"If you take a look at the Blue Jackets roster and their corresponding salaries, you just have to scratch your head and ask why the hell are they paying so much for crappy players. Let's start with Antoine Vermette, the Jackets paid him almost 4 million dollars in 2011, and what do they get for that a -17 in plus/minus in 2012. They paid Sam Pahlasson almost 3 million dollars in 2011, and what do they get for that 2 goals from their center, child please. Another awesome move was paying Fedor Tyutin almost 3.5 million, and the results, a -18 on the plus/minus. Thanks Howson."
This is a direct quote from a blog submitted by Seasons in the Sun about how bad the Columbus Blue Jackets have been overpaying crappy players. Due to recent events, the trade of Vermette and today, Sami Pahlasson was sent to Vancouver it has me wondering if Scott Howson is reading my blog. If he is, that is great because I have some other ideas that I will get into later when I have the time. Like trading for a star defensemen.
Now if you follow the Jackets, you might say well they just traded for Jack Johnson. That is nice, but Jack Johnson has never been more then a second line defensemen in his 5 year career with the Kings. I am talking about someone on a Chara, Duncan Keith or Brent Seabrook level. The Blue Jackets need all star players so that they can get better. Having draft picks is nice, but many draft picks are unproven in the NHL, that is why they need someone good to step in for next year.
So, I will close with this, thank you Scott Howson for reading my blog and trading two of the three players, we cited as being a problem on the Blue Jackets. Maybe before the draft you can also get rid of Fedor Tyutin, it would be greatly appreciated by the fans. So, Scott Howson have a wonderful day, I know you love our blog.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 18, 2012
The Columbus Blue Jackets and the NHL's version of Mike Brown.
Anyone that watches hockey knows where the Columbus Blue Jackets are and that is in the cellar of the NHL. Its not like they are down there with anyone else the next closest team is at least 10 points higher than the Jackets currently. So, far this season for the Jackets has been marred by injuries, suspensions and a firing of one coach. So enter the man that I put full responsibility for this tragedy that could be liken to Gen. Custer's Last Stand, one Scott Howson.
Scott Howson might have played in the NHL but he has no business being a GM in the league. The Jackets waited way too long to fire the last coach and bring in Richards, the new guy. Granted if you are on the suits side of things you could say that all the players that he brought in for this year got injured. I was so full of hope for this team in the beginning and it's pretty much been downhill since day one. Howson biggest failure to this point to surround Nash with players of some kind of talent.
Nash has pretty much had to carry this franchise on his back since he stepped into the building. Howson and the rest of the corporate brass have done nothing with Springfield (the Jackets AHL team) as it comes to developing players. Further more, they have wasted draft picks about as well as Mike Brown of the Cincinnati Bengals. Neither Scott Howson or Mike Brown have any grasp on the concept that if the team wins more money will come into their pockets.
Take a look at Forbes list of the most valuable sports teams and you will find teams like the Yankees or the Red Wongs. What do they have in common, they win, they win alot. I am not saying that the Blue Jackets will just magically become awesome, you have to start with your young players, and let's face it Nash is not getting any younger. Scott Howson has put himself into a position where he must trade Nash to maximize trade value or risk Nash pulling a Lebron James and getting the "F" out.
If you take a look at the Blue Jackets roster and their corresponding salaries, you just have to scratch your head and ask why the hell are they paying so much for crappy players. Let's start with Antoine Vermette, the Jackets paid him almost 4 million dollars in 2011, and what do they get for that a -17 in plus/minus in 2012. They paid Sam Pahlasson almost 3 million dollars in 2011, and what do they get for that 2 goals from their center, child please. Another awesome move was paying Fedor Tyutin almost 3.5 million, and the results, a -18 on the plus/minus. Thanks Howson.
I could go on and on about how well the team is paid and how poorly they have responded to that, but I will spare you the boredom. I just wish that Howson would wake up and see what a train wreck this franchise has become. They are going to have to sell the parts at this point and start all over again. I just do not see any hope for them to make any drastic moves that would help the team with out starting over. I think we need to discuss another problem for the Jackets and Howson; that is the Central Division of the Western Conference.
