Show 50: Winter Classic/Ice Bowl Cometh!

It's the 50th show! And how appropriate that it comes on the eve of the Winter Classic/Ice Bowl and New Year's Eve! Enjoy! Tomorrow I will post a podcast from the game with my broadcast partner John Baronowski. We're going to do a pregame show together and after that I will do an in-game recording and a postgame reaction. So, keep posted for that!

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Show 49: Hockey Headlines and Rants

Just some news stories and also something that kind of annoys me about the Winter Classic. Yes, something DOES bother me about how it's going about.

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Show 48: After the Break

Christmas is gone, and so it goes...GAME ON!

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Show 47: Merry Christmas!

Oh It's our first Christmas together! How sweet...? Ok, sentimental crap is done, lets get down to business.

It's Christmas and the hockey world will take a day off. So, catch up on where things stand going into the two day break, and what to expect after. The Winter Classic is coming in a week, and I'm definitely excited about going!

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Show 46: Around the Horn and Some Fun

This show recaps a lot of going ons currently in the NHL, and some fun topics as well. Enjoy my goal calls and my first FIGHT!

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Buffalo Sabres: West (Side) Coast Story [and a Duck Tale too]

This is for my Sabres followers. I figure I could fill you in on what I think of dropping a game to both the Ducks and Kings:

Well, after giving it hard to the Carolina Hurricanes before hitting the tarmac at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, you would think the Sabres being winners in 6 of their last 7 games prior to boarding the plane could carry the momentum. Things didn't turn out to be so. Coming off a 4-1 loss where the Sabres grabbed a relatively early 1-0 lead against the Ducks, and then the next night Buffalo gets pummeled by the slumping Kings 8-2, where do they go from here? Well, obviously, into San Jose.

What concerns me the most at this point is that the Sabres took on the weaker teams of the Pacific in the last two games. The Ducks were merely 5-4-1 in their last ten games, and the Kings were a measly 2-7-1. Now, the next game will be against a stronger, 7-1-2 in their last ten games, San Jose Sharks team. The problem? They're getting hot like they should have been in the beginning of the season and carry some big fire power from Thornton, Cheechoo, and Marleau. Though Cheechoo and Marleau are having a slow start this season, Thornton is getting fired up with a team leading 12 goals and 22 assists.

Ok, enough with the scare tactics. The good news is that the Sharks playing the Phoenix Coyotes the night before they play the Sabres. Why is this good news? The Phoenix Coyotes will, by chance, tire out the Sharks before they take on the Sabres (Please, Bryzgalov, let them win, but make it tough). It seems as though the league has a weird way of showing its difference in parity among teams. When a team loses one night, expect them to play like hell the next. That's where I find that if the Sharks win out on Friday, the Sabres will pound them on Saturday.

Desperate teams will play with desperate measures. The Sabres couldn't do that tonight against the Kings considering they starting out with the cold Thibault in net. Will the Sabres go will Miller on Saturday? Of course they will! Do I think Thibault should be blamed solely for tonight's loss? I think he deserves 50% of the blame. Which leads me to my big question: Do the Sabres make a trade at this point in the season to pick up a strong offensive forward? Or do they trade for a top defenseman? Or...do they not even trade at all?

I think Rochester is deep enough for the pickings. Why not try out someone on the point like Mike Funk? Why do I suggest this guy in particular? Because size does seem to matter in my mind of defensive zone coverage. Punishing the man with the puck can help create offensive breakouts. You take out the offense of your opponent, let you faster forwards sweep in and take control of the defensive zone breakout, and you'll see some odd man rushes. We need intensity on defense, folks. There's no doubt about it. Brian Campbell is doing a fine job. Jaro Spacek can do great things in the offensive zone, but when it comes to playing defensive hockey in the D-zone, he'll run around like a headless chicken. Until Lindy reintegrates Dimitri Kalinin and Henrik Tallinder, try out some size on defense to toughen things up. Maybe then can our offensive talent show their stuff as the defense crushes the opposition. Think about it.

Of course, many of you critics will tell me, "Lindy's system is fine. It just needs some fine tuning." The Sabres don't have the offensive talent anymore, and our defense is crumbling at the hands of newly constructed offensive super teams. They need to reform now before it's too late. I don't care if the Sabres are 6-4-0 in their last ten, the team is in the basement of the Northeast Division...BEHIND TORONTO! I think Buffalo is doing fine coming back from the very shaky start, but maybe they do need a little something extra. Or I could be dead wrong, and maybe Kalinin and Tallinder are the missing links...Teppo Numminen, get well soon (faster is better). The Sabres need your leadership here, Tep. They need your skill, but mostly your leadership to lead this team through adversity.

Oh, and a long distance "Welcome back!" to Scott Niedermayer. I can't believe it took you 5 months to figure out how to say the word "Yes" or "No". I understand it's a tough decision, but now you think coming back will save the team. No, I doubt that. Temmu Selanne, if you're reading this, "Congrats on the new baby"..."PS.- If you're short on cash because of the new kid, come back and play for the Ducks." Now there is a guy you should be talking to. This guy is what can fix the team. Oh, and, of course, Dustin Penner. Well, the Sabres gave the Ducks some confidence after their 4-1 win. Now lets see if Burke's team can roll.

Show 45: Hockey Recap and Highlights

This show is a nice little touch of everything that stands out at this quarter point in the season. Check it out.

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The Season is Heating Up!

Yes, I wish there were more of me to do all the things I'd like to accomplish in the short time I would like to get things done. Life is just one giant mess of things for me right now. I've been all over the place and things aren't slowing down just yet. I have finals and term papers to get done, then for a mass majority of the season, my undivided attention will be to all of you and your hockey fixes.

The Sabres are rolling on a five game win streak. Miller and Thibault are looking good between the pipes. Some injuries happened in the mix, but nothing too serious to slow the momentum. I attended three of the games to scope out the Canadiens and Senators clubs to see how things are shaping up in the Northeast. I would like to get the opportunity to travel to Pittsburgh to scope out a game and figure out why the Penguins haven't made an offer to Curtis Joseph yet (the lovely unemployed goalie with a chance). Then, if I could get my wish, I'd love to shoot back up to Buffalo to check out the Boston Bruins when they come to town. I've banked on Tim Thomas as my starting goalkeeper for my fantasy team and I'm simply surprised how successful he's been. I know that Claude Julien was banking on Fernandez to be the starter, but the injury proved to be a good thing for the old school Thomas and for Tuuka Rask, the young kid backup, as well.

The Northeast and the CENTRAL divisions are looking tight; except Toronto in the NE, of course. It's only a matter of time before Fergie Jr. fires Paul Maurice or goes for a trade. They are hurting big time. But I am considering doing something new for you all. I'm going to begin doing a weekly power rankings on the blog and then run down the whole thing on the podcast. It should be exciting. The Chicago Blackhawks are looking hot right now. The Columbus Blue Jackets are looking really good. Detroit Red Wings continue to roll out the scores. St. Louis is doing well in the mix. As I write this, there's a three way tie in point at 26 in the Central with the odd ones out being Detroit with 32 and Nashville within reach with 24. All teams are looking good being over 23 points in 23 games, taking a lot of the top spots in the playoff bracketing. Lots of fun to watch is the youth in Chicago with Kane and Toews.

The Atlantic is looking like a dog fight more and more with a powerhouse offense in Philadelphia and New York Rangers fighting for the top spot. Two of the three hottest teams in the Eastern Conference (at this point in the season) are the Rangers and Flyers. The difference makers? Former teammates Daniel Briere (Flyers) and Chris Drury (Rangers). There are lots to be discussed when it comes to these two teams, but tonight I got to watch the Bruins take to the Flyers with an easy win 6-3. Martin Biron looks solid in net, but with Antero Nittymaki getting some starts, the numbers don't justify what the team is like on the defensive side of the game. Mike Richards is also a strong factor in feeding to the Flyers success, as well. He's struck it rich for me on the my fantasy team, that's for sure. The team may go through the motions though like the other top dog in the east, Ottawa, has as of late. The Senators have been showing their human side since their visit to Buffalo last week Wednesday. They have lost three in a row to bottom feeders Buffalo and Pittsburgh, but Buffalo has recharged themselves into a new team after a slow start, and the Penguins of Pittsburgh are battling hard to get themselves back to the top especially after knocking down the blazing Thrashers in a 5-0 win.

The Thrashers, of course, started 0-6, fired Bob Hartley, GM Don Waddell took the team to a 10-4 record following the firing and found help in Johan Hedberg in net after Keri Lethonen bowed out of the lineup due to injury. The Thrashers may have been blown out, but the flame that has sparked them up in a firestorm isn't going to go out. Though suffering two shutout losses in a row to New Jersey and Pittsburgh, Ilya Kovalchuk's 19 goals, 14 assists, and Hedberg's 2.96 will remain as the key factors to victory. As Lethonen stays on IR, Hedberg will continue to deliver as he revamps his form back to his glory days when he was a Pittsburgh Penguin.

So, to sum it all up, lots to talk about when I get through the other side of my recently busy life, and you'll hear from me often when I get through the recent fun mess. I do enjoy doing this blogging, reporting, and podcasting for all of you, but unfortunately it doesn't pay the bills. The love of the sport only pays me back with the passion to pursue following it's luster, but until I find the paying job in the sport, I'm just going to have to keep prioritizing toward what can be done when time permits. So, with that being said, you'll hear from me when I find the next opportunity I have to talk to you all, and keep your emails coming because I enjoy them very much.

NHLhockeyrant@hotmail.com

itunes: Hockey Rant w/David Stearns

Sometimes I'll write different articles and blogs on other sites, so scope me out at the following places, too:

www.hockeyscape.com
www.hockeybuzz.com
www.bleacherreport.com
and more to follow once I get back into the swing of things.

