Kevin Weekes, retired NHL goaltender, has been working as a colour commentator for the CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada since the beginning of the 2009 season, and his performance really raises questions about the network’s screening process. Is the lone prerequisite simply having been an ex-NHL goalie or coach?
Kevin here is some feedback on some of the comments you made during your most recent performance, November 14 – Vancouver vs. Colorado.
“And folks, sometimes no matter how prepared and how focused you are, you just make mistakes. I mean in the National Hockey League, just like any other level of hockey, guys actually make mistakes.”
Seriously, how dumb is that comment? We’re hockey fans and we’re sports fans. We KNOW that professional athletes make mistakes! We’ve seen Roberto Luongo give up bad goals, we’ve watched Gretzky miss huge shots. This is not insightful!
“Brent Clark has to call Roberto Luongo mister, with a glove save like this. He said Grant Fuhr was his favourite goalie growing up, and it shows here, Mark.”
Uh no… it doesn’t show here, Mark. If you want to show us that you did your homework and talked to Luongo about his childhood, just say it, you don’t need to force the tie-in. And really, mister?
“All glove for Roberto Luongo. He’s got one of the best glove hands in the game, and when he’s able to come out, take a look at him here folks, when he’s able to get out here on top of that crease, he’ll make that save almost every time. Nice glove save by Roberto Luongo.”
First, stop calling us folks. You don’t have to do that in every other comment you make. We know you’re addressing us, and we know we’re folks. Second, are you getting paid by the word? It sure seems like it.
And here is a typical example of your inability to stay on topic and complete a thought:
“Well Darcy Tucker is a leader, and he played for the Kamloops Blazers, he won the Memorial Cup and look at these guys, Cody McLeod and Sami Salo jousting right off the face-off, but, and they get a great opportunity with Darcy Tucker going to the net, nice save by Roberto Luongo to keep a clean sheet for the Canucks.”
By the way, we call it a “shut-out”.
Peter Forsberg will not be coming back to the NHL this year, TSN reported on Monday, but he may yet attempt to make a comeback for the 2010-11 season. If he manages to make it happen, it will be Forsberg’s third time returning from retirement.
We intercepted this email written from the NFL’s Brett Favre to Forsberg yesterday morning:
From: Brett Favre <agelesswonder@hotmail.com>
To: Peter Forsberg <foppa@yahoo.com>
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2009 11:03:56 AM
Subject: comeback…
Pete,
I heard that you’re trying to complete the comeback hat-trick like me! Well here’s some advice: pick a goddam good team - one that’s got great young talent. Just look how great Adrian Peterson is making me look here in Minnesota. The guy is unstoppable, and I’m getting all the credit in the world!
I hear that Ovechkin kid’s pretty good, why don’t you try to be on his team? Or Crosby? Just do what I do – hand it off and let em run! I tell you, these kids are scared of old guys like us, so just yell at em to giver!
Hey, is there anything better than a retirement press conference? And the highlight pack of your career that ESPN puts together? I can’t wait for that again this year. Makes me teary eyed just thinkin about it.
Good luck pal,
Brett
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Forced to make a choice between one $250 million bid from Jim Balsillie that would force the Phoenix Coyotes to move to Hamilton, and another $140 million bid from the NHL that excluded certain creditors from receiving any compensation, Bankruptcy Court Judge Redfield T. Baum chose the only option he could. He rejected both offers
The Balsillie bid, while presenting plenty of compensation to the city and creditors, was rejected because it took the decision of the franchise relocation out of the NHL’s hands. He said in his statement, “In the final analysis, the court cannot find or conclude that the interests of the NHL can be adequately protected if the Coyotes are moved to Hamilton,” intimating that the league need to have control over where it’s teams are located.
On the other side, the NHL’s bid to buy the team excluded Jerry Moyes and Wayne Gretzky from the list of creditors that would be paid. Essentially, the NHL would buy the team without a penny being given to two of the largest shareholders, and then attempt to resell it, pocketing the profits for itself. With the result of Wednesday’s ruling, the NHL will continue to look for another ownership group, but they will be acting as the middleman in the transaction, not the owner and seller.
