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UEFA held a draw to determing the makeup of the group stage of the Champions League tournament in Monaco on Thursday, with a field of teams that included 11 former winners of the tournament.
Clubs from 18 national associations were represented in the field, with England and Spain leading the pack with four teams apiece. Legends of the game present and past, including Luis Figo and Carlos Puyol were on hand to help proceedings.
Group assignments after the jump...
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Is there a difference between an injury-prone player and one that just considers himself unlucky?
That's the essential selling point for Ethan Moreau, signed to a 1-year, $600,000 contract by the Los Angeles Kings this week.
It's a nice little investment in a lower-line vet while at the same time being a bit of a gamble, seeing as how Moreau played only 37 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season and a combined 32 with the Edmonton Oilers from 2006-08. In between were two years in which he played 77 and 76 games respectively with the Oilers ? so is he fragile or occasionally snake bit?
Moreau told J.P. Hoornstra of Inside The Kings that he's "pissed off" more teams weren't after his services this summer, scared off by his injury history. About that history, Moreau said:
"That's the biggest misconception right now, that my health - it has been just unlucky things," he said. "I've been hit by pucks in the wrong spots. It has nothing to do with age, wearing down. I've never had hip problems, knee problems, concussions. I feel the same way I did when I was 28."
(A bit of semantics on the concussion boast, by the way. Moreau was asked about them by the Columbus Dispatch last season and dodged the question until it was changed to "diagnosed concussions." Then he answered "nope.")
If he's healthy, Moreau can fill the leadership void left by Michal Handzus, contribute as a physical role player and join a core of ex-Oilers (Penner, Stoll, Greene) on the roster. If he's not healthy ? well, it's only $600K.
Surly and Scribe are optimistic:
I can't remember the last team to go deep in the playoffs without someone like Moreau pluggin' away on the fourth line, changing their Depends at intermissions. Don't have high expectations for this guy. He's making barely above league minimum for a reason and no one would likely have blamed him if he had retired this offseason. But Moreau is a fighter, a tough cookie who gives it all he's got, even if what's he's got is much less than what he had.
Technically, Moreau's correct that his injuries aren't from wear and tear or miles on the tires. Personally, "unlucky things" tend to keep happening to players who suffer unfortunate injuries. Or are we the only ones waiting to see what bizarre twist of fate will befall Sami Salo and/or Kevin Bieksa this season.
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As late as Dec. 2010, the chances that Daymond Langkow would ever play another NHL game were 50/50, according to one Calgary Flames official. He had twice attempted to come back from a severe neck injury he suffered when a puck struck him in March.
Then came the third attempt, and a Masterton-nominated feel-good story: He returned to the Flames on April 1 and played well in four games. This summer, GM Jay Feaster said that Langkow "was fully cleared at the end of the season. He's been fully training. No restrictions whatsoever. He's ready to go when camp opens."
Turns out it'll be Phoenix Coyotes camp, should be pass his physical with the team.
Langkow, 34, was traded on Monday to Phoenix for right winger Lee Stempniak. (Yes, another former Toronto Maple Leafs player on the Flames. Didn't Darryl Sutter step down as GM?) According to Cap Geek, Langkow had a no-movement clause.
From the Coyotes:
"We are very pleased to welcome Daymond back�to the Coyotes organization," Maloney said. "He is an intelligent, well respected, veteran center.�His competitive, two-way game is a great fit for us and we are excited to have him back in Phoenix."
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Langkow has recorded 259-383-642 in 1,017 career NHL games with Calgary, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. He is a plus-85 for his career and has added 71 power-play goals and 41 game-winning goals. Langkow has posted 14-23-37 in 59 career NHL playoff games.
Langkow returns to the Coyotes, with whom he played from 2001-04 before being traded to Calgary for Denis Gauthier and Oleg Saprykin.
Matchsticks and Gasoline labeled this as a "shock" for Flames fans. Considering his inspiring history with the Flames, it is; considering everything else related to this deal, not so much.
Langkow was in a logjam at center for the Flames, with Olli Jokinen, Brendan Morrison, Matt Stajan (who can also play wing) and Mikael Backlund all vying for time.
You can argue he's better than Morrison; you can't argue the economics, however.
Morrison makes $1.25 million against the cap next season. Langkow was due $4.5 million. Stempniak makes $1.9 million. All three are unrestricted next summer.
The best that can be said about Stempniak for the Flames is that he gives them some flexibility on the right side, and the last time he had to sing for his supper in a contract year he had the best goal-scoring season of his career (28 in 80 games) and his best offense season since 2007.
Langkow, should he pass his physical, would give the Coyotes a nice veteran pivot on a team that needs one. The Martin Hanzal/Radim Vrbata duo is money in the bank; but Langkow can take some of the pressure off of Kyle Turris next season, who is poised to finally break out but is still a green 21 years old.
A need filled by GM Don Maloney, if Langkow can stay healthy; and a good salary dump by Jay Feaster, although one that certainly tugs on the heartstrings.
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Do goalies have access to the Internet? Or know how to properly stream video?
