10/31/2007

Forsberg ready to return?

The bomb dropped a few days ago, Peter Forsberg is joining Team Sweden to play in Karjala Cup. The reason he is doing this is because he wants to make a comeback in the NHL this season. Had he instead chosen to test his foot playing in the Elite League with MoDo, he would not have been eligible to play for any NHL team.

The Ottawa Senators are held as favorites by many sports writers, at least Swedish ones, to ink the former Hart Trophy winner. I can't really see why. To me the Colorado Avalanche must be considered first in line for his signature. His history with the club must surely weigh heavy in his decision.

Some, including The Hockey News, have expressed the opinion that Peter Forsberg should retire. To me this is just plain dumb. Peter Forsberg is perhaps the most complete two-way player ever and, although his career has been plagued by numerous injuries, we should consider ourselves lucky if he can once again display some of that magic I am sure he still has in him. Anyone who knows anything about hockey and has seen Forsberg play knows what I am talking about.

10/30/2007

The Blues is back in St. Louis

It is interesting how little is heard about the St. Louis Blues considering the comeback they have made. Under the new ownership and management the team has made a more than solid recovery, from posting their worst record in 27 years in the 2005-06 season to once again be a contender for a playoff spot.

In 1999-2000 the Blues finished the season with a franchise record 114 points, also earning the President's Trophy. The team consisted of, to name a few, Chris Pronger, Pavol Demitra, Al MacInnis, Roman Turek, and Pierre Turgeon. In 2001 the team went all the way to the Western Conference Finals where the eventual Champions Colorado Avalanche proved to be too much to handle for the Blues. Due mostely to a series of bad trades, including sending Pronger to Edmonton, the team's success slowly but surely faded.

For years the St. Louis Blues had been considered a contender, while never able to go all the way. In 2004 they missed the playoffs, ending a 25 season long playoff streak - the third longest in North American pro sports.

After a few years of steady decline in home-game attendance, something had to be done. To bring back the fans hockey had to be made appealing again, and the best way to do that is to put a quality hockey team on the ice.

At the end of last season Andy Murray arrived as the new head coach and in the offseason a few key acquisitions were made. Forward Keith Tkachuk was brought back and star-winger Paul Kariya was signed to a three-year $18 million deal. The team is younger than in resent years, but also well balanced. Andy Murray has a good mix of veterans and young talent, like Brad Boyes, Lee Stempniak, and Erik Johnson, to work with, and waiting for their turn is also a bunch of promising prospects ready to bring the St. Louis Blues even further.

* * *

Not only did the New York Rangers score three goals, they did it in one single game, beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 at Madison Square Garden. What is even more astonishing, both Jaromir Jagr and Brendan Shanahan (both members of the 600 goals club) contributed with one tally each.

* * *

The Toronto Maple Leafs continue their roller-coaster ride this season with a 1-7 loss to the Washington Capitals on home ice. "If we're going to be a playoff team we need to win at home," said Leaf captain Mats Sundin. That would be a start, Mats.

10/29/2007

Worst Devils ever

The New Jersey Devil's season thus far has been nothing short of catastrophic. Some even claim that this years Devils are the worst in team history. I am not sure I agree with that assessment, but sure, they have been awful. Of course it can't be easy to live up to the expectations that comes with winning three Stanley Cups in nine seasons. But that is the unfortunate situation for these new Devils.

Scott Gomez left and so did Brian Rafalski. Martin Brodeur and Patrik Elias both stayed, and are both shadows of what they used to be. I know you should never write off Brodeur (and I'm not saying he's finished), but his six losses in eight games so far suggest he is far from his best game. The Devils rely a lot on him to win those games they can't dominate. They also rely heavily on the skills and leadership of Elias, and right now he seems to bring none of that. Unless he can regain some of the form he showed late in the 2005-06 season, the next playoffs will be without the New Jersey Devils.

Another thing to point at is the fact that New Jersey have played all but one game so far on the road. Only after nine though away games did they make their home debut at the new Prudential Center, which they of course lost to the Ottawa Senators.

On the other hand, nothing inspires a team like being called the worst bunch in franchise history. Perhaps this will spark this group of Devils to perform way beyond expectations. Is it likely? No, not very.

