House Under Fire...

With the Stanley Cup Final possibly ending tonight, we look ahead. Not to the off season, (as a Sens fan that's far to ominous...) no, to something perhaps even more dramatic: The White House visit. Or, possibility thereof. You see what used to be a cheesy, all be it unique opportunity, for athletes to take a few pictures and hand over a jersey to the Commander and Chief has dramatically changed since Donald Trump took office. When former NFL quarterback (why a guy who lead his team to a Super Bowl appearance is still a former quarterback is another story all together) Colin Kaepernick started taking a knee during the national anthem a few seasons ago to raise awareness about police brutality and social injustice towards African Americans, outrage soon followed. Outrage drummed up by the man in the Oval Office who outright lied about what Kaepernick was protesting, and framed him and others who followed as sons of bitches, who ought to be fired. How very Presidential. After this, teams like the NBA’s Golden State Warriors outright refused to visit with him, and this week President Trump dis-invited the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles before they could no-show the occasion, which is tantamount to the class bully inviting everyone over, only to cancel the event in order to be spared the inevitable embarrassment.

With game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight in Las Vegas, the Washington Capitals are one win away from hoisting Lord Stanley’s mug for the first time in franchise history. A Stanley Cup championship team, in his own back yard no less, not going, especially a hockey team where politics are avoided like the plague, seems impossible. But there is that potential, however unlikely. That said,when they or the Vegas Golden Knights do in all probability do go, not everyone is likely to make said trip. DeVante Smith-Pelly of the Capitals, one of the few black players in the NHL spoke up recently, making his feelings on Trump’s behaviour clear. “The things he spews are straight up raciest and sexiest. Some of the things he said are pretty gross…It hasn’t come up here, but I think I already have my mind made up.” Doesn’t sound like a man sitting on the fence. Earlier in the season Winnipeg Jets Captain Blake Wheeler, an American, spoke out on twitter as well, after Trump blasted NFL players for kneeling. It’s not often we see this in NHL, whose leaders generally freeze faster than an idle puck whenever politics are brought up. For many it’s refreshing. For others, it’s yet an example of the “stick to sports” or “shut up and dribble” mentality the President’s defenders cling to rather than face reality. However, years ago a hockey player on the other side of the isle made waves and many are trying to now compare the circumstances.

A number of people have pointed out, in the wake of many teams now choosing to boycott or abandon the White House visit, (you know, before its rescinded) that they’re being praised by the media for their actions while Tim Thomas was vilified by those same folks, for skipping the Bruins trip after their 2011 Stanley Cup win. Thomas wasn’t the first athlete to do so, and lets all remember, it is a free country and individuals are still able to do as they like, unless of course that’s kneeling in protest...That said comparing those two issues makes about as much sense as Democrats voting for Trump in the midterm elections.

Thomas skipped the visit and was grilled on why, eventually releasing a Facebook message saying he disagreed with the politics of President Barack Obama, certainly well within the realm of reasonable. Now, was Thomas called out in part because of his right leaning politics countering a well like Democratic President? By some, without a doubt, and to be fair athletes from other sports had skipped out on various Presidents before citing personal disagreements with particular policies or scheduling conflicts. However, the bigger issue was that in doing so, Tim Thomas ended up making it about Tim Thomas. The cardinal sin of the hockey world: putting himself before the team. He was an outlier. He wasn’t protesting a specific issue, trying to fight for a cause, nor had he presented any particular agenda. He simply didn’t like the guy in charge. Which is fair. I’m sure some other Bruins players weren’t Obama supporters either. So why cause a scene? What purpose did it serve other than to seem petty? To be an unnecessary distraction? Over the years whether it was Regan, Bush Sr. or Clinton, you honestly believe every athlete in attendance wanted to be there? That they all supported the guy in charge, Democrat or Republican?  As Michael Jordan famously said, “Republicans buy sneakers too!” They saw it for what it was, at least before Trump took office, a harmless if corny photo-op that, generally, wasn’t particularly politicised by either side. A perfunctory sort of pat on the back with a few mediocre jokes forced in to cut through the awkwardness.

Then in 2016, shortly after the Cubs won the World Series, and Trump was elected, the conversation came up amongst friends and the million dollar question was posed: “If you were invited to the White House to celebrate a championship, would you go?” At the time, I said yes. That though I vehemently disagree with the politics and behaviour of the man in charge, I respect the office and could put personal feelings aside. Also the opportunity to visit one of the world’s most famous buildings would be special. Teams seemed to agree at first as well, a contingent from the Cubs went. Most of the New England Patriots went. Considering the close relationship between the owner Robert Kraft, coach Bill Belicheck and the President this wasn’t a shock. They were however, minus Tom Brady, though he is as far as I know, he’s still friends with the President. The Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins, in a scene more awkward than me trying to get a date, showed up as well, all be it after much consternation and debate, (not to mention a questionably timed tweet). This visit was a perhaps the most scrutinised  as it was just after, as only The Donald can, he’d started speaking…

Trump, a man who shouts patriotism from the highest peaks at every opportunity, this week couldn’t even remember the words to God Bless America, (a tune school children can recite at will) at a staged ‘Patriotic Event’ to replace the Philadelphia Eagles visit, and he railed on Twitter, again, against the NFL players stance and the league, of predominantly black athletes, for this behaviour. He’d previously called them sons of bitches, suggesting they lose their job or be deported simply for exercising their first amendment rights. All this from an individual who is ONLY president because of said first amendment! A spoiled rich kid eventually growing into a pompous blowhard who made his living as a supposed ‘real estate genius’ bilking people with less money in business deals, only to repeatedly go bankrupt, in between thousands of lawsuits, before spawning a TV Show where he’d spout his now infamous “Your Fired” catch phrase, thus ensuring the impeachment memes will write themselves…And yet he’s attacked those who are protesting not their country, or the flag, the military or the anthem. A conn man who has manage to convince others they’re trying to destroy the nation or are somehow un-American simply because they’re attempting to make things better. They’re simply trying to raise awareness about a social justice issue as civil rights leaders past have done. As LeBron James put it, “He’s using sports to divide us.”

