tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213271592024-03-07T00:15:40.045-05:00The Universal CynicThe Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.comBlogger737125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-41545630809864372592012-08-15T18:03:00.003-04:002012-08-15T18:07:48.731-04:00Wednesday Evening Chewable Gnaw, gnaw, gnaw ... listen to the sound of my GI tract ... Can anyone provide an example where the first negotiation offers from either union or management were accepted without question? Go ahead, I'll wait.Okay, you can stop now. Here's your answer: It doesn't happen. Ever. Even when there's optimism, it's often tempered, masked or even hidden completely, because neither side wants to give theThe Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-84875827054492121042012-08-10T12:10:00.002-04:002012-08-10T12:42:39.615-04:00Is this thing on?Welcome to The Universal Cynic's fugue state. Long story short: As we wait for the union negotiations between the PA and the NHL owners to come to a full stop (in any way, shape or form), I figured it would be a good idea to crank the old girl up in the interim. I want this to be a safe space to discuss what's going on in the League -- albeit with less vitriol than you're used to. My official The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-16199062000671279242011-09-02T22:52:00.002-04:002011-09-02T23:01:47.442-04:00A new view...If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I'm taking over as the Ottawa correspondent for NHL.com. So, what does this mean? Well, first off, I'm part of the media again (you can stop laughing at any time). But it also means that the blog can't continue in its current form, for obvious reasons.
After giving it some thought, I've decided to use this space to write about my experiences in The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-34813001321902953102011-06-28T14:41:00.008-04:002011-06-29T03:05:37.786-04:00Is Filatov on the Sens' Evelyn Wood plan?On paper, the trade that Bryan Murray made to acquire Nikita Filatov from Columbus in exchange for a third-round pick in this year's draft, seems low risk. Filatov is in the final year of a two-way, entry-level contract, and LW has always been a thin point for the Sens. That said, with only 36 games of NHL-level action under his belt in the past two years (and that little side trip to the KHL), The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-3312617594573421522011-06-23T22:08:00.003-04:002011-06-23T22:24:43.122-04:00Claude Julien doesn't care for your campfire snack ingredients"Marshmallow" is one of those words I can never spell correctly, which always pisses me off. Marshmallows also once pissed off Claude Julien, coach of the Stanley Cup champion Boston Bruins last summer, but for an entirely different reason.Julien was playing in a charity golf tournament, and ahead of him was a foursome with a tendency to play practical jokes. After they putted out, they would The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-1763024193670161032011-06-01T09:00:00.004-04:002011-06-01T09:00:01.448-04:00Clones, Condiments and the Calder Cup: The BetThis is my friend Seanny. 5-time Smack-Off champion, sports radio superstar and soon-to-be diabetic.When I found out that my old friend Sean Pendergast would be dropping the puck at the AHL Calder Cup Finals between Binghamton and Houston, my head started spinning. Sure, I knew Seanny followed hockey (he's a diehard Whalers fan and even attended the Whalers' Fan Fest just this past summer). But The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-46242291729764640512011-05-31T13:32:00.002-04:002011-05-31T13:37:08.868-04:00Ottawa Sun Rewind - On WinnipegAs Winnipeg is finally -- finally! -- awarded a team today, here's a dose of obvious from the old Sun column that I wrote in January, 2005: Winnipeg might be a city most of us fly over and rarely think about, but at the World Juniors, some of their residents caught my attention.The between-period segments on TSN were mildly amusing. The network showed shots of fans on the concourse, clutching The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-27368354573928745922011-03-27T21:51:00.005-04:002011-03-27T21:55:58.403-04:00The people have spoken: Here is your Angry Banana wearT-shirts, hoodies and more can be found here. The designs are super simple, with no mention of myself or the blog anywhere on the gear. That's the way I like things, and I figured you'd feel the same way. If you have any special requests, hit me up and I'll add them to the