AFTER THE FIRST TWO GAMES OF THE STANLEY CUP FINAL…IS ANYBODY REALLY SURPRISED???
DETROIT HAS PHYSICALLY DOMINATED THE SERIES AND HAS OUT SCORED PITTSBURGH 7-0…
THE DIFFERENCE IS ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCE…
PERHAPS THE BEST COMPARISON CAN BE FOUND 25 YEARS AGO…
IN 1983 THE EDMONTON OILERS WERE FULL OF KIDS ON THE BRINK OF GREATNESS…
WAYNE GRETZKY…MARK MESSIER…JARI KURRI…PAUL COFFEE AND GRANT FUHR…
THE OILERS WENT INTO THE CUP FINAL WITH A PLAYOFF RECORD OF 11 AND 1…
THE ISLANDERS WERE NOT IMPRESSED…
THEY BLEW OUT THE OILERS IN 4 STRAIGHT AND OUT SCORED THEM 17-6…SOUND FAMILIAR???
AFTER THE SERIES…THE OILERS WALKED BY THE ISLANDERS DRESSING ROOM AND SAW A TEAM THAT LOOKED AS IF IT HAS BEEN THROUGH A WAR…
THAT’S WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT ON…
THE NEXT YEAR THE OILERS MET THE ISLANDERS IN THE FINAL AND TOOK THEM OUT IN 5 GAMES…
THAT TEAM WENT ONTO TO WIN A TOTAL 5 STANLEY CUPS…
BUT THAT WAS BEFORE THE SALARY CAP…WHEN PLAYERS BECAME FREE AGENTS AT 31…
IN THIS NEW ERA THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A DYNASTY…
THE PENGUINS HAVE OVER A DOZEN PLAYERS ABOUT TO BECOME UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS…
THE LIST INCLUDES…MARIAN HOSSA…RYAN MALONE…AND PASCAL DUPUIS…
ADD TO THAT…GOALTENDER MARC ANDRE FLUERY WILL BE A RESTRICTED FREE AGENT THIS SUMMER…
BUT THE MUCH BIGGER CONCERN IS NEXT SUMMER…
BOTH EVGENI MALKIN AND JORAN STAAL WILL BECOME RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS…
MALKIN IS LOOKING FOR THE KIND OF MONEY ALEXANDER OVECHKIN GOT IN WASHINGTON…
$124 MILLION OVER 13 YEARS…
ADD THAT TO THE $43 MILLION THE PENGUINS HAVE COMMITTED TO CROSBY OVER THE NEXT 5 YEARS AND YOU CAN SEE THE PROBLEM…
FORGET ABOUT NEXT YEAR…
THE TRUTH IS…PITTSBURGH’S BEST SHOT TO WIN A STANLEY CUP…MAY STILL BE…”THIS” YEAR…
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Sidney Crosby
SIDNEY CROSBY WILL NOT TURN 21 UNTIL AUGUST…
NEVERTHELESS HEADING INTO THESE STANLEY CUP FINALS…
THE WEIGHT OF THE NHL IS SQUARELY ON HIS SHOULDERS…WHATELSE IS NEW…
NOT SINCE WAYNE GRETZKY IN THE 80’S HAS THE LEAGUE LOOKED TO ONE PLAYER TO CARRY IT INTO THE MAIN STREAM OF AMERICAN SPORTS…
BACK THEN IT WAS LEFT TO GRETZKY TO HEAL THE WOUNDS OF A COSTLY BATTLE WITH THE WHA…
TODAY THE NHL IS STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE LOCKOUT THAT WIPED OUT AN ENTIRE SEASON…
ON NEW YEARS DAY THE LEAGUE GOT A TASTE OF THE POWER OF CROSBY…
AT THE WINTER CLASSIC CROSBY SCORED THE WINNING GOAL IN A SHOOTOUT…
THE CELEBRATION THAT FOLLOWED MADE EVERY HI-LITE REEL FROM ESPN TO TSN…
THAT’S “STAR POWER”…AND YOU CAN NOT PUT A PRICE ON IT…
AS IMPORTANT AS THE REGULAR SEASON IS…THE MAIN ATTRACTION IS THE PLAYOFFS…
THE NHL HAS NOT HAD A GREAT STANLEY CUP FINAL SINCE THE RANGERS BEAT THE CANUCKS IN 1994…
AS PAINFULL AS THOSE MEMORIES MAYBE TO VANCOUVER FANS…
THANKS TO TELEVISION…THE SCENE OF MARK MESSIER HOISTING THE CUP AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IS NOW APART OF THE AMERICAN SPORTS LANDSCAPE…
IT’S THOSE TV MOMENTS THAT LIVE FOREVER…
IT’S MICHAEL JORDON IN 1998 HITTING THE FINAL SHOT IN GAME 6 TO BEAT UTAH…
IT’S KIRK GIBSON HITTING A HOME RUN TO WIN GAME ONE OF THE 1988 WORLD SERIES…
IT’S PAUL HENDERSON SCORING THE SERIES WINNING GOAL IN 1972…
IN A PERFECT WORLD…THE NHL IS HOPING CROSBY CAN DELIVER A DEFINING MOMENT…
BUT WHAT MOST FANS WOULD SETTLE FOR…IS JUST A GREAT SERIES…
MUCH LIKE THE ONE LARRY BIRD AND MAGIC JOHNSON DELIVERED IN 1984 FOR THE NBA…
THAT 7 GAME SERIES WAS THE BEGINNING OF A GOLDEN AGE FOR THE LEAGUE…
THE NHL HAS NOT MADE IT EASY ON ITSELF…
BOTH GAMES 1 AND 2 OF THE CUP FINAL WILL BE SHOWN IN THE U.S. ON VERSUS…
AND THOSE GAMES WILL BE PLAYED DIRECTLY OPPOSITE OF NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL…WHICH INVOLVES THE DETROIT PISTONS…
THE GOOD NEWS IS…THE REST OF THE FINAL WILL BE SEEN IN THE U.S. ON NBC…
SO FOR SIDNEY CROSBY...THE WAIT IS OVER…IT’S NOW SHOW TIME…
NEVERTHELESS HEADING INTO THESE STANLEY CUP FINALS…
THE WEIGHT OF THE NHL IS SQUARELY ON HIS SHOULDERS…WHATELSE IS NEW…
NOT SINCE WAYNE GRETZKY IN THE 80’S HAS THE LEAGUE LOOKED TO ONE PLAYER TO CARRY IT INTO THE MAIN STREAM OF AMERICAN SPORTS…
BACK THEN IT WAS LEFT TO GRETZKY TO HEAL THE WOUNDS OF A COSTLY BATTLE WITH THE WHA…
TODAY THE NHL IS STILL TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THE DESTRUCTIVE LOCKOUT THAT WIPED OUT AN ENTIRE SEASON…
ON NEW YEARS DAY THE LEAGUE GOT A TASTE OF THE POWER OF CROSBY…
AT THE WINTER CLASSIC CROSBY SCORED THE WINNING GOAL IN A SHOOTOUT…
THE CELEBRATION THAT FOLLOWED MADE EVERY HI-LITE REEL FROM ESPN TO TSN…
THAT’S “STAR POWER”…AND YOU CAN NOT PUT A PRICE ON IT…
AS IMPORTANT AS THE REGULAR SEASON IS…THE MAIN ATTRACTION IS THE PLAYOFFS…
THE NHL HAS NOT HAD A GREAT STANLEY CUP FINAL SINCE THE RANGERS BEAT THE CANUCKS IN 1994…
AS PAINFULL AS THOSE MEMORIES MAYBE TO VANCOUVER FANS…
THANKS TO TELEVISION…THE SCENE OF MARK MESSIER HOISTING THE CUP AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN IS NOW APART OF THE AMERICAN SPORTS LANDSCAPE…
IT’S THOSE TV MOMENTS THAT LIVE FOREVER…
IT’S MICHAEL JORDON IN 1998 HITTING THE FINAL SHOT IN GAME 6 TO BEAT UTAH…
IT’S KIRK GIBSON HITTING A HOME RUN TO WIN GAME ONE OF THE 1988 WORLD SERIES…
IT’S PAUL HENDERSON SCORING THE SERIES WINNING GOAL IN 1972…
IN A PERFECT WORLD…THE NHL IS HOPING CROSBY CAN DELIVER A DEFINING MOMENT…
BUT WHAT MOST FANS WOULD SETTLE FOR…IS JUST A GREAT SERIES…
MUCH LIKE THE ONE LARRY BIRD AND MAGIC JOHNSON DELIVERED IN 1984 FOR THE NBA…
THAT 7 GAME SERIES WAS THE BEGINNING OF A GOLDEN AGE FOR THE LEAGUE…
THE NHL HAS NOT MADE IT EASY ON ITSELF…
BOTH GAMES 1 AND 2 OF THE CUP FINAL WILL BE SHOWN IN THE U.S. ON VERSUS…
AND THOSE GAMES WILL BE PLAYED DIRECTLY OPPOSITE OF NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE FINAL…WHICH INVOLVES THE DETROIT PISTONS…
THE GOOD NEWS IS…THE REST OF THE FINAL WILL BE SEEN IN THE U.S. ON NBC…
SO FOR SIDNEY CROSBY...THE WAIT IS OVER…IT’S NOW SHOW TIME…
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Alain Vigneault
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ALAIN VIGNEAULT???
