I'm going to begin this post by making a bold, ambitious declaration.
Mind you, this is not my own personal opinion. It is also not fact.
It is a declaration that the court of public opinion has decided before playing out in court. The aura of this declaration hovers like a dark, ominous cloud in the sky, with the sun nowhere in sight.
So here it is. EVERYONE is juicing. Yes. Everyone.
Doesn't it simply feel this way to you, sports fans? Every time you turn on the TV or surf the web, you hear or read about another star athlete being busted or implicated for performance-enhancing drugs. Many are under suspicion, and a handful are caught.
And let's be honest. Any time we see an athlete have a major breakout season or make a miraculous recovery from major surgery to dominate their sport, we assume they are using something!
We have reached the point in our society where we are suspicious of everyone. We are suspicious simply based on observation. Observation of a player's growth in muscle mass, or performance on the field of play.
We can argue all day why athletes juice; whether it is for ego, a competitive edge, their legacy, whatever. With the proliferation of PEDs over the last decade, it is easy to tie a significant improvement in performance to the aid of some kind of drug.
More recently than ever, we've seen some of the biggest names in sport either get caught or be accused.
-Lance Armstrong, the greatest cyclist of all time, is exposed as one of the great steroid cheats in history. Don't we now assume all cyclists use?
-Adrian Peterson destroys his knee late in the 2011 season. He not only makes a full recovery, but comes nine yards shy of the single-season rushing record. Come on, how could he not have "help"?
-Alex Rodriguez once admitting to using PEDs while with the Texas Rangers from 2001-2003. Now, he is linked to a Miami doctor that allegedly has distributed and administered PEDs to prominent athletes. We know for a fact he has juiced longer than three years, right?
-Gio Gonzalez is linked to the same doctor, but little to no evidence exists that he used PEDs. But of course, he had to have used! Most baseball fans will go under that assumption, and it will show at ballparks this summer.
I won't even get into Bonds, Clemens, McGwire, Sosa, et al. We all know their story.
To be fair, many pro athletes don't use PEDs at all. They perform their craft with integrity and are true role models. One example is Derek Jeter. Skip Bayless' wacky opinions notwithstanding, he is universally regarded as the athlete least likely to juice.
But how may of these "clean" athletes have lost the benefit of the doubt because of those that did juice? All of them. A prime example of this is the Blue Jays' Jose Bautista. Everyone and their brother assumed he started juicing after suddenly becoming a 50 home run monster in 2011, despite having never hit more than 20 in a season prior. However, he has not once been linked to PEDs. Guess what? We still assume he juiced, and is probably pretty damn good at circumventing drug tests!
All of this reveals two sad truths about sports:
1. PED use will always exist. As science progresses, so too do drugs undetectable by the most sophisticated of drug tests. Athletes will always attempt to stay ahead of the curve.
2. We have reached the point where the sports fan simply assume that athletes juice. They pretty much accept PED use as part of pro sports at a fundamental level. Also, most are simply tired of hearing about PEDs in the news.
Sports culture can now be summed up in four words: Guilty Until Proven Innocent. It is alive and well, and will not change any time soon. For better or worse.
Yes, the use of PEDs is immoral and hurts the integrity of sport.
We just don't care anymore.
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Playoffs Are No Longer A Sure Thing, Rangers Fans!
I assure you this post is not me hitting the panic button. It should not cause you, the reader, to panic.
This post is simply to offer the truth, nothing more.
It's time for the Rangers fan to put aside expectations, especially the Cup or Bust attitude. Their 4-5 start in a 48-game regular season has exposed some flaws in this team. The playoffs are no longer a guarantee for this team.
The fatal flaws in this team that have been prevalent with this team in the John Tortorella era have reared their ugly head after nine games. First, the power play has been abysmal. And this is being kind. It went 0 for 5 last night against the Devils, including a double minor late in the first period. After the game, Torts stated the lack of effective special teams play cost them big time. And it will continue to do so unless things are changed.
The obvious solution is to shoot the puck more, right? Theoretically, yes. But the power play units also need to screen the goaltender more and not be afraid to crash the net when necessary. It seems that whenever a shot on goal happens, the opposition easily cradles the rebound and clears the puck.
In other words, the entire power play system needs to be fixed. Shooting the puck more is just step one.
The other fatal flaw exposed is that when goalie Henrik Lundqvist gets little to no help from his defense or shot blocking forwards, he is vulnerable. Is the team relying too heavily on the Vezina Trophy winner? It's possible.
Whatever is holding the Rangers back from being the elite team it was last season, it needs to change soon.
One solution is that the Rangers need to acquire a capable power play quarterback or point man before the trade deadline. The other solution is to hold assistant coach Mike Sullivan, the man in charge of the power play, accountable. Whether it means stripping him of his power play coaching duties or his job altogether remains to be seen. But it is obvious his style is not working.
Also, the penalty kill is nowhere near as good as it was last year. Is it the loss of Brandon Prust, or is it just a lack of mental and physical toughness altogether? After last night's loss, Tortorella bluntly stated that a handful of guys are playing "scared" and "tentative". This blogger completely agrees.
I'm not sure if this player is playing scared or tentative, but Brad Richards needs to be called out. He has not played to his potential so far, and has made some mind-boggling blind backhand passes and has just looked lackadasical at other times. He needs to get going immediately.
The loss of captain Ryan Callahan has hurt this team much more than I thought. The mental and physical toughness, the hallmark of this team, is sorely lacking in his absence. The good news is that he may return this weekend.
The other good news is that the front office is being proactive in addressing the team's issues. They recently traded ultra-useless fourth liner Mike Rupp to Minnesota in exchange for shot-blocking specialist Darrell Powe and minor leaguer Nick Palmieri. The call up of top prospect J.T. Miller will provide a huge boost to this team. Him and other top prospect Chris Krieder were by far the best players on the ice not named Rick Nash last night against the Devils. Miller, though only 19, already looks NHL ready. Tortorella also stated that jobs are at stake for some regulars that are playing scared. As stated before, a trade for a power play quarterback will really help, as well.
Again, it is not time to panic, Ranger fans. As of tonight, they are only one point out of a playoff spot. As the LA Kings proved last year, you can simply get in to the playoffs, then go on a cup run. Seeds don't matter anymore. There is still plenty of time to turn this thing around.
But the improvements need to come soon, otherwise it may be time to place your hands on the panic button.
This post is simply to offer the truth, nothing more.
It's time for the Rangers fan to put aside expectations, especially the Cup or Bust attitude. Their 4-5 start in a 48-game regular season has exposed some flaws in this team. The playoffs are no longer a guarantee for this team.
