The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Welcome to another edition of the Sports Experts column in The Reminder, a weekly feature where our panel of self-proclaimed experts discuss hot topics from the wide world of sports. The panel continues to grow, and there has even been some interest from out of town SJHL fans wanting to contribute. This week, I asked the panel three questions. Here is what they had to say: Question one: Of the players on the Bombers right now, who do you think will be able to step up and take Andrew Skrabek's place next season? "It will definitely be Groenewegen. I saw him play Tuesday night, he was probably the most noticeable on the ice for both teams." - Adam R. "Tyler Beachell is having a great season and should emerge as the leader next season." - Jason M. "I think Tyler Beachell is the man to step up and replace Skrabek next season. He is a big strong kid with great hands and a sense of what to do on the ice." - Steve M. For me, I think that Clayton Geiger will surprise everyone and really step up his game in the second half of the season. I would also like to see what Richard Dupre could do if he were on a line with Blake Rolston and Tyler Beachell. Either way, Andrew Skrabek will be a tough guy to replace. Question two: Coach Ryan Hoffman is in the second year of a three year extended contract. What do you think is key for the team in order to be successful next season? "I think the Bombers took a step in the right direction by trading away their distractions. The Bombers will dramatically improve next season if they focus on playing tough (not dirty) hockey and they get offensive contributions from their supporting cast." - Jason M. "I understand we are young, but somewhere in this equation the coach has got to be responsible for the product on the ice." - Tom T. "I like the way the team is going and I think they will be able to compete for the playoffs next season if not this season." - Steve M. "We have to stop opposing teams from getting so many shots on net. Letting in six goals isn't horrid when you've got 50 shots a game being belted at you. You take away 15 of those shots, and maybe there are three less goals scored against you." - Jeff K. Personally, I think the Bombers waited too long to move some unwanted baggage. If they moved some of the distractions earlier in the season, players like Donovan Hall might still be here, and we wouldn't have gave away so many of those early games. For next season, the Bombers need to be a tighter unit, from the board members right down to the bench warmers. Win or lose, the fans appreciate a full 60 minute effort. Well, most of the fans. Judging by some of the comments I've heard from some fans, the Bombers could win the MemberCARE Cup, the Anavet Cup, Royal Bank Cup and the Stanley Cup, and they still wouldn't be happy. Question Three: Do you think the NHL owners should have accepted the NHLPA's latest offer, or do you think they were right to demand a structure that directly ties salaries to revenue (ie: salary cap)? "The NHLPA are acting like a bunch of second graders fighting about whose dad can beat up whose. The fact of the matter is, the owners are losing big dollars. If the players want to play and make big money, they are gonna have to suck it up. The main issue is a long-term solution." - Adam R. "Did it break your heart that Alexi Yashin would lose so much money with the latest union proposal? It did not break mine. I found it interesting that members of the Toronto Raptors took exception to the NHLPA offer of a 24 per cent pay reduction. We have created a monster that seems to be out of control, that being the professional athlete." - Tom T. "The owners in Edmonton and Ottawa say the deal won't save hockey in their cities so turn it down." - Jason M. "Take the whole season off, get this thing fixed properly and come back next season. The fans will be there." - Steve M. "Anyone who thinks the owners should have agreed don't understand hockey and don't understand how much trouble the NHL is in. I miss hockey just as much as the next guy, but you never put a band aid over a 5" gash do you? This needs to be fixed for good, before it destroys the NHL for ever." - Jeff K. "We won't see the NHL back this year or maybe not next year either. It is the owners that made this mess. They paid the big money - they could have said no years ago." Bob H. It might take a year or two to sort this one out. I have a hard time justifying a multimillion dollar contract for anyone. The players would be wise compromise, because if they can't agree on something soon, the NHL may take this to court, and we could see hockey resume under the NHL's terms next year, with or without the star players. That is it for this week. If you would like to join the Sports Experts panel, just send me an e-mail at [email protected]. If you enter today, I will enter your name into a draw for a pair of Visiball Golf Ball Finders, a $40 value. I will be making the draw this evening.
