As I have been daily following the sudden sale of the Nashville Predators, a story just came out that I believe signals prospective owner Balsillie's intentions of moving the team to Canada. The CBC and TSN are reporting that Balsillie has re-activated a deal with the city of Hamilton that gives him exclusive right to negotiate a team for the area, and would give him greater control of the arena, (if you want more details CBC: http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2007/05/31/balsillie-hamilton.html, TSN: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=209447&hubname=nhl).
This is another news story that fits my theory.
1) Balsillie purchased the Preds with the intention of moving them (this has been pretty obvious to everyone after this is what likley blocked his acquisition of the Penguins).
2) The NHL is not as interested in protecting Nashville the way it did Pittsburgh.
3) Balsillie already knows the Board of Governors is going to back his move once he can terminate the Nashville lease. (I don't really know why the Preds fans are pinning their hopes on the sale being defeated)
now the fact that's he's got an arena deal in place lets me believe this....
4) I believe Balsillie is planning on breaking the lease with the city regardless of the attendance. Seriously there isn't the political pressure in Nashville for the city to support the team, the Preds fans (as good as they are, I won't resort to southern slander in this post, though there are anti-yankee people I met in North Carolina that would provoke me into it, but that's another topic) are in the minority. Can you imagine the political suicide it would be to buy up tickets for a billionaire owned sports franchise? Only the 14,000 or so that are attending games wouldn't kill them at the polls.
On the flip side, the non-hockey-loving majority would probably gladly take an extra $15-$20 Million settlement (read "bribe") on top of the exit fee to release the Preds from their lease, regardless of attendance figures (maybe as early as this summer as to avoid a lame duck season). This is the sad thing of it all. As much as the fan-base supports the team, the city doesn't, the big time music-companies don't, and the media doesn't, and I think that's been an obsticle in their growth.
What Balsillie's agreement does is open a possible place to park the Preds, either on a permanent basis, or until a new building can be built (remember that little 25 acre parcel in Cambridge).
5) Balsillie is planning on working with the Leafs and Sabres on a fee (again read "bribe") for infringing on their protected territory. Hamilton clearly lies within the 80km limit of both cities, but making a deal with the copps coliseum means he's willing to work something out, even if it's on a temporary basis (as one would assume it takes about 2 years to build a building). And perhaps Hamilton might become a permanent home, it is a larger metropolitan area than the Kitchener-Waterloo-Cambridge area. Remember with the Board of Governers (which is made up of one representatve from each team) has the power to approve any relocation or sale. In a revenue sharing era they are very motivated to ensure the success of as many franshises as possible (in other words it is in their best interest to approve any move that would turn a team from a revenue sharing drain to a contributor).
So if Balsillie is posturing to move the team to Hamilton, it may make it more appealing to the leafs when they land in cambrige. With my assumption that the BoG is already on board, if the long term plan is to land them in Cambridge, the BoG can nudge Toronto by saying "at least we're not letting them move to Hamilton" to make it a little more palatable.
...the bottom line is I believe everything the media is speculating on Basillie already has a plan for. My assumptions just make too much sense. The most likley way I could be wrong is assumption #2, meaning in fact BoG is interested in protecting Nashville, and is willing to kill this sale the same way they did the Pens sale. But I don't think Balsillie pays $220M for a frachise valued at $140M if he doesn't know the BoG is on board.
...one other good thing that comes of this is that this may be the first uprising of the BoG against Commisioner Bettman. That they are no longer rubberstamping his expansion/relocations desires as they were in the late 90s. They aren't buying the argumen that this non-trad hockey market invasion is necessary for league health. And that his current deal (reportedly 5 years longer) is his last, as they are starting to see the error of this overzealous, underreasearched, expanson fee grab that is the southern growth.
The expansions/relocations that were authorized before Bettman's term (Anaheim, Tampa Bay, Ottawa, Dallas, San Jose) have been quite succesful, note both south and north cities included, Florida being the only failue, and that's really only been realized in the last 3 or so years. Bettmans relocations/expansions Nasvhille, Atlanta, Phoenix, Carolina have been suspect at best. Denver was a success, and Minnesota and Columbus have been good (Minnesota's was obvious however). Bottom line, the BoG is no longer blinded by collecting the expansion fees, and no longer doing whatever Bettman wants. Nashville is just the first domino to fall, Atlanta and Phoenix (return of the Jets!!?) are not far behind if this deal goes through.
Back on topic, the only thing I see Keeping the Preds from Canada is if during a Baltimore Colts style move, the spirits of those midnight Mayflower vans overcome them and they accidentially land in Indianapolis.
(drawing this comparison to the Preds potential method of midnight moving, don't mistake this as supporing the NHL in Indy, they're too small).
Showing posts with label General Hockey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label General Hockey. Show all posts
31 May 2007
28 May 2007
Anaheim Ducks, unworthy finalist, bad for the "New NHL"
I feel I need to better explain my position that I think the Ducks are the dirtest team in the NHL.
The Ducks were the most penalized team in the league during the regular season, the Ducks' Teemu Selanne was caught using an illegal stick in the last week of the season (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270404025), the Ducks are the most suspended team in the playoffs. One of the aforementions suspensions involved an incident where Chris Pronger led a hit with his elbow against the Wings' Tomas Holsmtrom (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270515025). With the Ducks trailing 4-0, Rob Niedermeyer and pronger sandwiched Holmstrom against the boards, with Pronger's elbow flying. It doesn't get much cheaper than that, especially given the game situation. After the Pronger incidend Ducks GM Brian Burke (former NHL punishment czar and Canucks GM) had the nerve to spin it by saying if you look at it from an end view it wasn't that bad, however from any other it was ugly, including the referee standing feet away. How insulting is that.
This is completly different from the situation in 2003, the Ducks last trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. I thought they represent the West quite proudly. And Guigere v. Brodeur was a 7 game goaltenders' duel for the ages. Some people think I'm still sour about the Wild's first round exit at the hands of the Ducks, however I didn't feel that way after the Ducks swept the Wild in 2003, I definatly was willing to admit the Ducks were the better team then.
The Ducks are shaming everything the "New NHL" stands for, and there success is in fact bad for the leauge. Cause once GM's see something that works, they copy quickly, and all the work to get the dirty hits and clutch and grab style out of hockey may ultimatly be undone.
The Ducks were the most penalized team in the league during the regular season, the Ducks' Teemu Selanne was caught using an illegal stick in the last week of the season (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270404025), the Ducks are the most suspended team in the playoffs. One of the aforementions suspensions involved an incident where Chris Pronger led a hit with his elbow against the Wings' Tomas Holsmtrom (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=270515025). With the Ducks trailing 4-0, Rob Niedermeyer and pronger sandwiched Holmstrom against the boards, with Pronger's elbow flying. It doesn't get much cheaper than that, especially given the game situation. After the Pronger incidend Ducks GM Brian Burke (former NHL punishment czar and Canucks GM) had the nerve to spin it by saying if you look at it from an end view it wasn't that bad, however from any other it was ugly, including the referee standing feet away. How insulting is that.
This is completly different from the situation in 2003, the Ducks last trip to the Stanley Cup Finals. I thought they represent the West quite proudly. And Guigere v. Brodeur was a 7 game goaltenders' duel for the ages. Some people think I'm still sour about the Wild's first round exit at the hands of the Ducks, however I didn't feel that way after the Ducks swept the Wild in 2003, I definatly was willing to admit the Ducks were the better team then.
