Wild

Random NHL Randomness 10/7/14: Isles, Jack Adams & Opening Night Traditions

Oct 7, 2014 • 10:23 am

Wrong sport, yes, but can we all agree that a great moment in juvenile-humour loaded sports came out if the pitching matchup of yesterday's Nationals - Giants game:

Fister vs Bumgarner

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While it's evident that the trade for Johnny Boychuk, in addition to Nick Leddy, serves as an immediate significant upgrade the Isles blue line, one could also argue that the impact could be especially meaningful is it relates to a player yet to even crack the roster: Joshua Ho-Sang.

Should his reputation actually be preceding him, and he stands to be a player in need of checking some ego at the door, the presence of a veteran with the record and voice of someone like Boychuk may serve the room well, and perhaps lead to some personal growth, even if begrudgingly, for the youngster. Look: he may be the Ferrari he feels he is, and if so we’ll be the better for it as fans as he’ll be a hell of a joy to watch. That being said, a Ferrari ego without a veteran steering wheel to help keep it on the road could be a dangerous, if not destructive, thing…

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I can see predicting stats-based, and even position-specific, award winners in the preseason as these in many instances can be supported through the benefit of past player output, and are largely based on individual performance.

Predicting the Jack Adams winner already though? That one sits a little funny for me. Are we not just short listing the teams we think will make the coach look good at the end of the season? (I hear Tampa Bay will be doing quite well this year with Jon Cooper at the helm...)

Riddle me this as well: why, when actual voting for coach of the year does occur at seasons end, aren't the players being polled as opposed to the NHL Broadcasters Association? Nothing against the broadcasters, but who better to assess a coach’s impact than the person being coached, or coached against? It’s kind of akin to this:

Let’s be selective here, no?

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The Minnesota Wild waived centre Cody Almond yesterday. When informed of the decision, Almond said.......

....Oh nuts!!!

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I'm sure you may have seen this ad-nauseum, but in case you haven't...

Great save, but karma in my opinion for treating an anthem like a side show...(still laughed!!!)

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So one more sleep until opening puck drop! Happens to be my second favourite night of the year (only to opening night of the playoffs), and one of two nights where I can be guaranteed to be able to watch the game sans child interference!

So, as per annual tradition, I will be sitting on the couch, a cool Moosehead Lager in one hand and a plate of wings near the other and diving into the 14-15 season. Would be interested in hearing and/or seeing what some of the traditions you folks have for opening night are for those kind enough to share! Perhaps if we get enough responses I can share them later in the week for all to see.

Send the stories and pics along to the address below, and enjoy my friends!

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Shawn Gates

shawn.gates@hockeybuzz.com

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