Let me begin this inaugural blog post by sharing some details about myself...I played hockey in my youth, I coached hockey in my more advanced youth, I vigorously partake in videogame hockey currently, and am involved with a sports at an intimate level at my job. So, yes, I troll NHL teams messageboards, buy hockey fantasy magazines and debate trivial stats with buddies. Oh! and I was definately one of those annoying guys at the local pub arguing vigorously over the economics of the game when it was so horribly arrested by the lock-out.
All these introductory facts lead to the following disclaimer: I view hockey as objectively as I can through the colored lenses of "flames fan"goggles. Yes, I cheer for the flames, but I will attempt to curtail any hometown biases as thoroughly as possible. No promises though. You've been warned.
So, let's list some pertinent issues in the hockey world today:
- The Datsyuk melodrama. Apparently, Detroit reached an agreement with Datsyuk's agent recently and he WILL be in the Detriot line-up come October 5th. It will be interesting to see if his ploy of using the Russian leagues as a bargaining chip, (as well as his outrageous original salary demands - $6 million/year!) will cause some sort of divisiveness in the dressing room down in ol' hockey town USA. How will Yzerman, the team's long-time captain and heart and soul of the franchise, react to all this seeming arrogance? Should be interesting...
- Toronto and the "Big E". While this may sound like a drug reference to those of ill-fame and partying past out there, Im actually refering to the risk the Maple Leafs will be taking this year...perhaps not just in Lindors either. With Sundin serving as the #1 center, the Leafs have a veritable treasue-trove down the middle with the additions of Lindros and Allison - should everyone say healthy and play up to their potential, that is. There is little doubt about Sundin, although he's no spring chicken at 34. However, Allison hasn't played much hockey in the last 3 years, and Lindros is a concussion away from retirement. At the very least, I think the Leaf Nation can expect some siginificant rust from Allison at the start of the season - and can only hope he stays in the line-up long enough to shake it off. Add all that to a less than impressive defensive line-up and a 40 year old starting goalie with an ailing back and, well...I think the stars will have to align and sacrifices made to the gods for the Leafs to taste the kind of regular season success to which they've become accustomed. Especially since the cap dissuades the "buy yourself out of jam" type solution.
-Calgary Flames stuff:
- Im looking forward to Kiprusoff playing the full year this season. While there are some question marks regarding his ability to be a consistent number one goalie, I think the Flames playoff run, Finlands world cup finals appearance, combined with his stats from the previous NHL season AND his work in Europe last year should be proof enough of his ability. The real quesiton mark for Calgary will be their back-up situation. Can Suave step-up and win some of the 20-odd games Kipper will be resting out this year? Only time will tell I suppose...
- I fully expect Dion Phaneuf to be the only rookie to make the Flames starting line-up this year. While some others may be on the cusp, Eric Nystrom for instance, Phaneuf is clearly ready for his NHL debut, as evidenced by his high point total from the WHL last year as well as his performance at the most recent World Junior Championships. Im looking forward to watching this kid play. If he lives up to even half of the hype surrounding him, he should be a pleasure to watch on the blueline this year. For an example, look up a clip of his hit on Raffi Torres from the Edmonton/Calgary pre-season tilt.
- Beyond Phaneuf, I do think some training camp standouts, such as Nystrom and Regher, will get their chance to crack the line-up due to injuries over the course of the season. Keep an eye on Mark Giordano too. He's stuck through a few rounds of cuts and scored 3 points against Chicago (even though he's a defensemen). He may be this year's "Lombardi"- type pleasant surprise.
Anyways, that's it for now. May have more to talk about after Calgary's pre-season game against the Hawks Wed. night (which is sold out!?)