The tentative date for full return to the hockey world: December 19th, 2007
SO LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!

Remember to vote for your all-stars for the XM/NHL All-Star Fan Balloting - Presented by 2kSports

Thanks for reading, and keep checking back for another blog, another podcast, and updates!

~The Rant Man~

Show 44: The Answer to Life's Questions

All the answers are here...well, most of them.

This show reviews all the topics on the blog page, well most, of which I mentioned. If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about go to the blog page: hockeyrant.blogspot.com. Then, maybe you'll know what I'm getting at.

Download Show 44 right here

In the not so distant future...

In the not so distant future, I will post a show talking about:
-Minnesota's rise and sudden injurious fall
-Detroit's winging it like always
-Slow starts, some look finished
-Bob Hartley was hardly to blame as first fired
-Why hasn't Paul Maurice been fired yet
-Goaltender snafus all over the league
-Rising stardom in the kids within the league
-and MUCH more!!

Please be patient with me as I have to reorganize my life. It's one new adventure added on to the same journey every week it seems. I'll explain soon enough.

Show 43: The Season's Calling

This show comes weeks after the last one that I put on the podcast block, but no worries, more are soon to follow. The hectic life I lead has placed a lot of restrictions on my schedule, but it will eventually slow down. From school work to color commentary, things have bogged me down to finding precious moments to get some "me" time. I found some "me" time to put together this show dispite the fact that it has come a little late into the beginning of the NHL season. The opening clip after Mike's introduction to the show is a compilation done by my Play-by-Play man, John Baranowski. You'll hear me in there a couple times. So, I thought I'd like to share the joy of my line of work with all of you.

This show briefly skims over the topics I want to address in the near future on the show, and also I look at the standings in the NHL from where stand right now. Enjoy, and stay tuned for many more shows.

Download Show 43 right here

Response to a Response: Ducks' Cup Hangover Blog Post

This blog post is relevant to everyone in regards to blogging. This is in response to the outcry against my position on the post I published on four sites about the Ducks' Cup Hangover potential. The following are publicly made responses to my blog, and now I will publicly address them all at once. My ranting has caught attention and gained negative reactions, and a positive one. This is an overall posting on NHL blogging and the rationale behind why I posted a blog on the topic of the Anaheim Ducks' potential of becoming similar to the Carolina Hurricanes.

I accidently deleted the comment on the post left by duxcup07 on my recent post on my blog covering the issue of whether or not the Ducks will repeat the outcome of the last Stanley Cup Championship team; the Carolina Hurricanes. Duxcup07's comment was a complete retort against my article, and so to response to him, I feel I should respond to everyone by addressing another blog to respond to a response on the blog as a response. (And if that made sense, then I'm proud of myself haha). I dug up his response from my "temporary internet files" on my computer:

October 9, 2007 1:43 AM ET | Delete
Holy Crap! They Ducks played five games over 2 continents and 5 time zones without their number one goalie, their number one penalty killer, their arguably number two defenceman and you're ready to write them off? I'm not going to mention that they played on opening night for three teams. The Ducks play 13 of their next 15 at home and Pahlson and Giguere are both expected back soon, if they're still under .500 then maybe you can talk. One other thing, to compare Shane Hnidy to Scott Neidermayer is completely ridiculous and it's probably why no one has posted a response to your blog.

My response to his remarks go:
Understandable feelings from both sides here. Let me state this to duxcup07: I only approached the topic because the numbers tell the story UP TO THIS POINT. To be honest with you, I write what I observe, and on another site where I had this posted, the respondent wrote that the Ducks historically have a problem every time they play the Blue Jackets. Ok, well warranted that the timing is off on how things are playing out. But to look at the overall picture I'm trying to get across, my blog is simply stating that there is always the possibility. With each team that has won a Stanley Cup, the question is always brought up early on in the season if the "Cup Hangover" will affect a team. At this point, it can be argued both ways. You threw out numbers, I threw out facts, and people do the math and deduction of all things put together. A lot of questions are thrown out in the beginning of the season. Is there a question on whether or not the Anaheim Ducks have depth? Of course! My answer to that question is that they do have depth, but there are a couple of holes that need to be filled by those few players that the team brought on to fill the gaps. The Ducks lost two very seasoned players. It just so happened that the Hurricanes of 2005-06 lost some good players after they won the Cup, as well.

I was just tying together all things that are aligning TO THIS POINT IN THE SEASON. I know it's fairly early on, and the excuse of playing a couple of games in London? Well, if losing to the Red Wings three days after in overtime is a sign of jet lag, then I'm under-estimating the Ducks. If the jet lag isn't gone by now, then I think that the entire team needs Ambien (sleep medication) and cure the problem. It should have been done by now. Fatigue is a mental issue. If a team is not mentally prepared to go to work, then obviously the team needs to adjust now and fast because they don't get paid millions of dollars to hand me excuses like you are right now in your argument. So if you're going to trash me, God Bless the constitutional right to do so, but on the basis of judgment on whether or not I think that Shane Hnidy is a good filler for Scott Neidermayer's absence, your argument lacks one thing: You think I'm right if you don't think he is a good filler. The reason I say that I'm right is because then you have proven that the Ducks are like the Hurricanes in the end result of losing games. To tell me that I cannot talk until when Giguere and Pahlsson return and only if they're under .500 is a pointless comment. It's not like they can hit the restart button, refresh the season and start at game one of the 2007-08 campaign. The games that happened counted, and they have hurt their standings.

You can argue against the Cup Hangover if they don't return because a Hangover team is essentially more than three-quarters the team they were when they won the Stanley Cup. Doing the math proves to me that without Pahlsson and Giguere, the team is still majority of those who saw the ice as Ducks last season. Bryzgalov played 27 games and Giguere 56 during the regular season last year. Bryzgalov played 5 games, and Giguere played 18 in the playoffs. His performance still reflects the Ducks of last year in this year. I don't know how to sketch this out any better for you. UP UNTIL THIS POINT in the season, things match. The Ducks will not have a Cup Hangover, but they won't be as good as they were last year. If that makes sense, then mazaltof. If it doesn't, then I'm sorry. What I'm hoping that an open minded, educated hockey fan will take from this article is that there is a slight connection right now. Never are any of this postings by people actually binding. It would be like me writing, "The Flames are Going to Win the Cup" and think that it's engraved in stone. The same goes with my article duxcup07. So for Pete's sake, have an open mind and grasp what I'm actually conveying.

This bottom portion is a response to the other commenter who left his response on the blog. He wrote:

Kinglove1 October 9, 2007 3:36 AM ET | Delete
Hmmm. I think the Devils have got the worst schedule. Their first home game is Oct 27th. Ducks got it easy copaired to the Devils...Good Blog. duxcup is mad cause no-one writes about the Ducks. If someone does they are Bashing.

My response to him:

Kinglove1, the Devils' schedule is tougher and they are going to have major issues this year. ESPN.com posted a nice article on how the possibility of them finally missing the playoffs may become reality this year. I placed them as 7th in the East for my preseason prediction for the regular season, but I wouldn't doubt that they have the possibility of slipping off the playoff map. Is Lou Lamoriello going to fire Brent Sutter and take the bench back like he is famously known for doing? We'll have to wait and see. But, thanks for the compliment on the blog, and thank you for reading. Yes, not many people post about the Ducks. Traditionally, it's usually about the Eastern Conference teams more than the Western Conference it seems on this site and in the NHL overall, I believe.



by Dave
from about 12 hours ago

Interesting analysis, but is comparing two teams from two different years very scientific? True, everyone knows about Selanne and Niedermeyer. But what you bloggers arent pointing out is that the Ducks are playing without their #1 goaltender JS Giguere, they're second best (active) defenseman in mathieu Schneider, and their starting checking line center, Samuel Pahhlsson (who was the Ducks *real* MVP last year.) Forget Selanne and Niedermeyer for a moment. Could any team (Vancouver, Dallas, etc.) go on a 5 game roadtrip that included two games in London and 3 east coast home openers without thier best defensive forward and starting goaltender and expect to do well? The Ducks were a goaltender away from being 3-1-1 on this trip. They'll be fine when Pahllsson, Schneider, and Giguere return. And if Selanne and Niedermeyer return before January, watch out.

My response: You gave a retort response to my blog in a very mature way. Your argument sounds more like a debate instead of an attack on my observations made in the blog post. I understand your views here, and my response to your points can be seen in my response to duxcup07 (the statistical argument I gave in return; not in the confrontation with his approach). There are a lot of X factors here on this Ducks team that need to confront the issues that the team is experiencing right now. If the issues of production of goals, solidity on the defensive end of the puck, and goaltending are not addressed by the end of this month, the team can easily fall into a 5-5-3 scenario. This may not impact the team as much considering there still remains five and a half months of solid regular season play, but the way you start your season can be indicative of how you will finish a season. There are kinks in the system, and if they are not fixed in a quick fashion, then they will become exploited. The Ducks need Giguere back. They need Pahlsson back. They need Selanne and Neidermayer to make suprise comebacks. Who knows whether or not the impact of the team's opening record will be inspiration enough. What does remain is the fact that the stats match up between Anaheim and Carolina TO THIS POINT early on in the season. Considering their upcoming games, it CAN continue, but whether or not it does is left in the hands of the team and coaching staff. That's all I meant by the blog posting.

Ducks Become Canes: Prelude to a Cup Hangover?

