Nashville Predators Relocating To Hamilton?

The NHL's Nashville Predator Organization is close to changing ownership. Canadian billionaire Jim Balsillie has been in negotiations with current owner Craig Leipold for the past two-to-three weeks. Such a franchise, which has lost money for the last ten years, was long overdue for a shakeup. The question remaining is whether any potential deal would hinge on a clause seeking to relocate the club to a different state or perhaps even a different country.

Many feel that Balsillie intends to move an existing squad onto Canadian soil. Among his top options is a Hamilton market which has been overtly craving a professional franchise for years. Such leanings associated with the owner have made potential sellers wary. Mario Lemieux rejected Balsillie's $175 million offer to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins back in December.

While no deal is imminent as of yet, top Nashville employees are being alerted of new developments as they unfold. The Preds have failed to sell tickets in each season since their inaugral expansion year, and it was assumed that any future in Tennessee was doubtful.

2007 NBA Draft Update

The Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics, who shared the title of 'Worst NBA Team' in their respective conferences, each had the greatest chance of landing the number one pick in the 2007 Basketball Draft. Yet on Tuesday, neither came away with the coveted prize, instead watching the Western Conference Portland Trail Blazers (a team four spots from the bottom) take home a pick deemed by some as the equivalent of a franchise player.

Analysts remain undecided on who the Blazers will choose first when June 28 rolls around. Long-time favourite Greg Oden of the Ohio Buckeyes was expected to be snatched up by whichever team held the initial pick. However, Portland may forgo the center and instead choose the high-percentage-shooting young gun from the Texas Longhorns - Kevin Durant.

In a year which will also see the core talent of back-to-back champion Florida Gators make the jump from NCAA to NBA, all eyes are on picks 3-13 to see where Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Lee Humphrey, Taureen Green, and Corey Brewer land, among others.

Regardless of all the speculation, we are left to guess who the Trail Blazers deem a more worthy addition to their squad: Kevin Durant - a 6'9 forward who averaged 25.8 points and 11.1 rebounds per game in his freshman campaign, or Greg Oden - a towering 7'1 center who averaged 15.7 points and 12.9 rebounds per game (plus learning to shoot left-handed while undergoing surgery on his right wrist). Both prospects are exceptional players, and have already been added to the US Basketball Olympic Roster.

Federer Ends Reign Of The Clay-King

Roger Federer ended two years and an 81-game winning streak on clay of his ATP adversary on Sunday. Rafael Nadal was denied a potential historic sweep of the ATP Masters Series on clay, when he lost the match a disappointing 2-6, 6-2, 6-0. The Spaniard came out strong in the first set, but was quickly handed a solid two-set showing by the Swiss Federer, who maintained and furthered his position as #1 in the world.

The supportive crowd in Hamburg, Germany, came out to see a filibuster, and they were treated to a match that went the distance. Full of finess, both contenders were hungry for different reasons. Nadal was intent on keeping his seemingly impossible streak alive, while Federer strove to capture his first title of the year. The world's #1 has struggled in 2007, performing lackluster at best since commanding a harrowing record in 2006.

Federer claimed his first win in six career clay court meetings with Nadal, while also making up for Nadal's steal in the Masters Series Monte-Carlo final earlier in the year. Federer has won three of their past four meetings, but still trails his rival with four wins and seven losses altogether.

After the match, Nadal asked Federer for his game-worn shirt with a signature, a gesture commonly seen in European Football (termed 'Soccer' in North America). Although an unorthodox request, both players have a history of attempting to go pro in Football, and so Federer was more than happy to comply with Nadal's request.

Federer is eager to play in the next ATP tournament, which takes place in Paris in the coming weeks. He has fought his clay court demons, and says he wants another crack at Nadal plus a second title in 2007.

Italy Remains At The Top

Since the moment Captain Fabio Cannavaro of Team Italy lifted the World Cup trophy above his head in 2006, the country's national team hasn't looked back. One year later, they've maintained top position among all ranked contenders around the globe. Followed by Brazil, Argentina, France, and Germany - Italy has been playing well enough to maintain their place as 'World's Greatest' far into the future.

Argentina had held the second-place spot until recently falling behind continental rival Brazil. Scotland also made news by moving from 19th up to 14th in the FIFA standings (past Turkey, Poland, Russia, Greece, and Romania).

