Hartley Miller's Slap- Shots - May 21st, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010 03:45 AM
Hockey fans, including the media, often enjoy playing the role of a NHL General Manager. A fantasy? Of course, but why not ?
Yes, reality is now setting in with the Vancouver Canucks. Once again, this season revealed that the Canucks’ deficiencies and confirmed that Vancouver is a good team, but not an elite one. They are a playoff team, but not good enough to reach the Conference finals. They are exciting, but disappointing; a team that has not vaulted over that second round hurdle.
The questions below are those that many “general managers” (fans) may want to ask Canucks GM Mike Gillis. The responses are my hypothetical answers if I was Gillis:
Should Head Coach Alain Vigneault be fired ?
No. He just signed a three-year contract extension in September of 2009. It is always easy to point fingers at the coach but his limitations do not warrant a change, at this time. Vigneault may not be the best coach in the league but he remains in the top half.
Should Roberto Luongo continue as captain in 2010-2011?
No. This two-year experiment simply has not worked. With the “C” removed, that will ease media requests. He can start showing leadership by stopping more pucks, period!
Who would be prime candidates to wear the “C”?
The Sedins-Henrik and Daniel as co-captains. They are the best players, do everything else together and you cannot tell them apart anyway. It is a two-for one deal.
Does Cory Schneider have a future with the Canucks?
Yes. It is obvious Luongo plays too many games. A much better scenario would be to promote Schneider from the Manitoba Moose and have him play on average one out of every three games. That, of course, would mean that Andrew Raycroft, despite filling in admirably, will be sent packing.
Should the Canucks try to re-sign any of their UFA’s?
No. Pavol Demitra has been a bust, Willie Mitchell is too big a risk for the money he wants, especially considering his major concussion and forwards Kyle Wellwood and Ryan Johnson are third and fourth liners that can be replaced with prospects like Cody Hodgson and Michael Grabner.
Who should be a prime unrestricted free agent the Canucks target in July?
Ex PG Cougars’captain Dan Hamhuis of the Nashville Predators is an obvious candidate. The 27-year- Smithers native will command a huge raise from the $2.5 million he earned this season. This will be a natural fit for the Canucks; an opportunity to pursue a proven player with BC roots that could help on the back end with mobility and the penalty kill, two areas the Blackhawks capitalized on.
Should the Canucks make a significant trade(S) in the off-season?
Yes. Remember Vancouver must give up quality to get quality. A player like defenceman Kevin Bieksa, plus a prospect and perhaps a second or third round draft pick should be able to land a front line player in return. The only untouchables are Luongo, the Sedins, and Ryan Kesler.
Should there be a special award for Sami Salo?
Yes. 38 injuries in 12 years deserve some kind of recognition. His latest setback, which occurred in game five of the Chicago series, produced the following statement from the team:
“Sami Salo is day-to-day with a lower body injury, although at times, depending on the time of day and how excited Sami is, we may need to change the description to an upper body injury.”
Introducing the Sami Salo “Balls of Fire” Award. The winner goes to the player with the most shot blocks in a season. Ah, forget it. I know what you are thinking. That idea is just “NUTS”!
From the quote rack:
Canucks defenceman Sami Salo recently suffered a ruptured testicle when he was hit in the groin by a slapshot. Hmmm. Looks like the NHL now has a new event for the All Star game's skills competition.
The NBA draft lottery was held Tuesday. I'm not saying the Clippers are regulars, but they have a personal seat license at the podium.
There are reports that Cleveland Cavaliers player Delonte West has had an affair with Lebron James' mother. Well it could be worse. He could have slept with Larry Johnson's Grandma.
Comedy writer Marc Ragovin of New York
Rumors on the Internet say that one of LeBron James’ Cavaliers teammates has been sleeping with his mother. If LeBron introduced them, he should at least get an assist.
Comedy writer Jerry Perisho http://monologuewriter.blogspot.com/
A new study says five minutes alone with an attractive female can cause dangerously high stress in males and is harmful to a man's health. This puts Derek Jeter's life expectancy at about 40.
A Reuters report says Floyd Landis is considering entering the 2010 Tour de France. I'm just wondering: if you fail a cycling drug test, does that make you a doped pedaler?
A lot of fans aren't sure whether Ken Griffey Jr. fell asleep during a recent game against the Angels. In game seven against the Canadiens, Sergei Gonchar of the Penguins left no doubt.
Ontario has confirmed over $1 Billion in unpaid parking tickets are outstanding. The Government of Quebec say they have no such problem as any car left unattended for more than a couple hours is burned in celebration of a hockey victory.
U.S. Democratic Senate candidate Richard Blumenthal has been criticized for claiming he served in Vietnam when in fact he was with the reserves and never saw action. This is like a player from the Toronto Maple Leafs claiming they have extensive playoff experience.
Police in South Africa staged a display of force before the World Cup to calm resident’s fears of rioting. The Police have taken a page out of Arizona’s new immigration laws and will target fans with bad teeth that are obviously British.
Contributor Derek Wilken of Calgary (http://smacksport.blogspot.com/)
Scientists aren't the only ones speechless over the news that Jupiter is suddenly missing one of its humongous rings. "No comment," said Kobe Bryant.
Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times (Eds note: Congratulations to Dwight for reaching a milestone with his 2,500th column)
Lakers coach Phil Jackson made some controversial comments indicating that he supports Arizona’s new immigration law. Maybe he was just trying to psych out Steve Nash by getting him worried about being sent back to Canada.
Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez was benched by his manager for not hustling after a ball during Monday night's game. Did Ramirez forget his first name wasn't Manny?
Cubs manager Lou Piniella says he is frustrated with his teams’s record, and expects his Chicago Cubs to live up to their reputations and salaries. I don’t know about salaries, but Lou, have you realized, the Cubs ARE living up to their reputation?.
Golf instructor Hank Haney says that he is convinced Tiger Woods never used performance enhancing drugs. At least not for golf.
Comedy writer Jim Barach of WCHS-TV in Charleston, W.Va (http://jokesbyjim.blogspot.com/)
Police used tasers to subdue an unruly fan who was belligerent and heckling players at the 11th hole of the Players Championship Golf Tournament in Florida. The incident has caused staffers to beef up security for the next taping of 'Jeopardy'.
Twins reliever Ron Mahay made a guest appearance on 'All My Children'.Wouldn't Travis Henry have been more appropriate?
A billboard in Buffalo petitioned President Obama, during his visit, for 'a freakin' job'. Yes, times are getting desperate for Terrell Owens.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
And in case, you missed it:
Wal-Mart is donating 1.1 billion pounds of food to impoverished people around the world. Or, as
Wal-Mart calls it, an employee picnic.
Wal-Mart calls it, an employee picnic.
Israel Carrasco of Anaheim
Hartley Miller is the sports director for radio stations 94X and the Wolf@97fm. He also writes for the PG Free Press. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to hmiller@94xfm.com.
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