THESE DAYS YOU’D HAVE BETTER LUCK FINDING CARMEN SAN DIEGO…
OVER THE LONG WEEKEND THE CANUCKS FRONT OFFICE WAS IN LAS VEGAS…
THE WORD WAS…WHEN THE SUITS RETURNED…A FINAL DECISION ON THE FATE OF VIGNEAULT WOULD BE MADE…
WELL…IT’S TUESDAY…AND STILL NOTHING…
THE E-MAIL SENT FROM THE PR DEPARTMENT TO OUR PRODUCER TODAY WAS SIMPLY THIS…
”TELL PRATT TO CHILL…THERE’S NOTHING TO REPORT”…
TRUST ME…THE TEAM 1040 IS NOT THE ONLY MEDIA SOURCE LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER…
IN THE WORDS OF ED WILLIS OF THE VANCOUVER PROVINCE…”THE IRON CURTAIN WAS BROUGHT DOWN WITH LESS TIME AND EFFORT”…
SO WHAT’S THE HOLD UP???
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW…
THE FACT THIS DISCOVERY PROCESS BETWEEN VIGNEAULT AND GILLIS IS NOW WELL INTO ITS SECOND WEEK DOES SUGGEST…THE TWO PLAN TO SPEND AT LEAST NEXT SEASON TOGETHER…
STOP ME WHEN THIS STARTS TO SOUND LIKE TONY ROMO AND JESSICA SIMPSON…
THERE IS NO QUESTION THE CANUCKS WILL HAVE A MUCH MORE UP TEMPO STYLE THIS SEASON…
THAT’S WHY GILLIS WAS HIRED…
IF VIGNEAULT DISAGREED…IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEAL BREAKER…
COMMON SENSE NOW SUGGESTS…THE REAL ISSUE IS “EXECUTION”…AND THAT GETS TO “PERSONEL”…
THE CANUCKS ARE ABOUT TO GO THROUGH A MAJOR OVER HAUL…
OUTSIDE OF ROBERTO LUONGO…THERE IS NO PLAYER WHO IS GUARENTEED A JOB…
DESPITE THE FACT THERE ARE 3 OTHER PLAYERS WITH NO TRADE CLAUSES…OHLUND…SALO AND MITCHEL…
THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW MUST BE ON THREE AREAS…
THE DRAFT…TRADES…AND FREE AGENTS…
AS LONG AS VIGNEALUT AND GILLIS ARE ON THE SAME PAGE IN THESE CRITICAL AREAS…THEY HAVE A FUTURE TOGETHER…
HOW LONG A FUTURE???
WELL THAT’S ANOTHER ISSUE…
VIGNEAULT WOULD BE A FOOL…NOT TO DEMAND AN EXTENSTION TO HIS CONTRACT…
IT WAS NO ACCIDENT OWNER FRANCESCO AQUILINI WAS ALSO IN VEGAS THIS WEEKEND…
RIGHT NOW IT’S ALL STILL A GUESSING GAME…
MAYBE THE PR GUYS ARE RIGHT…MAYBE WE ALL SHOULD JUST…CHILL…
THESE DAYS YOU’D HAVE BETTER LUCK FINDING CARMEN SAN DIEGO…
OVER THE LONG WEEKEND THE CANUCKS FRONT OFFICE WAS IN LAS VEGAS…
THE WORD WAS…WHEN THE SUITS RETURNED…A FINAL DECISION ON THE FATE OF VIGNEAULT WOULD BE MADE…
WELL…IT’S TUESDAY…AND STILL NOTHING…
THE E-MAIL SENT FROM THE PR DEPARTMENT TO OUR PRODUCER TODAY WAS SIMPLY THIS…
”TELL PRATT TO CHILL…THERE’S NOTHING TO REPORT”…
TRUST ME…THE TEAM 1040 IS NOT THE ONLY MEDIA SOURCE LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER…
IN THE WORDS OF ED WILLIS OF THE VANCOUVER PROVINCE…”THE IRON CURTAIN WAS BROUGHT DOWN WITH LESS TIME AND EFFORT”…
SO WHAT’S THE HOLD UP???
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW…
THE FACT THIS DISCOVERY PROCESS BETWEEN VIGNEAULT AND GILLIS IS NOW WELL INTO ITS SECOND WEEK DOES SUGGEST…THE TWO PLAN TO SPEND AT LEAST NEXT SEASON TOGETHER…
STOP ME WHEN THIS STARTS TO SOUND LIKE TONY ROMO AND JESSICA SIMPSON…
THERE IS NO QUESTION THE CANUCKS WILL HAVE A MUCH MORE UP TEMPO STYLE THIS SEASON…
THAT’S WHY GILLIS WAS HIRED…
IF VIGNEAULT DISAGREED…IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEAL BREAKER…
COMMON SENSE NOW SUGGESTS…THE REAL ISSUE IS “EXECUTION”…AND THAT GETS TO “PERSONEL”…
THE CANUCKS ARE ABOUT TO GO THROUGH A MAJOR OVER HAUL…
OUTSIDE OF ROBERTO LUONGO…THERE IS NO PLAYER WHO IS GUARENTEED A JOB…
DESPITE THE FACT THERE ARE 3 OTHER PLAYERS WITH NO TRADE CLAUSES…OHLUND…SALO AND MITCHEL…
THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW MUST BE ON THREE AREAS…
THE DRAFT…TRADES…AND FREE AGENTS…
AS LONG AS VIGNEALUT AND GILLIS ARE ON THE SAME PAGE IN THESE CRITICAL AREAS…THEY HAVE A FUTURE TOGETHER…
HOW LONG A FUTURE???
