Hockey
I have too much to say to put this on twitter, or on FB, and FB isn't really where I do my hockey ramblings anyway, I've found. I've been rather... remiss... in my ramblings about hockey lately. I should fix that.
1) Teemu Selanne. I feel terrible for him. He's 41 years old, plays like he's half that. He's leading his team in points, and is often the best Duck on the ice. He gives 110% night in and night out, and loves this game. I wish his team were better, I wish they could figure it out, wish they could buy a win for Teemu. The guy deserves another Cup before he retires, and that day is sadly not far off. I'd not be surprised if he plays another year, maybe two, but he's nearing the twilight of his career, and he knows it.
If you have the chance to see a Ducks game this year, take it. If only to see Teemu. It may be your last chance to see him play, and he is worth the price of admission. If you can get there for pregame skate, do so, and just watch Teemu. His love for the game is obvious, his love for the fans of the game is obvious. He's having the time of his life, enjoying every shift, and his happiness will rub off on you. He's a special player.
2) Sidney Crosby. He's back in the NHL. Nevermind his team managed to keep up their play and managed to keep winning and playing great hockey without him. The Penguins are a different team with him in the lineup, and while they're good without him, they're better with him. And he's picked up where he left off, and in 2 games back has already put a dent in the scoring lead. He is arguably the best player in the league today, and it'll be interesting to see what he does this year, and next with a (hopefully) fully healthy season.
A lot of attention was and is given to Crosby. Whether you like him or hate him, whether you agree with all the attention or don't... he is an amazingly talented player. I'm glad he's back, and I am looking forward to being able to watch him play again.
3) Phil Kessel. I'll give credit where credit's due. The guy is healthy, ready for the season, and he's playing to his highly touted "potential". That being said, he is a streaky player, and eventually this hot streak of his is going to cool off, and he'll remember he's Phil Kessel, and that he plays for the Maple Leafs. Also, Sidney's back, so Phil may want to check his rearview.
4) Columbus Blue Jackets. They're getting some good goaltending recently out of Curtis Sanford, and their big names are back in the lineup. And it shows. You never want to blame injuries for a rough start or a bad couple weeks and a losing record, but there are times when injuries can really play a big part, when losing one or two players can really hurt your entire team chemistry and identity. And the Jackets this year are looking like that may be the case with them. (And given that, what the Penguins managed to do without Crosby, without Letang, and without Malkin, deserves a lot of credit.)
5) Edmonton Oilers. This team is something to watch. They may not win a Stanley Cup this year, or next year, but they are going to turn into a contender if they can keep a core group together and find a goaltender after Khabby is done. Khabibulin is finding his form again, and having a great season this year, but he turns 39 this season, and probably isn't going to be the goalie by the time this team has it all together.
This team is young, dynamic, and a lot of fun to watch. The chemistry between Hallsy, Nuge and Ebs (Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle) is amazing. Their defense is getting better, injuries heal, and I really think that in a couple years, if the core is together, if Nuge, Hallsy & Ebs continue to develop together and find a stride where none of them are having a "sophomore slump" or an off-year... The Oilers are going to be one hell of a team.
6) Colorado Avalanche. Gabriel Landeskog. I can already see what he's going to be to me. I had my heart set on the Avs drafting him back in June of 2010, before the Cup was won by the Bruins, before the combine, before the Avs had the #2 overall pick. I wanted this kid on the Avs. Landy HAD to be on the Avs, he was made to be on the Avs. For two days before the draft, I think the majority of my tweets were in some way "The Avs better draft Landeskog" related. I was so nervous on draft day, I was praying the Oilers took Nugent-Hopkins, and once they did, I was screeching that the Avs better take Landeskog and no one else with their 2nd overall pick, and I was not calm until the Avs made the announcement and I saw Landeskog in the Avs' hat and jersey.
I ordered my Avs' Landeskog jersey in September 2011, the day I found out what number he was wearing (92), before he made the team out of preseason, way before it was decided he'd be staying with the NHL club for the 2011-2012 season.
The Avs have a lot of fantastic young players, much like the Oilers. They've gone about building differently, and their team overall is different than the Oilers. The Avs are an interesting team in that they have the right pieces to win, and always seem to be missing one thing and lacking something else. Or something like that. I was one of few people not surprised when they had a good season two years ago with Anderson in net.
I think this year is going to be rocky for them. I don't think they're going to be the worst team in the league, not by far, but I don't see them making the playoffs this year short of Giguere reverting to his 2003 Conn Smythe-winning incarnation and the team really keeping to a system that hasn't been consistent yet. That being said, I don't think this team needs any specific thing to be a playoff team. Their main problem was goaltending, and I am one of few people who believe that Varly has it, and can be a No. 1 goalie. I think this team is solid. I love the building around players, love that the Avs are a character team, have a core of Stastny, Duchene, O'Reilly, Johnson, Quincey and now Landeskog. I think one or two more years is going to see them in a good place, with a good idea of what role-playing/veteran presence pieces are going to be necessary to propel this team.
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I've said before that I think it's a great time to be a hockey fan. I stick by that. There are some great players in the league today, some are rookies, some are nearing the ends of their careers. I'm glad I have the opportunity to see Selanne before he hangs them up. I'm glad I've seen Crosby, I'm glad I've seen Ovechkin. I'm glad I get to see Jagr again before he calls it quits.
