What's that aboot, eh?
Okay let's see if I can get this out of my system.
HOCKEY IS BACK
First off, today's big stories. Wayne Gretzky, the best player to ever hit the ice, has decided to take on the head coaching job for the Phoenix Coyotes. So, can he translate his unsurpassed brilliance to his players? Stay tuned.
The NHL has reinstated Todd Bertuzzi who had been barred from the league since he sucker punched an opposing player causing neck breakage. Rumor was they were going to extend his suspension 20 games into the season, however they have now allowed his immediate re-entry.
Not to some league wide analysis.
THE NEW RULES: In an attempt to make games more exciting for the viewers, the league has implement several new rules. Goalie equipment is now significantly smaller, which will give player more net to shoot at. Goalies throughout the league have been very welcoming to this new rule mostly because they'd hate to see the alternative which would have been widening the goal. A rule change that theoretically should open up the game is now two line passes will be allowed. Before play would stop if a player passed the puck from his defensive zone to a teammate who was passed the center red line. This change should benefit the more talented skaters of the league, especially if they have defenders who can make those long passes. The league promises to be more strict on the enforcement of the obstruction calls. They have said this the past few seasons, and it never happens. This year though, expect to see the referees call loads of obstruction penalties. The league knows that they are going to be under heavy scrutiny this season, and will not do anything to light a fire underneath their critics. There will no longer be ties in the NHL. After regulation, if the score is tied, they teams will skate a period of overtime. If after the OT, the game still is undecided, the teams will go to a shootout. This will be very exciting for fans to watch, but, for various reasons, a lot of hockey purists are very against the shootout.
WHAT TEAMS NEED: I think a team's biggest asset is going to be its power play. As I said before, referees are going to be calling a lot of penalties this season, partly because they are going to be very strict about the rules, and partly because it's going to take player to get used to playing without following their natural obstructive instincts. Of course, this means that the penalty killing is going to be very important as well. If you have top ten PP and PK you will be tops in the league.
The new ice dimensions are forecheck friendly. Teams are going to need good quarterbacks for their breakouts. Look for teams to go after players who skate well with the puck, as opposed to players who knew their place in the trap.
The big marquee players of the league are going to have great numbers. Every team is going to be after at least one big star. The talent of the league is going to be very spread out.
THE BATTLE OF PENNSYLVANIA: The two most interesting teams of the east have quickly become the two teams of Pennsylvania. During the buyout period the Flyers had rid themselves of stars Tony Amonte, and the former rock of the team John LeClair. Since the market was opened last week, they made huge moves acquiring defenseman Derian Hatcher, and the best player in the league Peter Forsberg who alone makes them a playoff bound team. They have a solid team and will be a force to be reckoned with. Pittsburgh caught became a contender the second they won the draft lottery which gave them the right to draft "the next big thing" Sidney Crosby, who has already been on The Tonight Show without playing one NHL game. The Penguins also got their hands on Sergei Gonchar, and Ziggy Palffy. Let's not forget hall of famer Mario Lemieux. This team promises to be a very offensive team with a killer PP.
THE BATTLE OF THE ROOKIES: I've already mentioned Sidney Crosby, who will make an instant impact in the league, but there is also another rookie coming in this season who should help keep the rookie of the year race interesting. Alexander Ovechkin, the last number one overall pick before this years Crosby draft will make his NHL debut with the Washington Capitals. Many, including Capitals management, are very excited about this kid. My prediction is Crosby takes the ROTY honors.
MY LOCAL TEAMS: Los Angeles is the perfect fit for Jeremy Roenick. In fact, it is my opinion that every sports league would be wise to have their most outspoken player in LA. If football had an LA franchise, TO should be playing there. Shaq should be back in LA. JR is going to love the LA sports media, and the LA sports media is going to love him right back. Along with JR, the Kings have another new face in Pavol Demitra, who is looking like their man, unless they make some more moves (they have the cap space). They lost Ziggy Pallfy to the Penguins, and they will miss him greatly.
The Ducks, under new ownership, and new GM Brian Burke, got one of the best players in the market, in defenseman Scott Niedermayer. Look for the great connections between Scotty and Federov. With 13 players singed on the Ducks are already very close to the cap. They will make significant trades and sign at least one more of the leagues top talents. Brian Burke worked wonders in Vancouver. In his short time with the Ducks he has already shown that he plans to do the same here. I will be attending some Ducks games. Especially when Phoenix comes around just to see The Great One in person.
PAUL KARIYA: Chart this under "stupidest move of the free agent market". Paul Kariya has singed with the Nashville Predators, who have nothing. Granted, PK was always better as the go to guy rather than part of a deep lineup, but he has no support at all in Nashville. They, however, are under the cap minimum which mean the have A LOT of room to make some big moves. Unfortunately most of the big names from the free agent market are gone, but there are plenty of teams teetering around that cap who will look to unload some talent to teams who can afford it.
That's all.
