Who is Brian Burke? The Anaheim Ducks General Manager.
- Uh oh... Vegas Dave is complaining and bashing the Ducks again...
Actually, believe it or not, this has nothing to do with my hatred for the team. If this same event happened the same way with any other team, I'd write the same article about it.
Lets bring you up to date.
The Edmonton Oilers GM Kevin Lowe offered Duck's young restricted free agent Dustin Penner a 5-year, $21.25 million offer sheet.
Hmm... since I presume most of my readers aren't experts on the NHL's salary cap and free agency status, I should probably start there before I continue.
----Hockey Business 101----
Pre-lockout, the NHL had no salary cap. As such, teams in major hockey towns (think Detroit, Colorado, New York) could spend as much money as they wanted on any players they wanted. Teams in smaller markets (or penny-pinching teams like the Kings) were left far behind in the talent department. Most importantly, when a team developed a young star, they could afford to sign him when he came of age without having to worry about a salary cap.
Free Agency is quite complicated, but the jist of it is this; When a player is under a certain age (used to be 28, is now 26) and his contract runs out, he is a RESTRICTED free agent. This means that any team can offer him a contract, but the team that he is currently on (we'll call them Team A) has the chance to match any and all offers. If Team A matches the offer, they keep the player. If they decide not to match the offer, the team that signs the player must compensate Team A with draft picks. If a player is over 26 years old, they are an UNRESTRICTED free agent, and can sign wherever they please.
This is a lot of explaining just to gripe about one guy, but hey, if I can provide sports business knowledge to my loyal readers, I'm happy to do so.
Post-lockout, a salary cap was instituted to try and level the playing field. Each team could only spend $39 million to start, but due to good ticket sales league wide, the cap raised to $44 million in 06-07 and has now been raised to $50.3 million for the 07-08 season. Having a salary cap this high seems like it could cause some new monitary problems for the NHL... but thats a whole different post.
To make sure teams stay competitive, there is also a salary floor. Each team MUST spend a certain amount; in 06-07 it was $28 million and for 07-08 it will be $34.3 million.
Daniel Briere, Chris Drury, and Scott Gomez were the top 3 free agents available this year. Drury and Gomez were both signed by the Rangers to 5 year, $35.25 million and 7 year, $51.5 million deals, respectively. Briere signed an 8 year, $52 million deal with a no-trade-clause! With $50 million of cap space to use as wiggle room, teams can now afford to overpay for players they want, which...
----Hockey Business 101 End----
Is exactly what Kevin Lowe chose to do.
Penner was the second restricted free agent Lowe has gone after this season. He offered Buffalo's Thomas Vanek a 7 year, $50 million offer sheet on July 6th. Buffalo chose to match the offer and keep Vanek.
So Lowe set his sights on Dustin Penner, offering him the deal mentioned at the top of this article. Penner was making the league minimum last year, and needless to say, the Ducks were likely going to sign him for a lot less than this.
Which, naturally, is going to frustrate any GM. If you are trying to iron out a deal with your player and someone else comes along and offers him 5 times more than what you were working out, wouldn't you be angry?
Sure.
But do you have to be a baby about it?
Brian Burke set up a media conference call. Were the Ducks matching or turning down the offer? Were they announcing the retirement or return of veterans Teemu Selanne and Scott Neidermayer?
No answers. Burke just wanted to whine.
"I certainly think [the offer] could have waited until Monday. I think it was a classless move, timing-wise. I was not notified of this until Dustin Penner’s agent faxed it in. I would have thought Kevin would have notified me. I thought that was gutless."
"I have no problem with offer sheets. They’re part of the CBA [Collective Bargaining Agreement]. But in my opinion, Edmonton has offered a mostly inflated salary for a player, and I think it’s an act of desperation for a general manager who is fighting to keep his job."
Classless? Gutless? Desperation?
This is the business. I understand that it sucks, and I'm not saying this rate isn't inflated, but the market is what it is. If someone wants to overpay a young player they want on their team and can afford to do so, why shouldn't they?
Classless because he didn't wait til Monday? Teams have a week to decide. Who cares when he made the offer? It may be "inconvinient" for Burke, but the world doesn't revolve around his schedule.
Gutless because he didn't call Burke directly? Like he'd be any less upset hearing the news directly? Going to the player instead of the GM isn't that crazy.
Burke being upset doesn't bother me. It also wouldn't bother me if he answered questions regarding how upset he was.
Calling a media conference to attack another GM personally for just doing his job? That bothers me.
Boo-hoo. Compensation is in the form of a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round pick. The team can live without Dustin Penner. Take the picks, punch your pillow, and shut up.
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Bob Costas; Journalist, Announcer, Award Winner, Midget Man
What?
Oh Barry. As if the steriod scandal doesn't get him enough press, he has to open his mouth.
I'll get into how I feel about him as a baseball player, steroids, his place in history, and all of that good stuff when he actually breaks the record.
But for now, I just needed a laugh.
In response to Bob Costas running a special on Barry Bonds and his well-documented "alleged" steroid use, Bonds declared that Costas is a "little midget man who knows (nothing) about baseball".
I suppose when you stand (a listed) 6'2", 236 pounds, a measly 5'6" and a half pound man could be considered a "midget".
"As anyone can see, I'm 5'6" and a half and a strapping 150, and unlike some people, I came by all of it naturally" Costas retorted.
Perhaps as funny as the original statement, Bonds response to Costas's retort was "How do you know [he came by it naturally]?... I don't care."
