Hockey Day in Canada.

Oh Hockey Day in Canada... so heartwarming.

Every year the CBC spends the day broadcasting from a small town somewhere in Canada. They also manage to get three games in there, featuring all six Canadian teams and as well as hockey stories and minor league games from across the country. It is extremely cute and gives Ron MacLean ample opportunity to make puns.

It went well, I spent the day plunked on my chesterfield being completely lazy (although i did play a bit of pond on the the terribly soft ice we've got right now) and now I've got some thoughts on the games.


Game 1 — Kovalev's revenge.

Alexei Kovalev was forced by GM Bob Gainey to sit out the last two-game road trip. With that trade rumours swirled and fans wondered.

Apparently there was more than met the eye (and the media).

Kovalev told reporters that he has felt tired this season, has inexplicatly lost weight (which blood tests have been unable to explain), and he felt the break given by Gainey was good for him.

"I have no idea why this has been happening for the last few months,
but I feel better now," he said. "The last few days are going to help
me."

Well it seems like it did help.

Kovalev was on fire the entire game. He made a lot of beautiful passes and scored a classic Kovalev goal where he stripped the puck from a Senators defensemen and put one away with his super-quick release.

Also it seems the fans were pulling for him too. A friend of mine was at the Bell Centre for the game (jealousy) and he sent a text to say that Kovalev recieved the biggest pre-game cheer from the crowd.

Perhaps sentiments helped along by the fact that "party-gate" came out while Kovalev was on his break.

Another thing I noticed was the powerplay of the Canadiens. And for once it wasn't because it was deplorable.

I've joked about the news that the Canadiens have traded for Mathieu Schneider — but it almost seems to be working. They had a deplorable roadtrip in Washington and Pittsburgh (although when Ovechkin does this sometimes it can't be helped.)



But the powerplay looked fabulous last night. They were passing like the Canadiens of last year and Schneider seems to have fit in nicely as the new PP quarterback.

On the other side — Ottawa had Mike Comrie in the lineup. No this isn't 2007, the Senators traded for him.

The Senators general manager reacquired Comrie and defenseman Chris Campoli from the New York Islanders for centre Dean McAmmond and a first-round draft pick.

To help understand what draft pick the Senators traded away I am using an excerpt from CBC.ca: "The 2009 first-rounder heading to the Islanders originally belonged to San Jose, which included the pick in the Andrej Meszaros-Filip Kuba trade with the Senators on Aug. 29, 2008."

Got it? No? Oh well.

What I think this is trying to say is that the Senators will still have their own first round pick should they tank their season (which is very possible). So don't worry, Sens fans, your dreams of Victor Hedman are still very much alive.

Comrie is an unrestricted free agent on July 1. I'm betting this will be one of those one-night stands. However Campoli, a puck-moving defenseman is making less than a million and he's under contract until the end of next season.

Oh yah... the final score: Montreal 5, Ottawa 3

Game 2 — The Return of the Sundin.

It's the kind of stuff that makes you think hockey might be fake... you know, like wrestling. Someone is scripting this stuff, right?

Stuff doesn't work out this perfectly.

Sundin makes his return to the team he played for for 13 years (on Hockey Day in Canada, no less) and scores the final goal in the shootout to win it for the Leafs Canucks.

I am pleased to see that the Leafs fans didn't act like a bunch of fools and boo him. During a television timeout he received a huge standing ovation that lasted until it was time for puck drop, for which he was on the ice. The refs stood back and let him gather himself.

Good job Toronto fans.

Score: Canucks 3 Leafs 2 (Shootout)


Game 3 — Squeezing the stick a little too hard.

Edmonton... to win a shootout you need to hit the net. All three shooters for the Oilers couldn't even get a shot on Kiprusoff.

Sam Gagner actually lost the puck on the way into the net. The look on Craig MacTavish's face was absolutely priceless.

Score: Calgary 3, Edmonton 2 (shootout)

Overtime — Final thoughts on the day.

- I am actually really sick of "Hockeyville". It was cool the first year, but it's beginning to get repetitive and kind of seems like filler.

- I was a bit skeptical about the CBC picking up PJ Stock as their sort of... well.. what does he do? Anyway, he has really grown on me. He cracks me up, his self-deprecating humour is refreshing. You could tell it took some time for him to work out the kinks of broadcasting but I think he's got it now... he's definitely brought some spice to the CBC set which can sometimes seem a little bit too serious. His blog posts also crack me up, I can just picture him saying this stuff.

