Canadian Destinations? Forget-About-It

Who truly wants to play in Ottawa?

Or Winnipeg?

Calgary . . . Edmonton . . . Vancouver?

What about those sainted burgs of Montreal or Toronto?

Not many.

The reality of today’s NHL, as we crest and eventually pass the arrival of the league’s free agency period, seems to have been altered. If you’re an American talent, you want to stick and stay with an American franchise (or move to). If you’re Canadian . . .  well, all bets are off.

To work off a local perspective then, let’s bring in Brady Tkachuk. This dominating, physical being essentially told people in the Ottawa organization that regardless of term and dollars, his preference would be to play south of the line.

Wish granted, and now Brady gets set to toil alongside brother Matthew in Sunrise, Fla.

Ottawa – gun to the head – got fleeced in the deal. Not one warm body, draft picks coming back in the return.

Fricking joke.

But, then again, this is the reality of today’s NHL.

Bottom line?

The players control the comings and goings of hockey’s biggest circuit. It’s no longer the managers that manage; it’s the skaters.

I want, I want and I want . . . sounds like your six-year-old kid, but that’s where we are. No-movement clauses, tight and tidy trade lists, it’s all in front of us.

 

LEAFS MAKE SPLASH

Boy-oh-boy, when John Chayka took the reigns to run the Toronto Maple Leafs, I was stunned.

No pedigree, unless running the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes counts, and an extremely poor reputation. In fact, so poor that a Toronto-based columnist ripped management/ownership for the hire at the initial media availability.

So then, what’s he done since?

Lots.

And I mean, lots.

Hiring Jim Hiller as head coach was equally stunning. But every time I hear Jim talk, sounds like he knows what he’s doing. I guess we’ll see how this plays out on the ice, but Hiller’s got my attention.

So, then we jet ahead to the first day of free agency and Mr. Chayka heads south to Florida. First up, the signing of free agent and (multi) Stanley Cup champ Sergei Bobrovsky. Before everyone dumps on the move (‘he’s too old,’ ‘he’s got no game left’), I like it. Face facts, Toronto was going nowhere fast after last season’s tire fire. Taking a shot on the Bob makes sense, in a crazy kind of way.

Next up?

Leaf-killer Nick Paul.

Chayka makes the move to bring in the Mississauga native and former Ottawa Senator. Yes, it costs you prospect netminder Dennis Hildeby, but with the Bob on board and Anthony Stolarz there as a steady backup, the dye was cast. Toronto also has Artur Akhtyamov in the wings.

Adding in tough winger Brandon Duhaime (from Washington) and Colton Sissons (from Vegas) gives Toronto’s 3rd and 4th lines a completely distinctive look.

Say what you want about Chayka, he clearly doesn’t care what your thoughts are. Toronto has a fresh look and a new feel.

Refreshing.

 

ALL QUIET-ISH

Boy-oh-boy (Part 2), this summer’s free agency period was as dull as dishwater.

Granted, there weren’t a ton of desirables out there, but the only real excitement was watching John Chayka dipsy-doodle in his new role as GM of the Leafs (see above).

As for your Ottawa Senators, I imagine if you think of re-signing mildly effective winger (and the league’s most despised player) Nick Cousins is gobsmacking, then go for it.

Yippee!

Plan the parade!

The summer is far from over, but the Senators have done zippo to charge up the fan base.

While the Leafs and teams like Washington have bulked up in grit, Ottawa’s done nothing to replace the same with the departure of Brady Tkachuk. I jokingly texted a friend that this now paves the way for Kurtis MacDermid to slot in on line No. 1 in Brady’s place.

Unfortunately, for you – Ottawa Fan, the team has done nothing to improve its prospects and prospect.

At this point.

thegrossgame@yahoo.com