Hey, sure goals are down this year. Unless you are playing the Habs or Leafs.
But, I'm here not as a schadenfreude or an asshole. I'm here as an asshole critic.
I wrote an essay awhile back in regards to fighting in the NHL. Although the proof is in the pudding that getting punched in the head isn't good for your health. I argued it was necessary to the game. 3 years later, hockey is missing fighting.
I am here today to present this argument. A fist hurts. Quite a bit. But, a piece of hard plastic equipment that could and probably would stop a bullet would hurt more. I'm not a physicist and the closest I can come to one is to shout E=MC2 at people at the bus stop.
In today's game in hockey. It is built to be fast paced, entertaining and be turned on a dime. Nothing more exciting than seeing a game in the final minute with the goalie pulled or overtime hockey. What is lost in all of this is. The faster the game, the higher and more severe the injuries within the game are.
Sticks used to be Wooden. Which you could argue would be a weapon. I propose to you this; a stick built to shoot a puck at 100 MpH is more of a weapon than a piece of wood. A shot as hard as a bullet hitting you point blank. Unfortunately twice this year they have hit hands. And unsurprisingly made them look like a dog's breakfast. Concussions ravage the sport, diagnosed or undiagnosed.
So, players wear lighter skates, designed to go faster, harder and the ability to turn on a dime. Long are the days that Gretzky used to have to change his skates for freshness. Dylan Larkin came in at under 13 seconds to skate the entire rink, and honestly he's not the only one. so at about 37 Clicks we have players hitting other people. Now back to the bulletproof equipment. You are not going to feel much if you plow into another player. The other player feels it.
That is what is wrong with the game at a concussion and injury riddled season. If I punch you in the face, I know how hard I hit you cause I can feel it. If I skate at you like a bullet train and hit you with a big ass piece of plastic; I will never know how hard I hit you. I cannot feel it. It keeps the player honest if you feel what you dish out. (I'll get into the instigator another day)
So, does today's equipment need a change.
Yes.
The NHL and NHLPA would like to change the goalie's equipment size to increase scoring. I proposed they should look at the players equipment as well. So they can stop sacrificing the lives and well-being of their players.
Best Regards,
Devon Hunt
Sunday, 13 March 2016
Wednesday, 12 February 2014
UFC, No FC for me
"It is just 2 men laying on top of each other hugging"
This was my only reason for not watching UFC. This is around UFC 61.
I decided to watch some old clips on youtube (That Zuffa hadn't mashed) and do a little research on Wikipedia. Found some fighters I genuinely liked. Learned about Mixed Martial Arts and the need to win. The fight. I also found out how much they earned to fight. To be honest, it didn't seem fair to the fighter. But, alas, it is all they knew.
I watched religiously all the way to about UFC 100 (The Hendo knockout). Awaiting to see new kicks, punches, or a new fight style. I hated many of fighters, saw many fighters pass their prime. Got to see Lesnar back out because the Heavyweight division's top 5 fighters were better than he ever was.
Around that time, something changed. Dana White had become the public image of the UFC. To the point that you might as well have UFC tattoo'd on your shiny head. Which is fair. Hey, make money, man. Better your life.
The internet had been set ablaze by UFC by about 110. All the people who watched WWF (now WWE) were able to watch because Brock Lesnar (and Ken Shamrock if they were that hardcore)
With the strength of the internet, sponsors were arising everywhere. It went from Xyience to Harley Davidson's to pretty much anyone willing to put their logo on the bottom left corner of someones shorts. At a 1 mm by 1 mm square.
I watched TUF much further as it seemed more genuine.
Now, every UFC has a judging controversy. An early stoppage. Dana White sits idly by and complains about Las Vegas sports and gaming commission and their lack of ineptitude.
But, with the amount of money they make, they should be able to make their own judging team. No? Maybe, ex fighters like Tito Ortiz could earn some money without needing to eat 7000 shots to the face at the age of 39.
Everything seems so gimmicky now. The advertising is so much more apparent. A fighter who has just won has to immediately fashion 64 items of clothing with their own brands on it. Juggling and stumbling around like a giraffe on weed.
The crux of it all is the shady handling of GSP and Silva. Both fighters are legends, both fighters have had close fights. Terrible fights.
Both fighters have won fights they should not have. GSP taking a more technical approach and Anderson... Being a Brazilian. GSP lost a step, Dana publicly denounced a man who built a fan base in Canada. A rather large one. Dana says GSP should have lost.
This is a time Dana White has shown how little respect he has for his fighters, but rather for his brand. It was different this time. It was real, it was cold. He had no witty tweet or joke to disclaim all of it.