The Ducks are shaming everything the "New NHL" stands for, and there success is in fact bad for the leauge. Cause once GM's see something that works, they copy quickly, and all the work to get the dirty hits and clutch and grab style out of hockey may ultimatly be undone.
26 May 2007
Relocation Ramifications of the Predators sale
If as JW!O expects, the Preds do exercise the "cure clause" in their lease with Nashville this season, the Preds may be one year away from relocation. Prospective owner billionare Jim Basillie (who signed a letter of intent with current owner Craig Liepold to purchase the team for a reported $220M), tried to buy the Penguins earlier this year. However, that deal fell through because the leauge wanted to attach too many clauses that would make it tough to relocate the team if an arena deal could be reached. In essense the NHL kind of protected Pittsburgh by attatching too many conditions to the sale for Basillie's liking.
However, I believe Nashville will not enjoy such protection because it's fans have not been filling their building the way the Penguins had been, and this sale is more likley to be approved even with an understanding a relocation is possible to probable. The Predators still have a lease with Nashville, but my last post outlined how they can get out of that. So if we're down to one season in Nashville what can happen.
The speculation may surprise you. Most of it is that Basillie wants to move a team to Southern Ontario. Currently Ottawa and Toronto have NHL teams in Ontario and are the two largest metropolitan areas in the province. The third largest is Hamilton, with about 682,000 in the metropolitan area (which makes it about the size of the Quebec City, or Winnipeg metropolitan areas, Canadian Demographic info click here) Hamilton does already have an NHL-quality building in place, the 17,500 seat Copps Coliseum (currently home to the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs). However, Hamilton lies within a 50mi (80km) protected area of both the Buffalo Sabres and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Which means these teams would likley have to be compensated to relinquish claims in order to put a team there.
One other idea is to put the team in the Kitchner, Ontario metropolitan area, one reason is that this area contains the city of Waterloo, Ontario which is home to Basillie's company Research In Motion. Also this area lies outside of Toronto's protected area, but still within 30-40 miles of Hamilton. (Trouble visualizing this? click on the map I made, using Google MyMaps feature) Also there is spec based on the fact that Basillie has purchased 25 acres in Waterloo, perhaps to build a new arena from the ground. However Kitcher is considerably smaller than Hamilton, and for this to work, one would speculate they'd be counting on drawing current Leafs fans from the Hamilton area.
If they go this route, the team would probably well served to call themselves the Ontario Predators (in the case they don't change the name), or South Ontario Predators instead of the Kitchner-Waterloo-Cambridge-Hamilton-London-Guelph-Brantford Predators.
The other ideas include a return of the NHL to Québec City or Winnipeg (The two largest Canadian cities without NHL teams). They already have a 15,000 seat arena (MTS Centre) ready in Winnipeg, however that may be too small for the NHL, especially since the Preds are already drawing 13,000 plus in Nashville. For that to work prices would have to be higher than average in Winnipeg (which is probably possible because Nashville prices are among the lowest in the league) to compensate and anything less than a sellout would be unacceptable. Québec City is in a similar situation, however their Colisée Pepsi (formerly the Colisée de Québec, the home of the Québec Nordiques until 1995 when they moved to Denver), is much older and doesn't enjoy the club and luxury seating of Winnipeg's MTSC.
If the team is to stay in the States Kansas City has to remain the front runner. It was their offer for the Penguins that ultimatley forced the city to improve their arena offer. Kansas City has a beautiful new building (Sprint Center) with no anchor tenant. There is some sentiment to return to Hartford, but honestly I believe that has more to do with the wishes of Bristol, CT based ESPN than anything. Also there has been speculation on Houston, Seattle, and Portland, and even Vegas,as viable NHL cities (see their demographic info here).
Why I bring this long list of cities up? Because I believe the relocation of the Predators is just the beginning. The Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers, and Phoenix Coyotes should also be candidates to move once they see how the Preds have improved their situation.
These are the recent relocations and expansions under Commisioner Gary Bettman, these relocations/expansions were rushed, and based on population data alone, but not about how marketbale hockey is to these populations bases. This is why these relocations/expansions have not worked out as well as say San Jose, Tampa Bay, Ottawa, and Dallas (kills me to admit it, but the stars did succede in a post Bloomington world, though not nearly as well as the Wild are doing now, buisness-wise). However, all of these happened BEFORE Bettman, and would apper better thought out than Bettman's team moves/additions. I'm not even trying to make this a North-South thing, there are some so called "southern" teams that have done quiet well on the Pre-Bettman list.
Bettman's expansions/relocations have been motivated by demographic research that only factored in the size of a market (athough that wouldn't appear to be the case for Raleigh/Durham as the 40th TV market in the US), and not the demand for NHL hockey there. Which is why attendance has just been poor in these areas. I believe the expansions were motivated by millions in fees paid to the current owners, but underestimated the potential long term damage to the league. Under Bettman, only Minnesota and Columbus are expansions/relocations that have long term success, Carolina and Anaheim are starting to come around.
Teams are failing more than Gary wants to let on, and we're going to see teams need to move to stay healthy. Hopefully they get it right, cause the instability is bad for the game, but in these 4 cases (Nashville, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Florida) absolutly necessary. The Preds sale will prove to be the first domino to topple.
Original TSN Story: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=208743&hubname=nhl
However, I believe Nashville will not enjoy such protection because it's fans have not been filling their building the way the Penguins had been, and this sale is more likley to be approved even with an understanding a relocation is possible to probable. The Predators still have a lease with Nashville, but my last post outlined how they can get out of that. So if we're down to one season in Nashville what can happen.
The speculation may surprise you. Most of it is that Basillie wants to move a team to Southern Ontario. Currently Ottawa and Toronto have NHL teams in Ontario and are the two largest metropolitan areas in the province. The third largest is Hamilton, with about 682,000 in the metropolitan area (which makes it about the size of the Quebec City, or Winnipeg metropolitan areas, Canadian Demographic info click here) Hamilton does already have an NHL-quality building in place, the 17,500 seat Copps Coliseum (currently home to the AHL's Hamilton Bulldogs). However, Hamilton lies within a 50mi (80km) protected area of both the Buffalo Sabres and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Which means these teams would likley have to be compensated to relinquish claims in order to put a team there.
One other idea is to put the team in the Kitchner, Ontario metropolitan area, one reason is that this area contains the city of Waterloo, Ontario which is home to Basillie's company Research In Motion. Also this area lies outside of Toronto's protected area, but still within 30-40 miles of Hamilton. (Trouble visualizing this? click on the map I made, using Google MyMaps feature) Also there is spec based on the fact that Basillie has purchased 25 acres in Waterloo, perhaps to build a new arena from the ground. However Kitcher is considerably smaller than Hamilton, and for this to work, one would speculate they'd be counting on drawing current Leafs fans from the Hamilton area.
If they go this route, the team would probably well served to call themselves the Ontario Predators (in the case they don't change the name), or South Ontario Predators instead of the Kitchner-Waterloo-Cambridge-Hamilton-London-Guelph-Brantford Predators.
