Hockey Fun Fact #2: In Memory of Peter Zezel

Pete Zezel was 44 years old.

He passed away on Tuesday after a long battle with a blood disorder.

15 year veteran of the NHL, he played for many a teams, including Philadelphia, St. Louis, Washington, TORONTO, Dallas, New Jersey, and Vancouver. 873 games played, he was a 0.7 pts per game producer, including six 50 or more point seasons. Clearly a favoured player on every team, especially in Toronto during their early 90's Conference finals runs. He was drafted 41st overall in the 1983 NHL Entry Draft (hmmm similar spot to that of Chelios, but two years later).

He retired a Canuck in 1999 after he requested a trade to an Eastern team to be closer to a terminally ill relative. After his request, Brian Burke (then GM of the Canucks) traded Zezel to Anaheim. Zezel never reported to the Ducks after the controversial trade. Oooh Burkey, that was rude...

In 1984-85 (rookie season), Zezel set a team record with the Flyers recording 46 assists in his rookie season.

A Toronto, ON native, Zezel was also a top soccer prospect, playing for the U-21 Canadian soccer team as a youth. He continued playing hockey after retiring in the Greater Toronto Area, and ran 11 hockey camps between now and then.

The hockey world will remember you Pete, and our condolences are with the Zezel family.

Stanley Cup Final

So, Sid the kid and his Penguins are making yet another trip to the Stanley Cup final. And as it looks right now...just over an hour from puck drop...Detroit will probably also be making a return trip to battle it out for the Holy Grail of hockey. I must add that it really is too bad that Chicago hasn't put up much of a fight as of yet against the Wings, but that's the experience problem causing the lacklustre effort. Chicago still does have a chance, and I'm yet to give up on kids of Chicago, but the odds are heavily against them, and not just in the series but this game as well.

Anyway, people are talking about Pittsburgh's added experience as opposed to last year. But, in retrospect, Detroit has just as much added experience. These two teams went through the same experience both this year and last. The only difference? Detroit won the cup! So they'll be thriving off of the momentum from last year's cup final.


Detroit's most impact changes since 08: Addition of Hossa, aging of Chelios, Zetterberg's inconsistent play

Pittsburghs most impactful changes since 08: Addition of Guerin, loss of Hossa, loss of Whitney, added experience on young stars (ie. Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Fleury)

So! Which team has gotten better? From the basics, I'd say Detroit, but the experience added may be the most impactful change. Keep in mind, last year most players on the team had only one year of playoff experience under their belts (lost in Conf. Final in 06-07), but this year they have that EXTRA year...making it to the Final.

Interesting... ...my money's on Pittsburgh. They've got just too much heart, plus, at the beginning of this season, on an NHL commercial, didn't Sid Crosby say "I never want to be in this picture again"? That was an epic commercial, and I'm 100% sure he and his team meant it!

2009-10 Prospective Toronto Maple Leafs Roster

So this is what I think the Leafs are going to look like next season...Numbered notes attached to lines, refer to bottom for MY explanation.

H. Sedin-D. Sedin-Blake 1

Ponikarovski-Grabovski-Kulemin

Bozak-Stajan-Hagman

B. Schenn-Mitchell-Stempniak 2

Extras: Hanson, Mayers

Bouwmeester-Kubina 3

L. Schenn-White

Finger/Van Ryn-Strahlman

Extras: Oreskovic

Goalies 4

Toskala & Gustavsson/Pogge & Gustavsson

Toskala & Gerber/Pogge & Gerber

We will remain without a Captain...

1. Burkey will work his magic and sign the Sedins for less than $12 mil.

2. Leafs will trade Kaberle & 7th overall for L.A.'s 5th overall and second or third round selection

3. Burke will sign Bouwmeester; provided he moves Kaberle. Without Kaberle, Toronto is without a solid puck-moving defensemen

4. Goalie situation difficult to analyze. Whether or not Burke wins the Gustavsson sweepstakes will determine who, what, where, & when. Toskala's condition remains in question until mid-season.

Hky Fun Fact #1

Chris Chelios:

47 year old Defenseman for the Detroit Red Wings.

During Chelios' 25 season career in the NHL, he has only played one full season. Fyi, he began his career in 83-84 (selected 40th overall by Montreal in 1981). In 92-93, he played 84 games for the Blackhawks. Since then, the most he has ever was played 81 games per season, which happened only 4 times. Latest was in 05-06 with Detroit. Even prior to 92-93, the most games he ever played in a season was 80, which was only twice...over 10 years.

Look out Gordie Howe! If Cheli sticks around for at least five more years, your record as oldest ever skater in the NHL may be broken.

Man, one has to wonder how he can do it...