Wednesday, February 28, 2007

NHL Trade Dealine

I love NHL trade deadline day…I never want to go to work I usually take longer lunches…watch www.sportsnet.ca online to see where everyone got dealt and most importantly if Vancouver made a deal. Well this year didn’t disappoint with 25 trades involving 44 players. Here’s my analysis on the last few days:

Pittsburgh

The Penguins didn’t get a stud but they don’t need one with Crosby, Malkin and Staal. They did added veteran leadership and most of all one of the best tough guys in the league with Laraque. He will make people think twice for running any of the young guns and he’s okay offensively. Roberts helps a lot too as he plays with grit.

Detroit
The Red Wings gambled with the unstable Bertuzzi. Might be a good move and didn’t give up much. I guess they think he’s healthy enough to play this season. If healthy he will help the Wings but the question still remains will Hasek be healthy if not they are done. But with Todd we know he’s hard to stop but he doesn’t play hard all the time. Think about how much better this deal is now that Bert didn’t sign with Florida…we traded away Allen and Aulds for Luongo and Krajicek. What a steal of a deal! Nonis might be a genius…who would have thought Vancouver would have been playing this good? Not me.


Vancouver
The Canucks didn’t want to mess with their chemistry so they added a couple of pieces to the puzzle. I love getting Sopel back. He can play on the PP and PK and he will really help if Ohlund or Salo can’t stay healthy. 2 things I love about Sopel is his hockey hair and he shoots on the PP. Smolinski was an interesting move. I was unsure at the reason why but my friend Joey pointed out Bryan is now the 4th leading scorer on the Canucks. He’s played well, wins face offs, will play with Nazy, and is a big guy who will be harder to move from in front of the net. Both players must both be pumped to be moving to a hockey city like Van who’s sold out every night heading to the playoffs. BUT Van did lose to St.Louis tonight who was missing their top 2 scorers. Not a great night for Van. Personally I was hoping the Canucks would have landed Guerin to play on the RW with the Sedin’s and then Pyatt could move to Naslund’s line. Let’s be honest Luongo is the man and has a great shot at winning the Viezna.

New York Islanders
The dumbest franchise in sports history finally did something right by getting Ryan Smyth. This guy has been the heart and soul of the Oilers. The problem is he might mess up the plans of the Islanders if they end up signing him for $5 mil a year. Yashin, Smyth, and Dipietro are all making huge dollars…will they have enough $ to fill the rest of the roster with above average guys to get them over the hump? Probably not. (Good idea not trading Jason Blake he got a hat trick tonight)

Ottawa
Unsure why Ottawa needs another European but they got Saprykin? I think Tkachuk would have been better.

Nashville
I think the Predators got the best player with Forsberg at the deadline (when healthy). These guys are stacked with talent. And they got to have the best goaltending tandem in hockey with Vokoun and Mason. Have to be favoured to win it all.

Edmonton
The Oilers trading Smyth definitely was the story of the day. I was totally surprised until I heard that he was asking for big bucks. You know who probably will be available in the off season in $5 mil range? Drury and or Briere. Thinking Edmonton will be going after either one of those guys. And if they can’t get one of those guys maybe they will get Ryan for cheaper playing for a crap team like the Islanders. He will be missing the fever of Oil country.
Edmonton is smarter than you think moving Smitty, think about it: Nilson a first rd pick in 2003, Mara a first rd pick in 2005, and they get the Islanders 1st pick in the 2007 draft. The Islanders gave up SO much for Captain Canada.

Philadelphia
As a Flyer fan I was pumped to get Biron out of Buffalo. He needs to be a #1 and Esche is done. Feel bad for Biron to be going from a 1st place team to a team who has only won 16 games in dead last.
Moving Forsberg might be a great deal … they got a ton in return. I love Upshall and Parent should be good sooner than later plus they got a 1st and 3rd rd pick for 2007. AND Forsberg might sign back with Philly on July 1st (I can always hope).

San Jose
The Sharks got more teeth to bite with when they landed Bill Guerin who has 29 goals on a junkie team. SJ is gearing up for a big run. They got all the tools to make a serious push. Thorton, Marleau, and Guerin on the PP…WOW. Picking up Rivet too is a good move. He’s solid…no Lidstrom but defensively solid.

Toronto
I really like that the Leafs made a minor deal getting Perreault back. He is a face off specialist who will add depth to the Leafs. Not saying they will win the cup but I think Yanic helps.

Buffalo
Not sure the Sabres dealing Biron only for a 2nd Rd draft pick (thinking that’s what LA gave up for Cloutier) was a good move. Getting Conklin is a good backup but in the playoffs if Ryan Miller goes down I would rather have Biron. Good move getting Zubrus to add depth.

Calgary
Many guys are saying the Flames made a great push at the deadline to put their team in a great position to make a run. I am not seeing how they can be thinking that. You know what Calgary needs? To win on the road! And in the playoffs winning on the road is MAJOR important. I like the move to get Stuart on D but he’s no Cam Neely (right Mr.Richmond - inside joke).



Got any thoughts? Leave a comment...

Thursday, February 15, 2007

All Star Break Predictions

Here we are the NBA All Star Weekend. This is by far the best all star festivities in any league. The game itself is loaded with great players, tons of celebrities, and high flying dunks. So we have seen the teams, we have been wowed by the highlights, and we have cheered for our favourite teams.

Here's your opportunity to tell the world who you think will win the whole shabang! Leave a comment and he's mine.




I am going on record to say that the Phoenix Suns WILL win this year's NBA Championship. But you might say "Doesn't defense win championships what about Phoenix's defense giving up 100 pts a game?" Good point but the Colts won with a little defense and a ton of offense. Phoenix seems to always win the big game this season. They went on a bunch of win streaks. They are averaging 110 pts per game. Everyone on their team can put the ball in the net consistently.

The biggest reason I think they will win...Amare Stoudemire. This guy was hurt last year and he was replaced by Boris Diaw. Amare is average 20 a game and he is a force to be reckoned with. He can score, and jump threw the roof and oh yeah it's Nash passing him the ball.

Speaking of Nash this guy is amazing. From Victoria, BC and showing the league what he's about. A back to back MVP who is amazing. If he wins MVP this year he's going to be in the elite of the elite: Jordan, Russel, Chamberlain, Bird, Magic, etc He loves Canada and helping the game of basketball here as well. Steve is an amazing floor general and a magical passer. He can shoot the lights out but usually passes making his team better.


Surpise team of the year so far has to go to the Utah Jazz. Teamwork makes a dream work I guess. No real superstar but a bunch of players who are gellin'. The East surprise team must go to the Raptors as they look good and have won many close games. But because of their inexperience they won't go far in the playoffs.
My darkhouse team is the Denver Nuggets. My team out of the East is the Cleveland Cavs.

I think the real MVP candidates are:
Gilbert Arenas: This guy is clutch! He can score from ANYWHERE.
Dwayne Wade: Without Shaq in the line up they were still winning games and they don't call him FLASH for nothing he is quick.
Kobe Bryant: Finally the Lakers have a decent record. So his name has to be up there.
Dirk Nowitzki: 1st in the West this yr and a birth in the finals last year this guy is unstoppable.
LeBron James: The Cavs are finally good. And he is the reason. He's lived up to all the hype. He's a phenom.
Steve Nash: But I think it's too difficult to win 3 MVP's in a row.

Finals Prediction: Suns beat Cavs in 5.