The other ideas include a return of the NHL to Québec City or Winnipeg (The two largest Canadian cities without NHL teams). They already have a 15,000 seat arena (MTS Centre) ready in Winnipeg, however that may be too small for the NHL, especially since the Preds are already drawing 13,000 plus in Nashville. For that to work prices would have to be higher than average in Winnipeg (which is probably possible because Nashville prices are among the lowest in the league) to compensate and anything less than a sellout would be unacceptable. Québec City is in a similar situation, however their Colisée Pepsi (formerly the Colisée de Québec, the home of the Québec Nordiques until 1995 when they moved to Denver), is much older and doesn't enjoy the club and luxury seating of Winnipeg's MTSC.
If the team is to stay in the States Kansas City has to remain the front runner. It was their offer for the Penguins that ultimatley forced the city to improve their arena offer. Kansas City has a beautiful new building (Sprint Center) with no anchor tenant. There is some sentiment to return to Hartford, but honestly I believe that has more to do with the wishes of Bristol, CT based ESPN than anything. Also there has been speculation on Houston, Seattle, and Portland, and even Vegas,as viable NHL cities (see their demographic info here).
Why I bring this long list of cities up? Because I believe the relocation of the Predators is just the beginning. The Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers, and Phoenix Coyotes should also be candidates to move once they see how the Preds have improved their situation.
These are the recent relocations and expansions under Commisioner Gary Bettman, these relocations/expansions were rushed, and based on population data alone, but not about how marketbale hockey is to these populations bases. This is why these relocations/expansions have not worked out as well as say San Jose, Tampa Bay, Ottawa, and Dallas (kills me to admit it, but the stars did succede in a post Bloomington world, though not nearly as well as the Wild are doing now, buisness-wise). However, all of these happened BEFORE Bettman, and would apper better thought out than Bettman's team moves/additions. I'm not even trying to make this a North-South thing, there are some so called "southern" teams that have done quiet well on the Pre-Bettman list.
Bettman's expansions/relocations have been motivated by demographic research that only factored in the size of a market (athough that wouldn't appear to be the case for Raleigh/Durham as the 40th TV market in the US), and not the demand for NHL hockey there. Which is why attendance has just been poor in these areas. I believe the expansions were motivated by millions in fees paid to the current owners, but underestimated the potential long term damage to the league. Under Bettman, only Minnesota and Columbus are expansions/relocations that have long term success, Carolina and Anaheim are starting to come around.
Teams are failing more than Gary wants to let on, and we're going to see teams need to move to stay healthy. Hopefully they get it right, cause the instability is bad for the game, but in these 4 cases (Nashville, Atlanta, Phoenix, and Florida) absolutly necessary. The Preds sale will prove to be the first domino to topple.
Original TSN Story: http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=208743&hubname=nhl
Nashville Predators sold
Thursday the blogosphere was rocked with news of the sale of the Nashville Predators to Research in Motion CEO Jim Basillie. This has fueled speculation as to whether the team will relocate. Basillie attempted to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins earlier this year, but the league attached too many restrictions to the sale for it approval, namley making it nearly impossible for Basillie to relocate the team.
Basillie's company is famous for the development of the BlackBerry device, and is based in Waterloo, Ontario. The spec is that with the Preds struggling (average attendance 13,815 about 2,000 below the leauge average according to this ESPN.com story, Basillie is buying the team planning to move them to this area of Canada. Further speculation is fueled by the report he acquired more than 25 acres of land in Waterloo, potentially to build a new arena from the ground up.
The Nashville Predators have a "Major League" (as in the 1989 film about a fictional Cleveland Indians team facing the same problem) type clause in their lease, where if the attendance drops below a certain level, the team may leave the city (which operates the Sommet Center, that just signed a new naming rights deal). Since last years attendance was below 14,000 the team may exercise a "cure clause," essentially giving the city 1 year notice that if attendance doesn't climb above 14,000 per game the lease terminate upon payment of an "exit fee" and they are free to move. This also give the city the opportunity to make up the difference if they decided to keep the team in Nashville.
The "cure clause" has to be activiated withitin 30 days of the end of the season. This means the Middle of June as the Preds played their last game in the first round being eliminated by San Jose. This means current owner, Wisconsin buisnessman Craig Leopold, has to make this decision as the sale won't be finialized until the end of June after the leauge has had a chance to improve it.
Comment...
It is my belief that the clause will be exercised. It is also my belief that there is no desire on the part of the city to exercise their bail-out option. So the "cure season" will be on in 2007-2008, and it can go a few ways.
First, it can go the movie route, where they tank to ensure they don't sell tickets. The lopsided Petr Forsberg trade lends some credence to this theory. The Preds sent most of their prospects to Philadelphia to acquire Forsberg, he was rather ineffective with the Preds and there seems to be little believe that Nashville plans to re sign him. (In the mean time one of the players that became a Flyer in this trade, Scottie Upshall, has already re-uped with Philly).
Second, Basillie may try to save the team. If he goes that route, he will instantly have raised the value of the franchise if he can get attendance raised. The Preds have potential for about a 30% increase in ticket sales (from 14K to capacity of over 18K) and the incidentals that go with that. It is widley speculated that his motives are to move the team, but he's a buisness man, and won't sneeze at this instant profit realization if it's possible.
Third, if we have really already seen the maximum support the Preds are going to get from the Nashville community, it really won't matter either way. What gives this theory credence is the Predators have been among the leagues elite (not just above average, but eliete). The Preds had the 3rd best record in the NHL last regular season. There misfortune in part has been being drawn into the Central with Detroit (though this has provided an actual rivalry between the do), they've had record good enough for division titles, but always behind Detroit. Also they have drawn San Jose twice in the playoffs, and the Sharks are a great playoff team, leading them to first round exits. Still this is a team that's good enough for better support than 13K per game, and that just hasn't been realized here.
My feeling is we're in case 3, there isn't pressure on the government to lift the team to keep them, which means a "Save the Preds" type of drive may not be effective. While we are talking about 200 fans per game however, however if the government isn't feeling the pressure, there are probably not enough fas that will, and they're won't be the same "farewell tour" feeling as there was with the North Stars in their final dates, or the Penguins until they were saved on the final week of this season.
This is now too long for one post, I will speculate on the relocation ramifications of this sale in the next one...
Basillie's company is famous for the development of the BlackBerry device, and is based in Waterloo, Ontario. The spec is that with the Preds struggling (average attendance 13,815 about 2,000 below the leauge average according to this ESPN.com story, Basillie is buying the team planning to move them to this area of Canada. Further speculation is fueled by the report he acquired more than 25 acres of land in Waterloo, potentially to build a new arena from the ground up.
The Nashville Predators have a "Major League" (as in the 1989 film about a fictional Cleveland Indians team facing the same problem) type clause in their lease, where if the attendance drops below a certain level, the team may leave the city (which operates the Sommet Center, that just signed a new naming rights deal). Since last years attendance was below 14,000 the team may exercise a "cure clause," essentially giving the city 1 year notice that if attendance doesn't climb above 14,000 per game the lease terminate upon payment of an "exit fee" and they are free to move. This also give the city the opportunity to make up the difference if they decided to keep the team in Nashville.
The "cure clause" has to be activiated withitin 30 days of the end of the season. This means the Middle of June as the Preds played their last game in the first round being eliminated by San Jose. This means current owner, Wisconsin buisnessman Craig Leopold, has to make this decision as the sale won't be finialized until the end of June after the leauge has had a chance to improve it.
Comment...
It is my belief that the clause will be exercised. It is also my belief that there is no desire on the part of the city to exercise their bail-out option. So the "cure season" will be on in 2007-2008, and it can go a few ways.