I understand the risk you run taking a stance like this during the anthem, and I’m sure Colin Kaepernick did as well. People, naturally associate it with their country and not paying what they deem due respect to the flag can incite the kind of anger we are seeing, however short sighted it is. Personally I have great respect for the anthem and the flag. I’m the sort of person who stands for our own Canadian anthem and the American one, even if I’m watching at home alone…seriously…and if the NFL players had ever spoken a negative word about their country, the military or the flag, I’d understand the outrage. If their protest had hadn’t been peaceful or they’d tried to incite civil unrest, I would see why others were upset. But the fact of the matter is they haven’t. They’ve been nothing be civil, clear and unified in their coherent message and have paid a great deal of respect and praise to the military in the process. Not to mention, thirty years ago this wasn’t even an issue. The players stayed in the locker room until the anthem was over. Where was the outrage then? The vitriol? This sort of drummed up patriotism can be a double edged sword and is clearly cutting a line through the nation.

In the “Land of the Free” where “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” are supposedly of paramount importance, the administration has made clear it’s their way or the highway. The NFL owners have even admitted they caved into the pressure from the President. Cowards, who’ve abandoned their work force and the notion that: “I may disagree with what you say but I’ll fight to the death for your right to say it.” Instead men like Ted Cruz paint these athletes as spoiled, ungrateful millionaires...though I imagine with his looks I’d avoid looking in mirrors as well…ignoring the fact that they’ve put their blood , sweat and tears into this endeavour, giving back both time and millions of their own dollars to help their communities. Other leagues like the NBA have worked with their coaches and players to create an environment where they feel free to speak up about social issues and be aware of the world they live in, to understand the power they have to make a difference. Does everyone agree with their stances? Of course not. San Antonio Spurs head coach Greg Popovich was greeted with a ton of anger by Spurs fans who support Trump, feeling he insulted them with his comments. Steve Kerr coach of the Golden State Warriors, and Popovich protégé, is another outspoken man who is not afraid to go after the President. Stars like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Steph Curry have as well and what are they met with in the media? “Shut up and Dribble.” That these predominately black leagues are being singled out or criticised can in no way be seen as a coincidence. If Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers were leading these protests, would the reaction have been the same? And what stance does a predominately white league like the NHL take? Do they have the guts to stand by "Hockey is for everyone!" Or does the John Tortorella "I''d bench the guy!" mentality prevail?

I had a grandfather who served in WW2. I grew up near one of the largest military bases in Canada and know several active service members. To the extent I can, I understand the sacrifices these men and women make on our behalf every day. I have nothing but the utmost respect for what they do. For the freedom they help provide. It’s symbolic that the anniversary of D-Day was yesterday when men and women fought against a man who sought to control those freedoms, to warp people’s minds to his way of thinking. Who realised the tyranny he represented. Part of freedom is the right to peaceful protest. To speak our mind. This right is literally the 1st amendment. They realised that the flag represents not only the military but all those within a nation who seek to uphold it's values.To not be told by the government to leave the country or lose our job because of a dissenting opinion. With Trump there is no alternative. If you don't agree with him you're against him. With all the petulant drama of a teenage soap opera, he sits in his office, like a mad king who has openly suggested he can pardon himself should the Russian investigation prove his collusion, without the slightest notion of diplomacy or reasoning. forcing one to take sides. That said I’m not naïve enough to believe this is a simple conversation. It’s not easy to admit that racism, in this day and age, is still prevalent, that this is ultimately the reason behind the anger. But it is. 

Trump is capable of double speak Orwell could only dream of and convincing people that those who are simply trying to help make things better for others in their own country don’t deserve to live in it isn’t just dictatorial, or scary, it’s more un-American than anything Colin Kaepernick’s stance has ever represented.

Sens of Entitlement

"If it becomes a disaster here, yeah!".... Happy Holidays Sens fans!

I'm not gonna fault Eugene Melnyk for thinking in line with any other owner in professional sport. If the situation becomes untenable you'd be foolish not to look elsewhere. Thing is, it hasn't, and by answering the question about moving the team (which to be fair he was asked) in this manner he ignited what he had to know would be a firestorm that would keep the eternal flame on Parliament Hill burning for a millennium.

I'm no PR expert but I'm pretty sure this wasn't going to go on 'how to' reels. Instead of spouting off incendiary remarks he easily could have steered the questions in another direction or made it all about what it should've been in the first place. The NHL 100 classic. The focus of the leagues' attention was on Ottawa. Thousands of fans were gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the NHL and enjoy the spectacular, all be it chilly, setting at Parliament Hill for the alumni game Friday night followed by the match up with the rival Montreal Canadiens at TD Place Stadium on Saturday. He may have perhaps mentioned that it was about two huge points for his franchise which he assured people "are a playoff team", or that many Sens legends had returned to celebrate with the fan-base. Instead it was about him.

His comments in and of them self certainly weren't the most egregious thing one could have said. As point out by Sportsnet's Tim and Sid (Shout out for airing my tweet!) had they been said at another time, it likely doesn't cause anywhere near the commotion, especially as it was hypothetical and he stated he has no intentions of moving the team anywhere. However, as Chris Johnston point out on the show, timing is everything and this was the straw that broke the camel's back.

To start there's the team's record. They've been struggling, the fan base was already edgy, so you'd think coming off a big win against the Rangers and into a fun filled weekend you'd want to build on that....or so common sense would suggest.

Then there were Erik Karlsson's comments on his upcoming contract and Melnyk's subsequent reaction. Karlsson said when asked that he wants to get paid what he's worth. He reiterated he hopes its in Ottawa but it is a business. Not exactly reassuring for those in Sens Army, but no reason to blow a gasket either. Apparently that wasn't the case for Eugene. He wasn't happy his star player spoke so honestly and there was apparently a heated discussion amongst the sides. So you can forgive Sens fans for noting the hypocrisy here. Melnyk is moaning and groaning about not selling out every game, putting money in his pocket (after all its a business) but heaven forbid your BEST player, one of the top players in the entire league suggest he get a fair shake!! For shame!! If you're having trouble selling tickets with him...

