Prelude - Was it Hossa becoming a Penguin? Was it the local newspaper survey asking fans what they thought? Was it losing to the Leafs and Bruins without scoring a goal? Which ever evidence you point at for the reason, there is big news out of Ottawa today.
Sport - Hockey
Event - The Ottawa Senators fired head coach John Paddock today. Bryan Murray, who coached the Senators for two seasons before taking the general manager's job last summer, returns behind the bench for the stretch run
Point to say - "Did you hear that the Ottawa Coach was fired?"
Follow up point - "Doesn't Ottawa still have the same problem it did last year with their goaltending?"
Get out of the conversation - "Have you seen the Jimmy Kimbell video on Youtube?"
Backgrounder
Having dropped six of their last eight games and 14 of their last 21. With just 18 games remaining in the regular season panic had crept into the fan base, not to mention the media.
As sited from the TSN sports article on the subject: "Under Paddock, the team sprinted out of the gate early this season with a 16-3 record in its first 19 games. The team then struggled in late November and early December with a seven-game losing streak, and went 20-19-6 the rest of the way."
Coaching changes are not uncommon at this time period. Lineups are set. So really, the only thing that can be done to shake things up is change the coach.
The new coach is in fact the old coach. "Bryan Murray, who coached the Senators for two seasons before taking the general manager's job last summer, returns behind the bench for the stretch run." writes TSN.
Links
TSN's article on the coaching change.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
The sprint for the finish starts today.
Prelude - So the trading is done. Teams are all ready for a run through the hockey playoffs. What is the fall out of all these trades? While most trades won't make too much difference in playoff standings, there were two trades that will no doubt be talked about tomorrow.
Sport - Hockey
Event - Of the multiple trades done today, two trades stand out: Pittsburgh Penguins acquire Marian Hossa and the Montreal Canadiens trade of goalie Cristobal Huet (pronounced Hew ett) to Washington.
Point to say - "Why did Montreal trade their starting goalie?"
Follow up point - "Will Pittsburgh pass Ottawa for top spot in the East?"
Get out of the conversation - "So, did you end up watching the Oscars?"
Backgrounder
What's with all the trades at this point of the year? Well, every year teams who feel they have a chance at winning the Stanley Cup go for that special player that brings something the team is missing. These days, there are many good players whose contracts are about to end at the end of this season. Before this person leaves their team, call it Team A, Team A will trade this player in order to have a player ready to fill this spot next year. Now without a deadline of somekind, these trades might happen even during the playoffs creating an unfair situation. So, the NHL has a rule that says, essentially, if you go to the playoffs, players on your roster must have been on your team since February 27th.
The trade of Montreal's top goalie is surprising. The team is playing very well. They have almost caught Ottawa in the standings. Trading their top goalie, therefore, is a shocker. As seen previously in Sports and The City, goalie Carey Price has been on people's radar for a bit of time but to ask him to carry this team into the playoffs is a lot to ask of a 20 year old.
Pittsburgh is but one point away from the Senators. The addition of a superstar like Hossa and the return of Sidney Crosby from his injury will now make the Penguins the team to watch come this year's playoffs.
Links
TSN's list of trades can be found here.
Sport - Hockey
Event - Of the multiple trades done today, two trades stand out: Pittsburgh Penguins acquire Marian Hossa and the Montreal Canadiens trade of goalie Cristobal Huet (pronounced Hew ett) to Washington.
Point to say - "Why did Montreal trade their starting goalie?"
Follow up point - "Will Pittsburgh pass Ottawa for top spot in the East?"
Get out of the conversation - "So, did you end up watching the Oscars?"
Backgrounder
What's with all the trades at this point of the year? Well, every year teams who feel they have a chance at winning the Stanley Cup go for that special player that brings something the team is missing. These days, there are many good players whose contracts are about to end at the end of this season. Before this person leaves their team, call it Team A, Team A will trade this player in order to have a player ready to fill this spot next year. Now without a deadline of somekind, these trades might happen even during the playoffs creating an unfair situation. So, the NHL has a rule that says, essentially, if you go to the playoffs, players on your roster must have been on your team since February 27th.
The trade of Montreal's top goalie is surprising. The team is playing very well. They have almost caught Ottawa in the standings. Trading their top goalie, therefore, is a shocker. As seen previously in Sports and The City, goalie Carey Price has been on people's radar for a bit of time but to ask him to carry this team into the playoffs is a lot to ask of a 20 year old.
Pittsburgh is but one point away from the Senators. The addition of a superstar like Hossa and the return of Sidney Crosby from his injury will now make the Penguins the team to watch come this year's playoffs.
Links
TSN's list of trades can be found here.
Monday, February 25, 2008
This Leaf is hanging on.
Prelude - This Tuesday is the last day teams can add a player to their roster for before the playoffs start. It means teams that won't make the playoffs trade players whose contracts are about to finish in order to get a player for next year in return. This year, the Leafs Mats Sundin was the most talked about player facing these conditions. Everyone was wondering would he go or not? On Sunday, Mats made his mind up.
