The Real Jason Blake: Is He Worth Trading?
January 23, 2009
One of the most prominent storylines from the Toronto Maple Leafs’ slide down the NHL standings in recent weeks is a guy who was all but ignored in off-season analysis of the club.
Was he on the very short list of players expected to lead the way in scoring? Nope. Was he one of the few players considered to be in the team’s long-term plans? Not there either. Was he a prime candidate to be traded this season? Nowhere to be found.
So why is Jason Blake suddenly the one making headlines?
Well, the biggest reason appears to be that he has finally gotten past the shock of being diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia last season.
Blake said all the right things at the time about feeling normal and focusing on playing hockey, but the development clearly affected his game and he recently admitted as much.
“How would you feel if someone told you devastating news?” Blake told the Toronto Sun. “It’s no fun. But I had a summer to deal with it. I don’t think I really had a chance to deal with it last year because I was playing every night. I’m not using it as an excuse by any means, but yeah, I’m having a lot more fun this year than last year.”
Leafs head coach Ron Wilson told the Sun in no uncertain terms that Blake has been the team’s “best player for two months now…all the things I heard that were negative about him, I haven’t seen at all the last two to three months.”
Blake, 34, has elevated his game in recent weeks and just about everyone in Leafland is noticing. His recent success was highlighted by a five-point night against the Carolina Hurricanes last Thursday, including a hat trick—an effort which stuck it to former coach Paul Maurice, now with the Hurricanes. It’s no secret that the pair didn’t see eye to eye last year in Toronto.
Whereas last season most fans (and perhaps the coaching staff as well) just wanted to forget about Blake and use him as little as possible, many viewers are now excited to see him on the ice, and he is frequently used in big-game situations, including shootouts.
At the risk of sounding callous, Blake’s new attitude is a good thing for the Leafs on more than one front. Obviously, it’s good for the team on the ice. A healthy, happy Jason Blake is a productive Jason Blake. But equally important is the fact that Blake’s play could be raising his trade value.
The operative word there is “could.” If Blake’s skill and production were the only things under consideration, Toronto could move him for a decent return right now. But there are three seasons left on Blake’s contract at a $4 million cap hit per year, and that fact hangs around Brian Burke’s neck like a millstone in trade negotiations.
No matter how well Blake plays, it’s very unlikely that any team would give up what he’s worth in a trade. Unless he suddenly turns into the third-millennium version of Gordie Howe, no team will want to saddle themselves with $12 million over three years for a player who may or may not still be making an impact at the end of that deal.
Throw in the fact that most teams are trimming their belts in the wake of the global economic crisis, and it’s about as likely as Burke and Kevin Lowe going to the gym together.
The only way Blake could be traded is if the Leafs are willing to throw in a draft pick or prospect and take back a bad contract in return. But even that wouldn’t have been possible last season, so it’s an improvement.
The $12 million dollar question is this: Is it worth Brian Burke’s while to pull off such a trade to move Blake?
The simple answer is no.
The Leafs have cap space coming out their ears and likely will for the duration of the rebuild. Their hand is not being forced. With big ticket players like Tomas Kaberle, Pavel Kubina, and Nik Antropov possibly being moved by the deadline, this may be a team flirting with the salary cap floor of $40.7 million.
Rebuilding teams trade veteran players so they can get draft picks and young talent in return, which, as the theory goes, will help them to be a better team down the road when those players develop.
If the Leafs can’t get good young talent in return for Blake, and they aren’t pressed for cap space, why move him?
He seems to finally be happy in Toronto. His play is raising the team’s spirits. And if the team does indeed sell off some veterans at the deadline, he will be one of the few experienced players left. Believe it or not, you do need a few players who have been around, even on a rebuilding team.
As fans and as management, it’s time to sit back and see what Jason Blake can do now that he can focus entirely on hockey.
