Lets Not Forgot Those Who Won

This week sports fan got a special treat as the NHL and NBA concluded and for many people their dreams came true for those who lost.  LeBron and the evil Heatles lost in 6 games to the team oriented Dallas Mavericks, who have only one superstar on their roster.  Luongo and the choke artist Canucks once again blew a lead in a series to be outplayed down the stretch.  But I feel like lost in all of this joy of the villains losing, we will forget the achievements of the heroes, much like every Superman movie ever. 

I just hope that people can successfully balance out LeBron losing with Dirk winning.  Dirk had a great story, a redemption story, versus a superstar version of the team that did it earlier this decade.  Sure, LeBron made a bunch of people angry but he didn't lose as much as Dirk won.  Look at Jason Kidd, who turned his career around by learning how to shoot a basketball.  Sure, the Big Three will probably get a title if basketball is played within the next few years.  But, lets not let the hatred for the losers cloud our judgement.

Same with the NHL.  A lot of people rooted against Vancouver because they had some players that rub them the wrong way, because they wanted to see that Canadian drought run longer, or because they have been built up into a great team.  But Tim Thomas, the NHL's Dirk, won his first cup and possibly the Vezina in a few weeks.  He battled in the minors for years to finally get a shot to win.  Boston has waited as a city for so long for a title from their sometime forgotten Bruins. 

 I just hope five years from now, we see this is as the month where Dirk and Thomas overcame the odds and waiting for years to win titles in their sports, not lost titles for two all star teams. 

NHL All-Star Game: An A For Effort

What do you think of All-Star Games?  If you are nine out of ten people, you just don't care.  I am part of that ten percent that does care, but that may because of my obsessive nature with sports.  I know, despite what Bud Selig shoves down my throat, that they do not mean anything. 

Of course, when my Grandpa was a kid, these games meant something.  Players made little money, and the All-Star game provided a supplement to an income.  Back in the day, Ted Williams broke his elbow in an extra inning game.  In my childhood, they stopped playing because they ran out of pitchers. 

The NBA All-Star game is laid back and fun.  All the best players play, the game is high scoring, and the skills competition is always fairly entertaining.  Stern has really influenced this game, making it a spectacle most people can buy into.  The Pro Bowl is incredibly boring.  Guys going at half speed, not hitting, giving up on tackles early, and nobody plays.  David Garrard played for the AFC last year.  That should make you throw up a little.  Making it during the break before the Super Bowl is a nice step, but not enough to save it.  I watched it in its entirety last year, and may again this year, but for the lamest, the NFL (surprisingly) takes the cake. 

MLB started the whole, "lets make an exhibition game matter" trend.  Home field advantage in the World Series can be significant, but the system is flawed.  Why should a game come down to a Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher closing the game because the Little League system of where everybody plays?  What does he care, his team was 20 games out of first in early May.  The Home Run Derby was cool for about three years, when steroids were prevalent and these guys could absolutely kill the ball.  Now, I can't muster the ability to care at all.  Sorry Bud, you lost me.  I'll watch the game, but not go all out about it like you think I will.

We come to the NHL.  The most progressive All-Star game in sports.  East vs West is fun, but they played with North America vs The World, a concept that should be revisited after the success of the Winter Olympics.  But now, they are going back to the school yard, and have captain's picks from a pool of players voted on from the fans.  What a concept, just imagine the possibilities!  Rivals not picking each other, who gets picked last, teammates get snubbed, when to take a goalie?  In the age of fantasy sports, this game will be a dream match up.  Let me be clear, I am not a supporter of fan voting.  But at least this makes the teams and games a little more fun.  And besides, NHL fans know their stuff better than anybody else.  Add that with a good skills competition and you got a fun weekend celebrating Hockey's return.  And while we are at it, please please please sign with ESPN for you next TV contract.  I should end every hockey post with that, its crucial to the future of the game.  Also move teams from Florida to Canada.  That is all.

You're Welcome! Big Ten Champs!

1. Steve Stamkos:  One of the best young players in the NHL is finally getting the recognition he deserves.  Barry Melrose didn't play him because he thought he wasn't NHL ready, then he gets the most goals in the league.  Now that clown Melrose is on ESPN's pitiful hockey coverage and Stamkos is making every shot imaginable for the Lightning.  Hes only 20 and hes improving and Steve could be the new face of the league for many fans, not the unlikable Crosby.  

