Hockey’s Back!!!

This was one long summer without hockey.  While it technically wasn’t longer than any other summer, it felt longer.  No matter how much the Leafs suck I look forward to the beginning of every season and alternating between feelings of excitement and an overwhelming urge to throttle the team.  Naturally, with the promise shown at the end of last season, I'm even more excited than normal at the prospect of winning more games than we lose.  Now before the ‘oh, you poor deluded Leafs fan’ speech begins, let me say clarify that.  For starters, we are not perfect, we aren’t even great.  But we're decent.  This is an improvement from being _______ (insert your own choice word here) which we were for the last few seasons.

Now, predicting shit is anyone’s game but if this season continues on the note that we left it on last year than I predict that we have a genuine chance at making the playoffs.  Sure, we’d get our asses whooped by the first place team (assuming we squeak in to eighth spot) but it would be hella fun to watch.  Now, knowing the Leafs, it’s quite possible that my prediction could come back to bite me in the ass and while I would be disappointed, it is an undeniable fact that the team is getting better.  We’re not there yet folks but the train’s going in the right direction.  The two biggest reasons for my excitement this year are Nazem Kadri and James Reimer.  I sincerely hope that Kadri flourishes and that Reimer just keeps doing what he does.  I also have high hopes for the MacArthur/Grabovski/Kulemin line though I'll admit that I’m a little unsure of the Lupul/Connolly/Kessel/ line.

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On another note, apparently Brendan Shanahan, the league's brand-spankin' new disciplinarian, has been suspending the heck out of people during the pre-season. Let’s hope that he keeps this up until everyone gets the message and that he doesn’t abandon his stance a moment earlier.  It's hard to watch hockey and not be concerned about the concussion issue.  Just over this post-season, Paul Kariya had to retire early and it was announced that it's unlikely that Marc Savard will ever play again.  It’s a ridiculous idea that the enjoyment of some fans comes BEFORE the health of players.  Screw your life, I’M entertained!  I think that what gets lost in all this is that while they are players that you may like or dislike, they are also real people who will have to deal long-term health implications of their profession long after they’ve retired.

Personally, I don’t like fights.  I don’t cheer or get bloodthirsty.  At best, I watch with indifference - at worst, I cringe and feel sorry both guys.  While dirty hits (particularly those to the head) and fighting are distinct issues, there comes a time when one must question the level violence in this sport.  At times, I almost feel guilty for being a hockey fan, wondering if by watching I am passively participating and encouraging this violence.  It’s unbelievable that one minute you’re watching any other game and the next minute you could be witnessing somebody get seriously injured for life.  I will say though that I love a good, clean check.  When done well, it’s a beautiful thing.  BUT I can’t stand a dirty hit and if Shanahan is proposing to take them out of the game, then I’m all for it.

Also, I love the fact that he accompanies each decision with a video explaining his ruling.  The last guy, Colin Campbell, was beyond inconsistent and no one could understand how the hell he made his decisions (dartboard, anyone?).  This made it all too easy to suspect favouritism for his son's team (the Boston Bruins, who happened to win the Stanley Cup).  Whether or not you believe he was as impartial as he could be, if he was consistent and transparant like Shanahan is, then there wouldn't be as much cause to suspect him.  So, I'm impressed with the credibility and transparency that Shanahan is lending to his position as league disciplinarian.  So far, he's having a better go of it than Colin Campbell ever did.

Oh, and Brad Richards signed with the New York Rangers.  Screw you, we didn’t want you anyway.  Well, we kinda did, but not really.

Anyways, I’m off to watch the last game of the pre-season against the Red Wings.  Cheers!

***P.S.: The title of this post comes from a hilarious tweet by The NHL Rulebook: "Hockey's back! (This is the answer to the question: "What part of hockey would Jody Shelley most likely target for a body check?")"