First, it can go the movie route, where they tank to ensure they don't sell tickets. The lopsided Petr Forsberg trade lends some credence to this theory. The Preds sent most of their prospects to Philadelphia to acquire Forsberg, he was rather ineffective with the Preds and there seems to be little believe that Nashville plans to re sign him. (In the mean time one of the players that became a Flyer in this trade, Scottie Upshall, has already re-uped with Philly).
Second, Basillie may try to save the team. If he goes that route, he will instantly have raised the value of the franchise if he can get attendance raised. The Preds have potential for about a 30% increase in ticket sales (from 14K to capacity of over 18K) and the incidentals that go with that. It is widley speculated that his motives are to move the team, but he's a buisness man, and won't sneeze at this instant profit realization if it's possible.
Third, if we have really already seen the maximum support the Preds are going to get from the Nashville community, it really won't matter either way. What gives this theory credence is the Predators have been among the leagues elite (not just above average, but eliete). The Preds had the 3rd best record in the NHL last regular season. There misfortune in part has been being drawn into the Central with Detroit (though this has provided an actual rivalry between the do), they've had record good enough for division titles, but always behind Detroit. Also they have drawn San Jose twice in the playoffs, and the Sharks are a great playoff team, leading them to first round exits. Still this is a team that's good enough for better support than 13K per game, and that just hasn't been realized here.
My feeling is we're in case 3, there isn't pressure on the government to lift the team to keep them, which means a "Save the Preds" type of drive may not be effective. While we are talking about 200 fans per game however, however if the government isn't feeling the pressure, there are probably not enough fas that will, and they're won't be the same "farewell tour" feeling as there was with the North Stars in their final dates, or the Penguins until they were saved on the final week of this season.
This is now too long for one post, I will speculate on the relocation ramifications of this sale in the next one...
19 April 2007
Wild Affirmation
Superstision in pre-mature hubirus be damned. I'm on the Wild comeback bandwagon, and inspiration struck me to write a parody to the tune of Savage Garden's Affirmation...
"Wild Affirmation"
New Lyrics by Justin Jelinek
I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe a fight should only end at Derek Boogaard's hands
I believe Chris Pronger's on the ice whines like a little child
I believe that Ducks need to be hunted in the Minnesota Wild
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self esteem
I believe Wes Walz playing with ten stiches makes good fans scream
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe we need appreciate the grit of our Brent Burns
I believe they're no better than the Wild on the other side
I believe we'll fight to the end and then they'll want to hide.
I believe we'll soon find out why the Ducks are not so mighty
I believe they crossed the blueline 'round the State of Hockey
I believe that hell hath no fury like a Lemaire Scorned
I believe that Nick-y-B's a calming awesome force in goal
I believe the struggle with bias referees is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree breathe West Coast air.
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe we need appreciate the grit of our Brent Burns
I believe they're no better than the Wild on the other side
I believe we'll fight to the end and then they'll want to hide.
I believe Rolston and Bouchard bring the Wild happiness
I believe God endorse Gabs and Pav joined they impress
I believe we will find a way to come back and beat the Ducks
I believe that Teemu and Brad May are worthless cheating f**ks.
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe we need appreciate the grit of our Brent Burns
I believe they're no better than the Wild on the other side
I believe we'll fight to the end and then they'll want to hide.
..........
I wrote this in about two hours.
"Wild Affirmation"
New Lyrics by Justin Jelinek
I believe the sun should never set upon an argument
I believe a fight should only end at Derek Boogaard's hands
I believe Chris Pronger's on the ice whines like a little child
I believe that Ducks need to be hunted in the Minnesota Wild
I believe that beauty magazines promote low self esteem
I believe Wes Walz playing with ten stiches makes good fans scream
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe we need appreciate the grit of our Brent Burns
I believe they're no better than the Wild on the other side
I believe we'll fight to the end and then they'll want to hide.
I believe we'll soon find out why the Ducks are not so mighty
I believe they crossed the blueline 'round the State of Hockey
I believe that hell hath no fury like a Lemaire Scorned
I believe that Nick-y-B's a calming awesome force in goal
I believe the struggle with bias referees is unfair
I believe the only ones who disagree breathe West Coast air.
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe we need appreciate the grit of our Brent Burns
I believe they're no better than the Wild on the other side
I believe we'll fight to the end and then they'll want to hide.
I believe Rolston and Bouchard bring the Wild happiness
I believe God endorse Gabs and Pav joined they impress
I believe we will find a way to come back and beat the Ducks
I believe that Teemu and Brad May are worthless cheating f**ks.
I believe in Karma what you give is what you get returned
I believe we need appreciate the grit of our Brent Burns
I believe they're no better than the Wild on the other side
I believe we'll fight to the end and then they'll want to hide.
..........
I wrote this in about two hours.
16 April 2007
Pool Results (through Su, 15 Apr 07)
Okay here are the first standings, I will try and update the standings following games on Sundays and Wednesdays throughout the playoffs.
Series A: BUF v. NYI- Tied 1-1
Series B: NJ v. TBY - Tied 1-1
Series C: ATL v. NYR - NYR 2-0
Series D: OTW v. PIT - OTW 2-1
Series E: DET v. CGY - DET 2-0
Series F: ANA v. MIN - ANA 3-0
Series G: VAN v. DAL - DAL 2-1
Series H: NSH v. SJ - Tied 1-1
(f)-facebook entry, (b)- blogspot entry
Rnk> Player: (Tot, A+B+C+D+E+F+G+H)
(f) T1> Justin (20, 2+2+4+4+4+0+2+2)
(f) T1> Matt (20, 2+2+4+4+4+0+2+2)
(b) 3> Mom (18, 2+2+4+2+4+0+2+2)
(f) 4> Jen (16, 2+2+4+4+0+0+2+2)
(f) 5> Jered (14, 2+2+0+2+4+0+2+2)
All right I will try and do the next update after Wednesdays results.
Series A: BUF v. NYI- Tied 1-1
Series B: NJ v. TBY - Tied 1-1
Series C: ATL v. NYR - NYR 2-0
Series D: OTW v. PIT - OTW 2-1
Series E: DET v. CGY - DET 2-0
Series F: ANA v. MIN - ANA 3-0
Series G: VAN v. DAL - DAL 2-1
Series H: NSH v. SJ - Tied 1-1
(f)-facebook entry, (b)- blogspot entry
Rnk> Player: (Tot, A+B+C+D+E+F+G+H)
(f) T1> Justin (20, 2+2+4+4+4+0+2+2)
(f) T1> Matt (20, 2+2+4+4+4+0+2+2)
(b) 3> Mom (18, 2+2+4+2+4+0+2+2)
(f) 4> Jen (16, 2+2+4+4+0+0+2+2)
(f) 5> Jered (14, 2+2+0+2+4+0+2+2)
All right I will try and do the next update after Wednesdays results.
11 April 2007
NHL Playoffs Preview... Conf. Quarters...
EASTERN CONFERENCE
(#1) Buffalo v. (#8) New York Islanders
The big question mark for the Islanders is how far can they go without Goaltender Rick DiPietro. They have won their last 4 games for their dramatic playoff push (beating Toronto by 1 point for the final spot). The Sabres didn't end their season that great, but they had the first seed in the East locked up. I think Buffalo is the pick to win the Stanley Cup, and I think that they're depth and speed is eventually going to overwhelm the Isles. But I've got a feeling the boys from Uniondale aren't going to go down too easily.