2. MSU Spartan football:  In a roller coaster season, the Spartans won an Overtime game in a I-guess-they-aren't-so-bad Notre Dame team, only to lose their coach for a few weeks with a heart attack.  Then the Spartans upset Wisconsin with Don "The Tread" Treadwell.  Then they steamrolled lesser teams with Dantonio returning (including a third straight against the Wolverines, twice in their house) to finish the season with the most wins since 1999.  It looks like the Capital One Bowl again (oh darn) against the SEC (my pick, South Carolina)  in a return to playing on New Year's Day.  The only thing that could be sweeter is if the Spartans snapped their streak and won a bowl, over a quality opponent, to shut up the critics who said the Spartans only beat bad teams.  A Cinderella year that was huge for everyone involved.  Remember when everybody said Dantonio had to win this year to prove he can be a difference maker?  That seems ages ago.  The talented young Spartans should be challenging for the Big Ten title next year, when we don't have to share it with anybody. 

3. Chicago Bears:  Don't get to excited.  Sure, the Bears look improved, and many things are going right.  But this is a typical Bears playoff season.  Their defense improves to the point of respectability.  Their special teams steals a few games for them, and their offense puts together a few good weeks to make people think they are something special.  They got a win week 1 from the refs, and they beat the pitiful Panthers with Todd Collins throwing for about 30 yards and a pick.  They get all the bounces and the coach (this time its Smith, last time it was Smith, before that it was Jauron) looks like a genius.  Even Marinelli and Martz, the worst two hires of the decade, will get credit for the new resurgence.  Here, I'll look into my crystal ball to tell you how this ends up.  They will probably make the playoffs, I think Wild Card, vs a team like Seattle.  They win that game, beating maybe the worst playoff team in the past five years.  Then they meet the Falcons in the playoffs.  Cutler gets killed and turns the ball over 5 times against a mediocre Falcon D, and the defense and special teams can't bail them out.  They lose 35-14, Turner runs for 150 yards, and the Bears look forward to next year, when not everything falls into play and they go 5-11.  Write it down. 

Stanley Cup Questions With Tek Jansen

My friend and hockey expert Tek Jansen at the blog Marching On The Red Cedar makes Barry Melrose look like a joke.  I sat down with him and asked him some questions on the upcoming Stanley Cup Final.

1. Does a 7 seed in Philadelphia in the Stanley Cup Finals show weakness in the NHL, or the salary cap is working?  What about the Eastern Conference playoffs as a whole?

A 7 seed in the Cup Finals shows partially that it takes a lot of luck, yet a lot of skill, to win the Cup.  You need to get hot at the right times.  Philadelphia was lucky in that they were a mere shootout goal by Ollie Jokinen from possibly not even being in the playoffs.  But how can we call them lucky?  They've had one of the biggest goaltending carousels in recent history; no goalie started more than 30 games for them.  There is a basic formula including a hot goalie, strong secondary scoring (in addition to big numbers by the stars), which is often created by winning battles and working harder, and at least 4 solid defensemen, but each year this formula is often overlooked to look square at how one-particular-team did it.  We've seen teams try to get tougher after Anaheim (Toronto, Philadelphia), more possessive after Detroit (San Jose, Washington, Chicago), more high-end talent after Pittsburgh (Boston?, Edmonton?, NY Islanders?).  Have any of those teams repeated?  No.  The Flyers have 5 expensive forwards, and 2 expensive defensemen, but have found cheap goaltending to work for them, which seems to have been this year's theme; but as stated, there are differing circumstances every year.  Big teams in the East choked, either by getting outworked or going cold, which may have paved the path for the odd pairing in the battle for the Prince of Wales Trophy.

2.  Who is the X factor for both teams in the series?

The "X-Factor" is a misnomer, say I.  Basically, the teams need to squeeze the last bits out of my formula from above.  Stars scoring, secondary players adding, defensemen being factors, and strong goaltending.  It's a team game for a reason.  But if I must individualize things, I'll argue that keeping Byfuglien to score timely goals (4 GWG, 8 overall) would keep pressure off of stars currently producing (Toews, Kane, Keith) and those not scoring (Hossa, Campbell).  Meanwhile, I'm going to give the tag to Chris Pronger of the Flyers, because he anchors a relatively younger group of defensemen trying to protect a goaltender with a scattered past.  The man plays over 30 minutes a game, and Michael Leighton said it best himself that Pronger's 4-minute penalty in the 3rd in Game 5 against Montreal was a blessing in disguise, as it merely rested him for the stretch run.