Calling one of the sports' most recognizable and distinguished journalists a "midget man" is certainly not going to make you any more popular, but then, do you think Barry Bonds cares?
While this little episode is pretty good, my all-time favorite Bonds quote comes from when he addressed the grand jury:
"Bonds said that Anderson had so little money that he 'lives in his car half the time.' Asked by a juror why he didn't buy 'a mansion' for his trainer, Bonds answered:
'One, I'm black, and I'm keeping my money. And there's not too many rich black people in this world. There's more wealthy Asian people and Caucasian and white. And I ain't giving my money up.'"
Caucasian and white?
What a guy.
I mean after all, what is life without friendship?
"This is our fraternity, and if we don't stand for each other, who is going to stand for us? And I will stand by my fellow player, regardless of anything."
Oh Barry.
Oh Barry. As if the steriod scandal doesn't get him enough press, he has to open his mouth.
I'll get into how I feel about him as a baseball player, steroids, his place in history, and all of that good stuff when he actually breaks the record.
But for now, I just needed a laugh.
In response to Bob Costas running a special on Barry Bonds and his well-documented "alleged" steroid use, Bonds declared that Costas is a "little midget man who knows (nothing) about baseball".
I suppose when you stand (a listed) 6'2", 236 pounds, a measly 5'6" and a half pound man could be considered a "midget".
"As anyone can see, I'm 5'6" and a half and a strapping 150, and unlike some people, I came by all of it naturally" Costas retorted.
Perhaps as funny as the original statement, Bonds response to Costas's retort was "How do you know [he came by it naturally]?... I don't care."
Calling one of the sports' most recognizable and distinguished journalists a "midget man" is certainly not going to make you any more popular, but then, do you think Barry Bonds cares?
While this little episode is pretty good, my all-time favorite Bonds quote comes from when he addressed the grand jury:
"Bonds said that Anderson had so little money that he 'lives in his car half the time.' Asked by a juror why he didn't buy 'a mansion' for his trainer, Bonds answered:
'One, I'm black, and I'm keeping my money. And there's not too many rich black people in this world. There's more wealthy Asian people and Caucasian and white. And I ain't giving my money up.'"
Caucasian and white?
What a guy.
I mean after all, what is life without friendship?
"This is our fraternity, and if we don't stand for each other, who is going to stand for us? And I will stand by my fellow player, regardless of anything."
Oh Barry.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Quick Fantasy Baseball Update
If you play fantasy baseball, and you need saves go grab JAMIE WALKER. Baltimore' Chris Ray just hit the DL and will be done until at least mid August, likely the rest of the season, with an elbow injury. Walker is a solid replacement that will help your team down the stretch and will be available in 99% of leagues if you go get him now.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Anyone else irritated with ESPN?
ESPN.
The Worldwide Leader in Sports.
Why don't they instead call themselves "The Worldwide Leader in Sports That Matter"?
This isn't even just about lack of hockey coverage anymore. Between "Who's Now" and the ESPYs, it is becoming more and more clear that if you aren't the NBA, NFL, MLB, NCAA, and maybe NASCAR, you really don't matter.
Unless, of course, its poker, which has far surpassed hockey, tennis, golf, softball, bowling, extreme sports, etc etc. (And this isn't a knock on poker either. I love the game. But should highlights of it be on ESPN classic more often than great tennis and golf championships?)
Funny that a network that used to get by by showing only minor sports in the 1970's has now all but completely left them to die. Remember when MTV used to show music videos?
Keyshawn Johnson is going to tell me that Sidney Crosby isn't "now".
The league's top scorer as a 19 year old is simply worth a chuckle, because his sport is a joke.
Roger Federer winning a title gets as much time on Sportscenter as one of the 15 baseball games that were played that day gets.
Any golfer not named Tiger Woods that wins a major is lucky to even get that much time.
Its one thing if ESPN only had so much time to work with, so could only go through the major sports. But with ESPN 2, ESPNews, and so many more, you can't tell me it would be that difficult to get decent coverage of more sports than just football, baseball, and basketball?
And they don't even cover those fairly! Big market teams get long breakdowns and post game interviews while "un-important" teams just get a highlight or two. Assuming you aren't a Yankee or Red Sox fan, how do you feel about the coverage your team gets?
Just imagine for me if it were your favorite sport being completely neglected and ignored.
By the WORLDWIDE LEADER IN SPORTS.
How would you feel?
The Worldwide Leader in Sports.
Why don't they instead call themselves "The Worldwide Leader in Sports That Matter"?
This isn't even just about lack of hockey coverage anymore. Between "Who's Now" and the ESPYs, it is becoming more and more clear that if you aren't the NBA, NFL, MLB, NCAA, and maybe NASCAR, you really don't matter.
Unless, of course, its poker, which has far surpassed hockey, tennis, golf, softball, bowling, extreme sports, etc etc. (And this isn't a knock on poker either. I love the game. But should highlights of it be on ESPN classic more often than great tennis and golf championships?)
Funny that a network that used to get by by showing only minor sports in the 1970's has now all but completely left them to die. Remember when MTV used to show music videos?
Keyshawn Johnson is going to tell me that Sidney Crosby isn't "now".
The league's top scorer as a 19 year old is simply worth a chuckle, because his sport is a joke.
Roger Federer winning a title gets as much time on Sportscenter as one of the 15 baseball games that were played that day gets.
Any golfer not named Tiger Woods that wins a major is lucky to even get that much time.
Its one thing if ESPN only had so much time to work with, so could only go through the major sports. But with ESPN 2, ESPNews, and so many more, you can't tell me it would be that difficult to get decent coverage of more sports than just football, baseball, and basketball?