During the process, Judge Baum did appear at times to be dragging out the proceedings, as we had originally hoped for a decision in mid-July. In the end, however, in a case with such complexities, he was wise to take his time to carefully examine both bids. What’s scary is that, in the end, the person who made the best decision for the good of the league and it’s owners was not the commissioner or NHL executive committee, it was an outside council, whose job it is not to save the league.
If you were an NHL owner, would you support Jim Balsillie’s bid to buy a franchise? He’s got a massive bank account, he’s passionate about hockey, and he has been trying to acquire his own team for many years now, so why wouldn’t you want him? The problem is that he doesn’t want to play by the rules. He is only willing to buy a team if he can move it to Hamilton, and he continues to try pursue every avenue to push this agenda.
While Gary Bettman and the NHL may seem misguided in their attempts to succeed south of the border, the league has a clear idea of where it would like to flourish. In the southern markets where it has had success, as in San Jose, Dallas, Minnesota – a strong fan base has developed. The teams are doing well financially and are a benefit to the league.
In 2005, Balsillie attempted to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins and many surmised that he intended to move the team to Hamilton. When the NHL stepped in to regulate the process, intending to negotiate the deal for a new arena in Pittsburg, and demanding the right to take over the team if necessary, Balsillie balked, walking away from his initial offer. Three years later, the Penguins won a Stanley Cup and Pittsburgh is once again a strong hockey market with a solid future ahead of it. Evidently, the NHL was correct in stopping Balsillie from taking control of the team and potentially alienating this solid fan base.
The league has many aspects to consider when it comes to adding a new team in Hamilton. One is the effect on current teams in the surrounding areas – Buffalo, Toronto, and Ottawa. Ontario can most likely support another NHL franchise, but it will not occur without affecting these teams.
For his part, Balsillie, is not taking no for an answer, and if you are an NHL owner or the Commissioner, that could be scary. If you’re one of 30 partners in a billion dollar company, do you really want one of your fellow associates to be someone who doesn’t follow rules, someone who does whatever he wants no matter how many feathers he ruffles? Sounds like a scary proposition to me, no matter how big his pockets are.
NHL players are probably the classiest in all of North America’s major sports leagues. They are, in large part, a wonderful bunch of athletes, who are grateful for their opportunities in life, don’t shirk media responsibilities and have all the time in the world for their fans. . Unfortunately, in every bunch, there will always be bad apples – douchebags, if you will. Following, I break down the different types of douches employed by the NHL.
Attitude: I’m not happy with my team, I demand a trade! I don’t get enough playing time; I don’t like the coach; I don’t like this city; or the best – “personal reasons”
Player Example: Dany Heatley – First, he negotiated a no trade clause in his contract with the Senators just one year ago, leading his fans to believe he would like to be with the team long term. This summer he demanded a trade, but when they made a deal with the Oilers, he rejected it. For more insight on Heatley’s mindframe, click here and here.
Psychoanalysis: Loyalty is non-existent and selfishness is abundant.
professional athlete to get people to listen to me. Attitude: This multi-million dollar contract isn’t enough; I don’t feel appreciated; I’m going to sit at home until I get my way.
Player Example: Alexei Yashin – In 1995, Yashin refused to honour his contract with the Ottawa Senators, deciding, rather, to sit the games out until he was the team’s highest paid player. Finally, he was awarded a new contract for 3.6M per. In 1999, Yashin again held out, refusing to honour the final year of that contract until he received a raise that would put him in the same salary range as Steve Yzerman and Joe Sakic, the best centermen in the league. This time, the team didn’t grant his wishes, and he sat out for an entire season.
Psychoanalysis: Obviously Stanley Cups and winning are of no consequence to these individuals. It’s all about number 1.
Attitude: I have all the skill in the world, but I’ll only use it if and when I want to.
