Winnipeg Free Press > Opinion > Columnists > Who says the skill is gone?

Columnists

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Who says the skill is gone?

Talented players still precious commodity

By: Gary Lawless

Posted: 06/8/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

Martin Brodeur

Enlarge Image

Martin Brodeur (BILL KOSTROUN/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES)

  NEW YORK — Fans and media alike have expressed some displeasure with this season’s playoffs, referring to the close-checking style of play as artless and dull, but there are two sides to the story.

 Fashions and styles come and go, and hockey is no different. It fluctuates. Sometimes it’s great and other times... not so much.

 But relax, naysayers, the game is fine. There are lots of good players and skill is still the most precious commodity. Parity has made scoring goals difficult, but hockey is about more than offence.

 These low-scoring games haven’t translated that well on TV but the inbuilding product has produced lots of excitement.

 Here are some other likes, dislikes, observations and head scratchers four games into the Stanley Cup final.

 MISSING MARTY: Cam Cole, roundly considered Canada’s top sports columnist and a fixture at the Stanley Cup final for a couple of decades, was laughing about Martin Brodeur and his great wit during the drive from Staples Center back to our hotel on Wednesday night.

 "Those guys (reporters) in New Jersey will be wearing black the day he retires," said Cole. "He’s always been great to talk to. That room had lots of good guys but Marty has been the goto- guy with the Devils for a long time." Brodeur is easy to deal with, handles obscure or awkward questions with ease and is generally happy to talk with reporters. His facial expressions are often the most telling aspect to his answers and he’ll roll his eyes with or let a sly smile slip across his face.

 Aside from his play on the ice and status as the best goalie of all time, Brodeur is one of the best things about hockey. The list of players that could learn a lesson or two from him on how to treat people is not a short one.

 SUTTER SPEAK: Kings coach Darryl Sutter can appear cranky and isn’t afraid to give a reporter a verbal smack from time to time, but he’s loyal and giving to those he’s known for a while.

 The writers and TV folks from Western Canada who have dealt with Sutter for a long time are treated to generous chats where the veteran coach is willing to share his thoughts on the game, players and anything that relates to hockey.

 JUST DESSERTS: Devils coach Pete DeBoer wasn’t shy to suggest his team "deserved better," in the first three games of the series. One could have viewed this as loser talk.

 Instead it served as a positive the Devils were able to hang onto despite being down 3-0 in the series. Game 4 saw DeBoer’s proclamations ring true and not hollow.

DeBoer has done a fine job of coaching in this series and refusing to hit the panic button gave his players confidence.

 GOT CAP? The answer for the Kings is yes. They plan to use that room to bid for Zach Parise should Jersey let him hit the free agent market.

Kings GM Dean Lombardi has spent wisely and has his core locked up for next year with only five players eligible for free agency — Jarret Stoll, Dustin Penner, Dwight King, Scott Parse and Colin Fraser.

 Unlike the 2010 Chicago Blackhawks that had to break up their roster immediately after winning the Stanley Cup, Lombardi will be in position to get better for next year to either try and repeat or get the Kings their first Cup. According to Capgeek, the Kings have more than $16 million of cap space and that’s before the cap goes up, which it is expected to do by as much as $7 million. That’s right around the price Parise is expected to fetch.

 GET YOUR FAN ON: L.A.’s crowd may be peppered with celebrities but it’s nowhere near as passionate as the Devils audience. The atmosphere at Staples Center pales in comparison to that of the Prudential Center. L.A. has educated hockey fans but they’re a little subdued. They rock it at The Rock.

TOO LONG: The NHL has delayed games twice in this series to give NBC the opportunity to broadcast on Saturdays. The result has this round with the potential of stretching into a third week. That’s too long. The players hate it, the fans hate it, the coaches hate it and no doubt league employees do as well.

 Getting the Saturday dates is important but at some point it becomes counter-productive.

 Even the most ardent fans are losing interest with all these off days.

 MAGNIFIQUE HENRIQUE: Devils centre Adam Henrique has been deadly in this post-season with three game winning goals. DeBoer uses him on his second or third line depending on the game but this is a top-line centre in the making. The Devils seasoned Henrique in the AHL last season and he was headed there again this year until an injury to Jacob Josefson opened the door.

 Henrique was a third-round pick in 2008 and was brought along slowly, finishing his junior eligibility and then spending a full season with Albany, scoring 25 goals and 25 assists last season. Earning full-time work in the NHL this year, Henrique opened eyes with 16 goals and 35 assists in the regular season and has been solid in the playoffs.

 GREAT EXPECTATIONS: The Kings have lost just three games all post-season and that has some people thinking a sweep in the final should have been easy. Not Sutter "We need to continue to play the way we’re playing. That’s why you play the series. Unfortunately, we have some spoiled people that think that everyone wins 16 in a row or something. A little confusing to me," he said Thursday.

 gary.lawless@freepress.mb.ca Twitter:@garylawless

 

Gary Lawless, Winnipeg Free Press

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Andrew Ladd on the Jets' lack of a playoff season

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • A young goose gobbles up grass at Fort Whyte Alive Monday morning- Young goslings are starting to show the markings of a adult geese-See Bryksa 30 day goose challenge- Day 20– June 11, 2012 (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)
  • A Great Horned Owl that was caught up in some soccer nets in Shamrock Park in Southdale on November 16th was rehabilitated and returned to the the city park behind Shamrock School and released this afternoon. Sequence of the release. December 4, 2012 BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

View More Gallery Photos

About Gary Lawless

Gary Lawless is the Free Press sports columnist and co-host of the Hustler and Lawless show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg and www.winnipegfreepress.com
Lawless began covering sports as a rookie reporter at The Chronicle-Journal in Thunder Bay after graduating from journalism school at Durham College in Ontario.
After a Grey Cup winning stint with the Toronto Argonauts in the communications department, Lawless returned to Thunder Bay as sports editor.
In 1999 he joined the Free Press and after working on the night sports desk moved back into the field where he covered pro hockey, baseball and football beats prior to being named columnist.

Poll

Will you go see the kangaroos at the Australian Outback zoo exhibit?

View Results

View Related Story

Ads by Google