News that actually matters

Yeah, yeah, we know, Edmonton is done for. Not that I can say I'm upset - never have been an Oiler fan, never will be. When your mascot's an oil rig, well, what else is there to say? Though your heart breaks a little for the Dwayne Rolosons of the world - those who exceed expectations, commit to their work and then see a unique opportunity go bust all thanks to some crappy defenceman. What can you do? The Hurricanes, far from the best team this post-season, will soon enough do away with the Oilers and we can all be happy for Glen Wesley (or not - once a Bruin always a Bruin and fuck the Bruins) and Rod Brind'amour, the ugliest guy standing.

More importantly is this item about the Vancouver Olympics. Seems nobody wanted to renovate GM place (at a cost of $10 million?!?), so the next ginormously overrated IIHF tournament will be played on NHL regulation ice. I say bring back the old tiny rinks of Chicago and Boston yore. Then again, I'm far from an NHL Governor.

Who can say (and really, who cares?) what the implications will be for the next NHL-involved Olympiad? I'll miss the larger ice surface, with its speedier play and higher proportion of weirdo passes that never get anywhere, but, hey, Canada (or an independent Quebec? Shudder) should be better off. Then again, Syd the Kid, who will be the Man by then, will probably get his face destroyed big time, not like the little business at the Worlds this year, so maybe a little more room to move would be better for the not-ass Canucks.

Anyhow, my closing thought is to Carolina: end it fast (or, to appease the Murph, who is proof that good stuff comes from Edmonton, though it often winds up in freaking Hogtown, Edmonton: come back and take it in six, OK?). The playoffs have been fun but this series is for the birds. Let's get down to some off-season jiggy-joo. Gainer, bring Zdeno to Montreal where, under a real coach, he just might shine.