We only ask because Minnesota Wild prospect (9th overall, 2010 NHL Draft) Mikael Granlund has used this deke move once or twice before to great effect and renown, and yet here's another goalkeeper faked out of his pads in the shootout by it:
Granlund's goal came for HIFK Helsinki in its 3-2 shootout win over Slavia Prague on Saturday as part of the European Trophy tournament. While this move in the shootout doesn't rank alongside his lacrosse goal against the Russians at Worlds ? and thus, will not inspire a postage stamp ? it's still brings the sickness. Even if, you know, he seems to pull it off on every shootout attempt.
Hey, better to have one good move than a dozen bad ones.
We can't go as far as to call it his "signature move" because ? well, because it's Peter Forsberg's signature move. And he was inspired by Kent Nilsson, for whom it was a signature move as well.
Which brings us to the heart of the matter: Is Granlund trying to spark some kind of border war by co-opting Swedish trick-shot mastery? And can we really blame him when it's fellow Finn Jussi Jokinen that co-opted it first?
s/t to reader Simon Akkanen for the clip.
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During Monday night's Chicago Cubs game against the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field, Chicago Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville was invited to sing "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch.
Fifty-one seconds later, we're convinced that Coach Q's mustache is capable of accidentally filtering out things like tone and melody. Or, perhaps, Joel Quenneville just sings like a yak battling a stomach virus.
Yikes. Well that was ? emphatic.
Here's the thing: This isn't Coach Q's first rodeo. Here's Joel Quenneville in June 2009, warbling "TMOTTB" at Wrigley:
Slightly faster tempo, the use of the crowd to sing "Cubbies" ? maybe he's a better singer in daylight. Although "better" and "singer" are rather kind here.
Fun fact: If you play both of these at the same time, it actually makes them sound worse.
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After picking up his first win since an August 2009 decision victory over Randy Couture, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is already looking forward to his next fight. On the heels of a first-round knockout of Brendan Schaub at UFC 134, Nogueira is hoping for a blockbuster fight with Frank Mir or Brock Lesnar.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Nogueira expressed his interest in competing at the UFC's return to Japan, which is rumored to take place in February 2011. According to a report from MMA Weekly, the UFC's first fight on Japanese soil in more than 11 years will be held at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Nogueira's win over Schaub came in the UFC's long-anticipated return to the former interim UFC champion's home country of Brazil. In a career that has spanned 12 years and 40 fights, the emotional appearance was Nogueira's first in front of his compatriots.
Before injuries kept him out of action for more than one year, Nogueira had been scheduled for a rematch with Mir at UFC 119. However, Nogueira was replaced by Mirko Filipovic after undergoing knee surgery.
In a rematch of a fight that he lost in December 2008, the 35-year-old heavyweight legend could finally be set to cross paths with Mir again. A win over Mir could put the Brazilian one step closer to a title shot that seemed impossible only a few days ago.
Sean Smith is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. Sean has also had his work featured on UFC.com and LowKick.com. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @SeanSmithMMA.
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Training camps are set to open in just a few short weeks. Which means fantasy hockey is back. Which means say goodbye to productivity.
On Friday,�Yahoo! opened up registration for the 2011-12 fantasy season and after a few bugs were worked out, we all began setting up our leagues for the year.
Always a hot topic, with the opening of registration also means the release of the player rankings. Here are the top 100 as per the Y! draft rankings:
1. Daniel Sedin, LW
2. Alex Ovechkin, LW
3. Steven Stamkos, C
4. Sidney Crosby, C
5. Corey Perry, RW
6. Henrik Sedin, C
7. Henrik Lundqvist, G
8. Martin St. Louis, RW
9. Nicklas Backstrom, C
10. Bobby Ryan, LW
As�we wrote on Friday, the Crosby question is one that is hovering over every draft this season. It's been routine that Crosby and Ovechkin were the top two picks, but given the concussion issues with the Pittsburgh Penguins captain and the defensive-minded shift in Washington, they're no longer a sure thing at the top.
Nos. 11-100 after the jump ...
11. Roberto Luongo, G
12. Anze Kopitar, C
13. Pekka Rinne, G
14. Pavel Datsyuk, LW
15. Jarome Iginla, RW
16. Ilya Bryzgalov, G
17. Evgeni Malkin, C
18. Tomas Vokoun, G
19. Brad Richards, C
20. Mike Green, D
Some serious potential here for some second-round studs with Malkin coming back at full-strength, Jarome Iginla coming off a 43-goal, 86-point season and some serious win totals of any of the four goalies listed.
21. Antti Niemi, G
22. Ryan Miller, G
23. Patrick Kane, RW
24. Jonathan Toews, C
25. Zach Parise, LW
26. Carey Price, G
27. Drew Doughty, D
28. Shea Weber, D
29. Ryan Kesler, C
30. Eric Staal, C
Nothing like having two guys in Kesler and Staal who are capable of 40 goals and 70-plus points a season sitting there in the third round.
31. Henrik Zetterberg, LW
32. Jeff Carter, C, RW
33. Patrick Marleau, LW
34. Tim Thomas, G
35. Ryan Getzlaf, C
36. Ilya Kovalchuk, LW
37. Corey Crawford, G
38. Alexander Semin, RW
39. Lubomir Visnovsky, D
40. Dustin Byfuglien, D
In his first full year with the New Jersey Devils, Kovalchuk posted his lowest goal total (31) since his rookie year. The Devils' first-half slump certainly had much to do with that and we expect vintage Kovalchuk this season in New Jersey.
