Things that happen every 4 years

Pictured: 2 NHL toddlers.  Simon Gagne turns 8 today and Cam Ward turns 7.

It's leap day.  February 29th.  The day that comes every 4 years.  Since this day only happens every 4 years, I thought it would be appropriate to look at some other events that only occur every 4 years.  This was one of the simpler blogs posts I've written.  Take a look.

• Bob McKenzie screws up a trade on Twitter.
   
• Scott Gomez scores a goal...sometimes two.
   
• A Flyers goaltender posts a shutout.
   
• Henrik Lundqvist allows a goal.
   
• Peter Forsberg un-retires.
   
• The Devils go through 4 head coaches.
   
• Dany Heatley gets traded.  Twice.
   
• Leafs fans call for Ron Wilson's firing, two weeks after petitioning to the NHL for his Adam Trophy nomination.
   
• The Islanders win a playoff series. 

Who replaces Doc Emrick? The candidates revealed!

(source of original picture: http://www.nj.com/devils/index.ssf/2010/10/christine_simpson_joins_devils.html )

MSG Network lost a legend today as long-time Devils announcer Mike “Doc” Emrick became a full-time play-by-play man with NBC and Versus.  This creates a vacancy for the Devils and their play-by-play man.  Luckily, I’ve done all the work already and obtained MSG’s list of potential candidates to find Emrick’s successor.

Steve Cangialosi (Last job: Devils pre-game TV host)

Why he deserves the job – He’s worked with the Devils for many years now, and hasn’t gotten the big promotion yet.

Why he should not get the job – The last time the Devils promoted a guy after that length of time resulted in his firing 33 games later.

Verdict – No way.  His voice is more colorful than Don Cherry’s suits.  Okay, well, most of Don Cherry’s suits…

Matt Loughlin (Last job: Devils radio announcer)

Why he deserves the job – Like Cangialosi, he has worked with the Devils for a long time on both the television and radio side.

Why he should not get the job – At times, he has a difficult time with name pronunciations. It’s not as if any former Devils broadcaster ever had that problem…

Verdict – His alumni status with MSG warrants further consideration.

Jim Hughson (Last job: CBC Hockey Night in Canada announcer)

Why he deserves the job – Many employees involving the Devils have come from Toronto and Montreal.  Hughson would continue Devils' tradition.

Why he should not get the job – His voice is a constant wavelength of changes in the pitch of his voice.  He is simply not consistent.

Verdict – Imagine Hughson with Craig Simpson.  Now imagine Hughson with Chico Resch.  Exactly…

Stan Fischler (Last job: MSG employee, or something like that)

Why he deserves the job – He’s witnessed every great moment in hockey history since the Original Six were once known as Toronto, Montreal, Montreal, some American city south of Toronto and Montreal and two other cities we can’t remember.

Why he should not get the job – He would compare every hockey game to either a playoff game from 1947 (supposedly his first season as a hockey fan) or an incident in the New York City subway system.

Verdict – Not a chance.  Stan should stick to doing whatever he does now…whatever that may be.

Peter Loubardias (Last job: Calgary Flames announcer)

Why he deserves the job – Another former broadcaster of a Canadian hockey team, he has experience covering a team that throws around more No Trade Clauses than Toronto fans throw waffles.

Why he should not get the job – New Jersey is a big culture shock, and as a Calgary-born Devils alumni coach will tell you, people can get very homesick in New Jersey.

Verdict – There are certainly worse choices.  Some of those people are the people listed above.

Steve Goldstein (Last job: Florida Panthers announcer)

Why he deserves the job – He’s one of the very few people who has actually seen Pete DeBoer coach in person.

Why he should not get the job – He is still under contract with the Panthers’ TV group and nobody associated with the Devils would ever try to do anything illegal with contracts.

Verdict – Let him stay with the Panthers.  It’s a safer job than anything with the Devils anyway.

Glenn “Chico” Resch (Last job: Devils analyst)

Why he deserves the job – He talks more than most play-by-play announcers and analysts do combined.

Why he should not get the job – By the second period of opening night, that could become irritating.

Verdict – Have you ever sprayed gasoline to put out a fire?  Well, I think you get my point.

Gary Thorne (Last job: Orioles baseball announcer)

Why he deserves the job – He worked for ESPN for many years, and became an expert with the Devils after they kept appearing in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Why he should not get the job – He works for ESPN, therefore there is a chance that he is influenced by Scott Burnside (which, in case you did not know, is a very bad thing).

Verdict – Sign him now, before another the league locks out again and Thorne is sent to the Orioles’ Triple-A affiliate.

Jim Jackson (Last job: Flyers announcer)

Why he deserves the job – Jim previously worked for the Utica Devils back in the day before going to the dark side.

Why he should not get the job – If a television’s volume reaches any sort of volume that a human is capable of hearing, he will wake up any sleeping person within 50 miles during every net mouth scramble.

Verdict – Nobody in the New York area sleeps anyway.  Let him keep Philadelphia awake.

