Sports Logic

Written by: Shaun Deering

Last night a memo was sent from the Chicago Blackhawks to the rest of the National Hockey League. The memo was short and to the point. It read "Sleep on us, and we will bury you." The Calgary Flames took a 5-0 lead eleven minute into the first period and slowly and steadily, the Blackhawks chipped away before winning the game on a Brent Seabrook overtime winner. Of all the teams in the league, the Flames should have been the most well versed team in the realm of Blackhawks comebacks but even they couldn't stop the bumrush.

If the Flames just looked at their most recent playoff failure, they would remember game 1 against Chicago where the Hawks scored late in the third period to tie and early in OT to win. Or if that is too far back for them, they could remember game 2 when they led 2-0 after the first period and were trailing 3-2 after 2. Again, if that somehow slipped by them, maybe game 4 when the Flames led 4-1 half way through the 2^nd and were tied at 4 at the end of the period could trigger a memory. So should anyone, especially the Flames be surprised by what happened last night? I know as I watched the game, when Chicago scored their first goal late in the first period, I had a feeling a comeback was on the horizon.

One last note on the Blackhawks' ability to comeback: During the playoffs last season, Vancouver led in the 2^nd period in all six games against Chicago and obviously lost 4 of them. This is the same Canucks team who lost 1 game when leading after two periods all of last season.

New GM, Same Old Maple Laffs

I'd be lying if I said I didn't take a little joy in watching the Maple Leafs struggling. It's not just because the national media treats them like royalty and will cover what John Mitchell had for breakfast. The real reason I am enjoying their early struggles is because of what it must do to Brian Burke's ego. Burke is a narcissist in the highest order, and as noted Burke detractor Al Strachan has stated, none of Burke's winning teams have been crafted by Burke himself.

When Burke took the job in Toronto, he preached patience from the media and the media bought it (imagine that). Then after half a season on the job, Burke's ego took over and he sped the process up by trading away puck moving, Stanley Cup winning defensemen and replaced them with pugnacity and belligerence. Francois Beauchemin was an AHL calibre defenseman until he was paired with Scott Niedermayer in Anaheim and Burke expected his play to stay the same playing with Luke Schenn or Ian White? Luke Schenn is going to be a good shutdown defenseman, but Scott Niedermayer he isn't.

After the free agent signings, somehow Burke thought his team was ready to win now and he traded two first round picks to Boston for Phil Kessel. This is the same Kessel who Claude Julien couldn't trust to play in the playoffs a few years ago, and has shown over time that he doesn't care for the dirty areas on the ice. Then Burke signs Kessel to a 5 year, 22 million dollar contract, effectively putting the Leafs in salary cap troubles.

Here's the scenario the Leafs could very realistically find themselves at June's entry draft. They are the worst team in the NHL, and they watch a divisional rival draft their first overall pick and their 2nd round pick. That would mean Brian Burke's first pick in the 2010 NHL draft would be 91st overall. Is Phil Kessel really that important to your hockey club?

Needless to say it would be poetic if the Leafs' struggles continue and Burke has to watch the Bruins select a lottery pick. Enjoy the truculence Brian because it's the only joy you're going to have for the next few years as the GM of the mess you and you alone have made.