Contract year players are always a good gamble and entering the final year of his deal with the Capitals, keep a close eye on Semin.
41. Marc-Andre Fleury, G
42. Keith Yandle, D
43. Joe Thornton, C
44. Mike Richards, C
45. Zdeno Chara, D
46. John Tavares, C
47. Matt Duchene, C
48. Jimmy Howard, G
49. Dan Boyle, D
50. Jonathan Quick, G
Year Three for both Tavares and Duchene and each has increased their point totals in their first two seasons by more than 10 points. Big things are expected from them.
51. Rick Nash, RW
52. Miikka Kiprusoff, G
53. Patrick Sharp, C
54. Claude Giroux, RW
55. Jeff Skinner, C
56. Thomas Vanek, LW
57. Dany Heatley, RW
58. Duncan Keith, D
59. Jonas Hiller, G
60. Nicklas Lidstrom, D
If you're in a fantasy league with me skip this part.
If there were a dark horse for this year, Giroux has that potential to breakthrough into elite status this season.
61. David Backes, RW
62. Kris Letang, D
63. Martin Brodeur, G
64. Christian Ehrhoff, D
65. Phil Kessel, RW
66. P.K. Subban, D
67. Milan Lucic, LW
68. Danny Briere, C, RW
69. Vincent Lecavalier, C
70. Marian Gaborik, RW
The great thing about fantasy hockey is the depth of quality players in the league. Between the potential production for guys like Backes, Letang, Briere and Gaborik, quality guys will continue to be there as your draft moves along.
71. Kari Lehtonen, G
72. Paul Stastny, C
73. Cam Ward, G
74. Johan Franzen, RW
75. Erik Karlsson, D
76. Jaroslav Halak, G
77. Joe Pavelski, C
78. Martin Havlat, RW
79. Loui Eriksson, RW
80. Dwayne Roloson, G
Karlsson took that next step offensively last season with 13 goals and 45 points. On what's bound to be another poor Ottawa Senators season, Karlsson will once again be looked up to supply offense from the back. Havlat in San Jose will be intriguing to watch and he's definitely a guy who, if he fits in well with the Sharks, could benefit heavily.
And as president of the Loui Eriksson Fan Club, we hope he's still sitting on the board when the eighth and ninth rounds come along.
81. Niklas Backstrom, G
82. Ryane Clowe, SJ
83. Dion Phaneuf, D
84. Mike Ribeiro, C
85. Brent Burns, SJ
86. Craig Anderson, G
87. Brenden Morrow, LW
88. Mark Streit, D
89. Alexandre Burrows, LW
90. James Reimer, G
Streit is a guy who will likely fly under the fantasy radar as some players may have forgotten about his previous production after missing last season with a shoulder injury. Burrows has scored 30-plus goals before and can definitely reach that mark again, if healthy.
91. Scott Hartnell, LW
92. Ryan Whitney, D
93. Dustin Brown, RW
94. Jason Spezza, C
95. Tobias Enstrom, D
96. Jose Theodore, G
97. Chris Stewart, RW
98. Mikhail Grabovski, C
99. Tyler Ennis, LW
100. Tomas Plekanec, C
If you need PIMs, look no further than Hartnell who's posted more than 140 a season the last four years. Stewart has put up back-to-back 28-goal seasons and with a full season in St. Louis, he should be able to pass that this year.
Notables sitting outside of this year's top 100 include Taylor Hall (105), Marian Hossa (113), Jaromir Jagr (142), Matt Moulson (150), Jamie Benn (160), Michael Grabner (172) and Teemu Selanne (183).
Sign up your team and league today.
Dobber will once again be back providing a weekly fantasy column, but in the meantime, what are your thoughts on the rankings? Who's too high? Too low? Who are some of your sleepers/potential busts for this year?
Photo credits: Getty Images
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There really is nothing better than watching the best high school basketball players in the country play against inferior competition.
When the likes of Austin Rivers or Anthony Davis are unleashed on mere mortal high school opponents, the results are spectacular. Luckily, their high school exploits have been forever recorded by various websites and uploaded to YouTube.
Watching these highlight films leads the viewer to wonder if these players ever do anything besides dunk or knock down fadeaway three pointers. The high school stars of 2011 are about to become the college freshmen of 2012.
It is likely that their highlights will not be quite so spectacular when they are matched against five legitimate Division 1 starters on a regular basis, but for now, enjoy watching these future NBA players wreak havoc as they play against high school players one last time.
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Can you feel it yet?
We are days away from the first game of the 2011 NFL season. For a while, there were doubts that we would be having a season at all.
With the NFL lockout drama this summer football fans across the country had a little sweat on their brow wondering if they would have the chance to see their favorite team take the field in 2011.
Fortunately the owners and players came through, and there will be football.
Now we can focus on all of the matchups.
Week 1 is a fresh start for everyone. Everything that happened last year is now behind us, and the sky is the limit for every team. We never know what to expect which is one of the many reasons we love the game of football.
