Bleacher Report - Articles by Ryan McNealy

The Second Annual NHL Season Review, Recap, and Awards

Ryan McNealy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 13:38:23 -0400

As a die-hard Wings fan for as long as I can remember, this was a tough pill to swallow. No season ended as brutally for me since Stevie Y took his last shift.

Although Detroit didn't look like the team I have become so accustomed to seeing during their last series (minus game five), I must give respect where it is due. The Pens accomplished a whole lot this season and their organization as well as fans have a lot to be proud of.

So, that's what my foot tastes like.

That being said, lets give out some awards, make some predictions, and poke fun at people, shall we?

2008-09 Team of the Year: Pittsburgh Penguins

After much personal debate (San Jose? Boston? St. Louis?) it pains me to do this, but I have no choice. I wanted to pick something a little more original than the Stanley Cup winners, but what they did this year is undeniably impressive. In the closing month or so of the the regular season, it looked as if they may not even be part of the playoff picture.

They stormed through the Eastern Conference matchups; unfortunately, we had to watch Carolina roll over and die rather than Pittsburgh-Boston bash it up in the Black and Gold match.

All bias aside, runner up goes to St. Louis, hands down. If you don't believe me, compare their conference rank at the All-Star break with their ranking at the close of the season—not to mention they have no superstars and a goalie that you probably never heard of before this year.

Most Improved Player: Zach Parise

It wasn't like this guy was no good last year, but he went off the deep end this season. Zach recorded 45 goals and 49 assists for 94 points—not to mention, he was a +30. yes, I meant to type +30. I have no doubt that he and Scott Clemmensen were the only reason the Devils were able to perform the way they did without Marty. They have a good coach, as well, great system, Jamie Langenbrunner, but that's neither here nor there. Props to Parise.

Runner up is Michael Cammalleri, who's 82 points, up from 47 last season. Got a better idea? Scrap that, Timmy Thomas takes second spot.

Most Unimproved Player: Manny Legace

Maybe I just like picking on goalies, well, I know I do, but what the hell happened you goofy Canuck? If you post a 3.18 GAA and an .885 save percentage, you can pretty much bet that you will be taking a bus to work before the season is over.

Biggest Asshole in the Game: Don Cherry

A position typically held by Sean Avery was overtaken by a large, large margin this year. As I had the N.H.L. package, I was able to watch Canadian broadcasts, including Hockey Night in Canada. Can someone tell me what this guy's problem is? It is usually refreshing to hear a T.V. personality speak his mind but Don has gone way too far.

Hey, Canadians, that is why you lack respect in the eyes of many Americans. I promise he would never have a job on any American network—well, maybe FOX. Do you really agree with his viewpoints?

Most Interesting Off Season Story: Phoenix Coyotes

I used to live there; I hope they stay. It would be a shame to see them go, especially after such a promising first half of the season.

Runner up: Where will Jon Tavares go?

Leave your feedback, bring the hate; we are all entitled to our own opinions. Let's all hope we can have as amazing of a season next year as we did this year; it's good for the game.

St. Louis-Vancouver: Game 2 Prediction

Ryan McNealy — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:23:34 -0400

First of all, congratulations to the fans of both teams for an impressive, tight checking game one.

Wednesday night, I watched both teams operate effectively in all three zones for the better part of all three periods.

Luongo did exactly what most thought he would: Perform brilliantly. His counterpart, Chris Mason, continued an impressive streak few thought he could.

If nothing changes, I think we are in for a six or seven-game series, which Vancouver will win, but, if the recently signed, alternate captain and "defensive specialist" Barret Jackman decides to perform at a level of play considerably higher than what this St. Louis fan has seen in his last nine games, the series is up for grabs.

Once again, I watched a Blues opposition score from the low slot as Jackman stood flat-footed on the weak side of the ice covering nobody. His play as of late can only be described as..."Chris Pronger-esque."

If you just thought, "I think Chris Pronger is good," you are an idiot.

Honestly, stop listening to Brian Engblom or Pierre McGuire and watch Anaheim—or Edmonton when he was there, or St. Louis when he was there—play.

Chris Mason has showed no signs of slowing down, so I expect his play to remain stellar; the same goes for Roberto.

After 16 penalties Wednesday, it seems the team with the best penalty killing will likely take the series.

St. Louis Blues: In a Great Year of Hockey, One Team Shines Brightest

Ryan McNealy — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:00:09 -0400

For the better part of the last five years, I watched with disgust as the St. Louis Blues lost night after night, year after year. It wasn't the losing that was so difficult to deal with, but rather the manner in which they lost. Lackluster performances, a seeming collective hockey I.Q. in the range of an adolescent Orangutan and what, from the eyes of this interested spectator, could only be viewed as a general disinterest night in and night out.

Fast forward to Friday night.

As I watched the last seconds tick off the clock in St. Louis I was struck with a mix of jubilation and confusion that can only be described as...disbelief? Was it not this same St. Louis Blues team that was in last place in the Western conference at the time of the All-Star break?

