EVERYONE KNOWS THE GAME . . . NHL NOTES

TORONTO COACH RON WILSON PUTS REPORTER IN HIS PLACE IN VIDEO ABOVE :

In Toronto every game, every practice gets magnified to the point of exhaustion. It’s so much that the games or practices are being watched so closely for the players or the management of the team that it becomes a pain in the ass. It’s the moron media that go to these events and then ask the stupid ass questions that annoy the crap out of the players and coaches-GMs alike.

In Toronto we have a lot of them that think they know the game & think they understand what’s going on out on the ice. That’s where the main problem starts and ends with the media. They REALLY think because they go to so many of these games that it all of a sudden gives them the knowledge and the right to then ask these ridiculous questions.

Howard Berger the Leafs radio guy for 590 the Fan reports on the hockey club daily. He has done this for I believe he said 20 odd years which obviously HE feels gives him the right to know all the goings on with the hockey club . . .just ask him! This is laughable for players and coaches, believe me they laugh at these reporters who are like this. He has been a reporter for so long he actually believes he knows the game now and listening to him try to explain this on radio yesterday was equally laughable.

Guess what Howard . .  Ron Wilson gets paid over $2 million a year to know the game and make decisions for the Toronto Maple Leafs every night. I know it’s tough to go to that rink every day on your salary and watch him run the team when you know damn well you could do it yourself. That’s the funny thing Howard Berger among many reporters that cover hockey actually believe that they know the game as well or probably better than the management or coaches of the teams. Just read the things they write about, they are telling GMs who they should be trading for or signing or coaches who to play more or less, who to put in the net.

It’s all a joke! . .  the media are a joke they always have been. If they only knew how badly they get ripped in the dressing rooms by the players, it would be very upsetting to know that they are laughed at I’m sure. Media has a place in the game and that should be . .  to report on the game not tell us your opinion because your opinion doesn’t matter . Why would the opinion of a reporter who knows nothing more about the game than any fan matter? Just because a reporter goes to  games doesn’t give them the knowledge to understand what’s going around the team or the game for that matter.

I love this part about hockey reporting, they go to school I assume to take journalism and after a few years they all of a sudden become hockey experts. You see their years of knowledge of going to school to become a reporter transforms them into hockey minds once they work in the game for a while.

My grandfather use to say to me you don’t hire a plumber to fix your car… you hire a mechanic, if your toilet is broken hire the plumber. In other words if you work in a certain field and that is your expertise then stick to what you know and have learned.

Coaches that are in the game and have either played or coached there way up to the big leagues just like a student in school would through years of hard work. Students generally take courses for four years plus go into whatever field they have chosen. Well just like those students hockey people apprentice their time in hockey as players, coaches, managers and even agents as we have seen with Leafs GM Brian Burke or Canucks GM Mike Gillis to name a few.

It’s not a one time thing it’s not an easy thing . . . hockey is like any other job in life you must put in the time to understand the game inside and out. That’s what frustrates the hockey people believe me . .  it’s some reporter asking questions or writing article’s about the game when in reality they know shit about what they are speaking or writing.

I use to have a saying for the parents of the players I coached at the higher levels. It was simply I do not come into your work during the day and tell you how to do your jobs. . . So don’t come to the rink and tell me how to do mine !. Imagine if someone was an electrician or working in shipping and I the coach walked into work and said okay put that wire here and connect it there or told the shipping guy send this here and that there? Well I can tell you the place would be without power and every shipment would be on the other side of the country by the end of the day.

Point being if you are not in the chosen field you should not be making decisions that are out of your realm of knowledge.

Problem being in Canada there are a ton of people that think they know the game and they get this vast knowledge not from working in the game for years and years schooling themselves. No, they get this because they watch Hockey night in Canada on Saturday nights since they were young.

They played some hockey when they were young or maybe not just because they are smart at one thing makes them smart at the game. It’s only a game after all it’s easy to understand isn’t it? It’s hockey, it’s only hockey how hard can it be? The best advice to the fans of the game is watch the game, hoot and holler at the players on TV have fun watching.

MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

It’s fun to be the Monday morning quarterback and talk the game with friends saying they should have done this or done that. That’s one of the things that makes the game enjoyable for people.

But when you go looking for your information about the game or what’s happening on the game- listen or read people that actually were in the game before. Not some guy who unlike you , they decided to go to school for journalism instead of whatever it is you are doing in life. The only difference with them is they may have the power of the pen (newspaper) or the TV or radio to voice their opinions. But it certainly doesn’t make them smarter that’s for sure!

Remember opinions are like butts everyone has one  . . . . Let the hockey people tell you about hockey!

NHL NOTES :

RANGER GAME FOR EVER BURNED INTO MY HEAD

Watching Ranger games at home at Madison Square Garden is totally worth the trip. It’s one building you have to go watch a game  before you die if you can. I, over the years as an agent was able to go to games in New York and there is nothing like the Rangers building.

The fans are as passionate as any in hockey. I still remember vividly being at the game immediately after 9/11 in New York. It was an exhibition game with the Devils where I represented Mike Danton playing for the Devils who were in New York that night. It was even for a Canadian surreal for me after that tragedy that affected so many that day in New York and around the world.

I was sitting in the corner and had basically a section to myself as it was only exhibition hockey that was far from sold out. The pre-game was something that I haven’t ever seen before where the teams intermixed on the blue line, Ranger-Devil side by side in a show of support.

I had tears in my eyes as they had a moment of silence thinking of the people that were killed that day so senselessly, but most of all because my wife and I had a child of our own I couldn’t even fathom those people that had lost their own children in this disgusting case of terrorism.

What made me think of this was at the end of the Rangers game the other day all the Ranger players came to center ice and got together and raised their sticks in the air to the New York crowd.

It was so cool and I had forgotten that they did this. I’m still not sure if this is Ranger tradition or something they started after the incident ? If anyone knows this answer please e-mail @ Hockey God.

AVERY A RANGER AGAIN

Sean Avery is back in New York as all hockey fans know. Avery is working his ass off every shift out there and it’s obvious to anyone that he is trying to show his worth.

But Avery is out of game shape and is falling down after hits and battles in corners, but no doubt he is giving everything he’s got every shift. Avery is always full of piss & vinegar on the ice anyways but it seems that he has a little extra something to prove this time.

My advice to Avery is: less is more this time. Especially with the Tortorella factor behind the bench if he takes some bad penalties like he has just from being over anxious he will quickly get into Tort’s dog house. But Avery’s play is contagious for the other Ranger players and it shows again why it’s so damn important to have those players in your line-up in the NHL.

CHARA MIKE MILBURY’S PICK

Mike Milbury wasn’t much of a General Manager with the Islanders that is true. I think Mad Mike as he was called when he ran the Islanders should have stuck with coaching in the NHL as he is an intimidating guy who was a fearless player for the Boston Bruins.

Milbury drafted current Boston Bruin captain which is fitting now that Zdeno Chara is playing for the big bad Bruins of 2008/09. Milbury, who now works on Boston TV games along with HNIC & NBC weekend NHL games is showing that he actually is not just Mad Mike and that he has some good things to say on the game.

Chara is hoping to win a Stanley Cup with the Bruins . . something that hasn’t been done in Boston since 1972.

Milbury once jumped into the Ranger crowd and beat a guy up with a shoe of all things. Could you imagine that happening today in hockey ? There would have to be a summit on hockey violence . .

MORE ON FIGHTING IN HOCKEY

Every Saturday morning the calls would start up when I was kid. The calls being all of our buddies from the area getting together for a time to meet at the school where we all spent the week in classes. But now it was  fun to make that walk to the school with sticks and hockey nets over your head.

Those were the best times as a kid I remember fondly and the games were high intensity as well. There were no refs, no crowds, no parents or coaches around just us playing hockey in a school yard for hours and hours.