I have not watched UFC since.
Everyone became a stitch in the mass scale of marketing done.
Regards,
Devon
Tuesday, 25 June 2013
Rafael Nadal, greatest that may never be in a conversation
He plays with heart, speed and finesse. He's not overpowering. He is the ultimate of picking his spots. This is a blog written by my own knowledge and no stats currently.
Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer.
These are the current 4 that I put in a league of their own. Arthur Ashe being of the utmost important to the sport.
Here's what my question is, all the titles, accolades, sponsorship. Where will Rafael Nadal fit in to the conversation? He's won every slam. Battled Rog In every match. Has had 3 matches of the century. The king of hard court. He doesn't get the respect he deserves.
He plays on clay, clay wears out his joints. He's fatigued and to be honest, I think the best days are behind him. He may have just set the record for FO wins and bounces.
He got beat in straight sets at Wimbledon in the first round for the first time ever. He was nothing but humble. He knew he lost. He knew he was defeated in this match. This was different, I feel like something was different. He's a great player.
He should be In the conversation for one of the greatest. He won't be. But Rafael is his own player and a player unlike anyone who has played before him. He's dynamic.
Quick blurb wrapped up.
Regards,
Devon.
Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer.
These are the current 4 that I put in a league of their own. Arthur Ashe being of the utmost important to the sport.
Here's what my question is, all the titles, accolades, sponsorship. Where will Rafael Nadal fit in to the conversation? He's won every slam. Battled Rog In every match. Has had 3 matches of the century. The king of hard court. He doesn't get the respect he deserves.
He plays on clay, clay wears out his joints. He's fatigued and to be honest, I think the best days are behind him. He may have just set the record for FO wins and bounces.
He got beat in straight sets at Wimbledon in the first round for the first time ever. He was nothing but humble. He knew he lost. He knew he was defeated in this match. This was different, I feel like something was different. He's a great player.
He should be In the conversation for one of the greatest. He won't be. But Rafael is his own player and a player unlike anyone who has played before him. He's dynamic.
Quick blurb wrapped up.
Regards,
Devon.
Thursday, 4 April 2013
Why pens fans should be worried?
Speed, speed, speed.?
No. Not anymore. They got slower. Much slower. They got tougher? maybe? but they already had 2 goons on their roster. What exactly did the Pens do this year? They tied up money into aged veterans hoping to push them into a contender. But, weren't they already a contender?
Douglas Murray moves at a snails pace, Iginla has his shot, but no speed. Morrow is a hard worker, but he needs linemates that work like him. I don't think he has that right now. Dupuis is too quick, takes too many shots off the rush. Pens don't play a cycle game. They play an on the rush game.
Fleury is not stable, and has been battling with a aged Vokoun. I'm not sure they know what is going on in net. Letang is hurt. Murray is not a replacement. He is a hinderer. Forwards can blow by him at ease.
Whatever the Pens tried to accomplish this trade deadline, they didn't help their cause. They spent money to spend money. Crosby being out isn't going to affect them as bad as their trades will.
I do not believe the pens win the cup. I don't believe they make the final.
First prediction of this year.
No. Not anymore. They got slower. Much slower. They got tougher? maybe? but they already had 2 goons on their roster. What exactly did the Pens do this year? They tied up money into aged veterans hoping to push them into a contender. But, weren't they already a contender?
Douglas Murray moves at a snails pace, Iginla has his shot, but no speed. Morrow is a hard worker, but he needs linemates that work like him. I don't think he has that right now. Dupuis is too quick, takes too many shots off the rush. Pens don't play a cycle game. They play an on the rush game.
Fleury is not stable, and has been battling with a aged Vokoun. I'm not sure they know what is going on in net. Letang is hurt. Murray is not a replacement. He is a hinderer. Forwards can blow by him at ease.
Whatever the Pens tried to accomplish this trade deadline, they didn't help their cause. They spent money to spend money. Crosby being out isn't going to affect them as bad as their trades will.
I do not believe the pens win the cup. I don't believe they make the final.
First prediction of this year.
Wednesday, 27 March 2013
Jarome Iginla, Edmontonian, good hockey guy (what could have been.
Iginla has been traded... We think? maybe? possibly? Nothing official yet. But as it stands it is Iginla for Khokhlachev, Bartkowski and a 1st round pick.
Judgment: Calgary made a poor trade, would've gotten more if they had waited. However Khokhlachev fills a need and in a deep draft, that first round pick could be traded for a franchise player or used as a pick to get someone good.