Sport - Hockey
Event - Mats Sundin announces Sunday that he would not waive his no-movement clause, meaning he will play the rest of the season with the Toronto Maple Leafs
Point to say - "Did you hear that Sundin is staying with the Leafs after all?"
Follow up point - "He's a free agent next year. Do you think Toronto will resign him?"
Get out of the conversation - "So, did you end up watching the Oscars?"
Backgrounder
Mats Sundin has been with the Leafs since 1994. He has played 970 games for the Leafs. His contract with the Leafs ends after this season. He is the face of the franchise since Doug Gilmour left.
With the Leafs being so bad this year, and Mats only having a few season left before retirement, the question was, would be wave part of his contract that guaranteed him an input into where he would go if he were to be traded in order to play on a potential Stanley Cup winner.
Many contracts these days have something called a no-trade clause. Players will take this in order to stop moving every few years. Managers use this as additional enticement to sign a player.
Links
Here is a great take on the 'no-trade clause' by a former hockey player.
Here is a recap of Mats decision.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Never ever say never.
Prelude - There is an old expression in sports: "It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings." Maybe old expressions need to be phased out, but the point is you never know what you are going to see on any given night when watching sports. Last night was one of those nights.
Sport - Hockey
Event - Montreal Canadiens win 6-5 over the New York Rangers in a shootout. The incredible part of this story, is that in the entire history of the Canadiens they have never come back when down 5-0.
Point to say - "Did you hear about Montreal's comeback last night?"
Follow up point - "Do you think Montreal will pass Ottawa in the standings?"
Get out of the conversation - "Are you going to watch the Oscars?"
Backgrounder
The Montreal Canadiens franchise is nearly 100 years old {Founded in 1909}. It is very rare that there wouldn't be something that hasn't already been done by someone who played for this franchise, or very rare that a team is able to break one of its own records.
Analysis
Stay in your seat until the end of the game. Things change.
Also, these are great lessons in life. Keep trying. Maybe it won't work today, but tomorrow it just might.
Links
Recap of last night's game.
NHL Standings
Sport - Hockey
Event - Montreal Canadiens win 6-5 over the New York Rangers in a shootout. The incredible part of this story, is that in the entire history of the Canadiens they have never come back when down 5-0.
Point to say - "Did you hear about Montreal's comeback last night?"
Follow up point - "Do you think Montreal will pass Ottawa in the standings?"
Get out of the conversation - "Are you going to watch the Oscars?"
Backgrounder
The Montreal Canadiens franchise is nearly 100 years old {Founded in 1909}. It is very rare that there wouldn't be something that hasn't already been done by someone who played for this franchise, or very rare that a team is able to break one of its own records.
Analysis
Stay in your seat until the end of the game. Things change.
Also, these are great lessons in life. Keep trying. Maybe it won't work today, but tomorrow it just might.
Links
Recap of last night's game.
NHL Standings
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
"Don't look back. Something might be gaining on you."
Prelude - The team is losing. There are goalie problems. The injuries are mounting up. Trade rumours are circulating. This must be Toronto. But wait... it's... it's Ottawa! Want to join in on the hottest sports conversation? Just ask the following:
Sport - Hockey
Event - Ottawa Senators lose to the Montreal Canadiens 4-3. The win pushed the Canadiens to one point behind the front-running Senators in the NHL Eastern Conference standings, with a rematch set for Saturday in Ottawa.
Point to say - "So Ottawa lost again last night!"
Follow up point - "Do you think Montreal will pass Ottawa in the standings?"
Get out of the conversation - "Are you going to watch Lost?"
Backgrounder
The Ottawa Senators started the season with an incredible win record. They had a losing streak shortly after but until 10 games ago, things were going along just fine: first place in the Eastern Conference, solid play by their leading scorers. The last 11 games though, Ottawa has only won three times.
There is a chance the Senators could have Dany Heatley (right shoulder) back in the lineup at home against the Florida Panthers tomorrow, and captain Daniel Alfredsson (hip flexor) could return in the rematch against the Canadiens at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on Saturday.
Analysis
Ottawa is simply too good and Montreal still too shaky. Ottawa will get their stars back and be just fine. Like the stock market, just ride this one out.
Links
Recap of last night's game.
NHL Standings
Sport - Hockey
Event - Ottawa Senators lose to the Montreal Canadiens 4-3. The win pushed the Canadiens to one point behind the front-running Senators in the NHL Eastern Conference standings, with a rematch set for Saturday in Ottawa.
Point to say - "So Ottawa lost again last night!"
Follow up point - "Do you think Montreal will pass Ottawa in the standings?"
Get out of the conversation - "Are you going to watch Lost?"
