...but this is mine:
Leafs 6th in the East
(clearly crazy, from the point of view of one team and one team only)
Why?
The Monster mashes Vesa
The 'D' D's up
Kaberle resurgence
The PK not nearly as bad
Stronger force
Kessel, Stalberg and Bozak encourage
Veteran surge combo
Home record shoots up
Others in the East not as good
Surprises
The drought has to end eventually
Habs/Leafs Thursday: Leafs in OT
If this unique tonic for improvement is actually produced, as I believe it will, the playoffs are a reasonable achievement. A new found sense of optimism, objective and direction will contribute to making the Leafs a difficult foe in the season ahead, and a team that's tough to beat should be good enough to qualify for April play.
BTW - Roy Halladay is still a pitching god. Nice touch with the Big Slapi beaning. Oh, nice to see those educated fans in Bootown give the Doc some props for surgically dismantling their zeros...or not. The Sox are garbage right now. Too garbage. They'll get bounced by the Angels in the DS. The Tigers will get smashed too. Yanks will beat the Angels.. maybe even win the WS. Sorry, but it's probably going to happen.
As for the Jays... I want JPR's head on a stake less than 24 hours after game 162. I'll bet he volunteers anyway, so let's get it over with. Look, JP's reverence of the Red Sox has infected this organization too much, and it's an attitude that must be wiped out. The team needs a new president, new GM, a new head coach and new players. It's just too bad one of those new players will end up replacing a guy most of us wish would stay: Roy Boy. He's a goner. The only request I make as a Canadian baseball fan is that someone other than JPR makes the deal. And if we get our much anticipated wish in the next week or so, Doc's departure will include dignity for both he and us.
Oh, and Jim Balsillie.. thanks for not appealing the Baum bombshell. It was fun, but it's over now. Okay, it wasn't fun, but it's finally over.
Thank God.
Showing posts with label Jim Balsillie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jim Balsillie. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Coyotes Ugly
I officially can't stand anyone who might own the Coyotes, especially now that the NHL has submitted a bid for the team. Isn't it nice to know your favourite club will subsidize the existence of a team misplaced, in a place, miscast as a hockey market?
All this while Jim Balsillie issues ultimatums to the legal system. I think he's just posturing with himself now. He's played himself right out of contention for this team. It's over, Jim.
Coming up on "The Hook with Norman James" this weekend: Pro golfer, Andrew Parr, Iowa Cub, Chris Robinson, and brand spankin' new Knights' goaltender, Michael Hutchinson.. plus I'm sure will get into this Balsillie/NHL/Coyotes nonsense.
Listen at http://am980.ca/ - Friday 8PM, Saturday 5:30PM
Peace.
All this while Jim Balsillie issues ultimatums to the legal system. I think he's just posturing with himself now. He's played himself right out of contention for this team. It's over, Jim.
Coming up on "The Hook with Norman James" this weekend: Pro golfer, Andrew Parr, Iowa Cub, Chris Robinson, and brand spankin' new Knights' goaltender, Michael Hutchinson.. plus I'm sure will get into this Balsillie/NHL/Coyotes nonsense.
Listen at http://am980.ca/ - Friday 8PM, Saturday 5:30PM
Peace.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
It's Balsilly alright
From Bruce Arthur's article in today's National Post:
"I think from time to time, he's (Jerry Reinsdorf) become very frustrated with the process," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told reporters a few days ago. "He feels like he's being fought at every turn, and he's already invested a lot of money in this. At some point, we're concerned that he may just reach a decision that it's not worth all the time and money and effort when he's getting resisted as strongly as he is by Mr. Moyes and Mr. Balsillie."
The guys at the NHL are stubborn and stupid.
The right thing to have done, months ago, would have been to facilitate a move to Hamilton. But that wouldn't have jived with Gary Bettman's delusional intent. It still doesn't. Never will. So this dead beat goes on and on...and on. Though just when I thought I'd had enough, Jim Balsillie is thrown a bone. And again I'm chewing on it. But is it worth the busted teeth? Because really, what does Balsilly's inclusion in the September 10th Coyotes' auction mean? He's obviously going to win the bidding, then again be told to "screw off" by the NHL's board of insecure governors. What's the f***in' point?
It's not about the game. THIS IS the game.
This Coyote is getting uglier if not stranger with each puzzling move, yet I still can't look away. Perhaps it's just the season? These are brutally boring days, and stories like this are just ridiculous enough to keep us somewhat amused. And who knows? If things start pointing North again, I might again start taking this whole fiasco seriously. In the meantime I'll continue on like I don't care.
