At Least There's Hockey

So, as I sit here waiting on full computer access to be granted after returning from paternity leave, there's really nothing to look at on the interweb than hockey stuff.  I've watched the Jamie Benn Kenobi video about a dozen times.  I've been verbally tickled by Razor (@razor5hole) and chuckled at Mike Modano's (@9modano) suggestion to Rick Nash to request a trade.  I guess what's left is to look at the numbers (cause really, what would @sportssturm do).

When I last dove into the numbers, Sheldon Souray (@SSouray) was a plus-3 with 3 assists.  That was last Friday, I believe.  Today, Studly Wonderbomb is now plus-6 with one more assist and a GWG.  One thing you'll learn from reading this mind-dump of mine is that I put a LOT of stock in plus/minus.  It's the best measuring stick for an individual's performance in a team sport.  For those who may not be up to speed on how +/- is factored and why it's important, a player get's a plus-1 when he is out on the ice when his team scores an even-strength goal (five-on-five), even if he doesn't factor into the score itself.  On the flip side, when a player is on the ice and his opponent scores a five-on-five goal, those on the ice get a minus-1.  So, obviously, a higher plus-rating indicates a player is out on the ice when his team scores more often than not (or is not on the ice when his team lets in goals).

But, back to Souray.  Two of his assists could very well be goals, as two of the nuclear shots from the blue line were redirected by the Blonde Flash, Michael Ryder (yes, that's my nickname for him and may or may not become an offical nickname).  Plus, he now trails Steve Ott in penalty minutes by one.  I'll say it again, July 1 shall go down at the 3rd most magical day in franchise history behind their move to Dallas and game 6 versus Buffalo.  July 1st: The day we signed Sheldon Souray and of course, the day Razor joined twitter.

Speaking of Otter, it's easy to look to the "number one" line of Riberio-Morrow-Ryder and know that's where the production is going to come from as the season wears on.  But, after the first 6 games, it's very exciting to see Ott-Benn-Erikkson leading the team in offensive production.  Behind Souray, all three are plus-3 with Ott and Benn with 5 points and Erikkson with 4, but he does have that pretty shorty against Columbus last Saturday.

Last minute intangable: Dallas' newest Star, Eric Nystrom (@enystrom23) just tweeted: It felt awesome puttin that jersey on last night! What an honor. No feeling like winning!  This kind of leadership doesn't show up on a stat sheet.  It should be pointed out that "bigger names" left Dallas because of the ownership situation, yet guys like Souray, Nystrom and Ryder have jumped in and have just taken to this team like they've been here for years.  It's early...very early...but I'm thinking Hall of Famer, Joe Niewendyk may be at the NHL awards next year to receive some additional hardware: GM of the year if this keeps up.