Big East Showdowns Once Again Highlight Weekend Slate
January 23, 2009
(3) UConn vs. (19) Notre Dame, 7:00 PM Saturday, ESPN
UConn scored 48 first half points against a fairly strong defensive team in Villanova. Notre Dame doesn’t play a lick of defense.
Add those together and you get a nightmare in South Bend.
College GameDay will be on hand to watch Notre Dame try to defend it’s 45-game winning streak in the Joyce Center. In the final big game of Campus Connection week, the Irish will need to connect from all over the floor if it wants to take down the third-ranked Huskies.
Notre Dame is absolutely reeling after getting destroyed in overtime by Louisville and then following it up with another road bashing this time at the hands of Syracuse.
The old Big East motto of “you can’t let one loss turn into two” is out of date for the Irish as for Mike Brey’s team it’s not “don’t let two losses turn into three.”
The Irish need to get solid defense out of its guards to keep UConn’s quick backcourt of Jerome Dyson and A.J. Price from finding clear passing lanes down to Jim Calhoun’s impressive frontcourt of Jeff Adrien and Hasheem Thabeet.
Notre Dame is the only ranked team that is surrendered more than a point per possession and ranks 162nd nationally in defensive efficiency.
UConn can win this game from the free throw line. The Irish aren’t very deep, so getting them into foul trouble is a must. If you’re UConn and ranked third in the country in free throw attempts, that won’t be very hard.
The one spot Notre Dame can beat UConn is from three. The Huskies are an average three point defending team at 32.7 percent against, but the Irish shoot an astounding 40.3 percent from beyond. If Kyle McAlarney gets hot, the senior has the ability to knock down upwards of eight or nine triples in a single game.
(23) Baylor at (5) Oklahoma 4:00 PM Saturday, ESPNU
For those of you who don’t get ESPNU, call your local cable operator now and demand it. You don’t want to miss Curtis Jerrells and the rest of the Baylor guards square off with Oklahoma’s dominant big man, Blake Griffin.
Baylor will likely throw a duo of seven-foot centers, Mamadou Diene and Josh Lomers, at Griffin to try to contain him. If Griffin is too fast for the lumbering Baylor giants, the Bears will counter with stud forward Kevin Rogers or super athletic freshman Quincy Acy.
OU’s advantage will obviously be in the paint as Blake’s older brother Taylor also mans the front line.
Oklahoma will have to find the right guard combination to stop Baylor’s three guard set that is made up of arguably the best stable of guards in the country. Senior Curtis Jerrells, who will be in the NBA next year, will run the point but also provide an explosive scoring punch.
Even more deadly than Jerrells is LaceDarius Dunn who is coming off a brilliant performance against Kansas State where the sensational sophomore drilled nine of 12 shots from three and had 33 points overall.
Fellow guards Tweety Carter and Henry Dugat provide air-tight defense and a spark from three as well.
It will likely be another tight game as Oklahoma won last year’s two meetings by a combined six points.
(12) Louisville at (8) Syracuse, 12:00 PM Sunday, ESPN360.com
Remember when everyone and their mother had Louisville ranked in either top ten or even in the top five to start the season?
Well the Cardinals are finally showing America why we thought to rank them so high. Rick Pitino’s club is off to a solid 5-0 start in Big East play. In the conference, Louisville already has wins over Notre Dame, Villanova, and Pittsburgh.
Syracuse on the other hand is struggling a bit as the Orange is going through its gauntlet portion of the schedule.
Sunday’s game marks the fourth consecutive game for the ‘Cuse against a ranked opponent. On the road, Jim Boeheim’s squad has embarrassed itself against Pittsburgh and Georgetown—playing without any energy.
But against Notre Dame at home last Saturday, the Orange came out in front of a crowd of 30,021 people and ran the Irish straight out of the building.
Syracuse is the kind of team that could excel under Louisville’s pressure because of Andy Rautin’s three-point shooting as well as Jonny Flynn, Paul Harris, and Eric Devendorf’s ball handling ability.
