You would think being the league oldest player would be one of the most mature, but much like his physical aptitude not being that of a 45 year old man, Chris Chelios has managed to completely blow that theory out of the water.
Chelios continues to whine until he gets his way just like he always has. The latest case: Ted Saskin. Chelios has led the dissident faction of about a dozen players since his hire and refuses to stop. He continues to cry and stamp his feet until people give in to his demands.
When the NHLPA accepted a cap, he whined it was Ted Saskin’s fault, ignoring that Bob Goodenow was a major player in those negotiations (though Goodenow resigned, it was before the agreement was officially signed, not before it was negotiated). But Chelios ignores this and still blames Saskin.
After not getting his way with the CBA, Chelios then cried foul on how Saskin was hired. Saskin allowed another voting and he still remained leader of the NHLPA. But this wasn’t good enough for Chelios. He sent the case to a court to try and get Saskin removed.
And like many suspected, the case was thrown out because his points weren’t valid enough. But will that stop the man who has to have his way? Nope. Now enter the e-mail scandal.
Make no mistake, this is Chelios. When Goodenow was in charge, everything was fine because Chelios liked what he did. Now that Saskin is in charge, and hasn’t even had time to do anything not just because of his short time in the position, but because he is constantly preoccupied with constant temper tantrums from 45 year old men, Chelios is now up in arms like when a ref calls a penalty on him (because god forbid he shouldn’t be allowed to clutch and grab).
There is a simple solution to this all: ignore Chelios. He is like a five year old who carries on until he gets his way, and like parents who don’t want to say no to their kids, they keep agreeing. So now the NHLPA has their hands full chasing allegations that if not for one spoiled brat wouldn’t be on their agenda.
But now the NHLPA must deal with the misfit, self absorbed whiner of a teenager they helped to bred. Now their only chance to stop the incessant prattle is to just ignore him. If he has a request, throw it away. If he whines, turn the other way. But just stop listening to him! Every time they give in they give him more power, so now they need to drop these allegations, regardless of their validity, and tell Chelios to shut the #@!& up and play hockey. He is a grown man and it’s time he started acting like one.
It is utterly ridiculous that I hear more whining from a 45 year old man than I do from my 4 year old nephew. Grow up already Chelios.
-Jordan
Monday, March 12, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Simon's Suspension
The NHL announced that Chris Simon has received a 25 game suspension that will carry over into the playoffs or next season dependent on how many playoff games the Islanders participate in.
There have been mixed opinions on this: some think it is too long and some think it is too short. I myself feel it was appropriate, and I do believe should Simon do anything like this again he should be expelled from the league.
There was no excuse for what he did. You do not cross check another player in the face because you got hit. Granted Hollweg does like to hit people from behind, but even so a cross check to the face is ridiculous, especially for a veteran like Simon.
Sadly, this is more bad press for the NHL, as many out there seem to have the idea that thuggery is rampant in the league. As the hit was blatantly an attempt to injure there is no way to play it off for anything other than what it was.
I am glad the NHL acted as swiftly as it did and handed out a punishment of this caliber. Should it happen again, I do think the NHL should be even sterner in its response to further try and curb the chance of something like this happening again.
-Jordan
There have been mixed opinions on this: some think it is too long and some think it is too short. I myself feel it was appropriate, and I do believe should Simon do anything like this again he should be expelled from the league.
There was no excuse for what he did. You do not cross check another player in the face because you got hit. Granted Hollweg does like to hit people from behind, but even so a cross check to the face is ridiculous, especially for a veteran like Simon.
Sadly, this is more bad press for the NHL, as many out there seem to have the idea that thuggery is rampant in the league. As the hit was blatantly an attempt to injure there is no way to play it off for anything other than what it was.
I am glad the NHL acted as swiftly as it did and handed out a punishment of this caliber. Should it happen again, I do think the NHL should be even sterner in its response to further try and curb the chance of something like this happening again.