Player Example: Alexei Kovalev – Widely regarded as one of the most talented players in the NHL, Kovalev once scored 95 points in a season with the Penguins. Problem is, he had a 66 point season the year before. In his past 4 seasons with the Canadiens, he had a high of 84 points and a low of 47! The word “consistency” is foreign to him.
Psychoanalysis: Most NHL players have arrived there by working their asses off. These guys have coasted into the league and will surely coast through their careers.
Attitude: So what if I’m only 21, I should be playing on the top line because I’m the best.
Player Example: Dion Phaneuf – ever since Phaneuf began receiving praise in his first season 4 years ago, he has had a chip on his shoulder. Teammates dislike his attitude and lack of respect.
Psychoanalysis: No concept of what it takes to be consistently successful in the NHL.
The Commish Douche:
Attitude: Canadian hockey fans will always be there, regardless of how much we neglect them, so let’s spend all our time and energy on expanding the game in Southern U.S.A, where they’d rather watch Nascar! Also, as long as I pander to the powerful Eastern owners, I will have this job forever, no matter how much I screw up.Example: There’s only one: Gary Bettman – the list of screw-ups is too long, but maybe the biggest was signing a deal in 2005 to show NHL games on Versus, a channel that most American families don’t even have, rather than ESPN. Before this, when ESPN carried games, they showed highlights during Sportscentre and used cross promotion to increase support. Once they lost the NHL, they stopped showing highlights, and the NHL slipped into obscurity.
Psychoanalysis: Really, just an idiot.
Yesterday, LA Kings’ GM, Dean Lombardi, stated that taking on Dany Heatley would be too great a risk for his team. His comments raise an interesting question, and it is not whether Heatley is worth the risk, it is how big a risk does Heatley actually pose? Since demanding a trade from the Senators in June, the team that gave him a second chance after his disastrous car accident in Atlanta, and then rejecting a potential trade to the Edmonton Oilers, Canadians have taken every opportunity to bash his integrity, this blogger included.
There is a good chance that it’s all been blown out of proportion. Obviously the way he’s gone about his business this summer is questionable, but does that really ruin his worth as a player and a teammate? While his current Senators associates are probably not supportive of his actions, surely he is not as unpopular as certain lightning rods, like Sean Avery and Ray Emery. Former NHL player and analyst, Ray Ferraro, who knows Heatley personally, has told the Team 1040 radio station that not only is Heatley a good teammate, but his game will return to its former glory this season.
Considering that he had a sub-standard performance last year, scoring only 39 goals, after achieving the 50 goal mark twice previously, a return to form would certainly make him a valuable commodity. And if his reputation as a bad teammate has indeed been blown out of proportion this summer, the only risk may be the large contract of $7.5 million per year that his new team will have to take on. For a big power forward who scores 50 goals, general managers should perhaps not be so quick to write him off.
On Sunday, Chicago Blackhawks’ captain Patrick Kane was arrested for assaulting a cab driver in his hometown of Buffalo, NY. According to the cabby’s account, the scuffle occurred because Kane handed the driver $15 for a $13.80 fare, and the cabby did not have 20 cents of change. An argument ensued that resulted in Kane and his cousin James hitting the driver several times and saying things like “you don’t know who you’re f---ing with!”
The following telephone conversation between Kane and Chicago Blackhawks’ GM, Stan Bowman, occurred shortly after the arrest was made, and it shows that the fight wasn’t really about money.
Stan Bowman: Geez Pat. Fighting a cab driver? Why are you acting like Ray Emery?
Patrick Kane: The cabby didn’t have enough change for me, Stan! First, what kind of cabby doesn’t have change? That’s like a hooker going to work without rubbers. It doesn’t make sense! And second, how could he do that to ME?
SB: What do you mean how could he do that to you?
PK: I mean doesn’t he know who I am? I’m the f---ing alternate captain of the Chicago Blackhawks for god’s sake. It’s an original six team! I’m going to have my picture on the cover of NHL 2010!
SB: Yeah, I’m sure the 53 year old cabbie has played a lot of X-box, Pat. Hell, even if he had, you think he or anyone else in the States plays NHL video games? And he’s an American, he probably can’t even locate Buffalo on a map, let alone Chicago.
