No more JR Hockey

No more JR Hockey (big goals, big hits, big excitement) as Jeremy Roenick hangs 'em up.

Here's a fitting tribute to JR as he hangs up his skates after 20 years of JR Hockey. His awesomeness is best captured in this tribute to the Best Player In NHL 94: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03JgYUDtHkE.

“It's not so much me as it's Roenick. He's that good.”

Nostalgia and Bobby Holik

With Bobby Holik announcing his retirement it got me reflecting back on what it used to mean to be a Leafs fan earlier this century:

It was the summer of 2002 and I remember driving to an ultimate game well north of the city, listening to Prime Time Sports and being bummed out – and a little shell shocked – upon learning that noted Leafs-killer Bobby Holik had spurned Toronto’s advances and had signed with the Rangers for 5 years and $45 million. I believe the Leafs had refused to go above $42 million. Fans were apoplectic that the bean counters at the OTPP wouldn’t cough up a few million more to sign that year’s plum free agent.

In the first year of his big contract Holik played 64 games, notching 16 goals and 19 assists. During what would have been the 5 year term of that deal  he scored 35, 56, 33, 29 and 34 points. However, he was actually bought out by the Rangers after the lockout, so he didn't actually play 5 seasons under the terms of that monster contract. This isn’t entirely fair to Holik as he was never about the numbers, and had only scored 54 points (G: 25, A: 29) in the season leading up to his UFA summer, but it does go to show the UFA insanity pre-lockout.

Holik’s career stats can be found here: http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=2332.

Too funny - Leafs Facebook feed

Down Goes Brown rules! Well done, sir. You should also be sure to check out his Brian Burke Twitter spoof - funny stuff, even if a certain journalist at our national newspaper wasn't able to realize it was a parody....

The Phoenix Coyotes debacle / fiasco / clusterf*ck

I normally stay away from sports on SWATE but the Coyotes bankruptcy / thwarted bankruptcy and potential sale to Research In Motion co-owner Jim Balsillie requires comment. A quick overview in case you haven't read the news today....

The Canadian billionaire has made an offer of $212.5-million (U.S.) for the Phoenix Coyotes with the intention of moving the team to Southern Ontario.

As was the case when he attempted to purchase the club in Nashville, Balsillie's attempting to drum up public support in Canada, and has launched a website (makeitseven.ca) to solicit email addresses and postal codes of supporters.

The NHL is disputing the validity of the bankruptcy filing and have removed Coyotes owner Jerry Moyes from all positions of authority to act for or on behalf of the clubs.

For more information and commentary check out James Mirtle's blog, From the Rink.

One thing is for certain, this is going to get ugly and should make for great theatre. The SWATE take on how this will all unfold:

The league is going to have to take over and run the team next season while the bankruptcy / sale winds its ways through the courts (which could take years). Assuming the Coyotes lose another $35 million (US) next season who is on the hook for that money? I think it would have to be the other owners, and they'll love that. I don't think you can pin it on Moyes after you’ve blocked his attempt to put the team into bankruptcy protection.

I think the outcome will be that Balsillie is blocked from acquiring the team, which will then be sold for $100m to Jerry Reinsdorf (owner of MLB's Chicago White Sox who was considering a bid) – Reinsdorf gets the team at a discount for promising to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix.

The creditors will get screwed, especially Moyes who will launch a mega-bucks ($100+ million) lawsuit against the league because he and all the other creditors would have been paid in full if the team was sold to Balsillie. Balsillie will also sue the league for blocking his ownership aspirations without good reason.

The NHLPA will launch a lawsuit against the league arguing that the commissioner's office has conspired to keep total league revenues down to protect the small market teams against a rising salary floor. Reinsdorf will then move the team to KC in 2 years. It will fail there in 4 years and will be given back to Moyes as part of the lawsuit settlement, provided he operates the team in Vegas. Where it will fail in 3 years….

The team will then play on a massive floating yacht out in the Atlantic ocean as the International Voyageurs. This will be the first step towards creating an European division and will see the Voyageurs’ play all their preseason games against top European teams such as Modo and Davos. This too will fail and the team will next play on a seasonally constructed outdoor ice rink on a gigantic iceberg. Despite the iceberg being from the North Pole the team will be called the Iceberg Penguins. The Pittsburg Penguins will then sue claiming copyright infringement. The Maple Leafs announce they are raising ticket prices.

Non-playoff hockey thoughts in the middle of the playoffs

Today's topic: Joe Sakic

If Burnbaby Joe decides to hang them up this summer, where does he rank in terms of great Canadian players of the last 25 years (just forwards)? Third? Fourth? Not in the top 10?

Assuming slots 1 and 2 are taken by Gretzky and Mario, is Joe next in line? I’d put him ever so slightly ahead of Yzerman* and comfortably before Francis. Crosby looks like he’ll force his way into this debate over time, but it is obviously way too premature to include him. I think, for me, he slots in at #4 behind Messier with Stevie Y at #5. The one wrench is the 25 year time frame as that cuts out the first half of Bossy’s career, who would be arguably #3 if the time frame was the last 30 years.

