes this will be changing, but until it does it will continue to bug me.
3. Not Enough Canadian Teams – Expand in the North not the South. What is so hard to understand about that?
2. The Hideous RBX Jerseys – No one likes them. Admit failure and realize some things don’t need to change.
1. Peter Forsberg, Teemu Selanne and Scott Niedermayer – If you want to retire then retire. If you want to play then play. If you can’t make up your mind or physically can’t get back to form then just sit down and stop wasting everyone’s time. There should be a rule that states that if you are not on an active roster by December 15th then you sit out the rest of the season. Or a rule that states that if you are not on an active roster by the 15th of December than you lose your right to pick and choose what team(s) you want to play for whenever you decide you want to come back. On top of that you have to clear waivers in order to do so. Maybe then your decision will come faster when faced with the prospect of going to a bottom dweller and not a contender.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
MISER'S WESTERN ROUNDUP
Hello, again! I hope everyone is doing well. It’s been a while since stopped by, so let’s get going right away. Today, along with a quick look at the West overall, let us look at the West from a health standpoint. With the trade deadline looming, it would do well to look at who is hurting, and where.
DETROIT (40-10-4, 84PTS): The Red Machine keeps rolling. It doesn’t seem to matter who is hurt, Detroit pushes ever forward. Tomas Holmstrom missed eight games, Kirk Maltby missed 19, even all-world forward Henrik Zetterberg missed a couple. No matter. The Wings continue to run away with from the conference. The only current injury is to D Nik Kronwall. He is day to day with a shoulder problem. I’ve said it elsewhere, and I’ll say it here: it appears at this time that the only club that can stop Detroit is Detroit.
DALLAS (31-20-5, 67): Dallas recently got Jere Lehtinen back into the lineup after an extended absence due to hernia surgery. The blueline, however, continues to miss the services of Philippe Boucher (shoulder surgery), and Sergei Zubov (foot). The Stars have gotten contributions from rookie Matt Niskanen (5-14-19, +14), and Trevor Daley (2-11-13). Even Stephane Robidas has chipped in with four goals, after going all of last season without a goal. C Mike Ribeiro was inked to a five-year extension on Jan 7th. There is that seemingly ever-present rumor of G Marty Turco going to Tampa Bay for Martin St. Louis, but both teams have denied the rumor again and again.
MINNESOTA (30-19-3, 63): Right now, the only injury being reported by the Wild is to LW Derek Boogard (back). Minnesota is one of the hottest teams in the West, with 15 points in their last 10 games (7-2-1).
SAN JOSE (29-16-7, 65): The Sharks trail Dallas by two points with four games in hand in the Pacific. The D-corps, however, is being held together with staples and duct tape. Injuries to Kyle Mclaren (knee), Alexei Semenov (viral infection), and Douglas Murray (hip, day to day) have decimated San Jose. Add injuries to C Curtis Brown (hand), and LW Ryan Clowe (knee), and it is amazing that San Jose is still in the thick of it, even with Joe Thornton.
ANAHEIM (27-22-7, 61): The Ducks are very happy to have Scott Niedermayer back on defense. With Samuel Pahlsson on IR (abdominal), and Mathieu Schneider nursing a wrist injury, Niedermayer provides loads of skill and leadership on the back end. With Teemu Selanne returning as well, Anaheim will not give up their crown as easily as one might have thought.
CALGARY (26-18-8, 60): The Flames currently report no injuries. Calgary had a four game win streak stopped this past Saturday in a 2-1 loss to Dallas at the Saddledome. Jarome Iginla has a point in 5 of his last 7 games (0-5-5).
COLORADO (28-21-4, 60): The Avs are in dire straits, indeed. When a team loses Joe Sakic (hernia), Ryan Smyth (fractured ankle), and superkid Paul Stastny (appendectomy), goals are going to be difficult to find, at best. Add in a groin injury to Marek Svatos (day to day), and the defense and goaltending are going to be pressured to be near perfect every night. The Avs will have to fight and scratch for points just to keep their current 7th seed. Do they have the depth to do so?
NASHVILLE (27-21-5, 59): Aside from a groin injury to pest Jordin Tootoo, the Preds are healthy. Forward Jason Arnott did leave the game against Columbus on Jan. 31 with a leg injury, and sat out their next match, a 3-2 win over the visiting Coyotes. Reports today indicate that Arnott will play tomorrow night against Carolina.
VANCOUVER (26-21-6, 58): The Canucks are another club swamped with injuries to the defense. Kevin Bieksa remains on IR with a calf laceration. Lukas Krajicek (shoulder), Willie Mitchell (vertebrae), and Sami Salo (groin) are listed as day to day. Up front, Vancouver is without the services of Brenden Morrison (wrist surgery, IR). Roberto Luongo will have to be even better than he was in last year’s playoffs… is that possible?
PHOENIX (27-22-3, 57): No injuries reported.
COLUMBUS (25-23-6, 56): Sergei Fedorov is currently on IR with a concussion.
ST. LOUIS (24-20-7, 55): D Christian Backman (foot) and LW Martin Rucinsky (separated shoulder) are on IR, as is RW Mike Johnson (shoulder surgery). I think the Blues have the best shot of still making the playoffs. Why? I don’t know…
CHICAGO (23-24-5, 51): After a great start, the ‘Hawks have suffered some setbacks. With Kevyn Adams (ACL), Jonathan Toews (knee), and Jason Williams (groin) on IR, Chicago’s offense has slumped. They have only the slightest chance of making up ground and getting to the postseason.
