I Root for You, I Root for You Not
Some random thoughts about why I may or may not be able to root for a team in the playoffs.
Ottawa
Can: High scoring plus Brian McGrattan can let me watch any team easily.
Can’t: McGrattan might not see the ice in the playoffs and with only three wins in April, this is a #1 seed team that looks like it’s limping in. Fans seem like they won’t relish a thing unless they beat Toronto, which isn’t possible. Dominik Hasek.
Carolina
Can: Just to stick it to all the people who say hockey doesn’t belong in the south. It’s easy when the team is built around speed and they’re fun as hell to watch.
Can’t: If (if!) there’s no hype in the area it’s going to be a total buzzkill to watch games. They can be pushed around, no fun watching a team go through that.
New Jersey
Can: They’re right here and I can probably go to a game last minute. The team is on fire and Jacques Lemaire-style be damned, they’re more fun to watch than they’ve been in a long, long time.
Can’t: They’re right here and I can probably go to a game last minute. That’s just sad. We’ve seen the Devils win the Cup three times already.
Buffalo
Can: I went to school in Buffalo, sat in the press box for a season, I learned to like them.
Can’t: That team is gone. While the team never really revolved around a superstar, it just seems completely faceless now.
Philadelphia
Can: Can’t think of much. I have friends in Philly, I can do it for them. Peter Forsberg is probably the best all-around player in the game and it’s fun watching his haters squirm.
Can’t: Besides being from NY, I’ve never been a fan of Ken Hitchcock teams, they play way too trap-like. First person who refers to this team, ranked 19th in fighting majors in the league with 25, as the Broad Street Bullies needs to meet up with one and see how they feel about the comparison.
NY Rangers
Can: I live less than 20 blocks away from the Garden, easy access. I’m in a fantasy baseball league with one of them. Management is friendly, especially compared to other traditional market teams.
Can’t: I grew up an Islanders fan. I don’t understand how JD can be so knowledgable and biased at the same time. They rely way too heavily on two players (Lundqvist and Jagr, as though you needed me to tell you that).
Montreal
Can: They feel small-market somehow. I like hearing French over the PA system. Craig Rivet and Sheldon Souray seem like they could play in any era.
Can’t: Who roots for the Canadiens?
Tampa Bay
Can: Vinny. They had an open style before the rules changes. Even after a season-long lockout, they were able to ride a Cup win to be second in the league in average attendance, despite almost not making the playoffs.
Can’t: I just saw them win and I rarely root for the repeat. It feels like this team is ready to fall apart at any second. They had 8 more goals scored against them than for them this season, just doesn’t feel like a playoff team. They’re a collective -109 on the season, just thought I’d throw that out there.
Detroit
Can: Just to watch Steve Yzerman go out in style. Chris Chelios is ageless. To see if they’d try and get Jiri Fischer’s name on the Cup.
Can’t: If they win the Cup they might get even more national coverage. 42 players in the NHL had more fighting majors this season than the Wings did.
Dallas
Can: Razor has become their web ambassador. They tied for the league lead in fighting majors with 51 and Steve Ott will drop the gloves even if he knows he’s outclassed. Mike Modano is still damn good and Jere Lehtinen had a hell of a Cy Young season and is still ignored.
Can’t: Sometimes I see a system instead of a hockey game.
Calgary
Can: This team is still a great mix of grit and skill. They didn’t need the rules changes. Jarome Iginla deserves it. Darryl Sutter reminds me of Sam the Eagle.
Can’t: If a Canadian market loses a team, they seem to pick Calgary as the team to root for because “they’re Canadian”, as though every team in the league isn’t. It’s annoying, I won’t join in. Because the Red Mile won’t be what it was two years ago. Boo.
Nashville
Can: See Carolina, substitute Staal for Kariya. Brendan Witt added toughness they should have had from the get-go.
Can’t: With Vokoun out there’s this feeling like they’re already done for.
San Jose
Can: I always like Joe Thronton. It’s fun saying Cheechoo. Ron Wilson is funnier than you think. I want the Sharks to win at least one game in OT and have Drew Remenda explode.
Can’t: It just doesn’t seem like the market has picked up on them right now and it’s a bit of a letdown. They shouldn’t have needed Thornton as much as they did.
Anaheim
Can: The rebirth of Teemu. Todd Fedoruk gets some decent ice time. The Niedermayer brother combo is working.
Can’t: They’re still the “Mighty Ducks”, it’ll be easier next season. Another team that may not play in front of a sold out crowd in the playoffs.
Colorado
Can: Ian Laperriere. Joe Sakic. Fewer stars, still good results.
Can’t: Not much here, not that there is on the “Can” side either. If I hear anything from the media about the long-dead rivalry against Detroit you can put that on the list.
Edmonton
Can: The underdog of the playoffs despite having a few more points than Montreal and Tampa. Hemsky might be the real deal.
Can’t: Because it feels like they made the playoffs by other teams losing instead of them winning. What the hell Mike Peca? Coin-flip in net. Still a small market roster in a league with a cap.
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