TONIGHT THE CANUCKS WILL MAKE IT 200 STRAIGHT SELL OUTS…
THE STREAK BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 14TH 2002…
FOR THE LAST 199 TIMES GM PLACE HAS SEEN A CAPACITY CROWD OF 18,630…
NOT BAD WHEN YOU CONSIDER THIS FRANCHISE HAS NOT BEEN PAST THE SECOND ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS SINCE 1994…
SO WHAT’S CHANGED???
WELL CERTAINLY NOT THE TEAM…
IF ANYTHING THE CANUCKS ARE LESS ENTERTAINING TODAY THAN THEY WERE 5 YEARS AGO…
THE DIFFERENCE IS THE ECONOMY AND STRONG CANADAIN DOLLAR…
THIS SEASON 5 OF THE TOP 10 TEAMS IN NHL ATTENDANCE ARE CANADIAN…
ALL OF THEM ARE PLAYING TO MAXIMUM CAPACITY…
EDMONTON IS THE ONLY CANADIAN FRANCHISE NOT TO MAKE THE GRADE…
IT’S GREAT NEWS FOR OWNER FRANCESCO AQUILLINI…
ACCORDING TO FORBES MAGAZINE…
THE CANUCKS VALUE HAS INCREASED TO $211 MILLION DOLLARS…
BUT THAT’S VERY CONSERVATIVE…AND FORBES IS TRADITIONALLY ABOUT 2 YEARS OUT OF DATE…
A FIGURE OF $250 MILLION IS MORE REALISTIC…
WHATEVER THE REAL NUMBER….
THE CANUCKS ARE NOW THE 9TH MOST VALUABLE FRANCHISE IN THE NHL…
NOW THE BAD NEWS…
NONE OF THAT ECONOMIC SUCCESS IS GETTING PASSED ONTO YOU THE FAN…
THE CANUCKS HAVE THE SECOND MOST EXPENSIVE TICKETS IN THE LEAGUE…
AN AVERAGE TICKET NOW COSTS $71…
ONLY TORONTO IS HIGHER AT $88…
THE LEAFS ALSO HAVE THE MOST EXPENSIVE TICKET IN THE NHL…AT $195…
THE CANUCKS ARE SECOND…AT $145…
HOWEVER GETTING INTO THE GAME IS JUST THE START…
THE CANUCKS ARE NUMBER 1 IN THE NHL WHEN IT COMES TO PAYING FOR…
BEER…SOFT DRINKS AND PARKING…
FOR DECADES WE ON THE WEST COAST HAVE LAUGHED AT THOSE HOCKEY NUTS IN TORONTO AND CALLED THEM A BUNCH OF SUCKERS…
WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD PAY THAT KIND OF MONEY TO WATCH A TEAM THAT HAD NOT WON ANYTHING IN 40 YEARS???
JUST FOR THE RECORD…
THE CANUCKS ARE NOW 38 YEARS OLD…
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
All Star Game
IT DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR THE NHL TO GET BACK TO BUSINESS NOW THAT THE FUN AND GAMES OF THE ALL STAR GAME ARE OVER
TODAY TEEMU SELANNE AND THE ANAHEIM DUCKS AGREED TO A CONTRACT FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON…
SELANNE IS 37…BUT HE SCORED 48 GOALS LAST SEASON…
THE NEXT BIG NAME IS PETER FORSBERG…
PHILADELPHIA IS THE FRONT RUNNER…
OUT OF 30 TEAMS ONLY 2 ARE OUT OF THE CHASE…
L.A. IN THE WEST…TAMPA BAY IN THE EAST…
THE OTHER 28 TEAMS ARE EITHER IN THE PLAYOFFS…OR A MAXIMUM OF 6 POINTS OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS…
WITH THE TRADING DEADLINE LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY…THERE ARE A LOT MORE BUYERS THAN SELLERS…A LOT MORE…
THERE WILL CERTAINLY BE A FIRE SALE IN TORONTO…
WHETHER OR NOT MATS SUNDIN AGREES TO WAIVE HIS “NO TRADE CLAUSE” IS STILL THE BIG QUESTION…
TORONTO GENERAL MANAGER CLIFF FLETCHER AND SUNDIN ARE SCHEDULED TO MEET LATER THIS WEEK…
HOWEVER THE LEAFS WILL HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING A BUYER FOR EITHER JASON BLAKE OR DARCY TUCKER…
BLAKE HAS ANOTHER 4 YEARS LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT WORTH A TOTAL OF $15 MILLION…
TUCKER HAS 3 YEARS LEFT…AT $9 MILLION…
THE KINGS ARE LOOKING TO MOVE ROB BLAKE…
ATLANTA MAY BE FORCED TO DEAL MARIAN HOSSA…HE WILL BECOME AN UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT THIS SUMMER…
THE THRASHERS ARE 4 POINTS OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS…
IF THE AVALANCHE STRUGGLE NEXT MONTH…BOTH JOHN MICHAEL LILES AND ANDREW BRUNETTE COULD BE MOVED…BOTH ARE ABOUT TO BECOME UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS…
IT’S THE SAME STORY IN NASHVILLE…WHERE J.P. DUMONT IS ON PACE FOR A 35 GOAL SEASON…
THE PREDATORS ARE JUST 1 POINT OUT OF A PLAYOFF SPOT…
NOW THAT THE BLUES HAVE LOST 6 IN A ROW THEY MAY TRY AND RENT OUT KEITH TKACHUK ONCE AGAIN…