Well, the first five contests that the Anaheim Ducks have completed churned out a record of 1-3-1. Not what you'd expect from a full forced team like the Ducks considering their depth has not changed much from last year. The fact of the matter is that, well, yes the team has lost out on retaining Dustin Penner, retirement contemplations by Teemu Selanne and Scott Neidermayer. But, these shouldn't affect the team fully due to the fact that we have Selanne's right wing slot has been filled by Todd Bertuzzi, Dustin Penner's left wing has variety from Chris Kunitz, Brad May, Drew Miller, and Travis Moen. Scott Neidermayer's absence has been filled by defenseman Shane Hnidy, but I wouldn't call it filled in respect to the impact that Scott had. Hnidy is a welcome to the team and being on the same side with Chris Pronger is always a good thing.

Yet, there's this slow start! It is a known fact that the Anaheim Ducks have a history of slow starts, but can they be on the brink of becoming another 'Cup Hangover' team? The Hurricanes' slump and missing the playoffs was some kind of an amazing turn of events for the champions at the time, but can the same hold true to the Anaheim Ducks? The preseason for the Ducks was an uncertain 3-3-1 record, which included an OT loss to the Coyotes and regulation loss to the Kings. Regular season opener in London, first game, we saw the Ducks fall 4-1 to the Kings. The following night they did rebound and returned the favor with a 4-1 win. But, the London get-away had no honeymoon after the team's first season win. What followed was simply disappointing. An OT loss to Detroit to begin things back on North American soil. Ok, an OTL is better than an L, but what happened next gripped me as unimaginable. Getting shutout by the Columbus Blue Jackets is like being hit in the face with a purse full of bricks. It seemed to ring throughout the league that the Ducks were shot down in what could be termed as 'Duck Season'. It's only fitting considering the fact that the year after you win the Stanley Cup every team is therefore gunning for you. Well, the 5-4 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins didn't help their case any.

The game was so interesting up to the last 5 mins when the Penguins seemed to unleash some beastly power that they appeared to be holding back. I watched this game among many others at the same time. Yes, the glory of Center Ice Online, NHL radio, and television...I had fun. Watched four games and listened to one on the laptop, then I watched the Penguins and Ducks on TV while also flipping between that game and the Erie Otters vs. London Knights game. Well, during the time-frame of my engulfing a huge OHL brawl on the screen, I forgot about the Penguins game for a mere 3-5 minutes. When I flipped back to FSN Pittsburgh, I thought I had to put my glasses on over my contacts because my eyes were deceiving me. What was once a messy, unorganized, and frustrating game to watch became a flowing Penguins gongshow. The Pens left no chances for the Ducks to make any comeback until Hiller was pulled from the Ducks net and the extra attacker allowed for Anaheim to bank one in. I'm just going to stop blubbering over this game because neither team looked solid by any means.

Wednesday, the Ducks will have their North American home-opener hosting the Bruins. What is supposed to be a celebration may become a shock to all those who are there to see the banner raising. If the Ducks lose to Boston, then I think it's a clear sign of the Ducks heading down Hurricane Lane. Things don't get any easier after that game either. They play host to the Wild, Red Wings, and the Predators. Follow that up with a dose of the Stars, and you might just have a team dug into the ground pushing up daises on the rest of the year. How difficult would that be for a team that finished last year at number two? Well, I suppose you could talk to the Buffalo Sabres fans on this, but that would be a cheap shot. There's 80 games for the Sabres, and plus there are a lot more X factors that have to be looked at in Buffalo's situation. But back to the point of my argument with the Ducks, I think that going 1-8-1 would be a nightmare for a team that just won the Cup the year prior. Which all brings me to the point I meant to make from the very beginning of this rant.

1-3-1...the Hurricanes started the 2006-2007 season the same way the Ducks did record-wise. Then finished off October at 5-5-2. The rest was history. The Canes were left fighting for a playoff spot and lost out on that bid in the dying games of the season. The Canes lost just as many players as the Ducks did. Doug Weight to St. Louis, Martin Gerber to Ottawa, Matt Cullen to New York (R), Aaron Ward to New York (R), and Mark Recchi to Pittsburgh. Cam Ward made Martin Gerber replaceable, so goaltending was not an issue. As for Weight, Cullen, Ward, and Recchi, I think that blow is the equivalent of the Ducks' loss of Penner, Selanne, and Scott Neidermayer combined. In the mix, you have leadership through experience, and also goals and assists when called upon. There are similarities here between the two team's losses in the off-seasons after winner their championships, but the gains on both ends should have compensated. The Canes' gains in Brad Isbister and Jesse Boulerice should have been enough. The Ducks' pickups should be enough, too, but this could be similar to the Canes' situation as well.

Overall, you can see where I'm coming from. The irony in the matter is that the Carolina Hurricanes are not too much different from last year, but they are looking strong as ever considering some big wins recently to start the ball rolling (aside from the hic-up against the Capitals). The Ducks, in my preseason predictions formulation (yes it was a scientific compilation), the team will fall into fifth place. I wouldn't doubt the team seeding lower in the Western Conference food-chain if they finish like the Canes did the year after their Cup at 5-5-2 at the end of October. Though they will have played 13 games by the end of the month, but lets say 5-6-2 or 5-5-3, then they'll play out the Hurricanes card this year and sit this one out. If the Canes rebound this year, then maybe the Ducks will do the same next year if this scenario plays out. It's all in the hands of Randy C and Brian B. We'll see.

Next blog or podcast will talk about Patrick Kane; the first rounder in this past draft and his impact on his Chicago Blackhawks club. All I have to say at this point is two words: Good Stuff

The Year has Begun, and Here's the Unedited Predictions

Before I go ranting on about how the season starts, let me publish here and now the season predictions I have going on:

Eastern Conference:
1) Ottawa
2) New York Rangers
3) Atlanta
4) Pittsburgh
5) Buffalo
6) Tampa Bay
7) New Jersey
8) Toronto
---------------------
9) Philadelphia
10) Carolina
11) Washington
12) New York Islanders
13) Florida
14) Montreal
15) Boston

Western Conference:
1) San Jose
2) Detroit
3) Vancouver
4) Calgary
5) Anaheim
6) Dallas
7) Nashville
8) Minnesota
---------------------
9) Colorado
10) St. Louis
11) Los Angeles
12) Chicago
13) Edmonton
14) Columbus
15) Phoenix

All right, now that I got that out in the public light, lets now start talking about how opposite those standings look compared to results of what we saw in the opening nights of the 07-08 season...WOW.

Ok, my question to everyone is, "Who the hell are the Columbus Blue Jackets?"
The point and case of this is the job they pulled over the defending Stanley Cup Champion Ducks last night. Where did that performance come from? Is Ilya B. not the Ducks' real go-to goalie? Rick Nash has come alive folks! Two goals, two assists, on the fours goals for the Jackets? This guy is on the wrong team, but let me tell you what the secret is to the success of the team in that game; Federov with Nash and Vyborny. Why didn't this line come together last year? Honestly it must have taken Hitchcock all summer to dream up a fearful threesome like this. The numbers don't exaggerate anything in this case. Just the way the puck was moving tape to tape, the formulation of positioning and chemistry between the three, it all just left me speechless to say the least. Columbus (and possibly Chicago) can be the black horses in the NHL that will rise up and surprise everyone. Pascal Leclare gets a shut-out too? The NHL goes through a lock-out, the Sabres make the playoffs after a dead spell. The NHL switches jersey technology, and the Columbus Blue Jackets may use it to their advantage in some mysterious way. Though it has only been one game in for the Jackets, if this keeps up and Chicago prevails, then this Central division may prove to be much more than just Nashville and Detroit's battle-field.

Since I'm batting at the topic of the Chicago Blackhawks, I did get a chance to see the Hawks battle the Wild on Thursday night on Center Ice online. First off, my condolences go out to the Wirtz family for their loss of Bill, a powerful figure in Chicago Blackhawks history. He died after his long bout with cancer which is so sad considering his impact on all those who came to know him at some point during his life. He was 77 years old.

Moving on into the game that took place on Thursday, the Minnesota Wild played host to the Blackhawks in what I would call a surprise come around for the Hawks. The first game for Patrick Kane turned out to be quite the exciting one. Mr. Kane, straight from being the number one pick in this past June draft, looked like a natural on the ice. Shock was the word that came to mind. His small stature made him look vulnerable, but that was the deception that worked to his advantage. The passing, the speed, the quick reads, all around this kid is proving to be more than what meets the eye. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the final score though. 1-0 Minnesota wins. 4:47 into the second period, the only goal scored by Bouchard at even strength was the only tally on the night. Khabibulin and Nik Backstrom were stellar on both ends, and Backstrom proved that last year was not just a one shot deal. This year he looks to repeat his amazing performance in between the pipes for the Wild, and he proved he can by spoiling Kane's debut. Kane saw just under 17 minutes of ice time. That's a lot of time to invest in this new kid, especially in his first game. It should be interesting to see what he can do in the games to come this season, and overall the Blackhawks look healthy and if they can stay that way, they will become a force to come to grips with in the Central.

Pittsburgh fell hard to the silent Hurricanes. Unbelieveable as it may sound, the Canes look like they just might be as resilient as they were in the years of Cup contention. I'm expecting them to miss the playoffs, but if this holds true from my predictions, then they will miss by not very much at all. They could nip their way into the 8th spot by the end when all is said and done, but my initial impression is that they are much better than they were last year after the Cup hangover. To watch this team topple a force like the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 4-1 victory that almost could have been a 4-0 shutout if it wasn't for Mark Recchi's goal with under 3:30 left in the game, I was shocked to say the least. Eric Staal's two goals in the first period set the tone immediately for the team and goes to show that there's a little fire that may grow througout the season under Peter Laviolette's rebounding squad. Crosby needs to step up his game and lead this young team into the next 81 games with the attitude that this is their year. The early exit from last year's playoffs should be enough to inspire this team considering their amazing bounce from the bottom of the standings the year before to their incredible position in the season's finish in the 06-07 season. They'll need to win tonight's game against the Ducks to get that ball rolling. The Ducks, I'm sure, are still reeling from their unbelieveable loss to the Jackets, and they are also looking to get back on the right track considering their missing out of some offense from the subtraction of Penner and Selanne.

