Jim Balsillie, Gary Bettman, and the Conf Finals

I have determined that I really can't stand Jim Balsillie. I hate the fact that he makes me think Bettman is right about anything. I firmly agree that the Yotes need to move. I also thing Canada is the place they need to go. Bring back the Jets. If anyone doesn't know I live in New Jersey (Flyers fan) so I'm not a homer wanting my team back. My problem is they way Balsillie is going about things. If he would just go through the proper channels and not promise to move a team before he owns one it would be better. At this point the NHL office does not like him. Owners do not like him. Even if the court battle works out for him he could face other issues. If the courts force the NHL and Board of Governors to let him buy and move the team he could face additional challenges. It's hard to build a team if no one want to work deals with you.
Bettman is still not the good guy here. The Yotes are a failing team in a failing market. THEY NEED TO MOVE. I am sorry to their fans. I do not doubt the passion of the fans they have, but they are not generating more fans. I'm hoping new bidders come out and something can be resolved. Then they can work on the other failing markets.
On another note, I'm annoyed that I have to see news about the Yotes as the top headline during the Conf. Finals. This is a team that should not be in the news in late May.

Here is the Problem with Sidney Crosby

"People kept throwing hats. I was just asking if he could make an announcement to ask them to stop. The first wave came, and then I think they were all pretty much picked up, and more started coming," said Crosby after Game 2. "I just wanted to make sure that we kept kind of moving, kept the game going while we tried to get back into it. Wasn't complaining about anything."

This is the "face" of the NHL. This is the leader of the Penguins. Perhaps instead of not complaining he should have been reminding the rest of his team that they are in the Playoffs. This is what makes fans outside of Pittsburgh call in a whiner or say that he cries about everything.

First off, it would have to be a very long delay for them to ask people to stop throwing hats. Anyone that watches knows that it takes time for the hats from the end sections to get around the safety netting and on to the ice. Second, watching a player complain about the hats coming down will only make it worse. 

Crosby has great talent, but he is not a leader. That's not to say he cannot grow into one, but he needs someone to teach him. You have to remove the Pens fans from the equation. They will see him as the greatest (or second behind Malkin) player in the game today. Many other fans see Crosby as a whiner that is always complaining to the refs.

I have to wonder. If Sidney Crosby is on another team with good veteran leadership to start his career, is he a different player? Would he be different with a strong mentor like Stevie Y or Sakic? I really think he was put in a bad spot as the saviour of the Pens. He had too much put on him as a rookie and never had a chance to learn to lead. 

Congrats to the Pens for turning a talented young hockey player into someone who, outside of Pittsburgh, is the biggest cry baby in the NHL. 

Here Comes Round 2

The first round picks could have been a little better, but over all not bad. Now it's time for the second round.

2 DET vs 8 ANH

I would never have picked Hiller to play so well, but the Sharks really helped the Ducks to win in the first round. The Red Wings will not be so helpful. By the same token the Wings dominated a Jackets team that no one thought would even get there this season. I don't think either team will have the easy walk in this round they did in the first. This should be a fun battle to watch. Can Bobby Ryan and Jonas Hiller help the Ducks take down the Wings? Will Osgood be able to maintain a high level of play? I think it will be a tight match, but I think the Wings have a slight edge.

DET in 6

3 VAN vs 4 CHI

Only 2 points separated these teams during the regular season with the Hawks in 4th with more points. The Canucks will need to stay out of the box to have a chance in this series. If they give the Hawks as many PP chances as they gave St. Louis there is no way they canwin. Patrick Kane might just be the most creative scorer in the league right now. There is a lot of youthful exuberance in that Chicago locker room. Luongo will need to be the best player in this series for the Canucks. I think this could be a long series and really go either way, but I will put more faith in the Canucks' goaltending.

VAN in 7

1 BOS vs 6 CAR

Carolina and New Jersey may have been the best series of the first round. Almost all of the games were close. Both goalies stole a game and it came down to the hard work of the Canes and the collapse of the Devils. I don't think "wanting it" more will help this series. Boston may show some signs of rust in Game 1, but that won't last. As strange as this is to say, the Bruins are stronger defensively than the Devils. The Bruins are the better team and played great hockey all season. Look for the rested Bruins to take this series.

BOS in 5

2 WSH vs 4 PIT

Here is the series Gary Bettman has been drooling over for a few years now. This will be Ovechkin vs Crosby. There is only one small problem. Someone forgot to tell Malkin that Crosby is better than him. This Series will come down to Ovechkin vs Malkin. Crosby is not as good as either of those to despite what the NHL would like people to believe. (After all, you can't sell Russians as the face of the NHL). This should be a fun and high scoring series. It would be easy to give the Pens the nod on goaltending, but no one really know much about Varlamov. He does however have the best GAA and 2nd best SV% in the playoffs. You can also thank the Rangers for waking up the Capitals. Overall I think the speed and power of the Caps will wear down the Pens D.

WSH in 7