All of Howson's problems and lack of attention to the team has put the Jacket in an impossible place to compete in their own division. While both the Nashville Predators and the St. Louis Blues have gotten consistently better the Jackets well have been stuck in neutral. Not too mention the two elder brother in the division Chicago and Detroit. Both of whom are consistently competing for Stanley Cups not just getting into the playoffs. So, if you do not get top talent onto the Jackets, Howson there is no shot for them in the division.
So how far out are the Jackets right now? Thanks to Mike Brown, I mean Scott Howson they are 29 points out of 4th place in their division. That means just to break even with the 4th place team, they would have to win 15 games in a row and the 4th place team would have to lose the same number of games. Like, I said earlier they are the worst team in the NHL by 10 points or 5 games. Let me remind you that there is only about 24 or 25 games left for the Jackets so this season is pretty much a wash.
Well Jay you said Howson waited too long for the Jackets to fire their coach, do you have any real proof that this is the case? Yes, I do, the Ducks of Anaheim where down in the cellar with the Jackets at one point of the season, and they fired their coach, now they are taking steps out of the cellar. Granted that their success did not happen over night and they were able to pick up the Washington Capitals coach when he was fired; you just cant sit there and feel sorry for yourself you have go out and get some wins. If you can string a couple of wins together then you can get some confidence.
So how bad has Howson made it? It's so bad that its hard to watch their games. I want to root for them, and I want to give them support but they just do not have it right now. Maybe next year it will get better, but I will never get my hopes up so high for them again. Howson, I think you owe the players and the fans a public apology for what you have done to this team. I think you should step down if you really care about the long term success of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Thank You, Good Day.
Scott Howson might have played in the NHL but he has no business being a GM in the league. The Jackets waited way too long to fire the last coach and bring in Richards, the new guy. Granted if you are on the suits side of things you could say that all the players that he brought in for this year got injured. I was so full of hope for this team in the beginning and it's pretty much been downhill since day one. Howson biggest failure to this point to surround Nash with players of some kind of talent.
Nash has pretty much had to carry this franchise on his back since he stepped into the building. Howson and the rest of the corporate brass have done nothing with Springfield (the Jackets AHL team) as it comes to developing players. Further more, they have wasted draft picks about as well as Mike Brown of the Cincinnati Bengals. Neither Scott Howson or Mike Brown have any grasp on the concept that if the team wins more money will come into their pockets.
Take a look at Forbes list of the most valuable sports teams and you will find teams like the Yankees or the Red Wongs. What do they have in common, they win, they win alot. I am not saying that the Blue Jackets will just magically become awesome, you have to start with your young players, and let's face it Nash is not getting any younger. Scott Howson has put himself into a position where he must trade Nash to maximize trade value or risk Nash pulling a Lebron James and getting the "F" out.
If you take a look at the Blue Jackets roster and their corresponding salaries, you just have to scratch your head and ask why the hell are they paying so much for crappy players. Let's start with Antoine Vermette, the Jackets paid him almost 4 million dollars in 2011, and what do they get for that a -17 in plus/minus in 2012. They paid Sam Pahlasson almost 3 million dollars in 2011, and what do they get for that 2 goals from their center, child please. Another awesome move was paying Fedor Tyutin almost 3.5 million, and the results, a -18 on the plus/minus. Thanks Howson.
I could go on and on about how well the team is paid and how poorly they have responded to that, but I will spare you the boredom. I just wish that Howson would wake up and see what a train wreck this franchise has become. They are going to have to sell the parts at this point and start all over again. I just do not see any hope for them to make any drastic moves that would help the team with out starting over. I think we need to discuss another problem for the Jackets and Howson; that is the Central Division of the Western Conference.
All of Howson's problems and lack of attention to the team has put the Jacket in an impossible place to compete in their own division. While both the Nashville Predators and the St. Louis Blues have gotten consistently better the Jackets well have been stuck in neutral. Not too mention the two elder brother in the division Chicago and Detroit. Both of whom are consistently competing for Stanley Cups not just getting into the playoffs. So, if you do not get top talent onto the Jackets, Howson there is no shot for them in the division.
So how far out are the Jackets right now? Thanks to Mike Brown, I mean Scott Howson they are 29 points out of 4th place in their division. That means just to break even with the 4th place team, they would have to win 15 games in a row and the 4th place team would have to lose the same number of games. Like, I said earlier they are the worst team in the NHL by 10 points or 5 games. Let me remind you that there is only about 24 or 25 games left for the Jackets so this season is pretty much a wash.
