Takin’ a T/O With BT: Are We Starting To ‘See’ Steven Stamkos?
January 29, 2009
There were posters, there were bumper stickers, there were tube-tops and t-shirts, there were ads everywhere you could think of; There was even a website.
All of this was devoted to a man who, not only hadn’t played in a single NHL game yet, but was yet to sign his first NHL contract.
That is the life of a first overall draft pick in today’s NHL. That is what had become of Steve Stamkos.
Like any first overall draft pick and any team picking first overall, it was two very different tales and very different attitudes.
The Tampa Bay Lightning had fallen fast and fallen hard since the lockout. In 2003/04 the were Stanley Cup Champions for the first time, just twelve years after they entered the league. To put that in perspective only the Edmonton Oilers (Five years), Philadelphia Flyers (Seven years), and New York Islanders (eight years) had done it faster since the 1967 expansion.
Sidenote: For the purposes of that last stat we looked at franchises who didn’t relocate prior to winning the cup. Edmonton could be argued either way seeing as their first season in the NHL was 1979/80 but they had been an established franchise prior to that season in the WHA.
The Dallas Stars won a cup six seasons after moving from Minnesota while the Colorado Avalanche won during their first season in Denver. Calgary also won nine years after moving from Atlanta.
The season following the lockout (2005/06) the Lightning lost their division crown, finishing second in the Southeast Division to the Carolina Hurricanes. The Lightning also lost their opportunity to defend their crown early on, being dispatched by the Ottawa Senators in five games, and being outscored 23-13.
The following year the Lightning couldn’t capitalize on an off-year from the ‘Canes as Atlanta swept in and took the crown away from Tampa. While the Lightning did well to win two games against the stingy Devils, driven by the strong goaltending of Martin Brodeur, it was another early exit for the Lightning.
While many were disappointed with the Lightning’s post-lockout showing, few considered it grounds for the team to fall apart come 2007/08. The team had shortcomings (Second-most goals allowed amonst the top twelve teams in the East in 06/07) but many expected the Lightning to have a shot—especially under the leadership of Vincent Lecavalier, Brad Richards, and Martin St. Louis.
That wasn’t the case though.
By the end of 2007/08 the Lightning had put forth their worst season since 2001/02 with 71 points. The team barely had their head above water on home ice and seemed to hit a brick wall when they went on the road.
Amidst a year that saw the Lightning allow the second-most goals in the league (267) the house-cleaning had started mid-season. Brad Richards and Johan Holmqvist were sent packing in hopes that Mike Smith could be the goalie of the future, Jeff Halpern could offer some leadership through the tough times, and Jussi Jokinen could spark the offense.
Some hoped that the Lightning would turn into the next installment of the 2007/08 Philadelphia Flyers—the team that had gone from worst to first, rags to riches, and rotten to ritzy in just a few months.
The acquisition of Steve Stamkos cemented that hope for many.
Going into the draft there questions abound has to who the Lightning—after winning the NHL’s Draft Lottery—would select. The crop of quality young defensemen was overflowing with Drew Doughty, Luke Schenn, Zach Bogosian, Tyler Myers, and Alex Pietrangelo causing quite a stir, but some wondered if the spot amongst the ‘Big Three’ vacated by the Brad Richards trade had opened the door for a forward.
The aformentioned ‘Seen Stamkos’ campaign put all that to rest before the Lightning even took to the podium though, sending the ‘Bay into a frenzy over the much-hyped forward from the OHL.
The anticipation for Stamkos was buoyed by the success of recent First Overall choices: Patrick Kane was the OHL’s Rookie of the Year and runner-up for MVP (to John Tavares) award in 2006/07 and led the league in scoring with 145 points, one year later he won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s top rookie; the year before that it was the highly touted Erik Johnson of the St Louis Blues who amassed 33 points in 69 games in his first season, also in 2007/08.
The two years preceding those two? Alexander Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby.
Needless to say, an OHL kid who was picked first overall following up a 58-goal, 100-point season? Failure wasn’t an option.
