Editors note: Hey friends! Due to personal commitments, I haven't been able to blog as much as I've wished to off the start. This will be changing soon. In the meantime, my good buddy Dillon (@hi_dillon) has written a freelance piece for KD2 about the modern day issues with the NHL All-Star game. Enjoy!
The NHL has a serious problem with its “All-Star” game. Note the quotation marks, because it isn’t much of a showcase for the league’s top talent these days. Players like superstar Alexander Ovechkin, captain serious Jonathan Toews and Hall of Fame bound Niklas Lidstrom have chosen to opt out of the game and relax for a few days. What kind of message is the league sending allowing these players to do this? Remember: this game is supposed to be for the fans.
The players have an obligation to the fans, who each and every night go out and pay good money to watch them play. The least they could do is attend one weekend mid-season to celebrate the game they love and salute the fans. Apparently, this is easier said than done.
But can you really blame the players? With the game having no real meaning, why would they not take the opportunity to vacation with their families or recover from nagging injuries? Other leagues such as the NBA and NFL have no issues with their crème de la crop players opting out and their games have no influence on the rest of the season. The NFL entices players with their Pro Bowl with a trip to beautiful Hawaii... something tells me that’s a little more appealing than a visit to the cold surroundings of our nation’s capital. Perhaps the All-Star game should have some implication on the rest of the season like MLB has? The winner of their all-star game receives the prestigious home-field advantage in the World Series in October. If the NHL did this, perhaps the leagues all-stars would be more inclined to attend the game. Maybe they would do even more than just attend but maybe actually play? Hockey’s all-star game has to be the dullest of the big four sport’s leagues. With high scores and no body checking, adding some significance to the game would change this. Maybe we would see Battle of Ontario rivals Alfredsson and Kessel on a line setting each other up for a chance to win home-ice advantage in the Stanley Cup Finals. With both teams in the playoff hunt, they would be thirsty for that opportunity.
The idea of combining the All-Star game with the Winter Classic has also been conjured up. It would be a unique experience for the players and the fans but it would really limit where the game could be held. Definitely something the NHL would not go for. The league has higher drop out rates than Rick DiPietro injuries. Something must be done so your move next, NHL.
- Dillon (hi_dillon)
A hockey blog exploring the stories of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and the rest of the NHL.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
The Big 5: Weekend in Review and Plus/Minus
That was one crazy weekend in the NHL. Highlighted by injuries, pancakes, milestones and (pending) Shanabans, our first full weekend of 2012 had it all! Here are the five things that you probably shouldn't have missed out on from the weekend that was:
- Saturday afternoon in Boston was the stage for Game 8 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. The two best teams in the league entered the game with an entire series' worth of trash-talk and it has not stopped since. The game wasn't five minutes old when the two rivals engaged in a melee that saw Milan Lucic get thrown out of the game and lead the way for 11 (this is not a typo) Vancouver power plays. The game ended with angry coaches, a suspended Brad Marchand, hurt feelings, and an injured Sami Salo. But really, who's surprised about that one?
- It's difficult to feel sympathy for the Pittsburgh Penguins considering the wealth of talent they've had access to over the past few seasons, however it's getting to the point where us in the hockey community should probably start feeling sympathy...or just drop our jaws. This season the Pens have missed significant time from stars; Evgeni Malkin, Zbynek Michalek, Kris Letang, and in case you haven't heard: Sidney Crosby. Yet they've maintained a playoff spot all season and until a recent four-game skid they were near the top of the East. Unfortunately, their fortunes didn't improve on Sunday as they lost both James Neal and Jordan Staal to significant injuries. This will make for an interesting stretch-run for Disco Dan's boys. Count on them to pick up a top-6 forward at the trade deadline.
- Jarome Iginla added another credential to his Hall of Fame career on Saturday night by scoring his 500th career goal, all of which in a Calgary Flames uniform. A big Keon to Dion #K2D (start using this tag people, it's gonna be big!!!) congratulations to Jarome. Ever since Theo Fleury was traded 1998/1999 season, Jarome has been the face of the franchise and the only consistent star that they have had. Not that I want him to skip town on his team, but wouldn't it be great to see this man with a big fat Stanley Cup ring on his finger? Don't pull a Sundin, Jarome.
- The Ottawa All-Stars visited the City of Brotherly Love on Saturday afternoon and despite all odds, the home team won. Danny Briere got in a fight and scored a hat-trick, including the game-winner with six seconds left in OT because he's amazing. Why oh why hasn't the Little Man from Gatineau ever been considered for Team Canada? He plays a much bigger game than his 5'10", 170 lb stature would suggest.
- OH MY GOD THEY'RE HAVING A FIRE...SALE! Depending on who you talk to, the Anaheim Ducks have hauled almost everyone onto the front lawn of the Honda Center to go home with whoever makes the best offer. Rumours include Corey Perry to Vancouver (please God no), Ryan Getzlaf to Toronto (please God, do it) and Bobby Ryan to *insert whatever team is being speculated about this week here*. GM Bob Murray still maintains that the Ducks intend to compete to a playoff spot, which will likely require these three fellas. If Murray intends on making the playoffs, he'd better alert the team pretty soon.
