My Shortcomings and Henrik Zetterberg

I feel like a complete failure... So much going on in the world of hockey, so much to talk about, and the Thackalanche remains dormant. I can't believe I haven't written ANYTHING since the Winter Classic. But hey, so goes the life of a college student in his last semester. I will desperately try to do better (Not that my opinion matters much).

Let's do a quick rewind/fast-forward- whatever- you- wanna- call- it- catch-up.


All-Star Weekend? Nothing short of awesome. Freaking amazing. Everything it should have been and more. One of my favorite parts of the weekend is seeing the players at the skills competition, no helmet, nothing but smiles, and just hanging out with each other, as in the shot above. We see a fun, human side to these guys that's very refreshing. The skills competition has turned into one of the most exciting events in all of sports. Especially with the shootout competition (the NHL equivalent of the slam-dunk competition). The players this year looked like they'd been practicing their moves and put as much into pleasing the crowd as possible. Alexei Kovalev chucking the puck up onto the back of his neck, Steve Stamkos' belly flop, Martin St. Louis' lacrosse skills... All brilliant, youtube-able videos for years to come (search NHL skills competition 2009 for some amazing videos on youtube).

And then there was Alexander Ovechkin. There were some recently discovered apocryphal texts found from the Gospel of Hockey which said, "And the Lord said, let there be Alex. And he saw that it was good." This guy is the best marketing tool - not too mention the most exciting player - the league has. Don't get me wrong, NHL players are the classiest, most polite athletes on the planet. But that's the problem: They're a little TOO reserved sometimes. Sure, they're not into drugs or beating their wives, but they also don't seem to have any FUN. That's where Alexander Ovechkin comes in. Putting on that hat and glasses and doing that move was the highlight of the competition, and instantly put the skills competition out there for the world to see on youtube, Sportscenter, etc. Please don't misunderstand, the popularity of the NHL is kinda low on my list of things that keep me up at night. It could have a fan base of zero and it would still be my favorite sport, but it is kinda nice to see it get noticed. And if the league really wants its players and the game itself to be more marketable, they need to build everything around this guy.
The skills competition is infinitely more exciting than the actual all-star game itself, which definitely gets boring after the first period. I liked the idea that has been mulled over on the great Jon Buccigross's weekly ESPN column: Schedule the all-star game at the BEGINNING of the season with players being chosen based on their performance the previous season, including playoffs. Let's face it, the Winter Classic has cemented itself as the perfect midseason event for the NHL, so the all-star game really has become expendable. Putting it at the beginning, however, is the perfect kick-off to the season. It would get fans excited for the upcoming year, and it could bring some more publicity to the sport. I mean, what other league has a kick-off like that to the season? I think it's definitely something to consider.

Other Pot shots before I sign off of this enormously long entry:

-Henrik Zetterberg was just signed by the Wings to a 12-year, $72 million dollar contract, cementing his role as the centerpiece of his team for the next decade. There was debate about who it could be, from Datsyuk to Franzen to Zetterberg to a combination of the three, but it looks like they're going to stick with Zetterberg. Great choice, he's got the skills, the personality, and more importantly, the PASSION to be the leader of this storied franchise. Expect him to get the "C" upon Lidstrom's retirement.

-Speaking of Captains, and following my obsession with them, Ilya Kovalchuk was named captain of the Thrashers. A perfect leader? Probably not. Great for the Thrashers? Absolutely. Even if he does get traded or leave via free agency, the Thrashers needed to boost the identity of the team, and making their marquee player captain was a big step in that direction. It's what the fans wanted, and it sounds like it's what the players wanted: Story goes that it was Mathieu Schneider, Slava Kozlov, Colby Armstrong, and Niclas Havelid (the team's other four alternate captains) who went to the Thrasher's brass on behalf of the team and requested that Kovalchuk be named captain.


- I like Steve Stamkos. It's been a rough year for the first overall pick in last year's draft, and some have even called him a bust. Those who say that have obviously just examined their fantasy stats and have never watched the youngster play. He's a smart player who plays with a lot of poise and passion... who unfortunately plays with a HORRIBLE team. I feel bad for any player, especially a rookie, who has to play for this team. However, there's something intangible about Stamkos, something difficult to explain. He's got that quiet, confident demeanor typical of Joe Sakic and Joe Thornton... an intensity that's difficult to explain, while at the same time obviously apparent. If you watched the all-star competition or checked out any pictures of the event, you would typically find Stamkos around the likes of Thornton, Jarome Iginla, and other established leaders in the league, which suggests to me the kid has the right attitude and was there as much to learn as to have fun. Rest assured, he will be the captain and cornerstone of the Lightning some day. Rookie of the year? Sorry. That will go to Steve Mason or Drew Doughty.

Thoughts on the Winter Classic

Although the overall intensity trailed off after one period, I would call the 2nd annual Winter Classic a success. As always, an event like this is extremely important for a sports league that is trying to stick with the big guns (NBA, MLB, NFL), and the NHL impressed. The event sold out in a matter of hours, and the fans braved the chilly conditions, sticking it out for the full game, even with their team down by three goals for much of the third period. Playing at historic Wrigley Field was a fantastic sight to behold. I loved watching the players and coaches emerge from the dugouts to make their trek to the ice. I loved seeing the players tap home plate with their sticks as they passed by it. I loved hearing "Take me out to the ballgame" sung (even if the lyric changes were incredibly cheesy). There are some who feel the Winter Classic shouldn't be an annual event, that it will lose some of its flair and excitement if it's done once a year. I say baloney. We have Christmas once a year, do you see people getting sick of that? Dear NHL: Keep doing the Winter Classic. It's great exposure for the league, and a ton of fun to watch. Next year? Rangers vs Bruins, Fenway Park!

Some random thoughts on the game:

• It was too bad the players couldn't keep the fire going from the first period. It was extremely intense and fun to watch. After that, the Wings took over, sucking the life out of the young Hawks. Still, the play of the game? Daniel Cleary getting knocked head-over-heels in to Chicago's bench, then getting his team a Too Many Men on the Ice penalty when he got out of the enemy bench and on to the ice. As if having your feet sticking up out of the other team's bench wasn't embarrassing enough.
• The helicopter cam was cool, especially for hardcore hockey fans. It was fun to see how precisely the players play their positions, and even more fun to see plays set up. I wish they would have used the shot more on power plays.
• The Blackhawks are fun to watch. Despite losing, the Hawks showed why they will be a premier team in the league for years to come. Patrick Kane has some of the most electrifying moves in the NHL. Duncan Keith is as solid a defenseman in the NHL as any right now. Martin Havlat appeared to have eyes on the back and to the sides of his head - He's seeing the ice as well as anyone right now. And Jonathan Toews... what a captain. He gives 100% every shift. He stickhandles well, has great vision, and even got his nose dirty a few times, throwing checks and being in the middle of scrums.
• The Red Wings are machines. When this team gets into a groove, say goodnight to their opponents. They move the puck better than anyone in the league, and are a model of efficiency. It's inspiring to see stars like Zetterberg and Datsyuk giving it their all at both ends of the rink.
• A fight would have been nice, especially if it included a Chicago native like Brett Lebda. That would have gotten the crowd going again.
• The Chicago Blackhawks will win a Stanley Cup before 2013. You heard it here first, folks.
• Why didn't the Hawks start Khabibulin in the first place?
  
• One minute, 57 seconds: The total time Chris Chelios was on the ice. Ouch.
  

Happy New Year to everyone!