Down Goes Spezza (Last job: independent hockey blogger)

Why he deserves the job – He nominated himself for the position (which automatically disqualifies him), and if you think about it, having a Flyers fan announce Devils games could work…barring you have earplugs on throughout each game.

Why he should not get the job – His favorite color is orange and his elbow has a Chris Pronger tattoo on it.*

Verdict – He knows what Corsi (advanced hockey statistic) is.  If he mentioned that on air, listeners’ houses might explode in confusion.

* Not confirmed.

Making fun of Gary Bettman, part 87 (okay, not really...)

This is the time of year to be a hockey fan.  Well, unless you root for the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Islanders, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, Edmonton Oilers...you know, teams that aren't necessarily playoff "regulars."  But playoff hockey is fun for everyone.  Everyone except Gary Bettman.  Let's take a look at some dialogue between NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and ESPN President George Bodenheimer, as the two sides discuss a potential TV deal.

George Bodenheimer (calls Gary Bettman): Hello, Mr. Bettman.

Gary Bettman: Umm, good evening.

George Bodenheimer: It's 9 AM...

Gary Bettman: Oh.  I apologize.

George Bodenheimer: Anyway, I'm sure you know why I'm calling you--

Gary Bettman: Ah, yes, is it that time again?

George Bodenheimer: Yes, Mr. Bettman sir, I think it's time that we negotiate a new TV contract with the National Hockey League.  Your on-ice product is at a premium right now, and we feel that we can provide proper marketing to your players and teams.

Gary Bettman: Oh that?  I thought you were going to say that it's time for the NBA playoffs...

George Bodenheimer: That, too.  Mr. Bettman, I'm sure that we can get an agreement done to put pro-hockey back on ESPN.

Gary Bettman: But what about poker?

George Bodenheimer: Well, let's just say poker ratings haven't exactly been that great.  Hell, even hockey in America might be able to draw a larger audience.  Now, Mr. Bettman, let's talk about the game so that I can become a more educated hockey...person.

Gary Bettman: Sure!  What can I help you with?

George Bodenheimer: Okay, something I've always wondered: when a player skates into the zone ahead of the player with the puck and the referee blows the play dead...what's that called?

Gary Bettman: It's called "Dammit, Michael Grabner, you're too damn fast, slow the hell down and stop going off-side."

George Bodenheimer: Oh, so it's called off-side?

Gary Bettman: I'm not sure.  Icing, penalty, power-play, boarding, goal, one of them...

George Bodenheimer: Mr. Bettman, please work with me here.  I'm trying to get the NHL back on ESPN.  Now what would you say are the three best rivalries in hockey right now?

Gary Bettman: Me versus Lou Lamoriello...oh, I'm sorry.  Pittsburgh/Washington, Pittsburgh/Chicago, Chicago/Washington.  Basically, the whole league.

George Bodenheimer: Ah, I see.  Your league is wise to consist of few teams.  I mean, honestly, how absolutely stupid would it be if the National Hockey League expanded to 30 teams and had teams in inadequate markets in the southern United States?!

Gary Bettman: Ha, yes, that would be dumb...oh, excuse me, I'm getting another call. / Hello?

Jamie Davis (Versus/Comcast President): Good evening, Mr. Bettman.

Gary Bettman: It's morning...anyway, Mr. Davis, I presume you've called to talk about a new TV deal.  Well guess what?  I'm on the phone with--

Jamie Davis: 5-years/$100,000.

Gary Bettman: Done!  We did it!  A new TV deal that will allow the NHL to prosper and grow to new heights!

Jamie Davis: Umm, you do know that this is the President of Versus, right?

Gary Bettman: You're not from ESPN?

Jamie Davis: No...

Gary Bettman: Crap.  (hangs up on both of them)

Colin Campbell: So, Gary, did you sign a contract with ESPN?

Gary Bettman: No...

Colin Campbell: Matt! (A raging Matt Cooke enters and elbows Bettman in the face)  Gary, I think you need some time in the quiet room!

Matt Cooke: Eh, we'll call him back in before the Celtics/Knicks game starts (both Campbell and Cooke leave the room).

George Bodenheimer: Hmm, I have been hung up on.  Alright, we'll put poker back on ESPN.

Major storylines heading into the 2011 Stanley Cup playoffs

As the calendar turns to April, there are several major sporting events occurring, such as the NCAA College Basketball tournament, NBA playoffs and the start of another MLB season.  If I didn't know better, I might think there was another event starting this month.  Luckily for some Americans, ESPN doesn't acknowledge any other events, however for those of us who do care, the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs also begin this month.  As you might expect, there are some pretty significant story lines heading into the playoffs.  Let's take a look at some of them:




Sidney Crosby's concussion - Sidney Crosby hasn't played in a game since early January, yet the Penguins are still right in the Flyers' rear view mirrors, and will likely have home ice advantage for the first round of the playoffs.  The bad news: as of right now, it is still mathematically possible for the Penguins to draw Montreal in the first round of the playoffs.