Then came the Kyle Turris bombshell. He revealed he was disappointed he couldn't remain in Ottawa and that the GM wanted to sign him to an extension but the owner didn't. GM Pierre Dorian promptly played the role of good soldier and refuted this claim saying all hockey decisions go through him, prompting Turris's wife to LOL at these remarks on Twitter. To be fair a significant contract like that would be discussed with any owner, but its the constant whispers of meddling, and many still blaming Melnyk for favourite son Daniel Alfredsson's departure from the team, twice, along with the unceremonious departure of Cyril Leeder earlier this year, a man who played a significant role in hockey returning to the capital, and the evidence is starting to pile up.

Then, for good measure, there was the New York comparison. He noted that playoff tickets in New York were going for a $1000 dollars, making it sound as if Sens fans should be grateful they only have to pay a few hundred! The man's a saint! This merely reinforced to many how out of touch he is with the average fan in his market. I'm not suggesting they give them away (though I'd take them), but lets be realistic. Ottawa is a predominantly government town. Many haven't been paid in ages because of the debacle that is the Phoenix pay system, nor are they allowed to take tickets as gifts from corporations. There aren't a huge amount of corporate sponsors here so its on regular working class people to shell out their hard earned money. They're around the top third in ticket prices per game despite being a smaller market. Unlike Manhattan it's not a place where you can throw a rock down the street and hit three millionaires. If the prices were lower you'd likely see an increase in attendance and all that comes along with it revenue wise: parking, concessions etc...

To be fair Sens fans can be fickle. This isn't Montreal or Toronto where you sell out simply by virtue of existing, and this can be a sore spot for some. You can't sugarcoat those financial realities and he's certainly not to blame for them. However, if the situation were truly that dire, they wouldn't have survived here this long. Oh, and about those playoff seats many, including himself, are quick to point out weren't sold, they were in later rounds when prices were once again jacked through the roof.

Lets play devil's advocate for a moment, Melnyk didn't build the rink out in Kanata. The prospect of a new downtown arena at Lebreton Flats would certainly help in the attendance regard. Lets face it, atmosphere counts and a parking lot is, well lets just say maybe Bills Mafia could help but aside from that...They need look no further than down the street at TD Place where the CFL's RedBlacks have revitalised Lansdowne and doing very well. Having a winner helps too mind you, but its hard to deny the fun around the game has been a major factor in their success. People are sick of driving out to the middle of nowhere and shelling out $20-30 bucks for parking before even getting in the door. A development similar to what other cities like Edmonton have seen would be a boon to the city and the team.

That said lets not pretend the Sens attendance has plummeted off the map. They've been among the top half of the league for years. I'm not going to argue that Melnyk doesn't want the team to be successful, if only to fill his own pocket book, and the franchise certainly hasn't been run into the ground on his watch, but the way he's gone about it has become tiresome.

Owners are always going to view it as a business and fans should't expect them to bleed for the franchise the same way they do, but many here are sick and tired of the seeming disregard ownership has for them. Ironic given that he reached out to this same community when he needed a liver transplant and they came through for him. He often comes off as self serving, noting he's finally spending money on the team, but lets not pretend that's always been the case (see: internal salary cap). There are reports of scouts worrying they'll not get reimbursed for expenses and discontent within the organisation. At the end of the day its his team and he's free to do what he wants but how exactly is picking fights with star players and fans going to win you any favour? What's irked so many is the appearance that Melnyk simply views them as nothing more than an ATM. The outpouring of anger wasn't just about his comments, but they certainly were the match. Fans are speaking up, question is will the NHL take notice?

Stop the Presses...?

An interesting argument's brewing on social media right now thanks to a comment by Mark Spector of Sportsnet who derided guys who admit to feeling media pressure, suggesting they should be traded because you can't win with them. Mentally weak was him assessment...as some would suggest his take was. But nonetheless, I get that the press needs to be honest (insert fake news joke here) and I'm certainly not advocating that every article has to be glowing (unlike some leaders...) by any means. However, it does beg the question where's the line between honest criticism and negativity for the sake of it?

We need only take a look at the fans and media's reaction in this country when things aren't going well to see how ugly it can get. If you listened to Sens Twitter right now you'd think they were 0-22. Edmonton's down one day, up the next and Montreal is well, Montreal. Vincent Lecavalier won a cup in Tampa Bay and was one of the best players of his generation. He also made it known he had no desire to leave for Montreal because of the pressure that comes with playing in that market. He was called out by some because of this but I'd never characterise him as mentally weak. Joe Thornton has spoken on many occasions about his love for playing in California. How you can go to practise in shorts and walk around town without being recognised...presumably in his pre-Grizzly Adams days. Hockey players generally aren't much for the spotlight and when all that light is negative it makes it even harder to deal with.

We're all accountable in our line of work and holding these players to such a level isn't the issue as I see it. It's how easy it is to belittle them for faltering under this intense pressure while not having to deal with it yourself. Unlike a writer if they get negative feedback players can't just hit the block button and hide behind their laptop thinking themselves beyond reproach. It's easy to criticise (fun too!) especially when you're as established as many of the prominent hockey pundits here in Canada are. Lets face it, short of a Hollywood-esque scandal these guys aren't going anywhere. That type of security leads to comfort which can lead to arrogance when it comes to your approach in covering the team. You see fault and you start to feel that you know more than the guys on the ice or upstairs, that your insight is flawless. If you write a lousy article or a take someone disagrees with you may get hammered on social media but it doesn't impact your life in anywhere near as serious a  manner. You are so unwavering in your belief, right or wrong, that you don't care. You're up their on your pedestal scoffing at anyone who dares to disagree. That's not the case in the NHL.

One of my favourite lines the last few years was from the Blue Jays John Donaldson when discussing the team's slump. He said "this isn't the try league, it's the get it done league". One could hardly sum up professional sports any better. Now, I'm not gonna feel too terrible for a bunch of multi-millionaires who play a game they love for a living, but I can see where they're coming from given this expectation. When you get paid what they do you're expected to perform. Period. That's definitely not unreasonable, few things are in fact more reasonable, so being criticised for not carrying your weight is, as Taylor Hall pointed out, not unfair. Its all part of the business. But if all people write about is the negativity and feed into that downward spiral, how is one not affected? It becomes a slippery slope that snowballs rapidly. Hall, refreshingly, pointed out the human side of the game and speaking, far as I know, as a human being, it'd definitely be something that's hard to drown out. Hall had personal success in spite of it, but to write guys off because their confidence is shaken when all they see is trade rumours in the paper everyday or constant articles detailing how it's their fault the team is failing, it's not easy at all. That's not say these things shouldn't be written about, facts are facts, but its how they're presented that matters. Thees are grown men and we need not treat them with kid gloves, but what would you do when people see you and start giving you a hard time at the mall or grocery store? When you're being made to feel that you're letting an entire community down? Easy to say "they know what they signed up for!" not so easy to brush aside.

