Chelios Back In NHL
Chris Chelios is 48. He's also an NHL player. Chelios was called up today by the Atlanta Thrashers. He had been playing in the AHL, where he posted a 5-17-22 line.
Chelios is probably a Hall of Famer. But, the Thrashers are in a fight to make the playoffs. This just seems like a sideshow. I don't know much Chelios will help. I feel like if the Thrashers were safely in the playoffs, or safely out of it, this would be a better move. I know Chelios wants to play until he's 50. But, this is a huge risk for the Thrashers. Huge risk. If they don't make the playoffs, if they fall flat on their face, then this will be looked upon like a PR stunt. Which it may be. But, if it costs them a playoff spot, it's not worth it.
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It’s Baseball Season
I love baseball. I love the pace, the strategy. But, I don't get involved--fully--until hockey season is over. I've been spoiled the past couple of years, because the Rangers have been in the playoffs. They've had some intense series. Even when they've been eliminated, I'm still watching. Combine that with the NBA playoffs, and baseball takes a back seat.
This season feels different. The Rangers aren't that good. They may make the playoffs, but even if they do, they aren't going to go very far. I haven't been invested at all in the NBA this year. I'll watch the conference finals and league finals, but other than that, the NBA hasn't really been on my radar.
So, as I deal with the reality that is the Rangers, my mind wanders towards baseball. A couple months earlier. Which is great. In my spare time, I start thinking about Yankee lineups. Matchups. Yankee competitors. How will the bullpen be constructed? What should the lineup be?
Normally, this mental exercise happens this time of year, but it's never at this depth. I think about it, of course. I'm a Yankee fan. But, it's more casual. My mind is more focused on Ranger line combinations. And while I still think about that, my mind is shifting towards baseball. It's a nice change.
The weather here in New York is starting to get nicer, the snow is melting, the sun is shining. You turn on the TV and there's spring training baseball. You turn on the radio and there's baseball. It's here. In a few weeks, it will all start for real. Until then, we can enjoy thinking about baseball, dreaming about it. It's here.
NHL Should Keep Players In Olympics
As you all know, I'm pretty much addicted to the Olympics. It's bad. I'm even more addicted to Olympic hockey. Whether it's the USA, or just any game, I'm a devoted watched. (If you've noticed, most of my tweets are of the Olympic hockey variety.
But, sadly, there's been some talk of the NHL not allowing players to compete for their country in the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia. This is a horrible decision, if it happens. First, the quality of hockey would suffer. NHL players are the best in the world, and having college players, junior players, and others play is just not the same product. The quality of hockey this Olympics has been awesome.
Second, this is the biggest stage for the NHL. The NHL is not that popular, compared to baseball and football. But, for two weeks, everyone is a hockey fan--especially when USA is doing well. To lose that exposure would be a mistake.
Third, no one would watch the NHL during that time. Everyone watches Olympics anyway. You're losing viewers.
Olympic hockey has been awesome, and it's due to all the NHL players. If the NHL does this, it will be making a huge mistake. Don't do it, NHL.
USA Wins First Hockey Game
USA hockey played it's first game today, beating Switzerland 3-1. Bobby Ryan got the Americans on the board late in the first, off a blistering wrist shot. David Backes added the second goal, on a beautiful end to end rush, and finished it off with a nice backhanded move. Ryan Malone scored a power play goal, by setting up in front, and poking in a loose puck.
Ryan Miller was strong in net, making the saves when he needed too. One problem with the US: After dominating the first two periods, especially the second, they played a very lackadaisical third period. Switzerland dominated the third period, both in shots and in effort. Against better teams like Canada, that won't work.
But, so far, so good. There's scoring on this team, and two of the three goals came from fourth liners. Defense looks pretty good, led by Erik Johnson. I was impressed. Still, Switzerland is not a great team. Need to see what they can do against Canada.
Devils Win Kovalchuk Sweepstakes
NHL fans, meet your new Stanley Cup favorite: The New Jersey Devils. The Devils made a push towards the Cup yesterday, acquiring star winger Ilya Kovalchuk from the Thrashers. The Devils gave up defenseman Johnny Oduya, promising winger Niklas Bergfors, a prospect, and a future first round draft pick.