The Lightning did all they could from then on to stock the cupboard for Stamkos as well. Gary Roberts and Mark Recchi were brought in for their veteran presence and no-doubt Roberts’ stringent workout routine.
Adam Hall, Brandon Bochenski, and the suddenly-scoring Radim Vrbata were brought in to round out the roster as well, while Dan Boyle’s hefty contract, Brad Lukowich, Filip Kuba, and Alexandre Picard were shed from the roster.
As the curtain rose on the Lightning’s season and Stamkos’ career in the Czech Repulic against the New York Rangers, many expected a show that they waited for.
And waited…
And waited….
As was well-documented, Steven struggled early and often in the early stages of this season: His first point didn’t come until his eighth game, he only had four points in his first seventeen games, his ice-time was wavering back and forth under Head Coach Barry Melrose, and the 6′0, 170 lbs kid from Markham was simply getting dominated at every stop.
It was because of that though, that Head Coach Barry Melrose refused to increase Stamkos’ ice time, stating that he “wasn’t going to give a guy ice time just because he’s the number one pick”.
Many feel that it was because of that attitude that led to Melrose’s dismissal.
Following Melrose’s November 14th firing, the idea was things were going to get better and for a while, they did. Stamkos had three points in Rich Tocchet’s first three games behind the Lightning bench, but his ice-time was still floundering, sometimes lower than what Melrose had set for him.
Whatever it was, the streaks continued though: a three-game pointless streak here, a five-game pointless streak there, all of that provoked people to start whispering the ‘B’ word when Stamkos would come up in conversation.
Bust.
How exactly a kid becomes a “bust” in his first year I’ll never know—especially when some players are given four or five years to develop in the AHL and never turn into the promised player, but no one ever says that about them.
With everyone drooling over the NHL’s next biggest flop, Rich Tocchet did something bold:
He instituted a plan for Steven Stamkos.
Go figure. A plan to develop a number one overall pick. How novel.
Following that five-game pointless streak, Stamkos was benched for one game to gather his wits.
In his return? He got an assist in a 3-1 win over Drew Doughty and the Los Angeles Kings. The next game, a goal against the San Jose Sharks, followed by an assist in his next against the Philadelphia Flyers.
A game off and three games later, Steven Stamkos has finally started to produce with five points in his last six games and a plus-five rating.
Now that’s a little more like it.
As the Lightning begin the last few months of the season, the schedule’s getting a little heavier—starting tonight (January 29th) the Lightning have three sets of back-to-back games in the next month—and the games are going to get more meaningful as the Lightning look for a way to keep them out of the Eastern Conference basement for a second straight year.
But with the performance of Steven Stamkos steadily improving, one has to wonder if we’ve ’seen the real Stamkos yet’.
Maybe we have, and maybe we haven’t.
Just don’t count the kid out yet.
Inter Milan: Problems and Solutions
January 29, 2009
Inter Milan are lying first in the Serie A table, six points ahead of Juventus and eight points away from Milan. The Nerazzurri have made it to the knocking stage of the UEFA Champions League and face Manchester United in the second round.
However, Jose Mourinho has still not managed to improve Inter’s performances or results compared to last term. Yes, last season, Juve were not as good as they are this season, and Milan had a terrible record last year.
But Inter have not convinced at all so far. Mourinho brought Mancini from Roma and Ricardo Quaresma from Porto in order to play 4-3-3, a formation that worked perfectly well in the Portuguese manager’s reign as Chelsea manager.
The formation did not work out well, and Mourinho had to shift his tactics to a diamond 4-4-2 formation, a tactic that won him the double (Portuguese league and Champions League) at Porto.
However, Inter have not been able to perform up to the desired standard. They have won most of their games in the second half after awful displays.
Problems
1. The defense has been terrible, but the back four is not to blame. The midfield has been terrible in the absence of Patrick Vieira with Sulley Muntari unable to provide adequate cover for him and failing to live up to his hefty €16m price tag.
Until this day, Inter have conceded 15 goals in 21 matches.
2. The team does not seem to have a clear identity and strategy; Mourinho’s approach has not been successful in creating his own version of a convincing football side. The players seem lost, their passing is terrible, their positioning is random, and they do not seem to be following any clear instructions.
