NHL & NHLPA, you failed

I just want to say that I think it's a huge failure, both on the owner's and the player's part. I am a freelance filmmaker and my income goes up and down constantly. I know the players are trying to make it sound like they aren't greedy, but I think they have just lost perspective. I totally sympathise with teachers and nurses when they go on strike, because they are some of the most unappreciated workers in our country. But these players are making millions. And I know they will give you reasons for their actions. I just don't buy them. Of course the same goes for the owners.  They are acting out of greed as well. I dare you to tell me otherwise.

The fact of the matter is it shouldn't have to come this far. What right do they have to take hockey away from us the fans? It makes me angry that neither the players nor the owners seemed to even try to reach an agreement. Every day all I could read in the news was, "There are no plans for further talks at this point". And, I hate to say it, it makes me care a little less about the NHL. Thanks a lot!

This is what ESPN's Scott Burnside has to say about it. It's a good read.

NHL, NHLPA throwing it all away - Scott Burnside




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Red Wings getting younger

With Tomas Holmstrom, 39, set to retire this summer (there really is no room for him in the Red Wing's roster next season), I am officially and for the first time older than everyone on the Red Wings team. I have seniority over Todd Bertuzzi by eight months. This makes me feel kinda old. However, if it means the Wings are getting younger, I'm fine with that.


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NUMBER 13 TO THE RAFTERS

Great to see the Maple Leafs retire Mats Sundin's jersey tonight. And even though I'm a Red Wings fan, I feel kind of sorry for Toronto that they don't have anyone on their current roster who is even close to him in talent, class, hockey sense and leadership. Then again, who does?
Thanks Mats! I loved watching you play the game, both in the NHL and for Sweden!

SWEDEN WINS GOLD

 No games in the NHL matter today because last night Sweden's juniors pulled off a heroic feat, beating defending champions, Russia, 1-0 in a dramatic OT game!

We have waited 31 years for this and now we are finally world champions again. Mika Zibanejad scored with less than 10 minutes left in OT to give Sweden gold.

Russian goalie, Andrei Makarov, was stunning, making an incredible 57 saves. Ultimately, it wasn't enough. Sweden outshot the Russians 58-17 and one goal was enough to win it.

Congratulations to the players and coach Roger Rönnberg!

Super Mario

Mario Lemieux in a game against the St. Louis Blues

 I just finished watching a documentary on Mario Lemieux and it never ceases to amaze me how good this guy was. Wayne Gretzky, by most people considered to be the greatest hockey player ever, holds no less than 61 individual NHL records and most of them will never be beaten. His stats speak for themselves. But when I look at those unbelievable records, I see a glimps of what Mario could have achieved had he only been healthy. Though he battled through cancer and back problems, just two of many ailments he faced in his career, he still managed to win the scoring title 6 times and guide the Pittsburgh Penguins to 2 Stanley Cups. The fact is, Mario Lemieux probably never played a single game at 100% after 1989.

As great as he was, we probably never saw him reach his full potential. If he had been able to play his whole career free from major injuries and illness, he would have destroyed every single one of Gretzky's records, just like he shattered Guy Lafleur's Quebec Major Junior Hockey League record with his 282 point season. He not only broke the record, he also anounced he would do it when he was drafted by Laval Voisins. He was 15 at the time.

If you ask me, Mario Lemieux is the greatest hockey player ever to play in the NHL.

Classic Jerseys

Speaking of ugly jerseys... Yes, I've noticed that I keep coming back to this topic, but who doesn't enjoy watching the game being played in a great looking jersey? Here are some of my favorite jerseys from the past.

The classic Flyers jersey of the 70's. The fact that it's worn by Bobby Clarke and is covered in blood only makes it that much cooler.

This one, sported by Team Canada at the 1972 Summit Series against the Russians, is one of my favorites. It didn't have the players names on the back, just Canada.

This 90's Vancouver Canucks jersey is a classic. Why they didn't stick with that one is a complete mystery to me.

Who can argue with this one? The Whalers may not have been the greatest of teams, but few could match the way they looked.

Mike Bossy has just scored again. And he did it wearing what I think is the ultimate hockey jersey, the 80's Islanders.

Did I leave out any obvious ones?

The Ugliest Jersey Ever!

Toronto 5 - Islanders 3

That'll teach the Isles to wear thoose hideous 3:rd jerseys. And the inexplainable blue helmet? No, it doesn't help.