3.  Do you join a growing amount of Red Wings fans who greatly dislike the Blackhawks?

It comes down to the cities themselves.  Unfortunately, I don't.  I don't like Chicago fans (despite loving their city), but I despise Philadelphia fans (a cool city too), even though their serenade of the Habs with "Ole, Ole, Ole" was hilarious.  But Bobby Clarke and Eric Lindros have rubbed me the wrong way more than Ed Belfour and Jeremy Roenick have.  I'd love to see Hossa go down a 3rd time, but Philadelphia hadn't won anything for years until the Phillies, and I think the SportsGods did so for a reason.  Chicago has had losers too, but the Bulls weren't exactly the Cubs.  Philadelphia doesn't need any more success, even though a cup in Chicago would put the biggest pressure on my Toronto Maple Leafs.  Honestly, I hate a number of players on both teams, for a myriad of reasons.  But if nothing else, for as great as It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia is, Da Superfans was a better and funnier sketch on SNL.  Oh, and ya gotta support a toothless and fellow Spartan, Duncan Keith.

4.  I would have personally made a “Jason Garrett” offer to Steve Yzerman to keep him in Hockeytown.  

What would have you done, and what do you think Yzerman will do in Tampa Bay?

I would have let him go, much as he did.  I think Yzerman put in his time, and was ready to move on.  Not to say that I don't think Yzerman added something to the front office, but the "Jason Garrett" of Detroit is Devellano, with a nod to Nill.  Yzerman trained in one of the best situations possible, and he needs to see for himself if he can handle the task.  Win or lose, he will always be a Red Wing and welcome in the organization.  I think he'll help Stamkos grow into an Yzerman-type (more than the other supposed next-ones, like Matt Duchene and Jonathan Toews...Yzerman would never do a stupid sideburns playoff beard) and hope that Hedman turns into a Swedish Pronger.  Vinny Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis are two great forwards, but I wonder if one of them with the #6 overall pick this year could turn into Taylor Hall/Tyler Seguin and something else.  I wish him the best, and hope that if he wants it, he'll consider a return to Detroit, possibly to succeed Holland.

5.  Who will win the Cup this year and why?

Both teams have impressive offensive pieces (Toews/Kane/Hossa/Sharp, Richards/Briere/Carter/Gagne), some depth scoring (Byfuglien/Versteeg, Giroux/Leino), and hot goalies (Niemi, Leighton).  Both teams play in two of the toughest road arenas.  Both teams have beaten at least two choker teams (Vancouver/San Jose, New Jersey/Boston) Philadelphia has won 8 of its last 9 games and has been defensively sound.  However, Chicago is the team to beat.  They look as smooth as Mike Babcock's hair, and have been on a mission for 49 years, focused 3 years ago, and intensely moving with the signing of good luck charm Marian Hossa.  I think the third time is the charm for him, and they do it in 5 games, hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup in the United Center.

Conference Finals Disappointing For Both Leagues

As I waited for the two sport conference finals at the beginning of April, I was sure the NBA and NHL would deliver for another year.  The NHL had early round upsets and some 7 game series, but now we are paying the price with lower quality hockey in the Eastern Conference finals.  Even the Western Conference finals, who have the two best teams competing, has a 2-0 series lead for the (increasingly annoying) Blackhawks with 3 more games in Chicago.  I am just hoping the West winner doesn't completely embarrass the Eastern Conference champs.

The NBA is no better.  The Boston Celtics completely nuked the basketball world and ruined ESPN for 3 months by easily defeating the Cavs.  Then, to stay in character, the Celtics are fairly effortlessly dismantling the Magic, winning two at home and will wrap up the series sometimes withing the next 3 months because of the stupid NBA playoff schedule.

Not to be outdone, the LA Lakers are destroying the Suns.  The Suns don't play defense.  I've known that for a decade.  But Stoudemire and Nash really don't play defense.  Now, they are relying on Jared Dudley to guard Kobe Bryant after the Grant Hill fiasco.  Yeah, Jared Dudley.  He was number 2 after 37 year old Grant Hill.  Its such a mess that they will have to score 140 points in 4 games to win the series.  They have no answer for Gasol.  Lamar Odom looks like an All-Star, and I am doubtful I was right saying Lakers in 5.  I have a hard time seeing the Lakers losing.  Its like the NFL.  If you don't play defense, it will come back to haunt you in the playoffs.