Wild find more trouble in Denver

It seems the problems are piling up for the Minnesota Wild. The team that not long ago looked like the best in the league, beating one top team after another, suddenly find themselves in what could be a injury nightmare. First they lost goalie Niklas Backstrom (groin) and last night, against Colorado, they played without top offensive duo Pavol Demitra and Marian Gaborik (both groin). Being without these three key players is obviously a big problem for the Wild, they are now 0-2-1 after that promising seven wins start.

The Colorado Avalanche had no trouble beating the limping Wild 3-1 and they improved to 5-0 at home, the best opening since the move to Denver. There is less and less doubt (none at all to be honest) in my mind that this team will go far in the playoffs. Guys like Joe Sakic (2 assist last night) and Ryan Smyth (1 goal and 1 assist) will only get better the closer we get to crunch time.

* * *

It must be so frustrating to score and then see the momentum snatched away because the other team replies instantly with a goal. This is what happened the Vancouver Canucks who faced the Detroit Red Wings at home. Granted these Red Wings are red hot right now with five straight wins, but the Canucks are in serious trouble early in the season. They are 1-5-0 at home, tied with Phoenix for last place (not counting New Jersey, who are 0-1-0). Even though several players up front, like captain Markus Naslund, is underachieving, it seems the biggest problem lies at the other end. Four other teams out west have scored more goals than Vancouver, while only two (Los Angeles and Edmonton) have given up more than the 37 allowed by the Canucks.

I predict there will be no playoffs at the end of the tunnel for the Vancouver Canucks. They did virtually nothing during the UFA race, and now they are paying for it.

* * *

Henrik Zetterberg increased his point streak to 12 games. It seems nothing can stop this guy right now. Now he only has 39 more games to reach Wayne Gretzky's point-streak record of 51 games set during the 1983-84 season.

10/27/2007

Sharks roll over in Hockeytown

A measly 11 shots, a new low for a road game, is all the San Jose Sharks managed against the Detroit Red Wings. And although one of them went in past Chris Osgood during a power-play late in the game, the Sharks were no match for the solid Red Wings.

Henrik Zetterberg scored one of Detroit's five goals and has points in all 11 games this season. If he keeps it up he is on pace for 57 goals and 90 assists for 148 points. In my opinion he is the best player in the league right now and I am sure he can give Sidney Crosby a good run for his money. The Kid is on the move and has 10 points in the last 6 games.

* * *

Joe Sakic is 38, but you wouldn't know it the way he's playing right now. He has 7 points in the last 5 games and last night, against the Calgary Flames, he scored his 1,600 career point. I wouldn't be surprised if he racks up yet another 100 point season (he has six of them so far). Sakic is truly one of the greatest to ever play the game and he has a lot to show for it too, a Hart Trophy, Conn Smythe Trophy, Lester B. Person Award, Lady Byng Trophy, Bud Light Plus/Minus Award (he shared it with Patrik Elias), and to top it off, 2 Stanley Cups. As if that isn't enough, he also has a Olympic Gold Medal for Canada from 2002, a tournament where he was voted MVP.

Earlier this year the Colorado Avalanche signed him to a one year deal, however, should the Avs not win the cup this season (which they probably won't) I am sure he will give it another go next year. I hope so.

10/23/2007

Coming home

It will be very interesting to see how the Edmonton crowd will greet their lost son Ryan Smyth when he returns to town with his Colorado Avalanche tonight. This marks the first time he plays at the Rexall Place since being traded to the New York Islanders earlier this year. Anything less than a standing ovation would be surprising. Ryan Smyth is one of the most players to ever wear the Oiler shirt and he was widely appreciated for his actions both on and off the ice. Having played 12 seasons for Edmonton, this is sure to be a very emotional return for Smyth, who fought back the tears when delivering the news of his trade on Feb. 28. I guess he, like all the rest of us, found it hard to believe .

And tonight's game? It will certainly be an interesting battle between two teams in trouble. The Oilers have dropped five of their last six games after opening the season with two wins. They will be looking to take advantage of Colorados bad road form to get back in the winners seat. Last season Colorado had 22 wins on the road, but the opening of this season has shown a very different Avs. One of their biggest problems is the goalie situation. Number one puck stopper Peter Budaj has three wins in four games but a lousy 3.33 goals-against average. Pricy backup Jose Theodore, who remains a total mystery, isn't much of an alternative with his .879 save percentage. Their hope is that Edmonton continues to be one of the league's worst offensive teams.

