Frontline: No Surprize
Hmmm... well Tampa took over in the third, so I caught a good chunk of Frontline [Ed] and no suprises: corporate radio, corporate greed, MTV and the CD killed the music industry.
Face facts folks, it's true. Have your boy Sherman program your Way Back machine back to 1986, when the music industry was all ready on the ropes [because of home taping, the original 'file sharing'] and looking dead. Then the CD came out and we all snatched up fresh, clean copies of the vinyl we stole from our parents or brothers and that carried the industry for a while... then BIG companies like bought up music labels and Catalogs [Sony buying CBS/Columbia, Universal buying MCA, Time/Warner merger anyone?] and then the labels bought up the little indie labels that were breaking NEW artists, effectively cutting off their feeder system... then corporations can own a thousand radio stations and they program all of them the same... the guy from Rolling Stone put it best: "Suddenly the guy from Philly who was a little crazy and would play a record no one else would is GONE." Finally, the MTV image over substance takes over; can you imagine trying to get an UGLY band like the Velvet Underground or the Turtles [who did great POP songs] or AC/DC with Bon Scott on MTV? It's all flash, no pan anymore. David Crosby said "It doesn't matter that Brittany Spears is about as shallow as a birdbath because she's appealing." I remember reading something about MTV killing the mysticism of rock because you used to only see about ten photographs a year of your favorite band, 'if you wanted to know what they looked like, you had to go to their show.'
So the music industry has run out of ways to sell you repackaged Who, Rolling Stones and Doors [maybe] and because it's all bottom line driven, they're not breaking new artists... stop me if I haven't been telling you the same thing for the last FIVE YEARS. And the backlash has begun because people are tired of paying 15 bucks for a CD with two good songs and a bunch of SHIT [Attention AEROSMITH!!!]. The manager of Outkast said the onus comes back to the industry to make GOOD records again... what an idea. Someone pointed out that ARTISTS are being told to have their end done by this date to get their album on the X Quarterly earnings report... "Mick Jagger is INSPIRED, he doesn't WANT to have his record done by this date..."
They focused on two 'artists', Sarah Hudson a Goldie Hawn/Mark Hudson daughter like Kate and the new 'Supergroup' Velvet Revolver [GNR and Stone Temple Pilots]... one who will be an 'image', one who will be a real musical statement, though I don't know who is buying Velvet Revolver... I think I have moved past that, but I don't know. It seems so 'throwback.' And one is doing very well, one is not. Guesses?
Sure music is a one in a million shot [or about 100 in 37,000 according to the show] but Frontline made it seem like a cold cold business. Man I feel sorry for you guys putting your hearts out there on your sleeve and doing shows and all that. It made me want to sell my guitars, honestly.
Ok, SUM UP: Basically, the Music Industry took you, the consumer for granted and assumed you would eat up whatever flavor of the month they shoved in front of you. And you finally had the balls to shove it back in their face. Good for you.
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Rock and Roll Is Dead As Kenndy in Dallas
97.1 KEGL [most recently just 'The Eagle', but formerly Eagle 97, formerly Z-97... yes, that goes WAAAYYY back... I remember they had a 'Beatles A-Y' weekend (no 'Z', get it?) the weekend before the change, like 1983/84?] is now 'Sunny 97.' Great, just what the metroplex needs, another Neil Diamond- Simon and Garfunkel - ABBA- John Denver pushing station.
Now I haven't listened to the Eagle for more than two songs in a long time, but where are the Alice In Chains - Tool - Metallica - Korn crowd going to turn to now for their music? The Eagle went to that when the satelite radio metal channel Z-Rock went under, now there's no place for the disinfranchised white youth to go but the 'Urban' channel, or totally underground, like the metal [I mean real metal: Metallica, Slayer, Metal Church] of the early 80s. There's nothing for them left on the air in Dallas. There's the Bone 93.3, heavy on 80s hair metal [Def Leppard, Poison, Motley Crue, Dio]; the Edge 102.1 for the 'Nirvana and Post Nirvana' crowd; boring old ZPS at 92.5, heavy on Eric Clapton, Led Zep and Stevie Ray; Molidie Goldie Oldies on KLUV, KISS' Top 40, some heavy Urban Contemparay, oldie R&B, Adult Alternative [no screaming guitars]... country, but that's even splnterred to 'New Country', 'Classic Country', 'Texas Country' and 'Americana.' There's no place now for 'Grunge and Post Grunge Hard Rock.'