Buffalo looked to set an early tone like they did last year against the team they bounced in five games in the first round of the 06-07 playoffs, but the tables turned thanks to some new Islanders. It was more or less the Mike Comrie show as he tallied for two goals and two assists on the night as the the Islanders won an exciting bout with the Sabres. A couple breakaways for both teams, but the goaltending didn't look to shabby at all. The defense is much to blame in this high scoring contest. Some risky decisions by Lydman didn't prove helpful, especially when one turn of events resulted in a Comrie breakaway goal. I'm sure Lindy Ruff wasn't too happy with the defense, but Miller did make some spectacular saves to keep the game under some control. DiPietro on the other end of the ice was making just as many amazing saves, but the four goals he allowed in the first and second period don't really do him any justice. The six goal first period splitting three aside made this game project a feeling that the final outcome would likely be an 10-9 finish, but the powerplays for the Islanders, especially a 5 on 3, gave NY a big push ahead in taking this one. The special teams really did spotlight this contest, and both teams will have to work out the kinks going into NY this evening as both teams meet again at the Nassau Colliseum on the island.

Another upset came in the form of the Atlanta Thrashers taking a beating from Southeastern division rival Washington. This one had a similar feeling of development like the Islanders game because it was the newcomers that made the spotlight. Goal tallies from Michael Nylander and Viktor Kozlov proved to strike it rich for the sharp looking Washington Capitals in this 3-1 victory. The surprise comes as I begin to rethink where I placed the Thrashers to finish consider they start the season without many players that they had on the roster from last year. DeVries, Mellanby, and Tkachuk are all no longer Thrashers, but we'll have to see where things go for this defending Southeastern division champion team.

I'm going to end it here and probably add on many more things throughout the day, or maybe even wait until after tonight's games to interject more into the crazy mess that has started out this fresh and exciting season. We'll talk more soon!

The Podcast will be back in a matter of days or sooner, so don't fear. Keep it here, as the season gets rolling.

Show 42: Classic NHL Mess in Winter Classic

Here is the show that addresses my feelings on the Winter Classic ticket problem and response to your emails. I do apologize if my verbalization of some things is a tad offensive. Also, when I speak earlier in the show about Dallas, I call them an exception because they are in the southern US. I listened to the show and thought to myself, "That just sounded like I called them an expansion team in the last 10 years." That portion didn't flow well, but my point was well delivered.

Enjoy the hardcore rant. Email me back with comments and feedback. This show may become a controversial one.

Download Show 42 right here

Pittsburgh NewsCast: The Password was Leaked.

Vote on your thoughts: Winter Classic Poll

The Upcoming Shows: New Format

I did get Anaheim and Atlanta out of the way, and I was looking to get Boston, Buffalo, Calgary, and Carolina on the air tonight, but I need to change it up. Since the LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks are starting the season off really early this year, I will cap off the Season Preview with a glimpse at divisional breakdowns and then ultimately each conference's predicted finishes. I have been bouncing my arguments off a few people and they didn't seem to happy when I said Minnesota was going to miss the playoffs and Edmonton would do the same. I'm getting heavily criticized, but you'll find out why in the next few shows.

BUT...before all that takes place, I will air a special show on the Winter Classic Outdoor game and the controversial aspects of ticket sales and resales. The publicity of the game in the marketing scheme is also a big factor in the mix along with an image issue. For example, College Bowl day?!?! Of all days, why didn't you pick February 17th Gary? Honestly. That's ok. The fans' outcries of support for this game may surprise everyone, but if you didn't get your ticket, I have one question: Ice Bowl or Rose Bowl? That's where it gets tricky. My guess is that the only people that'll end up watching will be the people from Buffalo and Pittsburgh inside and outside the stadium. That's probably going to be just about it. OH, and Canada too, of course. There are a lot of X factors here. I'll weigh in on where my more educated stand is on the issue in the NEXT show, followed by the Season Previews.

Stay Tuned

Show 41: Atlanta Thrashers

Next up on the NHL 07-08 Preview is the Southeast Division winners, victims of a first round sweep last year in the playoffs; the Atlanta Thrashers.

Download Show 41 right here

Iced Over on Tickets for Winter Classic/Ice Bowl

I've been receiving quite a few emails and spoke with many disappointed people when it comes to getting the equal opportunity to get tickets to see the famed Winter Classic (also known as the Ice Bowl) outdoor game between the Sabres and Penguins. I have a lot of grief to dish out on this, as well. I will interrupt my coverage of the NHL team-by-team preview with a special podcast centered around the issue of access and afford-ability of tickets to this game and also the issue of marketing flaws that the NHL is experiencing overall. This outdoor game is just the tip of the ice-berg when it comes to problems with the NHL's marketing strategies. The lack of reasonable access to these kinds of events contradicts the direction that the NHL claims to be going for in expanding the game. I'm going to address this issue and the many others in a special edition today after I publish the Atlanta preview.

Stay tuned.

Show 40: Anaheim Ducks

This is the first of many episodes covering each team in a preview format looking back at last year and also their off-season moves. The first team: The Stanley Cup Champions; Anaheim Ducks

Download Show 40 right here

Show 39: Ready to Roll into the New Season

This show will serve as a feeder into the next several shows where I will look at each team and analyze where they finished last year and where I think they'll end up this coming season. A lot has happened in the off-season, and a lot of teams will shift around because of it. So, for the next dozen shows, I'll be dividing up shows by teams and give my take on everything going on in each organization after looking at all sides of their previous season and their mindset going into a new season.

Download Show 39 right here

Show 38 3/4: Some News in Between Now and Then

This is a video podcast I didn't get the chance to post last week. It has been a real busy couple of weeks with running hockey try-outs, starting classes, and then getting sick with a hell of a cold. So much fun in such short time. Feedback is welcome on this format. Not sure if I'm comfortable with it yet.

Download the Semi-Quasi-TestDummy Show 38 3/4 Podcast Video right here

Advertising a New Blog-site

For all you hockey fans (especially in the WNY region and Buffalo Sabres fans):

As a favor to good friend of mine, I'm advertising a new up-and-rising hockey forum and blog-center. www.hockeyscape.com This site is for everyone to air their thoughts on topics decided by the members and administrators and is very interactive. I want to help my buddy get this thing rolling and aid in the expansion of the knowledge of the game and get this site to become a premier site to talk all things hockey. Many members hail from the Buffalo region and are involved in Performax Hockey Systems based out of Amherst, NY. So give a whirl and join up today!

Coming Soon: Season Preview Team by Team

Several Episodes will role your way talking about each team for the next eight days leading into the start of the regular season. We'll talk where they were last year, the moves they made in the off-season, and what direction I believe the team will be heading in. I'm still debating on whether or not I'll do a team per show or three teams per show...I'll feel it out and decide. Tonight I'll begin posting in alphabetical order for the next eight days by city. So get ready, it's coming quick. It's going to just be a little perk for everyone to get excited about leading into the season.

Talk to you all real soon!

Show 38 1/2: The Podcast Emcee Audition Video

I know I already posted this, but I'm experimenting now to see if I can get it to upload on iTunes. This should be interesting if it works. If it does, this show will be doing some new and exciting things in the near future.

Download the Audition Podcast Video right here

Show 38: Super Series Update and News

The Super Series between Canada and Russia is a bit lopsided; plus some news tidbits to round things out.

Download Show 38 right here

Show 37: News and Rantings

Alcohol abuse, players leaving the NHL for other leagues, and a very interesting rant. Check it out because this show gives my view of my fears that are now haunting the NHL. Tradition is falling out of place, and it's time that it gets noticed. Too many changes are being made in the NHL, and the scars of these movements are like skates on an unresurfaced sheet of ice in the arenas across North America. You'll know what I mean when you give a little to the rant portion of the show following the news briefs.

Download Show 37 right here

PreShow 37: My Emcee Audition Video

To give it one last hoot, I'll just show you all how I looked on my live-audition video that took place outside of the HSBC Arena on August 4th. This will probably be the first and last video you'll see of me online for a long time.

Enjoy and get a good laugh in.


Check out the Audition video here

Clearing Up Something Before the Next Show

Numero Uno: Didn't make it into the Top 10 for the Sabres Emcee contest.
Response: Don't really care. Did it just for fun. Plus, judging by the looks of things, the Top 10 looked a bit pre-arranged if you look at the selection. I could have seen it coming a mile away.

Numero Dos: Thought I'd like to vent a bit considering I lied about being ok with losing the Sabres Emcee contest. I mean, I am a little bitter, but life goes and things happen for a reason. The guy who has done it for the last couple of years, well, he gets booed at all game. Maybe my reputation needs to be protected by not being the Emcee and keeping myself in a position of positive respect instead of being slaughtered with slurring boos and cusses from the drunks. Yeah, we'll just go with that. Anyway, OH! Yes, venting. Anyway, below is a copy of my blog from HockeyBuzz. Needless to say, there's a lot changing in the NHL, and frankly it is aggravating me. Tradition is no longer a word that we can use in the NHL unless you're talking about the Stanley Cup. That's it. Nothing else is the same. Read on to find out what I mean. The next show will be coming soon, and no, I will not discuss Rick Tocchet because that issue is just as popular as Michael Vick's reputation as an animal lover. Read on, and stay tuned.

