NHL Thread

[InhumaneSniper]

THis is the 1000th post in this thread. I hope the Ducks get raped. Please score 5 goals a game on Hiller.

[Pedle Zelnip]

THis is the 1000th post in this thread. I hope the Ducks get raped. Please score 5 goals a game on Hiller.

Try again boy, I got #1000. :)

[beta angel]

Edit: just watching the Wings/Ducks game, that penalty on Brown for the hit on Hudler was a joke. 5 minutes & a game for interference?!? It wasn't even interference, Hudler had just gotten rid of the puck.


Hudler may be small, but Brown's shoulder or elbow hit Jiri's head. When a guy goes down and is bleeding that far up on the head, a call has to be made. It's not necessarly the right call, but it has to be made. I won't be surprised if Brown gets a 1 game suspension for head-hunting. Brown had enough time to decide not to lay Hudler out and the puck was going the other way...*shrug*, I didn't like the hit, I certainly wouldn't call it 'clean', but...whatever. I don't know that I really would have called a misconduct, but a 4 minute major definitely.

I do completely think that Randy Carlyle is a ****bag cockbite douchebag for stating "Hudler was admiring his pass." and that's why he was hit.

I'd love to see Getlzaf or Perry get their ****ing block knocked off, bleed all over the ice and have Babcock say "He was admiring his pass." It's douche thing to say and that cockbite can go eat a bag of ****s. Watching where the puck is headed after you throw it off the stick...yeah, that's admiring a pass. DIAF.


Almost the exact same hit last night in the Canucks game on Rypien, just much later and there wasn't even a penalty.


That doesn't make it right. If any Red Wing did that (like Hudlers stupid elbowing penalty), I want to see a call. I love my team, but **** like that is unacceptable.

Where the hell is the consistency?

This is the NHL. Where consistency is only accounted for when it's inconsistent.


Edit 2: and then Franzen bowls over Hiller while scoring and no call. I'm much more of a Wings fan than a Ducks fan, but this is hore**** refereeing.

What's interesting in the Boston game, that exact same thing happened, however there was a goalie interference call. I thin kthe difference there was that Franzen was right next to Hiller and had nowhere else to go as one of the Duck defenders had taken up the position...so it was either Franzen bowls over Hiller or the defender. Either way, i'm surprised there wasn't at least a *ruckus* over it. With the B's game, that player had plenty of time to move out of the way.


Edit #3: and in the Bos/Car game, there was a very similar play where Bayda ran over Thomas while the goal was being scored. Penalty to Bayda of course, as his name is nowhere near as recognizable as Johan Franzen. Again, consistency?

Heh, I should have read further ahead.

Consistency is a joke. It'll never happen because you've got 2 plays on the same night that are very simliar, but reffed by 2 different sets. In the Franzen/Hiller case, all the refs/linesman saw it happen, I assume they felt there wasn't an option for him to stop (which, based on where he was, there wasn't. If he doesn't score, would there have been a penalty? That's the real question) whereas in the B's game, it was similar but there was more time.

What I find most interesting is that Thomas was outside of the blue paint, so why a penalty whereas Hiller was in the paint...

The worst part of the NHL and the playoffs (especially against a team like the Ducks) is that everytime there's a non-call, you wonder what the hell. Then, when they decide to make a call, it's usually ticky tack bull****.

Really, I don't care. I'm washing game 1 out of the way. It was a poor display by the Wings, who clearly suffered from some rust but started to get better as the game went on. I think by game 2, the Ducks will see a much closer version of the Wings from period 1 on than they saw all this game.

Game 1 for us was, by far, the hardest game in this series, and will be. Win or lose, that first game was going to be the one the Ducks had the best chance at winning in the Joe. I was ****ed that *this* game we got the 5 minute and so early, because we were so rusty...getting that 1 goal was pretty amazing.

[InhumaneSniper]

Try again boy, I got #1000. :)

Aww. Damn it. I got the one thousandth reply then.

[beta angel]

No real surprise, but Brown doesn't get a suspension. The hit would have had to been a bit more blantant.

However, after re-watching the hit on ESPN, Versus, and the NHL Network, most of the analysts agreed that the hit was unnecessary and high. Borderline was the best term used.

It certainly looked to be a forearm/cross-check...not a shoulder.

At this point, it's over and done with and I don't really care.

I hope the Wings have removed that rust we had on Friday during the game and we're ready to turn it up the way we're able to.

[Illidaan]

If Brown's hit was made by a player with a real bad reputation, it would be a suspension. That's where the NHL is stupid and needs to fix itself. Reputation or not, if it's dirty, it's dirty, there should be suspensions handed out either way.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Hudler may be small, but Brown's shoulder or elbow hit Jiri's head. When a guy goes down and is bleeding that far up on the head, a call has to be made. It's not necessarly the right call, but it has to be made. I won't be surprised if Brown gets a 1 game suspension for head-hunting. Brown had enough time to decide not to lay Hudler out and the puck was going the other way...*shrug*, I didn't like the hit, I certainly wouldn't call it 'clean', but...whatever. I don't know that I really would have called a misconduct, but a 4 minute major definitely.

Well, of course, I disagree. :p I watched the replay over and over on my DVR and I counted maybe half a second from the time the puck left Hudler's stick to the time Brown made contact. If a half a second is time to move out of the way then we'll never have any hitting in this league at all.

As for the blood, on CBC they talked about this, and they figured that it was his visor that cut him as he hit the ice, not the contact from Brown. Can't say for sure one way or the other, but at best it's inconclusive that it was the hit by Brown that cut him.

At any rate, it shouldn't matter, it's not the result that should determine whether something is a penalty or not, it's the intent. You could argue that Brown intended to injure Hudler (I disagree with that, but I'm much more sympathetic to that argument), but it certainly wasn't 5 minutes and a game worthy. If Brown had intended to injure him he could've gotten the arm up much higher or taken more of a run at him -- the hit could've been much much worse if Brown had wanted it to be.


I do completely think that Randy Carlyle is a ****bag cockbite douchebag for stating "Hudler was admiring his pass." and that's why he was hit.

But he was. Watch the replay and you'll see after he passes the puck he's looking at where the puck is instead of being aware of the other players on the ice. That's why I think the hit was a fair hockey hit -- Hudler needs to keep his head up. Scott Stevens made a HHOF living out of hits like that, so how come now these hits are unacceptable?


I'd love to see Getlzaf or Perry get their ****ing block knocked off, bleed all over the ice and have Babcock say "He was admiring his pass." It's douche thing to say and that cockbite can go eat a bag of ****s. Watching where the puck is headed after you throw it off the stick...yeah, that's admiring a pass. DIAF.

Wow, tell me how you really feel. :p



What's interesting in the Boston game, that exact same thing happened, however there was a goalie interference call. I thin kthe difference there was that Franzen was right next to Hiller and had nowhere else to go as one of the Duck defenders had taken up the position...so it was either Franzen bowls over Hiller or the defender. Either way, i'm surprised there wasn't at least a *ruckus* over it. With the B's game, that player had plenty of time to move out of the way.


Sure, Bayda had more opportunity to get out of the way, absolutely. However, to say that Frazen couldn't avoid hitting the goalie is a wee bit of an exaggeration. It used to be that the test for goalie interference was did the player make an effort to avoid hitting the goalie, and Franzen not only made no effort to get out of the way, he charged right through him. Especially given that Hiller was still in the crease there's no way that you can do that to a goalie -- it's asking for injuries.


The worst part of the NHL and the playoffs (especially against a team like the Ducks) is that everytime there's a non-call, you wonder what the hell. Then, when they decide to make a call, it's usually ticky tack bull****.

Yeah, that's for sure. Like the Canucks game, the penalty on Toews for hooking was barely a tap on the guys arm, and then Eager bowls over Rypien at center ice with a late high hit and nothing.

I just don't get it. I know that consistency has been something that the NHL has always struggled with, but this year seems especially bad.


Really, I don't care. I'm washing game 1 out of the way. It was a poor display by the Wings, who clearly suffered from some rust but started to get better as the game went on. I think by game 2, the Ducks will see a much closer version of the Wings from period 1 on than they saw all this game.

I thought they were up and down. Had flashes of that Detroit dominance, mixed with periods of just not being sharp. So yeah, that's probably the layoff, so you're likely right, game 2 will be a different story.


However, after re-watching the hit on ESPN, Versus, and the NHL Network, most of the analysts agreed that the hit was unnecessary and high. Borderline was the best term used.