I guess it's inevitable... just like TV and records, the audiences keep splintering into smaller and smaller Niches. I got DIGITAL CBALE [Comcast's idea, not mine] with the 57 music channels [INCLUDING Latin Holiday Music, how's that for a niche?] with:
Rock
Classic Rock
Soft Rock
Power Rock
Alternative
Progressive Adult Alternative
70s
80s
New Wave
Metal
I mean... that's SPINTERED!
I don't know, maybe it's just me mourning the loss of Radio. I know I spent COUNTLESS hours listening to the radio, ever since I have been aware of hearing as a sense. Just thousands of hours between age 6 and 19, when I stared getting more into records and had a decent selection... But back then, radio was what I had, and I heard a lot of things, long before Corporations pigeonholed us into 'Rock/Classic Rock/Metal/ Soft Rock/...' You could hear Fleetwood Mac Rumours into Chicago into Cheap Trick into ELO into David Bowie into a little Earth Wind and Fire... I was an AM/Top 40 junkie before we hit Texas and I was turned on to FM, but even in the late 70s/early 80s, it wasn't all about "We only play THIS. We don't play THAT." Sometimes I miss that. It's refelcted in my tapes that go from Metallica to U2 to Missing Persons to CCR...
Bo Roberts reminded me this morning that this was about money. The demographic for the Eagle [18-24] doesn't have any and 'they don't get car dealer ads, they don't get beer ads, they get the Gas Pipe...' I know. I KNOW. But still, anything that keeps promoting the splintering of US vs THEM makes me a little warier.
97.1 KEGL [most recently just 'The Eagle', but formerly Eagle 97, formerly Z-97... yes, that goes WAAAYYY back... I remember they had a 'Beatles A-Y' weekend (no 'Z', get it?) the weekend before the change, like 1983/84?] is now 'Sunny 97.' Great, just what the metroplex needs, another Neil Diamond- Simon and Garfunkel - ABBA- John Denver pushing station.
Now I haven't listened to the Eagle for more than two songs in a long time, but where are the Alice In Chains - Tool - Metallica - Korn crowd going to turn to now for their music? The Eagle went to that when the satelite radio metal channel Z-Rock went under, now there's no place for the disinfranchised white youth to go but the 'Urban' channel, or totally underground, like the metal [I mean real metal: Metallica, Slayer, Metal Church] of the early 80s. There's nothing for them left on the air in Dallas. There's the Bone 93.3, heavy on 80s hair metal [Def Leppard, Poison, Motley Crue, Dio]; the Edge 102.1 for the 'Nirvana and Post Nirvana' crowd; boring old ZPS at 92.5, heavy on Eric Clapton, Led Zep and Stevie Ray; Molidie Goldie Oldies on KLUV, KISS' Top 40, some heavy Urban Contemparay, oldie R&B, Adult Alternative [no screaming guitars]... country, but that's even splnterred to 'New Country', 'Classic Country', 'Texas Country' and 'Americana.' There's no place now for 'Grunge and Post Grunge Hard Rock.'
I guess it's inevitable... just like TV and records, the audiences keep splintering into smaller and smaller Niches. I got DIGITAL CBALE [Comcast's idea, not mine] with the 57 music channels [INCLUDING Latin Holiday Music, how's that for a niche?] with:
Rock
Classic Rock
Soft Rock
Power Rock
Alternative
Progressive Adult Alternative
70s
80s
New Wave
Metal
I mean... that's SPINTERED!