That's not to say it's easy to write, believe me, particularity with the ever evolving media market. However, these columnists don't have to live with the same type of burden those they cover do, so they can fire shot after shot with little recourse. If a player doesn't succeed it can mean a demotion, a trade, a family being up rooted. It's not writers kids at school hearing about it. It's rarely their job on the line. All a difficult part of the industry, and one that players and coaches inevitably have to deal with. It's a part of why they get paid so well. But to say that it doesn't affect you is asinine. Look at the results when guys have moved on. Taylor Hall, who to be fair always put up solid numbers, continues to in New Jersey and Jordan Eberle has been revitalised on Long Island. A fresh start can make a world of difference because mentally they're in a better place. Why have people avoided coming to the Maple Leafs over the years? Because they don't want to shoulder that burden. It's why guys who have won there are so revered and why those like Jonathan Drouin who speak about embracing the challenge in Montreal are praised by the media.

I see why hockey writers are so quick to defend their craft, and why both sides of this argument elicit valid points. No GM, owner, coach or player should be able to avoid answering the tough questions when they aren't meeting expectations, like anyone else. Without honest writing to look at what the team is doing, and holding them to a certain level of accountability, it does a disservice to fans and its why great writers are so respected. That said, there's an art to tactfully and honestly assessing people. Often the truth hurts and we should never be afraid to speak it. I'm not all about participation ribbons and avoiding pointing out the facts because someones feeling may be hurt. Such is life. However, there's a line there somewhere where it can become personal. Just ask Jason Spezza who got tired of being the whipping boy here in Ottawa and asked to be traded because of it.The fans turned on him, much of it fuelled by the press, and he had enough. A genuine critique is a necessary part of the business but when you see things like this start to happen, is it time to take a harder look at how they're covered? Some may laugh this off, suggesting players are soft, overly sensitive and indulged. Some well may be, after all these are elite athletes one generally assumes aren't lacking for confidence. That said even the greats face self doubt at times and if you're constantly living in a negative head space, escape is a welcomed relief. Why do you think so many have turned to sports psychologists? It's simple to fire off an angry column or tweet, but do we really understand the ramifications of what they're going through? We all face pressure at our jobs and worry about providing for loved ones, (like I said I don't feel too bad for a bunch of rich guys) but imagine if on top of that you had your name scrawled across the paper everyday demanding you be fired. If every decision you made was analysed to death. Not something most of us are equipped to deal with. In this click bait, 24/7 press world, columns and headlines everywhere often focus on the negative because we as a society seem to feed into it. Lets face it, its often more fun to read and write when you can take a funny shot at someone rather than deliver a puff piece lauding their success like some sycophantic fan. And to be fair to those of us who do endeavour to write, if all we ever did was gush about how great things were we'd be equally (and rightfully) lambasted.

What can we gleam from all this? Well, like most things in life there's a happy medium somewhere. Like any good night out, you gotta know when to say enough. Writers, be critical, be honest, be fair but most importantly be respectful. Players, remember what got you here in the first place and accept honest criticism like we all have to face in the workplace. Be a lot easier for us all.

Rewriting the (Rule) Book

The NHL saw a pair of 10 game suspension handed down this week and, well, that's about where the similarity between the two ends. You may as well be comparing apples to pucks in terms of how they were decided.

To start there was a good old fashioned dust up late in the Flames Red Wings game last Wednesday. It began when the Wings Luke Witkowski who was headed to the dressing room was apparently slashed...? by the Flames Matthew Tkachuk who was, well, being Matthew Tkachuk. Anyway, all hell broke lose and, fairly or unfairly, Witkowski now pays the price. That's because when a player returns to the ice to fight it's an automatic 10 game suspension, per NHL rules. Now in this case, it kinda seem like a lot. The player was literally only a few steps down the tunnel when Tkachuk tapped him with his stick and he then turned around and charged back out. The idea of this rule was to prevent the wild, all be it entertaining, incidents that were common place in the 60-80's. The NHL set about instituting a strict punishment and you'd have to argue that it's worked well. However, as Wings coach Jeff Blashill pointed out circumstance should be taken into account. While the spirit of the rule is to be admired, was this really something that was 10 game worthy when hits, and dirty plays (like the one we'll get to) often get far less? Tkachuk was suspended 1 game for his part and it may not seem fair but the fact is the rule is clear (even if Witkowski was apparently unaware of it) applied accordingly, and he won't appeal.

This brought to mind the Denis Wideman and Antoine Vermette incidents where players contacted an official and were subject to similarly clear rules (OK, maybe less clear in the Wideman saga...) and subsequently suspended as a result. If the punishment for these types of incidents is laid out by the letter of the law, it begs the question, could the league change the rule book to implement stricter punishment in other situations where a lengthy suspension should be the outcome?

The second suspension stemmed from the Flyers Jets game where the Flyers Radko Gudas attempted to remove Jet Matthieu Perreault's head, which inevitably had people calling for his. The league responded with a ten game suspension that many feel wasn't enough, especially given the repeat nature of the idiot, um, offender. I understand why people would like to see a harsher penalty, (particularly to a guy like Gudas) there's no place in the game for that crap, but the fact is, with the current structure in place, it's not that simple.

First off with any suspension there has to be proof of intent and the fact is the league has no idea what's going on in Gudas's head (spoiler alert, not a hell of a lot). As mentioned he's a repeat offender and a guy who walks the line constantly. However, the act itself isn't enough and unless the file against you fills up a hockey bag (ala Raffi Torres) odds are he wasn't gonna get more. This begins to shine a light on one of the biggest problems in the league when it comes to discipline: how do you protect the players from themselves and punish these sorts of acts in such a way that more strongly discourages them?

