Talking Hockey With Scott Taylor

Today on The Neil Show, we sit down with Scott Taylor from scotttaylorsports.com to talk hockey.

Neil Bristow – With the NHL’s trade deadline fast approaching (feb.26th), there are a few big names that could be dealt.Out of the big names possibly available (Sundin, Hossa,Campbell) who do you see moving on or before Tuesday and where might they land?

If Sundin waives his no trade clause he’ll be gone – Anaheim or Detroit. Hossa could wind up in Montreal or New York. The Rangers would love to deal Jagr but I doubt anyone would touch him. I can’t imagine anyone will go out his way to deal a capable defenceman, but if you’ve given up this year, you might deal a veteran. I think it’s pretty tough to call. How about Jokinen in Calgary? That’s interesting.

Neil Bristow -Cliff Fletcher is playing the “face” of the Toronto Maple Leafs GM right now on a interim basis. Who in your opinion is the right person for that job with the candidates that are available, to become the next Leafs GM?

John Ferguson Jr. …OK, so maybe Dougie Armstrong. I think Tom Thompson, the assistant GM in Minnesota is the smartest guy in the game today, but he’s not a big enough name for the Leafs.

The brain-dead Toronto media would make his life a living hell because he’s not one of their pals. That franchise is so messed up, why don’t they bring in Sittler or Wendel Clark or Doug Gilmour? That’s the kind of guy Leafs fans want. T

he Toronto media wants Neil Smith, a guy the Islanders fired in about 15 minutes. Brian Burke would take the job. He’d eat that stupid Toronto print media for lunch.

By the way, what do the Toronto Maple Leafs have that the Montreal Canadiens will never have? Black and white photos of their last Stanley Cup.

Neil Bristow -New York Islanders tough guy Chris Simon made his way back into the Isles lineup after serving his 30 games suspension.Do you think the punishment Simon received was fair or not enough and why?

Sure it’s fair. It’s the longest suspension in NHL history.

As sports editor of Grassroots News, the country’s largest aboriginal newspaper, I’ve come to know the First Nations players a bit. If they can’t be the toughest guys on the team, they’re generally treated like crap, called soft and benched. That’s why Jordin Tootoo, Arron Asham, (Theo Fleury), D.J. King, Cody McCormick, Jason Bone, Chris Simon play the way they do. Simon screwed up, he was punished, he’s back.

End of conversation.

Neil Bristow -Who will be the buyers and who will be the sellers in the NHL’s trade deadline this year?

Everybody is a buyer this year, for different reasons. Toronto, Tampa, L.A., Edmonton, Florida, Chicago will all try to get younger. The top teams will be prepared to rent players, especially teams like Detroit, Dallas, Carolina, teams with some cap room.

Neil Bristow – The Philadelphia Flyers are in a bit of a tailspin lately going 1-8-1 in there last ten games. With all the tinkering they did with their roster this season,one would think they would be alot more “together” then they have shown. Why do you think they are under achieving?

Are they underachieving or is that what they are? Losing Simon Gagne, a class act and a leader, really hurts. Their tough guys aren’t as tough as the organization thinks.

No matter what happens, Riley Cote always gets pummeled by Colton Orr or Donald Brashear or Georges Laraque, and the rest of the team sags. Injuries have hurt them mightily. John Stevens is no Toe Blake. And, as always happens in Philly, the goaltending is never as good as the team had hoped.

Neil Bristow – With GM meetings in Naples, Florida this week a number of things were discussed. One of them being maybe shrinking goaltender equipment to increase scoring in the League. Is it wise considering one of the best goaltenders in the game Canucks Roberto Luongo has said in the past that if they make changes he would retire.What is your take on the situation?

So what’s next? The paddle-down, butterfly goaltending style is made illegal? Only fat, out-of-shape goalies can play? No goaltenders? Soccer nets? The NHL has a problem.

Never before in the history of the game have goalies been in better shape, have been better trained or have had better equipment than they have today. Goalies are all marvelous physical specimens with a style that’s hard to beat and equipment that makes them absolutely fearless.

If the GMs decide to make goalies’ equipment smaller, they’d better take the curve out of the sticks and go back to wood. Scoring is down because goaltending has NEVER been better.

Neil Bristow – Drugstore millionaire Daryl Katz has a agreement to purchase the Edmonton Oilers pending League approval. Some Oilers have come out saying one owner opens up the possibility of attracting more free agents to the team. How is having one owner better then 30 owners? or is it better?

First of all, socialism doesn’t work. Especially among the rich. Too many egos, too many guys to answer to, too many people wondering why there is a cash-call every year. One owner means one decision maker.

One owner, means the GM knows exactly where to go without being second guessed by 29 other rich donkeys. One owner takes responsibility for his and the team’s actions. One owner can deal with the NHL at the governors’ level.

When the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are taken over by David Asper this year, that will be a tremendous franchise. One guy, one decision maker, one responsibility-taker. It’s the only way a pro sports franchise can work.

Neil Bristow – Teemu Selanne and Scott Neidermeyer are back with the Stanley Cup Champion Ducks after sitting out most of the season.What’s your take on players sitting out and coming back towards the end of the season? Do you think it’s a way to “cheat” the salary cap?

No, it’s a way to cheat age. Teemu and Scott are in their late 30s, heck Teemu is closing in on 40. A full season is meaningless. Games in October and November are so stupid, I’m surprised anyone buys a ticket.

The Ducks are what, 8-1 since Teemu returned? If you have skilled players like Selanne and Niedermayer, late in their careers, and you play .500 or a little better until they come back – fresh — in January and February, it’s a boost to the team and they can handle the travel, rough going etc., that comes with playing in the NHL.

It’s a brilliant move and I’m surprised more teams don’t take advantage of it. Older players are better in half a season than in a full season.

Neil Bristow – Ducks GM Brian Burke has suggested having 1 minute penalties in OT instead of two minutes. What do you think of that change?

That’s the ranting of a guy whose team leads the NHL in fights and penalties (and that’s a reason why they won the Cup last year). A minor penalty is a minor penalty. It’s two minutes. Deal with it. Here’s a good rule of thumb: Don’t get a stupid penalty in overtime.

Neil Bristow – What has been the biggest surprise for you this NHL season story wise?

The seeming belief among the “Mainstream Media Mob” (MSM) that there are not now, nor have there ever been, steroids in hockey.

The MSM mob is desperate to have Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds go to jail, but they refuse to question steroids and HGH in hockey.

Performance enhancing drugs are there, they are present today and if you’ve ever been in an NHL dressing room, you know they are present right now.

Neil Bristow – You have a wonderful career and are one of my favorite sports personalties. In your journey in the sports world, what is your “highlight” of your great career?

1. The 1988 Olympics, breaking the Ben Johnson scandal on CBC TV.
2. Covering the final game of the Winnipeg Jets for both the Winnipeg Free Press and TSN.
3. My column this Monday in the National Post.

Neil Bristow – Can you tell our readers at nhldigest.com about your website and where we can see and read your work?

scotttaylorsports.com

Or online links…

goldeyes.com
manitobascore.com
grassrootsnews.mb.ca
nationalpost.com
cfl.ca
windtalkerhockeynews.com

Or in print…

Manitoba Score Magazine
The National Post
Grassroots News
Windtalker Hockey News

Or… (books still available at Chapters in Winnipeg)

Home Run: The History of the Winnipeg Goldeyes and CanWest Global Park.

The Winnipeg Jets: A Celebration of Professional Hockey in Winnipeg.

If you have any questions or comments, please share a comment on the site or email Neil Bristow at theneilshow(at)nhldigest.com.