Again a little dated, but I’m sure you’ll forgive me. . .hopefully.
So apparently some people (umm, yes you, Rangers fans) are already planning to boo Sean Avery when he returns to the Garden in October. Why you ask? Because he gave an interview, upon his official unveiling in Dallas, where he said:
"It's certainly a better team than the one I formerly played on.”
Umm, yeah. So, what, Rangers fans are now mad at people who tell the truth?
I’m sorry. Rangers fan or not, the Dallas Stars were a much better team than the Rangers were last year. Much. And, my personal opinion is, that, if Detroit did not go on such an absolute tear after they finally got past Nashville (a team I had a feeling they would struggle against), Dallas might very well have ended up Stanley Cup Champions. If they weren’t too tired from all the fire power the West had to offer, that is. But, regardless, Dallas was a very good team. The big question was Marty Turco and his inability to play his strongest and most consistent when it counted. He passed that test. And Brenden Morrow was an animal (still shaking head thinking about poor Milan Michalek) in the playoffs.
On the other hand, the Rangers had a mediocre year. Really. Their best scorer had his worst statistical season. The rest of the guys who were supposed to score, umm, didn’t. They won one game against a Western Conference team all season. ONE game. And it wasn’t even an overly spectacular one against a somewhat tired San Jose. They had the worst, most uninspired West Coast trip I’ve seen in a long time. If I wasn’t drunk through most of the Minnesota/NY game in December, I’d have been crying. (Marian Gaborik might still be smiling over that one. And in fairness, credit Gaborik when due – he had a night for all nights). There was the unprecedented 5 goal meltdown in Montreal in February. (And since we’re keeping the tear count, I think I did cry that night). With the exception of a season long domination of the team in New Jersey, there was not much this team was dominating, let’s not kid ourselves. Sure, there were some good moments that stick out for me. Stephen Valiquette getting his groove on and dismantling a very good Flyers team on more than one occasion. Brendan Shanahan and Nigel Dawes putting on a very nice string of shootout game winners. A very good month of November.
When all is said and done, that’s what sticks out. It was not a great year. And that not great year culminated in the Rangers taking out rival NJ in the first round in decisive fashion and then blowing a 3-0 lead in game one against Pittsburgh, before going down 3-0 in the series, and eventually falling out of the playoffs entirely. (And yes, for the record, there were definitely tears on that Friday night of game 1 against the Pens. And there might have been throwing things too. Kinda fuzzy on the details, I’ll admit).
Anyway, the point is, Rangers fans, you can’t really say he’s lying. You can hate the fact he chose to mention it. But…guess what? He’s Sean Avery. He’s going to say things that get to you. That’s how it operates. And you know what, that’s why you liked him in the first place. I know that’s part of the reason I like him. So I’m not, for his one press conference, at his unveiling for his new team, going to give him crap for saying that he’s now on a better team. Not going to happen. Especially since for all due honesty, it is, in fact, true.
You know what else, though? How many people paid attention to the interview Sean gave BEFORE he left New York. The city, not the team. Post Free Agent Frenzy, Sean was still living in NY. He gave a phone press conference to the good people of Dallas. From his bathtub. Yes, you heard me. Again, people – Sean Avery. So Sean’s in his luxurious bathtub in NYC and he’s saying how much he didn’t really want to leave NY and how much he loved it and “does” love it. How much he wants to come back. Not necessarily back to the team, but back to the city. He knew he was loved. He acknowledged the fans. If anything I felt for him in listening to that interview. Felt that he was struggling to say good things about Dallas and bad things about NY. The news was still raw.
Fast forward to August 6th. He’s unveiled in Dallas in apparently what was quite a Sean Avery outfit if there ever were one. He’s had a month to think about where he’s going and what he’s saying. And you think for a second he’s going to answer any question directed toward him with one of the following. “I love NY.” “I miss NY.” “I am a Ranger!” Come on. Really. All the guy said is that the team was better, he thinks it’s a better opportunity and they have a better chance to win.
Someone please tell me which of those is either untrue, or wrong of him to say when he’s being officially welcomed to his new team.
Seriously, guys, be thankful that is the WORST thing he said.
In closing. I’ll hold true to my original statement. I don’t think Sean Avery was vital to the NY Rangers, but I do think he’s absence will change the landscape of the team. (as will Jagr’s, Straka’s, etc.) Things will undoubtedly be less colorful in New York without him. Those are facts. I know I’ll miss him.
Will the Rangers be a good team next year or a better team? No way to know. Really, there’s no way to know. Will Dallas be a better team for getting Sean Avery? That, my friends, I don’t know either. But, they will undoubtedly be more interesting a team. Whether he’s fighting his team or the other team, he’ll fight. Whether he’s yapping at his team or the other team, he’ll be yapping. Sean is Sean. And, relax, Dallas fans. Relax. I hesitated to want Sean Avery on my team when he first came. I did. I admit it. You might be hesitant too. But most of you will be on a different bandwagon when the new season starts and #16 is playing for the black, green, and gold. A new wagon driven and decorated by the stylings of Sean Avery.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The extra (although somewhat dated) stuff. . .
Alright, so there are a few things I’ve been delaying in blogging about. Either because I’ve been busy (which is true) or because I guess I was trying really hard to forget about them (which I guess I won’t try to deny). Here’s the random conglomeration one, because the other one turned from a paragraph into a giant book about #93. So. . .
-Mike Millbury being tapped to do Hockey Night in Canada. Really? Having to watch him on NBC (which I only watched during the playoffs or when the Rangers were on, for the most part) attacking people left and right wasn’t enough? Watching him with the Islanders wasn’t enough? Having him breathe the same air as me. . .okay. Okay. I’m done. But I really do not like the guy. Maybe he’s a nice guy. Maybe. But he strikes me as a moron. A smug, pompous moron. A moron who’d rather bash someone. A moron who’d rather talk loudly to try to make a point rather than think clearly and really make one that matters. Let’s just say he’s just not for me. Now maybe some people like him. That may be. Maybe Canada will love him. But as a fan who really for the first time this past year avidly took advantage of watching HNIC, it makes me want to puke. Just what role is he going to have? A Don Cherry like one? Please do not tell me they will have him on with Ron MacLean. Or mess up the tandem of Scott Oake and Kelly Hrudey on After Hours (not that I really think they would). But honestly, if they mess with what I like about HNIC, I’m going to be very, very disappointed. You already lost a long honored and highly respected theme song. What’s next? Seriously. I might have to get a l…li….life on Saturday nights – you know, go out and not watch hockey. And that is just unacceptable for me, because I happen to believe that watching hockey on Saturday night is very much a life and one that I very much enjoy. Oh and if he’s replacing PJ Stock. . .I am going to be livid. I’m still laughing about the “t-he” comment from last March. Hilarious stuff.
-Now, I know, I know, the Summer of Sundin still rages on. Or is losing steam? If the Rangers still weren’t rumored to be one of the teams still in it, I’ll admit I would have given up paying attention a long time ago. And I must apologize because this is horribly dated now because I must have listened to that segment on Vancouver’s Team 1040 more than three weeks ago? But it was still funny how the people and businesses of Vancouver took to trying to bribe Mats to come to town. Cars! Free pizza for life! These are just some of the things that people were using to lure the great #13 to Canuckville. See below in an article from Vancouver’s The Province for more details and offers. Very funny:
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=6bbcc025-f02e-42f5-8a59-c9fa094c32fc
Now who said $20 million can’t buy everything? :)
-Mike Millbury being tapped to do Hockey Night in Canada. Really? Having to watch him on NBC (which I only watched during the playoffs or when the Rangers were on, for the most part) attacking people left and right wasn’t enough? Watching him with the Islanders wasn’t enough? Having him breathe the same air as me. . .okay. Okay. I’m done. But I really do not like the guy. Maybe he’s a nice guy. Maybe. But he strikes me as a moron. A smug, pompous moron. A moron who’d rather bash someone. A moron who’d rather talk loudly to try to make a point rather than think clearly and really make one that matters. Let’s just say he’s just not for me. Now maybe some people like him. That may be. Maybe Canada will love him. But as a fan who really for the first time this past year avidly took advantage of watching HNIC, it makes me want to puke. Just what role is he going to have? A Don Cherry like one? Please do not tell me they will have him on with Ron MacLean. Or mess up the tandem of Scott Oake and Kelly Hrudey on After Hours (not that I really think they would). But honestly, if they mess with what I like about HNIC, I’m going to be very, very disappointed. You already lost a long honored and highly respected theme song. What’s next? Seriously. I might have to get a l…li….life on Saturday nights – you know, go out and not watch hockey. And that is just unacceptable for me, because I happen to believe that watching hockey on Saturday night is very much a life and one that I very much enjoy. Oh and if he’s replacing PJ Stock. . .I am going to be livid. I’m still laughing about the “t-he” comment from last March. Hilarious stuff.
-Now, I know, I know, the Summer of Sundin still rages on. Or is losing steam? If the Rangers still weren’t rumored to be one of the teams still in it, I’ll admit I would have given up paying attention a long time ago. And I must apologize because this is horribly dated now because I must have listened to that segment on Vancouver’s Team 1040 more than three weeks ago? But it was still funny how the people and businesses of Vancouver took to trying to bribe Mats to come to town. Cars! Free pizza for life! These are just some of the things that people were using to lure the great #13 to Canuckville. See below in an article from Vancouver’s The Province for more details and offers. Very funny:
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/sports/story.html?id=6bbcc025-f02e-42f5-8a59-c9fa094c32fc
Now who said $20 million can’t buy everything? :)
The Great Petr Nedved Debate. . .
