Each Friday throughout the season, I'll provide you with my predictions on whose stock is on the rise and whose is failing miserably like an American bank. It's a neat little segment entitled Buys and Sells. There are a few teams/players/issues to buy and a few to sell.
I'm back after a week off, and we're going to approach this week a little bit differently here in Buys and Sells. If you know anything about me, you probably know that I'm an Islander fan. If you know anything else, you know that I am a huge Jeremy Roenick fan.
This week we're going to focus on one thing: for the good of the NHL, Roenick needs to retire immediately.
I'm thoroughly convinced that Roenick, now with the Sharks, needs to retire immediately. Not after the season, not after next season, right now. I love seeing JR out there on the ice, make no mistake about it. He's very entertaining, as can be seen in various YouTube videos -- from his 500th goal celebration to his dance routine on Fan Appreciation day when he was with the Kings.
But there's only place where Roenick can do more for the sport right now than he can when he's on the ice -- the broadcast booth. Call NBC, call the CBC, call Versus! Tell them that we need Roenick on their studio show or on their intermission report. Something. Anything. Heck, let him keep playing and have him do intermission reports from outside the locker room.
Why do I say all this? Because Roenick is entertaining, interesting to listen to and -- unlike Brett Hull and Mike Milbury to name a few -- makes solid points and is very, very passionate about the sport (that's not to say that the other two aren't passionate about hockey). If you were to look at JR's cell structure with a microscope, I bet his cells are shaped like microscopic hockey pucks.
OK, maybe not.
But take Roenick's views on how players interview and picture him saying it on NBC during intermission.
Sports
"There are two ways players can be better interviews," Roenick said. "No. 1: speak your mind. If you feel passionately about something, then grow a pair, grow a thick skin, and say so. Don't be afraid that you're going to say the wrong thing. If it comes from your heart, if you know that you're right, step up and let people hear what you have to say.
"And No. 2: for christ's sake - for christ's sake - show some (expletive) enthusiasm during interviews," Roenick said. "I see too many interviews where young guys say the same thing night after night after night. It's (expletive).
Expletives aside, how much better is that than anything on American hockey coverage right now?
Buys and Sells: Why Jeremy Roenick Needs to Retire... NOW! originally appeared on NHL Main on Fri, 16 Jan 2009 10:44:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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