I hate to be right sometimes. I wrote awhile ago about how I didn't think Mats Sundin's appearance in a Vancouver Canucks' jersey would prove to be the tonic that turned the Canucks from contenders to worldbeaters. I didn't expect him to turn them into the New York Islanders (sorry for the cheap shot Isles fans).
In the 8 games Sundin has played for the Canucks, they have lost their last 7. Sundin has posted 3 points. He has been in the box for 4 power play goals scored against Vancouver. I know, I know... he's still getting into "game shape", trying to "find his place" on the team. Maybe he's done. You can't make a statement like that based on just 8 games, but sometimes the good ones just lose their game. Hopefully not, but this raises questions about his future.
The Canuckheads need Mats to step up like he's done in the past. Their latest swoon has dropped them into a 4-way tie for the final playoff spot and they've played more games than the other 3 teams. At just past the halfway point in the 2008-09 season, this is when you separate the condenders from the teams eyeing John Tavares as a possible draft pick. There is still a ton of hockey to play and Roberto Luongo and the boys are on the cusp of a decline they won't be able to recover from.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
NHL Coach Pat Burns Has Renewed Cancer Scare
Pat Burns has known the highs and lows of coaching in the NHL, from winning the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils to losing his job. He recently received some bad news. Cancer has returned to the old warrior. The Hockey Highlighter hopes this is just another opponent Burns can easily defeat.
I remember when Pat Burns first appeared behind the bench with the Montreal Canadiens. He looked tough and mean. He was a Montreal native and an ex-cop and looked like he meant business and he did. I hated him because he was successfully turning around the Habs franchise (I'm a Bruins fan) and he led them to win after win. Then Burns popped up behind the bench with the Toronto Maple Leafs and my heart softened a little. He had some success with the Buds but left them after 4 years. Then, there he was, coach of the Boston Bruins! I couldn't hate him any more and cheered him on as he worked at making the Bruins a contender again. Four years with the Bruins and Burns moved on to the Devils where he finally brought home a Stanley Cup for the 2002-03 season.
After the 2003-04 season, Burns was diagnosed with colon cancer. He beat it. Kudos. Then it was discovered that he had cancer of the liver and he left the Devils in July 2005 to battle it out again. He beat it. Damn tough guy. Now he has been diagnosed with lung cancer. C'mon! Three times? I think Burns will get his hat trick and beat cancer for the 3rd time. If you're reading this, send the man your good thoughts. His winning career coaching record is 501 wins, 350 losses, and 161 ties and has won the Jack Adams Award as coach of the year 3 times. We need guys like him behind the bench. No namby-pamby coach afraid of breaking a nail, this guy. He defines strength of character. Get well Pat. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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