And they don't even cover those fairly! Big market teams get long breakdowns and post game interviews while "un-important" teams just get a highlight or two. Assuming you aren't a Yankee or Red Sox fan, how do you feel about the coverage your team gets?
Just imagine for me if it were your favorite sport being completely neglected and ignored.
By the WORLDWIDE LEADER IN SPORTS.
How would you feel?
Monday, July 16, 2007
I'm Back
Batteries recharged... I'm good to go again.
Thanks to my regular readers for staying patient and for returning. I appreciate it a lot.
As anyone could have quite easily guessed, my break was induced by the Ducks winning the Stanley Cup. I still haven't gotten over it, and I never will. It hurts me to my very core. And I'm not exaggerating in the least bit; the Ducks' cup win has seriously made me re-consider my passion for sports, what I want to do with my life, just about everything.
"It's just a game!" "You shouldn't take it so personally!"
Yeah. Right. Got all that.
The problem is, you don't get to decide what makes you tick. You can spin certain events in your life by looking at them in a positive or negative way; but if something hits you directly, there really isn't much you can do about it.
I frequent on http://www.letsgokings.com, a message board created by a Kings fan, run by Kings fans, for Kings fans. Thousands upon thousands of fans visit this site daily and talk Kings hockey. I never saw myself as a message board person (and still don't), but this is one site that is simply an exception.
Fans of all ages gather on this site, teenagers, but mainly fans in their 20's, 30's, 40's, and above. Most of these people have been dedicated Kings fans for their entire lives... many have been for the entire 40 years the Kings have been in the league. These thousands of fans only scratch the surface; how many more tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands are huge Kings fans but don't hang out on the message board?
I won't get into why I hate Ducks fans again... I know I've been a broken record. If you want a recap, click here. I'm sure I come off as whiny and unprofessional, but so be it.
It just isn't fair. I know "Life's not fair". But sports to me has always been an escape from the bitterness of real life for me. Despite the fact that my teams have never won, the point is that when I was having an awful day, I could turn on a game and get lost in it. That's been shaken a little, because my dream-like sports world has been shaken back to reality.
It doesn't matter that there are many more Kings fans than Ducks fans. It doesn't matter that there are many bandwagon Ducks fans. It doesn't matter that Cleveland Browns fans never won a Super Bowl, but THEIR TEAM moved to Baltimore and won a championship there. It doesn't matter that millions of people have lived their entire lives as Cubs fan (or until recently, Red Sox fans) and millions have died lifelong Cub fans without ever seeing a championship. It doesn't matter that loyal fans of every major sport team in Philadelphia and Cleveland haven't won a damn thing in years. The list goes on and on and on.
It doesn't matter how much you care or how much you love. All that matters is who's got the best team, and who's got the bounces on their side.
And that hurts me. It is hard to come to terms with the fact that the thing that brings you the most joy in this world; pro sports; is just like everything else. People get screwed. People get heartbroken. Great fans live and die unrewarded and bandwagon fans celebrate 20 championships.
But with each terrible loss comes a great win. With each dream shattered comes a dream come true. That is the beauty of sports... and its also its dark underbelly.
So I return to you a bit broken, a bit bitter, a bit disillusioned, but 100% still in love with the world of sports.
I hope you'll take me back with open arms.
Thanks to my regular readers for staying patient and for returning. I appreciate it a lot.
As anyone could have quite easily guessed, my break was induced by the Ducks winning the Stanley Cup. I still haven't gotten over it, and I never will. It hurts me to my very core. And I'm not exaggerating in the least bit; the Ducks' cup win has seriously made me re-consider my passion for sports, what I want to do with my life, just about everything.
"It's just a game!" "You shouldn't take it so personally!"
Yeah. Right. Got all that.
The problem is, you don't get to decide what makes you tick. You can spin certain events in your life by looking at them in a positive or negative way; but if something hits you directly, there really isn't much you can do about it.
I frequent on http://www.letsgokings.com, a message board created by a Kings fan, run by Kings fans, for Kings fans. Thousands upon thousands of fans visit this site daily and talk Kings hockey. I never saw myself as a message board person (and still don't), but this is one site that is simply an exception.
Fans of all ages gather on this site, teenagers, but mainly fans in their 20's, 30's, 40's, and above. Most of these people have been dedicated Kings fans for their entire lives... many have been for the entire 40 years the Kings have been in the league. These thousands of fans only scratch the surface; how many more tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands are huge Kings fans but don't hang out on the message board?
I won't get into why I hate Ducks fans again... I know I've been a broken record. If you want a recap, click here. I'm sure I come off as whiny and unprofessional, but so be it.
It just isn't fair. I know "Life's not fair". But sports to me has always been an escape from the bitterness of real life for me. Despite the fact that my teams have never won, the point is that when I was having an awful day, I could turn on a game and get lost in it. That's been shaken a little, because my dream-like sports world has been shaken back to reality.
It doesn't matter that there are many more Kings fans than Ducks fans. It doesn't matter that there are many bandwagon Ducks fans. It doesn't matter that Cleveland Browns fans never won a Super Bowl, but THEIR TEAM moved to Baltimore and won a championship there. It doesn't matter that millions of people have lived their entire lives as Cubs fan (or until recently, Red Sox fans) and millions have died lifelong Cub fans without ever seeing a championship. It doesn't matter that loyal fans of every major sport team in Philadelphia and Cleveland haven't won a damn thing in years. The list goes on and on and on.
