Bleacher Report - Articles by Jack Vallon

Brent Sutter Resigns: Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish

Jack Vallon — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 16:30:24 -0400

I don’t want to write much on the subject of Brent Sutter’s resignation. The man has wasted enough of everyone’s time already.

But his decision to step down should come as no surprise to anyone who knows a lick about hockey or human nature. If strength of character is any indication of whether or not a man will honor his contractual obligations, then Sutter gave his plans away months back.

My reaction to his resignation? Bittersweet.

Bitter that someone given the reigns to a squad as honored as the New Jersey Devils should disrespect them in the shameful manner he has.

Sweet due to the fact that the Devils will now have a new coach—one who will dedicate himself to the good of "our" team.

To the apathetic Devil fans ready to comment on how wonderful a job he's done? Tell someone else. This is about Brent's lack of character.

Devil fans should not only be condemning Sutter for his decision to jerk the team around as long as he had, but lambasting him for allowing issues surrounding his being "homesick" to linger on as long as they have.

Who wants a coach who publicly whinges about missing his family when he’s raking in millions per annum?

How can players—some of whom are barely old enough to drink—respect a coach who's nearing 50 years of age and who whines about being homesick, when they themselves miss their families.

My best friend spent 14 months in Iraq, missed the birth of his second daughter as well as his first born son’s first steps, yet never made a peep.

Did he complain or go AWOL?

No he just did his job and honoured the contract he’d signed.

And Sutter?

His response to the indefensible act of quitting, of breaking a contractual agreement he made of his own free will?

"I don't look at it like I am quitting on anything. I threw two years of my life and made a big commitment 3,000 miles away from where my life was and tried to do everything I possibly could to accomplish a goal. So by me doing that my life has suffered in other areas, and those areas to me are bigger than the game."

You should be proud of yourself Brent.

As my grandfather would say: Good riddance to bad rubbish.

NHL Primetime Performers: League's Best Players Come Playoff Time

Jack Vallon — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 16:48:31 -0400

A lot can be said for scoring 40 + goals during the regular season. A lot more can be said about scoring when it counts; namely during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Over the years a handful of players have been able to get the job done when the proverbial chips were down, while others, renowned for playing well during the season, have faltered at the finish line. This is my current NHL all playoff team (6 forwards, 4 defenseman and 1 goaltender) and my test run at slide show based articles. Hope you enjoy!

Begin Slideshow

Should Lou Lamoriello Evaluate his position as New Jersey Devils GM?

Jack Vallon — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:08:18 -0400

The single most unfathomable move Mr. Lamoriello the CEO, president and general manager of the New Jersey Devils has made since taking over as GM in 1987, has not been failing to re-sign Brian Rafalski or Scott Niedermayer; their moves were inevitable.

Both Scott Niedermayer and Brian Rafalski had respectable and very personal motives for joining their current squads.

Nor was it for letting traitor and "at best a third line center" Scott Gomez doggy paddle across the river to the Blue Shirts. As my grandfather used to say; good riddance to bad rubbish. Let them pay his lazy tail 7 mil a season! There's one less headache to worry about.

The single worst move Lou as made has been dealing Anssi Salmela, a gifted 24 year old Finnish defenseman to the Atlanta Thrashers for Niclas Havelid, a playoff rental that proved hapless at best.

Sources tell me that Havelid, since retiring from the NHL and returning to his native Sweden to close out his career, never hid his desire to return to Sweden after the 2009 season.

Lamoriello was fully aware of this when he made the trade, but decided to let Salmela go regardless, a promising young Finish player that CNNSI.com touted as the Devils top young player just prior to this past season, for what amounts to a pittance.

Will Salmela become a quality defenseman? Only time will tell. But the fact remains Havelid for Salmela was one the single most asinine trades I’ve witnessed during my lifetime.

"If we could've made ourselves better, we would have done that. We could not do that. It would've meant subtracting in order to add," Lamoriello told Rich Chere of the Newark Star Ledger after the trade deadline had passed.

Choice words to a reporter who is about as investigative as a Fox News Reporter interviewing a Halliburton exec at the Republican National Convention.

Did Chere question Lamoriello about the loss of Salmela? No answer required.

And his reasoning for not trading Scott Clemmensen, a player, who I like to refer to as the “Saviour of the Season” who was sent down to Lowell for cap reasons; a UFA who publicly pleaded to be traded?

Mr. Lamoriello was not happy with what was on the table.

"What I said is we would try (to trade Scott Clemmensen). I also said, whatever we did or didn't do, we'd put the team first," Lamoriello clarified. "Whatever we didn't do was for the best of the team. You have to have depth."

Now Scott Clemmensen, an unrestricted free agent will sign elsewhere, and the Devs will get jack in return.

Niente. Nada. Not even a seventh round draft pick.

I suppose I understand if one is a proponent of Lou’s style, an argument can be made for not trading Clemmensen. What if Brodeur was hurt during the playoffs?

My answer to that would be. Mr. Lamoriello, you shouldn’t have signed Kevin Weekes if you weren’t confident in his ability to take over as backup in the event Brodeur went down. You signed him. No one else.

Mr. Lamoriello deserves all the credit in the world for transforming the Devils from a team Wayne Gretzky, ironically now head coach and part owner the NHL’s contemporary “cartoonish” laughin’ stock, the ’Otes, referred to as a Mickey Mouse Organization, into the championship team, and NHL’s second most successful franchise over the past 15 years, it is.

Unfortunately he is also responsible for the Devil’s transformation from contender to playoff pretender.

Im curious how long can the Devil's organization and it's fans continue to rest on their laurels and past successes.

I know I've about had it.

These Are Not Last Year's Pittsburgh Penguins! The Red Wings Better be Prepared.

Jack Vallon — Fri, 29 May 2009 11:07:40 -0400

The one thing I’ve come to understand from watching, playing and writing about ice hockey for the better part of three decades, is just how fast things shift in the NHL. And I am not talking about the speed of the play on the ice, nor the deftness of the line changes during the playoffs.

What I am talking about is just how fast teams and their respective expectations grow, and how popular opinion shifts with them.

To be perfectly honest with you, I have been one of the Pittsburgh Penguins biggest detractors since their phoenix like rise from NHL's worst to hands down the Eastern Conferences best team.

I criticized the manner in which they built their team, and how they have taken the nation and NHL by storm in each of my last two NHL articles.