But the one thing that was there was the competitiveness between all of us. I laugh when the tree huggers say there should be no fighting in hockey. What would be better having the players when frustrated with each other swing a stick ? Obviously not and even though we were all buddies there would be the odd scrap to settle a dispute. It never lasted long enough for anyone to get hurt, but they helped keep things sane-settled.

During the owners lock-out in 2004/05 season Tie Domi and Eric Lindros got into a scrap on the ice in a pick-up game where players were just trying to keep in shape.

Point being ? It’s virtually impossible to play this game with intensity and not have the odd scrap to simmer things down a little bit. There was no worry of concussions when we were kids in that school yard and certainly no hesitation between Domi and Lindros that day during the lock-out.

It’s just a part of the game that is normal as every day life. But when you allow the tree huggers to get involved they make everything over the top in life and in hockey. Let the kids play my Dad use to say to my Mom when we were younger and roughhousing around. I say let the men play the game they are paid to play and the rest of us just sit back and enjoy it !

For Hockey God I’m Dave Frost

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TOP CAPTAINS IN THE NHL . . . MONTREAL FIRES CARBONNEAU !

LEADERSHIP IN THE NHL IS CRITICAL

When you are talking leadership in the NHL it doesn’t always mean the teams or leagues best players. Captain’s should be the player that makes other players around him better and lead by example on the ice.

There are several teams that make their best player captain which is a mistake unless the player is ready to take on that responsibility that goes with it. It doesn’t necessarily work that the teams leading scorer is your best leader or most vocal guy in the room.

I consistently when I coached made players captains of my teams that were the best leaders not the best players. Heart, pride and character in the game and the ability to lead players in time of need is key. It’s easy to be the captain when the teams winning just like life, it’s when the team is down that it’s key  your captain still stands up in the room and has that ability to make players better.

Hockey Gods Top 10 captains . . .

1. Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames : Iginla is the best captain in the NHL without a question. Iginla who is sure to be the next captain of team Canada next winter for the Vancouver Olympics is the best all around player in the NHL today.

He can fight, score, lead his team in hits on any given night and constantly handle the media and the coach for the rest of the team. Iginla does it all for the Flames who have a very real shot at Iginla’s first Cup this season.

2. Scott Niedermayer, Anaheim Ducks : First off he is one of the best defensman in the NHL and has been for the last 10 years.

He is a Stanley Cup champion, one of the best puck moving D in the league on top of being the best skating D without a doubt. Will also be a leader on Canada if he doesn’t retire after the season like he did at the start of last season. He may be one of those quiet leaders but he certainly backs it up on the ice every game.

3. Ethan Moreau, Edmonton Oilers : This is the prototypical type of player that

is not the teams best player but he is without question the teams leader.

Moreau drives the net, goes into the corners and does all the grunt work for the Oilers. Moreau is a guy that other players find contagious with his work ethic and determination proving that you don’t have to be the leading scorer to be the guy other players will follow.

4. Mike Richards, Philadelphia Flyers: Richards has all the tools and is developing nicely  into not only one of the teams best players but a great leader.

Richie will make Team Canada next winter as well and will be looked at to be a key member of the teams special teams. Richards leads his team on the ice with his gritty play but mostly leads by example on the ice and makes guys follow him. Like an Iginla, Richie will fight- score- hit and stand up on the ice whenever anything takes place.

5. Roberto Luongo, Vancouver Canucks : This will be controversial to say the least, that a goaltender is one of the best leaders. But your goalie is relied on to  be the best player so why can’t he be the best leader in your room.

Look at it this way he is always on the ice. Refs when in Luongo’s end are just off his left or right shoulder at all times, allowing Luongo to be in the refs ear.

As far as the room whether you are a goaltender or any player if you are a leader you can have the  players ears.

6. Brenden Morrow, Dallas Stars : Morrow is a great character player in the same make of an Iginla without the scoring touch offensively. Morrow is a player as a coach you can’t  help but love as a player and the story on Morrow he is the same off the ice.

Morrow is married to former Montreal coach and former NHL player Guy Carbonnneau’s daughter which really shows you he is a guy that must be solid off the ice. Carbonneau played in Dallas as a player and is said to think the world of Morrow.

7. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins : Crosby is one of the best young players in the league to that there is no argument.

Crosby was made captain perhaps a little to early in his career, but that was mostly to help sell hockey in Pittsburgh and the NHL. Sometimes teams make a guy captain for political reasons and that was the case with Crosby. But Crosby’s ability as a player now as he grows into the role as leader in the NHL has taken off to the point where he carries himself in a leadership way with the way he competes on the ice. Crosby is far less a whiner now and far more of a player that stands up and plays in big games for his team which as we’ve talked about is contagious.

8. Zdeno Chara, Boston Bruins : Not often can you make a European captain in the NHL and have it work for the vets on the roster. But Chara backs it up big time !!

Chara once again does it all for the Bruins every night. First off he leads the team in ice time every night, plays the power play and penalty kill. Chara is a huge impact D on top of being the most imposing player in the NHL with his huge frame. Not to mention he seems to enjoy pounding on guys if they mess with him or his teammates.

9. Joe Sakic, Colorado Avalanche : Joe has been one of the best leaders in hockey for years now and deserves all recognition he gets. Sakic has won Cups and played for Canada several times leading the team on and off the ice.

Sakic is near the end of his career or he would have been much higher on this list, but still deserves this mention and hopefully he gets back to playing at least one more year.

10. Jamie Langenbrunner, New Jersey Devils : When you are Devils coach Brent Sutter you have to have a captain like Jamie. He is all heart and plays the game hard and the same every night.

Langenbrunner has the other players respect in the room for the way he plays and only talks in the room when he feels there is something needed to be said.  To be the captain in New Jersey you have a tun to contend with in a market that is not only heavily media followed but has a GM like Lou Lamoriello around.

For Hockey God I’m Dave Frost

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Frosty’s Best of Hockey Media . . .

Yes, believe it or not this picture is of Sportsnets personality  former NHLer Nick Kypreos. This was way back in his years in Hartford playing for the Whalers. Kypreos known as “Kipper” in hockey was once a big time scorer in the OHL. Then was drafted and at some point turned into a meat and potatoes type of player. Kipper ended up retiring from hockey as a Toronto Maple Leaf tough guy which helped propel him into the job at Sportsnet. He was very unpolished when he first started out but there is no question the reason we are starting with Kipper is he has developed into the players “Go to Guy” and the fans/viewers best choice to get the goods on hockey.

Players trust Kipper an ex player and straight up guy that still backs the NHLPA Union there is no question about that. I for one like to watch and listen to Kipper straighten out mouth pieces like Bill Watters on hockey related business to do with the players and the Union.

Kipper is not afraid in the studios of  Sportsnet or  590 The Fan Radio to get his nose dirty sticking up for players on issues to do with contracts and management issues. But Kipper tells it like he Sees it which you cannot deny is a quality in the media that is lacking.

So the best in studio personality simple there is no question is Kypreos. Kipper works Hockey Central and also works on radio on the best radio noon hour show on hockey in Toronto. You can catch this either on TV Sportsnet or radio on the The Fan 590. This is a must listen to show that has excellent interviews with hockey people every weekday. The Host on both Hockey Central on Sportsnet and The Fan is Daren Millard. Millard who seems to be some sort of recreation goalie who Kipper loves to make fun of mixes well with Kipper and the two have good chemistry . So the best radio/TV weekday hockey show to tune into is Hockey Central.

Sportsnets other personality that deserves mention for writing or blogging online is Mike Brophy. Brophy is tight with Chris Pronger so basically anything he says about him is tainted but he does offer solid opinions on the game. Brophy worked for the Hockey News for years as a columnist before joining Sportsnet full time. I  dealt with Brophy over the years and he doesn’t bullshit like the majority of other print media in the game.