* * *

Tonight's best game, depending how you look at it and what you like, could be the Penguins taking on the Rangers in the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh. The Rangers' offense so far has been awful and they boast a measly 13 goals all together. To make matters worse, Martin Straka is out with a broken thumb after being hit by a puck playing Boston the other night. The Blueshirts, and especially the guys up front, need to start delivering soon or the playoff ship is going to sail. And don't tell me it's too early in the season, because with the other teams racing away in front of you that hill keeps getting steeper. The Colorado Avalanche made a valiant attempt last season after falling behind, but even with a 15-2-2 finish it wasn't enough to make it to the post season.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, are looking for their third straight win. Unless Henrik Lundqvist puts on a magic show, I can't really see why they won't earn it against the hopeless Rangers.

* * *

Rumor has it, three days on, Marc Savard is still shaking his head in disbelief after being robbed by Lundqvist at the wide open net. Man that was crazy!

10/21/2007

Low scoring Rangers a no score in Boston

When the New York Rangers acquired free agents Scott Gomez and Chris Drury they sure didn't expect scoring would be their biggest problem. But, seven games into the season the Blueshirts have mustered a league low 13 goals and last night they failed to score at all against the resurging Boston Bruins, who won in a shootout. So what's the problem?

Scott Gomez
put it this way, "Henrik's been great all year. There's no question about it. That's not the area we have to worry about."

And he is right. Henrik Lundqvist has been great so far, playing in all seven games. The bottom line is the big names, like Jagr, Drury, Straka, and Gomez himself, aren't performing at the level expected of them. Compared to last years Rangers, where the Jagr-Nylander-Straka line actually made some sense, this team seems to be more toward the Rangers of recent years, where they just went out and bought the biggest names available on the free market. Well, at least a couple more forwards got to earn huge money playing in Manhattan.

***

They were down 3-1, but the Chicago Blackhawks rallied back to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-4 at the Air Canada Center. I can understand why coach Denis Savard is thrilled, the way the team is playing it looks like they could give Detroit a run for the money for the division title. The difference between this team and the Rangers is that the Blackhawks went and got the right players for the job, not the most expensive names money could buy.

***

I think it is awesome to youngsters like Kane, Toews, and Stastny dominating the game so early in their career. Sidney Crosby led the way, and they are following in numbers. One day soon, maybe sooner than I can imagine, the Chicago Blackhawks will face the Pittsburgh Penguins in a, will be, classic Stanley Cup final. Who will win it? I don't know, but it will be series that will redefine the game of hockey.

Now I have to check out Manhattan-based, Swedish sportswriter Per Bjurman's blog to see if he has a different take on the sinking Rangers.

10/20/2007

Dazzling Chicago


The other day my fellow blogger, music critic turned eminent sportswriter Per Bjurman, wrote about the threat coming from Minnesota this year. And yes, coach Jacques Lemaire has successfully turned these Wild into a well oiled machine, just as he did with the New Jersey Devils in the 90's. But, while the Minnesota Wild will cause a lot of problems for all other teams this season, the Chicago Blackhawks will definitely turn some heads as well. The young and dazzling Hawks, with top-rookies Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, look like they finally might make the playoffs. I know it's still early, but I predict that Chicago will not even have to struggle for the last few spots. Friday night, led by Kane and Toews, the Blackhawks beat the Colorado Avalanche 5-3 to earn their fourth win of the season. Also, netminder Nikolai Khabibulin seems to be back in his previous cup-winning form.

***

Speaking of the Avalanche. I wonder if we will ever see Milan Hejduk back in his best form. The Czech hasn't really been able to do himself justice since that 2002-03 season, when he amassed 50 goals and 48 assists. The really sad part is that I don't even think we have seen how good he could have been. Granted he isn't that old yet, but he is already into his ninth season with the Avs.

***

Fifty years ago Friday, Maurice (Rocket) Richard got his 500th career goal, a benchmark for goal-scorers that has been matched by 38 other players.

For those of you who haven't see it, I can recommend the film The Rocket (Maurice Richard in French). I am not sure if the film got much attention outside of Canada, but I know it never played here in Sweden. Roy Dupuis does a good job as Richard and real NHL players like Vincent Lecavalier, Mike Ricci, and Sean Avery give the film an authentic feel.