It certainly looked to be a forearm/cross-check...not a shoulder.


On CBC everyone thought it was just a good hard hockey hit: Ron McLean, Kelly Hrudey, Greg Millen, etc. On TSN the discussion was mixed, Darren Pang & Tom Renney thought it was excessive (though not necessarily dirty), and Bob McKenzie wasn't so certain.

If Brown's hit was made by a player with a real bad reputation, it would be a suspension. That's where the NHL is stupid and needs to fix itself. Reputation or not, if it's dirty, it's dirty, there should be suspensions handed out either way.

Totally, and that's why Brashear got the suspension he did. If it had been Ovie doing the exact same thing there wouldn't have been a suspension at all.

At some point the NHL is going to have to take a stand and dish out a real suspension to a star player if they're ever going to shake the "inconsistency" label. They did that with Bertuzzi on the Steve Moore hit, but given the massive media coverage of that one, there was no way they could've avoided giving that suspension.

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Edit: WTF, why didn't somebody tell me the Pens/Caps game was an early start? I missed it! :mad:

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Edit #2: Here's the CBC showing of the hit on Hudler, seems to me it's more shoulder than anything, but whatever:

YouTube - Brown hit on Hudler - CBC Angle 5/1/09

[beta angel]

But he was. Watch the replay and you'll see after he passes the puck he's looking at where the puck is instead of being aware of the other players on the ice. That's why I think the hit was a fair hockey hit -- Hudler needs to keep his head up. Scott Stevens made a HHOF living out of hits like that, so how come now these hits are unacceptable?


I think it's completely idiotic of anybody to say he was "admiring his pass". Not only that, but for Carlyle, who is supposed to be a leader and a coach in the NHL to say something as blatantly ****ing retarded as that, he deserves to see the same thing happen to his players.

It's not unheard for players who touch the puck to try and figure out where they sent it. In fact, i'd say more times than not, it's a standard. I put the puck in place x. Did it get there? Is it coming back? Especially when the pass could have been coming back. Brown has enough time to not completely lift his arms up and hit Huds in the face. I wouldn't be bothered by the hit whatsoever if it was completely 100% clean, obviously, I don't think it was.

I don't think the hits are unacceptable. If they're worth while hits and clean. Don't get me wrong in what i'm saying, he's an NHL player and all, but having Brown unleash a hit like that on Hudler? That's pretty *****. That's like unleashing a huge hit on a 16 year old. Brown should be aiming for Stuart, Kronwall, Hossa...guys like that. Not Hudler. Hell, I could knock Hudlers block off. It's not a challenge.


Yeah, that's for sure. Like the Canucks game, the penalty on Toews for hooking was barely a tap on the guys arm, and then Eager bowls over Rypien at center ice with a late high hit and nothing.

I just don't get it. I know that consistency has been something that the NHL has always struggled with, but this year seems especially bad.


After watching game 1, it's something i'm seriously concerned about. It was bad calls and inconsistency in those calls that lead the Ducks to beat us in the playoffs 2 years ago. I don't want a repeat of that. Call was should be called when it's obvious, but if it's a ticky tack piece of crap, let it go.


I thought they were up and down. Had flashes of that Detroit dominance, mixed with periods of just not being sharp. So yeah, that's probably the layoff, so you're likely right, game 2 will be a different story.


For the most part, I agree. I'd say that there quality spots still weren't quite up to snuff and I do think that the Ducks are going to be surprised tomorrow (assuming the Wings come out the way they should).


On CBC everyone thought it was just a good hard hockey hit: Ron McLean, Kelly Hrudey, Greg Millen, etc. On TSN the discussion was mixed, Darren Pang & Tom Renney thought it was excessive (though not necessarily dirty), and Bob McKenzie wasn't so certain.


It sickens me that I actually agreed with Pang. I think it was excessive, but not necessarly *dirty*. I still think it was 'borderline', but again...it's over and moving on.


EDIT:
Edit #2: Here's the CBC showing of the hit on Hudler, seems to me it's more shoulder than anything, but whatever:


Wow, we really have different sets of eyes. I'm not being a homer here...to me that just looks like a forearm and elbow. You can also see that as Brown goes to hit Hudler, he could have easily skated right by him. He leans over gives the hit and keeps on crusing. That's why I think it was unnecessary.

[Pedle Zelnip]

I think it's completely idiotic of anybody to say he was "admiring his pass". Not only that, but for Carlyle, who is supposed to be a leader and a coach in the NHL to say something as blatantly ****ing retarded as that, he deserves to see the same thing happen to his players.

Absolutely, he does. And if and when it does happen to a Duck I'll be saying the exact same thing (keep your head up!).


It's not unheard for players who touch the puck to try and figure out where they sent it. In fact, i'd say more times than not, it's a standard. I put the puck in place x. Did it get there? Is it coming back? Especially when the pass could have been coming back.

Sure, but that doesn't mean that that player is now untouchable because he's looking where the puck is going instead of looking at who else is on the ice. If you watch the replay, it's not like Brown came out of nowhere, he's skating towards Hudler well before Hudler dumps the puck. That's just poor awareness by Hudler. If you're on the ice at the same time as a hard hitting player, it's your responsibility to make sure you don't get hit.


Brown has enough time to not completely lift his arms up and hit Huds in the face. I wouldn't be bothered by the hit whatsoever if it was completely 100% clean, obviously, I don't think it was.

Which is obviously the point we disagree on. Oh well.


....he's an NHL player and all, but having Brown unleash a hit like that on Hudler? That's pretty *****. That's like unleashing a huge hit on a 16 year old. Brown should be aiming for Stuart, Kronwall, Hossa...guys like that. Not Hudler. Hell, I could knock Hudlers block off. It's not a challenge.

So now you're saying players that are too small to play in the NHL should be given special treatment?


For the most part, I agree. I'd say that there quality spots still weren't quite up to snuff and I do think that the Ducks are going to be surprised tomorrow (assuming the Wings come out the way they should).

I don't think the Ducks will be surprised, I'm sure they'll expect Detroit to bring their A game tomorrow. The question is whether or not they can weather the storm and keep the game close (which I don't think they can do).


It sickens me that I actually agreed with Pang. I think it was excessive, but not necessarly *dirty*. I still think it was 'borderline', but again...it's over and moving on.

Okie-dokie. Right after I comment on your edit. :p


Wow, we really have different sets of eyes. I'm not being a homer here...to me that just looks like a forearm and elbow.

Look at the screenshot:

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6830/brownhudler.jpg

I realize it's blurry, but it was the best I could get to the initial point of contact. Looks to me like shoulder on head. Brown follows through upward on the hit, so by the end it does look like forearm/elbow, but the initial contact looks like shoulder to me.

Edit: this one's better, it's from the other angle:

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6118/brownhudler2h.jpg


You can also see that as Brown goes to hit Hudler, he could have easily skated right by him. He leans over gives the hit and keeps on crusing. That's why I think it was unnecessary.

Yes he could have avoided him, that's not the point. The test for interference isn't "can the guy avoid the hit", it's "does the player being hit "own" the puck", where ownership is either possession, or possession within a short time window. The exact window is referee discretion, but I don't think it's less than a second. Quoth the NHL rulebook (http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=26348):

The last player to touch the puck, other than the goalkeeper, shall be considered the player in possession. The player deemed in possession of the puck may be checked legally, provided the check is rendered immediately following his loss of possession.


So the point is that it was about a half second from the time the puck leaves Hudler's stick to the time the hit is made. Moreover, at the time the hit takes place, Hudler is the last player to have touched the puck. That means it shouldn't be interference. If a player can just shoot the puck away to make a hit illegal, then there won't be any hitting in the league (I see you coming towards me I just blindly fire the puck away, then you hit me a half second later, and my team goes on the PP? How is that conducive to physical hockey?)

Okay, I'm done. Obviously we see this one differently, and as you said it's a borderline play. You've made your arguments, and I've made mine, and I don't think we're going to change the other's mind so time to move on.

[beta angel]

Okay, I'm done. Obviously we see this one differently, and as you said it's a borderline play. You've made your arguments, and I've made mine, and I don't think we're going to change the other's mind so time to move on.

Yep, right after...


So now you're saying players that are too small to play in the NHL should be given special treatment?

Read what I said again.

I'm absolutely *NOT* saying anybody should be given special treatment (that would be exceptionally hippocritical of me considering how critical I am of the special treatment I *do* see given to certain players with the last names of Crosby and Malkin).