What do these playoffs show us?  I think a few things.  For the NHL, their superstars had a bad year.  Ovie is having a bad career in the playoffs so far, and Crosby had a bad series, being distracted by my endorsement.  Also, the salary cap is working and teams who are smart can win in the playoffs.  Some teams totally collapse (Boston) and it shows it was just a weird year.  In the NBA, it shows only 4 or 5 teams were very good this year.  The Nuggets and Mavericks were eliminated early in the West, opening the door for a team like the Suns to go into a series with the mighty Lakers.  The East had the Cavs, who may or may not been distracted by LeBron's mothers actions (you know the story).  So many teams were just trying to get cap room to go after the elite free agents this year. 

Sometimes, the playoffs stink.  It happens.  We can not always count on great games and performances.  But this year, we should expect more from the sports we love, and unless the finals are incredible, I'll be walking away unsatisfied.

NHL Is Cinderella Central

With the Habs beating the mighty Penguins last night, the NHL has really shown its balance in the last few  weeks.  The Canadiens, an 8 seed, beat the two best teams in the East, Washington and Pittsburgh.  Marc-Andre Fleury was awful and Crosby had 3 points.  I know, right when I stand up for the guy he chokes.  Is this the start of a STWWC Curse?  Lord, I hope so.

The other series, Philly and Boston is going to game 7 after the Bruins choked away a 3-0 series lead.  Philly got healthy, and now have a chance to force a 7 seed versus 8 seed Eastern Conference Finals (after losing starting goalie Brian "Bobby" Boucher in game 6).  Imagine in the NBA if the Eastern Finals was Chicago vs Charlotte?  ESPN would have a parade.  Sadly, we must all settle for Versus.

Can Montreal, Boston or Philadelphia win the Stanley Cup?  If they do, they must get past San Jose or Chicago, both hire seeds with "more" talent and with more expectations.  Sure, San Jose not choking is an upset in itself, but the Sharks added Dany Heatley and Chicago is one of the most talented teams in the NHL.  Canada has not won a Stanley Cup since 1993.  They haven't been to one since 2007 (thats an eternity for our neighbors to the north, with the Ottawa Senators (2006 saw the Edmonton Oilers, 2004 with Calgary, pre-lockout).  Montreal can if the ride Halak and get healthy.  Boston can if they play like they did in games 1-3, and the Flyers can if they just keep believing.

You're Welcome!

1. Montreal Canadiens:  Down 3-1, with 2 more games on the road and facing the best team in the regular season, the Canadiens went 1970's on the Capitals and won the series.  In the biggest upset of the NHL playoffs, Halak led the Canadiens to two huge wins over Ovie and the Caps.  Now Ovechkin has to answer all summer on how he lost to a team that had almost no shot at coming back and beating his star studded team.

2. Austin Jackson:  The main part to the Curtis Granderson deal, Jackson was named AL Rookie of the Month for April.  Hes shown hes a solid offensive and defensive player, and has speed for the basepaths, when (if) the Tigers need to play small ball.  To essentially replace a good older player with a good younger player is one of the better moves Dombrowski has made the last few years.  Sure, Jackson will slump like a rookie, but hes already showing good value.

3. San Diego Padres:  At 16-10, the Padres have already exceeded expectations.  The Adrian Gonzales Trade watch is now put on hold and San Diego is in 1st place in the NL West.  The Padres finished the season 37-25 last year, showing promise for a young team, mostly doing this without All-Star players.  Can it last?  The Dodgers are in ownership issues, the D-Backs are still finding their groove, the Rockies will turn it on in the second half, and the Giants have elite pitching but lock firepower.  Look for San Diego to hold on to the lead for a while, but fade late in the year.

Ovechkin Falls To The Habs, And Behind Crosby

Golf and Tennis has power rankings, and sometimes wish other sports did too.  That is one of the great things about sports, is debating who is number one.  Last night's game showed us who the best player in hockey really is.

Its painful to admit, but Sidney Crosby is now the best player in hockey.  The way I see it with Ovechkin losing, no one is close right now.  I'm sure I will get a lot of crap from Wings fans, but the facts are I don't like him because he is entitled and whiny, not because of his talent.  You don't hate someone with a passion if they aren't very good.

