In this blog, I thought I would introduce some of my favourites personalities in Twitter's hockey world. I have some excellent peeps you should consider following.
@NHL_Campbell
Scott is a veteran with insight into how the NHL used to be. Great understanding of the Winnipeg Jets. If you want an honest opinion and not the conventional one, Scott is one of my favourites. A great hockey mind who is one of the best in the field. You can find his column here.
@P_Kreischer
I have known Paul for almost ten years, and we have had many discussions on a wide range of NHL topics. He is a passionate and valuable hockey insider. You can follow his podcast here. It is a terrific site for Isles fans.
@Proteautype
Adam gave me a huge break when he gave me his first interview. He is an entertaining hockey follow and will keep you in stitches. Adam is an informative hockey mind. He will make you think and bring you new insight.
@sportsology
He is one of the best prospects reporters in the game. There is no one that I know of that is better at his game. He respects your views and loves to talk hockey anytime. He also reports on baseball.
@MurphysLaw74
A connected reporter for the Boston Bruins. I love his insight, and he often has inside info on what is going on the hockey world. A worthy follow who knows his stuff. He has a lot of insight into the Boston Bruins, but has contacts all over the NHL.
@Eklund
Eklund gave me my first blogging experience. He often has discussions about all aspects of the games. He respects everyone and their opinions, I have often had in-depth discussions with him. He welcomes all opinions and ideas and is always willing to talk hockey.
@MikeInBuffalo
Mike is a great beat reporter on my favourites teams. He has up-to-date info on the Maple Leafs. He has strong opinions on the directions of the Leafs. He debates on all issues in the NHL.
@ugh
If you want to know about the Edmonton Oilers, Ugh is your man. He has insights on the Oilers and many more. If you want unbiased opinions, then don't follow him. He is blunt and honest will voice his thoughts: good, bad, or ugly. He says it like it is. A must-follow.
@slapschotts
Ken Schott is a veteran hockey reporter with 25 years' experience. He is an acknowledged hockey man who covered Union and ECAC for 25 years. He gave me a terrific interview during the year, which really helped build my rep. Ken loves and lives hockey, and is an excellent source to learn what it takes to become a premium hockey player. Ken writes for The Daily Gazette. You can find his blog here.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Thursday, January 17, 2019
You have to feel for Jake
You have to feel for Jake Gardinier, the way the fans went crazy. Granted, he made bonehead mistakes against the Avs. So you want to be a Maple Leaf? I am not so sure Jake is questioning his decision right now. I am the first to admit that he has not been good this season. He has made so many defensive mistakes this season because he tries too hard.
Gardenier has all the talent in the world. He needs to improve in the defensive zone. He knows better. He needs to stay calm and stop being nervous with the puck. He seems to think too much with the puck.
As a whole, the Leafs have to improve there defensive play in their own zone. Way too many turnovers. The forwards are too busy going up and not giving the defence a target for the puck. Six or seven turnovers a game is just inexcusable. No matter how much offence you have, you cannot overcome the turnover machine in your zone.
There is another eyesore in the lineup, and his name is Nylander. He is struggling. He seems to be a step behind in his play. HIs offence has struggled, along with his defence. It is just a matter of confidence.
Bad turns to worse. The offence has dried up. The sticks have gone cold. When teams are struggling defensively, they overwork themselves in the offence game, knowing they will have score four to five goals a game. They are pressuring themselves, gripping the stick and sometimes trying to make something out of nothing. Maybe the better part of valour is to throw the puck into the zone instead of trying to make that impossible pass. Simple mistakes can become mental blocks, missing the open net, fanning on the show. This is often because the players are pressing too hard. My favourite saying is that if you take care of the defence, the offence will take care of itself. Simply put, find magical dmen who will help in the defensive end.
The Maple Leafs may very well turn to the Panthers for solutions. They are shopping Bogdan Kiselevich. He would be a good fit for the defence. Or Sabres Nathan Beaulieu. The problem in both cases is that they are within the same division. Brandon Montour from the Ducks would cost an awful lot. The Kings are rumoured to be shopping Jake Muzzin; he might be the best fit of all
Gardenier has all the talent in the world. He needs to improve in the defensive zone. He knows better. He needs to stay calm and stop being nervous with the puck. He seems to think too much with the puck.
