Expansion draft Duck thoughts

Now that the Anaheim Ducks have been eliminated by the Nashville Predators(sadly, again).  It is time to look to the future and more precisely next season.  With the upcoming Vegas expansion draft I expect the Ducks to protect  7 forwards, 3 defensemen and 1 goaltender(John Gibson).

Lets start with the defense because 5 off them are in play even though its really only two.

First off Cam Fowler and Hampus Lindholm automaticcally fill 2 of the 3 spots.  They are 1A and 1B two  offensive minded puck moving dman.

Next they have to get  an aging Bieska to waive his no trade clause.  Without it both Josh Manson and Sami Vatanen are left unprotected

Now if that is done I would choose to protect Manson  his physical style is vastly different from the 3 other young dmen.  Besides Vatanen offensive abilities can easily be made up with Shea Theodore or Brandon Montour.

Now would you trade Vatanen for another forward , before the expansion draft,  or let him go to Vegas.  This appears to be catch 22.  It could fill the final forward spot or free up money for free agency,

Right now the forwards protected would include Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, Corey Perry, Rickard Rakell, Jakob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano.  A 7th right now on the roster would be Antonie Vermette or Nick Ritchie.  Personally I don't know if Ritchie qualifies in order to need to be protected

I expect Vatanen to be gone either way and I hope in free agency they can find a way to keep Patrick Eaves and her doesn't go the way of David Perron and Jamie McGinn.

I expect Rakell and Silfverberg to take over the offensive load from Getzlaf and Perry to become the new core.

Post round 1 draft thoughts - Carolina Panthers

I am very  happy the Carolina Panthers took Christian McCaffrey.  Over  the past weekend I was convinced he was the pick after what I read/seen.  He will take pressure off Cam Newton and Johnathan Stewart.  I figure he will average fifteen rushes and 5 catches per game.  Coach Ron Rivera said he will also return punts I am afraid this will be too much for McCaffrey.  What if he gets hurt?.

I would have been ok with Leonard Fournette or OJ Howard(I hope Howard going to Tampa Bay doesn't burn the Panthers.) as well .  I am also happy they didn't go anywhere on  the DL after whet they did in free agency.

Where do you think the Panthers will go in round 2?  Two names I am focused on are Cam Robinson and Zay Jones.

Bob Murray takes with NHL Player Safety Friday April 7th

General Manager  Bob Murray:  Hello this Bob Murray General Manager of the Anaheim Duncks

NHL Dept of Player Safety:  Hi Bob we need to talk about Nick Ritchie.

GM BM: I know he is very sorry it won't happen again.  By the way what were you guys during Wednesday morning?

NHL (PS) Well we were  dealing with Brad Marchand.

GM BM:  Well you know I lost my best defenseman to a knee  on knee hit Tuesday night.

NHL (PS) Sorry to hear about that.

GM BM: Yeah it was Mark Giordano of the Calgary Flames same team that has Matthew Thachuk.

NHL(PS) oh.

GM BM: Who is this??? YOU WANT TO SUSPEND ONE OF MY PLAYERS FOR A SIMPLE PUNCH TO A DEPTH DMAM.  AFTER WE F***ING HEARD NOTHING FROM YOU ON WEDNESDAY REGARDING THE FOWLER HIT.   CAM IS F***ING LOST FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF THE PLAYOFFS ATLEAST IN WHICH WE MIGHT VERY WELL FACE THIS  SAME F***ING  CALGARY TEAM, F***ING GIORDANO CAN DO THIS AGAIN AND I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN TO F***ING EGELAND FOR JUMPING KESLER.

NHL (PS)  (slience)(whispers heard in background Boy Bob is really Pissed Off)

GM BM Can I speak with  Pronger or Parros?

NHL (PS) They are both busy right now.  Can we fine a solution to this Ritchie problem ..

GM BM, Fine  but first a question Do you want us to play Jared Boll Game 1 ESPECIALLY AGAINST F***ING CALGARY.

NHL (PS) Um 1 game Sunday  regular season finale vs. LA

GM  BM Acceptable (hangs up... grins like Mr. Burns) Execellent!!!

I am beginning to be turned off by the NFL

I originally posted this on one of my Yahoo Fantasy Football message boards but i decided to post it here too.

