A Few Surprises

We have made it a full week through the start of the '09 - '10 season and there have been a few surprises. It's still too early in the season for these to be permanent trends, but the good and bad starts have certainly raised eyebrows.

Phoenix Coyotes' quick start. The Coyotes weren't expected to do much this year, with their coach pushed out and the franchise in danger of moving to southern Ontario. But Dave Tippett may have got this team concentrating on playing more than worrying. They started with two big wins over division rival Kings and shut out the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. They have cooled a bit losing their last two games.

Vancouver's slow start. Roberto Luongo did start the season on a good foot, allowing 13 goals through his first 3 games. The Canucks have since turned it around, but he has a mortal .865 save percentage and a dismal 3.52 goals against. Not good for a team that believes they are Cup bound.

Ray Emery's return to the NHL. It started off pretty good, but in the last 3 games Emery has let in 13 goals. The Flyers see something in Emery that the rest of us can't see. But team mate Mike Richards is off to a great start, scoring a hat trick against the Capitals.

Montreal's slow start. I really thought the Habs got it right in the off season, re-vamping the team, making the right moves and getting a new coach. But that hasn't translated to wins. They lost an ugly one to Vancouver 7-1. With all that talent, they still don't have a consistent goaltender.

In a month we will see how this all shakes out, but there are some interesting storylines developing in the NHL. There are a few more interesting starts to the season for some teams, the Capitals' slow start and the Blues' big wins in Europe.

It is always nice to talk about what is happening on the ice, rather than the stuff that happens off of it. So far, the season is off to a great start.

Happy MLB All Star Day

Since news is grinding to a halt for hockey, I figure I would wish every one a happy All Star Day as the baseball devoted get their day at Yankee Stadium. Just a few things to mention.

If you haven't seen it yet, TSN.ca has the full interview with Ray Emery. I only bring it up because Emery actually put some of the blame on himself for it deteriorating the way things did in Ottawa. It's only now, when he has no job in the NHL, do we see him mature. Ironic.

I did hear back from a couple of sources that Shaone Morrisonn will "most likely go to arbitration." Both sides are negotiating still and that is a good sign. I am not sure what the hold up is, whether it's the contract length or the dollar amount that is keeping the two sides from agreeing. As long as they are talking, a deal could be struck before Morrisonn's hearing date of July 24.

Happy Belated Birthday to Japers' Rink. 3 years huh? Sounds like someone is just a couple months older than PHT. Has it really been 3 years? Dang.

Great Day At The Beach

From time to time I get random emails from people who both like and hate this blog. For those who hate it, mom stop writing me. For the others I appreciate the feedback. That being said I got one of these emails from someone who is anonymous (not that anonymous since I have your email address).

"Kolzig letting in beach balls, are you serious?"

In fact I am, see:

And old school!


Oops, how did that last one get in there? Ah well.