I despised just how eager the NHL and Gary “clueless in N.Y.” Bettman was to skip on their proverbial bandwagon.

I loath, or should I say loathed; I think its evident in which direction this article's headed, how Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin comported themselves on the ice. The diving, bellyaching, whining to the refs, and playing up to the cameras made me sick to my stomach. The Penguins represented much of what I detested about the “new” NHL.

I abhorred watching their fans small-town faces smirking about just how good their golden boys were. I cringed at the “Marry me Sidney” signs plastered throughout the Mellon Arena.

I must admit I truly hated the Penguins and all they represented, however something’s happened. Something has most certainly changed.

Watching the Penguins dismantle the Carolina Hurricanes, the team responsible for dismissing my beloved Devils, holding the mighty Eric Staal to one goal in 4 games, and witnessing the manner in which they did so, told me this team is most certainly for real.

Brooks Orpik, Sidney Crosby, even Evgeni Malkin have earned the respect of each and every one of their detractors. Bill Guerin has reminded us all of just how good of a player he was before age and New York “Wanglanders” pushed him into obscurity. The Penguins as a team, are certainly not one to be taken lightly.

When evaluating the likelihood of another Detroit Red Wings, Pittsburgh Penguins final prior to the start of the Conference semi-finals I felt an overwhelming feeling of nausea.

“Detroit’s will take it in 4, max 5 games.” I shouted drunkenly at my mate and Pens supporter, John.

Now? This one looks as though it’s going the distance. We’re in for a real treat boys. Make no bones about it. This is going to be a classic.

Barcelona, Football, Argentina & Cheating: Notes from World's Dirtiest Sport

Jack Vallon — Thu, 28 May 2009 06:43:46 -0400

I just read an article entitled, “Andres Iniesta and Xavi Ooze Class as Barcelona Thumps Manchester United” and as I am have such an amazing lack of class and don't understand a thing about football I thought I'd do a hatchet job on the game so many of you love.

Anytime the word “class” is utilised in describing the world’s most popular sport, I feel I must chime in. I must admit I am not what one would call a die-hard football fan; however, last night, solely out of morbid curiosity, I decided to tune in to the Champions League Final held in Rome. Now you'll soon realise from this article that I class is something I have in spades. I am so god-damned classy that it hurts.

What a royal waste of time. I missed the reruns of I dream of Jeannie (I love to watch Larry Hagman as a young man)

Before I commence ripping into the world’s beloved “soccer,” let me give you a little background on who I am and what I represent.

I am a lifelong ice hockey player and fan who has recently moved from a small town in northern New York State, with four ice hockey rinks within three kilometers of one another, to a small city in central Italy with my work. A place where people eat, drink and sleep football.

One can say I am as old school as they come. I believe in honour amongst athletes and integrity in sports, whether it’s curling, wrestling, cow tipping, soccer or ice hockey; in my book, cheating—any unsportsmanlike play—is a disgrace. I also believe in taking one element of a game and using it to represent my prejudices towards the entire sport.

That is one of the primary reason I ordinarily refrain from following soccer in any capacity whatsoever. Players cheat and I simply do not like it and let's face it, this never happens in any other sport!

Last night I asked my wife what she thought about our watching the Champions league Final. “It might be fun.” I said. “The NHL semifinals aren’t on till 1:30.” She looked at me as if I had gone stark raving crazy.

“Why would you want to do that?” she asked me, smirking sarcastically. “They’re worse than school girls.”

“Dunno,” I responded, before flipping the channel onto 201 to sit down for 40 minutes of misery. “Curious I guess.”

The game started off cleanly enough with Manchester United controlling the bulk of the play over the first 10 minutes, out-shooting their adversaries by a 5-0 margin; 'til, I must concede, a highly skilled Eto'o goal let the wind out of their sails and the pleasure from the game.

When one scores in ice hockey, players celebrate with dignity. Arms are raised, fists pumped and players embrace. If a player showboats he’s shunned, often times reprimanded by his teammates and coaching staff.

On occasion, he is checked into oblivion by an opposing player. Ordinarily, it does not come to that as most hockey players know better.

When soccer players do they are exalted, even deified.

Samuel Eto'o tapping his arm as if preparing a vein for intravenous drug use is hardly what one can call a celebration. In my book it is amateurish showboating; nothing more nothing less.

So is sucking your thumb, as Francesco Totti does, extending your arms and flying around like a little airplane, and sliding on your knees across the pitch like a campagnolo praying to the “santo locale.”

I could go on forever about soccer celebrations; however, today’s rant is focused on last night Champions League final.

Then there was the diving and feigning of injuries, the disgraceful show of sportsmanship exhibited throughout the entire match.

The diminutive Lionel Messi might be the world’s best soccer player; however, he needs to learn a thing or two about staying on his feet when navigating through traffic. The guy flops and dives more skilfully than Greg Luganis! Puyol and Xavi are just as efficient.

Barcelona in general were a disgrace.

Granted I expected a bit of unsportsmanlike play. It’s football after all. I understand that soccer players employ every trick in the book to draw penalties and gain any advantage possible over their opposition, but I never knew just how much 'til last night.

Sure, I heard about the cheat Maradona and the Hand of God goal against the Brits. But one can’t judge an entire sport on one man, especially when the man is well, Diego Maradona.

I also watched Marco Materazzi insult a fellow player’s family during a World Cup Championship Match, but after living in Italy, that didn’t surprise me and I still kept a relatively open mind.

But it took last night’s game to convince me that spending a night in front of the television watching the “worlds most beautiful game” is a night wasted.

But hey, I'm not a bitter twisted hack who just likes to complain about sports I have no interest in at all. I've just got way too much time on my hands.

Is the "New" NHL As Soft As the NBA? Red Wings' Kronwall Victim of Rule Changes

Jack Vallon — Sat, 23 May 2009 10:13:48 -0400

Is the NHL morphing into the NBA? Is it becoming a league and sport where even touch fouls are called by whistle-happy refs dead set on controlling and interfering in contests from the opening whistle to the final horn?

To a certain extent, I might be exaggerating to make a point. The NHL’s officiating, unlike their counterparts in the NBA, is still hands down the best in professional sports.

However, I feel that if one looks objectively at the state of the “new” NHL and more specifically to where Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell are taking the league, it is hard to deny that post lockout rule changes have irrevocably altered the fabric of the game.