- Alexander Ovechkin is absolutely dismantling the NHL this year (see video above) — he got his 43rd goal today (8 more goals than the nearest challenger... although Crosby and Malkin both have more points) and he had a slow start. Unreal. Crosby and Ovechkin had a little battle through the media today. Ovechkin said Crosby talks too much and Crosby said he doesn't like Ovechkin's showboating on the ice. Not exactly Avery versus Phaneuf but still fun.

And that's it for my epic Sunday afternoon post. Somebody get me a beer.

Random thoughts for the day.

Sundin Saga. Full closure.

Sundin will play HOCKEY tonight. I think my favourite part about all the hooplah surrounding his debut with the Canucks is a quote from Sundin himself.

"I know it's not a perfect situation as a player," said Sundin. "The players are in mid-season form and it's going to be challenging."

Hey, Sundin? Just a thought on avoiding that whole.. "aww everyone is at midseason form..." problem. PLAY WHEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO.

Ok. I'm done now.


Yum, Yum.

Jarkko Ruutu was suspended by the NHL for two games after biting the finger of Buffalo Sabres enforcer Andrew Peters.

OK. OK. It's kinda crazy and Mike Tyson-esque. And Ruutu is a shift disturber extraordinaire. But if someone stuck their finger in my mouth. I'd probably bite it too. Just sayin.

"It happens a lot. You get hungry. Was it the third?" - Craig MacTavish.

Great Headline.

Toronto Maple Leafs acquire rugged forward Ray from Anaheim Ducks

It's not poorly written. It's not particularly funny. If only they got the details right. This headline is about Brad May going to Toronto.


Speaking of Shift Disturbers.

It's nice to see someone else is smokin the good stuff.

Ron Duguay, a former player with the Rangers told the media yesterday that the Rangers should bring back Sean Avery.

This is despite the fact of course... that nobody that's actually on the team wants him back.

It appears Duguay thinks that all Avery needs is a good ol fashioned talkin to.

"We would take care of him in practice. A guy or two would step up and say, 'Either you're going to change or you're going to get your (butt) kicked,'" said Duguay of players that ran their mouths when he used to play.

Obviously nothing has changed since Duguay last played in 1989.

"As a fan I would love to see him back with the (Rangers)," Duguay said. "If he's a problem in the dressing room - and I don't know that - then that's a decision that the coaches and players have to make."

Ummm, i'm pretty darn sure multiple teams have already made that decision. And really, how can you not know Avery is a problem in the dressing room. Every player that plays with him says he is.

HOLY F...

he finally signed.

Sundin. Vancouver. 1 year. 10$ million. (prorated so, around 5$ million.)

Oh ya....

...remember that "soft deadline" Mats Sundin gave on when he would decide his future in the NHL. Well as predicted right here on National Passtime... That soft deadline of Dec 15 has come and gone, and there's still no word.

Gee. I just don't know how I predicted that one.

Duthie weighs in:

"Mats Sundin has become The Lockout, version 2K8.
For six months, we've been waiting for him to make up his mind. Six months!?! Presidents and Prime Ministers have been elected. Economies have crumbled. And still, we wait on Mats.
Somebody shoot me. Wait, time to update that phrase: Somebody Plaxico me."

Sundins new deadline: never.

so it appears that the latest deadline for Sundin to make his decision is Dec 15.

this is from MATTHEW SEKERES Globe and Mail column today:

"...though in some cases, Christmas Day has been cited as the real drop-dead date. Either way, Sundin is expected to be in a uniform by 2009, unless he pulls an about-face and decides to retire. Procrastination and indecision have been staples of his behaviour since the summer, so nothing can be discounted when it comes to the 37-year-old..."

Friday Recap

Douche McGee Update

A few comments from Avery's teammates:

Dallas forward Brad Richards went on record in Dallas yesterday, saying the team "doesn't want to talk about him any more ... hopefully it will be handled and that will be the end of it."

Off the record, one teammate told TSN: "We hope it's the last time we ever see him."

Another Stars player said, "Our locker room is the happiest it has been all year right now." And still another added, "An apology to the team won't work."


He's a cancer to any dressing room he's ever been in. And the Stars are nuts to have signed him in the first place. Let him head to Russia to play with Ray Emery.



Duthie-isms

I told my nine year-old son I was going to interview Bobby Orr on Wednesday. His response, word-for-word: “You mean that guy on the car commercials?” (Heavy sigh.)

I wish they’d make it a mandatory course in Canadian Elemetary School. “Your Thursday timetable, son: Math, Science, English, French, Orr.”

I’ve played weekend beer-league sports for my entire life. (I know what you’re thinking: “His whole life? Aren’t beer leagues inappropriate for nine year-old soccer players?” Hey, we grew up fast in Gloucester.) I’m still pretending to be an ath-ell-ete, playing in a couple of touch football leagues in the Toronto area.


