McKenna’s Musings: ‘Bruce there it is,’ the gritty Rangers & Olympic selection processes
What’s on my mind…
Bruce Boudreau doesn’t like ‘Bruce, there it is!’ but I’m here for it.
Oh man. There’s nothing like a viral campaign these days. Bruce Boudreau takes over as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks and suddenly the team’s unbeatable. They’ve ripped off six straight wins and the fans can’t get enough of chanting ‘Bruce, there it is!” And I think it’s hilariously awesome.
Which is why I was disappointed on Sunday when Bruce said “I wish they’d stop singing that stupid song though in the stands” during his postgame press conference after his team beat the Carolina Hurricanes.
I know what Bruce is doing. He’s trying to deflect praise to his players and keep the focus off of himself. It’s a silly song and he’s having some fun with the media. But I don’t think the fans in Vancouver really need to be told what to do. They already chucked a jersey on the ice and sent Jim Benning packing less than two weeks ago.
How you walk into your week when you’re the UNDEFEATED coach of the Vancouver Canucks. pic.twitter.com/gHnoZOREI6
— Daily Faceoff (@DailyFaceoff) December 13, 2021I’ve always wanted to share an ice cream with Bruce and sadly, haven’t had the chance. But he has a reputation as one of the more jovial personalities in hockey. Sometimes you just have to let the fans run with something if it makes them happy.
Call it the Gloria effect. The St. Louis Blues adopted Laura Branigan’s 1982 hit single as their anthem during the second half of the 2018-19 season and it carried them to the first Stanley Cup championship in team history. Now it’s a cult hit among Blues fans – nearly 40 years after the song’s release.
“Bruce, there it is!” may not last forever. But I think it’s given Canucks fans – and players – some energy. It’s mindless fun. Embrace it, Bruce!
The New York Rangers are for real. And they’re not going to be pushed around.
When I turned in my preseason predictions to Daily Faceoff, I picked the Rangers to finish second in the Metropolitan Division. Truthfully, my pick was a bit of a flier. I wasn’t sure the Rangers were there yet – they had nice pieces going into the season. I loved their goaltending and top-end talent. But I questioned their depth and overall grit.
My guess was that newly-hired head coach Gerard Gallant would get the most out of his team, much the same as he did previously with the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers. Having Ryan Reaves only solidified my thought process that the Rangers would play a physical brand of hockey, augmented by skilled forwards and reigning Norris Trophy winning defenseman Adam Fox.
They’ve made my gamble look good. This isn’t a drill, folks. The Rangers are legitimate Cup contenders. Their power play has so many lethal options. Chris Krieder has scored 17 times and is well on his way to a career year.
Defensively the Rangers have been loose, but goaltender Igor Shesterkin – prior to his recent injury – has been there to clean up the mess. I think he’s been the best netminder in the NHL this season. The next step is a strong performance in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
At the end of the Rangers game against the Arizona Coyotes on Wednesday night, I watched as Jacob Trouba and Ryan Lindgren built a wall in front of goaltender Keith Kinkaid (who, by the way, was outstanding). Trouba mercilessly cross-checked Coyotes forward Clayton Keller and Lindgren ended up fighting Phil Kessel. It was hard, greasy, defensive hockey.
Phil Kessel. Nice guy, tries hard, loves the game….and now, drops the gloves 🥊
Vote on who won this fight ➡️ @hockeyfights pic.twitter.com/igOrjd1dft
For some players, it’s what happens when there’s only a couple seconds left. Whatever it takes to win a hockey game. But not every player – or team – has it in them. The Rangers do. They have some nastiness – and that’s a good thing.
Olympic team long lists are a joke.
I’m not going to pretend to be an expert on the rules set forth by the International Olympic Committee, but how stupid are these long list requirements? Back in mid-October, countries participating in Men’s Ice Hockey were required to submit a list of players eligible to play. No supplemental additions allowed at a later date.
This was in October. When the Olympics aren’t set to take place until February!
How are countries supposed to predict the future? Was this really the only option for the IOC? To me, it’s so short-sighted. I’ve played with some of the best players on earth who simply go missing for half a season. If I’m the GM of a national team, there’s no way I want to bring along a massively slumping player, no matter their reputation.
There have been those who've suggested that the NHL just shut it down right now and utilize the would-be Olympic break to reschedule games.
On today's episode of The Daily Faceoff Show, @frank_seravalli detailed why it isn't as easy as all that. pic.twitter.com/NnbA637p0m
This is especially true for goaltenders. Look at Jack Campbell. He wasn’t included on the long list for Team USA. But he’s been the best American goaltender in hockey this season. How is this fair to the player and the team?
I’m sure an answer exists with some logical explanation, but it shouldn’t be this way. If I’m watching the Olympics, I want to see the best players on earth competing.
Remember the 2018 Winter Olympic in South Korea that didn’t include NHL players? My opinion here – but that tournament was an absolute farce. And I think it’s ridiculous that players like Troy Terry and Jack Campbell aren’t an option for Team USA because they weren’t on a list compiled months in advance of the Olympics.