Well, it's been a great 2011, puckheads. There's been ups-and-downs, clever trick plays, and winning shots. This'll be the last post before 2012 starts and I hope that it goes out with a bang, so today's article is going to be about fan violence and how it affects others.
I want to talk about this issue because very recently, a Canucks fan attending a Sharks game, says a woman attacked her and left her in bad condition. The San Jose Mercury News is reporting that the woman was drunk during the second period of action Wednesday night when both teams were playing at HP Pavilion.
The young woman, Maggie Herger, suffered an concussion and was taken away on an ambulance, but not before passing a Sharks fan who said to "suck it up."
"I just wanted to cry," Herger told the newspaper Thursday. "Who does that?"
I feel sorry for Ms. Herger. She was just trying to attend a game and now she's feeling this kind of hurt from another opposing fan. I understand that Sharks fans can sometimes be rowdy and I understand their frustration that they have not had a championship in their lifetime, but hitting an opposing fan over the head currently derails the spirit of sportsmanship in this league.
We should respect other fans. They are human beings who are trying to attend a game and there's some idiots out there who feel the need to ultimately come down on other people just because there are fans of different teams. This is wrong and it should be corrected. I hope Maggie recovers fully and she has the strength to move on in her life. I know she'll pull through, but this is a lesson to idiots out there: anyone who tries to hurt another player or another fan should be put in a room and screamed at or at least taken out of the arena, because I certainly don't want fans disrespecting other fans just because they root for another team. It is wrong, it should not be tolerated, and it should be more recognized in all of sports nowadays.
Again, Maggie, I hope you recover fully and are able to get back to rooting for the Canucks as you do. As for the rest of people out there, there's a lesson to be learned: treat others the way you want to be treated. That means not going after opposing fans. As for the rest of hockey, it goes on, puckheads, and another year is upon us.
2011 is over, puckheads, and that means more hockey news to come in 2012. I will continue doing this as I always do and bringing more hockey news and opinions when it comes through. Enjoy your festive New Year's Eve and I'll see you all next year.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Did the Kings Make a Mistake In Naming Sutter Coach?
Here's a name I haven't heard of in such a while: Darryl Sutter. The former GM and coach of the Calgary Flames has a new gig and it's with one of his old friends named Dean Lombardi.
Sutter was officially announced as the new LA Kings head coach and will take over the team at Wednesday morning practice. He replaces Terry Murray, who was fired on Dec. 12 and John Stevens, who was the interim coach for a short period of time.
The Kings are in fourth place in the division and 10th in the conference, so they're looking for a spark in the offense and Dean Lombardi believes that Sutter is the type of guy who can spark that offense and make it what it was seasons ago.
ESPN's Scott Burnside believes that the Kings are maving the wrong move in hiring Sutter and that they are misguided with this move. Honestly, I don't think they are. Both Lombardi and Sutter had a great tenure with each other in San Jose so I'm guessing Lombardi believes that magic can happen again with the Kings. This is what Dean Lombardi needed. That offense had gone dormant under Terry Murray and Lombardi knows that he needs to bring in someone who can regenerate that offense and honestly, I believe that Lombardi is a smart guy who is making the right moves in bringing back Darryl Sutter.
The question is, Will it last? Can Sutter bring that high-potential offense that he had in both Calgary and San Jose? We don't know but we'll find out when the Kings play the Ducks on Thursday night. But here's the thing. They're having problems in their offense and they're 10th in the West. They needed to do something to help them get back to the playoff picture and hopefully win it.
I still think that Lombardi had a chance with John Stevens. After all, he surprised everyone when he took the Flyers on a surprise run to the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals, so there's something the Kings could've had a chance to build under. But this is the GM's choice and we'll see whether or not it plays out in LA. Right now, they need offense and they need that spark to get themselves somewhere.
To read Scott Burnside's opinion on the matter, click this link:
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/7370718/hiring-darryl-sutter-coach-los-angeles-kings-looks-misguided-calculation
Sutter was officially announced as the new LA Kings head coach and will take over the team at Wednesday morning practice. He replaces Terry Murray, who was fired on Dec. 12 and John Stevens, who was the interim coach for a short period of time.
