Don't Bet On NHL Coming To Canada

Hey Peeps and anyone else checking in. A special "Hey" goes out to Hazel Mae.

Thank you Jim Balsillie! For those of you wondering who Jim Balsillie is and why we are thanking him - Big Jim is the co-CEO of Research in Motion (the makers of the blackberry) and we are thanking him because his agreement in principle to buy the Nashville Predators has given us (me) a brief reprieve from listening to more crap about the Ottawa SenaTards Stanley Cup aspirations.

The topic of the day on sports talk radio up here was about what Balsillie would do with the Nashville Predators IF the NHL Board of Governors approved the purchase. While most fans up here are insisting that the team will be moved to Kitchener-Waterloo, because it isn't financially viable in Nashville, you have to keep in mind that the coverage I was listening to came from the land of the SenaTard.

The call would start with a SenaTard talking about how the logical choice was to move the team to Canada - to an area half-way between Toronto and Detroit, and a short drive to Buffalo - the sentiment is understandable. But as is usually the case with 95% of SenaTards, the second part of their argument/reasoning/comment would turn to how a team in Kitchener-Waterloo would erode the fan base of the Toronto Maple Leafs - that is what life is like in the land of the Tards...they are obsessed with the Maple Leafs.

These morons didn't bother to read the newspaper articles or listen to the entire tv/radio report - there are so many things to be considered, that Balsillie can't pull an "Irsay" and just move a team overnight. For Canadian hockey fans reading the page (I answered all your damn emails - lets see if you come back after the Cup final) the Nashville Predators are not, I repeat are NOT, coming to Canada - certainly not to Southern Ontario...for a variety of reasons, not the least of which are:

• the arena lease deal with the city of Nashville includes a clause that if they attract an average of 14,000 per game, they have to stay there or pay a stiff penalty for breaking the lease;
  
  
• the NHL has never considered moving to the Kitchener-Waterloo area, so they aren't going to let Jim Balsillie move his toy to his home town because he thinks the region can/will support a team. The NHL is trying to build a product that can sell in the US (they are failing miserably), American viewers are not going to tune in to see a team based in Kitchener...they didn't go for it what Balsillie tried to buy the Penguins, they are not going to go for it now;
  
  
• Territorial issues - the Buffalo Sabres aren't going to be too happy to see a professional hockey team in their backyard and you can bet they will be vocal opponents of any move to Kitchener, the Red Wings would likely balk...but of course, the Toronto Maple Leafs will be pointed to as the bad guys. Don't buy it, the threat that a team in Kitchener would pose would be minimal - Maple Leafs Sports Entertainment wouldn't be threatened by Balsillie. There is also a number of American owners in the Western Conference that would much rather travel to Kansas City than cross the border into Kitchener.
  
  
• What about Winnipeg that has been lobbying the NHL hard to bring a team back there - they have made a very convincing business case to the NHL about how they could be financially viable - the NHL said "Thanks, now go away."
  

Big dollars mean big markets...Kitchener doesn't match up with Kansas in terms of fan base and being ready to welcome an NHL team (KC has an arena ready for the first team that wants to move there). The NHL has Balsillie by the balls - they know he is dying to own a hockey team...so they'll tell him where he can operate it. So to all you SenaTards and Canadian hockey fans who haven't been paying attention - we don't run the NHL anymore, we don't even have much of a say in how it is run...nobody in the offices of the NHL cares that we think a team would work in Kitchener...its a moot point.

I knew this would happen - for those of you who checked in early this week and saw a picture of Miss Canada wearing a tailored Leafs Jersey - the SenaTards faithful has been loud and critical of her choice of jersey. Not surprising...I told you they were retards.


HAZEL'S THREE STARS
Atlanta Braves P John Smoltz pitched seven shutout innings in a 2-1 win over the Mets. Smoltz gave up seven hits, walked none and struck out five to pick up his 200th career win. Smoltz became the first pitcher to record 200 wins and 150 saves. Smoltz has been a pleasant surprise for the Maeple Leafs in the yahoo pool.

Toronto Blue Jays RF Alex Rios came off the bench to score the tying run and hit the winner in a 5-4 extra innings win over the Orioles yesterday - another pleasant surprise for the Maeple Leafs in the yahoo pool.

Detroit Tigers SS Carlos Guillen hit two home runs and drove in five runs in the Tigers 12-0 win over the Angels...not a member of the Maeple Leafs, but good for the Three Play.


FRIDAY THREE PLAY
A good night last night, going 3-1 and lowering our total for the week down to - $35.

Boston over Texas - after dropping 2 of 3 to the Yankees, the Red Sox are going to make someone pay, might as well be the Rangers. Lay $100 on the Sox - $180.

San Francisco over Colorado - we like Matt Cain tonight, and not just because he is a member of the Maeple Leafs. Lay $100 on the Giants - $160.

Milwaukee over San Diego - the Brewers will be looking to rebound after losing two of three to Red Sox West. Remember, the Brewers seem to score runs for Dave Bush, so take him over Maddux. Lay $100 on Milwaukee + $100.

That's it for this morning gang - have a great one peeps!


KEEPING HAZEL UP ON WHAT'S WHAT IN TORONTO
What the SenaTards faithful is truly concerned about

Leafs sign young Russian forward

Steve Simmons rubs salt in the wounds of Leaf Nation

The business of baseball in Toronto


HAZEL'S FRIDAY HOROSCOPE
Invest in yourself and your future. A move will do you good professionally or personally. Your energy is high and your desire and ambition will give you the competitive edge. 3 stars

Hazel, I hope things are groovy in your world - have a great weekend.

Song of the Day on Hazelspeeps - Lauryn Hill, formerly of The Fugees turns 32 today, we like Lauryn.

That Thing - Lauryn Hill

Peesth Out...Buh Bye!