Well Jay you said Howson waited too long for the Jackets to fire their coach, do you have any real proof that this is the case? Yes, I do, the Ducks of Anaheim where down in the cellar with the Jackets at one point of the season, and they fired their coach, now they are taking steps out of the cellar. Granted that their success did not happen over night and they were able to pick up the Washington Capitals coach when he was fired; you just cant sit there and feel sorry for yourself you have go out and get some wins. If you can string a couple of wins together then you can get some confidence.
So how bad has Howson made it? It's so bad that its hard to watch their games. I want to root for them, and I want to give them support but they just do not have it right now. Maybe next year it will get better, but I will never get my hopes up so high for them again. Howson, I think you owe the players and the fans a public apology for what you have done to this team. I think you should step down if you really care about the long term success of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Thank You, Good Day.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Why You Should Watch More Hockey
In America, I feel that many people are afraid to watch Hockey because they are in love with their NFL Football or Major League Baseball. I feel like I need to break that fear, and tell you why you need to watch more hockey. I think many people are afraid they do not understand the game or they are afraid to watch hockey players fight. There are many great teams and great players not only in the NHL but the entire world. So, lets discuss what makes hockey awesome.
You have to start off any discussion about hockey with the fighting. Outside of scoring a goal, it has to be the best part of the game. It is the only sport where you can fight and not be suspended for 2, 3, or more games. Players are often thrown out of the game in other sports for throwing punches, in the NHL, the more punches the better. Players in the NHL that fight get a 5 minute major penalty and then they are back on the ice. Whats better then just a fight? a line brawl! You ask what is a line brawl? It is basically mayhem, when everyone on the ice is fighting, how sweet is that? So, you do not like fighting there is more awesome stuff I promise. (Suggested You Tube Video: St Patrick's Day Massacre)
The game flows better then any other of the major sports. There are no stoppage in play for players coming in and out of the game. Changes are made "on the fly", which means that the offensive player shoots the puck towards the goal and skates off so that other people can come on to the ice. There are less commercials because play is not stop as often as the NFL or the NBA. Hell, the NHL had to create Ice Girls to clear the ice every so often so that there could be more commercials.
The flow of the game was greatly improved by the deleting of the rule of the two line pass. This was a rule that forbid passes from one player to another across two lines. Another rule that people struggle with is icing. Icing is when a offensive player shots the puck across two red lines with the defensive team's goal line being the last line being crossed. The puck has to be untouched and the goalie cannot come out and play the puck. Also, if the puck were to go into the net by some stroke of stupidity by the goalie, it would count as a goal. The rule was put in place because teams that were winning would keep icing the puck if they were winning, it got so bad that the fans in Boston back in the day got so pissed they threw stuff on the ice and the game was delayed.
Speaking of throwing things on the ice, there is another great part of hockey and that is the throwing of hats on the ice after a hat trick has been scored. A hat trick is when one player scores three goals in the same game. Fans respond by throwing hats on the ice, so if you are out with your girl don't let her buy a new hat before a hockey game. A funny video you should look up on you tube on the subject of the hat trick is "sidney crosby crying about hat trick." Hockey, the only sport where you can throw stuff on the ice, and not be rudely escorted from the game.
Another great thing about hockey is in general, the fans are more knowledgeable about the game and the history of the sport. Fans of hockey are more ruthless towards opposing fans (except in Columbus). In many studies more people go to hockey games (NHL) then NBA games in the same city. Plus, who can hate against the Green Men in Vancouver? Hockey fans are more passionate about their teams, and studies have shown that they are much better hecklers then fans of other sports. Finally, there might not be anything better in the sport world as Canadian fans singing "Oh Canada" during the playoffs.
Not are the fans ruthless but the players are also ruthless, the NHL has better rivalries then other sports. There is nothing quite like the Chicago - Detroit rivalry which dates back to the 1920s, and in the United Center in Chicago you can hear "Detroit Sucks" chant almost after every play. Not to be out done is the Pittsburgh - New York Islanders rivalry in which you are guaranteed to see a line brawl in almost every game. A third good rivalry is the Boston Bruins and the Philly Flyers, two very physical teams pounding each other every time out. Not too mention, the rivalries of Canada which pits Montreal vs. Toronto. I think that one really started because Toronto refused to speak French, hahaha.
