Hockey Rhetoric

I had planned to finish up an entry after the game tonight. Then the United States hockey team set North America on fire. This was a huge night for hockey and I have a few things to say about it.

Before I get into the game specifically, I want to add a bit more to the NBC-MSNBC discussion. » Read the rest of this entry «

In sports like hockey, winning is what observers use to measure success. Similar to most other competitive endeavors, winning in hockey is relative to its environment and every year the competition changes; players switch teams and grow older; managers and coaches get replaced. But the most volatile aspect of this business – not to mention the one that has perhaps has the greatest influence on success – is in the collective motivation of the players that make up individual teams. The sports industry is about as pure of a meritocracy as there is. Each team is saturated with talent and strong coaching. Eventually what separates the teams that win from the teams that lose is how motivated they are to win. It’s not that the losers don’t care so much as the winners want it so bad, they can’t even finish a bowl of Fruity Pebbles without thinking at least twenty times of their names being engraved on the hardware. » Read the rest of this entry «

I’m not too sure what Sean Avery did to the players of the Dallas Stars to make them hate him so much. He wasn’t exactly producing extraordinary numbers but he’s never been a very prolific scorer. It certainly didn’t do his reputation any good however when many of the Dallas leaders supported his permanent banishment from the organization just a couple months into his new 4-year contract. At the time of Avery’s publicized departure, the Stars were one of the worst teams in the league. Forty games later, they are battling for the playoffs.

So Avery is now a Ranger again, having been picked up off waivers. What exactly is Glenn Sather thinking? Avery was obviously a cancer to the Stars, a team known for having strong leadership. The Rangers need scoring forwards and capable defensemen and Sean Avery is supposed to be the answer? He’ll give the team plenty of opportunities on the power-play by drawing penalties but he also takes a considerable amount of penalties. Avery is more talented than most instigators but when you have a guy on your team like Avery, he becomes one your team’s figureheads. The other players on your team will watch Avery and match his tempo. Why would you want a guy like Avery emotionally leading your team when you have Chris Drury?

Speaking of Drury, I can’t help but wonder, with all the chaos surrounding the Rangers this season, what Chris Drury is thinking about this. He’s just a role player on this team. There are too many powerful influences directing this team for Chris Drury to be a true difference maker. It’s pretty much the worst situation for him in terms of taking advantage of his potential. Drury is expected to put up numbers first and foremost and lead by example. Do you think he wants to play with Zherdev or Avery? Drury leaves it on the ice every game but he’s not talented like any of the superstars in this league. Drury scores because he works harder and plays smarter than his opponents. He’s been ineffective as a Ranger because there are too many different personalities, not enough unity, and not enough skill in that locker room. » Read the rest of this entry «