It doesn't matter how much you care or how much you love. All that matters is who's got the best team, and who's got the bounces on their side.
And that hurts me. It is hard to come to terms with the fact that the thing that brings you the most joy in this world; pro sports; is just like everything else. People get screwed. People get heartbroken. Great fans live and die unrewarded and bandwagon fans celebrate 20 championships.
But with each terrible loss comes a great win. With each dream shattered comes a dream come true. That is the beauty of sports... and its also its dark underbelly.
So I return to you a bit broken, a bit bitter, a bit disillusioned, but 100% still in love with the world of sports.
I hope you'll take me back with open arms.
Friday, June 8, 2007
Taking A Break
I'll be temporarily shutting down this blog until further notice.
Thank you for reading.
(I'm hoping the break won't be for too long... it may only be a week or two. I just need some time to recharge the batteries. Thank you for your patience and please continue to check in periodically).
Thank you for reading.
(I'm hoping the break won't be for too long... it may only be a week or two. I just need some time to recharge the batteries. Thank you for your patience and please continue to check in periodically).
Monday, June 4, 2007
Ask Me Anything! (#4)
This one from my mother:
I have a question. How do you think Pronger should be punished for that cheap shot against McAmmond? I think he should be suspended the rest of the series, seems his one game suspension didn't teach him any lessons! And what was the ref watching? No penalty???
Pronger was suspended one game for the elbow... one game more than I thought he'd get, and one game less than he deserved.
Suspending him for the rest of the series as you suggested would have been a fair move, considering it is his second offense in 2 weeks, but there were two reasons why this wasn't happening. 1) Pronger is a star in the league and thus will receive a bit of special treatment, 2) It is the Stanley Cup Finals. Every single call, review, goal, hit, etc. is magnified tenfold in the finals... no one wants to suspend a guy for the entire series unless he virtually commits murder.
Granted, looking back at #1, if Chris Pronger were say Sean O'Donnell, he'd probably not be seeing another game this series. But he isn't. He's Chris Pronger. It was for this reason that I thought they might just let him get away with it. (Best argument I heard was that McAmmond is short so Pronger meant to hit him legitimately and accidentally elbowed him. Please.)
In my opinion, and that of most unbiased hockey fans (not saying I'm unbiased, but I can be when I have to be...), Chris Pronger should have received a 2-game suspension. One game for the elbow itself, and one game for the fact that this just happened in the last series and he obviously didn't learn anything or care.
To see the elbow, check it out here.
Funny, the more I watch it, the more I have to agree with your series-long suspension.
I have a question. How do you think Pronger should be punished for that cheap shot against McAmmond? I think he should be suspended the rest of the series, seems his one game suspension didn't teach him any lessons! And what was the ref watching? No penalty???
Pronger was suspended one game for the elbow... one game more than I thought he'd get, and one game less than he deserved.
Suspending him for the rest of the series as you suggested would have been a fair move, considering it is his second offense in 2 weeks, but there were two reasons why this wasn't happening. 1) Pronger is a star in the league and thus will receive a bit of special treatment, 2) It is the Stanley Cup Finals. Every single call, review, goal, hit, etc. is magnified tenfold in the finals... no one wants to suspend a guy for the entire series unless he virtually commits murder.
Granted, looking back at #1, if Chris Pronger were say Sean O'Donnell, he'd probably not be seeing another game this series. But he isn't. He's Chris Pronger. It was for this reason that I thought they might just let him get away with it. (Best argument I heard was that McAmmond is short so Pronger meant to hit him legitimately and accidentally elbowed him. Please.)
In my opinion, and that of most unbiased hockey fans (not saying I'm unbiased, but I can be when I have to be...), Chris Pronger should have received a 2-game suspension. One game for the elbow itself, and one game for the fact that this just happened in the last series and he obviously didn't learn anything or care.
To see the elbow, check it out here.
Funny, the more I watch it, the more I have to agree with your series-long suspension.
Sunday, June 3, 2007
Hockey Cards For Sale!
In honor of the Stanley Cup Finals, I've put a bunch of my jersey and autographed cards of the stars of both teams on e-bay.
Even if you aren't interested in buying them, you should still check them out. They are pretty cool.
Also, you guys should ask me something! I've been dying to answer more questions. I have fun with that segment.
The Cards
Even if you aren't interested in buying them, you should still check them out. They are pretty cool.
Also, you guys should ask me something! I've been dying to answer more questions. I have fun with that segment.
The Cards
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Ducks physical play overwhelms Senators through two games
For those of you wondering how the Ducks have managed to jump out to a 2 - 0 lead and put a choke hold on the series on an Ottawa team that has been nothing but dominant throughout these entire playoffs, it is quite simple...
I alluded to it in my first "Ask Me Anything"...
"The biggest knock on [the Sens] has been their physical game, which I didn't think was addressed this off-season or at the trade deadline. Also, goaltending was a question mark; could Ray Emery really outshine the likes of Marty Brodeur or Ryan Miller? The answer to that question has been an emphatic yes. As for physicality, they don't need it against similar-styled Buffalo and Pittsburgh. And as for the Devils series, in that instance, skill trumped toughness. And don't get me wrong... they haven't been playing like a bunch of pansies. They simply have had the good fortune of being able to play to their strengths."
"I will very likely be picking against the Senators in the finals. As I said above, I don't think they have really been physically tested yet; and both the Ducks and the Wings play a very tough physical brand of hockey. And, unlike the Devils, they also have the talent to back it up. Not to mention, the team in the West will have the more experienced goaltender AND home ice advantage. I will certainly be rooting for the Senators - I hate the Wings and Ducks AND I have money riding on a Sens' victory; but I will likely pick against them."
