A Captain's Legacy

On a nice summer day-yes we finally have those in central Connecticut- I was sitting by the pool reading the magazine every hockey fan should have a subscription to, “The Hockey News,” and I saw an interesting blurb that needs to be told in more detail. I credit “The Hockey News,” “The Windsor Star” and ESPN.com Page 2 write Gare Joyce for quotes and inspiration about this heartwarming story.

The Windsor Spitfires won this year’s CHL Memorial Cup, the first in their 34-year run in the OHL, and when captain and defenseman Harry Young lifted the big trophy over his head (yes, this time it did not break), he lifted it with the help of the spirit of Mickey Renaud.

Renaud, a fifth round pick of the Calgary Flames, was a “hard to miss 6-feet-2, 210 pounds, blond-haired, smiling, outgoing, always saying hello first” player and that personality made him a perfect fit as captain of the Windsor Spitfires. A teammate they called “mousey” was nothing of the sorts both on and off the ice. Then on February 16th, a day that started like any other, Renaud invited some of his teammates over for breakfast and suddenly collapsed at his parent’s kitchen table. Later that day he was pronounced dead at the tender age of 19. Later, it was diagnosed that he died of a genetic heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

The season took an unexpected turn for a bunch of teenagers who dream of making it to the big leagues and who youthfully think that they are indestructible on and off the ice. Their leader, their rock, was all of a sudden gone, and it was devastating. The team was forced to move on because that is what Mickey would have wanted. But he was never forgotten, and the team took inspiration from their late captain.

The wins kept piling up for the Spitfires, including a division crown and run to the OHL championship, one they celebrated with a Renaud jersey for the team picture with the trophy. As written in the “The Windsor Star” about the Memorial Cup, the tournament to crown the champion of the CHL, “The club also had new undershirts made for the tournament with Renaud's No. 18 on the sleeves and Whatever it Takes written on the back.” Whatever it takes, a motto fit for the team that has already been through so much together, for a team that has seen the darkness and wants to move towards the light of a better day.

They started 0-2 in this round robin tournament; no team has ever won the Memorial Cup starting the series with 2 loses. Both were tough one goal losses, the first one in OT. Then came the “whatever it takes” nothing to lose attitude for the team from Windsor. They went on to turn their tournament around winning the next two games, setting up a big matchup with the QMJHL champion Drummondville Voltigeurs. After taking an early 2-0 lead in the first, they gave up 2 goals in the second, sending the nail biter to OT. While in overtime, Adam Henrique won the third straight win or go home game for the Spitfires.

Then came what this team had been fighting for, a chance at the Championship, a chance to win one for their leader with a matchup vs. WHL champion Kelowna Rockets. The game’s outcome was never in doubt in a 4-1 win, and once again during the celebration Renaud’s jersey found its way on the ice for the team picture. As tournament MVP Taylor Hall summed it up, “"Maybe Mickey was watching over us and wanted to teach us a lesson."

The lesson learned was to win a championship in sports, a team needs heart, determination and resilience. The Windsor Spitfires embodied all these qualities, especially the resilience needed to bounce back from tragedy. This was a team that only 3-months prior lost so much, and had so much to overcome, but kept at what was important to their leader and did “whatever it takes” to honor the legacy of their captain, Mickey Renaud.

Free Agent Frenzy

Let the games begin! The opening of the NHL free agency saw many teams move forward towards the 2009 -10 NHL season while some (Detroit and Los Angeles) just sat on the bench with David Spade. The main trend of yesterday’s contract was not in dollar signs but in the years given out. With the national 401K packages going down in flames, it seems like being a 30 year-old hockey player is the best retirement package. Well, let’s break it down Pucking-Awesome style.

Best Signing:

This one is going to be the most debated for sure. We had some huge moves when the bell rang at high noon, but I have to go with the 12-year gamble of the Chicago Blackhawks with Marian Hossa. It took me a while to be okay with giving a 30-year-old a TWELVE YEAR deal, but I finally get it. General Managers very rarely last 12-years at the same place, so if you are Dale Tallon why not give the guy that was on the team that beat you in the Western Conference Finals that many years. I think the biggest reason I like this deal is for the amount of cap hit per season. For Hossa, a contract at $5.23 is a steal. Obviously, Hossa who took a one-year risk to win a cup, was willing to pass up millions per season for the security and the Blackhawks took the risk that I think is worth taking. With the reasonable cap hit, this will allow them to re-work contracts for both cornerstones Kane and Toews.