Calgary has thrown the ball around for about 4 years now on trading Iginla. In my opinion, it has been about 2 years too late. With the salary cap lowering and dynamite franchise players hard to get ahold of, Calgary couldn't have gotten much more of a return.
If they had waited til deadline I think they would've been able to lift Malcolm Subban out of Boston (my opinion).
Calgary still has to ship Kipper somewhere. They are going to need a young goalie in return. In all honesty, if Columbus stays hot. Mason would be a nice fit with a somewhat steady defensive line.
________________________________________________________________
Now to Iginla. If you have read Playing With Fire by Theo Fleury you would have to same view of him as I do. He is a caring guy, he is charitable and does a lot for the game. He is a great ambassador. In Canada that is a perfect fit. However, in the states. I don't know how much of an ambassador he can be in the game.
Born in Edmonton, Iginla has 525 career goals. All with Calgary. He will be back, he will retire a flame. Whether it is a 1 day deal or a year. He's going to be back.
He's a leader on and off the ice, everyone else who was in on it lost on a huge asset.
He will fit into Boston quite well. I would even say Boston is most poised to make a run for the cup.
Iginla's days are done in Calgary. Fans are still fighting this. It will sting. If the trade doesn't materialize (Like I it will) Calgary will have a lot of dark days.
It is time to put out the Flame.
All the best Iginla.
Regards,
Devon
Judgment: Calgary made a poor trade, would've gotten more if they had waited. However Khokhlachev fills a need and in a deep draft, that first round pick could be traded for a franchise player or used as a pick to get someone good.
Calgary has thrown the ball around for about 4 years now on trading Iginla. In my opinion, it has been about 2 years too late. With the salary cap lowering and dynamite franchise players hard to get ahold of, Calgary couldn't have gotten much more of a return.
If they had waited til deadline I think they would've been able to lift Malcolm Subban out of Boston (my opinion).
Calgary still has to ship Kipper somewhere. They are going to need a young goalie in return. In all honesty, if Columbus stays hot. Mason would be a nice fit with a somewhat steady defensive line.
________________________________________________________________
Now to Iginla. If you have read Playing With Fire by Theo Fleury you would have to same view of him as I do. He is a caring guy, he is charitable and does a lot for the game. He is a great ambassador. In Canada that is a perfect fit. However, in the states. I don't know how much of an ambassador he can be in the game.
Born in Edmonton, Iginla has 525 career goals. All with Calgary. He will be back, he will retire a flame. Whether it is a 1 day deal or a year. He's going to be back.
He's a leader on and off the ice, everyone else who was in on it lost on a huge asset.
He will fit into Boston quite well. I would even say Boston is most poised to make a run for the cup.
Iginla's days are done in Calgary. Fans are still fighting this. It will sting. If the trade doesn't materialize (Like I it will) Calgary will have a lot of dark days.
It is time to put out the Flame.
All the best Iginla.
Regards,
Devon
Sunday, 13 January 2013
The Arena (Cont'd)
Hey Oiler fans, remember how Katz was jerking everyone around, first hinting towards Winnipeg in '09 and then Seattle last year? He's a economic genius, he's well educated and has a networth of 2.0 Billion (and rising). He's an owner, he calls the shots. He called the shots during the lockout and now he has the Conservative government by the vice, and is slowly turning the purple nurple driving machine. His son, who doesn't know how great his hair is (Cool Fro, Bro) is living the life of luxury. That kid could take Gary Busy crazy pills and still inherit every bit of the fortune.
Daryl Katz's last hurrah (before a cup) will be winning this giant flustercluck of a battle in the heart of Edmonton. The homeless driven, business selling, and frustratingly painful traffic jammed part that is downtown. The Bacarat is sitting there wondering when the hammer is going to strike them silly up side the head and force them out of there.
Like most owners in the NHL, Daryl Katz is a lawyer/was a lawyer. He understands the constitution and will make you look dumber than the dudes on wheel of fortune who can't pronounce Kelly Ripa. (youtube 'wheel of fortune kelly ripa and regis philbin' and laugh). He will get what he wants. the 400 Million LRT expansions and lord knows what other great hemorrhaging ideas our city has is only showing him that they have the money. Daryl Katz is awaiting crunch time, when the Oilers are truly in jeopardy and the execs in Seattle and salivating like me looking at Selma Hayek. The Oilers being at risk of moving is probably the worst thing to happen to Edmonton since..... Since.... okay. 'We' are the City of Champions, the heart of gold, what others shitty made up phrase they want to shove down our throats to go spend money we don't have.