But they could also fail miserably because the Orange has a knack for making tremendously poor decisions with the ball. Syracuse needs to get its transition offense going to be effective. Against Pitt, SU had only a few baskets in transition and lost that game by 18.
Louisville’s key will be shooting the three-ball. SU will likely pack the paint with the school’s trademark 2-3 zone and force Louisville to shoot the three. Syracuse has been a much better rebounding team this year, so Louisville should be able to pound the glass, but not as effectively as years past.
(4) Pittsburgh at West Virginia, 4:00 PM Sunday, ESPN360.com
West Virginia isn’t currently ranked, but might as well be. The Mountaineers went to Georgetown Thursday night and came away with a convincing 17-point victory.
Bob Huggins’ club has had its struggles, but by the numbers they have actually been very good.
According to efficiency data, West Virginia is the 12th ranked team overall because of its seventh ranked defense. WVU allows just .858 points per possession, is tenth in the country at forcing turnovers, and is third in the country in three point defense.
Considering Pitt isn’t going to beat you from three, WVU can clog the lane and hit the glass to prevent put-back opportunites by the second best offensive rebounding team in the country.
Freshman Devin Ebanks got a crash course on defending a Big East center when WVU tipped off against UConn a few weeks ago. He’ll need to take what he learned playing against seven-footer Hasheem Thabeet and translate it to the much shorter DeJuan Blair. West Virginia is almost as good as an offensive rebounding team as Pittsburgh as the Mountaineers rank fifth in the country in offensive rebounding.
Aussie Open Preview: Roger Federer vs. Marat Safin, Finding Neverland?
January 23, 2009
I love playin the guitar … and here is an advertisement you all Rodge fans would love. I love the way Rodge says ‘Will DO’
I am a romantic deep down inside …
I believe I’ll fall in love head over heels, with one person and would want to spend the rest of my life with her forever. I love holding hands and walking on the shore, on a golden sunset evening. I love simple things, like sharing a moment of silence with her, just looking into her eyes without a word.
I love comedies like ‘No Reservations’ and ‘Laws of Attraction’. I love feel good themes like ‘Forrest Gump, ‘Shawshank’, ‘Benjamin Button’ and ‘Finding Neverland’. I would love to overlook the Sydney Harbor Bridge with her, standing at the balcony of the Sydney Opera House, under the moonlit clouds, sipping on a vintage Shiraz …
And that is precisely why …
I believe that contrary to all semblance of logic, Marat Safin has a shot at this one, a long one at that, believe me I know – but still a shot …
The logic is very simple. This match is Rodge’s to lose, at any cost—and hence the pressure is solely on him. Safin is deranged, crazy, volatile, sarcastic, dark cynic, tempestuous, marginally demented – pick your adjective you like best. He rocked up to the Hopman cup with cuts in his arm, and a black-eye, admitted to have gotten himself into hand tussle in Moscow (Vodka?).
His bevy of blonde and brunette ladies (as we say in tennis.com—his Blonde-tourage) and his happy-go-lucky partying life-style is hardly the one recommended for a professional athlete, but it’s not my life – its Safin’s and his alone. The fines he has paid until now would have tripled had officials understood Spanish and Russian more.
Love this line of his in this interview (I am 28 and I have been on tour for ten years, I just want to enjoy my tennis, it’s the most simple thing in life – to enjoy, I don’t want any troubles on court, just want to play a nice match, win or lose – go home) – call it what you want, the one word I would use is ‘ENDEARING’ and so true and profound.
Despite incurring the wrath of the entire Federer clan, as a tennis fanatic, I think Safin needs this victory more than Federer does, that does not make him more deserving, for in the end, who wins deserves it—but Safin does need this more than Federer. For his sake, for tennis’ sake
That’s why he has a chance, like I said many times before today, you can tell what kind of a match it will be by just watching the first ten minutes. Just watch how clean is Safin striking the ball—then you will know. If he is, it will show, if he isn’t, that will too, and you can pack it in early if it’s the case of the latter.
