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…)

Lyndsay in Ottawa, Ontario asks…

If you had to make a starting NHL lineup would be abosultey horribl/embarassing  which current players would you use?

Answer:

Here it is!

Left Wing: David Koci

Center: Rickard Wallin

Right Wing: Colton Orr

Defense: Andy Wozniewski

Defense: Garnet Exelby

Goaltender: Johan Backlund

Tom in Toronto, Ontario asks…

Rothy, if you could pick your top two dream National Hockey League  forward lines (with this year’s players) who would be on them? All players must be kept at their natural positions.  

Answer:

Line 1:

Left wing-Alexander Ovechkin

Center-Nicklas Backstrom

Right Wing-Alexander Semin

Line 2:

Left wing-Ilya Kovalchuk

Center-Sidney Crosby

Right Wing-Patrick Kane

Mark in London, Ontario asks…

What are your thoughts on the Leafs re-signing of Jonas Gustavsson?

Answer: It is a good deal.

Jonas Gustavsson showed promising glimpses in his rookie season with the Maple Leafs. The Swedish goaltender was unable to play consistently well and was constantly out of position, yet is capable of being a 1B net minder (not fantastic, but better than the average backup).

But, in Toronto, the importance of re-signing a “future superstar” was, of course, hyperbolized.

Gustavsson deserved no more than he received-a two-year deal with an average annual salary of $1.35 million. It is a figure compatible with mediocre goaltending.

Such a sound contract ought to be welcomed surprise for supporters of the Blue and White. After all, Jeff Finger’s cap hit is an atrocious $3.5 million and, while Mikhail Grabovski’s clip is an unjustifiable $2.9 million.

Jake, if you could pick a dream MLB starting lineup, who would be in it?

Answer:

Pitcher: Roy Halladay

Catcher: Joe Mauer

First base: Albert Pujols

Second base: Chase Utley

Third base: Alex Rodriguez

Shortstop: Hanley Ramirez

Left field: Ryan Braun

Center field: Ichiro Suzuki

Right field: Justin Upton

Designated hitter: Ryan Howard

Matt in Thornhill, Ontario asks…

Aside from a lack of knowledge (which is common) what is your biggest in-game sports commentator pet peeve?

Answer: Discussing irrelevant subject matter

During Friday night’s Yankees-Rays tilt, the YES Network’s commentators engaged in a plethora of stimulating conversation. The duo discussed boats, their off-days, and learning to play the drums. Put simply, the dialogue often strayed from baseball-related subject matter.

Excluding analytical incompetence and the rare case of ethnocentrism or racism (thankfully, Don Cherry is not an in-game announcer or color commentator), the most irksome habit of sporting event coverage is chatter that is unrelated to the game.

Frankly, I do not care about a broadcaster’s favorite meal or move criticism.

Richard in Toronto, Ontario asks…

Mr. Roth, it’s prediction time. Which team do you think will make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Raptors or Chicago Bulls?

Answer: The Raptors

Right now, the Bulls are technically one game back of the Raptors for the eighth seed in the pathetic Eastern Conference. However, because the Dinos have clinched the season series, Chicago might as well be two games back of a playoff spot. In short, if both teams finish with identical records, the Raptors will win the role of being obliterated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the postseason.

In their three remaining home games, the Bulls will play Cleveland, and Boston. The club will travel to New Jersey, Toronto, and Charlotte.

The Raptors have a trio of home games, including tilts with Boston, Chicago, and New York. On the road, they will play Atlanta and Detroit.

With the exception of the Bulls’ contest versus the Nets, both squads’ schedules are not radically different in difficulty. As such, making up 2 games with only 5 remaining would be a difficult feat for the Bulls to achieve. Even if the Raptors lose to Chicago, the odds are in Toronto’s favor.