Of course, Week 1 has its fair share of spotlight matchups. Those highly anticipated matchups to kick off the season.
Here are my five games that you should be following come Week 1.
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The impending lockout is affecting us all differently. As fans, we are disappointed that the big wigs and ballers can't come to an agreement.
Owners are nervously looking towards what could be year of lost revenue and sales.
Players are scurrying overseas and looking for ways to keep themselves in the spotlight as they are down for theirs at the negotiation tables.
The lockout will affect many of our Pistons in profound ways. Here are how the lockout will treat seven of Detroit's finest.
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With Hurricane Irene slated to bear down on the area Saturday, Major League Soccer has postponed D.C. United?s home match on Saturday against the Portland Timbers, the team announced Friday.
The game will be rescheduled and the new date and time announced next week. Tickets from Saturday?s contest will be valid on the make-up date.
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(Ed. Note: Our series "Puck Daddy's Guilty Pleasures" features puckheads from all walks of life answering questions about their own hockey-related guilty pleasures. It will run daily during the month of August. Have a suggestion for a "Guilty Pleasures" guest blogger? Hit us on email. Enjoy!)
Today's Special Guest: Matthew Wuest, the man behind CapGeek.com, your source for contract info and the race to the salary floor.
1. The Player You Most Love To Hate
He's not active, but Claude Lemieux. He was beyond dirty, and even though he was tough enough to back it up, he chose not to, making him pretty easy to dislike.
2. Other Than Your Own, The Team You Can't Help Rooting For
The Montreal Canadiens. My wife is a Habs fan, down to the Cammalleri No. 13 T-shirt; father-in-law has a seat from the old Montreal Forum; and brother has been a fan since he was a kid. Plus, there's no experience like going to a game in Montreal.
I'll also root for pretty much any underdog or any guy who doesn't get the respect he deserves.
3. Favorite Fight or Brawl of All-Time
The Detroit Red Wings vs. Colorado Avalanche brawl on March 26, 1997. That rivalry was one of the great ones of the past few decades and this was its defining moment.
I would have preferred if Lemieux put up a fight against Darren McCarty (see Question 1), but then we never would have had Brendan Shanahan's flying clothesline.
A few Gerry Flemming-Rudy Poeschek bouts in the American Hockey League are pretty memorable, too.
4. The Hideous-Looking Hockey Jersey You Secretly Love The Most
The Canadiens' blue-white-and-red striped centennial jerseys with the CAC on the front. I'll grant you they look like flannel pajamas, but, well, they look like flannel pajamas!
5. Your Favorite Hockey Clich� (terminology, traditions, announcer-speak, etc.)
"He has good compete."
Scouts, GMs and coaches love it, apparently unwilling to finish the extra syllables in the word "competitiveness."
Also, giving or not giving "a full 60" is an unquotable phrase in my book of journalism.
6. The Injury You Couldn't Stop Staring At (Non-Skate Lacerations Only)
The Zdeno Chara turnbuckle hit on Max Pacioretty last season. It caused such an outcry and was replayed so many times on so many networks, it was almost unavoidable.
7. Your Favorite Cheesy Hockey Reference in Popular Culture
Matt Moulson getting chirped by Paul Giamatti on "30 Rock."
"Matt Moulson? I'm better than that clown!"
What I'd love to know is how they decided on him for the joke.
7a. Your Favorite Terrible Hockey Card Or Hockey Action Figure.
Eric Lindros's "Future Superstar" card from 1991.
I was only about 12 years old, and bought about 100 packs of Score cards before finally getting it. I thought it was going to be the next Honus Wagner and make me a million bucks.
8. Finally, What's The Thing You Secretly Respect Gary Bettman For The Most?
Well, he reportedly earned $7.2 million last year, which is about a dollar for every fan who booed him.
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As late as Dec. 2010, the chances that Daymond Langkow would ever play another NHL game were 50/50, according to one Calgary Flames official. He had twice attempted to come back from a severe neck injury he suffered when a puck struck him in March.
Then came the third attempt, and a Masterton-nominated feel-good story: He returned to the Flames on April 1 and played well in four games. This summer, GM Jay Feaster said that Langkow "was fully cleared at the end of the season. He's been fully training. No restrictions whatsoever. He's ready to go when camp opens."
Turns out it'll be Phoenix Coyotes camp, should be pass his physical with the team.
Langkow, 34, was traded on Monday to Phoenix for right winger Lee Stempniak. (Yes, another former Toronto Maple Leafs player on the Flames. Didn't Darryl Sutter step down as GM?) According to Cap Geek, Langkow had a no-movement clause.
From the Coyotes:
"We are very pleased to welcome Daymond back�to the Coyotes organization," Maloney said. "He is an intelligent, well respected, veteran center.�His competitive, two-way game is a great fit for us and we are excited to have him back in Phoenix."
The 5-foot-11, 185-pound Langkow has recorded 259-383-642 in 1,017 career NHL games with Calgary, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. He is a plus-85 for his career and has added 71 power-play goals and 41 game-winning goals. Langkow has posted 14-23-37 in 59 career NHL playoff games.
