I have a feeling Sakic's last season will be in '09-'10. Do I know that for a fact no but I do have a hunch.
Mostly I still think Sakic can play, I bet he is embarrassed about how the season when and would like to prove himself, and 2010 Olympics are going to be in his neck of the woods.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
List of do & don'ts during the trade deadline
- Do not trade this year's first round pick. Avs will have the lottery and could use a good pick.
- Do not trade Leopold. I know why everyone thinks he is going to be traded but still he is good, young, and fast.
- Do get a goalie.
- Do clear cap space.
- Do trade Clark.
- Do your best to get rid of Arnason and Tucker
- Do create three scoring lines. You know the wide open offensive style we heard so much about at the beginning of the season.
- Move heaven and earth to get Jaroslav Halak
By the way, lost of rumors say Jordan Stall is going to be an Av. I'm suspicious but not a bad idea. However the Avs need a goalie and wingers more than a center.
- Do not trade Leopold. I know why everyone thinks he is going to be traded but still he is good, young, and fast.
- Do get a goalie.
- Do clear cap space.
- Do trade Clark.
- Do your best to get rid of Arnason and Tucker
- Do create three scoring lines. You know the wide open offensive style we heard so much about at the beginning of the season.
- Move heaven and earth to get Jaroslav Halak
By the way, lost of rumors say Jordan Stall is going to be an Av. I'm suspicious but not a bad idea. However the Avs need a goalie and wingers more than a center.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
La Presse French for hype
The La Presse story was all hype worthy of Al Capones vault rather than big news.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Hab(itual) Criminals?
Supposedly the La Presse is going to have big news from Montreal suggesting some of the players could face criminal charges.
This could be huge in a lot of ways. Would players be willing to waive no trade clauses to go to the Habs?
I had a strong feeling Ian Laperrière and Brett Clarke would end up going to the Habs at the trade deadline. Maybe even Vincent Lecavalier? However, I am no insider so this is just a hunch.
Stay tuned. Unfortunately, three years of high school French does not make me capable of reading Le Presse but if you can knock yourself out.
Also Adrian Dater of the Post claims there will be a big Theodore story. I am a huge Dater fan but I am getting weary of all his talk regarding Theodore. He's a good reporter though so I would still check it out.
This could be huge in a lot of ways. Would players be willing to waive no trade clauses to go to the Habs?
I had a strong feeling Ian Laperrière and Brett Clarke would end up going to the Habs at the trade deadline. Maybe even Vincent Lecavalier? However, I am no insider so this is just a hunch.
Stay tuned. Unfortunately, three years of high school French does not make me capable of reading Le Presse but if you can knock yourself out.
Also Adrian Dater of the Post claims there will be a big Theodore story. I am a huge Dater fan but I am getting weary of all his talk regarding Theodore. He's a good reporter though so I would still check it out.
Orlando Hudson and Rockies pitching
Why the Rockies have expressed no interest in Orlando Hudson is a little beyond me.
Unless Ian Stewart is playing second base or Clint Barmes has something up his sleeve. Barmes and Baker would pretty good last season but the Rockies should at least look interested.
It looks like they will be out of the playoffs again especially with news Jeff Francis is out. Outside of Cook and Jimenez the Rockies' starting pitching doesn't look so good.
Let's just hope Jason Marquis is good and that Franklin Morales and Greg Reynolds (or possibly Jorge De La Rosa and Josh Fogg) find themselves.
Unless Ian Stewart is playing second base or Clint Barmes has something up his sleeve. Barmes and Baker would pretty good last season but the Rockies should at least look interested.
It looks like they will be out of the playoffs again especially with news Jeff Francis is out. Outside of Cook and Jimenez the Rockies' starting pitching doesn't look so good.
Let's just hope Jason Marquis is good and that Franklin Morales and Greg Reynolds (or possibly Jorge De La Rosa and Josh Fogg) find themselves.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Word on the street says Forsberg
is done. It is sad to see one of the best players ever to leave the game the way he did.
By the way, releasing Dre Bly was a good idea for the Broncos. Glad to see them shake up a defense that proves an unmovable object can beat an unstoppable force.
*Broncos ca'tn stop an offense that can't move the ball.
** Never mind the joke isn't funny if you have to explain it.
By the way, releasing Dre Bly was a good idea for the Broncos. Glad to see them shake up a defense that proves an unmovable object can beat an unstoppable force.
*Broncos ca'tn stop an offense that can't move the ball.
** Never mind the joke isn't funny if you have to explain it.
I wonder if
Cody McCormick has been reading my blog.
