FaceOff Hockey's Rick Cole talks all things Hockey!

Hey guys! You guys didn't think we forgotten you did you? Oh no, just working away and talking sports like we always do at the Big M! I was chatting with Rick Cole this weekend, and we started talking all things hockey and of course, the big one, Stanley Cup series.

Of course for those that don't follow hockey that closely, we have Edmonton Oilers and the Carolina Hurricanes vying for the chance to raise the famous Stanley Cup in victory! Rick was kind enough to give us his ideas on the Cup finals and hockey in general!

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Old Sportswriter: Rick, I know you are very busy but would like to have your thoughts on the upcoming Stanley Cup for the fans!

Rick Cole:
Right now I would love to say Edmonton will win, I am rooting for them, but I really can't say they are a clear favourite - Carolina has a lot of weapons but their defense is not very mobile for the finals.

OS: I was a bit surprised Buffalo didn't win but it seemed like the Carolina had the momentum in the last 2 games of their playoff.

Rick Cole: I wasn't surprised the Sabres lost, even though I was rooting for them. They were without their top 3 defensemen for the whole Carolina series, and the top 4 for the last game, so they were up against it, and Danny Briere was hurt in that last game, it had to make a difference.

OS: So now that the season is almost over, let's talk about some specifics. Who was the best new player this season, and who is the hottest player in the NHL right now?

Rick: Eric Staal. I love the kid's game-hands down. He is the hottest player right now, although a little hurt, he has really come out of nowhere this season. Also , Cam Ward has been a great surprise for the Hurricanes this season.

OS: Who disappointed this season, player and team?

Rick: Good question... Let me see... Toronto was a huge disappointment, Mats Sunder was an underachiever, but to be fair I can't hang it all on him, since he was hurt pretty much all year. When he got healthy at the end of the season, he carried that team. Jose Theodore for Montreal was a big disappointment in goal, as well as Belfour in Toronto... Most disappointing team?? It has to be Chicago, spending tons of money and really got nothing for it. Boston Bruins were a close second for the same reasons.

OS: Ok to be fair.. biggest surprise for team?

Rick: Buffalo for sure. No one picked them to even make the playoffs, let alone get to the conference finals. That team really embraced the new NHL style over the entire season.

OS: Speaking of which, how is the new style of play vs the old grab and hold of previous years compare?

Rick: Everyone I know loves it. This is the way I've always thought the game should be played. Take the game management decisions out of the referee's hands and just call the game as it is written! They did that and the players are finally adapting , now if they could just get rid of goons like Tie Domi, etc.. and bring in more skilled guys, they will be right where they need to be... A lot of oldtimers don't like it, but if you watch games from the 1960's you see a lot of similarities that mirror the gameplay today..

OS: That is the gameplay I remember growing up watching what little hockey I could see on TV in the midwest. Sleek, quick and a lot of fun to watch!

Rick: Exactly. The difference is that with the 6 team NHL back then, there were always 120 guys ready to take your job as a player, and only 6 goalie spots in the entire league meant that there was always someone ready to step in and the players gave more effort knowing their job was never secure.

OS: How badly does not having a US based TV network not carrying the games regularly for hockey? OLN does a good job, but does it hurt not being on TV more in the US?

Rick: Well, I don't know that it is a big deal for the game itself, hockey is a great game, and it will thrive where it has always been popular. As for the NHL, they want to grow their income, which of course means a larger fan base.

I just don't think the fans in the US will ever embrace the game fully when they are used to spending money on NASCAR, NBA, NFL, etc.. of course it is the opposite in Canada.. we love the sport here!

OS: Being a huge hockey fan, what is your favorite thing about the sport? I hear you have held the Stanley Cup in your hands! How heavy is it?

Rick: It is the passion of the game...anyone who has played the game and loves it has this passion that is almost beyond words...in Canada it is ingrained into the very fabric of our society in a lot of ways... On the Cup, it isn't as heavy as one thinks, but it's not a featherweight trophy either. A person in shape can lift it over his head easily, but I wouldn't trust my wife to do it.

OS: Is it just me or is the open season on the goalie anymore, I seem to remember a few goalies in the past decades that used to defend that crease of theirs, and now it seems like everytime there is a play around the net, the goalie gets no respect of that blue box.. no one seems to stay out of that "no-man's land" now. Your thoughts?

Rick : That's one thing that upsets me as an old goaltender... The NHL allows it to be open season on the guys , they need to tighten that up a bit. A few years ago, they would call back goals if there was just a toe in the goal crease. Now it has to be attempted murder before they call anything. Yes there was Billy Smith and Ron Hextall, both were very prominent in protecting their area, Billy was the most high profile offender. Hextall was good with the lumber as well.

OS: One final question Rick. How does Gretzky's signing longer deal in Phoenix look, is it a good move or will it blow up in their faces?

Rick Cole: I have a lot of respect for Wayne, but having him around wouldn't hurt. I believe head coaching is way over rated in the NHL and other major sports. It's the assistants and the scouts who contribute the most aside from the players themselves. Casey Stengel said it best. "My job is to keep the 12 guys that hate me away from the 13 who don't."

OS: Thanks Rick for spending some time and answering some questions about the Stanley Cup Finals and hockey in general!

Rick: Ok thanks!