The National Hockey League season is under way, although admittedly it hasn’t been sports priority one as the Blue Jays have kept our sports interest on the diamond, at least until they were ousted last week by Cleveland.
The Jays managed only eight runs in five games. That simply did not cut it, especially when in two games they were shut out.
The TO pitching held the Indians to only 12 runs, so they weren’t bombing runs either, but they managed timely hits, something the Jays never did manage.
It was disappointing of course, not the series loss as much as it being in five games, twice by shut outs, but only one team wins it all, and the Jays gave us quite a ride throughout 2016. Maybe next year, which is of course what fans of 29 MLB teams will ultimately be saying.
And, there is the Canadian Football League, where the Saskatchewan Roughriders are whetting our appetites for 2017 as they finally field competent personnel, and the West Division is rather exciting as it is.
But we are a nation in love with hockey, even if it is a game which increasingly flawed and in need of some tweaks, if not an outright overhaul.
For the record three quick fixes, icing is called when on a penalty kill, goaltenders cannot leave the crease to play the puck behind the net, and players serve a full-two minute minor penalty regardless of goals scored.
But this week is not about fixing the game, but instead I want to look at the Canadian teams as the season starts to roll. Obviously this is a big year for Canada in the league. Last spring no teams on this side of the border made the post season, and that turned many fans into Toronto Raptor fans in a hurry. So it is hoped at least a couple of franchises climb the standing’s ladder this season.
Now onto the teams and some thoughts who might climb into those playoffs?
Montreal
Last season when goaltender Carey Price got hurt the Canadiens fell from contention in epic fashion.
In the off season the team made P.K. Subban the scapegoat, sending him to Nashville, where he is likely to flourish, in exchange for D’ man Shea Weber. Weber has been a premier player, but at 31, his best days are not likely ahead, at least past a season or two. This season Weber should be a steadying influence on what might be called a ‘flighty’ team lacking in leadership.
The Canadiens also struggle to score consistently, so they risked signing Alexander Radulov, who is a reclamation project. He could help.
But ultimately if Price plays 60-games it could put the team back in the playoffs. If he gets into less, expect them to miss again, the team is that one-dimensional.
Quebec
The newest expansion team in the NHL … Oh wait Gary Bettman snubbed the Canadian cities interested selling the price-inflated expansion team in Las Vegas where the ‘Slot Machines’ will seek fans when playing powerhouses like Columbus against Vegas acts such as Cirque du Soleil. Oh yes that should work.
Ottawa
The Senators operate largely under the radar in Canada, where to TO-ccentric media focuses on the Leafs.
Locally, the Sens are of much interest locally this season with former Terrier Chad Nehring having played a couple of preseason games, and may just get a call-up from the American Hockey League, which would be great to see personally, having interviewed him numerous times throughout his career.
Ottawa is also led by Kyle Turris who owned the Terriers at the Royal Bank Cup in Streetsville back in 2006, so there is a connection there too.
The team didn’t make a major off season deal, and blue chip rookies are on the horizon, so don’t expect major point gains either.
Toronto
In spite of a heroic four-goal debut in his first NHL game by number one draft pick Auston Matthews, a lot has to go right for the Maple Leafs to make the playoffs for the first time in years. I should know I grew up a fan but the last decade they have been too deplorable to watch most nights.
That said, this team will be exciting, and has enough young talent to at least see the promised land on the horizon.
William Nylander, Mitch Marner, Connor Brown, along with Matthews are the nucleus of a brighter future.
Morgan Rielly is now a veteran on defence, but the troops around him do not scream greatness as a unit.
Danish netminder Frederik Andersen could be a steadying influence, but that might not happen in year-one as a Leaf. If he is good this year, then just maybe the Leafs flirt with a playoff visit.
Winnipeg
The Jets are my favourite team, and last year it was tough watching them regress from a playoff berth in 2014.
So we are seeing a team management says is still building, but that lament is wearing thin. It is time the team was winning.
There is hope with a defence that includes Dustin Byfuglien, Tyler Myers, Toby Enstrom, and youngster Josh Morrissey.
They also have whining Jacob Trouba who wants traded, who hopefully they turn into an asset.
Up front the Jets are a lot like TO in terms of good young players on the team and on the AHL Moose; Nikolaj Ehlers, Patrik Laine, Kyle Connor, Joel Armia, Nic Petan in the mix.
This is a team though that does not do the little things well. Both their penalty kill, and powerplay are near the bottom of the league. Those must improve to make a playoff run.
Also one of Ondrej Pavelec, Michael Hutchinson and Connor Hellebuyck must emerge a bonafide goaltending star, and that might be a stretch for any of the serviceable-at-best trio.
Edmonton
I am so not an Oilers fan.
But what has been among the worst-ran franchises in the league has been a team of dregs on the ice so long, they may finally have stockpiled enough high draft choices to become a threat.
The nugget of gold among the long list of picks is of course Connor (The Anointed One) McDavid, who is seen as the second coming of Wayne Gretzky. The thing is, he might be that good.
Add former high picks Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Leon Draisaitl, and soon to have an impact Jesse Puljuarvi and you can see a foundation for success.
Milan Lucic was a nice veteran pick-up in the off season too.
This team still needs to learn how to win, but they just might be there when the playoffs start.
Calgary
The Flames added netminders Brian Elliot and Chad Johnson in the off season. They need to be very good for Calgary to make the playoffs.
Another franchise which will be exciting based on youth; Johnny Gaudreau, Sean Monahan, Sam Bennett and rookie Matthew Tkachuk are a nice nucleus up front.
Mark Giordano, T.J. Brodie and Doug Hamilton provide anchors on a solid defence.
The Flames made it in 2015, slipped last season, so good goaltending should put them in the hunt at least.
Vancouver
Daniel and Henrik Sedin lead the Canucks. They have for what is now 16 seasons.
And therein lies the problems on the West Coast, the Canucks are old, at least in key spots such as the Sedins and netminder Ryan Miller.
The addition of Loui Eriksson, a 30-goal scorer, was added to bolster the offence, likely to spend most of the season with the Sedins.
Also added was D’man Erik Gudbranson, who at 6-foot-5 should add some grit in front of Miller.
As for youth, there doesn’t seem to a pending arrival of impact for the Canucks either.
A playoff berth in Vancouver would be the least likely among the Canadian teams.