No doubt the OZ 2005 semis will be on their mind, but I doubt if that will play any significant role in influencing the outcome tomorrow morning (5 am in the East Coast, someone have mercy on us). But the ‘Larger than Life’ Russian has nothing to lose, and he loves the big stage too. The crux: Safin knows he can beat Rodge and go toe-to-toe with him on his best day, and more importantly … The FED knows it too.
This is when as a tennis fan I can so very much empathize with Federer. If he wins, it was always expected to be, if he loses, the shock-meter rises up like a temperature meter in the middle of the Arabian Desert. Thankless job, so very thankless.
I expect the Muscovite to come ‘All Guns Blazing’ for he has nothing to lose. As much as every logical thread in my self-being says ‘Don’t make a fool out of yourself’ … am picking Safin in five, hoping he would find his Never-Land
Would that make me a hopeless romantic?
Martin Gerber Receives His Walking Papers from the Ottawa Senators
January 23, 2009
Thursday afternoon, the Ottawa Senators placed veteran net minder Martin Gerber on waivers, almost certainly ending his career in the nation’s capital.
Gerber was named the Senators started out of training camp this season however after a dismal start to the season he began to ride the “pine pony” in order to make room for back-up Alex Auld. Gerber is having a horrendous season with only 14 games played with only four wins and a .899 save percentage.
If Gerber clears waivers look for him to go play in Europe due to his large cap hit.
Auld has been given the No. 1 job due to the poor play of Martin Gerber. Auld is not playing that much better than Gerber, going 9-11 with a .907 save percentage going into the all star break.
The real bright side of this ordeal has been rookie goaltender Brian Elliot. Since being called up to the big club Elliot has gone 3 and 1 and owns a .924 save percentage. With the struggle of the Senators this season look for this rookie to be the new number one starter in Ottawa.
Senator’s assistant general manager Tim Murray had this to say about Elliot “He’s part of the (NHL) team now, and he’s no longer an American League hockey player as of now”.
Andrei Arlovski: Professional Heavyweight Boxing Is Next
January 23, 2009
According to trainer Freddie Roach, Andrei Arlovski will move into boxing following his matchup with Fedor Emelianenko at the Affliction: Day of Reckoning PPV. Roach already knows who he wants Arlovski to face.
“Andrei’s going into boxing after this,” said Roach. “After we knockout Fedor, I’d like for him to challenege for the heavyweight championship against (WBA heavyweight champion Nikolay) Valuev.”
For Arlovski to transition right into a heavyweight title fight would seem very difficult. Roach does not think such a high caliber opponent would cause any problems for the former UFC heavyweight champion.
“His boxing skills are good enough. He’s the best MMA fighter in the world. Two world champions? It would be huge.” source (five ounces of pain)
Regardless of the of the out-come of this Saturday night’s Affliction Mixed Martial Arts Event—which pits “The Pit Bull” Andrei Arlovski against the overrated but always dangerous Fedor Emilianeneko, it seems world class trainer Freddie Roach may have bigger fish to fry; big may be an understatement, this is a whale of a fish named Nicolay Valuev.
At 7′1″ and nearly 300lbs, Nikolai Valuev is a monstrous heavyweight who is steadily improving, he recently won a controversial decision against an—old but rugged—former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield.
In recently written an article on Valuev it was a daunting task to try to find a downloaded photo of him that wasn’t for sale; he is now delving into movies and books, and lately it seems the spectacle of Nicolay Valuev is growing in leaps and bounds.
Maybe the monstrous spectacle may become bigger than the the actual skills of this Russian behemoth.
In any event, it looks like the Belorussian Pitbull may be looking to take a bite out of the “increasingly European” heavyweight ranks of professional boxing.
Freddie Roach seems to want to put his newest stable member into the abyss as soon as possible. I think Freddie Roach may be making a hasty mistake to push Arlovski toward a heavyweight title against the modern day version of Primo Carnera.
