I try and get as much hockey news as possible and get as much analysis as possible to see if my thoughts are the same as those as the so called hockey experts on TSN, NBC, CBC, the list goes on but I don't want to seem like I need an intervention when it comes to following hockey.
I watch the games and come up with my own conclusions on what happened in them and then see what the so called "Experts" say about the games. Here's what I find about most of there conclusions, they are so off the wall how do they not get fired. We are talking crap to the tenth degree. You want evidence of this, after Game 4 of last years Stanley Cup Finals, they said that Henrik Zetterberg looked tired and they said that the Penguins would take the next two games and win the Cup. Game 5 rolls around and Zetterberg and the Red Wings stomped the Penguins.
We need to have some standards here people and the following should not make you an analyzer automatically for a TV station:
1. Being a former coach of head coach of a team, or a former player.
The reason for this is that if they were any good at coaching they would still be employed by an NHL franchise. Look at Pierre Maguire, the only reason he has a Stanley Cup ring is because he was assistant coach of a team with a guy called Mario on it. Also Pierre Maguire can't get a job as a general manager in the NHL because everybody has seen how bad he has sucked as a colour commentator and no body wants the level of suck on their team.
2. They have to have more than a passion and a knowledge of the game.
If this is the only qualifications for being an expert of hockey now, I am as qualified as most of them, I find that most of them don't have an ounce of charisma or how to get their point across. Look at the Olympics with Kypreos, Darren Pang and Bob McKenzie, Kyper continued to make them look like idiots every intermission.
There are more but these are the two that stand out, I'm not trying to make a handout guide of how to be a hockey commentator here, and until next time, keep your stick on the ice.
Friday, May 28, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
How I became a Canucks fan
Well, with topics drying up as the NHL season winds to a close, I thought it would be somewhat interesting as to how I chose my team in hockey.
When I was younger around 3 or 4, the teams I usually followed were those of names I had heard of so I cheered for them. That meant the players I knew of at that time were Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, and Steve Yzerman. So pretty much when from the 86-87 season to the end of the decade those were my teams that those guys played for.
I was a huge sports fan as a kid (I could and still can tell you the starting lineup of the 1992 and 1993 Toronto Blue Jays) and my ears perked up when I started hearing stuff about the Vancouver Canucks and this Russian player they wanted to bring over Pavel Bure. The only time I had seen Pavel Bure play was against Canada at the '91 World Juniors in Saskatoon on TSN (The only reason I can remember this is because of the line Bure was on and how much it was feared. Bure, Federov, Mogilny).
However I was interested to see him play in the NHL and the way the Russian Rocket played blew my mind. This guy was lightning quick and did stuff at high speed that some players couldn't do walking through it. However, in my later player fixation, I became aware of another player and just adopted that team as the one I would cheer for, #16 Trevor Linden. Linden didn't have the flash of Bure but always busted his ass out on the ice.
Do you guys have any stories like this, give me a comment on how your team became your team.
When I was younger around 3 or 4, the teams I usually followed were those of names I had heard of so I cheered for them. That meant the players I knew of at that time were Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, Mark Messier, and Steve Yzerman. So pretty much when from the 86-87 season to the end of the decade those were my teams that those guys played for.
I was a huge sports fan as a kid (I could and still can tell you the starting lineup of the 1992 and 1993 Toronto Blue Jays) and my ears perked up when I started hearing stuff about the Vancouver Canucks and this Russian player they wanted to bring over Pavel Bure. The only time I had seen Pavel Bure play was against Canada at the '91 World Juniors in Saskatoon on TSN (The only reason I can remember this is because of the line Bure was on and how much it was feared. Bure, Federov, Mogilny).
However I was interested to see him play in the NHL and the way the Russian Rocket played blew my mind. This guy was lightning quick and did stuff at high speed that some players couldn't do walking through it. However, in my later player fixation, I became aware of another player and just adopted that team as the one I would cheer for, #16 Trevor Linden. Linden didn't have the flash of Bure but always busted his ass out on the ice.
