Our introductory semi-regular report on the Oilers. I must admit I became more and more depressed as this podcast went on as we discussed the ups and mostly downs of the Oilers this season.
Feel free to comment happy thoughts about the blog/podcast/or just me. I could really use it after looking at the NHL standings.
02 - State of Affairs / Right-Click and Hit Save As...and Enjoy!!
Friday, March 19, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
My introduction to podcasting...
My good friend Kevin Der and I have made the big jump from blogging to podcasting. Feel free to take a listen, we've decided to go a bit more in-depth with our 2014 Team Canada outlooks.
Please comment on anything to help us improve. Already we're looking to find a better filesize, and more importantly a proper title.
01 - (Untitled Podcast) / Right-click the link and hit save as...and enjoy!!
Please comment on anything to help us improve. Already we're looking to find a better filesize, and more importantly a proper title.
01 - (Untitled Podcast) / Right-click the link and hit save as...and enjoy!!
Looking Ahead - Part 2
Part 1 looked at the members of the 2010 team, who won gold for Canada. I took the delicate steps of keeping certain aspects of the team together for the 2014 run in Russia, while spending the time to take a look at some players who will not have a renewed ticket to the Winter Olympics in 2014.
At the end of part 1, team Canada only has 8 open spots consisting of (1 goalie, 3 Defencemen, and 4 Forwards). So without hesitation let's get into it.
Goalie
I don't expect any incoming goaltender to usurp the top 2 spots held by Luongo and Fleury going into 2014. So any additional goaltender would get to sit in the press box in a suit (Jersey over top is optional), during games. In addition, being an excellent body in net during practice. So while being chosen as the 3rd goaltender doesn't have much glam compared to a starter or even a backup it does provide a vehicle to be in that Olympics setting over a 2 week period. Living in the athletes' village, watching a team develop within 2 weeks, and watch up and close the most competitive hockey aside from the Stanley cup finals.
If you look at the leading Canadian goaltenders you'll notice this' years Olympians Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, and Marc-Andre Fleury are sitting 1,2,3. That's a pretty easy correlation to understand why they were the Canadian representatives in Vancouver this season. Sitting 4th is Jose Theodore who at the tender age of 33 is enjoying a better season (wins wise) than his Hart trophy winning year in 2002. He'd be 37 by the time Sochi rolls around. And let's be fair his season totals between 2002 and today have been up and down and would be better suited for the cross-country events in the Olympics than in between the pipes. Age unfortunately takes out a portion of top 10 Canadian NHL goaltenders from consideration. Dwayne Roloson, Marty Turco, Chris Mason are all having solid seasons for their respective teams. This leaves the choice to the likes of: Ray Emery, Steve Mason, Michael Leighton, Dan Ellis, and Cam Ward. This focus on youth looks forward to the future. Yes, that is correct in terms of selecting a 2014 team, picking a suitable 3rd goaltender may situate Canada nicely for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Being held in either: Annecy, France; Munich, Germany; PyeongChang, South Korea(I'm secretly pulling for S. Korea on this one, but I expect politics to take over and Europe wanting to host their first Winter Olympics since Lillehammer 94').
With that list, it does cause one to hum-hah the possibilities with no goalies really popping out. If one goalie that does pop out it would have to be Cam Ward. In only 5 seasons in the NHL this goalie already has a Stanley Cup, and World Championship. To become a member of the triple gold club by the age of 30 in Russia 2014, would further contribute to the successes of this young goaltender.
Defence
As stated earlier, my 2014 team needs only 3 replacements on D to replace the likes of Pronger, Niedermayer, and Boyle. Truth be told, only replacing Niedermayer bothers me. As his leadership and presence on the ice was reassuring, and if you are a defenceman. Reassuring is definitely a good quality to have. Pronger skating 4 years down the road might change my thoughts on euthanasia (anti-reassuring). The picks for defencemen are a bit more important than choosing a 3rd goaltender as these 3 skaters will definitely be on the ice skating against the best in the world.
Mike Green, a player who arguably should have been taken in 2010 will easily receive a invitation to Russia. It will provide an excellent setting for Mike Green to solidify his comparison to the great offensive defenceman, Paul Coffey. By this time, Green will have had 4 solid shots to playing in a cup final in the NHL playing for the Capitals. If that is the case, the argument that his shotty defensive play may be left at the wayside or he may improve it between now and then. Even more apparent is his ownership of the title as league leader in points for a defenceman. If he stays in the top 5 for points over the next 4 years, how can you not take him to Russia?
