Sorry for my long delay between postings, but don't worry, I have returned.
I decided not to do a commentary about Sidney Crosby returning because, well it has been a horse that was already beaten to death back before the Penguins were eliminated from the playoffs last year.
However staying on the Crosby track, Ottawa Senator forward Nick Foligno had some words about Bettman's golden boy after Crosby delivered an elbow to his head. The abridged version of what Foligno said is that he talks about how head shots should be banned and then goes out and does it.
However I have to ask this about Crosby, if he was to pull this stuff off in the '80's, how long do you think that would go on before a guy like Chris Nilan or Bob Probert would make him swallow his teeth? You never saw Gretzky or Mario doing the shit he pulls on the ice, and if that is who people want to compare the golden boy to, he is miles behind, and when it comes to class and respect, it is impossible for him to catch up.
Now onto my quarter point analysis of the NHL season
I'm not going to go into an award selection already but I am going to give my surprises and disappointments, teams only, individual players would make this list a mile long.
Surprises
Florida Panthers
I honestly thought that most of the teams in the AHL would be able to use these guys as a welcome mat. Right now they are leading the division but you got to wonder how long that will last, now that the Capitals have removed Boudreau as head coach and are now headed by Dale Hunter.
Minnesota Wild
They are currently leading the Northwest because the Canucks got off to a horrid start. However, they have been playing well beyond what I expected of them.
St. Louis Blues
A team that I thought would be a team struggling to stay out of the basement of the Western Conference is right now in the thick of it a point out of home ice advantage if the playoffs were to start today.
Edmonton Oilers
I expected them to be better this year, however, the way they have played makes me think they will fight for a playoff spot. The rejuvenation of Ryan Smyth and the play of the youngsters, especially Ryan Nugent-Hopkins who has played well past his age so far.
Disappointments
Columbus Blue Jackets
Everyone expected these guys to be playing better than they are. Just going out and signing players to big contracts does not guarantee success, if that was the case, the East finals from 2000-2004 would have been the Rangers vs the Maple Leafs.
Washington Capitals
Considering the talent this team has, they have been playing awful. Bruce Boudreau got the ax earlier today and has been replaced by Dale Hunter.
Anaheim Ducks
Last year they had home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs, this year, they will be looking at the first overall pick if their play doesn't pick up.
Now onto other stuff that I felt I couldn't make into a worthy blog post.
Three coaches have already been fired, Davis Payne in St. Louis, Bruce Boudreau in Washington, and Paul Maurice in Carolina. All three of these teams really haven't lived up to their potential oh what the general managers had in mind, but as always, it usually isn't the coach it is the performance of the players.
Paul Maurice though I feel may have been given the short end of this as they are the team with the fourth lowest salary and the *cough*superstar*cough* they have in Eric Staal has been doing a better job as the invisible man.
Bruce Boudreau's firing had to do more with the stars on his team not seeming to give a damn. I think the team who picks up Boudreau will have a great coach and hopefully he has players who understand that you can win more than one round in the playoffs.
Davis Payne's firing was a bit of a surprise but I think he wasn't looking eye to eye with what the GM wanted, so he went out the door.
That is all I have for now, so until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
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