Of course I ended up deciding that the Senators would find a way to overcome this... but so far, it appears that they can not.
With the exception of only Andy McDonald and Teemu Selanne (who try, but aren't that tough), every single player on the Anaheim Ducks hits HARD. And OFTEN. Every single shift these guys take, they hit the guy who has the puck hard, the guy who just passed the puck hard, and sometimes they just take the penalty and hit someone else hard when they aren't even allowed to. And the Ducks are unapologetic and ruthless about it; even after taking a penalty, they'll come right back out and hit some more.
This type of physicality completely changes the game. After getting hit so many times, players - even if only subconsciously, but often consciously as well - begin paying more attention to where opposing team's players are instead of their own in fear and anticipation of getting hit. They also begin second guessing moves that will make them end up in the corners where they will take a punishment.
In a day where the new NHL promotes finesse, it is pretty impressive to see such an overwhelmingly powerful team go out there and crush bodies the way they do.
JS Giguere hasn't been tested much, but when they've needed him to make the big saves, he's been right on the spot. Ray Emery played a decent game 1 and an excellent game 2; but he can't actually go out there and score, can he?
The only chance the Senators have is taking advantage of the home ice rules in Ottawa. Of course having the fans on their side will be helpful enough; but in the NHL, the home team gets to make the last line change. In other words, they can see who the other team has out there and then choose the match-up they like best. This worked to a charm for Anaheim, who completely neutralized the Senators' usually dominant line of Spezza Heatley Alfredsson by putting their best defensive offensive line out there; Rob Niedermayer, Samuel Pahlsson, and Travis Moen with BOTH of their Norris trophy winning defensemen Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer. No one in the league is scoring against that line.
If the Sens can find favorable match-ups for their top line instead of always facing those defensive juggernauts, they might have a chance. Granted, as soon as the puck is dropped the Ducks can make a line change; but its those precious few seconds that could be the difference.
And they have to be, or the Ottawa Senators will be staying in Ottawa for good.
I alluded to it in my first "Ask Me Anything"...
"The biggest knock on [the Sens] has been their physical game, which I didn't think was addressed this off-season or at the trade deadline. Also, goaltending was a question mark; could Ray Emery really outshine the likes of Marty Brodeur or Ryan Miller? The answer to that question has been an emphatic yes. As for physicality, they don't need it against similar-styled Buffalo and Pittsburgh. And as for the Devils series, in that instance, skill trumped toughness. And don't get me wrong... they haven't been playing like a bunch of pansies. They simply have had the good fortune of being able to play to their strengths."
"I will very likely be picking against the Senators in the finals. As I said above, I don't think they have really been physically tested yet; and both the Ducks and the Wings play a very tough physical brand of hockey. And, unlike the Devils, they also have the talent to back it up. Not to mention, the team in the West will have the more experienced goaltender AND home ice advantage. I will certainly be rooting for the Senators - I hate the Wings and Ducks AND I have money riding on a Sens' victory; but I will likely pick against them."
Of course I ended up deciding that the Senators would find a way to overcome this... but so far, it appears that they can not.
With the exception of only Andy McDonald and Teemu Selanne (who try, but aren't that tough), every single player on the Anaheim Ducks hits HARD. And OFTEN. Every single shift these guys take, they hit the guy who has the puck hard, the guy who just passed the puck hard, and sometimes they just take the penalty and hit someone else hard when they aren't even allowed to. And the Ducks are unapologetic and ruthless about it; even after taking a penalty, they'll come right back out and hit some more.
This type of physicality completely changes the game. After getting hit so many times, players - even if only subconsciously, but often consciously as well - begin paying more attention to where opposing team's players are instead of their own in fear and anticipation of getting hit. They also begin second guessing moves that will make them end up in the corners where they will take a punishment.
In a day where the new NHL promotes finesse, it is pretty impressive to see such an overwhelmingly powerful team go out there and crush bodies the way they do.
JS Giguere hasn't been tested much, but when they've needed him to make the big saves, he's been right on the spot. Ray Emery played a decent game 1 and an excellent game 2; but he can't actually go out there and score, can he?
The only chance the Senators have is taking advantage of the home ice rules in Ottawa. Of course having the fans on their side will be helpful enough; but in the NHL, the home team gets to make the last line change. In other words, they can see who the other team has out there and then choose the match-up they like best. This worked to a charm for Anaheim, who completely neutralized the Senators' usually dominant line of Spezza Heatley Alfredsson by putting their best defensive offensive line out there; Rob Niedermayer, Samuel Pahlsson, and Travis Moen with BOTH of their Norris trophy winning defensemen Chris Pronger and Scott Niedermayer. No one in the league is scoring against that line.
If the Sens can find favorable match-ups for their top line instead of always facing those defensive juggernauts, they might have a chance. Granted, as soon as the puck is dropped the Ducks can make a line change; but its those precious few seconds that could be the difference.
And they have to be, or the Ottawa Senators will be staying in Ottawa for good.
Monday, May 28, 2007
Senators and Ducks Fans; and why Maple Leafs and Kings fans hate them.
In 1992, the NHL expanded by two teams, adding the Tampa Bay Lightning... and the Ottawa Senators.
This gave the province of Ontario its second team; something that the city of Ottawa was thrilled about, but most Ontario locals were not. The Toronto Maple Leafs had been Ontario's only professional hockey team since 1927 (Though the Maple Leaf franchise under various names had been in Ontario since 1917).