Because he's been playing pretty well since one of my entries was a bit harsh towards him.
Anyway, glad to seem him and Lappy play better.
Because he's been playing pretty well since one of my entries was a bit harsh towards him.
Anyway, glad to seem him and Lappy play better.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
A couple of observations on the Avs v Montreal
I actually liked the whole 50's thing Altitude did in the second period where they went to black and white and the old style.
If there are any doubts on why Jaroslav Halak needs to be an Av today's game should have cleared that up. Clark for Halak... anyone? Hell trade the farm to get him.
Why can't the Avs play in the third?
Arnason scored a goal. For once can he do this against a non-Canadian team?
Leopold should be signed. For the love of god don't trade him.
How many softies did Budaj give up tonight? I say two.
If there are any doubts on why Jaroslav Halak needs to be an Av today's game should have cleared that up. Clark for Halak... anyone? Hell trade the farm to get him.
Why can't the Avs play in the third?
Arnason scored a goal. For once can he do this against a non-Canadian team?
Leopold should be signed. For the love of god don't trade him.
How many softies did Budaj give up tonight? I say two.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
The Metropolitan's New Website
*I did a lot of posting today so check out my older posts from today if you haven't already.
I am a writer for the Metropolitan (more commonly known as the Met)
It is a weekly publication where I am the beat writer for hockey and baseball. I am also the assistant sports editor. For those of you who are interested I also write regular economics column - I am an economics major not a journalism major.
You can check out the website which is updated weekly at http://www.mscd.edu/~themet/. Click on sports for sports articles and insight for my column. You can also scroll down to the bottom and click my name to see all of my articles.
To give you a taste I will copy and paste this weeks sports articles:
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Hockey ends season by looking forward
Robert Dran
rdran@mscd.edu
Metro hockey closed out the season in a disappointing fashion with a 7-2 loss against Arizona State University on Feb. 6 and a 6-6 tie against Brigham Young University on Feb. 9.
Team captain, forward Turner Bahn, felt the team was overconfident when facing ASU because ASU lost to the University of California - Los Angeles, a team Metro easily beat 9-3 just a few weeks ago.
"We took them too lightly," Bahn said. "At least I finally played my best game of the semester the next game."
Bahn finished with three goals and two assists on the weekend. Forward Ryan Yudez had a goal and an assist in the second game after sitting out two weeks with an injury.
Metro nearly finished their season with a victory but were called on a penalty with less than two minutes remaining in the game. BYU took advantage and scored the tying goal that sent the game into overtime. Metro had their chances in overtime but couldn't capitalize on them and had to settle for a tie.
Despite finishing the season under .500, the 'Runners feel the season was a crucial building block for success next season. Head coach Curtis Duffus has big plans to build on the chemistry the team built this season and expand to better systems.
"The thing that stood out the most to me was our inexperience and youth. Players tend to get a lot better in their second season, so we look forward to getting better," Duffus said.
The team also has plans to play in a summer league to keep themselves fresh for tryouts which will happen during the first half of September. With a season full of injuries and ups and downs, the team plans on building on lessons learned to have a more successful 2009-2010 season.
Robert Dran
rdran@mscd.edu
Metro baseball managed to trade wins and losses over a four-game set against Colorado State University at Pueblo.
The 'Runners started off on the wrong foot with a 13-6 loss but quickly rebounded to grab a close 6-5 victory during the first game of a double-header the following day. The second game was a disappointment as the team lost 6-1, yet Metro ended on a strong note, doubling up the Thunderwolves in a 14-7 rout. The team attributed the split to inconsistent play, but they did find positives in their performance.
First basemen Jordan Stouffer and catcher Tyree Absire each grabbed a home run in Metro's 13-6 loss. Right fielder Mike Coffey went 2-for-3 with two runs batted-in in the 6-5 victory.
"The big thing for us was momentum – in both our wins we got four runs in the first inning, which carried us for the rest of the game,” left fielder Marcel Dominguez said. “We need to score early and stay ahead."
Metro's defense, which has been a weakness for them, improved. In the final two games, Metro ended with no errors after committing six errors in the first two games and seven errors in a double-header against Regis University on Feb. 1.
"We did a lot better once we got rid of all the butterflies when we started the season,” Dominguez explained. “In the last game we were able to dominate them.”
Head coach Jerry Schemmel echoed Dominguez's claim by attributing the poor defensive start to nervousness.
