Should it happen that the Pittsburgh Penguins win the Stanley Cup, and that's at least a 50-50 bet, then Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin will be accomplishing something that has never happened in an expanded hockey world.
For Crosby, this is only season No. 3 in the National Hockey League, all of it post-lockout, all of it intended to save the Pittsburgh franchise.
For Malkin, this is only his sophomore year: Whenever this team was supposed to find itself in contention, all this has happened faster than ever before.
Wayne Gretzky was in his sixth NHL season and seventh pro season when the Edmonton Oilers won their first Cup in 1984.
Mario Lemieux was in year seven with Pittsburgh when the Penguins won their first of two Cups.
On the flipside, Steve Yzerman took until his 14th season in Detroit to carry the Cup.
Even the great Michael Jordan, in a sport where a single player can make more of a difference than in hockey, needed seven seasons before his first NBA championship.
Pittsburgh may not win the Cup -- but with Malkin at 21, Crosby at 20, Jordan Staal at 19, this is not a one-time shot. This team, handled properly economically, will contend for years.
THIS AND THAT
Just about the last thing on Henry Samueli's list of things to do is care about Brian Burke's contract status in Anaheim. First on his list is finding a way not to go to jail for apparent stock manipulation ... The most recent NHL owner to find his way behind bars: Former Sabres owner John Rigas ... The Maple Leafs offered fired Vancouver boss Dave Nonis a deal that would name his as associate general manager, working with Cliff Fletcher or whomever is signed as GM. But why would Nonis take it when he is being paid for the year not to work and other teams may want him as GM, not as an associate to an unknown boss? ... It is common courtesy in sport to allow people under contract to interview for jobs that would mean a promotion. And if that's the case, why is it the Red Wings won't grant approval for the Leafs to talk with assistant GM Jim Nill? ... Little known fact: Ken Holland, maybe the best GM in hockey, was hired as a scout by Neil Smith, who doesn't get enough consideration for GM jobs anymore ... If I'm running the 2010 Olympic hockey team, my centres are Crosby, Vinny Lecavalier, Ryan Getzlaf and Mike Richards. And if Joe Thornton wants to play, it'll have to be as a winger ... There's nothing wrong with instant replay on goals in hockey. But there's a whole lot wrong when too many goals are allowed or disallowed that suspend your belief in the system ... A Leaf fan complains we have been too hard on John Ferguson Jr. "You've missed the whole story," says the fan. "Look at how good the Marlies are. Ferguson was a perfect AHL general manager."
HEAR AND THERE
This is the second straight season in which the team that eliminated the Raptors was quickly dispatched of in the next round of the playoffs. Which doesn't say much for the Raptors ... I agree with David Stern: There is too much piped-in noise at all NBA games ... If you're Roy Halladay and you're the Blue Jays ace, you have to take those early-inning leads and choke the life out of your opponent. That is his job ... Every time you want to find an unemployment line for J.P. Ricciardi -- and that list is indeed growing -- there is a Troy Glaus for Scott Rolen trade, and he buys himself a little more time ... Heart and soul guy, Reed Johnson, now sharing time with Jim Edmonds, is dipping in Chicago, hitting just .256 with the Cubs. But that's still 20 points higher than Shannon Stewart with nine more RBIs and 12 more runs scored in just 19 more at bats ... Memo to the Boston Celtics: No team has ever won an NBA championship without winning a playoff game on the road ... The next two months of Toronto sport are going to be fascinating: Trying to figure out who's running and coaching the Leafs and trying to figure out how Bryan Colangelo finds a solution to the T.J. Ford-Jose Calderon situation while beefing up his front court at the same time.
SCENE AND HEARD
Mats Sundin now ranks fifth among active NHL players for most regular season games played (1,305) without winning the Stanley Cup. But if leader Luke Richardson (1415), second place Trevor Linden (1,382) and Teppo Numminen (1315) all retire, Sundin will move to second place behind Jeremy Roenick (1,321). The all-time leader is Phil Housley at 1,495 ... The plan is to have flawed Andrea Bargnani work out all summer with Raptors assistant coach, John Lucas, and find his game and his passion. But now comes word that Lucas is being considered for the vacant Chicago Bulls coaching job ... Sad to see the classy Annika Sorenstam announce her retirement but nice to see her having the sense of humour to explain her actions in a David Letterman top 10 list. One reason she's retiring: "I want to spend more time with Brett Favre's family." ... Jacques Martin had his contract extended as GM of the Florida Panthers until 2012. The question is: Why?
AND ANOTHER THING
It may take several people to replace the departing Chuck Swirsky. His afternoon radio show needs to be filled and word is that TSN and CBC may use their own announcers to do Raptors games. The most difficult thing, however, will be replacing Swirsky's grab on youth and his boundless energy for anything that happened to be basketball ... For years, Charles Barkley has talked about running for office. Now we know for certain he's capable. He stiffed a casino for $400,000 US, which should qualify him for a successful life in politics ... Definition of nothing for nothing: The Argos traded receiver Frank Murphy to Hamilton for running back Anthony Davis. Then the Argos released Davis. On Friday, the Ticats released Murphy. Some deal ... We always thought Senators had nothing important to do but now that one is considering drafting legislation to save the CFL and prevent the NFL from coming to Canada, we are convinced of it. The CFL doesn't need to be saved. It's doing fine without political intervention... And hey, whatever became of Ron Karkovice?
More than anything, the Blue Jays are hoping that newly signed outfielder, Kevin Mench, lives up to his name ... After all these years, I still can't warm to interleague play in baseball ...
