Evolution Engineered

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The Canadian women’s hockey team can now be called an Olympic dynasty! 3 gold medals in 3 Olympics! Woohoo! Now, it’s the men’s turn.

However, a “stain” on the Olympicsw occurred after. Don’t read further unless you have a strong stomach! Continue reading »

I don’t normally do commentary on sports-related items, but I have to say something about the mind-boggling decision by the NHL Players Association (NHLPA) executive (essentially player reps from all 30 teams) to fire executive director, Paul Kelly, after almost 2 years on the job.

Now I’m not the most union-friendly guy out there*, but historically speaking, if anyone needs strong representation, it is the NHL players. That said, no other union seems as much determined to run itself into the ground as the NHLPA. There was the Alan Eagleson fiasco, to Goodenow hardball tactics, to the Ted Saskin-2004-05 lockout fiasco, and now this.

Without many facts becoming clear at this time, it would appear that the NHLPA, with only 2 years until the current CBA expires, wants to take a more confrontational approach. IMO, this is disasterous and could lead to contraction of one or more teams should a lengthly work stoppage occur. After all, there are not many cities that can currently house an NHL team. Maybe Kansas City and Portland/Seattle. I may be a fiercely patriotic Canadian, but Winnipeg, Quebec City and Hamilton do not have the proper facilities for an NHL franchise at this time, and it is unlikely that they will any time soon. With teams like the Coyotes, Islanders, Lightning, and Thrashers on precarious footing, there aren’t enough cities that can absorb every failing franchise. To top things off, there are other wobbly franchises (Sabres, Stars, Panthers, Predators) that could be in big trouble should finances not improve.

This is not good news for the NHLPA as the more teams there are, the more jobs there are. Get too greedy, and teams will disappear. This is why a confrontational attitude is the absolute worst tactic to take for the NHLPA. IMO, it is in their best interest to get Paul Kelly back at the helm, do a quick mea culpa by firing those involved in this apparent coup, and move on.

*I hereby nominate this for “understatement of the year”

Finally, Lord Stanley’s Cup will be played for, and the contestants (as I predicted) are the Detroit Red Wings and the Pittsburgh Penguins.

In a rare stroke of common sense, the NHL decided to bump up the start from June 5 to May 30. Two days of no hockey before the Stanley Cup rematch begins. I can take that.

As for my pick, two things stand out: the scoring depth of the Penguins (both Crosby and Malkin are going) and the injury sheet mounting up for the Wings. The ‘Canes ran out of gas against the Pens in the East Finals, and the Wings are looking like they could be running on fumes. That said, it is crucial for the Penguins to win Game 1 on Saturday since Game 2 follows so quickly (Sunday, May 31).

Last year, I said the Wings’ experience was too much for the young Pens. This year, I think the Pens can pull it off. Pens in six, and Malkin takes the Conn Smythe becoming the first Ruskie to do so.

What an awesome 2009 Stanley Cup Playoffs, eh!? Crosby vs. Ovechkin! The Rise of the Blackhawks! The Cardiac Canes! Last year’s Cup finalists still going! Leads aren’t safe! Down is up! It’s enough to make your head spin from all the excitement!

So looking back at my predictions for the Conference Semis, I successfully predicted Detroit and Chicago, but busted on Boston and Washington. However, if you go back further, look who I had for my Eastern Finals picks. That’s right, I had Carolina! So I award myself a third successful prediction for Conference Finals teams based on that technicality (I did pick Detroit and Chicago when the playoffs started). ;P

Now onto my prediction for the Stanley Cup Finalists. In the West, Detroit’s depth and experience will be too much for the young upstart Blackhawks to overcome. That’s too bad, ’cause I quite enjoy watching these young Hawks. The third period of Game 6 vs the Canucks was great up-and-down action!

In the East, my decision ain’t so easy, and I admit I’ve gone back and forth on this one. Pittsburgh has scoring depth but hasn’t seen a goalie of Cam Ward’s quality yet these playoffs,. The Hurricanes are gritty and Eric Staal’s having a Conn Smythe (playoff MVP) type playoffs, but haven’t faced the scoring depth of the Penguins. In the end, I find myself siding with scoring depth over goaltending (as long as Fleury can make timely saves, that should offset any advantage Carolina has in goal).

So there you have it. I’m calling for rematch from last year’s Cup Finals. Sit back and enjoy! I know I will!

That was a great first round of Stanley Cup playoff hockey, eh? Now it’s on to the second round.

In the West, it’ll be Detroit vs. Anaheim and Vancouver vs. Chicago. I’m sticking with my earlier prediction of a Detroit-Chicago Conference Final. In the East, it’ll be Boston vs. Carolina (my Conference Finals pick; oops!) and a dandy in Washington vs. Pittsburgh. I’m going to be a homer and say Boston will meet Washington in the East Finals.