OTHER PLAYERS RUMORED TO BE ON THE TRADING BLOCK ARE…BRIAN CAMPBELL IN BUFFALO…DWAYNE ROLOSON IN EDMONTON AND ALEX TANGUAY IN CALGARY…
LAST YEAR THE NHL SET AN ALL TIME RECORD WITH 25 TRADES AT THE DEADLINE INVOLVING 44 PLAYERS…
IT’S DOUBTFUL THIS YEARS NUMBERS WILL BE THAT HIGH…
BUT WITH THE SIGNING OF SELANNE TODAY…THIS PARTY HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN…
TODAY TEEMU SELANNE AND THE ANAHEIM DUCKS AGREED TO A CONTRACT FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON…
SELANNE IS 37…BUT HE SCORED 48 GOALS LAST SEASON…
THE NEXT BIG NAME IS PETER FORSBERG…
PHILADELPHIA IS THE FRONT RUNNER…
OUT OF 30 TEAMS ONLY 2 ARE OUT OF THE CHASE…
L.A. IN THE WEST…TAMPA BAY IN THE EAST…
THE OTHER 28 TEAMS ARE EITHER IN THE PLAYOFFS…OR A MAXIMUM OF 6 POINTS OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS…
WITH THE TRADING DEADLINE LESS THAN A MONTH AWAY…THERE ARE A LOT MORE BUYERS THAN SELLERS…A LOT MORE…
THERE WILL CERTAINLY BE A FIRE SALE IN TORONTO…
WHETHER OR NOT MATS SUNDIN AGREES TO WAIVE HIS “NO TRADE CLAUSE” IS STILL THE BIG QUESTION…
TORONTO GENERAL MANAGER CLIFF FLETCHER AND SUNDIN ARE SCHEDULED TO MEET LATER THIS WEEK…
HOWEVER THE LEAFS WILL HAVE A HARD TIME FINDING A BUYER FOR EITHER JASON BLAKE OR DARCY TUCKER…
BLAKE HAS ANOTHER 4 YEARS LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT WORTH A TOTAL OF $15 MILLION…
TUCKER HAS 3 YEARS LEFT…AT $9 MILLION…
THE KINGS ARE LOOKING TO MOVE ROB BLAKE…
ATLANTA MAY BE FORCED TO DEAL MARIAN HOSSA…HE WILL BECOME AN UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT THIS SUMMER…
THE THRASHERS ARE 4 POINTS OUT OF THE PLAYOFFS…
IF THE AVALANCHE STRUGGLE NEXT MONTH…BOTH JOHN MICHAEL LILES AND ANDREW BRUNETTE COULD BE MOVED…BOTH ARE ABOUT TO BECOME UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS…
IT’S THE SAME STORY IN NASHVILLE…WHERE J.P. DUMONT IS ON PACE FOR A 35 GOAL SEASON…
THE PREDATORS ARE JUST 1 POINT OUT OF A PLAYOFF SPOT…
NOW THAT THE BLUES HAVE LOST 6 IN A ROW THEY MAY TRY AND RENT OUT KEITH TKACHUK ONCE AGAIN…
OTHER PLAYERS RUMORED TO BE ON THE TRADING BLOCK ARE…BRIAN CAMPBELL IN BUFFALO…DWAYNE ROLOSON IN EDMONTON AND ALEX TANGUAY IN CALGARY…
LAST YEAR THE NHL SET AN ALL TIME RECORD WITH 25 TRADES AT THE DEADLINE INVOLVING 44 PLAYERS…
IT’S DOUBTFUL THIS YEARS NUMBERS WILL BE THAT HIGH…
BUT WITH THE SIGNING OF SELANNE TODAY…THIS PARTY HAS OFFICIALLY BEGUN…
Friday, January 25, 2008
Burkie!
THE OSCARS WILL NOT BE HANDED OUT UNTIL NEXT MONTH…
BUT TODAY IN TORONTO ANAHEIM GENERAL MANAGER BRIAN BURKE DELIVERED AN AWARD WINNING PERFORMANCE…
BURKE TOLD A CROWD OF REPORTERS THAT HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN BECOMING THE NEXT GENERAL MANAGER OF THE LEAFS…
IN HIS WORDS…”I HAVE NO INTENTION OF GOING ANYWHERE ELSE…WE REALLY LOVE IT IN AHAHEIM…WE WORK FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE THERE….WE WANT TO STAY”…
IN ALL BURKE SPENT 10 MINUTES DENYING THE RUMORS…
LET’S GET A FEW THINGS STRAIGHT…
TO BEGIN WITH…BURKE IS IN TORONTO TODAY WITH THE OWNERS OF THE DUCKS…
THE SAMUELI’S HAVE DONATED A STANLEY CUP RING TO THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME…
IF BURKE WANTED TO AVOID ALL THE ATTENTION ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS STAY AT HOME…
INSTEAD THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN A WEEK BURKE HAS FLOWN TO TORONTO AND THE SECOND TIME HE HAS MANAGED TO GET HIS FACE ON NATIONAL TV…
STRANGELY ENOUGH BURKE DID MANAGE TO FIND TIME TO SAY A LOT OF NICE THINGS ABOUT A CITY AND AN ORGANIZATION…THAT HE SAYS…HE HAS NO INTEREST IN…
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE LAST FEW DAYS HE HAS CALLED THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEAFS RICHARD PEDDIE A…”GOOD GUY”…
AND TODAY DESCRIBED TORONTO AS A HOCKEY TOWN WITH THIS QUOTE…”IF YOU’RE A CATHOLIC…THIS IS THE VATICAN”…
WHO WRITES THIS STUFF???