WELL THAT’S ANOTHER ISSUE…
VIGNEAULT WOULD BE A FOOL…NOT TO DEMAND AN EXTENSTION TO HIS CONTRACT…
IT WAS NO ACCIDENT OWNER FRANCESCO AQUILINI WAS ALSO IN VEGAS THIS WEEKEND…
RIGHT NOW IT’S ALL STILL A GUESSING GAME…
MAYBE THE PR GUYS ARE RIGHT…MAYBE WE ALL SHOULD JUST…CHILL…
Alain Vigneault
WHERE IN THE WORLD IS ALAIN VIGNEAULT???
THESE DAYS YOU’D HAVE BETTER LUCK FINDING CARMEN SAN DIEGO…
OVER THE LONG WEEKEND THE CANUCKS FRONT OFFICE WAS IN LAS VEGAS…
THE WORD WAS…WHEN THE SUITS RETURNED…A FINAL DECISION ON THE FATE OF VIGNEAULT WOULD BE MADE…
WELL…IT’S TUESDAY…AND STILL NOTHING…
THE E-MAIL SENT FROM THE PR DEPARTMENT TO OUR PRODUCER TODAY WAS SIMPLY THIS…
”TELL PRATT TO CHILL…THERE’S NOTHING TO REPORT”…
TRUST ME…THE TEAM 1040 IS NOT THE ONLY MEDIA SOURCE LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER…
IN THE WORDS OF ED WILLIS OF THE VANCOUVER PROVINCE…”THE IRON CURTAIN WAS BROUGHT DOWN WITH LESS TIME AND EFFORT”…
SO WHAT’S THE HOLD UP???
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW…
THE FACT THIS DISCOVERY PROCESS BETWEEN VIGNEAULT AND GILLIS IS NOW WELL INTO ITS SECOND WEEK DOES SUGGEST…THE TWO PLAN TO SPEND AT LEAST NEXT SEASON TOGETHER…
STOP ME WHEN THIS STARTS TO SOUND LIKE TONY ROMO AND JESSICA SIMPSON…
THERE IS NO QUESTION THE CANUCKS WILL HAVE A MUCH MORE UP TEMPO STYLE THIS SEASON…
THAT’S WHY GILLIS WAS HIRED…
IF VIGNEAULT DISAGREED…IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEAL BREAKER…
COMMON SENSE NOW SUGGESTS…THE REAL ISSUE IS “EXECUTION”…AND THAT GETS TO “PERSONEL”…
THE CANUCKS ARE ABOUT TO GO THROUGH A MAJOR OVER HAUL…
OUTSIDE OF ROBERTO LUONGO…THERE IS NO PLAYER WHO IS GUARENTEED A JOB…
DESPITE THE FACT THERE ARE 3 OTHER PLAYERS WITH NO TRADE CLAUSES…OHLUND…SALO AND MITCHEL…
THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW MUST BE ON THREE AREAS…
THE DRAFT…TRADES…AND FREE AGENTS…
AS LONG AS VIGNEALUT AND GILLIS ARE ON THE SAME PAGE IN THESE CRITICAL AREAS…THEY HAVE A FUTURE TOGETHER…
HOW LONG A FUTURE???
WELL THAT’S ANOTHER ISSUE…
VIGNEAULT WOULD BE A FOOL…NOT TO DEMAND AN EXTENSTION TO HIS CONTRACT…
IT WAS NO ACCIDENT OWNER FRANCESCO AQUILINI WAS ALSO IN VEGAS THIS WEEKEND…
RIGHT NOW IT’S ALL STILL A GUESSING GAME…
MAYBE THE PR GUYS ARE RIGHT…MAYBE WE ALL SHOULD JUST…CHILL…
THESE DAYS YOU’D HAVE BETTER LUCK FINDING CARMEN SAN DIEGO…
OVER THE LONG WEEKEND THE CANUCKS FRONT OFFICE WAS IN LAS VEGAS…
THE WORD WAS…WHEN THE SUITS RETURNED…A FINAL DECISION ON THE FATE OF VIGNEAULT WOULD BE MADE…
WELL…IT’S TUESDAY…AND STILL NOTHING…
THE E-MAIL SENT FROM THE PR DEPARTMENT TO OUR PRODUCER TODAY WAS SIMPLY THIS…
”TELL PRATT TO CHILL…THERE’S NOTHING TO REPORT”…
TRUST ME…THE TEAM 1040 IS NOT THE ONLY MEDIA SOURCE LOOKING FOR AN ANSWER…
IN THE WORDS OF ED WILLIS OF THE VANCOUVER PROVINCE…”THE IRON CURTAIN WAS BROUGHT DOWN WITH LESS TIME AND EFFORT”…
SO WHAT’S THE HOLD UP???
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW…
THE FACT THIS DISCOVERY PROCESS BETWEEN VIGNEAULT AND GILLIS IS NOW WELL INTO ITS SECOND WEEK DOES SUGGEST…THE TWO PLAN TO SPEND AT LEAST NEXT SEASON TOGETHER…
STOP ME WHEN THIS STARTS TO SOUND LIKE TONY ROMO AND JESSICA SIMPSON…
THERE IS NO QUESTION THE CANUCKS WILL HAVE A MUCH MORE UP TEMPO STYLE THIS SEASON…
THAT’S WHY GILLIS WAS HIRED…
IF VIGNEAULT DISAGREED…IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A DEAL BREAKER…
COMMON SENSE NOW SUGGESTS…THE REAL ISSUE IS “EXECUTION”…AND THAT GETS TO “PERSONEL”…
THE CANUCKS ARE ABOUT TO GO THROUGH A MAJOR OVER HAUL…
OUTSIDE OF ROBERTO LUONGO…THERE IS NO PLAYER WHO IS GUARENTEED A JOB…
DESPITE THE FACT THERE ARE 3 OTHER PLAYERS WITH NO TRADE CLAUSES…OHLUND…SALO AND MITCHEL…
THE FOCUS RIGHT NOW MUST BE ON THREE AREAS…
THE DRAFT…TRADES…AND FREE AGENTS…
AS LONG AS VIGNEALUT AND GILLIS ARE ON THE SAME PAGE IN THESE CRITICAL AREAS…THEY HAVE A FUTURE TOGETHER…
HOW LONG A FUTURE???