As a whole, the Leafs have to improve there defensive play in their own zone. Way too many turnovers. The forwards are too busy going up and not giving the defence a target for the puck. Six or seven turnovers a game is just inexcusable. No matter how much offence you have, you cannot overcome the turnover machine in your zone.
There is another eyesore in the lineup, and his name is Nylander. He is struggling. He seems to be a step behind in his play. HIs offence has struggled, along with his defence. It is just a matter of confidence.
Bad turns to worse. The offence has dried up. The sticks have gone cold. When teams are struggling defensively, they overwork themselves in the offence game, knowing they will have score four to five goals a game. They are pressuring themselves, gripping the stick and sometimes trying to make something out of nothing. Maybe the better part of valour is to throw the puck into the zone instead of trying to make that impossible pass. Simple mistakes can become mental blocks, missing the open net, fanning on the show. This is often because the players are pressing too hard. My favourite saying is that if you take care of the defence, the offence will take care of itself. Simply put, find magical dmen who will help in the defensive end.
The Maple Leafs may very well turn to the Panthers for solutions. They are shopping Bogdan Kiselevich. He would be a good fit for the defence. Or Sabres Nathan Beaulieu. The problem in both cases is that they are within the same division. Brandon Montour from the Ducks would cost an awful lot. The Kings are rumoured to be shopping Jake Muzzin; he might be the best fit of all
Thursday, January 10, 2019
Half season coach awards
This is my first blog for my Islander friends. I have a list of three surprise "coach of the year" candidates.
The first surprise of the season is the Montreal Canadians. The Habs look like a well-coached hockey team. Claude Julien has done an incredible job bringing the Canadians to the big boys' club. The key to their success this season is that they have managed to win without Price. This is a fantastic feat that they could not achieve last year.
The Habs should have been a lottery team, yet Julien has them believing in themselves and skating and working hard. The forwards keep their feet moving. They are not standing still. They may not be the most talented, but Claude has brought hard work back to Montreal. I consider the Habs one of the surprises of the season.
The next obvious choice is in Western Canada. A good old fashioned man's man, Bill Peters has the Flames running smoothly on all cylinders. The Flames were expected to battle for the playoff. As it stands, they are leading the Pacific division. I, for one, did not foresee the Flames' offence exploding this year. Gaudreau, Longholm, and Monahan have made the Flames one of the most explosive teams in the league. Peters has a system. He is teaching the Flames to adapt and do whatever it takes to win.
My third choice is Mr. Barry Trotz. He has built a system that works perfectly for the Islanders: take care of the defence first, and the offence will take care of itself. Their in-your-face attitude gives them a ton of grit. With Barzal, Lee, and Nelson on offence, you have the recipe for a winner. This team is a full dessert with a tart taste to it. Your sweet players, as I said before, are Nelson, Barzal, and Lee. Add smooth skating players Bailey, Beauvillier, and Eberle. Then there are the ingredients with bite: Martin, Leo Komarov, and Filppula. All of these ingredients are nothing without a chef to pull it all together. Trotz seems to know just the right amount of heat to put on these players to bring it all together.
The first surprise of the season is the Montreal Canadians. The Habs look like a well-coached hockey team. Claude Julien has done an incredible job bringing the Canadians to the big boys' club. The key to their success this season is that they have managed to win without Price. This is a fantastic feat that they could not achieve last year.
The Habs should have been a lottery team, yet Julien has them believing in themselves and skating and working hard. The forwards keep their feet moving. They are not standing still. They may not be the most talented, but Claude has brought hard work back to Montreal. I consider the Habs one of the surprises of the season.
The next obvious choice is in Western Canada. A good old fashioned man's man, Bill Peters has the Flames running smoothly on all cylinders. The Flames were expected to battle for the playoff. As it stands, they are leading the Pacific division. I, for one, did not foresee the Flames' offence exploding this year. Gaudreau, Longholm, and Monahan have made the Flames one of the most explosive teams in the league. Peters has a system. He is teaching the Flames to adapt and do whatever it takes to win.
My third choice is Mr. Barry Trotz. He has built a system that works perfectly for the Islanders: take care of the defence first, and the offence will take care of itself. Their in-your-face attitude gives them a ton of grit. With Barzal, Lee, and Nelson on offence, you have the recipe for a winner. This team is a full dessert with a tart taste to it. Your sweet players, as I said before, are Nelson, Barzal, and Lee. Add smooth skating players Bailey, Beauvillier, and Eberle. Then there are the ingredients with bite: Martin, Leo Komarov, and Filppula. All of these ingredients are nothing without a chef to pull it all together. Trotz seems to know just the right amount of heat to put on these players to bring it all together.