TO UNDERSTAND THE ACT YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO KNOW ONE THING…
BURKE IS UNDER CONTRACT UNTIL 2009…
ANY ATTEMPT BY THE LEAFS TO CONTACT HIM WITHOUT GETTING PERMISSION BY THE DUCKS WOULD BE TAMPERING…
BURKE IS A LAWYER…AND HE CERTAINLY UNDERSTANDS HOW SERIOUS THAT WOULD BE…
OF COURSE HE WANTS THE JOB…AND THE MONEY…AND THE SPOTLIGHT…
WHETHER IT’S BURKE ON “OFF THE RECORD”…OR BURKE HOLDING COURT TODAY AT THE HALL OF FAME…
SEE THIS MEDIA CIRCUS FOR WHAT IT IS…AN AUDITION…
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE…
TODAY BURKE ALSO DEALT WITH THE POSSIBLE RETURN OF TEEMU SELANNE…
QUOTE…
“IF HE MAKES ANY DECISION BEFORE THE ALL STAR WEEKEND IS OVER I’M GOING TO WRING HIS NECK…IT’S GOT TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER ATLANTA…IT’S NOT GOING TAKE AWAY FROM THE LUSTRE OF THE ALL STAR WEEKEND”…
THIS FROM A MAN WHO FIRED HEAD COACH MIKE KEENAN DURING THE 1999 ALL STAR WEEKEND…
SOMEHOW…BURKE MANAGED TO KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE…
AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…
BUT TODAY IN TORONTO ANAHEIM GENERAL MANAGER BRIAN BURKE DELIVERED AN AWARD WINNING PERFORMANCE…
BURKE TOLD A CROWD OF REPORTERS THAT HE IS NOT INTERESTED IN BECOMING THE NEXT GENERAL MANAGER OF THE LEAFS…
IN HIS WORDS…”I HAVE NO INTENTION OF GOING ANYWHERE ELSE…WE REALLY LOVE IT IN AHAHEIM…WE WORK FOR SPECIAL PEOPLE THERE….WE WANT TO STAY”…
IN ALL BURKE SPENT 10 MINUTES DENYING THE RUMORS…
LET’S GET A FEW THINGS STRAIGHT…
TO BEGIN WITH…BURKE IS IN TORONTO TODAY WITH THE OWNERS OF THE DUCKS…
THE SAMUELI’S HAVE DONATED A STANLEY CUP RING TO THE HOCKEY HALL OF FAME…
IF BURKE WANTED TO AVOID ALL THE ATTENTION ALL HE HAD TO DO WAS STAY AT HOME…
INSTEAD THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN A WEEK BURKE HAS FLOWN TO TORONTO AND THE SECOND TIME HE HAS MANAGED TO GET HIS FACE ON NATIONAL TV…
STRANGELY ENOUGH BURKE DID MANAGE TO FIND TIME TO SAY A LOT OF NICE THINGS ABOUT A CITY AND AN ORGANIZATION…THAT HE SAYS…HE HAS NO INTEREST IN…
FOR THE SECOND TIME IN THE LAST FEW DAYS HE HAS CALLED THE PRESIDENT OF THE LEAFS RICHARD PEDDIE A…”GOOD GUY”…
AND TODAY DESCRIBED TORONTO AS A HOCKEY TOWN WITH THIS QUOTE…”IF YOU’RE A CATHOLIC…THIS IS THE VATICAN”…
WHO WRITES THIS STUFF???
TO UNDERSTAND THE ACT YOU SIMPLY HAVE TO KNOW ONE THING…
BURKE IS UNDER CONTRACT UNTIL 2009…
ANY ATTEMPT BY THE LEAFS TO CONTACT HIM WITHOUT GETTING PERMISSION BY THE DUCKS WOULD BE TAMPERING…
BURKE IS A LAWYER…AND HE CERTAINLY UNDERSTANDS HOW SERIOUS THAT WOULD BE…
OF COURSE HE WANTS THE JOB…AND THE MONEY…AND THE SPOTLIGHT…
WHETHER IT’S BURKE ON “OFF THE RECORD”…OR BURKE HOLDING COURT TODAY AT THE HALL OF FAME…
SEE THIS MEDIA CIRCUS FOR WHAT IT IS…AN AUDITION…
BUT WAIT THERE’S MORE…
TODAY BURKE ALSO DEALT WITH THE POSSIBLE RETURN OF TEEMU SELANNE…
QUOTE…
“IF HE MAKES ANY DECISION BEFORE THE ALL STAR WEEKEND IS OVER I’M GOING TO WRING HIS NECK…IT’S GOT TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER ATLANTA…IT’S NOT GOING TAKE AWAY FROM THE LUSTRE OF THE ALL STAR WEEKEND”…
THIS FROM A MAN WHO FIRED HEAD COACH MIKE KEENAN DURING THE 1999 ALL STAR WEEKEND…
SOMEHOW…BURKE MANAGED TO KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE…
AND THE OSCAR GOES TO…
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
The Maple Laughs!