Do you guys have any stories like this, give me a comment on how your team became your team.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Hockey Beef Wednesday
For my second installment of things that are pissing me off in the NHL, we will be taking a look at a job where poor vision is key to making your decisions. That's right, I am talking about officiating.
Where certain media members who have no spine to stand up to Gary Bettman say the officiating is good, I do have the spine to say that the officiating is, well, I haven't described a word bad enough to describe it.
If you have been watching the playoffs, you would right now know, that if you were to bet against the Chicago Blackhawks, you'd lose due to the officiating. You don't believe me, take a look at the stuff Chicago gets away with. Whether it be that waste of human matter Dustin Byfuglien intentionally falling on goalies, Ben Eager acting like the Ultimate Warrior and charging everybody and not delivering one hit I would deem to be in a non-penalizing way, the list goes on but you get the picture. Also, no I am not saying this about the Chicago Blackhawks because they beat Vancouver, I am saying this based on all the teams they have played and how they are getting away with anything that needs to be eradicated from the NHL.
I also know the officiating has been bad because in the series that involve teams I don't really care for, I have been going ballistic due to poor officiating. If you wonder what teams I don't care for think of teams that use to try and buy the cup every year, play in a severely defensive system, are based in the sunbelt, or the total teams douche baggery nullifies the teams overall skill (So good bye Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, NY Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, and the NY Islanders just because they will trade away Tavares sooner or later and lets face it, he is the only reason I even consider watching them).
Sidebar: The Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes were automatically disqualified for being named after weather systems.
As you can see there were a number of teams I could care less about a majority of the teams in the NHL.
Here is a complete list on why they don't get followed by me:
Sunbelt Teams: Dallas, Florida, Tampa, Phoenix, Nashville, San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Atlanta
Trying to buy the Stanley Cup: Colorado, Detroit, NY Rangers, Toronto
Defensive Minded: Columbus, New Jersey, Minnesota, Calgary
Douche baggery: Chicago, Pittsburgh
Here's what I think needs to happen with the officiating
1. What's called a penalty in the regular season is called a penalty in the playoffs.
2. Any player who falls on a goalie in a post whistle scrum without being tackled onto the goalie, should get the goalies blocker multiple times in the head and can get the tar beaten out of him by the teams enforcer.
3. Have them call a proper game, not who Gary Bettman wants to win.
4. Make sure the referee is not in the god position he currently is on the ice, it will make him think twice about close calls.
So add some comments if you like and don't forget to keep your stick on the ice.
Where certain media members who have no spine to stand up to Gary Bettman say the officiating is good, I do have the spine to say that the officiating is, well, I haven't described a word bad enough to describe it.
If you have been watching the playoffs, you would right now know, that if you were to bet against the Chicago Blackhawks, you'd lose due to the officiating. You don't believe me, take a look at the stuff Chicago gets away with. Whether it be that waste of human matter Dustin Byfuglien intentionally falling on goalies, Ben Eager acting like the Ultimate Warrior and charging everybody and not delivering one hit I would deem to be in a non-penalizing way, the list goes on but you get the picture. Also, no I am not saying this about the Chicago Blackhawks because they beat Vancouver, I am saying this based on all the teams they have played and how they are getting away with anything that needs to be eradicated from the NHL.
I also know the officiating has been bad because in the series that involve teams I don't really care for, I have been going ballistic due to poor officiating. If you wonder what teams I don't care for think of teams that use to try and buy the cup every year, play in a severely defensive system, are based in the sunbelt, or the total teams douche baggery nullifies the teams overall skill (So good bye Florida Panthers, Tampa Bay Lightning, NY Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, Dallas Stars, Phoenix Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Detroit Red Wings, New Jersey Devils, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs, Minnesota Wild, Calgary Flames, Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Atlanta Thrashers, Pittsburgh Penguins, Columbus Blue Jackets, and the NY Islanders just because they will trade away Tavares sooner or later and lets face it, he is the only reason I even consider watching them).