Continuing the discussion about the Canadians, and I touched on this early about how the Canadians sing "Oh Canada", the NHL has better anthem singers. Most sports just bring in random people for every game, the NHL has the same professional singing the anthem(s). Anthem has an (s) because it is tradition if you are playing a Canadian team in a USA venue, both of the anthem will be sung before the game. The Black Hawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison is so good that the Chicago Bears (NFL) routinely ask him to sing the anthem at their games. If you want to hear some awesomeness just search Jim Cornelison or "oh canada playoffs" in you tube.
So, in conclusion, I have presented some of the facts why Hockey is pretty freakin awesome, I suggest that you go out and watch some hockey. If you cannot get to an NHL game, I would suggest going to see some college hockey, it is just as good. So, I demand you stop reading this now and go watch some hockey! Or just rent Mighty Ducks 1 thru 3.
You have to start off any discussion about hockey with the fighting. Outside of scoring a goal, it has to be the best part of the game. It is the only sport where you can fight and not be suspended for 2, 3, or more games. Players are often thrown out of the game in other sports for throwing punches, in the NHL, the more punches the better. Players in the NHL that fight get a 5 minute major penalty and then they are back on the ice. Whats better then just a fight? a line brawl! You ask what is a line brawl? It is basically mayhem, when everyone on the ice is fighting, how sweet is that? So, you do not like fighting there is more awesome stuff I promise. (Suggested You Tube Video: St Patrick's Day Massacre)
The game flows better then any other of the major sports. There are no stoppage in play for players coming in and out of the game. Changes are made "on the fly", which means that the offensive player shoots the puck towards the goal and skates off so that other people can come on to the ice. There are less commercials because play is not stop as often as the NFL or the NBA. Hell, the NHL had to create Ice Girls to clear the ice every so often so that there could be more commercials.
The flow of the game was greatly improved by the deleting of the rule of the two line pass. This was a rule that forbid passes from one player to another across two lines. Another rule that people struggle with is icing. Icing is when a offensive player shots the puck across two red lines with the defensive team's goal line being the last line being crossed. The puck has to be untouched and the goalie cannot come out and play the puck. Also, if the puck were to go into the net by some stroke of stupidity by the goalie, it would count as a goal. The rule was put in place because teams that were winning would keep icing the puck if they were winning, it got so bad that the fans in Boston back in the day got so pissed they threw stuff on the ice and the game was delayed.
Speaking of throwing things on the ice, there is another great part of hockey and that is the throwing of hats on the ice after a hat trick has been scored. A hat trick is when one player scores three goals in the same game. Fans respond by throwing hats on the ice, so if you are out with your girl don't let her buy a new hat before a hockey game. A funny video you should look up on you tube on the subject of the hat trick is "sidney crosby crying about hat trick." Hockey, the only sport where you can throw stuff on the ice, and not be rudely escorted from the game.
Another great thing about hockey is in general, the fans are more knowledgeable about the game and the history of the sport. Fans of hockey are more ruthless towards opposing fans (except in Columbus). In many studies more people go to hockey games (NHL) then NBA games in the same city. Plus, who can hate against the Green Men in Vancouver? Hockey fans are more passionate about their teams, and studies have shown that they are much better hecklers then fans of other sports. Finally, there might not be anything better in the sport world as Canadian fans singing "Oh Canada" during the playoffs.
Not are the fans ruthless but the players are also ruthless, the NHL has better rivalries then other sports. There is nothing quite like the Chicago - Detroit rivalry which dates back to the 1920s, and in the United Center in Chicago you can hear "Detroit Sucks" chant almost after every play. Not to be out done is the Pittsburgh - New York Islanders rivalry in which you are guaranteed to see a line brawl in almost every game. A third good rivalry is the Boston Bruins and the Philly Flyers, two very physical teams pounding each other every time out. Not too mention, the rivalries of Canada which pits Montreal vs. Toronto. I think that one really started because Toronto refused to speak French, hahaha.
Continuing the discussion about the Canadians, and I touched on this early about how the Canadians sing "Oh Canada", the NHL has better anthem singers. Most sports just bring in random people for every game, the NHL has the same professional singing the anthem(s). Anthem has an (s) because it is tradition if you are playing a Canadian team in a USA venue, both of the anthem will be sung before the game. The Black Hawks anthem singer Jim Cornelison is so good that the Chicago Bears (NFL) routinely ask him to sing the anthem at their games. If you want to hear some awesomeness just search Jim Cornelison or "oh canada playoffs" in you tube.