IT WAS THE WORST KEPT SECRET IN SPORTS…
NOW IT’S OFFICIAL…
THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HAVE FIRED GENERAL MANAGER JOHN FERGUSON JR…
THE JOB NOW BELONGS TO CLIFF FLETCHER…BUT NOT FOR LONG…
FLETCHER HAS THE LABLE OF INTERIM IN FRONT OF HIS TITLE…AND THE DEAL IS ONLY FOR 19 MONTHS…
THE LENGTH OF FLETCHER’S CONTRACT GIVES US A CLUE INTO THE TIMETABLE THE LEAFS HAVE IN FINDING A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT…
THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF MAPLE LEAF SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT RICHARD PEDDIE UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB…
THE LEAFS ARE AN EMBARSSMENT TO THEMSELVES AND THE CITY…
YES THEY STILL MAKE A LOT OF MONEY…
BUT DO NOT KID YOURSELF…THE RESPONSIBLITY OF THIS FRANCHISE FALLS DIRECTLY ON THE SHOULDERS OF PEDDIE…
IT HELPS TO EXPLAIN THE QUALIFICATIONS PEDDIE LAID OUT AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE…
“A LONG TERM BUILDER”…SHORT TERM FIXER”…AND…ESTABLISHED TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS ON THE ICE”…
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH IT MEANS…
THE LEAFS ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS WON A STANLEY CUP…
SO IT REALLY GETS DOWN TO TWO CHOICES…
SCOTTY BOWMAN IN DETROIT AND BRIAN BURKE IN ANAHEIM…
LAST SUMMER THE LEAFS TALKED TO BOWMAN ABOUT THE JOB…BUT BOWMAN DEMANDED FULL CONTROL OF THE TEAM…THAT WAS A DEAL BREAKER…
IT’S DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT’S STILL A PROBLEM…
THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT BOWMAN IS STILL INTERESTED…
AND THEN THERE’S BURKE…
HE STILL HAS ANOTHER YEAR LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT…BUT EVEN IF THE DUCKS REFUSE TO LET BURKE OUT OF IT…
THANKS TO LENGTH OF FLETCHER’S DEAL…IT WOULD ONLY DELAY THE INEVITABLE…
IN THE MEANTIME…THE LEAFS NUMBER PRIORITY IS TO MOVE MATS SUNDIN BEFORE THE TRADING DEADLINE…
THANKS TO A “NO TRADE CLAUSE” THAT’S NOT GOING TO BE EASY…
BUT AS OF TODAY…THAT’S NO LONGER JOHN FERGUSON’S PROBLEM…
NOW IT’S OFFICIAL…
THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HAVE FIRED GENERAL MANAGER JOHN FERGUSON JR…
THE JOB NOW BELONGS TO CLIFF FLETCHER…BUT NOT FOR LONG…
FLETCHER HAS THE LABLE OF INTERIM IN FRONT OF HIS TITLE…AND THE DEAL IS ONLY FOR 19 MONTHS…
THE LENGTH OF FLETCHER’S CONTRACT GIVES US A CLUE INTO THE TIMETABLE THE LEAFS HAVE IN FINDING A PERMANENT REPLACEMENT…
THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF MAPLE LEAF SPORTS AND ENTERTAINMENT RICHARD PEDDIE UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB…
THE LEAFS ARE AN EMBARSSMENT TO THEMSELVES AND THE CITY…
YES THEY STILL MAKE A LOT OF MONEY…
BUT DO NOT KID YOURSELF…THE RESPONSIBLITY OF THIS FRANCHISE FALLS DIRECTLY ON THE SHOULDERS OF PEDDIE…
IT HELPS TO EXPLAIN THE QUALIFICATIONS PEDDIE LAID OUT AT TODAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE…
“A LONG TERM BUILDER”…SHORT TERM FIXER”…AND…ESTABLISHED TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS ON THE ICE”…
TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH IT MEANS…
THE LEAFS ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY WHO HAS WON A STANLEY CUP…
SO IT REALLY GETS DOWN TO TWO CHOICES…
SCOTTY BOWMAN IN DETROIT AND BRIAN BURKE IN ANAHEIM…
LAST SUMMER THE LEAFS TALKED TO BOWMAN ABOUT THE JOB…BUT BOWMAN DEMANDED FULL CONTROL OF THE TEAM…THAT WAS A DEAL BREAKER…
IT’S DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE THAT’S STILL A PROBLEM…
THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT BOWMAN IS STILL INTERESTED…
AND THEN THERE’S BURKE…
HE STILL HAS ANOTHER YEAR LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT…BUT EVEN IF THE DUCKS REFUSE TO LET BURKE OUT OF IT…
THANKS TO LENGTH OF FLETCHER’S DEAL…IT WOULD ONLY DELAY THE INEVITABLE…
IN THE MEANTIME…THE LEAFS NUMBER PRIORITY IS TO MOVE MATS SUNDIN BEFORE THE TRADING DEADLINE…
THANKS TO A “NO TRADE CLAUSE” THAT’S NOT GOING TO BE EASY…
BUT AS OF TODAY…THAT’S NO LONGER JOHN FERGUSON’S PROBLEM…
Monday, January 21, 2008
Trade Deadline
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW IF THE CANUCKS ARE A CONTENDER…SIMPLY BECAUSE THE WHOLE TEAM HAS NOT BEEN TOGETHER ALL SEASON…
TONIGHT THE CANUCKS TAKE ON MINNESOTA…BUT THEY WILL BE WITHOUT WILLIE MITCHELL…
SO FAR THIS SEASON…THE ONLY DEFENCEMAN WHO HAS PLAYED EVERY GAME IS AARON MILLER…
KEVIN BIEKSA HAS MISSED 36 GAMES AND COUNTING…
SAMI SALO HAS MISSED 17…MATTIAS OHLUND 15…AND LUKAS KRAJICEK 11…
SATURDAY NIGHT BRENDAN MORRISON WAS IN THE BROADCAST BOOTH…
MORRISON PLAYED 30 GAMES WITH A BAD WRIST BEFORE THE DOCTORS FINALLY DECIDED SURGERY WAS THE ANSWER…
THE CANUCKS ARE HOPING HE CAN RETURN BEFORE THE PLAYOFFS…
IN THAT LIGHT IT IS TRULY AMAZING THIS TEAM CAN CLIMB INTO FIRST PLACE IN THE NORTHWEST DIVISION WITH A WIN TONIGHT…
SO DOES GENERAL MANAGER DAVE NONIS MORTAGE THE FUTURE BEFORE THE TRADING DEADLINE TO TAKE A RUN AT THE CUP???