I don't know, maybe it's just me mourning the loss of Radio. I know I spent COUNTLESS hours listening to the radio, ever since I have been aware of hearing as a sense. Just thousands of hours between age 6 and 19, when I stared getting more into records and had a decent selection... But back then, radio was what I had, and I heard a lot of things, long before Corporations pigeonholed us into 'Rock/Classic Rock/Metal/ Soft Rock/...' You could hear Fleetwood Mac Rumours into Chicago into Cheap Trick into ELO into David Bowie into a little Earth Wind and Fire... I was an AM/Top 40 junkie before we hit Texas and I was turned on to FM, but even in the late 70s/early 80s, it wasn't all about "We only play THIS. We don't play THAT." Sometimes I miss that. It's refelcted in my tapes that go from Metallica to U2 to Missing Persons to CCR...
Bo Roberts reminded me this morning that this was about money. The demographic for the Eagle [18-24] doesn't have any and 'they don't get car dealer ads, they don't get beer ads, they get the Gas Pipe...' I know. I KNOW. But still, anything that keeps promoting the splintering of US vs THEM makes me a little warier.
Saturday, May 08, 2004
Lots of stuff to cover:
1. NHL Playoffs
Saw Tampa Bay come back and wear Philly down today. Nice game. Looking forward to thye hard working, fast San Jose Calgary series. Yes, I said Toronto would win the Cup. Would like Tampa and whoever comes out of the west. Since this may be that last hockey of calander 2004, better enjoy it.
2. Michael Moore Is a Big Fat Liberal Pig
So Disney no longer wants to distribute his film. SO WHAT? Micheal Moore is a man with an agenda [What, Bowling for Columbine wasn't anti-gun? Roger and Me wasn't an attack on big business?] and companies shy away from the controversial ALL THE TIME. This movie is going to be controversial in a big way [" The film, Fahrenheit 911 is critical of President Bush's actions before and after Sept. 11 and describes Bush's relationships with powerful Saudi families, including that of Osama bin Laden. "] and Miramax/Disney wants no part of it. Let Micheal Moore contact all his Hollywood friends and get distribution through another comapny. Someone out there wants to be the next Washington Post and say "The President knew what when and where." Hell I am SURE Molly Ivans with throw in a couple mil on an independat distribution to see 'Dubba-U" kicked around...
My co-worker Jim and I were discussing and he said this, which I think sums it up."Funny how they are calling it censorship. As we all know, a private company making a decision about what it wants to do is nobody else's business. [my italics] For them to use the censorship word or the phrase 'corporate censorship,' is ludicrous. Disney/Miramax would LOVE to distribute a Bush bashing flick. The Weinsteins (Miramax) are so tight with Barbara Streisand and her beliefs that they have her on speed dial. Miramax, (the company who loves supporting indie films and filmmakers.) But [they] backed out of working with Mel and his indie Jesus flick. Disney has no choice but NOT to distribute the Moore flick. Jeb Bush would revoke those Orlando tax breaks so fast it would make your head spin. Disney doesn't need any more problems."
3. Van Hagar and Pixies Touring, Whatever Happened to Speed Burning Guitarists?
Sammy's back with Eddie, Alex and Mike. YAWN. Pixies are touring at $ 50 a seat. I hope they are calling this a "Filthy Luchre" tour as well. Joe Satriani has a new album out, which I know because I saw a commercial on TV. Is anyone still listening to that heartless but techinically great [if you understand music theory] speed shredding guitar anymore? Jeez, give me Al Dimeola or Larry Carlton or Father Frank [Zappa] any day.
4. When the Rain Comes, They Run and Hide Their Heads
Was doing my spring cleaning today when I heard the thunder. Had to go roll up the windows, stood out in a cold spring rain. Fell good on a body hot from scrubbing floors [Yes, on my hands and knees, it's the way my Mom taught me.] Watched people ducking for cover like they were walking or driving through acid. They missed their chance to get soaked down. I can relish the memory in August when it's 100 for the 12th day in a row.
