ESPN: NHL Confidential
The NHL gets subjected to a bit of a microscope, but no better than the one that ESPN magazine puts on them. ESPN magazine does a thing called NHL confidential where they ask 50 NHL’ers in secrecy of course twenty questions. Here’s a rundown of the questions and the most popular responses, quite a few hit home for the city of Vancouver.
1. Who’s the NHL’s best player?
It was largely between Sid the Kid and Ovie, but it was really no contest, Ovechkin won with 73% of the vote. Roberto Luongo led the dubious category of most overrated! (6%)
2. What is the best franchise? Detroit. Phoenix got the worst.
3. Who’s the smartest coach? While Bylsma and Boudreau got a ton of votes, Mike Babcock took it on home with 22% of the vote. John Tortorella got least want to play for.
4. Should the NHL eliminate some teams? Yes was the dominant answer, where to? the majority? Anywhere in Canada
5. Which team has the best ice? Edmonton won this one, it’s funny cos the team that plays on it sucks ass.
6. Who’s the top ref? Kerry Fraser took this one home, he’s been around the longest out of them all as well. Who got worst? Stephane Auger! “He’s terrible at everything,” says one Eastern Conference center. “Nobody likes him.”
7. Who has the best visitors’ locker room? Apparently Minnesota has the nicest visitors locker room. Pittsburgh has got the worst right now, too small to fit an entire team. Apparently, they’re getting a crazy upgrade this summer.
8. Who has the best groupies? The city of poutine and smoked meat sandwiches took the prize on this one. Don’t feel let down though, Vancouver took home 2nd place. Big up to the Roxy.
9. Who’s the best fighter? The monster on skates, Derek Boogard beat this one away. Who got second place? Rick Rypien, considered by many the toughest in the league.
10. Who’s the dirtiest player? Any shocker here? Chris Pronger. Ovechkin actually landed in 3rd place on this one.
11. Who has the hottest spouse? Mike Fisher took this one home, literally. Carrie Underwood was the fellas top choice. (48%!)
12. Do you think you have any gay teammates? Pretty overwhelming, probably yes. (42%)
13. Grade Gary Bettman, A through F, on the job he’s doing as commish. Not a single A out of all of them. As a matter of fact, his GPA would make Bart Simpson blush. Low C’s.
14. Who has the smartest fans in the NHL? Big Up Van City! 32% ! Philly gets the reputation for meanest fans.
15. Do you think any of your teammates are taking PEDs 76% said no. Pretty staggering.
16. Are goalie pads too big? Of course, on this one? All the goalies gave a big hell no!
17. Have you ever been approached about fixing the outcome of a game? Not a single player said yes. BUT, three players refused to say no. One guy actually complained he didn’t have enough ice time to fix a game! lol
18. True or False: Hockey players are missing a lot of teeth. Stupid question. True. Hella True.
19. What one change would help the NHL’s popularity the most? More TV coverage, why can’t Bettman figure that one out? One veteran wanted to see something like HBO’s Hard Knocks.
20. Who will win the Stanley Cup this year? The Windy City blew away with this one. The Chicago Blackhawks are the favorites to raise Lord Stanleys Grail.