So, in conclusion, I have presented some of the facts why Hockey is pretty freakin awesome, I suggest that you go out and watch some hockey. If you cannot get to an NHL game, I would suggest going to see some college hockey, it is just as good. So, I demand you stop reading this now and go watch some hockey! Or just rent Mighty Ducks 1 thru 3.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Mr. Malkin's Penguins
I would like to start this entry citing the emotional conflict that exists inside of me, writing a story about one of the hockey teams that I do not really care much for, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Most of my dislike comes from the fact that NBC is in love with them and Cindy Crosby himself. I feel that I must write this because there is one person in Pittsburgh that's really never received the love that he deserves, Evgeni Malkin. Maybe its because Cindy Crosby was supposed to be the next Great One, or simply maybe its the fact that he is Russian. Whatever the reason we are about to give him some serious love here at Seasons in the Sun.
We will just start with the numbers this year for Malkin, which are way up because his boy Cindy Crosby is still suffering from concussion like symptoms from a hit that occurred circa 2 years ago now. Malkin leads the league currently in points with 55. He is 3rd in the league with 25 goals and 9th in the league with 30 assists. His 6 game winning goals lands him 2nd in the NHL, that not too shabby of a category to be 2nd. I think the city of Pittsburgh should be happy the way that he has played this season in the absence of Cindy Crosby.
Malkin did not just start winning and playing well with the Penguins this season. The man has competed for Russia in the U18 and U20 IIHF World Championships, coming away with a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal. In 2006, he was the MVP of the tournament for his efforts. Also, he has helped Russia to two Bronze medals in Turin and Vancouver, in the last two Winter games. So, we know that he has been reppin' Russia very well.
Let's talk about what he has done since he has been on what has been called Cindy Crosby's team. In 2006 as a rookie he won the Calder, which is for the league's best rookie player. In the year they won the Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh it was not Cindy getting the hardware for the MVP, it was Malkin. In root to being named the MVP, he led the playoffs in scoring. If I remember correctly Cindy was also injured in that series too. It seems to me, as an outsider, that Cindy Crosby is pretty fragile.
In conclusion, I think we need to take a hard look at the Pittsburgh Penguins and see what the driving force has been, its really been Malkin and not Crosby. Crosby can have all this talent but if he keeps getting injured its only going to be a matter of time before the kids of Pittsburgh have more 71 jerseys than 87. I hope the Pittsburgh fans appreciate what Malkin has provided for them, many goals and a Stanley Cup. So, lets remember who's team this really is, sorry Cindy, I am revoking your man card.
We will just start with the numbers this year for Malkin, which are way up because his boy Cindy Crosby is still suffering from concussion like symptoms from a hit that occurred circa 2 years ago now. Malkin leads the league currently in points with 55. He is 3rd in the league with 25 goals and 9th in the league with 30 assists. His 6 game winning goals lands him 2nd in the NHL, that not too shabby of a category to be 2nd. I think the city of Pittsburgh should be happy the way that he has played this season in the absence of Cindy Crosby.
Malkin did not just start winning and playing well with the Penguins this season. The man has competed for Russia in the U18 and U20 IIHF World Championships, coming away with a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal. In 2006, he was the MVP of the tournament for his efforts. Also, he has helped Russia to two Bronze medals in Turin and Vancouver, in the last two Winter games. So, we know that he has been reppin' Russia very well.
Let's talk about what he has done since he has been on what has been called Cindy Crosby's team. In 2006 as a rookie he won the Calder, which is for the league's best rookie player. In the year they won the Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh it was not Cindy getting the hardware for the MVP, it was Malkin. In root to being named the MVP, he led the playoffs in scoring. If I remember correctly Cindy was also injured in that series too. It seems to me, as an outsider, that Cindy Crosby is pretty fragile.
In conclusion, I think we need to take a hard look at the Pittsburgh Penguins and see what the driving force has been, its really been Malkin and not Crosby. Crosby can have all this talent but if he keeps getting injured its only going to be a matter of time before the kids of Pittsburgh have more 71 jerseys than 87. I hope the Pittsburgh fans appreciate what Malkin has provided for them, many goals and a Stanley Cup. So, lets remember who's team this really is, sorry Cindy, I am revoking your man card.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Why you need to buy NHL 12
I really don't get too much into video games anymore but NHL 12 might be the best game that has been put out in a while. Personally, I am not a fan of the world is going to end games, or the games where all you do is go around killing people. I prefer sports games where the impossible is able to happen. NHL 12 might be the best sports game since NHL 96 ever made. The reasons you need to buy it.