What i'm saying is, players make choices. For Brown to make the choice to bury Hudler isn't really a worthwhile hit to be proud of. If Brown wants to send a message, hitting Hudler isn't going to get that message across. I'm saying that if you want to make an impact hit and really lay somebody out, go for it. I love seeing it (even when it's against my guys) but do it against somebody worthwhile. I get why he hit Hudler...part of it was for that stupid elbowing penalty against Beauchimin, part of it was just because he could.

Hudler can handle himself and he's a tough kid and he's in the NHL because of that, but dude...if you're going to pick a fight...

Ok, enough of this. Let's move on.


Did you see Varlamov's save on Crosby? That'll teach Sid to celebrate before a whistle is blown and the lamp is lit (i'm not sure if the lamp actually did light or now), but it was a SICK save.

[pdh8805]

Crosby pulled a Jeff Carter. He had an empty net and instead of burying it, he tapped it and a big save came followed. One would think that he would not do that considering the impact the Fleury save on Carter was.

[beta angel]

Late in the 2nd period and it's Chicago with 3 unanswered goals...one of them shorthanded and a beauty at that.

Vancouver looks to have their hands full with Chicago...they just can't seem to keep them down.

[Pedle Zelnip]

And it would appear that sweeping in the first round means you'll lose game 2 in the 2nd round as all three teams who swept suffered that fate. Go figure.

As for my team's collapse the other night, I'll give some credit to Chicago, they never quit, and have that killer instinct to sense when a team is struggling, and to push accordingly. I'll put some blame on my team for losing their confidence, and deciding to not show up for the 3rd period. But the biggest blame I'm going to lay on the refs. That call in the 2nd period for the trip was a horrible call. Aside from the fact it wasn't a penalty (the guy dove intentionally so that he could slide into Luongo), it should've been a goalie interference, AND it was called by the center ice official who couldn't possibly have seen if it was a trip or not rather than the low ice official who was just a couple feet from the play and could see it clearly. Then when killing that off, Mitchell bats a puck out of the air which happens to go over the glass so now its a long 2 man disadvantage, and then while killing that Kessler's stick abandons him. Chicago then scored on the 2.5 man disadvantage. Add in the injury to Salo and it would appear that fates were just against us that night.

I think Chicago will come out strong in game 3 as they'll be pumped with the return to home ice and the momentum from the game 2 win. I'd say 70/30 chance that Chicago will take game 3, and I predict game 4 the Canucks will come out with their strongest effort of the playoffs thus far.

What will be interesting to see is if Chicago can keep out of the box early in game 3. So far they've dug themselves into deep holes early with a lot of bad penalties (though in their defense some have not been great calls). With the energy and emotion from the packed crowd it'll be interesting to see if they can stay disciplined early.

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So Beta, like WTF? Triple OT and your team loses? What happened? (I didn't watch the game, only caught the highlights)

From what I saw on the highlights it really looked like Detroit was struggling defensively (lots of odd man rushes, breakdowns, etc), and Osgood, while making some really good saves, looked off on some of the goals (including the OT winner, looked to me like he was cheating a bi to the side and was a bit deep in his net). Didn't look horrible by any stretch, but definitely not sharp.

[Illidaan]

So Beta, like WTF? Triple OT and your team loses? What happened?

Jonas Hiller happened.

[beta angel]

It was the exact same crap as in game 1.

There were flashes of the standard Detroit dominance, but they were really brief. The rest of the time, there was absolutely zero jump, little push through the neutral zone and the desire just didn't seem to be there.

2 of their goals Ozzie get's the blame for, because he should have them both. The officiating was up in the air tonight as well.. Getzlaf gets a retarded slashing call for tapping the back of Homers leg? Then Stuart gets a cross checking call for skating and having somebody run into him.

We looked slow, sloppy and just not the team that we are. If they keep this up, it's gonna be a short series.

Hiller had a good game and made some stellar saves, but a majority of his saves come from shots he could completely see all the way.

What's funny is that the Ducks didn't do anything special. They didn't outplay us, we just let them run over us. Simple as that.

[Illidaan]

TSN reports that Flyers are talking to Emery.

[Pedle Zelnip]

It was the exact same crap as in game 1.

There were flashes of the standard Detroit dominance, but they were really brief. The rest of the time, there was absolutely zero jump, little push through the neutral zone and the desire just didn't seem to be there.

....

What's funny is that the Ducks didn't do anything special. They didn't outplay us, we just let them run over us. Simple as that.

Funny how teams can go into funks like that eh? Where they just don't seem to want to play the way they're capable of.

TSN reports that Flyers are talking to Emery.

Yeah I heard that. From a Flyers-fan who wants to see them win point of view I doubt I'd be happy with that move, but from a hockey fan who likes to see craziness in the league point of view I'd love to see Emery in Philly. Shades of Ron Hextall come to mind. :) C'mon, Emery's like one of the biggest goon goaltenders of all time, so why wouldn't he fit in on the team that has traditionally been thought of as being a very tough physical team.

And aside from that, while I don't think he'd be the silver bullet star netminder that Philly really wants right now, I do think he'd be a LOT more consistent than Biron.

------

There was a call-in show on Sportsnet the other day where a fan suggested that maybe Montreal might be interested in Giguere from Anaheim now that Hiller's established himself as the new #1 in Anaheim. What surprised me was that the commentator "experts" (can't remember who it was, I think it was Doug McLean and another guy) poo-pooh'd the idea because they seemed to think that Price is the clear #1 guy in Montreal so to bring Giguere into Montreal as a new #1 would disrupt team chemistry. I found this surprising, not that they didn't think it was a good move, but rather that they felt that Giguere is still a legit #1 tender in the league. I think he'd be a really good fit in Montreal as a back-up to Price as he's been through it all before, won a Stanley Cup, a Conn Smythe so knows how to deal with the playoff pressure (something that Price has struggled with thus far). And of course the francophone angle helps too, I think Giguere would be welcomed with open arms (at least at first) in Hab-land right now given the testy relationship between Hab fans and Price at the moment.

[Illidaan]

If The Habs want Giggy, I'd gladly take Price off their hands.

Emery will come at around 3 million, most likely less. Biron will be 4.5 million, minimum. He's not worth even close to that, that's a joke. Emery is not stud, but he's a legit #1 who can take a team to the Cup Finals. Biron is not. If he can keep his attitude in check, Emery will be a great fit here. Easy on the cap hit, and a legit #1.

[beta angel]

Funny how teams can go into funks like that eh? Where they just don't seem to want to play the way they're capable of.


Yeah. F'n hilarious.

[Pedle Zelnip]

If The Habs want Giggy, I'd gladly take Price off their hands.

Emery will come at around 3 million, most likely less. Biron will be 4.5 million, minimum. He's not worth even close to that, that's a joke. Emery is not stud, but he's a legit #1 who can take a team to the Cup Finals. Biron is not. If he can keep his attitude in check, Emery will be a great fit here. Easy on the cap hit, and a legit #1.

Actually they were saying it'd probably have to be at around 2 million given the Flyers cap issues. The funny part is that he's making more than that in the KHL, and supposedly he's living tax free there. So if he comes back it'd be to play in the NHL, not for money.

You might be overstating Emery a little bit, he took the Sens to the finals a few years ago, but Biron came pretty damn close to doing the same last season with the Flyers. And had the Flyers gone to the finals that year and the Flyers had won, he would've had a legit shot at the Conn Smythe that year. Emery really wasn't even in consideration for that honor the year the Sens went (if it had been a Sen it probably would've been Alfredsson).

The big difference is in consistency, Emery's a much more consistent tender than Biron who (as you've said many times) struggled with consistency a LOT.

Yeah. F'n hilarious.

LOL Well, any bets on whether we'll be laughing at the "f'n hilarious" teams tonight? I think you're team will come out really strong, but mine will be the opposite.

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And it's official Markus Naslund has retired from the NHL:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/05/04/sp-naslund-retirement.html?ref=rss

I'll probably write a bit more about this later as I gotta go run to work.

[beta angel]

LOL Well, any bets on whether we'll be laughing at the "f'n hilarious" teams tonight? I think you're team will come out really strong, but mine will be the opposite.

Detroit tends to come back strong after a loss, so I have my hopes. I'm curious as to what the hell happened to Rafalski, because we're missing him on the PP...and in general. I'm also wondering if we're going to get Drapes back before this series is over, we could use him.

