Could 2017/18 Be The Year Of The Raptor?

Another NBA season is just around the corner, and once again, "Is it their year?" loftily hangs over the Toronto Raptors. The last 4 years of Raptor ball have been pretty good, to say the least. They've been top 3 in the East for almost 5 years, they've got a playoff streak of that same length, and they possess the best backcourt in their conference, and arguably the NBA. But in the NBA of the present, where super teams have become the norm, pretty good isn't good enough. The success they've had either flamed out in the playoffs, or when they've been good, they've been stopped short by some guy named LeBron James. Long story short, a team that could've gone to the Finals in another era has half a decade filled with close calls. But the landscape of the NBA has changed this year, mainly in the East. Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward bolted for Boston and Isiah Thomas was dealt to Cleveland along with the majority of the 2016/17 Celtics starting 5. Sure, those moves only total up to two, but it has evened up the NBA landscape by a little bit. So, what does this mean for the Raptors? For the pessimist, it means just another year, but for the optimist, it means that the Raptors could actually break through. With the Raptor core still intact, and a more even playing field, there is no super team other than Golden State. The East is up for grabs, and if the Raptors can pull themselves together, create some magic, and silence doubters, they may have a chance to pull together a deep playoff run. So once the season starts, everyone will still be talking about the Cavs, Celtics, Warriors, and Thunder, but the league may forget that there is a dark horse in Toronto waiting to strike. If they do, and with success, then 2017-2018 may be the year of the Raptor, and there will be no superteam in the East to overtake them.

A New Dawn: The Start Of A New Hockey Season

It's the start of September, the days are getting shorter, leaves are changing colour, and fall is about to begin. Sure, it's an important month for all of the above reasons, but September is the start of a brand new hockey season for minor and pro hockey teams all across the country. For me, it's one of the best times of the year, aside from summer, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. The start of the season parallels to spring, in a way. Hockey arenas, no matter how old they are, always look squeaky clean. New ice has been installed, leaving a beautiful canvas of white ice and painted lines for players to skate on and refine their skills. Best of all, new sticks are often purchased, new jerseys are given out and new friendships are made between teammates. While that all sounds great, September is where the work starts. Coaches will use every opportunity they have in to push players to the limit. Practices may be painful and pre-season games will often look sluggish, especially if a team is made up of a majority of new players. But it is through this work, this never ending grind, that teams come together, and that can mean continued success moving forward into the regular season. Personally, I have gone through this whole process for more than a decade and I embrace it. I welcome not only the clean rinks, new equipment, and new relationships, but I also welcome gruelling two hour practices where your legs and quite frankly, your whole body, feels the strain of completing strenuous skating and battle drills. That may seem like a bit much to the average human being, but I'm a hockey player, and all hockey players love this time of year, no matter what level or age group. Bring it on, September. Let's play.

A Year To Forget For The Blue Jays

The year of 2017 looked like clear skies for the Toronto Blue Jays. The team was coming off two straight American League Championship Series (ALCS) appearances, the pitching seemed to be peaking, and the red-hot offence was considered the best in baseball. Even with the departure of Edwin Encarnacion, the Jays looked like a team that could go into the playoffs, and possibly the World Series. But the skies were anything but clear for the Birds this year. Every position on the roster has been hampered with the nightmare known as the disabled list. That list has robbed the Blue Jays of grade-A talent, with the likes of star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, second baseman Devon Travis, and ace pitcher Aaron Sanchez gone for extended periods of time. However, that's not the complete list of players who have been injured. Jose Bautista, Russell Martin, Josh Donaldson, and Marcus Stroman were on the DL for short stints, but when they were injured, the Jays possessed gaping holes in their lineup, leaving utility players such as Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney to try and fill the holes once occupied with star power. Therefore, the offence is not red hot as it was in the past two years, and the pitching has struggled mightily, with the exception of starting pitcher Marcus Stroman and closer Roberto Osuna. Yet, here the Jays sit, with a record of 61-72, last in the AL East division, and more than 8 games back of a wildcard spot. The team may create a miraculous run to a wildcard spot, but it's highly doubtful, as the team has struggled to find consistency now and the majority of this year. Fans and analysts alike may think it's time for the team to sell at the conclusion of this season, but this team still can be competitive next year if the players are in good health. Maybe 2017 was just a year full of bad luck and misfortune, a year deserving to be thrown in the trash. However, this team is aging, and it realistically has one or two competitive seasons left in them. The championship window is closing for the Jays, and if 2018 is much like 2017, expect the future to be full of turbulence and rebuilding in Toronto.

Vacation Time! Thoughts On Nova Scotia

The season of summer is a time for relaxation and breaks from a busy lifestyle occupying most of spring, fall, and winter. In saying that, I'd thought I'd take a break from writing about sports, and write about a 12 day vacation I took in the beautiful province of Nova Scotia. I did all the touristy stuff that anyone might do, like eating fresh seafood, walking the coastline, and seeing ships, but the two main things that stood out to me were the ocean and the friendly people of the East Coast. Whether its looking at the waves crashing on the seawall, or daring to swim in the icy waters, the sea is quite mesmerising, and in a way, it's like a natural spa. On a day where almost nobody is on a particular beach, all you can hear is the wind, the gulls, and the waves rushing onto the beachfront. The sound of the waves clears your head, allowing time to move slower, and it gives a chance to appreciate the stunning scenery that is all around you, such as beaches, cliffs, and wildlife. This experience is truly like no other.

Moving on from the ocean, the people of the East Coast were a real treat. They didn't know me by name, but they always found away to greet me with open arms and say hello. Unlike my home province of Ontario, where the people might give bland greetings or could not care less who you are, Nova Scotians give a sense of belongingness to tourists. They have this wonderful ability to connect with random tourists such as myself and get a conversation going. I wish I could explain more in writing, but seeing these people is an experience that you need to take in yourself. Once you do, you will leave happier and with no regrets.

So when and if you get the chance, take advantage of the treasure that is Nova Scotia. It's simply another great piece of Canada that everyone needs to visit in their lifetime.

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.