Wednesday Wrap; Roy spurns Avs, Caps and Nats have roid rage, big games tonight

Wendesday, May 27, 2009

Here are the stories that are making the rounds today...

Patrick Roy turns down the Avalanche coaching job

Roy turned down the job for "family reasons." Fair enough. He also said that the offer was "very interesting", meaning I'm sure that it was worth a boat load of dough.

The Avalanche, by the way, still employ a head coach. His name is Tony Granato. Maybe he doesn't read newspapers, surf the internet, or watch television. Colorado's organization is starting to become a joke.

So by all accounts, it looks like Roy will be back bullying and trying to throw his weight around in the QMJHL again. I'm telling you right now, the Avalanche are better off without him. Roy has the potential to be the Steve Downie of the coaching world.

And yes, that is Stephen Baldwin. The resemeblance is un-canny.

Capitals get linked to steroids

Actually, so did the Washington Nationals, but nobody cares about them, and for good reason.

Strange story coming out of Florida today. A suspected steroid pusher was arrested and then claimed two of his biggest clients were the Caps and Nats. The arrested didn't name any specific players though.

The Capitals public relations team is working overdrive to sweep this story under the rug.

"We have no reason to believe there is any merit to this story, but the National Hockey League and the Washington Capitals take all such allegations seriously," said Capitals president Dick Patrick in a team release. "Capitals players have fully participated in the NHL's random drug testing program, and at no point has a Capitals player tested positive. In addition our players have been tested at international events, such as World Championships and Olympics. We welcome and will fully cooperate with the NHL's investigation."

You had better hope there is no merit to this story, Dick. The entire hockey world would be brought down a peg or two if this turned out to be true.

As of right now, nobody believes that the steroid pusher has an ounce of credibility, and you can't really argue with that logic. But keep in mind, the same was said about Jose Canseco when he named names. Just sayin'.

There has been no evidence uncovered to support this joke's claims, but the investigation continues. Gary Bettman holds his breath. Ted Leonosis eats a cheeseburger.

The Caps must have forgot to take roids before Game 7 vs Pittsburgh two weeks ago.

Tyson's daughter passes away

Mentioned yesterday that Mike Tyson's daughter was on life support after an accidental self strangulation. Sadly, Exodus Tyson was taken off life support yesterday and passed away.

Four years old. Tragedy.

Hopefully Tyson has a solid support group around him, because lets face it, he isn't exactly mentally stable at the best of times, let alone when he's faced with something as tragic as the loss of his daughter.

Here is hoping he surrounds himself with the right people to help him get through this.

NBA and NHL Game 5's tonight

The Chicago Blackhawks need a win to stay alive tonight. One win for the Red Wings and its Stanley Cup Final rematch city.

Lets face it. The Hawks have no hope in the long run. They have to beat the best team in the league three straight times. I can't see how that possibily happens, with or without Nicklas Lidstrom and Pavel Datysuk in the Wings' line up.

Hopefully the Wings can wrap it up tonight, meaning the Finals would start Saturday, instead of in NINE DAYS. Thanks Gary. Real nice piece of work there. You and NBC should get a room.

Over in the NBA, the Lakers and Nuggets take their show to the Staples Centre for Game 5 in the Western Conference Final, series tied at two apiece. I don't know anything about basketball, but figure I would throw that into the blog. That is all.

Tuesday Roundup: Oilers find their men, Zezel passes away, Caps lose another Russian

Tuesday, May 26 2009 All today's sports news and my (expert) opinion on it all.

Pat Quinn and/or Tom Renney is/are the new head coach/coachs in Oil Country

In all seriousness, Quinn is the Head Coach, and Renney is there to take the reigns when Quinn gets sick and has to retire. Both are signed to 3 year deals. Former Oiler Kelly Buchberger is the lone member of the old coaching staff to stay on. Charlie Huddy and whoever the other guy is won't be back.

Its an interesting move to say the least. The knock on Quinn in Toronto was that he didn't play the young players enough. Next thing you know he's winning gold medals coaching the World Juniors. Quite a transition, but you can't argue that he hasn't been successful. The young kids in Edmonton should learn a lot from him, and at the very least, be scared to death of him.

RIP Peter Zezel

It was reported out of Toronto early this morning that the former faceoff specialist was clinging to life in a Toronto hospital. Zezel died this afternoon at the age of 44.

He had long been battling a rare blood disorder known as hemolytic anemia, but the recent set back that eventually killed him stemmed from a complication from a surgical procedure late last week.

Zezel was an active memeber of the NHL Alumni Association and donated a great deal of time and money to several different charitable causes.

The Capitals are a little less "red" today

One day after reports that Sergei Fedorov was headed to Mother Russia to finish his career, the Caps are apparently down a second Russian.

Viktor Kozlov has reportedly inked a deal with a KHL team (I dont know which team, because I don't care. Its the KHL).

More and more Russias are going to be doing this, and I'm all for it. Fedorov's career has been over for about 4 seasons now. The KHL seems to be where dead horses go to be slaughtered.

Mike Tyson's daughter fighting for her life

Iron Mike's four year old daughter Exodus is on life support and in extremely critical condition after accidently wrapping a power cord around her neck.

Obviously very tragic... no matter what the outcome I hope Tyson has the mental stability to get through something like this.

Pens on the verge of clinching

Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals is literally about to get underway, with the Penguins one win away from booking a return ticket to the Stanley Cup Finals.

If theres any team that would come back from a 3-0 hole, it would be these Carolina Hurricanes. So far the Canes have been nothing more than a weak breeze, not putting up much of a fight against a rolling Pens team.

I don't see how the Canes get swept. Don't get me wrong, I hope they do, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Having said that... Go Pens!