Raptors Thoughts

First I just wanna say that I love Victoria day and this weekend was totally awesome. Nothing beats bbq'n with family.

Hopefully these things happen for the Raptors. And again this is speaking from the viewpoint that Bosh is gone baby gone.

The Raptors either move up in the draft or still end up with a decent player at the 13th spot. This time of year is exciting because eventhough our team blows, this time of year provides us hope to look towards the future and getting lucky in the draft like PHX did when they picked 9th a few faithful years ago.

There's been a lot of lamenting going on down south in regards to Hedo.... TRUST ME... if you guys want him back in Orlando you can have him!!! FOR FREE~!~!~! Fuck, I bet we can even get Bryan to throw in a play or two for free just to unload him. Shit, I bet we can even get the GM of Orlando a new car or something.

Please please trade away Jose. I know he's been good in the past but the guy is a stiff on D and I am sick of watching guys break down the defense at Jose's expense. He might have an amazing ASST/TO ratio but if you count how many times he lets his man go around him... well you don't let a man go around you in any situation but if you count those times.... he's not looking like too good of a player.


Bosh mentioned his top 4... let me get that right for all you people. It's 4 teams. There's only one good option here for the Raptors. Let's get that straight. There's only one good feasible option and that his to take David Lee and/or Galinari in exchange for Bosh's rights in a sign and trade. There is not option in Chicago. If we do business with them we won't get back Noah. Not with his stock so high. And in turn we would get back garbage. People complain that Lee can't defend. But regardless... the Raps are in trouble and his scoring and rebounding would help. It might not be Bosh Caliber but it still helps. Galinari would just be icing but he's a very skilled player with heart and amazing up-side. Los Angeles? Bynum is a human ACL issue. I don't want damaged goods. He would only be acceptable as a consolation prize. It's like when we got Jermaine. He's good... if he can stay healthy. Which we all know he can't. Bynum is like Hakeem. He's good but he was one injury away from retirement. 

No matter what happens. I trust Bryan. All of you complain about Bryan but  he does something that I love. He actually makes trades and turns every stone for a possible move. He's not a chicken. Some of the things he's done might not have worked out (ie Hedo). But at least the bastard tries his butt off to make the team better. For that... I would follow him to hell and back I would.

Penguins show their mettle

The Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the Montreal Candiens last night and showed their mettle in playoff situations. Coming back from a long rest between series after ousting the Ottawa Senators, it was unsure whether or not they could bring their A game.

Beating the Senators was very gratifying as the Sens were not an elite squad but one that had something to prove. They could be dangerous but I think in the end the biggest factors in the outcome of the series is of course the skill and leadership provided by Crosby and Malkin but more importantly I think is the playoff experience that the Pens have accumulated over the past 3 years. As everyone knows, this team has played a shit load of games in the past few years but seem to still be able to chug along.

The Sens have on their roster a couple of what I would call jerks in Chris Neil, Andy Sutton, and Daniel Alfredsson. Why are they jerks? Well Chris Neil is paid to be a jerk. Basically he's Darcy Tucker, or the Pen's version of Matt Cooke. Nothing wrong with that I guess but when you're on the other team you hate him, it's natural and It was pretty sweet to wipe the smile off his face. Andy Sutton as well is a jerk and it's also his job. A job he does well. He's physical and difficult to get around. Daniel Alfredsson is a jerk cause he's Ottawa's main man and he's got this jackass demeanor about him that Toronto fans have become used to. The fact that he didn't do too much in the series makes my day.

The Pens have some jerks as well but naturally we love them cause we're on their side. Matt Cooke is obviously our main agitator. Similar to Neil, he may be a jerk but he's also skilled which makes him dangerous. In fact, his skill was what got us 2 goals and the series clinchers in game 6. So, to Neil and the Sens... Suck it.

The Habs were thanked by every team in the East as well as every fan of the remaining said teams for ousting the overrated, under-prepared, and just downright stupid Washington Capitals. They just couldn't change their strategy against the Habs and kept driving the puck into the zone and firing a shot off  the skate of whoever was in front of them. It's like watching a lemming hurl itself off a hill or a cliff. That being said, all credit must be given to the Habs for having heart, and to Halak for being solid between the pipes.

Last night however, the Pens dispelled the idea that Halak is unbeatable and that the Hab's will and determination would overpower any of the competition. The Pens put 5 by Halak before he got yanked. Despite coming out of the gate fast and putting a goal past Fleury, the Pen's resident moron. The Habs could not adjust to the obviously different strategy that the Pens brought in. But that's why you play playoff hockey, you never know what's going to happen. Especially with the idiotic monkey flopping around between the pipes for the Pens, it would be dangerous and stupid to underestimate the Canadiens. They will adjust. They were able to shut down Malkin and held Crosby without a goal. Let's not celebrate a trip to the East final yet people. Let's not forget we lost Jordan Staal for the foreseeable future. Staal is an absolute rock for the Pens. Extremely powerful boardwork, physical and defensively focused. Staal is a huge loss for the Pens as he was the defensive stalker for the Pens against the opponent's top line. I guess it's an eye for an eye sorta as Andrei Markov was also injured although I do not know the extent of his injuries. 

Hopefully the Pens can continue to bring it on the ice Sunday afternoon at Mellon.