Average Guy Sports

Two weeks ago the Dallas Stars decided to relive Brett Hull and Les Jackson of their co-general manager duties. I will not speculate what was the driver for this move but one can certainly say that the Sean Avery experiment was the final nail in the coffin. I do believe that Hull had the best intentions when bringing Avery aboard. The only problem is that someone like Hull was not in the locker room daily with Avery to keep him in check. I also do think that even though Morrow was wearing the “C” that some players still did not give him the respect he deserved. My thoughts are that the other veterans on the team just did not step up like we are so used to seeing. Maybe it was the numerous injuries or it could have been that they were just tired.

The new Stars GM is Joe Nieuwendyk. I could not be happier. I have always been a fan of Nieuwendyk. A blue collar player that gets the job done kind of player. Never super flashy, just a good solid player. I believe that he will bring this type of attitude to his role as Stars GM. It would not surprise me if we see a slightly different attitude of the players next year.

One of Nieuwendyk’s first actions as GM was to let go of head coach Dave Tippet. While Tippet was a loyal coach for the stars this past year did not fair well for him. It could have been the Sean Avery failure. It could also been the constant retooling the lines. This never really got the players to gel and reach that level of cohesiveness that we have seen from the Stars line in the past. The new head coach is Marc Crawford, which is solid choice in my opinion. For years he coach the Avs is some real classic battles on the ice against the Stars.

My excitement level continues to increase as the hockey season has officially ended with the Pittsburgh Penguins winning the Stanley Cup and the Dallas Stars realigning.

I know that there is a certain level of disappointment when speaking about the 2008 / 2009 Blackhawks. However, I am not one of them. This past season has been a great example of what a talented young team can accomplish in the NHL. They stood up against some the toughest competition in the NHL and fought valiantly. Their youth and collective skill was nothing but pure joy to watch.

I believe that this season was a wonderful learning experience for them. They should be proud of what they accomplished and look back at the lessons that they learned. If this is what we as fans can look forward to then we will be very happy.

I may just buy the NHL Center Ice package next year because of these buys.

Good job boys. The mighty Blackhawks are a proud organization once again.

I was only able to listen to the first two Blackhawks playoff games this year. The third was on the Versus network last night and it was great. While the overall outcome was not what I had wanted the level of play was amazing.

I have to say that growing up a Hawks fan I have been sadly disappointed over the last 15 years or so. It is quite sad that the passing of Bill Wirtz is the catalyst for the team to surge back into being the once proud organization that it was in the past. None the less the team is in capable hands and I think that they have done a great job putting not only a great team together but in rebuilding the connection with the fans.

Back to the game. Wow, was it a physical battle. I was extremely impressed on how the Hawks worked to impose their will on the Flames. Neither team was about to give an inch. While the first two periods should be considered classics already the third period is a different story. Multiple goals by the Flames and multiple wasted power plays by the Hawks lead to the lose. However, look closer to what happened at the end of the third period. The grind line of the Hawks got deep into the heads of a couple of the Flames players. If this plays out right it could benefit the Hawks.

The Versus broadcasters were saying that the Hawks players were saying some pretty raunchy stuff to Jerome Iginla. If this is true and they crossed the line, as it where, then it should be handled by the team. If not, they are men and it will be handled on the ice. While Iginla is not a fighter out on the ice one thing is for sure. He is one heck of a leader for the Flames.

Of course, one cannot speak enough about the greatness of the young Hawk captain Jonathan Toews. Here is a young man who has taken it to heart wearing the C on his sweater. He leads, plays hard, and takes charge when needed. He has an excellent supporting cast around him and with his leadership they will do just fine this year and for many years to come.

Here come the mighty Blackhawks!!!