Worst Offseason Signings of 2009: Which Toronto Maple Leafs Made the List?

By Mark “The Hard Hitter” Ritter… For many NHL general managers, free agency is akin to Christmas. This summer was no exception, question is, did NHL GM’s get what they asked for or did Santa pull a fast one and leave a knock-off in their stockings?

To be fair, we are just 15 games (For many NHL teams) into the 2009-10 NHL season, that said, some key free agent signings are under performing, which has some GM’s shaking their heads.

It is difficult to tell if the early results will continue, but, when it comes to poor offseason signings, this year’s list is both long and alarming, especially when you consider the names on the list.

Here are my thoughts on the 10 worst offseason signings of 2009-10.

Mike Komisarek Through 14 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs has no points and a plus/minus rating of -10, which leads the Leafs. Komisarek’s penchant for taking untimely/undisciplined penalties has directly led to more than a few Leaf losses and his poor decision making in his own zone is becoming a nightly occurrence.

“Fortunately” (insert sarcasm here) for the Leafs, general manager Brian Burke has Komisarek signed for five years, which should be ample time for Komisarek to figure out the Leafs system.

In order for Burke to get a decent return on his dollar Komisarek is going to have to simplify his game and find the edge that made him a success as a member of the Montreal Canadiens.

Martin Havlat When the Minnesota Wild signed Havlat they were sending a message to the rest of the NHL that they were no longer going to be the defense first team we have all grown to know.

Coming off a 29 goal, 77 point season with the Chicago Blackhawks, Havlat was expected to catapult the Wild into playoff contention and bring validity to the Wild offensive attack. Sadly, that has not been the case.

Through 13 games, Havlat has just one goal, seven points and an alarming minus 12 rating, second worst on the team.

Admittedly, the Wilds’ lack of scoring is not all Havlat’s fault, but he has failed to be a difference maker and, having signed a six year deal with the Wild, must find a way to light the lamp.

Steve Sullivan Always considered a risk because of his injury history, the Nashville Predators elected to look the other way when it came to signing Sullivan in the off-season.

Up until last night’s match against the Minnesota Wild, a game in which Sullivan had two assists, Sullivan had not registered a multi-point game and had just one goal and three points through 13 games.

His plus/minus rating of -4 is unimpressive and his inability to be a game breaker thus far has to have the Predators worrying and is a major factor in the teams mediocre 6-7-1 start.

Dodging the injury bug is a bonus for Sullivan and the Preds, that said, when he is in the lineup, Sullivan must be effective and to date, he has not impressed anyone.

Alex Kovalev When the Ottawa Senators signed Kovalev away from the Montreal Canadiens many Montreal fans cried foul. Well, 13 games into the season, Kovalev boasts just four goals and six points and a team leading minus five rating, who’s crying now?

Kovalev has been invisible on more nights than not and his penchant for taking games off seems very real. At $5 million per season, Kovalev does not come cheap and with another year on his contract, the Sens must be second guessing this signing.

John “Johnny” Oduya New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello doesn’t make many mistakes when it comes to re-signing players, that said, Lou must be scratching his head about resigning Oduya.

Oduya posted 29 points, a plus 29 rating and just 30 penalty minutes last season. Through eleven games, Oduya has zero points, 16 penalty minutes and a minus four rating, far off his 2008-09 season totals.

Alex Tanguay judging a player by his numbers does not always tell the whole story, in the case of Tanguay, the stats don’t lie. With just two goals and seven points through 14 games, Tanguay is on pace to register about 40 points.; simply put, that’s not good enough.

Five-on-five Tanguay has just one goal and, like many other players mentioned in this article has been invisible on most nights. Playing alongside Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier at times, Tanguay has plenty of talent around him, his inability to gel with either one of these elite players makes you question his attention to detail.

Cam Ward Signed a six year deal worth a total of $37.8 million (an extension) in September. At the time, the deal was thought to be a good one for both Ward and the Carolina Hurricanes, as it stands right now, the deal is looking very lop-sided in Wards favor.

Through 14 games, Ward has a record of 2-9-3 with a 3.00 GAA (31st in the League) and a .898 Sv% (29th in the League). His nine loses are a League high and his 41 goals against is the third most of any NHL goalie.

Sure, it’s not all Ward’s fault and, in fact, a lot of the blame ought to be directed at Carolina’s disinterested forwards, but, when you are making an average of over $6 million a season, fingers are bound to get pointed in your direction when your team goes South in the standings.

Francois Beauchemin Brought in to solidify the Leafs defense and his ability to make the initial pass out of the defensive zone, Beauchemin has played like a fish out of water in Toronto.

