Tag Archives: NHL

Monday Musings – September 27

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I’m calling it now: Lars Eller’s new nickname: Montreeller. Get it? Montrealer…Montreeller?
 
I’m not sure how many of you still read the Montreal Gazette, but in Saturday’s sports section, there was a story about a recently conducted poll about Canadian NHL teams and “domestic” talent. Needless to say, there were some head-scratching, yet unsurprising results. The survey found that:
Nationally, 53% of respondents support a quota for Canadian-born talent for the 6 Canadian NHL teams. Not surprisingly, Quebec buoys that majority with 69% of respondents supporting a quota of local-born talent. Atlantic Canada checks in with 54%, then Alberta with 51%. When that question was pushed a little further, and asked respondants if quotas should be enforced even if it meant losing more games, Quebec again led the pack, with 49% agreeing. Contrast that with Ontario, B.C., and Alberta, the other places where NHL hockey resides in Canada, and now the support of quotas plummets to 26%, 26% and 25% respectively. What this says is that Quebecers are twice as tolerant to losing so long as the team is populated by “les gars de chez nous”, while the rest of Canada would prefer to win. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am. We’ve long spoken about how politics trumps winning in Quebec, and this survey would seem to support that, even if the 49% isn’t even a majority.
 
Preaching to the choir: Habs fans on twitter have rallied around each other and to Price’s defense. Wonderful. Now how does that message get across to the thick-skulled buffoons who will continue to jeer his every mistake? We’ve got to step out of the echochamber on this one, folks. Speaking of stepping out, when is Pierre Gauthier or someone else in the Habs brass going to send a message to the idiotic fans? Are the Habs brass that afraid of pissing off the people that pay for the tickets? Get a backbone! Or are they going to get Jean Beliveau to record some sort of message imploring fans to support the team and its players? That would be the height of pathetic on the organization’s part, but I sooner see that happening before I see Pierre Boivin, Pierre Gauthier or Jacques Martin standing up to the bullies in the stands and in the media.
 
Speaking of idiotic fans booing their teams, it seems the Leafs aren’t without troubles of their own. They were booed off the ice after being skunked 5-0 by the Senators. As stupid as it is to boo players, or your team, maybe teams would be well served not to charge full prices for games that mean nothing. As useless as the games are in the standings, people’s money is all too meaningful.
 
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The Texas Rangers in the playoffs? Really? As unreal as that sounds, it will be nice to see former Expos outfielder Vlad Guerrero play some meaningful October baseball. I’m still rooting for the Twins to take it all.
 
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The Alouettes are full value for their Eastern Division leading 9-3 record, but anyone who tells you they didn’t get lucky on Friday in Winnipeg is kidding themselves. Twice on the game-winning drive the Blue Bombers were hosed on bad, or questionable calls. The first was an illegal contact on a receiver which was the questionable call. The second was a fumble that was ruled incomplete. If the correct call had been made either time, the Als would be 8-4 today. Still good enough for first place, and would have kept the heat on in a seemingly rare year when they’re actually being pushed by the Argonauts and Tiger Cats.
 
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I used to not care so much for the CFL, but have come around over the last several years. But I’m confused…in a league that has trouble keeping 8 teams in the league (one guy actually owns TWO teams in the eight-team league), what is with all this talk of potentially expanding to 10, or even 12 teams? Sure it would be wonderful, but the CFL also has quotas for Canadian talent that each team has to meet, and has some trouble doing at times. How would the league deal with this if they mandated themselves to add 80+ more Canadians to the league without watering down talent? CFL fans are passionate about the Canadian content of their teams, and would, in my uninformed opinion, be very unwilling to let that number drop very far. Perhaps they should run the same poll as above on CFL fans.
 
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I thought this was one of the most boring weekends for NFL football in recent memory. In fact, through 3 weeks of the 2010 season, things have been mostly ho-hum in the NFL. That is, until my Dolphins took on the Jets last night on Sunday Night Football. What an exciting game. Sadly, Miami was not able to overcome the 14-0 hole they dug for themselves, and blew their chances at taking the lead with missed opportunities and untimely penalties.
 
 
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Predictable, Scripted and Contrived. We Will All Be Watching

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Ah, the Winter Classic. The outdoors, middle of winter, the fresh air…hopefully some idyllic snowflakes (that goalies will invariably use to buttress their creases). In an attempt to evoke childhood memories and the roots of the game, the NHL has found some secret sauce with the now annual New Year’s Day outdoor game. On a day that is still ruled by College Football, the “lowly” NHL has managed to get itself on the radar with their ode to all things folksy about the game.

