Pardon My Bias

So with the NHL upon us again the feeling is back in the air. Ah…Fast skating, killer moves, big time saves, and the inevitable controversy. And mad props to the NHL this year. Right out the gate there has been the first debatable batch of head hits, a “Slap Shot” moment, and a playground taunt.

Niklas Hjalmarsson interferes and boards Jason Pomminville from the blindside on YouTube

Jason Pominville after the check in the back from Hjalmarsson

The head hit between Buffalo and Chicago in my humble opinion (which of course is why you are reading this) was warranted of a small suspension. It wasn’t intent to injure, Nik Hjalmarsson isn’t a repeat offender, and likely isn’t going to be a prime suspect again*cough*Cooke*cough. It was really more like a bad judgment call, seeing how he went across the ice to get the play broken up and then slammed into Jason Pominville checking him from behind (warranted it was in the back but not his head) into the boards (where Pomiville’s head collided). It was a dangerous play, was entirely reckless, and, worst of all, Pominville will miss time because of it. A two game suspension is spot on, and the NHL’s questionable call to have suspension run out right as Buffalo and Chicago got back together for a rematch worked out alright. Sure it was a scrappy game, but there were no recorded fights. It might have played a part to Buffalo netminder Ryan Miller missing the game in favor of Patrick Lalime however. And I thought Captain America could fend for himself. My take: The NHL got this one right.

Shane Doan \”hits\” Dan Sexton on YouTube

Coming just in now was the next debatable hit by Phoenix’s Shane Doan costing him to miss three games after he relatively blindsided Dan Sexton of Anaheim. While the hit portion of the play could be argued, and I think won, that Doan didn’t hit Sexton in the head it was still an illegal play. Sexton didn’t have the puck, and Doan hit him intentionally where Sexton got caught off guard. Not so much an illegal hit, but more of an intense interference call. The cheap shot aspect was there, only missing the hit. Doan though had an interesting take on the play itself saying he was trying to take away space. Looking at it that way it makes you see the play from a different perspective, maybe that it was bad timing more than anything. Still, Doan caught way too much of the player for a call not to be made. Accident or not, it was still dangerous and reckless and the NHL is showing that they won’t put up with any of it, which led to a more interesting quote out of Doan, “I accept the decision of the NHL…but I disagree with it”. Talk about a paradox. Translating this to me seems like Doan knows the NHL is trying to cut down on dangerous plays that had the same element his play had. He just doesn’t like it because the contact he felt wasn’t to hit or to injure, which he also says he could of done had he wanted. Not helping your case there Shane. He is absolutely right with Ducks’ announcer Brian Hayward acting like Doan just ate his first born though and maybe, just maybe, Hayward can get suspended for a while for being a repeat tool (and homer). Three games may seem a bit much but when the NHL is trying to cut down on BLINDSIDE hits it makes sense. Sexton got blindsided on interference contact. However it does seem a bit much though, especially when Hjalmarsson’s shot was clearly a hit from behind. One game would have been appropriate, but with Doan’s history it might have cost him. My take: Two games for the dangerous element – One game for it only being interference=Should have been one game.

Doughty Injury Video from NHL VideoCenter

With the video of Doan’s hit being seen as questionable, this hit looks similar, as the analysts break it down. Doughty was hit cleanly, and hit late. What’s more, the hit was high, and it appears Erik Cole leaves his feet to land it. Drew Doughty appears to be missing time now because of this. Again, an interference call would have been most appropriate at least. So, the hit is a much more physical play than Doan’s hit, but less of a blindside, and was just as late. Judgement from the NHL…no suspension. Again, Colin Campbell’s “wheel of justice” comes up with an interesting decision, ruling the play as incidental contact. Which is interesting seeing how much Cole went in with the hit, and wasn’t coming off the ice. It looked to be a headshot, an intentional hit, and just short of being a blindside one. Swing and miss by the NHL here. So much for sending that message. My take: Two game suspension.

Wisniewski Obscene Gesture Towards Sean Avery on YouTube

This had to be a little different for Sean Avery. An obscene incident involving a suspension handed down from the league and he was on the receiving end? Maybe receiving end isn’t the proper word choice still, but still the Islander’s James Wisniewski’s banana swallowing gesture at Avery maybe left the league a bit conflicted. Do you maintain the crackdown on immature antics, or do you really hate Sean Avery that much? Glad to see reason prevailed, but a two game suspension seemed a tad overkill. Then again, this is the same league that sent Avery, then of the Dallas Stars, to counseling after he said “sloppy seconds”. Avery of course was promptly released, but on the plus side this let him return to New York and the Rangers where he is slightly less detested and put up with more. At least Avery’s words were a fact, while the jury is out on Wisniewski’s claim. Doesn’t seem fair on that front. In any case, I know the league doesn’t want to put up with these antics, and they are ridiculous (and admittedly kind of funny), but making them miss time for acting like idiots where no one is hurt I still find to be a bit much. Plus, who hasn’t said worse of Sean Avery before? My take: Makes sense given how the NHL has handled this in the past, but c’mon, that is a fine only or at least Avery talking smack about Wiz’s love life.