The fatal flaws in this team that have been prevalent with this team in the John Tortorella era have reared their ugly head after nine games. First, the power play has been abysmal. And this is being kind. It went 0 for 5 last night against the Devils, including a double minor late in the first period. After the game, Torts stated the lack of effective special teams play cost them big time. And it will continue to do so unless things are changed.
The obvious solution is to shoot the puck more, right? Theoretically, yes. But the power play units also need to screen the goaltender more and not be afraid to crash the net when necessary. It seems that whenever a shot on goal happens, the opposition easily cradles the rebound and clears the puck.
In other words, the entire power play system needs to be fixed. Shooting the puck more is just step one.
The other fatal flaw exposed is that when goalie Henrik Lundqvist gets little to no help from his defense or shot blocking forwards, he is vulnerable. Is the team relying too heavily on the Vezina Trophy winner? It's possible.
Whatever is holding the Rangers back from being the elite team it was last season, it needs to change soon.
One solution is that the Rangers need to acquire a capable power play quarterback or point man before the trade deadline. The other solution is to hold assistant coach Mike Sullivan, the man in charge of the power play, accountable. Whether it means stripping him of his power play coaching duties or his job altogether remains to be seen. But it is obvious his style is not working.
Also, the penalty kill is nowhere near as good as it was last year. Is it the loss of Brandon Prust, or is it just a lack of mental and physical toughness altogether? After last night's loss, Tortorella bluntly stated that a handful of guys are playing "scared" and "tentative". This blogger completely agrees.
I'm not sure if this player is playing scared or tentative, but Brad Richards needs to be called out. He has not played to his potential so far, and has made some mind-boggling blind backhand passes and has just looked lackadasical at other times. He needs to get going immediately.
The loss of captain Ryan Callahan has hurt this team much more than I thought. The mental and physical toughness, the hallmark of this team, is sorely lacking in his absence. The good news is that he may return this weekend.
The other good news is that the front office is being proactive in addressing the team's issues. They recently traded ultra-useless fourth liner Mike Rupp to Minnesota in exchange for shot-blocking specialist Darrell Powe and minor leaguer Nick Palmieri. The call up of top prospect J.T. Miller will provide a huge boost to this team. Him and other top prospect Chris Krieder were by far the best players on the ice not named Rick Nash last night against the Devils. Miller, though only 19, already looks NHL ready. Tortorella also stated that jobs are at stake for some regulars that are playing scared. As stated before, a trade for a power play quarterback will really help, as well.
Again, it is not time to panic, Ranger fans. As of tonight, they are only one point out of a playoff spot. As the LA Kings proved last year, you can simply get in to the playoffs, then go on a cup run. Seeds don't matter anymore. There is still plenty of time to turn this thing around.
But the improvements need to come soon, otherwise it may be time to place your hands on the panic button.
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
The Rangers Dodge a Bullet with the Callahan Injury and Super Bowl Preview
Well, I was prepared to dedicate this post to attempting to talk the denizens of Ranger Nation out of jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge. I was prepared to be the voice of a reason during a nervous and otherwise tentative moment for the Rangers team.
Turns out, it's not necessary.
Captain Ryan Callahan suffered a temporary and partial dislocation of his shoulder joint during a scrap with Flyers forward Maxime Talbot during last night's game. As Callahan fell to the ice in pain and subsequently skated to the locker room hunched over.
A fanbase held its breath and prayed for the health of the heart and soul of its team. A rather excited shrieker in the Madison Square Garden crowd created a temporary yet annoying diversion during the Blueshirts' 2-1 win. Reading the reactions from fans in social media, you would think the man had died.
The worse case scenario was that Callahan would miss the remainder of the regular season. Other speculation included missing at least two months and returning for the last two weeks of the regular season. The Rangers losing their captain and heart and soul would not been devastating, but would hurt their playoff chances badly. This is a team that has aspirations of winning a Stanley Cup this year. To do so, they need Callahan to do what he does best: block shots, grind out every shift, and score on the power play. His ability to block shots and fearless approach to doing so not only epitomizes coach John Tortorella's system, but it inspires his teammates to do the same.
The Rangers are more than capable, with their talent and goaltender, to overcome his loss. Their coach will not let them fail. Their veteran leaders will step up.
But it won't be necessary. Callahan will only miss 10-14 days. From now until the 14th day, it consists of 7 games. Although this season is only 48 games, it's certainly better he misses 7 as opposed to 40, don't you think?
Not only will the Rangers survive his loss, but they will get that much better when he returns. After their second straight win last night, they are showing rapid signs of improvement. More work needs to be done, but they are rounding into Cup-contender form.
Imagine if they round into the best team in the league during the next two weeks. How scary will they be when Callahan returns?
Now, on to my Super Bowl XLVII pick (and I hope I'm wrong):
The 49ers and Ravens are so evenly matched. This game could turn out to be an all-time classic. Both teams have great running games, unflappable quarterbacks, dynamic recievers, blood-houding linebackers, and Harbaughs as coaches. The one thing Baltimore has a major advantage on over the 49ers is Special Teams play. Can you imagine the Super Bowl coming down to the leg of the confidence-challenged David Akers? If you are a 49ers fan, please do share.
I'm not going to buy into the hype of the "Harbowl" or Ray Lewis' final game. I'm not going to speculate on the murder or his alleged PED use. However, I will use the Ravens' run to the Super Bowl in his honor in their favor.
The 49ers may be the better team on paper, but look at the Ravens' run to this point. It just oozes magic.
This game is a total tossup, but my gut tells me to go with the team with the most karma going for them right now. And as a Steelers fan, I hope and pray I am wrong. But for the purposes of this blog, I must be objective.
Baltimore 20, San Francisco 17.
Turns out, it's not necessary.
Captain Ryan Callahan suffered a temporary and partial dislocation of his shoulder joint during a scrap with Flyers forward Maxime Talbot during last night's game. As Callahan fell to the ice in pain and subsequently skated to the locker room hunched over.
A fanbase held its breath and prayed for the health of the heart and soul of its team. A rather excited shrieker in the Madison Square Garden crowd created a temporary yet annoying diversion during the Blueshirts' 2-1 win. Reading the reactions from fans in social media, you would think the man had died.
The worse case scenario was that Callahan would miss the remainder of the regular season. Other speculation included missing at least two months and returning for the last two weeks of the regular season. The Rangers losing their captain and heart and soul would not been devastating, but would hurt their playoff chances badly. This is a team that has aspirations of winning a Stanley Cup this year. To do so, they need Callahan to do what he does best: block shots, grind out every shift, and score on the power play. His ability to block shots and fearless approach to doing so not only epitomizes coach John Tortorella's system, but it inspires his teammates to do the same.