Sundin Saga and #2 collide

One thing is for sure. Brian Burke has no intention on having Mats Sundin back on the leafs. No word from the man himself whether he's going to finally show up on a team and just play orrr retire into the background and play online poker.



Habs remember how to pass?

Last night the Habs won a convincing victory of 6-2. All the goals were nice passing plays. It appears (let's be cautiously optimistic...) that the Habs have taken my advice. Looked down at their sweaters. and remembered to pass to the players wearing similar colours. we'll see.

Canadian History, or lackthereof

And finally, this is for all the geeks out there. Parliament is now prorogued. And after a week of spin from both sides of the coalition, i'm astonished with the ease that some people lied and their lack of Canadian history knowledge. I think a few people need to get sent back to university to take Canadian History 1000.


One of the interesting things i heard was from Don Newman who said some spin doctors targeted Justin Trudeau who said that his father, former Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau would have never sat down with the "separatists".


ummm. The elder Trudeau sat down numerous times with Rene Levesque to negotiate.



"and they wouldn't even have the Canadian flag behind them," said Stephen Harper... in the House of Commons.

Looks like a Canadian flag to me.....







And finally in Stephen Harper's address to the nation on Wednesday night he said that never has a government formed in parliament that was not elected by the people.

Oh ya?

coming to you live from dialup internet in PEI.

Saga #2 ends. Saga #1 continues.

Here’s the biggest surprise of 2008. Brian Burke is the new General Manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Can you feel the sarcasm?)

Now, since this is such a big surprise, nobody’s been really talking about it for months and months. This, of course, means every possible angle of his tenure has not been talked about by every sports analyst in the country.

So this all means that I have a lot to say about this.

It's funny, saga #2 has resolved itself and yet Saga #1 is still going. Mats Sundin “says” he’ll be back in December. (Tomorrow is December). But he also said he’d make a decision by Aug 1. Soooo, don’t hold your breath.



Favourite quote of the week:

“The opposition has every right to bring down the government. But Stephane Dion has no right to take power without going to the people.”

Is Stephen Harper high? The opposition outnumbers the Conservatives.

In fact, I would say that whoever the coalition chooses to lead, they will have more of a right to govern than Stephen Harper. The majority of the country actually voted against him.

Finally some juicy drama out of Ottawa.

Saga #1 and Saga #2 collide.

I was just watching That's Hockey on TSN. And both sagas were mentioned in one Perfect Saga Storm.

#1:

It appears Mats Sundin is thinking about a mid-December return.

"Mats is currently training daily with the intention to return," Sundin's agent, J.P. Barry said. "He may still decide not to play, however, if his training regimen doesn't produce the results he expects."

So he might think about making a mid-December return.

#2

The Toronto Maple Leafs' ownership group is expected to officially initiate contract negotiations with Brian Burke very soon.

I think this is a bad call for Toronto. I just don't know why yet.


Sometimes even if you think it's a good idea, you shouldn't do it.

Did this just happen? Is it real? Can I touch it?

My god. Someone lost their mind when they thought this would be a good idea. And my theory that every idea goes through at least seven people before it makes it to the general public is definitely in play here. What seven people were like, Slapshot 3? Great idea.

I mean, slapshot 2 was sacrilegious enough. But to make a third one.... I can't even talk about it. Next Question.


Democracy.

pfft. who needs it when you have electronic ballot stuffers...

"Forwards Alex Kovalev, Saku Koivu and Alex Tanguay, defencemen Andrei Markov and Mike Komisarek and goalie Carey Price are not merely leading every other player in their Eastern Conference categories. They are ahead by ridiculous margins, their monstrous numbers fuelled by computer-vote programs written to carpet-bomb, around the clock, for all six at once.

As of Sunday early afternoon, four days into balloting, Kovalev, Koivu and Tanguay had vote totals in the 190,000 range. The next closest forward, Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby, was approaching 84,000"

That does explain it. I was extremely surprised to see the margins. I wouldn't say many of the Canadiens have had allstar-worthy performances thus far. But then again... Sidney Crosby has six goals in 18 games and he's behind the Montreal forwards...

Magic Mittens.

Kyle Wellwood just scored the nicest goal i've seen in a while. I believe that Gord Miller just said he had "magic mittens". Remember when Toronto put him on waivers? good call guys. as usual.

Also, when checking Wellwood's wikipedia entry, i found this gem: "As of November 2008, Wellwood is currently on a 121 game streak without taking a penalty, which is by far the longest active clean-streak. His last penalty was taken on April 10, 2006."



