I have to admit, I expected a lot more fireworks from the NHL Entry Draft on Friday night, especially from Brian Burke. I guess he was saving all his ammo for the beginning of the silly season on the 1st of July. I hear Anders Eriksson is available. And now, on to this weeks questions.
From: Tom
Comments: Where do you think Dany Heatley winds up or does Ottawa force him to play?
Answer:
Hey Tom, love the question. There is such a thing in the NHL -- and in life -- as “character matters.” After demanding to be traded from his second NHL team, you have to really start to wonder about Heatley’s character. I sat in an Atlanta court room as Heatley was sentenced in the tragic death of Dan Snyder. In the aftermath of that ordeal, Heatley requested a trade. The Sens stepped up and pulled off the deal. The Sens then went out of their way to accommodate Heatley during his time in Ottawa.
So Cory Clouston gets hired as the Sens new coach and wants Heatley to be more of a complete player and he decides he wants out? Even worse, Heatley has the nerve to hand Bryan Murray a list of teams he wants to be traded to. What a freaking joke. Murray is so hamstrung that Heatley could very well still be a member of the Sens by the time training camp opens in September. Dany needs to grow up and realize that he’s not going to get everything his way all of the time. If Clouston wants him to be a complete player, Heatley has a responsibility to the fans of Ottawa and to the organization to man up and do what the coach tells him. If I was a Sens fan, I would be livid at this guy.
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From: Blazer
Comments: Hey Jim, you said you worked at a rock radio station so I assume you know your music. Just wondering what song(s) you would enter to if you were a boxer, closer etc … ? Thanks.
Answer:
Hi Blazer, I love this question. If I was a closer, I would insist on Motorhead’s "Ace of Spades." That way I could have Dan Shulman of ESPN refer to me as "Ace" Lang when I was called into save the day in the 9th inning before a capacity crowd. If I was in the WWE or the UFC, I would have to go with AC-DC's "It’s a long way to the top" just so I could have a little bagpipe action as I entered the arena.
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From: Doug in Saskatchewan
Comments: Langer, who’s hotter, NESN's Heidi Watney or ESPN's Erin Andrews? For what it's worth Heidi gets my vote … Love those Red Sox … Although I wouldn't kick Andrews out of bed for eating crackers either ...
Answer:
Hi Doug, while I have been happily married for over nine years, I wouldn’t kick Erin Andrews out of bed for eating a dead skunk. However, if you’re asking me which one is hotter, I have to go with NESN’s Heidi Watney. Of course, neither one of them is hotter than my wife.
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From: Randy
Comments: Hey Jimmy boy, I love Bob Cole on HNIC- it's just not the same intensity watching and listening to Jim Hughson. Will Bob be back next season to do regional games? I know he is getting up there in age but he still has the voice. I believe he is truly the best in the business.
Answer:
Hi Randy. Jim Hughson and Bob Cole are both amazing play-by-play men. It’s just that Coley has that little something extra with his voice that is impossible to duplicate. Hughson is the main man at the CBC, and deservedly so. I know this, Bob Cole will continue at Hockey Night in Canada as long as they still want him. Doing play-by-play in the NHL at the elite level of a Hughson or a Cole is a very, very difficult skill.
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From: Keith
Comments: Hey Jim, as the CFL season is about to begin, just wanted your pick as to who is going to take home the Cup this year?
Answer:
Hey Keithmeister, thanks for the question. It’s tough to predict this far ahead, but I can tell you it’s no one from the East. The Stamps are still the best team in the CFL. Unless Jesse Lumsden and the Eskies or Geroy Simon and the Lions pull off the big upset, it will be the Stampeders once again.
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From: Znowbird
Comments: Good morning Jim; Do you think there is ANY chance that Winnipeg will get back into the NHL?
Answer:
Well Znowbird, if Gary Bettman ever steps down as commissioner, then Winnipeg has a chance. Until then, keep dreaming.
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From: studlyguy
Comments: Hi Jim, what is a conditional draft pick mean in hockey?
Answer:
Hey studlyguy; it means just what it says. Often one team will do a deal where they give up a second-round pick to the other team on the condition they make the playoffs, or a fourth-round pick if they miss the post-season. Hence the term, conditional draft pick.
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From: Jonathan in Windsor.
Comments: Hi Jim. First, let me say, look forward to Thursdays when you are on with your pals Craig and Matt on the Rock 95.1 FM. Now, with the NHL Draft, is it wrong that I'm having Alexandre Daigle deja vu when it comes to John Tavares? There is just something about him that says overrated to me.
Answer:
Hi Jonathan, yeah I love my weekly radio hits in Windsor. Craig Venn was the best man at my wedding and is a great friend. I hate to tell you this, but I can’t see how John Tavares could end up being the bust that Alexandre Daigle was. I think Tavares is far more motivated to be the best he can be in the NHL than Daigle ever was. You know why a young guy like Steven Stamkos is going to have a good career? Because he’s spending all his free time this summer working out with the master blaster, Gary Roberts. Tavares is the same kind of kid and he has way too much pride and desire to be the best to fail.
You have to pick up the latest edition of Sports Illustrated, the one with Joe Mauer on the cover. There’s a moving story about softball player Mallory Holtman and her incredible display of sportsmanship. It’s a must read for every sports fan.