Buffalo in 6
(#2) New Jersey v. (#7) Tampa Bay
The Bolts are not even a shadow of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2004. New Jersey boasts the best defense in the Eastern Conference and until further notice, the best goaltender in the league in Martin Brodeur. Now a lot of people believe that the Devils are due for some bad Karma after firing Julien in the last week of the season for his Atlantic division championship effort this season. Regardless of who's behind the bench, the Devs are destined to beat the Bolts. Tampa Bay simply can't generate the offense it'll take to down the Devils, and mistakes in their own end will probably tip them out. There will be some close games, but Jersey will win 4 of them pretty quick.
New Jersey in 5
(#3) Atlanta v. (#6) New York Rangers
Congratulations to Atlanta on their first playoff appearance in their 9 seasons of existence. However, I have to believe the experience of the New York Rangers is going to win out here. The Thrash did add Keith Thachuck after the St. Louis fire sale, but for veterans, they just can't compare to the Broadway Blueshirts Jager, Avery, and others. King Henrik is still young between the posts, but we know what he's capable holding teams to very few goals, I think the Rangers are still motivated by their late seasons collapse last year and they realize a minor upset of the Thrash is within reach.
New York Rangers in 6
(#4) Ottawa v. (#5) Pittsburgh
This is going to be the most competitive of the 8 series. The Senators have not had any playoff sucess since losing that tough eastern conference final to the Devils in 2003. But Sens are a deep team and they've been every bit as hot as the Penguins. The Penguins have a ton of firepower and boast scoring champion Sidney Crosby in just his sophomore season. However there are indeed questions on the back end for the Penguins and I think the youth of this team is going to show more than the desiders of the media that want the Pens to go deep. The Pens will be a condentder for many years to come, but they drew an unfortunate first round matchup with the Sens.
Ottawa in 7
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(#1) Detroit v. (#8) Calgary
To say the Red Wings have been succesful in the post season in recent years is quite an overstatement. They have not one a playoff series since lifting the cup in 2002, and they've been favorites in each instance. However, the Red Wings have drawn the one team that has no shot of winning the Western Conference. The two chances the Flames have are if age catches up with the Red Wings yet again, and if they have troubles between the net (Hasek's injury and Osgood's inconsistency) but aside from that, the Red Wings play very well as a team in both ends. This is the year they do away with the first round choke-monster.
Detroit in 5
(#2) Anaheim v. (#7) Minnesota
HOMER ALERT! We know who I'm gonna take here, so I'm just going focus on making the rather unlikley case. This series will also be close, almost as close as the Ottawa-Pittsburgh tilt. The teams split 2-2 in the regular season. It was in Anaheim where Marian Gaborik got hurt, and that has somewhat been attributed to their poor ice conditions. So that's a little scary. However the Wild are the only team in the playoffs that boast 3 legitamate scoring lines, which will play off toward the end of this series. The biggest caveat is if the Wild will face the Jean-Sebastian Giguere (expected to return from his family medical issues) that just the team out for 3 straight games in 2003. However the Ducks have more waddled into the playoffs, and have had trouble winning games that were important to their Pacific Division title (however, they did finally beat Columbus to get there). On the Other hand the Wild have won their last three straight (albiet against Edmonton and St. Louis who aren't going to the playoffs) I think the Wild have the depth to beat Ducks, though this is Goaltenter Niklas Backstrom's first Stanley Cup playoffs, he doesn't seem to have the fragile mindset that dooms other young goaltenders in their first series'.
Minnesota in 6
(#3) Vancouver v. (#6) Dallas
The Vancouver Canucks should thank the Florida Panthers for Goaltender Roberto Luango. Bertuzzi for Luango is the most lopsided trade since Boston sent Joe Thorton to San Jose for....who?...I forgot. Luango has carried this team to the Northwest crown with stellar play. On the other side, Dallas Goaltender Marty Turco has been marrred by playoff woes. In the end I think the Canucks play better defensivly, and whether it's Turco's fault or not, the Stars are probably going down.
Vancouver in 6
(#4) Nashville v. (#5) San Jose
This is also going to be a very tight series. The I did dub the Sharks the most improved team at the trade deadline. Their acquisition of Bill Guerin (also from the aformentioned Blues Firesale), and made them extremly deep in terms of forwards (almost as much as the Wild). If they get good goaltending from Evgeni Nabokov or Vesa Toskala, they will be tough to beat. Nashville made headlines at the deadline by acquiring Petr Forsberg from the Flyers. It remains to be seen how much impact he's really going to have. The Preds gave up a lot for him (in fact they did most of the Flyers rebuilding work for them in this deal). I just have to like the Sharks here.
San Jose in 6.
REST OF BRACKET (subject to change for the purposes of my pool)...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
*Minnesota over Detroit (in 6)
*San Jose over Vancouver (in 4)
San Jose over Minnesota (in 6)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
*Buffalo over New York Rangers (in 5)
*Ottawa over New Jersey (in 7)
Buffalo over ottawa (in 7)
STANLEY CUP FINALS
Buffalo over San Jose (in 5)
*Note: The top seed remaining after the conference quarterfinal is always paired with the bottom seed remaining in the conference semifinals. And the other two teams are paired in the other Semifinal
----
Editor's note: This blog was posted at about 8pm ct, 2 hours after the start of the Buffalo and Ottawa game, however I assure this was completed earlier in the afternoon about 3pm. -J
(#1) Buffalo v. (#8) New York Islanders
The big question mark for the Islanders is how far can they go without Goaltender Rick DiPietro. They have won their last 4 games for their dramatic playoff push (beating Toronto by 1 point for the final spot). The Sabres didn't end their season that great, but they had the first seed in the East locked up. I think Buffalo is the pick to win the Stanley Cup, and I think that they're depth and speed is eventually going to overwhelm the Isles. But I've got a feeling the boys from Uniondale aren't going to go down too easily.
Buffalo in 6
(#2) New Jersey v. (#7) Tampa Bay
The Bolts are not even a shadow of the team that won the Stanley Cup in 2004. New Jersey boasts the best defense in the Eastern Conference and until further notice, the best goaltender in the league in Martin Brodeur. Now a lot of people believe that the Devils are due for some bad Karma after firing Julien in the last week of the season for his Atlantic division championship effort this season. Regardless of who's behind the bench, the Devs are destined to beat the Bolts. Tampa Bay simply can't generate the offense it'll take to down the Devils, and mistakes in their own end will probably tip them out. There will be some close games, but Jersey will win 4 of them pretty quick.
New Jersey in 5
(#3) Atlanta v. (#6) New York Rangers
Congratulations to Atlanta on their first playoff appearance in their 9 seasons of existence. However, I have to believe the experience of the New York Rangers is going to win out here. The Thrash did add Keith Thachuck after the St. Louis fire sale, but for veterans, they just can't compare to the Broadway Blueshirts Jager, Avery, and others. King Henrik is still young between the posts, but we know what he's capable holding teams to very few goals, I think the Rangers are still motivated by their late seasons collapse last year and they realize a minor upset of the Thrash is within reach.