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Leafs: What now?
The Maple Leafs had a very good game in Tampa. True, they did not come away with the two points, but they did everything they could. Sometimes you have to give a goalie his due.
So how much do the Maple Leafs make a push for that dman? Are there hard feelings with the signing of Nylander? It took him right up to December 1st to sign, the date where if it was not signed, he could not play. So that being said, do the Maple Leafs trade him for that defenceman? Or was there a gentlemen's agreement that he is there for the season?
It is common knowledge that the Leafs need improvement in their defensive zone coverage. Andersen is left to the wolves back there in his net too many times. My question is, do we need to pick up another defenceman or can the Leafs just play better defence? Outside Reilly, who on the Blueline can be responsible in their end?
Jake Gardiner is a concern, but in all fairness, he is getting better. Ron Hainsey and Travis Dermott are both okay, but still need to get better in their own zone. Igor Ozhiganov is young and learning on the fly. He has a ton of potential, but the payoff is still a long way off. Then there is the Russian, Nikita Zaitsev, who is a stay-home dman. Again, he is okay for a number four or five defenceman.
So I do feel the Leafs are looking for a number three responsible defenceman. What are some of the options? I would look no further than LA, but no not that one (Doughty). Jake Muzzin might be had for a price. It is only a matter of time before the Kings become a garage sale.
The other concern is Sparks. Is he a good enough backup goalie? His last start left something to be desired. There are some options between the pipes, including Isles' Lehner. Another is that the Panthers has a serviceable goalie in Hutchinson. Unless you want one of the Flyers' three goalies.
FINAL WORD
Mr. Haymen exactly what were you thinking? You are too good of a player to do nonsense like that. Hopefully, common sense comes to the forefront from now on.
Buckle up. It is going get bumpy from here.
So how much do the Maple Leafs make a push for that dman? Are there hard feelings with the signing of Nylander? It took him right up to December 1st to sign, the date where if it was not signed, he could not play. So that being said, do the Maple Leafs trade him for that defenceman? Or was there a gentlemen's agreement that he is there for the season?
It is common knowledge that the Leafs need improvement in their defensive zone coverage. Andersen is left to the wolves back there in his net too many times. My question is, do we need to pick up another defenceman or can the Leafs just play better defence? Outside Reilly, who on the Blueline can be responsible in their end?
Jake Gardiner is a concern, but in all fairness, he is getting better. Ron Hainsey and Travis Dermott are both okay, but still need to get better in their own zone. Igor Ozhiganov is young and learning on the fly. He has a ton of potential, but the payoff is still a long way off. Then there is the Russian, Nikita Zaitsev, who is a stay-home dman. Again, he is okay for a number four or five defenceman.
So I do feel the Leafs are looking for a number three responsible defenceman. What are some of the options? I would look no further than LA, but no not that one (Doughty). Jake Muzzin might be had for a price. It is only a matter of time before the Kings become a garage sale.
The other concern is Sparks. Is he a good enough backup goalie? His last start left something to be desired. There are some options between the pipes, including Isles' Lehner. Another is that the Panthers has a serviceable goalie in Hutchinson. Unless you want one of the Flyers' three goalies.
FINAL WORD
Mr. Haymen exactly what were you thinking? You are too good of a player to do nonsense like that. Hopefully, common sense comes to the forefront from now on.
Buckle up. It is going get bumpy from here.
Thursday, November 29, 2018
Welcome back, Mr. Matthews and yeah, that other guy
Austin Matthews came back in style, didn't he? Wow. He didn't look like he has lost a step. He was terrific last night setting John Tavares up on the powerplay. He was fully engaged throughout the game. He was outstanding on the powerplay; his skating was right up with the best of the team.
Talking about the powerplay, they clicked three times. They were highly effective, especially on Tavares' first goal. Everyone on the ice touched the puck before John scored. The powerplay was playing on all cylinders with tic-tac-toe passing. There is no defence against that. If they continue with their play on the powerplay, they will never be out of the game.
