Flyers/Hawks, Who Ya Got?
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Well hockey fans… it will be the Philadelphia Flyers and the Chicago Blackhawks doing battle for Lord Stanley’s Cup. What’s remarkable to me is the run that both of these teams are on. It’s really quite incredible. The Flyers, who took care of the Montreal Canadiens in 5 games, put an end to the magical ride that the Habs were on. In turn, the Flyers really have turned into a tough, no-holds barred team to be reckoned with. As much as it hurts me to say it, these Flyers will be a tough out for the Chicago Blackhawks.
As for the Hawks, this is the moment that this franchise has been waiting for. Good drafts, nice trades, and some free agent pick-ups have brought them to this great chance to win the Cup. The Blackhawks took care of the San Jose Sharks in 4 games. Fluky? I think not. The Hawks are a team with loads of talent and depth. The latter to me is the most important! A few weeks ago I would have picked the Hawks to finish off Philly with ease… now, I’m not so sure. Byfuglien Vs. Pronger, Richards Vs. Toews, and Niemi Vs. Leighton. There are plenty of great matchups in this series. In the end, however, I am going with… drum roll please… the Blackhawks in 6! Let me know your thoughts on the outcome. Whether you agree or disagree with me!
Some other quick thoughts on the happenings in the NHL… Steve Yzerman is now running the show in Tampa Bay. I think this is a great hire. Yzerman is all class and he has done his time in the administration department since his retirement. I just hope he doesn’t try to replicate the Euro-wings part II in Tampa.
Can somebody, anybody please give the Phoenix Coyotes and my former teammates Don Maloney, Dave Tippet, Doug Sulliman, and Ulf Samuelsson a break?! Sell the damn team to the Blackberry billionaire. That’s right, I said billionaire, Jim Basille. Put a stop to all the nonsense that is the Phoenix Coyotes! It’s a soap opera that has gone on too long.
One last thing. Congrats to the Czech Republic for winning the gold medal over the 0-for Russians by a score of 2-1 in the finals. Three cheers to Jaromir Jagr... you made my day! Over and out!
5 comments:
I'm going to go with the Hawks in 6 as well. I think in the end, they are too deep and too talented even for Philly (who has great talent of their own). It's about time Michael Leighton comes back down to Earth, isn't it? Niemi should be the difference in the series.
Wrath, I have to agree, But I also believe the Flyers will give the Hawks all they can handle.
Who would of ever imagined that the starting 2 goalies in the 2010 Stanley Cup would Niemi and Leighton? Not me that's for sure.
Chris, as always, you are quite astute. I agree with everything on the Hawks/Flyers series. The one thing I would add is that the Flyers are nastier than the your Hawks, and in the end that may win it for the Flyers.
As far as Phoenix goes, again, you are right .. it's not working there. Bettman does not want to look like a failure, but in the end, hockey does not work there. Move the team to Hamilton, not Winnepeg ... it get's pretty cold in Winterpeg and the market won't sustain itself long term.
Sorry Chris, not your Hawks, but the Hawks
Dan, I still like the Hawks and they can more than meet the challenge in nastiness if needed. Philly will be tough and the way these playoffs have gone...Who knows?
As for Phoenix...The Players, Coaches and Management of this franchise have handled this mess with class and professionalism. The NHL powers that be have not!
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