HOCKEY IS BACK
First off, today's big stories. Wayne Gretzky, the best player to ever hit the ice, has decided to take on the head coaching job for the Phoenix Coyotes. So, can he translate his unsurpassed brilliance to his players? Stay tuned.
The NHL has reinstated Todd Bertuzzi who had been barred from the league since he sucker punched an opposing player causing neck breakage. Rumor was they were going to extend his suspension 20 games into the season, however they have now allowed his immediate re-entry.
Not to some league wide analysis.
THE NEW RULES: In an attempt to make games more exciting for the viewers, the league has implement several new rules. Goalie equipment is now significantly smaller, which will give player more net to shoot at. Goalies throughout the league have been very welcoming to this new rule mostly because they'd hate to see the alternative which would have been widening the goal. A rule change that theoretically should open up the game is now two line passes will be allowed. Before play would stop if a player passed the puck from his defensive zone to a teammate who was passed the center red line. This change should benefit the more talented skaters of the league, especially if they have defenders who can make those long passes. The league promises to be more strict on the enforcement of the obstruction calls. They have said this the past few seasons, and it never happens. This year though, expect to see the referees call loads of obstruction penalties. The league knows that they are going to be under heavy scrutiny this season, and will not do anything to light a fire underneath their critics. There will no longer be ties in the NHL. After regulation, if the score is tied, they teams will skate a period of overtime. If after the OT, the game still is undecided, the teams will go to a shootout. This will be very exciting for fans to watch, but, for various reasons, a lot of hockey purists are very against the shootout.
WHAT TEAMS NEED: I think a team's biggest asset is going to be its power play. As I said before, referees are going to be calling a lot of penalties this season, partly because they are going to be very strict about the rules, and partly because it's going to take player to get used to playing without following their natural obstructive instincts. Of course, this means that the penalty killing is going to be very important as well. If you have top ten PP and PK you will be tops in the league.
The new ice dimensions are forecheck friendly. Teams are going to need good quarterbacks for their breakouts. Look for teams to go after players who skate well with the puck, as opposed to players who knew their place in the trap.
The big marquee players of the league are going to have great numbers. Every team is going to be after at least one big star. The talent of the league is going to be very spread out.
THE BATTLE OF PENNSYLVANIA: The two most interesting teams of the east have quickly become the two teams of Pennsylvania. During the buyout period the Flyers had rid themselves of stars Tony Amonte, and the former rock of the team John LeClair. Since the market was opened last week, they made huge moves acquiring defenseman Derian Hatcher, and the best player in the league Peter Forsberg who alone makes them a playoff bound team. They have a solid team and will be a force to be reckoned with. Pittsburgh caught became a contender the second they won the draft lottery which gave them the right to draft "the next big thing" Sidney Crosby, who has already been on The Tonight Show without playing one NHL game. The Penguins also got their hands on Sergei Gonchar, and Ziggy Palffy. Let's not forget hall of famer Mario Lemieux. This team promises to be a very offensive team with a killer PP.
THE BATTLE OF THE ROOKIES: I've already mentioned Sidney Crosby, who will make an instant impact in the league, but there is also another rookie coming in this season who should help keep the rookie of the year race interesting. Alexander Ovechkin, the last number one overall pick before this years Crosby draft will make his NHL debut with the Washington Capitals. Many, including Capitals management, are very excited about this kid. My prediction is Crosby takes the ROTY honors.
MY LOCAL TEAMS: Los Angeles is the perfect fit for Jeremy Roenick. In fact, it is my opinion that every sports league would be wise to have their most outspoken player in LA. If football had an LA franchise, TO should be playing there. Shaq should be back in LA. JR is going to love the LA sports media, and the LA sports media is going to love him right back. Along with JR, the Kings have another new face in Pavol Demitra, who is looking like their man, unless they make some more moves (they have the cap space). They lost Ziggy Pallfy to the Penguins, and they will miss him greatly.
The Ducks, under new ownership, and new GM Brian Burke, got one of the best players in the market, in defenseman Scott Niedermayer. Look for the great connections between Scotty and Federov. With 13 players singed on the Ducks are already very close to the cap. They will make significant trades and sign at least one more of the leagues top talents. Brian Burke worked wonders in Vancouver. In his short time with the Ducks he has already shown that he plans to do the same here. I will be attending some Ducks games. Especially when Phoenix comes around just to see The Great One in person.
PAUL KARIYA: Chart this under "stupidest move of the free agent market". Paul Kariya has singed with the Nashville Predators, who have nothing. Granted, PK was always better as the go to guy rather than part of a deep lineup, but he has no support at all in Nashville. They, however, are under the cap minimum which mean the have A LOT of room to make some big moves. Unfortunately most of the big names from the free agent market are gone, but there are plenty of teams teetering around that cap who will look to unload some talent to teams who can afford it.
That's all.
posted by Angelo at 8/08/2005 06:02:00 PM
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