Right now, we have a lot of that; with our ridiculously high rate of jobs available. (another thing that plays in his favor) Prices of material rise, and the city is waiting to see if it will fall. It won't. In fact if they had signed the dotted line from the beginning they would've paid only 12-17% of the cost of what it is now. That's a lot of keesh. As I last read about it the cost has been well over 600 million, and steadily increasing.
The arena's possibilities aren't really limited either. With the real estate they will get they could hold 17 monster truck jams at once, or something.
They can put hotels, concerts (multiple), restaurants, William Shatner, Art Garfunkel... Well maybe not those last 2. The biggest thing they can do? have a transportation hub inside or just outside of it, as to satisfy another LRT expansion and work with the city further. They can provide parking to surrounding businesses and help put back into the city's economy.
If Daryl Katz wants to at the end of the day. He probably won't, he shouldn't have to. It is only a matter of time before he makes them look silly for wasting time. Another glaring factor is looking at Phoenix, who lost $40 million dollars as soon as the CBA was ratified. In costs in equipment, management, maintaining and continuing the Coyotes dreadful existence. The city will not want to look at Rexall and watch it remain vacant when they can upgrade and continue to build our city (and surrounding areas such as: terwilliger and windermere)
They are just wasting time and playing a shot for shot game of politics, it is leaving a sour taste in the mouth of both sides. All the while people are opinionated on who is who again...Sound familiar?
Regards,
Devon (view from the west)
Daryl Katz's last hurrah (before a cup) will be winning this giant flustercluck of a battle in the heart of Edmonton. The homeless driven, business selling, and frustratingly painful traffic jammed part that is downtown. The Bacarat is sitting there wondering when the hammer is going to strike them silly up side the head and force them out of there.
Like most owners in the NHL, Daryl Katz is a lawyer/was a lawyer. He understands the constitution and will make you look dumber than the dudes on wheel of fortune who can't pronounce Kelly Ripa. (youtube 'wheel of fortune kelly ripa and regis philbin' and laugh). He will get what he wants. the 400 Million LRT expansions and lord knows what other great hemorrhaging ideas our city has is only showing him that they have the money. Daryl Katz is awaiting crunch time, when the Oilers are truly in jeopardy and the execs in Seattle and salivating like me looking at Selma Hayek. The Oilers being at risk of moving is probably the worst thing to happen to Edmonton since..... Since.... okay. 'We' are the City of Champions, the heart of gold, what others shitty made up phrase they want to shove down our throats to go spend money we don't have.
Right now, we have a lot of that; with our ridiculously high rate of jobs available. (another thing that plays in his favor) Prices of material rise, and the city is waiting to see if it will fall. It won't. In fact if they had signed the dotted line from the beginning they would've paid only 12-17% of the cost of what it is now. That's a lot of keesh. As I last read about it the cost has been well over 600 million, and steadily increasing.
The arena's possibilities aren't really limited either. With the real estate they will get they could hold 17 monster truck jams at once, or something.
They can put hotels, concerts (multiple), restaurants, William Shatner, Art Garfunkel... Well maybe not those last 2. The biggest thing they can do? have a transportation hub inside or just outside of it, as to satisfy another LRT expansion and work with the city further. They can provide parking to surrounding businesses and help put back into the city's economy.
If Daryl Katz wants to at the end of the day. He probably won't, he shouldn't have to. It is only a matter of time before he makes them look silly for wasting time. Another glaring factor is looking at Phoenix, who lost $40 million dollars as soon as the CBA was ratified. In costs in equipment, management, maintaining and continuing the Coyotes dreadful existence. The city will not want to look at Rexall and watch it remain vacant when they can upgrade and continue to build our city (and surrounding areas such as: terwilliger and windermere)
They are just wasting time and playing a shot for shot game of politics, it is leaving a sour taste in the mouth of both sides. All the while people are opinionated on who is who again...Sound familiar?
Regards,
Devon (view from the west)
Thursday, 10 January 2013
Your team: The Montreal Canadiens
This is going to be the most unbiased view I could have for them.
Montreal flat out stunk last year, no chemistry, no heart, no jam from the get go. They got pushed around, scored on, walked through, got waxed for a majority of their games. Even the games they won, they just squeezed them out by one goal.
Plekanec had a very strange year, but sadly it was business as usual. Kostitsyn hasn't played well since Kovalev played for the Habs, he had about 10 different wingers throughout the year. He could never develop chemistry. He felt he needed to do more, he felt like he needed to be Ovi. He played alright in his own end, and didn't have much in the O zone. Kosty gone, good riddance. Gomez played...? I don't honestly remember I blacked out. Gomez will be riding pine, in either the NHL or AHL until they can buy him out July 1st. A very strange year organized by Pierre Gauthier and company.
