Planes, Plans, Pads and Jets

Tragedy in Russia

For the inaugural  show, we gave our condolences to the family and friends of Lokomotiv Yaroslavl. 43 people lost their lives in a tragic plane accident 250 km north east of Moscow, Russia. 27 players and two coaches for Lokomotiv lost their lives, as well as seven of eight crew members. The two survivors, player Alexander Galimov and crew member Alexander Sizov, are both in grave condition according to Dr Alexander Degyatryov, Chief doctor of Yaroslavl's Solovyov Hospital. Twenty-five year-old Galimov is reported to have suffered burns to 90 percent of his body.

Among the notable dead were Brad McCrimmon, head coach for Lokomotiv and former Detroit Red Wings assistant coach. McCrimmon took the job with Lokomotiv just htis fall. Former St.Louis Blues’ forward Pavol Demitra, who spent time in L.A. and Vancouver before heading to the KHL, was also on board, along with former Leafs’ player, Igor Korolev, who became a Canadian citizen back in 2000.

The KHL has vowed to rebuild the decimated franchise, with the league season opener postponed until Tuesday.

Crosby Press Conference 


Sid the Kid has announced he is likely to play at some point this season though no time table has been set. Crosby has experienced a couple setbacks in his recovery, but doctors remain confident that we will return.  

Basically, nothing’s new, but hockey’s worst fears regarding the superstar has been eased for the time being. 

Dr. Michael Collins, at yesterdays’ press conference referred to Crosby as a “Ferrari” in the hockey world, and that Crosby will not be cleared to play until he is 100 per cent. 

Maybe the NHL will start taking hits to the head seriously, now that it’s top player has publicly condemned the practice. It will also be interesting to see the data collected from the OHL this year, as they make the switch to soft shoulder and elbow pads, and what the impact might be on brain injuries in hockey.  If and how long the equipment changes will take to get to the AHL and eventually the NHL, is still up in the air. If in three years, the players are using soft pads, I will say the hockey world has done an exceptional job. 

Either way, Tom, Mat and Al, are giving the OHL a thumbs up for their initiative in player safety. 

Jets' New Look(s)

Jets at 17 Wing for the Jersey unveiling on Tuesday

The logo and jersey receive top-shelf scores from GNG, but the team will be on the outside looking in come April. The team shows a lot of promise in the future but at the moment, still lacks a bona-fide star. Kane and Bogosian could make a case this season (assuming Bogosian gets signed) and Big Buff will have to shed a few pounds, to get down to his playing weight, somewhere in the 270s according to Jets’ GM Cheveldayoff. 

A ninth-10th place finish would be considered decent for this young team, who will begin  the season after a whirlwind summer. The Jets will have a tough growing phase as the whole team comes to terms with moving to a new city, country and fishbowl environment. These young players have a chance to become kings of Winnipeg, but whether they can handle the pressure and expectations with being in a hockey starved market will remain to be seen. 

The fact they they have the worst travel schedule in a tough division for the season will not help them in the standings. Luckily, True North and the Jets will have a long honeymoon period to get their organization in order.