Personally, I’ve never been overly impressed with these games. The settings have been neat. The games for the most part, have not. Try as the NHL may with its well-produced marketing efforts, I’ve never been fully captivated with these games aside from the fact that it’s hockey on a day where I’m usually trying to cure a pounding headache.

Now I know that the NHL is a business and with their latest sacred cow wants to milk these things for all they are worth…but could something be as predictable, scripted and contrived as a Penguins vs Capitals matchup? I know you want to showcase your best when you have the spotlight, but come on. Sure, “Sid the Kid” and “Alex the Gr8″ qualify as the best that the NHL can offer, but when things as predictable as this come to pass, I just want someone to pass me the bucket. Can you imagine how much hype will surround this event? Unless you’re a Penguins fan, Capitals fan, employee of the network carrying the event, an NHL employee, or a hockey-loving vacuum (even this may be a stretch for those of you who love all things hockey), you may want to invest in a bilge pump to keep from drowning in the thick gravy we’re all about to be hosed with. Note to the NHL (and especially to NBC): there ARE other stars and other teams in your league.

Frankly, I’m surprised at my own reaction. I figured I’d enjoy something like this. Maybe I will, but right now my impression is that this feels manufactured and vacuous. A Crosby / Ovechkin matchup would sell at any point, in any year but I believe that the NHL dropped the ball by announcing this so quickly. I have a suggestion, albeit a moot one. Hear me out, but I think with the hockey we are about to be treated to, the NHL would have been wise to wait and see how the Cup Finals played out and thought of concocting a Toews / Richards rematch for their next Winter Classic. The 2 best players in the league *today* may not be Crosby and Ovechkin, but Richards and Toews. You can certainly make that argument.

With the plotlines that engulf this upcoming series (Hawks in 6, by the way), there could have been an air of authenticity and genuine nastiness to this affair. With Sidney and Alex, I get the sense that the only plotlines would be “can Crosby can channel his shinny hockey childhood once again to topple his nemesis?” or “can Ovechkin can gain a measure of redemption against the kid who has a Stanley Cup, Gold Medal and Maurice Richard trophy to his recent collection?” It just feels tired, uninspired and lazy to me. A weak attempt to add 8 minutes to the feature-length DVD that we’re sure to see one day about the Crosby/Ovechkin rivalry. Apparently the legends are true. NBC, at least when it comes to hockey, really does stand for “Nobody But Crosby”. I do like Crosby. A lot in fact. But there has never been a moment in NHL history where so many GREAT young stars are filling out rosters everywhere.

I admit, it could be a great game, and I always hope that it is. But we’ve also seen that outdoor conditions can severely affect a player or team that relies on skill to succeed. Anything other than an offensive show would probably leave most fans feeling cheated. By January 2nd, I could end up eating my words, and I hope I do. It might be a great game in a great setting. But for now, with the calendar about to roll over to June, this leaves me completely indifferent. But like most of you, I will gladly watch, simply because we all love the game and we don’t want to miss a thing.

I haven’t even touched on the Canadiens – Flames matchup that will take place in February in Calgary at McMahon Stadium.

My reaction to this game is “Why?”

I’ve never been to Calgary, but I hear it’s pretty cold and unpleasant in February. I don’t know why this game needs to happen. Wouldn’t the Oilers or Leafs or Canucks or Senators (ok, not the Senators) be as good a matchup? Again, I’m not opposed to this, but I just don’t get it. Please sell me on this, unless you share my opinion. If the Canadiens are to play an outdoor game, it should be at Percival Molson Stadium, where the CFL’s Alouettes play. Now THAT would be a setting I could get excited about. Aside from the setting, what’s the draw to this game? The return of Cammalleri to Calgary? Where he spent one season? If it was a marketing angle in the least, it’s already been done…

How do you feel about these games? Is the NHL going to the well too often? Is the whole thing too formulaic? Please leave your thoughts below, and thanks for reading!

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The Shortest Playoff Preview

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I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t post my thoughts on the playoffs, but I don’t want to keep you all day with in-depth analysis. There’s tons of sites out there that do it better than I can. So I’m keeping it as short as I can, which may be hard given my tendency to ramble endlessly.

Eastern Conference


Montreal Canadiens (8) vs  Washington Capitals (1)

Like Spock in last year’s awesome Star Trek movie, I’m emotionally comprimised on this one. I risk imprisonment by saying this, but there is no reason to pick the Canadiens in this matchup. None.  Either Ovechkin chokes like he did in the Olympics, or Habs goaltending steals the show. Caps were consistently good all year, Habs were consistently inconsistent, and show no sign of getting back on track. Don’t talk to me about Cinderella, or even about the fact that the Habs took 5 of 8 points vs the league leaders. Capitals in 6.