Pitching control was another issue for Metro in the 13-6 loss; the ‘Runners gave up seven walks. However, Metro pitching quickly rebounded in the next game when winning pitcher Steven Green nabbed five strikeouts in the 6-5 victory. Pitcher Ted Jamison managed to go through the 6-1 loss with only a single walk but failed to strike out a batter. He gave up eight hits in three and a third innings in a loosing effort.
"We got five to seven guys we can throw in there. We need to work on our pitch control, but I think pitching will be the best part of our team," Schemmel said.
Metro will look to go above .500 for the first time this season with double-headers against Montana State University - Billings on Feb. 13 and University of Nebraska at Kearney on Feb. 15 at All Star Park in Lakewood.
I am a writer for the Metropolitan (more commonly known as the Met)
It is a weekly publication where I am the beat writer for hockey and baseball. I am also the assistant sports editor. For those of you who are interested I also write regular economics column - I am an economics major not a journalism major.
You can check out the website which is updated weekly at http://www.mscd.edu/~themet/. Click on sports for sports articles and insight for my column. You can also scroll down to the bottom and click my name to see all of my articles.
To give you a taste I will copy and paste this weeks sports articles:
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Hockey ends season by looking forward
Robert Dran
rdran@mscd.edu
Metro hockey closed out the season in a disappointing fashion with a 7-2 loss against Arizona State University on Feb. 6 and a 6-6 tie against Brigham Young University on Feb. 9.
Team captain, forward Turner Bahn, felt the team was overconfident when facing ASU because ASU lost to the University of California - Los Angeles, a team Metro easily beat 9-3 just a few weeks ago.
"We took them too lightly," Bahn said. "At least I finally played my best game of the semester the next game."
Bahn finished with three goals and two assists on the weekend. Forward Ryan Yudez had a goal and an assist in the second game after sitting out two weeks with an injury.
Metro nearly finished their season with a victory but were called on a penalty with less than two minutes remaining in the game. BYU took advantage and scored the tying goal that sent the game into overtime. Metro had their chances in overtime but couldn't capitalize on them and had to settle for a tie.
Despite finishing the season under .500, the 'Runners feel the season was a crucial building block for success next season. Head coach Curtis Duffus has big plans to build on the chemistry the team built this season and expand to better systems.
"The thing that stood out the most to me was our inexperience and youth. Players tend to get a lot better in their second season, so we look forward to getting better," Duffus said.
The team also has plans to play in a summer league to keep themselves fresh for tryouts which will happen during the first half of September. With a season full of injuries and ups and downs, the team plans on building on lessons learned to have a more successful 2009-2010 season.
Robert Dran
rdran@mscd.edu
Metro baseball managed to trade wins and losses over a four-game set against Colorado State University at Pueblo.
The 'Runners started off on the wrong foot with a 13-6 loss but quickly rebounded to grab a close 6-5 victory during the first game of a double-header the following day. The second game was a disappointment as the team lost 6-1, yet Metro ended on a strong note, doubling up the Thunderwolves in a 14-7 rout. The team attributed the split to inconsistent play, but they did find positives in their performance.
First basemen Jordan Stouffer and catcher Tyree Absire each grabbed a home run in Metro's 13-6 loss. Right fielder Mike Coffey went 2-for-3 with two runs batted-in in the 6-5 victory.
"The big thing for us was momentum – in both our wins we got four runs in the first inning, which carried us for the rest of the game,” left fielder Marcel Dominguez said. “We need to score early and stay ahead."
Metro's defense, which has been a weakness for them, improved. In the final two games, Metro ended with no errors after committing six errors in the first two games and seven errors in a double-header against Regis University on Feb. 1.
"We did a lot better once we got rid of all the butterflies when we started the season,” Dominguez explained. “In the last game we were able to dominate them.”
Head coach Jerry Schemmel echoed Dominguez's claim by attributing the poor defensive start to nervousness.
Pitching control was another issue for Metro in the 13-6 loss; the ‘Runners gave up seven walks. However, Metro pitching quickly rebounded in the next game when winning pitcher Steven Green nabbed five strikeouts in the 6-5 victory. Pitcher Ted Jamison managed to go through the 6-1 loss with only a single walk but failed to strike out a batter. He gave up eight hits in three and a third innings in a loosing effort.
"We got five to seven guys we can throw in there. We need to work on our pitch control, but I think pitching will be the best part of our team," Schemmel said.
Metro will look to go above .500 for the first time this season with double-headers against Montana State University - Billings on Feb. 13 and University of Nebraska at Kearney on Feb. 15 at All Star Park in Lakewood.
How the Avs can bounce back
I got some ideas on how the Avs could be better without beating up on them too much. For instance leaving out firing Tony Granato and Francois Giguere. That talk will wait for now.