What Crosby has done is very well publicized.  He was the poster boy after the Lockout and became the youngest captain ever.  He went to the Stanley Cup finals twice, winning last year over the Red Wings in 7 games.  He also won the Gold Medal in the pressure packed Vancouver Olympics beating Goalie/Hockey God/MSU Spartan Ryan Miller.  He is a good leader for his team and kept everyone together after Therrien got fired.  Sure he whines and hes a diver, and that's unfortunate, because he really has a lot of talent.  Maybe when he grows up it'll get better.

Lets look at some stats.  Crosby vs Ovechkin head to head.  Crosby 51 G, 58 A 109 Points.  Ovechkin 50 G, 59 A 109 Points.  Pretty even, but Crosby played 9 more games.  Ovechkin had 70 more shots on goal.  Crosby tied for the Rocket Richard trophy.  Both are up for the Hart.

But Crosby has Evgeni Malkin, of course hes gonna score more?  Not so fast!  Niklas Backstrom was 4th in the NHL in points, Alexander Semin was 13th, Mike Green was 21st.  Crosby's teammates?  Malkin, 19th, nobody else in the Top 50.  Ovechkin has a far better supporting cast.

In the Playoffs you ask?  Head to head, Crosby is 1-0, has a Cup and has been to one more.  In the Olympics, Canada destroyed a talent heavy Russian squad.  This year, in 6 games Crosby leads the way with 14 points (5 G, 9 A) with Ovechkin with 7 games is in 5th with 10 points (5 G, 5 A).  Pittsburgh played the Fifth seed Ottawa, 15th best Defense in the NHL this year.  Montreal was 25th overall and played musical goalies in the series before settling with Halak, who they should have started all along.  In the last two games?  Ovechkin had 1 assist.  The best player in the league has 1 point?  That's ridiculous.

Ovechkin is more fun and hits, but no way is he better than Crosby.  This may be a Marino vs Montana argument.  Marino is probably the better player, but Montana made everyone around him far better and won far more big games and therefore is the better overall player.  Ovechkin has a summer to think about this and try and finally win a Cup.

You're Welcome!

The draft is tomorrow, and there still could be a lot of trades that flip everything around.  Luckily, the draft keeps things interesting during the spring.  The Wings won big last night (playing well in one period) and Howard got his first career shutout. 

1. Philadelphia Flyers:  Shocking, positively shocking.  I can't believe the Flyers are taking it to the Devils like they are.  Up 3-1 and only needing one more win, the Flyers has this almost all locked up.  I thought with the Kovalchuck trade and Broduer playing like a Hall Of Famer this year the Devils would at least make the Eastern Conference finals.  The Flyers resemble their city playing tough defense and scoring more goals than anyone could imagine against Broduer.  I don't think Philly can go much farther than the second round, but this team is playing past its talent level right now.

2. Boston Celtics: Without KG, who is not the player he used to be, the Celtics smoked the Heat last night in an emotional game.  Garnett is the emotional leader, and his Technical near the end of the game got him a one game suspension.  The Celtics are on their last run.  The team's big players are getting older, and they won't be in Boston much longer.  With this their last run, maybe they can be the Magic of last year and upset the Cavs.

3. Phillie's Pitching Staff:  After trading Cliff Lee (the only reason the Phillies had a shot to beat the Yankees last year) for Roy Halladay I was a little suspect of that move.  Halladay has come through to be a killer ace in the NL.  He is mowing down pitches and has a really good shot for 20+ wins.  On top of that Cole Hamels has begun to play like Hamels version 2008.  He has more Ks than innings pitched and a 3.86 ERA.  Those don't sound breathtaking, but for how he was playing in the World Series (being skipped over for starts in the World Series with a 7.20 ERA) this is huge.  What an amazing 1-2 punch for the best team in the National League.

You're Welcome! Super Bowl And Beyond

This week saw the crowning of a new Super Bowl champ and the real start to "March" Madness. Pitchers and Catchers report next week. Spring seems so close, even with that Snowpacolypse we just got here in Michigan.

1. New Orleans Saints- This was an easy one. The Saints won their first Super Bowl with an inspired effort. With how bad the Saints have been (probably up there with the Lions over the past 40+ years) they give hope to less successful franchises (and me) and New Orleans is loving it. To see a city and team rebound like they have is awesome. I love that Drew Brees got the MVP and played so well. He is a real comeback story. They gave the world a huge You're Welcome Sunday Night.