WELL THAT’S ANOTHER ISSUE…
VIGNEAULT WOULD BE A FOOL…NOT TO DEMAND AN EXTENSTION TO HIS CONTRACT…
IT WAS NO ACCIDENT OWNER FRANCESCO AQUILINI WAS ALSO IN VEGAS THIS WEEKEND…
RIGHT NOW IT’S ALL STILL A GUESSING GAME…
MAYBE THE PR GUYS ARE RIGHT…MAYBE WE ALL SHOULD JUST…CHILL…
Thursday, May 15, 2008
BC Place
AT 10 O’CLOCK TOMORROW MORNING THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE IT OFFICIAL…
B.C. PLACE WILL BE GETTING A NEW RETRACTABLE ROOF…
THE PRICE COULD BE AS HIGH AS $150 MILLION DOLLARS…AND SHOULD BE READY FOR THE OPENING CEREMONIES OF THE 2010 OLYMPICS…
WHEN ALL THE SMOKE CLEARS…
THE NEW ROOF WILL BE THE MOST IMPORANT LEGACY OF THE GAMES…
IT WILL NOT ONLY SAVE THE B.C. LIONS BUT ALSO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE WHITECAPS TO MOVE TO MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER…
LET’S START WITH THE LIONS…
TED ROGERS IS DOING HIS BEST TO KILL THE CFL BY BRINGING THE NFL TO TORONTO…
BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS…
NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND IS GOING TO SPEND $200 DOLLARS A TICKET TO WATCH THE BUFFALO BILLS…
THE REAL THREAT TO THE LEAGUE WAS LOSING B.C. PLACE…
THE PLAN WAS TO TEAR IT DOWN AFTER THE OLYMPICS AND SELL THE LAND TO HIGHEST BIDDER…
FOR SOME UNEXPLAINED REASON…THE POLITICIANS IN VICTORIA REMEMBERED WHO THEY ACTUALLY WORK FOR…
HERE’S THE MATH…
NO B.C. PLACE…NO LIONS…NO LIONS…NO CFL…
HOW DO YOU PUT A PRICE TAG ON 100 YEARS OF CANADIAN HISTORY???
THE WHITECAPS WILL ALSO BE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW…
THE RETACTABLE ROOF WILL ALSO ALLOW THE CAPS TO GO AFTER A FRANCHISE IN MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER…
THE CHEAP AND SLEAZY POLITICS THAT HAVE BLOCKED A WATERFRONT STADIUM IN THIS CITY ARE ALSO KILLING PROFESSIONAL SOCCER IN THIS PROVINCE…
THE NEW ROOF SHOULD BUY THE WHITECAPS ENOUGH TIME TO SAVE THEMSELVES AND THE GAME…
MLS HAS PLANS TO CAP THE NUMBER OF TEAMS IN ITS LEAGUE…AND THEY’RE GOING FAST…
THIS YEAR IT ADDED SAN JOSE…BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO 14…
BY THE END OF THIS YEAR…THE LEAGUE WANTS TO ADD A 15TH TEAM…AND THEN IN 2009 SEATTLE WILL BE BECOME NUMBER 16…
THERE IS A LONG LIST OF OTHER CITIES LOOKING TO GET ON BOARD…INCLUDING MONTREAL…
ALL OF THEM HAVE WHAT VANCOUVER DOES NOT…
A MAJOR LEAGUE…OUTDOOR STADIUM…
ALL THAT WILL CHANGE TOMORROW…
AS USUAL…THE POLITICIANS ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING…FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS…
BUT RIGHT NOW NOBODY WITH THE LIONS OR THE WHITECAPS IS COMPLAINING…
B.C. PLACE WILL BE GETTING A NEW RETRACTABLE ROOF…
THE PRICE COULD BE AS HIGH AS $150 MILLION DOLLARS…AND SHOULD BE READY FOR THE OPENING CEREMONIES OF THE 2010 OLYMPICS…
WHEN ALL THE SMOKE CLEARS…
THE NEW ROOF WILL BE THE MOST IMPORANT LEGACY OF THE GAMES…
IT WILL NOT ONLY SAVE THE B.C. LIONS BUT ALSO PAVE THE WAY FOR THE WHITECAPS TO MOVE TO MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER…
LET’S START WITH THE LIONS…
TED ROGERS IS DOING HIS BEST TO KILL THE CFL BY BRINGING THE NFL TO TORONTO…
BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS…
NOBODY IN THEIR RIGHT MIND IS GOING TO SPEND $200 DOLLARS A TICKET TO WATCH THE BUFFALO BILLS…
THE REAL THREAT TO THE LEAGUE WAS LOSING B.C. PLACE…
THE PLAN WAS TO TEAR IT DOWN AFTER THE OLYMPICS AND SELL THE LAND TO HIGHEST BIDDER…
FOR SOME UNEXPLAINED REASON…THE POLITICIANS IN VICTORIA REMEMBERED WHO THEY ACTUALLY WORK FOR…
HERE’S THE MATH…
NO B.C. PLACE…NO LIONS…NO LIONS…NO CFL…
HOW DO YOU PUT A PRICE TAG ON 100 YEARS OF CANADIAN HISTORY???
THE WHITECAPS WILL ALSO BE AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE TOMORROW…
THE RETACTABLE ROOF WILL ALSO ALLOW THE CAPS TO GO AFTER A FRANCHISE IN MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER…
THE CHEAP AND SLEAZY POLITICS THAT HAVE BLOCKED A WATERFRONT STADIUM IN THIS CITY ARE ALSO KILLING PROFESSIONAL SOCCER IN THIS PROVINCE…
THE NEW ROOF SHOULD BUY THE WHITECAPS ENOUGH TIME TO SAVE THEMSELVES AND THE GAME…
MLS HAS PLANS TO CAP THE NUMBER OF TEAMS IN ITS LEAGUE…AND THEY’RE GOING FAST…
THIS YEAR IT ADDED SAN JOSE…BRINGING THE TOTAL NUMBER TO 14…
BY THE END OF THIS YEAR…THE LEAGUE WANTS TO ADD A 15TH TEAM…AND THEN IN 2009 SEATTLE WILL BE BECOME NUMBER 16…
THERE IS A LONG LIST OF OTHER CITIES LOOKING TO GET ON BOARD…INCLUDING MONTREAL…
ALL OF THEM HAVE WHAT VANCOUVER DOES NOT…
A MAJOR LEAGUE…OUTDOOR STADIUM…
ALL THAT WILL CHANGE TOMORROW…
AS USUAL…THE POLITICIANS ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING…FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS…
BUT RIGHT NOW NOBODY WITH THE LIONS OR THE WHITECAPS IS COMPLAINING…
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Alain Vigneault
WHEN MIKE GILLIS WAS NAMED THE NEW GENERAL MANAGER OF THE VANCOUVER CANUCKS HE STATED…
THE DECISION ON WHO COACHES THIS TEAM WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT HE MAKES…
A MONTH LATER AND IT’S CLEAR…GILLIS MEANT EVERY WORD…
LAST WEEK GILLIS AND HEAD COACH ALAIN VIGNEAULT MET 5 TIMES…
THAT’S 5 TIMES IN A WEEK…
WE’RE NOT TALKING ABOUT GOING FOR COFFEE…
THESE WERE LENGTHY INDEPTH MEETINGS WHICH LASTED FOR HOURS…
OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS VIGNEAULT WILL BE IN LAS VEGAS FOR EVEN MORE TALKS…
THESE ARE PART OF THE CANUCKS ANNUAL MEETINGS…
GILLIS NOW SAYS BY THE WEEKEND A FINAL DECISION WILL BE MADE ON THE FATE OF VIGNEAULT…
WHAT EVER THE DECISION… IT’S IN EVERYBODY’S BEST INTEREST TO MOVE FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE…
IF THE CANUCKS PASS ON VIGNEAULT…THEN THE QUESTION BECOMES…WHO’S THE NEW BOSS???