BEFORE YOU ANSWER…TAKE A LOOK AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION…
THE CANUCKS HAVE JUST LOST 5 OF THEIR LAST 6…
3 OF THOSE LOSSES CAME AT THE HANDS OF NON PLAYOFF TEAMS…INCLUDING THE KINGS ON SATURDAY NIGHT…
L.A. IS THE WORST TEAM IN THE ENTIRE NHL…
THE CANUCKS HAVE ALSO LOST THEIR LAST 2 HOME GAMES…
AS A RESULT THE CANUCKS WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND FOUND THEMSELVES IN 8TH PLACE IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE…JUST 3 POINTS UP ON COLUMBUS…
IT IS NOT BEYOND THE RELM OF POSSIBILITY THAT THE CANUCKS COULD MISS THE PLAYOFFS…
THERE IS CERTAINLY PRESSURE ON GENERAL MANAGER DAVE NONIS TO MAKE A TRADE TO ADD SOME OFFENCE…
BUT ANY PLAYER THAT CAN PROVIDE THAT…INCLUDING MATS SUNDIN…IS GOING TO COST A BUNDLE OF PROSPECTS…AND OR… DRAFT CHOICES…
LAST YEAR THE ISLANDERS…THE WINGS…THE PREDATORS…THE STARS AND THE SHARKS ALL PARTED WITH A BOAT LOAD OF FIRST ROUND PICKS FOR RENTAL PLAYERS AND NONE OF THOSE TEAMS SAW THE CUP FINAL…
THE CANUCKS WILL PLAY 14 GAMES BEFORE THE DEADLINE…
WHAT THESE PLAYERS SHOW IN THOSE GAMES WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING NONIS DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO PULL THE TRIGGER…
TONIGHT THE CANUCKS TAKE ON MINNESOTA…BUT THEY WILL BE WITHOUT WILLIE MITCHELL…
SO FAR THIS SEASON…THE ONLY DEFENCEMAN WHO HAS PLAYED EVERY GAME IS AARON MILLER…
KEVIN BIEKSA HAS MISSED 36 GAMES AND COUNTING…
SAMI SALO HAS MISSED 17…MATTIAS OHLUND 15…AND LUKAS KRAJICEK 11…
SATURDAY NIGHT BRENDAN MORRISON WAS IN THE BROADCAST BOOTH…
MORRISON PLAYED 30 GAMES WITH A BAD WRIST BEFORE THE DOCTORS FINALLY DECIDED SURGERY WAS THE ANSWER…
THE CANUCKS ARE HOPING HE CAN RETURN BEFORE THE PLAYOFFS…
IN THAT LIGHT IT IS TRULY AMAZING THIS TEAM CAN CLIMB INTO FIRST PLACE IN THE NORTHWEST DIVISION WITH A WIN TONIGHT…
SO DOES GENERAL MANAGER DAVE NONIS MORTAGE THE FUTURE BEFORE THE TRADING DEADLINE TO TAKE A RUN AT THE CUP???
BEFORE YOU ANSWER…TAKE A LOOK AT THE OTHER SIDE OF THE EQUATION…
THE CANUCKS HAVE JUST LOST 5 OF THEIR LAST 6…
3 OF THOSE LOSSES CAME AT THE HANDS OF NON PLAYOFF TEAMS…INCLUDING THE KINGS ON SATURDAY NIGHT…
L.A. IS THE WORST TEAM IN THE ENTIRE NHL…
THE CANUCKS HAVE ALSO LOST THEIR LAST 2 HOME GAMES…
AS A RESULT THE CANUCKS WOKE UP THIS MORNING AND FOUND THEMSELVES IN 8TH PLACE IN THE WESTERN CONFERENCE…JUST 3 POINTS UP ON COLUMBUS…
IT IS NOT BEYOND THE RELM OF POSSIBILITY THAT THE CANUCKS COULD MISS THE PLAYOFFS…
THERE IS CERTAINLY PRESSURE ON GENERAL MANAGER DAVE NONIS TO MAKE A TRADE TO ADD SOME OFFENCE…
BUT ANY PLAYER THAT CAN PROVIDE THAT…INCLUDING MATS SUNDIN…IS GOING TO COST A BUNDLE OF PROSPECTS…AND OR… DRAFT CHOICES…
LAST YEAR THE ISLANDERS…THE WINGS…THE PREDATORS…THE STARS AND THE SHARKS ALL PARTED WITH A BOAT LOAD OF FIRST ROUND PICKS FOR RENTAL PLAYERS AND NONE OF THOSE TEAMS SAW THE CUP FINAL…
THE CANUCKS WILL PLAY 14 GAMES BEFORE THE DEADLINE…
WHAT THESE PLAYERS SHOW IN THOSE GAMES WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING NONIS DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO PULL THE TRIGGER…
Friday, January 18, 2008
Burkie!