What was originally a paragraph, now quite a novel. I bring you the great Petr Nedved debate:
Petr Nedved is coming to training camp. For the New York Rangers. No, silly, it’s not 2001. Now why on Earth would you think that? :p
Anyway, overall I’d say the opinions on the Rangers hockey boards are about 97% against this. It’s a joke, they say. Yikes, say others. Others come in with huh? And yet others – plenty of others – say things too crude or too colorful for Natural Hat Trick Productions to reprint. (at least not in this blog!) But use your imagination.
And me. I say, quite honestly - why not?
Now, I must be candid in saying I was one of Nedved’s supporters when he was here. I still, to this day, do not know how you can criticize a guy who had the best numbers on a team. On a very bad team, sure. But the best numbers. And, for most of his years here, better numbers than any Rangers player had during the 2007-2008 season. By far. But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
I respect Nedved. I think that not one of us (unless you were a 17 defect of what was at the time Czechoslovakia held under Soviet rule that happens to be reading this blog) can ever, ever comprehend the sacrifices this guy made to play hockey. You can hate him – the way he plays, the way he talks, the way he walks - for all I care. But, you can’t hate him because he’s a coward. For that, he is not. Now I’ve said it before (and I might have said it before in this blog and if I did so please forgive me) that I know that Europeans tend to mature quicker than those of us living in North America. It’s a different world over there. More independence and more maturity at younger ages. But come on. You tell me it wasn’t hard, at age 17, to leave your home country, without knowing if you’d ever be allowed to return. If you’d ever see your parents again. Your home again. If you’d even make it out of there alive. Those are very scary things. I can’t even imagine having that kind of courage. But Petr made those sacrifices to escape a communist regime and come play hockey in the NHL. Because he wanted to. It was that important to him.
So we could sit here all day and discuss the why he should or why he should not make the team. I don’t know the answers to that. If the Rangers are at training camp any example of the puzzle they appear to be right now, no one knows that answer. I’m merely sitting here saying that the guy should not be attacked and that if anyone deserves the benefit of a doubt it’s a guy that has been through what he has in his life, and who has given, quite admirably considering all the crap he had to endure when he was here, some really good years to the New York Rangers. If they want to give him a try-out, no strings attached, then that’s great. I’m all for it.
Now, to take a few extra minutes of your time, let’s go a hypothetical step further. Say he tries out and looks good. (Hey, anything can happen in Rangerland people). Petr Nedved, despite every horrible (although, yes, at times slightly chuckle worthy) taunts he had to endure during his time in New York, was a good player. A very good player by the standards of those playing on a team that had eight playoff-less years. For a fact, he led the team in scoring twice (99-00, 02-03) and the team in goals twice (00-01, 02-03). Now, I can’t have to tell you those were banner years here. They were not. The 2000-2001 season was three years removed from Mark Messier, the first year without Wayne Gretzky, and Adam Graves’ final year on Broadway, and as such the Rangers were without much tangible direction. That’s putting it nicely. And yet this guy from Czech Republic, in his second stint with the Rangers, came to play. His best year, arguably, was that 2000-2001 season, the year he played with fellow Czechs Jan Hlavac and Radek Dvorak, and the year those linemates (Czechmates if you will) combined for 91 goals and Nedved was 26th in the league in scoring. On many nights it was a situation where if they didn’t “go, fight, win,” the rest of the team, well, the rest of the team did not follow suit.
Fans that taunted in the years that followed and that still, to this day, cannot think of anything worse than having him on their team, obviously forget that he was one of the ONLY reasons to cheer back then. Mike Richter, incredibly unfortunately, spent the early 2000s injured in one way or another. The back to back seasons of ligament damage followed by the concussion in the following was most unnecessarily cruel. The team aimed and missed with the signing of many former elite players – who I won’t take the time or bring back the memories to list here - who just never hit their stride in NY. Trust me. The days were bleak and the fans were happy to have something to cheer about. Someone to score goals. And yes, someONE to cheer for!
How soon we forget.
Now it’s been said that Nedved’s goals were mostly of the garbage variety. Scratch that, not garbage in the sense of crappy goals in front of the net going off his shin pads or his skates. But goals that were throwaway. That’s the word. A fifth goal in a 5-1 win. Or an only goal in a 6-1 loss. I’m sorry, but I’m really not going to sit here and argue whether his goals were the most meaningful and clutch and super-important goals in Rangers history when ANY goals during that time period must have been better than nothing. I mean come on. I am not a fan of low scoring games (and if the 2008-2009 New York Rangers become the 1995-2000 New Jersey Devils, I’m seriously going to vomit) and I never have been. (Exception. Mike Mussina for New York, David Cone for Boston, early September 2001. Both held no hitters into the late innings; Mussina was almost perfect. A single in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs. Perfect game – over. THAT was one of my favorite games. One of the best I’ve ever seen. But those are rare.) Give me 6-4 wins. Honestly. I loved that 7-0 blowout of the Bruins at the Garden on St. Patrick’s Day 2007 because the horn was constantly sounding. And you know what, the Rangers and Boston have almost always played to 1-0 shootout games in recent history. That 7-0 game was the abnormality, but that was fun. Seriously though, when I went to one game a year (and that was the case from the early nineties through, umm, about 2003) I prayed the team would win. (which I think happened once, maybe twice). But I certainly prayed they’d score. I didn’t care if it was Mark Messier or Wayne Gretzky, or Jeff Toms or Valeri Kamensky or Sylvain Lefebvre. Or Petr Nedved. As long as the goal light went on and the horn sounded. (remember this was before the days of let’s review every single little goal, so you were pretty sure it counted the first time!)
And all that said, it just so happened that Petr Nedved was not only not a bad player when he was in New York. From 1998-2004, he was one of the better. Argue all you want that, well, he was the best of the worst. I’m sorry. There were some really bad years in there, yes. But there is always a shining light. Admit it or not, like it or not - Nedved was one of ours.
And sure, some may argue that in his last year here, he had one of his worst seasons. Well I’ll tell you what. Everyone was on the decline that year. Everyone. I think the Rangers won 12 games at home that entire year. Maybe 14. No one was good that year. Honestly. No one. So get over it.
Now, back to the present. Apparently Nedved has said that if he makes the team, he only expects to play a few minutes on the third or fourth line. And, unlike Shanahan, who towards the tail end of last season needed a rest and apparently refused to take or was not given 4th line minutes and minimal special teams play in order to get that rest, I believe Nedved knows what he wants and what he can produce. (No disrespect to Shanny who has been a GREAT player for the Rangers and someone I have personally enjoyed watching play very much, but it’s the truth, one way or the other; he played too much last year while injured and recuperating from injury). If Nedved dazzles at training camp and wins the 4th line center position – does anyone honestly think the 4th line will score less goals than they did last year (Betts – 2, Orr – 1, Hollweg - 2) ? Honestly? I like Blair Betts just fine, but I think Nedved might actually provide a bit of an offensive boost to the 4th line. Again, really, you think Nedved himself might get more than 5 goals, not to mention set up at least 15? Really (and all inaccuracy jokes aside)? I do.
Now does it have to be Nedved – no. If someone else, someone from Hartford perhaps, blows up in training camp, should the Rangers still give the position to #93 because they owe it to him – no. If Nedved just plain out sucks, should we all just call it a nice little experiment and move on – yes.
But all ignorant and childish comments aside, what would be the worst that happens? You get a little veteran leadership. You get someone who wants to Be a Ranger! (and has been a Ranger, has played well as a Ranger, etc). You get a guy that can potentially and will most likely score more than your whole forth line combined for last season. To borrow a phrase from Tommy Solomon in one of the funniest episodes of Third Rock from the Sun ever – “You’re going to have to help me out here, because I’m not seeing the downside.”
Nedved is 37. Will be 38 in December. This is not a forever thing. This is a one year, see where the future takes you; I’m along for the ride type thing. If it even happens. If it even happens.
But honestly, with the question marks adding up surrounding this year’s team. I’ve already thrown it out there that I think the Powerplay can’t possibly be any worse (although as a Rangers fan I am always open to that possibility) next year. But wouldn’t I like to have a guy that has been there before. Because, you know what. Not to pick on Chris Drury – although honestly until he proves to me he’s worth 7- million a year, I’m gonna – but for his 710 NHL games, Mr. Clutch has 44 game winning goals. For his 982 NHL games, Petr Nedved has 39. (Which for fun, is one less than Adam Graves, and one more than Brian Leetch, Rangers fans). I’m not saying Petr Nedved is at all (at all!) comparable to Chris Drury. And I’m sure Drury has more years, presumably, ahead of him than Nedved does. But, I’m sorry. So much for throwaway goals, even though I never bought that. 39 GWGs and 717 points in 982 career games is not bad. It’s the opposite. And yeah, I know, he played for Pittsburgh. He thrived in Pittsburgh like a few other Czechs who called NY home the last three seasons. But in Petr Nedved’s 478 games in Rangers blue, he scored 149 times, offered up 202 assists. 351 points in 478 games. Can most of the guys that have played in NY during the same time period say they did that?