His minus -8 rating ranks Beauchemin third worst on the team and, from all indications, he has failed to grasp the Leafs system.

Beauchemin was also brought in for his leadership skills, but it is difficult for players to look up to a player that has struggled as mightily as Beauchemin has. As the saying goes, “attitude reflects leadership,” right now, Beauchemin is part of the problem, not the answer.

Kyle Wellwood Wellwood was re-signed by the Vancouver Canucks and, to be fair, the deal was insignificant. That said, you gotta believe that the Canucks felt Wellwood would put a few pucks past opposing goaltenders, which, to date, he has not.

No points, just 15 shots and a lack of desire to make contact, an inability to score, Wellwood is the definition of “invisible.”

Dominic Moore Turned down a lucrative offer to stay with the Leafs at the end of last season, resulting in his being traded to the Buffalo Sabres. Spent most of the summer holding out for a huge contract, in the end, signed with the Florida Panthers early in the season.

Through five games Moore has zero points and is a minus five. Expected to be a shut-down kind of player, Moore has been a disappointment to the Panthers thus far. Moore only plays about 15 minutes per game, with that in mind, there is no excuse for his lackadaisical play.

Got another player in mind? Don’t agree with my list? Let your opinions be known in the comment box!

Until next time,

Peace!

CFL: A Year To Remember For The Saskatchewan Roughriders

by TJ Zwarych… For the first time since 1976, the Saskatchewan Roughriders finish first place in the CFL Western Division. Although this is a huge feat and means a lot to the Roughriders’ organization, they aren’t near happy yet. This first place finish means that the Riders will have a first round bye in the playoffs and will play the winner of Calgary and Edmonton who play in the first round. First place also means that the Western Finals will be played at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.

We all know that the Roughriders have the best fans in Canada. They sell more merchandise than all other CFL teams combined, all home games are nearly sold out and other teams hate travelling to Saskatchewan because of the immense noise produced by the 13th man (the fans). With the Riders now one game away from the Grey Cup, Rider fans could not be more excited.

To clinch first place, the Riders had to get through the Calgary Stampeders Saturday, November 7th, and oh baby did they ever. With constant chants of HENRY, to psych out Stampeder quarterback Henry Burris, the Riders came away with the victory 30-14.

The quarterbacking battle was won by the Riders and many fans thought that is exactly what it would take for the Riders to come away with the victory. Darian Durant, the Riders’ nominee for the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player award threw 36 passes in which he completed 24 for 296 yards and 2 touchdowns. On the other side of the field, Calgary quarterback Henry Burris threw for 221 yards and 1 interception on 15-25 pass attempts.

The rushing game was nearly the only area of Saturday’s game that the Stampeders did better. The Stamps, (lead by Jofferey Reynolds with 107 yards) combined for 171 yards rushing and one touchdown while the Riders, (lead by Wes Cates with 54 yards) combined for 117 yards and 1 touchdown.

The Roughriders’ 2009 award nominees all had good games. John Chick, the Riders’ nominee for best defensive player had 6 tackles and 1 sack to show that he did really deserve to be the one nominated. Darian Durant had a fantastic game with nearly no mistakes as he had 2 more touchdowns than he had interceptions. Interceptions have really haunted him this season but this game he had none. He also seemed to have found a new go to receiver with Weston Dressler out in Andy Fantuz. Fantuz had 123 yards on 12 receptions. Outstanding Canadian nominee Rob Bagg had a critical touchdown reception and Outstanding LinemanGene Makowski and Outstanding Special Teams Player Jason Armstead had solid games like always as well.

First place in the West was key for the Riders this season. If they can just get that one win at home, the will be in the Grey Cup facing the BC Lions, Hamilton Tiger-Cats or (and most likely) the Montreal Alouettes. The reason first place is more important this year than most, is because if the Riders do make it to the Grey Cup, it will be pretty much a home game as the game is in Calgary. Rider fans have no problem travelling to the Grey Cup in Calgary as it is close to home and there are many, many Rider fans who live in Alberta.

The Roughriders still have some key players injured who have chances of returning before seasons end which just may propel them to a Grey Cup win. Receiver Weston Dressler, halfback Eddie Davis and offensive tackle Wayne Smith are all not ruled out to be back by the West Final or Grey Cup which could seriously help the Riders.

2009 Final Women’s Power Rankings: Serena Williams Tops the Pyramid

by J.A. Allen… It only makes sense that Serena Williams, who finally reclaimed the No. 1 WTA ranking, should also regain the No. 1 Power Ranking, ending 2009 as the reigning top player.

