Thank you, Kiz! It\u2019s about time someone called out Avs center Nathan MacKinnon. He\u2019s a jerk. Did you notice this past season that whenever No. 29 was named the second or third star of the game in Colorado that he failed to appear on the ice? We fans did. As the three stars are a time-honored tradition, we took it as MacKinnon not only disrespecting the fans but the game. Two seasons ago, after the Avs were eliminated from the playoffs on home ice, while his teammates went to center ice to salute Colorado fans, MacKinnon stood by the gate at the bench, lifted his stick waist high and immediately departed.\u00a0 Up in Section 126 of Ball Arena, we noticed. Just a thought: We know Connor McDavid sent a message to the Oilers by signing a two-year deal. Why not make a trade. MacKinnon for McDavid. Straight up.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Bill, sees the real MacK<\/p>\n
Kiz: Now there\u2019s a blockbuster trade that would send tremors through the NHL universe. Superstar for superstar. Nearly the same age. Almost identical salaries. Both fed up with playoff frustration. A change of scenery might do both McDavid and MacKinnon good. Color me intrigued. If Joe Sakic hasn\u2019t already placed an exploratory call to Edmonton, it\u2019s time for Trader Joe to get busy.<\/p>\n
Kiz: There\u2019s much about hockey I don\u2019t know. But as a former teacher, I\u2019ve picked up on MacKinnon\u2019s body language a number of times. He is spoiled and selfish, one of those kids who doesn\u2019t share. Everything is about him. The Avs should trade MacKinnon while he\u2019s got value. One person like him can ruin the entire team. A narcissist doesn\u2019t do well when he can\u2019t control everything. I admire MacKinnon\u2019s abilities, but do not think he\u2019s a good fit any longer for the Avs.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Sally, armchair analyst<\/p>\n
Kiz: OK, at the risk of riling Colorado fans, my firsthand observation is that MacKinnon and our old buddy Carmelo Anthony have more in common than anyone might like to admit. Both super-competitive and uber-talented. But like Melo, MacK gets way too much up in his feelings when adversity strikes. That kind of tension from a team\u2019s best player reverberates throughout the locker room.<\/p>\n
I wanted to say I really enjoyed your salute to the late Claude Lemieux. Excellent and thought-provoking. I learned a lot.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2014 John, kind-hearted<\/p>\n
Kiz: The death of Pepe hit me as hard as a hip check to the soul. I admire the family\u2019s heartfelt decision to donate Lemieux\u2019s brain to CTE research. Yes, the rock-\u2019em, sock-\u2019em hits are an undeniable part of the sport\u2019s appeal. But as I\u2019ve long argued, all the old-time hockey balderdash of settling on-ice disagreements with fists of vigilante justice has got to go. It\u2019s stupid. And dangerous.<\/p>\n
And today\u2019s final shot takes great umbrage with anyone who dares to step outside the echo chamber to speak an uncomfortable truth.<\/p>\n
If Kiz had any actual knowledge that pertained to hockey, he wouldn\u2019t have to write ridiculous shock headlines to grab people\u2019s attention. Look! I can do it too: John Tortorella fights Scotty Bowman over the last popsicle at P.K. Subban\u2019s party!<\/p>\n
\u2014 Kevin, hockey know-it-all<\/p>\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
\n
\n
\n <\/a>
\n
<\/p>\n