-Jordan
Friday, March 02, 2007
General Deadline Thoughts
With the trade deadline, came a day of refreshing about 10 sites and messageboards in an attempt to hear something heck ANYTHING. Productivity at work was at a low but heck it’s been worse. I was still able to get some stuff done as well as keep in general up to date. So in fitting with the tradition of any douchebag with a website/blog, I will provide my half assed thoughts on the trading deadline. I’m sure you won’t find anything new here just again another douchebag’s opinion…
With the big trades involved, another arms race of sorts happened out west with Guerin to San Jose, Bertuzzi to Detriot and Dallas gaining Norstrom. Of the three, the man that will likely have a big impact will be Guerin. Guerin, having played with Thornton in Boston, should immediately give the Sharks more scoring depth on the wing and provide a solid outlet to either Thornton or Marleau. Giving up a late first round and Ville Niemenen and a prospect seems like a steal for what Guerin can potentially bring.
The Wings also got a good deal for Todd Bertuzzi. Like all trades, this can backfire especially given Bertuzzi’s penchant for being hurt however the soft, small and European filled Redwings needed some grit and toughness and they got that with Bertuzzi. The Redwings need a guy like Bertuzzi to battle in the playoffs against some very good defensive teams. In the past couple of seasons, Detriot has had their trouble against physical teams and with a move like acquiring Todd Bertuzzi, they can regain their hold on the West. Will it happen though, I doubt it. Another underrated move is acquiring, Kyle Calder from Philly/Chicago. More scoring t
Dallas gets Mattias Nortstrom who will already add to a stalwart defensive unit. The Stars are a team that could have used some more scoring despite the recent acquisition of Ladislav Nagy. Nevertheless, the Stars are a sleeper team provided they can continue get great goaltending, solid defense and timely scoring to come out of the West be a conference champion.
Ryan Smyth to the Isles was a surprise move but it will be one of the moves that can propel the Isles into the playoffs. While the isles were a team flying under the radar and getting better as the season progresses, the move by Garth Snow to add a game changer in Ryan Smyth will be gigantic. Most importantly, in an area where the Isles are overshadowed by the consistent Devils and the big market Rangers, the Isles went out of their way to ensure their fan base that they are indeed interested in winning and making a run at this thing. Losing Nilsson can hurt but gaining Smyth and maybe keeping him after the season ends would be a wonderful shot in the arm to a recently uninspiring franchise.
The Buffalo sabers getting rid of Biron may have cost them in my eyes. The Biron and Miller tandem was by far the best in the league and provided tremendous insurance for the Slugs if Miller gets hurt/playing level drops off. Unfortunately, I don’t get the rationale in trading Biron for a pick. With Buffalo you have a team with some injuries which will greater hamper Buffalo stretch run. Why not use Biron to acquire some form of talent is indeed puzzling. Regardless or not, if that 2nd was the best they could for him is great but you have holes on your team now and by not trying to rectify that I’m surprised. Zubrus for Novotny was a shrewd move though. Zubrus can add some size and some skill level to the Sabres’ run.
I can’t argue with what Atlanta did in acquiring Keith Tkachuk and Zhitnik but the price was a bit much. Maybe they overpayed for Tkachuk, but they had to make the playoffs this year after the promise Wadell made last year. Especially, once again, the Thrashers got off to such a hot start and started to falter around the break but this is pure panic to save face. I wouldn’t be against making that kindof of move of trading mass quantities of picks but maybe you could tried to get Forsberg rather than using a converted winger as a center.
By not trading anyone, Carolina with their glut of dmen really didn’t seem to think that acquiring some more forwards could help. Maybe that’s fine and who knows they have a good shot to do some damage again in the playoffs but with Brindamour being one year older, Staal struggling and Justin Williams playing over his head further help could have been acquired.
I really like the Flyers are doing in their rebuilding mode. By acquiring some solid young defensive prospects in Coburn and Parent, and hording draft picks like they, STL, and other teams are doing, we should be seeing some quick turnarounds relatively for these teams. Also with the salary cap as seen by the Penguins, teams can be “rebuilding” yet magically also be able to turn around their fortunes in a few years. I’m sure drafting Sidney Crosby also helped that. But I fully expect a quick turnaround for the Flyers..for the Blues not so much.
As usual, though things are interesting enough as we enter the final month and a half to the playoffs. After the season ends, we can officially give teams grades but hey atleast we don’t have to hear from the hockeybuzz.com idiot.
