Yes, I am. And yes, NHL is in Winnipeg.
I wouldn't say I lost the desire to blog over the last few weeks, but there have certainly been enough situations in my life that have led me to take a little bit of time to gather my thoughts. I really, really missed doing regular entries.
So, the NHL is back in Winnipeg? I confess that I was able to contain my excitement for most of the last few months during the speculation. And really, it has to go through board of governor approval on June 21st before it is TRULY final. But the sale of the Atlanta Thrashers has gone through. Reports are saying in the ballpark of 170 million bucks. Not too shabby.
I received a text message from a very close friend who knows the game of hockey at all levels inside and out...........It actually came in about an hour before the announcement was made.
"I heard an ownership group led by Kyle Mulligan has found the cash and decided to keep the team in Atlanta."
To that I replied with a large LOL.
Kyle Mulligan, being the golf pro in Lloydminster who had a major hand in the AJHL Bobcats' and their pitch to remain in the border city. No hard feelings at all with that situation, but I found that kind of funny.
Because that is how a deal is SUPPOSED to be done. That's how it should feel. A city that doesn't support their team, gets moved and to a place that will appreciate them 100 times more. Awful parallel, because the Bobcats of Lloydminster saw their local support step up, but its fresh in the mind still.
Congrats, Winnipeg. I remember all too well what it felt like in 1996 when they lost to the Wings and it was all done. I still have my program from the final regular season game against LA. I still have all of the newspaper clippings from 1995 when it was announced. I pulled those out this morning.
So, what will the team be named? And will I still be a Canucks fan? Ha ha ha ya a few questions that I have been getting bombarded with over recent weeks. I think you name the team the Thrashers or Jets. I doubt it will remain the Thrashers, because they have a chance at starting fresh. And the argument could be made that how could you NOT go back to the Jets again?
And finally, will I still cheer for the Canucks? Well, the irony. I used to HATE the Vancouver Canucks growing up. They were awful in the mid 80's and when the Jets played them in the playoffs I couldn't stand to even see the jersey. Actually, I cheered for the Rangers in the 1994 cup final.
But, after the Jets left and my father passed away, it was a combination of both that made me cheer for Vancouver. 1) He would always get free tickets from work, and it was always the Canucks games we would go to because no one wanted to go. So memories of the good times with him. 2) The Moose are the farm team of Vancouver, and being in Winnipeg at the time, you watch Kesler/Bieksa and such move up, you still cheer for them.
So..................in saying that..........
My finals predictions. I went 1 for 2 last round. Stupid Boston had to wake up.
Boston vs Vancouver - Stanley Cup Final
- This is the year. And as much as I wanted Tampa to make it so I could bring home 20 bucks in our pool, I really wanted Boston there because it has been since 1990. Ryan Kesler had a week to heal, and he will play excellent. Zdeno Chara will slow the Sedins down a little bit, but he can't play 55 minutes and shut down all 4 Vancouver lines. The Canuck powerplay is too good, the team is too deep and the goaltending is better. Tim Thomas, in my opinion, is 1 very, very bad game away from Rask coming in to save his butt. He has let in BRUTAL goals, then his team stepped up to save his ass. That won't be the case against Vancouver, because Luongo will slam the door shut. Ya, Bobby Luo hasn't been awesome, but he was very, very good last series. Tim Thomas flops, flails, and flies everywhere and the Sedins will expose that with their passing back and forth. Big points from Daniel and Henrik, and a bust out series for the 3rd line. The Canucks beat the Hawks in 7, the Preds in 6, the Sharks in 5..............so, the Bruins in 4? Well, I doubt it. But they will have their way with them. Yes, and then I can go back to being a Jets fan after watching my team win the cup.
Canucks in 5
Its good to be back. And CFL rookie training camp started today!!!