For proof of this disturbing trend, one need look no farther than last night's call on Niklas Kronwall.

At 13:08 of the first period of Game Three of the Western Conference Finals between the Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks, the Wings' Niklas Kronwall was called for a five-minute interference major for allegedly taking an illegal run at the Hawks' Martin Havlat.

Kronwall cleanly hit Havlat with a thunderous body check that the great Scott Stevens would be proud of. There was certainly no penalty -- neither a two-, four- nor five-minute infraction was warranted for one of the most exhilarating and cleanest hits I’ve witnessed during this year’s playoffs.

Havlat had his head down, the puck between his feet and paid a price for it. That’s it.

The officials themselves did not see an infraction until they saw Havlat's crumpled body on the ice and figured they had missed something. They must have.

Imagine an injury in a sport where 10 200-pound guys skate around a patch of ice at speeds of nearly 30 mph.

In fact, the on-ice officials made the call only when they realized Havlat was down for the proverbial count. Make no bones about it, the puck was there, Havlat had his head down and the hit was clean.

What’s happened to an NHL were skilled payers were held accountable for their own foolishness? Guys like Patrik Kane and Martin Havlat need to know who’s on the ice at all times. You simply cannot look down when you are in a position of vulnerability, especially when the likes of Niklas Kronwall are patrolling the rink.

Making matters worse is the fact that not only did the call disrupt the ebb and flow of the game by awarding the Hawks a five-minute power play, but it also erased any possibility of a real nastiness, any true circumstance-based rivalry developing in the series.

The call on Kronwall, in essence, blocked the natural progression of the game and series.

Even though the hit was clean, there’s not one shred of doubt in my mind that the likes of Burish, Byfuglein or worse yet Ben “eager to hurt someone” Eager would have gone a huntin’ for a bit of Zetterberg. Sounds barbaric, but isn’t that what makes hockey the “coolest game on earth"?

Instead, the game remained as soft as an NBA contest, and any chance of the teams developing a real, not historically based hatred was stomped out.

Let's face it boys, regardless of whether any of you want to admit it or not, we all miss the days of Colorado vs. Detroit.

We miss the fights, Claude “the Turtle” Lemieux getting his head stepped on by Darren McCarty, Scott Stevens obliterating Lindros, Kozlov, Kariya, Tie Domi, Francis and half the Carolina Hurricanes into kingdom come.

We dream of seeing Patrick Roy pounding Osgood into the ground, then getting arrested at his million-dollar mansion for tearing it to shreds because of an inability to turn his on ice insanity off at home.

We miss the days of the Broad Street Bullies, Bobby Clark, a league where players were shamed for ducking a fair fight and players like Kronwall actually paid a price for going after a star player.

We would all love to see either one of these two series go in that direction as well, but alas, it’s not to be. Call me sick, but heck, I miss the old NHL.

The best we can hope for these days is the likes of Sean Avery playing dress up to keep our edgier sides satiated.

It’s a shame that Gary Bettman and Colin Campbell just don’t see things this way.

Okay, I am sensationalizing a tad. None of us wants to witness violence in sports, but a little bit of the rough stuff ain't all that bad.

The NHL has ruined the great game of ice hockey due to a desire to increase offense and skilled play and to generate interest in what’s perceived by the general public as a slightly barbaric sport.

I suppose if they’re tying to target the market that watches American Idol, buys designer shirts and supports the likes of Paris Hilton, this might be an effective strategy. However, if they’re trying to alienate guys who’ve sported pads, eaten, drank and slept hockey for the bulk of their lives, then Mr. Bettman should think again.

Have the Penguins Been Rewarded for Being the NHL's Worst Team?

Jack Vallon — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:10:58 -0400

While everyone and their mother , especially the folks down at NBC, has jumped on the Pittsburgh Penguins bandwagon I most certainly have not.

It has absolutely nothing to do with Sidney Crosby’s perceived whining or "jibber jabber"* I love the guy and would relish an opportunity to see him in a red, black and white Devil uniform. The guy’s a horse.

Nor has it anything to do with Brooks Orpik’s proud place as the NHL’s dirtiest player. Eric Cole and Tuomo Ruutu would certainly attest to my sentiments; anyone catch the two blatant “knee on knees” in game one against the Canes? Nor does it have anything to do with my disdain for Malkin’s game, Fleury’s personality….

It actually has nothing to do with any one particular Penguin player, simply the manner in which they've been acquired.

Unlike the Redwings who built their squad with Håkan Andersson's brilliant eye and Ken Holland’s unmatched decision making, taking Pavel Datsyuk at 171st overall, Johan Franzen with the 97th pick, and Henrik Zetterberg, in the 7th round of the Entry Draft at an astonishing 210th; the Pengins were gifted the core of their team due to their failures throughout the early and mid noughties.

One can say, “but Marian Hossa was a free agent pickup”. Agreed but the Wings won without him in 2008 and he is certainly not the reason they’re likely to repeat this playoffs. Brian Rafalski another significant pickup, was signed away from the New Jersey Devils due to his love for his hometown and desire to play for his childhood team, not a reward for poor play.

The core of the best team in hockey is one that’s been engineered by astuteness of the Red Wings hockey machine.

The core of the Penguin’s were simply gifts for being the league’s worst team for so many years. Both Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury were taken at number one, first overall, selections awarded to the teams with the worst record in the NHL in the preceding campaign; and Evgeni Malkin with the second overall choice.

Just how bad were the Penguins during this period?

Season W L T P GF GA

2001–02    28 41 8-5   69 198   249
2002–03    27 44 6-5   65 189   255
2003–04    23 47 8-4   58 190   303
2005–06    22 46   14   58 244   316

Reward for a failure to make the playoffs for five straight years; reward for being one if the leagues worst teams should most certainly not come in the form of Lord Stanley's Cup.

Face it folks, Crosby, Malkin and Fleury were gifts for chronic failure. If one were to take any one of those three players away the Penguins now, my guess is the Pens would hardly be any better than a first round flop.

Teams such as the Avalanche and Stars, even the Devils to a certain extent are now suffering, for all intents and purposes being punished, for their consistency and regular season successes. This my fellow hockey fans is an inequality that needs to cease. Everyone should have an equal opportunity in the draft. Being rubbish should most certainly not be rewarded.

What I respect is teams that are able to consistently stay a top the leagues standings despite poor placement in the draft; what I respect is the Detroit Red Wings.

