A Look Ahead To Pyeonchang

It may seem like a long time, but the 2018 Olympics in Pyeonchang are only seven months away. Much of the talk surrounding the Olympics is on hockey, amidst the recent decision of the NHL deciding to not let their players participate in the Olympics. The NHL had stated that they did not see any benefit to the game if they participated. This decision caused backlash from fans worldwide and the NHLPA, who thought otherwise on the subject, stating that there is a benefit in going. Not doing so "impedes the growth of the game worldwide". Regardless, the decision of the NHL is final, and it means that fans will not get to see the big names participate, such as Crosby, Kane, Backstrom, Koivu, Tarasenko, and McDavid. The decision also hurts powerhouses such as Canada, Sweden, and the U.S, as they will not be able to select those big names. However, the players that do get to play are players playing on pro teams in Europe and players on two way contracts in the American hockey League. Despite the fact that the players aren't the big names that fans are accustomed to, 2018 Olympic Hockey may turn out to be exciting. For most of the players, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and wearing the sweater of their nation may raise their level of play. For the teams, this tournament will be about as even as it gets. Canada, the U.S, Russia, and Sweden are not stacked with players who can take over and change the game in an instant. This may bring opportunities for the smaller nations, such as Switzerland, Denmark, and Latvia to produce some upsets. But from an Olympic perspective, the 2018 Olympics will be as close as it gets to a hockey tournament full of "amateur" athletes, something that hasn't been in existence since the 1994 Olympics. Without pros, this tournament will hopefully capture the true spirit of the Olympics- athletes who are just happy to compete and represent their country. This tournament has a ton of potential to produce entertaining hockey, but questions will still remain up to the start of the tournament. Will the players be capable of playing good hockey? Did the NHL make a good decision, or a bad decision? Only time will tell.

The NHL Offseason... So Far

Although the NHL offseason isn't quite over just yet, it is safe to say that the dust has settled on the big signings and trades. It's also safe to say that the league has been shaken up quite a bit, which allows for a bit of a recap. At the draft, the Vegas Golden Knights made quite a splash with a bounty of draft picks in the first and second round. Those picks not only drafted elite prospects like Cody Glass and Nick Suzuki, but it also strengthened the Knights future and chances of success. However, the success of the Golden Knights wasn't the only big news at the draft. Blockbuster trades were completed that sent shockwaves around the league. Artemi Panarin, Brandon Saad, Derek Stepan, Travis Hamonic, and Brayden Schenn were some of the big names moved. Furthermore, prospects like Gabe Vilardi and Timothy Liljegren, who were some of the big name prospects, slipped out of the top ten selections to Los Angeles and Toronto, respectively. After the draft, the week of July 1st made way for an open free agent market which allowed unrestricted free agents able to sign with whoever they wished. Most of the big names were gone on July 1st. Kevin Shattenkirk signed with the Rangers on a 26.8 million dollar deal, Alexander Radulov signed a 31 million dollar deal with Dallas, and Patrick Marleau went to the Leafs for 18 million. For Shattenkirk, this deal gives him no room for error. After a trade from St. Louis to Washington, Shattenkirk struggled and was demoted to the third pair. Shattenkirk needs to bring the game that made him successful in St. Louis in order to effectively contribute under the bright lights of the Big Apple. In the case of Radulov, all he wanted was success. After failing to achieve that in Montreal, Radulov accepted the offer of a team that has already gotten better with the acquisition of goalie Ben Bishop. Patrick Marleau's signing, however, was surprising, considering he had been with San Jose for more than 16 years. However, Marleau was quoted as saying that he liked the young group, and foresaw them as Cup contenders. For the Leafs, it signifies that they want to win after a hard fought first round loss against Washington. With the continued success of the Leafs young players, combined with a deep pool of elite prospects, the Leafs might be able to win more often this year and into the future, which could lead to a possible Cup victory. Each year, the NHL offseason, whether it is quiet or filled with deals, can always lead to big surprises. This offseason is no different, and the NHL community should expect to see a new and shaken up NHL among all 31 organizations come puck drop in October.

Do The Jays Still Have Life?

The 2017 campaign for the Toronto Blue Jays has been, for the most part, a season to forget. Unlike last year, injuries have plagued the Blue Jays’ top players, notably Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki, Devon Travis, and Aaron Sanchez. The offence, once heralded for its firepower and dangerous ability to strike at any moment is now riddled with inconsistency, with the exception of Justin Smoak. Troy Tulowitzki has yet to return to his consistent hitting ways that gave him success in Colorado, Donaldson has had a down year, and Kevin Pillar has fallen into a downward spiral since the start of June. The pitching staff of the Blue Jays could be one of the most dominant in the majors, if they were healthy. Instead, the Blue Jays have had to rely on starters from Triple-A Buffalo, and the quality of the bullpen has decreased, leaving Roberto Osuna as one of few consistent relievers on the Jays’ active roster. The inconsistency of the first 3 months of the season has fans and media alike questioning the ability of the Jays’ players and coaching staff. However, despite all the turbulence, the Jays are only four and a half games out of a wildcard spot, with the All-Star Break dead ahead. Despite the fact that this team has been playing average to mediocre, the Jays are not completely out of the playoff picture. Once the All-Star Break ends, fans and members of the Blue Jays will get a chance to see what this team is really made of. Can the flashes of brilliance, like the 18-2 win over Cincinnati, or a convincing win last night over the Houston Astros, who are the A.L’s best, become consistent? Can the Jays reach back and find the consistency of a well-rounded team that has, quite frankly, scared the rest of the league for the past 3 years? Or, will they continue their inconsistency, bad habits, and constant injury history? Only time will tell if the Blue Jays can return to form, but as of now, the team controls their own destiny, their future, and their playoff hopes for this year.