Just for kicks, I heard this on a radio broadcast a year or two ago, but I found it fascinating. Name the top five all-time scoring leaders in the NHL from the Czech Republic? Come on - #1 is easy. Jaromir Jagr. (Not only the most for a player from the Czech Republic; but most of any European player and more than player from any country other than Canada). Stumped? #2 is Bobby Holik. #3 – Well, Martin Straka and Petr Nedved are both tied with 717 points. #5 is Robert Lang. That’s pretty damn good company.
In closing, the above was intended to be merely a reason why people should not be shocked, upset, or ready to sell off their Rangers season tickets (yeah right) just because Petr Nedved has been allowed to come to training camp. But what it looks like, to me, is more of an argument as to why people should not be shocked, upset, or ready to sell off their Rangers season tickets (again, yeah right) if #93 has a good camp and makes the team.
We are 2 months away from the regular season. Nothing is set in cement in Rangerland. Breathe. Relax. Read a book. Have a drink. Nedved coming to training camp is not the worst thing that can happen to you. Honestly. It’s not. Trust me.
Peace.
Petr Nedved is coming to training camp. For the New York Rangers. No, silly, it’s not 2001. Now why on Earth would you think that? :p
Anyway, overall I’d say the opinions on the Rangers hockey boards are about 97% against this. It’s a joke, they say. Yikes, say others. Others come in with huh? And yet others – plenty of others – say things too crude or too colorful for Natural Hat Trick Productions to reprint. (at least not in this blog!) But use your imagination.
And me. I say, quite honestly - why not?
Now, I must be candid in saying I was one of Nedved’s supporters when he was here. I still, to this day, do not know how you can criticize a guy who had the best numbers on a team. On a very bad team, sure. But the best numbers. And, for most of his years here, better numbers than any Rangers player had during the 2007-2008 season. By far. But, we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
I respect Nedved. I think that not one of us (unless you were a 17 defect of what was at the time Czechoslovakia held under Soviet rule that happens to be reading this blog) can ever, ever comprehend the sacrifices this guy made to play hockey. You can hate him – the way he plays, the way he talks, the way he walks - for all I care. But, you can’t hate him because he’s a coward. For that, he is not. Now I’ve said it before (and I might have said it before in this blog and if I did so please forgive me) that I know that Europeans tend to mature quicker than those of us living in North America. It’s a different world over there. More independence and more maturity at younger ages. But come on. You tell me it wasn’t hard, at age 17, to leave your home country, without knowing if you’d ever be allowed to return. If you’d ever see your parents again. Your home again. If you’d even make it out of there alive. Those are very scary things. I can’t even imagine having that kind of courage. But Petr made those sacrifices to escape a communist regime and come play hockey in the NHL. Because he wanted to. It was that important to him.
So we could sit here all day and discuss the why he should or why he should not make the team. I don’t know the answers to that. If the Rangers are at training camp any example of the puzzle they appear to be right now, no one knows that answer. I’m merely sitting here saying that the guy should not be attacked and that if anyone deserves the benefit of a doubt it’s a guy that has been through what he has in his life, and who has given, quite admirably considering all the crap he had to endure when he was here, some really good years to the New York Rangers. If they want to give him a try-out, no strings attached, then that’s great. I’m all for it.
Now, to take a few extra minutes of your time, let’s go a hypothetical step further. Say he tries out and looks good. (Hey, anything can happen in Rangerland people). Petr Nedved, despite every horrible (although, yes, at times slightly chuckle worthy) taunts he had to endure during his time in New York, was a good player. A very good player by the standards of those playing on a team that had eight playoff-less years. For a fact, he led the team in scoring twice (99-00, 02-03) and the team in goals twice (00-01, 02-03). Now, I can’t have to tell you those were banner years here. They were not. The 2000-2001 season was three years removed from Mark Messier, the first year without Wayne Gretzky, and Adam Graves’ final year on Broadway, and as such the Rangers were without much tangible direction. That’s putting it nicely. And yet this guy from Czech Republic, in his second stint with the Rangers, came to play. His best year, arguably, was that 2000-2001 season, the year he played with fellow Czechs Jan Hlavac and Radek Dvorak, and the year those linemates (Czechmates if you will) combined for 91 goals and Nedved was 26th in the league in scoring. On many nights it was a situation where if they didn’t “go, fight, win,” the rest of the team, well, the rest of the team did not follow suit.
Fans that taunted in the years that followed and that still, to this day, cannot think of anything worse than having him on their team, obviously forget that he was one of the ONLY reasons to cheer back then. Mike Richter, incredibly unfortunately, spent the early 2000s injured in one way or another. The back to back seasons of ligament damage followed by the concussion in the following was most unnecessarily cruel. The team aimed and missed with the signing of many former elite players – who I won’t take the time or bring back the memories to list here - who just never hit their stride in NY. Trust me. The days were bleak and the fans were happy to have something to cheer about. Someone to score goals. And yes, someONE to cheer for!
How soon we forget.
Now it’s been said that Nedved’s goals were mostly of the garbage variety. Scratch that, not garbage in the sense of crappy goals in front of the net going off his shin pads or his skates. But goals that were throwaway. That’s the word. A fifth goal in a 5-1 win. Or an only goal in a 6-1 loss. I’m sorry, but I’m really not going to sit here and argue whether his goals were the most meaningful and clutch and super-important goals in Rangers history when ANY goals during that time period must have been better than nothing. I mean come on. I am not a fan of low scoring games (and if the 2008-2009 New York Rangers become the 1995-2000 New Jersey Devils, I’m seriously going to vomit) and I never have been. (Exception. Mike Mussina for New York, David Cone for Boston, early September 2001. Both held no hitters into the late innings; Mussina was almost perfect. A single in the bottom of the 9th with 2 outs. Perfect game – over. THAT was one of my favorite games. One of the best I’ve ever seen. But those are rare.) Give me 6-4 wins. Honestly. I loved that 7-0 blowout of the Bruins at the Garden on St. Patrick’s Day 2007 because the horn was constantly sounding. And you know what, the Rangers and Boston have almost always played to 1-0 shootout games in recent history. That 7-0 game was the abnormality, but that was fun. Seriously though, when I went to one game a year (and that was the case from the early nineties through, umm, about 2003) I prayed the team would win. (which I think happened once, maybe twice). But I certainly prayed they’d score. I didn’t care if it was Mark Messier or Wayne Gretzky, or Jeff Toms or Valeri Kamensky or Sylvain Lefebvre. Or Petr Nedved. As long as the goal light went on and the horn sounded. (remember this was before the days of let’s review every single little goal, so you were pretty sure it counted the first time!)
And all that said, it just so happened that Petr Nedved was not only not a bad player when he was in New York. From 1998-2004, he was one of the better. Argue all you want that, well, he was the best of the worst. I’m sorry. There were some really bad years in there, yes. But there is always a shining light. Admit it or not, like it or not - Nedved was one of ours.
And sure, some may argue that in his last year here, he had one of his worst seasons. Well I’ll tell you what. Everyone was on the decline that year. Everyone. I think the Rangers won 12 games at home that entire year. Maybe 14. No one was good that year. Honestly. No one. So get over it.
Now, back to the present. Apparently Nedved has said that if he makes the team, he only expects to play a few minutes on the third or fourth line. And, unlike Shanahan, who towards the tail end of last season needed a rest and apparently refused to take or was not given 4th line minutes and minimal special teams play in order to get that rest, I believe Nedved knows what he wants and what he can produce. (No disrespect to Shanny who has been a GREAT player for the Rangers and someone I have personally enjoyed watching play very much, but it’s the truth, one way or the other; he played too much last year while injured and recuperating from injury). If Nedved dazzles at training camp and wins the 4th line center position – does anyone honestly think the 4th line will score less goals than they did last year (Betts – 2, Orr – 1, Hollweg - 2) ? Honestly? I like Blair Betts just fine, but I think Nedved might actually provide a bit of an offensive boost to the 4th line. Again, really, you think Nedved himself might get more than 5 goals, not to mention set up at least 15? Really (and all inaccuracy jokes aside)? I do.
Now does it have to be Nedved – no. If someone else, someone from Hartford perhaps, blows up in training camp, should the Rangers still give the position to #93 because they owe it to him – no. If Nedved just plain out sucks, should we all just call it a nice little experiment and move on – yes.
But all ignorant and childish comments aside, what would be the worst that happens? You get a little veteran leadership. You get someone who wants to Be a Ranger! (and has been a Ranger, has played well as a Ranger, etc). You get a guy that can potentially and will most likely score more than your whole forth line combined for last season. To borrow a phrase from Tommy Solomon in one of the funniest episodes of Third Rock from the Sun ever – “You’re going to have to help me out here, because I’m not seeing the downside.”
Nedved is 37. Will be 38 in December. This is not a forever thing. This is a one year, see where the future takes you; I’m along for the ride type thing. If it even happens. If it even happens.