New York Rangers in 6
(#4) Ottawa v. (#5) Pittsburgh
This is going to be the most competitive of the 8 series. The Senators have not had any playoff sucess since losing that tough eastern conference final to the Devils in 2003. But Sens are a deep team and they've been every bit as hot as the Penguins. The Penguins have a ton of firepower and boast scoring champion Sidney Crosby in just his sophomore season. However there are indeed questions on the back end for the Penguins and I think the youth of this team is going to show more than the desiders of the media that want the Pens to go deep. The Pens will be a condentder for many years to come, but they drew an unfortunate first round matchup with the Sens.
Ottawa in 7
WESTERN CONFERENCE
(#1) Detroit v. (#8) Calgary
To say the Red Wings have been succesful in the post season in recent years is quite an overstatement. They have not one a playoff series since lifting the cup in 2002, and they've been favorites in each instance. However, the Red Wings have drawn the one team that has no shot of winning the Western Conference. The two chances the Flames have are if age catches up with the Red Wings yet again, and if they have troubles between the net (Hasek's injury and Osgood's inconsistency) but aside from that, the Red Wings play very well as a team in both ends. This is the year they do away with the first round choke-monster.
Detroit in 5
(#2) Anaheim v. (#7) Minnesota
HOMER ALERT! We know who I'm gonna take here, so I'm just going focus on making the rather unlikley case. This series will also be close, almost as close as the Ottawa-Pittsburgh tilt. The teams split 2-2 in the regular season. It was in Anaheim where Marian Gaborik got hurt, and that has somewhat been attributed to their poor ice conditions. So that's a little scary. However the Wild are the only team in the playoffs that boast 3 legitamate scoring lines, which will play off toward the end of this series. The biggest caveat is if the Wild will face the Jean-Sebastian Giguere (expected to return from his family medical issues) that just the team out for 3 straight games in 2003. However the Ducks have more waddled into the playoffs, and have had trouble winning games that were important to their Pacific Division title (however, they did finally beat Columbus to get there). On the Other hand the Wild have won their last three straight (albiet against Edmonton and St. Louis who aren't going to the playoffs) I think the Wild have the depth to beat Ducks, though this is Goaltenter Niklas Backstrom's first Stanley Cup playoffs, he doesn't seem to have the fragile mindset that dooms other young goaltenders in their first series'.
Minnesota in 6
(#3) Vancouver v. (#6) Dallas
The Vancouver Canucks should thank the Florida Panthers for Goaltender Roberto Luango. Bertuzzi for Luango is the most lopsided trade since Boston sent Joe Thorton to San Jose for....who?...I forgot. Luango has carried this team to the Northwest crown with stellar play. On the other side, Dallas Goaltender Marty Turco has been marrred by playoff woes. In the end I think the Canucks play better defensivly, and whether it's Turco's fault or not, the Stars are probably going down.
Vancouver in 6
(#4) Nashville v. (#5) San Jose
This is also going to be a very tight series. The I did dub the Sharks the most improved team at the trade deadline. Their acquisition of Bill Guerin (also from the aformentioned Blues Firesale), and made them extremly deep in terms of forwards (almost as much as the Wild). If they get good goaltending from Evgeni Nabokov or Vesa Toskala, they will be tough to beat. Nashville made headlines at the deadline by acquiring Petr Forsberg from the Flyers. It remains to be seen how much impact he's really going to have. The Preds gave up a lot for him (in fact they did most of the Flyers rebuilding work for them in this deal). I just have to like the Sharks here.
San Jose in 6.
REST OF BRACKET (subject to change for the purposes of my pool)...
WESTERN CONFERENCE
*Minnesota over Detroit (in 6)
*San Jose over Vancouver (in 4)
San Jose over Minnesota (in 6)
EASTERN CONFERENCE
*Buffalo over New York Rangers (in 5)
*Ottawa over New Jersey (in 7)
Buffalo over ottawa (in 7)
STANLEY CUP FINALS
Buffalo over San Jose (in 5)
*Note: The top seed remaining after the conference quarterfinal is always paired with the bottom seed remaining in the conference semifinals. And the other two teams are paired in the other Semifinal
----
Editor's note: This blog was posted at about 8pm ct, 2 hours after the start of the Buffalo and Ottawa game, however I assure this was completed earlier in the afternoon about 3pm. -J
09 April 2007
Justin's Stanley Cup Playoff Pool
Okay the playoffs start Wednesday, make your picks for who will win each of the 8 playoff series'. For each game your teams win you will get 2 points, if your team wins the series you will get a 2 point bonus for a total of 10. There are 8 series so 80 points are possible, leave your picks in the comments section.
Eastern Conference:
#1 Buffalo v. #8 New York Islanders
#2 New Jersey v. #7 Tampa Bay
#3 Atlanta v. #6 New York Rangers
#4 Ottawa v. #5 Pittsburgh
Western Conference:
#1 Detroit v. #8 Calgary
#2 Anaheim v. #7 Minnesota
#3 Vancouver v. #6 Dallas
#4 Nashville v. #5 San Jose
Picks are due by 5:30pm CT on Wed, 11 April (30 minutes prior to the start of the first game between Ottawa and Pittsburgh, For the full playoff schedule: http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=298698)
Future rounds (Per game, series possible, total round possible)
Conference Semifinals (3, 15, 60)
Conference Finals (5, 25, 50)
Stanley Cup Finals (10, 50, 50)
Overall Total Possible: 240
Also look for my series predictions on Wednesday.
Eastern Conference:
#1 Buffalo v. #8 New York Islanders
#2 New Jersey v. #7 Tampa Bay
#3 Atlanta v. #6 New York Rangers
#4 Ottawa v. #5 Pittsburgh
Western Conference:
#1 Detroit v. #8 Calgary
#2 Anaheim v. #7 Minnesota
#3 Vancouver v. #6 Dallas
#4 Nashville v. #5 San Jose
Picks are due by 5:30pm CT on Wed, 11 April (30 minutes prior to the start of the first game between Ottawa and Pittsburgh, For the full playoff schedule: http://www.nhl.com/nhl/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=298698)
Future rounds (Per game, series possible, total round possible)
Conference Semifinals (3, 15, 60)
Conference Finals (5, 25, 50)
Stanley Cup Finals (10, 50, 50)
Overall Total Possible: 240
Also look for my series predictions on Wednesday.
02 April 2007
Lou Lamarillo Fires coach and gutless NHL commentators
New Jersey Devils General Manager Lou Lamarillo fired head coach Claude Juilen this morning. Julien was in his first season as the Devils' Head coach, the team has 102 points with 3 games reamaing, leading the Atlantic division and in 2nd place (behind only Buffalo) in the NHL's eastern conference. Lamirillo is going behind the bench for the remainder of the season. He did something similar in 2000 firing Peter Ftorek and replacing him with Larry Robinson with 8 games remaining. The Devils did go on to win the Stanley Cup. However Robison resigned in december of last season citing personal reasons (though now I have to question how voluntary that resignation was), Lamarillo took over as head coach and the 6th seeded devils "upset" the slumping New York Rangers in the first round.
Now I think this is a pretty stupid thing to do with the playoffs starting next week. The Devils are the best defensive team in the Eastern Conference (giving up just 2.47 goals/game). The team has been injury ridden, that had a rather rough March, they were temporarily passed by the hot Pittsburgh Penguins in the Atlantic division race. The Devils have had to battle through injuries to key players like Eilas and Gomez, I just don't know what Juilen did to deserve this, nor do I get what Lamarillo is hoping to gain.
