Don’t fault the man for trying to play through the pain, but shutting Mattias Ohlund down for the rest of the regular season is ultimately the best course of action for the big Swede.
Though the Canucks’ chances of making the playoffs are compromised to a certain degree without Ohlund in the lineup, having surgery to remove bone chips in his left knee should at least allow the veteran defenceman to be ready for action should the Canucks’ book a spot in the post-season. Had he continued playing, Ohlund may have done further damage to his knee and/or become a liability on the blue-line due to his health.
Ohlund’s exit means the only member of the Canucks’ top seven defencemen not to miss at least 10 games this year is Alex Edler (knock on wood). However, this injury will afford Luc Bourdon the opportunity to play in some meaningful games down the stretch, which should help, not hamper, his growth as a player.
•If Butch Harmon’s decision to cut him loose doesn’t cause John Daly to have a long hard look in the mirror, I don’t know what will. Harmon, who is widely regarded as the best swing coach in the world, took Daly on earlier this year in hopes of resurrecting Long John’s career, but has had enough of Daly’s excessive drinking and apparent lack of ambition.
Like many of you, I have been a fan of Daly’s over the years for a number of reasons.
He’s got a great sense of humour, he isn’t afraid to speak his mind, and he doesn’t pretend to be perfect in a sport that often takes itself and its athletes far too seriously. But his excess drinking, smoking and eating have Daly closer to interventions than invitations, and if he doesn’t clean himself up, he will go down as one of the biggest wastes of talent the world of golf has ever seen.
Nobody’s asking him to morph into Tiger Woods, but Daly’s demons are currently in control instead of the other way around.
Mix equal parts college athlete, sports fan and broadcaster. Shake vigorously. Serve chilled Monday-Friday on the TEAM 1040 from 6-9 a.m. or online at thetoulbox.blogspot.com
