NHL Recap: November 11th, 2009
Hockey Hall of Fame weekend-did you know that hockey has its very own hall of fame? It’s true! The good folks of the NHL and the other hockey powers that be were even thoughtful enough to place it in one of the largest cities of North America (albeit Toronto) instead of exotic eastern central New York or eastern Ohio ala football and baseball. Anyhow, the Hockey Hall of Fame saw fit to take this year to honor Brett “HIS FOOT WAS IN THE CREASE” Hull, Red Wings great Steve Yzerman, legendary Rangers blueliner Brian Leetch, Kings star Luc Robitaille, and Devils GM Lou Lamoriello. Speaking of Toronto and hockey players who haven’t been decent since the lockout…
The Continuing Adventures of the Toronto Maple Leafs-boosted by the arrival of Phil Kessel, the NHL’s answer to Notre Dame in the Hallowed/Seen Better Days Department actually entered this past Tuesday with a two game winning streak and were set to face a 6-10 Minnesota team still struggling to shake off the effects of 9 years of Jacques Lemaire’s coaching. So naturally, they lost the game 5-2, failed to score during a 6 ON 3 POWER PLAY OPPORTUNITY and lost much ballyhooed defenseman Mike Komisarek after only his sixth shift on the ice and it’s still unclear how much time he’ll miss AND he’s in the first year of a $22.5 million deal. At the risk of using a Bill Simmons cliche, ladies and gentleman, your 2008-2009 Toronto Maple Leafs. Then again, Forbes has the Leafs ranked as the most financially valuable team in the NHL and the one with the most revenue so at least the owners are happy.
Also in the news-Alexander Ovechkin giving Gary Bettman a heart attack by joking about being out for the next month+, the NHLPA is still utterly dysfunctional and the Islanders had an honest to God actual winning streak.