Langkow returns to the Coyotes, with whom he played from 2001-04 before being traded to Calgary for Denis Gauthier and Oleg Saprykin.
Matchsticks and Gasoline labeled this as a "shock" for Flames fans. Considering his inspiring history with the Flames, it is; considering everything else related to this deal, not so much.
Langkow was in a logjam at center for the Flames, with Olli Jokinen, Brendan Morrison, Matt Stajan (who can also play wing) and Mikael Backlund all vying for time.
You can argue he's better than Morrison; you can't argue the economics, however.
Morrison makes $1.25 million against the cap next season. Langkow was due $4.5 million. Stempniak makes $1.9 million. All three are unrestricted next summer.
The best that can be said about Stempniak for the Flames is that he gives them some flexibility on the right side, and the last time he had to sing for his supper in a contract year he had the best goal-scoring season of his career (28 in 80 games) and his best offense season since 2007.
Langkow, should he pass his physical, would give the Coyotes a nice veteran pivot on a team that needs one. The Martin Hanzal/Radim Vrbata duo is money in the bank; but Langkow can take some of the pressure off of Kyle Turris next season, who is poised to finally break out but is still a green 21 years old.
A need filled by GM Don Maloney, if Langkow can stay healthy; and a good salary dump by Jay Feaster, although one that certainly tugs on the heartstrings.
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Is there a difference between an injury-prone player and one that just considers himself unlucky?
That's the essential selling point for Ethan Moreau, signed to a 1-year, $600,000 contract by the Los Angeles Kings this week.
It's a nice little investment in a lower-line vet while at the same time being a bit of a gamble, seeing as how Moreau played only 37 games with the Columbus Blue Jackets last season and a combined 32 with the Edmonton Oilers from 2006-08. In between were two years in which he played 77 and 76 games respectively with the Oilers ? so is he fragile or occasionally snake bit?
Moreau told J.P. Hoornstra of Inside The Kings that he's "pissed off" more teams weren't after his services this summer, scared off by his injury history. About that history, Moreau said:
"That's the biggest misconception right now, that my health - it has been just unlucky things," he said. "I've been hit by pucks in the wrong spots. It has nothing to do with age, wearing down. I've never had hip problems, knee problems, concussions. I feel the same way I did when I was 28."
(A bit of semantics on the concussion boast, by the way. Moreau was asked about them by the Columbus Dispatch last season and dodged the question until it was changed to "diagnosed concussions." Then he answered "nope.")
If he's healthy, Moreau can fill the leadership void left by Michal Handzus, contribute as a physical role player and join a core of ex-Oilers (Penner, Stoll, Greene) on the roster. If he's not healthy ? well, it's only $600K.
Surly and Scribe are optimistic:
I can't remember the last team to go deep in the playoffs without someone like Moreau pluggin' away on the fourth line, changing their Depends at intermissions. Don't have high expectations for this guy. He's making barely above league minimum for a reason and no one would likely have blamed him if he had retired this offseason. But Moreau is a fighter, a tough cookie who gives it all he's got, even if what's he's got is much less than what he had.
Technically, Moreau's correct that his injuries aren't from wear and tear or miles on the tires. Personally, "unlucky things" tend to keep happening to players who suffer unfortunate injuries. Or are we the only ones waiting to see what bizarre twist of fate will befall Sami Salo and/or Kevin Bieksa this season.
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(Ed. Note: Our series "Puck Daddy's Guilty Pleasures" features puckheads from all walks of life answering questions about their own hockey-related guilty pleasures. It will run daily during the month of August. Have a suggestion for a "Guilty Pleasures" guest blogger? Hit us on email. Enjoy!)
Today's Special Guest: Jim Fox, color analyst for the Los Angeles Kings on Fox Sports West who scored 186 goals in 578 games with the Kings from 1980-90.
1. The Player You Most Love To Hate?
It would be too strong to say "hate" but every once in a while there are a few guys that rub you the wrong way. I respect every player that makes it to the NHL, because it takes skill, discipline and a lot of hard work to get there. At the same time, I wish that players showed more respect for the game.
I have three guys that come to mind immediately when this subject comes up. I don't think there are any surprises on this short list.
Daniel Carcillo: Everyone has a job to do and every job is important. Even though he is maturing a bit, I just wished that Mr. Carcillo showed more respect for his fellow competitors, the officials and the game in general. Sometimes I wonder ? is he doing it for the team, or is he doing it for himself?
Cody McLeod: I am never close enough to the action to hear what is being said and trash talking is part of the game. Every team has a few guys who excel at it. I just wished that Cody had more balance between "doing" and "talking."
Jordin Tootoo: Another player that has matured over the years, but I still put him in the "hit to hurt" category.
2. Other Than Your Own, The Team You Can't Help Rooting For?
Growing up in the 1960's and 70's, the inspiration I took from Bobby Orr and the amazing things he could do has left me with a soft spot for the Boston Bruins. I will never forget what Bobby has done for the game and I will always picture him in a Bruins' uniform. That will never change. By the way, do you know who won the Stanley Cup last year?