If you include defencemen, Scott Niedermayer raises some questions given all that he has won and Ray Bourque is an all-time great (although his early days are cut off due to my 25 year time frame). Bourque would have to be in the top 5.

* Stevie Y's stats in his first couple of years are inflated due to the high scoring nature of that era, so their numbers are virtually identical, but Sakic maintained a higher standard of play thru to the end of his career - Yzerman was a checker by the end due to his knee problems.

This is a perfect trip down memory lane for the holidays

Starting in 1974-75, CBC's Hockey Night in Canada added a fresh twist to their telecasts with Showdown. This intermission feature presented innovative competitions featuring current and former NHL superstars. Lanny MacDonald, Johnny Bower, Börje Salming and Chico Resch are just a few of the hockey greats competing in the 1978 series of one-on-one matchups and mini-games featured here. Offence or defence, old-timers or current greats, Showdown had something for all hockey fans.

Check out this archival footage of the great Perrault v. MacLeish battle of Showdown '78.

Can you imagine if they tried to bring Showdown back today? I really can't believe they used to do this segment. By the way, it has to be said, MacLeish had a killer mustache!

An open letter to Mats Sundin

I've tried to avoid hockey talk on this blog, but every now and then a moment so momentous, so stupendous and monumental arrives and transcends time and space*, not to mention sports. That time is now. Well, maybe. Apparently former Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin has said that he will make a decision on his hockey future by December 15th. One hopes that he is using the same calendar as the rest of us, although that is still a bit unclear given all the other deadlines that have passed.

[side note: As the late Douglas Adams used to say, "I love deadlines. I love the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by." If you say, 'who is Douglas Adams?', I say, 'those are fighting words', but I digress.]

So, with Mats about to make a decision I thought now was the time to act. Mats... Mr. Sundin... o' Captain my Captain... Mattie S... whatever you prefer, have I got an offer for you! How would you like to come and play for my beer league hockey team, Odelay HC? We currently have an opening for a centreman as one of ours is on the IR recovering from a knee injury.

You would be a fine addition to our noble and proud squad and would significantly boost our size, scoring, speed and Swedishness. No, our offer can't touch Vancouver's $10 million dollars per season, or compete with the bright lights of Broadway or the scathing hatred of the Philly fans. But what we can offer is a vaguely Euro sounding team name, an easy travel schedule with games always at the same location, not to mention a rink that is close to Yorkdale Shopping Centre in case you need to do any pre-grame shopping for the wife.

Furthermore, we offer you a chance to compete for a championship, as O-HC is in the thick of it this season. Finally, to sweeten the pot, we are also prepared to offer 1-2 post game beers, free stock tips, a Visa card with a low introductory interest rate and all the Allan Candy you can eat.

And no worries, I'm sure we can work something out so you get the #13 jersey. We're prepared to wait for you, big guy, but not forever. This offer is valid until December 20th and then we'll have to move on and explore other options - I hear Sean Avery might be looking for a place to skate, as is the great Claude Lemieux.

Hopefully you will consider us along with your other offers. If it doesn't work out for you and Odelay HC, I'd like to wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavours.


* That reminds me of one of my favourite, all-time movie quotes:

Vivian Jaffe: Have you ever transcended space and time?
Albert Markovski: Yes. No. Uh, time, not space... No, I don't know what you're talking about.

Do you know what movie that is from? 20 points for the first five people who guess it correctly starting... now.

Zamboni driver charged with impaired driving

A woman in Kingsville, Ont., has learned you don't have to be navigating a road to be charged with impaired driving.

The woman, 34, was arrested Thursday night after witnesses told police she was driving a Zamboni erratically at a local arena.

They said the ice-resurfacing machine struck the rink boards and missed sections of the ice.

At one point, witnesses reported the driver stopped on the ice and was slumped over the wheel.

The driver, who was described by police as being unco-operative, was arrested after guiding the machine off the ice surface.

The accused is due to appear in court in December on charges of impaired driving and having a blood alcohol level over the legal limit.

Source: CBC.ca

Another tribute to Paul Newman

REG DUNLOP HONOURED: The No.7 Paul Newman wore as Reg Dunlop in the cult hockey comedy Slap Shot is going to the rafters of the Syracuse War Memorial.

The Syracuse Crunch announced yesterday that the team will pay tribute to the late actor by raising a banner before Saturday's AHL game against the Rochester Americans. The banner will stay there for the entire season.

Crunch president Howard Dolgon says it's appropriate Newman's legacy should be recognized and honoured in the arena where parts of the movie were filmed in 1977.

[Source: The Toronto Star]

Rest in peace, Reg Dunlop

Sad news in the entertainment world, as I'm sure you've heard, as legendary actor Paul Newman passed away this weekend after a long bout with cancer. Newman was 83.

Newman had many famous roles, including Butch Cassidy in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, which was my favourite Newman movie. With hockey season just around the corner it seems fitting to remember him in a role he was absolutely perfect for, Reggie Dunlop in Slapshot (from James Mirtle's blog).

Roenick talks about 'Swingers'

You probably know him for his big goals, big hits, big excitement ("that's JR hockey!"), but you likely also know him for his legendary video game role in Swingers. With NHL 09 coming out shortly, Jeremy Roenick talks about the NHL video game with Das Gamer.