IT IS NO ACCIDENT THE GENERAL MANAGER OF THE ANAHEIM DUCKS BRIAN BURKE HAS SPENT THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS IN TORONTO…
THERE ARE TWO THINGS BURKE HAS HIS EYE ON…
THE FIRST IS MATS SUNDIN…
THANKS TO THE EDMONTO OILERS SIGNING DUSTIN PENNER LAST SUMMER…
THE DUCKS OWN THE OILERS FIRST ROUND PICK…
THANKS TO THE LOTTERY SYSTEM…THAT PICK COULD EASILY BE IN THE TOP 5…
EARLIER THIS WEEK BURKE MADE IT CLEAR HE PLANS TO BE A BUYER AT THE TRADING DEADLINE…
IN THE WORDS OF BURKE…”THAT PICK IS IN PLAY…I WOULDN’T BE DOING MY JOB IF I DIDN’T LISTEN TO ANY TEAM THAT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN IT”…
IF TEEMU SELANNE DECIDES NOT TO PLAY THIS SEASON…SUNDIN WOULD BE THE PERFECT FIT…
IT WOULD TAKE SOME SERIOUS WHEELING AND DEALING TO FIND THE CAP SPACE…
BUT KEEP IN MIND…THIS IS THE MAN WHO FOUND A BUYER FOR SERGIE FEDEROV…
NOW HERE’S WHERE THINGS GET REAL INTERESTING…
ALTHOUGH BURKE CAN NOT AND WILL NOT SAY IT…HE WOULD LOVE…AND I MEAN LOVE…TO BECOME THE NEXT GENERAL MANAGER IN TORONTO…
JOHN FERGUON JR. IS QUITE SIMPLY A DEAD MAN WALKING…
BURKE STILL HAS ANOTHER YEAR LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT…BUT IF THE COMPENSATION IS RIGHT…WHY WOULD THE DUCKS HOLD HIM TO IT???
THE TRUTH IS…IF THE LEAFS WANT BURKE BAD ENOUGH…THEY CAN EASILY WAIT 15 MONTHS…AND THE DUCKS WOULD GET NOTHING…
AS LONG AS BURKE IS IN UNDER CONTRACT TO THE DUCKS HE CAN NOT OFFICIALLY TALK TO THE LEAFS…
BUT IN THE REAL WORLD…LOTS CAN GET DONE UNDER THE TABLE…
THE MOTIVATION FOR BURKE IS OBVIOUS…
THE LEAFS COULD AFFORD TO TRIPLE HIS SALARY…
TORONTO IS THE BIGGEST HOCKEY MARKET IN THE WORLD…AND IT IS THE MEDIA CAPITAL OF CANADA…
WHICH MEANS NOT ONLY CAN HE GET MAXIMUM CAMERA TIME SO CAN HIS WIFE JENNIFER…
THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A SECOND…
IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS BURKE CAN MAKE ONE MOVE THAT WILL DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE THE TEAM HE NOW WORKS FOR AND AT THE EXACT SAME TIME…DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE THE TEAM THAT HE COULD RUNNING BY NEXT SEASON…
SO WHEN BURKE CALLS TORONTO PRESIDENT AND CEO RICHARD PEDDIE A “GOOD GUY”…HE REALLY…REALLY MEANS IT…
THERE ARE TWO THINGS BURKE HAS HIS EYE ON…
THE FIRST IS MATS SUNDIN…
THANKS TO THE EDMONTO OILERS SIGNING DUSTIN PENNER LAST SUMMER…
THE DUCKS OWN THE OILERS FIRST ROUND PICK…
THANKS TO THE LOTTERY SYSTEM…THAT PICK COULD EASILY BE IN THE TOP 5…
EARLIER THIS WEEK BURKE MADE IT CLEAR HE PLANS TO BE A BUYER AT THE TRADING DEADLINE…
IN THE WORDS OF BURKE…”THAT PICK IS IN PLAY…I WOULDN’T BE DOING MY JOB IF I DIDN’T LISTEN TO ANY TEAM THAT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN IT”…
IF TEEMU SELANNE DECIDES NOT TO PLAY THIS SEASON…SUNDIN WOULD BE THE PERFECT FIT…
IT WOULD TAKE SOME SERIOUS WHEELING AND DEALING TO FIND THE CAP SPACE…
BUT KEEP IN MIND…THIS IS THE MAN WHO FOUND A BUYER FOR SERGIE FEDEROV…
NOW HERE’S WHERE THINGS GET REAL INTERESTING…
ALTHOUGH BURKE CAN NOT AND WILL NOT SAY IT…HE WOULD LOVE…AND I MEAN LOVE…TO BECOME THE NEXT GENERAL MANAGER IN TORONTO…
JOHN FERGUON JR. IS QUITE SIMPLY A DEAD MAN WALKING…
BURKE STILL HAS ANOTHER YEAR LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT…BUT IF THE COMPENSATION IS RIGHT…WHY WOULD THE DUCKS HOLD HIM TO IT???