*-A shameful Boston Legal reference.

Note-I am not a Detroit Red Wing supporter, nor am I cheering for them to repeat as champions. I welcome all feedback, noth positive and negative.

Just received a comment from Adam Greuel. He believes "that at the very least you shouldn't get a top 3 pick more then once in a three year span or so because usually there is huge talents in those spots and then it drops off a bit." Any thoughts?

Is Martin Brodeur Exempt from Criticism? This Integral to Devils Failures?

Jack Vallon — Sat, 16 May 2009 08:59:08 -0400

Is Martin Brodeur somehow exempt from criticism? The answer is as obvious as the Devil’s shortcomings.

The last time I criticized Lou Lamoriello I received what amounted to e-hate. One fellow Devil fan sent me an email, telling me that in his opinion I was “no Devils fan” because I’d defamed the great Lamoriello. Or should I say "dissed" the "Greatest GM in history."

Another went as far as to call me a son of a b^%$h, for daring to criticize the “Big Lou.” And advised me “to be careful what I write if I ever wanted to set foot in Jersey again.” I felt I’d just insulted Tony Soprano, and my days as a writer and able bodied human were numbered at best.

But has any of this nonsense stopped me? Certainly not! I want my team to do well, and feel that the organization needs a bit of a wake-up call.

After the completion of this article, do I expect to have the numbers 3, 557, and 101 hurled in my direction? Sure. And I welcome it.

Those numbers will remind me of how many cups my Devils have taken over the past 14 season, how many games Martin Brodeur has won for all of us, and just how many times Scott Stevens, Scotty Niedermayer, Ken Daneyko and co. have slammed the proverbial door down on the likes of the Rangers, Flyers, Pens, Leafs, Sens, Stars, Ducks, and Wings.

I welcome the numbers as well as the criticism, and expect a healthy dose of it to be launched in my direction-preferably in the form of comments though!

However, as a loyal Devils fan, one who truly cares about his team, I must certainly not let this criticism stop me from expressing my opinions. My love, not feelings of hurt, for the New Jersey Devils is what’s driving me to write this article. Nothing more, nothing less.

Although the play of Martin Brodeur was instrumental in each of the Devils successful playoff campaigns, it has been just as integral to our recent failures. Make no bones about it, Martin Brodeur has been key to each of last two post season demises. There I said it.

Sure we need a center, Mottau should’ve hit the ice to block that pass to Jokinen, White should have played the puck instead of throwing that silly check on Eric Staal; there also should have even been an interference penalty called against the aforementioned Staal before the Jokinen goal ever happened.

And yes we need a top defenseman and power play specialist to play the point. We also need to lower our ticket prices, add a third jersey, for the purpose of marketing the team to the newest generation of fans and our inevitable future winter classic battle against the blue shits.

I’d also like to see more segments on MSG featuring Chico Resch and his gloriously healthy appetite!

But what we need first is a solution; a solution to a problem that’s only going to grow.

Brodeur’s painfully obvious decline accompanied with the media, the Devil's GM and coaching staffs overt fear of being critical of him is a big part of what's killing the Devil’s chances of success in the post lockout NHL.

Reminds me of how fearful we were when it came to questioning Bush and his desire to take us into a war that would inevitably cost us over a trillion dollars! Look where that landed us. Will this media gag order on criticism of Brodeur dismantle the Devils as well?

Although I’m being a bit too sarcastic for my own good, I believe that there is a very good chance it will.

I’ve already predicted the inevitability of Zach Parise’s departure if the losing does not cease asap, in an earlier article.

Let’s take a look back at the last two Stanley Cup Playoffs. Everyone was quick to condemn Sean Avery for his behaviour in ‘08. I can not tell you how many times I personally climbed out of my seat and screamed at the television set at the deplorable officiating that allowed the coward to abuse Brodeur!

Avery’s behavior was shocking and abhorrent to say the least, however that doesn’t take a away from the fact that Brodeur let in soft goal after soft goal against the Blue Shirts—a good chunk of which were scored when Avery wasn’t even on the ice.

But still, for arguments sake, let’s attribute his poor play in 2008 playoffs to nerves. Brodeur was rattled, and he is human after all.

Then what about his performance during this playoff campaign? Was Avery playing dress up again? This time not as a stocky runway model, but as a Finn? More specifically as Jussi Jokinen?

No Sean Avery was most certainly not involved in this years series against the Canes. He was too busy punching Simeon Varlamov in the face to be in Raleigh or Newark. Yet this series had a similar outcome to last years debacle against the Rangers, with Brodeur crying foul (Game Four antics), and our Devs sent packing.

This series saw the Great Martin Bordeur thoroughly outplayed by Carolina’s Cam Ward; as he was last year by the Rangers, Henrik Lundqvist.

While Brodeur wasn’t awful, with the exception of games one and five when he performed well, he most certainly did not do his team any major favors. One just needs to think back to game seven for proof of his overall performance.

The Rutuu goal, giving the Canes the early lead, was as soft as they come. To let that kind of shot in, that early on in a game seven, is inexcusable. Although it seems to have been forgotten, due to just how quickly the Devs equalized the contest, and more importantly how shockingly the series ended, one should not dismiss the importance of that goal.

The Devils thoroughly outplayed the Canes over the first 55 minutes of the contest yet found themselves only ahead by the one tally.

If Brodeur had made the saves he gets paid to, he’s expected to; one needs to recall that Brodeur takes in a cool 5.2 mill a campaign, the Devs would have been up 3-1, and quite possibly clear of any late game Cardiac Cane heroics.

With that said I honestly feel a top goalie, a goalie of Brodeur’s supposed calibre, should be able to stop at least one of those last two shots.

The Devils certainly didn’t lose the series solely because of Brodeur’s game seven blunder and overall shoddy play, however I think its fair to admit that if Martin had performed even remotely close to Cam Ward, we’d have been watching the Ovechkin-Parise show, not the Ovechkin-Crosby one.

So what’s the solution? Or should I say, how should things have been done?

There is no easy answer. When you’ve played as long as Brodeur has, achieved as much success as the great man has, there’s no easy way to transition between goalies, however after the events surrounding this season, one need not have looked any farther than Scott Clemmensen, and his performance as a backup.

Brodeur’s selfishness and obsession with statistics and personal numbers, and Lou Lamoriello’s unwavering support has hurt us for the second straight year. Instead of bringing in Brodeur slowly, he played out the season as if the injury had never happened, and Clemmensen didn’t exist.