No New Jersey Devils in the playoffs - Since the early 1990s, it was pretty much assumed that if there were playoffs, there were Devils in the playoffs.  This season, however, for the first time since 1996 and just the second time in 21 seasons, the Devils will be outside the East's top-8.  Once May rolls around, however, you probably wouldn't notice, since by that point, the Devils are usually eliminated already.

New York Rangers' resurrgence - Shockingly, the Rangers did not sign the biggest free agent last summer, and even more shockingly, their prized signing from the summer before, Marian Gaborik, has been nothing more than a detail for most of this season.  The key to the Rangers' resurrgence, likely back to the playoffs, is centered around home-grown talent.  Glen Sather seems puzzled by this concept, but since it's too late to self-destruct by trading everyone away at the deadline, he'll have to wait for the off-season.

Tampa Bay is relevant again - It wasn't long ago that the Lightning were the laughing stock of the NHL.  Aside from the Oilers and Islanders, of course.  It wasn't long ago that they drafted Steven Stamkos and signed him.  Don't credit Steve Yzerman for that, however, as not only did he not select Stamkos for his NHL team, but he didn't select Stamkos for his Canadian Olympic team either in 2010.  Let's see if the ageless wonder one of the many old guys still around can keep it going in the playoffs, Dwayne Roloson.

The Islanders are not in the playoffs - Again.

The Maple Leafs are not in the playoffs - Again, even though they made their usual late surge...

Is this the year that a Canadian team finally wins a Cup? - Since the lockout, the President's Trophy winner has been knocked out in the first round of the playoffs three times in five seasons.  One lost in the conference finals, and the 2008 Red Wings won the Stanley Cup.  Most analysts believe that these Canucks are not going to be the fourth time in six seasons that the best regular season team fails in the first round, but the casual fan can point to the standings and note Vancouver's current matchup: Chicago.  Maybe next year, Canada, maybe next year...

The Phoenix Coyotes might sell out a game - Okay, just kidding.  The Coyotes are safely in the playoffs right now, ranked 4th in the Western Conference.  The thing is, nobody is talking about them.  Usually, that is an expression used to say that the national media is overlooking them, but trust me when I say nobody is talking about them, including people in Arizona.  Still, they're probably going to draw either the Kings or Predators, and I'm sure Coyotes ownership -- or Gary Bettman -- or both -- would rather see the Kings play Phoenix, since at least 50 or 60 Kings fans might head down to Phoenix.  It is a great hockey market, though.

Corey Perry and the Anaheim Ducks - If anyone is going to score 50 goals in the NHL this season, it's probably going to be Corey Perry.  Not Crosby, not Ovechkin, not Colton Orr (don't know how that got there...), but Corey Perry.  Anaheim needs goaltending, however, but remember, all goalies are created equal.  Anaheim has five players with 60 points or more: Perry, Ryan, Getzlaf, Visnovsky, Selanne (the ageless wonder, or at least one of them).

The Detroit Red Wings are still a top team - Despite their annual injury plague, Detroit is once again atop their division heading into the post-season.  Nicklas Lidstrom is having a tremendous season, making him the ageless wonder (I feel like I've said that before...).  The only knock against Detroit right now is their goaltending situation, but we all know how I feel about goaltending...

Did Joe Nieuwendyk screw up royally? - At this season's trade deadline, it appeared that the Dallas Stars' general manager made the right decision when he did not move Brad Richards.  Dallas was the West's 3rd best team during the first half of the season, but now loom in 10th, and a playoff push would have to be miraculous at this point.  Considering Glen Sather hasn't made a stupid signing in over a year, expect him to throw a hefty offer Richards' way.  Like 17-years/$102 million.  Something radical and outrageous.

Colorado and Edmonton in the basement - The Oilers in the basement isn't really much of a story, but both the Avalanche and Oilers had exciting, young teams entering this season, and neither team is even close to being relevant right now.  There's no need to fear, though, because both teams will be relevant in late June...at the NHL Entry Draft.


DGA's official Stanley Cup Finals prediction: I expect a highly entertaining playoff season with many, long series, especially for the Washington Capitals...except for the series part.  I think the Penguins and Bruins are legitimate threats to go all the way through to the Finals, except if the Bruins do make it, they'll need to avoid leading games or series, 3-0, because as recently as last night, they have proven themselves inept to hold onto those leafs.  San Jose looks good this season, but hey, they're San Jose.  For their sake, let's hope last season was no fluke.  Vancouver is scary good, but seriously, can they get through the Blackhawks?

• As of right now, I do think any of the top-3 teams in the West can make it to the Finals, although Detroit's goaltending and age worries me. 
• I think the Flyers, Penguins and Bruins are obviously the best of the East (wow, that took a lot of insight, huh?), but Boston worries me, too.

I can't bring myself to pick an actual Finals matchup, but if I had to pick, I'd go Celtics-Lakers...I mean Sharks-Flyers.  Whew, the ESPN influence...