Yesterday, Elliotte Friedman stepped into things when he went on Vancouver radio and said the criticism of the Vancouver Canucks was too harsh and hurting the team’s ability to do its job properly.

Friedman sets Canucks Nation on fire after comments on negative Vancouver market

This is funny for a few reasons.

  1. If people writing mean things about Jim Benning’s work makes him do his job badly, he should be fired but isn’t because he’s probably the cheapest GM the Canucks could find.
  2. The market getting mad about these comments is also the same one that thinks there’s a conspiracy against the Canucks because they have to play at 4PM when the Maple Leafs are in town.
  3. This is just more Vancouver insecurity, and how ‘mean old Toronto is always mean to us’. You’re the third largest city in the country, will most likely be second largest in the next decade. The ocean and mountains are within day trip distance and holy crap you’re thousands of miles away, get over it.
  4. It’s not Leafs fans doing it.

Anyway, there’s your insignificant news of the day. On to the real stuff:

The Toronto Maple Leafs play outdoors tomorrow!

A year after they hosted their own game!

Eh, it’ll be cool I guess. I like those jerseys.

Here’s the rest of the news.

Momentum builds for Willie O’Ree Hockey Hall of Fame induction as deadlines loom - Colour of Hockey
The Hockey Hall of Fame Selection Committee – the gatekeepers who decide who’s in and who’s not – is ramping up its decision-making process for the Hall Class of 2018.

Patric Hornqvist checked Charlie McAvoy squarely in the head - Stanley Cup of Chowder
No penalty was called on the play. Uhhh...

Pay Attention to Nathan MacKinnon - Mile High Hockey
Nathan MacKinnon still isn’t getting the respect he deserves

NHLSeattle Ownership Group Achieves 10,000 Seat Goal
The NHLSeattle ownership group sends a strong message to the NHL and the hockey world by reaching the seat deposit goal of 10,000 in 12 Minutes.

Habs Headlines: Pacioretty looking forward to staying in Montreal - Eyes On The Prize
Here are your daily links, including Max Pacioretty on remaining a Hab, what the Canadiens could do to attract John Tavares in free agency, a location for the 2019 Draft, and more.

Jason Botterill Still Has My Trust: A Positive Spin on the Post-Deadline Sabres - Die By The Blade
Botterill is still cleaning up after Tim Murray, but do we have anything to look forward to after a disappointing Kane trade?

Deciphering Dallas’ Deadline Dealing - Defending Big D
GM Jim Nill stood firm at the NHL’s trading deadline. You already knew that, but do you know what it means? Seriously, if you do, I would love for you to tell me.

Enjoy the day!

Unless you got a snow day while I’m stuck at work.

From The Branches