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.

The Importance of The Fourth Line and The Backup

During the end of the season and the playoffs, all the attention is focused on the NHL’s star players, and for good reason. How well they perform could determine if a team makes a playoff spot, or if a team advances through multiple playoff rounds. But, during this time, two things are often overlooked, and surprisingly, they are as important as the star players. Those two things are the fourth line and the backup goalie. The fourth line is stereotypically referred to as the “goon” line, however, that statement is completely false. The fourth line is used to give a team energy through physicality, speed, and a high-octane forecheck. All 3 members of the fourth line are not just there to give the star players a rest, they aim to play a solid 200 foot game and showcase their team’s depth of talented players. Take the Maple Leafs this year, for example. In their playoff push this year, their fourth line plays physical, injects energy into the Leafs, and they have the ability to put pucks in the net. Another position that is overlooked is the backup goaltender. Having a solid backup goalie does wonders for a team hoping for the playoffs. A solid backup provides stability, as the team knows that they have an excellent chance to win every game, no matter who is in net. A solid backup also instills confidence in a team. When the starting goalie needs a rest, or is injured, a team can count on their backup to provide solid wins for a game or two. The games may not seem like a lot, but to a team fighting tooth and nail for a playoff spot, every point counts. It is historically proven that having a good fourth line, and a good backup in addition to star players produces deep playoff runs and championships. If a team produces these two things, they will not only showcase their depth, but they will be on everyone’s radar come playoff time.

The Final Stretch

It’s that time of year again for fans of professional hockey. The regular season is winding down with just a few games to go and the playoffs are right around the corner. For some fans, their team is eliminated by this time, they want the season to end, and they want to get to the draft lottery in the hopes of a high pick. However, fans whose team is in a playoff position, or fighting for one, are in a completely different situation. Every game played by their team means something to their playoff hopes. The fans do not miss a minute of those remaining games, and during those games, hearts will be broken or dreams will be realized. Regardless if you are in either situation, the best thing about this time is that it’s exciting, and almost anything can happen. Not even the best sports analysts today can predict the final standings in this stretch of games. Sure, there will be some teams that finish in a high playoff spot as usual, but there will always be the teams who inspire all fans as they try and fight, tooth and nail to get into the playoffs, while keeping in mind that standings could change every day. This final stretch of games also builds anticipation for exciting playoff hockey. Anticipation about who’s going to win, who will rise to the occasion in every gruelling series, and who will be the Cinderella story. This is what the final stretch brings to the table, for players and fans. Players love to play for something that matters, while fans treat this period of time as the most wonderful time of the year. When the weather warms up, the games get better, and it’s something that the whole hockey world will happily watch or play any chance they get.

Going All In: NHL Hockey In Las Vegas

On November twenty-second, 2016, Las Vegas was granted an NHL franchise for next year over Quebec City. The NHL’s decision sparked both controversy and excitement among the hockey community, but some fans are still wondering “Is this worth the risk”?

This issue can be divided into two basic sections: the good side of this decision and the bad side of this decision. Let’s start off with the good side. Vegas is arguably one of the most recognizable cities in the United States, and it’s quite appealing to most people. Despite the fact that Vegas has not had a rich history with hockey, the enticing appeal of the city itself could attract big name free agents to the team, if the team starts to be successful. Another good thing is the healthy economy that is in Nevada, where Vegas is located. According to a 2016 report from CNBC, Nevada’s unemployment rate has been its lowest in eight years, and job growth is increasing. A healthy economy could mean that more people in Nevada will be able to buy tickets and merchandise which translates to profit for Vegas. This could also benefit the NHL, as there is a huge potential for their newest team to make money because of the healthy economy. The bottom line is; if Vegas makes money, the NHL will be happy, and they will most definitely be successful.

Now let’s move on to the bad side. Vegas doesn’t have a long hockey history unlike most NHL teams. This will mean that fans who are watching hockey for the first time might not know what is happening. Not having a long hockey history also means that Vegas lacks the pedigree of teams like Montreal, Pittsburgh, Chicago, New York, and Toronto. Vegas also likes winners, which is bad news for the new NHL team. As an expansion team, they will be made up of low second to third line players. Vegas will struggle to produce wins. This predicted struggle could mean less interest from fans and people in general. Less interest means less fans in the seats, and less money in the bank. Failing to produce wins also makes it a less likely decision for players to choose when they become free agents.

In order for the “Vegas gamble” to work, Vegas must make strides on and off the ice. On the ice, they need to make good draft decisions to get the best players, and try to scrounge up as many wins as they can. The front office must try to make Vegas appealing to players as a free agent destination. Furthermore, Vegas must try and grow the game in Vegas and the state of Nevada to those unfamiliar with hockey through initiatives like low ticket prices and new hockey arenas.

Ultimately, if the NHL thinks that Vegas is a city worthy of a team, then Vegas must be doing something right. However, only time will tell if they are successful and they make profit to prove to the NHL that Vegas is committed to being in the NHL for a long time.