New Year, New Plan

So................ it's been a while to say the least. Sometimes life doesn't stop for blogging and there were a few challenges in the past three months that got in the way of posting. I'll leave it at that except to say that things are looking up in that department.

I also have figured out that quick posts more often is the way to go, so that's the plan for '09. There will be the occasional lengthy diatribe, but I'll be making a concerted effort to chime in on the Toul Box more frequently.

That said, here's a few thoughts as we kick off the New Year:


1) Mats Sundin - I firmly believe he's going to have a significant effect on the Canucks. He'll make whomever he plays with better, and take pressure off the Sedins to carry the scoring load. He also symbolizes to Roberto Luongo that this team is willing to make moves to win now. That's an important gesture in the process of getting Luongo signed to an extension this summer. I also expect Mike Gillis to go after an offensive defenseman and perhaps another scoring winger now that Vancouver is poised to save anywhere from $1.75-$2 million in salary cap room because of Luongo's injury.


2) World Juniors - How jacked were you watching that game against the US the other night? What an effort from the number one nation in hockey after falling down 3-0 early. Tavares' second goal was ridiculously good and Dustin Tokarski came up HUGE after a shaky start. Russia and Sweden are still scary, but once again, Canada is the team to beat. Bring on Gold #5!


3) NFL Playoffs - I can't remember a playoff season that has featured so much mystery, as to which teams will be in the Super Bowl.

Who's the favorite in the AFC? Tennessee doesn't make me think they've got the chops to win more than one round if any, and Pittsburgh had better get its offense figured out if they want another shot at the Lombardi trophy. The hottest squad is Indy, and given who handles their quarterbacking that might be the team to beat despite the fact the Colts are the #5 seed.

If you had to pick a favorite in the NFC, I guess you'd go with the Giants, but something tells me they won't have enough to get it done without Plaxico Burress, who was the big play receiver that scared opposing secondaries. Carolina has thrashed teams on the ground, but can Jake Delhomme beat a quality defense through the air if need be? The team with the potential to shake up that playoff bracket is the Philadelphia Eagles, who are hot at the right time of the year.

4) Bowl Games - love 'em. You don't have watch many of them if you're not a college football fan, but it's a great way to become one. USC looked awesome in the Rose Bowl yesterday and tonight's Sugar Bowl should be interesting with most people getting their first look at Utah. The Utes game against Alabama is one of the things I love about college football - a chance to find out just how good a "little team that could" is by pitting them against one that has received tonnes of media coverage all season long.