Podcast - State of Affairs

The Edmonton Oilers have officially locked up last place for the 2009/2010 season. What went wrong for the copper and blue?

Was it the roster makeup?
Was it certain members of management?
What is the next move?

Here is a candid take on the state of oil country by Kevin and ASam. Check it out here on our second podcast.

P.O.T - Participate in the poll on the sidebar. Assuming the Oilers get the 1st overall pick, who should they draft?

Debut Podcast - Untitled

If Kobe can be forgiven for infidelity then I can have a podcast.

So here it is. My podcast debut with my buddy ASam. Title is still being determined. However, we dive into a analytical discussion of our 2014 Team Canada projections. Check it out here!

Proposition of Today: Check out ASam's blog. Leave a comment. Become a follower. But not before my blog ;)

Outlook for Sochi 2014 - Part 2

Canada gained three achievements after defeating the US:
1) The gold medal.
2) Preventing the creation of "Miracle on Ice - Part 2".
3) Push the idea for a CBC documentary titled: "Canada Demoralizing USA - Part Deux".

They always say it is more difficult to defend a championship than winning. Based on the talent displayed in Vancouver, Team Canada will no doubt have to play at another level to repeat as gold medal champions. I have already presented my predictions for how the backend may look in 2014 (if you didn't read it, click here) and here are the forwards.

A reminder that a few parameters were set in making this group:
1) Only allowed to select players who have been drafted at the very least. (Sorry Taylor Hall)
2) Always had in mind that they would be playing on international-sized ice.

3) Players remain on the teams they are currently playing for as of 2010.

** Listed as Player's name (age in 2014)

Forwards:
Staal(29)          Crosby(26)          Iginla(36)
                                               Jeff Carter(29)
Morrow(35)      Getzlaf(28)          Perry(28) 
Milan Lucic(25)
Heatley(33)      Thornton(34)      Marleau(34)
                      John Tavares(23)  Steven Stamkos(24)
Richards(29)    Toews(25)            Nash(29)

Bergeron(28)
Jordan Eberle(23)


Scratches:

Iginla and Morrow will not make the cut due to their age and their inability to play their role in 2014. Iginla was seen as an offensive catalyst and side-kick to Crosby in 2010 but at age 36, I cannot see him being able to keep up with the Crosby and young guns from other nations. Morrow was one of the key players to the 2010 team. His "momentum changing" abilities was invaluable in Vancouver as he was able to spark Canada's offence and the crowd with one punishing hit. But based on what he brings to the table, Canada will be able to fill that role with someone else with more youth.

At age 34, Thornton could still be an elite pass-first center in the NHL. But he is known for disappearing in big games and the Olympics were no different. No, he did not hurt the team. But with the stakes being so high in Sochi, Canada can't afford to have a 34 year old sleepwalker on the ice. 

Marleau was a tough call. He played extremely well at the Olympics as he was great on the penalty kill and chipped in some offence here and there when needed. He is not known to be a vocal leader which will prevent him from being named on the team for intangible reasons. I also question how he will perform on the larger ice surface in Sochi and because of that I have left him off the team. 

Bergeron was believed to be the side-kick for Crosby because of their success in the World Junior Championships. Let's just say management won't make that mistake again. 

Keepers:

Crosby, Toews, Getzlaf, Perry, Nash, Richards, and Staal are self-explanatory. If they can keep up, or increase, their level of play in 2014 they will all be locks to make the team. Dany Heatley is a perennial sniper in the NHL. However, like Thornton, I do question his ability to show up for the "big games."  His numbers in international competition speaks for itself (74 pts in 71 games) and if he is paired with the right players he can still be a key contributor in 2014. 

Replacements:

Jeff Carter: He was the first replacement option for Canada in 2010 and will not be snubbed twice. 

Milan Lucic: I cannot stress how important Morrow was to the 2010 team. He was selected to be an on-ice conundrum for opposing teams and that role needs to be filled in 2014. Enter Lucic. At 6'4'' 220lbs, the Serbian bodozer can reap havoc and chip in a goal or two. 

John Tavares: Yes, he is having an unspectacular rookie season. Yes, he has not lived up to the hype. Yes, he is playing for the New York Islanders. Tavares is on pace for 43 points in his debut season which has created concern that he may not be the superstar everyone envisioned. But before we start throwing him under the Hockey Canada semi-truck lets look at the rookie season totals of other players on the team: Getzlaf-39pts, Perry-25pts, Staal-31pts, Nash-39pts, and Richards-34pts. My point is: relax. In four years, Tavares will prove to everyone that he can be considered an elite game-breaker.

Steven Stamkos: He is potentially on pace to eclipse the 50-goal and 100-point mark in his sophomore season. And he is playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning. He is everything Vincent Lecavalier used to be except I hope that he is smart enough to not sign an 11 year contract with T-Bay.