If the league had gone to 20 games for example, Gudas would be quick (far more so than he is on the ice) and foolish not to go to an independent body to appeal, both from a professional and financial standpoint - Gudas will forfeit over 400k in salary as a result of this suspension. Then there's the process. The body involved in appeals is not a hockey one and what may be seen as obvious to some in the game may not be to them. They simply look at what's happened in similar incidents and apply justice as such. Gudas was falling forward and I've heard (morons) argue that he simply lost balance and didn't have any sort of control over what he was doing. There's also the fact that Perreault (thankfully) wasn't seriously injured on the play. These mitigating circumstance would be argued and a reduction in games would likely be the outcome. The NHL would rather not push the envelope by trying to implement such a lengthy ban then look bad by losing in arbitration.

The issue then becomes precedent. The fact that the player would probably win isn't because he wasn't wrong in committing whatever transgression got him suspended, but simply because the league, generally, hasn't tossed guys for long periods of time previously so it wouldn't seem fair to do so. Sure you have the odd Dale Hunter or Chris Simon thrown in but for the most part 10 games is seen as a sort of max for this sort of thing.

This got me to thinking should the league look at rule changes that would remove the sort of grey areas that lead to arbitration? Whether it's head shots, stick work, whatever, can they find a system that would outline the proper suspension? While I'm sure the players would jump at this idea, it may simply lend itself to further grey areas. Not all these plays are going to fit into a nice little box you can merely check off and say that's what they should get. However, it'd be a start and provide a much clearer guideline to work from.

Or do they go another route and put more weight on previous suspensions and punish repeat offenders more harshly? While this is already, supposedly, taken into account by the NHL's Department of Player Safety, should they up the anti make the punishment more sever to these particular players? To be fair Gudas likely would've gotten less had he not been a repeat offender, but how do you explain to the casual fan that these two guys got the same suspension given the optics? Not that the fight in Detroit looked like a picnic, but one is clearly more egregious than the other.

The whole thing seems contradictory because you're talking about protecting players from players and essentially the same body is arguing for both their rights, so should the victim's plight not be given more weight? Whatever the case the league, and the players association, need to take a serious look at how they dole out discipline. That's not to say there's been a rash of incidents like this, but until the issue is addressed there really isn't a strong enough deterrent in place to prevent guys from acting out.

What About Bob...? Ryan Key to Sens Success

The Sens surprised well, damn near everyone last season, with an Eastern Conference Finals appearance. It took a heartbreaking Game 7 double overtime loss to the eventual Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins to stall this magical run. As much as Guy Boucher’s ‘The System’ was a rallying cry for the Sens faithful, and a key part of their success, (much to the malign of many in the hockey world)  last I checked you still need to outscore your opponent to win. A huge part of their run was Bobby Ryan returning to form after a lacklustre regular season. If the Senators want to again find themselves among the East’s elite, they’ll need Ryan to produce at his highest level.

THE TRADE:

With Daniel Alfreddson’s unexpected departure for Detroit, (on July 5th 2013) Sens GM Bryan Murray had to act fast. The Flash rarely moves quicker. Later that same day he filled this void by acquiring Bobby Ryan, whom he had long coveted, from Anaheim in exchange for young forwards Jacob Silfverberg, Stefan Noesen and  a 2014 1^st round draft pick (which they used to acquire Nick Ritchie). Silvferberg has been solid for the Ducks while Ritchie has yet to live up to the billing. Noesen bounced back and forth between the Ducks and the AHL, eventually being claimed off waivers by the New Jersey Devils.  

Ryan certainly wasn’t expected to replace Alfredsson, at least not in a leadership capacity, though to be fair, few could. He was however, going to be counted on to carry the load offensively after four 30 goal seasons with the Ducks. (Granted even I may be able to put up 7 riding shotgun with Getzlaf and Perry, but we digress.) He’s yet to crack that number with the Sens (he had 23 his first season) and at his 7 million dollar price-tag, patience is waning. Ryan himself joke that the Vegas Golden Knights wouldn’t pick up his contract should he be exposed in the expansion draft. (They didn’t) 7 million doesn’t get you what it used to…

After just 13 goals and 25 points in 62 games last regular season let’s just say there was something left to be desired, both by the organisation and, to be fair, Ryan himself. This is a player who holds himself to a higher standard and does have a level of intensity to his game. (Brian Burke’s opinion not withstanding …) However, it was the intermittent flashes of it that grew so frustrating. At times he’d go on a run for a few games and look like the elite top line winger the Sens had envisioned. Then he’d disappear for what felt like an eternity. Goal scorers are by nature a streaky bunch but he was colder than an Ottawa winter. The Sens aren’t exactly a high flying offensive unit to begin with, particularly with Clarke MacArthur out, (That Spezza trade just keeps paying dividends...) so when top guys go long stretches without producing it can get ugly in a hurry.

FRESH START:

The great thing about any new season is the opportunity to start over. The playoffs are no different. You don’t get within a goal of the Stanley Cup Final without contributions from top players and Ryan stepped up big time in the post season, showcasing the sort of game Sens fans had anticipated since his arrival. He tallied 6 goals and his 15 points in 19 playoff games lead all Senators forwards (Demi God Erik Karlsson was not to be upstaged) resulting in an Eastern Conference Final birth along with a collective “Where the hell was that all year?!” from Sens nation. As a result Ryan came into this season with a renewed confidence, a better mental state after dealing with some personal issues and a commitment to be the player he knows he can be.

The old adage actions speak louder than words is never more true than in the world of professional sports and getting off to a quick start this season has placated the fan-base (for now). He’s seemingly found some chemistry with Derek Brassard and Mark Stone. Their line has been solid through the first six games, though we’ll not jump to nickname status just yet. Now, granted, while four points through six games isn’t exactly going to generate any Art Ross buzz, when you consider last seasons totals, it’s a welcomed sight. Ryan’s career average is 0.70 PPG so if he can get back anywhere close to that, the Sens should be in a position to contend for (at the very least) a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Puck Drop: 2017

#HockeyIsBack

It's that time of year again so we'll drop the puck an take a quick shift to look at a few story lines for each of the 31 teams.

Anaheim Ducks: The Ducks are coming off a conference final appearance and boast a line up full of veteran talent, who are generally as popular as a socks for Christmas. They added veteran goaltender Ryan Miller to either back up or challenge John Gibson for the number one spot depending on Randy Carlyle's temperament. They have a talented blueline with a mix of emerging young stars and veterans, and if thees Ducks can fly together there's a chance they can make another Stanley Cup run.