3. Favorite Fight or Brawl of All-Time?
I was never one to look to drop the gloves and that fits perfect for this "true story." Sorry to take you back to my Junior days and to a preseason game none-the-less, but I will never forget it.
When I was in my last year with the Ottawa 67's, we played a pre-season game against the Belleville "Tier II" junior team (they were not yet in the Major Jr. category). As can happen in these types of games, the lower tier team wants to prove that they belong with the higher tier team. Before the game, we were talking and mostly joking about what might happen during the game. The topic of "bench-clearing" brawl came up and we were discussing our "strategy" just in case it happened. When it came around to me, jokingly, trying to poke some fun at back-up goalies and also my own "least-likely-to-fight" style, I said, "I'll take their back-up goalie!"
Back in those days, goalies in general were not know as well-conditioned athletes and the back-ups, well, they usually were not the "strongest" guys on the team.
Guess what happened? The game started and we had a bench-clearing brawl. I can't remember many specifics, but guess who grabbed me when we all jumped onto the ice?� Ya, you know who!
4. The Hideous-Looking Hockey Jersey You Secretly Love The Most?
I guess I'll never get a chance to see them again. I heard they were being retired. I loved the Nashville Predators old "Mustard" colored jersey. I guess I was only one of the few who did.
When I was playing with the Kings, we wore our bright "Gold" jerseys at home. That jersey took a beating over the years from so many different angles. I never gave it a second thought, I was proud to be a King and I loved those jerseys.
Funny, now when I speak to groups of kids, I usually bring along all of the jerseys that the Kings have worn in their history. There are a few. At the end of my presentation I ask the kids to pick the one they like the most. Ninety percent of the time they pick the Gold jersey. Surprise, surprise!
5. Your Favorite Hockey Clich� (terminology, traditions, announcer-speak, etc.)
I always laugh when I hear a coach or broadcaster say, "He is really good in the room."
Because as the saying goes, the room is exactly where they want that player to stay during the game!
6. The Injury You Couldn't Stop Staring At (Non-Skate Lacerations Only)
A couple of situations come to mind.
When I was playing Junior in Ottawa, Eddie Hospodar got hit with the point end of a stick, right between the eyes. I guess there is a decent sized artery/vein right there, because we when he got to the bench, and I stood up to help him get into the bench area, he was "pulsating" blood, in perfect time with his heart beat. Every second or so, he gushed a stream of blood about two feet. Then it would stop, then it would shoot out again. I had to duck a few times before I could grab a towel and keep him from bleeding all over me.
As a broadcaster, there are times when you have to go "downstairs" to do an intermission interview with a player. One time at the Great Western Forum, I was down near the dressing room after I finished my interview. I usually took a little "pit-stop" before I made my way back to the broadcast location. Earlier in the period, Dave Taylor had gone off to the dressing room with an injury I did not see. Dave had been hit into the boards and he jammed one of his fingers, inside of his glove and I never really saw it happen. But the hit did a lot of damage. He jammed it so hard that it basically exploded.
When I was walking by the "medical room" where they stitched players up, I had to stop in to check on Dave and see what had happened. When I glanced in, I could not believe what I was seeing. Two doctors and the dentist were trying to sew up Dave's finger and every one of them was needed. One doctor was trying to suture it up while the other two were trying to stuff the "hamburger" back inside the skin.
The best way I know how to describe it is, it was like his finger was a peeled banana. His skin was like a banana peel that had just been peeled and his finger "bones" were like the banana. His bones were almost completely exposed.
I couldn't stay around too long because I had to get upstairs, so I wished Dave luck and went back to the booth. I remember mentioning off the air, to my partner Bob Miller, that it looked like Dave was going to be out of the lineup for a while.
How dumb of me to question Dave. Having played with Dave for 10 years, I should have known. He was back out to start the next period. Now that is tough!
7. Your Favorite Cheesy Hockey Reference in Popular Culture
"Give Blood-Play Hockey."
Usually you'll find this associated with a charitable cause, but I always get a chuckle when I see this, usually on a bumper sticker.
Also, I know it's stereotypical, but I always laugh when I see the "old" teeth "blacked-out" photos, usually used in ads to promote something to do with hockey or dentistry. I thought the Nashville promos featuring country stars with the teeth "blacked-out" was every effective.
7a. Your Favorite Terrible Hockey Card Or Hockey Action Figure.
I don't think this is "terrible" at all. Have to do a little self-promotion. Have you checked out the Panini Crown Royale "Voices of the Game" cards?� Can't miss!
8. Finally, What's The Thing You Secretly Respect Gary Bettman For The Most?
Every time I see him, he remembers my name!
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I recently had the opportunity to talk to Minnesota Timberwolves star Kevin Love. Love took part in the Manhattan Beach Open on Thursday afternoon, which is part of the Jose Cuervo Beach Volleyball Series.
While I had the opportunity to talk to Love about his participation in the volleyball tournament, I was also able to talk to him about one of the things near and dear to both of our hearts. Basketball.
Ever wondered what fellow players NBA stars would love to play alongside?
I talked to Love about this very subject.
Love shared in the following slides which player he would most like to play alongside at each position (excluding power forward), comprising his personal "dream" starting lineup.