The Kings are in fourth place in the division and 10th in the conference, so they're looking for a spark in the offense and Dean Lombardi believes that Sutter is the type of guy who can spark that offense and make it what it was seasons ago.
ESPN's Scott Burnside believes that the Kings are maving the wrong move in hiring Sutter and that they are misguided with this move. Honestly, I don't think they are. Both Lombardi and Sutter had a great tenure with each other in San Jose so I'm guessing Lombardi believes that magic can happen again with the Kings. This is what Dean Lombardi needed. That offense had gone dormant under Terry Murray and Lombardi knows that he needs to bring in someone who can regenerate that offense and honestly, I believe that Lombardi is a smart guy who is making the right moves in bringing back Darryl Sutter.
The question is, Will it last? Can Sutter bring that high-potential offense that he had in both Calgary and San Jose? We don't know but we'll find out when the Kings play the Ducks on Thursday night. But here's the thing. They're having problems in their offense and they're 10th in the West. They needed to do something to help them get back to the playoff picture and hopefully win it.
I still think that Lombardi had a chance with John Stevens. After all, he surprised everyone when he took the Flyers on a surprise run to the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals, so there's something the Kings could've had a chance to build under. But this is the GM's choice and we'll see whether or not it plays out in LA. Right now, they need offense and they need that spark to get themselves somewhere.
To read Scott Burnside's opinion on the matter, click this link:
http://espn.go.com/nhl/story/_/id/7370718/hiring-darryl-sutter-coach-los-angeles-kings-looks-misguided-calculation
Monday, December 19, 2011
Should the Quebec Government Determine Coaching Hires?
The Montreal Canadiens recently fired head coach Jacques Martin and replaced him with interim coach Randy Cunneyworth, but the Quebec government is outraged with this hire because of his inability to speak French in a part of Canada where French is most common.
The Quebec province's culture minister expects the Habs to correct the situation and hire a coach that can actually speak French. She expects that this is a temporarily move and that a more French-speaking head coach will be hired as soon as possible.
Response from Montreal fans is slightly less critical than it usually is when government steps into the hockey world. However, most, if not all, Canadiens fans can speak French, although I knew a few people who were fans but didn't speak the language at all. So I'm a little upset at this situation but I'm not shocked that this came out of the blue.
What right does the Quebec government have to determine who can be the Canadiens' head coach or not? I mean, do all their head coaches and assistant coaches have to be able to speak in French to have the job? Can't they just play hockey?
Something about this issue disgusts me. I don't think that what language you speak should disbar you from leading the team. This is entirely outrageous and people should not have to listen to the government to determine who their next head coach should be. If he can lead that team and get some good wins, which they need, then he should be the coach, no matter if he's French-speaking or not.
One columnist compared the Canadiens to FC Barcelona, a team that expects its player to learn the Catalan language and whose slogan is "More than a team." I think learning other languages is going over the line a bit. Sometimes, they're just here to play hockey and nothing else. In FC Barcelona, it's a little different because there are few English-speaking people over there and it's not like Montreal, where there is a large variety of English-speakers with the French-speakers.
Here's an idea I think the Canadiens should try. I understand that French is the main language in the city, but how about try doing a translator? There are many people all over the country, like Hideki Matsui in baseball, who use translators to talk to the media or other people of note because they don't understand the other language as well as they do their own. There's at least one thing to work with. My only other option is do hire another coach who can speak French, which I think the Canadiens will do eventually, but not right away.
All in all, I don't think there's going to be an issue after a while. The Canadiens always understand what the Quebec government wants and I think the Cunneyworth hiring will be just temporary. After all, his job title says interim coach. By the end of the season, there'll be a new coach in place who can speak English as well as French, and that will please the Quebec government. But seriously, the government also needs to respect what the Canadiens do in their organization, because they're having trouble scoring goals and winning games.
The Quebec province's culture minister expects the Habs to correct the situation and hire a coach that can actually speak French. She expects that this is a temporarily move and that a more French-speaking head coach will be hired as soon as possible.
Response from Montreal fans is slightly less critical than it usually is when government steps into the hockey world. However, most, if not all, Canadiens fans can speak French, although I knew a few people who were fans but didn't speak the language at all. So I'm a little upset at this situation but I'm not shocked that this came out of the blue.