I don't know. I'm frustrated with the last two performances. We need to get our primary scoring going with our secondary scoring and then we'll be set.

I can't complain too much...we won 5 games in a row in the playoffs. Losing that last one might have lit the fire for us.
[/quote]



And it's official Markus Naslund has retired from the NHL:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/05/04/sp-naslund-retirement.html?ref=rss


I'd heard rumours, but that's too bad. If he hadn't played for Vancouver and NY, I could have liked him...he had that whole Swedish Mike Modano thing going for him.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Detroit tends to come back strong after a loss, so I have my hopes. I'm curious as to what the hell happened to Rafalski, because we're missing him on the PP...and in general. I'm also wondering if we're going to get Drapes back before this series is over, we could use him.

Yeah, I thought about that too, that the loss of Draper would be significant.


I don't know. I'm frustrated with the last two performances. We need to get our primary scoring going with our secondary scoring and then we'll be set.

Well with my team it's the opposite: we need to get our secondary scoring going with our primary. The twins have been awesome this year, but the Sundin line has yet to really produce.


I can't complain too much...we won 5 games in a row in the playoffs. Losing that last one might have lit the fire for us.


That's exactly why I think they'll come out strong tonight.


I'd heard rumours, but that's too bad. If he hadn't played for Vancouver and NY, I could have liked him...he had that whole Swedish Mike Modano thing going for him.

That's a really good analogy. Not the same level of skill as Modano I think, but very similar players. I always likened Nazzy to Sakic, though he never had the same on-ice vision as Joe did.

While I'm not surprised by the retirement, there is certainly a part of me that is sad to see him go. Easily one of the top 5 players to ever don a Canucks jersey, the team's all-time leader in points, the 2nd greatest leader behind Linden, and the 2nd most skilled player behind Bure. It was clear though that NY just wasn't a great fit for him at this point in his career, and I think truth be told his heart just wasn't in the game anymore.

Given how long he was the focal point of the team I of course have a lot of memories of Naslund.

I remember the first time I saw him play was in the late 90's in a game against the Avs during the glory years of Sakic, Forsberg, and Roy, and I remember walking out of the arena thinking that Nazzy was easily the best player on the ice that day and how the team really needed to give him some support. Not since Pavel Bure had I seen a player so clearly be the obviously most skilled player on this team.

One memory which comes to mind was the 02-03 season when we lost the last home game of the season to the Avs to lose the division title. It was fan appreciation night so at the end of the game Naslund (as Captain) was already scheduled to speak to the crowd at GM Place. I remember a very disheartened Naslund grabbing the mic and apologizing to the home fans telling them how "we choked". Always admired that honesty and willingness to accept responsibility even though his personality was so very much the opposite of being the outspoken "rah rah" leader type. I saw an interview with him I believe the season after he was given the C, and he talked about how as the leader of the team you sometimes have to leave your comfort zone to do what's best for the team. I always thought he did that amazingly well, and always put the team first ahead of personal considerations. It was one of the things that made him a great leader on this team for a number of years.

Nobody will ever be the class act that Linden was (and is), but Naslund certainly was close. Like Linden, Nazzy did a ton of work with both the BC Children's hospital and Canuck Place (a hospice for very sick children). I always felt that his charitable work was greatly overshadowed (unfairly) by Linden, which is too bad, as he really was in many ways just as much a pillar of the community as Linden was. The difference though I think is that Linden grew up here, came to the team as a very green kid, so many fans always saw Linden (even after going away and coming back) as that innocent kid from a small town in Alberta, whereas Naslund came to the Canucks having already played a bit in the NHL, and was the focal point of the team during their rise and fall in the late 90's and early 00's. Rightly or wrongly he always bore a lot of fan criticism when the team struggled, and rarely got the credit he deserved from media here. I think the fact he was Swedish rather than Canadian played a part in that as well (the twins have struggled with that "European therefore soft" stigma as well).

Oh well, enough nostalgic reminiscing. Well that makes two of the all-time Canuck greats retiring in the last two seasons.

Edit: another example of how Nazzy's a class act (from TSN (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=277388)):

New York would have had an opportunity to buy Naslund out in June, at a total cost of $3 million in cap hits over the next two seasons. Instead, with Naslund's departure, the Rangers will save $4 million in salary cap space immediately for the 2009-10 season.

[InhumaneSniper]

You guys talking about Naslund reminds me of the whole Todd Bertuzzi incident. What happened to Bertuzzi and the guy he paralyzed anyway? (By the way, I don't exactly remember if he paralyzed him or what, all I remember was that it was all bad.)

[Pedle Zelnip]

You guys talking about Naslund reminds me of the whole Todd Bertuzzi incident. What happened to Bertuzzi and the guy he paralyzed anyway? (By the way, I don't exactly remember if he paralyzed him or what, all I remember was that it was all bad.)

Steve Moore (the guy Bertuzzi hit) never played in the NHL ever again, and last I heard was still trying to sue Bertuzzi. To my knowledge he wasn't paralyzed, and has regained full motor control (though I could be wrong about that), but just isn't able to play hockey any more.

Bertuzzi is currently with the Flames after stints with the Red Wings and Ducks. He struggled in the playoffs but I thought he had a solid season this year.

-------

HUGE win for my team tonight, they played a hell of a game. Illy you would've been ecstatic, Ossi filled in for the injured Salo and though he didn't play much, he was solid all night (one semi-bad penalty early, but otherwise solid).

Definitely the best game of the post-season for my team, and one of their better outings all year. And as a plus: WE ACTUALLY DEFENDED A LEAD THROUGHOUT THE THIRD PERIOD. :p

[InhumaneSniper]

Steve Moore (the guy Bertuzzi hit) never played in the NHL ever again, and last I heard was still trying to sue Bertuzzi. To my knowledge he wasn't paralyzed, and has regained full motor control (though I could be wrong about that), but just isn't able to play hockey any more.

Bertuzzi is currently with the Flames after stints with the Red Wings and Ducks. He struggled in the playoffs but I thought he had a solid season this year.



Wow. That sucks, and who knows how Bertuzzi feels. If it was me, even though I did it on purpose, I would feel like **** since I basically ended a guys dream.

[Illidaan]

Wow did Detroit ever get screwed out of the Hossa goal last night.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Wow. That sucks, and who knows how Bertuzzi feels. If it was me, even though I did it on purpose, I would feel like **** since I basically ended a guys dream.

Bertuzzi didn't injure Moore on purpose, he intended to hit him as "payback" for the dirty hit on Naslund previously. Obviously I'm not privy to the inner workings of the Canucks dressing room at the time, but to a man every single player on that team at the time talked about how absolutely devastated Bertuzzi was over the incident. And if you're cynical you might say that his press conference was an act, but I believe that when Bert finally addressed the media for the first time and was visibly upset it was completely sincere.

So yeah, you would feel like **** too. :)

Wow did Detroit ever get screwed out of the Hossa goal last night.

Yeah they did. The rule's the rule though. Horrible break for the team. I just hope they put it behind them and don't dwell on it. What's done is done, time to move on and finally come out with your A game.

While they were screwed, they simply didn't play well during the first two periods, and found themselves behind going into the 3rd because of it. They (almost to a man) need to be better. They played a strong 3rd, but it was a bit of a case of too little too late, combined with an absolute horrible break.

If you're the Ducks you gotta be feeling pretty lucky right now, so it'll be interesting to see how they respond in game 4. Will they learn the lesson from game 3 and play a full 60 minutes instead of just 40, or will they cave once Detroit comes out flying?

Much is being made about Hiller's performance, but while he had a ton of saves, most of those were pretty routine easy saves. That last non-goal he completely should've had, he looked a bit uneasy at times throughout the night, and he is playing very deep in his crease. On CBC the other day they were talking about how he has to be more assertive with the likes of Holmstrom and Franzen sitting in his crease all the time, and he has yet to do that.

------------

Big news out of Phoenix last night: the Coyotes have filed for bankruptcy and a part of the filing includes a $212M offer from Jim Balsillie (CEO of Research in Motion) to move the team to "an unserved market in southern Ontario". Obviously that location is Hamilton as this marks the 3rd time Balsillie has tried to relocate a team, and the previous two were attempts to move the team to Hamilton.

From what I'm hearing, there's no way that the proposal will hold up in court, and as such the move isn't likely to happen. Interesting developments though.

Personally, I would love to see a team in Hamilton, that city has been starving for NHL hockey for a looooong time now. And while Phoenix isn't the worst hockey market currently in the NHL, it's certainly not exactly a hockey hotbed, so long term I do believe it'd be in the leagues best interest to relocate the franchise there.

