I Might Just Be A Hockey Fan In California (Jan 30)

“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:

- Can you imagine having an NHL All-Star game without anyone from the Penguins or Red Wings? Yep, that’s this year’s NFL Pro Bowl.

- Can you imagine the NHL not even doing an All-Star game? Maybe this isn’t the year to ask that question.

- Joni Pitkanen is leading the NHL in ice-time per game. Do you need another reason why the Hurricanes are the worst team in the league?

- When I hear rumors about Kovalchuk going to the Kings, I don’t think about how good he would be in Los Angeles. I think about what the Kings would have to give up to get him. I hope this feeling passes.

- When there’s a rally to fire the GM, things are NOT going well. Hi Glen Sather.

- You know what would help sell the NHL? Having a grocery shelf stocker become one of the best players in Stanley Cup playoff history. Then retiring with 2873 kids.

- I won’t lie, when I hear fans from Pittsburgh making fun of Flyers fans and their city—the irony makes me literally laugh out loud.

- After the Ducks were streaking to 8 wins in 10 games—who knew that a trip through Southeast Division would slow them down?

- What’s worse? The Calgary Flames’ 9 game losing streak with HIGH expectations or the Edmonton Oilers losing 19 out of 20 with NO expectations?

- When the Blackhawks and Sharks play against each other, it’s “Must See TV.” When they have a game like they did on Thursday—it’s just a reminder why of they are “Must See TV”

- Whoever gets Ray Whitney at the trade deadline is going to help their club more than the average fan realizes.

- Seriously, how many ownership problems can one league deal with in a season? Dear Lightning Owners, please just sell your team already.

- When I heard talk about the Ducks potentially trading Bobby Ryan, I literally laughed out loud. Who comes up with this stuff?

- The Red Wings are getting healthy—but they’re not playing any better than they were last month. At what point do people in Detroit start to panic?

- There’s little doubt that goaltenders are the most important players to a team’s success. But that’s why the have the Vezina Trophy, not the Hart.

- When a defenseman on my team takes off someone’s helmet and proceeds to BEAT him with said helmet, then I know that the train is officially off the rails.

- For some reason, “Hockey Weekend Across America” doesn’t really resonate in Southern California.

- I didn’t know that a team in Canada could fly under the radar—but the Ottawa Senators are proving me wrong. Where the hell did THIS winning streak come from?

- Things that should be televised: The Beanpot Tournament in Boston. Please.

- Cam Ward recently broke the FRANCHISE record for most wins at the age of 25. Yes, that includes Mike Liut’s 115 wins as a Whaler. That doesn’t say all that much for the Whalers OR the Hurricanes.

- 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?

Click here for our archive of past editions of our “I Might Just Be A Hockey Fan In California” feature.

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