There's No Better Time ....

I thought it would be a good time to check in here and spill my happiness in the wake of the Chicago Blackhawks crushing the dreams and hopes of the Philadelphia Flyers in their home rink by winning this year's Stanley Cup Final in 6 games on Wednesday night.

After the Penguins' air-out-of-their-balloon performance in game 7 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal against the Montreal Canadiens a month ago deprived them of the opportunity to be the squad that knocked off the Flyers, at least the Blackhawks were able to do it.

Boy Chicago was strong the last few games of the Final. They did what they should have done as the favorite in that series --- eventually take it over. And that's true despite them playing generally below their capabilities, in my opinion, in the first 4 games.

Subpar goaltending, which the Flyers got from journeyman Michael Leighton -- and which plagued so many netminders in this year's postseason, including the one we know the best in Pittsburgh -- certainly helped that cause.

Overall, I don't think this year's final was as good as last year's between the Penguins and Detroit Red Wings.

Still, the Blackhawks were loaded just about everywhere in their lineup. While it's going to be very interesting to see what a team already about 10 million over the cap for next year does with their roster and which players they may trade or cut loose, this year they were the team to beat. That's why I picked the Penguins to face them in the Final, and why I certainly wasn't surprised to see them walk away with the Silver Chalice this season.

'Hawks Captain Jonathan Toews was particularly impressive, wasn't he? I felt he was a deserving Conn Smythe Trophy award winner as playoff MVP, no matter how good everyone felt Flyers' blueliner Chris Pronger was this post-season.

And to think the Penguins could have actually drafted Toews?!?! Jordan Staal, who Pittsburgh selected instead, is a strong fit -- and maybe the better one -- for the Pens, but gosh, Toews is a skilled, savvy hockey player and just a natural leader. He's going to be a fixture on that Chicago squad for many years.

Anyway, with the off-season now being officially underway for every NHL team -- and while we wait for the NHL awards, NHL entry draft and the beginning of free agency -- I thought I would post a few things I've been holding on to for a while.

Below are 3 great pieces on Sidney Crosby that I've been wanting to share with my readers, all collected over the last 6 weeks or so. One of them revisits the always intriguing Crosby/Alexander Ovechkin debate.

Enjoy:

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/33130-Top-Shelf-Crosby-the-consummate-champion.html?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=thn_daily_20100422

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news?slug=ea-maturecrosby0504

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Columnists/Simmons/2010/04/29/13769506-qmi.html

I may have other interesting odds, ends, bits and pieces up throughout the summer, too, so check back often.

Next week, I expect we might hear some Penguins free agency news. Check back frequently for that, as well.