The Rangers are more than capable, with their talent and goaltender, to overcome his loss. Their coach will not let them fail. Their veteran leaders will step up.
But it won't be necessary. Callahan will only miss 10-14 days. From now until the 14th day, it consists of 7 games. Although this season is only 48 games, it's certainly better he misses 7 as opposed to 40, don't you think?
Not only will the Rangers survive his loss, but they will get that much better when he returns. After their second straight win last night, they are showing rapid signs of improvement. More work needs to be done, but they are rounding into Cup-contender form.
Imagine if they round into the best team in the league during the next two weeks. How scary will they be when Callahan returns?
Now, on to my Super Bowl XLVII pick (and I hope I'm wrong):
The 49ers and Ravens are so evenly matched. This game could turn out to be an all-time classic. Both teams have great running games, unflappable quarterbacks, dynamic recievers, blood-houding linebackers, and Harbaughs as coaches. The one thing Baltimore has a major advantage on over the 49ers is Special Teams play. Can you imagine the Super Bowl coming down to the leg of the confidence-challenged David Akers? If you are a 49ers fan, please do share.
I'm not going to buy into the hype of the "Harbowl" or Ray Lewis' final game. I'm not going to speculate on the murder or his alleged PED use. However, I will use the Ravens' run to the Super Bowl in his honor in their favor.
The 49ers may be the better team on paper, but look at the Ravens' run to this point. It just oozes magic.
This game is a total tossup, but my gut tells me to go with the team with the most karma going for them right now. And as a Steelers fan, I hope and pray I am wrong. But for the purposes of this blog, I must be objective.
Baltimore 20, San Francisco 17.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Don't Panic, Ranger Fans, and Hello 2023 Lockout!
After two games of this abbreviated NHL season, the fanbase that has already leapt from the bridge is, who else, the New York Rangers!
A tentative, sloppy opening night loss in Boston was followed by yet another disturbing loss the next night at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
All the hype, all the expectations. Down the drain after two games. Two.
I didn't know the Stanley Cup was awarded after the home opener?
Folks, this Rangers team is too talented and is too well-coached to be playing this poorly for this long. And as I type this, the Rangers completed their first win of the night, 4-3 over Boston, thanks to a Marian Gaborik hat trick.
They may have looked lifeless the first two games, but what NHL hasn't looked sloppy?
Henrik Lundqvist still looks like the best goaltender in the NHL. His second period save on opening night will be on the highlight reels for years to come. As long as Hank is Hank, the Rangers should not worry.
Newcomer Taylor Pyatt has aptly filled in for Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, proving the grit and smarts both brought to the ice every game.
Oh, and the man they were traded for, Rick Nash? How good is he? He was the best player on the ice by far for the Rangers the first two games. His hands, vision, and speed on the ice for such a big man are remarkable. The Rangers are lucky to have him.
Captain Ryan Callahan has been sluggish so far, but you know for a fact he will step up. He is too prideful. He will be fine. Ditto Marc Staal.
The one player I am concerned about is Chris Krieder. After all the hype and expectations derived from a remarkable playoff performance last season, he has struggled mightily as he begins his first NHL regular season. He is already in coach John Tortorella's doghouse. He has had terrible defensive lapses, and has lacked the playmaking ability he displayed last season. Don't be surprised if he is sent to Connecticut soon.
It may only be a 48 game season, but it is nonetheless silly to panic over two games. If they are standing at the top of the Eastern Conference at the end of the regular season in first place, I guarantee you will not remember opening weekend.
Relax and enjoy our Blueshirts!
On a side note, congratulations NHL fans. You set records for attendance and ratings for opening weekend.
What does this mean? The owners and players both won the lockout. They now know they got away with it, because we flocked back like the sheep we are.
Get ready for the 2023 lockout!
A tentative, sloppy opening night loss in Boston was followed by yet another disturbing loss the next night at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins.
All the hype, all the expectations. Down the drain after two games. Two.
I didn't know the Stanley Cup was awarded after the home opener?
Folks, this Rangers team is too talented and is too well-coached to be playing this poorly for this long. And as I type this, the Rangers completed their first win of the night, 4-3 over Boston, thanks to a Marian Gaborik hat trick.
They may have looked lifeless the first two games, but what NHL hasn't looked sloppy?
Henrik Lundqvist still looks like the best goaltender in the NHL. His second period save on opening night will be on the highlight reels for years to come. As long as Hank is Hank, the Rangers should not worry.
Newcomer Taylor Pyatt has aptly filled in for Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov, proving the grit and smarts both brought to the ice every game.
Oh, and the man they were traded for, Rick Nash? How good is he? He was the best player on the ice by far for the Rangers the first two games. His hands, vision, and speed on the ice for such a big man are remarkable. The Rangers are lucky to have him.
Captain Ryan Callahan has been sluggish so far, but you know for a fact he will step up. He is too prideful. He will be fine. Ditto Marc Staal.
The one player I am concerned about is Chris Krieder. After all the hype and expectations derived from a remarkable playoff performance last season, he has struggled mightily as he begins his first NHL regular season. He is already in coach John Tortorella's doghouse. He has had terrible defensive lapses, and has lacked the playmaking ability he displayed last season. Don't be surprised if he is sent to Connecticut soon.
It may only be a 48 game season, but it is nonetheless silly to panic over two games. If they are standing at the top of the Eastern Conference at the end of the regular season in first place, I guarantee you will not remember opening weekend.
Relax and enjoy our Blueshirts!
On a side note, congratulations NHL fans. You set records for attendance and ratings for opening weekend.
What does this mean? The owners and players both won the lockout. They now know they got away with it, because we flocked back like the sheep we are.
Get ready for the 2023 lockout!
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
2013 NHL Preview...FINALLY!!!
You're welcome, hockey fans.
Finally, some talk about the game ON THE ICE!
And unlike Manti Te'o's girlfriend, this season DOES EXIST.
Enjoy!
Atlantic Division
1. New York Rangers (#1 seed in East)
The addition of Rick Nash makes them the Cup favorites. The young core of Lundqvist, Callahan, Staal, McDonagh, et al, are in their primes. Also, coach John Tortorella's shot-blocking, grind-it-out style will benefit the Blueshirts in a short season. But of course, as Henrik Lundqvist goes, so do the Rangers. The key to a Cup win will be whether or not they can score goals in the playoffs.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (#4 seed in East)
Probably the Rangers' biggest threat to a Cup win. Sidney Crosby will enter the season healthy, and him, Evgeni Malkin, and James Neal will put up big numbers again. But they need to stay healthy. And they will survive the loss of Jordan Staal. Marc-Andre Fleury will have to step up in the playoffs, however.