First off fining a player when he is in concussion protocol is absurd(YOU ALL KNOW WHO I AM TALKING ABOUT). Second the SAME PLAYER he taunted, gave him the concussion so that makes the fine mind boggling. Said defensive player got NO fine.

Add that this guy was hit in the head 4x opening night but did his team benefit from even 1 penalty yard HELL NO. The NFL in its infinite wisdom rather call him for intenional grounding and his all-pro Center for an offensive facemask during said head shots.

Add to that what ever the refs thinking in Cleveland that minus well be the 4th worst thing to happen to that franchise behind the drive, the fumble and the original team moving to Baltimore

The NFL is turning me off like the NBA did when they gift warpped Chris Paul to the Clippers after the Lakers had traded for him. The Panthers have another set of problems(basically the GM doesn't know how to handle CBs) BUT I still rather be a Panther fan than a Charger fan

5/12/20016. Ducks head coaching search thoughts

Ok its been 15 days since the Anaheim Ducks were eliminated in the 4th straight Game 7 lost at home after a 3-2 series lead.  This time against the Nashville Predators, a team with neither the franchise history nor the market size of the previous Game 7 defeats.  The team advanced one round before these playoffs.

Two days later Bruce Boudreau was relived of his head coaching duties .  Right away I thought General Manager Bob Murray could have promoted Paul Maclean and been done with it.  The longer the Ducks go without hiring a head coach the more I think Murray is waiting on news from Staples Center with regards to that.  I still think it will come down between Maclean and Travis Green(who is  must be coming across like the hot, young candidate).  My hope is if Murray hires someone with no NHL coaching experience he finds a way to keep MacLean or Yawney as an assistant coach.  With the latest news of a Luke Richardson interview, Would MaClean be happy with a role reversal from Ottawa?

The Bottom line who will be the next coacch in Anaheim.  WHO KNOWS???

1/3 Bucs at Panthers

The Carolina Paathers have some concerns going into the season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers  My first concern after seeing tweets on the Panthers injuries is how much running Cam Newton wull have to do without Stewart and Whitaker.  Then again they are three deep in the backfield tomorrow with Mike Tolbert, Cameron Artis-Payne, and Brandon Wegher so I guess it will be based on how well the Carolina running game starts.  With no Ted Ginn Jr. that means Corey Brown is the  most likely deep threat so the passing game will be affected..   Bersin might be catching punts (GOD NO!!! DON'T GO TO YOUR KNEES).  I digress  Kurt Coleman on defense so the interception leader is out.  Josh Norman for all his greatness this season has had an INT since week 4 at the Bucs

Besides injuries, swagger is also a concern.  The Tillman penalty early at Atlanta seem to take all the emotion out of the defense  Atlanta converted numerous third and longs causing the defense to  be on the field longer.  The big elephant in the room when it comes to the defense is when are they going to get a sack from a defensive end something they haven't had in a month.  The swagger seem to be gone from the offense as well.due to the Ginn injury.  Olsen seemed to be normal after not converting a 3rd down after the Norman fumble recovery and then one play in the 4th.

I probably give the Panthers a 90 percent chance of winning this game.  However losing at home to rookie QB in Jameis Winston, much less going 14-0 and NOT ending up with home field advantage would not be a good look.

Ducks move on

Bias dooms Ducks

Yes the Ducks did lose in  OT, even if they had touched the puck they would have faced their seventh penalty kill of the game(and fourth since the beginning of the 3rd period).  On what would have been the Ducks lone power play of the period with 2:14 left in the 3rd period.  After two Calgary Flames power plays in the period Matt Stajan would be an idiot and bump into Fredrik Aendersen.  The refs in their infamous wisdom decided to give Simon Despres a roughing call for giving Stajan what he deserved.  The Despres call would come back to haunt the Ducks. Instead of being on the power play Sami Vatanen would get called for a Delay of Game penalty.(That particular penalty call most likely wouldn't have had happen if the Ducks were on the power play.)  Giving Calgary its before mentioned 3rd power play of the period and 6th of the game.  (By the way I think Jhonny Gaudreau did a pierrot as he tried to get the refs attention.)  Gaudreau scored ok fine  Game is going to OT cool.  
After watching a HORRIBLE intermission period in which NBCSN seem like CBC lite.  talking about a controversial no goal that had no further impact on the game.  IT WAS GOING TO OVERTIME NOW ANYWAYS!!