The whole team seems lost when Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not playing at his best, and the instructions are apparently “pass the ball to Ibra.”
3. There is no creativity whatsoever in midfield. The two strikers are playing in front of Dejan Stankovic, who is well past his peak. Luis Figo is 35, and Mancini has been a huge disappointment since he moved to the club from Roma in the summer.
4. The constant rotation policy that Mourinho has unwillingly adopted shows that the Portuguese tactician is yet to determine his best starting 11.
Solutions
1. Inter’s approach on the pitch should be more patient, and their passing should be better if they are to keep their momentum during matches. The best way to defend is by having quality possession on the ball.
2. Mourinho should look for solutions other than Ibrahimovic. The squad is good and should give the manager some alternatives, so he can change the set of his team around and add width with wingers at his disposal.
3. The transfer market can be a solution. The team needs creativity; a quality attacking midfielder is needed. Werder Bremen’s Diego can fill the void perfectly should Mourinho look to buy this month.
4. Mourinho should look to give confidence to his best 11. A starting line-up that does well in training with players that play well in matches should be given the nod on regular basis in order for them to adapt to the system altogether.
UFC 94: BJ Penn Vs GSP: Highway 58 Revisited
January 29, 2009
My Francophone countryman-Canadian Georges St. Pierre-will defend his UFC welterweight championship title this weekend against the UFC lightweight champion B.J.Penn at UFC 94.
This Mixed Martial Arts super-fight, which will be held at the luxurious MGM Grand Garden Arena is a rematch of the 170-pound bout won by the famous resident of Montreal, Quebec via split decision at UFC 58 in March 2006.
St.Pierre (17-2) is a two-time welterweight champion who regained his title at UFC 83 when he stopped Matt Serra, and avenged the previous loss between the two.
BJ Penn (14-4-1), who currently holds the 155-pound crown, is a former welterweight title-holder in his own right. The recent - war of words - between these two elite champions has drawn a fine line in the sand, and BJ Penn has defiantly crossed it.
Ladies and Gentlemen, and hardcore fight fans, please don’t make the mistake of thinking that this will be your garden variety MMA bout, because let me assure you, this fight has the potential to be anything but.
This is a rematch for redemption for BJ Penn but for George’s St. Pierre it means so much more. GSP sees this rematch as an opportunity to elevate his career to legendary status.
When asked about GSP’S heart Penn stated that ” only a little bitch would turn to the side and tap the canvas, and when he fought Matt Serra the first time I was there and I saw it, Georges is a quitter , he tapped out from strikes.”
BJ Penn put an end to the taping of the the hit TV show UFC primetime because he felt that the shows portrayal of him as a - rich spoiled punk - who was too lazy to train may have been inaccurate.
GSP is taking Penn’s words personally, he says he considers it an insult of the highest order for Penn to call him a quitter, “BJ Penn calls me a quitter, I’m not the one who has had everything handed to me, I don’t have a rich family, I have struggled all my life to be where I am today.”
Whether GSP tapped or quit against Serra in their first match-in my opinion-will have no bearing on the out come of this fight.
The original GSP/Penn fight proved to any and everyone out there including myself, that GSP has incredible intestinal fortitude; he was thumbed in the eye and fought like a lion for two whole rounds with only partial sight.
Howard Grant is GSP’s boxing coach; he is the Freddie Roach of Canadian boxing trainers, he took his brother Otis grant all the way to a World Middleweight title and a light heavyweight title fight against Roy Jones Junior.
If Howard Grant decides to instruct Georges to stand and deliver with BJ it could be curtains for the young french Canadian Champion, in my opinion BJ Penns boxing skills are far superior to Georges St. Pierre.
My final thought is this; if GSP employs the same game plan as last time-and I believe he will-then we are looking at one hell of a five round war. I’m picking Penn to win by by TKO (strikes) but there are a number of different ways this could end.
GSP likes to beat his opponents at their own game eg; decorated wrestler Josh Koscheck who was kept on his back throughout the fight, and Frank Trigg who was owned, schooled, and dominated by Georges at UFC 54.
