Why Third Parties Can’t Work
Posted by tgirsch

Duverger’s Law. Via FactCheck.org

January 10th, 2008 | Politics, Weekend Flame Bait | 20 comments

Why No Hockey Blogging?
Posted by tgirsch

Because our teams suck, that’s why. Kevin’s Blackhawks have just 42 points in 43 games played, putting them 13th out of 15 teams in the West. My Maple Leafs have just 40 points in 43 games played, putting them 14th out of 15 teams in the East. The only thing they’re competing for at this point are draft picks.

I can’t speak to the Blackhawks, but the Leafs are bad in pretty much every aspect of the game. Mats Sundin remains the lone true bright spot, averaging over a point a game (and +11, if you care about that sort of thing), and they’re finally getting some production out of Nik Antropov (35 pts, +6), but their defense and special teams suck. (Note to John Ferguson: It doesn’t matter how many goalies you try; if the team in front of him hangs him out to dry, he’s going to look like a sieve.) Toronto’s power play is 28th in the league, and their penalty kill is 24th. Not a recipe for success.

There’s talk (as there always seems to be) of trading Sundin, but for what? Is anyone really going to give up a couple of quality blue-liners — which the Leafs desperately need — to rent an aging-but-still-pretty-good veteran? I doubt it. And in any case, Sundin has a no-trade clause and has made it clear that he wants to stay in Toronto, even if the team isn’t playoff-bound. Ideal scenario: Rent Sundin out to the Canucks for the rest of the season for some prospects, let him get some playoff time and maybe a cup, then re-sign him as a Leaf next year, Doug Weight style (H/T).

January 10th, 2008 | Sports, NHL | 25 comments