I took a quick notice on my phone about the power play chances six to two for Calgary  so I figured if one team gets a PP opporturnity it would be the Ducks and the refs can fixed their bias.
HAHAHAHA!!! Was I wrong

After chances by Getzlaf and Perry.  Calgary keeps the puck in their offensive zone, delayed call on Stoner then Game Winner

P. S. Nice job Calgary fans throwing stuff on the ice after Gaudreau scored making the delay NBA worthy.

Early Stanley Cup thoughts

First off, The Ducks hope they can continue their  momentum tonight in what will surely be a load arena in the face of a while out(which seems generic, why not a blue out).  The fact they were the only Western Conference team up 2-0 makes things set up real nice for them.

Now on to the other series

Calgary vs. Vancouver Can this series please have fights in each of  the remaining games.  The amount of dislike is awesome.  Assuming the Ducks advance they have to deal with former teammate(s) either way.

Minnesota vs. St. Louis  How far can  Dubnyk carry the Wild.  More thoughts after game 3.

Chicago vs. Nashville: This series is going to be ugly good.  Especially  if we can get a goalie change in each of the remaining games.




Right now its very possible all three of series go to game 7.  Winnipeg would need to win games 3 AND 4 to make me think the Ducks are in any danger.

Ottawa vs. Montreal: I kept waiting for Subban to score on the Power Play in OT think how upset the Ottawa fans would be.  Then they score on the first rush after the PP expires.  Poor Ottawa

Detroit vs. Tampa Bay: Next to Winnipeg, Detroit is the team I want eliminated ASAP. Thankfully Tampa Bay took care of business in game 2 otherwise they would be a big dissapointment early on.

Pittsburgh vs. NY Rangers: Pittsburgh may have just woken a sleeping giant.  I don't care if games 3 and 4 are in Pittsburgh I just don't see New York losing another game this series.

NY Islanders vs. Washington: That was a fast OT goal I was thinking what channel NBC would move the NSH-CHI game to  Another series i can see going all the way.  I might have picked Washington but it would be more fun if the Islanders advance.

11/5 Isles at Ducks

Can the Ducks please stop having pregame issues.  On Sunday it was starting  their third string goalie.  Now last night they were without Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perŕý, both out with the flu. They still started Labarbera as weĺl.

With only 5 shots on goal for the first half of the game it was like they were playing   with  their heads cut off.  Then Matt Beleskey and Emerson Etem tied the game by the end of the seconď.  For Etem it was his first goal of the season and it came at a good time with Getzlaf  and Perry out.  John Ahlers and Brian Hayward  admitted that Etem and Rickard Rakell  would have been the healthy   scratches if the twins had plaýed.  Really Heatley over Etem?

The Ducks had an apparent  third period goal taken away because it never really entered the net.  They lost in overtime on an questionable penalty  but it was an Eastern conference opponent so no real harm done.  Just get everyone healthy.

Goalies and Fowler

Well that was an unusual  win given the goalie situation last night  Jason Labarbera  did a  good job after playing Saturday in the AHL. It was a good thing he did not get injured too the replacement would have been Dwayne Roloson.  Even though he is now the Ducks goalie coach every time I hear his name my mind flashbacks to 2006 when he beat the Ducks   in the Western Conference  Final for the Edmonton Oilers with his tricks.

Cam Fowler What a move!!!  I can't  believe  some people were ready to give up on him after the St. Louis game.  You never give up on an athlete named Cam (separate blog post for a certain NFL team maybe)  I keep remember a TSN video that ranked him 3rd behind Hall and Seguin for the 2010 draft and getting him at 12 had me tickled to death.  I like flaunting him over Dallas, Jack Campbell anyone?  When I finally do order a new Ducks jersey it will be between Fowler and Getzlaf.

I hate to nitpick on anything Ducks  related but can Emerson Etem please start scoring goals?

October Sports

First off baseball, how does pitching five innings in a normal nine inning game get you a save and not a win. By definition Baumgartner pitched the fifth inning so he should have gotten credit for the win. Even though I hate the San Francisco Giants win a passion what Baumgartner did in game seven was amazing going five innings on short rest in relief.  Sadly it makes giving Kershaw the Cy Young and MVP awards kind of pointless.  Like the Anaheim Ducks winning the NHL Pacific division title when the Los Angeles Kings won it all.

