Say it isn't so

Before I discovered Ryan Theriot, pictured above, my favorite Chicago Cub had to be Mark DeRosa. He was versatile, genuine, and level headed, everything I believe a Cub should be. So naturally I was more than a little upset when the Cubs traded him in December of 2008 to the Cleveland Indians. Following the Cubs closely, like I do every year, it is evident just how much we miss Mark. Last night I got a virtual dagger through the heart. DeRosa was traded to the Cardinals, visual approximation below.

I HATE the Cardinals. As a Cubs fan, I was brought up to despise Mark McGwire and Tony LaRussa. We hate three things: The Cardinals, the White Sox, and the Brewers.

It's basic common sense for Cubs fans. North Side > South Side
I just cannot even being to imagine seeing DeRosa in that awful red jersey.
Now I don't know if I'm mad that DeRosa is playing for the Cardinals or if I'm mad that he's doing so while we have to continue with the services of our resident child, Milton Bradley. Signing this guy for 3 years and giving him $10 million a year might be the dumbest thing we've ever done. His production is disappointing, and his attitude is ridiculous. I don't think I acted that childish even when I was a child. He's a thirty-one year old man that is carrying on like a spoiled teenager. Sure hope management is happy that we have Bradley and his .236 average, 5 homeruns, and 16 RBIs instead of DeRosa and his .270 average, 13 homeruns, and 50 RBIs.
For comparison, Bradley has 50 pounds on Theriot, who is not and has never been a power hitter. However, this year Theriot has 6 homeruns and 28 RBIs. They've got about the same amount of HRs, but Theriot has almost double the RBIs. If you're not scoring runs and you're not getting runs scored, then what the hell are you doing? Oh that's right, you're striking out and yelling at the umpires. Bradley, let me take this opportunity to tell you to STFU because you suck.
DeRosa, I miss you more than any other player that's left over the years, and even though you now play for the hated red birds, there's no way I can ever hate you as much as I hate the rest of them. But if you could suck and strikeout when we play you, that would be great.

Another defenseman? #^&%$%#@!#*

The sarcasm in my last post about the Preds drafting a defenseman was supposed to be just that, sarcasm. But low and behold, David Poile comes through for the faithful and drafts a defenseman with the 11th pick. A midget no less. Ryan Ellis is a 5'9" d-man. Just what we need. He'll be our Ville Koistenen if he ever makes it to Nashville. I'm not sure my readers know how much I despise Koistenen. He's horrible, and I pray to God we don't give him an offer and he's someone else's problem on July 1st. So the fact that we drafted a younger version of him irritates the crap out of me.
The Predators drafted 7 forwards and 3 defensemen this year. None of these forwards are going to make the team in the fall, so we still need to find the answer to our scoring problems through free agency. Sullivan may very well be gone. If he is, we will have 2 gaping holes in our top 6 forwards. Even if he does re-sign with us, we'll need someone to put with Legwand and Erat, both of whom haven't looked the same since Kariya left. His contract with St. Louis is up after next year, and he likely won't be commanding the $6 million dollars he's making now. A girl can dream that he will want to come back. But until then, we need someone for those two. And Ward is not the answer. He'd be a really good third line guy, but putting him on the 2nd line will not solve our problems.
I'm nervous about next season, to say the least. Unless Poile & Co. make a splash, Nashville may very well be in for another long season. I didn't think it could get worse than this past year; I suffered through some ridiculously boring hockey games. However, without Sullivan, Ward, and possibly having several rookies in the line-up at D and forward, it could get ugly fast. There is no room for error, and we cannot afford for Pekka to have any kind of sophomore slump. He needs to be stellar night in and out, and Danny Ellis needs to find his game for us to have any sort of chance.
I guess this is a long winded way of saying that I was disappointed with our first round draft pick and am nervous as hell about free agency.
It all begins, or ends, on Wednesday.
Bring it on.

Finals, Awards, and Draft Oh My!