Now I just watched the Versus 1st intermission show with Keith Jones, Brian Engblom, and Bill Clement, and for whatever reason they're defending Lamarillo in this. He is the longest tenured GM in the league, having been with the club since 1987, and they keep saying "he's such a hockey guy he must know what he's doing" and echoes to that effect are popping up all over the 'net. First off all he did was upset a slumping Rangers team last season when he took over as coach, that being the only playoff series they've won since raising the cup in 2003. I just don't know why he gets a pass for being so stupid. And that it seems not one columnist has come out to challege this.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=2823081
If you look closley as this article by ESPN.com columnist Scotty Burnside, he hints that since he won a playoff series over the Rangers last year this move would be considered a success if he can repeat that in this years playoffs. Well anyone that knows hockey well can see plain as day the Eastern Conference playoffs are basically Buffalo, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and 5 scrubs (maybe I'll give Ottawa some love as a dark horse). But as long as Jersey avoids these teams in the first round (which a #2 team should do, if they finished 4th they would draw Ottawa). there's no way they were going to lose.
I think Lamirillo is just trying to make this about him (see Kobe running Shaq out of town and the success of Miami and the medeocracy of LA since), and he's goign to win an easy playoff series and claim victory, which will make it tough for columnists to take shots at him. Well I think they're all gutless, you know what they're doing in New Jersey is wrong, and I'm not afraid to say it (although I don't have the readership of ESPN.com, I'll admit it). If these team doesn't get to the East finals, this has to be considered a failure, and if they shoudl be beaten by some Eastern conference scrub in the first round, oh should Lamarillo pay for this in terms of being able to hire serious candidates in the future. As for being scared to critisize this and giving Lamirillo a pass, I think the NHL media should all be ashamed, I'm calling all of you out Jones, Burnside, Clement, Engblom.
Now I think this is a pretty stupid thing to do with the playoffs starting next week. The Devils are the best defensive team in the Eastern Conference (giving up just 2.47 goals/game). The team has been injury ridden, that had a rather rough March, they were temporarily passed by the hot Pittsburgh Penguins in the Atlantic division race. The Devils have had to battle through injuries to key players like Eilas and Gomez, I just don't know what Juilen did to deserve this, nor do I get what Lamarillo is hoping to gain.
Now I just watched the Versus 1st intermission show with Keith Jones, Brian Engblom, and Bill Clement, and for whatever reason they're defending Lamarillo in this. He is the longest tenured GM in the league, having been with the club since 1987, and they keep saying "he's such a hockey guy he must know what he's doing" and echoes to that effect are popping up all over the 'net. First off all he did was upset a slumping Rangers team last season when he took over as coach, that being the only playoff series they've won since raising the cup in 2003. I just don't know why he gets a pass for being so stupid. And that it seems not one columnist has come out to challege this.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=2823081
If you look closley as this article by ESPN.com columnist Scotty Burnside, he hints that since he won a playoff series over the Rangers last year this move would be considered a success if he can repeat that in this years playoffs. Well anyone that knows hockey well can see plain as day the Eastern Conference playoffs are basically Buffalo, New Jersey, Pittsburgh, and 5 scrubs (maybe I'll give Ottawa some love as a dark horse). But as long as Jersey avoids these teams in the first round (which a #2 team should do, if they finished 4th they would draw Ottawa). there's no way they were going to lose.
I think Lamirillo is just trying to make this about him (see Kobe running Shaq out of town and the success of Miami and the medeocracy of LA since), and he's goign to win an easy playoff series and claim victory, which will make it tough for columnists to take shots at him. Well I think they're all gutless, you know what they're doing in New Jersey is wrong, and I'm not afraid to say it (although I don't have the readership of ESPN.com, I'll admit it). If these team doesn't get to the East finals, this has to be considered a failure, and if they shoudl be beaten by some Eastern conference scrub in the first round, oh should Lamarillo pay for this in terms of being able to hire serious candidates in the future. As for being scared to critisize this and giving Lamirillo a pass, I think the NHL media should all be ashamed, I'm calling all of you out Jones, Burnside, Clement, Engblom.
28 March 2007
Wild in great spirits, despite contraversal streak-ending loss..
Last night the Wild lost a scoreless tie in a 2 round shootout to the Calgary Flames. There was contraversy in the 1st period after an apparant goal on a Mark Parrish tip was called back because it was played by a high stick. There really haven't been any clear replays as to why this was called back, this is the only one that's shown it's even possible that Parrish played the puck with a high stick. (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=201845&hubname=nhl, click highlights under "Related info"). All the other views seem to support it should've counted, but in a post game interview even Parrish conceded the call was close, but given the replays I don't see how the refs found a way to call this goal back.
That wasn't the only source of contraversy, Calgary couldn't stay on their feet, and Referees Justin St. Pierre and Marc Joanette saw fit to reward this diving behavior with pathetic penalties on Kim Johnssonn and Brent Burns. Meanwhile Calgary got away with more holding the sticks than I could count.
Despite all of this, based on what was written in the papers it seems the team is farily content with the result. They did play very well, and the regulation tie was enough to put them in the playoffs after Colorado's loss to Vancouver about an hour later. The Wild haven't been beaten in Regulation in 10 straight games and they rematch the Flames on Thursday night.
http://www.twincities.com/wild/ci_5536099
That wasn't the only source of contraversy, Calgary couldn't stay on their feet, and Referees Justin St. Pierre and Marc Joanette saw fit to reward this diving behavior with pathetic penalties on Kim Johnssonn and Brent Burns. Meanwhile Calgary got away with more holding the sticks than I could count.
Despite all of this, based on what was written in the papers it seems the team is farily content with the result. They did play very well, and the regulation tie was enough to put them in the playoffs after Colorado's loss to Vancouver about an hour later. The Wild haven't been beaten in Regulation in 10 straight games and they rematch the Flames on Thursday night.
http://www.twincities.com/wild/ci_5536099
27 March 2007
Fighting in the NHL
This past month has been a terrible month for injuries and suspensions in the NHL. There have been a lot of fights and suspensions, so this will be a pretty link heavy post as I am going to give my take on a few incidents and the video will be available to you to make your own judgements and comments.
#1) Ottawa at Buffalo, 22 Feb 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYqPZhlL4Jo
I thought the Senators' Neil hit was late on the Sabres' Drury, probably should've been penalised, I wouldn't say it was vicious enough to warrant a suspension, and I think the Sabres had a reasonable response. But I don't think Neil was completly blamless, it certainly wasn't clean, and he did have the elbow up (though its tough to tell if that's how he struck Drury). Though Sabres' goaltender Martin Biron (now with Philadelphia) was quite outmatched by Senators' goaltender Ray Emery. The teams played again two nights later, they did have a couple minor incidents, but nothing that relates to this video.
#2) New York Rangers at New York Islanders, 8 Mar 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dHzSzexrb0
(Note: To see this in real time, you need to watch the upper right side of your screen, as the camera pans right, if you miss it there are replays).
I think this was disgraceful and the NHL needed to punish Chris Simon. I think they did okay giving him the longest suspension in NHL history (because the Bertuzzi penalty in 2004, three years to the day incidentally, had no teeth because he was suspended one year but it was during the lockout). He got the remainder of the season with a mininum total of 25 games (the balance the Islanders don't play will be carried into the start of next year) which I think is okay, but I think 30-40 would've been better. Still short of the Bertuzzi incident, I think this is the worst in NHL history to use the stick as the weapon. Simon certainly could've fought the Rangers Hollweg if he thought the hit was dirty (though I don't even think that's the case). But there's no reason ever to swing your stick at player blinsiding him.