(As seen on my blog @ HockeyBuzz.com)
New Reebok Jerseys: Just a Piece of the Puzzle
August 30, 2007 ~ 5:02 AM ET
As I see the slow progression of teams like Vancouver, Nashville, and Washington creep out with their new designs for their emblems and styles, I take a step back and begin to think really hard. I begin to wonder what these new looks would, well, look like with the basic jersey of the yester-years. The loose design with the nice "flutter in the wind" character of the traditional sweater, it's kind of a piece of history that defines the image of players coasting down the ice. It gives a visual appeal of a player moving faster than they really were. The spectacular speed of a Maxim Afinogenov or Pavel Bure (yeah, I'm a fan of Russian hockey players), the pace at which they looked unstoppable was always traced with the jersey flapping away as they zigged and zagged their way to the goal. Where is that visual now? It is now in the vault with many other things that the NHL is collectively placing on the shelf in the books of hockey's past. From the company who brought you football, basketball, and soccer jerseys, Reebok now brings to you...a jersey that appears like spandex on the bulky equipment.

To rehash where I was going with the Preds, Canucks, and Caps images, I just wanted to point out that I seriously love the fact that Vancouver is going back to the catchy green with the blue and meshing it with a more modern style. I like the Capitals rocking out the classic look in a modern light. The Predators image is sharp and fierce. But to throw it onto this form fitting jersey? It is a turn off to me. I've spoke with many people on this subject, and majority of those whom I spoke with agree. They agreed only on the count of one resounding opinion that didn't just single out the jersey issue. They touched on the idea that the game of hockey is shifting into something different every year. New rules and new regulations. New salaries and new networks. New marketing strategies and new attitudes.

The evidence is in the Balsillie saga. He's trying to pull the sport from one town to another, and undoubtedly people are going to be upset that they're losing a team in the deal. The Predators market is a shaky one, and the fans do need to step up the support like they have recently to keep the team (and CONTINUE TO DO SO). The Penguins are not too different, but they were not thoroughly supported through the rough patch they hit when finishing at the bottom the season prior to this. Balsillie thought that this club could flourish in Ontario as well. The message here is clear. It has become too much of a business instead of a sport for enjoyment. Honestly, with all the young talent that keeps flooding the market, Balsillie should be entitled a fresh expansion franchise to place in Hamilton, ON. Take back your game Canada. I'm all for the idea of placing a team back in Quebec City or Winnepeg. But from all that I can see happening in the NHL that seems to also run in theme with this problem is something that aggravates me very much. And that is to see players sign for gross amounts of money and quickly pack up to accept the bigger buck after playing dedicated hockey in a market for some time. It's not the fact that a team has lost a big star player. It's the fact that small market teams are pushed back further.

If a small market club picks up a strong player from the draft, then a couple years down the road, the player is offered a bogus amount of money to jump ship from the team that blossomed him into the spotlight (Penner, Vanek). How does Mr. Bettman expect teams to blossom if the big ownership of major markets splurge on the biggest named talents in the marketplace? This just isn't an issue of image with flashy, technologically advanced unis, or new rules to increase scoring to draw in more fans across the continent (and possibly the world), or promoting an outdoor game to draw in attention (especially on a day when the most important college football games are taking place and fill the spotlight). This is about the direction that Gary Bettman has dished out into what I call "Gary's NHL". We've seemed to overlook the fact that he is pushing for more changes every year. The movement of the goal-judges to other places in the arena aside from behind the goal to open up some prime seating? I'm not thrilled about this because the goal judge is a classic part of the atmosphere of the arena. When that person sitting in the black suit behind the goal hits the button and the red light comes on...they are what makes the crowd erupt. It's their presence that makes you know that we are serious about the sport. Remove them, and that void will resemble the emptiness of the word tradition that will become the now so-called "NHL".

Bettman and Board of Governors, stop changing the game. It was never broke. So stop breaking the traditions.

Peter Forsberg Sweepstakes?

Ok, a month or two ago, I was reading that Pete was going to play for his father's league back in Sweden...What happened?

TSN.com is reporting that Ottawa and Vancouver are now in a "race" to pick up this injury-prone forward from his one year stint in Nashville after being dealt away by the Philadelphia Flyers. His career is winding down, and I honestly think that if he does go to either one of these bidding teams, he will disappoint them. The high point of his career came and went when he was with Colorado and he had moderately ok numbers in Philadelphia. Honestly, don't look for him to become anything big in either Canuck-ville or Senatorial Ottawa. The fact of the matter is that he may be a nice fit as a center on a second line or maybe (MAYBE) first line with either of these two teams. He just needs to find his Joe Sakic to connect with on the ice, but splitting Taylor Pyatt from the Sedin twins may be a big mistake. Placing him on a line with Spezza and Alfreddson, maybe not so good. The most he can do is possibly feed them the puck and hope he rakes in points that way, but in all my hockey knowledge, when you go from head to toe with injuries within the past two years, the next two years will merely be recovery.

Good Luck to Ottawa and Vancouver in the "Waste Your Time, Money, and Effort" Sweepstakes.

Oh, and Trevor Linden was having talks with the coaching staff of the Canucks on whether or not he is getting too old to play? Yeah, adding Forsberg would just prove that Linden is fine for another year. Ha ha ha. Had to mention that.

Sorry, had to get that off my chest after seeing Vancouver enter the picture.


Remember, vote for me at Sabres.com or this lovely little link. The Sabres Emcee contest voting will end next week Friday, so vote now and vote often:

http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=335939

Show 36: Short but Sweet

This is a short but sweet edition. Just briefly talking about a couple of stories that popped up on the NHL radar over the past few days. So, yeah, and if you haven't noticed already, the voting has begun for the Sabres Emcee contest and I'm in it. So go now to Sabres.com or click here to go straight to the voting page:

http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=335939

And for Shredd and Regan at 103.3 The Edge in Buffalo...I'm speechless. That's all I will say.

Download Show 36 right here

The Voting has Begun!!

Here's the link:
http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=335939

Vote David Stearns!

Thanks hockey fans! Stayed tuned for a show soon!

Show 35: Fly by the Seat of My Pants Edition

It's touches on a couple issues like the Dustin Penner situation, Mikey C from the LA Kings, the Nashville syndrome, and other topics like my Sabres situation. Check it out.

Download Show 35 right here

Vote for David Stearns!!

Hey everyone,

I don't usually do this, but yes, it's the Sabres side of me coming out again. I auditioned for the Sabres Emcee in-game entertainer contest, and well I've moved on to the second round. Yes, yes, this guy went down for a live audition at the Hot Sauce Bleu Cheese arena and got a chance to strut his stuff and apparently, it paid off.

At the end of this week, or beginning of this week, the Sabres' website (www.sabres.com) will put up the Top 20 audition videos (including mine, of course), and will allow viewers to vote for their favorite contestant. So, I'm encouraging you all to help me out by voting for me!

To make it even better, I'll even put up a new podcast sometime real soon. That's a promise. Boy oh boy, things lately have been looking up for the good ol' Rant Man.

Stay Tuned and do your patriotic hockey duty and vote! I don't care if you're not a Sabres fan, just do it for the sake of promoting your ol' pal David Stearns. One day I'll be able to attribute my success to all my loyal listeners out there. Oh, and by the way, I've got the stats for over 2,000 downloads in recent months. How awesome are all of you!! Thanks for your continued support!!

The Rant Man aka David Stearns

Show 34: One Week Later

Download Show 34 right here

Show 33: The Real Chaos has Come (edited)

After listening to the free agency show of 40 some odd minutes. I decided that I was bored and couldn't stand listening to myself without a little filler music to go with the endless list of transactions and such. Here's an edited edition with lovely background music to amuse you all.

Enjoy.

Download the Free Agency Spectacular, Show 33 of my podcast here

Podshow PDN {podshow-0236611ef2983e7767ffd84b04f282e0}

Show 33: The Real Chaos has Come (The full show)

Oh man...I'm just too caught up in this craziness. I'm having a hard time imagining Scott Gomez on the ice with the Rangers. This year is by far the whackiest I've ever seen.

Download it kids!

Download the Free Agency Spectacular, Show 33 of my podcast here

Told You So

Chaos and hell did break loose. I stayed away from radio, tv, and internet. It wasn't on purpose. Something unplanned came up and I couldn't record the show for everyone. The recap and the reaction will be here by tomorrow. I am in shock to say the least.

Talk to you REAL soon.

Show 33: All Hell to Break Loose

Listen and you'll understand.

Fun stuff is coming up soon.

We'll be here to cover it all as it unfolds.

Download the Promo for Episode 33 of my podcast here

Two Weeks Vacation: Unintentional, and Far from a Vacation

20 hours in the rink, 40 in the stink.

That's exactly the way my life has been these past two weeks. Working in the machine shop for 40 hours (and then some...like 8 hours OT on top of 40 hours), then 20 hours at the ice rink each week. The Ice Rink, I love. The Machine Shop, not so much. But anyway, I am by no means an expert on the draft. Developmental players and juniors, I don't follow so much as the O, A, and N levels of hockey. If you didn't get it, I meant that I only concern myself with following the OHL, AHL, and NHL. Yeah...but anyway, next show I'll just talk about the big guns who went where and that's pretty much it. I still have some gripes about the NHL's playoff problems like "pre-race" horse talk cutting into NBC's coverage during the Sabres Ottawa series, and not to mention...where was the NHL Awards on Versus? Thank God I have CBC. Anyway, free agency is coming...Drury, Briere, Vanek, Parise, Emery, Penner, Bryzgalov, get ready to move soon. Kariya and Forsberg; reunited soon? Tons and tons of stuff to talk about.

Next Show: Draft

I took a few off. So, what I'm going to do is go ahead and talk about the draft instead of the AHL championship. We'll discuss who went where and why some took longer than expected to go where they did. Very interesting turn of events for some. The day before and day of the draft saw some trades that we'll also discuss. One word: Goaltending.

Talk to you all soon.