Arizona Coyotes: The Coyotes are a team many thought would take a step forward last season but their bark was worse than their bite and the desert dogs were just that. If this team wants to get out of the dog house their young pups need to step up and live up to their talent. The addition of Antti Raanta ideally helps solidify the net position after Mike Smith left for Calgary, so it's up to the rest of the team to make that push.

Boston Bruins: The Bruins squeaked into the playoffs last season and were bounced by the Sens in the first round. Their biggest move of the off season was resigning David Pastrnak to a contract extension. They have a mix of veterans and young stars coming along so it will likely be an up and down year. Captain Zedno Chara is bound for the hall of fame but how much does he have left after appearing to lose a step last season. There isn't a ton of depth upfront so (filed under painfully obvious)  human mosquito Brad Marchand will have to continue to produce at an elite level if the B's have any chance of competing in the Atlantic division.

Buffalo Sabres: The Sabres made some big moves in the off season firing head coach Dan Bylsma and GM Tim Murray and named star centre Jack Eichel the new GM...I mean signed him to an 8 year 80 million dollar extension. New head coach Phil Housley takes over a team that has a lit of young talent but has a lot to prove before that bandwagon starts filling up.

Calgary Flames: Well, all was quiet on the western front....After adding Mike Smith to presumable improve their goaltending (really only had one way to go) and Travis Hamonic to an already strong blueline, arguably one of the best in the league, the Flames look poised to be a contender in the west. If nothing else they'll be driven by their long time Alberta rival. To top it all off, the legend himself Jaromir Jagr and his mullet will don the flaming C this season. He may not set the ice on fire but if he can be effective on the Power Play, the Flames will make a run.

Carolina Hurricanes: The Canes days of getting blown away appear to be coming to an end. They have a young team poised to make a playoff push in the east for the first time in years. They are in tough in the Metropolitan Division and a lot of things will have to go right for them to make it, but it's certainly a possibility. A lot of that rests on new acquisition Scott Darling (goaltending matters folks) but if he can be what they expect GM Ron Francis has them headed in the right direction.

Chicago Blackhawks: The Blackhawks off season was overshadowed by the whole Marion Hossa saga. Cap circumvention seems about as trendy as Yoga these days and so when a team as desperate for cap space can pull this off there will always by cynics but they will miss him. Big time. He's a special talent not easily replaced. Their core remains in tact and Sadd and Sharp are back so they will be competitive in the West but that window may be closing.

Colorado Avalanche: When an Avalanche gets rolling its hard to stop...for better or worse. When GM Joe Sakic was playing for this team, it meant Stanley Cup glory, these days its, what can go wrong next? The franchise is not on good terms with one of its best players Matt Duchene (who looked more like a hostage in his pre season photo op than as all star) and are coming off one of, if not thee, worst seasons in the salary cap era. So yeah, other than that all's great in the mile high city...The Duchene drama will hopefully be dealt with, for all our sake, sooner than later, and they can hopefully get back to rebuilding a one proud organisation.

Columbus Blue Jackets: The Blue Jackets were one of the surprise teams last season vaulting up near the top of the Eastern Conference mainly backed by a stellar Power Play and goalie Sergi Bobrovski. Will this continue? Maybe. They have a solid lineup and look to be a contender in the east but will be hard pressed to repeat that season. The Torts effect tends to wear thin after a while as well, shocking given his puppy dog personality, so we'll see if this go around is any different.

Dallas Stars: Two years removed from finishing the regular season first in the west, the Stars missed the playoffs last year and were arguably the most disappointing team in the league last year. The yoyo looks to continue as many, (with good reason) have picked them to bounce back in the big way. They added Texas sized goalie Ben Bishop and Defenceman Marc Methot to bolster the back end along with Alex Radulov to supplement an already potent offence. Coach Ken Hitchcock returns behind the bench where he won a Stanley Cup in 1999 looking to return them to glory. They do things bigger in Big D and the Stars hope a let down isn't one of them.

Detroit Red Wings: We're going streaking...no more. After an incredible run of 25 straight post season appearances and four Stanley Cup championships the Red Wings missed the playoffs last season, and will likely start a streak of another kind. After years of trading the future for success the time has come to pay the piper and they rebuild has begun. They don't look poised to push for a playoff spot so at least they got a new arena...

Edmonton Oilers: Good things come to those who wait...and wait...After a decade of misery in the Alberta capital the Oliers made the post season and look poised to be a real contender this year. After backing up a Brinks truck to sign Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, they have a solid core moving forward. Cam Talbot was great last season and as long as he's consistent the glory days may indeed return to the 'City of Champions'.

Florida Panthers: The enigma in Florida goes way beyond counting all those empty seats. They looked like an up and coming team a few seasons ago, then last year happened. A fired coach, injuries and a disappointing performance later, where are we? They have a lot of young guys and solid goaltending but what will it all amount to? They let two of their top scorers go in the entry draft, because well, why not, so this will be one of the more unpredictable squads to watch moving forward.

Los Angeles Kings: The Kings have fallen off their throne. After winning two Stanley Cups with their core they missed the playoffs and don't appear poised to be crowned anytime soon. They have Kings legends Luc Robitaille and Rob Blake running things now, who, while sharp hockey minds are in their first go around in such a position. Drew Doughty will need a new contract before long and they have young starts to resign as well, so the kingdom has much to do.

Minnesota Wild: The Wild had a great regular season last year, relying on Devan Dubnyk heavily at times. Like really, heavily. They have a lot of talent throughout the roster but getting over that hump remains the challenge. Ultimate they'll compete in the west, probably making the playoffs then inevitable realise Bruce Boudreau is still their coach...

Montreal Canadiens: There's never a dull moment in La Belle Province. They put the fan in fanatic and the Habs off season drama was mostly centred around, centre. Or the lack there of. They signed Alex Galchenyuk presumably to play up the middle, then promptly announced he wouldn't. They acquired Jonathan Drouin for a promosing young prospect and lost ling time Hab Andre Markov as well as Alex Radulov. Despite the fact they won the division and look to be strong again there was constant turmoil and a lot of questions moving forward but hey, at least Carey Price is locked up...