#3) Dallas at Nashville, 17 Mar 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upeLPWApt6w
(Note: The camera didn't catch this incident live, the first replay is at about :50 that caught it clearly.)
The commentary on this incident has infuriated me to know end. The common sentiment is that this was a dirty hit by Tootoo on Robidas (though there are some execptions NBC's Brett Hull, and Versus' Bill Clement among others), they completly ignore why this video is so damning for Robidas. After Tootoo hits Modano, Robidas skated over, and was going to charge Tootoo and hit him from behind, he is leading with is hands up, all Tootoo did was see him coming and preempt Robidas with a punch of his own. Tootoo got 5 games for this which I think is outrageously long. The fact is no one out there is speculating on how horrible an incident this would've been had Tootoo not known Robidas was coming. Again Robidas is skating toward Tootoo, while Tootoo is still facing the boards, Robidas has about a 20 foot head start as he's charing Tootoo, Robidas is planning to blindside Tootoo, and everyone is coming to Robidas defense only because he's the one that got hurt. Five games for Tootoo is outrageous the only two reasons there could be a suspesions is that Tootoo didn't drop the gloves and hitting Robidas with the glove on is worse than not (though honestly one wonders if he even had the time to do so), and secondly Tootoo did hit Robidas in the head and the NHL is starting to crack down on the head shots. I think a 1-2 game suspension woudl've been more appropriate, and if Robidas wasn't stopped by Tootoo's preemtion, I wonder how long Robidas would've got. But with Tootoo's suspension, the NHL is probably overreacting to the Simon incident, though this is completly different, Holleweg had no intention of engaging Simon after the hit in question, it's obvious Robidas was going to blind-side Tootoo (in a sense by hurting Robidas, Tootoo probably saved Robidas from a suspesion. Side note, Modano certainly should've been penalized for a slash on Tootoo's back after Tootoo laid out Robidas.
#4) Philadelphia at New York Rangers, 21 Mar 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Enj_6Br9gQQ
This was just unfortunate that the Rangers' Colton Orr was able to knockout the Flyers' Todd Fedoruk with the one punch. Fedoruk will likley miss the season at this point, however, he has caused some injuries on the Rangers earlier this season, and even managed to run afoul of the Wild's Derek Boogaard earlier this season. I don't believe the NHL has taken any action, nor should they on this incident, it had a violent ending, but is was a consenual fight, the men were facing one another, no one broadsided the other. Though it is bad that Fedoruk was taken off in a stretcher.
Final thoughts, I believe Fighting very much has a place in the NHL. It's the late hits in #1 that the referee needs to punish, and the cheap shots as in #2 the NHL needs to work to eliminate. In #3 Tootoo was defending himself and should've been let off easier because of that, and in #4 it was a fight wiht an unfortunate ending, but I don't think anyone was really at fight for starting this particular incident. But this is one fans thougts, I'd like to hear comments from others.
#1) Ottawa at Buffalo, 22 Feb 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYqPZhlL4Jo
I thought the Senators' Neil hit was late on the Sabres' Drury, probably should've been penalised, I wouldn't say it was vicious enough to warrant a suspension, and I think the Sabres had a reasonable response. But I don't think Neil was completly blamless, it certainly wasn't clean, and he did have the elbow up (though its tough to tell if that's how he struck Drury). Though Sabres' goaltender Martin Biron (now with Philadelphia) was quite outmatched by Senators' goaltender Ray Emery. The teams played again two nights later, they did have a couple minor incidents, but nothing that relates to this video.
#2) New York Rangers at New York Islanders, 8 Mar 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dHzSzexrb0
(Note: To see this in real time, you need to watch the upper right side of your screen, as the camera pans right, if you miss it there are replays).
I think this was disgraceful and the NHL needed to punish Chris Simon. I think they did okay giving him the longest suspension in NHL history (because the Bertuzzi penalty in 2004, three years to the day incidentally, had no teeth because he was suspended one year but it was during the lockout). He got the remainder of the season with a mininum total of 25 games (the balance the Islanders don't play will be carried into the start of next year) which I think is okay, but I think 30-40 would've been better. Still short of the Bertuzzi incident, I think this is the worst in NHL history to use the stick as the weapon. Simon certainly could've fought the Rangers Hollweg if he thought the hit was dirty (though I don't even think that's the case). But there's no reason ever to swing your stick at player blinsiding him.
#3) Dallas at Nashville, 17 Mar 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upeLPWApt6w
(Note: The camera didn't catch this incident live, the first replay is at about :50 that caught it clearly.)
The commentary on this incident has infuriated me to know end. The common sentiment is that this was a dirty hit by Tootoo on Robidas (though there are some execptions NBC's Brett Hull, and Versus' Bill Clement among others), they completly ignore why this video is so damning for Robidas. After Tootoo hits Modano, Robidas skated over, and was going to charge Tootoo and hit him from behind, he is leading with is hands up, all Tootoo did was see him coming and preempt Robidas with a punch of his own. Tootoo got 5 games for this which I think is outrageously long. The fact is no one out there is speculating on how horrible an incident this would've been had Tootoo not known Robidas was coming. Again Robidas is skating toward Tootoo, while Tootoo is still facing the boards, Robidas has about a 20 foot head start as he's charing Tootoo, Robidas is planning to blindside Tootoo, and everyone is coming to Robidas defense only because he's the one that got hurt. Five games for Tootoo is outrageous the only two reasons there could be a suspesions is that Tootoo didn't drop the gloves and hitting Robidas with the glove on is worse than not (though honestly one wonders if he even had the time to do so), and secondly Tootoo did hit Robidas in the head and the NHL is starting to crack down on the head shots. I think a 1-2 game suspension woudl've been more appropriate, and if Robidas wasn't stopped by Tootoo's preemtion, I wonder how long Robidas would've got. But with Tootoo's suspension, the NHL is probably overreacting to the Simon incident, though this is completly different, Holleweg had no intention of engaging Simon after the hit in question, it's obvious Robidas was going to blind-side Tootoo (in a sense by hurting Robidas, Tootoo probably saved Robidas from a suspesion. Side note, Modano certainly should've been penalized for a slash on Tootoo's back after Tootoo laid out Robidas.
#4) Philadelphia at New York Rangers, 21 Mar 2007: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Enj_6Br9gQQ
This was just unfortunate that the Rangers' Colton Orr was able to knockout the Flyers' Todd Fedoruk with the one punch. Fedoruk will likley miss the season at this point, however, he has caused some injuries on the Rangers earlier this season, and even managed to run afoul of the Wild's Derek Boogaard earlier this season. I don't believe the NHL has taken any action, nor should they on this incident, it had a violent ending, but is was a consenual fight, the men were facing one another, no one broadsided the other. Though it is bad that Fedoruk was taken off in a stretcher.
Final thoughts, I believe Fighting very much has a place in the NHL. It's the late hits in #1 that the referee needs to punish, and the cheap shots as in #2 the NHL needs to work to eliminate. In #3 Tootoo was defending himself and should've been let off easier because of that, and in #4 it was a fight wiht an unfortunate ending, but I don't think anyone was really at fight for starting this particular incident. But this is one fans thougts, I'd like to hear comments from others.
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