THERE ARE A BUNDLE OF FORMER HEAD COACHES LOOKING FOR WORK…
THE LIST INCLUDES…PAT QUINN…PAT BURNS…JOEL QUENNVILLE…PAUL MAURICE…RON WILSON…AND BOB HARTLEY…
THE PROBLEM IS…
THERE ARE AT LEAST 6 OTHER TEAMS ALSO LOOKING…
THE CANUCKS CAN GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND BRING IN A ROOKIE HEAD COACH…
ON THE TOP OF THAT LIST…CRAIG HARTSBURGH…KEVIN DINEEN AND SCOTT ARNEIL…
AS FOR VIGNEAULT…THE GOOD NEWS IS…THIS IS VERY MUCH A SELLERS MARKET…
HE’LL EITHER GET AN EXTENSION HERE WITH THE CANUCKS OR SIGN WITH ANYONE OF A HALF A DOZEN OTHER TEAMS…
KEEP IN MIND…LESS THAN A YEAR AGO VIGNEAULT WAS NAMED THE NHL COACH OF THE YEAR…
IN MANY RESPECTS…THE WHO IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS THE HOW…
THIS SEASON THE CANUCKS NOT ONLY MISSED THE PLAYOFFS…BUT FINISHED WITH THE 24TH OFFENCE IN THE NHL…
THEY ALSO DID NOT PRODUCE A SINGLE PLAYER WITH 30 GOALS…
IT COST GENERAL MANAGER DAVE NONIS HIS JOB…
IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS…ALAIN VIGNEAULT WILL FINALLY KNOW WHETHER OR NOT HE’S ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE “BLAME GAME”…
THE DECISION ON WHO COACHES THIS TEAM WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT HE MAKES…
A MONTH LATER AND IT’S CLEAR…GILLIS MEANT EVERY WORD…
LAST WEEK GILLIS AND HEAD COACH ALAIN VIGNEAULT MET 5 TIMES…
THAT’S 5 TIMES IN A WEEK…
WE’RE NOT TALKING ABOUT GOING FOR COFFEE…
THESE WERE LENGTHY INDEPTH MEETINGS WHICH LASTED FOR HOURS…
OVER THE NEXT TWO DAYS VIGNEAULT WILL BE IN LAS VEGAS FOR EVEN MORE TALKS…
THESE ARE PART OF THE CANUCKS ANNUAL MEETINGS…
GILLIS NOW SAYS BY THE WEEKEND A FINAL DECISION WILL BE MADE ON THE FATE OF VIGNEAULT…
WHAT EVER THE DECISION… IT’S IN EVERYBODY’S BEST INTEREST TO MOVE FORWARD AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE…
IF THE CANUCKS PASS ON VIGNEAULT…THEN THE QUESTION BECOMES…WHO’S THE NEW BOSS???
THERE ARE A BUNDLE OF FORMER HEAD COACHES LOOKING FOR WORK…
THE LIST INCLUDES…PAT QUINN…PAT BURNS…JOEL QUENNVILLE…PAUL MAURICE…RON WILSON…AND BOB HARTLEY…
THE PROBLEM IS…
THERE ARE AT LEAST 6 OTHER TEAMS ALSO LOOKING…
THE CANUCKS CAN GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION AND BRING IN A ROOKIE HEAD COACH…
ON THE TOP OF THAT LIST…CRAIG HARTSBURGH…KEVIN DINEEN AND SCOTT ARNEIL…
AS FOR VIGNEAULT…THE GOOD NEWS IS…THIS IS VERY MUCH A SELLERS MARKET…
HE’LL EITHER GET AN EXTENSION HERE WITH THE CANUCKS OR SIGN WITH ANYONE OF A HALF A DOZEN OTHER TEAMS…
KEEP IN MIND…LESS THAN A YEAR AGO VIGNEAULT WAS NAMED THE NHL COACH OF THE YEAR…
IN MANY RESPECTS…THE WHO IS NOT AS IMPORTANT AS THE HOW…
THIS SEASON THE CANUCKS NOT ONLY MISSED THE PLAYOFFS…BUT FINISHED WITH THE 24TH OFFENCE IN THE NHL…
THEY ALSO DID NOT PRODUCE A SINGLE PLAYER WITH 30 GOALS…
IT COST GENERAL MANAGER DAVE NONIS HIS JOB…
IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS…ALAIN VIGNEAULT WILL FINALLY KNOW WHETHER OR NOT HE’S ANOTHER VICTIM OF THE “BLAME GAME”…
Monday, May 12, 2008
Dave Nonis
TOMORROW DAVE NONIS WILL BE IN TORONTO TO MEET WITH THE LEAFS…
IT’S NO SECRET WHAT THE PLAN IS…
HIRE NONIS AND LET HIM RUN THE TEAM FOR A YEAR UNTIL BRIAN BURKE TAKES OVER…
A WEEK AGO THAT APPEARED TO BE A SLAM DUNK…
NOT ANY MORE…
THE ATLANTA THRASHERS ARE NOW IN THE PICTURE…
GENERAL MANAGER DON WADDELL HAS BEEN ASKED BY OWNERSHIP TO ACCEPT ANOTHER MANAGEMENT POSITION…
WADDELL IS EXPECTED TO MAKE THAT DECISION AFTER THE WORLD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS…
WORD HAS IT…NONIS HAS BEEN OFFERED THE GM JOB IN ATLANTA…
IN A PERFECT WORLD…NONIS WOULD RATHER WORK IN A TRADITIONAL HOCKEY MARKET…
BUT CLEARLY THE PRIOITY IS TO REMAIN A GENERAL MANAGER AND NOT TAKE A STEP BACKWARD TO ONCE AGAIN WORK IN THE SHADOW OF BURKE…
BOTH THE THRASHERS AND THE LEAFS ARE A MESS…
BUT THE SITUATION IN ATLANTA IS IN MANY WAYS MORE ATTRACTIVE…
TO START WITH…THE THRASHERS HAVE A LIGITIMATE FRANCHISE PLAYER IN ILYA KOVALCHUK WITH 2 MORE YEARS LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT…
THEY ALSO HAVE TWO FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS THIS YEAR INCLUDING THE NUMBER 3 CHOICE OVER ALL…WHICH WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY GIVE THEM ANOTHER FRANCHISE PLAYER TO BUILD AROUND…
THE LEAFS HAVE THE 7TH OVER ALL PICK…
THE THRASHERS HAVE ONLY ONE PLAYER WITH A NO TRADE CLAUSE…SLAVA KOZLOV…
THE LEAFS ARE LOADED WITH THEM…
IN ATLANTA NONIS WOULD KNOW EXACTLY WHO HE’S WORKING FOR…
THE TEAM IS OWNED BY BRUCE LEVENSON AND MICHAEL GEARON…
IN TORONTO…ON ANY DAY…IT’S ANYBODY’S GUESS WHO’S RUNNING THE SHOW…
TIME IS DEFINITELY ON THE SIDE OF NONIS…
THE ENTRY DRAFT IS ONLY A MONTH AWAY AND THE FREE AGENT MARKET OPENS IS ABOUT 6 WEEKS…
IT ALL LEAVES TWO VERY BIG QUESTIONS…WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LEAFS IF NONIS TAKES THE ATLANTA JOB???
AND SECONDLY…CAN THAT ORGANIZATION AFFORD TO WASTE ANOTHER YEAR WAITING FOR BURKE???