"How do you spell intimidation? L - U - O - N - G - O." - Pierre McGuire.

Remember when...

...Toronto was like looking for a General Manager, and they were allegedly courting Brian Burke, and they were getting in all kinds of trouble because, he was like, already in this contract with Anaheim, and you're not supposed to be all up in the grill of a guy when he's already under contract with another team...because it's sorta like cheating on your significant other with like, their best friend... and he was all like, noooo I love it in Anaheim I would never leave here.... it's like a family.... Toronto? no no. great opportunity but... not for me.

GUESS WHAT!?

Burke is done in Anaheim. Yup mid-season divorce. Loving it now? Probs not, Burke is lovin this less than a fried chicken head in his McNuggets.

"This was the hardest decision I've ever had to make," he said. "I'm comforted that the team is in great hands with Bob and [assistant GM] David [McNab] in charge. I can't thank everyone enough for their understanding and patience as I wrestled with this decision."

Sighh... and so opens ongoing saga #2: The bidding battle for Brian Burke. In mid-season. And Toronto is involved. Therefore the Toronto media. Which includes Michael Lansberg on Off the Record. Seriously just hit me over the head and pass me the bottle of scotch right now.

(just for the record, saga #1 would be Mats Sundin, but will be continued to be known simply as, the sundin saga.)

It's like he reads my blog or something.

On Sunday I sent a pleading message to James Duthie to re-appear from summer hiatus. Two days later, he's back. Coincidence? Obviously not. Now what else should I ask for...

Right... blog... so...

In honour of the valiant return of James Duthie I post the first (couple of) Duthie-ism(s) of the new 2008-09 season,

"So let's see. What's changed since the last time we blogspoke? 

 Emery went to Russia. Redden went to New York. Hossa went to Detroit. And Sundin went 'Uhhhhh, Ummmm, Uhhhhh...'"

...

"That leaves it wide open for....take your pick...Montreal, Philadelphia, the Rangers, Washington...

...Ottawa?

Errr...probably not. Then again, the Bills are 4-0. Nothing makes sense anymore."


I would also like to point out that I am currently enjoying a pre-season game between Detroit and Montreal. The reasons why this is much more enjoyable than the game I took in in Halifax are endless.

First of all, there are actual players out there (as opposed to the pylons that played the game last Monday) and they started a skinnier Carey Price.

Second, Pierre McGuire is back. And he hasn't missed a beat.

Third, it's actually in Montreal. There will probably be some sort of riot after the game regardless of the outcome.

Just kidding... sortof.

It appears TSN forgot how to work... stuff. Because they have the mics inside the glass turned up WAYYYYY too loud. When you can hear the players dropping f-bombs louder than the muffled sounds of Gord and Pierre, there's a problem.

I can also hear some drunk fan in row 249 better than the commentary. I'm almost tempted to watch it on mute but I fear missing some ridiculous comment from our friend Pierre. It hasn't happened yet, but I have faith. The odds are with me.

Sundin saga. Part 138.

Training camps are well under way. The season is fewer than two weeks away. And Mats Sundin is in Sweden. It's Scott Niedermayer all over again.

"The question that I don't really have the answer for anyone at this point is whether or not I'm ready to play at the highest level and compete at the National Hockey League level," said Sundin. "It hasn't changed with training camps starting and all that."


Buddy, you're either up for it or you're not. As i've already stated many many times. It's simple. Players shouldn't be able to do this. You don't sit around pondering whether you're ready for university until November when school starts in September. No professor is going to let you get away with that. Why are coaches? Training camp opens: you're in or you're out. done.

Canadiens say "peace out homies" to Sundin.

The Sundin Saga, is not over. But it is for the Montreal Canadiens.

They signed Robert Lang to a contract yesterday.

Lang played for the Chicago Blackhawks last year and had 54 points, good for fourth on the young team. The Blackhawks found themselves over the salary cap and needed to move a player. They will receive a second round draft pick from the Canadians in the 2010 draft.

With the signing, General Manager Bob Gainey says he's done waiting for Sundin. He said he was not confident he would have Sundin in a uniform before training camp. (see: Jenn says get to training camp you lazy oaf.)

Overall i think this is a good pickup, I have lofty dreams of the magic from days gone by when Lang and Alexei Kovalev played in Pittsburgh. Of course there's the distinct possibility that the two will combine to create some sort of super-euro, ten times more lazy than the lazy Kovalev of two years ago. But let's keep the good thoughts for now... at least until about October 10 when everyone starts complaining about how bad their team is doing. (see opposite: Leafs win one game! Will win Stanley Cup!)