- It was a weekend of milestones: Jarome's 500th goal, Ollie Jokinen's 1000th career game, John Tavares' 200th game (156 career points...UN-DER-RATED), and Sami Salo's 3000th career injury.
I can't wait to see what next weekend brings.
PLUS/MINUS
The plus of the weekend obviously goes to Jarome Iginla and his goal-scoring milestone. Something that can't be forgotten though is that Shane Doan scored his first career hat-trick in dramatic fashion. These accomplishments couldn't have been earned by two greater dudes.
Minus of the weekend: Dustin Penner. The man has been criticized over his career for being slow and out of shape, and for being wildly injury prone. It seems that he's managed to combine the two with his most recent pancake related injury. Dustin Penner threw out his back while eating pancakes. The man creates his own punchlines doesn't he? Your move Kyle Wellwood!
Cheers,
@BradMac91
@KeontoDion #K2D
- Saturday afternoon in Boston was the stage for Game 8 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Final. The two best teams in the league entered the game with an entire series' worth of trash-talk and it has not stopped since. The game wasn't five minutes old when the two rivals engaged in a melee that saw Milan Lucic get thrown out of the game and lead the way for 11 (this is not a typo) Vancouver power plays. The game ended with angry coaches, a suspended Brad Marchand, hurt feelings, and an injured Sami Salo. But really, who's surprised about that one?
- It's difficult to feel sympathy for the Pittsburgh Penguins considering the wealth of talent they've had access to over the past few seasons, however it's getting to the point where us in the hockey community should probably start feeling sympathy...or just drop our jaws. This season the Pens have missed significant time from stars; Evgeni Malkin, Zbynek Michalek, Kris Letang, and in case you haven't heard: Sidney Crosby. Yet they've maintained a playoff spot all season and until a recent four-game skid they were near the top of the East. Unfortunately, their fortunes didn't improve on Sunday as they lost both James Neal and Jordan Staal to significant injuries. This will make for an interesting stretch-run for Disco Dan's boys. Count on them to pick up a top-6 forward at the trade deadline.
- Jarome Iginla added another credential to his Hall of Fame career on Saturday night by scoring his 500th career goal, all of which in a Calgary Flames uniform. A big Keon to Dion #K2D (start using this tag people, it's gonna be big!!!) congratulations to Jarome. Ever since Theo Fleury was traded 1998/1999 season, Jarome has been the face of the franchise and the only consistent star that they have had. Not that I want him to skip town on his team, but wouldn't it be great to see this man with a big fat Stanley Cup ring on his finger? Don't pull a Sundin, Jarome.
- The Ottawa All-Stars visited the City of Brotherly Love on Saturday afternoon and despite all odds, the home team won. Danny Briere got in a fight and scored a hat-trick, including the game-winner with six seconds left in OT because he's amazing. Why oh why hasn't the Little Man from Gatineau ever been considered for Team Canada? He plays a much bigger game than his 5'10", 170 lb stature would suggest.
- OH MY GOD THEY'RE HAVING A FIRE...SALE! Depending on who you talk to, the Anaheim Ducks have hauled almost everyone onto the front lawn of the Honda Center to go home with whoever makes the best offer. Rumours include Corey Perry to Vancouver (please God no), Ryan Getzlaf to Toronto (please God, do it) and Bobby Ryan to *insert whatever team is being speculated about this week here*. GM Bob Murray still maintains that the Ducks intend to compete to a playoff spot, which will likely require these three fellas. If Murray intends on making the playoffs, he'd better alert the team pretty soon.
- It was a weekend of milestones: Jarome's 500th goal, Ollie Jokinen's 1000th career game, John Tavares' 200th game (156 career points...UN-DER-RATED), and Sami Salo's 3000th career injury.
I can't wait to see what next weekend brings.
PLUS/MINUS
The plus of the weekend obviously goes to Jarome Iginla and his goal-scoring milestone. Something that can't be forgotten though is that Shane Doan scored his first career hat-trick in dramatic fashion. These accomplishments couldn't have been earned by two greater dudes.
Minus of the weekend: Dustin Penner. The man has been criticized over his career for being slow and out of shape, and for being wildly injury prone. It seems that he's managed to combine the two with his most recent pancake related injury. Dustin Penner threw out his back while eating pancakes. The man creates his own punchlines doesn't he? Your move Kyle Wellwood!
Cheers,
@BradMac91
@KeontoDion #K2D
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Sticking it to the man in the Northeast
The rival cities of Montreal and Toronto have had their share of stories swirling around and being blown up by their respective media bodies this season, and their most memorable ones have occurred over the past two weeks.
In mid-December, the Montreal Canadiens fired their Francophone head coach Jacques Martin in favour in the INTERIM English-speaking, Randy Cunneyworth. Cunneyworth seems to be the equivalent of an "Untouchable" in the Indian caste system to most Quebeckers. Fans were so outraged that their dismal bunch of garden gnomes (and Hal Gill) being coached by an English-speaker, that it seemed appropriate for their owner Geoff Molson to come forward and apologize to the masses in case they were offended by the move, and make it clear that Cunneyworth's job came with an INTERIM tag. Talk about a vote of confidence eh?