The purpose of a backup in hockey is not only to fill in when the “star” is injured, but to offer an option and some form of competition to a number one down on their game.

The backup should be brought in when the goalie performs poorly for a stretch, as Brodeur has each of these past seasons. It’s good for competition. When longterm Devils, Pandolfo, Madden, and Holik performed poorly they were scratched. When Brodeur played badly he was excused.

And it’s not as if we didn’t have a capable substitute. Clemmensen only finished the season with a higher winning percentage, six more wins compared to only two more losses, a better Goals Against, and a higher Save Percentage than Brodeur, yet he was dismissed like yesterdays news the second Brodeur returned.

I know it soundscompletely insane to suggest playing Clemmensen over Brodeur however when you look at it objectively its not all that outlandish.

Why didn’t the Devil’s even consider playing Clemmensen when Brodeur started looking shaky? With Brodeur’s position in hockey lore cemented as tightly as Lou Lamoriello’s wallet, there was no way anyone in the Devils organization would have let that happen.

Besides Brodeur would most likely have thrown a tantrum or thrown his stick at Sutter or poor Clemmer if he didn’t get his way. Sources tell me that Sutter was actually against bringing Brodeur back in the manner he was reintroduced into the line-up.

After all the Devils had really rallied around Clemmensen. That all ended once Brodeur reached his milestone and reality of the situation set in.

When the Devs lost seven of eight, back in late March, only two short weeks before the start of the payoffs, I knew we were in for a quick demise in this year’s postseason.

I had a sinking feeling that without some sort of a shakeup, it was simply a matter of time till Devils fans would be watching Rounds Two and Three, like the Devs themselves, as outsiders looking in.

Although Clemmensen was far from perfect, he certainly earned the right to have a shot at playing. When Brodeur’s play was spotty, he earned the right to have a chance at filling in. He earned the right to have that glimmer of hope.

Yet what did Lou do? For the sake of saving a bit of cash he sent Clemmensen back to Lowell, and let the Devils morale part with it.

Some will say, but Jack, “Forget the stats. Clemmensen’s a hack. He’s not a number one goalie! He’s over thirty and still in the minors.” I’m going to be told I am a moron for even suggesting Clemmensen be given an opportunity in the playoffs.

My response? Jonas Hiller! Look no farther than the Anaheim Ducks and the

Jean-Sébastien Giguère, Jonas Hiller story for your answer.

Giguère’s play, like the Ducks, was spotty at best this year, and he was been replaced by Jonas Hiller, after slightly injuring his groin. He went 9-2-2 to finish the season and the Ducks have never looked back.

I’m going to hear, “But Giguere’s no Brodeur!”

Although Giguère’s not what one would call a household name, he’s certainly no hack either. This guy only won the Conn Smythe in 2003, finishing ahead of Brodeur in the vote, and helped guide his squad to a Stanley Cup victory but two years ago. That’s more than I can say for Brodeur’s accomplishments of late.

Yet Bob Murray and co. felt they need to make the switch. Even if it were originally just to get

Giguère’s juices flowing, the move has paid massive dividends. I wonder what would have happened if the Devs had given Clemmer the same opportunity; the opportunity to at least at pushing Brodeur a bit.

Bruins-Devils Peaked Too Early, Pens-Canes at Exactly the Right Time

Jack Vallon — Fri, 15 May 2009 15:29:34 -0400

There’s a lot to be said about the importance of momentum in sports. In order to maintain the momenta of my other articles I’ll make this concise and to the point.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines momentum as an impetus gained by movement or progress.

Based on the latter stages of the regular season and what has transpired thus far in the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs, one can honestly say that the Carolina Hurricanes and Pittsburgh Penguins are in possession of momentum by the bucket load, while the New Jersey Devils and Boston Bruins are about as dry as the Mojave.

Sidney Crosby and company finished the regular season as the NHL’s hottest team, going a stellar 18-3-4 in their last 25 games; the best record of any team since the All Star Break.

During that same period the Staal led Canes went 17-5-2, winning an outstanding nine straight, ironically commencing with a decisive 4-2 victory against the Devils, back on March 18, and capping it off with a 3-2 victory at Pittsburgh, on Apr. 4. The Canes will be looking for a similar outcome in the upcoming series.

During their final 25 contests the Devs and Bruins could only muster up 14-10-2 and 14-9-3 records respectively. The Devils finding a way to go winless in six during the latter stage of March and early April.

The Devils claimed victory over Pittsburgh 2-1 on October 11th, the second game of the 2008-2009 season, handily out-shooting the hapless Pens 49-15, only to have their tails served to them on a platter at their final regular season meeting on Apr. 1, 6-1, a mere fortnight prior to the start of the playoffs.

If the pair were to face one another in the Eastern Conference Semifinals you would be hard pressed to find a single sole with a shred of objectivity willing to give the Devs any more than a prayer in the series.

So if one were to judge the teams on their performance over the final third of the season, is there any doubt which of the Eastern Conference squads should have been dubbed favourites initially?

The season is simply too long, there are too many roster and coaching changes, momentum shifts, and shuffling of lines to claim one team is more favourably qualified for the playoff campaign solely due to having a better regular season record.

Sure the Bruins, Devs and Caps all had better seasons than the Canes and Pens; finished with better records, higher winning percentages, and greater goal differentials. They were superior in every conceivable area, however when it counted most, they failed to deliver. Why?

Momentum.

Let this be a lesson to all teams that think they can stumble, even head quietly into the playoffs. When asked about his teams shoddy play in March, a repeat performance of the Devils collapse towards the end of the 2007-2008 campaign, Brent Sutter responded “I don’t see a need to worry. “

Guess he was wrong.

Alex Ovechkin-Sidney Crosby, Classy ending to a Series Steeped in Controversy

Jack Vallon — Thu, 14 May 2009 09:04:53 -0400

Last night, like the rest of you, I sat down, although rather reluctantly, to watch the conclusion of the Caps-Pens series.

Everyone who’s read my posts knows that I am as old school as they come when it comes to my views on ice hockey and the NHL. As an ice hockey player, and someone who is looking to get back involved in coaching, I have strong feelings about athletic integrity and sportsmanship.