Backgrounder
The Ottawa Senators started the season with an incredible win record. They had a losing streak shortly after but until 10 games ago, things were going along just fine: first place in the Eastern Conference, solid play by their leading scorers. The last 11 games though, Ottawa has only won three times.
There is a chance the Senators could have Dany Heatley (right shoulder) back in the lineup at home against the Florida Panthers tomorrow, and captain Daniel Alfredsson (hip flexor) could return in the rematch against the Canadiens at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on Saturday.
Analysis
Ottawa is simply too good and Montreal still too shaky. Ottawa will get their stars back and be just fine. Like the stock market, just ride this one out.
Links
Recap of last night's game.
NHL Standings
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Perfection not achieved, but a perfect final.
Prelude - In the world of sports, it is very rare that we see perfection. Golfer Tiger Woods running off an incredible win streak is the closest sports fans have seen in recent years. In football, perfection has been achieved only once in 42 years. So, when a team knocks on the door it is worth taking notice. However, bigger than perfection, if such is possible, is the upset. Last night created drama that has not been seen in sports in quite some time, and perhaps for a while yet to come. It will be the talk of Monday. Get ready to join in.
Sport - Football
Event - Superbowl #42. The New England Patriots vs the New York Giants. The Giants win the game 17-14 on a last minute touchdown. An incredible upset, but simply put, an incredibly exciting game.
Point to say - "Did you watch the Superbowl last night?"
Follow up point - "Do you think the Giants defence were the reason New England lost?"
Get out of the conversation - "So, the writers strike is settled. You going to watch the Oscars?
Backgrounder
The Championship game for the National Football League is known as the Superbowl. It is not just a game put a huge American Icon and party. It generates television ratings that are far above anything else shown on tv.
The finalists were the undefeated Patriots, a team profiled all season long here at Sports and the City. This team looked unstopable on its way to the Championship game. Their openent, an underdog if there ever was one: the New York Giants. The lost their first two games of the season. However, despite incredible odds, the Giants pulled it off on their last play and became the Champions.
All season the story in football has been the New England Patriots. This team has come close to loosing a couple of times but pulled it off to go 16 wins and 0 loses during the regular season schedule. Winning both their playoff games, they were very large betting favourites to win the Superbowl. The only team to really come close to defeating them during the regular season was the Giants. So, even though all fans though it was going to go the Patriots way, everyone knew the match was at least going to be good.
It was the defence that played extraordinary for the Giants. They shut down the Patriots like no one had so far this year.
Analysis
An incredible tight and exciting game was this year's Superbowl. The lead changed four times in the last quarter. This had never happened before in the Superbowl. So when the Patriots took over the lead with two minutes left in the game, this looked like it would finally play out the when the fans expected even though they wouldn't win by a large margin.
The play of Eli Manning, the quarterback of the New York Giants saved the game by doging a hit but the highlight was an incredible (VERY incredible catch) made on the play. This will go into the higlights for decades to come.
Links
Read a great review of the game here by the Globe and Mail's Stephen Brunt.
Read about the Patriots season here.
Review post blogs about the patriots here.
Sport - Football
Event - Superbowl #42. The New England Patriots vs the New York Giants. The Giants win the game 17-14 on a last minute touchdown. An incredible upset, but simply put, an incredibly exciting game.
Point to say - "Did you watch the Superbowl last night?"
Follow up point - "Do you think the Giants defence were the reason New England lost?"
Get out of the conversation - "So, the writers strike is settled. You going to watch the Oscars?
Backgrounder
The Championship game for the National Football League is known as the Superbowl. It is not just a game put a huge American Icon and party. It generates television ratings that are far above anything else shown on tv.
The finalists were the undefeated Patriots, a team profiled all season long here at Sports and the City. This team looked unstopable on its way to the Championship game. Their openent, an underdog if there ever was one: the New York Giants. The lost their first two games of the season. However, despite incredible odds, the Giants pulled it off on their last play and became the Champions.
All season the story in football has been the New England Patriots. This team has come close to loosing a couple of times but pulled it off to go 16 wins and 0 loses during the regular season schedule. Winning both their playoff games, they were very large betting favourites to win the Superbowl. The only team to really come close to defeating them during the regular season was the Giants. So, even though all fans though it was going to go the Patriots way, everyone knew the match was at least going to be good.
It was the defence that played extraordinary for the Giants. They shut down the Patriots like no one had so far this year.
Analysis
An incredible tight and exciting game was this year's Superbowl. The lead changed four times in the last quarter. This had never happened before in the Superbowl. So when the Patriots took over the lead with two minutes left in the game, this looked like it would finally play out the when the fans expected even though they wouldn't win by a large margin.
The play of Eli Manning, the quarterback of the New York Giants saved the game by doging a hit but the highlight was an incredible (VERY incredible catch) made on the play. This will go into the higlights for decades to come.
Links
Read a great review of the game here by the Globe and Mail's Stephen Brunt.
Read about the Patriots season here.
Review post blogs about the patriots here.
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