In other soccer news, a final race for Champions League and UEFA Cup tournament places nears its conclusion this weekend.

Arch-Rivals Fail To Rival At Players Open

At the recent Players Open, Phil Mickelson's win proved to the world that he still has what it takes to compete with the big boys. The only thing missing from this Cinderella story is the absence of a rival when he's 'on his game'. In all three Majors and now the Players that Mickelson has won, Tiger Woods has been at the bottom. The question remains: if Phil cannot beat Tiger at his best, will the prestige of being one of golf's greatest befall him?

Nash Denied 3rd Straight MVP Title

Well, the verdict is out - Steve Nash wont be enjoying his third straight MVP title this year. Dirk Nowitzky accepted the award from NBA Commissioner Howard Stern today, in a building which has been empty since the Mavs' early first-round exit.

While we're reminded that the MVP award is based on regular season play and not the playoffs, one cannot help but wonder why Nash fell short this year.

Steve took his Suns to a record similar to that in 2004-2005, and to a record better than that in 2005-2006. His numbers slightly decreased in terms of PPG and RPG, yet he improved his average number of assists per game. His team seemed to complement him rather than play in his shaddow. He became a major presence off the court as well, committed to helping those less fortunate.

Dirk, on the other hand, bettered his individual game-play since last year. His PPG rose, and his team captured an NBA-leading 67-15 record. He was deemed to have the greatest impact on his team, and aside from losing to eighth-seed Golden State, many would agree helped create one of the strongest franchises in NBA history.

An important factor in deciding this season's most valuable was the fear of putting Nash into a class above his own. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson both failed to win three straight MVP titles during their own illustrious careers, yet each had at least one championship ring on their finger when denied the third. Nash has never hoisted the trophy.

For the time being, three individuals will remain the only players to win a 3-peat in the most valuable department: Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell.

No one can doubt that Nowitzky was deserving in 2006-2007, this being the first MVP award of his career. With both players competing at such a high level, we can only imagine what might've been had Nash remained in Dallas.

Barry Bonds: Homerun King?

Bonds is reaching the seats again, and at the age of 42. He started the season needing 22 homers to pass Aaron's 755, and has hit 11 homers in his first 33 games. However, he is at the forefront of baseball's steroids scandal. Judging by the hostile reception Bonds receives at opponents' ballparks, as well as from star players of both past and present, many are questioning whether his breaking the record has any meaning. Bud Selig is struggling with how to handle the record-breaking moment. He won't be present when Bonds steps up to the plate with a chance to hit home run No. 756, though he has stated his intention to see the MLB complete its investigation of the recent steroid era. The question remains: when Bonds launches his historical long-ball over the fence, will anyone care?

The 'Smitch' Expected To Coach Elsewhere Next Year

Raptor Coach Sam Mitchell might be searching for a new job sooner than expected. Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo has been discussing a potential new contract with Mitchell's agent, Lonnie Cooper, who represents about 75% of the coaches in the NBA. This may lead to an awkward situation in which Mr. Cooper may decide to push another prospective coach on the Raptors instead of Sam. The Rap's coach will see his contract officially end on June 30th of this year, however top management has indicated that they'd like to see a new one put in place before then, with or without Mitchell's signature.

Mats Sundin Leaving Toronto?

As the Toronto Maple Leafs work to keep Sundin in blue and white, his former team in native Sweden is calling him home.

Djurgarden IF of the Swedish Elite League has offered the NHL captain a one-year deal, reportedly to the tune of just over $1 million USD.

Mats' agent was reached by phone in his office Monday, electing only to state that his client will negotiate a strict 2-year contract extention with the Leafs prior to meeting with Djurgarden IF representatives.

It's expected that Sundin will enter serious negotiations once Leaf GM John Ferguson Jr. returns from the World Hockey Championship in Russia, where Canada won gold on Sunday.

Crucial to the equation is the fact that Sundin remains 1 goal shy of Darryl Sittler's franchise record, and 11 points shy of becoming the all-time Leaf leader in total points.

Welcome!

Welcome to my sports blog! Anything and everything sports is what this site is all about, so feel free to comment or submit a personal article for posting on anything of interest.

-JB-