She won the year-end tournament in Doha, which turned out to be an endurance contest rather than a tennis tournament.  There was as much tape wrapped on legs, knees, feet, elbows, wrists, and fingers as there are miles of road leading to Doha.

It gives the debate about scheduling more teeth as the tour heads into 2010.  Week after week in 2009 the top pros were pulling out of tournaments or trying to play hurt because of the impossible schedule imposed upon them.

This is a monumental problem for both the women and the men.  It is hard to deliver when you have no legs to stand on.  But some did. Regardless, the final 10 for 2009…

The Top 10

1. Serena Williams (907 points) Current WTA Ranking: 1. Last Power Ranking: 10

Last four tournaments: Doha [Winner], Beijing [R16], U.S.Open [SF], Toronto [SF].

Serena mowed down all the competition she faced in the season-ending WTA Tournament in Doha.  She went 3-0 in the round robin and defeated Caroline Wozniacki, the No. 4 seed, in the semifinals and her sister Venus Williams [6-2, 7-6] in the finals.  She proved to all that she deserves the No. 1 WTA ranking and she ended the calendar year on top of the Power Rankings for 2009.

While all the other women were dropping like flies with injuries, Serena hung on, leg heavily taped, and made her way into the winner’s circle and hopefully into the 2010 season with a great outlook and a more cautious demeanor on court.

2. Svetlana Kuznetsova (416 points) Current WTA Ranking: 3. Last Power Ranking: 3

Last four tournaments: Doha [RR went 1-2], Beijing [Winner], Tokyo [R32], U.S.Open [R16].

After a long-layoff, Svetlana Kuznetsova surfaced at the WTA year-ending tournament in Doha where she predictably faded quickly in the round robin but not before knocking Elena Dementieva out of the running—helping to secure Venus Williams’ place in the semifinals. Kuznetsova ends the year injury-free, ranked No. 3 in the world.

2010 promises to be a good year for the enigmatic Russian who this year won the French Open as her surprise of the season.  We wonder what unexpected result Kuznetsova will spring on us next year!  How about the Australian Open??

3. Venus Williams (412 points) Current WTA Ranking: 6. Last Power Ranking: NR

Last four tournaments: Doha [Finalist], Beijing [R32], Tokyo [R64], US Open [R4].

Last year’s champion in Doha, Venus Williams, had an opportunity to repeat, but she had to go through her sister Serena Williams to do it.  Venus did not quite manage the feat as the youngest Williams sister Serena won the contest 6-2, 7-6.

With Serena’s left leg severely taped and Venus’ knee tightly wrapped, they provided living proof of what was left of the walking wounded on the women’s tour.  Venus fought hard the whole tournament but came up short on her last outing.

Venus’ fortunes fell off at the end of 2009 with constant niggling injuries.  Hopefully, she can put herself back together in time for the tour to restart in January, which, as they say, will be here before you know it.

4. Jelena Jankovic (398 points) Current WTA Ranking: 8. Last Power Ranking: 7.

Last four tournaments: Doha [Semifinalist], Moscow [QF], Beijing [R32], Tokyo [Finalist].

You have to give Jankovic credit.  Even though her roller coaster performances all year have kept her rankings and her game on the edge, she hung in there.  After squeaking by and gaining entry into the prestigious year-end tournament in Doha, she qualified for the semifinals by winning her round robin.

She faced Venus Williams and lost a hard-fought contest 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.  Like most others on the tour, Jankovic has had to fight injuries.  She is looking to regain her form and her preeminence as a top contender in the women’s game.  2010 offers her an opportunity to begin again.

5. Marion Bartoli ( 351 points) Current WTA Ranking: 12. Last Power Ranking: 8

Last four tournaments: Bali [Finalist], Osaka [QF], Beijing [SF], Tokyo [QF].

Bartoli made it to the finals of the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions in Bali, Indonesia.  She fought her way into the lead in the first set but had to withdraw after losing it with a left quadriceps strain.  The injury ruined a spectacular run for the French woman and once again interrupted her rise to the top of the women’s game.

Injury sidelines Bartoli too often as she attempts to make her way into the top 10 rankings.  Like all the aspiring women on the cusp, Bartoli is hoping for better results in 2010.

6. Aravane Reza i (308 points) Current WTA Ranking: 44. Last Power Ranking: N/R

Last four tournaments: Bali [Winner], Linz [R1], Luxembourg [R1], Beijing [R1].

Aravane Rezai had a perfect tournament in Bali where she ran through her round robin 2-0 and then defeated Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez 6-2, 6-3 in her semifinal match.  She met and defeated Marion Bartoli in the final, taking the first set 7-5 as Bartoli was forced to retire with an injury.  It was a great win for the younger French woman.