Sidebar: The Tampa Bay Lightning and Carolina Hurricanes were automatically disqualified for being named after weather systems.
As you can see there were a number of teams I could care less about a majority of the teams in the NHL.
Here is a complete list on why they don't get followed by me:
Sunbelt Teams: Dallas, Florida, Tampa, Phoenix, Nashville, San Jose, Los Angeles, Anaheim, Atlanta
Trying to buy the Stanley Cup: Colorado, Detroit, NY Rangers, Toronto
Defensive Minded: Columbus, New Jersey, Minnesota, Calgary
Douche baggery: Chicago, Pittsburgh
Here's what I think needs to happen with the officiating
1. What's called a penalty in the regular season is called a penalty in the playoffs.
2. Any player who falls on a goalie in a post whistle scrum without being tackled onto the goalie, should get the goalies blocker multiple times in the head and can get the tar beaten out of him by the teams enforcer.
3. Have them call a proper game, not who Gary Bettman wants to win.
4. Make sure the referee is not in the god position he currently is on the ice, it will make him think twice about close calls.
So add some comments if you like and don't forget to keep your stick on the ice.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Why do they do this to me
I was only able to watch about 5 minutes of the Habs vs Flyers yesterday, and if you are asking if I had something to do, the answer is no. The show altogether was horrible.
Let's see where to start.
1. Pregame show, once again the only highlight of this was Don Cherry. Everybody else looks and acts like complete tools and have the charisma of a kumquat.
2. The announcers. They give Bob "The Dinosaur" Cole the announcing on this series over the far superior announcing abilities of Jim Hughson also the don't have any credit in the colour commentary, get Craig Simpson or John Garrett up there to do the job properly.
3. Eliot Friedman. If you have read his twitter in the past, I don't know how many IQ points you have lost but I urge for the sake of your intelligence please stop. This guy makes a three year old who has only been on skates twice look like a hockey god.
This concludes my list, the only good part of HNIC in this series is going to be Don Cherry, and don't forget to keep your stick on the ice.
4.
Let's see where to start.
1. Pregame show, once again the only highlight of this was Don Cherry. Everybody else looks and acts like complete tools and have the charisma of a kumquat.
2. The announcers. They give Bob "The Dinosaur" Cole the announcing on this series over the far superior announcing abilities of Jim Hughson also the don't have any credit in the colour commentary, get Craig Simpson or John Garrett up there to do the job properly.
3. Eliot Friedman. If you have read his twitter in the past, I don't know how many IQ points you have lost but I urge for the sake of your intelligence please stop. This guy makes a three year old who has only been on skates twice look like a hockey god.
This concludes my list, the only good part of HNIC in this series is going to be Don Cherry, and don't forget to keep your stick on the ice.
4.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Forgetting to mention
I would have added this to my other blog but I forgot about it. Willie Mitchell, defenceman for the Vancouver Canucks, was taken out be a season ending injury on a check from behind by Evgeny Malkin. It was a dangerous hit that warranted suspension. Willie Mitchell came out after the season was over for the Canucks and said the Campbell should be replaced as league disciplinarian because he has too many friends as general managers.
But we all know what the real reason is that Malkin did not get suspended. Malkin is supposedly one of the superstars that Gary Bettman is trying to build around, the fact that he plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins also factors into this because if Malkin were out of the line up, teams could easily shut down Crosby because they wouldn't have to worry about a second scoring threat (Even though Halak just shut them all down on his own).
The hit should have warranted about a 10 game suspension, and if Mitchell is able to play again, I hope he hits Malkin so hard, Malkin goes and plays in Siberia.
I honestly agree with what Willie Mitchell says about suspensions and dirty plays like the hit he received from Malkin. An outside third party should be the one's implementing the calls and not somebody who is friends with general managers around the league.