5. Jasper Stone
I went out to Azle last weekend to see Edaward-O and tracked the new record with Ed [and got my copy]. Ed is right, it rocks like fuck. It makes me sad Henry isn't here for me to tell him that this is the best band record yet.
By the way, they are playing Dada Friday night 5/14 and I am putting Ed up here next weekend, so let's get a Saturday Hootenany going in my living room, eh?
6. Stuff THIS in your peace pipe, J Michael Leone
I have decided under the Rock and Roll Discussion Group debate rules of November 2003 [see archive] that LED ZEPPELIN was the last rock and roll band. Proof: How the West Was Won with the Whole Lotta Love complete with Elvis [et al] medley. Eveything after Zep was a derivative of Zep or something else.
7. It's JUST a TV SHOW!!!!
Goodbye friends... let's see if I feel the same when ER goes... probably.
1. NHL Playoffs
Saw Tampa Bay come back and wear Philly down today. Nice game. Looking forward to thye hard working, fast San Jose Calgary series. Yes, I said Toronto would win the Cup. Would like Tampa and whoever comes out of the west. Since this may be that last hockey of calander 2004, better enjoy it.
2. Michael Moore Is a Big Fat Liberal Pig
So Disney no longer wants to distribute his film. SO WHAT? Micheal Moore is a man with an agenda [What, Bowling for Columbine wasn't anti-gun? Roger and Me wasn't an attack on big business?] and companies shy away from the controversial ALL THE TIME. This movie is going to be controversial in a big way [" The film, Fahrenheit 911 is critical of President Bush's actions before and after Sept. 11 and describes Bush's relationships with powerful Saudi families, including that of Osama bin Laden. "] and Miramax/Disney wants no part of it. Let Micheal Moore contact all his Hollywood friends and get distribution through another comapny. Someone out there wants to be the next Washington Post and say "The President knew what when and where." Hell I am SURE Molly Ivans with throw in a couple mil on an independat distribution to see 'Dubba-U" kicked around...
My co-worker Jim and I were discussing and he said this, which I think sums it up."Funny how they are calling it censorship. As we all know, a private company making a decision about what it wants to do is nobody else's business. [my italics] For them to use the censorship word or the phrase 'corporate censorship,' is ludicrous. Disney/Miramax would LOVE to distribute a Bush bashing flick. The Weinsteins (Miramax) are so tight with Barbara Streisand and her beliefs that they have her on speed dial. Miramax, (the company who loves supporting indie films and filmmakers.) But [they] backed out of working with Mel and his indie Jesus flick. Disney has no choice but NOT to distribute the Moore flick. Jeb Bush would revoke those Orlando tax breaks so fast it would make your head spin. Disney doesn't need any more problems."
3. Van Hagar and Pixies Touring, Whatever Happened to Speed Burning Guitarists?
Sammy's back with Eddie, Alex and Mike. YAWN. Pixies are touring at $ 50 a seat. I hope they are calling this a "Filthy Luchre" tour as well. Joe Satriani has a new album out, which I know because I saw a commercial on TV. Is anyone still listening to that heartless but techinically great [if you understand music theory] speed shredding guitar anymore? Jeez, give me Al Dimeola or Larry Carlton or Father Frank [Zappa] any day.
4. When the Rain Comes, They Run and Hide Their Heads
Was doing my spring cleaning today when I heard the thunder. Had to go roll up the windows, stood out in a cold spring rain. Fell good on a body hot from scrubbing floors [Yes, on my hands and knees, it's the way my Mom taught me.] Watched people ducking for cover like they were walking or driving through acid. They missed their chance to get soaked down. I can relish the memory in August when it's 100 for the 12th day in a row.
5. Jasper Stone
I went out to Azle last weekend to see Edaward-O and tracked the new record with Ed [and got my copy]. Ed is right, it rocks like fuck. It makes me sad Henry isn't here for me to tell him that this is the best band record yet.
