Before the start of the Stanley Cup final this weekend, I was talking to a buddy of mine about Sidney Crosby. He was telling me he couldn’t believe how strong Sid the Kid was on the puck.
I promised him I would post this YouTube video of Crosby giving a sample of his offseason workout.
Say what you want, but the pride of Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia works out like an animal to get ready to dominate in the NHL.
And now on to this week's mail bag.
From: Keith – aka "Bubba"
Comment:
Hey J 2 DA C, I was wondering what’s been your most frightening experience to date with a Sportsnet viewer that has not agreed with your views on a subject? I'm sure every media person has a "crazed fanatic story." Thanks for being cool!
Answer:
Hi Bubba, great name. That’s a difficult question to answer. Back when I was the sideline reporter on the Argos radio network, I was pelted with peanuts by a bunch of irate Ticat fans at Ivor Wynne Stadium. I have been heckled numerous times out in the field reporting for the network. But that happens to pretty much everyone. The only “frightening” experience I have ever encountered in my eight years at Sportsnet took place about three years ago in Boston. I was walking out of the TD Bank North Garden after covering a Leafs/Bruins game and I almost got mugged by two extremely tough-looking dudes. Luckily I was able to come up with a quick story on the spot and talked my way of that scary scene. It had something to do with my wife spending all of my money at Home Depot and using a lot of “F” bombs. The two would-be muggers bought it and I quickly grabbed a cab. I immediately went back to my hotel and downed three pints of beer to steady my nerves.
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From: Mayur
Comment:
Hey Jim, I've been wondering who you think the Maple Leafs will pick with their 7th overall pick. Do you think they will move up and if that's the case, what spot do you think they will pick from?
Answer:
Hi Mayur, appreciate the question. There’s no way that Brian Burke is going to stand pat with the 7th pick. No matter what, Burke is moving up. I really believe his target is the Tampa Bay Lightning and their 2nd overall pick. The one thing the Leafs have a lot more of than the Lightning do is money. So if that means taking on one of the Lightning’s big money contract players as part of the package to move up, then so be it. I can’t wait to see what kind of wheeling and dealing will be going down at this year’s draft.
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From: Mark
Comment:
Hey Clubber, What happens when a junior player signs his first NHL contract but remains playing junior? What salary is he paid is what I am asking. I don't imagine he is paid his NHL salary (unless he gets called up on an emergency basis). What about if he gets a signing bonus?
Answer:
Hi Mark, according to a long-time former NHL G.M. I spoke to, a player only gets his signing bonus. In fact, he gets one-third of the bonus as it is paid out over the three years on his entry level deal.
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From: k-bob
Comment:
Hey Jim! What's your favourite NHL hockey memory? Mine was watching Lanny win the Cup with the Flames. Watching the effort the old dog put out was truly inspiring.
Answer:
Hi k-Bob, tough question. I’m a Leafs fan so I don’t have a lot of great memories to choose from. One of my all-time favourites is Doug Gilmour’s spin-o-rama goal against Curtis Joseph in the 1993 playoffs. Bob Cole was at the top of his game and Maple Leaf Gardens literally shook when Gilmour scored that goal. That’s not my favourite hockey memory. That honour goes to the stunning three-game final between Canada and the USSR in the 1987 Canada Cup. Three 6-5 games and some of the best hockey ever. I still get chills of the famous “Gretzky to Lemieux” goal call.
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From: Steve
Comment:
How many licks does it take to get to the Tootsie Roll center of a Tootsie Pop?
Answer:
Hi Steve, I can see by your question that you’re a philosophy major at the U of T. Of course, no two people will have the same amount of licks. An average Canadian male will take anywhere from 300 to 500 licks before hitting pay dirt. Legend has it that Pamela Anderson can do it in less than 30 licks. Than again, she’s a hall of fame talent.
Just a reminder, next Saturday, June 6th is the 65th anniversary of D-Day. Landing on Juno beach, the Canadian army advanced further inland against the German army than either the British or American army on what will forever be known as the Longest Day.
