March 29th, 2010

Jim Playfair went a little wild last night at a call Jamie Koharski made in the Abbotsford Heat/Hamilton Bulldogs game. His player JD Watt was called for a questionable goaltender interference, and that seemed to set fire with Playfair. He broke one sick threw it and then pulled of his suit jacket. I'm not sure what that was to prove, I wasn't the least bit intimidated by him ripping off his jacket. To add further affect (probably a may as well moment at this point) grabbed a stick from a player on the bench and snapped that. I got a little chuckle from Shawn Weller's reaction (player to Playfairs left, #29) as he seemed a tad worried about being injured. Playfair received a fine and suspension, defiantly deserved.

I haven't been watching too much hockey of late. Saturday night I was looking forward to watch Travis Zajac take on the Habs and was able to catch some of the game. Earth Hour somehow snuck into this equation and I did miss the 2nd period. I felt like a nice person helping the Earth and all, but horrible timing Mother Nature. I mean, I didn't even win Mall Madness during the hour.

All my Best; Enjoy Life
Ryan Francis

March 20th, 2010

Last night I had the honor to meet the ex Habs, Patrice Brisebois and Stephane Richer. They were very kind, and full of laughter. It is a truly incredible experience to meet people you look up too. Mr. Richer said he enjoyed going out the night before for a "really nice" dinner with Brisebois, at Wendy's. "Free fries!" he said in his french accent, laughing. Both posed for a photo with me, and signed a few things. It is great to see Stephane is such high spirits, and full of life. I can't imagine what it was like overcoming depression. As for Brisebois, I find it very interesting that he was the whipping boy in Montreal back in the day. You look at Mike Green nowadays and he is worshiped for his offensive skill, even if he lacks some defensively. Brisebois earned the nickname, "Breeze-By" because fans often thought players would simply breeze by him. He contributed so much offense so the Canadiens, and really wasn't all that bad when it came to defensive. He was a great player and I wish him all the best with his racing!

I am slightly ticked at the James Wisniewski suspension. Colin Campbell has to be at least consistent when handing out suspensions. Sure, it was an ugly hit, but you're telling me that it was 8 times uglier than the hit on Marc Savard delivered by Matt Cooke? I even thought the Alex Ovechkin hit was worse to watch than this. I do believe Wisniewski deserved a suspension, for the charge. But as far I know, there still wasn't an official rule stating the disallowing the hit to the head. In my opion you suspened 4 games for the charge. 8 games is far to much, all things considering. The hit Seabrook landed on Perry was to the head an no call. Colin Campbell, you nailed it when saying it was a retaliatory hit, but it wasn't for head. In the video I posted, pause it at 1:15. Wisniewski's shoulder is more into the chest of Seabrook. Also, people say it was a huge interference call, I have to disagree, although the he did not touch the puck, at the poit where Wisniewski starts to skate to make the hit, Duncan Keith is looking right at Seabrook and at the point of impact the puck had just been rimmed around the boards by him. Interference, but it's not like the puck was in the other end like Quinville has been whining about. James Wisniewski deserves to be dissapointed at the 8 games and way to go Bob Murray for standing up for your team.

Watch the hit...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtSx2z_CPKQ

March 16th, 2010

Yet another hit to debate. More people will probably will be interested in the latest due to the fact that the hit was delivered by none other, Alexander Ovechkin. When I saw the play, I instantly thought back to the Maxim Lapierre hit on Scott Nichol. The only real difference is that Brian Campbell was in the defensive zone with Ovechkin forechecking, where as Nichol was in the offensive zone. Lapierre had his hands a little farther apart then Ovechkin but think what's stronger, a stick or hands/arms? I felt that Ovechkin deserved the same as Lapierre but we all knew that there was no way in heck that Colin Campbell was going to suspend Ovi for four games. I'm sure he had a hard time giving him the 2. Alex Ovechkin did apolgize for the hit, but was dissapointed in the suspension. I think in the back of his head he realizes that he deserved it, but is more dissapointed in the fact that he'll miss 2 games of hockey. The dude loves the game.

All my Best; Enjoy Life
Ryan Francis

March 13th, 2010

All the talk is about the Matt Cooke's hit on Marc Savard. We all know how nasty looking it was and all feel for Savard. Having a concussion is horrible. I don't know the exact severeness of his concussion but it's bad. Earlier in my own season this year, I suffered a 2.5 concussion. For those who don't know, concussions are classed from 1 to 3, 3 being most severe. Words cannot describe the feeling this kind of injury gives. I spent the first week with my head under a pillow, and having nightmares about any sort of noise or light. The focus is on the punishment of Cooke, but I feel just so bad for Marc Savard. I wish him all the best in his recovery.

Since I am human, I will put in my input about what should have happened to Matt Cooke. As soon as the hit was landed, Cooke should have been worried about getting jumped, and should have. I don't care who was on the ice for Boston, it could be little Brad Marchand for I care. Someone should have stepped in and tuned him. Let him get up and fight you fairly. Once that happens, Cooke should have been ready for another fight, and then another. I don't care the score or 2 points at that point of the game. If I was on Boston my concern at that point would be Marc Savard and making sure Matt Cooke got what he deserved. I'm not a fan of fighting fire with fire but there is an instance I would accept. It would have been sicking to watch, but it was already sick enough.

