Perhaps...

...it just wasn't the right position
...this is just not for me
...the environment was not suited
...it was over my head
...it was a mistake from the start

...it could've went in a different direction
...more could've be done
...expectations were higher than it should've been

...it was just another lesson
...it was a challenge that needed to be overcome

Another one "down"

With the season over, and playoffs right around the corner, it feels like a repeat of 03-04. Thrust into a position where a challenge like no other presents itself. The similarities between no returning members, along with a team led by a rookie, and leading a team with youth with great potential, is not too different from gray and off-white. Stepping into a position of great responsibility, a position of great expectation, and more importantly, a position of greatness from the past, the expectation was high. While many assured this challenge would be met with great confidence, reality beg to differ. Many obstacles seemed impossible to climb, many holes seemed tto deep to climb out.

Like they say, a great beginning equates to winning half the battle. But it appeared as the battle was already lost before it even started. Never had so many challenges, obstacles and detours presented itself all at once, not even the experience of taking on all 3 positions on a new team prepared oneself for something like this.

It felt like the same battle all over again. Many times the feeling of inadequacy appeared, while regrets and questions of "what ifs" surfaces left and right after-the-fact. While rest assured the many positives to this project, one is left to wonder if more can be desired. Was it simply the bar of expectation being set too high? Or was it a wrong decision to begin with?

Certainly the blame cannot be placed on one shoulder, but is the responsibility not placed on a mature individual to lead the group? Whether by example, by action, or by words, is it not the responsibility to assist and provide guidance? Why did it feel like the efforts fell onto disabled bodies, words falling into death's ear? Improvements were clear in many aspects, but left much to be desired. Disappointments came as often as controversies in the sporting world.

Is expectation of oneself too high for those he was commanded to guide and assist? Was it simply a case of expectation too high? Stepping back into their shoes, at times, it became clear reason of disappointment was the immaturity of the others. Should immaturity solely be blamed? One could argue it could simply be a case of placing too much responsibility, or having too much expectation, for those who are simply not ready, or unwilling, to accept such.

Would it be simply a case of eating more than you can chew? Was it simply taking on a task too great, assuming responsibilities that one is not yet prepared for?

Food for Thought

"The nature of poker is for bad play to sometimes be rewarded and good play sometimes be punished. It's what keeps the fish coming back for more and ultimately pads my bankroll."

-Eric "Rizen" Lynch

NHL Awards Prediction

I hate work!!!! As a result of work, I have to turn down an offer to attend the 2007 NHL Awards Ceremony held at the Elgin Theatre on June 14th.

Onwards with the prediction.

Hart Memorial Trophy - Team MVP

Sidney Crosby - Winner
Martin Brodeur
Roberto Luongo

Sid the kid came back from his rookie season to put up even better numbers to lead his team to the playoffs. Even better is that he did it as a 19 year-old.

Vezina Trophy - Best Goalkeeper

Martin Brodeur
Miikka Kiprusoff
Henrik Lundqvist
Roberto Luongo - Winner

Pretty disgusting that Brodeur will be shut out with awards in a season where he put up career best (and league record) in wins, and led the NHL in shutouts. But Luongo turned the Canucks around single-handedly, and I believe the sports-writers who voted on this award will probably give the award to Luongo based on the fact that Canucks would not have the record they have without Luongo.

Calder Memorial Trophy - Best Rookie

Evgeni Malkin - Winner
Jordan Staal
Paul Stastny

Nothing again Stastny, but like Crosby, just bad timing. Malkin lived up to the pre-season hype much like Crosby did just a year ago. Malkin is pretty much the run-away winner for this award. Jordan Staal was simply amazing doing what he did as a 18 year-old this season, but he is a distant third IMO.

James Norris Memorial Trophy - Best Defenceman

Nicklas Lidstrom - Winner
Scott Niedermayer
Chris Pronger

Probably the hardest award to pick a winner for this year. Nick Lidstrom was simply amazing in leading the Wings to win their division the year after Yzerman and Shanahan left the team. It just seems like every year the same 3-4 players are nominated for this award. With the voting taking place before the playoffs, I think its down to Pronger and Lidstrom. Pronger and Lidstrom had similar stats, but Pronger played 10 or so less games. I am going to lean towards Lidstrom, simply because he inherited the C from Yzerman, and carried it to a division champion. Pronger is going to be a very close second, but the overall voting will be VERY close between all 3 finalists.

Jack Adams Trophy - Best Coach

Lindy Ruff
Michel Therrien - Winner
Alain Vigneault


Like the Vezina, the coach with the best stats will not win this award. Lindy Ruff won this award last year simply because no one expected the Sabres to achieve the level that they did. And this year, Michel Therrien will win the award simply because Pittsburgh over-achieved, or performed beyond expectation. While Therrien will win the trophy, Ruff will be a runner-up despite leading the Sabres to a President Cup winning year.

Lester B. Pearson - Best player as voted by players

Sidney Crosby - Winner
Vincent Lecavalier
Roberto Luongo

Hard to go against Crosby for everything he did this year, both personal stats and team wise. But for some reason I have this gut feeling that it might go to Lacavalier or Luongo.

NBA Finals Prediction

Spurs in 5. Another playoff MVP for Duncan. Lebron carries his team but falls short.