The SBP Archives - Your less than frequent dose of SBP!

Canada Day will bring more than just patriotic festivities. It will also bring the NHL's free agency blitz (although this year I expect it to not be all that exciting).

And it will bring the HST.

Yeah I know, most people are up in arms about a new tax being introduced. Most items will be unaffected, but about 15-20% of goods & services will see a tax increase. Any new tax usually makes people upset (and maybe I should be too) but in all honesty, I'm usually surprised when I leave a cash register and one of the PST or GST isn't charged.

Yup, the HST fuss has left me rather indifferent. I'm actually the government's dream constituent that way: what should make me want to vote the current party out of office is being met by a shrug of the shoulders.

I guess I'm just used to seeing things go up in price all the time. When was the last time you got a break on anything? I know some things have gone down in price because of the recent recessions, but we all know that's just short lived. Inevitably everything will cost more as time goes on.

So what I'm trying to say is...my life will go on at a slight increase in cost.

Ever since the huge Wall Street bailout, how many times have we read about how our economy is in the crapper right now?

Canada hasn't been as hard hit as other developed nations, but we still feel the effects.

Greece is the latest entity requiring a bailout to the tune of several billion dollars. Here's hoping that the 80% of their population not paying their taxes will finally get around to filing a return.

And as we continue to flush money down the toilet, Canada decided to host the G20 summit.

Or is it G8? I'm not sure.

And here's the catch: Security alone will cost $1 billion dollars!!! ONE BILLION FRICKIN' DOLLARS!

Aren't our politicians trying to come up with ways to spend our resources more efficiently? Maybe how to save a few bucks and maybe balance a budget or two?

So why even have this summit?

Why do we have to have it to begin with? Why do we have to employ 12,000 people for a few days for all that money, when there are no economic spinoffs for Toronto to enjoy?

Downtown Toronto is fenced off and DEAD, save for some protesters who are smashing and burning things up.

Why can't these geniuses who runs these summits suggest maybe a video conference? Have all the big wigs login to a computer from the friendly confines of their home offices and chat that way. That's got to be a better way than wasting all that money on a one week conference.

Even if they want to make the meetings hush hush and fear internet hacking, I bet $500 million in firewalls could be invested to make sure nothing happens. And as outrageous as that price tag sounds, it's still a 50% savings as to what's going on right now.

The G20 summit: What a disgrace.

I can definitely understand the allure of wanting to own a game-worn uniform worn by a pro.

And certainly the historical significance of the Team Canada jersey worn by Paul Henderson, the same jersey he wore when he scored the game winning goal in the 1972 Summit Series, would make this piece of memorabilia that more special.

Now whether or not I think it's worth the $1,275,000 final price the jersey went for at auction is another story. But if you have the money, hey, why not? It's the most ever paid for a sports jersey, beating out a 1933 baseball uniform worn by Babe Ruth that went for over $650,000 in 2006.

Luckily, the purchaser of Henderson's jersey has promised he will have the jersey tour Canada to have it displayed in local museums, and also the Hockey Hall of Fame. And really, this is something that belongs to the Canadian people in my estimation. It shouldn't be holed up in some rich guy's basement. It should be accessible for all to see.

Hopefully that will be the case for Paul Henderson's historical 1972 Team Canada sweater.

Be careful what you wish for.

Jason Spezza is many a Sens fan whipping boy. Even I have gotten on his case once in awhile.

But I know talent when I see it and there is much more upside than downside to his game.

His no trade clause kicks in July 1st and the rumours are in full force suggesting he'll be traded. And most of those rumours seem to also indicate the Senators, if they did trade him, would not get full value in return if he's dealt.

And that's why the Sens should not trade him.

Let's look at what's happened in the last three season. 2008, first round sweep. In 2009, they missed the playoffs altogether.

This year, they made the playoffs and took the defending Cup champs to six games, despite missing two of their top six forwards.

Yup, looks like they're not going in the right direction.

First line centres don't grow on trees. Spezza is a point a game player, both in the regular season and post season.

He had a 57 points in 60 games last year, despite playing injured (doing so because he wanted to play for Team Canada) and managed 7 points in 6 games in this year's playoffs.

So who would replace him if he's gone? Mike Fisher is a #2 centre at best. Peter Regin has shown he performs better as a winger. Chris Kelly has no offensive upside. Ditto Jesse Winchester. Sophomore Zach Smith may or may not work out. Matt Cullen may or may not resign.

Consider Ottawa is likely not resigning Anton Volchenkov, arguably their best defensive defenseman, Bryan Murray has to stop the bleeding and improve the franchise, not turn Ottawa into a fly by night city where stars stay for a cup of coffee then bail.

Jason Spezza turns over the puck, yes, but so does every star player in the league. There's a reason why there's a lot of talk about him...it's because he's an impact player that can make a tremendous difference for a team.

Some say his failure at winning a Stanley Cup is another reason he should go. Question: Do you think Rick Nash is a horrible player? Because he hasn't won a playoff game much less a Cup since entering the league. Last time I checked, he's an awesome player.

Ottawa will be a weaker team without him. Unless he doesn't want to be here, and unless you can get a true bonafide #1 centre in return...he should stay.