Tim in Toronto, Ontario asks…

What’s your opinion on in-game live blogging/viewer questions?

Answer: It is annoying.

One word can synopsize my reaction to this phenomenon…Wow!

Our society’s attention deficit disorder has become so acute that we can no longer focus on television, a media that, apparently, played a key role in weakening our concentration spans. Now, viewers cannot pay attention to sports game, for they feel the idiotic need to ask questions to and read (usually) grammatically horrendous and dull analysis.

The poisonous media in sports is disturbing. The “sports experience” ought to be about subjective observation, not blog reading. Now, major outlets, like TSN, have resorted to junky live online in-game coverage.

If people want to increase their athletic knowledge, they would actually watch matches.

Mike in Toronto, Ontario asks…

In most playoffs a few players usually perform stupidly well…far better than they usually are. There have been a few this year, including Miroslav Satan, Joe Pavelski Jaroslav Halak, and Mark Recchi? Who has been the biggest surprise performer in your opinion?

Answer: Jaroslav Halak

Very few people in the hockey world thought the Montreal Canadiens would eliminate the Washington Capitals. But, they did.

Then, most NHL observers argued that the Pittsburgh Penguins would demolish the Habs, especially after the Pens took a 2-1 series lead. Yet, Montreal tied the series at two.

The Canadiens finished the season with 88 points, two less than the St. Louis Blues and Calgary Flames, neither of which made the postseason.

Jaroslav Halak is why the Canadiens are still playing. Obviously, goalies cannot score goals. Nonetheless, the majority of the league’s clubs would be in Montreal’s position with Halak in net.

He has simply been superb.

Jordan in Miami, Florida asks…

Do you have a problem with professional athletes using Twitter?

Answer: No

Some major professional sports leagues and fans have taken issue with athletes’ love of Twitter.

While the use of social media during games can be problematic, the all-out assault on “tweeting” is, for the most part, misguided. In short, players should be permitted to spread messages across the World Wide Web.

Proponents of disallowing pro athletes to waste time on Twitter often point to the stupidity of the communication. Though the website is covered in moronic comments, one should have the right to speak idiotically (within reasonable limits) outside his or her job.

Frankly, aside from the medium, there is not a difference between athletes making ridiculous statements on Twitter instead of on television, radio, or through newspapers. Yet, there is not an outcry about the plethora of pointless interviews and segments (i.e. Leafs TV exploring Justin Pogge’s apartment) that pollute the airwaves. Should leagues ban these features? If they did, many people would lose their jobs.

Jake in Ottawa, Ontario asks…

So, I know that your fans like the hypothetical lineup thing. Based on playoff performance, put together an NHL lineup, sir (4 lines). Only players who remain can be used.

Answer:

Forward Lines:

LW-Michael Cammalleri, C-Sidney Crosby, RW-Patrick Kane
LW-Henrik Zetterberg, C-Joe Pavelski, RW-Mikael Samuelsson
LW-Daniel Sedin, C-Pavel Datsyuk, RW-Henrik Sedin
LW-Ryan Clowe, C-Mike Richards, RW-Brian Gionta

Defense Pairings:

Chris Pronger & Dan Boyle
Josh Gorges & Hall Gill
Alexander Edler & Brian Rafalski

Goaltender:

Jaroslav Halak

Back-up goaltender:

Tuukka Rask

Jesse in Toronto, Ontario asks…

After losing in the first round, should the Washington Capitals make wholesale changes?

Answer: Absolutely not

The Washington Capitals did not play poorly in the first round. The club simply was faced with a goaltender who performed ridiculously well.

Even against the league’s best teams, a streaking goalie can single-handedly win a series. Jaroslav Halak did just that for the Montreal Canadiens.

Of course, the Habs needed to score goals. A net minder, technically, cannot be victorious without a modicum of support from his teammates. However, most rosters in the National Hockey League could have beaten the Caps with Halak in net.

Washington had a fantastic, 121-point season. Could general manager George McPhee improve his lineup in some areas? Certainly. But, firing the coach or altering the nucleus of such a promising group would be fatuous.

Though supporters of the Capitals may detest the suggestion to preserve the status quo, the notion is rooted in objectivity…not emotion.

 Relax, people.

Sy in Toronto, Ontario asks…

Jake, is Tyler Myers a shoe-in for the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year)?

Answer: Absolutely not

Tyler Myers had a great rookie season for the Buffalo Sabres. However, the Calder Trophy should be awarded to Jimmy Howard.

