Bleacher Report - Articles by Steve M

Brett Favre Ruined His Legacy

Steve M — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:22:40 -0400

I will be the first to admit that I am not a huge Brett Favre fan to begin with, but I have no argument against the truth that he is one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game.

But Favre's recent media escapade is ruining his legacy as one of the game's greats.

Favre's arrogant and selfish attitude, as well as his infatuation with being in the spotlight, is tarnishing his previous 18 years in the NFL.

Rather than retiring the honorable way, and riding into the sunset as a Hall of Fame player who has stamped his name on countless records, Favre has decided to turn Green Bay and the NFL into a media circus, which demands all the attention towards him.

Favre had no reason to state his comeback remarks and stir up an entire organization that was prepared to move on without him.

If Favre decides to comeback, there is a good chance he will travel down the roads of many great sports figures that dragged their careers on for different clubs. He will join Joe Montana and his stint with the Chiefs, Michael Jordan and his Wizards experience, and Dominick Hasek and his plagued comeback with the Ottawa Senators.

As a fan of the game of football, it's disappointing to see players like Favre pull these media stunts to gain all the attention. If he had the so-called "itch" to play football again, then why retire in the first place.

We all knew this was going to happen anyways, because Favre always seems to put the Packers organization through the agony of waiting to hear his decision on whether he will play the next year.

The Packers and the NFL need to move on without Brett Favre, and turn the page on a new chapter in the league's history. Give it up Favre, and stay retired.

Report: Wrigley Field to Host 2009 NHL Winter Classic

Steve M — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 09:42:26 -0400

Reports from the NHL have surfaced that Chicago will host the now annual NHL Winter Classic on New Years Day 2009.

The outside contest will be held at the Chicago Cubs' historic Wrigley Field in a game between the young Chicago Blackhawks and the defending Stanley Cup Champion Detroit Red Wings.

The NHL has decided to bring more commercial appeal to the world of hockey, by teaming up two of the games most storied franchises. Moreover, the NHL expects the young and experienced talent that both of these teams bring to the table will help draw record crowds.

The NHL has decided to continue its experiment of the Winter Classic due to the huge success of last year's game between the Buffalo Sabres and the Pittsburgh Penguins at Buffalo's Ralph Wilson Stadium, the home of the NFL's Buffalo Bills.

The Penguins and Sabres battled in front of more than 71,000 fans in a near blizzard and sub-zero temperatures to a tie at the end of regulation. None other than Sidney Crosby ended the game in a shootout, when the ice was barely visible capping off a historic day for both teams and the NHL.

The intense and abnormal conditions of last years Classic turned out to be a blessing in disguise, returning record ratings for the NHL. The '08 game received the highest televisions ratings for an NHL regular season game since Wayne Gretzky's final game in the spring of 1999.

The NHL hopes that the mix of two original six franchises, along with some of the games biggest names both young and old, will help return similar numbers as the '08 game in Buffalo.

The NHL is expected to make an official announcement following confirmations between the Chicago Cubs, the Mayor of Chicago, and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

*The NHL hosted an outdoor game in Edmonton in 2003 in a contest between the Montreal Canadians and the Edmonton Oilers.

Marian Hossa to Hockeytown

Steve M — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 06:36:07 -0400

Well so much for the Red Wings watching their spending during this year's free agent period. Wednesday, the Wings signed superstar right winger Marian Hossa to a one year deal worth $7.4 million.

Just yesterday, Hossa declined to accept a multiyear deal worth $9 million from the Edmonton Oilers. It is clear that Hossa was willing to take a pay cut for his best chance to win, which is clearly now in Detroit.

The Red Wings had not been mentioned as a team highly pursuing the Czech star because Hossa was demanding a high salary for multiple years in which the Wings could not guarantee. The one year contract enables time for Wings GM Ken Holland to be able to sign top forwards Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen after the 2008-09 season when they become free agents.

The Red Wings also made it clear with Hossa's $7.4 million deal that they were not willing to pay anyone more than six-time Norris trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom.