Dion Phaneuf, his time in Calgary can be simply labeled a tragedy. Especially for all those Calgarians who bought themselves a Phaneuf jersey. I can just imagine all the individuals who wore their Phaneuf jersey with pride at the beginning of season. Fast forward 3 months later, I imagine those same individuals walked a bit faster to and fro to make sure to sit down as soon as possible to hide the back of their jersey. Better yet they could have just gone to a Flames game. No one stands up at those anymore, do they? For Phaneuf though, he's been given a new start in Toronto thanks to the hands of Messiah GM (Brian Burke). I can't imagine a defenceman in the NHL now with a bigger upside; who isn't a rookie this year. It's hard to say whether he'll develop into this prototypical hybrid defenceman who has an offensive gift along with the grit to defend and check on the back end. Not to mention an NHL 09 cover, along with an invitation to the 2010 orientation camp. Or wait....how could I forget its his destiny.
Lastly, Ian White the player Phaneuf was traded for in the blockbuster pre-olympics trade from TOR to CGY. Both players who needed a change of environment in hockey heavy cities but both posses tremendous upside. For the most part the same paragraph pertaining to Phaneuf could apply to White except for more focus in the defensive zone. I also doubt there was as many White jerseys in TOR as there were Phenuf jerseys in CGY. If there was a similar number that would be eerie but if you really think about it. Who else would you have on the back of your jersey as a TOR fan?
Forwards
With 4 spots left on my 2014 roster, rejuvenating the forwards with some young talent sounds like a good way to end things. I am for the time being leaving the 13th forward up for grabs for the time being (I got for 4 years right?). So those 4 spots turns to the 3, which fortunately makes the list a bit easier to choose as 2 of them will feature the likes of 2 number one overall picks: Steven Stamkos (2007) and John Tavares (2008). The magical last pick goes to Jeff Carter, the player who was one ankle ligament away from playing in Vancouver this past February and what better way to repay his readiness by inviting him to Russia in 2014.
Now time to put it all together.....
In Net
Roberto Luongo (A)
Marc-Andre Fleury
Cam Ward (new)
Back End
Drew Doughty
Duncan Keith
Shea Weber
Brent Seabrook
Dion Phaneuf (new)
Ian White (new)
Mike Green (new)
Front End
Sidney Crosby (C)
Jarome Iginla(A)
Rick Nash
Ryan Getzlaf
Jonathan Toews
Corey Perry
Eric Staal
Dany Heatley
Mike Richards
Jonathan Tavares (new)
Jeff Carter (new)
Steven Stamkos (new)
SOTD - Vampire Weekend - Giving Up The Gun
(amazing cameos)
At the end of part 1, team Canada only has 8 open spots consisting of (1 goalie, 3 Defencemen, and 4 Forwards). So without hesitation let's get into it.
Goalie
I don't expect any incoming goaltender to usurp the top 2 spots held by Luongo and Fleury going into 2014. So any additional goaltender would get to sit in the press box in a suit (Jersey over top is optional), during games. In addition, being an excellent body in net during practice. So while being chosen as the 3rd goaltender doesn't have much glam compared to a starter or even a backup it does provide a vehicle to be in that Olympics setting over a 2 week period. Living in the athletes' village, watching a team develop within 2 weeks, and watch up and close the most competitive hockey aside from the Stanley cup finals.
If you look at the leading Canadian goaltenders you'll notice this' years Olympians Martin Brodeur, Roberto Luongo, and Marc-Andre Fleury are sitting 1,2,3. That's a pretty easy correlation to understand why they were the Canadian representatives in Vancouver this season. Sitting 4th is Jose Theodore who at the tender age of 33 is enjoying a better season (wins wise) than his Hart trophy winning year in 2002. He'd be 37 by the time Sochi rolls around. And let's be fair his season totals between 2002 and today have been up and down and would be better suited for the cross-country events in the Olympics than in between the pipes. Age unfortunately takes out a portion of top 10 Canadian NHL goaltenders from consideration. Dwayne Roloson, Marty Turco, Chris Mason are all having solid seasons for their respective teams. This leaves the choice to the likes of: Ray Emery, Steve Mason, Michael Leighton, Dan Ellis, and Cam Ward. This focus on youth looks forward to the future. Yes, that is correct in terms of selecting a 2014 team, picking a suitable 3rd goaltender may situate Canada nicely for the 2018 Winter Olympics. Being held in either: Annecy, France; Munich, Germany; PyeongChang, South Korea(I'm secretly pulling for S. Korea on this one, but I expect politics to take over and Europe wanting to host their first Winter Olympics since Lillehammer 94').