TSN’s Bob Mckenzie who worked as editor-in-chief for The Hockey News for 9 yrs before jumping to television as a studio Analyst. Mckenzie has always had inside scoops and on his speed dial are agents , managers, he can find out trades and contract numbers before they are public. They say years ago he worked very hard at this and now has settled into his regular gig on TSN. Mckenzie teamed with former Sportsnet host and employee Darren Dreger are pretty knowledgeable hockey media people. They certainly stick their nose in and push for the answers to questions on fans mind in the game. They are worth the watch there is no question about that.

TSN also has Gino Reda, a long time employee who has ran the gantlet at TSN, from Sports Desk to  Hosting and now  his own show ” That’s Hockey”. Reda’s show is on usually before NHL games weekdays after TSN’s Sports desk. That’s Hockey is a must watch to get caught up on the every day movers and shakers in the NHL.

Saturday’s Hockey Night in Canada comes on at 6:30pm, Sportsnets show Hockey Central is a must watch at 6:00pm. Again as mentioned previous with Kypreos and Millard as Host they bring you some great direct hockey knowledge with a good spin from Kipper. Neil Smith appeared on the show last week and the instant chemistry between the former GM of the NY Rangers and his former player Kipper was great. This should be a regular event if they can get Smith to do it, he was an added plus and as a former GM, he has great insight to the every day happenings in the league today. Smith a Stanley Cup winner with the Ranger is a thoughtful intelligent hockey guy.

Obviously it’s a Canadian institution to watch Saturday night Leafs games and for the real hockey fan the 2nd Western game too. I for one was hoping that TSN was able to steal away the rights to HNIC Saturday games because of the way they broadcast their own games.

So I have given you the Best of some of TVs  personalities but let’s go over some of the others worth mentioning on different networks across the board.

First off on Sportsnet, Gord Stellick is a witty guy that has good one liners at times that offers any panel he sits on something worth hearing. The former Leafs GM and now The Fan radio personality has always been a fair guy. Doug Maclean is a good listen because he’s funny and lets face it he has coached and managed in the NHL  so has experience. He is from Newfoundland,  I still hear his accent which makes me laugh, he interviewed fellow Islander Dave Cameron who coaches in the OHL the other day at the World Jr’s and it was priceless. Maclean can be heard weekdays at 2pm on sports radio The Fan590. I pay zero attention or don’t care who is leading these type of ratings wars. If I like a guy and think he is knowledgeable I will listen, but its not hard to see why The Fan590 ratings are better than the rest every year.

The Score has Steve Kouleas who Hosts Hardcore Hockey at 6pm on radio/TV and then again at 11pm weekdays. Kouleas is hyper for the fans and is seriously a knowledgeable cat with some strong  opinions on the game. This guy knows his stats on the game no doubt.

Also on The Score must watch TV is “Cabby on the Street” His real name and I only know this cause I researched it is Cabol Richards. Go figure I’ve known this guy as Cabby for so long  I started to think that’s what his mother must have named him. This guy is great, he has travelled to Stanley Cup victories, gotten interviews with all the best players, and has even then gone with guys to bring the Cup back home to their hometown parades. I know most of the personalities I’m talking about one way or another from my time in hockey. But this is one guy that I would do an interview with but I have never got to know him.

Also at the Score is Gerry Dee, who does interviews with players, on the street questions and give aways on camera that are good TV. Not sure what this guys background is either comedian or whatever but he is good television. He and Cabby have some sort of challenge between them right now going on that I wish I wasn’t so busy to watch, but my wife will PVR it for me. These guys earn their paycheques from the network on the lighter side of sports.

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Top 10 Best List!

Top 10 Best of :

EACH MONTH WE WILL UPDATE THIS TOP 10 WITH A NEW POST OF FROSTY’S FAVS TOP 10 LIST:

Coming soon in Frosty’s Favorites will be the top HOCKEY MEDIA people in the game today ! Who do the players and management and others watch or read when it comes to the game. We will bring you the best of !