1. Just added this year, goalies can get into fights. How can you not love that? Seriously, fighting in hockey is awesome but when you add the goalie, it just puts it on another level.
2. If you check someone really hard into the glass it will break. How cool is this? Nothing like seeing the glass shatter on the ice and the poor people in the first row.
3. If you are the away team and injure a player from the home team, the home town fans will specifically boo the player that injured their hero. How great is this? It shows the passion that hockey fans have that most other sports do not.
4. The teams have all sorts of alternative jerseys. Meaning you could play the Winnipeg Jets vs. the Phoenix Coyotes in the same jersey! They have Black Hawks jerseys from the 1940s. They have the Whalers jerseys for the Carolina Hurricanes, it really cannot get any better.
5. In line with actual rules in the NHL if you hit someone from behind you can be given a 5 minute major and a game misconduct. You player then is shown leaving the ice, if you are lucky enough, he will be pissed enough about it and hit the camera.
6. The graphics are insane. Like it was in HDTV you can see the reflection of ads, the scoreboard on the ice, so cool, and a little blinding haha.
That's pretty much all that I can think of right now, but I assure you the game is sweet. It is probably the closest game to the actual sport that I have ever seen. So stop reading this right now and go out and buy it. Its a dam shame that for this blog, EA sports isn't paying me for Seasons in the Sun to pump up their game.
1. Just added this year, goalies can get into fights. How can you not love that? Seriously, fighting in hockey is awesome but when you add the goalie, it just puts it on another level.
2. If you check someone really hard into the glass it will break. How cool is this? Nothing like seeing the glass shatter on the ice and the poor people in the first row.
3. If you are the away team and injure a player from the home team, the home town fans will specifically boo the player that injured their hero. How great is this? It shows the passion that hockey fans have that most other sports do not.
4. The teams have all sorts of alternative jerseys. Meaning you could play the Winnipeg Jets vs. the Phoenix Coyotes in the same jersey! They have Black Hawks jerseys from the 1940s. They have the Whalers jerseys for the Carolina Hurricanes, it really cannot get any better.
5. In line with actual rules in the NHL if you hit someone from behind you can be given a 5 minute major and a game misconduct. You player then is shown leaving the ice, if you are lucky enough, he will be pissed enough about it and hit the camera.
6. The graphics are insane. Like it was in HDTV you can see the reflection of ads, the scoreboard on the ice, so cool, and a little blinding haha.
That's pretty much all that I can think of right now, but I assure you the game is sweet. It is probably the closest game to the actual sport that I have ever seen. So stop reading this right now and go out and buy it. Its a dam shame that for this blog, EA sports isn't paying me for Seasons in the Sun to pump up their game.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Claude Noel and the Return of the Winnipeg Jets
This is not going be as long as some of my other blogs because its really late but I am just wanted to make a couple quick points on the return of the Winnipeg Jets to the NHL. First off, I would like to applaud the organization for selecting Claude Noel to coach the team in their first year back. I was a real fan of his when he was sort of given a chance to coach in Columbus after Hitchcock was fired. I do not feel it was ever given a real chance in Columbus because he was just an interim coach. The team seemed to respond well to him getting the interim job but it was too late in the season to do any real damage. He is a great coach, and I think that if he is given time, he will make Winnipeg into a winning franchise.
The second point I would like to make, is that I applaud the organization for not choosing some other name than the Jets. Seriously, what would have been the point to bring back a popular team from NHL past if you are not going to have the same name. I am very glad they did not pick some goofy name that the fans of Winnipeg would have hated, its nice to see the NHL finally give something back to some of its fans. We just need to get a team into Hartford again and we will be all set.
Thirdly, the NHL fans in Atlanta really need to be addressed. When Gary Bettman came out and said, "we will fight to keep teams in their cities," clearly that did not apply to Atlanta. There is a reason why Bettman is booed worse then any other commissioner and this is exactly why, he flat out lied. Shout out to the people at keepthetrashers.com great website, and its too bad that your attempts did not succeed. This is the second time Atlanta has lost a team to Canada (they lost the Flames to Calgary in the 1980s). I think this is the end of the road for the NHL in hot Atlanta.