2. Illinois Fightin' Illini Basketball- Bruce Weber is a very good and underrated coach. He has his scrappy team playing so well that they have won three games in a row and now are in a tie for the Big Ten regular season title. They won a prime time game against the talented Spartans and beat the Badgers on the road. No ranked team has ever beaten Bo Ryan at home. Before last night. Trust me, the Illini will be ranked next week.

3. Washington Capitals- They just keep winning! Ovechkin is my choice for league MVP, and his Caps are playing better than anyone could have imagined. The core of talent (Semin, Green) is supporting Alexander the Great. I have a real hunch they will top the all time wins in a row record for the NHL and continue this success in the playoffs. Them and the new look Devils (Kovalchuck! Now they have offense!) are the best chance the Eastern Conference has of winning the Cup. These playoffs should be great this year, building on last year's success.

You're Welcome! 2009 Edition

For this week's You're Welcome, I will change it up a little bit and do a 2009 edition. I can't believe its almost 2010, but the new year will certainly bring some great stories. Here are the best of the year!

1. Pittsburgh Penguins: This one is tough to write. But the Penguins came into the Stanley Cup finals, without home ice against an opponent who beat you last season. And guess what? You're best player last year is in red. But you converted to a more physical style of play and had your interim coach lead you to victory. Sure the "Golden Boy" got his cup and Commish got his wish. Malkin was the best player in the finals and deserved the Conn Smythe. It was brutal to watch and I took a while to get over it but the Pens deserve credit.

2. Arizona Cardinals: You were perpetual losers and nobody cared about you guys moving to the desert. Finally you got a beautiful new stadium and started to attract some fans. Kurt Warner finally led you to a division title and the playoffs after being on the brink for a decade. Larry Fitzgerald went off and dominated the playoffs and you guys were seconds from a Super Bowl victory. You're in good shape to go to the Super Bowl again led by the best wide receiver in the NFL. Its inspiring to other teams to see a team make the Super Bowl that no one saw coming.

3. Kobe Bryant: You won a title without Shaq. Enough said in that line. But Kobe had an MVP year and led the Lakers to the NBA title. By now everybody is over your court case for a crime you didn't commit (he did commit transgressions) and all your sponsors are coming back. Sure it would have been nice to play Lebron in the finals but a great win anyway. Kobe is finally coming into his own and is one of the top five players in the league. It was nice to see him finally get that monkey off his back and bring the hardware back to LA.

Happy New Year everybody! Thanks for reading!

How I Would Fix The NHL

In my How I Would Fix Series (beginning with the Red Wings, you'll see Cubs and Lions soon and you won't see a Tiger Woods edition, I'm not Oprah) I take a look at the NHL. First I will give the facts that we know. Commissioner Darth Bettman is totally committed to the death to keep a team in Phoenix. It looks like next week they will approve the team being sold to a group that will keep them in Arizona. So the cash black hole that are the Coyotes will continue. I doubt this team can be good enough and generate enough buzz to become profitable. But at least the NHL won't be owning a team anymore. The salary cap should go down in the loss of revenue due to the poor economy. I would also bet that no team will relocate because the NHL is a charity in that way. So that is what we know.

In my first preview I told the Wings to go sign Marion Gaborik. Go look up how he is playing and tell me I'm wrong. So this is the Corbitt Recovery Plan:

Get a team in Southern Ontario. Yeah the Maple Leafs will be upset, but the franchise is worth the most in the NHL, so I doubt they will be hurt too bad. The NHL can get support from at least one more Canadian team and the extra revenue can help the league. Take your pick of teams to relocate (please no more expansion), Nashville, Florida, Tampa Bay, etc.

Move a team back to Winnipeg. Don't think I am Canada supporter. I am an increased revenue supporter. Winnipeg has a beautiful new arena and a good fan base. They will be able to support a team and should be given another shot. Outside of these two moves, no more relocating. Kansas City doesn't need a team, Ohio doesn't need another team Quebec City doesn't need another team either. The NHL will probably have to bail out the Islanders in a few years but they should. The Islanders can be a solid franchise. They just need a new arena and better ownership. No need to leave that market.