What right does the Quebec government have to determine who can be the Canadiens' head coach or not? I mean, do all their head coaches and assistant coaches have to be able to speak in French to have the job? Can't they just play hockey?
Something about this issue disgusts me. I don't think that what language you speak should disbar you from leading the team. This is entirely outrageous and people should not have to listen to the government to determine who their next head coach should be. If he can lead that team and get some good wins, which they need, then he should be the coach, no matter if he's French-speaking or not.
One columnist compared the Canadiens to FC Barcelona, a team that expects its player to learn the Catalan language and whose slogan is "More than a team." I think learning other languages is going over the line a bit. Sometimes, they're just here to play hockey and nothing else. In FC Barcelona, it's a little different because there are few English-speaking people over there and it's not like Montreal, where there is a large variety of English-speakers with the French-speakers.
Here's an idea I think the Canadiens should try. I understand that French is the main language in the city, but how about try doing a translator? There are many people all over the country, like Hideki Matsui in baseball, who use translators to talk to the media or other people of note because they don't understand the other language as well as they do their own. There's at least one thing to work with. My only other option is do hire another coach who can speak French, which I think the Canadiens will do eventually, but not right away.
All in all, I don't think there's going to be an issue after a while. The Canadiens always understand what the Quebec government wants and I think the Cunneyworth hiring will be just temporary. After all, his job title says interim coach. By the end of the season, there'll be a new coach in place who can speak English as well as French, and that will please the Quebec government. But seriously, the government also needs to respect what the Canadiens do in their organization, because they're having trouble scoring goals and winning games.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Will the Flyers Survive Without Chris Pronger?
The Philadelphia Flyers seem to be unable to stay out of the news these days and out of my blogs, but this breaking news out of the front office might hurt the franchise and already hurts Flyers fans.
Captain Chris Pronger will officially miss the rest of the season due to severe post-concussion syndrome, which has kept him out of the game since Nov. 19.
Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said "It is the recommendation of doctors Maroon and Collins that Chris not return for the remainder of the 2011-12 season or playoffs. Chris will continue to receive treatment and therapy with the hope that he can get better."
The Flyers have already lost star forward Claude Giroux to a concussion, but he is out indefinitely and not for the rest of the season.
Pronger has only played in 13 games this season, with a goal and eleven assists but with him out of the lineup for the rest of the season, it's going to make it harder for a Flyers team down the road, even though they have won six games. With Giroux and Pronger both out, their schedule is going to get harder. After Montreal tonight, home against Boston, then a six-game road trip where they go to Colorado, to Dallas, at NY Rangers, at Tampa, and at Pittsburgh. These are teams that have pretty good offenses and without a defensive guy like Pronger, it's going to be tough to win against these powerhouse offensive teams.
It's tough to say if the Flyers will survive for the rest of the season. There are a lot of offensive teams out there and without Pronger there, that defense could face a major setback and maybe some games. They're fine now at 19-7-3, but that might change in the next few weeks or so if they start losing a lot of games.
We don't know when Giroux will come back. As I said before, he is out indefinitely so there is no timetable for his return. This team is already losing good players to concussions and let's hope there's no more to come. This team was one of my surprise picks to make it far this year, but with all this mess of concussions, their season could change just like that. I hope that Chris Pronger recovers and that he makes a full recovery. I hate to see Chris Pronger out of the game, but this is a very serious matter and he needs his recovery. Good luck, Pronger, and good luck, Flyers.
Captain Chris Pronger will officially miss the rest of the season due to severe post-concussion syndrome, which has kept him out of the game since Nov. 19.
Flyers GM Paul Holmgren said "It is the recommendation of doctors Maroon and Collins that Chris not return for the remainder of the 2011-12 season or playoffs. Chris will continue to receive treatment and therapy with the hope that he can get better."
The Flyers have already lost star forward Claude Giroux to a concussion, but he is out indefinitely and not for the rest of the season.