Jordan Eberle: If you have watched the World Junior Championships in 2009 and 2010 then you know this guy is clutch. Time will tell if he can translate his late-game heroics to the NHL level but in international competition he knows how to score the big goal(s).

Honorable Mentions: Travis Zajac, Matt Duchene, Jordan Staal, Derek Roy, Kris Versteeg, James Neal, Alex Burrows, and Claude Giroux

Management
It would be great to see Steve Yzerman running the show again. If Gretzky gets two shots at gold, why not Stevie Y? I would not mind having Mike Babcock back behind the bench with Lindy Ruff as well. However, I do think Ken Hitchcock's tenure with Team Canada should be over. He has been involved with the last 3 Olympics and someone else deserves a shot. Quite frankly, I question is overall influence on the team. The only time you have your assistant coach in the press box during games is when (1) Their role is minimal in the grand scheme of things (Ex: Bill Moores for the Oilers from 2000-09) (2) There is not enough room behind the bench for everyone (insert fat joke). (3) They're erratic and lose composure more than your players. Hitchcock's body language changed by the minute at the Olympics. When things are going well he looked like the happiest person on earth. But as soon as the team starts crumbling, he looked like this (what do you have in there, Kenny?).

Proposition of Today: "Training Day" is one of my favorite movies of all time. Producer Antoine Fuqua and actor Ethan Hawke have teamed up again for "Brooklyn's Finest." Also joining them are Richard Gere, Don Cheadle and Wesley Snipes. I'm going to see it within the next few days and I highly recommend this film to everyone. Go check it out and feel free to make comments on it.

Outlook for Sochi 2014 - Part 1

We know the likes of Alex Ovechkin and Evgeni Malkin have already declared their intentions to participate in the 2014 winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. In their own backyard, Ovie and Gino plan on redeeming themselves and their country after the embarrassing performance in Vancouver. With the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) ending after the 2010-11 season, there has been no indication whether or not the NHL will permit NHL players to participate in future Olympic games. But that will not stop the Russians. The response in the US after 2010 has been tremendous. The last time hockey was remotely relevant in the US was the 1994 New York Rangers' Stanley Cup victory where captain Mark Messier famously accepted the cup after getting hit in the funny bone. 

So the big question is, if they let NHL players go to Sochi, can Canada repeat? We know they can dominate on North American soil, but can Canada finally get the donkey off their back and grab the gold on foreign ice?

So what would the team look like in 2014? Here is my opinion on what the team may look like. A few parameters were set in making this group:

1) Only allowed to select players who have been drafted at the very least. (Sorry Taylor Hall)

2) Always keep in mind that they would be playing on international-sized ice.

3) Players remain on the teams they are currently playing for as of 2010.

** Listed as Player's name (age in 2014)

Defence:

Pronger(39)       Boyle(37)

Tyler Myers(24)  Keith Aulie(25)

Weber(28)         Doughty(24)

Keith(30)            Neidermeyer(40)

                         Mike Green(28)

Seabrook(28)

Scratches:

By 2014, both Pronger and Neidermeyer will either be retired or pulling a "Chris Chelios" to see who can beat Gordie Howe's record of playing pro hockey until he was 52 years old. If it is the latter, they will not make the team for obvious reasons: can't keep up, defensive liability, battle with arthritis, etc. Dan Boyle will be the wildcard of 2014. At 37 years old, he may mean to 2014 Team Canada as what Neidermeyer meant to 2010; strong leadership, experience and solid (but not spectacular) skills. If the games were held on North American soil, he would be on the team. However, the larger ice-surface will most likely make him a liability as he will lose a stride or two in four years.

Keepers:

It's a no-brainer that Weber, Keith and Doughty will make the team in 2014. Seabrook is the wildcard. Initially, his selection was based on his established chemistry with another player which was believed to be an advantage, much like Patrice Bergeron (more on him in Part 2). He was suppose to be a top 6 defenseman but fell to the 7th defenseman playing limited minutes. But in four years, while still playing with Keith in Chicago, Seabrook may polish his game to warrant another selection. He may not be an offensive catalysts but can be a reliable stay-at-home defenseman. He's a keeper.

Replacements:

Tyler Myers: The future "Tower of Power." The new generation's Chris Pronger. Canada's version of Zdeno Chara. With potentially on his way to the Rookie of the Year, there is no doubt he will be on the team. At 6'8'', he will cover the larger ice-surface with ease.

Keith Aulie: Sleeper pick. Based on his performance with Myers at the 2009 World Juniors, the possibility of teaming them up again may spell trouble for other nations (watch out Norway!). The only thing that prevents Aulie from making it is the terrible stench of losing he is currently situated in, also known as Toronto.

