Hockey 2008

[Vera]

I know that ppl like Wayne is supposed to live a super human life, afterall he is an icon. But let's just for a minute put ourselves in his shoes. Is it really that unbelievable if your good friend is doing something that you won't approve so he didn't tell you that he's doing it? Let say your subordinate is running a side business, and that you as the boss won't approve not only because it's illegal, but it's such a distraction to his job that you aren't going to allow it, hence your subordinate didn't tell you that he is running it? And then his wife is, let say she is gambler and she didn't tell you knowing that you won't like it. And so if she bets 100K at a time, but you have so many millions in the bank that you didn't notice that 100K is missing in the bank account (and likely under the wife's name anyway).

I mean, really, I don't think it's really that hard to believe that if Wayne didn't know about this. Well, I also choose what I want to believe, of course. But who am I to say what Wayne knows and what he doesn't, so is that columist, who doesn't know Wayne personally anyway.

[Vera]

lee said:

vera said:

The most stupid thing is, they somehow indicate Wayne is responsible for the behaviour of his friend, Rick Tocchet and his wife, Janet Jones.

Honestly, even Wayne knew about this 'illegal' gambling, what can he do? Report his friend and wife to the authority? You won't expect a John Smith to do this, let alone someone with Wayne's profile and reputation.

Exactly. He is a celebrity, he is a icon. Do they think he should draw the line the minute he knows about it? Ya, turn your back at a long time friend and ditch your wife who's been a companion for half of their life and have 5 children together? He is not a saint and I certainly don't expect him to behave like one.

[Lee]

I think Janet's allowance would be more than 100K

Superhuman or not, he is just a guy. I guess this is a very Canadian view.

Anyway, I truly hope Shane Doan's name is not on the gamblers list but won't be surprised there are Yotes players.

[Vera]

Well, anyway, I believe him. Unless he is proven guilty of involving in the gambling ring as one of the partner or something, otherwise, I don't think he deserves any of these shots coming from all directions.

[Lee]

Congrat the OT win for the Canucks.

*sigh* all the Yotes lost in OT to who else but the BLUES!!!!!!

[cert. murse aphex]

Now, let's discuss the Canadian/American conspiracy against Team Sweden. Why are general managers all over North America trying to stop our star players from participating in the Olympics? No Näslund, no Kronwall, no Kim Johnson, maybe no Norström or Forsberg. I bet there be only American/Canadian refs too.

[Lee]

Sweden is not the only country that loss their first choice. Canada has replaced 2 defencemen too. GM couldn't stop players from playing for their countries, they can 'suggest' they take a rest.

Now don't be so grouchie *kiss*

[cert. murse aphex]

So i take it you want me to wait with the grouching until it's over?


I thought NHL supported the Olympics?

Do you guys know if Gretzky played in the World Championships in Gothenburg 1981 or 1982? In that case I've probably seen him live without knowing it was him.

[Lee]

My favourite Swede, Forsberg determines to go to Turin. Here're are some Q&A from Flyer's official site.

www.philadelphiaflyers.com/pressbox/archive/2451.asp

Forsberg Going to Torino

Flyers center not certain he will be able to play

Flyers center Peter Forsberg will travel to Torino, Italy on Monday to join the Swedish team for the Olympic games, although it is still not certain that he will play. Forsberg missed the final eight Flyers games before the break with a left groin strain, but will remain off of the ice until later in the week.

Below is a Q and A with Forsberg as well as Flyers General Manager Bob Clarke.

What is your decision on the Olympics?
Peter Forsberg: “Well, I’m going to fly over and see how it goes. It’s still not 100 percent and I’m going to rest a few more days and see how it goes. It’s not [certain] I’m playing over there but they want me to come over and see if it heals up and if it feels 100 percent this weekend we will skate over there and get going and get ready to maybe play a couple of games. If it’s not, then I’m not going to play. I’m just going to go over there and see how it goes.”

Did the Swedish coach say you can sit out a couple of games?
PF: “Yeah. That would be no problem. I told him if it’s not 100 percent I’m not playing. If I don’t feel good when I start skating Thursday or Friday, I’m not going to play. He knows that, too.”

What did the Flyers doctors recommend?
PF: “Well, they recommend rest. Like I said, I won’t skate for five days now and see how it feels and when we came back and looked at the MRI [taken Sunday] it wasn’t any major thing. I talked to the specialist and it’s a groin strain. Hopefully it will be healed up so I can play over there for my country.”

How does it feel?
PF: “It feels good. If I walk around I don’t feel anything. It’s just hard to take the long strides. We’ll see when I start skating. Like I said, I’ll stay off a week now, or six days, and we’ll see how it feels. If it’s not good I’m not going to go out and play and take a chance. I need to feel 100 percent for a couple of practices to be able to play.”

Were you getting any pressure from the Swedish team?
PF: “I don’t think it was pressure from the Swedish team. I don’t care about that. It’s me, and I want to go over and play for my country and have a chance to win the gold medal. Like I said before, I haven’t read the Swedish papers all week and I’m trying not to read the Philly papers either. I just want to make my own decision. Like I said before, if I’m sitting somewhere feeling great on Wednesday and I know I could have played, not being able to be there would be hard. They gave me the opportunity to come over there and see how it feels for a couple more days. If I can’t play, I can’t play and I’ll just come back [to Philadelphia] and rehab. If I can play, great.”




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bob Clarke: “I think Peter knows what the results of the MRI were and he knows the risks involved. Going over there is his choice and he made the decision to go, so we wish him good luck except against the Canadians.”

Are you at all concerned with his health?
BC: “I’m concerned for every player that goes over there because obviously it’s a very high level of play and I think there’s a risk for everybody. In Peter’s case there’s probably a little higher risk, but that’s the chance you take when you play.”

[Lee]

And more about Forsberg here

tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=154781&hubname=nhl