This is a hell of a move. The Devils have one of the better defenses in the league, and now the are adding a dynamic player to their offense. Between Kovalchuk and Zach Parise, the Devils now are a major offensive threat, to go along with that great defense. With Martin Broduer in goal, this team has the chance to go really far in the playoffs.
Source: Kovalchuk Heading To Boston or LA
Just talked to a source, who said Atlanta Thrashers star Ilya Kovalchuk is heading to either Boston or LA, before the trade deadline. The deal may happen before the Olympic break. No word on who would be going back to Atlanta in a deal.
Drury Doesn’t Get A Letter For Team USA
In a surprise move, Team USA did not give a letter to Chris Drury. The captain is Jamie Langenbrunner. The alternate captains are Zach Parise, Dustin Brown, Ryan Suter and Brian Rafalski. To me, Drury was selected because of the leadership he provides. And that was going to be rewarded with a ‘C’ or ‘A’. Here’s what GM Brian Burke had to say:
“Leaders lead,” Burke said. “Leaders don’t need letters to lead. Ron Wilson and I were co-captains together in college and it didn’t change one thing on how we acted when they put a C on us. So, to me leaders lead. If you need a letter to lead, then you’re not a leader anyhow. We know what Chris Drury can bring. He doesn’t need a letter. We’ve got a number of guys who are wearing letters in the NHL that aren’t going to wear a letter on this team. I wasn’t defensive at all about picking Chris Drury. In fact, every single guy — this will be illuminating for the people in the media that are skeptical about Chris Drury — every single guy on the selection committee had him on the team. So, I wasn’t defensive at all.
I get that, but if you pick Chris Drury because he’s Chris Drury, Captain Clutch, you give him a letter. Maybe I’m just being biased as a Ranger fan. But, he deserves a letter. And he didn’t get one.
Keith Ballard Must Not Like His Goalie
Keith Ballard is a pretty good defense man on the Florida Panthers. After a goal was scored, Ballard did one of the most boneheaded moves I've ever seen. Take a look (note: a bit gruesome)
Tomas Vokoun was taken to a hospital, after he suffered an ear laceration, and was reportedly alert in the ambulance. Ballard is quite lucky that Vokoun was not hurt more seriously. I've been watching hockey a long time. I've never seen anything REMOTLEY close to that. You can bet all NHL teams will be showing that as an example of what not to do when angry. Will Ballard be suspended? I'm not sure. Let's hope Vokoun makes a speedy recovery, and we don't see anymore similar incidents.
Anaheim Fans Are Fiesty
Anaheim isn't really known as a huge hockey city. Yes, there are fans, and yes the Ducks are always good, but it's not a place that you think of when you think hockey. That might change. Last night, when Scott Niedermayer was being honored as one of the stars of the game, he was gracious enough to give his stick to a little girl in the stands. That's where chaos ensued. Watch:
First, good for the lady who had a beer in one hand, and was throwing hay makers with the other. Second, and most important, no fan should be fighting over a stick like that. It's a weapon. It's a disturbing scene, and they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There are kids around who are being exposed to this. I've been to a bunch of hockey games. Rangers-Islanders. Rangers-Devils. Never something as violent as this. Let's hope the Ducks do something about it.
Nikita Filatov Leaves Columbus for Russia
Columbus Blue Jackets rookie Nikita Filatov is a very talented player. A dynamite offensive talent, Filatov feels he's been held back by coach Ken Hitchcock's defensive mindset. As his agent said:
"[Blue Jackets Coach Ken] Hitchcock sticks to defensive hockey, and Nikita prefers more of an offensive game. It is a conflict of interest. Filatov is unhappy that he gets very little ice time."
Well, apparently, Filatov had enough. He left the Blue Jackets to join CSKA of the KHL. More specifically, the Blue Jackets transferred Filatov's rights to the KHL team on a one year loan. This is not the first time a player has been transfered. Not the first time it's happened to the KHL. But, because the NHL and KHL have frosty relations, and because there is no player transfer agreement, one has to wonder if an unfavorable precedent will be set. Will many young, talented, Russia want to go to the KHL if they are unhappy with their roles? Will they pull a Filatov and go to the KHL, where their money is tax-free? The NHL has to crack down on this, and form a policy that discourages young players under contract from going to the KHL, which is trying to become a competitor of the NHL. Can the NHL do it? Sure. Will they? Don't know. For those interested, here's an interview with Filatov on why he left.