Now the Anaheim Ducks there is a difference between a lost and a bad performance.  Thursday night was a bad performance getting shutout by an undermanned St. Louis Blues team.  So please try to limit those and pace yourselves because it's not all about the regular season.   That is the only thing I can complain with the Ducks now being the only one of my teams with a winning record.

Oh boy the Lakers it's so mind boggling what's happen to them since David Stern took Chris Paul away from them and gift wrapped him for the Clippers.  Yes Dwight Howard is soft How can he not listen to Kobe as  teammate in 2012-13 after losing the 2009 Finals to him  Besides the fact Howard leaving the Lakers to be coached by that guy really makes it unforgivable.  The NBA should have changed the lottery rules because The Lakers really have no reason to compete this season without Randle.  If their pick is outside the Top 5 it goes to Phoenix.  Now tell me which team could use that pick more.  The Lakers still owe Orlando a pick.  WHAT?   Adam Silver should go into the business of amending trades involving picks rather than changing trade partners.

Now the Carolina Panthers even if they  lose at Philadelphia and at New Orleans they still have a chance at winning record but now they have to fix the offense rather than the defense.  There is still a light at the end of the tunnel despite the General Manager.

Baseball, New Jersies, Pucks, Kesler and, Bonino,

First let me say I will be in Anaheim on Wednesday August 6th for the Dodgers-Angels game.  I also plan to visit the Ducks team store.  Hopefully I can get there by 3pm.  My main question about jersey customization is how long is the wait time?  Second can I bring them what is now my old 3rd jersey and get that customize.  That might be a better option for me for financial reasons rather than a brand new replica.  Every time I go there I end up spending a $100+

Remember when I tweeted out my puck collection on June 17th and the Ducks retweeted it offering me a free autographed Puck.  Well it arrived yesterday and it was from Nick Bonino who got traded the day BEFORE.  Oh the irony the Ducks finally send me a free puck and by the time I get the player who signed it is no longer on the roster.  I think its easy to say who my favorite non Duck player is now.

As far as the Ryan Kesler trade goes I think most Duck fans were shocked to see that Bonino got traded.  After the Ducks were eliminated from playoffs I thought to myself that Bonino and/or Andrew Cogliano could be moved if the deal was RIGHT.  As the weeks went by I was content with giving up Emerson Etem for Kesler that I tweeted as much.  I thought Etem, Rickard Rakell, and Devante Smith-Pelly would all go before Bonino.  However you have to give up something to get something and it was not like Bonino was a untouchable.  So once again Thank you to Nick Bonino for not only the Dallas series clinching goal in OT but everything you did as an Anaheim Duck.

Welcome to the Anaheim Ducks, Ryan Kesler

Ducks jersey fiasco

We all know the Anaheim Ducks have been slowly phasing out the wordmark logo they introduced in 2006.  This playoff season I must have become confused thinking the Webbed "D" 3rd jersey had become the default home because I don't remember the last time they wore the wordmark jersey.  So in my infant wisdom I was thinking a new 3rd could look like and began to think orange.  I can't confirm or deny anything nor am I a graphic artist but I think an orange Webbed "D" similar to the stadium series jersey would be cool and I would like Getzlaf or Fowler if anything close to that happens.

But I will await any word from the Ducks on any jersey change

Meanwhile when was the last time the Ducks scored an empty net goal?

I am back...

I need to update this blog with thoughts on the Lakers and Ducks.

12/13 Sports thoughts

So now the Panthers are 5-8 and will finish 6-10 at best in my opinion considering the schedule they got remaininhg. Also since they already traded their 1st round pick this year start Matt Moore the rest of the season to determine if he might be the quarterback of the future. I would be in favor of Delhomme going on IR. If Moore performs well enough you might not have to trade next years first round pick for the third year in a row.

For the Ducks the sooner they get on a winning streak the better. This team has way too much talent to be in last place in the Western Conference. They actually have 2 first rounders so I am not really worrred about them as compared to my NFL team. Dan Sexton has really impress Lupul might be out of a job soon.

My only comment about the Lakers is that I hope Kobe's stomach bug doesn't cost me an ESPN fantasy matchup.