Philadelphia Flyers (7) vs New Jersey Devils (2)

The Flyers owned the Devils this year, winning 5 of 6. They won close games and they won by blowout. They won at home, they won on the road. Martin Brodeur has once again played a ton of hockey, appearing in 77 games, plus the Olympics. The Flyers forwards will get in his kitchen, and he’ll fade late in the series, as he has been known to do in recent years. Still, the Devils are the Devils and are a good hockey team. They’ll keep it closer than the season series indicates it should. Flyers in 6.

Boston Bruins (6) vs Buffalo Sabres (3)

Here’s my upset special. The Bruins could have folded after losing just about everyone this year, but especially when Marc Savard got his block knocked off for the umpteenth time. Instead, they went 10-6-2 down the stretch, including winning 4 of their last 5, and picking up a point in their loss. Tuukka Rask may not get any nominations this year, but he’s been as good as any goalie in the league this year. He’s just about made Tim Thomas redundant in Boston (good luck with that contract!). A strong playoff run for Rask will all but cement that. He’ll have to be great in order to best Ryan Miller. As good of a coach as Lindy Ruff is, I think the Bruins pull it out in 7.

Ottawa Senators (5) at Pittsburgh Penguins (4)

I don’t quite know how the Senators managed to keep it together, but they did and deserve credit. Spezza has been reborn, even without Dany Heatley. They’re just a well balanced bunch who play smart hockey. That’s a tough combo to beat in the playoffs. That said, the Penguins have been to the cup finals twice in the past 2 years and they are the defending champs. Crosby will want to make an gold medal sandwich using the Stanley Cup as the bread. He may or may not get there, but Senators won’t be the group to derail him. Penguins in 6.


Western Conference


Colorado Avalanche (8) vs San Jose Sharks (1)

If ever the Sharks were going to make a leap, now’s the time. The Avalanche are 1 of 2 things to me: a team that spent itself to make the playoffs or a team that now that they are in, are just glad to be there. The Sharks are acutely aware of the stigma attached to them and desperately want to shed that label. Is Heatley the guy to help them do it? Time will tell, but I think the Sharks overwhelm the Avalanche, who deserve tons of credit for having the season they have. Sharks in 5.

Nashville Predators (7) vs Chicago Blackhawks (2)

The Blackhawks do not want to be the 2010 version of the 2009 Sharks. They have been an projected Cup contender since the start of the year, and if not for some shaky goaltending, they may be the clear cut choice. But it seems that neither Cristobal Huet or Antti Niemi are in the mood to deliver Cup-calibre goaltending. The Predators are not to be overlooked, as they have solid goaltending with Pekka Rinne and some horses like Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. They are blue-collar up front, which may rub the Hawks the wrong way. In the end, the Hawks are too strong up front. Blackhawks in 6.

Los Angeles Kings (6) vs Vancouver Canucks (3)

They say that you have to learn to lose before you can win. If true, the Kings and their fans are going to be disappointed (yet should be doing cartwheels for their future is bright!). The Canucks are solid everywhere, and though their defense is not the best, you’ve got to beat one of the game’s best in Luongo. I’m not Roberto’s biggest fan, but the guy can stop pucks.  If the Kings defense, led by youngsters Drew Doughty and Jack Johnson can shut down the Sedins (including Art Ross winner Henrik), it will be up to Rob Scuderi (who was terrific with the Penguins last year) and Sean O’Donnell to stop Ryan Kesler. Easier said than done. I don’t want to dismiss the Kings’ attack, nor the Ryan Smyth factor, but to me this series says heartbreak for the Kings. Canucks in 7.

Detroit Red Wings (5) vs Phoenix Coyotes (4)

Don’t let the standings fool you. Yes, the Coyotes were magical this year, and Dave Tippett will win the Jack Adams award, and if he doesn’t there ought to be an investigation. But it was not that long ago that the Red Wings were battling for their playoff lives. But these are the Red Wings. The guys that have forgotten what it’s like to not have a 100 point season. The Wings have shown who they are over the last month, winning 12 of their last 15 games and losing 2 of those 3 remaining games after regulation. As amazing a story as the Coyotes have been all year long, I’ll be stunned if they hang around too long in this series. Bryzgalov will have to be on top of his game, which, given his excellent season may not be crazy at all. Red Wings in 5.

Feel free to weigh in!

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