Worst Signing:

This one was tough also, only because I had to shake my head at A LOT of the big signings yesterday, so I am going with a whole team: the Montreal Canadiens. This team has done nothing right since being knocked out as the number one seed in the 2008 playoffs. Mike Cammaleri was their big signing with a 5-year/$30 million contract, and yes he had a huge year playing alongside some top notch centers in Calgary, but this guy is a step down from mainstay Alexei Kovalev. The other big signing was undersized Brian Gionta for 5-year/$25 million; he is a system player who is living off of a one year post lockout and almost scoring 50 goals. And don’t get me started on Hal Gill and Jaroslav Spacek for a combined $16 million. This a team that had a lot to do on their off-season checklist and, so far, this one time contender is looking more and more like a fraud with no chemistry.

Underrated signing:

Someone who is not at the top of the free agency list, but whom I think will change the culture of the team, is John Madden. The Blackhawks, with the Hossa move, have said this is their year to make a run and Madden is the type of player that will give the Blackhawks the much needed toughness and veteran cup winning presence. They also got him to sign a one year deal which not only helps with the cap but puts up the front of "prove you still got it old lad" after a subpar year last season.

Get back to you signing:

The Rangers cleared caps space on the eve of free agency to make a big splash, but struck out on Hossa and with the trading for Heatley so late Wednesday that they made a belly flop into the pool and signed the risky Marian Gaborik to a 5-year/$37.5 million contract. The $7.5 million annually was the biggest per year contract given out yesterday. Look at the Czech's goals numbers and you know he is worth the big contract. Look at the Rangers offensive numbers, and it seems like the right fit, but can he stay healthy? This could be a huge signing for the Rangers and a huge move for Gaborik to be on a main stage. So, we'll revisit this one in a year or two and see how it works out.

Draft Recap

The Draft came and went with some big and bold moves, and great sound bites from the most entertaining GM of the league, Brian Burke. Hockey fans have to admit it was like a great reality show to watch Burke first try to trade up and get Tavares and then try to acquire Luke’s brother Brayden. With free agency on the horizon, let’s reminisce about the winners and losers of this year’s NHL Draft.

Winners:
New York Islanders: They did the right thing in picking John Tavares, did anyone really believe the rumors of them selecting Matt Duchene? I'm sure Duchene will be a good player, but to see the way the Coliseum erupted when reacting to the selection shows you that this once prominent franchise has made the right move not only off the ice but on it as well. Continuing the Las Vegas theme from the award show, Garth Snow showed us all his best poker face and I liked it. I think that's why I have them as winners, in an era where NFL 1st picks get signed the day before the draft, and NBA GM’s don’t keep it a secret at all, I enjoyed the drama and felt so excited for Tavares when his name was called. This is how the draft should go.

Legacy players: I still am waiting for the family feud between the Sutter brothers and Dineen’s or Howe’s, but this year’s draft had some nice legacy names attached to it. Ryan Bourque was selected in the 3rd round by the Rangers, he is the son of legendary defenseman Raymond Bourque. You would have thought it was father’s day in the NHL with the amount of former players who saw their sons get drafted in Montreal. Ulf Samuelsson (Philip, 61st to Penguins), Ray Ferraro (Landon , 32nd to Red Wings), Steve Smith (Baron, 188th to Maple Leafs), Mike Foligno (Markus, 104th to Sabres) and Brent Ashton (Carter, 29th to Lightning) were among the dads who saw their son’s NHL dreams begin. So many other bloodlines were prominent including brothers, grandsons, and nephews. You have to love a sport that promotes family.