There is no rule where hitting to the head is a penalty, so I don't understand why everyone is calling for a suspension. How are you able to suspend a guy for something that's not a rule? It's just not possible, no matter the type of reputation the player has. Colin Campbell could have punished Cooke for attempt to injure but in my opinion there are not many circumstances that a hit could fall under that category. As a player myself, when you go for a big hit, you're not thinking of hurting him, you're thinking of the huge momentum shift it will give your team. Matt Cooke despite the reputation could have been just going for just that, we don't and never will know what was going on inside his head when he made the hit. I sure hope he was going for the big hit but after watching some past plays of his, I have begun to wonder what his motive is.

All my Best; Enjoy Life
Ryan Francis

March 4th, 2010

If you've noticed, the posts have slowed down a bit. I haven't had the time to update nightly which disappoints me just as much as you, trust me I know, it's killing you. I'll still post the games I was able to see, or games that interested me, but for the most part, won't cover every game anymore. I'm having major withdrawal from the Olympics. What an amazing 2 weeks of memories we were as a world able to witness.

Yesterday was the trade deadline, and we were all waiting for the big trade to happen. And it happ... didn't happen. A bunch of depth players swapped and players being reunited to their former teams. Let me break down the trades that interested me.

Matt D'Agostini (Montreal) to St. Louis for Aaron Palushaj
I love the play of D'Agostini but often wondered if he would ever amount to anything much more then what he is now. I guess Gauthier didn't want to wait to see. I don't know much about Palushaj but he was a 2nd rounder in '07 where D'Agostini was I believe a 5th rounder in 2005. Palushaj also has much better numbers in the AHL the D'Agostini. This trade is a wait and see, to decide who got the better deal, although if you look at the numbers, Montreal seems to have edge.

To Boston: Dennis Seidenberg, Matthew Bartkowski
To Flordia: Craig Weller, Byron Bitz, 2nd round pick
I would have never traded Bitz. I heard he was traded and was rattled. Then I saw who he was traded for and was further rattled. Sure, Boston picked up an average defender but I believe Bitz was too much to give up, let alone with a 2nd round draft pick. Flordia with the win here.

Eric Belanger (Washington) to Minnesota for a 2nd round draft pick
Again, Washington gave too much up for a depth player, especially since they have such incredible depth up front in the first place. I believe Belanger deserves a 4th rounder considering Scott Walker was picked up with a 7th rounder.

Dustin Boyd (Calgary) to Nashville for a 4th rounder
Love this trade! I think my favorite trade of the day. You're telling me Eric Belanger gets a 2nd rounder where Dustin Boyd gets a 4th rounder. Nashville got the deal here, Boyd will be a very solid NHL'er for many years.

And here is the "blockbuster" trade of the day, although I left the one I felt was the real one last...
Lubomir Visnovsky (Edmonton) to Anahiem for Ryan Whitney and a 6th rounder
Well, people say these to defencemen are underrated but in my humble opinion, they are both overrated. I have never thought too much of Visnovsky, or even Whitney were just slightly above average players. Nothing to really get excited about. But remember before you jump on my back, it's my humble opinion! I'd be pretty bummed out if I were Whitney by the way. Out of the 30 teams in the NHL, he was traded to the Oilers. Ouch. Unreal youthful roster... but they can't live up to it.

Woltek Wolski (Colorado) to Phoenix for Peter Muller and Kevin Porter
And Colorado gets even younger. They are taking the right step in direction. I like this trade for both teams. I mean, Woltek Wolski is a fantastic player and will be a great asset for the Coyotes. Peter Muller had seemed to hit a wall, not producing much but still is a great (I'll say it again, young) player. Colorado will be a top team with the further addition of these 2 (young) players in a couple years. Wolski wouldn't be in the picture by then, so it makes sense to trade him. Give this trade 5 out of 5 stars for both teams. Thank you for making my day, and putting a smile on my face. Phoenix and Colorado. You have done well.

All my Best; Enjoy Life
Ryan Francis

March 1st, 2010

Canada over USA 3-2... 'nuff said.
Alright, if you didn't see this game and live within the United States of America or Canada, shame on you. You missed something called history. Oh baby, there was more emotion in that game then there is right now in The Bachalor, and that is saying a lot. Everyones Facebook status after the game was about Sidney Crosby and how amazing he was. Was I ever tempted to put in mine "Jonathan Towes and Ryan Getzlaf <3" but figured I'd better not disturb everyone. Let's hop into reality and admit Sid the Kid did not shine through the entire tournament (minus the Swiss shootout win) but did he ever come through the clutch. We all know what went on the entire game, so there is no need to say who scored and assisted. What matters is that Canada won gold in OT, and Canada gave us all a beatiful memory. I love it.

The NHL starts tonight and the trade deadline is on Wedensday, looking forward to that!

All my Best; Enjoy Life
Ryan Francis