The all star captains have been named: Lidstrom and E. Staal. While I'm ok with the nod to Lidstrom based on oh I don't know his whole career, but Staal? Had this event been anywhere else, Staal isn't even in the running.
Which sort of leads nicely into this next bit of news. There is a story going around that Sid Crosby will sit out of the all star game in protest of the head shots. Look, I love Sid but he's vanilla. He's not going to sit out. Period. He'll go and if he can't play, he'll make nice just like he did in Montreal. He's the NHL corporate boy. He knows his role (plus he was voted in. He's bright enough to know that fans want to see him there; he will not disappoint). However I wonder if that rumor had anything to do with Crosby not being named one of the captains.
Or is the league *gasp* trying to expose other players? Say it's not so! What will all the haters do when Sid and Ovie are not "shoved down their throats"?
The Panthers coasted to a 2-0 lead over Atlanta only to watch the Thrash score two goals in the last two minutes of the game to push it to a shootout. Atlanta won. Florida is finding new and creative ways to lose games. If there is a case study in contraction, may I give you exhibit A.
Finally there are game on TV tonight that I actually care about. Granted I won't be able to see two of them (the wings play the pens so that will be blacked out and the Buffalo v Montreal game is on Versus) so that leaves me Colorado and Vancouver. Starting at 9 my time. Stupid time zones. My dog Max is a patient sort of guy but he won't wait that long for an end of the game potty break.
Showing posts with label Cap't Nick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cap't Nick. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, May 4, 2009
Hi there old friend
Here is my brief recap of the weekend hockey:
1. Chicago scored lots of goals. Vancouver did not.
2. Marc-Andre let in a softie and I still don't like the Craps.
3. I should have stuck to my "no watching OT games in the playoffs" rule.
4. Never underestimate a team with Ronnie Francis behind the net.
Today, I'm looking at the NHL annual award presentations. There are a lot that I don't agree with but I'm gonna just take a look at a few.
Jack Adams award (coach of the year). Nominated are Todd McLellan, Claude Julien, and Andy Murray. I like Todd I really do. I thought he took a talented team and went far with it. Same goes for Claude (who I don't have a personal preference for one way or the other). This award has to go to Andy Murray. Was there a coach out there who did more with less? No. Getting the Blues to 6th in the West was no fluke. This cat can coach.
Bill Masterton Trophy (The player "who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey"). Nominated are Chris Chelios (who contrary to popular, not ever Wing fan loves him. I can't stand him - am I the only person to remember how he used to abuse Stevie? Plus I find his frat boy behavior to be a bit much. He's just gross. That's it. Chris Cheligross. But I digress), Richard Zednik, Steve Sullivan. Honestly if you get your throat sliced open by a teammate on the ice, have the wits about you to make it to the bench so you DON'T DIE, and come back to play the game again.... no matter what anyone else does, you can't top that. Zednik in a landslide.
Calder (rookie of the year). Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason, Anaheim Ducks forward Bobby Ryan and Chicago Blackhawks forward Kris Versteeg are all up for this award. As much as my counterpart loves her Bobby, I gotta put my vote (like I have a say) toward Mason. His record alone puts him up there as top 'tender but the fact that he's a rookie and had ten shutouts? Has a rookie goalie since Roy done that? Did Roy do that? Yeah, I'm plugging for Mason.
Hart (writers MVP). I'm really not liking the candidates for this one. Way back when, this award was not automatically to the best player in the league, but to the player judged to be most valuable to his team. I mean props to Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, and Pavel Datsyuk, but I don't think they were the most valuable to their teams. All important to their teams, yes. That's a given. But where would the Bruins be without Thomas? Where would Chicago be without Kane or Toews? Nashville without Sullivan? The Devils without that goalie not named Marty (Clemmensen, I know.)? I mean really, those teams had guys who were more important overall. I'm not going to pick a winner here because it's sadly become a popularity contest. I'm more interested in the Pearson award anyway.
