Premiere Week & Steve "The Monster" Downie

Well, it's already Thursday, so I guess I've already missed a large part of what is being widely touted as "Premiere Week" on television. However, the only 2 shows debuting this week that I have any interest in are Grey's Anatomy, which airs tonight, and it's new spin-off, Private Practice, which kicked off last night.

I wasn't too sure how I'd feel about Private Practice, but I really enjoyed it last night, and I'm already hooked. While I don't think Addison's new pals over at the Oceanside Wellness Centre are as an enigmatic, entertaining group as her former colleagues at Seattle Grace, I think they'll grow on me. On her first day, Addison had to deal with her new co-workers' disapproval of her hiring, along with a pregnant teenager who went into labour and then promptly passed out. Addy had to do an emergency c-section, barely saving the girl and her baby. Oh, and her best friend Naomi's ex-husband Sam saw her naked. Not exactly a smooth transition, but I can't wait to see how things develop for her in LA.

My main concern with this whole situation is how Addison's departure is going to effect the storyline over on Grey's. Also, Dr. Burke, played by Isaiah Washington, will be missing this year, as his contract was not renewed after all of the scandals he caused last season with his slurs against gay co-star T.R. Knight. Things aren't going to be the same without Addison and Burke in the mix, and I'm so excited to see how it all plays out tonight on the season premiere of Grey's!!

Now, on a completely different topic: Everyone has probably heard about the debacle that took place Tuesday night during the Sens game vs. Philly, when Flyers hopeful Steve Downie laid a crushing blow to the head of Ottawa forward Dean McAmmond. I wasn't watching the game, and I didn't see the replays. All I have heard is the media's reaction, both in the newspaper and on sports talk radio - and it sounds like this was a doozie. Apparently, Downie charged at McAmmond, had all the time in the world to think about it, leapt off the ice, and put his shoulder into McAmmond's head. McAmmond then hit his head on the boards, and again on the ice. He was removed from the ice on a stretcher and spent the night in the hospital. He is now recovering at home with a concussion.

Everyone is upset over the incident, and it seems almost everyone is calling for Downie's head now.

In my opinion, it's time for the NHL to do something that really sends a message. Vicious head-hunting in the game has become too common-place. Someday, someone is going to get killed. The situation here is that Downie likely is going to be returned to the minors anyways, so how does a suspension to him send a message at the NHL level? If it were up to me, Downie would be handed a lengthy suspension, to be enforced by the AHL, and he should be banned from ever playing in an NHL game again. He has a reputation of being a nutcase, and his actions on the ice have been notably criminal in the past. He's a loose cannon, and he should never be given the opportunity to end another veteran NHLer's season again.

It's not yet known if and when McAmmond will be ready to play again. Dean McAmmond, a pro who has fought and clawned to earn a place and respect in this league for years, may not lace 'em up again for a very long time, if ever. Steve Downie, a young, reckless, disrespectful goon has taken away his ability to play the game he loves, at least for now. So as far as I'm concerned, Downie should not be allowed to grace the ice surface of the NHL ever again.

He wanted to make a name for himself. He wanted to prove his worth and make the Flyers take note of him.

Well guess what, Steve. They did. And so did everyone else in the NHL. And because of that, you hopefully will never get the chance to play in this league again.