 |
With that list, it does cause one to hum-hah the possibilities with no goalies really popping out. If one goalie that does pop out it would have to be Cam Ward. In only 5 seasons in the NHL this goalie already has a Stanley Cup, and World Championship. To become a member of the triple gold club by the age of 30 in Russia 2014, would further contribute to the successes of this young goaltender.
Defence
As stated earlier, my 2014 team needs only 3 replacements on D to replace the likes of Pronger, Niedermayer, and Boyle. Truth be told, only replacing Niedermayer bothers me. As his leadership and presence on the ice was reassuring, and if you are a defenceman. Reassuring is definitely a good quality to have. Pronger skating 4 years down the road might change my thoughts on euthanasia (anti-reassuring). The picks for defencemen are a bit more important than choosing a 3rd goaltender as these 3 skaters will definitely be on the ice skating against the best in the world.
Mike Green, a player who arguably should have been taken in 2010 will easily receive a invitation to Russia. It will provide an excellent setting for Mike Green to solidify his comparison to the great offensive defenceman, Paul Coffey. By this time, Green will have had 4 solid shots to playing in a cup final in the NHL playing for the Capitals. If that is the case, the argument that his shotty defensive play may be left at the wayside or he may improve it between now and then. Even more apparent is his ownership of the title as league leader in points for a defenceman. If he stays in the top 5 for points over the next 4 years, how can you not take him to Russia?
Dion Phaneuf, his time in Calgary can be simply labeled a tragedy. Especially for all those Calgarians who bought themselves a Phaneuf jersey. I can just imagine all the individuals who wore their Phaneuf jersey with pride at the beginning of season. Fast forward 3 months later, I imagine those same individuals walked a bit faster to and fro to make sure to sit down as soon as possible to hide the back of their jersey. Better yet they could have just gone to a Flames game. No one stands up at those anymore, do they? For Phaneuf though, he's been given a new start in Toronto thanks to the hands of Messiah GM (Brian Burke). I can't imagine a defenceman in the NHL now with a bigger upside; who isn't a rookie this year. It's hard to say whether he'll develop into this prototypical hybrid defenceman who has an offensive gift along with the grit to defend and check on the back end. Not to mention an NHL 09 cover, along with an invitation to the 2010 orientation camp. Or wait....how could I forget its his destiny.
Lastly, Ian White the player Phaneuf was traded for in the blockbuster pre-olympics trade from TOR to CGY. Both players who needed a change of environment in hockey heavy cities but both posses tremendous upside. For the most part the same paragraph pertaining to Phaneuf could apply to White except for more focus in the defensive zone. I also doubt there was as many White jerseys in TOR as there were Phenuf jerseys in CGY. If there was a similar number that would be eerie but if you really think about it. Who else would you have on the back of your jersey as a TOR fan?
Forwards
With 4 spots left on my 2014 roster, rejuvenating the forwards with some young talent sounds like a good way to end things. I am for the time being leaving the 13th forward up for grabs for the time being (I got for 4 years right?). So those 4 spots turns to the 3, which fortunately makes the list a bit easier to choose as 2 of them will feature the likes of 2 number one overall picks: Steven Stamkos (2007) and John Tavares (2008). The magical last pick goes to Jeff Carter, the player who was one ankle ligament away from playing in Vancouver this past February and what better way to repay his readiness by inviting him to Russia in 2014.
Now time to put it all together.....
In Net
Roberto Luongo (A)
Marc-Andre Fleury
Cam Ward (new)
Back End
Drew Doughty
Duncan Keith
Shea Weber
Brent Seabrook
Dion Phaneuf (new)
Ian White (new)
Mike Green (new)
Front End
Sidney Crosby (C)
Jarome Iginla(A)
Rick Nash
Ryan Getzlaf
Jonathan Toews
Corey Perry
Eric Staal
Dany Heatley
Mike Richards
Jonathan Tavares (new)
Jeff Carter (new)
Steven Stamkos (new)
SOTD - Vampire Weekend - Giving Up The Gun
(amazing cameos)
Friday, March 12, 2010
Looking Ahead
Considering my friend, Kevin has attempted to do the same and the majority of the nation (or at least Alberta) has rolled over with the return of NHL hockey, I have taken it upon myself to create my own Team Sochi.