Norris (Top defenseman). Again this award has changed in meaning. No longer is the best defenseman always nominated. When Lidstrom wins, I think it's fair. I'm not being a homer here. Find me a better defenseman and I'll listen to the argument. But Lidstrom is rarely out of position and makes the game look easy. Games where you don't hear about him just means he's doing his job. This year, he's nominated again along with Chara and Green. While I have no problems withthe baby eater Chara, it's Green I do. On most nights, he's a disaster on the blue line. Yes, he gets his points and his plus ratings but I just don't see him as one of the Top DEFENSEmen of the league. Offsensman, sure. Give him the Paul Coffee award or something, but not the Norris. It's a toss up for me between Nick and Chara.
Vezina (best goalie). Steve Mason, Minnesota Wild's Niklas Backstrom, and Tim Thomas nominated. There is that Mason kid again. I think it's a feel good story for Thomas to be nominated and I'd be ok if he won. He back stopped a team that vied for the President's trophy all year. He's one hell of a goalie. I've pitched my thoughts for Mason as MVP, I think it's safe to say I'd be ok with him winning the Vezina. I honestly don't know about Backstrom as I found the Wild just painful to watch this season.
There are other awards out there but I don't really have an opinion one way or the other. Have an opinion, share it please. I've probably picked all the non winners but hey, that's what blogging is all about right?
See that tag called "overtagging"? That's what happens when you have too many tags. I had to edit my tags. What the frak?
Until next time, happy hockey!
1. Chicago scored lots of goals. Vancouver did not.
2. Marc-Andre let in a softie and I still don't like the Craps.
3. I should have stuck to my "no watching OT games in the playoffs" rule.
4. Never underestimate a team with Ronnie Francis behind the net.
Today, I'm looking at the NHL annual award presentations. There are a lot that I don't agree with but I'm gonna just take a look at a few.
Jack Adams award (coach of the year). Nominated are Todd McLellan, Claude Julien, and Andy Murray. I like Todd I really do. I thought he took a talented team and went far with it. Same goes for Claude (who I don't have a personal preference for one way or the other). This award has to go to Andy Murray. Was there a coach out there who did more with less? No. Getting the Blues to 6th in the West was no fluke. This cat can coach.
Bill Masterton Trophy (The player "who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey"). Nominated are Chris Chelios (who contrary to popular, not ever Wing fan loves him. I can't stand him - am I the only person to remember how he used to abuse Stevie? Plus I find his frat boy behavior to be a bit much. He's just gross. That's it. Chris Cheligross. But I digress), Richard Zednik, Steve Sullivan. Honestly if you get your throat sliced open by a teammate on the ice, have the wits about you to make it to the bench so you DON'T DIE, and come back to play the game again.... no matter what anyone else does, you can't top that. Zednik in a landslide.
Calder (rookie of the year). Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason, Anaheim Ducks forward Bobby Ryan and Chicago Blackhawks forward Kris Versteeg are all up for this award. As much as my counterpart loves her Bobby, I gotta put my vote (like I have a say) toward Mason. His record alone puts him up there as top 'tender but the fact that he's a rookie and had ten shutouts? Has a rookie goalie since Roy done that? Did Roy do that? Yeah, I'm plugging for Mason.
Hart (writers MVP). I'm really not liking the candidates for this one. Way back when, this award was not automatically to the best player in the league, but to the player judged to be most valuable to his team. I mean props to Alexander Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, and Pavel Datsyuk, but I don't think they were the most valuable to their teams. All important to their teams, yes. That's a given. But where would the Bruins be without Thomas? Where would Chicago be without Kane or Toews? Nashville without Sullivan? The Devils without that goalie not named Marty (Clemmensen, I know.)? I mean really, those teams had guys who were more important overall. I'm not going to pick a winner here because it's sadly become a popularity contest. I'm more interested in the Pearson award anyway.
Norris (Top defenseman). Again this award has changed in meaning. No longer is the best defenseman always nominated. When Lidstrom wins, I think it's fair. I'm not being a homer here. Find me a better defenseman and I'll listen to the argument. But Lidstrom is rarely out of position and makes the game look easy. Games where you don't hear about him just means he's doing his job. This year, he's nominated again along with Chara and Green. While I have no problems with
Vezina (best goalie). Steve Mason, Minnesota Wild's Niklas Backstrom, and Tim Thomas nominated. There is that Mason kid again. I think it's a feel good story for Thomas to be nominated and I'd be ok if he won. He back stopped a team that vied for the President's trophy all year. He's one hell of a goalie. I've pitched my thoughts for Mason as MVP, I think it's safe to say I'd be ok with him winning the Vezina. I honestly don't know about Backstrom as I found the Wild just painful to watch this season.