PK: Stan, when I go to Vancouver, or anywhere in Canada for a game, they treat me like a superstar. Clubs let me in for free. I don’t even bother with cabs, there’s free limo service everywhere! And everyone wants to take pictures with me and take my autograph! That’s what I’m talking about.
SB: Pat, just remember this: if you play hockey in Canada, you get fame and fortune. If you play in America, you get to hang out in a freezing cold building when it’s sunny outside.
PK: Crap. Maybe I should go on Dancing With the Stars, I hear that could make me famous.
SB: Yeah, maybe you can practice your dancing in jail when some dude makes you his bitch. Good luck with that.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wishes his players would hit people with sticks. Imagine the headline, “Plaxico Burress strikes himself in the leg with concealed crowbar.”
Vancouver Canuck Alex Burrows is facing possible charges for hitting a goaltender with his stick in a Montreal summer league game. This is an NHL headline today.
Burrows probably wishes he played in the NFL, where newsworthy items include Burress shooting himself at a club with his own gun last year; Pacman Jones allegedly smashing a stripper’s head into the stage in just one of his numerous altercations; Michael Vick bankrolling a dog fighting operation; and fights at nightclubs happening weekly.
Amidst NFL stories, Burrows’ stick infraction would hardly turn a head. Unfortunately for him, he plays in the NHL in Canada, where players are disparaged for declining to sign an autograph let alone breaking the law.
The Edmonton Oilers have spent a month trying to convince Dany Heatley to play for them, with GM Steve Tambellini even travelling to his hometown of Kelowna, B.C. to prove their interest. Just two days ago, Tambellini decided that this has gone on long enough and announced that Heatley's time has run out on the offer.
I offered some insight on Heatley's advising panel in an earlier post. Another member of his inner circle is shown below.
Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research In Motion, the company that makes the Blackberry, is trying to bring another NHL team to Canada – Hamilton, Ontario to be exact. This is what the public has heard, and our emotional reaction as patriotic Canadians is, “What a Saint of a man, he’s bringing us another team!” This cleverly orchestrated response is what Balsillie hopes will push forward his movement, putting pressure on the NHL and allowing him to move the team.
All of this is a shroud of smoke that Balsillie has created to cover up what he is actually doing. He is, in fact, attempting to take over the Phoenix Coyotes without NHL approval and relocate the team, again without NHL approval. Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes has reportedly lost $300 million since buying the team 8 years ago, and he has now filed for bankruptcy, with Balsillie offering to purchase the team contingent to relocation. The purpose of the bankruptcy filing is that it circumvents the NHL’s decision making body, taking the power out of their hands and putting it into the courts of America.
Balsillie has created a website, called “makeitseven.ca”, to rally Canadians behind his cause. However, since the issue is not about if Canada wants or could support another team, perhaps his website should be addressed “helpmecircumventNHLrulesbecausethatstheonlywayi’llgetateam.ca”. He'd better check GoDaddy to make sure the domain isn’t taken. Balsillie has tried on two previous occasions to buy American NHL franchises and relocate them, and he has been stopped due to various reasons including encroachment onto Maple Leaf’s territory and the NHL’s commitment to the cities in which it has teams. Perhaps the reasons behind not allowing movement need to be reviewed, but breaking the rules is not the solution. A rogue owner who plays by his own tune is the last thing the NHL needs, and they must look only as far as Mark Cuban – owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks – to see why.
Throughout the playoffs, Don Cherry, from the CBC’s Coach’s Corner, has been harping on various teams to shut down the point shots from the opposition. We’ve seen clip after clip of teams that collapse towards their own net in defensive formation, leaving the opposing point men wide open to take shots.
During one segment a few weeks ago, the show’s host, Ron MacLean challenged Cherry, asking, “So you’d like to see them send 2 men out to the points?”
To which Cherry replied, “I’m not telling them what to do, I’m just showing you the problem.”