Create an Original Six series. In December, have all the Original Six teams play each other. The team with the best record can get an award. Now, it would be awesome to have a tournament in the regular season but I doubt that will happen. So here is my plan. Have all teams play each other and get some of the tradition back in the NHL. I don't care that the Red Wings play Nashville 34 times a season. Most of these teams don't play each other often enough. Its no secret that these teams have a very strong fan bases and would be supportive of this idea. It would also get a lot of buzz. Look how much the Winter Classic has done for the game? I love the Classic and watch it every year. This series would only help the NHL.

Continue to market young players and new rivalries. Ovechkin vs Crosby is always a great game and has helped the game. You have to carry the momentum gained by all these young stars and last year's playoffs into the future.

Bring back the Hockey World Cup to center stage. Look how many new soccer fans the World Cup brings to the game. Some people only care about the World Cup. Do the same with Hockey. Let NHLers play and have it every two years alternating with the Olympics (for example Olympics in 2010, World Cup in 2012). True, you would only get two All-Star games every four years, but you have to make sacrifices. Opening in foreign countries is a cool idea and now it is time to take it a step further. Lets see how popular Olympic hockey is this year (should be huge) and then we can put this idea into serious contention.

Keep fighting in the game, and get no touch icing. It seems like polar opposites but fighting is the safe alternate in the NHL. First of all, fighting is fun and great. Nothing gets people out of their seats and pumped like fighting does. Don't discourage players from dropping the gloves. No touch icing is necessary to get rid of unnecessary injuries in the NHL. It works well in College Hockey and takes away a part of the game no one wants to see. Past rule changes have worked really well and I think these two will help the game grow.

That's how I would fix the NHL. I am sure after the economy recovers so will the NHL. There isn't too much broken in the league. Popularity has been increasing since the Lockout. The NHL just has to continue the momentum.

Thoughts From My Desk September 13 Edition

This is a strange time for me and College Football. A lot of the games are boring blowouts over cupcake teams, with an occasional upset every few years. The Broncos usually are playing Big Ten teams or better (Missouri with Chase Daniels, West Virginia with Pat White and Steve Slaton) and it is hard for me to get into the games. I watch to see new players and hope for an upset, but I know we are just collecting a paycheck. A few marquee matchups take place (BYU vs. Oklahoma and USC vs. OSU) but more often than not the season is boring. Rich Rodriguez wants to have preseason games, when the NFL is doing the right thing and getting rid of meaningless games. Honestly, I circle the conference openers for the Broncos every year as the “start” of College Football.

WMU vs. Indiana: The Broncos looked better, and Tim Hiller looked more like Tim Hiller. He must have worked out the kinks and gotten better receiving gloves because the Bronco offense looked much better. Brandon West displayed his great returning skills, and it was great to see Jordan White back on the field after two years off due to injuries. TE Matt Stevens had a few plays displaying the talent everyone has been talking about, and the entire receiving core looked much better. Robert Arnheim made a nice 40 yard TD catch and showed great hands all day. He is a solid possession receiver, although him having great hands and not fumbling means he does not have to return punts. Drew Burdi scored a TD run out of the Wildcat formation (something I would like to see more off) and Aaron Winchester had some nice runs before coughing it up near the goal line to miss out on the game winning TD. Our defense looked better but still had trouble tackling and closing on people. Special teams looked good once again overall. To recap, I think the Broncos should have won this game, but Indiana made plenty of mistakes in penalties to give us a chance at the end. Our defense needs to generate pass rush and cause turnovers to give our offense more of a chance. The Broncos have their home opener next Saturday night against MAC foe Miami Oh.

MSU vs. CMU: This was shocking but CMU is a very good MAC team. They will probably win the Conference and make it to a decent bowl game. They lost to Arizona is tough road trip, but the Spartans still should have won that game. MSU showed how vulnerable playing in the two QB system can be. It hurts the flow of the game and rhythm of the offense. Cousins looks like a better fit for the offense with his quick release and strong arm. The Spartans cannot do this next week against Notre Dame and expect to win. MSU’s defense still is not where it should be, and usually reliable Blair White missed the onside recovery that would have won the game. CMU stuck with the Spartans all game and Dan Lefevour looked great all game, making plays when the Chips needed them the most. MSU’s secondary looked awful at times and not even a great front seven could turn the tide in favor of the Spartans. MSU looks to regroup before a game with rivals Notre Dame, but before then they need to settle the QB issue and find a solution on defense.