With her first appearance in the Power Rankings this season, Rezai could very well be a future champion in the making.  We shall keep an eye on her for 2010.

7. Caroline Wozniacki (299 points) Current WTA Ranking: 4. Last Power Ranking: N/R

Last four tournaments: Doha [Semifinalist], Osaka [Semifinalist], Luxembourg [R1], Beijing [R1].

Wozniacki has made it back into the Power Rankings after taking some time off with recurring injuries.  It looks as though she tried to come back too soon.  She did make it to the semifinals in Doha where she had to retire against Serena Williams when she could not continue because of a left abdominal strain.

Wozniacki has had quite a year reaching the finals of the U.S Open and entering the ranks of the WTA top 10.  This youngster holds lots of promise and we expect her to continue her winning ways as she moves into 2010.

8. Agnieszka Radwanska (288 points) Current WTA Ranking: 10. Last Power Ranking: 4.

Last four tournaments: Doha [Alternate - 1 win], Moscow [R32], Linz [SF], Beijing [Finalist], Tokyo [SF]

As a reserve in Doha, Radwanska saw action against Victoria Azarenka seeded No. 6 whom she defeated. But the Pole did not make it into the semifinal round.  Radwanska did end the year in the top 10 and has hopes of improving her game in anticipation of the ongoing hard court season as it moves outdoors in 2010.

Like the others, Radwanska continues to play with a heavily taped left leg.  Perhaps the wrapping will finally be removed, freeing her movement and opening up her game.

9. Kim Clijsters (257 points) Current WTA Ranking: 17. Last Power Ranking:5

Last four tournaments: Luxembourg [R16], U.S.Open [Winner], Toronto [R16], Cincinnati [QF]

Kim Clijsters renounced her retirement during the summer of 2009.  Then she won the U.S. Open—her first major since her return to the game.  After that, Clijsters regrouped, entering the tournament in Luxembourg but going out in the second round, in three stiff sets, to Patty Schnyder.

With the anticipated return of Henin and the continued improvement of Sharapova, the women’s tour looks to the future by building on these past champions and awaiting the arrival of the new players as they make their way up the ranks.

10. Victoria Azarenka (252 points) Current WTA Ranking: 7. Last Power Ranking: N/R

Last four tournaments: Doha [RR 1-2] Beijing [R2], Tokyo [Quarterfinalist], U.S.Open [R3].

Azarenka has battled injury for most of the year.  Her fiery determination and explosive reactions reveal her great desire to win.  While she has no major weapons, Azarenka never quits.  If “will” has a “way,” then Azarenka will find a way to win.  The 2010 season promises a heavy dose of the gal from Belarus in the big moments.

Author’s Thoughts On Power Rankings…

As the women’s tour takes a hiatus, so do the Power Rankings for the women’s side.  The men will continue through the end of the month.  In 2009, we have covered the Rankings every week starting last spring to keep you up to date on the current movers and shakers on both sides of the net.

The women’s tour has seen many new faces as well as old ones come and go depending on the surface and the time of year.

Contributors Rob York, Rohini Iyer, Feng Rong, Rajat Jain, Clarabella Bevis and yours truly JA Allen have all contributed to the Power Rankings for the women.  Many, many thanks go to Feng Rong for coming up with our special ranking formula—it makes the process here quite unique and has contributed to the success of this series.

For the women, farewell until January!

Fluky Fedor Strikes Again: Fedor Emelianenko Beats Brett Rogers

by Stoker MacIntosh… A well-known poem by famous writer and poet Rudyard Kipling appropriately describes the courageous underdog known as Brett Grim Rogers. Part of it reads:

If …you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss…

The cage-fighting event known as Strikeforce took place last night and was witnessed by millions of dedicated MMA fans around the world on CBS TV.

No, the Russian version of Thor didn’t show up in his Chariot drawn by Golden Stallions, as planned by his followers.

Instead, he arrived as a fallible human being; albeit also a very arrogant one.

This Russian cage fighter, a foreigner, thought himself far to great—and holier than thou—to grant a beautiful American CBS reporter a pre-fight interview.

Instead, he sent his wannabe training coach and an overweight female interpreter to take his place.

And as for the fight? well, the Russian didn’t do so good—during the first round—in that area of expertise either.

He resembled a very beatable cage-fighter, one who belongs fighting in these sub-par promotions, against these less-than-stellar top 15 ranked heavyweights.

My background is in boxing, and from where I stand, Fedor Emelianenko has many weaknesses.

One of them is his inability to throw straight-punches, and another is his vulnerability to be hit with said straight punches.