One reason may be due to the fact that the heavyweight division is dominated now by European fighters. Vladimir klitschko and his brother Vitali are both from Ukraine and Nikolay Valuev is from Russia; another former alphabet champion and top ten fighter Ruslan Chagaev is from Uzbekistan and would also make a worthy opponent for Arlovski.
If I was going to give Andrei any advice though it would be to focus on the task at hand, in other words one Russian at time…recently in an interview with Loretta Hunt on sherdog.com Andrei stated that he is in no way intimidated by the hype surrounding Fedor, and the mental aspect of his game is 100 %
If Arlovski can beat Emilianenko and then Valuev and win a portion of the heavy weight title, the world will be treated to a history making combat sports spectacle, Arlovski will be the first MMA champion to cross over and win a championship in the boxing ring.
This event may someday be referred to as The Unprovoked Attack Of The Savage Pitbull, lets just hope that Pitbulls dont get banned in the united states.
Steam roller, midnight stroller
I’ve been told about you
Heart-breaker, Soul-shaker,
Time’s come to pay your dues
Now you’re messin’ with a “son of a bitch”-
Nazereth (Hair Of The Dog)
UEFA Champions League Preview
January 23, 2009
When asked to write this UEFA Champions League last 16 preview, it was made clear to me the article had to have “legs“. Luckily, this review is for both legs, not just first legs and every player mentioned does have a left and a right, leg, that is.
The last 16 draw threw up some exciting ties but none are as eagerly anticipated as the battle between England and Italy, the Barclays Premier League vs. Serie A, chips and cheese vs. macaroni and cheese. In total, there will be three Anglo-Italian match ups, six if you count all the legs.
Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson will renew their old rivalry when the former Chelsea boss welcomes Manchester United to Milan on the 24th of February to take on his new side, Internazionale.
The Italian champions hired Mourinho with the aim of turning their domestic domination into European glory but “the special one” would have been hoping for an easier last 16 draw. European champions Man United, who have reclaimed top spot in England and were recently crowned World Club Champions, look to be moving up through the gears after a slow start to the season.
On paper, Inter look like the Arsenal of Italy with very few Italian players but that certainly doesn’t make them any weaker. Inspirational captain Javier Zanetti will be very close to 700 career appearances by the time the two side’s line up next month. Having recently watched the marauding full back, wing back, 400 metre runner winning his 128th cap for Argentina at Hampden Park, it is obvious that he hasn’t lost any of the energy that makes him one of the worlds best.
In Ryan Giggs, United have their own 35 year old superstar who brings the experience of close to 800 senior appearances. His legs may not be as sharp as Zanetti’s but he does have two UEFA Champions League winners medals at home. The midfielder supposedly does not play as much as he used to but still clocked up 43 appearances last year, including the Champions League Final. This year, he became the first player to score in 13 separate Champions League tournaments.
There will therefore be plenty of history on the pitch and more than a little off it.
Many will remember the war of words between the two managers in the past but surely all either man is really worrying about, is finding a rare bottle of wine to impress the other, you guessed it, one with some decent legs.
The same night, Arsenal welcome AS Roma to the Emirates in dare you say the least glamorous of the three Anglo-Italian ties.
Roma’s recent record in European competition against English opposition is pityfall, including Roma’s 7-1 record European thrashing at the hands of Sir Alex’s men in 06/07. It was a similar story last year as United disposed of the Italians 3-0 on aggregate again at the quarter final stage.
Although not the force they were in the early part of this millennium, Roma are still a side to be reckoned with and Arsenal will need to be at their best to beat La Magica. Both sides are struggling in their domestic leagues to secure a Champions League spot next season so with the UEFA Europa League on the horizon, this game will have some added needle.
Head Coach Luciano Spaletti will rely on his sides strong Italian spine of Christian Panucci, Daniele De Rossi and Francesco Totti if they are to knock Arsene Wenger’s men out of the tournament. As proved by many English team’s this season, Arsenal are susceptible to rougher, hard working teams and when that toughness can also play great football like Roma can, one would believe Arsenal could be in for a tough time. Especially with the prospect of a home final pumping up the Roman giants.