Show 32: Duck Season Begins

The Anaheim Ducks are your 2006-2007 Stanley Cup Champions. Plus, I think it comes by no surprise really. This team has really been one of the most talked about teams all season and I could almost tell it was going to work out this way. With the best offensive and defensive depth, the Ducks showed the world that they were serious contenders from the get-go. What I especially liekd about this team was the defensive old style of hockey that they had integrated well into the "new-NHL" era. They played a physical and defensive "old-style" throughout and their goaltending was complete from start to finish. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jean-Sebastian Giguere were argueably the best goaltenders, as far as pairing, in the league this year. We can make a case for Ludqvuist, Luongo, and Emery, in the unsung hero aspect, but the truth is Giggy and Bryzy were number one and got the job done.

Congrats to Anaheim.

Download Episode 32 of my podcast here

Show 31: Ducks Cup or Sens Survival?

Tonight, Game 5, Ducks can take it. Sens will stop at nothing to keep this series going though the last time a team in a 3-1 deficit went on to win the Cup was the Maple Leafs in 1942.

Check it out!

Download Episode 31 of my podcast here

Hamilton or Kitchener/Waterloo?

Ok, ok. We already know that the Nashville Predators will be moved. It may not be until the 2008-2009 season though, but the real question is: WHERE?

According to TSN, the mayor of Hamilton was approached by Jim Balsillie's lawyers to strike up a deal. Well, it looks like it has been done considering that Mayor Fred Eisenberger has given the Blackberry mogol the green light. This is what TSN.ca had to report:

The Hamilton Spectator reports that the City of Hamilton has re-activated an agreement with Waterloo billionaire Jim Balsillie, giving him exclusive rights to bring an NHL team to Copps Coliseum.

The news comes just one week after Balsillie, co-CEO of BlackBerry innovator Research In Motion, agreed to buy the NHL's Nashville Predators last week for US$220 million.

According to The Spectator, Balsillie approached the city late last week through Toronto lawyer Richard Rodier which led to several behind-the-scenes discussions with Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger.

"He has assured me that he wants to secure a team and he is interested in bringing it to Hamilton," Eisenberger told The Spectator. "Certainly he has the resources to do it and we will leave it up to him to pull it together."

The paper adds that the city is also negotiating to give Balsillie the right to run Hamilton Place and the Convention Centre if he brings in an NHL team franchise.

Ok, so we have that article, but here's what throws me off. ESPN.com shows a different side of the story as Scott Burnside reports:

You've just got to love this bit of irony.

Two days after NHL commissioner Gary Bettman scoffed at the likelihood of the Nashville Predators moving in the next year or two, and specifically scoffed at the notion they're headed to Southern Ontario, some news seems to suggest that is exactly the plan.

At a City of Hamilton council meeting Wednesday night, Canadian mega-millionaire Jim Balsillie, whose company helped develop the BlackBerry, reactivated an agreement with the city for exclusive rights to the city's main arena, Copps Coliseum. Hamilton mayor Fred Eisenberger said he and Balsillie talked about the agreement.

"He has assured me that he wants to secure a team and he is interested in bringing it to Hamilton," Eisenberger was quoted as saying Wednesday night in the Hamilton Spectator. "Certainly he has the resources to do it and we will leave it up to him to pull it together."

Balsillie has made an offer to purchase the Predators from current owner Craig Leipold. Given the team's declining attendance and scarcity of corporate support in the community, the team could be in a position as early as next summer to break its lease with the city of Nashville and relocate.

Balsillie, whose operation is in Southern Ontario, has been long-rumored to wanting an NHL franchise in the area. But in Bettman's "state of the union" address before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup finals Monday, the commissioner insisted such talk was pure speculation and that Balsillie told Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly he has no plans to move the Predators.

"I met with Mr. Balsillie last week. Bill Daly and I both did, and I specifically asked him whether or not he had specific plans or intentions with respect to moving the franchise, and he told me he did not," Bettman told reporters Monday. "And so, I think there's been entirely too much speculation in terms of what comes next.

"What's clear to me from meeting with Mr. Balsillie is that he's passionate about the game, would like to own a franchise, and certainly has the resources to do it. Beyond that, there have been no promises. There have been no predictions. And I think if anybody believes that [Nashville] is destined to a particular location, that's more a matter of speculation."

But talk is cheap, which is why Balsillie's renewed control of Copps Coliseum as it relates to the NHL seems to contradict Bettman's position.

The long-held theory has been that if Balsillie's more than generous offer to buy the Predators ($220 million) is green-lighted by the NHL's board of governors by the end of June and the Predators escape their lease, he would like to move the team into Copps Coliseum until a new facility can be built somewhere in the area outside the protected zones of both the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs.

Earlier news reports say Balsillie has purchased a plot of land in the Waterloo area, a plot of land west of Toronto that could conceivably house a new NHL-sized arena.

Hands up for those who believe this is all a strange coincidence. No? Didn't think so.

Scott Burnside is the NHL writer for ESPN.com.

Bettman...enough said. Can we say inconsistency? I'm not going to go off on this posting about the television ratings for the US and how Gary thinks things are moving forward ::cough, bring back ESPN, cough:: I think you all understand my gripe about this. But what is the definition of protected zones around the franchises of Buffalo and Toronto? Where are these lines drawn? Toronto to Buffalo = 1 hour, 45 mins. Buffalo to Hamilton = 1 hour, 20 mins. Toronto to Hamilton = 45 mins. Detroit to Toronto = 4 hours. Detroit to Buffalo = 4 hours, 40 mins. Detroit to Hamilton = 3 hours, 30 mins.

Ok, now that we have our geography lesson in tact...what do we see from all of this? Well...wait. Lets look at Waterloo. Buffalo to Waterloo = 2 hours, Toronto to Waterloo = 1 hour 20 mins, Detroit to Waterloo = 3 hours, 20 mins.

Waterloo to Hamilton = 1 hour.

To clarify things, Kitchener is 5 mins. outside of Waterloo, kind of making them a twin city area.

My point...what is the difference? Is it sentimental or sign of accomplishment from Jim to impress his hometown? "Hey look everyone! I bring you professional hockey!" 110,000 population with 20,000 students who live there seasonally. So, lets give them 130,000. We add Kitchener into the mix with their 451,000, and the final tally is 560,000. Ok, ok. Simple math lesson here. Hamilton, on the otherhand, city population of 505,000 with an urban population of 650,000. Soooo, what am I getting at? If it's possible, take Hamilton. The variations of differences of population sizes and regional distances from other markets, all combined leads me to one conclusion. Hamilton. Eisenberger is giving you all access to the Copps Coliseum, Jimmy. You've got the rights, you can build up the building to add more of an NHL like atmosphere, but 19,000 seats already in there? Go for it! I need somewhere to go to see some Sabres games considering those tickets in Buffalo will be hard to come across. Plus, if you put the team in Hamilton, the accessibility to other regional cities is a lot better...by about a half hour to forty minutes compared to having the team in Waterloo (little sarcasm, but serious too).

This deal will go down. The move will be very beneficial for the NHL. It's now just a matter of when and where.

All the Things Outside the Cup

I'm just going to try my best to get everything up to speed with all things going on outside of the Stanley Cup excitement. So here we go:

The Phoenix Coyotes have agreed to signing former New York Rangers assistant GM and vice president of player personnel Don Maloney a contract to be the new GM for the desert dogs. The Coyotes are looking to upscale their past performances in the last few seasons to bring some credibility to the franchise. Last year the team finished last in the Western Conference 29 points out of the playoffs. Maloney spent 10 and a half seasons in the Rangers' organization as a left wing and afterwards worked closely with Glen Sather in the front office. His experience is definitely needed in a discombobulated Phoenix franchise.

Well, another interesting note, Mike Milbury has officially resigned from his downgraded position as vice president of sports properties with the New York Islanders. Milbury stepped down from his general manager post in January 2006 during the shaking up the organization did leading into Garth Snow's interjection into the mix. He is said to be continuing an adivser position to Charles Wang, the New York Islanders' owner.

Amidst all the rumors, Ron Wilson will return as the head coach of the San Jose Sharks. The rumors and speculations came after the Sharks took an early exit in the second round of the playoffs to the Detroit Red Wings. Sharks GM Doug Wilson made the announcement after plenty of time to think over how the season for the club concluded and how they feel they can fix it. The Sharks dominated the Predators in the first round taking them out. The ownership and front office folks must have a lot of faith in the coaching staff considering the fact that they were all signed to an undisclosed amount for an unknown time condition even during a 10 game losing streak last season. But I think with the acquisitions of Craig Rivet on defense, Bill Guerin on the front lines for the Sharks. The roster for this team is certainly stocked up for success. It's just finding the chemistry that pushes them to advance further than the second round that will prove their worth.
So, Ronny, get it going!

Andrei Markov is coming back as a Montreal Canadiens defenseman. He signed a four year deal totalling at $23-million. He had one hell of a year with the club with 6 goals and 43 assists for 49 points in 77 games. He was fourth overall on his team in points and second next to Sheldon Souray in defesemen. The team beat the July 1st deadline before he would have became an unrestricted free agent. Bob Gainey, in this respect, made probably one of the wisest choices in his time with the team. At age 29, he has scored 46 goals and 161 assists in his career after being drafted 162nd overall in 2000. Talk about under-rated.