He also has a ravenous appetite for eating left jabs, which may be strategically placed upon his ugly Russian chin or nose at any point during the match.

We first saw this when he fought Andrei Arlovski, and then once again last night when —with only seconds gone into the match—Emelianenko received  an enormous left jab Rogers which caused considerable deviated septum damage , and spattered his Russian blood some two feet into the air.

Yes—from a very tough and durable Rogers, during the first five minutes, the invincible Emelianenko was reversed on the ground, took left jabs to the face, was beaten up, and tossed around the cage in rag-doll type fashion.

Rogers undoubtedly isn’t feeling too well this Sunday morning, after being knocked down and stopped by a tricky Emelianenko looping overhand right, but the great invincible Russian hype machine is also licking his wounds and certainly knows he took a first-round beating.

Arlovski and Rogers both “got caught” by the same punch, and both made amateurish mistakes.

In Arlovski’s case, he may have perceived that Feodor was no longer dangerous, but just as any good hunter will explain, its never a good idea to move in on a wounded animal without a loaded gun.

In Rogers’s case, he emerged in the second-round up on his toes dancing, possibly also a slight bit cocky, but certainly not doing what he should have been doing, which was moving to his right, away from the Russians’ power hand.

Another mistake Rogers made which was similar to Arlovski’s was thinking that Emelianenko is fatally wounded, finished, or hurt.

The Russian hype machine is also a ferocious Siberian white tiger, and only the “coup de-gras” will finish him, and unfortunately Rogers failed to do that in premier moments of round one.

In this case, as was also the case with Arlovski, the hunter got eaten by an—only slightly hurt—wild Russian boar, an animal which should be respected and always approached with extreme caution.

Let’s finish off with the rest of that verse from Kipling:

IF

you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ‘em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
‘ Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And - which is more - you’ll be a Man, my son!

(RUDYARD KIPLING)

The Solution To The Toronto Blue Jays Problems Is Simple, New Owners

by Chase Ruttig… Well it has been another ho hum season for Canada’s team, the Toronto Blue Jays. This marks the 15th straight year the Blue Jays have missed the playoffs. The last time they made the postseason was 1993, when yours truly was sitting in diapers and sucking his thumb.

The Blue Jays have had good players come through the franchise in this time and have had some solid ballclubs in that time, but they have just not been able to get over the hump and make that step into October baseball.

There are a laundry list of problems in Toronto, but there seems to be one solution that will solve the majority of them.

Rogers Communications needs to sell the team.

The Rogers ownership era has been disappointing to say the least and has been filled with bad decisions, whether it was the obvious conflicts in interest by giving their company an absolute monopoly on everything Toronto Blue Jays, to their horrible front office decisions and the ridiculous J.P. Ricciardi era.

First off Rogers basically bought the Blue Jays to put them on their sports network Rogers Sportsnet and they have basically ruined watching Blue Jays baseball. Their presentation is subpar and Jamie Campbell may be one of the worst announcers in baseball.

They also renamed the SkyDome to Rogers Centre, likely at no cost at all. I am not saying that ownership groups shouldn’t be able to take advantage of their team, but Rogers Communications has absolutely no desire to make the Blue Jays a winning team, and fans have been showing up steadily every year.

But the problem is that this year the Jays set a record for lowest attendance at the SkyDome and it is obviously apparent that Toronto sports fans are drawing the line in the sand and are refusing to pay to go see a losing team.

Also the front office situation could not get any worse. They have hired two moneyball guys as GM when it is obvious that moneyball is dead and does not work. The fact that Oakland has been struggling since they let their three highly paid pitchers go is no coincidence.

They have overpaid the wrong guys and have let go of the right ones, they brought in random middle of the road veterans who were going to be the “key’ addition every year. None of those lasted.

They had to let Alex Rios go for nothing, Vernon Wells is overpaid and on his way out. And arguably the best Blue Jays of all time, Roy Halladay is likely forcing his way out of town, and considering The Doc’s loyalty the Jays must be really bad.

The Jays do have good young arms, but they are often injured. If they can stay healthy they can maybe build on that hot start they had last year, but you can’t coach durability.

And they haven’t hired a good manager in forever. Besides bringing Cito Gaston back, they haven’t made a smart decision yet, and they have even found a way to screw that up.

The Jays organization is one of the worst in baseball and the ownerships hirings are a big part of the problem

This situation could get ugly quick and most Jays fans are not very optimistic about the future. I think that it is time for Rogers and the Jays to go their separate ways for the best interest of the team and for Canada as we don’t want to have another Expos situation.

So please for the good of the loyal and long suffering Blue Jays fans, sell the team and end the monopoly and mediocrity that your ownership regime has created.