3. Philadelphia Flyers (#5 seed in East)
Typical Flyers team. High scoring, ultra-physical, bad goaltending. Giroux, Briere, Hartnell, and Simmonds will put up their numbers. In fact, I expect Giroux to be the Hart Trophy winner this season. But if Ilya Bryzgalov does not step up, the Flyers won't go far.
4. New Jersey Devils (#7 seed in East)
Losing Zach Parise really hurts. They nearly lost Ilya Kovalchuk, but everyone now knows where his heart is. Marty Brodeur is 40 years old. He can't keep up his brilliance forever. We all know the Devils will compete. But do not expect another miracle playoff run.
5. New York Islanders
When will all this young talent blossom? We all know how good John Tavares is, but what about everyone else? The problem is, they play in the best division in the NHL. Don't be surprised if they squeak in as an 8-seed, but that's it. But hey, maybe they can use their one buyout before the season to rid themselves of Rick DiPietro's contract!
Northeast Division
1. Boston Bruins (#2 seed in East)
Tim Thomas took his anti-Obama sabbatical, but Tuukka Rask is more than capable of filling his skates. He just needs to prove it on the ice. This is still one of the most physically intimidating teams in the league, and young Tyler Seguin is poised for a huge season. They'll be right in the thick of the Cup race in the end.
2. Ottawa Senators (#6 seed in East)
A young team that overachieved last season. They can be even better this season. They have the reigning Norris trophy winner in Erik Karlsson, a dynamic forward in Jason Spezza, and one of hockey's best leaders in Daniel Alfredsson. They added size in the offseason, and should be a pest in the playoffs again. Just ask the Rangers.
3. Buffalo Sabres
As Ryan Miller goes, so do the Sabres. And frankly, they rely on him a little too much. Christian Ehrhoff was a major bust last year, and he must step up this season. They added some toughness up front to ease the burden off Miller, but will it be enough?
4. Montreal Canadiens
Very sad that his great franchise is in turmoil right now. Of course, trading Ryan McDonagh for Scott Gomez helps. Other than that, they simply do not have a very good team right now. And Carey Price must prove he can handle the scrutiny of playing for hockey's most storied franchise.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
Maybe the real reason Brian Burke was fired was because his team's roster does not have NHL-caliber goaltending. Does ownership want Roberto Luongo that badly? They are more of a mess than Montreal. The bizarre thing is, they have the talent on offense (Kessel, Lupul), and defense (Phaneuf, JVR) to compete!
Southeast Division
1. Washington Capitals (#3 seed in East)
Which Caps team will we see under new coach Adam Oates? The run-n-gun Bruce Boudreau style, or the defense-first Dale Hunter style? Either way, Alex Ovechkin MUST become the dynamic goal machine he was a couple of years ago for this team to go far. Is Braden Holtby finally the long-term answer in goal? If so, the Caps will be very, very dangerous.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning (#8 seed in East)
They have the best player in the NHL. Yes, Steven Stamkos. Not Crosby, not Malkin, not Ovechkin. And this gives Tampa Bay a chance to win every night. The question is whether or not their defense takes it to the next level and if they can get consistent goaltending. We know Stamkos, St. Louis, and Vinny will do their thing, but will the additions of Matt Carle and Sami Salo on the blue line help?
3. Carolina Hurricanes
Jordan Staal joins big brother Eric with a huge contract. They still have the most underrated goaltender in the league in Cam Ward. But is it enough? Justin Faulk is the best young player in the NHL you've never heard of. Expect a breakout season from him.
4. Florida Panthers
Last year's division title, frankly, was a fluke. They lost a million games in overtime/shootouts, essentially riding the loser point to first place. Yes, they have some nice talent in Brian Campbell and Peter Mueller. Otherwise, this team just doesn't excite me.
5. Winnipeg Jets
The honeymoon is over. Not only is the team mediocre, but the PR staff has to be working a lot of overtime right now. Major character issues smother this team. Evander Kane's money stacks, Ondrej Pavelec's DUI, and Dustin Byfuglien's overall bad attitude. Oh yeah, they brought in Olli Jokinen, which will make the fans more angry AT the games. But don't worry, they aren't going back to Atlanta.
Central Division
1. Chicago Blackhawks (#3 seed in West)
People tend to overlook just how much talent this team has. The only problem is they lack consistent goaltending. Can Corey Crawford be a true #1? If so, watch out. And they'd better, otherwise this excellent young core will be dismantled.
2. Detroit Red Wings (#4 seed in West)
They lost mainstays Nicky Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom to retirement. My guess is this does not affect this team too much. Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk are more than capable of filling the leadership void. And Jimmy Howard will have another outstanding season. The faces change, but the stability remains the same.
3. St. Louis Blues (#6 seed in West)
As much as this young team impressed last year, I think they overachieved a bit. They take a step back this season. After David Backes, whom can you count on to score goals? Who is the true number #1 goalie, Brian Elliott of Jaroslav Halak? Their time will come, but this year will be a humbling one.
4. Nashville Predators
Yes, losing Ryan Suter hurts, but Shea Weber is still there. But they still have no offense, and will continue to rely heavily on Weber and goalie Pekka Rinne. Both are capable, but it's too much to ask.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
Without Rick Nash, they simply are not an NHL-caliber team. Don't be surprised if this team only wins 5-10 games this short season. Poor Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov.
Northwest Division
1. Vancouver Canucks (#2 seed in West)
If Cory Schneider, not Roberto Luongo, gets the majority of starts between the pipes, Vancouver should contend for the Cup again. The core of the Sedins, Bieksa, Kesler, Burrows remain as strong and dangerous as ever. They were ambushed in the first round of the playoffs by LA last year. Don't expect the same this time around.
2. Edmonton Oilers (#7 seed in West)
My sleeper pick for 2013. Three consecutive #1 overall picks: Hall, RNH, and Yapukov. Add Jordan Eberle, and the signing of the offseason, Justin Schultz, and you have an exciting young team primed for something special. Don't be surprised if a surprise deep playoff run happens.
3. Minnesota Wild (#8 seed in West)
Zach Parise and Ryan Suter make Minnesota a playoff team, nothing more. Aside from their presence, there are still too many issues on offense and defense. But hey, more fannies will be in the seats!
4. Colorado Avalanche
The time has come for Matt Duchene to fill the void Joe Sakic left with his retirement. with Calder Trophy winner Gabriel Landeskog as the new captain, perhaps the burden of expectation will ease on the former top pick. They brought in P.A. Parenteau to shore up the offense, but can he duplicate what he did in Long Island? Other than that, the defense stinks.