Mike Green: At 28, he will still be in his prime. In four years, I hope Green improves his much publicized defensive deficiencies. If he does, he is a lock. With the absence of Pronger, Neidermeyer and Boyle, his powerplay abilities will be needed.

Honorable Mentions: Stephane Robidas, Dion Phaneuf, Jay Bouwmeester, Marc Staal, and Kris Letang.

Goalies:

Luongo(34)   Brodeur(41)   Fleury(29)

                    Cam Ward(30)

Scratches:

Brodeur's contract ends in 2012 and most likely will call it a career. If not, his performance in Vancouver clearly signifies a changing of the guard.

Keepers:

The starting spot for 2014 is Luongo's to lose. Based on his age at that point, it will be curious to see if he can hold on to the job or become a glorified backup. One thing is for sure, Fleury will be on his heels to steal the spotlight.

Replacements:

Cam Ward: I was stuck between Ward and Steve Mason but I'm giving the nod to Ward for two reasons. One, he has a Stanley Cup ring. Two, he has a gold and silver medal in the World Championships. Mason is struggling in his sophomore season but will give Ward a run for his money come 2014.

Honorable Mentions: Steve Mason, Brian Elliot 

Later this week: "Outlook for Sochi 2014 - Part 2" where we will take a look at who Canada may have upfront.

Hockey Talk from Seaside

Vancouver 2010 - Canada has regained hockey supremecy. But over the course of the tournament it became pretty clear that certain teams had certain stigmas attached to them. It's like highschool, you have jocks, nerds, beauty queens and pricks. Today, that combination of characters add up to shenanigans and reality tv. Most recently, MTV's Jersey Shore shows off the pure comedy that can only come from bringing these personalities together. Throw in a beach, close proximity of clubs, ridiculous nicknames and you have 9 episodes of WTF.

Needless to say the personas of hockey nations are like those of a highschool setting. With the heightened attention to hockey and the Jersey Shore phenomenon... I think you know what's coming.

Team Canada = Mike "The Situation" Everybody loves them, or loves to hate them. Always with a target on their back and always the centre of attention. Canada’s identity is as closely tied to hockey as Mike is with his female prospects (AKA creepy crawlers). Someone is always trying to chop them down, take the throne and discard the remains, but to no avail. 9 times out of 10, the situation will turn out in their favour; Canada cooks up gold medals while Mike cooks up surf-n- turfs with someone else cleaning up the mess. (Sidenote: Who on Team Canada is most likely to adopt the GTL lifestyle? My top 5: Luongo, Perry, Bergeron, Doughty and Thornton. Mega-wildcard: Ken Hitchcock)

Team USA = Snooki USA is on a roll in terms of losing to Canada in international hockey competition and Snooki has a few “rolls” of her own. Both are constantly taking the bullet (or grenade) for their arch nemesis only to be humiliated in the process. USA lose in ’02 (ends Canada’s 50 year gold medal drought on their home soil) and 2010 (redemption for Turin and ends their Cinderella run) while Snooki absorbs facial impacts from a “hippo” so Situation can entertain his nightly creepy crawler.

Team Russia = JWoww Russian women have been characterized as looking like men and JWoww fits the bill. The attention and hype received by both is eventually overshadowed by the surfacing of their flaws. Russia lacked depth and hoped the front-loaded talent could mask any shortcomings from the other two-thirds of their roster. JWoww counted on physical enhancements and provocative nightly attire to mask the shortcomings in the facially-appealing department. It’s safe to say, both failed miserably.

Team Sweden = Sammi and Team Finland = Ronnie They may not get as much attention as their counterparts but each respective combo has a well-defined love/hate relationship. Each time Finland/Sweden faceoff, Jarkko Ruutu feels the need relinquish his MMA skills while Sweden assumes the fetal position with Peter Forsberg twisting his ankle 600 degrees. Likewise, disagreements with the Seaside couple results in Ronnie taking out innocent bystanders with “ONE SHOT!!!” and Sammi walking home alone and convincing herself, “Hey I did nothing wrong. The other guy’s girlfriend had a fake Louis Vuitton purse. He deserved to get beat up.”

Team Czech = Vinny The Wildcard, always lurking and seizing an opportunity to take a few cheap shots at the top-dog. Both had their fair share of success (Czechs upsetting Canada in ’98 Olympics and Vinny hooking up with Mike’s sister) but they were largely irrelevant in the grand scheme of things.

Team Slovakia = Pauly D Everybody’s friend. No personal hard feelings or animosity towards these two. If anything, we root for them. Who wasn’t cheering for Slovakia in the Bronze medal game? Who isn’t cheering for Pauly D to make it big in the DJing industry?

Proposition of Today (POT): Re-live the moment from the 2010 Gold Medal Game or one of the 9 episodes from Jersey Shore Season 1. You can thank me later.