WE’LL KNOW A LOT MORE IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS…
IT’S NO SECRET WHAT THE PLAN IS…
HIRE NONIS AND LET HIM RUN THE TEAM FOR A YEAR UNTIL BRIAN BURKE TAKES OVER…
A WEEK AGO THAT APPEARED TO BE A SLAM DUNK…
NOT ANY MORE…
THE ATLANTA THRASHERS ARE NOW IN THE PICTURE…
GENERAL MANAGER DON WADDELL HAS BEEN ASKED BY OWNERSHIP TO ACCEPT ANOTHER MANAGEMENT POSITION…
WADDELL IS EXPECTED TO MAKE THAT DECISION AFTER THE WORLD HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS…
WORD HAS IT…NONIS HAS BEEN OFFERED THE GM JOB IN ATLANTA…
IN A PERFECT WORLD…NONIS WOULD RATHER WORK IN A TRADITIONAL HOCKEY MARKET…
BUT CLEARLY THE PRIOITY IS TO REMAIN A GENERAL MANAGER AND NOT TAKE A STEP BACKWARD TO ONCE AGAIN WORK IN THE SHADOW OF BURKE…
BOTH THE THRASHERS AND THE LEAFS ARE A MESS…
BUT THE SITUATION IN ATLANTA IS IN MANY WAYS MORE ATTRACTIVE…
TO START WITH…THE THRASHERS HAVE A LIGITIMATE FRANCHISE PLAYER IN ILYA KOVALCHUK WITH 2 MORE YEARS LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT…
THEY ALSO HAVE TWO FIRST ROUND DRAFT PICKS THIS YEAR INCLUDING THE NUMBER 3 CHOICE OVER ALL…WHICH WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY GIVE THEM ANOTHER FRANCHISE PLAYER TO BUILD AROUND…
THE LEAFS HAVE THE 7TH OVER ALL PICK…
THE THRASHERS HAVE ONLY ONE PLAYER WITH A NO TRADE CLAUSE…SLAVA KOZLOV…
THE LEAFS ARE LOADED WITH THEM…
IN ATLANTA NONIS WOULD KNOW EXACTLY WHO HE’S WORKING FOR…
THE TEAM IS OWNED BY BRUCE LEVENSON AND MICHAEL GEARON…
IN TORONTO…ON ANY DAY…IT’S ANYBODY’S GUESS WHO’S RUNNING THE SHOW…
TIME IS DEFINITELY ON THE SIDE OF NONIS…
THE ENTRY DRAFT IS ONLY A MONTH AWAY AND THE FREE AGENT MARKET OPENS IS ABOUT 6 WEEKS…
IT ALL LEAVES TWO VERY BIG QUESTIONS…WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LEAFS IF NONIS TAKES THE ATLANTA JOB???
AND SECONDLY…CAN THAT ORGANIZATION AFFORD TO WASTE ANOTHER YEAR WAITING FOR BURKE???
WE’LL KNOW A LOT MORE IN THE NEXT 24 HOURS…
Thursday, May 8, 2008
The Leafs
THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS ARE A JOKE…
IF THE TEAM PLAYED IN FLORIDA IT WOULD NOT MATTER…
HOWEVER…BECAUSE IT PLAYS IN TORONTO…IT DOES…
LIKE IT OR NOT…
SOUTHERN ONTARIO IS THE BIGGEST HOCKEY MARKET IN THE WORLD…
IT WOULD BE LIKE THE TAMPA BAY RAYS CALL YANKEE STADIUM HOME…
WORD HAS IT THE LEAFS PLAN TO HIRE DAVE NONIS…AS PART OF A BIGGER PLAN THAT WOULD ULTIMATELY RE-UNITE NONIS WITH HIS OLD BOSS AND FRIEND BRIAN BURKE…
AS YOU MAY KNOW…BURE STILL HAS A YEAR LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT IN ANAHEIM…AND HAS REFUSED TO SIGN A 10 YEAR OFFER FROM THE DUCKS…
WITH ANY OTHER CITY THIS RUMOR WOULD BE LAUGHED OFF…
BUT THIS IS TORONTO…AND KEEP THIS IN MIND…
THE LEAFS A TEAM THAT LAST WENT TO A CUP FINAL THE YEAR ELVIS AND PRISCILLA GOT MARRIED…
WHO KNEW THOSE TWO HAD A MUCH BRIGHTER FUTURE…
NHL COMMISSIONER GARY BETTMAN IS KEEPING AN EYE ON THIS WHOLE DOG AND PONY SHOW BECAUSE IT SMELLS WORSE THAN LOW TIDE IN STEVESTON…
THE ST. LOUIS BLUES WERE THE LAST TO GET CAUGHT TAMPERING AND IT COST THEM A FIRST ROUND DRAFT CHOICE AND $1.4 MILLION DOLLARS IN FINES…
THAT EXPLAINS THE REACTION OF BURKE YESTERDAY WHEN HE WAS TOLD OF THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT INVOLVING NONIS…
QUOTE…”THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME”…
THE TRUTH IS…IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH BURKE…
DESPITE ALL THE DOUBLE TALK COMING FROM THE LEAFS…
THEIR SEARCH COMMITTEE HAS ONLY ONE NAME ON ITS LIST…BRIAN BURKE…
NOT BECAUSE BURKE IS THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB…BUT INSTEAD BECAUSE BURKE IS THE BEST MAN FOR THE SITUATION…
THE LEAFS ARE AN EXPANSION TEAM…NO THEY’RE WORSE THAN AN EXPANSION TEAM…
NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE VERY FEW PROSPECTS IN THEIR SYSTEM…THEY ARE ALSO HANDCUFFED TO A BUNDLE OF NO TRADE CONTRACTS…
ULTIMATELY THE BLAME BELONGS TO THE CEO RICHARD PEDDIE…BUT THERE’S NO WAY HE’S GOING TO TELL THE SHAREHOLDERS THIS FRANCHISE NEED 5 YEARS AND 10’S OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO CLEAN UP HIS MESS…
THAT’S WHERE BURKE COMES IN…
IN THE END HE WON’T FIX THE PROBLEM…BUT HE CERTAINLY WILL CREATE A DISTRACTION…
WHEN ALL THE SMOKE CLEARS IN A FEW YEARS FROM NOW…
TRUST ME…THE LEAFS WILL STILL BE A JOKE…
IF THE TEAM PLAYED IN FLORIDA IT WOULD NOT MATTER…
HOWEVER…BECAUSE IT PLAYS IN TORONTO…IT DOES…
LIKE IT OR NOT…
SOUTHERN ONTARIO IS THE BIGGEST HOCKEY MARKET IN THE WORLD…
IT WOULD BE LIKE THE TAMPA BAY RAYS CALL YANKEE STADIUM HOME…
WORD HAS IT THE LEAFS PLAN TO HIRE DAVE NONIS…AS PART OF A BIGGER PLAN THAT WOULD ULTIMATELY RE-UNITE NONIS WITH HIS OLD BOSS AND FRIEND BRIAN BURKE…
AS YOU MAY KNOW…BURE STILL HAS A YEAR LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT IN ANAHEIM…AND HAS REFUSED TO SIGN A 10 YEAR OFFER FROM THE DUCKS…
WITH ANY OTHER CITY THIS RUMOR WOULD BE LAUGHED OFF…
BUT THIS IS TORONTO…AND KEEP THIS IN MIND…