But we all know what the real reason is that Malkin did not get suspended. Malkin is supposedly one of the superstars that Gary Bettman is trying to build around, the fact that he plays for the Pittsburgh Penguins also factors into this because if Malkin were out of the line up, teams could easily shut down Crosby because they wouldn't have to worry about a second scoring threat (Even though Halak just shut them all down on his own).
The hit should have warranted about a 10 game suspension, and if Mitchell is able to play again, I hope he hits Malkin so hard, Malkin goes and plays in Siberia.
I honestly agree with what Willie Mitchell says about suspensions and dirty plays like the hit he received from Malkin. An outside third party should be the one's implementing the calls and not somebody who is friends with general managers around the league.
2nd Round Wrap up
Sorry I haven't been able to blog for the last little bit here but I have a new nephew, Sebastian is his name and no he is not a crab. Game 7 of the Bruins and Flyers is tonight and to quote the the NHL in a way, history may be made if the Flyers win after being down 3-0 in the series are one win away from taking the series. However I will give my thoughts on the second round.
Well, Joe Thornton actually showed up for some playoff games and the Sharks eliminated the Wings, well actually Thornton was replaced with a Russian ice hockey playing bear.
Crosbitch and the Penguins have been eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens, well, just a sure sign of the apocalypse.
The Chicago Blackhawks, hold on a second the officiating eliminated the Vancouver Canucks from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, vision tests were supposed to be administered, however on getting a hold of the NHL office said that all the NHL officials would fail.
Boston scored too many goals in the first three games, didn't have enough to beat Philadelphia in any of the others.
Well, have fun there hockey fans, and remember keep your stick on the ice.
Well, Joe Thornton actually showed up for some playoff games and the Sharks eliminated the Wings, well actually Thornton was replaced with a Russian ice hockey playing bear.
Crosbitch and the Penguins have been eliminated by the Montreal Canadiens, well, just a sure sign of the apocalypse.
The Chicago Blackhawks, hold on a second the officiating eliminated the Vancouver Canucks from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, vision tests were supposed to be administered, however on getting a hold of the NHL office said that all the NHL officials would fail.
Boston scored too many goals in the first three games, didn't have enough to beat Philadelphia in any of the others.
Well, have fun there hockey fans, and remember keep your stick on the ice.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
The Standards of what can be considered a viral hit by CBC and more problems with CBC
If you happened to catch CBC's preview to the Stanley Cup Playoffs, you saw what they called a viral hit of a guy talking about the Stanley Cup Playoffs. This guy was so boring I fell asleep within 0.00000000000000000001 seconds. This was such an insult to anybody who actually follows hockey's intelligence that the guy should be given the death penalty for sheer stupidity.
Now to my other problems with these guys on their hockey coverage.
Elliot Friedman, this guy has absolutely no knowledge of the game, he considers Mason Raymond a little Sedin. No offence to Mason Raymond, but he is far from being a Sedin. The guy also has no interview abilities and makes the biggest tool look unique and cool.
The I-desk, this thing is absolutely pointless, why do they even have it, the guys just say stuff that is usually covered on satellite hotstove.
Ron MacLean, the guy will dig for days to prove what a bad apple Alex Burrows is and won't show the 31 seconds of Auger talking to Burrows before the game, the guy is a complete sell out and is actually completely pointless to the on air broadcast. And MacLean makes Pierre Maguire somewhat reputable.
Bob Cole and Harry Neale. Does the CBC actually allow people to retire, or do they literally get told by Bettman that if someone stays on, they won't get a contract for broadcasting games. These two are so irrelevant now that I would rather listen to a tone deaf pop singer.
The early game every Saturday night. This really annoying if you have HDTV, because all you get is the Toronto Maple Leafs. We already know what is going to happen in the Leafs game, the Leafs are going to lose, not sure how, but they will.
Pierre LeBrun, the CBC's so called hockey insider. This guy is another tool who use to be on The Score the other being Elliot Friedman. Come to think of it, the only two I have ever liked from the score are Martine Gaillard and Cabbie.
