Yes folks, an actual post in this spot. It's been long overdue. In an ironic twist from the title of this post, here is stuff that is non-playoff related.
World Championship
While my preview will be up sometime next week, I do have to say a few things.
First off, by now it's known that Crosby and Toews won't be joining Team Canada for this year's tournament. This isn't surprising. Crosby hasn't represented Canada in this tournament since 2006 and Toews since 2008. Both are coming back from a concussion this season and do need the rest, but let me ask: What was the biggest knock against Crosby? It was that is didn't seem to be up to game shape. Spending almost a year off the ice can do that. So why wouldn't he want to play this in this year's tournament to help him get back into game shape. The international game is less physical and more wide open so there would be less wear-and-tear in trying to get into shape.
The next point: I don't think this tournament has ever been promoted as much as this year by TSN. While I'm one who always tries to pounce on TSN for their poor coverage when it comes to international hockey (Olympics excluded for obvious reasons), I have no problem stepping back and applauding their effort to promote this year's tournament. Now do me a favour and don't place 90% of the games on TSN2.
One more thing: The results of this tournament (combined with the results from the lower divisions) will be added to the world rankings which sets who gets an automatic spot in Sochi 2014 and who has to qualify. Usually the top 9 ranked teams are guaranteed a spot. Canada is currently 5th, so they are safe unless an epic collapse happens. Can you imagine Canada needing to qualify? The last qualifier takes place in February before the Olympics! Hello Spengler Cup team.
NHL Awards
The NHL Awards are slowly being announced and while there are a few surprises (Lundqvist for Hart? No Eriksson for Byng?) what caught my eye was the Masterton Trophy, specifically the candidates.
Daniel Alfredsson, Joffrey Lupul, and Max Pacioretty. As in a Sen, a Leaf, and a Hab.
Just add a bar and you got yourself a joke.
If I had a ballot I'd pick Pacioretty. Habs bias aside, he did come back from one of the most gruesome on-ice injuries in recent years. Not taking away from Alfie, who recovered from back surgery in the offseason and a concussion earlier in the season. As for Lupul, his career was threatened by a blood infection, but he returned to regularly playing last year. This year he was back to his normal (albeit, career-year) self.
Bye Bye Luongo?
The Canucks, after back-to-back Presidents Trophies and only one year removed from a Stanley Cup Final visit, are expecting Luongo to waive his no-trade clause and submit a list of teams he is willing to go to, with one of them (reportedly) being the Leafs.
First off: BAHAHAHAHAAHHAHA. Oh delusional Toronto media, you guys crack me up sometimes.
Second: Unless Luongo is put under some Clockwork Orange type of brainwashing, there is no way he should go to Toronto. If the Vancouver media is ripping him up as a choker, imagine how the Toronto media will react the moment he lets one by him. And that's just preseason.
The other suspects are Tampa Bay and Florida. This makes sense since Luongo spent part of his career in Florida and his wife is from there. Out of the two, Tampa Bay makes the most sense. Tampa has the offense (Stamkos) and the defense (just ignore Bergeron over there). Their biggest fault last year was the Roloson actually played his age in net, and Sebastien Caron isn't going to carry the team far if depended on next year.
In reality, the Canucks shouldn't trade Luongo.
The equation above is simply this: Major Market x Over-bearing Media + Cup drought + Goalies (used as tandem) = Unnecessary Goalie Trade
The Habs fell into this trap. They had Price and Halak working excellently. Once there was even a mention of a "riff" between the goalies, all hell broke loose in the media and Halak ended up the odd goalie out. Not to say Price has been a good goalie (he was one of the very, very few bright spots for the Habs this season), but I do not buy the notion that they could not co-exist as a tandem. If they could not, then why is Halak thriving in another tandem with Brian Elliott. You know how bad teams want a goalie tandem like that? I don't but I would guess that having two excellent goalies isn't the worst thing in the world. The only problem the Canucks have involves media pressure (and maybe Luongo's contract, but the cap can be worked around). They should remain status quo in net, end of discussion.
(Side note: In hockey, not all Major Markets are Canadian, but all Canadian Markets are considered Major)
Lineup NOTables
Washington Capitals vs. New York Rangers
"Line Matchers": Tom Poti (groin) and Tomas Vokoun (groin) are out. Braden Holtby starts.
New York (the good one): Mats Aasen-Zuccerello (wrist), Steve Eminger (ankle) and Michael Sauer (concussion) are out while Brain Boyle (concussion) is questionable. Henrik Lundqvist gets the start.
Los Angeles Kings vs. St. Louis Blues
Los Angeles: Simon Gagne (concussion) and Scott Parse (hip) are out while Kyle Clifford (upper body) is questionable. Jonathan Quick will start tonight.
St. Louis: Jaroslav Halak (foot) is out while Scott Nichol is doubtful. Brian Elliott is in net.
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