Fan In Van

August Not Coming Fast Enough

So while Canuck fans are impatiently waiting Mats Sundin’s decision on whether or not he will return to the NHL and if so to which Canadian club, there’s a lot of other notable news going on around the NHL and other sports.

• It looks like Boston veteran Glen Murray could find himself without a contract in the next while, as according to the Boston Globe he has been put on waivers with the possible intention of buying him out. Murray is a player who’s game was transformed for the worst after the lockout, managing only 69 goals in 186 games. At 35, it may soon be curtains for Murray’s NHL tenure. Sounds like he should take ex-Bruins teammate Jason Allison and Jeff O’Neill to the KHL.
• How bad do I feel for Ryan Didwiddie? Well, pretty bad. The guy has a grand total of two CFL starts at quarterback with the Blue Bombers, and his first came in last year’s Grey Cup final. His second start will come Thursday night against the Stamps, as he tries to right the floundering ship in Winnipeg, his team being 0-4 in the process. Tough odds, and tough luck for Dinwiddie.
• There’s probably not one Canadian athlete more deserving of carrying the Canadian flag than Adam van Koeverden. As one of kayaking’s best, van Koeverden has worked extremely hard to accomplish what he has done in his career. With a gold and bronze medal in his trophy case, he is a sure bet to compete for podium finishes this summer as well.
• With the Olympics fast approaching, look ahead to 2010 and you have to think this will probably be the last time the NHL will allow its players to compete in the Olympics. Having professionals play in the Olympics is a bit of an issue with me; when you have the World Cup of Hockey, what point is there to have pros compete in the Olympics? My solution is to take professionals out of the Olympics and allow young kids from junior leagues to represent Canada, and let professionals compete in the World Cup. It gives other countries a better chance at competing for the podium in the Olympics.
• Who is number one in men’s tennis? Federer or Nadal? After watching one of the best matches in tennis history at June’s Wimbledon final, I have to say it’s pretty close. Federer has held the #1 seed for over five years but so far he’s been beaten in both the French Open and Wimbledon by Nadal. It goes without saying that the number one seed will be revealed after August’s US Open in Flushing Meadows.

All that said… Mats Sundin, make up your mind soon, because some of us are ripping our hair out waiting for your decision. Is it August yet?