Hockey season is over. The Penguins won the Cup, and me, Ciara, and Kelly mocked every bit of it. The hits on the Fugly Raisin were praised even if they were a tad dirty. The Dirty Mexican was mocked mercilessly. And Fluery's buckteeth were imitated. On the other side, Hossa tears were cried. If he didn't cry, which I'm sure he did, we made enough wah sounds for him. Poor Zetterburg, Osgood, and Datsyuk were apologized to, even though now they go back to being the enemy.
I can't comment much on what happened after the clock ran out. We were too busy being pissed off and yelling mean things to really pay much attention. It was a fitting way to send off the season though. At least, I thought so. heh

The NHL Awards were earlier this week, and man were they horrible. It really shouldn't be that hard to read off a tele-prompter, but Roenick sure did struggle. High points were Michael Buble and Sullivan winning the Masterson. Low points were Ovie being a tool and the "entertainment." Sullivan's victory was a much deserved one. I was really happy for him, and even squirted out a few tears. Freaking SEM. I'm almost positive he'll be testing free agency. I can only hope Poile makes a splash in the free agent market so we're not down a couple of top-six forwards.
Not sure I'll watch the draft. I don't know too much about prospects or what to expect. But it's the Predators, I'm sure we'll get a nice defenseman. Snort.
The Preds took another $44 out of my bank account last Monday. I sure hope next season the on ice product is more entertaining than this past year. Some nights it was downright painful to watch. Still not sure how I feel about the half-season. I'm sure I won't be so worn out towards the end, but I keep thinking about the good stuff I'll miss. Center Ice just costs too much, and I don't know that I'd use it enough to justify the cost. Being a responsible adult about this will pay off eventually, just have to get through the discouraging parts first. One day I won't have to be in the last row at the top of the arena if I don't want to.

Baseball just isn't the same

I love playoff hockey. It's exciting to watch. I only wish the Preds were in it. If they were, I may have had an easier time following it. I've only gotten to watch the first two games of the Finals. I was at the Sounds vs Cubs game for one, babysitting for another, and working during the other. I have to work the night of Game 6 as well, but hopefully I'll be out in enough time to catch maybe the second and third periods. It's very possible that will be the last game of hockey season. It's a weird feeling.
The Cubs are blowing chunks this year, so it's gonna be a long summer.

More about my hockey obsession...

Got this from Aubrey at
Buckeyes Are Deadly Nuts

Should provide some more insight into my madness.

1) What's (Who's?) your favorite team? Nashville Predators

2) What's your least favorite team? Columbus Blue Jackets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Vancouver Canucks

3) Who's your favorite player? Shea Weber, Paul Kariya

4) Who's your least favorite player? Thomas Holmstrom and Johan Franzen

5) Favorite American team? umm The Preds?

6) Favorite Canadian team? Calgary Flames

7) Favorite International team? Canada :)

8) Who's your favorite goalie? Cam Ward and JS Giguere

9) Least favorite goalie? Roberto Luongo

10) Favorite fighter? David Backes ;)

11) Least favorite fighter? Darcy Hordichuk (Darshy Hordisuck)

12) Favorite jersey/uniform/outfit/sweater? St. Louis's third jersey, Carolina's third jersey, Nashville's away

13) Least favorite jersey/uniform/outfit/sweater? Penguins third jersey

14) Do you like home, away, or "third" jerseys best? So far, the away. Until Nashville's third gets released. If it looks like the mock ups I've seen, that may become my new fave

15) Who do you want to win the Cup? Carolina

17) Which player would you most like to sit and have coffee with? Patrick Marleau

18) What about a beer? Shea Weber ;)

19) How about just watch the game with? Ryan Getzlaf

20) Have an in-depth hockey conversation with? Paul Kariya

21) Do you collect hockey cards, memorabilia, etc? I collect memorabilia: pucks, pictures, giveaways, etc.

22) If so, what's your favorite card? No cards, but I do love my stick autographed by the 07-08 team. And my Shea Weber picture that Mike printed out for me and I had signed. :)

23) Which is worth the most, and what's it worth? My stick and autographed pucks may be worth a little. The jerseys autographed by Weber and Kariya may be worth a little more.

24) Do you live by any hockey players? No. I live an hour away from hockey. Doubt any of them commute that far. haha

26) Do you play hockey? I played roller hockey back in the day.