But honestly, with the question marks adding up surrounding this year’s team. I’ve already thrown it out there that I think the Powerplay can’t possibly be any worse (although as a Rangers fan I am always open to that possibility) next year. But wouldn’t I like to have a guy that has been there before. Because, you know what. Not to pick on Chris Drury – although honestly until he proves to me he’s worth 7- million a year, I’m gonna – but for his 710 NHL games, Mr. Clutch has 44 game winning goals. For his 982 NHL games, Petr Nedved has 39. (Which for fun, is one less than Adam Graves, and one more than Brian Leetch, Rangers fans). I’m not saying Petr Nedved is at all (at all!) comparable to Chris Drury. And I’m sure Drury has more years, presumably, ahead of him than Nedved does. But, I’m sorry. So much for throwaway goals, even though I never bought that. 39 GWGs and 717 points in 982 career games is not bad. It’s the opposite. And yeah, I know, he played for Pittsburgh. He thrived in Pittsburgh like a few other Czechs who called NY home the last three seasons. But in Petr Nedved’s 478 games in Rangers blue, he scored 149 times, offered up 202 assists. 351 points in 478 games. Can most of the guys that have played in NY during the same time period say they did that?
Just for kicks, I heard this on a radio broadcast a year or two ago, but I found it fascinating. Name the top five all-time scoring leaders in the NHL from the Czech Republic? Come on - #1 is easy. Jaromir Jagr. (Not only the most for a player from the Czech Republic; but most of any European player and more than player from any country other than Canada). Stumped? #2 is Bobby Holik. #3 – Well, Martin Straka and Petr Nedved are both tied with 717 points. #5 is Robert Lang. That’s pretty damn good company.
In closing, the above was intended to be merely a reason why people should not be shocked, upset, or ready to sell off their Rangers season tickets (yeah right) just because Petr Nedved has been allowed to come to training camp. But what it looks like, to me, is more of an argument as to why people should not be shocked, upset, or ready to sell off their Rangers season tickets (again, yeah right) if #93 has a good camp and makes the team.
We are 2 months away from the regular season. Nothing is set in cement in Rangerland. Breathe. Relax. Read a book. Have a drink. Nedved coming to training camp is not the worst thing that can happen to you. Honestly. It’s not. Trust me.
Peace.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Does it really all add up, Rangers Fans. . .?
It’s been a week. Okay, it’s been more than a week. So why not throw a few random thoughts out there? Get me, umm you, through a lazy Thursday morning where I, err I mean you, can’t seem to get motivated. Great. Here we go. . .
In the last “more than a week” there’s been a lot of talk on XM204 about moves teams made, moves teams didn’t make, good, bad, or indifferent. Now, I remember listening to The Power Play on last Tuesday I believe, and they were having a conversation about the New York Rangers. *sigh* As a Rangers fan, it didn’t sound good. But, as a Rangers fan, I can’t say that I disagree with much they said. The hosts said that they didn’t know what to think of the Rangers. They didn’t see much sense with the Wade Redden deal (see below). And overall they were not sure WHY this team seriously overspent for so many players last year and again this year, which inevitably only serves to tie up A LOT of cap money. Because honestly it’s not an issue of will this team mesh, will the plan (or lack thereof) work? And goodness knows that I am hoping with all my heart that Marcus Naslund wakes up and thinks it is 2002, that whoever the heck is on the point on the power play actually shoots the puck (at the net!), that the young guys get a chance to play, that Hank Lundqvist gets his consistency going early and often, and that either (and hopefully both) Chris Drury and Scott Gomez make Rangers fans say, yes, damn, now that’s why we got that guy. But rather, it’s merely an issue of basic mathematics.
And before I continue, I must say that even though I’m better than average at math, I am not the type of fan who sits there calculating the room their team is under the cap (or over the cap) and how many (and which) players would have to be moved to make adequate cap space for [fill in the blank]. I can’t. Seriously, it seems like too much work for me that might not yield much satisfaction in the end. Sometimes I’ll try to read someone else’s take on the matter if they’ve showed interest in doing the math and write it out for all to see, but when my head starts to hurt I’ll just stop reading.
But what I can tell you, as a basic, basic math lesson, is that the numbers don’t add up in NY. When the cap is set at around 57 million ($56.7 to be exact), and you have three guys each making around $7 million (Hank about 6.8, and Gomez and Drury both over 7), that is around $21 million – which is around 37% of your total cap room. Add Wade Redden’s 6.5 million (which, mathematicians, yes, yes, is close to 7, very good!) to the mix, and you now have those four players making close to $28 million of your salary – which is (wait for it, wait for it) – 49% of your total to spend. And once again, mathematicians, come on now, don’t let me down – yes! yes, 49 is just a hair under 50. Which is half! The New York Rangers have four players (4 players!) on their roster being paid almost, just about, essentially, when it comes right down to it pretty much half of their total allotted money. And no, no, Wayne Gretzky is not one of them. Neither are Mark Messier, Bobby Orr, Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe, or Mario Lemieux in their best days. They are Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Wade Redden, and Henrik Lundqvist. Now, I’m not taking a swipe at Hank. (haha, who during Tuesday’s show either Jim Tatti, Gary Green, or Mike Ross called Henrik Lundstrom on air. It was pretty hilarious. Who’s Lundstrom? Seriously. Maybe the Rangers can sign him too!) Lundqvist has been nominated for a Vezina in his first three years, had 10 shutouts last season, and won a gold medal for his country two years ago. For all honesty, he is not the argument here. NY has a great goalie in him, one that will hopefully only get better, and you have to pay your goalie to keep him in town. All teams need that one big franchise goalie to carry the team in order to be successful. But Chris Drury, whos Mr. Clutch routine Rangers fans have seen more of from the wrong side (cue game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Semi finals), Scott Gomez, who can be good, but is not, not, not, not supposed to be any teams top $ maker, and Wade Redden, the guy who EVERYONE even HIMSELF agreed would be and should be taking a pay cut this year after a abysmal year last year – they are all making close to, if not exceeding $7 million dollars. They are NOT worth it. End of story.
Now one can argue – what does it matter? What if the team plays perfectly this year, is competitive, and performs up to and beyond all expectations. But honestly, the odds of that are? The odds are better that the team will not play perfectly, let’s not kid ourselves. But that’s not even the issue. The issue is how much money they have tied up for how many years! Hank’s was a six year deal. Drury’s was for five. Redden’s is 6. And Gomez’s was for 7! That is a lot of money over a long period of time. So, the point is, the Rangers have handicapped themselves not only for this year, but for at least the next four or five years to come. And that is what concerns me more. I’m concerned in general (for Rangers fans that’s part of the deal), but I’m REALLY concerned about that. $7 x 4 = $28 million. $28 = $56.7/2. Which all equals the fact that the Rangers are screwed!!! Mathematics lesson over, kids.
Some boring (even to me) but quick hits. . .
-I swear, you take a week off writing a blog, turn on morning radio, and all of a sudden the Kings are relocating to Kansas City? But yet I can’t find anything about this. Was this a joke? Seriously, someone clue me in. I don’t think Kansas City appreciated what they had (and goodness knows they could have cared less about the train wreck that is the Royals – although they have pretty blue uniforms!) so why they should get a team is already something I don’t quite understand. But LA. LA is going to be good. Really good I hope. LA is the foundation that Gretzky built in the States. The Kings can’t move. Can they? Did someone just start speculating because the Kings and Blues are playing a pre-season game there in a couple months? Did I hear it all wrong? In the early morning or late afternoon, that is very possible.
-Mark Parrish was bought out in Minnesota. Apparently the team was trying to make it seem as if it was not personal. But, how can they say that when they knew their cap situation in advance, and they just recently brought in Owen Nolan for approximately the same amount of money as Parrish was making (all according to XM204). So if they knew their cap situation at all, which one would hope as a professional ice hockey team that they did, they apparently did have a choice on which player they wanted. So how is that not personal?
-The Sundin debate that has raged on and on, and on and on, finally ends tomorrow. Or does it?
More on that tomorrow, I’m sure. Even though rumors are swirling that even five or six teams (still including the NYRs) are in the mix, I’ll stick to Vancouver and Montreal being the front runners. And if he wants to stay East more than he wants the money (which of course is a BIG IF), my money is on Montreal. Stay tuned.
Class dismissed.
In the last “more than a week” there’s been a lot of talk on XM204 about moves teams made, moves teams didn’t make, good, bad, or indifferent. Now, I remember listening to The Power Play on last Tuesday I believe, and they were having a conversation about the New York Rangers. *sigh* As a Rangers fan, it didn’t sound good. But, as a Rangers fan, I can’t say that I disagree with much they said. The hosts said that they didn’t know what to think of the Rangers. They didn’t see much sense with the Wade Redden deal (see below). And overall they were not sure WHY this team seriously overspent for so many players last year and again this year, which inevitably only serves to tie up A LOT of cap money. Because honestly it’s not an issue of will this team mesh, will the plan (or lack thereof) work? And goodness knows that I am hoping with all my heart that Marcus Naslund wakes up and thinks it is 2002, that whoever the heck is on the point on the power play actually shoots the puck (at the net!), that the young guys get a chance to play, that Hank Lundqvist gets his consistency going early and often, and that either (and hopefully both) Chris Drury and Scott Gomez make Rangers fans say, yes, damn, now that’s why we got that guy. But rather, it’s merely an issue of basic mathematics.
And before I continue, I must say that even though I’m better than average at math, I am not the type of fan who sits there calculating the room their team is under the cap (or over the cap) and how many (and which) players would have to be moved to make adequate cap space for [fill in the blank]. I can’t. Seriously, it seems like too much work for me that might not yield much satisfaction in the end. Sometimes I’ll try to read someone else’s take on the matter if they’ve showed interest in doing the math and write it out for all to see, but when my head starts to hurt I’ll just stop reading.