My article on Bleacher Report, recently featured on CBSsports.com, entitled "Sean Avery and the Loss of Sportsmanship in the NHL," was more of an indictment on today’s players and brand of hockey than anything else. It was pretty heavy-handed, to be honest with you, and to a certain extent I have even regretted writing parts of it since it hit the net.

Upon reflection, I feel that I might have been too hard on Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Alexander Ovechkin, and the other players I mentioned in my article. I called Ovechkin “reckless” and “a ham,” Crosby an actor and a “crybaby,” and Malkin just plain “selfish.”

Although there are elements of their respective personalities and games that reflect my original opinion, Wednesday night’s contest certainly made me rethink what I wrote.

Up until last night I had only mildly enjoyed the series over the first six games. I found it quite hard sitting down to telecasts hyped up the way these were. Yet despite being tortured to no end by the deliberate and over-the-top promotion, I sat down and watched the games anyway.

Although I’m not a fan of either team, I found myself cheering for Washington, due to my opinion that the either the Canes or the Bruins will fare better against the Ovechkin-led Caps than against Crosby’s Pens in a possible Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

Why the dramatic change of opinion? One need look no farther than the players themselves, more importantly the behaviours and the astronomically high level of sportsmanship exhibited by both teams last night. It was enough to soften even the most hardened old school hockey critic.

Although the Caps crumbled, they behaved respectfully and honestly.

Despite being embarrassed by the Pens and poorly treated by the officiating crew for the seventh straight contest, not one Caps player took a run at any of the Pens stars.

I have a troubling feeling that if the Flyers, Blue Shirts, or even the Bruins found themselves down 5-0 nearly two-thirds the way through a Game Seven against a team as mild-mannered as the Pens, the likes of Avery, Milan Lucic, Daniel Carcillo, or Riley Cote would have, at a minimum, looked to stir a bit of trouble.

The Caps, without the services of Donald Brashear, played cleanly and accepted the loss like men.

Need more convincing?

Look no farther than the ceremonial handshake, which was as warm and sincere as any I have ever seen.

Bill Guerin’s embrace and kind words for Ovechkin were especially touching. Ovechkin’s attempt at a second apology to Sergei Gonchar, in front of the glare of the cameras, was a fantastic gesture. Ovechkin and Crosby’s heartfelt exchange...one could go on and on and on.

Then there were the postgame interviews and comments made at ice level. Crosby’s voice, always a tad on the shaky side, trembled with emotion when speaking about the series. It obviously affected the great man more than anyone anticipated. That in my book says a whole lot about the man.

To pull in 13 points in seven games against a team as potent as the Capitals is certainly an achievement that will be remembered.

Then there were the fact that Caps fans, a group routinely labelled as “fake,” cheered their team on until the last minute of play. Instead of booing their team's effort, as Montreal fans would most certainly have done, they cheered their team as if they had closed out the Pens—rooting for their performance over the season, not just on the night.

Every last fan stood for the final two minutes of the game. And how did the Caps repay them? Did they immediately skate off the ice and sulk like prima donnas?

No, they bowed and saluted the crowd, giving a few high fives to the kids and throwing a bit of memorabilia their way upon exiting the ice.

The only display of poor sportsmanship was from my new goat, Alexander Semin. One of (it might have been his last one) Semin’s last shifts ended with him leaving the ice on an early change after failing to collect a misguided outlet pass from one of his D. He hung his head, glared at his teammates, and sulked the rest of the way home. No wonder Bruce Boudreau benches him.

I am in no way saying the Caps should be proud of their effort last night. Let's face it, they were summarily embarrassed. However, it is nice to see the Washington-via-Hollywood-and-Moscow Capitals behave with a little bit of humility. I will be the first to admit that it is certainly more than I expected out of them.

Bravo Caps! Bravo Pens!

Giontas Predicament & Lamoriello's Biggest Failure As GM

Jack Vallon — Tue, 12 May 2009 12:59:24 -0400

Devils fans find themselves in a quandary. Although none of us feel that a rebuild is in the cards just yet, unless the Devs fill a very obvious hole in our puzzle, they are destined to continue to repeat what’s transpired during each of the past four postseasons time and again.

And I have this sinking feeling that we might just repeat this trend, until many of our best young players have signed elsewhere.

Look no farther than comments made by Zach Parise whilst cleaning out his locker for his fourth extended summer vacation in as many years, for proof of shattered morale, and general team discontent.

Look no farther than MSG and its vociferous Ranger fans—their posts and beliefs that Parise will be following Gomez across the Hudson sometimes in the next few years. Or the fact that highy touted Hobey Baker award winner, Matty Gilroy, chose signing for the Blue Shirts over the vaunted Red & Black for less money than Lou was willing to send his way!

Although I personally don’t see all our players paddling across the Hudson anytime soon; thank you Salary Cap, there is certainly a history of our talent ending up at MSG.

There is also a consensus of opinion among those in the hockey community that of paramount importance to the Devils most valuable asset, Zach Parise, is playoff success; something he has failed to achieve thus far with the Devils.

Unlike lesser motivated players, Zach wants to win, and if the need arises, will certainly go elsewhere to do so.

The $56.7 million 2008-09 salary cap question is; what can the Devil’s organization do to move forward?

Over the last few years the New Jersey Devils have undergone a veritable metamorphosis from a team built around an unrivalled defensive corps, led by Scott Stevens, Scott Niedermayer, Brian Rafalski, and Ken Daneyko, to a squad constructed around a healthy mix of defensively responsible forwards and an inexperienced front six on defense.

Zach Parise and Travis Zajac have shown themselves to be the face and future of the organization.

Although Travis might not be a true first line center, his rapid development as a player, accompanied by his on and off-ice chemistry with Parise and Langenbrunner mean that our first line will continue to produce for years to come.

The line of Parise and Langenbrunner, centered by Travis Zajac needs no tinkering; Mr. Sutter please leave them be.

Although Lou Lamoriello has done a remarkable job constructing the Devils since taking over as general manager in 1987, he has indubitably failed us of late. More importantly, and certainly more frustratingly, he has failed Brian Gionta and Patrick Elias.

When Scott Gomez jumped ship for a larger chunk of change, Lamoriello had an obligation to find a replacement; to fill the gaping hole he’d left behind him. He did not and we are still suffering because of it.

Regardless of what pundits routinely tell you, I believe that Brian Gionta is still a 30 goal scorer. And 30 goals is certainly sufficient for a second line player. Although 2004-05 may ultimately prove to be his career year, it was certainly not an anomaly.