Dominic Hasek, the oldest starting goaltender in the league at this point, is still milling over the idea on whether or not he will make another start for the Detroit Red Wings. Dominic Hasek retired and returned once already in past after winning the Cup with the Red Wings back in 2002, then became an Ottawa Senator thereafter. So, my take on the situation, I believe he will make a return for one more season. The 42 year old all star goalie, in my opinion, is probably still in his prime though he was only seeing an average of 18 shots a game. The strong defense of each team he has played for made him look like a phenomenal goalie, but I think that the team that suits him the best is the Detroit Red Wings who have arguably the best defense in the NHL. So, I'm going to guess he will return for one more season. His numbers are most impressive for his age: 38-11-6, 2.05 goals against average, .913 save percentage, 8 shut-outs, 15 seasons, and 3 seasons with the Red Wings. Teammates want him back, but it's a tough decision. We'll wait and see...

Luc Robitaille, like all other retirees, is giving back to the franchise that pretty much made him the player he was. He will become president of business operations with the Los Angeles Kings after spending 14 seasons on the ice for the silver crowns.

Brian Leetch retired after sitting out last season with the Boston Bruins. He was most notibly known for his career with the New York Rangers. I, of course, remember him as one of the sharpest defensemen in the league during the 90's while growing up. He helped the New York Rangers win the Stanley Cup in 1994 against the Vancouver Canucks, and also took home the Conn Smyth trophy for MVP in the playoffs. 18 seasons since he was drafted in 1986 as 9th overall by the Rangers. He has won two Norris Trophies as the league's best defenseman and also the Calder Trophy being rookie of the year in the 1988-89 season. He has quite the track record in the NHL as well as his appearances in the 1988, 1998, and 2002 winter olympics with team USA. 1,205 NHL games, 247 goals, 781 assists, 1,028 points, one of seven NHL defensemen to reach at least 1,000 points. His career was certainly an outstanding one.

Craig Ramsey became former associate coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning after he was fired last week. GM Jay Feaster felt the team needed new direction, but is going to keep John Tortorella after citing differences in styles of on-ice philosophies throughout their time together on the bench. Ramsey was with the team in 2004 when the Lightning won Lord Stanley's Cup.

There's a lot more to catch up on, but I'll fill in the holes in the next broadcast. I'll let you guys off the hook and give you only two doses of my voice today.

Show 30: Preds Sold, and Will Dru and Briere be Sold too?

The Predators see Blackberry Jim as their new owner, and the co-captains of Buffalo are in the hot seat as they are now unrestricted free agents.

So, we're just catching up on some of the things we missed while being blinded by the Stanley Cup Finals.

Download Episode 30 of my podcast here

Show 29: Cup Finals Begin

Ok, was anyone else out there shouting every two seconds like my brothers were? I swore the crowd at Honda Center was calmer than what I had in my house. I think it's just the revenge factor my family has against anyone who beats out the Sabres. But I'm objective.

It is the third straight Stanley Cup Finals series that has seen a Canadian team participate. This time it's an Eastern team outside of the last two which were the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames in the West. The Ottawa Senators versus the Anaheim Ducks. It was a great game for anyone who loves the sport.

Check it out on the rant.

Download Episode 29 of my podcast here

Where Did My Picks Go?

Well, the two contenders for the Stanley Cup Finals have been decided in the past week, and the funny thing about it...none of them were in my crystal ball.

As most of you remember from past shows, I was calling the upset of the Ducks. Simply, I was wrong for one primary reason (well, two): Rob and Scott Niedermayer. Two game winning goals in two series, two good reasons why the Ducks deserve to be the Western representing team in this year's cup finals. The goaltending from Bryzgalov and Giguere, questionable at times, but I feel they deserve a little more credit aside from the 5-0 blitz they saw in game three at home against the Wings.

Top three players from both sides:
Senators have- Right Wing Dany Heatley with a team leading 6 goals and 15 assists from 21 pts. Centerman Jason Spezza with 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 pts. Daniel Alfredsson 10 goals and 7 assists for 17 pts.

Ducks have- Defenseman Chris Pronger with a team leading 3 goals and 11 assists for 14 pts. Centerman Ryan Getzlaf with 5 goals and 8 assists for 13 pts. Temmu Selanne with 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 pts.

You can't just end it there with those top threes from each side. Both of these teams have seen overall contibutions from many players that go unnoticed. Sam Pahlsson, Corey Perry, Travis Moen, from the Ducks and Wade Redden, Joe Corvo, Dean McAmmond from the Senators. I mean everyone of these guys with the rest of their teams have contributed and don't let their numbers fool you. We've seen heroes from the bottom of the ladders from both teams throughout the entire playoffs.

My pick for the cup is plain and simple. The Ducks will play the defense side of hockey that has got them this far and will see their guys play on their heads. Ryan Getzlaf has scored a game winning goal in one game from each of the series thus far, and I think he will do it again in the finals. He's a power centerman with a solid style of play. With that kind of leadership and that from Scott Niedermayer, I think the Ducks have a solid core that will meet the expectations of everyone who loves the sport. This series will be low scoring, defensive hockey, and I think the outcome like the last three Stanley Cup Finals will turn into a full 7-games. The first one of course in those three years was the Ducks and Devils. Giguere played a phenomenal series then, and I think he will this time around as well. He has kept this team in it thus far, and will lead them to victory...

If I'm wrong, the Senators could be looking at their first Stanley Cup victory since their 1992 intro back into the league after a long hiatus from the scene. They have 9 banners from their previous franchises, but this one would be their first in modern history. The team has the top three offensemen in the playoffs this year and they all play on one line. The Alfredsson, Heatley, and Spezza line proved to be unstoppable when it came to each series; Pittsburgh, New Jersey, and the Sabres. Heatley has two game winning goals, both from the first round. Alfredsson has four game winning goals, two from the Conference Finals, one in the first and one in the second rounds. He can be the first European captain to win the Cup in NHL history. He will score quite a bit with the help from his line considering he is their "Go-To-Guy" especially for the GWG. He will shine and so will Ray Emery. Emery has been playing some unorthodoxed style that we've never seen before in his career.

Considering all things defensively on both sides, I think that both teams will play a lot of neutral zone hockey, back and forth, and the bluelines on both sides will be tough to get by. You'll see low amounts of shots, lots of key shots with awesome saves to follow, and probably the best hockey all around.

If it goes, the other direction, then I'd be surprised. I can't possibly foresee a blowout, but if there is one coming, I've got a damned good idea on who it would be dishing it out.

Oh, and to have a little more fun...



Broadcast will soon follow.

Show 28: Wings and Ducks are Fun to Watch

Catchy title. The Duckies and the Wingers are crazy. This round is nuts. I won't lie to you, but this is one hell of a finish for sure for both conferences. I am looking at the Ducks and Wings series in awe more than the Sabres and Senators series. A big upset was expected, but I thought it was going to be the Ducks in the last round. So, it's going to be the Sabres this round. No surprise there. But the top two teams in the West remain and they are really going at it.

Check it out here on the rant.

Download Episode 28 of my podcast here

The Red Wings Sweater is ON

Yeah, a few blog posts ago I promised to post a picture of me wearing a Red Wings sweater. Well, here's a picture of me before the playoffs sporting a Sabres hat and a RedWings alternate jersey from years ago. I've had this jersey since I was 10 years old. So, for all you people who think I'm bandwagon, "Yeeeeeah, right."

Show 28 TONIGHT

Yeah, I promise you'll get a show tonight. I have a few things to finish up in Erie, PA before I travel back home for the summer and get back into the rink for some summer workings. I'm an all year round hockey guy.

But anyway, yes, we all know what happened last night with the Sabres. Frankly, I'm not surprised one bit. The only player that showed up last night for Buffalo was Ryan Miller. The defense was horrendous! Dimitri Kalinin used poor judgment all around, Spacek was good, but not great. Nobody on the Sabres defense throws their bodies around. Ottawa on the other hand, different story. Bodies were stopping pucks before they got to Ray Emery. The line of defense was amazing and quality scoring chances were few and futile for the Sabres to punch through. The Senators deserved the win, even though the goal was a fluke-like goal upon Miller's misplay, but all around the best team on the ice was Ottawa. They looked like they wanted it more. Strong play from Spezza and Alfredsson; I said it before and it proves right. That line is dangerous and has proven to be the best in the entire post-season.

Now, tonight we have game three of the Red Wings and Ducks series. I'm thinking I may wait until after that game to record the show because I think that it would be a good time to discuss that series all around. The top two in the West going head to head has been a nail-biter and it's going to be a close one. So keep your iTunes downloading, and keep checking the site for the show because it WILL BE ON tomorrow morning for sure.

Thank all, and enjoy the game!

Show 28: Coming Soon to a Podcast Nearest You

Don't worry. I am not burying my head in the sand (yet). There's lots to be discussed. Everything from third period Senators fun to a Vanek puncher-ooski. Game one and two for the Sabres Senators matchup, as most of you already know, are history, but what can be said about the next two in Ottawa. I'll rant you some of my quirking thoughts on how the spotlight might be shifting in a new direction.

On the otherhand, we have some more exciting (yeah, better than Buff and Ott, sorry) hockey in the West going on. Who would have thought that Hasek would see more than 20 shots, actually 30!!, and still pull out the win. That series is working into game 3 after last night's bout. All to come later today!

STAY TUNED

Oh, and if you want me to throw in some special sauce into the meat and potatoes of my show, the email addy is NHLhockeyrant@hotmail.com

Show 27: Eastern Conference Finals Begin Tonight

Sens and Sabs begin tonight.

Download Episode 27 of my podcast here

Showing a little love for the Blue and Gold

I cover my basis in an unbiased manner on the show, of course. But I should probably give you a taste of my passion for hockey. Don't worry and don't let this scare you off, I'll sport the Red Wings sweater next. Then I'll post myself in other sweaters too.



Just look at that playoff beard! Well, not quite complete, but it's filling in. I haven't had a haircut since the beginning of December, and I'm hoping it'll be long enough to donate to a charity that provides wigs for kids with cancer by the end of the playoffs. If not, I'll grow it out until the start of the next season in October.