THE LEAFS A TEAM THAT LAST WENT TO A CUP FINAL THE YEAR ELVIS AND PRISCILLA GOT MARRIED…
WHO KNEW THOSE TWO HAD A MUCH BRIGHTER FUTURE…
NHL COMMISSIONER GARY BETTMAN IS KEEPING AN EYE ON THIS WHOLE DOG AND PONY SHOW BECAUSE IT SMELLS WORSE THAN LOW TIDE IN STEVESTON…
THE ST. LOUIS BLUES WERE THE LAST TO GET CAUGHT TAMPERING AND IT COST THEM A FIRST ROUND DRAFT CHOICE AND $1.4 MILLION DOLLARS IN FINES…
THAT EXPLAINS THE REACTION OF BURKE YESTERDAY WHEN HE WAS TOLD OF THIS LATEST DEVELOPMENT INVOLVING NONIS…
QUOTE…”THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ME”…
THE TRUTH IS…IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH BURKE…
DESPITE ALL THE DOUBLE TALK COMING FROM THE LEAFS…
THEIR SEARCH COMMITTEE HAS ONLY ONE NAME ON ITS LIST…BRIAN BURKE…
NOT BECAUSE BURKE IS THE BEST MAN FOR THE JOB…BUT INSTEAD BECAUSE BURKE IS THE BEST MAN FOR THE SITUATION…
THE LEAFS ARE AN EXPANSION TEAM…NO THEY’RE WORSE THAN AN EXPANSION TEAM…
NOT ONLY DO THEY HAVE VERY FEW PROSPECTS IN THEIR SYSTEM…THEY ARE ALSO HANDCUFFED TO A BUNDLE OF NO TRADE CONTRACTS…
ULTIMATELY THE BLAME BELONGS TO THE CEO RICHARD PEDDIE…BUT THERE’S NO WAY HE’S GOING TO TELL THE SHAREHOLDERS THIS FRANCHISE NEED 5 YEARS AND 10’S OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO CLEAN UP HIS MESS…
THAT’S WHERE BURKE COMES IN…
IN THE END HE WON’T FIX THE PROBLEM…BUT HE CERTAINLY WILL CREATE A DISTRACTION…
WHEN ALL THE SMOKE CLEARS IN A FEW YEARS FROM NOW…
TRUST ME…THE LEAFS WILL STILL BE A JOKE…
Monday, May 5, 2008
Will Stanley come back to Canada?
15 YEARS AND COUNTING…
THAT’S HOW LONG IT’S BEEN SINCE A CANADAIN TEAM WON THE STANLEY CUP…
PHILADELPHIA’S WIN OVER MONTREAL ON SATURDAY INSURED THE WAIT WILL CONTINUE FOR AT LEAST 1 MORE YEAR…
MUCH OF THE BLAME BELONGS TO NHL COMMISSIONER GARY BETTMAN…
TO BEGIN WITH…IN THE 90’S BETTMAN OVER SAW THE TRANFER OF TWO CANADAIN CITIES TO THE U.S…
THEN EXPANDED THE LEAGUE BY 6 TEAMS WITH 5 OF THEM GOING TO AMERICAN CITIES…
IN 1995 BETTMAN SIGNED A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT RESULTED IN THE WORST CASE OF INFLATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE NHL…
IN LESS THAN A DECADE THE AVERAGE PLAYERS SALARY CLIMBED TO A STAGGERING $1.8 MILLION DOLLARS PER SEASON…
COMBINE THAT WITH A WEAK CANADAIN DOLLAR AND IT MEANT SMALL MARKETS SUCH AS CALGARY…EDMONTON AND OTTAWA COULD NOT COMPETE…
THE NEW CBA AND A STRONG CANADAIN DOLLAR HAS NOW LEVELED THE PLAYING FIELD…
AS A RESULT IN THE LAST 4 YEARS 3 CANADAIN TEAMS HAVE MADE IT TO THE FINALS…
IT’S NOW ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE CUP FINALLY RETURNS TO THIS COUNTRY…
THE QUESTION IS…WHICH CANADIAN TEAM HAS THE BEST SHOT???
IN THE SHORT TERM…MONTREAL…
THEY HAVE THE MOST PIECES ALREADY IN PLACE AND GOALTENDER CARY PRICE IS THE REAL THING…
EDMONTON MAY HAVE THE BEST YOUNG TALENT BUT THE OILERS ARE STILL NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME…
OTTAWA IS MOVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION…CALGARY IS NOT MOVING IN ANY DIRECTION…AND TORONTO IS STILL LOOKING FOR A GENERAL MANAGER…
THE CANUCKS STILL HAVE A GREAT GOALTENDER…BUT THEY ARE IN A RACE AGAINST TIME…
ROBERTO LUONGO HAS ONLY TWO YEARS LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT…
HOWEVER THE BIGGEST THREAT TO A CANADIAN TEAM WINNING THE STANLEY CUP IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE…
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BETTMAN…OR THE CANADIAN DOLLAR…OR WHO’S THE GM OF THE LEAFS…
THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE IS THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS…
THE COMBINATION OF CROSBY AND MALKIN IS THE BEST SINCE GRETZKY AND MESSIER…
THE PENGUINS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME THE FIRST DYNASTY UNDER THE SALARY CAP…
BE AFRAID CANADA…BE VERY AFRAID!!!
THAT’S HOW LONG IT’S BEEN SINCE A CANADAIN TEAM WON THE STANLEY CUP…
PHILADELPHIA’S WIN OVER MONTREAL ON SATURDAY INSURED THE WAIT WILL CONTINUE FOR AT LEAST 1 MORE YEAR…
MUCH OF THE BLAME BELONGS TO NHL COMMISSIONER GARY BETTMAN…
TO BEGIN WITH…IN THE 90’S BETTMAN OVER SAW THE TRANFER OF TWO CANADAIN CITIES TO THE U.S…
THEN EXPANDED THE LEAGUE BY 6 TEAMS WITH 5 OF THEM GOING TO AMERICAN CITIES…
IN 1995 BETTMAN SIGNED A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT THAT RESULTED IN THE WORST CASE OF INFLATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE NHL…
IN LESS THAN A DECADE THE AVERAGE PLAYERS SALARY CLIMBED TO A STAGGERING $1.8 MILLION DOLLARS PER SEASON…
COMBINE THAT WITH A WEAK CANADAIN DOLLAR AND IT MEANT SMALL MARKETS SUCH AS CALGARY…EDMONTON AND OTTAWA COULD NOT COMPETE…
THE NEW CBA AND A STRONG CANADAIN DOLLAR HAS NOW LEVELED THE PLAYING FIELD…
AS A RESULT IN THE LAST 4 YEARS 3 CANADAIN TEAMS HAVE MADE IT TO THE FINALS…
IT’S NOW ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL THE CUP FINALLY RETURNS TO THIS COUNTRY…
THE QUESTION IS…WHICH CANADIAN TEAM HAS THE BEST SHOT???