"I think from time to time, he's (Jerry Reinsdorf) become very frustrated with the process," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told reporters a few days ago. "He feels like he's being fought at every turn, and he's already invested a lot of money in this. At some point, we're concerned that he may just reach a decision that it's not worth all the time and money and effort when he's getting resisted as strongly as he is by Mr. Moyes and Mr. Balsillie."
The guys at the NHL are stubborn and stupid.
The right thing to have done, months ago, would have been to facilitate a move to Hamilton. But that wouldn't have jived with Gary Bettman's delusional intent. It still doesn't. Never will. So this dead beat goes on and on...and on. Though just when I thought I'd had enough, Jim Balsillie is thrown a bone. And again I'm chewing on it. But is it worth the busted teeth? Because really, what does Balsilly's inclusion in the September 10th Coyotes' auction mean? He's obviously going to win the bidding, then again be told to "screw off" by the NHL's board of insecure governors. What's the f***in' point?
It's not about the game. THIS IS the game.
This Coyote is getting uglier if not stranger with each puzzling move, yet I still can't look away. Perhaps it's just the season? These are brutally boring days, and stories like this are just ridiculous enough to keep us somewhat amused. And who knows? If things start pointing North again, I might again start taking this whole fiasco seriously. In the meantime I'll continue on like I don't care.
Monday, June 15, 2009
back to biz'nass
K, Croz has his cup, Hossa doesn't, Basillie won't... and now we can get back to the biz'nass of obsessing over what the Leafs do.
Just had to add this beauty from "Coxy's" column in The Star Tuesday morning.
"While some continue the absurd debate over the handshake "snub" at the conclusion of the Stanley Cup final – did any of the oddly embittered Red Wings take a moment to thank Sidney Crosby for carrying the league on his back since the lockout? – it's already time to move on to next season."
lol
So true.
I'm really hoping BB successfully lures "The Monster" from Sweden. All the hype surrounding this guy has me excited about what could be a talented and competitive tandem of lads with pads in Leaf blue.
Just had to add this beauty from "Coxy's" column in The Star Tuesday morning.
"While some continue the absurd debate over the handshake "snub" at the conclusion of the Stanley Cup final – did any of the oddly embittered Red Wings take a moment to thank Sidney Crosby for carrying the league on his back since the lockout? – it's already time to move on to next season."
lol
So true.
I'm really hoping BB successfully lures "The Monster" from Sweden. All the hype surrounding this guy has me excited about what could be a talented and competitive tandem of lads with pads in Leaf blue.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Cup half empty
COYOTES DECISION DELAYED!
NHL WANTS $100 MILL FOR MOVE.
Oh god, I wish I cared. But its nice out these days. And my team never plays.
Am I alone in my apathy? Nope.
Go Wings Go...away.
From Canadian Press:
It appears Canadian hockey fans may be losing interest in this year's Stanley Cup rematch - at least, according to CBC's television ratings. Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings on Saturday averaged 1.612 million viewers - the lowest-rated game of the series, and a sharp drop from the 1.929 million viewers who watched Game 4 on Thursday. Last year's Game 5 between the same teams attracted 2.708 million viewers. CBC averaged 1.929 million viewers for Game 4 on Thursday, down slightly from the 2.035 million average for Game 4 a year ago. The first three games of the series also resulted in slight drops in viewership from last year's final.
And hey, it WAS supposed to be decision day in Phoenix. If and when a ruling comes down and its not in favour of the NHL, expect the league to contest it until it runs out of avenues in which to do so, today's relocation fee suggestion being one of them. Heck, even the judge agrees in paying to move. But for a cool $100 mill? Yikes! I know its dirty, but if that's all that stands in the way of Balsillie finally realizing "his dream" he had better cut that cheque. Personally, I say to HELL with the NHL's (Bettman's) ego play and ransom demands, I'm having too much fun coming up with potential names for any team destined this way.
Ontario Predators
Toronto Predators of Hamilton
Hamilton Hammers
Ah, the Predators thing is too cartoon. We've already got the Raptors.
I think any team installed in, moved or expanded to Ontario should have a nostalgic moniker, like the "Nationals" or something. How about the Ontario Nationals? Or Niagara Nationals? We're getting somewhere...now will Jim Balsillie?
NHL WANTS $100 MILL FOR MOVE.
Oh god, I wish I cared. But its nice out these days. And my team never plays.
Am I alone in my apathy? Nope.
Go Wings Go...away.