5. Calgary Flames
The championship window on Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff unfortunately has closed. If Calgary is out of contention at the deadline, expect Iginla to be the hottest name on the trading block. Dennis Wideman was a major bust on the blue line last season, and I don't expect him to improve.
Pacific Division
1. Los Angeles Kings (#1 seed in West)
The champs enter the new campaign with the championship team pretty much intact. The key will be if goaltender Jonathan Quick can stay healthy after offseason back surgery. Other than that, they just need to avoid a Cup hangover.
2. Phoenix Coyotes (#5 seed in West)
This team has done a fine job of handling the constant ownership distractions. They were able to bring back long time captain Shane Doan, and Mike Smith proved last season he is a #1 goalie. Their run to the conference final last year was not much of a surprise.
3. Anaheim Ducks
This team underachieved massively last season. Their top three forwards of Getzlaf, Perry, and Ryan are as good as anyone in the league. Jonas Hiller is a solid NHL goalie. So what was the problem? Expect big offensive numbers in Bruce Boudreau's system.
4. San Jose Sharks
You never know what you will get from this team. You'll either get a legit Cup contender or a massive underachiever. The talent is there, but it seems the intangibles aren't. If Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau won't take them to the next level, perhaps Logan Couture and Ryan Clowe should.
5. Dallas Stars
This team got older in the offseason, adding Ray Whitney, 40, and Jaromir Jagr, 41. Methinks this is simply a ploy to mentor young stars Jamie Benn, Mike Ribiero, and Loui Eriksson. This season has transition year written all over it.
Playoff predictions
Eastern
1 NYR 4, 8 TB 2
2 BOS 4, 7 NJ 3
6 OTT 4, 3 WSH 3
5 PHI 4, 4 PIT 3
NYR 4, OTT 2
BOS 4, PHI 3
NYR 4, BOS 2
Western
1 LA 4, 8 MIN 2
7 EDM 4, 2 VAN 3
3 CHI 4, 6 STL 2
5 PHX 4, 5 DET 3
LA 4, EDM 3
CHI 4, PHX 1
LA 4, CHI 3
Stanley Cup
New York Rangers 4, Los Angeles Kings 3
And in the spirit of predictions, here are my NFL conference championship picks:
San Francisco 27, Atlanta 20
New England 28, Baltimore 24
Til next week!
Finally, some talk about the game ON THE ICE!
And unlike Manti Te'o's girlfriend, this season DOES EXIST.
Enjoy!
Atlantic Division
1. New York Rangers (#1 seed in East)
The addition of Rick Nash makes them the Cup favorites. The young core of Lundqvist, Callahan, Staal, McDonagh, et al, are in their primes. Also, coach John Tortorella's shot-blocking, grind-it-out style will benefit the Blueshirts in a short season. But of course, as Henrik Lundqvist goes, so do the Rangers. The key to a Cup win will be whether or not they can score goals in the playoffs.
2. Pittsburgh Penguins (#4 seed in East)
Probably the Rangers' biggest threat to a Cup win. Sidney Crosby will enter the season healthy, and him, Evgeni Malkin, and James Neal will put up big numbers again. But they need to stay healthy. And they will survive the loss of Jordan Staal. Marc-Andre Fleury will have to step up in the playoffs, however.
3. Philadelphia Flyers (#5 seed in East)
Typical Flyers team. High scoring, ultra-physical, bad goaltending. Giroux, Briere, Hartnell, and Simmonds will put up their numbers. In fact, I expect Giroux to be the Hart Trophy winner this season. But if Ilya Bryzgalov does not step up, the Flyers won't go far.
4. New Jersey Devils (#7 seed in East)
Losing Zach Parise really hurts. They nearly lost Ilya Kovalchuk, but everyone now knows where his heart is. Marty Brodeur is 40 years old. He can't keep up his brilliance forever. We all know the Devils will compete. But do not expect another miracle playoff run.
5. New York Islanders
When will all this young talent blossom? We all know how good John Tavares is, but what about everyone else? The problem is, they play in the best division in the NHL. Don't be surprised if they squeak in as an 8-seed, but that's it. But hey, maybe they can use their one buyout before the season to rid themselves of Rick DiPietro's contract!
Northeast Division
1. Boston Bruins (#2 seed in East)
Tim Thomas took his anti-Obama sabbatical, but Tuukka Rask is more than capable of filling his skates. He just needs to prove it on the ice. This is still one of the most physically intimidating teams in the league, and young Tyler Seguin is poised for a huge season. They'll be right in the thick of the Cup race in the end.
2. Ottawa Senators (#6 seed in East)
A young team that overachieved last season. They can be even better this season. They have the reigning Norris trophy winner in Erik Karlsson, a dynamic forward in Jason Spezza, and one of hockey's best leaders in Daniel Alfredsson. They added size in the offseason, and should be a pest in the playoffs again. Just ask the Rangers.
3. Buffalo Sabres
As Ryan Miller goes, so do the Sabres. And frankly, they rely on him a little too much. Christian Ehrhoff was a major bust last year, and he must step up this season. They added some toughness up front to ease the burden off Miller, but will it be enough?
4. Montreal Canadiens
Very sad that his great franchise is in turmoil right now. Of course, trading Ryan McDonagh for Scott Gomez helps. Other than that, they simply do not have a very good team right now. And Carey Price must prove he can handle the scrutiny of playing for hockey's most storied franchise.
5. Toronto Maple Leafs
Maybe the real reason Brian Burke was fired was because his team's roster does not have NHL-caliber goaltending. Does ownership want Roberto Luongo that badly? They are more of a mess than Montreal. The bizarre thing is, they have the talent on offense (Kessel, Lupul), and defense (Phaneuf, JVR) to compete!
Southeast Division
1. Washington Capitals (#3 seed in East)
Which Caps team will we see under new coach Adam Oates? The run-n-gun Bruce Boudreau style, or the defense-first Dale Hunter style? Either way, Alex Ovechkin MUST become the dynamic goal machine he was a couple of years ago for this team to go far. Is Braden Holtby finally the long-term answer in goal? If so, the Caps will be very, very dangerous.
2. Tampa Bay Lightning (#8 seed in East)
They have the best player in the NHL. Yes, Steven Stamkos. Not Crosby, not Malkin, not Ovechkin. And this gives Tampa Bay a chance to win every night. The question is whether or not their defense takes it to the next level and if they can get consistent goaltending. We know Stamkos, St. Louis, and Vinny will do their thing, but will the additions of Matt Carle and Sami Salo on the blue line help?
3. Carolina Hurricanes
Jordan Staal joins big brother Eric with a huge contract. They still have the most underrated goaltender in the league in Cam Ward. But is it enough? Justin Faulk is the best young player in the NHL you've never heard of. Expect a breakout season from him.