But what I can tell you, as a basic, basic math lesson, is that the numbers don’t add up in NY. When the cap is set at around 57 million ($56.7 to be exact), and you have three guys each making around $7 million (Hank about 6.8, and Gomez and Drury both over 7), that is around $21 million – which is around 37% of your total cap room. Add Wade Redden’s 6.5 million (which, mathematicians, yes, yes, is close to 7, very good!) to the mix, and you now have those four players making close to $28 million of your salary – which is (wait for it, wait for it) – 49% of your total to spend. And once again, mathematicians, come on now, don’t let me down – yes! yes, 49 is just a hair under 50. Which is half! The New York Rangers have four players (4 players!) on their roster being paid almost, just about, essentially, when it comes right down to it pretty much half of their total allotted money. And no, no, Wayne Gretzky is not one of them. Neither are Mark Messier, Bobby Orr, Maurice Richard, Gordie Howe, or Mario Lemieux in their best days. They are Scott Gomez, Chris Drury, Wade Redden, and Henrik Lundqvist. Now, I’m not taking a swipe at Hank. (haha, who during Tuesday’s show either Jim Tatti, Gary Green, or Mike Ross called Henrik Lundstrom on air. It was pretty hilarious. Who’s Lundstrom? Seriously. Maybe the Rangers can sign him too!) Lundqvist has been nominated for a Vezina in his first three years, had 10 shutouts last season, and won a gold medal for his country two years ago. For all honesty, he is not the argument here. NY has a great goalie in him, one that will hopefully only get better, and you have to pay your goalie to keep him in town. All teams need that one big franchise goalie to carry the team in order to be successful. But Chris Drury, whos Mr. Clutch routine Rangers fans have seen more of from the wrong side (cue game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Semi finals), Scott Gomez, who can be good, but is not, not, not, not supposed to be any teams top $ maker, and Wade Redden, the guy who EVERYONE even HIMSELF agreed would be and should be taking a pay cut this year after a abysmal year last year – they are all making close to, if not exceeding $7 million dollars. They are NOT worth it. End of story.
Now one can argue – what does it matter? What if the team plays perfectly this year, is competitive, and performs up to and beyond all expectations. But honestly, the odds of that are? The odds are better that the team will not play perfectly, let’s not kid ourselves. But that’s not even the issue. The issue is how much money they have tied up for how many years! Hank’s was a six year deal. Drury’s was for five. Redden’s is 6. And Gomez’s was for 7! That is a lot of money over a long period of time. So, the point is, the Rangers have handicapped themselves not only for this year, but for at least the next four or five years to come. And that is what concerns me more. I’m concerned in general (for Rangers fans that’s part of the deal), but I’m REALLY concerned about that. $7 x 4 = $28 million. $28 = $56.7/2. Which all equals the fact that the Rangers are screwed!!! Mathematics lesson over, kids.
Some boring (even to me) but quick hits. . .
-I swear, you take a week off writing a blog, turn on morning radio, and all of a sudden the Kings are relocating to Kansas City? But yet I can’t find anything about this. Was this a joke? Seriously, someone clue me in. I don’t think Kansas City appreciated what they had (and goodness knows they could have cared less about the train wreck that is the Royals – although they have pretty blue uniforms!) so why they should get a team is already something I don’t quite understand. But LA. LA is going to be good. Really good I hope. LA is the foundation that Gretzky built in the States. The Kings can’t move. Can they? Did someone just start speculating because the Kings and Blues are playing a pre-season game there in a couple months? Did I hear it all wrong? In the early morning or late afternoon, that is very possible.
-Mark Parrish was bought out in Minnesota. Apparently the team was trying to make it seem as if it was not personal. But, how can they say that when they knew their cap situation in advance, and they just recently brought in Owen Nolan for approximately the same amount of money as Parrish was making (all according to XM204). So if they knew their cap situation at all, which one would hope as a professional ice hockey team that they did, they apparently did have a choice on which player they wanted. So how is that not personal?
-The Sundin debate that has raged on and on, and on and on, finally ends tomorrow. Or does it?
More on that tomorrow, I’m sure. Even though rumors are swirling that even five or six teams (still including the NYRs) are in the mix, I’ll stick to Vancouver and Montreal being the front runners. And if he wants to stay East more than he wants the money (which of course is a BIG IF), my money is on Montreal. Stay tuned.
Class dismissed.
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Great "Are Mondays Really That Dull?" Debate. . .
Some more quick hits to get me through this very dull Monday. (BTW, are any Monday’s really anything other than dull? I’ll leave you to ponder that later.)
-So 21 days into July and the Mats Sundin debate rages on. Will he stay? Will he go? Will he even play? I personally felt and documented last week that Mats will not stay in Toronto, and that if I had to pick, I would assume he would most likely go to Montreal. But, events of the last week have made others question whether or not Vancouver still has a good chance, despite Mats apparent preference for the Eastern Conference. I mean I guess Vancouver always had a chance, because look at the money out there. 2 years at $20 million. That’s a chance if I ever saw one. But apparently, as I heard on XM 204 last week, Vancouver is trying to sweeten the city in Mats eyes by saying the 2010 Olympics will be held in Vancouver. Yes, I see that. And apparently Mats is a prideful Swede, as I always knew he was. So playing for his home country would be a great honor for him. His home country. Have you ever listened or taken part in the utter glorious insanity that involves Canada and Canadians competing in the Olympics? They love it. They need it. They are devastated if they lose any world competition where hockey is the game being played. I’m not saying it’s wrong. I still believe hockey is Canada’s game and I proudly support Canada for giving me the game I love. But. . .you really are going to tell me that Canuck fans in Vancouver will cheer their potential captain as he leads Sweden to a gold medal in the 2010 Olympics? That he won’t be knocked down (although understandably) in the wake of such a glorious personal achievement if the city that has persuaded him to come and has loved him for his greatness in black, gold, and orange – whoops sorry, I meant blue, maroon, and navy. uh, er, what was I thinking, I really meant - his greatness in blue, white, and green (whew!) because they are so devastated the red and white didn’t win gold? Right. Sure. I believe that. And for all those doubters saying, oh but Sweden will not win. They can’t win. Umm, then what happened in 2006? Canada is and was and will probably always be the favorite, but they do not always win. And Sweden (with guys like Nick Lidstrom, Henrik Lundqvist, and Sundin) has just a good a chance as any. Just something to think about before planning any Olympic celebrations with captain Mats in Vancouver.
-Am I letting the IIHF stuff bother me? No. Honestly, it hurts my head. And even though it’s summer and the off-season and the closest thing to a “break” I can ever hope to get, it still hurts my head. So I think I’m going to go the way of waiting. Waiting to see how this really affects the NHL and its players. If this is just another temporarily blip or if it’s something to get really worried about. If it is, then I’ll worry. But for now, palm trees, sandy beaches, raspberry margaritas. Whoops, sorry, that’s someone else’s life! I can only dream. Where was I? Oh yes, but for now, messy cubicle, poor air quality, I’m-not-sure-if-its-uv-protected-or-uv-enhanced-water from the kitchen filtration unit. *Sigh*
-Jonathan Toews being named captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, third youngest captain in NHL history behind Sidney Crosby and Vincent LeCavalier. Toews says he’s not he most vocal in the room, but it’s about what he can do on the ice. I guess it’s better him saying that than…well, than someone who wasn’t good. J Greatly looking forward to watching the Hawks this season and seeing NY open their home season (literal home season, not including the games in Prah-ha) against them at the Garden. That should be a fun one. I’ll start taking over and under numbers on goals for Toews and Patrick Kane combined - 3? 4? 5? Too early to predict, I guess.
-So the results are in. Chicago and Detroit are the two teams I’ll be watching on New Year’s Day 2009, while tired, dehydrated, and quite possibly hung-over. ;) I’m kidding. Seriously. Really. Well, maybe not. But if it wasn’t going to be in New York and/or have the Rangers, I guess it’s really cool it’s in Chicago on a famous field like Wrigley. That’s a trip I have to make. No, no, not for the hockey game. For a beer, a hotdog, 9 innings of dreadful boredom. (again, kidding!) That kind of a trip. Seriously though, I’ve never had the pleasure of going to Chicago. I hope to go and see a ball game, a hockey game, and all the city has to offer. But if I’m in as good a state next year as I was watching this year’s Buffalo/Pittsburgh tilt on New Year’s Day, I’m just as happy to be watching the game from the comfort of my own home.
-In case anyone missed it (and I admittedly did) the Calgary Flames and Phoenix Coyotes are playing a pre-season game in September from Winnipeg. Nice. Anyone predicting a whiteout for old time’s sake? Seriously though, anyone NOT predicting a whiteout for old time’s sake?
-Which brings me to “Bring back hockey to Canada!” As much as I’m saying I feel for the Islanders and Atlanta and even New Jersey which certainly struggles to fill seats anyway - - (and don’t tell me NJ didn’t have to pay that special tax that only a few teams had to pay for not generating enough money or not having high enough attendance numbers. Guess who’s crying in Jersey? Lou and Co. Because the Rangers, Flyers and Penguins are all coming one less time to the Prudential Center next year. That’s three more high intensity, big ticket nights in Newark lost due to rescheduling. But one question. How did the all-mighty Lou let that one happen. . .?) - - I am not against having more teams in Canada. I’m for it! We all know that even if you stuck two more teams within a half an hour of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) that they’d still sell out. Come on! People in Canada wait years – decades? – for a chance to have season tickets? Tell me these people wouldn’t gladly take season tickets for an NHL team, even if it wasn’t their beloved, although not at all moments lovable, Maple Leafs? So, yes, I feel for those teams that are in the . . .well, those that are not doing so great right now, but not enough for me to not know where teams do and should belong.
