So by now you might be aware the Toronto Maple Leafs, led by captain Dion Phaneuf (or Neon Dion, his unflattering nickname in his Calgary days, apparently) lost 5-2 to the Calgary Flames. We'll get to that. We'll also get to how LeBron James has proven that there is no bad publicity; a couple of disgusting - and terrifying -- stories about infections in pro sports, some reaction to the first instalment of HBO's Penguins-Capitals reality series and odds on what kind of dog Michael Vick might get - when he's allowed to own one of course.
It's Seven in the morning after the jump
1. Canadian teams B Division
We're not going to dwell to long on the game, or Dionpalooza. We think the headline on Eric Francis' column in the Calgary Sun kind of sums it up -- "Phaneuf's return a big bust" -- as does the little exchange at the end: There were none of Phaneuf's trademark hits and no aggression shown during play or after a whistle. Suffice it to say, his return wasn't what he envisioned. "Well, no," said Phaneuf during a typically frosty exchange when that was pointed out. "We got beat 5-2, so no it wasn't." Just like old times.
Things are bad enough in both Calgary and Toronto that there was some serious discussion before the game about which franchise is in worse shape. If you are a Flames fan cover your eyes, says my good friend Darren Yourk at Leafs Beat, then again, Leaf fans, your team lost to these guys: The Flames currently sit in 14th spot in the Western Conference and GM Darryl Sutter has assembled a veteran-laden roster with a number of horrific contracts. Former Leaf Matt Stajan, who is making $3.5-million through the 2013-14 season, has one goal in his last 43 games. Olli Jokinen bombed in his first time around as a Flame, but that didn't stop Sutter from bringing him back on a two-year, $6-million deal in one of the most puzzling off-season moves in recent history. The totals so far this season: four goals, 12 points and a +/- rating of minus seven. Niklas Hagman ($3-million per season through 2011-12) has 12 goals in his 52 games in Calgary and Ales Kotalik (on the same contract as Hagman) has also struggled mightily.
Looking forward, Sutter has left himself very little cap room to work with and the team's system isn't exactly stocked with can't-miss prospects. Also fun for Flames' fans this year: Constant speculation that captain Jarome Iginla will end the season in a different sweater and head coach Brent Sutter is on his way out. (How'd you like to be Darryl at the Sutter family Christmas this year? He already traded his son and could be close to firing his brother. Happy Holidays!).
Both the Leafs and Flames can only look to Edmonton and think: that's how losing is supposed to work - you get bad, even really bad - for a few years and you draft players like Jordan Eberle, who scored two goals in an Oilers win last night and is tied for lead in the rookie scoring race, or maybe even a Taylor Hall, who had three assists and sits third, while leading in goals with 10.
2. Welcome back Sam
To know Sam Mitchell, is to, well, shake your head at Sam Mitchell. He was born to make boring moments interesting, a guy who couldn't stand the mundane and would try to fix that by picking on people; generally in good humour, though not always. He's back in Toronto tonight as an assistant coach with the the New Jersey Nets who play the Toronto Raptors. In my time covering the Raptors Mitchell was the head coach for four and a bit seasons, I was witness to some of these moments related here by then Sun beat guy Steve Buffery: Near the end of one season, the Raptors were playing a road game and I interrupted his pre-game planning to ask a question (apparently a dumb one). "Stumpy," he drawled. "I've had enough of your your bullshit. I'm giving you a choice. I'm going into that locker room right now and I'm going to tell the players that you're gay or you're in the Klu Klux Klan. Pick one or the other.""You better tell them I'm gay," I said. Sam then marched in the locker room and yelled: "Listen up everybody. Stumpy here is gay." The only guy in the room was Morris Peterson, who looked up from tying his shoes, shrugged his shoulders and replied: "Okay coach" and then continued tying his shoes. Once the Raptors were in Vegas for the Summer League action and I asked Sam if I could interview the team's rookie, P.J. Tucker. "P.J." Sam screamed across the gym. "Stumpy here wants to interview you." "Okay, coach," P.J. replied. "But watch what you say," Sam continued. "He don't like black people."