EDMONTON (23-26-5, 51): The Oilers are without the services of Sheldon Souray (shoulder), and Raffi Torres (ACL). A very keen observer of the Oil is Anaheim GM Brian Burke. Why? The Ducks own Edmonton’s first round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft; compensation for the Oilers’ signing of Dustin Penner last summer. That pick could be a very high one in what is supposed to be a draft deep in talent. Do the Ducks hold on to the pick, or use it in a package to land more scoring depth at the trade deadline? Stay tuned.
LOS ANGELES (21-30-3, 45): Rob Blake is day to day with an ankle injury. Mike Cammalleri (ribs) and Ladislav Nagy (neck) are on IR.
Next time: Who won and who lost at the trade deadline?
Peace.
DETROIT (40-10-4, 84PTS): The Red Machine keeps rolling. It doesn’t seem to matter who is hurt, Detroit pushes ever forward. Tomas Holmstrom missed eight games, Kirk Maltby missed 19, even all-world forward Henrik Zetterberg missed a couple. No matter. The Wings continue to run away with from the conference. The only current injury is to D Nik Kronwall. He is day to day with a shoulder problem. I’ve said it elsewhere, and I’ll say it here: it appears at this time that the only club that can stop Detroit is Detroit.
DALLAS (31-20-5, 67): Dallas recently got Jere Lehtinen back into the lineup after an extended absence due to hernia surgery. The blueline, however, continues to miss the services of Philippe Boucher (shoulder surgery), and Sergei Zubov (foot). The Stars have gotten contributions from rookie Matt Niskanen (5-14-19, +14), and Trevor Daley (2-11-13). Even Stephane Robidas has chipped in with four goals, after going all of last season without a goal. C Mike Ribeiro was inked to a five-year extension on Jan 7th. There is that seemingly ever-present rumor of G Marty Turco going to Tampa Bay for Martin St. Louis, but both teams have denied the rumor again and again.
MINNESOTA (30-19-3, 63): Right now, the only injury being reported by the Wild is to LW Derek Boogard (back). Minnesota is one of the hottest teams in the West, with 15 points in their last 10 games (7-2-1).
SAN JOSE (29-16-7, 65): The Sharks trail Dallas by two points with four games in hand in the Pacific. The D-corps, however, is being held together with staples and duct tape. Injuries to Kyle Mclaren (knee), Alexei Semenov (viral infection), and Douglas Murray (hip, day to day) have decimated San Jose. Add injuries to C Curtis Brown (hand), and LW Ryan Clowe (knee), and it is amazing that San Jose is still in the thick of it, even with Joe Thornton.
ANAHEIM (27-22-7, 61): The Ducks are very happy to have Scott Niedermayer back on defense. With Samuel Pahlsson on IR (abdominal), and Mathieu Schneider nursing a wrist injury, Niedermayer provides loads of skill and leadership on the back end. With Teemu Selanne returning as well, Anaheim will not give up their crown as easily as one might have thought.
CALGARY (26-18-8, 60): The Flames currently report no injuries. Calgary had a four game win streak stopped this past Saturday in a 2-1 loss to Dallas at the Saddledome. Jarome Iginla has a point in 5 of his last 7 games (0-5-5).
COLORADO (28-21-4, 60): The Avs are in dire straits, indeed. When a team loses Joe Sakic (hernia), Ryan Smyth (fractured ankle), and superkid Paul Stastny (appendectomy), goals are going to be difficult to find, at best. Add in a groin injury to Marek Svatos (day to day), and the defense and goaltending are going to be pressured to be near perfect every night. The Avs will have to fight and scratch for points just to keep their current 7th seed. Do they have the depth to do so?
NASHVILLE (27-21-5, 59): Aside from a groin injury to pest Jordin Tootoo, the Preds are healthy. Forward Jason Arnott did leave the game against Columbus on Jan. 31 with a leg injury, and sat out their next match, a 3-2 win over the visiting Coyotes. Reports today indicate that Arnott will play tomorrow night against Carolina.
VANCOUVER (26-21-6, 58): The Canucks are another club swamped with injuries to the defense. Kevin Bieksa remains on IR with a calf laceration. Lukas Krajicek (shoulder), Willie Mitchell (vertebrae), and Sami Salo (groin) are listed as day to day. Up front, Vancouver is without the services of Brenden Morrison (wrist surgery, IR). Roberto Luongo will have to be even better than he was in last year’s playoffs… is that possible?
PHOENIX (27-22-3, 57): No injuries reported.
COLUMBUS (25-23-6, 56): Sergei Fedorov is currently on IR with a concussion.
ST. LOUIS (24-20-7, 55): D Christian Backman (foot) and LW Martin Rucinsky (separated shoulder) are on IR, as is RW Mike Johnson (shoulder surgery). I think the Blues have the best shot of still making the playoffs. Why? I don’t know…
CHICAGO (23-24-5, 51): After a great start, the ‘Hawks have suffered some setbacks. With Kevyn Adams (ACL), Jonathan Toews (knee), and Jason Williams (groin) on IR, Chicago’s offense has slumped. They have only the slightest chance of making up ground and getting to the postseason.
EDMONTON (23-26-5, 51): The Oilers are without the services of Sheldon Souray (shoulder), and Raffi Torres (ACL). A very keen observer of the Oil is Anaheim GM Brian Burke. Why? The Ducks own Edmonton’s first round pick in the 2008 Entry Draft; compensation for the Oilers’ signing of Dustin Penner last summer. That pick could be a very high one in what is supposed to be a draft deep in talent. Do the Ducks hold on to the pick, or use it in a package to land more scoring depth at the trade deadline? Stay tuned.
LOS ANGELES (21-30-3, 45): Rob Blake is day to day with an ankle injury. Mike Cammalleri (ribs) and Ladislav Nagy (neck) are on IR.
Next time: Who won and who lost at the trade deadline?
Peace.
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