Frank Trigg lost by a rear naked choke in the opening round and the humiliating defeat would be Trigg’s final appearance in the UFC.
“Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it.” Bruce Lee
Top 12 Players That Will Be Available Come Trade Deadline
January 29, 2009
Last season, the trade deadline was highlighted with the trade of Marian Hossa to Pittsburgh for Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen, prospect Angelo Esposito and a first-round draft pick. The trade was made by the Penguins in hopes of making a serious push for the Stanley Cup and it was almost successful, barely losing out to the much-more-experienced Detroit Red Wings.
This year, Pittsburgh seems to be paying the price for that trade because there lineup is now lacking a lot of toughness and grit. But that’s the price you pay at the trade deadline. Teams are willing to give up all there young assets in order to make that big run for Lord Stanley.
So what will be given up this year and for who?
Here are the top 12 players that will be available at the trade deadline:
12. Niclas Havelid—Atlanta Thrashers
The underrated defenseman’s contract is up at the end of the season, so the Thrashers will be looking to unload his reasonable contract on a team that is looking for depth in the back end. Look for maybe Boston or Calgary to make a move on the steady blue-liner.
11. Vesa Toskala—Toronto Maple Leafs
When the season began, Toskala was arguably the best asset the Leafs had and was what the team was going to build around. Now the netminder has become one of the worst starting goalies in the NHL.
Even still, a new change of scenery might not hurt and some teams might be looking to the netminder to help in goal with a playoff run or fill a void in net. I could see Detroit, Ottawa, Calgary, or the Islanders interested.
10. Steve Sullivan—Nashville Predators
This is an intriguing prospect because two months ago people weren’t sure whether or not he would be back. He is a very fast player with a quick release. It all depends on whether or not his back can hold for the season. If it doesn’t show any wear or tear come trade deadline, he will be a very-wanted commodity.
He could fit in anywhere on either the first or second line and do well. I would expect Anaheim, Pittsburgh, or any team that needs backup scoring to want his services.
9. Mathieu Schneider—Atlanta Thrashers
Schneider is almost 40 and is not as fast as he used to be, but he still can still run a power play and pass the puck with the best of them. Although he may not be cheap, he will get any struggling power play going. Expect Pittsburgh, Columbus, the Rangers, and even Montreal if they can’t get a hold of Tomas Kaberle.
8. Keith Tkachuk—St. Louis Blues
He has been a rental player before, and will be a rental player again this trade deadline. He may not be the best playoff performer, but he is still solid and can play on any second line in the NHL.
Look for a playoff team to rent his services, more specifically a team that needs to give their second line a little more pop and a little more grit. Look for Pittsburgh, Chicago, and maybe even look to Phoenix to trade for his services.
7. Manny Fernandez—Boston Bruins
An interesting situation has risen in Boston. The tandem of Tim Thomas and Fernandez has been solid and the two combine for the best save percentage of any team in hockey. But Tuukka Rask is waiting in the wings and is ready for experience. Yet, their forwards keep getting injured and could use some depth.
If there were a trade to come for this player, I could see Calgary, Detroit, or even Washington looking into his services.
6. Nikolai Antropov—Toronto Maple Leafs
Although he isn’t the biggest name on this list by any means, he could be the biggest center available come trade deadline. He is great in front of the net and is a good stick handler also.
If Brian Burke doesn’t see what he likes, I can see him trading Antropov at the deadline. Teams that would be interested in his services would be Chicago, Columbus, Calgary, and Florida.
5. Tomas Kaberle—Toronto Maple Leafs
If it wasn’t for Jay Bouwmeester being on the market, Tomas Kaberle would easily be the best defenseman on the market. He can run any power play that is having trouble and is easily one of the best passers in the game today.
If he decides to waive his no trade clause, then I could see him going to Montreal, the Rangers, Washington, maybe even Florida??
4. Marian Gaborik—Minnesota Wild
Poor Minnesota. Tried to sign him, he refused. Tried to play him and he got injured. When he came back, they tried to trade him and then he got injured again. Now he is expected to come back sometime after the trade deadline. Minnesota is always in the run to make the playoffs so it all matters where they are when the deadline comes.