Much props to Andy Murray, John Davidson, Jarmmo, and the whole scouting staff for making such a quick, focused turnaround.

That having been said, by no means is the work over; rather, it is just beginning. In the hardest division in hockey, which made a strong bid to send all five representatives to the playoffs (foiled by Anaheim's determined play), St. Louis has a long future of extremely competitive, rivalry inducing intra-division schedules.

Today, St. Louis plays in Colorado (where I happen to live now), and I am set to watch a team that even I had given up on at one point this season play for a sixth seed in the West, pitting them against the "in-stride'' Vancouver Canucks, a matchup that I am not particularly fond of.

There is no miracle drug or substitute for "intelligent" hard work, but I will attempt to point to the top five individuals responsible for this playoff push.

(In order of least important to most important)

5. Jay McKee

As part of a defensive unit who nobody would call "stable" or "daunting," Jay has been a model of consistency. And he blocked 3,000 shots.

4. T.J. Oshie

Although his impact was limited by injury, he made the most of his time and achieved national recognition by winning "Goal of the Year" on NHL.com. In a related story, he gave Rick Nash perhaps the hardest hit of his professional career...and then rocked him once again the next night.

3. Keith Tkachuk

In what I expected to be a season which showed "Walt" with one foot out the retirement door, he touts 25 goals and 24 assists heading into this afternoon's game. He will be perhaps the most crucial individual, both in the locker room and on the ice, if the Blues are to make any noise this postseason.

2. David Backes

David Backes is very close to becoming a very rich man. As his contract is up, I speculate that St. Louis will have to cough up about $5 to $5.5 million per year, and don't be surprised to see him on top 10 most-wanted free agent lists all around the league.

1. Chris Mason

As I predicted, Mason took over the reigns after Manny took a figurative "dump" during the first half of the season. If he starts tonight, it will be his 33rd consecutive. He has carried this team, save after save, since being awarded the starting job, and I look forward to seeing him in a Blues jersey next season.

Honorable Mentions

David Perron

This budding French-Canadian is third on the Blues in points. As he begins to understand where he, as a smaller body, can operate best (see Daniel Briere), expect to see him in many different All-Star uniforms. Oh, and in my opinion, where he can operate best is not on the point on powerplays (again, see Daniel Briere).

Patrick Berglund and Andy McDonald.

These two have really bolstered the Blues' play down the middle. What will become a formidable duo as the teams top two centers.

I mentioned before I did not like the possible St. Louis-Vancouver series. I know I will get a lot of disagreement for this, so no need to hold your tongues, but I think San Jose is poised to exit the playoffs in round one.

First of all, we owe them an eight-seed upset. When St. Louis won the President's trophy, it was an overlooked San Jose team that gave them "the boot." It will be highly aggressive fore-checking, penalty killing, and outstanding goal tending that beats San Jose (cue Anaheim or St. Louis).

Wow! Who is Your Agent? The NHL's Most Overpaid Players

Ryan McNealy — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 10:17:32 -0400

Here is my "short" list of the most overpaid players in the NHL Props to them for getting the money, because they damn well don't earn it.

First and foremost, the MOST overpaid man in the Milky Way:

Ryan Smyth (Colorado)

'07-08: $7.5 million; '08-09: same.

I wish Pierre McGuire would get off his nuts, and become a curling broadcaster because I cannot stand that ignoramus. I understand Smyth "works hard." Good for him, but so do a whole bunch of other players making $1.5 million a year. He is just not that good.

Chris Pronger (Anaheim)

$6.25 million last year, this year and next year.

Please do not get me started. You can listen to everyone else and say he is great, or you can watch him play an entire game and realize he is not.

Mathieu Schneider (Anaheim)

'07-08: $5.5 million; '08-09: same.

Good shot, good defenseman—just not THAT good.

Zdeno Chara (Boston)

'08-09: $7.5 million.

$7.5 million? Drop an old Buick inside your blue line and you can have the same result, for about $7.499 million dollars less.

Manny Fernandez (Boston)

'08-09: $4.75 million.

Top-tier money for a second-tier goalie.

Robert Lang (Chicago)

'08-09: $4 million.

Very lazy, Jagr-esque player—minus 80-plus points per season.

Dustin Byfuglien (Chicago)

'07-08: $675,000; '08-09: $3.0 million.

Why?

Mike Van Ryn (Florida)

'08-09: $3.35 million

HA!

Dustin Penner (Edmonton)

'08-09: $4.25 million.

Kevin Lowe, what are you doing? Aside from providing evidence that the Jofa helmets of your generation just didn't provide the necessary protection.

Bill Guerin (New York Islanders)

'08-09: $4.5 million

I know he is the captain and all—but that old man can't even out skate his own stench.

Lubomir Visnovsky (Edmonton)

'08-09: $7.0 million.

Who is his agent? The Godfather? Did the Kings get an offer they couldn't refuse?

Michal Handzus (Los Angeles)

'07-08: $4 million

Yeaaaah, you earned that.....