THE TRUTH IS…IF THE LEAFS WANT BURKE BAD ENOUGH…THEY CAN EASILY WAIT 15 MONTHS…AND THE DUCKS WOULD GET NOTHING…
AS LONG AS BURKE IS IN UNDER CONTRACT TO THE DUCKS HE CAN NOT OFFICIALLY TALK TO THE LEAFS…
BUT IN THE REAL WORLD…LOTS CAN GET DONE UNDER THE TABLE…
THE MOTIVATION FOR BURKE IS OBVIOUS…
THE LEAFS COULD AFFORD TO TRIPLE HIS SALARY…
TORONTO IS THE BIGGEST HOCKEY MARKET IN THE WORLD…AND IT IS THE MEDIA CAPITAL OF CANADA…
WHICH MEANS NOT ONLY CAN HE GET MAXIMUM CAMERA TIME SO CAN HIS WIFE JENNIFER…
THINK ABOUT THIS FOR A SECOND…
IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS BURKE CAN MAKE ONE MOVE THAT WILL DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE THE TEAM HE NOW WORKS FOR AND AT THE EXACT SAME TIME…DRAMATICALLY IMPROVE THE TEAM THAT HE COULD RUNNING BY NEXT SEASON…
SO WHEN BURKE CALLS TORONTO PRESIDENT AND CEO RICHARD PEDDIE A “GOOD GUY”…HE REALLY…REALLY MEANS IT…
Thursday, January 17, 2008
IT IS THE DARK SIDE OF THE HUMAN CONDITION…
WE ALL LOVE TO WATCH A TRAIN WRECK…
THE BIGGER THE WRECK…THE BIGGER THE FASINATION…
IT HELPS TO EXPLAIN THE AMOUNT OF TIME WE WASTE ON THE LIKES OF…BRITNEY SPEARS AND MICHAEL JACKSON…
SUCH IS THE CASE WITH THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS…
LIKE IT OR NOT…
TORONTO IS THE BIGGEST HOCKEY MARKET IN THE WORLD…
NEVERTHELESS THE LEAFS HAVE THE THIRD WORST RECORD IN ENTIRE NHL…
THEY ARE ABOUT TO MISS THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON…
SOMETHING THAT NO LEAF TEAM HAS EVER DONE…
THE TEAM HAS 40 MILLION DOLLARS COMMITTED FOR NEXT SEASON…
AND NONE OF THAT MONEY IS GOING TO…MATTS SUNDIN…ALEX STEEN…KYLE WELLWOOD OR MATT STAJAN…
THE ORGANIZATION HAS NO REAL FARM SYSTEM…AND VIRTUALLY NO PROSPECTS…
THE PROBLEM IS…THE LEAFS HAVE THE MOST DYSFUNCTIONAL OWNERSHIP SINCE BILL WIRTZ IN CHICAGO…
WINNING IS CLEARLY NOT A PRIORITY FOR EITHER LARRY TANNENBAUM OR RICHARD PEDDIE…
THE PLAN NOW IS TO FIRE GENERAL MANAGER JOHN FERGUSON AND REPLACE HIM WITH 72 YEAR OLD CLIFF FLETCHER…BUT ONLY ON AN INTERIM BASIS…
THIS IS THE SAME CLIFF FLETCHER THE LEAFS FIRED 10 YEARS AGO…
THE LEAFS COULD HAVE AVOIDED ALL OF THIS IS THEY HAD HIRED SCOTTY BOWMAN LAST SUMMER…BUT AT THE LAST MINUTE DECIDED THEY DID NOT WANT TO GIVE UP THE CONTROL…THAT BOWMAN DEMANDED…
EVEN HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA HAS BAILED OUT…
THIS SATURDAY THE NATIONAL GAME WILL NOT BE TORONTO AND BUFFALO…
INSTEAD WE WILL SEE MONTREAL AND PITTSBURGH…
WILLIAM HOUSTON OF THE GLOBE AND MAIL HAS GONE SO FAR AS TO SUGGEST…
HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA SHOULD KEEP THE LEAFS OFF THE NATIONAL TELECAST FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON…
GET THIS…THE HEAD OF CBC SPORTS SCOTT MOORE IS THINKING ABOUT IT…MOORE CALLS IT “A GOOD IDEA”…
IF HOCKEY FANS IN TORONTO REALLY CARED ABOUT THEIR TEAM…ONE OF THEM WOULD PLACE THIS SIGN ON THE FRONT DOOR OF THE AIR CANADA CENTER…”WOULD THE LAST PERSON LEAVING…PLEASE TURN OUT THE LIGHTS”…
LETS FACE IT…THIS PARTY IS OVER…
WE ALL LOVE TO WATCH A TRAIN WRECK…
THE BIGGER THE WRECK…THE BIGGER THE FASINATION…
IT HELPS TO EXPLAIN THE AMOUNT OF TIME WE WASTE ON THE LIKES OF…BRITNEY SPEARS AND MICHAEL JACKSON…
SUCH IS THE CASE WITH THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS…
LIKE IT OR NOT…
TORONTO IS THE BIGGEST HOCKEY MARKET IN THE WORLD…
NEVERTHELESS THE LEAFS HAVE THE THIRD WORST RECORD IN ENTIRE NHL…
THEY ARE ABOUT TO MISS THE PLAYOFFS FOR THE THIRD STRAIGHT SEASON…
SOMETHING THAT NO LEAF TEAM HAS EVER DONE…
THE TEAM HAS 40 MILLION DOLLARS COMMITTED FOR NEXT SEASON…
AND NONE OF THAT MONEY IS GOING TO…MATTS SUNDIN…ALEX STEEN…KYLE WELLWOOD OR MATT STAJAN…
THE ORGANIZATION HAS NO REAL FARM SYSTEM…AND VIRTUALLY NO PROSPECTS…
THE PROBLEM IS…THE LEAFS HAVE THE MOST DYSFUNCTIONAL OWNERSHIP SINCE BILL WIRTZ IN CHICAGO…
WINNING IS CLEARLY NOT A PRIORITY FOR EITHER LARRY TANNENBAUM OR RICHARD PEDDIE…
THE PLAN NOW IS TO FIRE GENERAL MANAGER JOHN FERGUSON AND REPLACE HIM WITH 72 YEAR OLD CLIFF FLETCHER…BUT ONLY ON AN INTERIM BASIS…
THIS IS THE SAME CLIFF FLETCHER THE LEAFS FIRED 10 YEARS AGO…
THE LEAFS COULD HAVE AVOIDED ALL OF THIS IS THEY HAD HIRED SCOTTY BOWMAN LAST SUMMER…BUT AT THE LAST MINUTE DECIDED THEY DID NOT WANT TO GIVE UP THE CONTROL…THAT BOWMAN DEMANDED…
