the 4th star

Remember that M*A*S*H* episode where Trapper frantically runs into the minefield to save that little boy, who somehow made it 100 yards in without stepping on a mine? Trapper makes it in a handful of strides before Hawkeye tells him to stop, and the hilarity ensues. Henry Blake (my favourite) directs Trapper to the boy using a map of the field, only to discover that he’s reading from a WWII surplus map which offers directions to downtown Berlin. A chopper eventually picks up Trapper and the boy. Phew.

Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger has been front and centre at various press conferences and press controversies over the last week or so. First, his NDP government announced its budget, a five-year plan of belt-tightening and hand-wringing. No surprise. Wage freezes are the new look for the summer. Not included in this budget was anything regarding the new Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium, in case you didn’t notice. That was interesting because as things remained quiet on the stadium front regarding David Asper and his plan, it became increasingly apparent that this project was going to be a public endeavor in a much larger sense. That $35 million put towards the original plan? Chicken scratch.

On Saturday, reporters at the Winnipeg Free Press confirmed that Selinger is in fact leading the stadium charge, but with one small change to the blueprint. No longer would a $135 million stadium be built. Instead, a scaled-down $100 million design is considered, with the province picking up most of the tab for the facility. No mention of that in the budget. Public response to the publicly-funded scaled-down version is cool at best, but what is supposed to do? He’s already run out into the minefield. Can’t turn back now.

Monday, Selinger, confirms that not only has there been discussion on a new stadium deal but that it would cost north of $50-million to fix up the existing stadium site. That’s simply not going to happen, of course, so everyone sees a stadium announcement on the horizon. Why is Selinger taking the reins on the project, you ask? Election year next year, and having a sizable project like this die on his watch is not a great idea politically. He’s essentially painted into a corner here.

Speaking of painting and corners, Selinger may have another issue to contend with regarding public funds and professional sport in this town. Though still off on the horizon, the NHL dream has been a popular topic of late. If there’s any chance of that happening and some extra dough needs to be included to make it go on Winnipeg’s end, you can bet the provincial government will open up the wallet and the big bills will come out. Man, think bringing the Jets back won’t get you re-elected? No kidding.

Forget the suggestion Asper is cunning enough to hatch a stadium scheme that would ultimately see province be forced to come in and pay for his dream (and see the keys over to the team, the Polo Park land, and the stadium end up in his hand). That’s for the conspiracy theorists. No, it’s this possibility of the Jets coming back that pushes Selinger into a Bomber stadium. He has no choice now. If he walks away from the Winnipeg football fans and doesn’t take the lead on the stadium project, only to turn around and subsidize any NHL venture in this city (whether it’s building upgrades or interim operating-type agreements), that won’t play too well with potential voters.

Then again, if Selinger pays for a scaled-down football stadium, one that doesn’t have all the modern bells and whistles fans are accustomed to enjoy in the 2010 sporting experience, they may remember that lemon come election time, too. Or say Selinger decides to write a blank cheque to any NHL project that floats up from the United States, and non-hockey fans continue to wait months (years) for things like MRI scans or wonder why their wages haven’t moved in a few years. That has the potential to be an explosive situation politically, doesn’t it? In a word, KA-BOOM!

Man, it is tough at the top. You and that little kid hang tight, Glen. And don’t worry, Radar is currently working on the chopper. Kutchio!

A colleague told me that I’m writing too much about something that we all know too little about. Never stopped me before! For an example of this, please see the last 15 months of posts. Har har.

What I’m hitting on too much, of course, is the National Hockey League and Winnipeg’s future in it. Too much? Of course. Way too much, especially when you consider how much actual information is floating out there. It’s a dam waiting to burst and then this comes up today, pushing the water levels higher and higher. Rather than knock down the report, or give my usual “I’ll believe it when I see the moving vans roll in” retort, I’m going to build a foundation of truth on it. Here’s the thesis of the latest story.

Two sources with knowledge of the Coyotes finances and ownership said a deal between Thomson and the NHL has been completed in principle and could have the Coyotes back in Winnipeg next season if necessary.