store. Enjoy.The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-75251666536158922242011-03-15T09:00:00.001-04:002011-03-15T09:00:08.827-04:00Your March Deglaze: On Mlakar and keeping one's mouth shut...because it's been way too long. (Yeah, yeah...I know. I'm sorry.)Last night I had a dream that the only way I was able to get proper NHL intel was to hide under a pile of coats at the GM's meeting. Sadly, when it comes to obtaining information from the source, bloggers often come up on the short end of the stick. That said, being associated with traditional media doesn't always ensure open The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-69306471922710972352011-02-11T08:48:00.001-05:002011-02-11T11:56:11.723-05:00Mike Fisher: Le mot de la finI'm glad he's gone. He wasn't a bad player, but he was never going to be what fans and the club both wanted and needed. Initial reaction to the deal? Sure, that'll do. Talk to me after a) the picks develop or b) they're flipped for something more immediate (and no, while it may not happen this year, it's not out of the realm of possibility).Anything left to say can be revisited in this post from The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-81881094191788809772011-02-01T22:17:00.002-05:002011-02-01T22:20:09.442-05:00Question of the nightSuper simple, just answer in the comments:If you're a Senators fan, what do you get out of watching this season's games, particularly when the team appears to be at its lowest ebb? Please be honest - I'm not looking for humour or sarcasm here.The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-28944076223535897872011-01-20T09:59:00.003-05:002011-01-20T10:25:31.798-05:00Playing your way out of a paper bagA quick thought on Don Brennan's column suggesting that Ottawa Senators fans show up to games with paper bags on their heads...Sure, it'll be good for a two-second lead-in to the game highlights on SportsCentre, but then what? In the past few years, the Senators have shown little interest in quelling fans' white noise, regardless of whether it comes in the form of embarrassment, disgust or any The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-62579672851599802102011-01-07T15:21:00.005-05:002011-01-07T15:27:52.598-05:00This. Is. Awesome.From last night's genius via The 6th Sens, and now Malkin to the Kings has blown it up. Look out...it's the Huge Euge. You might want to go and secure any nearby brick walls.The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-29915267843471787892011-01-06T19:35:00.004-05:002011-01-06T21:19:30.261-05:00Fact or Crap: TUC's versionThis is an idea I pilfered from my dear friend - and Sporting News Radio superstar - Sean Pendergast (um...I mean Brian Beckner...), but tweaked just a bit to make it my own. (You can take the girl out of traditional media...) Anyway, I think you'll catch on quick. Let's get started, shall we?* Hockey ultimately benefits from Canada losing at the World Junior Hockey Championships, because The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-30459868780414155622010-12-20T22:26:00.000-05:002011-01-02T22:38:18.536-05:00Surprise, Surprise, New England Patriots Favored To Win AgainThe New England Patriots are once again favored to win a Super Bowl.So, what else is new? Are you going to tell me that Pats quarterback Tom Brady is married to some hot supermodel and that head coach Bill Belichick is still donning the grey hoodie?Oh.Well, to no one’s surprise, the NFL super bowl picks provided by BetUs and their odds makers are expecting the Pats to win it all again. If you The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-33284371026028828442010-12-16T12:49:00.003-05:002010-12-16T13:06:18.340-05:00Blind Items: Repairing the Senators editionOh my, Ottawa - this is the stuff of your worst nightmares. A well-known hockey name has been broadcasting to others that the Senators GM position is his "dream job", and he's just biding his time until he gets a proper crack at it. But why wouldn't he want to be in the city he's more associated with? That's easy - they hate him there. Now I didn't say he's in the running...just that he wants it The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-49649675164108060492010-12-09T22:58:00.005-05:002010-12-09T23:23:40.121-05:00Your Ottawa Senators: A Bloody MessAs if the Ottawa Senators needed to find new ways to embarrass themselves -- get ready, because here comes "Flickgate."You are probably aware that Matt Carkner is not my favourite player on the team. But personal dislike has nothing to do with this. As the video shows, Carkner wipes his forehead post-scrap, and flicks his fingers as he skates by the Rangers bench. Whether