Now for ugliest of the ugly…

Rick Rypien vs Minnesota Wild Fan on YouTube

Rick Rypien of the Vancouver Canucks and Brad Staubitz of the Minnesota Wild exchanged hits during the second period of the game, and Rypien takes things a swing further. Upon escorting out Rypien decides to get all Ron Artest on some poor guy clapping at him.

You won't like him when he's angry

Really Rick? The kid is from Minnesota, why try and add injury to insult just as the Twins are coming off of another series loss to the Yankees? Just think what would have happened had Wisniewski confronted Rick instead. Hanson Brothers humor aside this is warranted of this counseling the league has decided it can hand out. This is worst than blind side hits, immature trash talk, and even Tie Domi beating up some fan for falling into the penalty box trying to fight him after Domi generously offered to rehydrate him. This was completely unprovoked to where a guy who essentially fights for a living tries to beat up some kid for being sarcastic. Nelson Cruz of the Texas Rangers maybe wanted to try this after that homerun by Robinson Cano, and frankly he had more reason than Rypien. There is a fine (hefty), suspension (lengthy), and mandatory counseling session (Andy Bernard-y) waiting for Rick at this point. It also doesn’t help that the Canucks are off to a tepid start so far. Still, lousy record or not, this is everything the NHL does not want (nor does any organization in any industry) and they should hit him with everything short of a ban. Instead, they decide to say six games is enough. The lawsuit threatened by the guy most have the NHL worried and Vancouver worried enough. My take: Fine him, suspension for 10 games AFTER Rypien finishes counseling.

This is just an opinion…so please Pardon My Bias.

Well the parade in Toronto will be delayed for the time (bet you haven’t heard that before) seeing how the Maple Leafs finally faced defeat, albeit in overtime so they still get a point so hope is not lost yet Toronto. Given that the Dallas Stars were defeated on the same day and the Tampa Bay Lightning suffered defeat to the Florida Panthers soon before, this means that no NHL team will achieve Miami Dolphiness and go 82-0. Of course the inquiries at this point are will hot starts play part to a strong season. Maybe the season won’t continue along at the tremendous pace for some, but is a playoff berth out of the question? So taking a look at the teams who missed the playoffs last season, and are off to starts where it doesn’t look like they are already out of contention, here’s my completely opinionated opinion:

Tavares (center)

NY Islanders

Start so far: Well sure, in actuality those 8 points so far have been from six games already, but a record of 3-1-2 (though it should be 3-3, stupid overtime point system) has put the Long Islanders atop the division early tied with Pittsburgh in points, though the Penguins have played seven games. Plus, the fact that the Isles beat the previously undefeated, and therefore clearly Cup winning, Maple Leafs in overtime is a big plus for morale. And yes it does help when the game winner goes to young stud John Tavares.

Outlook: Ok, early on I pegged the Islanders to improve but not enough for the playoffs. Given the fact that they are still only holding a .500 record I am tempted to stand by that assessment. However for that to happen the Rangers need to grow some teeth and the Devils need to figure out what in the hell they are going to do with their cap issues and actually roster a full team. Maybe if the Atlantic division continues to struggle as a majority, and James Wisniewski stays out of trouble for asking Sean Avery to share Fudgsicles during games, the Islanders can find a way in to the playoffs via the bottom eight. The Islanders are proving they have got depth, losing Tavares and captain defender Streit, yet fighting back. Rick DiPietro may regain his form, though that is a race against time and him straining his ACL after having a bad dream. Until then Dwayne Roloson continues to prove he is far more effective and efficient.

Toronto Maple Leafs

Start so far: 4-0 to start is about as good a start as most of Toronto’s dreams can imagine, only topped by a 5-0 start (next year!). Then dreams were dashed and people fell into depression with the team falling in overtime to go 4-0-1. Yet still Phil Kessel is averaging a goal a game, and Clarke MacArthur is following suit. I am surprised about one of those. You can guess which. And I think GM Brian Burke may be happy knowing that so far Tomas Kaberle has four assists and the team isn’t at a point where they are shopping him…yet. All in all, for three gambles this season to start Burke looks like he is nailing it. Though two first round picks for Kessel may never be justified until he pots 60 goals.