Philadelphia Flyers: This was a team that has had their Stanley Cup dreams dashed two years in a row by the Penguins dynamic duo of Crosby and Malkin. So what do they do in the off-season, but pick up the best defenseman made available. I agree with all the experts that they gave a lot for a 34-year old d-man only signed for one more year, but as my main man Brian Burke put it in an interview I read; “They did give up a lot, but how do you get a [future] Hall of Famer without giving up a lot?” The answer is, “You don't.” This is an obvious go for it all now for the Orange and Black. So many times you see a GM’s desperation at the trade deadline, where they end up mortgaging the future for a couple months with a rent-a-player. This move not only gives the Flyers a full season to get Pronger under contract, but also puts them in a position to be legitimate Cup Contenders.

Losers:
Calgary Flames: Another bold move for a defenseman by a GM, but this one was not economically smart. I do agree that acquiring Jay Boumeester puts the Flames defense at the top of the charts, but also puts them at the top of salaries. In the age of the salary cap, the days of having any player you want at any salary you want is a dream. The Flames lost the ability to make this move when they traded for the big contract of Jokinen. However, Jokinen does only have one year left on his deal which could make him tradeable. I just don’t see how the Flames will be able to field a legit complete NHL roster with the amount of cap space left if they sign JayBo. The Senators and Lightning have shown the league that when you put most of your cap towards a couple of players disaster strikes. I also can’t believe Jay Bouwmeester would put a cap on himself, by only being paid the same amount of money as Dion Phaneuf.

Montreal Canadiens: You draft a French-Canadian in the first round only to make your fans cheer your pick. You make no movement towards acquiring players and thus continue the downfall of this great franchise. Yet, this could all change when July 1st hits. This team has loads of cap space left and a lot of roster decisions, but I expected bigger things from the host city.

Dany Heatley: Even Jay Bouwmeester, who said he wanted to go to free agency, got traded but Heatley did not. With all 30 GM’s in the same room negotiating by leaning in and whispering to each other, this shows you how dark of a corner Senators General Manager, Bryan Murray, was backed into by his star winger. No one will deny his talent and dynamic scoring ability, but his contract and bonus due is making it hard for him to be traded. Heatley would have been traded if a team felt he was worth the risk, so now it seems more likely that he will have to play out his time in an uncomfortable position. That could all change, though, if the Rangers are willing to give up more than their trash for this All-Star. Something to definitely look for as free agency starts this week.

NHL Draft Buzz

This is a big weekend for the NHL, as general managers all meet to select the future of their franchises or make moves to impact the current roster. How can you not be overwhelmed with joy upon hearing your GM call out the name of some 18 year-old kid that could be the next big thing, or in a couple of years be taking your order at the local Tim Hortons. So, now to my Hat Trick. This week I change it up to the three most underrated story lines not getting the publicity surrounding this weekend’s draft.


1) The Ducks Defense: At the trade deadline, the Ducks traded some offense for defense knowing full well they had some major decisions to make on their once feared backline. Most of the decisions hinge on if captain Scott Niedermayer’s to play a 17th season or ride into the sunset and check into Springfield Retirement Castle with Grandpa Simpson. Most experts predict if Nierdmayer returns it will ultimately cause the Ducks to move Pronger because of the cap. This move would not only be the best defenseman changing teams this off-season (sorry JayBo), but it would also allow the Ducks to finally trade for either some much needed scoring depth or young defensive prospects. Needless to say, this one decision could affect a lot of teams' plans.

2) Lightning Down: This team has gone from perennial Stanley Cup contender to joke of the league as quickly as Lindsay Lohan went from child actress to teen junkie. This organization has as many problems as the Lohan clan too! They have owners fighting so badly that the boys have to be called to the principal’s office, gave out ridiculous contracts last off-season, and have a number one goalie with concussion problems. Screw Jillian the Bachelorette, this team should have a reality show. Oh, and did I mention that Vincent Lecavalier, with his $85 million contract, is at the center of the feuding millionaires. Like Pronger, if this dynamic, young and locked up franchise player becomes available he will be the best forward off-season move. We already saw what Mr. Hossa could do on a new team.