Show 26: Senatorial Race, Sabre Dancing, Ugly Ducklings, All to See Next Round.

I recorded this last night before the Red Wings advanced. Sorry! Lots going on in my world right now. The Sabres and Senators are the focal point of the discuss though. I recorded like three shows in the past week, but never put them on the airwaves. Yeah, one day I may, just to have a good laugh about what I was saying. Well, I would probably scare myself because what I said was right on. Haha.

Oh, and I said 9 to 1 on the Sabres post-season record against the Senators, but I wasn't thinking and was going by the seat of my pants. It makes more sense to say 8 to 1, wouldn't you think? Haha. Whoops! Of course I mean in the last two series between the two teams. Overall, the post-season between the clubs looks like 12-4 in favor of the Sabres.

Download Episode 26 of my podcast here

Show 26 On Delay

Due to lots going on outside of the Rant, this episode will be coming soon and will recap the entire week's worth of hockey. STAY TUNED!

Show 25: Winging During the Day and a Devil of a Night

Home ice advantage? Does it really apply anymore? Detroit and New Jersey had to play some desperation hockey to keep themselves from falling behind by two games within the first two games of their series. Granted the toughest spot you could possibly end up in is down two games in your own building then packing up to go into the other team’s barn. Yeah, the Wings and Devils knew that going into game two. They showed how much they didn’t want the unthinkable to happen. Home ice is supposed to be an advantage. This was a do or die night, and no I didn’t steal that line from Versus. I’m sure I’ll see the lawsuit papers in the mail on Monday.

Vancouver will look to take a 2 to 1 series advantage tonight as the series shifts into their barn. The Sabres look to go 3 to 0 when they play an early 2pm game at the NYR’s MSG. NYR MSG, sounds like a healthy additive in the spicy dumpling. 8pm Versus start for Ducks Canucks, 2pm NBC game for Sabres Rangers. Fun fun fun!!

Download Episode 25 of my podcast here

Show 24: Sabres, Canucks Take Game Twos

Well, the Canucks woke up from their haze from their last series against the Stars. The return to reality was full of defensive hockey and...the old school Luongo the team didn't see in game one. They're still without Salo and Bieksa, but, hell, they didn't need them. They had two other well kept secrets in the back. The hero wasn't Trevor this time around, but he certainly helped out on this, uhhh, interesting goal to win it for the big fish.

The Rangers woke up, but sleeping beauty was shot down before she could make her presence known. What could have become a fairy tale turned out to be a battle to the death. I forgot to mention on this podcast segment about Lindy Ruff's freak show after the game. He was going ballistic! I will admit it; the refs did call a slight bump on Briere after his slight nudge on an off-balanced winger. Oh well, they won and Lindy should have just summarized his disgust some other way. The fans who saw him flip out were scared like he was going to turn green and explode into the Hulk or something. 1:54 left in the third, the Sabres are up 3-2, and the call was light. I think Lindy was smart for not hopping the bench directly after the call. 5 on 3 would have easily resulted from that.

Download Episode 24 of my podcast here

Show 23: Shark Attack and Sens March On

Did the Devils miss Patrick Elias last night? You bet they did! 5-4 loss to the Ottawa Senators and at one point they were down 4-0!! Only 7 penalties called in this game and only 4 called in the other game going on; Sharks and Red Wings.

Shark attack. That’s all I have to say about this one. Two goals scored within 24 seconds of one another in the first period. Nabokov shuts out the Red Wings. Unbelievable defensive work by the Sharks, and it looked like the Wings could have definitely used Holmstrom and Lebda in this one. Lets hope they get them back in time for game 2.

Download Episode 23 of my podcast here

Show 22: Ducks, Sabres Win Their Game Ones

Wow. Playoff hockey took an interesting turn last night. The winning teams came out on top with 5 goals. The losing side walked away with only 1 or 2 goals. Strangely enough, only one of the results was something I foresaw coming. Sabres, yes. Ducks, no. Are the Canucks still in Dallas mode? They better shape up fast because this Ducks team is a hell of a lot more in-depth than the Stars were. Tough series ahead for the Canucks if this is the case.

The trash talking done by Avery and Coach Tom Renney worked. It geared up the Sabres and paid off. It clearly showed that the Sabres were there ready to play and the blood was boiling. Of course Renney’s comments about the Sabres not being the “cream of the crop” in the NHL was negated after the Buffalo team pounded away at the Rangers’ net. Michal Rozsival, one of the top Rangers’ defenseman known for his offensive style, went out early in the second period from a leg injury. He is being listed as day to day, and could be a serious blow to the team’s first line of net-protection in front of Lundqvist.

Vancouver gets a pounding with lack of showing from its offense. Maybe Trevor Linden will surprise the Ducks with a hat-trick in game 2. Andy McDonald made it look easy in game 1 by burying his first ever NHL playoff hat-trick. McDonald’s third goal came in the third against Dany Sabourin who replaced Roberto Luongo who was yanked after Ryan Getzlaf’s goal. Luongo needs to get his head back on straight before going into game 2. That’s all I have to say about him. Understandably, Tuesday was travel day for the team coming off Monday night’s win against Dallas. So, maybe the lack of adequate rest factored into their loss. We’ll find out come Friday.

Download Episode 22 of my podcast here

Show 21: Round 2 is Finally Here!

After working a four-day hockey tournament in New York, I'm back and ready to roll. Well, not 100% really. I wore sandals and socks in the rinks the whole time. I'm guessing that may be the reason why I have this cold or pneumonia or what ever it is. I mean come on, it was 74 degrees outside and I think the rink would be about 45 degrees at least! Haha.

The second round is here. My predictions did hold up on the Devils, Canucks, and Red Wings for advancement into the second round. I’m excited about all of these series because they have the potential to shock and awe throughout, and I don’t think this round will see only one seven-game series. I think there are going to be two, possibly three, but who knows. I could be wrong, just like I said before about the Canucks and Stars not going to need a game seven…I’ll pause for a moment here to admit wrong-doing…

Ok! Now that the problem there has been aired out, the topics are mostly tonight’s games and also the finish to the Vancouver Canucks victorious series against the Dallas Stars. I’m also talking about Sean Avery and the remarks he’s made toward the Sabres already. Things are going to be physical and fast in tonight’s matchup. A lot of excitement is my guarantee. So, enjoy my show, and enjoy the hockey!


Download Episode 21 of my podcast here

Show 20: Series are Closing Out; Round Two is Coming!

Ok, I had a few beers before doing this show, but boy was it ever fun.

Rangers, Sabres, Senators, Sharks, Ducks...all advance.

Red Wings, Canucks, Devils...my guesses to advance.

Lets see how I fare on these predictions.

Download Episode 20 of my podcast here

Show 19: Playoff Fun is Great

I hate Versus sometimes. This show was recorded for airing on Sunday April 15. Apologies for a late one, but check into my insight about ESPN needing to buy back into the television contracts. Sorry, I was in a car recording this one.

Download Episode 19 of my podcast here

Show 18: Season Finish Mayhem!!

All these scenarios that need to play out for the finishing spots in both conferences are making my head spin. The conference championship in the east goes to the Sabres. The west looks like it's Detroit. The 8th seed in the west could be compromised. The 6th 7th and 8th spots in the east can shift. The Pens and Sens fight for their home ice advantage placement against one another. The Thrashers lock in the southeast and 3rd spot in the east.

CRAZY!!


P.S.- made a mistake in the recording saying that Atlanta beat Tampa...yeah, I jumped ahead to Saturday's game. The actually win was over Carolina. Man did Florida ever bomb the Lightning...7 to 2 and Tampa was fighting for the Southeast lead? Wow!
Download Episode 18 of my podcast here

Show 17: Catching Up

Just had to publish something. My thoughts are here on the hit, the Pitts, and the Shlitz.

Well...just listen. You'll know what I mean.

Download Episode Seventeen of my podcast here

Show 16: Crosby, Kaberle, and Playoff Preview

It's the sweeeeeet 16 show! We've got lots to chatter about like a rich kid on MTV whose daddy just handed her a nice Jag just because. I couldn't cover all the topics in a short show so I just covered the fun stuff first and left all the other presents for another edition. We've got Crosby, the young gun, Sid the Kid, the beast in the east, the master of the stick...you get the idea. This guy is on fire! But it was a short chat about him. I really went into the Kaberle incident in NJ and the playoff preview. Next show I prommmmmise to be good and talk about the week of new players in new places. It'll be our "Where they are, and what they're really worth" show, following up on the first week of those "big guns" who were traded around last week. Oh and Peter Forsberg was scratched from the Predators line-up. Oooooooh I so called it. Ok, I don't hate the Predators and Mr. Trotz. I just like to call them when I see them, in a sense.

Download Episode Sixteen of my podcast here

Podshow.com Linkage

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Show 15: Islanders and Leafs to Finish Off

Ok, the Islanders are owned by Mr. Wang, not Wong. Didn't think it sounded right. I just did this show on the fly really. Kind of by the seat of my pants, which I'm sure the feeling is mutual with Oilers fans. (Sorry guys. You need to tell Mr. Kevin Lowe to start securing players instead of relieving them. Examples lie in Gretzky, Messier, Fuhr, and a slew of others. Your club just can't hold em!)

Oh, and I have to close out with bashing the Maple Leafs. Sorry. I HAVE to do it. The laziest, wealthiest franchise in the league!

Download Episode Fifteen of my podcast here

Show 14: Penguins Get'er Done

Why didn't the Penguins try and make some of these moves earlier? The two players they picked up are probably the most important things this team has lacked, but didn't necessarily need. So, an enforcer and a veteran leader. Sounds like the team might be...complete to compete?

Download Episode Fourteen of my podcast here