The new HNIC song. It sucks period, not to mention all the voice overs they have on it of various Stanley Cup plays. I am guessing that they are trying to cover up how awful it actually is.
Here is who I would keep who actually appears on CBC:
Don Cherry
Jim Hughson
Craig Simpson
Dick Irvin
Scott Oake
Yes the list is this short, Mike Milbury does more stuff with the Bruins and NBC so I am not too worried about him.
Now to watch Game 5 of the Habs and Pens, and have all the voices I want gone from CBC.
Now to my other problems with these guys on their hockey coverage.
Elliot Friedman, this guy has absolutely no knowledge of the game, he considers Mason Raymond a little Sedin. No offence to Mason Raymond, but he is far from being a Sedin. The guy also has no interview abilities and makes the biggest tool look unique and cool.
The I-desk, this thing is absolutely pointless, why do they even have it, the guys just say stuff that is usually covered on satellite hotstove.
Ron MacLean, the guy will dig for days to prove what a bad apple Alex Burrows is and won't show the 31 seconds of Auger talking to Burrows before the game, the guy is a complete sell out and is actually completely pointless to the on air broadcast. And MacLean makes Pierre Maguire somewhat reputable.
Bob Cole and Harry Neale. Does the CBC actually allow people to retire, or do they literally get told by Bettman that if someone stays on, they won't get a contract for broadcasting games. These two are so irrelevant now that I would rather listen to a tone deaf pop singer.
The early game every Saturday night. This really annoying if you have HDTV, because all you get is the Toronto Maple Leafs. We already know what is going to happen in the Leafs game, the Leafs are going to lose, not sure how, but they will.
Pierre LeBrun, the CBC's so called hockey insider. This guy is another tool who use to be on The Score the other being Elliot Friedman. Come to think of it, the only two I have ever liked from the score are Martine Gaillard and Cabbie.
The new HNIC song. It sucks period, not to mention all the voice overs they have on it of various Stanley Cup plays. I am guessing that they are trying to cover up how awful it actually is.
Here is who I would keep who actually appears on CBC:
Don Cherry
Jim Hughson
Craig Simpson
Dick Irvin
Scott Oake
Yes the list is this short, Mike Milbury does more stuff with the Bruins and NBC so I am not too worried about him.
Now to watch Game 5 of the Habs and Pens, and have all the voices I want gone from CBC.
Friday, May 7, 2010
What is the average IQ of an NHL official
I am personally guessing around -982. In all four second round series that I have watched of there games, the officiating has been so horrible, I have yet do come up with a word that fairly describes the officiating. Craptacular, no too nice. I could say it sucks and blows at the same time but that still seems to be too high of praise for the officiating.
Whether I am watching Luongo get hit by any member of the Blackhawks and the Hawks not getting penalized, Pittsburgh being able to commit murder on Montreal and the Habs more likely get called for a penalty for fighting back, members of the San Jose Sharks making contact with members of the Detroit Red Wings, the Sharks player falling down to the ice and a Red Wings player getting penalized, or just the plain poor officiating in the Boston vs Philadelphia series, the referees are doing a horrible job.
The other thing that has been really pissing me off in the playoffs right now, is how Bettman's favorites or picks seem to bitch like little girls every time there is a penalty called against them (I'm looking at the Hawks and Penguins here). These guys will complain all the way to the penalty box and bitch. If I was the official, hit them with an additional 2 minute unsportsman penalty and a game misconduct, if the players refuse to shut there traps after that, penalize them harder until your point is made.
The bottom line is this, the best officials are the ones you never hear of or you don't go scouring the score sheet for their name. With that being said, keep your stick on the ice, unless you are scoring a goal like Mike Camalleri.
