Yes that follows the general shift. Alberta and BC have been population growth areas for thirty or forty years. I don't know if Manitoba is in decline (AG?) but I don't think it's boomed either. The maritimes have been financial basket cases for as long as I've lived here — with the exception of Newfoundland's offshore oil — and hockey's an expensive game, both for kids (equipment) and provincial and civic infrastructures (rinks.)

I think the American state-by-state figures make it look like the game's grassroots popularity is more widely distributed than it really is because it only goes by place of birth. Except in a few cases, the NHL players who were born in Texas or California or Maryland didn't play any hockey there. Their families moved to Minnesota or New England and if they played youth hockey anywhere other than Minnesota or Massachusetts (more or less), they had to move by the time they were 16 (probably sooner). There's some of that in the international breakdown as well (Brazil?).

I don't know if there's a similar phenomenon in the Canadian data or if it really distorts the picture very much.

Except in a few cases, the NHL players who were born in Texas or California or Maryland didn't play any hockey there. Their families moved to Minnesota or New England

Or Vancouver, like this ordinary middle-class family:



I don't know if there's a similar phenomenon in the Canadian data or if it really distorts the picture very much.

I don't know. Traditionally hockey-players came from small towns where there was bugger all else to do. That's changing along with mobility and immigration patterns but maybe not that much. I think if you look at BC players in the NHL you'd still get as many from towns like Terrace and Prince George as from Vancouver and its burbs.

So Dion Phaneuf is getting booed in the first exhibition game? I'm surprised; I thought it would be at least December before his inability to hit the net drew the wrath of the Leafs fans.

They must let some real fans into the exhibition games . . .

So, some predictions for the upcoming season, then.

Western Conference:
1. Vancouver
2. SJ
3. Detroit
4. LA
5. Chicago
6. Phoenix
7. Calgary
8. St. Louis
9. Nashville
10. Colorado
11. Edmonton
12. Anaheim
13. Columbus
14. Dallas
15. Minnesota

The Flames making the playoffs will I'm sure disappoint our legion of fans at TSN (have I been here too long when I mutter 'eastern based media'?), but we can't be as collectively bad once again. Just about everyone had an off year. The Canucks seem to have it all: all-round strong D, goalie looking good having relinquished the 'C', goals, role players.

Eastern Conference:
1. Washington
2. Pittsburgh
3. Ottawa
4. Philadelphia
5. NJ
6. Boston
7. Buffalo
8. Montreal
9. Toronto
10. NY Rangers
11. Tampa
12. Atlanta
13. Carolina
14. NY Islanders
15. Florida

I've realised in writing this that I have the same eight sides in the playoffs, but then there are some very weak sides in the East that stand zero chance of the postseason. I am really unconvinced about the Habs in goal, and think they could be the ones to fall out the top 8. I think the Leafs final position perhaps a little flattering; I wouldn't be surprised to see them struggle out the gate, fire Wilson, and then go on a tear post-Christmas.

The Leafs will not make the playoffs. Of this, I am certain.

I'm quite concerned over all the attention the Canucks are getting. It can only end in tears.

I'm also somewhat perversely proud that one of my countrymen is wearing the C for the Habs.

ursus arctos wrote:
I'm quite concerned over all the attention the Canucks are getting. It can only end in tears.

indubitably.

But most likely in the play-offs. I think we could, maybe should, be the best in the West over the regular season. But, as the Sharks have consistently proved, that only buys you a ticket to humiliationville. Anything less than a hard fought semi-final loss and AV will be packing his bags.

I know it's only one game, but my word, have the Flames looked lame tonight. The kids up the road have danced round our elder statesmen.

And there goes the fourth. Ouch.

Sounds as if the Sharks and Columbus put on a decent show in Stockholm; we'll see how the Bruins and Phoenix make out in Prague.

Pavelec collapsing in the third minute is flat out scary, and it seems that they still don't know what caused it.

And is Datsyuk the first Russian to record a Gordie Howe hat-trick? He's a pest in the best sense of the word.

The announcement of the penalty got a louder cheer than any of the goals. I'm sure Babcock's heart was in his mouth the whole way through the fight. No Lady Byng trophy for Pavel this year. Maybe he could give Raitis Ivanans a few tips. (What a pointless thing to do with 4 minutes to go and 4-0 down)

Detroit looked ominously good last night.

So much for the Canucks going 82-0-0.

How beautiful did those uniforms look last night?

Sigh.

Yes, though I have to admit I missed the names on the sweaters. With so many newcomers I had trouble figuring out who was who.

Not a bad game a season openers go. A tie would have been a fair result. Losing the SO was no surprise as Demitra and Wellwood were one and two in that department last year and they're gone. We'll give up a few points this way, at least in the short term. Overall we're obviously much stronger in our own end, which was the main off-season goal. Conversely it seems unlikely we'll be challenging for the league lead in scoring again. It's hard to know how serious the drop off will be until Burrows returns and is back to game sharpness — probably around Christmas.

Thirded on the Canucks sweaters. Not quite so sure about the Kings ones though.

The panic button has had the cover replaced for the time being; a very solid 3-1 Flames win over the Kings tonight who looked pretty laboured for the most part, Kopitar and Doughty excepted. The powerplay still got booed, though.

Two more players lost in the first period. We're now missing Bourque, Stajan, Langkow, Kotalik, Moss and Stone from the forwards. For a team that struggled badly to score in the second half of the season, it's very worrying to have most of the much-vaunted extra scoring depth on the treatment table.

Unbelievable Jeff wrote:
Detroit looked ominously good last night.

Gah!

Not only do they beat us, but Bertuzzi scores, too. I hate the way that Detroit have repeatedly gone out and signed players that I would like to see playing for us (the Blackhawks). I know Bertuzzi's a bit of an arse, but hey - we need someone for Amor to rant against, with Byflugien gone! ;->

Oh Clive you should realise I proudly maintain an irrational refusal to demonize any ex-Canuck however much they may objectively deserve it. That's why I kept silent over Matt Cooke's... ummm... overenthusiasms last season.

However I suspect others might find your description of Bert as "a bit of an arse" a tiny bit of an understatement.

I remember the almighty brouhaha that erupted when Bert signed here two summers ago. The internet was full of remarks along the lines of "i'm never going to the Dome while he's wearing red".

I'd only been in the country a few months and so had to look up the Steve Moore incident, and canvas opinions from workmates. When he was in the mood, he was still a very useful player, but so very often during games he'd get two minute penalties for simply being Todd Bertuzzi.

My boss was pretty aggravated too; an ardent Canucks fan who used to watch him in the OHL in Guelph (where his first faculty position was), having to see him suit up for a team he has a dislike that borders on unhealthy.

Has anyone else here seen Slap Shot multiple times? If so, you might enjoy this.

Unbelievable Jeff wrote:
I remember the almighty brouhaha that erupted when Bert signed here two summers ago. The internet was full of remarks along the lines of "i'm never going to the Dome while he's wearing red".


Without wishing to excuse Bertuzzi, there was plenty of blame to go around regarding the Steve Moore incident. In fact if you took Dylan's Who Killed Davey Moore? retitled it "Who Maimed Stevie Moore?" you wouldn't have to change the lyrics too much.