If necessary. On call. Just in case. You get the point. To further drive the story, here’s a quote from Mr. Scott Brown, communications guru extrodinaire for the True North hockey conglomerate. One of the things I want you to notice is the impressive way Brown has reworked the NO COMMENT statement. He’s been asked the question so many times that you can almost feel the bother and annoyance in his reply.

“Due to the possible impact on both the Coyotes and our own AHL product here in Manitoba, we’ve actually been hesitant to engage in any discussion publicly about the situation in Phoenix as far back as last summer when rumors began to surface of the team’s possible departure. It is our understanding the NHL is working very hard to keep the team where it is in Phoenix,” Brown said.

Tim Campbell, senior hockey writer at the Winnipeg Free Press, checks in this afternoon and the returns on an immediate return do not sound promising. While True North does confirm that discussions have taken place with the NHL, Campbell cites an NHL source throwing water on the excitement and provides an account of a conversation with Brown:

True North spokesman Scott Brown said the story is false and added that neither he nor True North chairman Mark Chipman would have any further comment on the report.

Things will become murkier Tuesday when the tall foreheads in Glendale look at two different proposals for arena lease forgivings and those kind of things that can only make professional teams financially viable. Who knows what will come of that? While everyone waits to read between the lines on that decision, I can make a definitive call on one aspect of today’s events:

Scott Brown is not buying the Coyotes and moving them to Winnipeg.

Apparently, there are only 200 people in the ESPN Bracket Challenge who have correctly guessed picked the final Final Four teams. Perhaps I shouldn’t make this assumption, but here goes: Your brackets are done, buddy. Especially on the left side, right? Yes, now that the semifinals have been set, let’s take a gander back at the guesses picks made a couple weeks back. Just for fun. I last checked in on my guesses picks Wednesday, when I wasn’t putting up a Hump Day post for everyone.

(ed. note — get used to it not being there, people)

What did I find? Well, if memory serves I had nine out of the sixteen teams remaining. A surprise, no question, considering the amount of upset and drama the first weekend entailed for people who like to participate in office distractions college basketball fans. I thought that was pretty good. Above the 50th percentile. For the final four schools, the percentage plummeted, though. I only have one club left, and it’s Duke. For the three that didn’t make it to Indianapolis, at least two were close. Both Kentucky and Kansas State lost in the regional final, against West Virginia and Butler, respectively. The kids from Kansas — the club I guessed picked to win it all — were pinned under a house early in the tournament.

That Grapes, eh? What a guy. God’s gift to fourth line players went off about all things Winnipeg over the weekend, taking time between the two games on Hockey Night in Canada to pump the tires on the NHL’s return to our fair city. I can’t believe it’s taken him this long. As I’ve mentioned a few times here, Cherry and I have a bit of a history — with yours truly challenging him on his statements about the NHL returning and offering no substantial proof on that claim. He doesn’t like the be questioned on things like fact or sources. Who does? Feeling the need to bang this drum again, Cherry outlined his vision Saturday night — only this time, he named Gary Doer as his source of information. Who knows? Things could very well be happening. Personally, I like my relocation news with a touch more concrete then what’s being offered these days, but that’s just me. Gotta keep the people talking, eh?

This question was posed today: Why would anyone believe what Cherry has to say? Why would this advocate of pre-meditated hockey violence say anything about this without some real information to back it up (other than a mention of Doer)? The answer is easy. See, this is what he does. He throws it out there and one of two things happen: It either becomes truth or not. If it doesn’t happen the way he predicts, he follows up by saying nothing. There’s no “I got that one wrong.’ Instead, he hammers the decision. If his vision turns out to be correct, then he can play the ‘I told you so’ card again and again, and draw upon that *record* as the basis for his next prediction. Complete with a highlight package, in case you forgot. That’s why he throws all this stuff out there. Why doesn’t anyone remember the wrong ones, the follow-up questioner asks? Why, indeed.

As I’ve said before, let’s just keep some reality here. Live in the moment people. Or at least with some sense of direction. First it was Atlanta, now it’s Phoenix, and now some are thinking it’s Atlanta again. Every day the story changes. Every day people try to decipher some secret code in a Tweet or a blog post (like this one!). A report on a rumour does not spin the speculation into fact. Sigh. I’m just trying to manage expectations, I guess.

