5. The fall of Communisum...
Now of course as good Canadian boys we are, we will have to say this was due to Team Canada beating Team Russia in the good ol game of hockey in the historic Summitt series...
4. Wayne Gretzky goes California
Probably one of the most significant moments in NHL history, as the greatest player in the game, went on to Los Angeles to play for the Kings. On that faithful August day, Gretzky along with Mike Krushelnyski and Marty McSorley were traded to the Los Angeles Kings for Jimmy Carson, Martin Gelinas, $15,000,000.00 in cash and the L.A. Kings First Round Picks in 1989, 1990, and 1991. The trade was compared to the trade that sent the Babe to New York from Boston. Wayne made it sexy to go to L.A. Kings games, and even had the Old School Gangsta group of N.W.A. rocking their hats!!!
3. The Mighty Ducks Movies
The Triple Deck, Gordon Bombay and Charlie...now this was an epic movie beyond beleaf! District 5 turning into the Cinderella team everyone loves! Classic storyline. Thena another two movies come out, and all hell breaks loose! Gotta love the this classic moment from the Mighty Ducks...now I understand why Aneheim took the Mighty out...too Mickey Mouse for that shit!
2. The Draft
Now you might be thinking, what's this guy talking about...the Draft?!?!?! Yes the best draft in NBA history was the one where Bosh, Wade, Melo and a guy by the name of James were drafted...but the Draft that was the most intriguing was the Entry Draft of 2005. For the first time in history, every team in the NHL had an opportunity to get the first overall draft pick. Teams were allocated 1,2 or 3 ping pong balls based on certain criteria. The winner of this super lottery had the right to draft Sydney Crosby...and in five short years in a pro career, he's acheived a Stanley Cup Ring, All Star apperances, and of course...the other goal heard round the world that just happend in February!!!
1. Chicago finally wins the cup
49 years after winning their last Stanley Cup, in June of 2010, the Chicago Blackhawks finally were able to take the title of the longest loser away from their city. Patrick Kane scored one of the weirdest winning goals in history, and voila, the Chicago Blackhawks and all their glory, won the most coveted prize in hockey. This now leaves...the Toronto Maple Leafs as the longest streak between Stanley Cup Parades in league history.
So that was my top five moments over the last 43 years...now let me tell you what I'm most looking forward to this year from our boys in Blue.
1. Defense
The Leafs have been tabbed as having one of the most talented and deepest defense corps in the league. However, the monkey they need to get over is the fact that they were last in goals against and last when defending the Penalty Kill...if they want to have any chance of making the playoffs, they'll have to make sure these two figures are much better, and it starts with the Goalies and the Dman...
2. Kris Versteeg
This was one of those trades that you kinda scratched your head over and wondered how did Brian Burke make this deal work. Well, he was able to and good on him. Versteeg is a speedy winger who will get you the goals and points you need. He's also a proven winner, and with the bling of the Stanley Cup ring on his finger, thats always a nice asset to have!!!
3. Phil Kessel
This guy played a little more than 2/3 of a season last year and with 0 training camp and was able to get to 30 goals. The Leafs and the fans are looking for this guy to make an impact on the team. I said last year round this time that if Kessel gets 30 goals for the Leafs, he'll be the captain...of course we didn't have Dion Phaneuf this time last year. Kessel has one of the most quickest sticks I've seen on the ice, and he's a speedy skater. His committment to fitness really showed in some of the pre-season games he's played in. Finally maybe we'll have the winger Sundin never had...
4. Nazem Kadri
The most newsworthy Leaf, isn't even a Leaf to start the season, and I think that was the smartest thing Wilson and Burke did. Now, a lot of people are saying, he was one of the final cuts last year and almost made the team and now he didn't...that's gotta be a step backwards. Well no, if Kadri made the team, he's going to be a first or a second line centreman. Anything less than that and he should be sent to minors where he can play 20-25 minutes per game. He played Junior last season, and was able to represent Canada in the World Juniors...the Marlies will be a good step for him...look what it did to Getzlaf, Perry and Ryan!!!
5. Kaberle
The Longest serving Leaf, wasn't even in the running for the Captaincy of the team. Furthermore, the man wasn't even given an 'A' for the season. The end is near, and both sides know it. The only thing Kaberle can do is sell himself to the rest of the league and be the player that he knows he can be. I still stand by my Kaberle for Staal theory, however don't be surprised if a team like San Jose comes into the mix...it could become more interesting watching Kaberle on the trade front rather than the Ice!!!
I'm looking forward to Thursday, finally the NHL Season is back and I can't wait!!!
This video is most appropriate for that!!!
Follow me on twitter @jollybenjabi
Follow the blog on twitter @brokeanklesblog
No comments:
Post a Comment