10/17/2007

New Flyers keep rolling

Last season is history, especially if you ask the player from the "City of Brotherly Love". The Philadelphia Flyers are finally starting to resemble the Flyers that we are more used to. Gone is last seasons poor excuse for a team. The organization did a major overhaul of the roster and it is already paying off. After the catastrophic last season the Flyers are back to playing for the spot where they belong, at number one. The most resent team to get a taste of the new Flyers were the unfortunate Atlanta Thrashers who lost 4-0 at the Wachovia Center. The poor Thrashers have yet to register a point this season and nothing, absolutely nothing has gone their way so far. After six straight losses coach Bob Hartley was finally fired. The irony is that the Philadelphia Flyers might have been the team that ultimately pushed the Thrashers into being this years "Philadelphia Flyers". They are at the very least front runners for the title.

***

Earlier this year the Calgary Flames took the last playoff spot from under Colorado's nose. The late season charge from the Avs was brought to a sudden halt in the last few games, as they missed the playoffs by an inch. Last night they rallied back from being down 0-4 to a 5-4 shootout victory. Jose Theodore grabbed all 17 shots from the Flames after he replaced Peter Budaj at 0-4. I think this win will be one of the most important to Colorado this season. It really shows you have character to be able to come back like that. This Avs team is vastly different from last years squad and I can't see them fighting for the 8th spot again. I think they will take back the division.

10/16/2007

To retire or not... Come on!

While still waiting for the return of several key players, the Anaheim Ducks are finding their form as others have stepped up in their place. Among them are Kent Huskins, who scored his first NHL goal in the 6-3 win against the Detroit Red Wings. Several of the absentees are injured, like Mathieu Schneider, Todd Bertuzzi, Todd Marchant, and goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere who is not yet fit to play consecutive games. But, along with Teemu Selanne, the most important player, captain Scott Niedermayer, is still deciding whether to retire or not.
I am a big fan of both Selanne and Niedermayer as players, but this is getting more and more ridiculous. Why is this thing taking so long, and why is it so hard to decide on this? I am sure they both think they have good reasons for this stalling, but I fail to see it.
A few years ago Detroit's Nicklas Lidstrom was contemplating retirement. He wanted his children to attend a Swedish school, but ultimately decided to sign a new contract and stay in Motown for a few more years. The difference is he did this thinking in the summer.
So if it is such a hard decision to make, maybe you shouldn't be playing and just call it quits.

***

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in for a bumpy ride this season. The 4-5 loss to Buffalo last night (which included an own goal by Bryan McCabe) was the second straight game in which Toronto blew a two-goal lead. If this years Leafs will make the post season, it won't be by much. My prediction is they will have to sit out yet another playoff.

10/15/2007

Great eggs!


The saying goes, "You shouldn't put all your eggs in the same basket". Well the Detroit Red Wings have three of their very best eggs in one basket. Top line with Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmström was the deciding factor yesterday as the Red Wings beat the ever so slumping Los Angeles Kings, who haven't won since that two-game battle with the Ducks back in London.

Although there have been attempts to split up the ZDH line (man, that is a lame name. Any suggestions?) to get two strong lines, it seems like coach Mike Babcock will stick with this trio. And why mess with what works, as the old cliché goes. Down the road, however, the Wings will need the addition of a top scoring forward to even the scoring burden a little. I should be interesting to see what rookie Igor Grigorenko can do when he returns from getting his pace and game up to NHL level in Grand Rapids. There is certainly no shortage of talent in Detroit, but the young guns of Hockeytown are carrying a heavy load in the absence of older more seasoned forwards, like Brendan Shanahan.

On a different note, Detroit is one of seven clubs that have yet to use a rookie this season.

***

Ottawa center Jason Spezza is currently second in the scoring race behind Henrik Zetterberg with 11 points. He has 11 assists and no goals so far and is on pace for a fantastic 0 goals and 129 assists in 82 games. That will of course be a new record. I am guessing that having his number one center at a -2 rating is also cause for concern for coach John Paddock.