Nashville Predators: The music city was rocking last season. The Preds lost in the Stanley Cup finals to the Penguins but took the hockey world by storm in the process. The city looked great in showcasing one of the non-traditional market and hopefully others take notice. They have a steady D core, solid goaltending (at least when Rinne plays at home...) and finishers up front. They lost captain Mike Fisher to retirement so new captain Roman Josi will have to lead this bunch moving forward. Losing Ryan Ellis to start the year hurts as there's little margin for error in the West.

New Jersey Devils: The Devil went down to...Switzerland? Whatever works. The Devils won the draft lottery, and little else, last season and selected Swiss born forward Nico Hischier with the top pick. They lost veteran Mike Cammalleri so look to the future to return to the glory days. Much again will ride on Cory Schneider in net. Ultimately the Meto division may prove too tough a task but they should be improved if only to give the Devil his due...

New York Islanders: If they started their own soap opera would anyone be surprised? Whether it's arena question, a rink they only moved into a few years back, what to do with Captain John Tavares or who will be their goalie moving forward, there's a lot of questions around this squad. They did finish strong under Doug Weight last season after firing mullet enthusiast Jack Capuano. Weight has the job full time for his first season and looks to get them back into the post season.

New York Rangers: The Rangers bought out long time dman Dan Girardi and sent backup goalie Annti Raanta along with Derek Stepan to Arizona. They lost in the second round of the playoffs to Ottawa and one wonders how many more runs 'King' Henrik Lundqvist has left in him. They lack the flashy names up front they used to have, or those names lack the lash they once had, (*Rick Nash*) so it will have to be done by committee in the Big Apple. They did thrown big money at a free agent (Kevin Shattenkirk) because, New York. There is enough talent there to compete but the depth will be tested against the best of the East.

Ottawa Senators: "What have I done to be treated with such disrespect" might as well be written across the Sens uniform. They were a goal away from making the Stanley Cup final and most are writing this off as luck. You don't win by luck in the NHL. And yes, the Sens could certainly take a step back, largely due to the improved teams in their division, but the reality is as long as they stay healthy their frustrating, if not exactly flashy, defensive style combined with solid goaltending, game breaking talent up front and the best denfenceman in the world Eric Karlsson they have a shot in the East.

Philadelphia Flyers: They Flyers are probably sick of seeing their biggest rival continue to succeed as they sputter along. Well, it's not gonna change anytime soon. They Flyers should push for a playoff spot but goaltending is a question mark...again...and they'll need guys to have much better seasons then last year (understatement noted) captain Claude Giroux chief among them, if they're going to make the post season.

Pittsburgh Penguins: Three-peat? It seems almost improbably with the parody in the cap era has ushered in, yet we've seen the Cup change hands between only several teams the last decade. The Pens won their third cup of the Crosby era and there's little reason to doubt they could do it again. They have plenty of star talent, Kris Letang is back and healthy and they get key contributions from inexpensive young talent, perhaps the biggest factor in today's NHL. Matt Murray has won two Cups (as a rookie...yeah) and until proven otherwise they'll be a favourite to hoist the chalice again.

San Jose Sharks: It seems these Sharks just keep treading water long enough not to drown. With all star defenceman Brent Burns and the return of Joe Thornton this team will again compete for a playoff spot but their window may have closed in. Long time Shark Patrick Marleau was let go and signed in Toronto so Joe Pavelski, Logan Couture and co. will have to be the next generation to try and shake the mantle of great regular season team who can't get to the top.

St. Louis Blues: The loss of Robby Fabri wasn't an ideal start to the year. Throw in Jay Bouwmeester's injury and their already Blue in Missouri. They made the post season last year after employing the ever popular fire your coach and replace him with the guy who was already there to replace him strategy. The Blues look to have a balanced lineup that should compete for a spot in the central again, but it won't be easy particularly if they get off to a sow start. Jake Allen had a meltdown last season but bounced back so if he's got his head on straight things may not end on such a sour note.

Tampa Bay Lightning: Lets be honest, if they were healthy last season things would've been very different in Tampa last year. Fans are hoping lightning doesn't strike twice and that Steven Stamkos can finally enjoy a healthy season after being injury riddle the past several. They handed the goaltending reigns to Andre Vasilevskiy so it's up to him to take them to that next level. They have a deep roster just a few years removed from a Stanley Cup Final and they will be a force to be reckoned with in the East.

Toronto Maple Leafs: The Leafs slow and steady rebuild took a giant leap forward last year and they added veterans like Ron Hainsey and Patrick Marleau to supplement their vast crop of young talent. They pushed the Capitals in the playoffs and look to take that next step. Barring any unforseen setbacks they'll be competitive and at the very least push for a playoff spot. Let's not plan the parade route just yet though...

Vancouver Canucks: Coming off a rough season the Canucks have seem to embrace the fact they need to rebuild. They are hamstrung by a few contract, looking at you Loui Ericsson, and the Sedin's have made it clear they aren't going anywhere anytime soon, so new coach Travis Green will have to blend the youth with his veterans as they push forward with this plan. They're not expected to challenge for the playoffs, with good reason, but will let Bo Horvat and co. continue to develop as they build for the future.

Vegas Golden Knights: It's not saying a lot when the most entertaining thing about a team is their twitter account, but that may be the case in Sin City's inaugural season. To be fair, it's pretty funny. They Knights, aided by new expansion draft rules, (mercifully) shouldn't be as awful as most of the expansion teams of years past, but don't expect them to push for the Cup anytime soon. At least game experience will be a blast, if you can remember it...

Washington Capitals: At this point they are the Charlie Brown of the NHL. They keep going for that football only to fall flat on their face again and again. What's going to be different this season? They lost several pieces on the blueline (Alzner, Schmidt, Shattenkirk) and up front (Johansson) so their depth will be tested more than in years past. Their core is still strong but if they haven't gotten them to the promised land this far what makes this go around any different?

Winnipeg Jets: The Jets have rarely soared since moving to Winnipeg but seem to have all the parts to take off this season. They addressed their goaltending by bringing in Steve Mason, and still have a deep roster of young players poised to push they best of the West. They will need all of them on the same page and signed both Brian Little and Nicolaj Ehlers to new contracts so they've committed themselves to this group as well as their coach and GM so its up to them now.