I played with the man in northern New York in the late 80s and early 90s and can honestly state that I’d never seen a guy with a better shot and more speed in the offensive zone than Brian.

Granted I never hit the ice with any other future NHL'ers but still, he didn’t get the moniker the "Rochester Rocket" for nothing.

Brian Gionta was a talent then and is a talent now. No one works harder on the ice and his desire to win and succeed against all odds is second to none.

Lest we forget he was only the Devils' second leading scorer in this year's playoffs, finishing off the round with five points in seven contests, trailing Parise by a single point.

Coming up through the central New York ranks, the only knock on Gio was his size.

Scouts all knew how good this guy was offensively. Their only fear was that his size would prohibit him from moving onto the next level.

As we know his size has never been an issue; ironically it's been his inability to find and take good shots—something he’s never had an issue with on any level until now.

But then again he’s never been forced to play with so many different centers, as well as non-centers filling in as centers, in so few years, until joining the NHL.

But make no bones about it, this guy’s a 30 goal scorer in any league. He’s just not equipped to do it without a playmaking center.

It is my opinion that his decline has more to do with who he’s playing with, and under, than a lack or loss of skill.

Patrik Elias, who some members of the New York/New Jersey media would love to have written off, has three to four good 60-plus point seasons ahead of him. He proved that this past season, racking up 31 goals and 47 assists in only 77 games.

That’s better than a point a game for a guy the Daily News has called “finished” and referred to as a “waste” when discussing the details of his seven year contract.

However, both of these players and the money spent on them is, and will continue to be, wasted unless the Devils provide them with a proper center they can play with for an entire 82 game season.

Dainius Zubrus has some redeeming qualities, but let's face it, boys, this guy's no second line center.

Put him on the fourth line, get him rooming with Shanny on the road, have Rupp smack him a round a bit in practice until he sprouts a pair, pray for an output of 15 goals and 25 assists, and accept the fact that we’ll be forced to swallow the bulk of his astronomical salary as a loss.

Putting Zubrus with Gio and Patty is like plopping a slice of processed American cheese on a platter of grilled prime rib-eye and slow matured, dry-aged sirloin steak, and expecting it to work for you.

Those of you familiar with Zubrus’s game know what I'm saying. I don’t want to attack Dainius, as he does put in a solid effort from time to time, but the bottom line is simple; his personality and abilities don’t match his physical size nor his inflated salary.

To see just how badly Gio and Patty need a center, look no farther than the 2009 playoffs.

Besides the fact that Elias simply didn’t produce in the playoffs, and Gionta worked his tail off for only two goals, both of which were created on his own; both of these players will fade into obscurity unless Lou does his job and finds them a center.

If that happens we can forget about future playoff success, and forget about the likes of Parise and Zajac wanting to sign with the Devils once they're UFAs.

What can we do to bring the chance to play for the Cup back to Jersey? It’s simple. Sign a proper center.

Who should we sign in the off season? To be honest I’ve not given it much thought until very recently.

I like to leave these sort of things to the experts in management and write about the more obvious; the teams shortcomings and needs. It's now up to Mr. Lamoriello to get the job done.

The only problem I foresee is the fact that Gionta might be more difficult to re-sign than one might think.

Due to his statistical decline he’s certainly no longer worth his $4 million price tag. But will he sign for less? Pundits seem to think so. I’m not so sure.

There might be a few teams out there wiling to offer him a 5 year, $20 million contract. I doubt Lou will follow suit.

If for arguments sake, no one offers him anything in the region of $20 million, my main concern is Gionta’s frame of mind. Why would he want to return when it’s the Devils, Lou in particular, that are responsible for driving his value down so much in the first place.

If the Devils don’t sign a top center, Gio walks and they can't secure anyone to strengthen the PP and defensive corps, they’ll certainly have a less productive season to look forward to next season.

However, I’m still hoping for the best.

note-sorry for the photo. its just been on my pc for ages now and i wanted to put it out there. Gionta was a really great kid. not much has changed. how many nhl players would work the till at their folks store in the offseason?

What Else Will the New York Rangers Borrow from the New Jersey Devils?

Jack Vallon — Sun, 10 May 2009 13:15:50 -0400

I was on youtube this past week, when I came across the single most ridiculous comment I think I have ever read in my entire life.

I was looking for an HQ version of Jason Arnott’s Game 6, 2000 Stanley Cup Final game winning OT goal, when I stumbled across an argument between Devils and Rangers fans, on a blog supposed to be celebrating the New Jersey Devils 2000 Stanley Cup Finals victory over the Dallas Stars.

Imagine an argument between Devil and Ranger fans on a blog site meant to celebrate a cup victory!

Although I certainly do not want to tar all Ranger fans with the same ludicrous brush, there was one comment in particular that I felt was representative of not only the New York Ranger’s lowest level fans, but Neil Smith, and Ranger organization’s excuse making during this same period.

To make my point I feel its best I reprint the comment in its entirety.

“I’d rather lose and play exciting hockey than win and play this $%$^&*^ trap. The Devils bored the league to death and were a nobody team. At least our games were fun to watch. Gretz, Bure, Lindros and co. played some serious barn burning hockey.”

My claim that I’d found the single stupidest comment every placed on a NHL message board or blog sound hyperbolic now?

When I first read the comment I did a double take, as I was certain I hadn’t read, what I’d in fact just read. But there it was, staring at me, begging for my attention. This fan, calling himself something along the lines of the Ranger Menace, claimed that he’d preferred failure while playing quote exciting hockey, than success while playing, quote boring hockey.

He obviously also preferred his team finishing behind the Devils each of the past 13 seasons; preferred his team’s failure to make the playoffs seven straight seasons during the period immediately preceding the lockout, and their inability on even one occasion to make it past the Eastern Conference semis, since their 1994 Cup win.

But I suppose making the playoffs 12 straight seasons, 14 of 15, advancing to the Stanley Cup Finals on four occasions out of a possible 9, taking 3 Cups during that period, and being considered the second most successful NHL franchise of the past 20 years or so, also pales in comparison to playing exciting hockey, or should I say barn burning hockey the 90’s blue shirts played.

Devils fans have lots to be jealous about! We were certainly bored to death winning all those cups. If the definition of a nobody team, is one that wins championships, then I suppose we were just that.

I’d have dismissed this comment, till I saw how many fellow Ranger fans agreed with the post.

