Time To 'Grab' The Opportunity

You're a former first round draft pick.

You've been a scorer in junior and in the minors.

You're parent team has just lost their leading goal scorer for 4-6 weeks.

You're being called up and immediately being placed on the first line.

You're Michael Grabner.

It's the opportunity that every young hockey player waits for. You play your game, put up some numbers, and wait for your chance to play on the big squad to make a name for yourself.

Most young players would make their debut with the third or fourth line. MAYBE, you get to play on the second line.

But Michael Grabner gets to make his NHL debut playing on the Vancouver Canucks first line...talk about an opportunity.

That's like a 16-year-old being handed the keys to a new BMW.

"Have fun, just don't wreck it kid."

He was terrible in the pre-season...management and fans were both disappointed in Grabner's production (or lack thereof)...but now thanks to an injury to Daniel Sedin, Grabner gets his 'big break.'

It's not a 'produce or you're done' situation. If he plays five games and gets zero points, it won't be the end of the world. But, he sure won't endear himself to Mike Gillis and Alain Vignault, and his next chance, may be a long time coming.

It's time for Michael Grabner to make some hay and get it done.

Right now. (CLICK HERE)


BrockTalk

Canuck Fans, Not Luongo, Should Be Booed

I'm a long-time card carrying member of Canucks Nation.

Ever since my dad took me to my first Canucks game back in the late 70's (versus Phil Esposito's New York Rangers) I've bled blue and green...and for a while yellow, black, and "salmon" red.

Also, for the past year, I have lived outside the greater Vancouver area...and followed the team from a distance.

That distance has given me pretty good perspective on a number of things. I don't miss Vancouver bridge traffic, I do miss being by the ocean and mountains, and a disturbing number of Canuck fans are complete IDIOTS!

How on earth can you call yourself a Canuck fan, if you are sitting in the stands during the Canucks home opener and you are booing Roberto Luongo and cheering when he is pulled from the game for the backup goalie Andrew Raycroft?

If you were one of them, then you are one of those idiots.

Yes I know that Luongo flamed out in game six versus the Blackhawks last year, and I know that at that home opener, he looked awful and the Canucks were on the way to an 0-3 start, but please...GET A FREAKIN' GRIP!

You were booing the greatest goalie in Canucks history, and when you cheered for Raycroft, you were giving the verbal finger to Luongo and telling him to get "the eff" out of town.

"We don't need you Roberto. We have Andrew Raycroft." Think about what you were saying.

Sure an 0-3 start is ugly, but in case you were unaware, they play 82 games in the NHL.

0-3 start in the NFL, you are sunk. 0-3 in the NHL, unless you lose all three games 12-0, then who gives a crap?

Of course, after last night's 7-1 win over Montreal, it's all lollipops and rainbows once again in Canucks Nation. I'm sure those fairweather fans that were booing Bobby Lou a couple of nights ago, are today singing his praises, building a monument and once again planning the parade route.

So bandwagon Canuck fan, prepare yourself. The Canucks are going to lose some games. Edler is going to fall down. Dan-rik Sedin will go a few games without scoring. Luongo is going to give up some bad goals.

You don't have to be Nostradamus to see that coming.

Canuck Nation, save your breath, and if you're going to boo, remember to boo people who ACTUALLY deserve it.







For great blog regarding "premature evaluation" by TSN's James Duthie, CLICK HERE.

BrockTalk

Simply The Worst

For years, the Vancouver Canucks "Flying V" uniform has been universally mocked as the ugliest uniform of all time.

But after what we saw on the turf at Qwest Field this past Sunday, Harold Snepts and Richard Brodeur can wear those old unis with pride.

The Seattle Seahawks debuted what is now, in my opinion, the ugliest uniform in the history of sports.

As witnessed by the picture at the top of this posting, I give you the Hawks new..."I ate a ton of lime sorbet, drank a case of Mountain Dews, went on the Tilt-A-Whirle then threw up" jerseys!

And if you think they looked bad in pictures, seeing them in action is even worse:



What in the hell are these all about? Lime green vest...with dark sleeves, pants and helmet.

These are a joke right?

Oh they're not? Then where are the matching neon green legwarmers and hot pink headbands? And who knew that Lillian Vander Zalm went into uniform design!

For the sake of Hawks fans, I hope that these duds are shelved as quickly as their team's season has gone in the toilet.

But as a Canuck fan who has suffered through, not just one bad uniform, but seemingly dozens, I hope the Seahawks continue to wear these and look as ridiculous as they did on Sunday.

Talk about Color Me Badd (what a fluke, the Hawks jerseys match CMB's shirts!)