Trade deadline maddness!

Today was the NHL trade deadline, and as usual, there was drama that gives sports watchers some great water cooler fodder. Here's my take on some of today's big deals...

Todd Bertuzzi: (FLA to DET): This one was a bit of a shocker to me today. While I didn't find it surprising that Bertuzzi was on the move, I was floored to see him end up in Detroit. Bertuzzi is a cancer in the dressing room, so while he would have fit in well with the NY Rangers, I have to question if the same holds true for Detroit. I just don't see it. Good luck to the Wings. You're going to need it with this head case on your hands.

Ryan Smyth (EDM to NYI): Even though I'm a Calgary Flames fan, it's still sad to see Smyth headed out of Oil town. The Oilers have lost Pronger, Peca and Smyth over the last year, a great core for any team in the NHL. It just goes to show how quickly you can go from on top of the world to the bottom of the barrel.

Bill Guerin (STL to SJ): Bill Guerin is a big-time clutch player that will only make the San Jose Sharks that much stronger. He adds grit, playoff experience and even more scoring touch. An asset to be coveted this time of year to be sure, and perhaps the best pick-up of all at the deadline.

And lastly, for Canucks fans, here are my comments on their recent acquisitions.

Bryan Smolinski (CHI to VAN): A proven veteran that's a solid pick-up. He should certainly be of help at both ends of the rink.

Brent Sopel (LA to VAN): Is this the same Brent Sopel that fans would boo when he got the puck during his last stint in Vancouver? Enough said.

And just to comment on the Canucks strong play of late, yes, they have looked good. There is no doubt there. In saying that, they lost their second in a row tonight which at least makes me feel a bit better.

My Calgary Flames are only two points back so I could see this being a real fight down to the wire. If only the Flames could win on the road. Heck, I'd take 500. While they are 26-6-1 at home, the Flames are 7-15-8 on the road. Among the worst road records in the NHL. Sigh.

Making a strong team stronger

The Calgary Flames recent trade to pick up defenceman Brad Stuart, and power forward Wayne Primeau improves an already strong team. These Flames are going to be hard to beat!

Congratulations to the Indianapolis Colts!

Congratulations to the Indianapolis Colts on their Super Bowl XLI win over the Chicago Bears!

The result:
Colts 29-17

My prediction:

Colts 30-21

Pretty close, and I picked the right end of the seven point spread!

Looking back over the playoffs, I got a total of six out of seven correct. Not to shabby!

Rebuttal for my Calgary Flames

To those Vancouver Canucks fans who like to poke fun at my Calgary Flames, here's a picture you might never have seen...





Calgary Flames Stanley Cups won - 1
Vancouver Canucks Stanley Cups won - 0

Go Flames Go!

My Flames knocked off the Canucks tonight 4-3. Feels good!

The Super Bowl

It all comes down to this - the Super Bowl. The culmination of the NFL season in a historic game of sporting excellence. Well, it's usually interesting for at least a quarter or two.

Memorable Super Bowls have an odd way of either being close or blowouts.

On the blowout side, I remember watching the San Francisco 49ers beating the Denver Broncos 55-10 in Super Bowl XXIV. I remember the Cowboys beating the Buffalo Bills 52-17 in Super Bowl XXXVII.

Then there were the good games. The NY Giants winning thanks to a last second field goal miss by Buffalo in XXV. St. Louis beating Tennessee by stopping a touchdown on the one yard line with no time left on the clock. The great Joe Montana driving down the field at the end of the fourth quarter to beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII.

This year it's the Chicago Bears and the Indianapolis Colts. That pits the Bears vaunted defence against the Colts high powered offense.

Who comes out on top? Payton Manning is just too good not to step up to the plate to win his first Super Bowl. That said, Rex Grossman is just too bad not to blow it. Both indicators point Colts.

My Prediction: Indianapolis (Score: Colts 30 - Bears 21)

My Heart Wants: Indianapolis Colts