IN THE SHORT TERM…MONTREAL…
THEY HAVE THE MOST PIECES ALREADY IN PLACE AND GOALTENDER CARY PRICE IS THE REAL THING…
EDMONTON MAY HAVE THE BEST YOUNG TALENT BUT THE OILERS ARE STILL NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME…
OTTAWA IS MOVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION…CALGARY IS NOT MOVING IN ANY DIRECTION…AND TORONTO IS STILL LOOKING FOR A GENERAL MANAGER…
THE CANUCKS STILL HAVE A GREAT GOALTENDER…BUT THEY ARE IN A RACE AGAINST TIME…
ROBERTO LUONGO HAS ONLY TWO YEARS LEFT ON HIS CONTRACT…
HOWEVER THE BIGGEST THREAT TO A CANADIAN TEAM WINNING THE STANLEY CUP IN THE IMMEDIATE FUTURE…
HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH BETTMAN…OR THE CANADIAN DOLLAR…OR WHO’S THE GM OF THE LEAFS…
THE BIGGEST OBSTACLE IS THE PITTSBURGH PENGUINS…
THE COMBINATION OF CROSBY AND MALKIN IS THE BEST SINCE GRETZKY AND MESSIER…
THE PENGUINS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME THE FIRST DYNASTY UNDER THE SALARY CAP…
BE AFRAID CANADA…BE VERY AFRAID!!!
Friday, May 2, 2008
Say it ain't so Joe!
SAY IT AIN’T SO JOE!
JOE SAKIC IS NOW TALKING ABOUT RETIREMENT…
LASTNIGHT THE COLORADO AVALANCHE WERE BLOWN OUT BY DETROIT 8-2…COMPLETING A 4 GAME SWEEP…AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARED…SAKIC WAS ASKED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS HIS LAST GAME IN THE NHL…
CLEARLY IT‘S SOMETHING THAT’S BEEN ON HIS MIND FOR SOME TIME…
SAKIC NOW SAYS HE AND HIS FAMILY WILL DISCUSS IT…AND A DECISION WILL BE MADE LATER THIS SUMMER…
THIS SEASON HAS BEEN…IN HIS WORDS…”FRUSTRATING”…
NOT JUST THE PLAYOFFS…BUT ALSO MISSING 38 GAMES IN THE REGULAR SEASON RECOVERING FROM HERNIA SURGERY…
THERE’S ALSO A BIRTHDAY SAKIC HAS TO DEAL WITH IN JULY…HE’S ABOUT TO TURN 39…
LAST SUMMER SAKIC WOULD ONLY AGREE TO A ONE YEAR DEAL…WORTH $6.5 MILLION…
AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME…CLEARLY SAKIC IS PLAYING IT…ONE YEAR AT A TIME…
HIS DECISION THIS SUMMER WILL HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH THE DIRECTION THE AVALANCHE TAKE…
IN ALL THE TEAM HAS 13 UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS…
THAT LIST INCLUDES…
PETER FORSBERG…ADAM FOOTE…ANDREW BRUNETTE…AND JOSE THEODORE…
COLORADO ALSO HAS 6 “RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS”…
WITH JUST $21 MILLION OF CAP SPACE…COLORADO IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME VERY TOUGH DECISIONS…
WHAT COMPLICATES MATTERS IS THE HEALTH OF PETER FORSBERG…
IF FORSBERG RETURNS TO SWEDEN…THE AV’S MAY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GO ON A YOUTH KICK…
DESPITE PLAYING 19 SEASONS WITH THE SAME ORGANIZATION…IT’S HIGHLY UNLIKELY SAKIC WOULD WANT TO BE APART OF ANY REBUILDING PROGRAM…
STILL THERE IS ONE CARROT OUT THERE THAT’S WORTH CHASING…
THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPICS IN VANCOUVER…TALK ABOUT A HOME COMING…
ADAM FOOTE EXPLAINS THIS WAY…QUOTE…”JOE IS THE TYPE OF GUY THAT IF HE GETS IT IN HIS HEAD HE WANTS TO PLAY IN THE OLYMPICS…HE’LL DO IT…AND IT HE’S DECIDED HE’S HAD ENOUGH HOCKEY…HE WON’T”…
IF THE ANSWER IS “YES” TO THE OLYMPICS AND “NO” TO THE AVALANCHE…IT WOULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE CANUCKS…
TUNE IN TOMORROW…SAME BAT TIME…SAME BAT CHANNEL…
JOE SAKIC IS NOW TALKING ABOUT RETIREMENT…
LASTNIGHT THE COLORADO AVALANCHE WERE BLOWN OUT BY DETROIT 8-2…COMPLETING A 4 GAME SWEEP…AFTER THE SMOKE CLEARED…SAKIC WAS ASKED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS HIS LAST GAME IN THE NHL…
CLEARLY IT‘S SOMETHING THAT’S BEEN ON HIS MIND FOR SOME TIME…
SAKIC NOW SAYS HE AND HIS FAMILY WILL DISCUSS IT…AND A DECISION WILL BE MADE LATER THIS SUMMER…
THIS SEASON HAS BEEN…IN HIS WORDS…”FRUSTRATING”…
NOT JUST THE PLAYOFFS…BUT ALSO MISSING 38 GAMES IN THE REGULAR SEASON RECOVERING FROM HERNIA SURGERY…
THERE’S ALSO A BIRTHDAY SAKIC HAS TO DEAL WITH IN JULY…HE’S ABOUT TO TURN 39…
LAST SUMMER SAKIC WOULD ONLY AGREE TO A ONE YEAR DEAL…WORTH $6.5 MILLION…
AT THIS STAGE OF THE GAME…CLEARLY SAKIC IS PLAYING IT…ONE YEAR AT A TIME…
HIS DECISION THIS SUMMER WILL HAVE A LOT TO DO WITH THE DIRECTION THE AVALANCHE TAKE…
IN ALL THE TEAM HAS 13 UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS…
THAT LIST INCLUDES…
PETER FORSBERG…ADAM FOOTE…ANDREW BRUNETTE…AND JOSE THEODORE…
COLORADO ALSO HAS 6 “RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS”…
WITH JUST $21 MILLION OF CAP SPACE…COLORADO IS GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE SOME VERY TOUGH DECISIONS…
WHAT COMPLICATES MATTERS IS THE HEALTH OF PETER FORSBERG…
IF FORSBERG RETURNS TO SWEDEN…THE AV’S MAY HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GO ON A YOUTH KICK…
DESPITE PLAYING 19 SEASONS WITH THE SAME ORGANIZATION…IT’S HIGHLY UNLIKELY SAKIC WOULD WANT TO BE APART OF ANY REBUILDING PROGRAM…
STILL THERE IS ONE CARROT OUT THERE THAT’S WORTH CHASING…
THE 2010 WINTER OLYMPICS IN VANCOUVER…TALK ABOUT A HOME COMING…
ADAM FOOTE EXPLAINS THIS WAY…QUOTE…”JOE IS THE TYPE OF GUY THAT IF HE GETS IT IN HIS HEAD HE WANTS TO PLAY IN THE OLYMPICS…HE’LL DO IT…AND IT HE’S DECIDED HE’S HAD ENOUGH HOCKEY…HE WON’T”…
IF THE ANSWER IS “YES” TO THE OLYMPICS AND “NO” TO THE AVALANCHE…IT WOULD OPEN THE DOOR FOR THE CANUCKS…
TUNE IN TOMORROW…SAME BAT TIME…SAME BAT CHANNEL…
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