Christmas and Ferrari's

Before I explain Christmas and Ferrari's, I need to sadly once again point to the highlight of the day that never should have been. The plane carrying Lokomotiv Yaroslavl, a KHL team headed to Minsk for a game, crashed just after takeoff. It's reported the plane crashed into a radio tower when it never got enough altitude and went into the river. Sadly this crash has claimed almost every passenger's life, including former NHLers, NHL prospects and Canadian Coach Brad McCrimmon who left the Red Wings this season to coach the Russian squad. It is reported one crew member and one player are alive, but are burned badly. Since we are dealing with Russian translations I've read everything from they did die in the hospital to having fallen into a coma to they don't have a chance. Hopefully we get a definite answer soon, but as of now 43 people have died. R.I.P.

On top of losing their entire team, they had brought with them 4 prospects to show them the ropes of the season which opened today. I'm not entirely sure what the KHL does now when an entire squad plus personnel have been lost. Apparently the NHL has some sort of emergency plan that if we were to encounter a tragedy that left the team with less than 14 players and 1 goalie, there would be a draft of sorts where teams can protect up to 10 players they refuse to lose, then the team in need can draft 1 of the unprotected players from each team to begin the rebuild process. I know it's probably the last thing most people would ever think of, but hockey is a business and the teams are intertwined due to schedules etc and there has to be contingency plans. My heart goes out to the families of the players.

Hopefully you have all viewed the newest team on the block's jerseys, the Jets, but if you haven't, here you go. (This link might get weird so just look for the Winnipeg Jet's jersey unveiling, it's like straight out of a military exercise or Top Gun or you can just google them)  I really like them. They are staying true to their new logo and colors and I believe they need to. This is the only way people are going to (hopefully) remember these are the new Jets, not the Jet of yesteryear.

Now lets talk about Christmas in September and Ferrari's. I was LMAO on my lunch break reading my twitter feed about the Crosby presser that the Penguins held today. The quotes coming through were so unreal I actually couldn't believe that top medical professionals were saying this stuff so of course I came home and watched it for myself. First off, it really happened (still can't believe it) and secondly I felt like I was in a college science lecture hall again and I caught my mind wandering off as usual (now we all know why I'm not in science).

So the 4 most bored people who all looked like they wanted to be anywhere but at a press conference held one at Consol. Ray Shero whom looked like he was a prop, Sid who was drinking water like a camel and 2 concussion specialists, Dr. Michael Collins, who is in the Pitt area and has been treating him since the get go, and Dr. Ted Carrick from the Atlanta area, who has recently been brought on just for shits and giggles? Actually he apparently has a specialization in the type of concussion Crosby sustained. Commence boredem.

Dr. Collins explained to the crowd what a concussion is. Yawn. Then comes the Ferrari. He managed to compare one of the best hockey players on earth to a car. Albeit a very nice, expensive, fast car most dream of so I can see the angle he's playing for so this gets a pass, but still Crosby is a human, not metal pieces (though many question this at times).

Collins then let Dr. Carrick talk for a bit and he said everything that was expected. Then the Q & A begins and "it's Christmas for Sid", responds Dr. Carrick. Really? Is Sid so freaking special he can just move holidays to whenever he pleases? Thankfully an inquiring reporter who probably also barely passed college science pipes up with "explain the Christmas thing". Thank god someone was paying attention. Apparently Sid's Christmas in September involves no gifts (though if he recovers, maybe his likeness in car form, say a Ferrari) but the fact that he's recovering so well. Gotcha.....

As the doctors kept talking (about how to rebuild a robot? I spaced out a bit), Sid continues to drink his water (is this the Mary Poppins bottle of water, he's taken a million sips and its not that big), Shero is seemingly the most bored and annoyed with this whole presser. Sid continues to answer questions while looking like he could get up and kill the next person who asks a question that can't be answered (how does his concussion compare to others, will he retire, whats the timeable). When the CBC reporter asked if he ever thought retirement was possible Crosby responds with "I wouldn't bet on that" with a sly smile and daggers coming out of his eyes. I swear it happened. If I was that reporter, I'd run for my life.He could probably be banned from future Crosby related pressers for doubting the Ferrari's powers and abilities. 

                                I think they were lied to about the pretenses of gathering together. 
                                                      They must have been promised treats, not reporters.  

Short story, he had a bad concussion. He hated driving, watching tv and listening to music, so pretty much he hated life. He acknowledged he attended a film session with the team and was exhausted trying to just follow the tape. He is around 90% which Dr. Collins said could be 100% for another person (remember he's a Ferrari, not a Ford). He can handle all the things he despised (like music) and can skate and handle light work outs. They will take it as it comes on when he will be cleared for contact. Gee everything everyone with a brain has been saying since the beginning.

Shero finally stopped being a table decoration and stated the obvious. Sid will not be rushed, he must be 100% ready and everyone is on the same page. One genius reporter questioned how he would be a captain since he's not playing. Where did they pull these reporters from, recess at the local elementary school. Shero fixed that man with a defiant answer. You can tell he's ready to flip this table like an NJ Housewife and end this party. And he did end the party (no table flipping) and the moment he did so, 4 grown up jumped up faster than ever, proving my theory on them them being bribed, because it's Christmas with a Ferrari. 

Note: This press conference proved 3 things to me. I still hate any sort of science with a passion and just can't focus when doctors and such start talking Greek. Sidney Crosby is breathing which is uber important to his recovery and that Ray Shero hates pressers more than Crosby, who has a distinct disdain for them.