This blockbuster signing puts no question on the Wings intentions of repeating as Stanley Cup Champions in 2008-09. Another thing that is for sure is that there is a pretty big target on the back of the guys wearing the winged wheel in Hockeytown.

NHL Free Agency Period Is Looming, Big Names On the Move

Steve M — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:27:58 -0400

With the free agency period approaching there are some big names expected to hit the market. Forwards like Mats Sundin, Marian Hossa, and Jaromir Jagr are primed to receive some calls on Tuesday afternoon. Where they end up will be solely dependent on the numbers, and which club gives them the best chance to win a cup.

With the small amount of big name defensemen free agents, players like Brad Stuart ($3.5 million last season) and Michal Rozsival (rejected Rangers 4yr/$20 million offer) will be getting a pay raise as teams look to fill their defensive voids on the blue-line.

Stuart's tests on his injured shoulder showed no long term problems, which will in turn boost his stock heading into 12 pm Tuesday. If Stuart were to re-sign with Detroit he would need to take a pay cut (might be worth it to win) to about $3M per year.

The forward class of this free agent period would have unbelievable in the pre lockout/pre Crosby era. Forwards such as Marcus Naslund, Brian Rolston (Tampa Bay??), and Pavel Demitra, and Brendan Shanahan are also looking for clubs to sign with for the 2008-09 season.

Marian Hossa is the markets top touted skill player who seems poised to sign a large multi-year deal worth around $8M per season. Look for the Boston Bruins to make a push for the highly talented scorer.

The other big story is the Leafs Captain Mats Sundin. It appears his days are gone in Toronto and he is looking to sign where he has the best chance to win his first Stanley Cup. Reports claim Sundin is leaning towards the NY Rangers and the Detroit Red Wings.

The Rangers could afford to pay Sundin the high salary he is expected to demand but his chances of a cup finals appearance are slightly lower than if he were to go with Detroit. The Wings have a lot of cap room to work with and are looking to sign an established forward to a one-year deal for around $3M.

The Wings are in too good a position money wise for the '08-09 season, and need to leave some space for Free Agents to be; Henrik Zetterberg, Johan Franzen, and Jiri Hudler.

Look for a lot of activity as free agency comes, and for many familiar names to be changing places...if the price is right.

Shawn Chacon Really Hates His Boss

Steve M — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:52:35 -0400

Well if you haven't heard already, Shawn Chacon, the former hurler for the Houston Astros, was released by the team after performing his best choke-slam impression on Astros' GM Ed Wade.

The apparent scuffle arose in the team's dining room. Words were exchanged and soon enough, Wade was on his back receiving an Andre-the-Giant-esque choke-slam to the mat.

Chacon was initially suspended indefinitely after the altercation, but was quickly put on waivers and ready to be released if not grabbed by another club (*cough* Yankees!** cough*).

Almost half of Chacon's $2 million salary is in question after the random act of violence in the clubhouse.

Now, if you are sitting at work, reading this thinking, "man I really hate my job," give Shawn Chacon a call, and he can give you some pointers on how to fix that problem.

NHL: Could Ray Emery Be Joining the Stanley Cup Champs?

Steve M — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:39:25 -0400

There have been reports out of Detroit that recently released net-minder Ray Emery has received calls from the Red Wings front office.

Emery has been spinning off the face of the earth with his antics and poor behavior over the past few years and would be a terrible choice for any team who is willing to pay anything for him.

If a team can sign him to a one-year for anything around $500,000, would be considered a steal. However, anything higher than that is not worth the chance.

My advice to the Red Wings is to give Chris Osgood the 50 starts he deserves and keep glorified farm goaltender Jimmy Howard in Detroit as the backup.

This will also keep some cap space open for the Wings to do what they do best and work some deals during the playoff push near the trade deadline.

If problems in net to arise during the season the Wings have a lot of money and assets they could move and get a Osgood type backup in return ( Jakob Kindl or Jonathon Ericcson).

So I wouldn't count on Emery flying into Detroit with all his baggage considering the Ilitch family run a first-class respectable organization who wouldn't tolerate Emery's ego and "me first" attitude.

Look for Ray to catch a flight out to possibly LA or Toronto to back up Toskala.