From Canadian Press:
It appears Canadian hockey fans may be losing interest in this year's Stanley Cup rematch - at least, according to CBC's television ratings. Game 5 of the Stanley Cup final between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings on Saturday averaged 1.612 million viewers - the lowest-rated game of the series, and a sharp drop from the 1.929 million viewers who watched Game 4 on Thursday. Last year's Game 5 between the same teams attracted 2.708 million viewers. CBC averaged 1.929 million viewers for Game 4 on Thursday, down slightly from the 2.035 million average for Game 4 a year ago. The first three games of the series also resulted in slight drops in viewership from last year's final.
And hey, it WAS supposed to be decision day in Phoenix. If and when a ruling comes down and its not in favour of the NHL, expect the league to contest it until it runs out of avenues in which to do so, today's relocation fee suggestion being one of them. Heck, even the judge agrees in paying to move. But for a cool $100 mill? Yikes! I know its dirty, but if that's all that stands in the way of Balsillie finally realizing "his dream" he had better cut that cheque. Personally, I say to HELL with the NHL's (Bettman's) ego play and ransom demands, I'm having too much fun coming up with potential names for any team destined this way.
Ontario Predators
Toronto Predators of Hamilton
Hamilton Hammers
Ah, the Predators thing is too cartoon. We've already got the Raptors.
I think any team installed in, moved or expanded to Ontario should have a nostalgic moniker, like the "Nationals" or something. How about the Ontario Nationals? Or Niagara Nationals? We're getting somewhere...now will Jim Balsillie?
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
What would we call it?
PSE Sports and Entertainment has no idea what a prospective NHL team in Hamilton would be called. If the process of re-location gets that far, the organization says it might leave the 'naming' issue to the fans, perhaps through a contest of some sort.
Jim Balsillie believes an NHL franchise in Hamilton would be profitable right away. Jerry Moyes' people in Phoenix project the Coyotes to lose $40 million per. For the NHL, this isn't about money or viability, its about pride and control. It's bad business and its the NHL's business.
According to Balsillie's reps: this isn't about individuals or personalities (ie Balsillie vs. Bettman), it's about fulfilling a dream (Balsillie's), the pursuit and achievement of a 7th NHL team in Canada.
The application for re-location of the Coyotes from Phoenix to Hamilton has been filed. Now we wait for the next interesting bit of news to come out of this on-going saga. We expect decisions in Phoenix by June 9th.
Personally (and looking ahead), I don't believe you can go with the name 'Hamilton' alone. The Ontario "something's" yes, OR even the Toronto 'blanks' of Hamilton. Hey, it works in baseball (LA Angels of Anaheim), Why not hockey?
Jim Balsillie believes an NHL franchise in Hamilton would be profitable right away. Jerry Moyes' people in Phoenix project the Coyotes to lose $40 million per. For the NHL, this isn't about money or viability, its about pride and control. It's bad business and its the NHL's business.
According to Balsillie's reps: this isn't about individuals or personalities (ie Balsillie vs. Bettman), it's about fulfilling a dream (Balsillie's), the pursuit and achievement of a 7th NHL team in Canada.
The application for re-location of the Coyotes from Phoenix to Hamilton has been filed. Now we wait for the next interesting bit of news to come out of this on-going saga. We expect decisions in Phoenix by June 9th.
Personally (and looking ahead), I don't believe you can go with the name 'Hamilton' alone. The Ontario "something's" yes, OR even the Toronto 'blanks' of Hamilton. Hey, it works in baseball (LA Angels of Anaheim), Why not hockey?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
It's not happening...not in Hamiton
Nope. Hamilton ain't getting an NHL franchise. Why would it?
So, the theory North of the border is to take a team out of a top 10 US market and put it in a place many either haven't heard of or couldn't point out on a map. Really? And call it what? The 'Hamilton' somethings? Don't think so. If a large, widely recognized and respected sports city like Phoenix can't generate new hockey fans in the United States how could Hamilton, Ontario?
Another NHL team setting up shop in Canada is an extreme long shot. Unbelievably slim. A pipe dream. A remote possibility that shouldn't even be discussed until the league itself offers up at least a sliver-sized notion of the sort first. It's obvious these people running the show in New York believe the NHL has zero growth potential in Canada while the US, even after one failure after another, still has plenty. That's debatable, but what isn't: the probability of the Coyotes, Thrashers or any current NHL club picking up and leaving for Steel city, Canada. There are great people in Hamilton. The idea is good. The prospects of it becoming reality are worse than bad.