3. The Washington Capitals season is threatening to spiral down the drain like so much greasy dishwater. They've lost seven straight games, and the most exciting offensive team in hockey has scored five goals against teams other than the Leafs in that stretch. And for added fun, it's all being documented by US cable network HBO for a four-part reality TV series in advance of their meeting with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the Winter Classic. The spotlight has found Bruce Boudreau, the beleaguered Caps coach caught on camera delivering 15 f-bombs in just over a minute during an intermission speech and then had his club give up two third-period goals and get shut out by the Florida Panthers.
Is Boudreau on the bubble as the Globe's hockey brain trust debates? He shouldn't be, says Washington Post columnist Mike Wise, beyond Boudreau's salty language, the HBO cameras caught a complacent team "led" by a broody captain, in Alexander Ovechkin: "The toughest part of [Boudreau's]job isn't the losing. It's realizing that the collective heart in that locker room may not be as big as the talent - that for all the Hart Trophies and goals the Great Eight accrues, he and some of his supremely talented teammates might still be too young and cocksure to realize what it takes to win at the NHL's highest level. You want to point a finger, point it at Ovechkin. He is the best target in that locker room. He has had three goals in his past 17 games. Since the "C" was sewn on his jersey this past Jan. 5 after Chris Clark was traded, he hasn't exactly exuded the word, "Captain."
4. I'm totally fine with Michael Vick getting another dog:
What the Philadelphia Eagles redeemed (on the field at least) quarterback did was wrong, horrifically so, and reveals an amazing lack of judgement. But he's paid a steep price for his crimes, and when his sentence allows, he should be able to have a dog. He said he wants one in an interview published on Wednesday and reiterated it on Thursday. "I really mean what I say," Vick told the Associated Press. "I don't have a problem. I'm not a psychopath. I'm not crazy. I'm a human being. What happened in my past and what I did in the culture I grew up in doesn't shape and mold me as the person I am now. I said it before that I wish I can own a dog, and I'll continue to say it. I'm not allowed to, but I'm just saying I wish I could because my kids ask me every day."
Let him have a dog, I say. Just make sure he picks up after if it does its business on my lawn or sidewalk. Not everyone does and I hate them for it.
5. This is gross, and terrifying:
One of the most dangerous threats to the health of athletes these days is infection. As part of their jobs they are constantly getting scraped and cut and work in environments where bacteria counts are high. If you're not squeamish, read this story in from ESPN: The Magazine about the risks of infection in pro locker rooms and elsewhere and then - if you still have the stomach for it - this story about how a cut on his arm nearly cost Golden State Warrior forward David Lee his career: "They tried four or five antibiotics, but nothing was helping," he said. "Just after the first surgery, we thought everything was good. They cleaned it out, and then (the infection) came right back and (the doctors) said there was nothing to counter the bacteria." And if the bacteria couldn't be countered, Lee was told, a drastic measure would have to be taken. "Before they found the right medicine, which was kind of a one in a million thing, they were talking about possibly having to cut out my tricep muscle in my forearm," Lee said. "It could've been something where I never played ball again."
6. Stern: superstar narcissists good for NBA
NBA commissioner David Stern is in a tricky spot: He wants to roll back player salaries by about $800-million, shorten up contracts and reduce guaranteed money because the NBA's financial structure is out of whack, at least for owners. But all this at a time when Amir Johnson can get a $30-million contract and television ratings are up 30 per cent. After suggesting that the recession is good for ratings - more people with less to do - he also said the The Decision - LeBron James self-produced television special where he announced he was taking his talents to South Beach - was good for the league: "It tipped off with a great deal of interest about the Heat, about the decision," says Stern. "It seems to have gone from there, and the storylines that are unfolding are not necessarily about the Heat but about San Antonio, about New Orleans' start, about the Knicks' start, the Lakers' start and then stumbling a little bit, it's across the board. A whole variety of storylines that have given our fans the opportunity to look at our players...It's all gelling."
7. What's the line on a Chocolate Lab?:
We live in a horrible, terrible world. People are making book on what kind of dog Michael Vick will eventually get:
What will be the first type of dog Michael Vick will own after his supervised release?
Pit Bull ….. 1/1
Bulldog ….. 2/1
Labrador ….. 5/1
Golden Retriever ….. 6/1
German Sheppard ….. 7/1
Poodle ….. 25/1
Chihuahua ….. 30/1
(Must own a dog by December 31st 2012 for wagers to have action).