1) The Avs should be massive sellers at the deadline
Players that need to be dealt immediately:
Brett Clark - He's a good defensemen but not 3.5 million good. Not to mention he will grab interest.
Darcy Tucker - He was just a bad fit for the Avs. Though I am worried he may not get much interest in that case send him to Lake Erie.
Ian Laperierre - I would hate to see him go but there is a market for him and the Avs need to move away from the Tuckers and Laperierre's of hockey.
Peter Budaj or Andrew Raycroft - The Avs should give their farm system a chance. Budaj probably has more value as a decent or good back up. Keep one and trade the other fast.
Players that could be dealt at the right price:
T.J. Hensick - I think he has the skills to be good but with Stastny and Wolski there isn't much room for him even after Sakic retires. He should be a number 2 center not a number three. However, if the Avs are willing to build three scoring lines he should be kept.
Marek Svatos - I am a huge fan of Svatos and he has been playing better defensively. Still he's a bit small and injury prone. Though I think the Svatos is the type of player that is efficient and inexpensive.
John-Michael Liles - I am a huge fan of this guy as well. He needs better coaching and he still hasn't hit his prime. That said Leopold is better, Cumiskey is fun to watch and having two small offensively minded defensemen is risky.
Ruslan Salei - He's good but on a bad Avs team he can't do much plus the Avs really don't use him effectively. I think keeping him after an off year would boost his confidence though.
2) Keep the core:
Milan Hedjuk - No trade clause and I doubt he wants to be dealt.
Ryan Smyth - Though he is massively overpaid he is good.
Paul Stastny - No explaination needed.
Jordan Leopold - He's a good defensemen who is finally getting over his injury bug. Fast, offensively-minded but not a liability defensively.
Chris Stewart - This kid can score and he's tough.
Cody McLeod - Chips in some good goals and he's mean; not a bad 3rd or 4th liner.
Wojtek Wolski - He's found his place at center though he should take a some advice from Forsberg and Smyth.
3) Draft from effectively from Northern and Eastern Europe:
The Avs have a pitfull amount of amount of players from Russia and Sweden while the Red Wings keep finding gems.
4) Sign smart:
DO NOT OVERPAY FREE AGENTS! The cap is going down over the next year to three so don't bump up against the cap. Do we need another Theodore or Tucker? Smyth and Hannan are good but the price tag is too high.
5) Give these free agents a serious look:
Stephane Yelle - not flashy but good defensively and affordable.
Martin Biron - Having a down year could make him affordable and he's better than Budaj and Raycroft.
Tim Thomas/Manny Fernandez - Thomas if Boston is stupid. Not just stupid completely lost their mind dumb. Fernandez if Boston is smart.
Antero Niittymaki - I think he is better than his reputation.
Maxim Afinogenov - Another guy with an off year who is better than people think.
Marian Hossa - Avs should express interest but should not get involved in a bidding war. This is very unlikely as it should but if the economy pushes the price down the Avs should take the leap.
Peter Forsberg - I know he's the most injury prone person ever but he fills the seats. In a bad economy that will be important.
6) Get rid of Arnason bring up Per Ledin.
Seriously why bring over one of Sweden's most popular players and not use him?
7) Stop calling up McCormick unless the injury bug gets really bad.
8) Here's how the Avs should look next season realisticly (I am going to assume Sakic's last season will be 09-10):
Wolski Sakic Svatos
Smyth Stastny Hejuk
Jones Hensick Stewart
McLeod Yelle Ledin
Liles Hannan
Leopold Salei
Foote Cumiskey/Tjarnqvist
Manny Fernandez
Peter Budaj
Just for fun I will layout the ideal:
Hossa Sakic Afinogenov
Smyth Stastny Hejuk
Wolski Forsberg Stewart *Keep Hensick at Lake Erie just in case
McLeod Yelle Jones
Liles Hannan
Leopold Salei
Foote Cumiskey/Tjarnqvist
Martin Biron
Andrew Raycroft
1) The Avs should be massive sellers at the deadline
Players that need to be dealt immediately:
Brett Clark - He's a good defensemen but not 3.5 million good. Not to mention he will grab interest.
Darcy Tucker - He was just a bad fit for the Avs. Though I am worried he may not get much interest in that case send him to Lake Erie.
Ian Laperierre - I would hate to see him go but there is a market for him and the Avs need to move away from the Tuckers and Laperierre's of hockey.
Peter Budaj or Andrew Raycroft - The Avs should give their farm system a chance. Budaj probably has more value as a decent or good back up. Keep one and trade the other fast.
