As an Air Force brat, I moved around a lot growing up. So I always thought it was kind of cool that my buddy Jeff Martin and I lived in California, Greenwood, N.S., and Borden, Ont., at the same time. I hadn’t seen Jeff in 20 years and this past weekend I ran into him as his righteous punk band Garaga was playing a gig near the Sportsnet studios. Jeff is the Godfather of punk in Ottawa and if you get a chance, you have to see his band — they rock. Here’s a link if you want to hear a sample.
And now, on to this week’s questions.
Name: Tincup Canuck
Comment:
Hey Jim, a quick question about the “code” in hockey. My opinion is that staged fighting is 100 per cent pointless but a fight to stick up for a teammate has its place in hockey. I know people don’t like seeing someone go after a player after he just laid out a teammate with a clean, but thundering check. I like seeing those hits too, but I think that these acts of retribution are the essence of the “code.” The “code” is trying to deter the hits that will hurt somebody… what is your thought on the “code” in hockey?
Answer:
Hi Tincup, I love questions about the “code” in the NHL. The “code” is a sacred and ancient tradition in the NHL. Ken Campbell of the Hockey News had a brilliant column a few years ago, highlighting some of the major commandments of the “code.” I can remember vividly a Leafs and Flyers game back in the day when Wendel Clark laid out Mark Howe with a big hit and Rick Tocchet immediately dropped the gloves and it was on. I have no problem with that fight whatsoever.
Red Wings forward Brad May has survived to play over 1,000 games in his 19-year NHL career. So if there’s anyone who understands the “code,” it’s Brad. I asked Brad your question about the “code” and he was nice enough to respond the morning after they beat the Blue Jackets last Wednesday.
“It’s not that simple. It depends on who? The time of the game? Score? And if the hit is clean, or marginal? In many cases, it doesn’t matter if it’s a dirty hit or clean hit. A fight at that time is appropriate. It’s all about energy and momentum.
“For me, when I have made a big hit, I am overly sensitive that I may have to be accountable for that aggressiveness and fight. I believe that if you’re willing to dish it out, you’d better be willing to stand up for yourself too. I have also been on the other side and have overreacted, jumped in to fight and have put my team at a disadvantage (regarding) time and score of game and have hurt my team’s chances of winning that night. I’ve also not reacted to a hit like that and have been blamed for not being ready and held responsible for the team’s lacklustre performance.
“Intimidation is a huge factor and strategy. Fighting, or the threat of a fight, has its place.”
Spoken like a guy who has lived the life in the NHL for nearly two decades. Besides, any time I quote Brad May in a blog, it gives me an excuse to provide a link to one of the greatest goal calls in Rick Jeanneret’s incredible career.
Name: Dave
Comment:
What’s the big to-do about Tavares anyway? I feel he’s another dud, phenomenal in junior but won’t cut the mustard in the bigs and he never will be the next “great” one. I look deeper into the draft for the diamond in the rough as historically the Top 5 picks are a wash. And I feel this past draft is just that; not many studs, just a lot of over-hyped duds. Watch for Brandon Kozun picked late by the Kings, he is a Theo Fleury in the making and when I first saw him play I said that kid’s gonna put numbers up and people thought I was nuts. Last season in the WHL second in points overall not a bad call if I say so.
Answer:
Hi Dave, thanks for the question. I am not prepared to say that Tavares will be the NHL’s next great superstar, but to call him a dud is way off base.
It’s not like Tavares was joining the 1976 Canadiens; he got drafted by the Islanders for goodness’ sake. For a guy drafted by a bad team, I think Tavares is having a solid rookie season so far.
Good call on Kozun by the way, the dude is leading the WHL in scoring this year. Not too shabby for a 6th-round draft pick. Good on Dean Lombardi and the Kings.
Name: DJ
Comment:
Oh Jim, I need your help AGAIN. I have been to two major big box stores. No names but sound like Pucher Hop and Jest Bye; and neither one of them had one of those new Twitter gadjets. Can you help me out???? Where can I find??
Answer:
Hi DJ, great question. I love Twitter and I am a big fan of Jest Bye. Your problem is that you’re shopping in the wrong place. The best place to find Twitter gadgets, or widgets, is online. Just log on to Google and type in “Twitter widgets.” You should find tons of options.
Name: Pat
Comment:
I am puzzled by the self-aggrandizing tendency of many NBA, NFL and MLB teams to crown themselves “World champions” when they win their league championships. My question: why do players, executives and (some) media refer to the New York Yankees as “World Champions” when they are only the champions of MLB — a league that has teams in only 2 countries?
Answer:
Hi Pat, thanks for the questions. What you’re asking is less a reflection on the respective leagues and more a reflection on American society in general. North American baseball media will always refer to the World Series champions as the “World Champs.” Of course, the last time I checked, Japan has won the last two World Baseball classics. So take the term “World Champs” with a grain of salt.
Name: TJ
Comment:
What’s up Jim? I just wanted your thoughts on the Ilya Kovalchuk. Is he going to sign an extension in ATL? If not, where do you think he’s going to end up? Is there a realistic chance that he could end up in Edmonton, playing with Ales Hemsky?
Answer:
Hi TJ. Signing Ilya Kovalchuk to an extension is the least of the Thrashers’ worries these days. They have to find a way to get some fans to come to their games. By the look of the crowds at Philips Arena lately, the NHL is all but dead in Atlanta. With that in mind, I don’t see how the Thrashers are going to have the resources to give Kovalchuk the kind of money he will command out on the open market. As far as where he might end up, it will all depend on which team has enough cap room to sign him.
Name: Randy Peppler
Comment:
Hello Jim. I never post on the various sports forums for a number of reasons. I do enjoy reading a few blogs/columns weekly and yours is high on the list. I have never emailed a comment or a question to anyone who writes columns or blogs on a website. But in this case I will make one exception. In regards to your blog last week about Remembrance Day, thank you.
Response:
Randy, you are welcome. That’s a good way to end this week’s blog; keep the questions rolling in.