4. Florida Panthers
Last year's division title, frankly, was a fluke. They lost a million games in overtime/shootouts, essentially riding the loser point to first place. Yes, they have some nice talent in Brian Campbell and Peter Mueller. Otherwise, this team just doesn't excite me.
5. Winnipeg Jets
The honeymoon is over. Not only is the team mediocre, but the PR staff has to be working a lot of overtime right now. Major character issues smother this team. Evander Kane's money stacks, Ondrej Pavelec's DUI, and Dustin Byfuglien's overall bad attitude. Oh yeah, they brought in Olli Jokinen, which will make the fans more angry AT the games. But don't worry, they aren't going back to Atlanta.
Central Division
1. Chicago Blackhawks (#3 seed in West)
People tend to overlook just how much talent this team has. The only problem is they lack consistent goaltending. Can Corey Crawford be a true #1? If so, watch out. And they'd better, otherwise this excellent young core will be dismantled.
2. Detroit Red Wings (#4 seed in West)
They lost mainstays Nicky Lidstrom and Tomas Holmstrom to retirement. My guess is this does not affect this team too much. Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk are more than capable of filling the leadership void. And Jimmy Howard will have another outstanding season. The faces change, but the stability remains the same.
3. St. Louis Blues (#6 seed in West)
As much as this young team impressed last year, I think they overachieved a bit. They take a step back this season. After David Backes, whom can you count on to score goals? Who is the true number #1 goalie, Brian Elliott of Jaroslav Halak? Their time will come, but this year will be a humbling one.
4. Nashville Predators
Yes, losing Ryan Suter hurts, but Shea Weber is still there. But they still have no offense, and will continue to rely heavily on Weber and goalie Pekka Rinne. Both are capable, but it's too much to ask.
5. Columbus Blue Jackets
Without Rick Nash, they simply are not an NHL-caliber team. Don't be surprised if this team only wins 5-10 games this short season. Poor Brandon Dubinsky and Artem Anisimov.
Northwest Division
1. Vancouver Canucks (#2 seed in West)
If Cory Schneider, not Roberto Luongo, gets the majority of starts between the pipes, Vancouver should contend for the Cup again. The core of the Sedins, Bieksa, Kesler, Burrows remain as strong and dangerous as ever. They were ambushed in the first round of the playoffs by LA last year. Don't expect the same this time around.
2. Edmonton Oilers (#7 seed in West)
My sleeper pick for 2013. Three consecutive #1 overall picks: Hall, RNH, and Yapukov. Add Jordan Eberle, and the signing of the offseason, Justin Schultz, and you have an exciting young team primed for something special. Don't be surprised if a surprise deep playoff run happens.
3. Minnesota Wild (#8 seed in West)
Zach Parise and Ryan Suter make Minnesota a playoff team, nothing more. Aside from their presence, there are still too many issues on offense and defense. But hey, more fannies will be in the seats!
4. Colorado Avalanche
The time has come for Matt Duchene to fill the void Joe Sakic left with his retirement. with Calder Trophy winner Gabriel Landeskog as the new captain, perhaps the burden of expectation will ease on the former top pick. They brought in P.A. Parenteau to shore up the offense, but can he duplicate what he did in Long Island? Other than that, the defense stinks.
5. Calgary Flames
The championship window on Jarome Iginla and Miikka Kiprusoff unfortunately has closed. If Calgary is out of contention at the deadline, expect Iginla to be the hottest name on the trading block. Dennis Wideman was a major bust on the blue line last season, and I don't expect him to improve.
Pacific Division
1. Los Angeles Kings (#1 seed in West)
The champs enter the new campaign with the championship team pretty much intact. The key will be if goaltender Jonathan Quick can stay healthy after offseason back surgery. Other than that, they just need to avoid a Cup hangover.
2. Phoenix Coyotes (#5 seed in West)
This team has done a fine job of handling the constant ownership distractions. They were able to bring back long time captain Shane Doan, and Mike Smith proved last season he is a #1 goalie. Their run to the conference final last year was not much of a surprise.
3. Anaheim Ducks
This team underachieved massively last season. Their top three forwards of Getzlaf, Perry, and Ryan are as good as anyone in the league. Jonas Hiller is a solid NHL goalie. So what was the problem? Expect big offensive numbers in Bruce Boudreau's system.
4. San Jose Sharks
You never know what you will get from this team. You'll either get a legit Cup contender or a massive underachiever. The talent is there, but it seems the intangibles aren't. If Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau won't take them to the next level, perhaps Logan Couture and Ryan Clowe should.
5. Dallas Stars
This team got older in the offseason, adding Ray Whitney, 40, and Jaromir Jagr, 41. Methinks this is simply a ploy to mentor young stars Jamie Benn, Mike Ribiero, and Loui Eriksson. This season has transition year written all over it.
Playoff predictions
Eastern
1 NYR 4, 8 TB 2
2 BOS 4, 7 NJ 3
6 OTT 4, 3 WSH 3
5 PHI 4, 4 PIT 3
NYR 4, OTT 2
BOS 4, PHI 3
NYR 4, BOS 2
Western
1 LA 4, 8 MIN 2
7 EDM 4, 2 VAN 3
3 CHI 4, 6 STL 2
5 PHX 4, 5 DET 3
LA 4, EDM 3
CHI 4, PHX 1
LA 4, CHI 3
Stanley Cup
New York Rangers 4, Los Angeles Kings 3
And in the spirit of predictions, here are my NFL conference championship picks:
San Francisco 27, Atlanta 20
New England 28, Baltimore 24
Til next week!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Never Forget What the NHL Did and Divisional Round Preview
Hallelujah!
There will be hockey in 2013! The stupidest, most pointless, most asinine work stoppage in the history of sports finally ended in the wee hours of Sunday morning, with the NHL and NHLPA agreeing to a new ten year collective barganing agreement.
Hockey fans all over the world rejoiced in excitement and relief, seemingly forgetting the past four months and the heartache, drama, and unnecessary anxiety caused by the warring factions.
Yes, I am excited as much as the next fan. Yes, I am anxious to watch my New York Rangers compete for a Stanley Cup.
However, we should never, ever let the NHL forget what they have done.
As mentioned in a previous post, the fans need to take a stand against these work stoppages. I argued that the fan backlash from the 1994 Major League Baseball strike scared MLB so much that they cannot possibly afford another work stoppage. The problem is, hockey fans are too loyal for their own good at times. Hockey fans need to treat the beginning of this season the way baseball fans treated the start of the 1995 season.
Gary Bettman and the owners need to see the empty seats. They need to see the microscoping TV ratings. They need to see a abysmal return on their merchandise.