After reading the comments made by a half a dozen or so Devil detractors, I sat down to dinner with my wife, where she, a budding hockey fan in her own right pointed out something quite interesting.

Not only have the Rangers borrowed a half dozen or so of the Devs home-grown talent over the past decade and a half, they are now playing the same brand of hockey Devils’ management have been preaching for the past two decades.

This past year the blue shirts scored fewer goals in the Eastern Conference than everyone except the Islanders, scoring a paltry 210 goals in 82 regular season games, while only giving up a respectable 218 goals against.

This was the third stingiest, behind the Bruins and Devils; who gave up 196 and 209 respectively.

This with players who are as defensively responsible and lacklustre as any other squad in the league, and a style that resembles something I’ve seen coming out of the swamp for quite some time now. And as much as I dislike admitting it, I think its truly working for them.

Based on their recent successes, one can honestly say the defensive style the revamped blue shirts employ using as much home-grown talent a possible, seems to be working for them. With the salary cap restrictions in place, the Rangers have adapted nicely, enjoying slightly more post lockout success than their rivals, the Devils.

But I also find it quite ironic that when the Rangers were vastly unsuccessful, they found it necessary to defend their old style of hockey by claims that it was exciting, and the bringing in of big ticket players; all the while bashing the Devils and their style of play.

The wanton disrespect Neil Smith and his management showed the Devils’ organization, and their style of play still makes me chuckle to this day.

The argument Smith often made, that the style the Rangers employed during the mid to late nineties, and early noughties was good for the NHL when interviewed by Stan Fischler during Ranger-Devil telecasts is fresh in my memory banks, and it still brings a smile to my face. Thanks Neil, for all the laughs!

But isn’t it ironic, the barn burning blue shirts are now trapping it up with the best of them. And no matter how you look at it, the Rangers are playing what can best be described as a post lockout version of the trap; at a minimum, a defensive style reliant on work ethic and world-class goaltending.

A style, like a healthy chunk of their signings over the past decade or so, they’ve picked up on their seasonal travels across the Hudson.

Note-After wiriting this I feel I should have titled it; what havent the blue shirts borrowed from the Devils? To my original question.

What else will the Rangers try and borrow from the Devils? Let's hope it's not going to be Gionta, and later Parise, as I've read on so many gossip forums. Thanks to the cap think we might just be safe.

Sean Avery and the Loss of Sportsmanship in the NHL

Jack Vallon — Sat, 09 May 2009 11:54:05 -0400

Nothing makes me shudder more than poor sportsmanship, especially when it’s being displayed in the last noble game left in professional sports-ice hockey.

Whether it’s Sean Avery and his childlike antics, Tomas Holmstrom and his deliberate elbow to a seriously wounded James Wisniewski in Game four of the Western Conference semis, or Alex Ovechkin’s knee on knee hits and catalogue of flamboyantly over the top displays; it all makes me ill.

Whenever I watch today's NHL I always find myself asking; What in hockey god’s name is going on? and, is this what’s become of sportsmanship?

Just think back a few years to when men like Steve Yzerman, and Joe Sakic took the ice.

Did they ever comport themselves even remotely similar to today’s players? Did they dance around like prima-donnas when reaching personal milestones? Did they ramble on ad nauseum about their abilities before even winning their first cup? Did they play dress up and play up to the camera at the All Star game?

Recall Scott Stevens. Although there are a great deal of you who thought the hall of famer was a dirty player, ask yourself if he ever gloated after knocking anyone unconscious?

He single-handedly took players out who threatened his teams success, yet he went about his business with the professionalism of a KGB assassin. He was never arrogant despite capturing three cups in nine years.

Guys like Dave Andreychuk, Doug Gilmour, Steve Thomas; lesser known players in comparison shared a respect for themselves, their fellow competitors and more importantly the game.

Now imagine how Ovechkin would comport himself if he ever landed a clean hit, knocking a player unconscious; one where a shoulder, not a knee is utilized as the weapon. I’m guessing he’d dance about the ice in a similar fashion to a school girl who’d just sold her first bag of girl scout cookies. Maybe warm his hands over the body of his incapacitated opponent.

And then there’s Sidney Crosby.

While I love the effort and would welcome the fella on my team, any day of the week, he needs to learn thing or two about sportsmanship. He whines, dives, plays dead and hams it up to the media anytime he sees an opportunity to influence the refs.

Then there’s "Geno" Malkin. Has the guy even heard of passing? Maybe he’s just forgotten how to make them, since the semis commenced.

His display in Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semis was inspiring to say the least, but playing up to mom and dad, by taking it on oneself to single-handedly win a contest was extremely selfish and quite the risky endeavour.

Then there's the Holmstrom elbow on an injured Wisniewski. Callously elbowing a guy bent over and coughing up blood, then blatantly denying it was intentional is as 'gutless' as the victim referred to it as.

But none of these guys have anything on Sean Avery, or as he's referred to in my household, Calvin Klein on skates. His constant game playing, headshots as well as wanton abuse and disrespect of NHL goalies is shocking to say the least.

His rag doll display against David Clarkson of the Devil’s was one of the most embarrassing I’ve ever witnessed. Ask yourself if the diminutive P.J. Stock would have ragdolled like that.

Yet Avery is a star; and the NBC game of the week poster boy. Avery's done nothing on a professional level yet still he’s one of the most recognizable faces and names in the league. And this is by design; his own and that of the leagues.

No one gives a hoot about Ilya Kovalchuk or Zach Parise, guys that exhibit many of the qualities of their predecessors, yet we’re bombarded with feature after feature on Avery and his interest in women’s handbags. I even felt I needed to mention Avery's name in my title just to get a few readers.

This is not what we expected from yesteryears players, or the players typical of the pre-Gary Bettman NHL (coming up pre-Bettman). With the exception of a few of today’s stars, the poster boys of the 2009 NHL are a far cry from the guys I grew up playing with, and the men I grew up watching.

Even the league's goons and hoodlums have seemingly lost respect for themselves, their opponents and the game.

But then again maybe I’m just being nostalgic. It’s possible that I’m ignoring the fact that players from my day were just as pathetic. Gretzky cried with the best of them, Lindros hid behind his mum and dad's skirt, Theo Fleury danced round like a girl scout and Messier; well, he was a girl scout.

note: Although Joe Sakic has not yet formally retired he's still from the last generation of players.