Isn't it liberating to watch hockey, playoff hockey, intense, nail biting, holy-shit-this-is-killin-me kind of hockey unattached? It's a Spring tradition for Leafs supporters so it has to be rationalized somehow. Plus it gets easier as it becomes more often. I care to watch. I just don't care who wins. As for who loses? I'm not that vindictive...
Still 6?
If there's a team that can overcome a ridiculous deficit to win a series it's the Windsor Spitfires. On paper, minus it's goaltending, it's one of the nastiest Junior hockey line-ups ever. The scary thing, it's getting better. The Spits owned game 5 at WFCU. From the 2nd period on, it was lopsided. Now I'm wondering: was Thursday's win a discovery of "that other gear", or simply a last gasp before relinquishing the title Friday night back in K-Town?
Look out
I know Steve Spott is a concerned head coach right now. As hockey writer, Garrett Bauman pointed out to me earlier this week, Spott's Rangers allowed a sleeping giant to awake from it's slumber when they couldn't sweep the set Tuesday in Kitchener. Despite the looming danger of a full fledged Spitfires' comeback I'm still going with the Rangers to win the series in 6. Am I totally confident it's going to happen? About as confident as the Rangers must be that they can put it away.
*Kitchener has failed to close out a pair of series on home ice in these playoffs. A 3rd strike infront of their faithful, at least in a hockey sense, could finally prove fatal.
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Thursday, April 22, 2010
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.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Quit your whining
Why do so many people resent Toronto?
What a sad existence it must be. To wake up every morning hating something so deeply...and within your own country. Why? It's pathetic.
I feel sorry for the saps who can't get through the day without bashing Canada's biggest. Yet, I suppose its a right of passage for Canadians? Trite and unfounded generally, but a past time no less. We are a country of complainers after all.
I bring this up in response to nationwide negativity surrounding talk of a second NHL in Toronto. WTF? Honestly? Anyone who thinks its a bad idea is way too congested with BS to think smartly and clearly. A second NHL team in the GTA would offer greater possibilities and opportunities than any other expansion/relocation candidate. That's a bold statement...and bet I'd place any day. Speaking of, the NHL's going to Vegas, right? It should put down a few bones on Tronna2. Imagine the win fall? For everyone. The league. The game. The Leafs, and of course the T.O. hockey bashers coast-to-coast who'd have twice as much to loathe and obsess over. Just imagine!
What a sad existence it must be. To wake up every morning hating something so deeply...and within your own country. Why? It's pathetic.
I feel sorry for the saps who can't get through the day without bashing Canada's biggest. Yet, I suppose its a right of passage for Canadians? Trite and unfounded generally, but a past time no less. We are a country of complainers after all.
I bring this up in response to nationwide negativity surrounding talk of a second NHL in Toronto. WTF? Honestly? Anyone who thinks its a bad idea is way too congested with BS to think smartly and clearly. A second NHL team in the GTA would offer greater possibilities and opportunities than any other expansion/relocation candidate. That's a bold statement...and bet I'd place any day. Speaking of, the NHL's going to Vegas, right? It should put down a few bones on Tronna2. Imagine the win fall? For everyone. The league. The game. The Leafs, and of course the T.O. hockey bashers coast-to-coast who'd have twice as much to loathe and obsess over. Just imagine!
Friday, December 5, 2008
Intelligent Dallas Stars remove Avery from roster
Sean Avery is dangerous. Not only does he need to be removed from the NHL perhaps society could even benefit having someone like this hidden away? Just by watching him, and its not hard to find an attention hog like Avery, its clear the guy is a ticking time bomb. His play has always bordered on daring and dangerous, but his off-ice act is actually crossing the line. Avery's methodically laid out comments in Calgary demonstrated a complete lack of respect and regard for anyone or anything but his own sick ego. Had he not been suspended shortly after making his 'sloppy seconds' comment its almost certain he would've been ripped apart by the Flames later that night. His mouth almost doomed himself, the Calgary Flames, the NHL and the game of hockey. Ah, but here's the thing; just like Avery's big yap readied us for trouble ahead, so too will his insatiable need for attention.
We never usually get warnings in advance of a nutcase doing something drastic, but in the case of Avery, his ego is so large, loud and clumsy he's preempting anything stupid he might do by being well, stupid. Let Sean Avery's actions speak loud and clear: He's crazy. Now that the Dallas Stars have removed him from the roster Avery's hockey days could be numbered. Can you imagine this guy loose on the streets without hockey to calm his madness? Its a frighteningly real possibility. Look out, folks! Here comes Sean Avery. Don't say you weren't warned.
We never usually get warnings in advance of a nutcase doing something drastic, but in the case of Avery, his ego is so large, loud and clumsy he's preempting anything stupid he might do by being well, stupid. Let Sean Avery's actions speak loud and clear: He's crazy. Now that the Dallas Stars have removed him from the roster Avery's hockey days could be numbered. Can you imagine this guy loose on the streets without hockey to calm his madness? Its a frighteningly real possibility. Look out, folks! Here comes Sean Avery. Don't say you weren't warned.
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