And imagine the hooplah about Gretz coming back to Canada (especially Ontario where he grew up). The media would have a field day with it. :)

Edit: wow it's sure clear that Bettman is ****ed about the offer. It's kinda fun watching him squirm as I'm sure he realizes that if the deal falls through there's going to be nothing but "Bettman hates Canadian cities" PR for the next couple weeks, but if the deal does go through then the precedent has been set that the rules and provisions for moving teams are essentially meaningless as they can be discarded at any time.

Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. ;)

On Sportsnet they mentioned as well that Gretz would stand to get a nice little chunk of change: $22.5 million as he owns 1.5% of the team. Nice little payday. :)

Edit (since nobody else is posting...): what a fricken goal tonight by Hordichuk. Amazing play by Rypien.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Okay it's been 3 days so I don't feel bad double-posting. :p

Who would've guessed that Carolina would be up 3-1 on the beast from the East? I've been watching this series more than any other save the Canucks series, and I gotta say this team is for real. They are playing scary good right now, and Ward is looking like a Conn Smythe winner again.

I don't know who's going to take the Pitts/Wash series, but they are going to get absolutely destroyed by either Carolina or Boston.

[Illidaan]

If I were a Boston fan, I'd be ready to cry right about now. The trainwreck Habs, followed by the Canes.. it should've been a cakewalk to the ECFs.

[Wings OfForever]

Wow @ The Canes beating the Bruins.....

Here I was the entire time saying "poor hurricanes...Never gonna get a chance"

They're leading 3-1....I haven't been watching much hockey now that the Rangers are out. (>:|). Must be a good series.

[Pedle Zelnip]

I am honestly sick to my stomach right now after the game 5 result for the Canucks.

This series is frustrating the hell out of me, that's 2 games in a row we've been the better team, outplaying the Hawks, but literally one mistake and the pucks in our net, momentum completely swings back to the Hawks and it's all over after that. This series should be over right now with the Hawks playing golf, but instead we're one loss away from golfing ourselves.

Normally when your team loses you think "well if they actually play well next game then we'll have a chance otherwise it'll be over", but we're playing our game, executing our gameplan almost to perfection yet now we face elimination.

Full marks to the Hawks for capitalizing on their chances, we haven't given them much but they've continually managed to take advantage every time we have.

One thing I will say: Kane is giving Crosby a run for the "whiney little turd" crown. There was a handful of times tonight when he got clipped or hit, and then either lied on the ice like he'd been shot or chirped at the refs whining for a penalty.

One refreshing change from tonight though was the officiating. Even though my team lost on a PP goal, this was a very well officiated game, with lots of hitting and borderline plays that were let go giving the game some flow. Compared to almost every other game this playoffs where there's been numerous bull**** calls, or missed calls, it was nice to see a real hockey game again.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

Hey everyone (thanks for pointing me here Pedle). Loyal 'Canes fan here just wanted to hop in and say hello. Really proud of where the 'Canes are at in the playoffs right now. We're really looking like the '06 team that won it all. When Cam Ward is on like this, we can be unstoppable. :D

Game 5 tonight. Go 'Canes!

[Pedle Zelnip]

Hey everyone (thanks for pointing me here Pedle). Loyal 'Canes fan here just wanted to hop in and say hello. Really proud of where the 'Canes are at in the playoffs right now. We're really looking like the '06 team that won it all. When Cam Ward is on like this, we can be unstoppable. :D

Game 5 tonight. Go 'Canes!

LOL, you're welcome. Welcome to the thread.

And yeah, your 'tender is looking pretty spectacular right now.

[Illidaan]

Let's Go 'Canes!

Lots of people on my other MB are ripping on 'Canes fans, comparing them to Caps and those dirty, wagon-jumping Pen fans, but they couldn't be more wrong. I lived in NC before and after they won the Cup, and they've always had a very underrated and loyal fan base. Hockey really caught on down there.

I picked the B's in 5 in my pool, but now the 'Canes can end it in 5 and I still get 1 point for getting the GP right. ;D

[B14ck N1nj4]

I'm happy for the canes right now. I'm sick and tired of Boston fans talking about how their teams are so good at sports. (Most of them are bandwagon fans, also) I'm happy the canes are shutting up those fans.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

Wow I really jinxed that one. Yech. We looked terrible. I doubt we led in a single statistical category.

2 games to get it straightened out, but only one at home.

[beta angel]

The B's looked like the team they were supposed to be all series tonight. Good game for them. If they play like that for the next 2 games, the Canes will have to seriously bring their A game and have absolutely zero mistakes. When the B's are on, they're on.

It's gonna be interesting.

Also:

LGRW!

[Pedle Zelnip]

Wow I really jinxed that one. Yech. We looked terrible. I doubt we led in a single statistical category.

2 games to get it straightened out, but only one at home.

Yeah it's game 6 that will be the interesting one, as so far Carolina has looked awesome on home ice.


Lots of people on my other MB are ripping on 'Canes fans, comparing them to Caps and those dirty, wagon-jumping Pen fans, but they couldn't be more wrong. I lived in NC before and after they won the Cup, and they've always had a very underrated and loyal fan base. Hockey really caught on down there.

So all I've been hearing about from the commentators during the Canes games is how loud their arena is. Is it really as loud and energized as they make it out to be?

I picked the B's in 5 in my pool, but now the 'Canes can end it in 5 and I still get 1 point for getting the GP right. ;D

And you jinxed it, now you get nothing if the Canes close it out in 6. :p

I still think it'll be Boston in 7 (my original prediction), but this has easily been the best series of round 2 (it's a shame it's been overshadowed by the hype surrounding the other series in the east). I think it's actually been a lot closer than the 3-1 (now 3-2) standing would indicate.

----

Little bit of a scare in what was otherwise an outstanding game by Detroit yesterday. I only watched the 2nd period, but up until that goal by Whitney this was a display of total domination by Detroit. Simply outstanding. So much so that it wasn't much of a game to watch, got kinda boring to see forced turnover after forced turnover by the Ducks. :p

-------

So nervous moments tonight in Vancouver land, will we be able to stave of elimination? I hope so. I don't want to make a prediction for fear of jinxing (besides, last couple of games we've played really well, but just ended up on the short end of the stick). I know we can win the game tonight, but I just don't know if we will win the game tonight, if that makes sense.

[beta angel]

Yeah it's game 6 that will be the interesting one, as so far Carolina has looked awesome on home ice.

I still think it'll be Boston in 7 (my original prediction), but this has easily been the best series of round 2 (it's a shame it's been overshadowed by the hype surrounding the other series in the east). I think it's actually been a lot closer than the 3-1 (now 3-2) standing would indicate.


I think the games have been closer than the series lets on as well.

What's going to be interesting now is whether or not Scott Walker gets suspended (he should, just based on the rules, for at least 1 game) and if he does, how long? I'm kind of wondering if they'll base it off of what happens with Ward, if his orbital bone is broken or not. If either happens (the suspension and/or the broken bone), I think Boston is going to be awfully ****ed off and they're going to come out hard and fast like they did last night.

If Boston plays like that again, it's going to be a tough, uphill battle for Carolina I think.


Little bit of a scare in what was otherwise an outstanding game by Detroit yesterday. I only watched the 2nd period, but up until that goal by Whitney this was a display of total domination by Detroit. Simply outstanding. So much so that it wasn't much of a game to watch, got kinda boring to see forced turnover after forced turnover by the Ducks. :p


Just like everybody has said: The Ducks can't win a series with 1 line scoring. They've overworked Getzlaf, he's also supposedly ill with the flu and he hasn't looked remotely good since game 2 when he ended up playing 39+ minutes.

I'm not putting my eggs in one basket because Detroit can still lose this series, but the Ducks looked dead tired in game 4, they looked even moreso in game 5 and I can't see it getting any better by game 6.

The Wings, otoh, are rolling 4 lines, so the top line players are getting the rest they need and now Anaheim has to figure out how to fight off the realigned lines that Babcock has put together (which i'm very thankful for, because this is what he should have done right from the beginning).

Right now we're running our two top lines as: Datsyuk/Zetterberg/Homer (or Cleary occasionally) and Franzen/Filpulla/Hossa.

It's also a bonus that Kopecky is out because Abdelkader has far more upside and really wants to show he fits in on the team...he has that hunger, along with Helm and I love seeing those two out there.