Something to think about tonight: You want to know when this story will start to cook? The day after the Manitoba Moose end their season. The regular schedule closes out April 11. If the team gets into the Calder Cup Challenge, the season could be over as early as a week after that. If something is really happening, the local information levy should start to weaken then.

Hawksley Workman
Walker Theatre
Seven and a half guitar changes out of ten boring stories

The last time I saw this guy play was around the Year 2000, or two career changes and three relationships ago that brings us today. It was at a small lounge in the south end of town called the Orbit Room. I knew little about the guy but was impressed by his ability to write a song while straddling the fine line between annoying and quirky. That is not an easy thing to do, my friends. Plus, I am a fan of his strong voice. Flash forward to Saturday night. Workman again, only this time on the bigger stage in front of a bigger audience. The show, nearly two hours in length was split into two parts. The second half was solid, though I didn’t quite understand the one-piece jumper or the yellow head phones. Remember what I said about that fine line? Occasionally you fall off. Or so it seems. The first set is the one I want to get into here. It was a lazy, 45-minute stanza that when divided up between actual music and mindless, meandering storytelling of wooden kayaks and the karmatic implications of offing mosquitoes, it contained about 15 minutes or so of actual instrument playing. The girl beside me in the first balcony, becoming a bigger Hawksley fan with each stumble to the lobby bar, was annoyed at the lack of *crowd participation* below us. She turned to me at one point and commented: “Do you think it’s fair those people get to sit down there? They’re not even standing for the show.” Playing dumb as to not elicit further response from the female, I agreed. Of course, that’s not what I was thinking. No, those thoughts were provided by my date MDB, who leaned in during another boring between-song yarn and said, “I think I know why they’re not standing.”

Random Band of Horses Generator
I’m coming up only to hold you under and to know you is hard. Do you recover from those? Detlef Schrempf said I would see you like I hoped we never would, but it’s what happens when eyes can’t look at you any other way. Any other way. Any other way. And good morning to you; more covers for you. I take it back. I take it all back. When we leave this place maybe I’ll tell you sometime. Outside by your doorstep.

Let’s set the record straight:

We all would love to see the NHL to come back to Winnipeg. OK, maybe not all of us (the guy who makes the foam antlers might be pissed) but most of the locals who check this site out would enjoy watching Matthew Lombardi squeeze another year out of his limited hockey ability. It would be fun. Hell, for hockey fans, for sports writers, for puck bunnies looking to move up a tax bracket or two — it would be a blast. We all can agree on that. That is indisputable. Good times party times. YEAH!

But while we agree that our winters will no longer have any trace of discontent with the addition of the NHL, there seems to be a huge disconnect between people who continue to feed the hopes of a team landing here and the reality of the situation. That reality includes the factual evidence of nothing being announced tomorrow. That’s not to say an NHL announcement won’t happen in the future – my betting slips show I cannot predict the unpredictable – but why get all lathered up over a big bunch of maybes? All it does is raise the level of anticipation into unmanageable levels, and then when someone (who, don’t forget, would like to see a team come back) differs in their thinking about a particular issue or doesn’t meet those expectations, emotions take over. People get upset. Some become angry. Others get confrontational. How dare you suggest this won’t happen! If you’re not with us then you’re against us. No, I don’t think questioning things will prevent a team from coming back. But I see you do. Interesting.

Please sit tight as I flip this broken record over to Side B. Or to put it another way, I’ll wait until the announcement before I crash Portage and Main. I like showing up late, anyway.

Tuesday, I wrote this post, wondering where the some extra seats might go in MTS Centre if the NHL does come back — you know, if the NHL owners were concerned with maximizing their potential profits and making the endeavor work long-term, etc. Just asking the question. What if? Wondering out loud. Speculation is the name of the game in Winnipeg these days, in case you haven’t been listening to the classic rock or reading the classic message boards.