Enjoy.
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Houston Nutt is looking to get to that six-win plateau in Oxford and the Rebels must step it up a notch on defense to do so. A season ago they gave up 35.2 points per game, allowing a total of 399 yards per game. They were torched for 246 passing yards per game as SEC signal callers had career games against the putrid Rebel secondary.
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Good morning. With Steven Goff taking a much-deserved break this week, posting will be a bit light. But we?ll try to keep the blog humming with links, and Paul Tenorio may be pitching in, as well.
Playing its third match in nine days, D.C. United suffered its first road loss in nearly four months, a 1-0 defeat at Sporting Kansas City. ?United was a step behind throughout the evening, lacked energy and direction, and was fortunate to trail by just one goal at halftime,? Goff wrote in his game story.
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The college football landscape has always been pliable. Recently, the sport has witnessed major shifts in traditional powers moving from conference to conference. Texas A&M and the SEC look finally ready to make a move.
The SEC has been the most powerful conference in the country for quite some time. The latest string of five consecutive national champions proves that the conference has become the most prominent conference in the country.
When the latest round of expansion and conference shifts occurred a year ago, the SEC sat patiently and waited to see if expansion was a move that they needed to make. This season it appears the conference is open to moving to an expanded format and add additional teams.
Texas A&M has been at the forefront of the expansion discussion since last season but it finally looks as if the conference is ready to extend an invitation to the Aggies. The assumption is that the Aggies will accept the invitation and formally join the SEC sometime this week.
With the move being imminent for the Aggies questions begin to show. The most important questions for anyone to ask are what is there to gain for the Aggies and the SEC with the expansion, which of the two parties gain more and will the SEC stop at 13 or add another team to the conference.
A 14th team seems to be logical in the future, but for now let’s take a look at what the Aggies bring to the SEC and what the SEC brings to the Aggies.
What Do the Aggies Gain From Joining the SEC?
The first piece of the puzzle for the Aggies is respect. The minute the Aggies jump to the SEC they become a part of the nation’s elite. Not to say that the Big 12 has not been a powerful conference in the past but the SEC is the cream of the crop.
Texas A&M already has a lot of respect across the country. That is apparent by their No. 9 and No. 8 rankings in the preseason coaches and AP polls. Despite their top 10 ranking, there is not a lot of talk about their ability to contend in the end for the national title.
A lot of the reasoning behind the omission could come from them sharing the conference with the consensus No. 1 team the Oklahoma Sooners, but the most likely elephant in the room is Texas.
The Aggies will finally have the opportunity to escape the proverbial shadow that the University of Texas seems to have cast over College Station.
The Aggies also gain television time. While a part of the SEC, Texas A&M will join the SEC Network and likely have 11 of 12 games televised. The Aggies have a national reach and a large local following. College Station is near Houston, Dallas and San Antonio which helps push the reach of the Aggies to major television markets.
Joining the SEC and its network also pushes A&M away from the Longhorn Network. There isn’t a doubt that the formation of a Texas only network was the last straw.
The Aggies final major incentive to join the SEC is shared revenue. Yes, the Big 12 just recently changed their revenue policy to make it more robust for member institutions. That is until the Longhorns developed their own network and changed the game for the conference.
While the Longhorn Network did not lower the returns for the rest of the conference, it surely increased its own by a sizable chunk.
What the Aggies gain in the next few years with the television contracts and bowl earnings from the SEC will be a large increase over anything the Big 12 can offer and it puts them on a more equal monetary playing field with their biggest rival.
Many fans worry about the possible loss of the rivalry between Texas and Texas A&M. In my opinion it just got stronger. This rivalry won’t end anytime soon I am sure. This just adds to the pageantry.
What Does the SEC Gain From Adding the Aggies?
Where it stands today the SEC is undoubtedly the leading conference in college football. There is a laundry list of reasons to argue the SEC dominance, but that discussion is for another day.
This discussion runs much deeper that football, well into other athletic programs and even academics. The SEC and the Aggies know that this change will affect numerous people and the world of college athletics.
So what exactly does the SEC stand to gain by adding Texas A&M? If the conference is at an all-time high and they are better than ever why add an additional team?
The SEC needs to add an additional team before they are seemingly forced to. The conference has been at the leading edge of change in college football before and looks to lead the way as the expansion talks heat up again.
The future of college football looks to be headed to “super” conferences with 14 to 16 teams per conference. If the SEC wants to stay ahead of the game in television contracts and in talent, they have to be the Jones’ not try and keep up with them.
Texas A&M brings a unique value to the conference. The school brings a national presence and a large television market with the three major cities that surround College Station. Texas is no doubt a big orange state, but there is plenty of maroon and white to go around as well.
Texas A&M also brings a great academic tradition to the conference. The Aggies are a multi grant University that allows for a wide range of exposure and discovery for students.
The Aggies will also open up the state of Texas to more SEC schools for recruiting. I know that recruiting may seem like a small piece of the puzzle for the conference but the best athletes make for the best athletic programs. The SEC wants to win as winning is good for business. Recruiting matters end of story.
The addition of the Aggies will also add to the list of rivalry games that the conference boasts. Instant classics will begin between teams like LSU and Arkansas.