Still, the defence is scary at times, allowing too many 2-on-1's. Toronto still has to tighten up in their own defensive zone. The forwards have to come into the zone and eliminate the cherry-picking. I am sorry, but winning begins in their own zone. It is fun to watch, but can they score five goals every game? What happens when they run into a hot goalie?
How much do Marner and Matthews get? Can the Leafs afford them both? Obviously, the Maple Leafs don't want to lose either one. That is why it is vital for the team to try to start the negotiation as fast as they can. Everyone knows that sooner or later they have to decide who stays and who goes.
Don't forget Reilly. He is working on a career year. He can't keep up the pace, can he? I believe he will probably get the highest point total for a Toronto Maple Leaf defencemen. Right now, he has to be in the Norris trophy conversation. And if he is, this is going to be another headache for the Maple Leafs.
The Leafs have the final say on Nylander's contract. How much is the offer? This is pure guesswork, but I suspect it will be around $6.9 million for a five-year contract. The three-year bridge deal is probably a little over five mil. They are taking all offers from those who are interested in the speedy forward. This does not mean they are trading him, they are just exploring all of their options.
Randy
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Review of Stirring Up Murder
But Erin has always wanted a family to call her own. Call it whatever you want, but Terry calls it crazy. Much to Terry's disapproval, Erin goes ahead with a search of her half-sister.
Meet Charley, soon to become the bane of Erin's life. Charley is involved with the wrong crowd and begins to bring Erin down with her. Charley finds herself on the wrong side of the law and in trouble with the one family you don't want to be on the wrong side of. The Dyson family owns the town and controls everything. No one else seems to care whether Charley is guilty or not. Anyone who wrongs the Dysons ends up with a lot of enemies.
Enter Erin, Charley's good luck charm, or maybe we should say sucker. Erin has every reason to walk away and I can't think of any reason not to. When this stranger half-sister asks, Erin jumps in with both feet. But Erin's urge to be accepted might be her downfall. As the police gather more and more evidence, Erin digs a bigger and bigger hole for herself. Vic, Terry, and Willy try to dig Erin out of the mess, but she's in pretty deep.
This entertaining mystery has more turns than you can keep up with. Who can Erin trust? Even her friends think she has joined the wrong team. Has Erin's desire to be loved and accepted gone too far?
A terrific whodunnit that will keep you on your toes trying to figure out the guilty party. This book will draw you in with the mystery and keep you with its intrigue.
You can find Stirring Up Murder and more at P.D. Workman's website.
Randy
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
Leafs keep moving on
Apparently, the Leafs have to pick some up after their BAD game in Boston. But there are some positives, so let's concentrate on those.
1. Nazem Kadri
Kadri has picked up his game and is beginning to put the puck in the net. Kadri is stepping it up because he has to. Like it or not, he is second line centre. He must continue to be the pest; other than him, there is no muscle in the Leafs line-up.
2. John Tavares
John is the leader at this time and is beginning to show his worth as he has upped his game with Marner. It couldn't have come at a better time. The Leafs need John to be the guy who delivers the mail. So far, John has been the mailman. Scoring his tenth just recently, he is averaging more than a point a game. John is also improving in the defensive zone. He might very well be the most complete player in his career.
3. Morgan Rielly
Morgan is the best defencemen on the Leafs. He has refined his offensive game. With his seven goals and fourteen assists, he is working on a career year. He has figured out one key ingredient: knowing when to pinch in. He is a great asset to the Leafs. He and Gardener have really improved on getting the puck up to the forwards.
4. Nylander Update
Unfortunately, there is no update on Nylander and they are running out of time to get the team together. There is no shortage of teams interested: Stars, Canes, Flyers, and especially keep an eye on the Kings. The Leafs want a young number two dman, and that limits the number of teams they can deal with. That leads me to think the Canes lead the way. I have been told that the Leafs really want Jaccob Slavin. He is an excellent young dman who can be there for a long time. The only other team who might have a dman who interests the Leafs is the Flyers, who have quite a list of young dmen to entice the Leafs.
5. Auston Matthews
Matthews was apparently on the ice in LA. He might be back in six weeks. The Leafs have hung in there. It is vital that they get the second seed so they host the first round. I have pretty much conceded the division to the Bolts. The Leafs have to make sure they get the number two spot so they have a chance to win the first round and earn the right to go to Tampa Bay.
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