Outlook: Like the Atlantic, the Northeast division’s former powers are floundering right now, but Montreal and Boston look to be the real deal. If I had to choose one team of the three to eventually succumb to a turnaround by any team in the East who is underachieving currently, Toronto is the easy pick. While everyone may be saying Tyler Bozak is the solution at center since Mats Sundin graced Toronto, well, simply put, no. If Burke swings a deal for a center (which he certainly has the means to do with all those first round picks…) I say the Leafs may be solidified for a run at the playoffs. As for now…Enjoy the run Toronto.

Stamkos makes the Lightning powerplay work. Always

Tampa Bay Lightning

Start so far: Thank god for the offense in Tampa because the Ellis/Smith tandem in net is not looking to hot. Surprisingly, the defense has allowed a relatively reasonable 28 shots per game average, yet Dan “Moneybags” Ellis and Mike “Generic Name” Smith have allowed 3.6 goals per game which is good for third worst. But jumping out 4-1 is showing that bad goaltending doesn’t matter. Plus, that one loss was against the Florida Panthers at the lopsided affair of 6-0 and if you take that out the Lightning drastically improve in just about every department. Plus those four wins came against Philadelphia, Montreal, the previously undefeated Dallas, and the surprising Atlanta Thrashawks. Not bad. So what gives with Florida? And, oh yeah, Steven Stamkos has five goals and nine points to start.

Outlook: The Lightning have been the popular sleeper pick (which is an oxymoron by all rights) for snagging a playoff spot and so far they have looked the part. They have been exciting and dynamic so far, and if the goalie situation gets fixed up (as in elevating anyone’s save percentage to over 88%) the Lightning may be a real hazard to just about anyone besides the Panthers.

Atlanta Thrashers

Start so far: 3-2 may not be the greatest start ever, but in Thrashers history this is a very good sign in year 1 AK. Plus with a reliable goalie tandem returning with Ondrej Pavelec coming back after getting all woozy (glad to see he is back and doing alright), most signs point up for Atlanta. No one has been overwhelming on offense, though Anthony Stewart’s four goals in five games is making a case, which is actually good for them seeing how it is a more thorough team effort and not just reliance on a certain player as has been the case in the past. Even more impressive has been the opponents Atlanta has dealt with: Washington, Los Angeles, San Jose, Tampa Bay, and Anaheim. Losses to Los Angeles and Tampa Bay, both tough opponents, and wins against Washington and San Jose, the crème de la crème of the league? Yeah I think Atlanta has to be pleased so far. Anaheim doesn’t count on account that they have no defenders dressed. At least ones that actually play defense.

Outlook: I actually had Atlanta as my 8^th seed out East, which I don’t have in writing on this blog so believe me or not (do), so I though Atlanta may be capable of some big time things. I think they are easily a bubble team, but I don’t quite know if with the rise of other surprise teams that if Atlanta is going to be the one of them that lasts.

Often overlooked, Richards (91) always produces

Dallas Stars

Start so far: Not much changed in Big D besides that whole losing the franchise player and former hotshot goalie. So what happened? Kari Lehtonen, the new kid in pads, goes on to face 38 shots per game so far and is still somehow sporting a reasonable 3.00 goals against average and gets four wins right out the gates. Never mind the fact that the Stars offense is entirely top heavy (impressively so), while they are basically missing the Hanson brothers in their bottom six. Steve Ott does an admirable impression though. Again, that doesn’t matter when Brad Richards is averaging two points a game.

Outlook: Admittedly, I had written Dallas off pretty quick when it came to preseason evaluations. Namely due to their question mark in net, worrisome defense, and utter lack of depth up front. So far only the defense is the troublesome part. So far. Those shots against need to drop fast for Dallas to stay hot. No goalie can keep up that workload and if Lehtonen falters a bit the Stars will be landing flat on their face, which leads to the next issue with the offense. The offense on the Stars has bailed them out so far when the defense has been more problematic, but one injury upfront leaves the Stars scarily vulnerable. Brandon Segal, Adam Burrish, Krys Barch, and Brian Sutherby don’t exactly yell offensive threat. Dallas when healthy can be solid roster. Injuries are going to happen though at some point, and Lehtonen is going to slow down a bit so it is likely that Dallas will come back down to earth.

Agree? Disagree? Mostly disagree? I’ll have more to disagree with later.

This is just an opinion…so please Pardon My Bias.