I really hope that the Wings are hitting their stride now a bit moreso and can finish off the Ducks in Anaheim on tuesday.
-------

So nervous moments tonight in Vancouver land, will we be able to stave of elimination? I hope so. I don't want to make a prediction for fear of jinxing (besides, last couple of games we've played really well, but just ended up on the short end of the stick). I know we can win the game tonight, but I just don't know if we will win the game tonight, if that makes sense.

I want Vancouver to win this game, but lose the next. Sorry, Pedle. ;)


---------

EDIT: Well, bang up job, Colin Campbell. I do not understand how the rules are supposed to work anymore...I mean, they've been hazy forever, but...the instigator penalty within 5 minutes is an automatic 1 game suspension, they're also trying to cut down on the hits to head...so?

*shrug* I think this will **** the B's off more and hopefully they'll come out hard, fast and swingin.

[Illidaan]

Walker deserves a lot more than a $2,500 fine, that's a joke. The NHL is really dropping the ball on some of these cheap shot punishments.

[beta angel]

Thank you.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

So all I've been hearing about from the commentators during the Canes games is how loud their arena is. Is it really as loud and energized as they make it out to be?

I went to 3 playoff games in '06. When your ears first try to adjust to the noise in the RBC Center, you literally experience pain. It is EXTREMELY loud, yes. Energized? Well, in game 7 of the '06 Finals, the fans were standing the whole game. ;)

It's always a thrill to be a part of this team's ride.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Fair warning: This is going to be a rant. As I write this, Chicago just scored their 7th goal to go up by 2. I've turned off the game, and am not watching another minute.

I simply don't care anymore. This is ****. I've been watching hockey for close to 25 years, and this is far and away the worst officiated game I have ever seen in my life and I'm sick of the ****ing bull**** calls, noncalls, inconsistency, you name it. I can't watch it anymore. It's no longer a game anymore, it's just waiting for the next bad break.

I give full credit to Chicago, they're a young team which refuses to quit, and full of loads of talent. But they don't deserve this win.

Obviously I'm choked that my team lost, but y'know what, if we had lost the game because we were outplayed, I'd be upset but ok with it. Instead I see what, 3, 4 power play goals in the third ****ing period alone?!?!? And that's after a period where almost nothing was called. WHERE THE HELL IS SOMETHING EVEN CLOSE TO CONSISTENCY!?

I'm done. At this point I'm so choked that I don't even want to watch the rest of the playoffs. I don't care anymore.

Sorry for the swearing, but as a longtime passionate hockey fan I want to see the game played well, not lost this way.

This is worse than the loss for team Canada in Nagano in the olympics which was about the worst feeling I had ever experienced before as a hockey fan. And keep in mind, my team is famous for heartbreaking losses in the playoffs. Maybe it's because it's still so raw, but this one hurts.

[beta angel]

While I have no love for the Canucks (and you know this), you have my sympathy.

It seems there's a lot of fans out there that hate to hear people ***** and moan about officiating and how it's perfectly fine...right up until it happens to them. Now, i'm not, in anyway, saying you're one of them.

In fact, what i'm saying is, I understand 100% where you're coming from. I've seen it time and time again and how it has affected the outcome of games with the Wings and seeing that tonight? It certainly happened to Vancouver.

Let's put it out there: Chicago came out and played hard, they had some good games this series but at least 2 of the games they didn't deserve.

This was one of them. I thought there were a few bad calls that went both ways, but that 3rd period was just disgusting. I completely agree with you in that this game got out of hand by the 3rd and shouldn't have gone that way.

I am sorry that you had to be on the ****-end of this, I was there 2 years ago and i'm terrified that it's going to happen again against the same team...i'm disappointed that the Canucks had it happen to them in their elimination game.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

Bummer bro. I love a lot of sports, and I hate to see officiating decide a game, especially a playoff game.

[Pedle Zelnip]

While I have no love for the Canucks (and you know this), you have my sympathy.

It seems there's a lot of fans out there that hate to hear people ***** and moan about officiating and how it's perfectly fine...right up until it happens to them. Now, i'm not, in anyway, saying you're one of them.

In fact, what i'm saying is, I understand 100% where you're coming from. I've seen it time and time again and how it has affected the outcome of games with the Wings and seeing that tonight? It certainly happened to Vancouver.

Let's put it out there: Chicago came out and played hard, they had some good games this series but at least 2 of the games they didn't deserve.

This was one of them. I thought there were a few bad calls that went both ways, but that 3rd period was just disgusting. I completely agree with you in that this game got out of hand by the 3rd and shouldn't have gone that way.

I am sorry that you had to be on the ****-end of this, I was there 2 years ago and i'm terrified that it's going to happen again against the same team...i'm disappointed that the Canucks had it happen to them in their elimination game.

Hey thanks for that, really appreciate it.

[Illidaan]

B's are done f'n around.

Let's Go Wings! Get me 2 points in my pool.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

Yeesh. Just yeesh.

[beta angel]

Wow, did I call that, or what?

No consistency and it ends up costing at least 1 power play goal.

That first goal NEVER should have happened as the Ducks should have been shorthanded during that time frame.

There were so many non-calls last night, I had to turn the game off after the 2nd period. It was sickening.

I'm done. This whole series has been full of bad/non-calls and I just can't watch the same thing happen to the Wings a second time in 2 years.

It's bull****.

[B14ck N1nj4]

Massacre by the Pens right now. 6-1 is the score as of this moment. I wanted the Caps to win this series, but that is not going to happen unless some miracle happens.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

My dad is a huge Pens fan. If the Canes win tomorrow, I just may go to a game in Raleigh. :D

[Pedle Zelnip]

Thought you all might be interested:


Why No One Is Seeing the NHL's Great Game (http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1897847,00.html?iid=digg_share)

[beta angel]

Whats funny is that I don't know one person who WANTS to watch a game on Versus.

I don't know one person who likes the announcers, the camera men, their poor excuse for 'bench talking'.

There's a reason I stick with FSN Detroit when I can and why I get Center Ice throughout the year, so I get the local feeds.

[beta angel]

I'm double-posting, suck it.

FU<K THE DUCKS!!! That game was terribly officiated, there were a bunch of terrible calls and then non-calls (Hi, Pronger? You should totally be suspended for head-hunting, asshole), a goal that never should have happened because of a power play that never should have happened, a stick that wasn't moved by the refs but should have been...

Detroit overcomes it all and beats Anaheim at their own game.

STELLAR.

I loved seeing Hiller whining and crying. Suck it, you Mighty Duck Fu<ks.

On to Chicago.


LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!

[XI AlphaMale IX]

What a continuing nightmare playoffs for the refs. Fortunately the 'Canes overcame some terrible Icing calls, one of which practically directly led to a goal for the Bruins.

At least they let both teams play in overtime. On to Pittsburgh!

[InhumaneSniper]

I'm double-posting, suck it.

FU<K THE DUCKS!!! That game was terribly officiated, there were a bunch of terrible calls and then non-calls (Hi, Pronger? You should totally be suspended for head-hunting, asshole), a goal that never should have happened because of a power play that never should have happened, a stick that wasn't moved by the refs but should have been...

Detroit overcomes it all and beats Anaheim at their own game.

STELLAR.

I loved seeing Hiller whining and crying. Suck it, you Mighty Duck Fu<ks.

On to Chicago.


LET'S GO RED WINGS!!!
Weren't you saying something to me when I was talking about Hiller?

[beta angel]

Weren't you saying something to me when I was talking about Hiller?

Other than I agreed and wanted him raped? heh.

[Illidaan]

Might as well just add Hossa's name to the Cup right now, since Boston is out and all. ;)

[InhumaneSniper]

Nevermind. That was Illidan.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

Guess who's got tickets to Game 3 in Raleigh! :D

[Illidaan]

There goes the resident 'Canes fan..

[beta angel]

LOL. What the hell did he do?

Anyway, good showing by the Wings today.

After the first 10 minutes, pretty dominant game. We're only going to get better, too. We'll limit those bad turnovers, the two goals that went in were a bit flukey and I don't think Chicago will get that lucky much more (if at all).

I'm pretty confident Detroit can win this series.

[jackx289]

LOL. What the hell did he do?


He basically started an arguement in the completionist thread.

[Illidaan]

LOL. What the hell did he do?

Anyway, good showing by the Wings today.

After the first 10 minutes, pretty dominant game. We're only going to get better, too. We'll limit those bad turnovers, the two goals that went in were a bit flukey and I don't think Chicago will get that lucky much more (if at all).