Cheers Mates!
-OP
With the big trades involved, another arms race of sorts happened out west with Guerin to San Jose, Bertuzzi to Detriot and Dallas gaining Norstrom. Of the three, the man that will likely have a big impact will be Guerin. Guerin, having played with Thornton in Boston, should immediately give the Sharks more scoring depth on the wing and provide a solid outlet to either Thornton or Marleau. Giving up a late first round and Ville Niemenen and a prospect seems like a steal for what Guerin can potentially bring.
The Wings also got a good deal for Todd Bertuzzi. Like all trades, this can backfire especially given Bertuzzi’s penchant for being hurt however the soft, small and European filled Redwings needed some grit and toughness and they got that with Bertuzzi. The Redwings need a guy like Bertuzzi to battle in the playoffs against some very good defensive teams. In the past couple of seasons, Detriot has had their trouble against physical teams and with a move like acquiring Todd Bertuzzi, they can regain their hold on the West. Will it happen though, I doubt it. Another underrated move is acquiring, Kyle Calder from Philly/Chicago. More scoring t
Dallas gets Mattias Nortstrom who will already add to a stalwart defensive unit. The Stars are a team that could have used some more scoring despite the recent acquisition of Ladislav Nagy. Nevertheless, the Stars are a sleeper team provided they can continue get great goaltending, solid defense and timely scoring to come out of the West be a conference champion.
Ryan Smyth to the Isles was a surprise move but it will be one of the moves that can propel the Isles into the playoffs. While the isles were a team flying under the radar and getting better as the season progresses, the move by Garth Snow to add a game changer in Ryan Smyth will be gigantic. Most importantly, in an area where the Isles are overshadowed by the consistent Devils and the big market Rangers, the Isles went out of their way to ensure their fan base that they are indeed interested in winning and making a run at this thing. Losing Nilsson can hurt but gaining Smyth and maybe keeping him after the season ends would be a wonderful shot in the arm to a recently uninspiring franchise.
The Buffalo sabers getting rid of Biron may have cost them in my eyes. The Biron and Miller tandem was by far the best in the league and provided tremendous insurance for the Slugs if Miller gets hurt/playing level drops off. Unfortunately, I don’t get the rationale in trading Biron for a pick. With Buffalo you have a team with some injuries which will greater hamper Buffalo stretch run. Why not use Biron to acquire some form of talent is indeed puzzling. Regardless or not, if that 2nd was the best they could for him is great but you have holes on your team now and by not trying to rectify that I’m surprised. Zubrus for Novotny was a shrewd move though. Zubrus can add some size and some skill level to the Sabres’ run.
I can’t argue with what Atlanta did in acquiring Keith Tkachuk and Zhitnik but the price was a bit much. Maybe they overpayed for Tkachuk, but they had to make the playoffs this year after the promise Wadell made last year. Especially, once again, the Thrashers got off to such a hot start and started to falter around the break but this is pure panic to save face. I wouldn’t be against making that kindof of move of trading mass quantities of picks but maybe you could tried to get Forsberg rather than using a converted winger as a center.
By not trading anyone, Carolina with their glut of dmen really didn’t seem to think that acquiring some more forwards could help. Maybe that’s fine and who knows they have a good shot to do some damage again in the playoffs but with Brindamour being one year older, Staal struggling and Justin Williams playing over his head further help could have been acquired.
I really like the Flyers are doing in their rebuilding mode. By acquiring some solid young defensive prospects in Coburn and Parent, and hording draft picks like they, STL, and other teams are doing, we should be seeing some quick turnarounds relatively for these teams. Also with the salary cap as seen by the Penguins, teams can be “rebuilding” yet magically also be able to turn around their fortunes in a few years. I’m sure drafting Sidney Crosby also helped that. But I fully expect a quick turnaround for the Flyers..for the Blues not so much.
As usual, though things are interesting enough as we enter the final month and a half to the playoffs. After the season ends, we can officially give teams grades but hey atleast we don’t have to hear from the hockeybuzz.com idiot.
Cheers Mates!
-OP
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