The Maple Leafs won 11 Stanley Cups in the years between 1927 - 1967. This was in an NHL comprised of only 6 teams, which are now known as the "Original 6"; the Montreal Canadians, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and the Maple Leafs.
In the season of 1967 - 1968, the league expanded, adding 6 new teams to double the NHL's size to 12 teams.
Since the expansion;
Montreal Canadians: 10 Stanley Cups, 12 Stanley Cup Final Appearances
Detroit Red Wings: 3 Stanley Cups, 4 Stanley Cup Final Appearances
Boston Bruins: 2 Stanley Cups, 4 Stanley Cup Final Appearances
New York Rangers: 1 Stanley Cup, 1 Stanley Cup Final Appearance
Chicago Blackhawks: 0 Stanley Cups, 1 Stanley Cup Final Appearance
Toronto Maple Leafs: 0 Stanley Cups, 0 Stanley Cup Final Appearances
Bitter much lately?
The Senators, who have only been in the league for 15 years, are now 4 wins away from winning a Stanley Cup. Where is the justice? Why should the fans that jumped ship from the province's original team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, be awarded with a Cup?
One year after the Ottawa Senators joined the league in the 1992 expansion, two more teams joined the league for the 1993 season; the Florida Panthers and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
The Anaheim Ducks joined the Los Angeles Kings as the only other team in Southern California. Remember that 1967-68 expansion that made the NHL into 12 teams? One of those teams was the Los Angeles Kings. They were Southern California's only team for 26 years, and the entire state's only team for 24 (the San Jose Sharks joined the league in 1991).
(Editors Note: Southern California's only team for 26 years, the Kings were not in fact California's only team. I looked over the Oakland Seals, who joined the league in the 1967-68 season. They were renamed the California Golden Seals in the 1970-71 season, and eventually moved off to Cleveland after playing their final season in California in 1975-76. They never won a playoff series. Thank you to the reader who brought the Seals to my attention.)
Despite having a history rich with some of the greats to ever play the game, including the greatest of them all in Wayne Gretzky, the Kings were never able to win a Stanley Cup. In fact, they made only one Stanley Cup Finals appearance in the 1992 - 93 season; the season preceding the Ducks entering the league. They lost in 5 games to the Montreal Canadians.
It took the Ducks only 9 years to do what it had taken the Kings 25 years to do; make it to the Finals. The Ducks ended up losing the series, but they did win 3 games in the series, tripling the amount of wins the Kings have in Stanley Cup Finals history.
The Ducks, who have only been in the league for 14 years, are now 3 wins away from winning a Stanley Cup. Where is the justice? Why should the fans that jumped ship from Southern California's original team, the Los Angeles Kings, be awarded with a Cup?
Feeling the déjà vu?
Lets get one thing straight. The Ottawa Senators and the Anaheim Ducks deserve to be in the finals. Not only have their players worked as hard or harder than every other teams' in the league, but they also have been brilliantly run franchises. Ottawa has done an excellent job drafting and keeping talent, while the Ducks have not only done a good job drafting but have also made a number of brilliant transactions over the past few years to solidify them as legitimate contenders.
This isn't about the teams. Any Maple Leaf or Kings fan could tell you that they know the Senators and Ducks are great teams. It's the damn fans. Yes, many of them simply lived in the city; both Anaheim and Ottawa are large cities and of course hockey fans are going to be excited to get their own team. Then again, does a team being built in your front yard give you a great opportunity to abandon your current team just because a new one is closer? And what about all the bandwagon fans that simply hopped on for the ride when these teams started becoming playoff forces. You can't deny their presence. They make up a great deal of these young franchises fans. Why are Maple Leafs and Kings fans being punished for their loyalty, while Ducks and Senators fans are being rewarded for their infidelity?
Leafs and Kings fans have every right to be upset, in my opinion. But who should be angrier?
Kings fans. By a MILE.
"Why, Dave? Because you are a Kings fan?"
Actually, no. Two important reasons.
1) THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HAVE HAD THEIR NAMES INGRAINED INTO THE STANLEY CUP 11 TIMES!
I understand that that isn't much condolence to those fans born in the last 40 years. Think it matters to me that the Raiders were great, once upon a time? We want results in the here and now. But whether it happened long ago or just yesterday, the Stanley Cup is eternal; once a team's name and roster is ingrained into the Cup, it stays there forever. The Maple Leafs have won the cup more than all other teams in the league with the exception of only the Montreal Canadians. No one can ever take those championships away from you. Even if the Sens go on to win 12 Stanley Cups before the Maple Leafs win another; and trust me, I know how bad that would hurt; it would never erase their legacy. A legacy that the Kings don't have. If the Ducks win the Stanley Cup first, it could be the Kings to win the next 3; but no one could ever take away the fact that the Ducks won a Stanley Cup before the Los Angeles Kings.
2) OTTAWA FANS ACTUALLY LOVE HOCKEY AND SUPPORT THEIR TEAM!
Here is an article on how little Southern California cares about the Ducks heading to the Stanley Cup Finals; Ducks aren't hot topic in town.
Meanwhile, celebrities and thousands of fans show up for this pep rally in Ottawa.
As if those two articles were needed to point out the obvious. But lets take a look at the numbers.