I imagine if they are willing to trade him that a couple teams are willing to take a risk on him. I could see him alongside Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin in Pittsburgh, or he could also be heading off to Vancouver to play along side Mats Sundin as well.
3. Jason Spezza—Ottawa Senators
Ever since that amazing start to last season, this team has been on an unstoppable spiral. Ever since this spiral, Jason Spezza has been a one-dimensional player. He seems to have forgotten about defense. But he is still able to put up 100 points if he has the right line mates.
He is still young and even though he has both a big and long contract, lots of teams would be willing to trade for him. Columbus, Anaheim, maybe even Montreal if they can’t get Lecavalier.
2. Jay Bouwmeester—Florida Panthers
Easily the most desirable player available at the trade deadline, Bouwmeester has it all. He has size, speed, and scoring ability. Plus he can get nasty if he has to. All that is missing is some playoff experience.
With him being as young as he is, any team would be interested in trading for him. Toronto, Edmonton, New York Rangers, and Ottawa are all in the front-runners trying to trade for him.
1. Vincent Lecavalier—Tampa Bay Lightning
This is easily the best player available right now. Every team drools to have a player of his skill. He is easily one of the top 10 players in the game today at any position. The problem with a player of this caliber is that you need to give up a lot in order to get him and few teams have the assets to get him.
That’s why only one team comes to mind. Montreal. They have the players, prospects, and draft picks available to bring this guy to Montreal. Not to mention a fan base that cries his name every time he is in town. He even got a 10-minute ovation during the All-Star game.
The WEC’s Top-10 P4P Fighters
January 29, 2009
Top 10 P4P lists are always popular…and controversial. I thought it would be fun to assemble a list to draw more attention to Zuffa’s smaller organization.
While this list might be less controversial, I am sure there is still room for some debate.
1. Miguel Torres: Torres had a breakout year in 2008. He started the year by winning the WEC bantamweight title against Chase Beebe at WEC 32. He went on to defend his title twice in 2008.
Torres has a remarkable 35-1 record and most consider him a 10 P4P fighter in all of MMA. Torres will take on undefeated challenger Brian Bowles in what should be an exciting title fight.
2. Carlos Condit: Condit is the WEC welterweight champion and is a Top 10 welterweight in all of MMA. Condit has as 22-4 record and has finished his opponents in every one of his MMA victories–very impressive. Condit will take on Brock Larson in a rematch at WEC 39.
If Condit wins, he will have cleared out the WEC welterweight division and may look toward the UFC.
3. Mike Brown: Brown shocked the MMA world when he took Urijah Faber’s title at WEC 36. Some thought it was a fluke but Brown has an impressive 20-4 record. He has notable wins over former WEC champion Jeff Curran and Yves Edwards. Brown will make his first featherweight title defense against Leonard Garcia at WEC 39.
4. Urijah Faber: Many thought Faber was unbeatable but Mike Brown dispelled that notion. The former featherweight champion recently made quick work of Jens Pulver in their rematch at WEC 38. Faber will likely get the winner of Brown vs. Garcia and get the chance to take back his title.
5. Jamie Varner: Varner put his lightweight belt on the line against Donald Cerrone at WEC 38 and the fight ended in a bit of controversy. Despite the split-decision, it’s not a stretch to suggest that Varner was on his way to a clear-cut victory before an unintentional (but illegal) knee stopped him midway through the fifth.
An immediate rematch between the two is likely.
6. Brock Larson: Brock Larson will get another crack at Carlos Condit at WEC 39. In their first fight Larson was submitted in the first round. Despite the quick loss, Larson is one of the most underrated fighters in MMA.
He has a 24-2 record. Even more impressive, 16 of his 24 wins came by finishing his opponent in the first round. His only other loss was to John Fitch in the UFC.
7. Donald Cerrone: Cerrone had a perfect 9-0 record going into the title fight against Varner. Prior to that fight, Cerrone beat former lightweight champion Rob McCullough. Look for Varner vs. Cerrone II in the near future, after Varner’s broken hand heals.