EVEN HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA HAS BAILED OUT…
THIS SATURDAY THE NATIONAL GAME WILL NOT BE TORONTO AND BUFFALO…
INSTEAD WE WILL SEE MONTREAL AND PITTSBURGH…
WILLIAM HOUSTON OF THE GLOBE AND MAIL HAS GONE SO FAR AS TO SUGGEST…
HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA SHOULD KEEP THE LEAFS OFF THE NATIONAL TELECAST FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON…
GET THIS…THE HEAD OF CBC SPORTS SCOTT MOORE IS THINKING ABOUT IT…MOORE CALLS IT “A GOOD IDEA”…
IF HOCKEY FANS IN TORONTO REALLY CARED ABOUT THEIR TEAM…ONE OF THEM WOULD PLACE THIS SIGN ON THE FRONT DOOR OF THE AIR CANADA CENTER…”WOULD THE LAST PERSON LEAVING…PLEASE TURN OUT THE LIGHTS”…
LETS FACE IT…THIS PARTY IS OVER…
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Peter Forsberg
THE TRUTH IS…PHILADELPHIA MAY NOT BE THE BEST FIT FOR FORSBERG…
THE FLYERS ARE VERY DEEP DOWN THE MIDDLE…WITH MIKE RICHARDS…DANIEL BRIER…AND JEFF CARTER…
IF FORSBERG DOES SIGN WITH THE FLYERS…HE WOULD BE FORCED TO PLAY ON THE WING…
THANKS TO THE FACT FORSBERG IS AN UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT…THERE WILL BE NO SHORTAGE OF TEAMS WITH AN INTEREST…
COLORADO…DETROIT…AND OTTAWA ARE ALL EXPECTED TO MAKE A PITCH…
THE REASON IS SIMPLE…
AT 34 AND HEALTHY…FORSBERG CAN STILL BE A FORCE…
LAST SEASON HE MISSED 25 GAMES WITH A NUMBER OF INJURIES AND STILL COLLECTED 55 POINTS IN 57 GAMES…
THAT’S BEEN THE KNOCK ON FORSBERG…HE CAN NOT STAY IN THE LINE UP…
THE LAST TIME PETER FORSBERG PLAYED A FULL 82 GAME SEASON WAS 1995-96…
NEVERTHELESS…IF FORSBERG IS READY TO PLAY…
THEN EVERY GENERAL MANAGER IN THE NHL…WHO BELIEVES HIS TEAM IS A CONTENDER MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SIGN FORSBERG…
THAT INCLUDES THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS…
TO START WITH THE CANUCKS HAVE THE SWEDISH CONNECTION…WITH 5 REGULARS IN THE LINE UP…
SECONDLY…GOALTENDER ROBERTO LUONGO GIVES THIS THE CANUCKS A CHANCE TO WIN EVERY NIGHT…
THIRDLY THE CANUCKS HAVE ROOM UNDER THE CAP…
THERE IS ALSO THE ISSUE OF THEIR T.V. NUMBERS…
THE CANUCKS ON ROGERS SPORTSNET ARE DOWN 20 PERCENT FROM A YEAR AGO…AND NEARLY 30 PERCENT FROM THE PRE-LOCKOUT SEASON OF 2003-2004…
FORSBERG WOULD CERTAINLY TURN THAT AROUND IN A HURRY…
ULTIMATELY PETER FORSBERG WILL DO WHAT HE BELIEVES IS IN HIS BEST INTEREST…
BUT RIGHT NOW IT’S THE JOB OF GENERAL MANAGER DAVE NONIS TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO CONVINCE FORSBERG THE CITY OF VANCOUVER IS JUST THAT…
THE FLYERS ARE VERY DEEP DOWN THE MIDDLE…WITH MIKE RICHARDS…DANIEL BRIER…AND JEFF CARTER…
IF FORSBERG DOES SIGN WITH THE FLYERS…HE WOULD BE FORCED TO PLAY ON THE WING…
THANKS TO THE FACT FORSBERG IS AN UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT…THERE WILL BE NO SHORTAGE OF TEAMS WITH AN INTEREST…
COLORADO…DETROIT…AND OTTAWA ARE ALL EXPECTED TO MAKE A PITCH…
THE REASON IS SIMPLE…
AT 34 AND HEALTHY…FORSBERG CAN STILL BE A FORCE…
LAST SEASON HE MISSED 25 GAMES WITH A NUMBER OF INJURIES AND STILL COLLECTED 55 POINTS IN 57 GAMES…
THAT’S BEEN THE KNOCK ON FORSBERG…HE CAN NOT STAY IN THE LINE UP…
THE LAST TIME PETER FORSBERG PLAYED A FULL 82 GAME SEASON WAS 1995-96…
NEVERTHELESS…IF FORSBERG IS READY TO PLAY…
THEN EVERY GENERAL MANAGER IN THE NHL…WHO BELIEVES HIS TEAM IS A CONTENDER MUST MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO SIGN FORSBERG…
THAT INCLUDES THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS…
TO START WITH THE CANUCKS HAVE THE SWEDISH CONNECTION…WITH 5 REGULARS IN THE LINE UP…
SECONDLY…GOALTENDER ROBERTO LUONGO GIVES THIS THE CANUCKS A CHANCE TO WIN EVERY NIGHT…
THIRDLY THE CANUCKS HAVE ROOM UNDER THE CAP…
THERE IS ALSO THE ISSUE OF THEIR T.V. NUMBERS…
THE CANUCKS ON ROGERS SPORTSNET ARE DOWN 20 PERCENT FROM A YEAR AGO…AND NEARLY 30 PERCENT FROM THE PRE-LOCKOUT SEASON OF 2003-2004…
FORSBERG WOULD CERTAINLY TURN THAT AROUND IN A HURRY…
ULTIMATELY PETER FORSBERG WILL DO WHAT HE BELIEVES IS IN HIS BEST INTEREST…
BUT RIGHT NOW IT’S THE JOB OF GENERAL MANAGER DAVE NONIS TO MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO CONVINCE FORSBERG THE CITY OF VANCOUVER IS JUST THAT…
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