Whether I am watching Luongo get hit by any member of the Blackhawks and the Hawks not getting penalized, Pittsburgh being able to commit murder on Montreal and the Habs more likely get called for a penalty for fighting back, members of the San Jose Sharks making contact with members of the Detroit Red Wings, the Sharks player falling down to the ice and a Red Wings player getting penalized, or just the plain poor officiating in the Boston vs Philadelphia series, the referees are doing a horrible job.
The other thing that has been really pissing me off in the playoffs right now, is how Bettman's favorites or picks seem to bitch like little girls every time there is a penalty called against them (I'm looking at the Hawks and Penguins here). These guys will complain all the way to the penalty box and bitch. If I was the official, hit them with an additional 2 minute unsportsman penalty and a game misconduct, if the players refuse to shut there traps after that, penalize them harder until your point is made.
The bottom line is this, the best officials are the ones you never hear of or you don't go scouring the score sheet for their name. With that being said, keep your stick on the ice, unless you are scoring a goal like Mike Camalleri.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Hockey Beef Wednesday
I have decided to make Wednesday right now my day to grip about something wrong with hockey and how it can improve. Although I highly doubt the NHL will look at my suggestions on this, I can prove that my side is very accurate and what should be done. First topic, the supreme douche bag of the universe, AKA Gary Bettman.
Bettman was originally involved in the NBA under commissioner David Stern (Who has also had his own problem with officials and does nothing about it). Stern's theory is to showcase the stars, give the stars special treatment, and so on and so forth. Bettman was offered an opportunity to become the lead man in the NHL and took the post February 1, 1993. 1993, is also the only year that Gary Bettman has been involved with the NHL where a Canadian team has won a Stanley Cup and he was only there for the last quarter of the season and playoffs. Constant calls against Canadian teams have had people wondering if there is a bias by Bettman against Canadian teams, some of these are:
1994 SCF Game 7, Canuck goal called back for Trevor Linden's toe being in the crease, no interference on play.
2004 SCF Game 4, I am Flames hater and I think they got fucked over in that game, even Sutter called the integrity of Bettman into question in the post game interview. Fans so furious, the NHL removed official Kerry Fraser who was suppose to officiate Game 6 in Calgary and him officiate Game 7 in Tampa Bay, yes, the officiating was that bad the fans would have lynched him.
There are more of these but, back to the case at hand.
When Bettman first started in the NHL there were 24 teams with 2 expansions teams on the way being the Florida Panthers and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Bettman continued to expand and relocate teams into southern markets, in places where the only ice people see is in there cups. Bettman has also relocated teams whose owners were in or close to bankruptcy, the three that have happened are Hartford Whalers to Raleigh, North Carolina now known as the Carolina Hurricanes, the Quebec Nordiques to Denver, Colorado now the Colorado Avalanche, and the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix, Arizona now the Phoenix Coyotes. The only one of these markets to have done well is Colorado which actually has some knowledge of snow and ice.
Bettman has also refused to move teams back to Canada. Jim Balsille, a Canadian based entrepreneur, has tried to buy a team from a struggling southern market and tried to move them to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Balsille first tried to buy the Nashville Predators in 2007, the deal did not go through and Balsille has accused Bettman of telling the Predators to end negotiations with him. Similar things have happened when Balsille has tried to purchase the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a long dispute when trying to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.
Bettman has also been responsible for the two lockouts of the NHL including being the first pro sports organization to cancel an entire season.
Bettman has also shown an anti-Canadian side when it comes to television with the playoffs. Even though CBC pays huge money to broadcast the game, NBC (Who pays nothing up front to the NHL) is given the first choice of playoff times. The only times I have seen an NBC broadcast is between 10 am start and a 12 pm start here in Saskatchewan, and these games have only featured the following until the playoffs:
Washington Capitals
Pittsburgh Penguins
Chicago Blackhawks
Detroit Red Wings
Boston Bruins
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
If there were any more during the regular season, I didn't spot them, not to mention they have an awful team calling the games in Mike Emrick, who is good as a Devils regional announcer, Pierre Maguire, who is as qualified as me for being a commentator (He has a passion and a knowledge for the game, that is it), and sometimes Ed Olzyck who can provide some insight but other times sounds like a complete fool.