8. Leonard Garcia: In his last fight, Garcia made quick word of Jens Pulver. That, along with his UFC laurels, earned him a quick title shot against Mike Brown at WEC 39. It should be a great fight in which Garcia will look to engage Brown in a slug fest.
9. Brian Bowles: Bowles makes it on the list with a 7-0 and the current No. 1 contender to Miguel Torres. Bowles is a well rounded fighter and has an exciting fight style. He has KO power and great submissions and should give Torres a stiff test at WEC 39.
10. Rob McCullough: McCullough, a former lightweight champion, is tough as nails. He fought and lost to two men on this list, Donald Cerrone and current champion Jaime Varner. He put up valiant efforts in both fights. McCullough will take on Marcus Hicks at WEC 39 and if he wins he will be back in the title picture.
Wednesday Night Hoopla: Big Time Big East Upsets and No. 1 Falls
January 29, 2009
(4) Wake Forest 70, (1) Duke 68
Duke’s stay as the top-ranked team lasted all of two days. Last week, Wake Forest also lasted two days, and the week before that, Pittsburgh lasted five days before losing.
Assuming UConn beats Providence this weekend, the Huskies will move up to No. 1, but their grip on the top spot may last about 10 hours—or as long as it takes to drive from Storrs, Connecticut to Louisville, where UConn will take on the surging Cardinals Monday night.
As for Wednesday night’s game, Wake Forest showed the country once again why the Demon Deacons are a legitimate title contender. Dino Gaudio has now knocked off North Carolina and Duke when both Tar Heel State teams were ranked first overall. That’s a nice résumé builder, eh?
Wake Forest managed to squeak out an up-tempo but defense-based contest. The Demon Deacons led throughout the majority of the night, building a lead as large as 13 points. The most Duke ever led by was a mere bucket.
But down the stretch, Duke made a comeback, tying the game at 68 with just seconds on the clock. Wake inbounded the ball on its offensive side of the court and ran a perfect play that completely fooled the stout Blue Devil defense.
Veteran guard L.D. Williams faked a deeper pass that allowed super sophomore James Johnson to slip towards the basket on the baseline to receive a pass that he needed to take two steps to the hoop for an essentially uncontested lay-up.
The most impressive aspect of Wake’s victory has to be the fact that the Deacons still won despite the fact that Jeff Teague, a potential All-American, had a mediocre night, scoring 11 points on 14 shots.
(21) Villanova 67, (3) Pittsburgh 57
The aforementioned Panthers who could only hang onto the top spot for five days lost again Wednesday night, this time to in-state rival Villanova. The always spiffy-looking Jay Wright had his Wildcats ready to play, as ‘Nova is starting to rebound after losing two of its first three conference games.
The undersized Wildcats did a fantastic job of keeping the Panthers off the glass, which is usually where Pitt wins its games. Pittsburgh only won the battle of the boards 32-28, mainly because stud center DeJuan Blair sat trapped on the bench in foul trouble for most of the game. The sophomore played just 20 minutes and recorded a paltry seven points and eight rebounds.
The Panthers are still in a good position to be the fourth team to grab a double-bye in the Big East Tournament, as Pitt still holds a 1.5-game lead over Villanova and West Virginia and is tied with surprise team Providence for the fourth spot.
Providence 100, (15) Syracuse 94
The ‘Cuse very effectively answered the rarely asked question, “What happens to a 2-3 zone when your best defender on the wing is injured and your tank of a center is hobbling around in the paint?” The Friars tore Syracuse to pieces from inside (26-for-41 in two-pointers) and outside (10 three-pointers) all game long.
SU played lazy all night, repeatedly not diving for loose balls, and was careless with the rock throughout the game. Despite 27 points, Eric Devendorf turned the ball over nine times.
It’s not too surprising Syracuse lost this game considering the ‘Cuse’s injury situation, but it is a very disappointing loss for the Orange because of the way SU lost it. Score 94 points and lose?
One bright spot for the ‘Cuse is the fact that Jonny Flynn showed why some considered him a preseason All-American. The sophomore guard dropped 35 points on a highly efficient 12-22 from the field and contributed six more assists.
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