Goodbye Randy Wolf, when are the Dodgers going to make a move for some start pitching?

11/15 Sport thoughts over the last two weeks

Sorry for not posting last week must have gotten too busy and mid week I got a virus from Facebook that forced me to reformat. The Panthers played well in New Orleans head a 17-6 halftime but after a quick TD by the Saints to the second half. The Panthers had a 1 & goal at the 2 and only managed a field goal. When you play the Saints youy need every point possible especially when the Saints tie at the end of the 3rd quarter it's over. The Williams fumble returned for a TD to maske it 30-20 wasn't not indictive of the way the Panthers played. Today they got lucky as they almost squandered another 11 point halftime lead over the Falcons but thanks to a miss FG by Elam, Marshall INT and a Stewart TD run it turned out to be a 28-19 win. The Falcons coach has bugged teams by the number of challenges and 4th down attempts against the Panthers this year. Short week to get ready for Miami on Thursday with ex Panther offensive coordinator Dan Henning so expect a heavy dose of "Wildcat". Delhomme has been turnover free for the past three games though I thought he was credited with a fumble at the Saints.

Anahem Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller may replaced Delhomme as the player on my favorite teams that I worry about the most. He could not make a save when needed last night at Detriot. How does a 2-1 game going into the 3rd period end up 7-4 in regulation with the Ducks tying it up 3 times? Hiller let Getzlaf, who had a point (1 G, 3 A) on all 4 Duck goals last night, and his other teammates down. I expect Giguere to play Monday at Pittsburgh. This team is capable of a 5 game winning streak without Pronger they just need to show it. 6-9-3 is not getting it done.

The Lakers are the ones I should least worry about and should bounce back versus Ariza and Houston tonight. Denver will get a sense of realatiy when they compe to Staples.

11/1-11/6 Panthers, Ducks and Lakers

First off that was an unexpected win for the Carolina Panthers over the Arizona Cardinals to get a measure of revenge for the playoff defeat. Even better was Delhomme having no turnovers although he did not finish the game either due to injury. Finally Steve Smith got a touchdown. I doubt they can do it Sunday at the Saints but one way they can is by having Williams and Stewart just average 4 yards a run over the big run. This will help keep the Saints defense on the field where Brees can not hurt them.

For the Ducks the Wisnewski suspension was a joke. I went to the Ducks-Penguins game on Tuesday. It was a good game despite the lost but the Ducks just let Pittsburgh do whatever they want in their offensive zone in the 3rd. On the first Pittsburgh goal in the period they could have cleared the puck. On the game winning goal they put no pressure on Pittsburgh and were kind of lost since Marchant was stickless. They got a 4-0 shutout over the Nashville Predators last night which I only hope is the beginning of a winning streak to get back to .500 or better. I have been to 5 Duck games and these were my best seats in section 312 right in front of the Jack Daniels bar before I was stuck in the 400s.

Boy the Lakers had a tough road trip in Oklahoma City and Houston. I worry about their lineup tonight vs Memphis with the Bynum elbow injury and Gasol not back yet Odom may be the starting center.

Why Fox Why?

Today Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox announced that Jake Delhomme is still the starting quarterback. I have to ask why the season is already wasted no way they make the playoffs(look at the last 4 games of the season are against, it's ugly.) For a team without a '10 first round pick its time to see to if the quarterback of the future is already on the roster. So start Matt Moore.

Someone please wake up the Ducks and tell the NHL to suspend the on ice officials from Monday's game vs. Toronto. It was an embarassment to the league How does a winless team going into a game get an 11 to 2 power play advantage not to mention 3 5 on 3's. The refs made the Ducks look like a freaking joke.

Quick sports thoughts

Last night felt good the Dodgers played their type of game 6 runs with 13 hits but with 3 BIG Philles hits they lost 8-6. Clayton Kershaw was never the same after a seven or eight pitch walk to Ryan Howard in the 4th inning Howard could have been struck out on two of those pitches. Have to hope for the best this afternoon.

The Carolina Panthers beat Wasington Redskins 20-17 for their first win of the season. I predict they will be 3-3 with Tampa Bay and Buffalo upcoming

Ducks keep playing you game you'll be fine.

Note This will now be a Sports Only blog. My Comic thoughts have moved to FlashGL78's DC thoughts