Just a quick FYI: Tuesday, November 3 will mark the 11th anniversary of the state of Minnesota voting former wrestler Jesse "The Body" Ventura as its Governor. A real life former Navy SEAL, Ventura played the role of Staff Sergeant Blain Cooper in Predator, one of my all-time favourite movies. And now, on to this week's questions.
From: Peter in Edmonton
Comments:
Hi Jim, I realize it's very early season and this is very hypothetical, but if Dustin Penner is still in top five in scoring in December, does Penner make the Canadian Olympic Team?
I remember in 2002 Gretzky did an interview when Iginla was leading the league in scoring and Gretzky basically said, "How can you keep the top scorer in the NHL off your team?" Could you apply that to Penner? He is currently the high-scoring Canadian, I believe.
(Editor's note: As of Monday morning Canadians Patrick Marleau (21) and Rick Nash (20) are ahead of Penner in points, who is tied with Joe Thornton (19).)
Answer:
Hi Peter, I love the question. With the Oilers on the road, I asked our intrepid reporter Gene Principe to ask Dustin the following question: ”On a scale of a 1 to 10 – what has been Pat Quinn’s impact on your season?”
Gene told me that Penner said he couldn’t even put a number on what a difference Quinn has made to his game. Let’s face it, Penner’s career has been rejuvenated since Quinn took over as head coach.
At his current rate, Penner is on pace for a 50-goal, 100-point season. If that isn’t good enough to be part of Team Canada, what is? I am not sure what Steve Yzerman will do, but if Penner keeps this pace up, they would be crazy not include as part of Team Canada.
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From: Don
Comments:
Do you have a thing against Brett Favre? I have sent you very thoughtful questions about the best QB in the history of the NFL and you have yet to answer one! My bet is that you still hold a grudge against Brett for surpassing Marino in the record books.
Answer:
Hi Don, sorry for not getting back to you sooner, my wife had me locked in the basement doing a bunch of dry-walling. No transition time for Jimmy. Now I think Brett Favre is an amazing quarterback, definitely one of the best ever. However, I don’t believe he is THE best ever.
When you talk about the best QBs in NFL history, I feel you have to look at both the regular season stats, and the post-season stats.
Favre has set standards for NFL quarterbacks that may never be beaten. But the fact remains that Favre has one Super Bowl ring to his credit. Meanwhile, Joe Montana led the 49ers to wins in four Super Bowls. He had 122 pass attempts in those four games and did not throw a single interception. When it was a big game and the 49ers absolutely needed a big play, Montana delivered.
In 22 career playoff games, Favre threw 39 touchdowns and he had 28 interceptions.
In 23 career playoff games, Montana threw 45 touchdowns and has 21 interceptions.
Montana’s numbers in his four Super Bowl victories is remarkable: Joe Cool had 122 pass attempts, zero interceptions, 11 touchdowns and had a quarterback rating of 127.8.
Favre is a living legend and is having a great season with the Vikings, but he is not "the best" quarterback in NFL history. That honour goes to Joe Montana.
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From: Joe the Millionaire
Comments:
What are your point projections for the first three picks in this year’s NHL draft?
Answer:
Hi Joe, it’s nice to see a man who isn’t shy about his wealth. Let’s start from No. 3 and work our way up.
No. 3: Colorado Avalanche, Matt Duchene (Brampton Battalion, OHL)
Duchene is a great talent and he’s has looked right at home in the lineup. At the pace he’s on now, Duchene should scored between 15-20 goals and end up with roughly 50 points.
No. 2: Tampa Bay Lightning, Victor Hedman (Sweden)
I can see Hedman ending his rookie campaign with something like five goals and maybe 30 points.
No. 1: New York Islanders, John Tavares (London Knights, OHL)
So far, so good for the former OHL superstar. Tavares is on pace to score 25-30 goals and tally 60-65 points.
However, the real prize rookies this year were not found in the top three selections. One of the best rookies so far this season was taking in the second round, 33rd overall by the Avs in Ryan O’Reilly. The former Erie Otter is on pace to have a 70-80 point season. Not too shabby for a second round pick. To me, the best rookie so far this season is Rangers defenceman Michael Del Zotto. Selected in the first round, 20th overall in the 2008 entry draft, Del Zotto has been a revelation for the Rangers. Del Zotto is logging just over 17 quality minutes of ice time a game and he’s on pace for a 20-goal season. Unheard of numbers for a rookie defenceman the NHL.
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Next week, I will be writing a Remembrance Day edition of the mail bag blog. I will only respond to questions regarding military history, war movies and our Canadian troops in Afghanistan. I have already received a few good ones, please keep them rolling in. More importantly, go out and buy a poppy from a vet and wear it with pride.
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