In 63 games, Chris Osgood’s replacement played to a .924 goals against average, which ranked fourth in the National Hockey League and is only one point behind third.

The Red Wings’ goaltender ensured the club did not miss the postseason, an occurrence that seemed possible before the Olympics. Pundits should not be clouded by the irrelevant fact that he finished eighth in goalie wins, for this a team, not individual, pursuit.

Matt Duchene, who is also nominated for the award, had a strong season with the Avalanche. The Halliburton, Ontario native posted 55 points. Put simply, he will probably be the best player of the three. Myers recorded strong offensive numbers for a defender. In 82 games, he scored 11 goals and added 37 assists. He was also defensively reliable. But, Howard was, pithily, the most impressive.

Justin in Toronto, Ontario asks…

You previously mentioned that you agree with the Alexander Ovechkin suspension for the hit on Brian Campbell.  Should the Marian Hossa hit have drawn a suspension?  Why or why not?

Answer: Absolutely

The National Hockey League chose not to suspend Marian Hossa for his moronic push of Predators’ defenseman Dan Hamhuis.

The hit was almost identical to Ovechkin’s shove of Campbell, which garnered a two game suspension. Both players rammed a vulnerable opponent into the boards from behind. Period. Case closed. Focusing on the intricacies of each play is ridiculous.

“Well, the Ovechkin hit took place at a 90.2 degree angle and when multiplied by pi and divided by x, we find a derivative of 2×72(sin).”

The NHL ought to quit insulting the intelligence of its followers. It must not act like the Bush administration.

Perhaps, Sheriff Colin Campbell and crew chose optics over the right decision. After all, Hossa was penalized for an illegal play, which should have resulted in a game misconduct. Soon after Nashville’s resulting man advantage ended, he scored the winning goal. Suspending the Slovakian forward would bring the legitimacy of the game into question. (more…)

Drew in Toronto, Ontario asks…

Rothy, what do you think is the best way to shorten playoff overtime games? 4 on 4? Shootouts?

Answer: Calling more penalties

Deciding postseason contests with gimmicks, like four-on-four or shootouts, is not an appealing proposal. It strays too far from tradition. Changing the dynamic of a match (four-on-four) or individual skills competitions are not suitable ways to end such meaningful tilts.

Put simply, the game should not be altered based on the situation. And, that connotes doing away with the idiotic disregard for the rules.

In the 47:06-minute overtime between the Penguins and Senators, there were only three power plays after regulation time. One of the penalties was delay of game for shooting the puck over the glass; the call was more obvious than the color of the blue line. So, the referees (aside from coincidental minors), essentially, penalized two players. At least five additional minors could have been assessed. 

Referees are far too hesitant to call penalties during extra periods, which compromises the legitimacy of the game. “Letting them play” is not a mindset that should be applauded. If the National Hockey League were serious about avoiding dreadful six- period games, it would instruct its officials to call penalties on any infraction.

Clearly, this would, on average, shorten postseason extra-frames.

David T. in Toronto, Ontario asks…

Do the Boston Bruins have a goaltending controversy?

Answer: No

Tuukka Rask is the Boston Bruins’ starter. The Finnish goaltender had an excellent rookie season and is continually improving.

The only controversy surrounds what to do with Tim Thomas. The club signed the journeyman goaltender to a four-year, $20 million deal in 2009. While Thomas had the best season of his career and won the Vezina Trophy, signing a 35-year old who had one fantastic campaign to a large contract is poor management.  

Compounding this flawed arrangement is the Flint, Michigan native’s no-movement clause. The chance of trading a player who is overpaid and could veto any deal is slim.

If healthy, Rask will probably start 60-65 games next season, while the $5 million backup will participate in a few more matches than Yann Danis.

Justin in St. Catherine’s, Ontario asks…

How would you rank the NHL goalies based on their playoff performances so far?

Answer:

1. Craig Anderson-With the exception of a 6-5 loss, the former Panther has been phenomenal. He has a .948 goals against average, as well as 43 and 51-save performances. Anderson shutout the Sharks in a thrilling overtime victory. He has, ridiculously, faced 174 shots.

2. Pekka Rinne-The underrated goalie has been fantastic, recording a .953 G.A.A. in three games.

3. Tukka Rask-In three games, the Maple Leafs’ draft choice has played to a .936 G.A.A.

4. Brian Boucher-The Flyers’ goaltender has only surrendered eight goals in four games.

5. Ryan Miller-The likely Vezina winner has been dependable. But, Rask has outplayed him. (more…)