Shooting the Rapidz

Since 1989, Ottawa has now watched the deaths of seven pro sports franchises. The CFL’s Ottawa Rough Riders and Renegades, Lacrosse’s Ottawa Rebel, Roller Hockey’s Ottawa Loggers/Wheels, soccer’s Ottawa Intrepid/Pioneers, baseball’s Ottawa Lynx and now the Ottawa Rapidz. The Rapidz passed away yesterday, apparently due to complications from bankruptcy, lack of interest and the threat of a stadium rental hike.

So…much…death.

This city lives and breathes pro sports, as long as the pro sport you’re talking about is the NHL.

I think it comes down to this. Everyone loves the Ottawa Senators and it creates a pro sports vacuum. Once people get through a season of supporting the Senators, the NHL and their kids’ competitive sports and activites, I don’t think they have the time, money or energy to consistently support other pro sports.

It didn't help that the Rapidz were extremely minor league. They had shaky spending habits. They also had that weird, pointless decision to change their name and logo right before the season, not to mention the firing of a popular manager while he was away visiting his sick wife.

I still say a good, credibly run CFL team has a chance at showing up on Ottawa's sport radar. For the foreseeable future, everything else a big time long shot.

I Come to Praise Alfie Not Trade Him

Daniel Alfredsson could become a UFA next summer. If he hits 70 points and 70 games played this year, he has that option. Alfie will be 36 in December and is due a very big raise. The Sens will probably have to pony up around 21 million over the next 3 years and yes, that includes a homey discount.

That had me pondering out loud this morning, is it best to keep a legend and let him skate off into Ottawa’s sunset or should one consider restocking the hockey shelf while the man’s stock is still so high? It's emotion and loyalty vs business and futures.

As the founder of the Church of Alfie, I’m just pleased Alfie didn’t smite me from Sweden. Alfie forgives all, except those sinfully standing between him and the net.

Canucks Get a C Minus

The Vancouver Canucks have come up up with a novel, dumb idea. They’ve named goalie Roberto Luongo team captain. By league rule, Luongo cannot wear the 'C' or have at it with the referees.

This move is as useless as naming a head coach and saying he cannot stand behind the bench.

The Montreal Canadiens' Bill Durnan was the last goaltender to serve as captain in the 1947-'48 season. In 1948, the NHL passed a rule prohibiting goalies to act as captain or assistants in what could be called the 'Durnan Rule.'

The Canadiens keeper left his crease so much to argue calls that opponents finally protested. They claimed that Durnan's actions gave the Canadiens unscheduled timeouts during strategic points in games.