-On a Rangers note, Larry Brooks and I saw eye to eye again this Sunday (In Slap Shots in the New York Post, which might just be the only thing I enjoy about waking up on a Sunday morning). I think we’re going on . . .just about every week this year and running. Good job, Larry. Kudos. Honestly. Again, you say what no one else has the guts to say. And most of the time, it’s not that far from the truthful, though sometimes painful to swallow, reality. Now if by chance the Rangers have a stellar season and everything falls perfectly into place and all these questions and these worries were for naught (for example, guys like Jagr, Straka, Avery, Shannahan are never thought about as regrets again, just pieces of the past, and guys like Patrick Rissmiller and Aaron Voros are the best pickups in NYR history, and lead the Rangers to the promised land – you know – beyond the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs), well we’ll all smile, nod, and forget you or I ever wrote these things – agreed?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07202008/sports/slats_head_scratching_summer_120656.htm?page=1
How you doing with the “are there any Mondays that aren’t dull” question? Seriously, you didn’t forget now, did you?
Thank you. Goodnight. Try the veal.
-So 21 days into July and the Mats Sundin debate rages on. Will he stay? Will he go? Will he even play? I personally felt and documented last week that Mats will not stay in Toronto, and that if I had to pick, I would assume he would most likely go to Montreal. But, events of the last week have made others question whether or not Vancouver still has a good chance, despite Mats apparent preference for the Eastern Conference. I mean I guess Vancouver always had a chance, because look at the money out there. 2 years at $20 million. That’s a chance if I ever saw one. But apparently, as I heard on XM 204 last week, Vancouver is trying to sweeten the city in Mats eyes by saying the 2010 Olympics will be held in Vancouver. Yes, I see that. And apparently Mats is a prideful Swede, as I always knew he was. So playing for his home country would be a great honor for him. His home country. Have you ever listened or taken part in the utter glorious insanity that involves Canada and Canadians competing in the Olympics? They love it. They need it. They are devastated if they lose any world competition where hockey is the game being played. I’m not saying it’s wrong. I still believe hockey is Canada’s game and I proudly support Canada for giving me the game I love. But. . .you really are going to tell me that Canuck fans in Vancouver will cheer their potential captain as he leads Sweden to a gold medal in the 2010 Olympics? That he won’t be knocked down (although understandably) in the wake of such a glorious personal achievement if the city that has persuaded him to come and has loved him for his greatness in black, gold, and orange – whoops sorry, I meant blue, maroon, and navy. uh, er, what was I thinking, I really meant - his greatness in blue, white, and green (whew!) because they are so devastated the red and white didn’t win gold? Right. Sure. I believe that. And for all those doubters saying, oh but Sweden will not win. They can’t win. Umm, then what happened in 2006? Canada is and was and will probably always be the favorite, but they do not always win. And Sweden (with guys like Nick Lidstrom, Henrik Lundqvist, and Sundin) has just a good a chance as any. Just something to think about before planning any Olympic celebrations with captain Mats in Vancouver.
-Am I letting the IIHF stuff bother me? No. Honestly, it hurts my head. And even though it’s summer and the off-season and the closest thing to a “break” I can ever hope to get, it still hurts my head. So I think I’m going to go the way of waiting. Waiting to see how this really affects the NHL and its players. If this is just another temporarily blip or if it’s something to get really worried about. If it is, then I’ll worry. But for now, palm trees, sandy beaches, raspberry margaritas. Whoops, sorry, that’s someone else’s life! I can only dream. Where was I? Oh yes, but for now, messy cubicle, poor air quality, I’m-not-sure-if-its-uv-protected-or-uv-enhanced-water from the kitchen filtration unit. *Sigh*
-Jonathan Toews being named captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, third youngest captain in NHL history behind Sidney Crosby and Vincent LeCavalier. Toews says he’s not he most vocal in the room, but it’s about what he can do on the ice. I guess it’s better him saying that than…well, than someone who wasn’t good. J Greatly looking forward to watching the Hawks this season and seeing NY open their home season (literal home season, not including the games in Prah-ha) against them at the Garden. That should be a fun one. I’ll start taking over and under numbers on goals for Toews and Patrick Kane combined - 3? 4? 5? Too early to predict, I guess.
-So the results are in. Chicago and Detroit are the two teams I’ll be watching on New Year’s Day 2009, while tired, dehydrated, and quite possibly hung-over. ;) I’m kidding. Seriously. Really. Well, maybe not. But if it wasn’t going to be in New York and/or have the Rangers, I guess it’s really cool it’s in Chicago on a famous field like Wrigley. That’s a trip I have to make. No, no, not for the hockey game. For a beer, a hotdog, 9 innings of dreadful boredom. (again, kidding!) That kind of a trip. Seriously though, I’ve never had the pleasure of going to Chicago. I hope to go and see a ball game, a hockey game, and all the city has to offer. But if I’m in as good a state next year as I was watching this year’s Buffalo/Pittsburgh tilt on New Year’s Day, I’m just as happy to be watching the game from the comfort of my own home.
-In case anyone missed it (and I admittedly did) the Calgary Flames and Phoenix Coyotes are playing a pre-season game in September from Winnipeg. Nice. Anyone predicting a whiteout for old time’s sake? Seriously though, anyone NOT predicting a whiteout for old time’s sake?
-Which brings me to “Bring back hockey to Canada!” As much as I’m saying I feel for the Islanders and Atlanta and even New Jersey which certainly struggles to fill seats anyway - - (and don’t tell me NJ didn’t have to pay that special tax that only a few teams had to pay for not generating enough money or not having high enough attendance numbers. Guess who’s crying in Jersey? Lou and Co. Because the Rangers, Flyers and Penguins are all coming one less time to the Prudential Center next year. That’s three more high intensity, big ticket nights in Newark lost due to rescheduling. But one question. How did the all-mighty Lou let that one happen. . .?) - - I am not against having more teams in Canada. I’m for it! We all know that even if you stuck two more teams within a half an hour of the GTA (Greater Toronto Area) that they’d still sell out. Come on! People in Canada wait years – decades? – for a chance to have season tickets? Tell me these people wouldn’t gladly take season tickets for an NHL team, even if it wasn’t their beloved, although not at all moments lovable, Maple Leafs? So, yes, I feel for those teams that are in the . . .well, those that are not doing so great right now, but not enough for me to not know where teams do and should belong.
-On a Rangers note, Larry Brooks and I saw eye to eye again this Sunday (In Slap Shots in the New York Post, which might just be the only thing I enjoy about waking up on a Sunday morning). I think we’re going on . . .just about every week this year and running. Good job, Larry. Kudos. Honestly. Again, you say what no one else has the guts to say. And most of the time, it’s not that far from the truthful, though sometimes painful to swallow, reality. Now if by chance the Rangers have a stellar season and everything falls perfectly into place and all these questions and these worries were for naught (for example, guys like Jagr, Straka, Avery, Shannahan are never thought about as regrets again, just pieces of the past, and guys like Patrick Rissmiller and Aaron Voros are the best pickups in NYR history, and lead the Rangers to the promised land – you know – beyond the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs), well we’ll all smile, nod, and forget you or I ever wrote these things – agreed?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07202008/sports/slats_head_scratching_summer_120656.htm?page=1
How you doing with the “are there any Mondays that aren’t dull” question? Seriously, you didn’t forget now, did you?
Thank you. Goodnight. Try the veal.
Monday, July 14, 2008
The Best of the Rest. . .
Hmmm....where to begin. . .
- Jason Strudwick is heading off to Edmonton. He's another guy I wish well. Filled his role here perfectly. Was a role model for the younger guys. (Even if he couldn't teach Brandon Dublinsky how to fight). A ham, for sure, I'll miss his interviews. Although not his singing!! But he did everything that was asked of him and more. When the Rangers had the chance to bring him back at the end of the 2006-2007 campaign from where he played for the Swiss, they jumped at it. Even if all he did was write a playoff blog and keep the players loose, he did it well. The Rangers had their best playoff run under that guidance. All signs pointed to him being a very good guy. I think Edmonton can use him similarly. He will offer good guidance and leadership for the plethora of young guys they have in Oil country. Good luck Struds. . .
-Ryan Hollweg. It was announced today that the Rangers traded him for a pick to Toronto. Sounds about right to me. I liked the guy, but never more than that. I'm sure he was a nice guy. Never game me the feeling he wasn't. But...one too many times his "boarding" calls cost the team. The entire crowd of 18,200 knew that the second he took that penalty in game 3 versus Pittsburgh in this year's second round that that would spell the end of his time in Blue. But that wasn't the first time. Whether he's getting some calls on reputation (many people think he his very, very dirty) I cannot say, but I must believe that as a player he has to be extra careful that what he does get caught for doesn't happen repeatedly. And unfortunately I never felt truly safe when he was out on the ice that he wouldn't do that. And I think that's unfortunate. Because I do think he had heart. And he did have guts. But after that last game, he just did not have a place on the team. I'd wish him well in Toronto (and I will) but if he boards and injures any NYRs next season, I am not going to be very forgiving. You've been warned, Ryan!