If they don't, you can bank on another lockout at the expiration of the new CBA. And the NHL will do it because they know the fans are desperate enough for hockey they will come back and forgive.
I have said this before, and I will say it again. I will only watch Rangers games this season. I will not, however, be watching any other NHL games, nor will I be shelling out a penny on merchandise or tickets.
Bettman and the owners CANNOT take us for granted anymore. Make it happen, fans!
Now on to the NFL Divisional Playoff preview:
Baltimore at Denver.
Peyton Manning vs Ray Lewis in what may be Lewis' final game. Denver enters the playoffs not only as the hottest team in the NFL, but the best overall. Peyton is playing better than ever, and the defense is dominant. In the friendly confines of the mile high city, expect another dominant performance. I expect the Broncos to shut down Ray Rice the same way they did in Baltimore a few weeks ago. I expect them to rattle Joe Flacco into some big mistakes. The Broncos are simply better.
Denver 31, Baltimore 18.
Green Bay at San Francisco.
The best game of the weekend, and the one with the most storylines. Aaron Rodgers returns to his home region, to face the team that did not draft him first overall in the 2005 draft. The man the 49ers opted for instead, Alex Smith, is riding the bench in favor of Colin Kaepernick. There will be lots and lots of pressure on Kaepernick. Can he justify coach Jim Harbaugh's midseason decision to start him instead of Smith? With the 49ers one play away from the Super Bowl last season, he'd better. Otherwise, this season is a total failure for San Fran. The Niners' defense is banged up, and Rodgers has to be licking his chops. At the end, the Packers have the better quarterback and the most weapons. Expect a classic.
Green Bay 30, San Francisco 27.
Seattle at Atlanta.
All, and I mean ALL the pressure in this game is on the Falcons. They MUST win this game. They are 0-3 in the postseason in the Matty Ice/Mike Smith era, and this is the best team they have fielded. They faltered as a one seed two years ago, and they are back in the same position again. The problem is, they are facing a red-hot Seattle team with an absolute stud at quarterback that is getting more confident by the week. Oh, and Seattle's defense has the ability to force Matty Ice into some bad decisions. I wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta wins, but Seattle is the better team right now.
Seattle 27, Atlanta 23.
Houston at New England.
The Pats slaughtered Houston on Monday night a few weeks ago, 42-14. Since then, the Texans have struggled, losing 3 out of their last 4 games. They did beat Cincinnati at home last week, but what about that game gave you the idea the Texans from the first half of the season were back? The bottom line is, the Texans can talk all they want about how they learned from that loss and are a different team now. They are facing Brady and Belichick after a bye week. It won't be a blowout this time, but you just can't go against football's evil empire. Get ready for Brady vs Peyton.
New England 33, Houston 21.
Coming next week, at long last, my FULL NHL PREVIEW!!!!
There will be hockey in 2013! The stupidest, most pointless, most asinine work stoppage in the history of sports finally ended in the wee hours of Sunday morning, with the NHL and NHLPA agreeing to a new ten year collective barganing agreement.
Hockey fans all over the world rejoiced in excitement and relief, seemingly forgetting the past four months and the heartache, drama, and unnecessary anxiety caused by the warring factions.
Yes, I am excited as much as the next fan. Yes, I am anxious to watch my New York Rangers compete for a Stanley Cup.
However, we should never, ever let the NHL forget what they have done.
As mentioned in a previous post, the fans need to take a stand against these work stoppages. I argued that the fan backlash from the 1994 Major League Baseball strike scared MLB so much that they cannot possibly afford another work stoppage. The problem is, hockey fans are too loyal for their own good at times. Hockey fans need to treat the beginning of this season the way baseball fans treated the start of the 1995 season.
Gary Bettman and the owners need to see the empty seats. They need to see the microscoping TV ratings. They need to see a abysmal return on their merchandise.
If they don't, you can bank on another lockout at the expiration of the new CBA. And the NHL will do it because they know the fans are desperate enough for hockey they will come back and forgive.
I have said this before, and I will say it again. I will only watch Rangers games this season. I will not, however, be watching any other NHL games, nor will I be shelling out a penny on merchandise or tickets.
Bettman and the owners CANNOT take us for granted anymore. Make it happen, fans!
Now on to the NFL Divisional Playoff preview:
Baltimore at Denver.
Peyton Manning vs Ray Lewis in what may be Lewis' final game. Denver enters the playoffs not only as the hottest team in the NFL, but the best overall. Peyton is playing better than ever, and the defense is dominant. In the friendly confines of the mile high city, expect another dominant performance. I expect the Broncos to shut down Ray Rice the same way they did in Baltimore a few weeks ago. I expect them to rattle Joe Flacco into some big mistakes. The Broncos are simply better.
Denver 31, Baltimore 18.
Green Bay at San Francisco.
The best game of the weekend, and the one with the most storylines. Aaron Rodgers returns to his home region, to face the team that did not draft him first overall in the 2005 draft. The man the 49ers opted for instead, Alex Smith, is riding the bench in favor of Colin Kaepernick. There will be lots and lots of pressure on Kaepernick. Can he justify coach Jim Harbaugh's midseason decision to start him instead of Smith? With the 49ers one play away from the Super Bowl last season, he'd better. Otherwise, this season is a total failure for San Fran. The Niners' defense is banged up, and Rodgers has to be licking his chops. At the end, the Packers have the better quarterback and the most weapons. Expect a classic.
Green Bay 30, San Francisco 27.
Seattle at Atlanta.
All, and I mean ALL the pressure in this game is on the Falcons. They MUST win this game. They are 0-3 in the postseason in the Matty Ice/Mike Smith era, and this is the best team they have fielded. They faltered as a one seed two years ago, and they are back in the same position again. The problem is, they are facing a red-hot Seattle team with an absolute stud at quarterback that is getting more confident by the week. Oh, and Seattle's defense has the ability to force Matty Ice into some bad decisions. I wouldn't be surprised if Atlanta wins, but Seattle is the better team right now.
Seattle 27, Atlanta 23.
Houston at New England.
The Pats slaughtered Houston on Monday night a few weeks ago, 42-14. Since then, the Texans have struggled, losing 3 out of their last 4 games. They did beat Cincinnati at home last week, but what about that game gave you the idea the Texans from the first half of the season were back? The bottom line is, the Texans can talk all they want about how they learned from that loss and are a different team now. They are facing Brady and Belichick after a bye week. It won't be a blowout this time, but you just can't go against football's evil empire. Get ready for Brady vs Peyton.
New England 33, Houston 21.
Coming next week, at long last, my FULL NHL PREVIEW!!!!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Latest NHL Lockout Rant
The circus act, dog and pony show, or just plain monstrosity continues.