We traded our best piece, for a below average (at the time) Rene Bourque. He came with a chip on his shoulder, he truly loved Calgary. Cammalleri will find a home there, and hopefully he sold the one in Montreal he built the day before he was traded.
Gionta fell flat, Gionta fell a lot, Gionta got hurt, Gionta was a non-factor for most of last season. Gionta should be ready and come out flying in the first game.
Plekky will have Galchenyuk and maybe Gallagher (that's who I would put him with). He shines with speedy wingers. Cole Patches and David Desharnais will have another good year. We have Prust, Bouillon, Moen to fight now. We will not be pushed over.
And we have gritty Ryan White, Injury prone Colby Armstrong and Eller wherever he fits in. We have to tolerate a very thin backend. Unless they actually utilize them this year. With Diaz and Emelin coming off of huge debut campaigns, I would expect a lot more form and tempo. Now they know how the game is on North American Ice. When they sign PK expect him to prove the analysts wrong that it wasn't more than just a Sophomore slump. A healthy Markov to play with Yannick Weber and help show him the ropes, help refine his game. Kaberle will be used as a powerplay defenseman, as that is all he is good for.
Where this season lies, is in the depth. Defensively we are great for depth. No stand-outs. Beaulieau is having a below average season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Nash is a solid call-up and Tinordi would almost be a walk in my opinion, if they can find a way to ship out Weber or Kaberle.
Depth forwards: Leblanc, Bournival, Gallagher, Fortier, Palushaj, Dumont, Geoffrion, and Zach Stortini for those tough-guy games.
Finally, Carey Price is coming off of one of his weirder campaigns. He was fatigued from overplaying, he got concussed, never really found his footing. Expect him to come out and win a chunk of games, as he is going to have to with the team in front of him. It might be the year he competes for a Vezina. Budaj will play limited games, I predict Price plays 44 games.
For my prediction: They battle for a spot, the squeak in.
Regards,
Devon
Montreal flat out stunk last year, no chemistry, no heart, no jam from the get go. They got pushed around, scored on, walked through, got waxed for a majority of their games. Even the games they won, they just squeezed them out by one goal.
Plekanec had a very strange year, but sadly it was business as usual. Kostitsyn hasn't played well since Kovalev played for the Habs, he had about 10 different wingers throughout the year. He could never develop chemistry. He felt he needed to do more, he felt like he needed to be Ovi. He played alright in his own end, and didn't have much in the O zone. Kosty gone, good riddance. Gomez played...? I don't honestly remember I blacked out. Gomez will be riding pine, in either the NHL or AHL until they can buy him out July 1st. A very strange year organized by Pierre Gauthier and company.
We traded our best piece, for a below average (at the time) Rene Bourque. He came with a chip on his shoulder, he truly loved Calgary. Cammalleri will find a home there, and hopefully he sold the one in Montreal he built the day before he was traded.
Gionta fell flat, Gionta fell a lot, Gionta got hurt, Gionta was a non-factor for most of last season. Gionta should be ready and come out flying in the first game.
Plekky will have Galchenyuk and maybe Gallagher (that's who I would put him with). He shines with speedy wingers. Cole Patches and David Desharnais will have another good year. We have Prust, Bouillon, Moen to fight now. We will not be pushed over.
And we have gritty Ryan White, Injury prone Colby Armstrong and Eller wherever he fits in. We have to tolerate a very thin backend. Unless they actually utilize them this year. With Diaz and Emelin coming off of huge debut campaigns, I would expect a lot more form and tempo. Now they know how the game is on North American Ice. When they sign PK expect him to prove the analysts wrong that it wasn't more than just a Sophomore slump. A healthy Markov to play with Yannick Weber and help show him the ropes, help refine his game. Kaberle will be used as a powerplay defenseman, as that is all he is good for.
Where this season lies, is in the depth. Defensively we are great for depth. No stand-outs. Beaulieau is having a below average season with the Hamilton Bulldogs, Nash is a solid call-up and Tinordi would almost be a walk in my opinion, if they can find a way to ship out Weber or Kaberle.
Depth forwards: Leblanc, Bournival, Gallagher, Fortier, Palushaj, Dumont, Geoffrion, and Zach Stortini for those tough-guy games.
Finally, Carey Price is coming off of one of his weirder campaigns. He was fatigued from overplaying, he got concussed, never really found his footing. Expect him to come out and win a chunk of games, as he is going to have to with the team in front of him. It might be the year he competes for a Vezina. Budaj will play limited games, I predict Price plays 44 games.
For my prediction: They battle for a spot, the squeak in.
Regards,
Devon
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