Ed Jovonoski (Phoenix)

'08-09: $6.5 million

Here is a thought, Don Maloney: Don't do anything like that ever again.

Darryl Sydor (Pittsburgh)

'08-09: $2.5 million

He might as well have been golfing during the post season, because he sure as hell wasn't playing hockey.

Patrick Marleau (San Jose)

'08-09: $6.3 million

How can the captain of such a good team consistently have such a horrible plus/minus?

Paul Kariya (St. Louis)

'08-09: $6.0 million

What do you know, St. Louis brings in another former all star three years past his prime and pays him lots of money to help us continue to suck.

Eric Brewer (St. Louis)

'08-09: $4.5 million

God, I hate this guy.

Jay McKee (St. Louis)

'08-09: $4.0 million

I like you, Jay, but shot blockers are only worth about half of that.

2009 NHL Season: Let the Speculation Begin

Ryan McNealy — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:38:03 -0400

I apologize for starting this early, but free agency has me eagerly waiting for the start of the next season. To calm my nerves, I am going to give you my predictions and hand out some awards to teams and players I deem deserve them.

2009 Stanley Cup Champions: Detriot Red Wings

Aside from a couple of 40-year-olds, they aren't losing anyone from their championship team. You know what you're going to get from Datsyuk, Zetterberg and Lindstrom. Add Stuart and Kronwall together for 82 games, Val Fillpula with an extra year of maturity plus the confidence Franzen must be riding from his incredible scoring performance over his last 30 or so games and I see no reason for them to disappoint.

However, if they needed a little boost, they added some guy named Marian Hossa.

Most Improved Player: Sean Avery

Sean Avery showed the world he was more than a hack-pest with some solid output, especially in the playoffs. He also reminded us that he was a hack-pest with his shenanigans in front of Marty Brodeur during the playoffs.

Most Unimproved: Ray Emery

What the hell happened to this guy? Ray, I know you enjoy boxing in your free time, just try not to do it with anymore of your teammates. Give up the booger sugar as well.

Most Undeserving Captain: Eric Brewer

Did you watch any Blues games last year? Didn't think so. If the "C" doesn't come off his chest this year Andy Murray can expect a knock on his door and a fist in his face

Most Improved Teams through Draft and Free Agency: Columbus Blue Jackets

Tampa did well, New York did great, but Columbus made a killing. Umberger, Hueseluis, Commodore, Fedor Tyutin, Christian Backman, Raffi Torres on top of a skillful Russian draft pick Filatov all underneath a great coach in Ken Hitchcock... Don't fall asleep on these guys. Detroit will still take the division but the Jackets are going to shock a lot of people, including Preston Blaine.

Top 8 Western Conference teams at the end of the regular season:

1. Detroit

2. Dallas

3. San Jose

4. Calgary

5. Anaheim

6. Columbus

7. Edmonton

8. Chicago

Sorry Minnesota and Colorado...

Great round out there... Now piss in this cup.

Ryan McNealy — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:22:48 -0400

Just under a year after Gary Player's remarks at the Open Championship where he claimed he knew of golfers using performance enhancing drugs, the P.G.A. Tour begins its random drug testing policy.

Jean Van de Velde, European Tour board member who is best known for his epic, gruesome, legendary, and pathetic triple-bogey seven on the 18th hole at the 1999 Open Championship, urged this "proactive" approach.

I do not disagree with testing, although I don't see any reason to take steroids in a game where muscle and ligament flexibility is so crucial.

It is the finer points of the policy I disagree with, such as testing for the more "recreational" drugs. Golf is a recreational sport which places players away from home for the majority of the season. One can only play ping pong for so long, how else are they supposed to spend their evenings?

NHL: St. Louis Blues' Draft Needs

Ryan McNealy — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:46:41 -0400

What do the Blues need?

Considering they cannot draft a Stanley Cup, or Red Wingesque defensive posture, let us focus on reality.

To address the major problem concerning their last few disappointing seasons, we need only look at one stat: goals scored. They have been hovering right around the basement in that department ever since the lockout. Subsequently, they have not made the playoffs since.

My suggestion is simple and tried and true by countless other organizations.

Draft European.

One needs only to watch a single international contest featuring Russia, Sweden, Finland, Czech Republic, or Slovakia to see the superior offensive abilities players from those countries posses. Or, look at the scoring leaders over the last four years. Aside from Sidney Crosby, Dany Heatley, and Vincent Lecavalier, what names do you see? Malkin, Ovechkin, Kovalchuk, Datsyuk (Russia), Zetterberg (Sweden), and Jagr (Czech Republic).

The Blues have made strides by acquiring Finnish draft guru Jarmo Kekalainen who wasted no time in picking up Lars Eller (Finland) and Simon Hjalmarsson (Sweden). This trend needs to continue with the pick of either of the highly touted Russians Nikita Filatov or Kirill Petrov.

They won't be able to do it all, but with the help of set-up man Kariya, break-out Boyes, and a host of promising youngsters, the Blues should be able to secure a playoff spot and bring some NHL pride back to this great sports city.