This saga has continued into 2012, with Montreal fans organizing an anti-Cunneyworth protest which occurred on Saturday night prior to the Canadiens home matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
A few hours after the protest, the Canadiens skated away with a solid 3-1 victory. Big statement achieved I'd say.
Earlier this week several hours west in Toronto, Brian Burke lamented the loss of Colton Orr and the demise of the "enforcer-era". Yet on Saturday night in Toronto, in the final moments of their matchup with the ageless wonder Detroit Red Wings the Leafs were clinging to a 4-3 lead. The men charged with taking a face-off in their own end, and protecting that lead were the men of the Leafs fourth line: Mike Brown, Darryl Boyce, and Joey Crabb. These men effectively handled the final minute to seal the victory for the home team, with no goons in sight. Good on the useful fourth-liners for closing one out.
The words from the fans and powers that be can keep flying, but these stories prove that the naysayers and pundits can often be the best motivators. Good on both teams for getting the job done.
In mid-December, the Montreal Canadiens fired their Francophone head coach Jacques Martin in favour in the INTERIM English-speaking, Randy Cunneyworth. Cunneyworth seems to be the equivalent of an "Untouchable" in the Indian caste system to most Quebeckers. Fans were so outraged that their dismal bunch of garden gnomes (and Hal Gill) being coached by an English-speaker, that it seemed appropriate for their owner Geoff Molson to come forward and apologize to the masses in case they were offended by the move, and make it clear that Cunneyworth's job came with an INTERIM tag. Talk about a vote of confidence eh?
This saga has continued into 2012, with Montreal fans organizing an anti-Cunneyworth protest which occurred on Saturday night prior to the Canadiens home matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
A few hours after the protest, the Canadiens skated away with a solid 3-1 victory. Big statement achieved I'd say.
Earlier this week several hours west in Toronto, Brian Burke lamented the loss of Colton Orr and the demise of the "enforcer-era". Yet on Saturday night in Toronto, in the final moments of their matchup with the ageless wonder Detroit Red Wings the Leafs were clinging to a 4-3 lead. The men charged with taking a face-off in their own end, and protecting that lead were the men of the Leafs fourth line: Mike Brown, Darryl Boyce, and Joey Crabb. These men effectively handled the final minute to seal the victory for the home team, with no goons in sight. Good on the useful fourth-liners for closing one out.
The words from the fans and powers that be can keep flying, but these stories prove that the naysayers and pundits can often be the best motivators. Good on both teams for getting the job done.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
NHL "Rat Infestation" Can Be Solved
The always truculent Brian Burke, stepped up to the podium late yesterday morning with a burr in his saddle. Having watched the equally truculent Colton Orr be passed over by 29 other teams on the waiver-wire, the happy Irishman decided it was time for him to express his opinions on the state of the league.
Burke feels that the only way to deal with the "rats" in the NHL today, is to have "non-skilled" guys who only match up against each other, take 5-minute shifts, and tune each other up in the process. I'm not really sure how this solves the problem, because I'm pretty sure in the fighter's "code" a Colton Orr, isn't allowed to go after a Max Lapierre.
Of course rats like Raffi Torres, Steve Downie, and Dan Carcillo are still running around and making the NHL a dangerous place, however some truly sensible Shanabans really could fix this situation. 5 game, and 7 game suspensions aren't enough. Torres and company have been given too much rope in the past, and Brendan Shanahan needs to take a stand. If you want to make these guys start to listen, slap them with 20+ game suspensions. Those sorts of suspensions will not only get the perpetrators thinking, it will get the guys signing their pay cheques thinking too. Does Stan Bowman really want to be shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars for a dude who's not allowed to play? I don't think so. The NHL's "rat problem" can be solved with a solid extermination effort by Shanahan.
An elimination of rat-like behaviour would eliminate the need for goons like Colton Orr (who I'm sure really is a swell guy) and make way for a safer and more skilled NHL.
Burke feels that the only way to deal with the "rats" in the NHL today, is to have "non-skilled" guys who only match up against each other, take 5-minute shifts, and tune each other up in the process. I'm not really sure how this solves the problem, because I'm pretty sure in the fighter's "code" a Colton Orr, isn't allowed to go after a Max Lapierre.
Of course rats like Raffi Torres, Steve Downie, and Dan Carcillo are still running around and making the NHL a dangerous place, however some truly sensible Shanabans really could fix this situation. 5 game, and 7 game suspensions aren't enough. Torres and company have been given too much rope in the past, and Brendan Shanahan needs to take a stand. If you want to make these guys start to listen, slap them with 20+ game suspensions. Those sorts of suspensions will not only get the perpetrators thinking, it will get the guys signing their pay cheques thinking too. Does Stan Bowman really want to be shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars for a dude who's not allowed to play? I don't think so. The NHL's "rat problem" can be solved with a solid extermination effort by Shanahan.
An elimination of rat-like behaviour would eliminate the need for goons like Colton Orr (who I'm sure really is a swell guy) and make way for a safer and more skilled NHL.