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Archive for September, 2007
No Nanny for Hire
September 14, 2007
Poor Toronto.
Recently, the president and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Richard Peddie has been looking for a senior advisor to help out Toronto’s GM John Ferguson.
In other words, they need a babysitter to hold Ferguson’s hand.
Unfortunately for Peddie and friends, no one agreed to take the job.
They first asked legendary coach Scotty Bowman, who is currently a paid consultant with the Detroit Red Wings. He turned them down and wanted to stay with the Wings. Next, they interviewed former Ottawa Senators GM John Muckler. In the end, he denied too, leaving Toronto’s quest a failure.
What a very suitable ending to a search conducted by a depleting franchise, performance-wise.
Ferguson, whose contract ends this year, has been unable to put together a team worthy of playing playoff hockey.
“It’s no secret that we thought John (Ferguson) could use some help,” says Peddie. “Anything that will make our team better and compete for a 14th Stanley Cup.”
Hah. I don’t think Ferguson is the answer. But no worries, Leaf fans, his reign won’t be long. The additions to this season’s team is a start positively, but it’s not enough.
“John wants to be judged on his record,” says Peddie. “He sat in my office and said, `You know, I understand that, that my extension is based on the job that I do and that’s the way I want it.’ “
Hopefully, his bags are packed because there is no babysitter willing to watch over him. Just a whole nation of fans who have an itchy finger for the ‘Fire’ button.
Hosea C
Option Jay
September 13, 2007
Even though I glorified Mason Raymond in my latest entry, I’m not completely blind to other offensive options for the Vancouver Canucks.
One of the main go-getters for the possible top six forward opening is 26-year-old Jason Jaffray.
The Rimbey, Alberta native scored 81 points in 77 games for the Manitoba Moose last year but was not recalled because he wasn’t under contract with the Canucks. However, Vancouver has him locked up now and he has a great shot at making it to the main team.
One things is for sure, he will get to play some regular season games. We just don’t know how many.
“That’s what training camp and the games are going to answer,” says Vigneault. “Jason has been on a consistent progression since he started with me in Manitoba. He had a really good year last year and has come to camp in great shape. He’s going to get a chance to play some games, and we’ll see from there.”
This right winger doesn’t lack in size at 6′1″, 205 lb. and proved that he doesn’t buckle under pressure as he tallied 13 playoff points, which was a team high. Jaffray will have to battle against some other rookies for a coveted NHL job, but so far, he just might have a leg up on the competition.
Vancouver has to use him effectively, which means third and fourth line duty won’t be good enough. Jaffray needs to be put in a scoring role, where he can be given the opportunity to truly show his talent.
Basically: Dear Canucks, don’t mess on this gem.
It’s highly probable the answer to Vancouver’s scoring woes lay right in front of the coaching staff eyes; and yes I’m talking about Jaffray.
Hosea C
Ray of Hope
September 11, 2007
“Great wheels, wicked wrister and hard slapper unleashed at high speed. Always around the puck. A budding Joe Sakic?”
That’s exactly how Province columnist Ben Kuzma described Vancouver Canucks’ prospect Mason Raymond.
The 21-year-old has the best shot at making the team out of training camp and filling in the winger position besides Morrison and Naslund. But many are asking, who is this kid?
Drafted 51st overall by Vancouver in 2005, Raymond scored 46 points in 39 games last season with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He also played 11 games with the Manitoba Moose where he tallied four points. A combination of speed, skill and incredible stick work has boosted this player’s value way up.
Offensive talent is exactly what the Canucks are currently seeking and it looks like Raymond has the ability to provide that. With Naslund and Morrison committed to step up their game, it just might help the young prospect gel with these two veterans.
With Vancouver’s poor history of drafting, maybe this Calgary native can finally be the light in this Northwest team’s future.
He’s gotten past the Prospect Training Camp, the next step is the Main Training camp. Hopefully Raymond can deliver the much needed flare in Vancouver’s attack.
I can’t wait.
Hosea C
Ice Laughers
September 3, 2007Here’s a couple of NHL jokes I had a good chuckle over. Enjoy.
Mario Lemieux, Steve Yzerman and Wayne Gretzky are standing before God at the throne of Heaven.
God looks at them and says, “Before granting any of you a place at my side, I must first ask you what you believe in.”
Addressing Lemieux first He asks, “What do you believe?”
Mario looks into God’s eyes and states passionately, “I believe hockey to be the food of life. Nothing else brings such unbridled joy to so many people, from Moscow to the bright lights of New York. I have devoted my life to bringing such joy to people who watch us play.”
God looks up and offers Mario the seat to his left.
He then turns to Yzerman, “And you Stevie Y., what do you believe?”
Yzerman stands proud and firm, “I believe courage, honour and passion are the fundamentals to life and I’ve spent my whole playing career providing a living embodiment of these traits.”
God, moved by the passion of the speech, offers Yzerman the seat to his right.
He finally turns to the Great One, “And you Wayne, what do you believe?”
Gretzky says smugly, “I believe you are in my seat.”
Playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs is just like running in the special olympics. Even if you win, you’re still retarded.
Did you hear that on the Leafs’ bus, they hooked up a lie detector.
McCabe tries it on and says, “I think we have the best defense in the league.” Right away, the detector goes off.
Sundin hooks himself up and says, “I think I’m the best hockey player in the game.” The lie detector goes off again.
Then, Tucker steps up and says, “I think..” and immediately, the lie detector goes off.
New Look Orca
September 1, 2007
A few days late but I have a lingering question for the Vancouver Canucks: All the hype for that?
Seriously, I would have thought there would be a little bit more creativity put into the new Canucks’ jerseys released Wednesday after much anticipation and talk. But ultimately, I was disappointed along with many others. From what I’ve gathered and read, the general consensus of the new RBK Edge Uniform System-designed sweaters was more of a “it’s not the worse but it’s still below average” type of reaction . In terms of first impressions, it didn’t pass my grade.
Vancouver has a history of not so attractive unis, with the flying-V and the crazy red jerseys, which came prior to the whale. Many still don’t like the orca as our logo, so of course, their hopes of a change was shattered at the unveiling. I can complain all I want, but it’s not going to change anything. That doesn’t stop me from throwing in my opinion.
Here are my criticism towards this jersey:
However, with all the negatives I’ve pointed out regarding these uniforms, there are some ‘thumbs up’ attributes. For example, I think the collars look very modern and slick. Also, the overall colour of the jerseys are eye-catching and well-representing the vintage aspect.
My final verdict would be this: They tried too hard to incorporate the future and the present in the design, which resulted in confliction between the logo, wording and layout. Also, fans or season ticket-holders should have had some sort of say in the whole process.
But in the overall picture, the jersey doesn’t determine the Stanley Cup champions, the players wearing it do.
Hosea C