Almost 39, Jeremy Roenick is entering his 21rst year in the NHL. And yet the best American-born player in NHL history (510 goals) is probably better known for his feats as a video game character than a hall of fame hockey player. After all, it was a virtual JR in Swingers that Vince Vaughn used to take out Gretzky during a game of NHL 94. Not a lot of hockey fans can rattle off Roenick’s career stats but just about every gamer who ever played as the Blackhawks in NHL 94 has used Vaughn’s quote from the movie, “It’s not so much me as it is Roenick. He’s that good,” after scoring a goal with Roenick.

And you've probably used it in other circumstances too, even if you aren't a gamer. For the full article click here. Make sure you scroll down to the end of the second page for a special treat.

Slovakia outscores Kobe Bryant!

When did Bill Belichek start coaching the Slovakian women's hockey team? I'm having a very hard time wrapping my head around this scoreline.

Sean Avery completes his Vogue internship and lives to tell about it.

Everyone's favourite love-to-hate (or is that hate-to-love?) hockey player, Sean Avery, recently wrapped up his internship at Vogue and as the guest editor over at Men's Vogue. He talks about his experience here.

My favourite quote (thanks to James Mirtle's outstanding hockey blog for highlighting the article and the quote):

"So that's what I learned. And if you'd like to learn something, consider this: If you feel like teasing this hockey player about an obsession of his that you might think is a little unusual, go right ahead. Just know that you may get your ass kicked by a very expensive pair of shoes — and that they'll probably match both my belt and my shirt."

Hockey Night In Canada Theme Song

Well, the CBC losing the Hockey Night In Canada theme song has certainly been hot news. In fact, it is such big new that it has even attracted the attention of key American media outlets.... For the final word on the the CBC losing the HNIC theme song we go to the one and only Stephen Colbert:

Why we love Kristen Bell

I haven't seen Forgetting Sarah Marshall but I hear it is surprisingly funny. Always a good thing for a comedy. The titular Sarah Marshall character is played by Kristen Bell. I don't think I've ever seen a Kristin Bell TV show or movie - unless I go see FSM between now and whenever you read this - but she definitely seems to be a pseudo-"it" girl right now. Beyond the obvious reason (i.e. she's a babe), here are two reasons why we love Kristen Bell:

1. She is a huge hockey fan (well Detroit Red Wings anyway) and had a crush on Chris Osgood when she was in high school. read her full NHL.com interview here.

2. She does a mean Princess Leia impersonation.

An NHL Classic

While watching the new 'Cup Raise' NHL commercial I saw a link to some of the old 'Out-of-work Goalie' commercials from the late 90s. This one was always my favourite. We Leafs fans have so little we have to take the good when we can.

New NHL Commercial

Wings. Pens. Saturday. 8pm. Let's get it on!

No GM, no Coach, no Captain... how can we lose?

I mentioned at the outset that rants about the Leafs would be kept to a minimum. So, in keeping to that promise I will not include today's rant here. Fortunately, there is a much more appropriate place for such feelings to be shared. Check out the Bleacher Report.

Sean Avery

The New Yorker weighs in on Sean Avery. And, in case you wanted to know, here's more information about Avery's internship for this summer at Vogue.

Mishandling of Sundin situation boggles the mind

The Leafs tried to play it classy in how they handled Mats Sundin’s no trade clause and ended up botching it royally and coming off as totally classless (and clueless).

Hopefully the Mats bashers will layoff. Sure the team would have been better off long-term getting top draft picks or prospects for Sundin, not to mention the added advantage of sinking to the bottom of the standings and upping their chances of landing Stamkos on draft day. However, Sundin’s reasons for staying – his commitment to the team, city and his teammates – are exactly what you look for in a captain. He should be lauded for not simply demanding to be traded to a place where he “has a chance to win”. I always hate it when a superstar demands a trade to a contender. Stay where you are and make your team a contender, if you are a true star player. Finally, no one ever said, even once, that if the Avalanche were to fall out of playoff contention that they should look to move Sakic. His situation is very similar to Sundin’s (not exact, obviously as Joe has won a Cup and only ever played for one team) but the treatment of the two was very different.

As to the handling of l’affaire Sundin, as I said in my opening, it boggles the mind. What they should have done is so straightforward I had just assumed they were doing it behind the scenes. When Fletcher came in all he had to announce was the following:

1. I’ve been given a mandate and we are going to everything we can to get this franchise back to its rightful place at the top of league, competing annually for the Stanley Cup.

2. We have 5 players with no-trade / no-move clauses. I will be meeting with each of them, outlining my vision for the future and discussing how they fit in. In the best interests of the team I will ask each of them if they would consider waiving their clause if the right deal came along.

3. We have no interest in trading Mats. He has been the face of the team for the past decade and is our best player and captain. That being said, if we got knocked over with a great deal we’d have to consider it. If Wayne Gretzky can get traded, anyone can get traded.

Boom. Done. Press conference over, nothing more said than what happened anyway. Expectations properly managed and direction communicated.