Hockey Newsletter - December 12, 2000
What year is this anyway?
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Way back in 1997, there were 2 NHL superstars and one on his way to becoming "the next big thing." Wayne Gretzky was reunited with his good buddy Mark Messier in New York, Mario Lemieux was hinting at retirement, and Eric Lindros was in the wings. In time, Gretzky faded with the Rangers in the post-Messier days and retired, Lemieux indeed retired then went on to own the Pens, and Lindros fell on his head a couple of times.
So who's in the news at the tail end of the year 2000? Gretzky, brand new owner of the Phoenix Coyotes. Mario, soon-to-be an on-ice Penguin again. Meanwhile, Lindros takes a back seat; though he hasn't landed on his head for a while, he can't seem to land a job anywhere.
Mario has many reasons for coming back to the game, and his motives have been criticized, mostly by the Canadian media. As an owner, he needs more bums in seats. As a father, he wants his son to watch him play. Mario himself says he's excited about the way the game is played again, that there's more ice out there and that the refs are calling a lot of the clutch and grab.
Really? We hadn't noticed a huge change. And in fact, since Lemieux last played, they've added another guy on the ice. Four -- count 'em -- four officials, Mario. And the rinks aren't any bigger. But the idea of 4-on-4 overtime gets him going. Hmm. Let's watch how many times the Pens play for a tie so that they can get Mario and Jagr out there for 5 minutes. Seems a little odd, doesn't it?
But speaking of the disgruntled Jagr, CTVSportsnet.com's Jake Daniel has an opinion on Mario's comeback:
"Lemieux's heir to the Penguins hockey throne, Jaromir Jagr, has done pretty well for himself and the team without a quality centre these past three years, but he's starting to run out of moxie. As much as Lemieux might be concerned about the happiness of his star player, the real motivation to return to the ice is to jump start Jagr the Player, thereby securing Jagr the Investment for the next few years."
Read more at:
[retired link]
And one of those clever fans in the CTVSportsnet.com forum has his own spin on the comeback. Brent Kirkeby presents the top 10 reasons why a Mario Lemieux comeback is good:
10. At least for a couple of days, we don't have to hear about the Maple Leafs.
9. It puts a new twist on "player-Management" relations.
8. Paves a path for Gretzky to return.
7. We don't have to hear about the Maple Leafs.
6. Jagr can now negotiate a new contract. Between periods.
5. "Pass me the friggin puck, or you're off the team."
4. Don't have to hear about the Maple Leafs.
3. Lowest paid 100 point man in history. Will do wonders in knocking down salaries.
2. As Owner, he's against high salaries; as player, he's for it. Ends season in a mental ward being treated for split-personality disorder.
And the Number 1 reason Lemieux coming back is good:
1. We don't have to hear about the Maple Leafs!!!!!
Submit your list, or your thoughts at:
[retired link]
Ouch! Volume 6
Here's something that makes most men wince: the combination of knee and groin. Okay, we don't mean to imply this week's ouch list has anything to do with dirty fights in the NHL. Rather, we're highlighting some of the prominent groins and tender knees. Or should that be the other way around?
Some of the folks nursing their knees:
Byron Dafoe, Kyle McLaren, Alexander Karpovtsev, Chris Chelios, Damian Rhodes, Glen Murray, Saku Koivu, Vladimir Malakhov, Janne Laukkanen, Shean Donovan, Kevin Weekes, Garry Valk, Adam Burt, Darren Van Impe, Steve Thomas
And those prominent groins:
Sean Hill, Petteri Nummelin, Damian Rhodes, Curtis Leschyshyn, Juha Ylonen, Louie Debrusk, Jan Hrdina, Teemu Selanne
Did you notice? Damian Rhodes spearheads the convergence of these two injuries. And if that doesn't make a grown man wince...
Who's hot
Since this week's issue seems to be about the old guys, here's a geezer who's tearing up the East. Remember Ray Ferraro? Feisty guy with the Isles, the Kings and the Wings? Well now he's a Chicken... er, "Thrasher," and he's having a near-MVP season. His 30 points in 27 games hve gone almost unnoticed in a season where retired geezers make the headlines more than the ones still playing.
Oh and by the way, Atlanta is tied with Washington for the lead in the East Bettman Division. And they have a winning record on the road.
Who's not
And speaking about the East Bettman Division, the Florida Panthers suck! Imagine, a team with a talented Russian of old and a talented Russian of new is fighting with Montreal and Columbus for last place overall. Sad too, since the 2003 All-Star games was just awarded to the Sunshine State's worst team. They may be worried no one will show up! Terry Murray has been on the bubble all year long and the hockey psychics say he's the next coach to bite the big one.
More nuttiness in Philly
Every week we feel a bit guilty about picking on Bob "don't call me Bobby" Clarke and the Flyers. But darnit, the saga really does continue!
Did anyone in the league or any pundit around the league think that Craig Ramsay would be fired? No way. Terry Murray? Sure. Craig Hartsburg? Definitely.
But no. The guy who has done so much for a team in turmoil -- injuries to LeClair and Recchi, soap opera of Lindros, dignity during coach Roger Nielson's fight with cancer -- the guy who always seems to pull his team through ridiculous odds is out.
And Bill Barber is in. The former coach of the AHL Calder Cup-winning Philadelphia Phantoms was notorious for his diving ability when he played on Bob Clarke's line in the 1970's. That was one of the many reasons everyone hated the Broad Street Bullies. He should start hoping that his next dive isn't a nose dive off Clarke's shaky psychological tower.