It Takes Two...The Great Calgary Arena Debate

Hockey is our world. Money makes the world go 'round.  Worlds are colliding...

The Calgary Flames are in need of a new building. That's no secret. The Saddledome's over thirty years old and, much like their former goalie tandem, in desperate need of being replaced. This is hardly new for any arena. However, this has relaunched on of the more heated debate in sports, should public money be used to help build a privately owned arena?

I've thought about this a lot over the last few years, and seen both sides of the argument. At first I found myself siding with my brethren, the everyday fan, people who said hell no, but strangely enough, I've started to come around. This wasn't out of some sort of misguided sympathy towards this wealthy lot as, lets be honest, its not as if the billionaire owners couldn't afford to put up the money for the facility, it was more about the economic realities of it. For as much as we perceive it to be a sport, reality is it's a business, so, if I were in their shoes, (as much as I can relate) why would I?

Think about the handouts, tax brakes and other perks given to large corporations who want to set up in a city. The municipal and other levels of government do everything they can to ensure this financial gain for their city yet this is hardly ever met with the same level of scrutiny as when its a sports team even though the principle is essential similar. These big corporations could afford to build their own facilities or pay the taxes they get a break on, they're just looking for a break, a sweetheart deal if you will, because they understand what they can mean to the community. So why wouldn't a professional sports team? After all a team may profit from the arena but it's the city who reaps all the other benefits.

If (when...?) I owned a team I'd look at the overall impact it brings to a city. Living here, I'll use Ottawa as an example. If you head down to Elgin st. a popular street downtown which is lined with bars and restaurants (it's designated the Sens Mile during the playoffs) its usually a reasonably busy spot, especially considering the very 9-5 then off to the suburbs nature of the city. However, when the Sens are in the playoffs its the difference between a quiet Tuesday night game in Arizona and a jammed packed Saddledome. There's hardly a seat to be had. Pints flow like the Ottawa River and the happiest people around when the Sens are doing well are the owners and staff at these places, as the extra income generated is huge. I've spoken with a number of people, either managers or bar staff about this impact, (even sober on some occasions) and it's definitely not something that can be ignored. It's a major influx in the economy that would otherwise never happen.

Now I understand the main counter argument and I realise there is also much more significant, necessary infrastructure this money could be spent on, ie: schools, hospitals, roads etc. but by investing in an arena you're generating money back for the economy unlike these other expenditures (Not that we shouldn't fund them, obviously!) The thing is having a viable NHL franchise in town isn't a financial loss for the city so to say it takes away from these other necessitates wouldn't be entirely accurate. It's putting money upfront that inevitably you'll get back. An investment in the community itself. Basically it comes down to cost, which it should. There shouldn't be a burden on a city to handle all the expenses. Period. However, by contributing and ensuring the franchise stays around everyone benefits. It's a simple cost benefit ratio. Look at the NFL franchises that have recently moved. The Rams & Chargers to LA and the Raiders are heading to Vegas before long. This was mainly because the amount of money required to build an NFL stadium is so significant. We're talking...one billion dollars!!...(had to). John Oliver did a great in depth look at these costs on his show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcwJt4bcnXs

Now while the revenue stream is significantly higher with an NFL team, that doesn't necessarily offset the cost for a city and so, understandably, citizens were not ready to spend that type of money. With an NHL team however, the cost is much, much lower, so really its comparing pucks to oranges. I'd understand people's outrage more if their taxes were going to be raised a significant amount, (again what one considers significant is another topic all together) but the difference it would make to the average citizen definitely isn't a major one.

Then there's the organisation as a whole. I've posted a link below where you can see the operating profits of NHL teams from a few years ago. Spoiler, they're not enough to build a new arena...

https://www.statista.com/statistics/193744/operating-income-of-national-hockey-league-teams-in-2010/

The people who own these teams didn't make their megabucks from owning them. The value of the teams may have risen of late as the league has had more success but this sure as hell isn't a get rich quick scheme.

The Arizona Coyotes who have threatened to move well, I've lost track at this point, actually tasered a local politician as part of a fund raising campaign to keep the Coyotes in town. Shane Doan made a passionate plea talking about what would happen to the people not just with the organisation, but the staff who work at the arena for various events. These arenas generally employ hundreds of people for numerous different events and should they be laid off, it'd certainly be a hit to the local economy. Not to mention the taxes generated from the players salaries themselves. The average NHL team salary here in Canada would dump millions back into the city with the taxes they pay, thus helping to cover the costs, that granted they were responsible for incurring, but you see how it all works out in the end. The other major difference that has to be taken into account is that Calgary isn't a team haemorrhaging money like a drunk guy in Vegas (which the league will enjoy soon enough). I understand, even applaud, a city's reluctance to throw good money after bad as in Arizona or Florida, but this is a viable market that would eventually pay for itself. They league and city's posturing aside it should get done amicably for gone are the days of the Big O boondoggle where a city is left paying for an outdated facility decades later...I hope...

Another issue is the small market nature of many of these teams. If you look at the list of top earning franchises its clear the major markets are at the top and with good reason. They have the population and in most cases history, to make money. People tend to look at these haves and assume everyone is in the same boat. This isn't to say they don't all have rich owners, obviously, but they don't all make the same profit and can't all rely on a packed house regardless, (ie: Toronto or Montreal) of how the economy or team are doing. They need to work hard to turn a profit, and in order to get people out they need to create an atmosphere around the arena like they've done with a new facility in Edmonton (which the city helped fund) and are planning to build here in Ottawa in the near future. These facilities also bring concerts and other major events to town that otherwise wouldn't be possible, again generating more money and are a draw for the city itself.

This is by no means a cut and dry issue. It's complicated and as I've said I've wrestled with it a lot. I get that it ticks people off to see rich people getting public money, to feel as thought they're being given preferential treatment, and realise its particularly tough to separate the business side of  sport from the game we love, but there's a certain value that comes with having a team that can't be put down to dollars and cents. It has a certain prestige, and civic pride. Why do you think groups in Seattle and Quebec City are so eagerly clamouring to get franchises? They, like all the owners, understand the impact this has on community, how few things bring us together like sport, unite an entire city, provide those "remember where you were when" moments or move us to tears? Maybe I'm a sucker for sentiment, but that's gotta count for something.