There are other awards out there but I don't really have an opinion one way or the other. Have an opinion, share it please. I've probably picked all the non winners but hey, that's what blogging is all about right?
See that tag called "overtagging"? That's what happens when you have too many tags. I had to edit my tags. What the frak?
Until next time, happy hockey!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Number 5 in the program...
My first hockey sweater I ever purchased was a Steve Yzerman sweater. He was the captain of my team and he had been the captain for as long as I had followed hockey at my top sport. He was my captain.
Nick Lidstrom came to Detroit a quiet but steady defenseman in 1991. The Wings were on the rise and they had a world of promise. Lidstrom came to Detroit the same year as Vladimir Konstantinov but they were total opposites. Vladdie went for the booming devastating hits while Nick went for the smart plays, almost at time avoiding the hit to keep the puck alive. In 1992, they were both selected to the all rookie team.
While people didn't talk about his retirement from the game, there was the obligatory "[fill in the blank] will be Detroit's next captain." The 'fill in the blank' was usually Martin LaPointe or Kris Draper and even the occasional Darren McCarty. You really didn't hear Nick's name in the mix.
But Nick went on with his game - the same dependable reliable number 5 on the blue line. He wore an A for several seasons, but it's like the old saying goes, if you didn't notice a defenseman in a game, he was doing his job. Nick did his job with amazing skill.
When he was named the captain of the Wings, people just sort of nodded and said "oh yes, that makes sense. Why didn't we see it?". Mostly because Nick went on his way, playing the same smart capable game he's always played. Shy with the media, not making a scene. You never hear of Nick out on the town drinking with suspected minors (ok you can add him to the list of players from my post of yesterday; him and Sid)
The 6 time Norris trophy winner, the first European player to with the Conn Smythe and lead his team to the Stanley Cup; the 11 time all star.... he's the boy in high school that was always around but you never really paid attention to. Then at your ten year reunion you see him and thing how in the heck did I miss out on that action.
He scored two goals last night in a win against Nashville. Doing what he always does - reading the play well; shooting at the right times; picking his spots.
He's Mr. Dependable. He's a calming force. He's my captain.
Nick Lidstrom came to Detroit a quiet but steady defenseman in 1991. The Wings were on the rise and they had a world of promise. Lidstrom came to Detroit the same year as Vladimir Konstantinov but they were total opposites. Vladdie went for the booming devastating hits while Nick went for the smart plays, almost at time avoiding the hit to keep the puck alive. In 1992, they were both selected to the all rookie team.
While people didn't talk about his retirement from the game, there was the obligatory "[fill in the blank] will be Detroit's next captain." The 'fill in the blank' was usually Martin LaPointe or Kris Draper and even the occasional Darren McCarty. You really didn't hear Nick's name in the mix.
But Nick went on with his game - the same dependable reliable number 5 on the blue line. He wore an A for several seasons, but it's like the old saying goes, if you didn't notice a defenseman in a game, he was doing his job. Nick did his job with amazing skill.
When he was named the captain of the Wings, people just sort of nodded and said "oh yes, that makes sense. Why didn't we see it?". Mostly because Nick went on his way, playing the same smart capable game he's always played. Shy with the media, not making a scene. You never hear of Nick out on the town drinking with suspected minors (ok you can add him to the list of players from my post of yesterday; him and Sid)
The 6 time Norris trophy winner, the first European player to with the Conn Smythe and lead his team to the Stanley Cup; the 11 time all star.... he's the boy in high school that was always around but you never really paid attention to. Then at your ten year reunion you see him and thing how in the heck did I miss out on that action.
He scored two goals last night in a win against Nashville. Doing what he always does - reading the play well; shooting at the right times; picking his spots.
He's Mr. Dependable. He's a calming force. He's my captain.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