Pronger has only played in 13 games this season, with a goal and eleven assists but with him out of the lineup for the rest of the season, it's going to make it harder for a Flyers team down the road, even though they have won six games. With Giroux and Pronger both out, their schedule is going to get harder. After Montreal tonight, home against Boston, then a six-game road trip where they go to Colorado, to Dallas, at NY Rangers, at Tampa, and at Pittsburgh. These are teams that have pretty good offenses and without a defensive guy like Pronger, it's going to be tough to win against these powerhouse offensive teams.
It's tough to say if the Flyers will survive for the rest of the season. There are a lot of offensive teams out there and without Pronger there, that defense could face a major setback and maybe some games. They're fine now at 19-7-3, but that might change in the next few weeks or so if they start losing a lot of games.
We don't know when Giroux will come back. As I said before, he is out indefinitely so there is no timetable for his return. This team is already losing good players to concussions and let's hope there's no more to come. This team was one of my surprise picks to make it far this year, but with all this mess of concussions, their season could change just like that. I hope that Chris Pronger recovers and that he makes a full recovery. I hate to see Chris Pronger out of the game, but this is a very serious matter and he needs his recovery. Good luck, Pronger, and good luck, Flyers.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
What Should the Courts Do About Matthew Barnaby?
Deportation: Always a bad thing. And right, fired ESPN analyst and former tough guy for several teams, including the Buffalo Sabres, Matthew Barnaby, is facing that right now.
Barnaby was arrested earlier this week on suspicion DWI in Erie County. According to the local district attorney there, this could have consequences on Barnaby's status in the United States. As you may recall, he was accused earlier this year of trying to break open the garage of his estranged wife's home, which was stupid and idiotic.
"If you allegedly commit another crime, you put your ACD in jeopardy," Sedita said Tuesday.
Attempts to reach Barnaby failed and his attorney, Frank LoTempio, has not returned any calls sent to him. Barnaby was fired on Monday after being arrested for DWI, and his scheduled court date might be moved up based on this latest detail.
This is just getting worse and worse for Mr. Barnaby. First, he gets accused of causing about $300 in damage for attempting to enter his estranged wife's home in suburban Buffalo and now this. Now I'll say that Barnaby is a great analyst and knows what he's talking about. But this is really becoming bad. A DWI arrest? This could be something that might get you kicked out of the country, if you're from another country.
Now I know former tough guys are not always great off the ice from time-to-time, but I thought Matthew Barnaby was a great guy who wouldn't do any of this and I was wrong. So I have no problem if he's deported out of the country. No matter what, you do not go around, crushing your wife's garage door or getting DWI arrest and think that as a player, you can get away with it. Just look at all the other players. Patrick Kane got accused of punching a cab driver's face, Kristian Huselius got arrested down in Florida for a crime that I tend to forget, and players that are lost to suspension because of hard hits or crimes off the ice. This is bad judgement, bad decision-making, and a stupid, reckless act.
If I know one thing, I think the courts should go hard on Matthew Barnaby. He was already in trouble once for the garage door and now he's in trouble again for a DWI. I would be surprised if the courts don't do something about this and the jury should take into account his recent history off the ice as well as a tough guy on the ice. I'm sorry, but if you cross the line more than once, there's a good chance people won't go easy on you. He had a chance to get help and instead, this is what happens. For all of you people out there, take note. Don't do stupid and idiotic things like this, because one way or another, you will get in trouble. You think you won't, but you will. Face the facts!
Barnaby was arrested earlier this week on suspicion DWI in Erie County. According to the local district attorney there, this could have consequences on Barnaby's status in the United States. As you may recall, he was accused earlier this year of trying to break open the garage of his estranged wife's home, which was stupid and idiotic.
"If you allegedly commit another crime, you put your ACD in jeopardy," Sedita said Tuesday.
Attempts to reach Barnaby failed and his attorney, Frank LoTempio, has not returned any calls sent to him. Barnaby was fired on Monday after being arrested for DWI, and his scheduled court date might be moved up based on this latest detail.
This is just getting worse and worse for Mr. Barnaby. First, he gets accused of causing about $300 in damage for attempting to enter his estranged wife's home in suburban Buffalo and now this. Now I'll say that Barnaby is a great analyst and knows what he's talking about. But this is really becoming bad. A DWI arrest? This could be something that might get you kicked out of the country, if you're from another country.