Decembers Top 10 Lists are:

Players in the NHL if you were starting a franchise today:

1. Iginla , Calg : His mix of skill and grit is not found any where else in the NHL.
2. Crosby , Pitt : Can flat out play the game at a high level. Wants to be the best motivated.
3. Vinny L , Tampa : Unmatched stick and skill level. Proven winner will fight if provoked.
4. Roberto L , Vanc : Best tender in the league with out question. Newly named captain says it all.
5. Lidstrom , Det : Consistently the best defenceman in the league for years now. Capt Stanley Cup Champs.
6. Malkin , Pitt : Just a huge talent that gets better and better every game. When teamed with Crosby scary scary line to have to defend against.
7. Ovechkin, Wash: Clearly lovs the game and gets involved in the physical side of the game very impressive for a European player. Excellent skater and even better release in motion.
8. Datsyuk, Det : Another massive talent was a excellent find and showing that he is elite all star nightly. Datsyuk has the ability to make others around him better. Great in both ends of the rink.
9. Kane, Chic : This kid can play the game and seems to want the puck which is critical for any super star. Skates around with his mouth guard hanging out looking like he is enjoying life as a NHLer.
10. M. Richards, Phil: Will be one of the best leaders in the sport over the next few yrs. Will play for Canada. Richie has all the tools and will fight for his teammates. Have watched this kid since Junior and is a prime time player with a will to win and play big when the games are on the line.

Top 10 Fighters in the NHL :

1. George Laraque
2. Derek Boogaard
3. Colton Orr
4. Erik Goodard
5. Donald Brashear
6. George Parros
7. Raitis Ivanis
8. Jody Shelley
9. Andrew Peters
10. Riley Cote

Honourable mention if he had more games played : Mitch Fritz

Top 10 GENERAL MANAGERS in the NHL:

1. Ken Holland : Is smart enough to surround himself in Detroit with very smart scouts and Steve Y. Has won Cups and made some changes that worked out well in both coaching and player area’s.
2. Doug Wilson : Former NHL-er with experience with the NHLPA is quickly becoming one of hockey’s best. Wilson has excellent insight into the game and listens to the people around him.
3. Brian Burke : Made changes after salary cap and won cup in Anaheim. Very tough shrewd manager.
4. Jim Rutherford : Older GM with plenty of hockey smarts. Very loyal guy with more patience then a Doctor.
5. Lou Lamoriello : Controls every aspect of the club but makes very good decision’s to do with personal. Lou always keeps all his cards close to his vest.
6. Paul Holmgren : Has quickly shown that he has what it takes to make changes to get better quick.
7. Ray Shero : Great family blood lines and has made solid moves to get his team rather quickly to finals.
8. Bob Gainey : Understands the game and Montreal’s demands in hockey crazed market. This is big yr !
9. Darcy Regier : Mainstay in Buffalo and has the smarts to surround himself with good coaching for yrs.
10. Bryan Murray : What he left behind in Anaheim was key to their cup and is work in progress in Ottawa.

Thanks to the readers that help out this dumb old ex-hockey coach with his spelling !!

Top 10 Coach’s in the NHL :

1. Mike Babcock : Team is stacked but lives and breaths the game and keeps teams focused.
2. Todd McLellan : Former Detroit asst is quickly becoming a very smart astute coach in the NHL
3. Randy Carlyle : Burke gave this guy a chance and is very demanding and former NHL-er.
4. Lindsay Ruff : Been with Sabres for ever , knows the game and is smart hockey mind.
5. Ken Hitchcock : Players don’t lov him but they certainly play hard for him and his system.
6. Ron Wilson : Great coach has lots of ideas and uses video probably more than most. Hold players accountable which is all you can ask if your a fan of the team hes coaching.
7. Joel Quenville : Mike Danton still raves about this guy today. Players like him cause he is fair.
8. Jacques Lemaire : Way to defensive but is a very knowledgeable hockey man/coach.

9. Peter DeBoer : Soon hockey people will find out what I did years ago that this guy can flat out Coach. If given the proper opportunity with Florida he will quickly become one of the league’s best.

10. Tom Renney : Since hired has done a excellent job with the Rangers and this year and last had them at the top of league. He is great tactics coach who has the players ears there in New York.

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