I have to admit, the quality of the questions that are coming in just keep getting better and better, enjoy.
From: Marie-Chantal
Comments: Hi! My question is: how is it working with or around Nick Kypreos? What is the best part of working at Sportsnet? Thanks for taking the time to read my questions.
Answer: Hi Marie-Chantal. What a great name and a great question. Working with, and around, Nick Kypreos can be a little intimidating at times. The man is larger than life. Kyper has his name etched forever on the Stanley Cup. I have often said that going out to dinner with John Garrett while working on the road is an incredible experience, but going out to dinner with Kypreos is just as fun. Kyper's stories of his days with the Rangers and hanging with Messier are off the hook. Here's a little inside info on Nick: When we are on the road, he eats the same thing for breakfast every day - A honking huge Belgian waffle smothered in fruit, syrup and whip cream. At the end of the day, Kypreos is a good guy and a pleasure to work with. As for working at Sportsnet, it's awesome. I am blessed to work with some amazing people every day. When you see Evanka and me on the air together, there's at least 35 people working hard behind the scenes to make it happen. Best of all, there's a full Tim Horton's in our building. I have to tell you Marie-Chantal, I love my Tim Horton's coffee while I'm working.
From: Ren
Comments: In all honesty, why haven't the Edmonton Oilers fired Craig MacTavish yet?
Answer: Hi Ren. Well, I am not really sure. In fact, the only man that can really answer that question is Oilers owner Daryl Katz. No matter what the fans and the media are feeling in Edmonton or all across the Oilers nation, the final call is Katz's and his alone. (Though I am sure execs Kevin Lowe and Steve Tambellini will have some input on the matter.) I have to be honest: I am a big fan of Craig MacTavish the person. While some will debate his merits as a coach, MacT the person is about as good as they come. Of course, being a good person doesn't necessarily translate into success at the NHL level. In MacT's case, it just might be that he's been in Edmonton too long and the players need a different voice and a different way of doing things. However, until I come up with $200 million dollars and buy the Oilers, the decision is up to Mr. Katz.
From: Chase
Comments: How did you get the nickname "Clubber?" I love it!
Answer: Hi Chase, thanks for the question. I can't take credit for the nickname. It is all Daren Millard's doing. About six years ago, Millard and I were doing the Prime Time shift together and sometime during the show he called me, "Clubber". Well, at Sportsnet, everyone has a nickname. If you've ever seen Rocky 3, you will remember Mr. T's character, "Clubber Lang". I guess Millard thought I reminded him of Mr. T or maybe he just had trouble pronouncing my first name. No matter the reason, the name stuck. I get used to hearing people at work refer to me as Clubber, but sometimes I get taken aback when NHL GMs and players refer to me as Clubber. At home, my kids call me "dad". And that's my favourite nickname of all.
From: Matt
Comments: I think that the NHL's much maligned point system could be improved with a few small adjustments:
If a team loses: 0 points
If a team wins in regulation play: 2 points
If a team wins in overtime/shootout: 1 point
What do you think Mr. Lang?
Answer:
Well Matt, I think you are a heck of a lot better at math than I am. That's not a bad theory. I also like the theory where if a team wins in regulation, they get THREE points. I felt this would be a major incentive for teams to win in regulation time.
So it would be: win in regulation time, you get THREE points.
Win in a shootout or overtime, TWO points.
Lose in regulation you get NOTHING.
Lose in overtime you get NOTHING.
Lose in a shootout, you get ONE point.
My whole theory is that teams should be rewarded for playing to win in regulation time. I can't stand teams like the Minnesota Wild who constantly play to get into overtime or a shootout so they get at least a point. Besides, if teams get three points for a win, the last three weeks of the regular season would be incredible as teams pull out all the stops to get into the playoffs.
From: Baran in the UK
Comments: Which team do you support in football
Answer: Hi Baran, since you're e-mailing from the UK, I can only assume by football you mean the beautiful game. To be honest, I am an EPL free agent. Because my mailman hates Chelsea, I have to hate Chelsea too or I won't get any mail. My brother-in-law is a huge Liverpool fan. I have a lot of friends who love Manchester United. If I was going support a club in the EPL, it would have to be someone like Aston Villa. First off, Aston Villa is known as the 'Villans'. Team names don't get much better than that. Second, Aston Villa is based in Birmingham, the home of Black Sabbath. That's a big selling point to me. Finally, I love Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker. So… Aston Villa! Aston Villa! We'll support you ever more! We'll support you ever more!
From: Justin
Comments: If I said I loved you, would you love me?
Answer: Sure Justin, I love you too. But more in a let's-sit-around-and-drink-some-beer-while-listening-to-Rush's-epic-11-minute-and-57-second-version -of-By-Tor-and-the-Snow-Dog-from-their-live-"All the World's a Stage"-CD kind of way. However, if I ever find out you're a Denver Broncos fan, we're through.
Thanks again for all the great questions. I can't wait to see what's on deck next week.
