NHL

Hockey's back and I love it to bits. Being online every weekday at work means I've been more involved with the NHL and NFL news than ever before. The season kicked off this afternoon our time, and I caught the last period of the Oilers-Avalanche game on NHL radio.

Naturally I picked the Canadian commentary. I just have the impression that if they're Canadian, they know hockey better than anyone else. It comes complete with ads. Witty Canadian ads. So many of them were conversational, like you're listening to a couple of hockey fans on the couch. The best one went along these lines:

"Honey, we're having a dinner party. What are you doing wearing that Oilers jersey?"
"Come on, it's clean."
"But we're hosting them...that's an Edmonton AWAY jersey!!"
"Oh geez, sorry honey. I'll get the home one on!"
"Hurry, you don't have much time to change before they get here!"
(Doorbell rings)
"Just...tell them you're insane!"

It's totally fulfilling the Canadian stereotype. And I love it. I must go to Canada and catch an NHL game (although I don't like my chances of seeing a game IN Canada, tickets are apparently snapped up quickly there).

NFL

My Miami Dolphins may be 2-1, but there's a big question mark over the quarterback position. We traded away our old No.1 Jay Fiedler (who took the Fins to the "heights" of a 4-12 season record) and picked up Vikings veteran No.2 Gus Frerotte to fill the stops as A.J. Feeley seems unready.

The answer: Next season, get Kurt Warner. Not because he's any good, but because of his track record...of spurring on young QBs into the No.1 spot. After winning a Superbowl with the St. Louis Rams, Marc Bulger came through to the be the No.1. Last year, Warner was supposed to help Eli Manning develop, but after a woeful start under Warner, Manning was the starter and "Peyton's brother" has had a great start to this year. At the Arizona Cardinals, Warner's record started at 0-3 and after a hamstring injury, Josh McCown led the offense to a big 31-14 win last week. Even against the 49ers, McCown looked good, was real excited (thanks to sideline mics) and Warner was absolutely miserable. He's got the Midas touch. A.J. Feeley could learn a thing or two.