Bettman has also implemented some of the dumbest rules in hockey such as, no tag offside and the instigator penalty.
Bettman has also created a profit sharing plan for the 30 NHL teams, which means if your franchise makes a ton of profit, it gets split up to help the teams that don't make money to help them stay financially afloat. This is absolutely stupid. Why would you keep teams in a market where they have continued to fail to make money? This is what any logical businessman would do:
This market isn't making any money, why? Is it location? Is it not being marketed properly there? Are people to infatuated with other sports teams there to go to the teams game? Do people not care about hockey there?
If you were looking at this like a chain store, lets say Wal-Mart, if the store continued to not make profits would Wal-Mart keep it open, they would probably take the following steps before deciding:
1. Are the products we are supplying to them not right for them
2. Is the Wal-Mart hard to get to
3. Are people aware of the store here
4. Are people in this community that much against us (The City of Vancouver has continually barred attempts from letting a Wal-Mart into the city)
There are probably more questions they would ask but I'm not exactly sure what they would be.
This concludes my first hockey beef, and in the meantime, keep your stick on the ice.
Bettman was originally involved in the NBA under commissioner David Stern (Who has also had his own problem with officials and does nothing about it). Stern's theory is to showcase the stars, give the stars special treatment, and so on and so forth. Bettman was offered an opportunity to become the lead man in the NHL and took the post February 1, 1993. 1993, is also the only year that Gary Bettman has been involved with the NHL where a Canadian team has won a Stanley Cup and he was only there for the last quarter of the season and playoffs. Constant calls against Canadian teams have had people wondering if there is a bias by Bettman against Canadian teams, some of these are:
1994 SCF Game 7, Canuck goal called back for Trevor Linden's toe being in the crease, no interference on play.
2004 SCF Game 4, I am Flames hater and I think they got fucked over in that game, even Sutter called the integrity of Bettman into question in the post game interview. Fans so furious, the NHL removed official Kerry Fraser who was suppose to officiate Game 6 in Calgary and him officiate Game 7 in Tampa Bay, yes, the officiating was that bad the fans would have lynched him.
There are more of these but, back to the case at hand.
When Bettman first started in the NHL there were 24 teams with 2 expansions teams on the way being the Florida Panthers and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks. Bettman continued to expand and relocate teams into southern markets, in places where the only ice people see is in there cups. Bettman has also relocated teams whose owners were in or close to bankruptcy, the three that have happened are Hartford Whalers to Raleigh, North Carolina now known as the Carolina Hurricanes, the Quebec Nordiques to Denver, Colorado now the Colorado Avalanche, and the Winnipeg Jets to Phoenix, Arizona now the Phoenix Coyotes. The only one of these markets to have done well is Colorado which actually has some knowledge of snow and ice.
Bettman has also refused to move teams back to Canada. Jim Balsille, a Canadian based entrepreneur, has tried to buy a team from a struggling southern market and tried to move them to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Balsille first tried to buy the Nashville Predators in 2007, the deal did not go through and Balsille has accused Bettman of telling the Predators to end negotiations with him. Similar things have happened when Balsille has tried to purchase the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a long dispute when trying to buy the Phoenix Coyotes.
Bettman has also been responsible for the two lockouts of the NHL including being the first pro sports organization to cancel an entire season.
Bettman has also shown an anti-Canadian side when it comes to television with the playoffs. Even though CBC pays huge money to broadcast the game, NBC (Who pays nothing up front to the NHL) is given the first choice of playoff times. The only times I have seen an NBC broadcast is between 10 am start and a 12 pm start here in Saskatchewan, and these games have only featured the following until the playoffs:
Washington Capitals
Pittsburgh Penguins
Chicago Blackhawks
Detroit Red Wings
Boston Bruins
New York Rangers
Philadelphia Flyers
If there were any more during the regular season, I didn't spot them, not to mention they have an awful team calling the games in Mike Emrick, who is good as a Devils regional announcer, Pierre Maguire, who is as qualified as me for being a commentator (He has a passion and a knowledge for the game, that is it), and sometimes Ed Olzyck who can provide some insight but other times sounds like a complete fool.