The Aggies will also assume to bring additional revenue to the conference. With the addition of the Aggies to the conference the assumption will be made that the SEC will add an additional consistent bowl team. Bowl appearances bring revenue to the teams and the conference.
So Where Does the SEC Go From Here?
What the SEC has to have on the agenda at this point is whether or not they will become a 14-team conference. The plan may even be to expand to 16, but that seems less likely than a two-team expansion.
The assumption is that the SEC is looking for an additional member outside of the Aggies to add to the Eastern Division of the conference. Schools like Florida State and Clemson are popular names that have been added to the list, but those additions don’t seem likely.
It appears that current members Florida, Georgia and South Carolina want to remain the sole member institutions in their respective states. That leaves teams like North Carolina, West Virginia, N.C. State and Virginia Tech.
Of all the possibilities that are most likely to occur, I would expect N.C. State. Virginia Tech is likely the most sought after pick for the SEC and the fans of the conference, but asking the Hokies to leave a conference where they are the big dog to join a conference and become a regular is not logical. The Hokies are most likely to stay in the ACC where they can consistently finish on top.
Are there discussions between the SEC and any other school regarding expansion? It seems likely. It also would appear logical for the conference to be seeking out an eastern team to add and balance the conference.
One thing is for sure, the landscape is changing and the SEC is likely to be on the leading edge once again.
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There's an acknowledged insensitivity in discussing Sidney Crosby's status as it pertains to on-ice performance. His health, and the future of his career, are paramount; the Pittsburgh Penguins' power play and the 2011-12 Art Ross race are not.
But the closer we get to training camp, the more focus will be placed on Crosby's effectiveness next season. How much time could he miss? Will he still have the same unparalleled impact on the game? Is there a risk he could be knocked out of action again like so many other players that have rebounded from concussions?
These are the questions Penguins GM Ray Shero is asking himself, as are a large collection of significantly less important general managers: The ones who figure to have a high pick in their 2011-12 fantasy draft.
(Note: Yahoo! Fantasy Hockey is back, but the site's a little buggy right now. Stop by and check out the new features.)
How does one approach drafting someone who is both the best offensive player in the world and a complete question mark for the coming season?
Jim Cerny of About.com, on the Crosby fantasy conundrum back on Aug. 16:
Do you roll the dice that Crosby is, and will remain, healthy, and thus will continue to be the same scoring stud he's been for the past six years? Or do you err on the side of caution and select an Alex Ovechkin or Steven Stamkos or Corey Perry or Martin St. Louis instead?
What if owners are extremely cautious in your league and Crosby is sitting there late in the first round and it's your turn to pick?� Face it, you don't want to be the fantasy owner who by-passed Crosby and then he went out and recorded a 100+ point season.� But you also do not want to be the fantasy owner who picks Sid first or second overall only to have him compromised by issues revolving around the concussion.
That about sums up the debate; now, what to do about Crosby?
We asked two of our most trusted fantasy hockey experts how they'd approach drafting Crosby this season.
Here's Scott Pianowski, editor of the Yahoo! Sports fantasy blog Roto Arcade:
Great question. It's a tricky year. Usually you get the No. 1 pick and it's like found money, you know you've got a sure thing and an easy pick. Not this year.
A healthy Crosby blows everyone away. But I'm glad we're not drafting today because no one knows.
A non-keeper, today, I'd go Daniel Sedin at No. 1. I want floor. I want to sleep at night.�So the order would be:
1. D. Sedin
2. Crosby, and hope
3. Alex Ovechkin, and wonder
4. Steven Stamkos
5. Corey Perry
6. Henrik Sedin
7. Henrik Lundqvist
8. Martin St. Louis
We also asked Dobber, whose site DobberHockey.com is a fantasy leader and who writes a weekly fantasy piece for Puck Daddy during the season: Would you take Crosby first overall?
From Dobber:
Three weeks ago, absolutely. I knew there was a risk, but figured it to be 10 percent that he doesn't start the season. But where there's smoke there's fire ... and there has been a lot of smoke since then.
So to me, and this is just my opinion since I obviously don't know Sid, but that risk is closer to 50 percent that he misses anywhere from one to 20 or 30 games to start the year. I put him at 65 games in my projections, which is still a 100-point season and Top 5 in scoring.
But I don't draft him Top 9 if the draft was today.
In a 12-man league, if my pick is 10th, 11th or 12th, I take him then because I have another pick coming three or four slots later. I do not risk a Top 9 pick because of the gap in the quality level between that pick and the next one. If I draft Sid high like that and he doesn't play 50 games again, I lose the league immediately (as in ? I fail to win, which to me is losing).
Even picking him 10th-12th I likely lose, but at least there's a slim chance ? enough to roll the dice on.
As was previously stated, Crosby was about the surest of sure things when it came to fantasy hockey. That he isn't a stone-cold lock for a No. 1 or No. 2 spot in a draft just reinforces how much uncertainty there is about his return to the game.
We now rejoin concern for the more serious aspects of Sidney Crosby's brain injury, already in progress ?
(Thanks to the boys at the late, great Relentless on The Score Radio for the inspiration.)
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