Talking heads are getting ready...

The stage is (almost) set (barring a miraculous comeback by the upstart 'Hawks), and there are storylines aplenty for this year's Cup Finals: Marian Hossa. The first possible repeat champion in ten years. The first rematch of teams since Edmonton-Boston in 1988 and 1990. The comparison to the Edmonton Oilers-New York Islanders Finals of 1983-84. Two of the three nominees for MVP. Can Crosby win it? Osgood finally getting the respect due him (and the ensuing debate about whether he is a Hall of Famer - I think a win puts him as a lock, especially if he wins the Conn Smythe). This is one of the best possible outcomes for the NHL - a rematch with many young stars in two hockey-mad towns in the US. I think it promises to be an entertaining finals no matter what happens, but I think the coaching and defensive edge goes to the Red Wings, who will win in 6.

Analyzing the Canucks' failure

The day after is never easy...trying to explain how things went wrong and why another season is over prematurely, the could-have-beens and should-have-beens, and the where-do-we-go-from-heres. The Canucks had it all going for them, but now they are losers yet again. So what happened? One of the easy explanations is to point to a shift in momentum in the series in the last three minutes of Game 4. Rather than returning to Vancouver with a 3-1 series lead, the series was tied, and the Hawks had it going for them. But it's not all based on momentum; after all, the Canucks could have regained control simply by winning Game 5 at home. I think their collapse (which is the best word for what happened) was due to a combination of several factors:
1. Luongo's wear showed at the end of the series. He played hard through an injury and regained his form, but he was tired by the end of the series. He was not helped by his defense, who let a lot of shots through, but he looked more fallible than normal.
2. The young players made mistakes. While Edler, Burrows, and the other baby Canucks had played above their pedigree against St. Louis, they started making errors and showing their inexperience.
3. Whither the Swedes? The Sedins and Sundin were all but invisible against Chicago. For players going to the free-agent market, Daniel and Henrik did not try as hard as they could (or should) have.
4. A lax attack. The Canucks backed off a lot as the series went on, and they didn't put pressure on the Hawks. Their forwards had more space, and the Canucks didn't press for shots.

So, there's the explanation. It doesn't help Canucks fans, especially because this year was shaping up to be one of their best opportunities to win the Cup. Their last best chance was 2003, when they choked away a 3-1 series lead against the Minnesota Wild. I don't know if the window is closed, but it's a little narrower now. And it's back to the drawing board for the Canucks, and the key question is whether this collapse is indicative of a need for a drastic rebuilding or just a little tinkering. My thought is that the team is a contender as is, and that they just didn't perform against a young, hungry team. The Canucks need to work on re-signing the Sedins and tweaking their line-up, rather than wholesale changes. After all, there is always next year...

Balsillie's bold move

Advantage: Balsillie. In the latest entry into the ongoing pissing contest between Blackberry CEO and prospective team-owner Jim Balsillie and NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Balsillie has the distinct advantage. He has made his move - the offer to purchase the bankrupt Phoenix Coyotes and move them into the most profitable hockey market imaginable - at the perfect time, and it could easily be argued that this display of tenacity and ingenuity is just the kind of character that should be present in an NHL owner. I honestly do not understand why the NHL does not want Balsillie involved, other than a seemingly meaningless vendetta emanating from Bettman's office. Perhaps it has its roots in pressure from the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have been accused of wanting to keep their monopoly in hockey's biggest market. I don't think that another team would make a dent on the Leafs anymore than the Senators have - if anything, it will bring more fans to the game and make the team more profitable as true fans emerge to support their team in the face of a regional foe. It might also make the Leafs want to develop a system in which a team would challenge for the Cup, which is good for hockey in general (yes, I realize how cynical that sounds; years of disappointment have left me jaded).
I can see why Bettman would not want this to happen - it demonstrates the folly of allowing the Jets to leave Winnipeg for Phoenix in 1996 and it almost certainly precedes his resignation within the next year. I just do not see how Bettman can justify keeping a team in Phoenix with the problems in the market. Gretzky coaching in Southern Ontario is the NHL's dream, and I think too many of the owners will finally turn on Bettman and side with Balsillie.