Arsenal, on the other hand, have a talented side with a strong European reputation having reached the final in 2005/06 and showing last year in their unlucky quarter final defeat to Liverpool (5-3 on aggregate) that their young side is more than capable of taking on all comers under Wenger. There is pressure from parts on the Frenchman however after a barren few years at the Emirates and fans are getting restless for success. Another UEFA Champions League final in Rome on the 27th of May would certainly silence any doubters but the Gunners are missing some old heads on their young legs.
Wednesday the 25th of February will see Juventus take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Italian giants have made a successful return to Europe this campaign after two years in the wilderness, one of which was spent in Serie B after a match fixing scandal.
The punishment has done nothing to diminish the efforts of the Turin outfit and they’ll be looking to complete their comeback with a prolonged European run. Sadly for the Italians, their draw couldn’t have been much tougher. Last years losing finalists, Chelsea, are not in the form they were in last season but they are also desperate for European success and possibly at the expense of domestic honours.
Juventus on the other hand would love nothing more than regaining the Italian crown and may possibly be looking at over turning an Inter side who are like Chelsea, desperate for European success to complete their period on top of Italian football. Italy’s “Old Lady” don’t look as strong on paper as the London club but they are more than capable with an on form Alessandro Del Piero proving the return to the form of his early career is no flash in the pan and will lead his side out hoping to dare I say, cause an upset.
Chelsea are far less settled at the minute than their Italian counterparts and are struggling for domestic and European form. Didier Drogba it appears may even leave the club this January and with Joe Cole out for the season with a knee ligament injury, the Blues squad is being tested. Michael Ballack, Deco and Florent Malouda have proven European pedigree and tend to thrive on the big European nights compared to tough games away (or at home these days) to some of England’s hard working sides.
“Big Phil” Scolari was brought in make Chelsea play better football but it isn’t that easy. If Chelsea are indeed playing better football it is coming at the expense of results and surely it is the “results” that count? The Brazilian has the backing of his side but Mr Abramovich is another matter. The Russian wants the UEFA Champions League title and wants it at the same time as playing beautiful football all the time. Maybe there really is something money can’t buy?
And no, it is not a new pair of legs.
Of course, the fact there are three ties means there will be a winner. Whether it is 2-1 to Italy or 3-0 to England, only one country will triumph. Last year was England’s year but everyone must admit that the recent form of Italian side’s in Europe, has been disappointing and we’d all like to see Inter Milan, Juventus or Roma challenging again but it is a shame that this early in the competition, one countries hopes must take such a dent.
So put those four days down in your diary, make sure your TV license or subscription is sorted out and look forward to taking the heat off those legs by putting your feet up and watching the world’s greatest show, the UEFA Champions League.
The second legs will be played over the 10th and 11th of March with the quarter final draw due to take place on the 20th of the same month.
Marty St. Louis to Replace Sidney Crosby at NHL All-Star Game
January 23, 2009
Martin St. Louis of the Tampa Bay Lightning will replace fan favourite Sidney Crosby at this weekend’s All Star Game and skills competition, citing an ailing knee.
Crosby was questionable for the mid-season festivities earlier in the week, and at one point declared himself all but good to go. However reports surfaced last night that Penguins team doctors were pressuring him not to attend the event.
Of course the news is twofold for fans of Crosby and the Penguins.
The ailing star will get five days of much needed rest. It is believed that along with the injured knee, Crosby is also battling an arm injury, suffered this past week when he was struck twice with the puck on the same arm.
Crosby joins a list of superstars that includes Nik Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk who will not participate this weekend.
Crosby was scheduled to take part in the skills competition, more specifically the breakaway challenge. It is expected that St. Louis, a native of Montreal, will slip into to fill Crosby’s spot in all aspects of the competition.
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