10/13/2007

Hull pulling for Forsberg


I do have a lot of respect for The Hockey News, but I still can't help but laugh a little when thinking about their advice to Peter Forsberg, that he should hang up the skates. I admit that I shared in the frustration with his recurring injuries over the last couple of seasons, but my disappointment was purely selfish. I felt robbed of seeing one of the greatest players ever displaying his skills on the ice. If he feels he is fit enough to play (which by his own definition is at least 100%) of course he should do so. I mean it's not like he's Eric Lindros, who last season skated around pretending to play hockey.

It seem like pretty much all of the NHL teams agree with me (why don't THN I wonder), since they all want him. The most recent team to enter the fight for his signature is the Dallas Stars. GM Doug Armstrong and his advisor Brett Hull apparently flew to Sweden just to talk to Forsberg. Not so sure he wants to end his career in Texas, but I do know that he's not done with the game.

***

The Chicago Blackhawks are 2-0 against the Detroit Red Wings this season, and it looks like they could really stir things up in a Central division that looks to be closer than ever.

***

Ottawa Senators-New York Rangers and New York Islanders-Philadelphia Flyers. Two great games, I'm sure. I wouldn't be surprised if the Rangers will keep their momentum at the Garden, but I suspect that the Islanders will bounce back to beat the homecoming Flyers who just had a tough trip out west.

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10/12/2007

Sundin makes history in T.O.


Mats Sundin made franchise history last night, as the Toronto Maple Leafs smashed the, so far, overperforming New York Islanders by 8-1. With 390 goals and 917 points he now holds both records, held by Darryl Sittler for so long. For his efforts he recieved all three stars of the game, and was also offered the larger media centre for his post-game interviews, which he declined. He would much rather stay in the looker room with his teammates. I guess, true to his usual gentleman manors he didn't want to make a fuss.
It has been almost twenty years since I first saw the Stockholm native play for the first time, and it's hard to imagine this is the same guy. He always had enough skill to compete with the best, but I think what has made the biggest impression on me over the years is how his leader ship has developed. He has an incredible work ethic and he leads his team by it, following such greats as Steve Yzerman and Mark Messier. Way to go Mats!

***

Has anyone missed Paul Stastny's sensational start of this season? In case you have, here's a recap. He has 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points and a +4 rating in only three games. All of the goals, of which one was a game winner, have come at even strength, and he has a shot percentage of 66.67 (6 shots). I can't wait to see what happens when this kid starts to shoot more.

***

Before last night there where three winless teams, Calgary, Buffalo, and Atlanta. Since the Sabres, and epecially Ryan Miller, woke up and shut out the Thrashers 6-0, they have now left this unflattering club. The Calgary Flames will get a chance to do the same tonight as they face the Dallas Stars. My prediction is it will still be a club of two tomorrow.

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10/11/2007

Wasting talent in New York?


I can understand why a guy like Henrik Lundqvist enjoys playing for the New York Rangers, he thrives in the Manhattan lifestyle. Sure the Rangers, like the other original six teams, have tons of tradition and history going back to the latest ice age. But they are not cup material, at least not this season. And until Glen Sather realizes the importance of a solid yet speedy defense, they never will be. They are good enough to make the post season, and once there, win a few games before being ousted by a team like Carolina or Ottawa. Without Lundqvist, however, they would, while scoring a bunch of goals but allowing ever more, sink like a stone in the East River. So maybe the best carreer move for the puckstopping Swede would be to sacrifice the Big Apple party scene and relocate to a team with a somewhat brighter future, like Washington or Chicago. I would say that maybe even Edmonton might have a more exciting core of young players, but I guess he wouldn't exactly thrive out on the prairie.

***

Young Carey Price made his NHL debut last night, and what a way to do it. He shut down the Pittsburgh Penguins, looked really confident (according to Habs captain Saku Koivu), and already has people in Montreal dreaming of a new Patrick Roy. No pressure, Carey.

***

The Vancouver Canucks were totally humiliated in a 8-2 blowout at home against the roadtrippin' Philadelphia Flyers. Granted it's only been three games, but it seems like the Philadelphia Flyers won't be this years "Philadelphia Flyers".

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10/08/2007

Early check-up

So far all predictions have been made based on the preseason performances. Now, a few games into the regular season we can finally take a look at how the teams are doing in real competition. Yes, I know a handful of games don't really give you any real indication where the teams are heading, but still, it's been a week of games that matter. So here are a few thoughts on a couple of teams.