So what should the coaches do to fix this? The problem is that most of the shots Cherry has shown to illustrate his point have been during powerplays. When playing down one man, someone is always going to be open. Different teams have varying philosophies and formations on the penalty kill, but none can cover the points man-to-man. If they did, it would leave two defensemen to cover three forwards, all of whom are closer to the net and more dangerous based on this proximity.
So what does a special teams coach do when given four players to cover the opposition’s five? It doesn’t even take a hockey mind to realize that they need to be tighter on the players closer to the net, while giving a little more room to the two men furthest away. Hence, the points are open! It’s very nice of Cherry to point out this deficiency, but unless he can produce an extra man out of thin air, the problem cannot be solved by his constant yelling of, “Cover the points!”
The Canucks held their post-season press conference with General Manager Mike Gillis and Head Coach Alain Vigneault yesterday, May 14th, and they delved into a number of hot topics. If you didn’t have a chance to watch, read on for a summary.
The Coaching Staff:
Gillis talked about the mixed expectations on the coaching staff following the previous season and stated that a 100 point season and division title were a great accomplishment. When asked if he intends to extend the contracts of the coaching staff, Gillis replied with a yes.
The new GM has proven to be a straight shooter who sticks to his word, but he's also shown that he plays things close to his chest. He is quite capable of surprising us at anytime, might he be wavering on his coaches?
Were the Canucks a Contender?
On being asked his thoughts on the playoff success of his team, the GM suggested that the Canucks had not played their best during the Chicago series. He stated that they never found their “A” game, but they were on the right track as they had held the lead in every game of the series.
Note: Gillis did state earlier that he intends to resign Alain Vigneult, but don’t his comments stating that the team never performed to it’s abilities say something about the coaching of the team? He basically affirmed that he thought his player personnel had the ability to go further… so if they didn’t play up to their abilities, whose fault was it?
The Sedins:
One year ago, when Mike Gillis was announced as the new GM of the Canucks, he claimed that he knew the Sedins were good players but wasn’t sure if he’d want to build a team around them. When asked about those comments yesterday, he said that it’s simply difficult to suggest building a team around players whose contracts are expiring in one year, with no guarantee that they will be resigned.
“I thought they were excellent players when I got here and I have an even higher opinion of them now,” he said, adding that he intends to sign them and he will be meeting with their agent J.P. Barry in a couple of weeks.
Roberto Luongo:
One reporter brought up the negative comments that have been thrown about since game 6, in which Luongo allowed 7 goals, and Gillis responded by saying that the idea of trading a world class player based on salary cap issues makes no sense. He cited that there are no salary cap issues on the team, and they work very hard to make sure of that.
Later he was asked if he intends to sign all three – Luongo and the twins – and if he believes he can fit the three under the cap, and he said, “I do believe I can.”
Mats Sundin:
Upon being asked about the future of Mats Sundin as a Canuck, Gillis mentioned that he had met with the individual players earlier in the day, including Sundin. He said that Sundin had been everything he asked for, in terms of being an example in the locker room, his professionalism, character, and integrity. On his and all of the players’ prospects of signing a new contract, Gillis said that he’s giving everyone a few weeks to decompress and they will be in touch thereafter.
Note: interesting that he didn’t mention his thoughts on Sundin’s actual on-ice play. Surely good character alone does not deserve a $10M contract.
During an interview on the Team 1040 radio station a day later, Gillis stated that he had told Sundin during their meeting that "He'd be welcome on any team I'm in charge of."
Steve Bernier
Earlier in the day, the Canucks resigned Steve Bernier for two additional years. Having just inked the deal, Mike Gillis obviously had many positive things to say. He commented on Bernier’s determination and character. On Bernier’s finishing ability, Gillis pointed out that it was Bernier who had put himself in those scoring positions, and that the Canucks would be working with him on his goal-scoring to help him relax in those situations in order to capitalize on the opportunities.
Injuries
As is always the case during the playoffs, injuries are completely hidden from the public. So which Canucks were playing hurt, and did it affect the series? This is the report we received:
Pavol Demitra will be undergoing shoulder surgery for a labrum tear. Maybe this is the reason he didn’t throw a body check during the playoffs. But that doesn’t explain his softness during the regular season.