Notre Dame vs. Michigan: This classic rivalry taking place in Ann Arbor will pit the Wolverines and Irish both trying to win respect and become a player on the national stage. The Wolverines smashed WMU last week, and Notre Dame destroyed Nevada at home. This was a classic back and forth battle between rivals. There were a ton of penalties in the game, and the play calling by Notre Dame was questionable at best. This was most obvious on the last drive when Notre Dame had a chance to run the ball twice and use up some time and Michigan’s timeouts and opted to throw the ball and display bad strategy by HC Charlie Weiss. Tate Forcier looked great in his second game, passing well and displaying good instincts avoiding the rush and running up field. Denard Robinson is further distancing himself as a backup QB and a run only option. Michigan’s young defense had trouble with Notre Dame’s offense, which is great in its own right. Michigan could be on its way up if it continues to mature and avoid injuries.

USC vs. OSU: The Buckeyes led the game for much of the fourth quarter after a USC safety on a bad snap. Terrell Pryor looked much better than he has at past times, and only a long USC drive to win the game kept the Buckeyes from taking this contest. Freshman QB Matt Barkley looked great as he led his team down the field with the precision and leadership of a senior. RB Joe McKnight looks like a great dual threat runner and got chunks of yardage for the Trojans during the game. This was an instant classic, and it shows the Big Ten is finally catching up to other elite programs.

Danny Heatley and a 5th round pick have been traded from the Ottawa Senators to the San Jose Sharks for Milan Michalek, Jonathan Cheechoo and a 2^nd round pick. Ottawa is going into rebuilding mode, with is never good news for a small market team. Heatley had requested a traded earlier in the summer and finally got his wish. Cheechoo had a great season for the Sharks when they first traded for Joe Thornton, but has faded in past seasons. Injuries have been partly to blame. The Sharks lost in the first round last year in the playoffs to Anaheim Ducks, despite being the number 1 seed. Goaltending broke down and led to the upset. The Sharks look to be even better this season with another scoring threat on a deep team. Training camps open across the NHL this weekend and preseason games start later this week. It’s already almost hockey season!

Oklahoma State lost a perfect opportunity to put its mark on this season. With Oklahoma hurting, OSU lost to high powered Houston 45-35. The gap is definitely closing in college football.

Wisconsin almost lost to Fresno State at home in double overtime. Fresno State is a good team, but this is a sign on how bad the Badgers are hurting.

Toledo picked on a struggling Colorado team. The Rockets put up big points on the Buffaloes in Colorado.

Todd Bertuzzi Returns to Detroit, Kane indicted

The Red Wings added some grit and veteran scoring adding Todd Bertuzzi to the roster with a 1 year 1.5 million dollar deal. As you remember Bertuzzi played in Detroit in 2007, but was injured most of the end of the season. He played decently in the playoffs, having a two goal game against Calgary. But he could not shake his injuries and never lived up to the trade. Bertuzzi scored 15 goals and 29 assists last season in only 66 games. The price tag is not bad, and the one year deal is less risk for the Wings. He should see his numbers improve, but this could mean less playing time for Justin Abdelkader. Bertuzzi also adds grit to the team; with Lilja probably out for a long time still suffering effects from his concussion.

Patrick Kane has been indicted today for a misdemeanor in relation to assaulting a cab driver in Buffalo with his cousin. Kane, 20, was intoxicated with his cousin when he and his cousin assaulted the cab driver over him not having 20 cents in change to give Kane. This has been a complicated affair, with the cab driver’s lawyer saying the situation has been overplayed. Patrick Kane is scheduled to appear on the cover of NHL 10, due out in October for all major video game systems.

Stars Find New Homes

• Pedro Martinez is going to work out and possibly sign with the Phillies. He has been battling injuries these last few years, but could be a good mid season upgrade for the world champs. You can never have enough pitching, and his veteran presence could help out the Phillies in a pennant race.
• Rasheed Wallace was introduced to the fan of Boston yesterday. After saying he would retire to spend more time with his kids after his contract with Detroit ran out. He looks to be gunning for another ring with a sure contender in the loaded Eastern Conference.
• Lance Armstrong is in third place by eight seconds entering the grueling stage eight tomorrow. He looks to take the lead doing what he does best, mountain stages.
• Jiri Hudler joins Thomas Kopecky, Marian Hossa and Mikael Samuelsson as forward to bolt from Hockeytown. Hudler will join a team in Russia's mega league KHL. The Red Wings should receive some draft picks in compensation and will be well under the salary cap next year. The cap did not change in amount from last year.