Find a player, find a team, go to a game, and even if you just watch one player, enjoy it. You won't regret it.
1) Teemu Selanne. I feel terrible for him. He's 41 years old, plays like he's half that. He's leading his team in points, and is often the best Duck on the ice. He gives 110% night in and night out, and loves this game. I wish his team were better, I wish they could figure it out, wish they could buy a win for Teemu. The guy deserves another Cup before he retires, and that day is sadly not far off. I'd not be surprised if he plays another year, maybe two, but he's nearing the twilight of his career, and he knows it.
If you have the chance to see a Ducks game this year, take it. If only to see Teemu. It may be your last chance to see him play, and he is worth the price of admission. If you can get there for pregame skate, do so, and just watch Teemu. His love for the game is obvious, his love for the fans of the game is obvious. He's having the time of his life, enjoying every shift, and his happiness will rub off on you. He's a special player.
2) Sidney Crosby. He's back in the NHL. Nevermind his team managed to keep up their play and managed to keep winning and playing great hockey without him. The Penguins are a different team with him in the lineup, and while they're good without him, they're better with him. And he's picked up where he left off, and in 2 games back has already put a dent in the scoring lead. He is arguably the best player in the league today, and it'll be interesting to see what he does this year, and next with a (hopefully) fully healthy season.
A lot of attention was and is given to Crosby. Whether you like him or hate him, whether you agree with all the attention or don't... he is an amazingly talented player. I'm glad he's back, and I am looking forward to being able to watch him play again.
3) Phil Kessel. I'll give credit where credit's due. The guy is healthy, ready for the season, and he's playing to his highly touted "potential". That being said, he is a streaky player, and eventually this hot streak of his is going to cool off, and he'll remember he's Phil Kessel, and that he plays for the Maple Leafs. Also, Sidney's back, so Phil may want to check his rearview.
4) Columbus Blue Jackets. They're getting some good goaltending recently out of Curtis Sanford, and their big names are back in the lineup. And it shows. You never want to blame injuries for a rough start or a bad couple weeks and a losing record, but there are times when injuries can really play a big part, when losing one or two players can really hurt your entire team chemistry and identity. And the Jackets this year are looking like that may be the case with them. (And given that, what the Penguins managed to do without Crosby, without Letang, and without Malkin, deserves a lot of credit.)
5) Edmonton Oilers. This team is something to watch. They may not win a Stanley Cup this year, or next year, but they are going to turn into a contender if they can keep a core group together and find a goaltender after Khabby is done. Khabibulin is finding his form again, and having a great season this year, but he turns 39 this season, and probably isn't going to be the goalie by the time this team has it all together.
This team is young, dynamic, and a lot of fun to watch. The chemistry between Hallsy, Nuge and Ebs (Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Jordan Eberle) is amazing. Their defense is getting better, injuries heal, and I really think that in a couple years, if the core is together, if Nuge, Hallsy & Ebs continue to develop together and find a stride where none of them are having a "sophomore slump" or an off-year... The Oilers are going to be one hell of a team.
6) Colorado Avalanche. Gabriel Landeskog. I can already see what he's going to be to me. I had my heart set on the Avs drafting him back in June of 2010, before the Cup was won by the Bruins, before the combine, before the Avs had the #2 overall pick. I wanted this kid on the Avs. Landy HAD to be on the Avs, he was made to be on the Avs. For two days before the draft, I think the majority of my tweets were in some way "The Avs better draft Landeskog" related. I was so nervous on draft day, I was praying the Oilers took Nugent-Hopkins, and once they did, I was screeching that the Avs better take Landeskog and no one else with their 2nd overall pick, and I was not calm until the Avs made the announcement and I saw Landeskog in the Avs' hat and jersey.
I ordered my Avs' Landeskog jersey in September 2011, the day I found out what number he was wearing (92), before he made the team out of preseason, way before it was decided he'd be staying with the NHL club for the 2011-2012 season.
The Avs have a lot of fantastic young players, much like the Oilers. They've gone about building differently, and their team overall is different than the Oilers. The Avs are an interesting team in that they have the right pieces to win, and always seem to be missing one thing and lacking something else. Or something like that. I was one of few people not surprised when they had a good season two years ago with Anderson in net.
I think this year is going to be rocky for them. I don't think they're going to be the worst team in the league, not by far, but I don't see them making the playoffs this year short of Giguere reverting to his 2003 Conn Smythe-winning incarnation and the team really keeping to a system that hasn't been consistent yet. That being said, I don't think this team needs any specific thing to be a playoff team. Their main problem was goaltending, and I am one of few people who believe that Varly has it, and can be a No. 1 goalie. I think this team is solid. I love the building around players, love that the Avs are a character team, have a core of Stastny, Duchene, O'Reilly, Johnson, Quincey and now Landeskog. I think one or two more years is going to see them in a good place, with a good idea of what role-playing/veteran presence pieces are going to be necessary to propel this team.
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I've said before that I think it's a great time to be a hockey fan. I stick by that. There are some great players in the league today, some are rookies, some are nearing the ends of their careers. I'm glad I have the opportunity to see Selanne before he hangs them up. I'm glad I've seen Crosby, I'm glad I've seen Ovechkin. I'm glad I get to see Jagr again before he calls it quits.
Find a player, find a team, go to a game, and even if you just watch one player, enjoy it. You won't regret it.