Good Days...For Now

Oh Happy Days

These are heady days for me as a sports fan. If you've read my handy little description on the right hand side, you'll notice that I'm an Ottawa Senators, Toronto Raptors and Toronto Blue Jays fan. Something of a weird combination, I know. I can't help it that I was born in Ottawa and have a soft spot for professional baseball and basketball. All three of the teams I support are enjoying a remarkable run. The Senators have reeled off eight wins in a row, the Raptors have won four straight and the Jays have yet to lose in 2010 (That's right folks, things are going to be so bad for the Blue Jays this year that I am distinctly worried they might find a way to lose games before the season even starts. Thankfully, they are exceeding my expectations).

Being a fan of the Senators and Raptors is actually a remarkably similar experience this year. Both are fifth seeds in the Eastern Conference. Both went through tough patches that had people, myself included, wondering if they would even make the playoffs. And now both seem to be headed in the right direction. The Raptors just knocked off the defending champion Lakers, the Sens just knocked off the defending champion Penguins. So this all sounds very nice. What's the catch in that ominous title?

Well, I don't think either of these teams can win the championship. To my mind, the Raptors have the better chance of the two, but both teams are seriously flawed. The Senators have some top end talent in Jason Spezza, Daniel Alfredsson and Alexei-hey I'm suddenly motivated-Kovalev, but they lack depth and their goaltending is unproven. I think their ceiling is probably the fourth or fifth seed in the East and possibly a victory in a playoff round or two.

Meanwhile, the Raptors have a sublime offense, but still can't really play defense to save their lives. It's been a lot better during their hot play of late, but I still don't know how they can beat the Bostons and Clevelands of the world in a best of seven series. If they were to make it past the second round, it would be considered a major success. This whole year just feels kinda "eh". But it could be worse; I could be an Edmonton Oilers, New Jersey Nets, Washington Nationals fan. If this person exists, they should really just stop watching sports for a couple of years. Things can only get better. Right?


Doppelganger

I have found Phil Kessel's doppelganger: Alexandre Daigle. Now, obviously, you should take this with a grain of salt. Well, maybe more like a whole spoonful. I do think Kessel is a better player than Daigle, but you have to admit that through their first four seasons, they have eerily similar numbers:

Kessel: 264 GP, 81 Goals, 76 Assists, 157 PTS
Daigle: 263 GP, 67 Goals, 89 Assists, 156 PTS

And you're telling me that production is worth two 1st round picks, one 2nd round pick and then over 5 million a year? Look, if I was a Leafs fan, and I'm not, but living in Toronto I get NOTHING but Leafs coverage, I would be up in arms over this. The Leafs haven't been this bad in a long, long time. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Brian Burke, you've really messed this one up. Big time.

NB