What sucks is that many people are again getting their hopes up over this story. Its unfortunate, and the media can take credit. Its jumped right into Jim Balsillie's lap and blown this whole thing up way too much. Our news media does it best...or worst. Most news people know little about sports to begin with let alone the NHL or the way it works. At first glance the concept of another NHL team in Canada is enticing and interesting. And if the situation and the players involved were different it would be a definate news story, a big one. In this case, again, its nowhere close. Bettman + Balsillie= No 7th NHL team in Canada. They despise each other. These guys can't deal. It's simple. Our sports media could do a better job of putting all of this into context for the traditionally non-sports loving consumership instead of echoing the naive headlines from the front page.
If the NHL were to be open to another Canadian club some day, it would have to be in Toronto. What's the risk? And better yet, where to begin reaping all those rewards? The GTA is the best place to help bolster a league that can use more the support, at least financially. A 2ND Toronto team would automatically increase in value; boosting league revenue while vaulting a team from the soup line to the penthouse, one that would also become an instant giver instead of perennial taker. Anyway, this is all fun-talk because Gary Bettman would jump in front of a speeding train before relenting to the demands of most NHL fans in Canada. And what about those Leafs? I'll always be a supporter, but also believe they should use their extensive clout with the league to indeed 'makeitseven'. They've remained silent during this latest trip through fantasy land and I doubt they'll have much to say going forward, especially when Gary Bettman is doing the talking for them. Still, just for a moment, imagine the conditions and fees they could saddle the Toronto newbies with??? The Leafs clearly love cashing in. Sharing on the other hand? You don't become hockey's financial juggernaut through market generosity. Yet there are millions and millions AND MILLIONS to be made here. The cost for a struggling franchise to move into the GTA and coexist with the Leafs would be astronomical, but in hockey's biggest and most lucrative market its a cost that would no doubt be followed by the best business its ever done. At the same time the Leafs who've been hoarding yet under-servicing its market for decades, may finally discover you can also grow your fanbase by winning. And its all wishful thinking that either will ever come true.
So, the theory North of the border is to take a team out of a top 10 US market and put it in a place many either haven't heard of or couldn't point out on a map. Really? And call it what? The 'Hamilton' somethings? Don't think so. If a large, widely recognized and respected sports city like Phoenix can't generate new hockey fans in the United States how could Hamilton, Ontario?
Another NHL team setting up shop in Canada is an extreme long shot. Unbelievably slim. A pipe dream. A remote possibility that shouldn't even be discussed until the league itself offers up at least a sliver-sized notion of the sort first. It's obvious these people running the show in New York believe the NHL has zero growth potential in Canada while the US, even after one failure after another, still has plenty. That's debatable, but what isn't: the probability of the Coyotes, Thrashers or any current NHL club picking up and leaving for Steel city, Canada. There are great people in Hamilton. The idea is good. The prospects of it becoming reality are worse than bad.
What sucks is that many people are again getting their hopes up over this story. Its unfortunate, and the media can take credit. Its jumped right into Jim Balsillie's lap and blown this whole thing up way too much. Our news media does it best...or worst. Most news people know little about sports to begin with let alone the NHL or the way it works. At first glance the concept of another NHL team in Canada is enticing and interesting. And if the situation and the players involved were different it would be a definate news story, a big one. In this case, again, its nowhere close. Bettman + Balsillie= No 7th NHL team in Canada. They despise each other. These guys can't deal. It's simple. Our sports media could do a better job of putting all of this into context for the traditionally non-sports loving consumership instead of echoing the naive headlines from the front page.
If the NHL were to be open to another Canadian club some day, it would have to be in Toronto. What's the risk? And better yet, where to begin reaping all those rewards? The GTA is the best place to help bolster a league that can use more the support, at least financially. A 2ND Toronto team would automatically increase in value; boosting league revenue while vaulting a team from the soup line to the penthouse, one that would also become an instant giver instead of perennial taker. Anyway, this is all fun-talk because Gary Bettman would jump in front of a speeding train before relenting to the demands of most NHL fans in Canada. And what about those Leafs? I'll always be a supporter, but also believe they should use their extensive clout with the league to indeed 'makeitseven'. They've remained silent during this latest trip through fantasy land and I doubt they'll have much to say going forward, especially when Gary Bettman is doing the talking for them. Still, just for a moment, imagine the conditions and fees they could saddle the Toronto newbies with??? The Leafs clearly love cashing in. Sharing on the other hand? You don't become hockey's financial juggernaut through market generosity. Yet there are millions and millions AND MILLIONS to be made here. The cost for a struggling franchise to move into the GTA and coexist with the Leafs would be astronomical, but in hockey's biggest and most lucrative market its a cost that would no doubt be followed by the best business its ever done. At the same time the Leafs who've been hoarding yet under-servicing its market for decades, may finally discover you can also grow your fanbase by winning. And its all wishful thinking that either will ever come true.
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