“I Might Just Be A Hockey Fan In California” is a feature that will be posted every Saturday here at the View From My Seats. There are plenty of things going on in the hockey world (and even the sports world); and you know everyone has an opinion. This is a place for some quick hits of the week that was.
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I might just be a hockey fan in California, but:
- I know that a lot of the statistics (like shots against, etc.) say that the Colorado Avalanche will come back to Earth sooner rather than later. But there’s a part of me that just wants everyone to have to suck it. Before you ask, yes—I thought they’d be the worst team in the league.
- The NBA season started, right? I’ve tried to care about November basketball. I really have—but nothing. Outside of Baron Davis’s beard, nothing is going to get a Lakers fan to care about basketball until May.
"I only checked you because I thought you were Jay Bouwmeester. My apologies..."
- Chances of catching a 30 minute special with a sports psychologist examining the goaltending problems in Toronto: 60%.
- Chances of catching a Florida Panthers or Atlanta Thrashers score: 8%
- Tyler Myers is really tall. He’s talented as well, but mostly he’s tall.
- I love watching Alexander Ovechkin and respect the way he plays—but injuries happen. Ken Hitchcock shouldn’t have to apologize for making sure his team plays tough against the opposition’s best player. And he’s not.
- I’m starting to worry that I’m going to miss playoff games this season because Versus and DirecTV are bastards. I get the feeling they’re further apart today than they were on Opening Night.
- The arena in Phoenix (Jobing.com) is one of the best places that I’ve ever seen a hockey game. For anyone within driving distance, it’s well worth a weekend trip.
- The Hurricanes have 3 ex-Kings from some of the DARK years (Corvo, Gleason, and Kostopoulos). When I think of ways to build a contender, I don’t look to the 2006-07 Los Angeles Kings for players. No wonder they’ve only won 2 games all season.
- Don’t look now, but the Panthers, Hurricanes and Lightning are all towards the bottom of the standings. How is it that the Southeast Division can be the worst division in hockey EVERY SINGLE YEAR?
- The two current teams that Brian Burke had a hand in building are NOT doing well right now. Taking penalties and having a horrible penalty kill isn’t a recipe for success.
- Does anyone know who the starting goaltender is for the Montreal Canadians? Carey Price? What about Jaroslav Halak? Better question: who is the goaltender of the future?
- Joe Giardi will always been in a no win situation. The Yankees win a World Series and it’s only because they bought a championship. If they lose, he’s a bum because they lost. I hate the Yankees, but damn—tough gig.
- Dennis Seidenberg really needs to change his number in Florida. I keep being reminded of Jay Bouwmeester with his #4… and Dennis Seidenberg is NOT Jay Bouwmeester.
- The Kings are off to their best start since the 1992-93 season. Either this team is really good or the last 16 have been really bad.
- For anyone that doubts for a second that goaltending isn’t the most important position on the ice, think about Ilya Bryzgalov, Craig Anderson and Ryan Miller. Now look at the starts that the Coyotes, Avs and Sabres have jumped out to this season. Thank you.
"Dude, you have HOW many points? I had no idea!"
- If I told you that Tomas Kaberle was leading all defenseman in scoring, would you be as surprised as I was?
- I wonder if the Dallas Stars are going to be any good if they can stay healthy. They look good on paper—but games aren’t played on paper. They’re played on my big screen.
- Hockey needs more neck tattoos.
- Are Marc Savard, Phil Kessel and Milan Lucic THAT important? Last year they were an offensive juggernaut; this season they can’t even score on Carey Price. Pfft, they’re only 3 all-stars. Where’s the depth?
- Gary Bettman is a pompous little person that needs to be fired for the good of the game.
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So what were your thoughts from the NHL week that was?