In conclusion, I think that this is great that the NHL is going back to a traditional hockey market. I think cities like Quebec City and Hartford can only gain optimism from this move. I think there are still teams like Phoenix with uncertain futures that might be moving back north once again. I think this is great for the fans of Winnipeg, because seriously what else is there to do in Winnipeg besides maybe ice fishing. I do feel for the Thrasher fans because they were lied to, but get over it, the team is gone, you still have the Braves and the Hawks or the Falcons if you like football. All in all, great move for the NHL, we need to get more teams back North were they should be.
The second point I would like to make, is that I applaud the organization for not choosing some other name than the Jets. Seriously, what would have been the point to bring back a popular team from NHL past if you are not going to have the same name. I am very glad they did not pick some goofy name that the fans of Winnipeg would have hated, its nice to see the NHL finally give something back to some of its fans. We just need to get a team into Hartford again and we will be all set.
Thirdly, the NHL fans in Atlanta really need to be addressed. When Gary Bettman came out and said, "we will fight to keep teams in their cities," clearly that did not apply to Atlanta. There is a reason why Bettman is booed worse then any other commissioner and this is exactly why, he flat out lied. Shout out to the people at keepthetrashers.com great website, and its too bad that your attempts did not succeed. This is the second time Atlanta has lost a team to Canada (they lost the Flames to Calgary in the 1980s). I think this is the end of the road for the NHL in hot Atlanta.
In conclusion, I think that this is great that the NHL is going back to a traditional hockey market. I think cities like Quebec City and Hartford can only gain optimism from this move. I think there are still teams like Phoenix with uncertain futures that might be moving back north once again. I think this is great for the fans of Winnipeg, because seriously what else is there to do in Winnipeg besides maybe ice fishing. I do feel for the Thrasher fans because they were lied to, but get over it, the team is gone, you still have the Braves and the Hawks or the Falcons if you like football. All in all, great move for the NHL, we need to get more teams back North were they should be.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
On the Last Day of the Chicago Black Hawks Championship Reign.
Tonight is Game 7 between the Boston Bruins and the Vancouver Canucks, so someone will be drinking from Lord Stanley's Cup. Thus ending the one year reign of the Chicago Black Hawks. I clearly hope that the Boston Bruins can pull off the unthinkable, because everyone has been picking the Vancouver Canucks since the beginning of the season. The only problem that I have with the Canucks, is well I have many more problems with them then just one, lets just start with their dirty play. Burrows bit one of the Boston Bruins earlier in the series. There was that hit on Thorton by Rome, and both players have not played since. Rome was suspended for 4 games.
Not only has their dirty play been apparent in this series. They also targeted Seabrook in the first round against the Chicago Black Hawks. I have a serious problem with teams and coach that go out and target star players on the opposing team. I am not sure why the Canucks felt like they had to use this approach because they clearly had a deeper and better team then Chicago this year. Seabrook was never the same after the hit and I think this type of nonsense needs to be taken out of the game. I do not think that NHL is doing enough about it because it seems like it is happening more and more.
Another problem I have is with Luongo the goalie for the Canucks, last year he told Patrick Kane he would see him in the playoffs at the Olympics. The Black Hawks destroyed the Canucks last year in route to winning the cup. Clearly, it took an under manned Chicago team for the Canucks to get past in 7 games. I think Luongo is arrogant, hell he called out Tim Thomas during the series saying that he could of made the save in game 6. This is coming from a man that has given up around 15 goals in 3 games at Boston. I think someone needs to shut this guy up because I am sick of him.
Just so that I am not getting all enraged about how much I dislike the way that the Canucks are playing, I am going to make some comments on the Chicago Black Hawks season. They far exceeded my expectations of this season. They barely made it into the playoffs, but they did lose many players from the team that won the cup. As you know many of the players were sent to the Atlanta Thrashers, sadly they are now moving to Winnipeg. While, it would have been nice to keep the players like Niemi, other players like Crawford in goal, stepped up and played very well.