Players that could be dealt at the right price:
T.J. Hensick - I think he has the skills to be good but with Stastny and Wolski there isn't much room for him even after Sakic retires. He should be a number 2 center not a number three. However, if the Avs are willing to build three scoring lines he should be kept.
Marek Svatos - I am a huge fan of Svatos and he has been playing better defensively. Still he's a bit small and injury prone. Though I think the Svatos is the type of player that is efficient and inexpensive.
John-Michael Liles - I am a huge fan of this guy as well. He needs better coaching and he still hasn't hit his prime. That said Leopold is better, Cumiskey is fun to watch and having two small offensively minded defensemen is risky.
Ruslan Salei - He's good but on a bad Avs team he can't do much plus the Avs really don't use him effectively. I think keeping him after an off year would boost his confidence though.
2) Keep the core:
Milan Hedjuk - No trade clause and I doubt he wants to be dealt.
Ryan Smyth - Though he is massively overpaid he is good.
Paul Stastny - No explaination needed.
Jordan Leopold - He's a good defensemen who is finally getting over his injury bug. Fast, offensively-minded but not a liability defensively.
Chris Stewart - This kid can score and he's tough.
Cody McLeod - Chips in some good goals and he's mean; not a bad 3rd or 4th liner.
Wojtek Wolski - He's found his place at center though he should take a some advice from Forsberg and Smyth.
3) Draft from effectively from Northern and Eastern Europe:
The Avs have a pitfull amount of amount of players from Russia and Sweden while the Red Wings keep finding gems.
4) Sign smart:
DO NOT OVERPAY FREE AGENTS! The cap is going down over the next year to three so don't bump up against the cap. Do we need another Theodore or Tucker? Smyth and Hannan are good but the price tag is too high.
5) Give these free agents a serious look:
Stephane Yelle - not flashy but good defensively and affordable.
Martin Biron - Having a down year could make him affordable and he's better than Budaj and Raycroft.
Tim Thomas/Manny Fernandez - Thomas if Boston is stupid. Not just stupid completely lost their mind dumb. Fernandez if Boston is smart.
Antero Niittymaki - I think he is better than his reputation.
Maxim Afinogenov - Another guy with an off year who is better than people think.
Marian Hossa - Avs should express interest but should not get involved in a bidding war. This is very unlikely as it should but if the economy pushes the price down the Avs should take the leap.
Peter Forsberg - I know he's the most injury prone person ever but he fills the seats. In a bad economy that will be important.
6) Get rid of Arnason bring up Per Ledin.
Seriously why bring over one of Sweden's most popular players and not use him?
7) Stop calling up McCormick unless the injury bug gets really bad.
8) Here's how the Avs should look next season realisticly (I am going to assume Sakic's last season will be 09-10):
Wolski Sakic Svatos
Smyth Stastny Hejuk
Jones Hensick Stewart
McLeod Yelle Ledin
Liles Hannan
Leopold Salei
Foote Cumiskey/Tjarnqvist
Manny Fernandez
Peter Budaj
Just for fun I will layout the ideal:
Hossa Sakic Afinogenov
Smyth Stastny Hejuk
Wolski Forsberg Stewart *Keep Hensick at Lake Erie just in case
McLeod Yelle Jones
Liles Hannan
Leopold Salei
Foote Cumiskey/Tjarnqvist
Martin Biron
Andrew Raycroft
A-Rod
I recently watched a documentary Bigger, Faster, Stroner about steriod use. This gives a fairly balanced view when it comes to steroids.
Honestly, I am on the fence when it comes to steriods. The harm to your health is less than cigarettes and alcohol. Yet, if I had kids would I want them to use steroids? The answer is a firm no which also goes for cigarettes and alcohol. But should they be illegal and shunned as much as they are? I would have to say no too.
Really it is what the fans and the players want.
On a separate note the Avs are terrible and to rip on them at this point is to kick someone while they are down.
At least hockey players are tested by the olympic committee so steroid use is not all the common and is virtually nonexistant amongst star players.
Honestly, I am on the fence when it comes to steriods. The harm to your health is less than cigarettes and alcohol. Yet, if I had kids would I want them to use steroids? The answer is a firm no which also goes for cigarettes and alcohol. But should they be illegal and shunned as much as they are? I would have to say no too.
Really it is what the fans and the players want.
On a separate note the Avs are terrible and to rip on them at this point is to kick someone while they are down.
At least hockey players are tested by the olympic committee so steroid use is not all the common and is virtually nonexistant amongst star players.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
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