27) What do you wear to hockey games? Jeans and a jersey. Or if the jerseys have been deemed bad luck, some other Preds paraphernalia. Or if it's the end of the season and I'm doing reverse mojo, a Blues shirt. :P

28) Do you have any "watching hockey rituals" or anything anyone might consider weird? umm I used to have to stand on the ledge behind my seat during the whole 3rd, but I quit doing that. People might consider some of the stuff I yell weird, but me, Sarah, and Ciara always though it was funny. lol

29) What's your favorite hockey memory (as a fan?)
2007 playoffs vs. San Jose when Dumont scored shorthanded
2008 playoffs vs Detroit when Legwand came back on a bad foot and scored
2009 regular season vs Detroit when we WHOOPED Detroit 8-0
February 21, 2009 when me, Jenn, Britney, and Kelly sat behind the Predators bench in St. Louis and Weber scored the lone goal of the game to win in overtime

30) What's your favorite hockey commercial? Verizon--"Best baby in the world!"

31) Who's the nicest player you've met? Brooks Laich, Paul Kariya, Pekka Rinne, Shea Weber, Jarome Iginla. Hell most of them have been decent.

32) Rudest/meanest/most annoying, etc? Boyd Gordon was kinda rude. Ovechkin is a douche.

33) Who's the best looking (AKA 'off ice favourite') Paul or Shea Don't judge :P

34) Other off-handed/off-ice comments? The commentating is half the fun.
"Weber gets it in deep." HAHA

35) Why do you really like hockey? Its fast-paced, excitement when the goal horn goes off, hard hitting, non-stop action. The feeling I get sitting in my seat, waiting for MY team to take the ice. Telling the other team they suck. Telling the other goaltender he sucks. The hour long drive I make to have that experience. The heart and soul of every single player on that ice. Watching them give everything they've got to get a little piece of rubber past the goaltender. Fighting for them and their teammates honor. The gratitude they feel towards me, the fan. Feeling like my being there makes a difference. Knowing that my sadness at the season being over doesn't even match the feelings they have.
But more than anything, the fact that it's unlike any sport on earth. Nothing is as physically and emotionally demanding as hockey.

Withdrawals already?

I miss the Predators.
I miss being at the rink with thousands of other crazy hockey fans.
I miss having that as my escape.
The extra money in my bank account is nice, but life without hockey is boring.
Not having been in my perch atop 305 with Sarah in almost a month is an odd feeling.
I'll miss my hockey buddy next season.
O'Doyle rules!

Let's talk playoffs

I didn't think it would be so weird to be watching playoff hockey from my couch and not my seat at the Sommet, but it totally is. I am jealous of the fans of the 16 teams in the playoffs. They get to, or got to in the cases of the Montreal, St. Louis, and Columbus fans, sit in the most exciting atmosphere for hockey. There's nothing like a playoff crowd, and I'm sad we didn't have that in Nashville this year. However, my number two team did make the playoffs, and I struggled with the urge to drive to St. Louis to catch a game. Sadly, the Blues were swept in the first round by Vancouver, whom I despise. I hate Luongo and his greasy hair, the Sedin twins and their creepy faces, and Burrows and his cheating ass. Yea, I'm bitter. Sue me. As far as sweeps go, the two others that happened in the first round made me happier. Columbus was swept by Detroit; yes I was a Red Wing fan. Suck it Mason. Seriously, who picks number 1? Go hang out with Luongo or soemthing. Barf. Montreal was also swept by Boston. Those were some exciting games, and once again it was shown just how overrated Carey Price is. All Star material he was not, but it's the Canadiens and their fans and their 100th season. Whatever. The Sharks are down to the Ducks, who may be the most dominant 8th seed ever. The Canes/Devils series has been pretty exciting with lots of last minute goals. And the Chicago/Calgary series has been physical. I just hope Calgary comes out on top. Iginla deserves a cup, and I really want that for him. He's a terribly nice guy, and a hell of a player. As for the rest of the East, I don't really care. I'm sick of both Crosby and Ovechkin, so I'm on the Philadelphia and New York wagons. Was pretty awesome to see AO not score a goal until last night. Way to go Rangers defense.
Regardless of who I want to win or who wins, it doesn't even come close to cheering for YOUR team in the playoffs. Hopefully next year the Preds are back in contention. With a full year of Pekka, and maybe a full year of healthy Sullivan, we can do it. There will be some changes for this team next year, with a lot of our borderline AHL/NHL players contracts being up, but hopefully it'll give young guys a chance or even allow us to chase some free agents.