Even though the Stanley Cup Finals are not over yet, I thought I would give some views of what I have noticed this last year in the NHL. I have three different topics, players and teams that impressed me, things that are not of major intrest to me but still note worthy, and things that pissed me off.
Players and Teams that impressed me:
Ian Laperierre - I can honestly say that I am not a big fan of his, however taking that puck to the face and the way he played in Philadelphia has changed my views on him, hell he wasn't even out for a month before returning to the line up.
The Sedin Twins - They dominated this year and Henrik should go home with the Hart as well as the Art Ross (which he has already won since he had the most points in the regular season).
The Los Angeles Kings - A team that has been cellar dwellers for a few years has finally got back into the playoff picture, but I am not sure they have the depth to become a major force in the West.
The Phoenix Coyotes - If you had these guys in the playoffs at the beginning of the season, what am I saying if you say you did you are lying. These guys came out of nowhere to get home ice in the first round, too bad it was Detroit they had to face.
Jaroslav Halak - Halak put an end to what was the continual goaltending controversy in Montreal. The Habs should get a good deal for trading Carey Price.
Items of note worthiness but not of major interest to me:
The Washington Capitals - The President's Trophy winners completely melted down in the first round, which has gone to show that they may suffer like the San Jose Sharks in the playoffs, great team in regular season, but can't up their game in the playoffs.
Toronto Maple Leafs - Who knew the Leafs were going to get two star players in such a short time span, unfortunately (or fortunately), they traded them to the Boston Bruins.
Gary Bettman - The IIHF went after hockey players not playing in the world championships, and Bettman sounded off and called out the IIHF, it is one of the few times I have actually sided with him in something.
Things that pissed me off:
Pierre Maguire - I have bashed this guy so often I have decided to lay off on the insults to him until I can find words that accurately describe how piss poor this man (if you want to call him that) is at colour commentary. I highly doubt that it will work as Maguire often shows how little he knows about doing a good broadcast every time he speaks.
Ron MacLean - Usually it takes alot to get me to side with Gary Bettman on anything what so ever when it comes to hockey, he did it in the span of 3 minutes in an intermission interview. MacLean is an absolute tool, has absolutely no comedic timing when it comes to his feeble attempts at jokes (If you can even call them jokes), and is one of the leaders of making the Vancouver Canucks being the bastard sons of Hockey Night in Canada whenever the Canucks are mentioned.
NHL on NBC - Well to save time we will make a list of everything they are doing right when it comes to broadcasting the NHL. Mike Milbury, I guess that concludes the list.
The officiating - This sounds like the same broken record player that when it comes to Pierre Maguire. However there are some differences in the two, the officials are obviously bias towards certain teams. Officials can intentionally cost teams games or carry out personal vendettas without fear of punishment (Auger vs the Canucks). And the also have started calling one of the stupidest penalties when it comes to those weak sticks.
Hockey Night in Canada - with the acception of the following, the rest involved in on screen items should be let go.
The ones who stay:
Jim Hughson
Craig Simpson
PJ Stock
Scott Oake
Don Cherry
Well, this concludes the major items of the year and until next time keep your stick on the ice.
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