I had mentioned to in last paragraph that the Thrashers have moved to Winnipeg. This is beyond ridiculous, because the fearless leader Gary Bettman (the worst commissioner in any sport, in any time) said the NHL would fight to keep teams from moving, guess that does not apply to Atlanta. Way to go Bettman, just straight out lie to the fans. They became the only franchise in the NHL to lose 2 franchises (They lost the Flames to Calgary). This comes on the heels of the NHL's two year fight to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix. It just really sad that the NHL cannot be truthful to their fans.
So, with that said, just like last year when the Cup was brought out in Philly, and Gary Bettman comes onto the ice he will be again met by a chorus of boo's. He is the only commissioner that is constantly boo'd. If I was him, I would entertain the idea of stepping down. That or I would take a step back, and think to myself gee why are they booing me all the time? Clearly because you are a liar, stop lying and we will stop booing. Fans just want the truth and they do not want to be taken for a ride. I am a fan of KeeptheThrashers.com and there is now much hate for the NHL in Atlanta, I do not see a team ever coming back.
On a final note, the whole Thrashers situation makes me nervous about the Columbus Blue Jackets. Both the Jackets and the Thrashers have similar stories, only been to the playoffs once, both teams were swept out of the first round. The Jackets just never have been able to get serious pieces around Rick Nash, one of the best players in the NHL. If they do not start winning I would give this team about 5 years in Columbus because the stadium is always full of opposing fans. I have also never sat in my assigned seats once, I have always moved down.
I hope you all have enjoyed the Stanley Cup finals, and I hope you will be rooting for Boston tonight!
Not only has their dirty play been apparent in this series. They also targeted Seabrook in the first round against the Chicago Black Hawks. I have a serious problem with teams and coach that go out and target star players on the opposing team. I am not sure why the Canucks felt like they had to use this approach because they clearly had a deeper and better team then Chicago this year. Seabrook was never the same after the hit and I think this type of nonsense needs to be taken out of the game. I do not think that NHL is doing enough about it because it seems like it is happening more and more.
Another problem I have is with Luongo the goalie for the Canucks, last year he told Patrick Kane he would see him in the playoffs at the Olympics. The Black Hawks destroyed the Canucks last year in route to winning the cup. Clearly, it took an under manned Chicago team for the Canucks to get past in 7 games. I think Luongo is arrogant, hell he called out Tim Thomas during the series saying that he could of made the save in game 6. This is coming from a man that has given up around 15 goals in 3 games at Boston. I think someone needs to shut this guy up because I am sick of him.
Just so that I am not getting all enraged about how much I dislike the way that the Canucks are playing, I am going to make some comments on the Chicago Black Hawks season. They far exceeded my expectations of this season. They barely made it into the playoffs, but they did lose many players from the team that won the cup. As you know many of the players were sent to the Atlanta Thrashers, sadly they are now moving to Winnipeg. While, it would have been nice to keep the players like Niemi, other players like Crawford in goal, stepped up and played very well.
I had mentioned to in last paragraph that the Thrashers have moved to Winnipeg. This is beyond ridiculous, because the fearless leader Gary Bettman (the worst commissioner in any sport, in any time) said the NHL would fight to keep teams from moving, guess that does not apply to Atlanta. Way to go Bettman, just straight out lie to the fans. They became the only franchise in the NHL to lose 2 franchises (They lost the Flames to Calgary). This comes on the heels of the NHL's two year fight to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix. It just really sad that the NHL cannot be truthful to their fans.
So, with that said, just like last year when the Cup was brought out in Philly, and Gary Bettman comes onto the ice he will be again met by a chorus of boo's. He is the only commissioner that is constantly boo'd. If I was him, I would entertain the idea of stepping down. That or I would take a step back, and think to myself gee why are they booing me all the time? Clearly because you are a liar, stop lying and we will stop booing. Fans just want the truth and they do not want to be taken for a ride. I am a fan of KeeptheThrashers.com and there is now much hate for the NHL in Atlanta, I do not see a team ever coming back.
On a final note, the whole Thrashers situation makes me nervous about the Columbus Blue Jackets. Both the Jackets and the Thrashers have similar stories, only been to the playoffs once, both teams were swept out of the first round. The Jackets just never have been able to get serious pieces around Rick Nash, one of the best players in the NHL. If they do not start winning I would give this team about 5 years in Columbus because the stadium is always full of opposing fans. I have also never sat in my assigned seats once, I have always moved down.
I hope you all have enjoyed the Stanley Cup finals, and I hope you will be rooting for Boston tonight!
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