By the way, they are playing Dada Friday night 5/14 and I am putting Ed up here next weekend, so let's get a Saturday Hootenany going in my living room, eh?
6. Stuff THIS in your peace pipe, J Michael Leone
I have decided under the Rock and Roll Discussion Group debate rules of November 2003 [see archive] that LED ZEPPELIN was the last rock and roll band. Proof: How the West Was Won with the Whole Lotta Love complete with Elvis [et al] medley. Eveything after Zep was a derivative of Zep or something else.
7. It's JUST a TV SHOW!!!!
Goodbye friends... let's see if I feel the same when ER goes... probably.
Sunday, May 02, 2004
Looking Back Down a Hard Row to Hoe
Was looking over the archives and found my October NHL predictions... let's see how I did:
HITS!
DALLAS: curious to see how well Marty Turco plays for the first three weeks. If he is bad, this team can sink.
I am going to claim this... the Stars went EXCATLY as Marty Turco carried them... when he lost his rythym going into the playoffs, they were indeed sunk.
VANCOUVER: With Todd Bertuzzi and Marcus Nasland, this teeam continues to be dangerous. If one of the Sedin twins can step up and produce some points, they could go far.
partial credit... one of the Sedins did step up and they were awesome in the regular season... right up until TB stuck his glove into a big mess... cannot recover from a loss like that, even though he was having a wretched year [or one of his Islander years...]
PRETENDERS: CHICAGO [home of the BLACKHAWKS; remmeber they were an original 6 team?] is a major market, so why does their management continue to operate like a small market team.
Trend continued trading away Alexei Zhamnov and Steve Sullivan... good young core there, but they will not be contenders for another five years...
If NASHVILLE can stay healthy, they also could sneak in at a 7 or 8.
And they scared the big bad Red Wings, outworking them all series long and winning the franchises first two playoff home games ever.
TAMPA BAY, not WASHINGTON will win the South-Least in a runaway. John Grahame will allow Nick Khabibulin to sit once in a while, like when the Montreal comes to town, and Vincent Lecavilier and Brad Richards will continue to spark plug a good offense.
... nuff said
PRETENDERS: Washington, like Philly, will continue to search for production from overpaid aging stars liek Jagr and Bondra. They will miss the playoff entirely when Carolina sinks them with two weeks left in the season. Success for the PITTSBURGH PENGUINS will be leading the league in power play percentage with Mario Lemieux, and 20 wins. Other than that there is litle hope for my Pens.
Well I missed that Washington could even be IN the playoff race with two weeks left in the season, but oh well. The Pens lost Mario early but put up great power play numbers... not sure they got 20 wins but played competitve late in the year...
BIG MISSES!
COLORADO will win the West. They're fast, they're super skilled and they can outscore anybody like nobody's business.
Well it looks like San Jose has the work ethic to down the 'Lanche here, though 'They're not dead yet...
DETROIT: Can this "Over the Hill Gang" suck it up for one more run at the Cup? Considering Chris Chelios was done LAST YEAR, I'd say... maybe. Hull, Shannahan still dangerous, Zetterberg and Datsuk seem to be real deal, Hasek will be good, but Detroit will go as far as Steve Yzerman carries them. If the captain goes down, [or anyone, really] they do NOT have the depth to recover.
partial credit... Hasek was a miss and they were able to overcome injuries all year long, but they seem to be able to be outworked in the playoffs... Nashville did it to them for that series and now Calgary is capable...
NEW JERSEY will win the East again. They now have the best goaltender in the game and they still have a defensive system in place and three lines that can score. They have a couple guys who can be high scorers [Elias, Friesen and Langenbrunner, who I am predicting will emerge to take Joe Nieuwendyk's place, and John Madden, who remains a dangerous two way player] but do not have a dominant line since the Jason Arnott - Peter Sykora - Patrick Elais line was broken up. But scoring by committee works for them. I think Marty Brodeur remains the X factor who gets the job done over Ottawa.
partial credit: Elias picked up game, Scott Gomex became their set up guy after Langenbrunner went down and the EGG [Elias, Gomez, Gionta] line became a great line... still, no one else picked it up behind them and the Devils sank like a rock in the first rouond...
