SALT LAKE CITY — We are in for the long haul out West, with five extra periods having been played and literally nothing solved in this 2-2 Conference Final. But if that means three more games of hockey of the pedigree displayed by the Anaheim Ducks and Chicago Blackhawks, then we say, “Bring it on.”
In the meantime, we bring you our “Thoughts From 35,000 Feet” as we try to make it to our favorite Anaheim watering hole (Dohenny’s) in time for the Game 5 puck drop at Madison Square Garden.
Not Mickey Mouse at all
Years ago they built one of the NHL’s gems, now known as the Honda Center, but (attention: Edmonton) an arena alone does not a franchise foundation make.
Slowly, with unsurpassed general manager Bob Murray at the tiller, the Anaheim Ducks have built a club that is stocked at every level — from players to scouts, to a media relations staff that is second to none in the NHL — and will be a genuine Stanley Cup contender as far as the eye can see.
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Drafting, trading, developing… There is a reason why Murray has been nominated for GM of the Year three seasons running now.
The Ducks have become an organization that any Canadian city would be proud to call its own, and if the Toronto Maple Leafs want to emulate someone, Brendan Shanahan should study this non-cap team that does more with less than any organization in the NHL.
Finn? Or finale?
Kimmo Timonen has been a true warrior, an under-sized, lion-hearted, Finnish defenceman cut from the same cloth as countrymen Risto Siltanen, Reijo Ruotsalainen, Frederik Olausson, Jyrki Lumme, Sami Salo and Teppo Numminen.
He has punched so far above his weight for so long that even a fan base in Philadelphia — which can’t agree whether cuddly puppies and newborn babies should be cheered or sent packing — unilaterally came to respect Timonen during his seven seasons with the Flyers.
Alas, overcoming a lost season at the age of 40, let alone to an affliction as serious as blood clots in his legs as Timonen did this year, turns out to be impossible.
After watching Timonen play at such a level during the Finns’ silver medal run in the 2006 Olympics, today we feel compelled to avert our eyes when he hops the boards to defend against players like Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry or Ryan Kesler.
Just because the conclusion is awkward, it should not taint the body of work however. For Timonen, that body will always be remembered as courageous and stellar. He was one of the best blue-liners the Suomis have given us, and for that we are genuinely thankful.
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Dane to succeed
What do you think young American goaler John Gibson, once the heir apparent to the pipes in Anaheim, is thinking while watching Frederik Andersen establish himself this spring? Is Gibson picturing himself in Sabres yellow-and-blue? Checking condo prices in Edmonton or Dallas?
We knew when these playoffs began that Andersen could play behind a very good regular season team. What he has proven however, is that he can be the backbone of a Stanley Cup contender in April and May.
As it turns out, Andersen just might be all the goaltender that these Ducks require in the future, while Gibson — who has been somewhat injury prone — might be worth his weight in draft picks or wingers one day soon.
Johnny O-Don’t-Ya
Chicago defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson was well worth that offer sheet the San Jose tendered back in 2010, and as such, was re-signed by the ’Hawks to a five year deal last summer. He is an Olympic caliber workhorse who fits nicely into that growing school of high-end Swedish defencemen that includes Erik Karlsson, Victor Hedman, Hampus Lindholm, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, John Klingberg, and of course, Niklas Kronwall.
Teammate Johnny Oduya, who is also Swedish, is not of the same pedigree. He is a solid No. 4, despite the impending UFA deal waiting for him this summer that will pay him like a No. 2 defenceman. Oduya will be overpaid by somebody this summer, and they will come to regret that.
Such is the way of free agency.
Richie Rich?
Wither Brad Richards? Once an elite NHL centreman, he is now 35 and finishing off a one-year, $2 million deal in Chicago.
His wheels have for a few years now begun to squeal, exacerbated by a game that annually speeds up around him. Today, he reeks of that ageing player who still looks all right on an elite team, but would be a disaster on any of 20 or so NHL clubs who’s tide can not raise his boat.
He has reached that territory where, if Richards takes too little salary, teams won’t be afraid to send him to the AHL if things aren’t working out. A career like Richards’ deserves better, thought the question becomes, does “better” mean hanging ’em up with grace?
Alas, all good things come to an end. We should all be able to retire in such comfort at 35.
