The Fifth Liners

Hockey fans cast your mind back to the night of May 16th, 1995, when the Quebec Nordiques lose 4-2 to the New York Rangers at MSG. Bitterly disappointed, the Nordiques play-off run had come to an end in the first round over six games. The next season would prove to be the ultimate disappointment to Quebec City as their beloved team relocated to Denver, Colorado. Since this day, Quebec City has been dry of hockey and despite local passion and hope still hanging in the air, no return has come about. There had been problems developing for years before hand as the limited market in this part of Quebec had been causing the team to suffer financially. Also being pretty much a monolingual city had also harmed their marketability to attract bigger players. At this stage, Quebec had a fine roster including future hall of famers, Joe Sakic as well as Peter Forsberg and previously held big names like Mats Sundin and Peter Stastny . Quebec City lack of English speaking culture proved a deturr...

Yesterday, it has emerged that the once strong image of the Toronto Maple Leafs has officially hit a new low as ESPN has ranked them as the least popular franchise in North American Sport. Money wise, this team can do no wrong since the Air Canada Centre is routinely packed out week to week with loyal fans. Problem is despite their bank balances singing loudly, there is an air apathy about this team and the fact that they haven't taken home a Stanley Cup since 1967 nor come close to challenging since doesn't justify value for money. Problem seems to be that the franchise doesn't appear to feel the need to challenge for glory, when they are in a stable financial position. Also the long suffering fans seem happy to pay what ever high prices the ACC deems fit to put in front of them. Despite the distinction of being one of the 'Original Six' of the NHL, the Maple Leafs name isn't considered among the league or sports elite any more (they placed lower than the Mi...

You can rarely judge a team on its pre-season performances, but it's fair to say that things at the Rogers Arena are looking shaky. The Canucks are currently 1/4 on their pre-season games, not a great start for new coach John Tortorella . Former coach  Alain Vigneault was fired after the team failed to progress past the the first round of the last two playoffs, along with two assistants. Since joining the NHL in 1970, the Canucks have failed to lift the Stanley Cup. It's a regular occurrence than coaches are fired long before the GMs who brought them in. You can't browse the internet without tripping over people questioning  Mike Gillis ' decision. This season past has included plenty of questionable moments, including Vigneault's firing, Tortorella's hiring, Luongo-Gate  and Cory Schneider's trade to the New Jersey Devils.  Vigneault's firing was an odd move, to fire the coach who'd won more games at the Canucks than any other coach s...