Team / League Standing /Fan Attendance Ranking / Average Attendance per home game:
2000-2001 Season:
Leafs / 14th / 5th / 19,257
Sens / 4th / 10th / 17,793
Kings / 13th / 17th / 16,057
Ducks / 26th / 28th / 13,499
2001-2002 Season:
Leafs / 3rd / 4th / 19,279
Sens / 14th / 15th / 16,919
Kings / 12th / 16th / 16,756
Ducks / 24th / 30th / 12,002
2002-2003 Season:
Leafs / 9th / 4th / 19,240
Kings / 18th / 12th / 17,569
Sens / 1st / 14th / 17,198
Ducks / 11th / 26th / 13,988 <----Year Ducks go to Stanley Cup Finals 2003-2004 Season:
Leafs / 5th / 3th / 19,376
Kings / 20th / 11th / 17,855
Sens / 6th / 13th / 17,758
Ducks / 22nd / 23rd / 14,987
2005-2006 Season:
Sens / 2nd / 5th / 19,474
Leafs / 18th / 6th / 19,408
Kings / 20th / 12th / 17,840
Ducks / 12th / 24th / 15,106 <---- Ducks go to Conference Finals 2006-2007 Season:
Leafs / 18th / 4th / 19,487
Sens / 9th / 5th / 19,372
Kings / 28th / 16th / 16,859
Ducks / 4th / 20th / 16,363
Despite the fact that the Kings were in a season long struggle to be the second worst team in hockey, Kings fans still paid MORE money to see MORE games than Ducks fans, who were in a season long struggle to be the BEST IN THE NHL!
Want to bring up the fact that the stadium the Ducks play in is smaller and can't seat as many people as Staples and the Canadian stadiums? Then you'll love the stat that going by percentage of seats sold, the Ducks ranked 17th in the league this year with a 95.3%. The team with the 4th best record in the league.
Want to bring up the fact that the culture is different, and that Canada loves hockey much more than the US does? Of course it does. That doesn't take away from the fact that subtracting the 6 Canadian teams from the totals, there were still 22, 24, 20, 17, 18, and this year 14 US cities that had more fans go out and support their team, INCLUDING Los Angeles, San Jose, Dallas, and Tampa Bay... really icy climates, perfect for hockey I'm sure.
Face it: Ducks fans suck, and they don't deserve the satisfaction of seeing their team win the cup.
I've been asked, Dave, what about the true fans? The ones that were there from the beginning? Kids raised Ducks fans, etc? And truthfully, there are a few of those types of fans out there that deserve to see their team win as much as anyone. Then again, I know what its like to be thrown in with a big fan stereotype; again, I bring up that I'm a Raiders fan. That means I must be a criminal? A gangster? A freak? Violent? Of course not. But that doesn't mean I can't acknowledge that they exist.
I'm a fan of my teams because I'm loyal to those teams, not to the other fans that support them. And I can almost guarantee you that when you come across one of those rare, true Duck fans, that didn't abandon the Kings and actually loves and supports the team, they'll agree with everything I've said about 95% of their fellow fans.
Go Senators. For the love of hockey, go Senators.
This gave the province of Ontario its second team; something that the city of Ottawa was thrilled about, but most Ontario locals were not. The Toronto Maple Leafs had been Ontario's only professional hockey team since 1927 (Though the Maple Leaf franchise under various names had been in Ontario since 1917).
The Maple Leafs won 11 Stanley Cups in the years between 1927 - 1967. This was in an NHL comprised of only 6 teams, which are now known as the "Original 6"; the Montreal Canadians, Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, and the Maple Leafs.
In the season of 1967 - 1968, the league expanded, adding 6 new teams to double the NHL's size to 12 teams.
Since the expansion;
Montreal Canadians: 10 Stanley Cups, 12 Stanley Cup Final Appearances
Detroit Red Wings: 3 Stanley Cups, 4 Stanley Cup Final Appearances
Boston Bruins: 2 Stanley Cups, 4 Stanley Cup Final Appearances
New York Rangers: 1 Stanley Cup, 1 Stanley Cup Final Appearance
Chicago Blackhawks: 0 Stanley Cups, 1 Stanley Cup Final Appearance
Toronto Maple Leafs: 0 Stanley Cups, 0 Stanley Cup Final Appearances
Bitter much lately?
The Senators, who have only been in the league for 15 years, are now 4 wins away from winning a Stanley Cup. Where is the justice? Why should the fans that jumped ship from the province's original team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, be awarded with a Cup?
One year after the Ottawa Senators joined the league in the 1992 expansion, two more teams joined the league for the 1993 season; the Florida Panthers and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
The Anaheim Ducks joined the Los Angeles Kings as the only other team in Southern California. Remember that 1967-68 expansion that made the NHL into 12 teams? One of those teams was the Los Angeles Kings. They were Southern California's only team for 26 years, and the entire state's only team for 24 (the San Jose Sharks joined the league in 1991).
Despite having a history rich with some of the greats to ever play the game, including the greatest of them all in Wayne Gretzky, the Kings were never able to win a Stanley Cup. In fact, they made only one Stanley Cup Finals appearance in the 1992 - 93 season; the season preceding the Ducks entering the league. They lost in 5 games to the Montreal Canadians.
It took the Ducks only 9 years to do what it had taken the Kings 25 years to do; make it to the Finals. The Ducks ended up losing the series, but they did win 3 games in the series, tripling the amount of wins the Kings have in Stanley Cup Finals history.
The Ducks, who have only been in the league for 14 years, are now 3 wins away from winning a Stanley Cup. Where is the justice? Why should the fans that jumped ship from Southern California's original team, the Los Angeles Kings, be awarded with a Cup?
Feeling the déjà vu?
