Dany Heatley Should Count His Blessings

Dany Heatley finally spoke out yesterday from Kelowna, BC on his thinking behind demanding a trade from the nation’s capital.  On the eve of  Team Canada’s Olympic orientation camp, Heatley talked to the media about the issue breaking months of silence.  We found out that he no longer wants to play for Ottawa because of his ‘diminshed role’ on the team.

The Ottawa Senators have been greatly underachieving the last couple of seasons.  Many believe with a top line consisting of Heatley, Jason Spezza, and Daniel Alfredsson the team should realize more success.  Of course, this hasn’t been the case the last couple of seasons leading to some head-scratching and much to Heatley’s shagrin – line shuffling.  Clearly this has not sat well with Heatley a two time 50 goal scorer, causing him to demand a trade to a team that might appreciate his talents more and use him more effectively.

For Heatley, I have this advice.  Things aren’t so bad…count your blessings.  Earlier in your career you were on a team in a struggling hockey market where nobody cared about how crappy your team was.  Playoffs were a pipe-dream.  But things would change for you wouldn’t they?  Shorty, after the tragic car accident involving you and your teammate and friend Dan Snider you were traded to a then cup-contending team in a canadian hockey market where your past would be forgotten and you would be idolized.

Dany, when things go bad on a team, sometimes changes need to be made in the line-up wether it be line combinations or power-play units.  You should accept these things….its called being a team player.  I mean, if Team Canada doesn’t put you on the top power-play unit and give you 30 minutes of ice-time are you gonna ask to be traded to Team Russia?  So, Ottawa, contrary to what this writer would do, bent to your demands and arranged a trade to an up-coming young team in a Canadian market close to your hometown.  Still not good enough for our Dany boy though was it?

Dany, things aren’t as bad as they could be, especially considering your situation a few years ago.  After all 7.5 million dollars a year to play hockey isn’t so bad is it?  I think its time to count your blessings, Mr. Heatley and stopping being such a diva.

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‘Squeaky wheel’ to prevent UFC events in Vancouver?

Here we go again.  Once again our beloved city of Vancouver is being held hostage by the vocal minority.  It seems that democracy always takes a back seat to small, special interest groups presenting local governments with ‘squeaky wheel’ dilemmas.

UFC has time and time again expressed an interest in bringing its popular and successful brand of entertainment here to Van-City.  Of course the UFC has been banned as a ‘bloodsport’ in our city since its inception.  In recent years, however, there has been a call for city hall to soften its stance because of its popularity.  Of course, there is no good reason to keep this event out of our city.  While there are many good reasons to bring it here, not the least of which is that it will bring a much needed boost to our local economy at a time where there are not many positives in that respect.

Proponents will tell you that it is a bloodsport, it is obscene and it will cause plenty of fights in the crowd, promote violence, and attract ‘gang-member types’ to  our city.  If you ask security at almost any local event at GM Place or BC Place, they will tell you there are always problems at any event be it a Canucks game or  Lions game or a concert.   Apparently some ‘gang-member types’ like hockey, football, and, believe it or not, music too.

The logic behind the argument to keep this event away is very weak, non-existant really.  By this reasoning we must close down GM Place, BC Place, and any and all bars that show UFC events or Canucks and Lions games for that matter.

What is really happening here is the same thing that has been plaguing Vancouver for years and years.  Its always the vocal minority that wins the day by complaining about every initiative or event that wants to get started in this town.  I think its time to stop greasing the squeaky wheel and get moving forward.

Not ‘Jappy’ about ‘Javy’

The BC Lions have started the season 1 – 4.  Things are not going well.  Wally Buono, who until now, hasn’t made any changes because of his loyalty and belief in his players’ abilities, went out and made a couple of changes.  Now, I’m all for change when necessary, but if you ask me, they added players at positions that seem to be their strongest.

Are we to believe this early season swoon is due to the lack of a running game and ineffectiveness at middle linebacker?  Really, Wally?

In my humble opinion, the running game with Martel Mallett has been surprisingly effective, at least when the Lions don’t find themselves down by two or more scores and have to go away from it and go exclusively to the air attack.  So why bring in yet another new running back?

This year and last, myself and other fans in my circle have commented on how well Javy Glatt has played, how he always puts in an effort, and plays to the whistle no matter what the score.  The Canadian linebacker, I think, has been a key cog to the Lions defense, and many ti,es i have seen him chase down receivers from behind when the secondary doesn’t step up and make the tackles they should.  Maybe we should teach the secondary to make tackles instead of replaceing Javy Glatt….are you listening, Wally?

For someone who is so reluctant to change quarterbacks because of loyalty or stick-to-it-iveness, or whatever you want to call it, I think he’s make a couple of unnecessary, knee-jerk reactions in the wrong places.