it was sweat, blood or aThe Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-79139036885099427992010-12-08T00:40:00.006-05:002010-12-08T01:01:35.641-05:00Your question of the dayVia Twitter, from super blogger, The 6th Sens:"Is this how The Driver feels being a Chargers fan? Want (the) team to lose (so ownership has no choice but to) gut the braintrust?"In a word, yes. He doesn't want his team to lose, per se, but he knows it's the only way to get things to change. Plus he's totally sick of looking at the slouchy knee-high stocking around Norv's neck. It's the exact sameThe Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-92111021977616791422010-11-29T13:10:00.002-05:002010-11-29T13:32:59.299-05:00Monday afternoon mini-Deglaze* I've been asked if a post on Dany Heatley is coming, in conjunction with his first visit back to SBP this week. The short answer is yes, but it will be appearing on Yahoo!, not TUC. Watch for the link on Twitter on Thursday.* Mr. Eugene's short conversation with Elliotte Friedman prior to the Leafs-Sens game on Saturday left me wanting to jam my head into a snowbank. "Buckle up - we're going The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-91740777409089355372010-11-22T12:32:00.000-05:002010-11-22T13:00:21.843-05:00Ottawa Senators: "Richardson family approved the press release"I just got off the phone with Ottawa Senators' VP of communications, Phil Legault and Chad Schella, the team's director of player services. Both were willing to speak on the record to me and offered an official explanation regarding the Daron Richardson press release, which was discussed the previous post.According to Schella, the Richardsons came to the decision to release the details of Daron'sThe Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-14820745328363152602010-11-22T08:43:00.001-05:002010-11-23T04:04:53.084-05:00How much is enough?The past week has been the hardest one in my short writing career, which is ironic for two reasons: 1) Nothing happened to me and 2) I didn't write anything.It was the events and the indirect actions of others that left me confused, angry and altogether unsure of my place and ultimate future in this business. Even now, I can't discuss the situation completely because of the repercussions it may The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-35308558223772208032010-11-10T16:18:00.002-05:002010-11-10T16:25:26.542-05:00Apologies for my absenceOK, so with travel (Vancouver and Houston), work and now the flu, I've been out of commission for a while. Sorry about that. Much thanks to Dany Heatley Speedwagon for holding up the fort at Yahoo! while I was flying around the continent like a maniac. Anyway, post to come in the next 24-48 (hopefully) on the last week or so - travel, the sports reporters panel at Carleton University this past The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-90435310643923456312010-10-24T17:04:00.009-04:002010-10-27T01:38:06.029-04:00Sunday evening Deglaze...because I get to listen to Theo Fleury sing in just under 3 hours. Who wants to sit like bumps on logs and not call Jason Spezza's off-season conditioning into question, because he's been saddled with a groin injury so early in the season? Sounds like a good time, yes? It's not like they could really use any offensive presence, seeing as Ottawa is 29th in the league in average goals per game The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-60751777026650365712010-10-14T02:10:00.005-04:002010-10-14T02:32:27.971-04:00Tickets, tickets...who wants tickets? No one...?Yesterday, the Ottawa Senators announced that there were fewer than 4,500 tickets available for tonight's game vs. Carolina. Yes, you read that number correctly. Naturally, the excuses started rolling in. "It's a mid-week game!" Uh, Thursday games have been commonplace in Ottawa for years, and people have continued to show up. "It's early in the season!" If you are part of the majority of fans The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21327159.post-73050676299699735832010-10-07T21:52:00.003-04:002010-10-07T22:08:54.235-04:00In case you hadn't heard...The news is out: I'll be contributing a consistent dose of snark and estrogen representation over at Puck Daddy. The dear Mr. Wyshynski, a man who, on occasion, has seen me far drunker than I'd like to admit, was kind enough to take a chance on this bitter Quebecor reject, and for that, I salute him. If you'd like to bookmark my vitriol over at Yahoo!, use this link. Meanwhile, here are my The Universal Cynichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03205794337265829420noreply@blogger.com0