OTTAWA remains the # 2 pick in the East. They have great scoring and great goaltending, I just think Martin Brodeur continues to dominate the game and make runs at all of Patrick Roy's records. The full time addition of Jason Spezza will add to a ferocious offensive attack and many are predicting that this is year Wade Redden come into his own of the blue line. Havlat, Alfredsson, Hossa still the best right side in hockey. Still, I will take the Devils. They just KNOW how to shut people down!
partial credit: Took Toronto to seven games in a very physical playoff series, but early bad play cost them a high seeding...
BOSTON continues to be a threat because of Joe Thornton, Glenn Murray, Sergei Samsonaov [after missing much of last year after wrist sugury] and Mike Knuble, but their D has questions, is Felix Potvin an upgrade, and will they have a second line? But the B's can make teams miserable with a big, if inexperianced defensive group. Boston is also a major market team with poor management [ala Chicago] problems.
partial credit: Rookie goalie stole the show there, shored up D and spent some money getting Gonchar and Nylander at the deadline [creating a second line]... untimately killed by a hard working speedy small team...
The NEW YORK Hockey RANGERS will finally earn their slalries and make the playoffs this year. And it will be a rejuvenated commitment to defense by Brian Leetch,Tom Poti and Greg de Vries that will make it happen. They WILL decide to sacrifice points for defensive coverage and the whole team will follow suit, led by Bobby Holik and Mark Messier. They will have a top 20 scorer in Alexi Kovalev. Questions remain of the left side though and Mike Dunham will be worn out by the time the playoffs roll around. Bet on them to lose in the first round.
Well I was RIGHT about Dunham...
PRETENDERS: TORONTO, good offense, no defense, Eddie the Eagle back to 2001-02 numbers and going crazy by year's end. Niewendyk back with Gary Roberts, though, give offsensive depth. Still, blue line a joke.
Eddie had a great year and their blue line was decent [shored up late adding Leetch]...
FINALS: COLORADO over NEW JERSEY in 6.
Well, nobody's perfekt...
Was looking over the archives and found my October NHL predictions... let's see how I did:
HITS!
DALLAS: curious to see how well Marty Turco plays for the first three weeks. If he is bad, this team can sink.
I am going to claim this... the Stars went EXCATLY as Marty Turco carried them... when he lost his rythym going into the playoffs, they were indeed sunk.
VANCOUVER: With Todd Bertuzzi and Marcus Nasland, this teeam continues to be dangerous. If one of the Sedin twins can step up and produce some points, they could go far.
partial credit... one of the Sedins did step up and they were awesome in the regular season... right up until TB stuck his glove into a big mess... cannot recover from a loss like that, even though he was having a wretched year [or one of his Islander years...]
PRETENDERS: CHICAGO [home of the BLACKHAWKS; remmeber they were an original 6 team?] is a major market, so why does their management continue to operate like a small market team.
Trend continued trading away Alexei Zhamnov and Steve Sullivan... good young core there, but they will not be contenders for another five years...
If NASHVILLE can stay healthy, they also could sneak in at a 7 or 8.
And they scared the big bad Red Wings, outworking them all series long and winning the franchises first two playoff home games ever.
TAMPA BAY, not WASHINGTON will win the South-Least in a runaway. John Grahame will allow Nick Khabibulin to sit once in a while, like when the Montreal comes to town, and Vincent Lecavilier and Brad Richards will continue to spark plug a good offense.