The NHL lockout has reached day 110, and we are still no closer to a resolution than we were three weeks ago, when commissioner Gary Bettman stormed out of a negotation session in as juvenile a display of emotion as ever shown by a man of his age.
Sure, we've heard about "progress" this and progress that. The only real progress is when a new collective bargaining agreement is announced. Who knows when this will be?
In fact, why has it taken this long for real negotiations to begin?
Bettman has declared Friday, January 11 as the last possible date an agreement can be reached in order to salvage a 48 game season. The "drop dead date", if you will.
Which means the two sides now have exactly one week to salvage the season, and frankly, the sport of hockey.
This all makes you wonder, what exactly are Bettman and NHLPA head Donald Fehr's true intentions? Do they really care about the game? We already can tell they don't care about the fans.
According to reports, big market owners such as Jim Dolan of the Rangers pled with Bettman to resume negotiations, despite the NHL's declaration that the NHLPA come up with a fresh idea or two to jumpstart talks. Bettman's hardline approach to negotations not only cripples the game itself, but it also cripples league revenues. If Bettman truly cares this much about money, does he even realize how much his league is losing the longer this process is prolonged?
Well, as long as he is having fun bullying the players, it will continue.
Speaking of the players, they are far from innocent, too. They hired Donald Fehr to run the union because of his no-nonsense, tough approach to negotiations. They had to have known there would be a prolonged labor fight. They were bullied around by Bettman and the owners during the last two lockouts. They were not going to be bullied this time. They know Fehr is the man responsible for a canceled World Series. They know what kind of businessman he is. If the players really care about getting on the ice, they would find a way to work with Bettman, for better or for worse.
Well, guess what, players? You're being bullied around again. We know Bettman's intentions. What exactly are yours?
The other day, I was watching the movie "Wall Street." As the movie progressed, it's protagonist, Gordon Gekko, started to remind me more and more of Gary Bettman. Both are money-hungry, hard-nosed businessmen that don't care who they have to hurt or offend. As long as they get their money, all is right in their world. To them, greed is good.
Unfortunately, this creed has become, well, a creed for major sports commissioners. We've seen the NFL and NBA lock out under similar circumstances the last two years. It begs the question: are lockouts becoming the norm in sports? Will major league sports commissioners use the expiration of every collective bargaining agreement as an excuse to lock out their sports in an opportunity to cripple the players' unions? Hey, if it makes good business sense, why not?
And the other reason? They all take the fans for granted. They assume the fans will come back in drove because either, A. they miss their favorite sport so much they will run back to it like finding a long lost lover, B. people are desperate for entertainment, or C. they think the fans are dumb. All are plausible.
So fans, do you know how to end sports labor disputes once and for all? BOYCOTT THESE LEAGUES!
Do you wonder why Major League Baseball has had labor peace since the 1994 strike? Remember all the empty seats in nearly 90% of MLB parks during the 1995 season? It scared the pants off MLB. They know they cannot afford another repeat of '94 after seeing the fan backlash.
Whenever the NHL comes back, we fans need to send a message. Leave NHL arenas empty. Let the owners and Bettman lose more money. I will guarantee it will scare the pants off them. I guarantee they will no longer take the fans for granted. I guarantee they will no longer see that greed is good. It's the only way.
Hey, if Congress can solve the fiscal cliff, why can't the NHL resolve this lockout?
One week to go, folks. Start praying.
The NHL lockout has reached day 110, and we are still no closer to a resolution than we were three weeks ago, when commissioner Gary Bettman stormed out of a negotation session in as juvenile a display of emotion as ever shown by a man of his age.
Sure, we've heard about "progress" this and progress that. The only real progress is when a new collective bargaining agreement is announced. Who knows when this will be?
In fact, why has it taken this long for real negotiations to begin?
Bettman has declared Friday, January 11 as the last possible date an agreement can be reached in order to salvage a 48 game season. The "drop dead date", if you will.
Which means the two sides now have exactly one week to salvage the season, and frankly, the sport of hockey.
This all makes you wonder, what exactly are Bettman and NHLPA head Donald Fehr's true intentions? Do they really care about the game? We already can tell they don't care about the fans.
According to reports, big market owners such as Jim Dolan of the Rangers pled with Bettman to resume negotiations, despite the NHL's declaration that the NHLPA come up with a fresh idea or two to jumpstart talks. Bettman's hardline approach to negotations not only cripples the game itself, but it also cripples league revenues. If Bettman truly cares this much about money, does he even realize how much his league is losing the longer this process is prolonged?
Well, as long as he is having fun bullying the players, it will continue.
Speaking of the players, they are far from innocent, too. They hired Donald Fehr to run the union because of his no-nonsense, tough approach to negotiations. They had to have known there would be a prolonged labor fight. They were bullied around by Bettman and the owners during the last two lockouts. They were not going to be bullied this time. They know Fehr is the man responsible for a canceled World Series. They know what kind of businessman he is. If the players really care about getting on the ice, they would find a way to work with Bettman, for better or for worse.
Well, guess what, players? You're being bullied around again. We know Bettman's intentions. What exactly are yours?
The other day, I was watching the movie "Wall Street." As the movie progressed, it's protagonist, Gordon Gekko, started to remind me more and more of Gary Bettman. Both are money-hungry, hard-nosed businessmen that don't care who they have to hurt or offend. As long as they get their money, all is right in their world. To them, greed is good.
Unfortunately, this creed has become, well, a creed for major sports commissioners. We've seen the NFL and NBA lock out under similar circumstances the last two years. It begs the question: are lockouts becoming the norm in sports? Will major league sports commissioners use the expiration of every collective bargaining agreement as an excuse to lock out their sports in an opportunity to cripple the players' unions? Hey, if it makes good business sense, why not?
And the other reason? They all take the fans for granted. They assume the fans will come back in drove because either, A. they miss their favorite sport so much they will run back to it like finding a long lost lover, B. people are desperate for entertainment, or C. they think the fans are dumb. All are plausible.
So fans, do you know how to end sports labor disputes once and for all? BOYCOTT THESE LEAGUES!
Do you wonder why Major League Baseball has had labor peace since the 1994 strike? Remember all the empty seats in nearly 90% of MLB parks during the 1995 season? It scared the pants off MLB. They know they cannot afford another repeat of '94 after seeing the fan backlash.
Whenever the NHL comes back, we fans need to send a message. Leave NHL arenas empty. Let the owners and Bettman lose more money. I will guarantee it will scare the pants off them. I guarantee they will no longer take the fans for granted. I guarantee they will no longer see that greed is good. It's the only way.
Hey, if Congress can solve the fiscal cliff, why can't the NHL resolve this lockout?
One week to go, folks. Start praying.
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