I'm pretty confident Detroit can win this series.

Pretty confident?! Pretty confident?! Go buy the red balloons and have your women bake some little winged wheel cookies. Detroit's got this Cup in the bag. No one left in the East is a formitable opponent for either Chicago or Detroit in the finals, and Chicago is just about one of the least expirienced playoff teams in the league, now up against the most expirienced.

I'm a true believer that the only teams that win Cups are the ones that are ready to win Cups. Chicago just isn't ready yet, and neither is Pittsburgh. Carolina is, but the talent just isn't there to take Detroit in 7 games.

[beta angel]

While I love your optimism (truly, I do), I just can't do all of that quite yet.

I have to wait and see. While I think Detroit is *still* the strongest team in the league and could take anybody in a 7 game series that was properly officiated, I have my doubts about how the actual games are/will be officiated.

It's a given that the NHL WANTS Pittsburgh back in the Cup. It's going to be like that for the next decade. Crosby HAS to win a Stanley Cup in Pittsburgh...

That's the sort of thing that worries me.

On top of that, it's got to be something the NHL is looking at, having Chicago and Pitt in the Finals. I mean, what part of that doesn't have the makings of a perfect story.

The Kid vs. The Kids. The once dead franchises now renewed by new ownership, new players and both chasing the biggest trophy in sports!?

Ugh.

So, like I said...I love the enthusiasm and think that Detroit SHOULD win the Cup this year, i'll wait to see it happen.

[Illidaan]

That 'Canes/Pens game was unreal. I think it goes into OT if Ruutu and Cole don't go down. One of the reasons being Cullen wouldn't have been on the ice and comitted the delay of game penalty if Ruutu hadn't been hurt, so the winning PPG by Boucher never happens. The last 1:30 was insane.

[InhumaneSniper]

Hey, nothing's a given. As we say in the 1980 Olympics....

[Illidaan]

As less-than-stellar as he was during the regular season, Osgood is a stud come playoff time.

[beta angel]

Ozzie was the first to admit that he suffered seriously from the Cup hangover. He was physically there, but mentally, just...nothing.

He's playing well, making those saves we need him to make.

I'm fairly happy with how we're playing. The thing is, we can still improve, which is what's kind of scary.

[Illidaan]

Ozzie was the first to admit that he suffered seriously from the Cup hangover. He was physically there, but mentally, just...nothing.

He's playing well, making those saves we need him to make.

I'm fairly happy with how we're playing. The thing is, we can still improve, which is what's kind of scary.

Yea I've been thinking that the whole Anaheim series, and now this one. Holmstrom/Datsyuk/Hossa have yet to even break out yet, all the scoring is coming from the 2nd and 3rd lines. Once that top line gets going, Detroit could just steamroll the rest of the way.

[beta angel]

Yea I've been thinking that the whole Anaheim series, and now this one. Holmstrom/Datsyuk/Hossa have yet to even break out yet, all the scoring is coming from the 2nd and 3rd lines. Once that top line gets going, Detroit could just steamroll the rest of the way.

Just think about that for a minute, too.

We beat Anaheim, we're two up on Chicago and it's not even our 1st liners getting it done. For the most part, it's been 2nd and 3rd, as you've said. A couple chip ins from the 4th line.

All of our first liners are playing very well, they're just not getting the bounces right now. Defensively, they're doing their jobs, they're doing a decent job of keeping the puck in the offensive zone...

The other teams are going to have to start accounting for those 2nd and 3rd lines, which will leave our top lines open, then the bounces are going to start coming.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Came across this and thought I'd pass it along as it's good for a chuckle. From the Onion:

NHL Eliminates Sticks, Expands Goal Zone To Encourage More Touchdowns (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/nhl_eliminates_sticks_expands?utm_source=onion_rss _daily)

[beta angel]

Heh, that's pretty funny.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

Doesn't look like Ruutu and Cole will make it for Game 2 tonight. Hope the 'Canes can respond.

[beta angel]

With Ruutu and Cole out, i'd say the Canes are about done. Unless they got some diamonds in the rough lying in wait...

They need to hurt the Pens. Simply, they need to hit hard, and take a few of their guys out of the game.

That's the only way the Canes will win at this point, methinks.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

Cole has been nonexistent in these playoffs until the point he scored right before he got hurt, so I don't know how much that REALLY hurts us, as long as he doesn't miss any more games.

Ruutu out of the lineup does blow. He's been a checking machine the last two series.

Neither of them has been confirmed out though, only doubtful. And, the first two series, we got crushed in Game 1. This series, we managed to lose Game 1 again, but it was very close. Ward and Fleury looked like they traded uniforms.

[Illidaan]

Bad call on Kronwall. That's hockey.

[beta angel]

Yep. Such is life.

While the Hawks may have gotten life from that win, there has gotta be a piece of them that is now scared ****less. They had a commanding lead and it completely evaporated.

We were also without Datsyuk and Kronwall, which certainly helped them with that 3 goal lead and the win in OT.

We should have both back the next game and I think the Wings are going to be pretty ****ed about the outcome.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

I'll be leaving in a couple hours for Raleigh. Hope we can get back in this thing tonight! Cam, wake up!

[Illidaan]

Yep. Such is life.

While the Hawks may have gotten life from that win, there has gotta be a piece of them that is now scared ****less. They had a commanding lead and it completely evaporated.

We were also without Datsyuk and Kronwall, which certainly helped them with that 3 goal lead and the win in OT.

We should have both back the next game and I think the Wings are going to be pretty ****ed about the outcome.

I picked Detroit in 5. This was definatly Chicago's 1 game. No Datsyuk, no Kronwall, 1-goal game, Detroit takes the next one and then closes it out at home.

Maybe Havlat will learn to skate with his head up now. I always hate seeing huge, legal hits, then fans jumping out of their seats in protest like someone just pulled out a gun and shot the guy. That's hockey, folks, he shouldn't have had his head down, and huge hits like that is what make the game great. It's a joke that they're ejecting guys over it now.

Scott Stevens was one of the worst things to ever happen to Philadelphia sports, but he was the best around at what he did, and he did it legally. My only gripe with the Lindros/Stevens incident, is that Lindros should've skated with his head up. The path his career took was his own fault. Stevens was just playing hockey.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

'Canes are done. We just aren't playing good hockey. We're definitely losing the series, and there's a good chance we'll be shaking hands after Game 4 on Tuesday.

We played great for 10 minutes, and then... nothing. I wish I'd have stayed home so I could change the channel.

[Illidaan]

Change the channel? It's the playoffs and the game was never out of reach. What kind of fan changes the channel on their team in the playoffs?

[XI AlphaMale IX]

The game was never out of reach? Were we watching the same game? LOL

It was 5-2 with less than 2 minutes left in the 3rd period (and don't get me wrong, I was plenty excited till then, especially when we showed life early in the 3rd). My dad is a Pens fan so I had to sit through the rest while all the Canes fans piled out... and the Pens scored again. Yeesh.

The last two playoff games I watched the Panthers play (NFL) I had to change the channel - we were losing by like 30 both times! I'm such a fan I can't stand to see my team get run over like that. If it's not out of reach, I won't change it, but last night, it was out of reach late in the 3rd.

Now we're in the dreaded 3-0 hole and it doesn't look like we can come close to pulling off the miracle against this team. Too much talent and we aren't correcting our mistakes.

[Illidaan]

The game was never out of reach? Were we watching the same game? LOL

Being down 2 goals is not even close to being out of reach. The deficit only became 3 with 2 minutes left in the game.

If you're changing the channel on your team because they're not winning or playing bad, you're not a real fan IMO.

[XI AlphaMale IX]

Being down 2 goals is not even close to being out of reach. The deficit only became 3 with 2 minutes left in the game.

If you're changing the channel on your team because they're not winning or playing bad, you're not a real fan IMO.
In hockey, you're right, being down 2 goals is not even close to out of reach. WE WERE DOWN THREE GOALS WITH 2 MINUTES LEFT. Hello?!? Who said I would've changed the channel before that? Not me.

Your second argument is dumb. I can say, if you don't mind watching your team get pounded with no chance of winning (the goalie wasn't pulled - obviously SOMEONE agreed with me), you're not a true fan, IMO.

[pdh8805]

What is with this real fan crap anyways? Do you like a team? Are you alive? If you answered yes to both of these questions then congratulations! You are a real fan!! You win a foam finger?