Part one will look at who will be returning from the 2010 squad and who will be absent. The second part coming later this week will focus on new additions.
Goaltending
Roberto Luongo
Marc-Andre Fleury (Flower Power, Really?!)
Easily one of the bigger stories to come out of Canada's experience in 2010 was the goaltending. Brodeur who was believed to be the saviour between the pipes never truly came to fruition. Spotty showings against the Swiss and US saw his fairy tale ending of being the goalie out there on the final whistle came to a halting end. So forgive me for not considering him for 2014, he'll be at home with his numerous records, stanley cup rings, two gold medals and awaiting a phone call from the Hockey Hall of Fame.
With that being said, it will leave goaltending to the likes of Roberto Luongo and Marc-Andre Fleury. It's hard to say that it will be a drop in talent considering Bobbie Lou won out the final 4 games to win the gold for Canada. Between now and 2014 though the likelihood of Fleury becoming a more successful goaltender is a possibility. With Evgeni Malkin (Gino), Sidney Crosby (Sid), and Jordan Staal (no nickname for some reason, or the rest of the brothers for that matter. On top of that you have to refer to their whole name and not just the last name as you can with a lot of other NHLers, anyways)locked up long term. The odds of the pens returning to the finals year after year, seems inevitable. Will this success be enough to put Fleury over the top and maybe considered starter for 2014? Highly doubtful as Hockey Canada has shown great loyalty to the goalie position when it comes to choosing a starter. For Argument's sake though, shouldn't we set up some type of head to head/point-spread stat comparison competition for Fleury to possibly take that starting spot?
I'd say Fleury would have to win at least 2 more Cups, and 2 Vezinas. I must admit that is setting the bar pretty high for the young man from Sorel, Quebec but it has to be done. Considering that Luongo, situated on the west coast won't exactly be sitting on his laurels for winning one gold medal. He was brought to Vancouver for a team who has never had good goaltending. So definitely look for him to steal a cup away from Fleury (Canucks-Penguins finals anyone?)
Defence
Chris Pronger
Dan Boyle
Shea Weber
Duncan Keith
Brent Seabrook
Drew Doughty
By far the easiest selections, out of the 3 groups. This D corps featured a perfect combination of youth and experience. Drew Doughty shined at Canada Hockey Place at the tender age of 20. He easily won me over as Canada's best D-Man by pulling off the same spin-o-rama move coming off the left wing 3 games in a row against the Swiss, the U.S., and the Germans. I felt maybe he kept it on the backburner after team Canada was up so many goals against the Russians in the quarterfinals. Word of caution though to any first round NHL playoff opponent, expect him to use it.
I'd love to believe Scott Niedermayer could play when he is 40, but for one I can't imagine how much more grey his beard could become. Secondly, the international ice will be a factor. I will say this though, out of three of them (Pronger, Niedermayer, and Boyle) I'd choose him if I had to take one older player on the back end. Pronger on the other hand somehow got slower and slower as the games progressed. Now add 4 years and a larger ice surface. It might sound funny if your an Oilers fan but when your team Canada hopes are on the line maybe not so funny. Boyle who has had impressive season with the Sharks at this point also had a good run at the Olympics but his style of play 4 years from now could be easily matched if not overtaken by the substitution with Mike Green (Seriously though this couldn't have been much of a surprise. In fact, I dare you to look at the leading defencemen point totals and tell me you would be surprised on picking Green.)