Lets get one thing straight. The Ottawa Senators and the Anaheim Ducks deserve to be in the finals. Not only have their players worked as hard or harder than every other teams' in the league, but they also have been brilliantly run franchises. Ottawa has done an excellent job drafting and keeping talent, while the Ducks have not only done a good job drafting but have also made a number of brilliant transactions over the past few years to solidify them as legitimate contenders.
This isn't about the teams. Any Maple Leaf or Kings fan could tell you that they know the Senators and Ducks are great teams. It's the damn fans. Yes, many of them simply lived in the city; both Anaheim and Ottawa are large cities and of course hockey fans are going to be excited to get their own team. Then again, does a team being built in your front yard give you a great opportunity to abandon your current team just because a new one is closer? And what about all the bandwagon fans that simply hopped on for the ride when these teams started becoming playoff forces. You can't deny their presence. They make up a great deal of these young franchises fans. Why are Maple Leafs and Kings fans being punished for their loyalty, while Ducks and Senators fans are being rewarded for their infidelity?
Leafs and Kings fans have every right to be upset, in my opinion. But who should be angrier?
Kings fans. By a MILE.
"Why, Dave? Because you are a Kings fan?"
Actually, no. Two important reasons.
1) THE TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS HAVE HAD THEIR NAMES INGRAINED INTO THE STANLEY CUP 11 TIMES!
I understand that that isn't much condolence to those fans born in the last 40 years. Think it matters to me that the Raiders were great, once upon a time? We want results in the here and now. But whether it happened long ago or just yesterday, the Stanley Cup is eternal; once a team's name and roster is ingrained into the Cup, it stays there forever. The Maple Leafs have won the cup more than all other teams in the league with the exception of only the Montreal Canadians. No one can ever take those championships away from you. Even if the Sens go on to win 12 Stanley Cups before the Maple Leafs win another; and trust me, I know how bad that would hurt; it would never erase their legacy. A legacy that the Kings don't have. If the Ducks win the Stanley Cup first, it could be the Kings to win the next 3; but no one could ever take away the fact that the Ducks won a Stanley Cup before the Los Angeles Kings.
2) OTTAWA FANS ACTUALLY LOVE HOCKEY AND SUPPORT THEIR TEAM!
Here is an article on how little Southern California cares about the Ducks heading to the Stanley Cup Finals; Ducks aren't hot topic in town.
Meanwhile, celebrities and thousands of fans show up for this pep rally in Ottawa.
As if those two articles were needed to point out the obvious. But lets take a look at the numbers.
Team / League Standing /Fan Attendance Ranking / Average Attendance per home game:
2000-2001 Season:
Leafs / 14th / 5th / 19,257
Sens / 4th / 10th / 17,793
Kings / 13th / 17th / 16,057
Ducks / 26th / 28th / 13,499
2001-2002 Season:
Leafs / 3rd / 4th / 19,279
Sens / 14th / 15th / 16,919
Kings / 12th / 16th / 16,756
Ducks / 24th / 30th / 12,002
2002-2003 Season:
Leafs / 9th / 4th / 19,240
Kings / 18th / 12th / 17,569
Sens / 1st / 14th / 17,198
Ducks / 11th / 26th / 13,988 <----Year Ducks go to Stanley Cup Finals 2003-2004 Season:
Leafs / 5th / 3th / 19,376
Kings / 20th / 11th / 17,855
Sens / 6th / 13th / 17,758
Ducks / 22nd / 23rd / 14,987
2005-2006 Season:
Sens / 2nd / 5th / 19,474
Leafs / 18th / 6th / 19,408
Kings / 20th / 12th / 17,840
Ducks / 12th / 24th / 15,106 <---- Ducks go to Conference Finals 2006-2007 Season:
Leafs / 18th / 4th / 19,487
Sens / 9th / 5th / 19,372
Kings / 28th / 16th / 16,859
Ducks / 4th / 20th / 16,363
Despite the fact that the Kings were in a season long struggle to be the second worst team in hockey, Kings fans still paid MORE money to see MORE games than Ducks fans, who were in a season long struggle to be the BEST IN THE NHL!
Want to bring up the fact that the stadium the Ducks play in is smaller and can't seat as many people as Staples and the Canadian stadiums? Then you'll love the stat that going by percentage of seats sold, the Ducks ranked 17th in the league this year with a 95.3%. The team with the 4th best record in the league.
Want to bring up the fact that the culture is different, and that Canada loves hockey much more than the US does? Of course it does. That doesn't take away from the fact that subtracting the 6 Canadian teams from the totals, there were still 22, 24, 20, 17, 18, and this year 14 US cities that had more fans go out and support their team, INCLUDING Los Angeles, San Jose, Dallas, and Tampa Bay... really icy climates, perfect for hockey I'm sure.
Face it: Ducks fans suck, and they don't deserve the satisfaction of seeing their team win the cup.
I've been asked, Dave, what about the true fans? The ones that were there from the beginning? Kids raised Ducks fans, etc? And truthfully, there are a few of those types of fans out there that deserve to see their team win as much as anyone. Then again, I know what its like to be thrown in with a big fan stereotype; again, I bring up that I'm a Raiders fan. That means I must be a criminal? A gangster? A freak? Violent? Of course not. But that doesn't mean I can't acknowledge that they exist.
I'm a fan of my teams because I'm loyal to those teams, not to the other fans that support them. And I can almost guarantee you that when you come across one of those rare, true Duck fans, that didn't abandon the Kings and actually loves and supports the team, they'll agree with everything I've said about 95% of their fellow fans.
Go Senators. For the love of hockey, go Senators.
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