Taylor Pyatt is having arthroscopic surgery on his knee, but it should be nothing serious, according to coach Vigneault.
Alex Burrows will be having surgery for a bone chip that has been bothering his wrist for some time.
Ryan Johnson will finally have a chance to heal his broken finger.
Welcome, Mike Gillis, to the end of the season for the Vancouver Canucks. I almost feel bad for you because you had no idea the type of heartbreak you were in for when you agreed to this job. I am writing this at 5 A.M. because I can’t sleep. I cannot shake that ridiculous third period out of my mind, and I know that wherever you are, you can’t sleep either. During Vancouver’s incredible winning streak in February, you were quoted on the Team 1040 saying, “The slowest group to come around is clearly the media because they look at everything as if it's 20 years ago and something is going to blow up and explode.”
The 2009 playoffs might just be the largest explosion in Canucks history thus far. Down by 2 goals midway through the second period, the team showed guts and determination, not only tying the game at three’s before the end of the period, but grabbing the lead quickly in the third. Adam Burish of the Hawks answered with a tying goal 2 minutes later, but once again the boys in blue showed how much they wanted it. Daniel Sedin scored what should have been the game winning goal with 7:45 left on the clock.
On a night when three scoring lines produced for the Canucks, the team’s best players were their best players with the Sedins scoring 3 points between them and Mats Sundin having a 2 point performance, the Canucks most important player and captain Roberto Luongo had a stinker. For all the goals allowed that could be blamed on others, there was one, Patrick Kane’s game-tying wraparound with seven minutes remaining, that no goalie should ever let in. And that was when we knew that this shootout wasn’t going to go our way.
In Vancouver, the season never just ends for our Canucks. No, they bring our hopes up higher every year and then they inevitably kick us in the teeth. Here’s a quick recap of the recent memories. In 2002, the eighth-seeded Vancouver Canucks roared into the playoffs as the hottest team in the NHL and stole two games from the Red Wings in Detroit. Finally, we thought, the Canucks were ready to take the next step after being swept from the playoffs in 2001 by the Colorado Avalanche, and boy were we excited. Midway through game three of the series with the Wings, Nik Lidstrom scored from centre ice on Dan Cloutier, and we watched as the Canucks disintegrated before our eyes, losing four games straight. And we sat there wondering, “What just happened?” In 2003 the seas parted for the Canucks as they drew the sixth seeded Minnesota Wild in the second round. Up 3-1 in the series, they realized that if they beat the Wild, they would face the seventh seeded Anaheim Ducks in the Conference finals. The bandwagon was hopping that year, but a 3-1 series lead was not too much for the Canucks to destroy, and destroy it they did. In game 7 of the series, the team held a 2-0 lead in the second period, only to lose the game and the series in the third. We, the fans, were stunned, again thinking, “What just happened?” Of course there is game seven of the Calgary Flames series in 2004, where Matt Cooke tied up the game with four seconds remaining on the clock to send the game to overtime. Alas, it was only to bring our hopes up and crush them once again in overtime, leaving us once again in disbelief, “Seriously, did that just happen?”
This year, the Vancouver Canucks may have had their best shot in their 39 year history. Scoring lines three deep, the most solid group of six defensemen in the NHL, and the goalie with god-gifted talent had been assembled and engineered for one thing: playoff success. They managed, yet again, to bring Vancouver fans’ hopes up, which is not easy considering what we’ve been through. We know better, we’re a weary bunch of pessimists, but they had us captivated. I must admit, I was wrong when I predicted that goalie Roberto Luongo would be dialed in. He seemed anything but, and considering he is the Canucks best player, hardest worker, and has had so many clutch performances, allowing 7 goals in a playoff game is a stunner.
Welcome to Vancouver, Mike. Beware of explosions.