-Meanwhile in Toronto, we've caught up with Cliff Fletcher again: "Huh? What? You said we got him for a puck?" "A pick, sir, a pick." "A puck? What is that thing?" "A puck, sir. A puck is round, rubber, and you use it to play hockey. But I'm talking about a pick. . ." "Hockey? Hockey? What is this nonsense you speak of." So it goes in Toronto. Think Luke Schenn is still smiling? :)
-The great winner of the Marian Hossa sweepstakes went to. . .The Detroit Red Wings. I was shocked. I was stunned. Many in the Canadian community were ready to award the 2009 Stanley Cup to the Red Wings immediately. I . . . well I really can't come up with an argument why not.
-Vincent Lecavalier. . .a Lightning Bolt for life. I've already sang Vinny's praises before. I think he's GREAT for Tampa Bay. I think it's fantastic he's staying. Not every team in the NHL has a player like Vinny and not every community with an NHL team has a person like Vinny. They are lucky and he is lucky. Good for him. Now. . . if only they shore up the defense to go with those fancy, pretty goalies, huh Vin?
-Ted Nolan gets fired on Long Island today. You know, Ranger fan or not, I always liked him. Or rather I didn't dislike him. Not everyone battles demons and comes back to prove people wrong. I think he did as good a job as can be expected of him. The Islanders are a work in progress, to say it nicely. And I'm not sure if anyone has any idea where to begin. I don't think it was Nolan's fault. I really don't. And Rangers fan or not, I hope the Islanders find the road back. I have too much fun enjoying the banter with their fans. But it works best when it goes both ways. There's not too much better than a truly competitive Rangers/Islanders matchup, whatever the venue. I hope they still have some of that in them.
-I didn't get to comment on the Devils bringing back familiar faces Bobby Holik and Brian Rolston. In almost all situations, I love the player-returning-home scenario. I just feels good. I like Rolston a lot and have really come to like watching him play in Minnesota these last few years. And while I really, really did not like Bobby Holik, the experiment on ice, while he was in New York, I must admit he is a nice and genuine human being. One of the nicest. And a proud person, like so many Czechs. And like Jagr who loved and respected good old Ronnie Reagan, Robert Holik appreciated America. In fact he made it his goal to become a U.S. citizen. Devil, Ranger, or Thrasher, I salute him for that. And I wish both of them the best of luck in NJ, minus the eight times a year they play the Rangers, of course. (authors note: 7/31/08 - okay, and apparently I did already comment on this. My shoddy memory deceives me. See Reflections on Day One. . . from 7/2/08)
-Mats Sundin. A man without a team. Still. I love Mats. Now that we've got fellow Swede, Marcus Naslund, I know the slightly small but very real dream of having Mats come play for NY is all but faded. I have always loved Mats. I'm really one of few Rangers fans that have always liked Toronto (despite my ribbing. . . that's all it is!) and liked their captain. I'm not going to lie about it. But Mats just kinda encapsulates great player with great struggle for great success - personal that is. I just feel that Mats was so willing to stay in Toronto and took so much heat for not being Canadian (to start) and that he proved that he was finally worthy. And I wish for him to have had success. I do think his time in Toronto has ended, and part of me finds that very sad, but sometimes teams and players get hurt by one another. (Ask Brian Leetch). Mats deserved respect. He eventually got a lot of it. But not when it counted the most. He wanted to stay the rest of his career in an Original Six uniform. He gained and held many team records. He was loved by the fans. He didn't want to be traded. He wanted to go down with the sinking ship. Mats should have been applauded. Instead he was publically ridiculed for it. It's something he might never get over. (Again, ask Brian Leetch!) Leetch, of course, was ungraciously sent out of town (ironically to Toronto) when he wanted to stay with the fast sinking ship that was the 2003-2004 New York Rangers. A lifetime Blueshirt, he was proud of his place on the team and wanted to stay there, despite knowing he might never play on another playoff team again. But he got shipped out with no warning (on his birthday!). He's now mended ties and came back for what was a glorious banner retirement ceremony. He's gotten over it. But he hasn't forgiven and he hasn't forgotten. What will become of Mats Sundin in his once loved home of Toronto? Again, I love Mats. I respect whatever he chooses. But I'd love to see him play again, no matter what the team.
-But goodness help Vancouver if he decides to stay East, and where I'd have to assume Montreal is the front runner. When did Vancouver become Atlanta and Edmonton? Of course the great and personal favorite of mine, Trevor Linden, saw it time to retire, but Marcus Naslund to New York. What next? Roberto Luongo suddenly missing the sunny skies of Florida? The Sedin twins going home to be pro golfers? So much is falling apart in once proud Canuck-ville. :( I'm not happy with what I'm seeing.
-Speaking of Atlanta. . . if one more big name leaves. . .does anyone really think Ilya Kovalchuk is loyal enough to stay? In Georgia? Alone? I feel bad for Toronto and for Vancouver, but I cannot feel worse for Atlanta if that becomes the case.
-Lastly, in sad stories of NHL careers cut short, Eric Lindros's (another good guy who doesn't get enough credit for being a good guy) story is right up there. But who else can compete with Peter Forsberg. Does a player that great deserve to continue going in and out like this?
-At least with all the other drama going around the league, I don't have time to think about how the Rangers and their new players will mold with their old players to create what is turning out to be a very. . .interesting. . .team in blue next year. If Nik Zherdev can play like he can, look out! I've seen those moves on Columbus. But I've also seen the year he was unhappy and indifferent. So I'd expect those razzle-me-dazzle moves every game, but I'm more expecting a repeat of the fate of another young Russian's role on Broadway - Alex Kovalev. The great magician of them all. The greatest talent in the world. Take a few years off. There he goes - wow, look at him go! Oh, no, the career is over. Oh, but he's back again! I tell you what, for Nik's tenure on Broadway, I'll take Alex's 1993-1994 campaign in NY and his 2007-2008 campaign in Montreal. Hopefully with less of the muck in between. (Love you though Kovs!)
- Jason Strudwick is heading off to Edmonton. He's another guy I wish well. Filled his role here perfectly. Was a role model for the younger guys. (Even if he couldn't teach Brandon Dublinsky how to fight). A ham, for sure, I'll miss his interviews. Although not his singing!! But he did everything that was asked of him and more. When the Rangers had the chance to bring him back at the end of the 2006-2007 campaign from where he played for the Swiss, they jumped at it. Even if all he did was write a playoff blog and keep the players loose, he did it well. The Rangers had their best playoff run under that guidance. All signs pointed to him being a very good guy. I think Edmonton can use him similarly. He will offer good guidance and leadership for the plethora of young guys they have in Oil country. Good luck Struds. . .
-Ryan Hollweg. It was announced today that the Rangers traded him for a pick to Toronto. Sounds about right to me. I liked the guy, but never more than that. I'm sure he was a nice guy. Never game me the feeling he wasn't. But...one too many times his "boarding" calls cost the team. The entire crowd of 18,200 knew that the second he took that penalty in game 3 versus Pittsburgh in this year's second round that that would spell the end of his time in Blue. But that wasn't the first time. Whether he's getting some calls on reputation (many people think he his very, very dirty) I cannot say, but I must believe that as a player he has to be extra careful that what he does get caught for doesn't happen repeatedly. And unfortunately I never felt truly safe when he was out on the ice that he wouldn't do that. And I think that's unfortunate. Because I do think he had heart. And he did have guts. But after that last game, he just did not have a place on the team. I'd wish him well in Toronto (and I will) but if he boards and injures any NYRs next season, I am not going to be very forgiving. You've been warned, Ryan!
-Meanwhile in Toronto, we've caught up with Cliff Fletcher again: "Huh? What? You said we got him for a puck?" "A pick, sir, a pick." "A puck? What is that thing?" "A puck, sir. A puck is round, rubber, and you use it to play hockey. But I'm talking about a pick. . ." "Hockey? Hockey? What is this nonsense you speak of." So it goes in Toronto. Think Luke Schenn is still smiling? :)
-The great winner of the Marian Hossa sweepstakes went to. . .The Detroit Red Wings. I was shocked. I was stunned. Many in the Canadian community were ready to award the 2009 Stanley Cup to the Red Wings immediately. I . . . well I really can't come up with an argument why not.
-Vincent Lecavalier. . .a Lightning Bolt for life. I've already sang Vinny's praises before. I think he's GREAT for Tampa Bay. I think it's fantastic he's staying. Not every team in the NHL has a player like Vinny and not every community with an NHL team has a person like Vinny. They are lucky and he is lucky. Good for him. Now. . . if only they shore up the defense to go with those fancy, pretty goalies, huh Vin?
-Ted Nolan gets fired on Long Island today. You know, Ranger fan or not, I always liked him. Or rather I didn't dislike him. Not everyone battles demons and comes back to prove people wrong. I think he did as good a job as can be expected of him. The Islanders are a work in progress, to say it nicely. And I'm not sure if anyone has any idea where to begin. I don't think it was Nolan's fault. I really don't. And Rangers fan or not, I hope the Islanders find the road back. I have too much fun enjoying the banter with their fans. But it works best when it goes both ways. There's not too much better than a truly competitive Rangers/Islanders matchup, whatever the venue. I hope they still have some of that in them.