3) Free Agent Frenzy: Ok, enough about trades and crazy owners (looking at you Mr. Balsillie) Let’s look at the one free agent, not named Hossa or Bouwmeester, that could impact a team tremendously next season. Maybe this pick is because of what Michael Ryder did in Boston once he escaped the pressure of Montreal, but I like what a team would be getting with signing Alex Tanguay. This former first round pick and Stanley Cup champion has scored 20 or more goals in 5 of the 9 seasons he has played. As a skilled forward he has compiled 41 points in an injury plagued 50 games showing that, when healthy, he can produce on a top line. The statement “when healthy” also will allow a team to sign him to an incentive laden contract which will help from a salary cap perspective.

Ruth's Chris Steaks

First off from the desk of Pucking Awesome, I want to congratulate the city of Pittsburgh on their Stanley Cup Championship. Also, a special congrats to Marian Hossa, who got to watch the cup being raised from a front row seat twice! I know this is awful of me to say but I did laugh a little, actually a lot, when I saw the shot of him on the bench looking like a kid who had his kickball stolen by the neighborhood bully. Now comes the fun part for ever sports fan…the off-season. This is the time when all teams, except the Islanders, have the chance to improve their team. Well, the Islanders do have the first overall pick in the NHL Entry draft in Montreal on June 26th, so maybe they can improve.

On June 26th, the general managers will all get together to officially start the off-season and there should be some prominent names floating around the stands of the Bell Center. The number one name of course will be the 25-year-old franchise defenseman who is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. The Florida Panthers have already publically come out and say they are shopping the rights of Jay Bouwmeester to the highest bidder, in hopes to get something for their all-star defenseman before he walks for nothing on July 1st. The new practice of trading a free agent before July 1st has been seen only a few times, most notably with the Philadelphia Flyers trading a 1st round pick to the Nashville Predators for the negotiation rights of Scott Hartnell and Kimmo Timonen. I, for one, am in favor of this practice. With the growing nature of players leaving town regularly, why not get something for leaving? From the other side, if you target that person to be your top priority and the piece needed to complete the team, why not be proactive and give something to get something. That is the idea behind the trade deadline, which all hockey fans will admit is a national holiday for the sport, so why not bring this concept two times a year?

I have to take time to call out one person that has nothing to do with the NHL, but a lot to do with my playoff pool, which I finished a respectable 5th out of 171. One year ago my friend Adam won the whole thing and thus promised me and another person a steak dinner at Ruth’s Chris. I have never been to that place and now, a year later, still no steak dinner. I hope you guys have better friends than that. Lastly, on another personal note, I want to congratulate the Cyclones on a great Roller Hockey Championship, after two straight finals losses, and even with their backup goalie playing during the championship game, they pulled through to win it all.

Crosby vs Ovechkin

As the Finals wind down enjoy this video edited by myself and Chase Decker celebrating the exicting matchup between these two superstars

Second Chances

So three games in and we've learned that Henrik Zetterberg is one of the top shutdown forwards in this league. He has totally shutdown what was an extremely hot Sidney Crosby in these finals. The bounces started going the way of the Penguins at home so much that the league allowed them to play with 6 players on the ice. The Red Wings struggles on the PK have been eminent, as they have given up at least one power-play goal in 15 of 19 playoff games, including a franchise-high 13 straight at one point. This is how the Penguins will get back into the series if they continue to take advantage of these opportunities on the man advantage. Yet, don’t underestimate that the Red Wings will most likely get back leading scorer Pavel Datsyuk. The Hart Trophy finalist has not played since Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals, and his return would alleviate the stress put on the aforementioned Zetterberg, who logged an amazing 24:19 of ice time in Game 3.

I also have to make mention of a report that much maligned goalie Ray Emery is returning to the NHL next season, and most likely to the city of brotherly love. With second chances given every day in the world of sports to people that most likely do not deserve them, why not this guy? Yes, he set a junior club record for fighting, has been suspended numerous times, and pretty much has been exiled out of the NHL, but you can’t deny that this kid has talent and a drive for the game. He tried out for 8 different junior teams before being named Rookie of the year, then moved to the AHL where the suspensions started piling up, and still was named to the AHL All-Rookie team. He then went on to have success with the Senators as they advanced to the 2007 Stanley Cup Finals and holds a career 18-12 playoff record with a 2.46 GAA and 0.904 save percentage. If anything, it will be another great storyline headed into the off-season and beyond to see how Razor reacts to his second chance.