Slap-Shot
Posted April 19, 2009, 12:02 PM ET

I've never been to the RBC to check out a Hurricanes game. If we can get the ISDN line installed in time, we're headed to Raleigh on Tuesday for the show and Game 4 of the Canes-Devils series.

I've never met or talked to a person that hasn't had great things to say about the Canes' game day experience. I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing it for the first time this week.

As for the series, the three-seeded New Jersey Devils won the opening game, and that's not a good omen for Carolina. New Jersey has won ten consecutive playoff series when they win the opening game. Hopefully, the Hurricanes will end that streak.

I'll give details on the show about our broadcast location and line-up, plus you can follow me and the behind scenes highlights at twitter.com/MarkPacker.

While it has been hot on the ice, how about what happened in the Valley of the Sun?

Fifty-year-old Mark Martin found Victory Lane and snapped his 97-race winlees streak. He is the third oldest driver to ever win in the Cup series. Pretty impressive stuff. There are not many drivers that command the respect that Martin does in the garage area and on the track.

The win had to be especially gratifying to owner Rick Hendrick. It marked the third consecutive race that a different Hendrick driver ended up with the checkered flag. Jimmie Johnson won in Martinsville, Jeff Gordon in Texas and now Martin in Phoenix.

Who's missing? You guessed it: Dale, Jr....the only Hendrick driver without a win this season. What a shock. For the record, Junior finished 31st and dropped to 19th in the standings. But I'm sure he'll have a new commercial or promotion before the race this week, in Talladega.

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Every year during the first week of the Major League Baseball season, I pick 9 teams that have no chance at sniffing the playoffs. I do this as mocking the "experts" that always like to portray their ability to make picks ahead of time....please see: Mel Kiper, Jr. (More on him next week, after the NFL Draft.)

The first time I did this was in 2007, and of the nine teams I selected, 8 of them missed the playoffs. The only team to foil my ridiculous selection process was the upstart Colorado Rockies. If you remember, the Rockies won something like 20 of their last 21 games to slip into the post-season, and then played themselves into the World Series.

Last year during the opening week of the season, I picked my new "Packman 9" and watched with pride as once again 8 of my picks fell short of playoff baseball. The team that screwed me last year was Tampa Bay. Of course, the Rays proceeded to lose in the World Series, too.

So, two years and I'm 16 for 18....but my two misses have both made it to the World Series. So here is a breakdown of my 2009 "Packman 9" teams. I always pick at least one team from every division, and keep in mind that one of these losers will play out of their minds and make it to the World Series:

Washington	They are a lock. AAA teams don't even fear them.
Pittsburgh	It's a shame they don't play the Braves every day.
San Francisco	My favorite team, but they have zero offensive weapons.
Baltimore	The O's just can't compete with the big boys in the AL East.
Cleveland	Can you imagine if they played in Yankee Stadium every series?
Oakland	It is going to be a rough year for baseball in the Bay area.
Houston	Yes, you have a problem.
San Diego	The Padres are off to a great start, but it won't last.
Seattle	First place M's and Ken Griffey, Jr is back...so what?

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There was big news in the world of sports broadcasting last week.

I was saddened to hear the news that legendary broadcaster Harry Kalas passed away. He was best known for being the "voice of the Philadelphia Phillies" and NFL Films.

I had the chance to work with Harry in my first job out of college. He was a great guy, awesome broadcaster, and he will be missed dearly.

The news of John Madden's retirement also created a huge stir. Madden, whether you liked him or not, was a monstrous figure in the broadcasting industry. For the past 30 years, he has been bringing his style and insight to the NFL. While it has been assumed that Cris Collinsworth will replace him in the booth this year, Madden's influence on how the NFL is televised cannot be underestimated.

The last bit of news in the industry involves Stephen A. Smith. It appears his days at ESPN are over. As a matter of fact, Smith will be eliminated from the World Wide Leader as of May 1st. There is no question that the ESPN suits tried to find someplace to put the guy, but he failed miserably in every aspect....radio, TV studio, TV host, you name it.

I still contend that the guy is a terrific writer; unfortunately, he wanted to be a "personality" instead.....I think he should go back to the newspaper business.....assuming you can find one that isn't going broke.

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Finally, it is do-or-die time for Julius Peppers and the Carolina Panthers. What is going to happen with this scenario?

It has been well documented that Peppers wants no part of the Panthers, and there is no doubt that the team wants him to stay....and for a million bucks a game, what's not to love?

There are people whose opinions I trust and respect that have completely different views on this subject...and that's what makes this an interesting storyline.

Can Peppers find somebody in the NFL that wants to do business with him and the Panthers? Originally, I thought the Philadelphia Eagles were going to be a player in this deal. They had 12 picks, including 2 first round picks, and a need for a great defensive end.

But their trade last week with Buffalo put a potential monkey wrench into that thinking. The Eagles gave up one of their coveted first round picks for the services of OL Jason Peters.

So, now what?

I can't figure this one out, and I'm having too much fun watching the process take place. I'm going to put my feet up and watch this NFL soap opera unfold.