Now I know former tough guys are not always great off the ice from time-to-time, but I thought Matthew Barnaby was a great guy who wouldn't do any of this and I was wrong. So I have no problem if he's deported out of the country. No matter what, you do not go around, crushing your wife's garage door or getting DWI arrest and think that as a player, you can get away with it. Just look at all the other players. Patrick Kane got accused of punching a cab driver's face, Kristian Huselius got arrested down in Florida for a crime that I tend to forget, and players that are lost to suspension because of hard hits or crimes off the ice. This is bad judgement, bad decision-making, and a stupid, reckless act.
If I know one thing, I think the courts should go hard on Matthew Barnaby. He was already in trouble once for the garage door and now he's in trouble again for a DWI. I would be surprised if the courts don't do something about this and the jury should take into account his recent history off the ice as well as a tough guy on the ice. I'm sorry, but if you cross the line more than once, there's a good chance people won't go easy on you. He had a chance to get help and instead, this is what happens. For all of you people out there, take note. Don't do stupid and idiotic things like this, because one way or another, you will get in trouble. You think you won't, but you will. Face the facts!
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
How Do You Like the Realignment Plan?
Gary Bettman finally got his wish Monday when NHL officials officially approved of a new realignment system that would eliminate the two conferences (East and West) and create four new conferences.
These new conferences guarantees that all teams would have home-and-home series with all the other teams, a change that I'm especially glad with because I want to see every team this season and not just some teams from the East.
There was another move that would've been okay with the league too. They considered moving the Jets to the Central Division and either Detroit or Columbus to the Southeast. This was a move, I thought, would never work, because Nashville is closer to the Southeast than Detroit or Columbus.
One bad factor of the new realignment is that there will be more travel, especially for Eastern Conference teams, who will now have to travel West a number of times as opposed to two or three a year. The good factor is that some East Coast Western Conference teams can now cut down on some travel, such as Nashville, Detroit, or Columbus.
"More teams are going to have to do more travel. Detroit general manager Ken Holland said. "From the Detroit Red Wings perspective, we like it."
And why shouldn't they? I like it when more teams travel. It excites more fans to see their teams in cities that they never really see them all that much. And even though I live in Southern California and generally root for the Ducks, it always does good to see some good teams, like Boston, Toronto, or Montreal come out here every year and play.
"I think there were more than two or three teams not happy with the current situation," Columbus general manager Scott Howson said. "This was a compromise that really satisfies everybody to a large extent."
Teams will have to understand: this is for the good of the league. There was no way it was going to stick in the same format and a new format was needed to provide for the newest team in Winnipeg. And, that team's location needed to be addressed.
But there's still one new issue: What will happen to the realignment plan if the Phoenix Coyotes indeed leave the desert next year? Well, that's still the question. The NHL will now continue to control the team next year, so it will have to sell it to somebody, even if it means relocating it to a city like Seattle or Quebec City.
Lot of looking up from here. The new realignment plan will open up for more teams to go West and East and it should make for some fun games. Whether or not it is a good idea or not, the deal has been done and there's going to be a shake-up. Get prepared for some fun, new hockey ahead starting next season, puckheads!
These new conferences guarantees that all teams would have home-and-home series with all the other teams, a change that I'm especially glad with because I want to see every team this season and not just some teams from the East.
There was another move that would've been okay with the league too. They considered moving the Jets to the Central Division and either Detroit or Columbus to the Southeast. This was a move, I thought, would never work, because Nashville is closer to the Southeast than Detroit or Columbus.
One bad factor of the new realignment is that there will be more travel, especially for Eastern Conference teams, who will now have to travel West a number of times as opposed to two or three a year. The good factor is that some East Coast Western Conference teams can now cut down on some travel, such as Nashville, Detroit, or Columbus.
"More teams are going to have to do more travel. Detroit general manager Ken Holland said. "From the Detroit Red Wings perspective, we like it."
And why shouldn't they? I like it when more teams travel. It excites more fans to see their teams in cities that they never really see them all that much. And even though I live in Southern California and generally root for the Ducks, it always does good to see some good teams, like Boston, Toronto, or Montreal come out here every year and play.
"I think there were more than two or three teams not happy with the current situation," Columbus general manager Scott Howson said. "This was a compromise that really satisfies everybody to a large extent."