Bettman has also implemented some of the dumbest rules in hockey such as, no tag offside and the instigator penalty.
Bettman has also created a profit sharing plan for the 30 NHL teams, which means if your franchise makes a ton of profit, it gets split up to help the teams that don't make money to help them stay financially afloat. This is absolutely stupid. Why would you keep teams in a market where they have continued to fail to make money? This is what any logical businessman would do:
This market isn't making any money, why? Is it location? Is it not being marketed properly there? Are people to infatuated with other sports teams there to go to the teams game? Do people not care about hockey there?
If you were looking at this like a chain store, lets say Wal-Mart, if the store continued to not make profits would Wal-Mart keep it open, they would probably take the following steps before deciding:
1. Are the products we are supplying to them not right for them
2. Is the Wal-Mart hard to get to
3. Are people aware of the store here
4. Are people in this community that much against us (The City of Vancouver has continually barred attempts from letting a Wal-Mart into the city)
There are probably more questions they would ask but I'm not exactly sure what they would be.
This concludes my first hockey beef, and in the meantime, keep your stick on the ice.
Monday, May 3, 2010
The scope keeps on focusing on officiating
Watching Game 2 of Detroit vs San Jose last night, one thing became painfully apparent, you have to be on some awesome stuff before officiating the NHL. Both penalties to Bertuzzi in the game were weak. That doesn't even include Dany Heatley's interference with the goalie penalty. How about that slashing penalty Detroit got that didn't even hit the Sharks player. The list keeps growing and that was just one game. I am seriously getting pissed off at officials in games I don't give a damn about the teams, that is how bad it is.
Here are some changes that I would make to the NHL rulebook and some things overall:
1. The slashing penalty for breaking an opponents stick when there is no actual malice intent behind it. These twigs break so easily it has gotten to the point of ridiculous, I've had these sticks and gave them away because they always broke at the worst time on me, at least my $30 wood stick is consistant, and doesn't break.
2. Touch up icing. Somebody is going to get killed in one of these races for the puck. Either go to no touch icing or do what the USHL does, have them race to the faceoff dot, no whistle, prepare to get hit.
3. Allow the bearhug for a hit against the wall. Everybody has seen the injuries from hits from behind go up, why? Because they don't allow the bear hug which was a way of making sure the players full body go into the boards.
4. Start penalizing on action, not the player. I am sick and tired of seeing this double standard being applied. Hossa does the same thing to Hamhuis that Ovechkin did to Campbell yet he gets no suspension. Carcillo got the biggest bull shit suspension late in the season for getting his stick up on a player (I think was the suspension was for his lame attempt at a moustache).
Here are some changes that I would make to the NHL rulebook and some things overall:
1. The slashing penalty for breaking an opponents stick when there is no actual malice intent behind it. These twigs break so easily it has gotten to the point of ridiculous, I've had these sticks and gave them away because they always broke at the worst time on me, at least my $30 wood stick is consistant, and doesn't break.
2. Touch up icing. Somebody is going to get killed in one of these races for the puck. Either go to no touch icing or do what the USHL does, have them race to the faceoff dot, no whistle, prepare to get hit.
3. Allow the bearhug for a hit against the wall. Everybody has seen the injuries from hits from behind go up, why? Because they don't allow the bear hug which was a way of making sure the players full body go into the boards.
4. Start penalizing on action, not the player. I am sick and tired of seeing this double standard being applied. Hossa does the same thing to Hamhuis that Ovechkin did to Campbell yet he gets no suspension. Carcillo got the biggest bull shit suspension late in the season for getting his stick up on a player (I think was the suspension was for his lame attempt at a moustache).
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