I did receive a rare comment on the post from a loyal reader, but it seems the WordPress filter doesn’t really believe that his/her actual name is ‘Winnipegger’ and that his/her actual email is ‘email@hotmail.com.’ Who knows? Maybe they are correct. If his/her name is Winnipegger, then he/she would certainly have a vested interest in what happens in Winnipeg. In the practice of being fair (and to avoid future accusations of whatever I’m going to be accused of), here’s the comment:

Mark Chipman wants an NHL franchise in Winnipeg and believes it can work. Sorry Wazoo, I’ll take his (and even Darren Ford’s) word over yours ANY day.
Where’s your source or figures that state MTS Centre needs 3,000 more seats? You have none.
And how many empty seats are there in Ottawa, Edmonton, and Calgary on a Wednesday night when Carolina or the L.A. Kings are in town? None. So why would there be in Winnipeg? Oh, I forgot, you have that permanent “Winnipeg inferiority complex” syndrome.
If they’re only getting 6,000 paid for Florida, Tampa, Nashville and Phoenix (despite what “announced” attendance has you believe), I’m pretty sure 15,000 paid will be just fine.
Oh, and here’s the websites for everyone that you seemingly hate to plug: (because, I suspect, they have the facts and you don’t?)
www.manitobamythbusters.com……..www.jetsowner.com

A few responses to the points made:

1. What exactly is Mr. Chipman supposed to say when asked about an NHL team coming to Winnipeg? Do you honestly think he would ever say, “We have no interest, it will not work here, and that’s that.” Of course he wouldn’t. Not painting yourself in a corner (on either side of the room) is the name of the game and non-committal answers are not signed contracts or a reference of intent. As for Ford, has he recovered from the Taylor blind-side yet? We have to get those head shots out of the game!

2. Source? A friend of a friend saw some guy wearing a True North golf shirt measuring a couch at the Brick, so this friend immediately put down a deposit for two in the lower bowl at the visitor blue line. That pretty much covers that definition of what a source is these days. Seat source revealed! Oh, I’m sorry, did I not mention this new thing called speculation? Yo, Steve Jobs just invented it.

(And by the way, that is not a shot at any bloggers out there or anything like that. As someone who enjoys the medium, and someone who rolls their eyes at the tired and pathetic old ‘mother’s basement in their underwear’ label, the reality is that quality blogs out there have made a huge positive impact on the reporting game.)

3. I’m no doctor, but I’m pretty sure there are empty seats in Edmonton. Same with Ottawa. You say those are paid for? Oh, well then my bad. This is so complicated. Per Calgary, residents there have no culture to draw on, so they’re forced to go. And as far as my WIC syndrome goes, I’m told it’s seasonal.

4. Southern numbers. So when the Panthers say they have 12,000 they only have 6,000? Wait a second – you mean someone (or a business) would lie about or skew their figures towards a more favourable position? I find that hard to fathom. Why would anyone want to strengthen their argument that way? Thank God we live on the Internet. That never happens here.

5. And I encourage all to visit those sites. Worth the price of admission.

The only thing I hate more about picking my brackets is writing about picking my brackets. Thank God there are only four regions. There is one thing I do like about the tournament, though. The games. Especially when you’re in a city that has a school playing. I remember being in Milwaukee a few years back, when Marquette was playing. That was fun that day. Drinking in a bar in the early afternoon on a Moose day off. Good times. Dynamite, even. Let’s get to the match-ups: Duke, Louisville, Texas A&M, Purdue, Notre Dame, Baylor, Saint Mary’s, Villanova.

From those schools, we have: Duke, Texas A&M, Baylor, Villanova. From that, we project these two: Duke and Villanova. South bracket winner is: Duke.

—–

For those of you still awake: Kansas over Kansas State and Duke over Kentucky. Kansas wins the whole thing and everyone forgets about it the next day. Madness. Can I play with madness?

Here’s a fun fact about my college basketball knowledge: I have no idea where Clemson is. I know where the school is on the East bracket (No. 7), but I couldn’t even wager an educated guess as to where the campus is. And you want to know something else? I’m not even going to bother looking it up. I just don’t care. So if there any Clemson grads out there — I’m sorry. Your school and your program mean very little on this blog that no one reads. Ok, let’s see what we got over here: Kentucky, Wake Forest, Cornell, Wisconsin, Marquette, Mexico, Missouri, West Virginia.

Round two: Kentucky, Wisconsin, Mexico, West Virginia. Oh wait, there’s more: Kentucky and West Virgina. The winner: Kentucky.

Ashley Judd. I expect to see a lot of you on CBS.