Dear Faithful Readers,
I just want to let you all know that this is not solely a Vancouver Canucks site. I am, admitedly, a hardcore Canucks fan, and as such, when my team is in the playoffs, it is hard to focus on anything else. However, I aim to attack a number of issues and write on an array of sports including tennis, golf, basketball, maybe a little football, and of course hockey. I am going to post at least every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but hopefully more than that, so please check back often.
Regards,
Omar
Since Mats Sundin arrived in Vancouver in early January, we’ve heard all sorts of criticism directed towards him. Such comments as:
“Sundin was invisible once again tonight.”
“His age is showing through that laboured skating stride.”
“Sundin isn’t the same dominant player he was in Toronto.”
“He’s a shadow of his former self.”
For all Mats Sundin doesn’t bring to the team with his game on the ice, he makes up for it in spades with what he brings to the Canucks’ locker room. Think of it like this: have you ever in your life said “no” to your grandfather? Isn’t there something about the wrinkles and lines on his face; the way you can see the vein on his left temple throbbing when he’s giving an order that makes you instantly stand to attention?
What if one day you witnessed old granddad drop the cane, running off to play hockey against people half his age? Seeing him taking hit after hit and skating as hard as his old legs would allow – even if his speed was a joke to you – wouldn’t you be inspired to play your hardest?
So Mats addresses his teammates in his stern accented English: “Come on guys, let’s play hard” (he is a man of few words). If you’re young Alex Burrows or Mason Raymond, you’re sitting there wide-eyed, nodding furiously, hoping he doesn’t cuff you upside the head. You go out there and you play hard, like he asked, thinking he will notice and hopefully not cuff you upside the head when you return to the bench.
To Ryan Kesler, who is lucky enough to play on the same line, he says, “Young man, I will win the faceoff. You take the puck and shoot.” This is for a defensive zone faceoff. And Kesler, being a good kid, takes the puck end-to-end and scores half the time. No wonder he’s had such an offensive boost since Sundin’s arrival. No wonder, really, that the Canucks are a better team with the addition of this plodding, grizzled old man.
According to so many NHL analysts, the Chicago Blackhawks have reached the second round of the 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs on sheer “they just don’t know any better”. Apparently, when they fall back by a few goals early in a game, the young core of players does not understand that teams usually give up at this point, so instead of rolling over, they keep playing! CBC and TSN analyst groups have formed a consensus. From ex-coaches Marc Crawford and Peter Laviolette to ex-players Craig Simpson and Darren Pang the argument is trumpeted as the reason the Blackhawks have managed four comebacks of at least two goals in only eight playoff games thus far. Well, if the experts say so, then it must be true. I’ve learnt that when I become a general manager, I will assemble a team of 22 idiots and morons. My captain will be Duhh-ion Phaneuf, and his supporting cast a group of fourth line meatheads who have taken too many pops to the head over the years. The team won’t know any better, and they’ll win game after game!
I suppose if I’m going to assert that the ‘Hawks reasons for getting as far as they have is not quite so simple, I should explain the real reasons behind their success. For starters, they boast 10 players who scored 40 or more points during the regular season. In comparison, the Pittsburg Penguins had four 40 point scorers, the San Jose Sharks nine, and the Detroit Red Wings eleven. Led by 4 supremely skilled forwards in Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Patrick Sharp, and of course Martin Havlat, they are one of the most potent offensive teams in the league. Add defensemen Brian Campbell (52 points this season), Duncan Keith (44 points), and Cam Barker (40 points), and it’s clear why this team ranked fourth in goals for during the year, with 264.
Of course, no team can win through scoring alone, which is where the extremely effective third and fourth lines come into play. Ben Eager, Adam Burish, David Bolland, Sammy Pahlsson, Kris Versteeg, and Dustin Byfuglien all add grit and energy every night and they also have the ability to play with the puck on their sticks. Add a former Cup winning goalie to backstop the team, and it’s clear that the Blackhawks have a lot more going for them than sheer dumb luck. Of course, if and when this Chicago team is ousted from the playoffs, and the same analysts are doing the regular autopsy, they will undoubtedly blame the youth and inexperience of the Blackhawks for their demise. And we will be left scratching our heads.