-I didn't get to comment on the Devils bringing back familiar faces Bobby Holik and Brian Rolston. In almost all situations, I love the player-returning-home scenario. I just feels good. I like Rolston a lot and have really come to like watching him play in Minnesota these last few years. And while I really, really did not like Bobby Holik, the experiment on ice, while he was in New York, I must admit he is a nice and genuine human being. One of the nicest. And a proud person, like so many Czechs. And like Jagr who loved and respected good old Ronnie Reagan, Robert Holik appreciated America. In fact he made it his goal to become a U.S. citizen. Devil, Ranger, or Thrasher, I salute him for that. And I wish both of them the best of luck in NJ, minus the eight times a year they play the Rangers, of course. (authors note: 7/31/08 - okay, and apparently I did already comment on this. My shoddy memory deceives me. See Reflections on Day One. . . from 7/2/08)
-Mats Sundin. A man without a team. Still. I love Mats. Now that we've got fellow Swede, Marcus Naslund, I know the slightly small but very real dream of having Mats come play for NY is all but faded. I have always loved Mats. I'm really one of few Rangers fans that have always liked Toronto (despite my ribbing. . . that's all it is!) and liked their captain. I'm not going to lie about it. But Mats just kinda encapsulates great player with great struggle for great success - personal that is. I just feel that Mats was so willing to stay in Toronto and took so much heat for not being Canadian (to start) and that he proved that he was finally worthy. And I wish for him to have had success. I do think his time in Toronto has ended, and part of me finds that very sad, but sometimes teams and players get hurt by one another. (Ask Brian Leetch). Mats deserved respect. He eventually got a lot of it. But not when it counted the most. He wanted to stay the rest of his career in an Original Six uniform. He gained and held many team records. He was loved by the fans. He didn't want to be traded. He wanted to go down with the sinking ship. Mats should have been applauded. Instead he was publically ridiculed for it. It's something he might never get over. (Again, ask Brian Leetch!) Leetch, of course, was ungraciously sent out of town (ironically to Toronto) when he wanted to stay with the fast sinking ship that was the 2003-2004 New York Rangers. A lifetime Blueshirt, he was proud of his place on the team and wanted to stay there, despite knowing he might never play on another playoff team again. But he got shipped out with no warning (on his birthday!). He's now mended ties and came back for what was a glorious banner retirement ceremony. He's gotten over it. But he hasn't forgiven and he hasn't forgotten. What will become of Mats Sundin in his once loved home of Toronto? Again, I love Mats. I respect whatever he chooses. But I'd love to see him play again, no matter what the team.
-But goodness help Vancouver if he decides to stay East, and where I'd have to assume Montreal is the front runner. When did Vancouver become Atlanta and Edmonton? Of course the great and personal favorite of mine, Trevor Linden, saw it time to retire, but Marcus Naslund to New York. What next? Roberto Luongo suddenly missing the sunny skies of Florida? The Sedin twins going home to be pro golfers? So much is falling apart in once proud Canuck-ville. :( I'm not happy with what I'm seeing.
-Speaking of Atlanta. . . if one more big name leaves. . .does anyone really think Ilya Kovalchuk is loyal enough to stay? In Georgia? Alone? I feel bad for Toronto and for Vancouver, but I cannot feel worse for Atlanta if that becomes the case.
-Lastly, in sad stories of NHL careers cut short, Eric Lindros's (another good guy who doesn't get enough credit for being a good guy) story is right up there. But who else can compete with Peter Forsberg. Does a player that great deserve to continue going in and out like this?
-At least with all the other drama going around the league, I don't have time to think about how the Rangers and their new players will mold with their old players to create what is turning out to be a very. . .interesting. . .team in blue next year. If Nik Zherdev can play like he can, look out! I've seen those moves on Columbus. But I've also seen the year he was unhappy and indifferent. So I'd expect those razzle-me-dazzle moves every game, but I'm more expecting a repeat of the fate of another young Russian's role on Broadway - Alex Kovalev. The great magician of them all. The greatest talent in the world. Take a few years off. There he goes - wow, look at him go! Oh, no, the career is over. Oh, but he's back again! I tell you what, for Nik's tenure on Broadway, I'll take Alex's 1993-1994 campaign in NY and his 2007-2008 campaign in Montreal. Hopefully with less of the muck in between. (Love you though Kovs!)
A Long-Overdue Kudos to Martin Straka. . .
Somewhat non-surprisingly, Marty Straka is heading back home to Czech Republic. Another former Penguin who I never really got the time to know and follow previous to his time in NY, Straka made his mark (his final mark in the NHL) on the New York Rangers. And they were lucky to have him.
I'm sure I'll miss someone as I say this, but in the last few years, not a player stands out in my mind for their on-ice courageousness like Marty Straka does. There are players and there are moments. But, for example, I cannot think of foreward players besides Chris Drury and Jed Ortmeyer that went down to try to block more shots - repeatedly - than Straka. (Maybe Blair Betts? Anyone know where to look up blocked shots, I'd be much obliged!) Regardless, the point should remain that Straka is significantly older and smaller than these guys. And yet he did it. He never asked any questions, just did the job. He gave his all night in and night out. On nights he was disappointed with the result, no one felt it more than himself. One look at the guys face would tell you he was unhappy with himself. He wanted to be better. He wanted the team to win. He had hockey smarts. He had guts. He had a will to win. And he didn't take losing lying down. What else could you ever ask for from a teammate?
Repeatedly during this last season, Scott Gomez kept crediting Marty Straka for keeping his line together. Gomez played with great players, but the kudos kept raining for Straks. For this strength and for his ability to think on his feet. Straka, it was said, had the mind for hockey - he was very quick thinking. And all his teammates respected him. He was the little guy with the fight and the strength to do things the others would not or could not do. I think NY is going to miss him.
I, too, will miss him. Jagr was flashier and had the bigger name. But Straks did the job marvelously. He was humble, too. Always shying away from the attention. But he deserves a lot of credit for not only keeping #68 happy and playing with him, but being a great player in his own right. He was good on the power play. He was an self-less penalty killer. If he didn't injure his wrist, and forget how to shoot ;), we wouldn't be having this farewell conversation. He would have been that guy for a year or two more.
But I'm glad he was the guy for as long as he was. A career to be proud of. Such a good, genuine guy. His goal against Pittsburgh, end to end, weaving, passing off, and gathering it back at the end to shoot it home - brilliant. And one of my favorites. If I didn't respect him for his humility, his skill, and his strength beyond his pounds, I'd respect him for loving his teammates. When Jarkko Ruuto charged and crashed Jagr into the boards in the 2006 Olympics, it was Straka who flew - yes flew - through the air to tackle him to the ground. All 5'9" of him. A big heart goes a long way. He, and Jagr and co., made it hard for a girl to not cheer for the Czechs in Italy that year.
He's got a young daughter, and he's happily going back home to play for his country. I'm sure they know how lucky they are to have him. For we, the fans of the New York Rangers, we might not realize the strength of a Martin Straka until he is gone, but we were very lucky he ended his career in New York. We got to see some really special things.
Thanks Straks. . .#82, this one is for you. . .
I'm sure I'll miss someone as I say this, but in the last few years, not a player stands out in my mind for their on-ice courageousness like Marty Straka does. There are players and there are moments. But, for example, I cannot think of foreward players besides Chris Drury and Jed Ortmeyer that went down to try to block more shots - repeatedly - than Straka. (Maybe Blair Betts? Anyone know where to look up blocked shots, I'd be much obliged!) Regardless, the point should remain that Straka is significantly older and smaller than these guys. And yet he did it. He never asked any questions, just did the job. He gave his all night in and night out. On nights he was disappointed with the result, no one felt it more than himself. One look at the guys face would tell you he was unhappy with himself. He wanted to be better. He wanted the team to win. He had hockey smarts. He had guts. He had a will to win. And he didn't take losing lying down. What else could you ever ask for from a teammate?
Repeatedly during this last season, Scott Gomez kept crediting Marty Straka for keeping his line together. Gomez played with great players, but the kudos kept raining for Straks. For this strength and for his ability to think on his feet. Straka, it was said, had the mind for hockey - he was very quick thinking. And all his teammates respected him. He was the little guy with the fight and the strength to do things the others would not or could not do. I think NY is going to miss him.
I, too, will miss him. Jagr was flashier and had the bigger name. But Straks did the job marvelously. He was humble, too. Always shying away from the attention. But he deserves a lot of credit for not only keeping #68 happy and playing with him, but being a great player in his own right. He was good on the power play. He was an self-less penalty killer. If he didn't injure his wrist, and forget how to shoot ;), we wouldn't be having this farewell conversation. He would have been that guy for a year or two more.
But I'm glad he was the guy for as long as he was. A career to be proud of. Such a good, genuine guy. His goal against Pittsburgh, end to end, weaving, passing off, and gathering it back at the end to shoot it home - brilliant. And one of my favorites. If I didn't respect him for his humility, his skill, and his strength beyond his pounds, I'd respect him for loving his teammates. When Jarkko Ruuto charged and crashed Jagr into the boards in the 2006 Olympics, it was Straka who flew - yes flew - through the air to tackle him to the ground. All 5'9" of him. A big heart goes a long way. He, and Jagr and co., made it hard for a girl to not cheer for the Czechs in Italy that year.
He's got a young daughter, and he's happily going back home to play for his country. I'm sure they know how lucky they are to have him. For we, the fans of the New York Rangers, we might not realize the strength of a Martin Straka until he is gone, but we were very lucky he ended his career in New York. We got to see some really special things.
Thanks Straks. . .#82, this one is for you. . .
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