MAYOR PUTS ARENA DEAL TO BED...AND MORE....
Jason Gregor
May 17 2013 12:23PM
Rumour has it this picture was taken at city hall early this week when the 7-year arena deal saga finally ended. City council voted 10-3 in favour of the final funding model, and unlike previous votes this should be the final vote as council waived the conditions, according to mayor Stephen Mandel.
BEST COLLAPSES IN SPORTS
Jason Gregor
May 15 2013 02:12PM
Don't worry Leafs' fans, you aren't the only ones who've felt the pain of a tough loss.
Ask a fan of the Oilers, Canucks or Flames about their recent heartache. The Canucks lost game seven of the Stanley Cup final in 2011, the Oilers did the same in 2006 as did the Flames in 2004. Sure, none of them had a 4-1 lead with 10 minutes to play, but your collapse came in the first round, not the 4th so it likely evens out.
PLAYER PROFILE: SEAN MONAHAN
Jason Gregor
May 14 2013 12:34PM
Whoever drafts Sean Monahan will be getting a very driven, mature and intelligent young man. I spoke with the projected top-ten pick and I came away very impressed.
WEEKEND WRAP: PLAYOFFS, THE DRAFT AND "Z" BETTER THAN "P"
Jason Gregor
May 13 2013 10:35AM
Photo: Michael Miller/Wikimedia
Henrik Zetterberg had no goals through the first give games of the Ducks/Wings series, but with his team down 3-2, Zetterberg showed up when it mattered most and potted 3 goals and 5 points in the final two games as the Wings upset the Ducks.
There is no doubt you need depth to win in the playoffs, but if your star players don't produce, it is unlikely your team will win. The Ducks got great production from depth guys like Emerson Etem, Nick Bonino and Kyle Palmieri (combined for 9 goals and 14 points), but their leading goal scorer in the regular season, Corey Perry, had no goals and only two points.
Zetterberg elevated his game when the Wings needed it, while Perry couldn't deliver for the Ducks. In his previous 43 playoff games Perry had 18 goals and 40 points, and he proved he could produce when it mattered most, but he couldn't this year and it cost the Ducks.
OILERS NEED MANY CHANGES TO COMPETE
Jason Gregor
May 09 2013 12:53PM
As usual the first round of the NHL playoffs has been great. The intensity, speed, passion and excitement reaches a new level and it is great to watch. However, it also illustrates how far away the Oilers are from being a serious contender. This team isn't just one or two pieces away.
Craig MacTavish and his staff will be hard-pressed just to make them good enough to stay in the playoff race next season.