Forwards
Joe Thornton
Patrick Marleau
Brenden Morrow
Sidney Crosby
Rick Nash
Mike Richards
Ryan Getzlaf
Corey Perry
Eric Staal
Jonathan Toews
Jarome Iginla
If the Defence was the easiest selections, this by far was the most difficult. I sat in my 3 hour night class this week looking at the forwards who could carry the flame to Sochi in 4 years and it may have been one of the most difficult decisions as an armchair GM ever. 2nd most difficult, was the decision to not trade LBJ for Steve Nash and David Lee in fantasy basketball. Thinking about it really bothers me. My current situation in fantasy basketball is last place and I have LBJ! LeBron James! The heir apparent! The dude I was to trade with is in 1st place. Who by the way is a rookie in our fantasy basketball league. I swear I'm not bitter......Right the forwards, I've truly been stalling on these picks. Even when this will be posted I will probably regret the decision so if you notice a change in the picks on a later date. You're not crazy. Well you might be, because it meant you've visited this site twice and this post in particular. Which I must thank you and I truly do mean you cause I doubt anybody else reads this. Okay, seriously back to the forwards....
I'll admit it wasn't all that hard to take a few players off the team. The Patrice Bergeron experiment can only be considered the worst trial run since 3D TVs. Mark my words 3D TVs will fail. No way a whole family is going to watch movies and regular TV with those damn glasses on. What happens if I lose a pair in the couch? Am I to go to Future Shop, and buy a Monster brand pair of 3D glasses that the salesman will hype me up to buy for $50? I will not! Simply because cereal companies will be releasing those awesome cut out 3D glasses like they did back in the 90s. Alright seriously the Patrice Bergeron selection must have been the executive's belief that they had overlooked Marc Savard too many times. Realizing he was hurt so they convinced themselves to believe that Patrice Bergeron was somehow his reincarnation. Thus didn't need an invite to orientation as he was still recovering from his post-concussion syndrome. Not to mention that his offensive output during the season was not due to his regular second line duties, but his promotion to the first line. Guaranteed Savard gritted his teeth every time he saw Bergeron on the bench. I only say bench cause the probability of seeing him on the ice was much lower.
Now the tough part, it came down to four guys for me. The sharks line consisting of: Dany Heatley, Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Calgary Flames captain Jarome Iginla.
I'll start with the sharks' line as a whole. They performed admirably during the games and regular season. They've haunted me ever since I decided to draft Datsyuk after Thornton was picked thinking he'd be the only successful player on that line. Little did I know the chemistry they possessed. I had the pleasure of going to one of their games as they came to Edmonton on Nov. 27 as a gift from my girlfriend. I went in thinking I was going to be able to boo Heatley and see his line fail terribly. Instead I was treated to a Patrick Marleau hat trick and Pavelski SO winner. The only real positive came from seeing the Oilers Movember moustaches upclose and personal. (Wow)
That was then, 4 years from now Marleau will be shipped off somewhere else as he'll realize that winning in San Jose isn't possible and will be lured by a real contender, as his contract is up before both Thornton and Heatley's. He and the rest of the NHL loving public will realize that his stat totals, at least for this year and the next 2 will be a slight inflation of what they truly are. Ask Devin Setoguchi and Jonathan Cheechoo. It's truly a reflection of Thornton's play which at times is overlooked especially in the bigger light that is cast on his inability to show up for the big games. He's like the NHL version of Steve Nash. That being said, Marleau will be the first victim of my tough selection to remove from 2014 but don't worry Marleau always has that disappointed look on his face.
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As for the NHL version of Steve Nash. The international ice will play a factor for some of the older players hoping to play in Sochi, as alluded to my friend Kevin Der. 4 more years of Thornton in the NHL can only be seen as successful, hopefully in post-season play and a small decline in points. The large international ice in the Olympics will hamper him though. In addition, the depth of talent -- centre wise will allow for a transition to the youth.
The decision to keep Heatley was tough considering I let go of his current comrades. His talent on the wing can not be overlooked and to find a comparable young forward with his size and ability is difficult to find. He is also the youngest on the Sharks' line and will only be 33 when it comes to Sochi.
(Hey Aaron, I noticed you kept Iginla there at the bottom. Trying to sneak him on the team?) In a way yes, but this two time gold medal Olympian can't really sneak around. He is the only black guy to play for team Canada at the Olympic level. He also had 3 points in the 2002 Gold Medal game against the U.S. and fed the puck to Crosby on the GWG that Crosby himself has said, "I didn't really see it to be honest." Okay, the man from St. Albert will be 36 by the time Sochi rolls around but I do strongly suspect Iginla will be up to the task when 2014 arrives.
You forgot Brenden Morrow, you might be asking. Well, the dude married one of his former teammate's (Guy Carbonneau) daughter, one gold medal will do...... seriously.
SOTD - Telephone(feat. Beyonce) - Lady Gaga
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