The Canadiens also signed Patrice Brisebois to a one-year deal. It's all coming together nicely. And now Sundin is someone else's problem

Sundin saga.

TSN is reporting that Mats Sundin met with Montreal Canadiens staff today. And as you can guess, there is still no decision.

NHL should ban indecision.

I think we're in for another one of those years of hearing those famous (sortof) last words, "I am undecided on my future, I need to think about it."

Mats Sundin's first self-imposed deadline of August 1 has come and gone, and nobody is any closer to knowing what he might do come the beginning of the season.

He could retire, he could play with another team, sources say he doesn't want to play in the Western Conference, but who really knows. Some people even suggest he wants to finish his career as a Maple Leaf (god love the poor bugger, must've been hit in the eyeball with a puck one too many times).

But it's not really the fact that Sundin is sitting on his hands (and a contract), it's the fact that this seems to have become the norm in the "new" NHL.

Let's go back a year, the most prominent example I have of this NHL indecision (sounds like a segment off of Jon Stewart) is Scott Niedermayer. The elder Niedermayer spent the entirety of the first half of the season "deciding" what he wanted to do. I don't think he was deciding, I think he was taking a sweet vacation and preserving his body for the time of year that he really wanted to play: down the stretch and into the playoffs.

So, while everyone was getting beat up, stitched up and getting long-last ankle injuries, Niedermayer was sitting back and relaxing. I'm sure he was staying in shape... but staying in shape and getting your ass knocked into the boards by Georges Laraque are two completely different things. It wasn't until December 5, 2007 that Niedermayer had made his "decision" playing just 48 games in the 2007-08 season.

I don't want to put the full blame on Niedermayer, though. I really do think he's a premier player in the league and a fantastic leader. My question is, how was this allowed to occur? Obviously the Anahiem Ducks would have liked him in a uniform on day one, but they also must have liked the fact that they would have him for the playoffs without having to pay him a full contract year taking up valuable cap space.

In the end they did have to move a few people around because of a clause in the Collective Bargaining Agreement called "tagging" cap space. (essentially meaning you cannot have players on the team this year that would exceed the cap next year should it not change... which is a strange clause that can become tricky come trade deadline) but they did save money in the end.

Also recently the NHL decided to lift a fine placed on Niedermayer for missing training camp. What is that saying to players who think that maybe they'll just spend the first half of the season with their family or on the beach staying uninjured for the "real season"?

Especially when you had players like Selanne and Forseberg do essentially the same thing. The NHL has got to crack down on this "pondering my future" tactic players have started to employ. I'm sure if the NHL told the Ducks that if Niedermayer isn't on the ice by (insert date) you will lose him for the rest of the season because he'll receive an NHL suspension.

I don't understand this pondering your future. Ponder away in June, July and even August (so far Sundin is still in my good books because training camp hasn't opened). But once that camp opens you're either ready to play or your not. Why should rookies and the grinders on the third and fourth lines have to be there all season, but other players don't have to. Start in september and if find that you just don't have it anymore... leave. Simple as that.

Coffee?

It's 5:30 in the morning and i'm watching the sun rise from my desk at work. Backshift is the best. And in this overtired state, what better time to stop in and say "hey!" from my long blogging hiatus. Sorry guys, it's the first summer in a while that the bright shiny orb in the sky actually came out and warmed the sodden souls of Nova Scotia. I also moved shortly before the Canada Day Debacle Holiday and destroyed my liver in Newfoundland.

Speaking of the Canada Day Debacle Holiday... July 1 has come and gone and Mr Sundin is still unsigned. I clearly remember (and there are few things that are clear from that day) busting the laptop out on the party patio to check signings and more importantly, to track The Sundin. It was looking pretty good for the Habs there for a bit after Bobbers Gainey took a hop across the pond to visit Sundin in native Sweden, but I believe he enjoys feeling wanted, so he's going to hold off on signing to hold on to that warm fuzzy feeling that he's never gotten from Toronto.

The Canadiens lost Ryder to the Bruins... and the way he was playing last season, good riddance. Although i'm sure he'll come back to haunt the Habs in some terrible, awful, ironic way. Also one of my favs, Mark Streit was lost to free agency. But they were able to sign Kostitsyn so I guess i'll live.

And the Lightening continue their whack management skillz by inking Vincent Lecavalier to an 11 year, $85 million contract. They also went on a signing spree on July 1... 11 more years of bad cap management, here were come!

And one of the most amusing stories i've seen actually has come from Futball (Soccer). Apparently Mr Christiano Ronaldo thinks himself likened to a "slave". Poor little bugger, i'm sure it's a fairly hard go when you're making £120,000 a week.