Teams will have to understand: this is for the good of the league. There was no way it was going to stick in the same format and a new format was needed to provide for the newest team in Winnipeg. And, that team's location needed to be addressed.
But there's still one new issue: What will happen to the realignment plan if the Phoenix Coyotes indeed leave the desert next year? Well, that's still the question. The NHL will now continue to control the team next year, so it will have to sell it to somebody, even if it means relocating it to a city like Seattle or Quebec City.
Lot of looking up from here. The new realignment plan will open up for more teams to go West and East and it should make for some fun games. Whether or not it is a good idea or not, the deal has been done and there's going to be a shake-up. Get prepared for some fun, new hockey ahead starting next season, puckheads!
Thursday, December 1, 2011
New Ducks Coach: What's Up, Coach Boudreau?
Bruce Boudreau did not stay out of coaching for long. It only took about three days for him to find a new team.
Yesterday, after the Ducks' 4-1 win to the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Randy Carlyle and the Ducks coaching staff was fired, shocking Carlyle and allowing Boudreau to move in as the new Ducks' coach.
This will be the first coaching move for the Ducks since the lockout. Randy Carlyle has been their only coach since then, and GM Bob Murray felt it was necessary to get a new voice into the locker room.
"At this time, we simply felt a new voice was needed. Bruce is a proven winner with a great track record, and we are optimistic we can turn this season around under his leadership."
Boudreau is the only coach in modern NHL history to reach 200 wins faster than any other coach. And his presence is most likely needed since Carlyle seemed to have lost the team after losing to Toronto Sunday night and even though they won Wednesday night, it was not enough for him to keep his job, so Boudreau takes over.
It wasn't a great move by Bob Murray, but it was necessary. This team had lost 13 of 14 games going into Wednesday night, and it seemed clear that this shift would happen. I know Carlyle was blindsided by this and I know this hurts, but you can't go down this road and hope that it gets turn around and you stay on the job. You're going to be axed.
I respect Carlyle and I hope he gets another job somewhere, but Boudreau is proven to be a great coach. I know he didn't do well with the Capitals so far this season and it has Alex Ovechkin in the worst slump of his career, but Boudreau is effective and he will get this team turned around, but it all starts with getting his top line of Perry, Ryan, and Getzlaf going and getting that power-play unit working, because it really hasn't done well this season.
Carlyle is the fourth NHL coach to be axed this season. and the third this week. Davis Payne was fired by the Blues on Nov. 6, and Paul Maurice was dismissed Monday by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Yesterday, after the Ducks' 4-1 win to the Montreal Canadiens, head coach Randy Carlyle and the Ducks coaching staff was fired, shocking Carlyle and allowing Boudreau to move in as the new Ducks' coach.
This will be the first coaching move for the Ducks since the lockout. Randy Carlyle has been their only coach since then, and GM Bob Murray felt it was necessary to get a new voice into the locker room.
"At this time, we simply felt a new voice was needed. Bruce is a proven winner with a great track record, and we are optimistic we can turn this season around under his leadership."
Boudreau is the only coach in modern NHL history to reach 200 wins faster than any other coach. And his presence is most likely needed since Carlyle seemed to have lost the team after losing to Toronto Sunday night and even though they won Wednesday night, it was not enough for him to keep his job, so Boudreau takes over.
It wasn't a great move by Bob Murray, but it was necessary. This team had lost 13 of 14 games going into Wednesday night, and it seemed clear that this shift would happen. I know Carlyle was blindsided by this and I know this hurts, but you can't go down this road and hope that it gets turn around and you stay on the job. You're going to be axed.
I respect Carlyle and I hope he gets another job somewhere, but Boudreau is proven to be a great coach. I know he didn't do well with the Capitals so far this season and it has Alex Ovechkin in the worst slump of his career, but Boudreau is effective and he will get this team turned around, but it all starts with getting his top line of Perry, Ryan, and Getzlaf going and getting that power-play unit working, because it really hasn't done well this season.
Carlyle is the fourth NHL coach to be axed this season. and the third this week. Davis Payne was fired by the Blues on Nov. 6, and Paul Maurice was dismissed Monday by the Carolina Hurricanes.
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