With Anaheim off to a terrible start, I don't think that pr-stunt in London gained any supporters in southern California. Since splitting the series against the Kings in London they have lost three straight, including one against the Blue Jackets, and starting goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere has yet to play, same goes for top blueliner Mathieu Schneider. Los Angeles aren't far behind with two straight losses.

I have to admit that the Edmonton Oilers, out of the blocks with two straight wins, are off to a better start than I thought they would. I am, however, predicting the Oilers will cash in their first loss against Detroit at the Joe tonight.

Washington, one of the teams I picked as a positive surprise this season, has yet to prove me, or all the others who have them as the dark horse, wrong. They are impressive, having rolled over both Atlanta and Carolina.

So far Ottawa is heading the pack out west. Daniel Alfredsson and Dany Heatley have seven out of nine goals so far, which could raise the question of their scoring depth , but with the scoring talent available on the roster I doubt this is a concern for coach John Paddock.

The New York Islanders are also steaming full ahead. With Mike Comrie on fire they have shut down the Buffalo Sabres twice already. Pretty good for a bunch of left-overs. This leads me to think about the Sabres losing both Chris Drury and Daniel Briere before this season. Is this an indication on how big the impact of those moves will be?

Let's get a few more games under our belt and then maybe we will get a clearer picture of it all.

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10/05/2007

Forsberg a Red Wing?


I was asked recently what I thought of the chances of Peter Forsberg playing for Detroit later this season, and I have to say chances are slim to none. Personally, I think it would be cool to see him play on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Holmstrom, and I know some of the Swedish players (Zetterberg included) have tried to convince him to come. However, it seems unlikely he would ever play for another Western conference team except Colorado, should he ever return at all. Considering the now somewhat dormant rivalry between those two teams, Detroit is more likely the last team out west he would chose if he had to. According to The Hockey News, Forsberg should hang up the skates for good, as they believe he is way past his best before date. And yes, he is certainly past his prime, though that doesn't mean he's not better than most on a good day. Unfortunately the good days are dependent on him being healthy, which gets rarer by the season.

***

Things were really looking up in Chicago coming into this season, and I was also a little excited about those Blackhawks. I guess Martin Havlat getting injured right away was not the start they were hoping for.

***

The Ottawa Senators dropped Toronto in two straight to hold to the title as the best team in Ontario. Both the team and captain Daniel Alfredsson seem to have put the loss to Anaheim in the final behind them and instead preserved the form they showed in the rest of the playoffs.

***

Although the Colorado Avalanche were held scoreless in Tampa, I am still convinced they will, along with the Flyers, be the come-back team of this season.

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10/04/2007

A sweaty business

Some players around the league aren't too happy with the way the new jerseys repell water. Apparently the sweat is funneled down the arms and legs, ending up in various places such as the skates. Some of the Red Wing players are now wearing wristbands, and they also change their undershirts and socks between each period.

I am curious about what sort of tests were performed by Rbk to see how the new jerseys would work. Did they just let Sid the Kid (who seems to be leading the new NHL) try it on and say: "Yeah, this fits me much better.. it's snug."
And since they season is already on the way, and it's too late to do anything about it, I guess the players just have to keep a sweat bucket in the locker room for now.

10/01/2007

Here we go!

Finally! With this stupid PR-stunt out of the way, the real NHL season can start. Of course I am talking about the Los Angeles Kings-Anaheim Ducks match-up in London (where most people don't know hockey from curling). I am no fan of missionary games like this, where they are trying to spread the NHL to the rest of the world. Hockey is struggling to keep up with the far bigger sports like football (even college football), baseball and basketball. Why don't they just focus on trying to gain ground in the US (can't really see that problem in Canada)? Who wants one world league anyway? Enough about that.

I guess I should say something about the Steve Downie incident, since I haven't written any articles since that happened. I think 20 games is more than fair, and it sends a pretty clear message. It's sad that the season hasn't even started before something like this happens. On top of that, the perpetrator is a rookie who has yet to play a regular game in the NHL. Well, now he has to wait for 20 games, and I'm guessing he won't be greeted with applauds where ever his debut may be played. Some people though a fair punishment for Downie would be to ban him from pro-hockey for life, and maybe it would be. It certainly would send a real clear message that the league does not tolerate that kind of misconduct.