... nuff said
PRETENDERS: Washington, like Philly, will continue to search for production from overpaid aging stars liek Jagr and Bondra. They will miss the playoff entirely when Carolina sinks them with two weeks left in the season. Success for the PITTSBURGH PENGUINS will be leading the league in power play percentage with Mario Lemieux, and 20 wins. Other than that there is litle hope for my Pens.
Well I missed that Washington could even be IN the playoff race with two weeks left in the season, but oh well. The Pens lost Mario early but put up great power play numbers... not sure they got 20 wins but played competitve late in the year...
BIG MISSES!
COLORADO will win the West. They're fast, they're super skilled and they can outscore anybody like nobody's business.
Well it looks like San Jose has the work ethic to down the 'Lanche here, though 'They're not dead yet...
DETROIT: Can this "Over the Hill Gang" suck it up for one more run at the Cup? Considering Chris Chelios was done LAST YEAR, I'd say... maybe. Hull, Shannahan still dangerous, Zetterberg and Datsuk seem to be real deal, Hasek will be good, but Detroit will go as far as Steve Yzerman carries them. If the captain goes down, [or anyone, really] they do NOT have the depth to recover.
partial credit... Hasek was a miss and they were able to overcome injuries all year long, but they seem to be able to be outworked in the playoffs... Nashville did it to them for that series and now Calgary is capable...
NEW JERSEY will win the East again. They now have the best goaltender in the game and they still have a defensive system in place and three lines that can score. They have a couple guys who can be high scorers [Elias, Friesen and Langenbrunner, who I am predicting will emerge to take Joe Nieuwendyk's place, and John Madden, who remains a dangerous two way player] but do not have a dominant line since the Jason Arnott - Peter Sykora - Patrick Elais line was broken up. But scoring by committee works for them. I think Marty Brodeur remains the X factor who gets the job done over Ottawa.
partial credit: Elias picked up game, Scott Gomex became their set up guy after Langenbrunner went down and the EGG [Elias, Gomez, Gionta] line became a great line... still, no one else picked it up behind them and the Devils sank like a rock in the first rouond...
OTTAWA remains the # 2 pick in the East. They have great scoring and great goaltending, I just think Martin Brodeur continues to dominate the game and make runs at all of Patrick Roy's records. The full time addition of Jason Spezza will add to a ferocious offensive attack and many are predicting that this is year Wade Redden come into his own of the blue line. Havlat, Alfredsson, Hossa still the best right side in hockey. Still, I will take the Devils. They just KNOW how to shut people down!
partial credit: Took Toronto to seven games in a very physical playoff series, but early bad play cost them a high seeding...
BOSTON continues to be a threat because of Joe Thornton, Glenn Murray, Sergei Samsonaov [after missing much of last year after wrist sugury] and Mike Knuble, but their D has questions, is Felix Potvin an upgrade, and will they have a second line? But the B's can make teams miserable with a big, if inexperianced defensive group. Boston is also a major market team with poor management [ala Chicago] problems.
partial credit: Rookie goalie stole the show there, shored up D and spent some money getting Gonchar and Nylander at the deadline [creating a second line]... untimately killed by a hard working speedy small team...
The NEW YORK Hockey RANGERS will finally earn their slalries and make the playoffs this year. And it will be a rejuvenated commitment to defense by Brian Leetch,Tom Poti and Greg de Vries that will make it happen. They WILL decide to sacrifice points for defensive coverage and the whole team will follow suit, led by Bobby Holik and Mark Messier. They will have a top 20 scorer in Alexi Kovalev. Questions remain of the left side though and Mike Dunham will be worn out by the time the playoffs roll around. Bet on them to lose in the first round.
Well I was RIGHT about Dunham...
PRETENDERS: TORONTO, good offense, no defense, Eddie the Eagle back to 2001-02 numbers and going crazy by year's end. Niewendyk back with Gary Roberts, though, give offsensive depth. Still, blue line a joke.
Eddie had a great year and their blue line was decent [shored up late adding Leetch]...
FINALS: COLORADO over NEW JERSEY in 6.
Well, nobody's perfekt...