[beta angel]

Words are unnecessary. I think 6 - 1 says more than I possibly could.

What a game.

[pdh8805]

Words are unnecessary. I think 6 - 1 says more than I possibly could.

What a game.

Think everyone knew it would not be long until the first line exploded, and boy did it!

[beta angel]

Heh, funny enough...that wasn't even our first line. :D

Hossa and Filppula have been part of our second line, with Filppula taking center only because Datsyuk was out.


The highlight of this game is the fact that we did this without Datsyuk, Lidstrom and Draper. Three very important guys and 2 of our best players.

[Illidaan]

Your second argument is dumb. I can say, if you don't mind watching your team get pounded with no chance of winning (the goalie wasn't pulled - obviously SOMEONE agreed with me), you're not a true fan, IMO.

It's not dumb. If you only watch your team if they're winning, then you're a frontrunner, not a fan.

Funny the Pens fan reacted to "real fan". Every Pen fan is a wagon jumping front runner.

Think everyone knew it would not be long until the first line exploded, and boy did it!

That wasn't their first line...

[pdh8805]

"It's not dumb. If you only watch your team if they're winning, then you're a frontrunner, not a fan.

Funny the Pens fan reacted to "real fan". Every Pen fan is a wagon jumping front runner."


Wow, what is your problem exactly? I have been nothing but respectful on these boards and you call me a bandwagon fan for no reason? Do I know more hockey then you? No. Does that make me a bandwagon fan? No. It just means you have more knowledge, and congratulations, baseball was always my first love whereas hockey was always your first. So good for you, but that does not make me any less of a fan.

[beta angel]

LOL.

Illy, you never cease to make a great first impression. ;)

[B14ck N1nj4]

Pens and Wings rematch, anyone? Calling it now Wings in 6, maybe 7 if they want to win the cup at home this year. ;)

[beta angel]

Oh, it's going to be a rematch.

The question is, did the Pens get better or did they regress?


The Wings, simply, got better. The Pens lost a whole host of players that were integral to them getting to the finals last year (with a 12 - 2 record, at that) who were subsequently replaced with guys that are, for the most, not on the same tier.

I think Detroit is the stronger team all around and will put the series away in 6 again.

However, let's let Detroit beat Chicago first.

[Illidaan]

"It's not dumb. If you only watch your team if they're winning, then you're a frontrunner, not a fan.

Funny the Pens fan reacted to "real fan". Every Pen fan is a wagon jumping front runner."


Wow, what is your problem exactly? I have been nothing but respectful on these boards and you call me a bandwagon fan for no reason? Do I know more hockey then you? No. Does that make me a bandwagon fan? No. It just means you have more knowledge, and congratulations, baseball was always my first love whereas hockey was always your first. So good for you, but that does not make me any less of a fan.

It's not just you, it's all Pen fans. If Crosby went to Anaheim and not Pittsburgh, and the Pens were still in the NHL's basement, the franchise and fan base would be in the same place they were for half a decade. Barely putting 5,000 butts in the seats a game and on the verge of being moved to Vegas because no one cared about the team, especially the “fans“. So one stud player comes along, gets the franchise winning finally, and all of a sudden Melon Arena is selling out,and Pen fans start crawling out of the woodwork? That's bandwagoning and front running.

The Flyers were the absolute worst team in the NHL in 06-07. Dead last, they were a joke. But still finished in the top 10 overall in attendance during that season, being the most pathetic team in the league. Because fans don't give up on their team as soon as they start losing, like Pittsburgh did when they fell into the basement. Loyal fans stick with their team through tough times, not give up on them just because they're not winning.

Look at Toronto, they haven't done jack in 40-some years. But they still put 19,000+ in that arena every game. The Wild are nothing special, they're up and down, have only made the playoffs 3 times out of their 8 seasons, but they'll sell out every game, no matter how bad they are at any given season. Because those fans stay with their teams through the tough times, not jump ship, again, like Pittsburgh fans do.

LOL.

Illy, you never cease to make a great first impression. ;)

I know. ;)

Oh, it's going to be a rematch.

The question is, did the Pens get better or did they regress?


The Wings, simply, got better. The Pens lost a whole host of players that were integral to them getting to the finals last year (with a 12 - 2 record, at that) who were subsequently replaced with guys that are, for the most, not on the same tier.

I think Detroit is the stronger team all around and will put the series away in 6 again.

However, let's let Detroit beat Chicago first.

The Pens got worse. Just compare the losses and gains. Roberts, Malone, Hossa Vs. Fedotenko, Kunitz, Guerin. Lost world class talent who helped carry that team to the finals (Hossa) and failed to replace him.

Detroit is virtually the same team, plus MORE world class talent (Hossa), and Hudler has broke out into a legit top 6 forward, who they have the luxury of playing their 3rd line.
Even if the Pens stayed the same and you’d argue Kunitz, Guerin, and Rusty filled the void left when they didn’t resign Malone, Roberts, and Hossa, Detroit still got that much better. Take the same matchup as last season, but throw Hossa on the other side. No-brainer.

Also factor in that Sykora is gone MIA, and Satan just blows. Sykora played a major role in the Pen's Cup run last season.

The only curve-ball is will Datsyuk and Lidstrom be healthy once the finals roll around.

[B14ck N1nj4]

Oh, it's going to be a rematch.

The question is, did the Pens get better or did they regress?


The Wings, simply, got better. The Pens lost a whole host of players that were integral to them getting to the finals last year (with a 12 - 2 record, at that) who were subsequently replaced with guys that are, for the most, not on the same tier.

I think Detroit is the stronger team all around and will put the series away in 6 again.

However, let's let Detroit beat Chicago first.

It would lame to win the stanley cup at the opposite team's arena, again? What fun is it celebrating when the arena ain't ROCKIN! Detroit should have no problem with Chicago, they aren't ready for the cup, yet.

[pdh8805]

1-1 with under 2 minutes left. Chicago may be over matched but really do not want to get tee times yet. It is just amazing neither scored in the 2nd, what were there like 7 or 8 penalties? If Chicago wins this game they sure owe Huet a great big thank you!

[beta angel]

Darren Helm In Ot!!!! Detroit Goes Back To The Finals!!!!

Let's Go Red Wings!!!!

[pdh8805]

My my what a weekend coming up, games on Saturday and Sunday! woo

[beta angel]

Yeah, that's complete BS. F NBC and F the NHL for allowing this.

Complete horse**** that the teams have to play back to back games.

[pdh8805]

They announced it earlier, but I forgot the reason why. I know the Pens/Caps had to play back to back because of a Yanni (sp?) concert in Pittsburgh. The worst part of the scheduling I think is game 4 being on versus. Each team is too good to be swept, but can you imagine if one does on a cable tv channel!

[Illidaan]

Yeah, that's complete BS. F NBC and F the NHL for allowing this.

Complete horse**** that the teams have to play back to back games.

It plays to Detroit's advantage. Malkin's 22-year-old body won't be able to handle back to back games, he'll be too tired by Game 2.

/rolleyes.

[beta angel]

It plays to Detroit's advantage. Malkin's 22-year-old body won't be able to handle back to back games, he'll be too tired by Game 2.

/rolleyes.

This is exactly why it ****es me off.

Detroit finishes a series out early, should have time to recover and get some injuries healed up, but odds are...we're still going to be without Datsyuk and Ericsson, which is a huge blow in the Finals.

Once the Pens went up 3 - 0, it's no wonder the NHL changed the schedule. Give the Pens all the possible advantage they can get so Sid can get his ****ing cup.

**** the NHL.

[Illidaan]

You stay classy, Sid.

And ****sburgh wonders why everyone outside of that city hates him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QolJvGm1Tk

Edit: Ha! Is Malkin a piece of **** or what? If that isn't "message" sending, I don't know what is. Zetterberg didn't even taken his gloves off until the middle of the scrap, and Malkin just kept throwing them.

This is pretty hilarious. If what Crosby did last night, or the crap Malkin pulled tonight were the actions of the Flyers or a team like Anaheim, it would be all over how dirty they're playing and how they're just typical cheap shot sore losers. But in the Pen's case, "they're just being scrappy and gritty". It's pathetic how much the league and the broadcasting stations are in love with this bunch of crybabies.

[beta angel]

You stay classy, Sid.

And ****sburgh wonders why everyone outside of that city hates him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QolJvGm1Tk

Edit: Ha! Is Malkin a piece of **** or what? If that isn't "message" sending, I don't know what is. Zetterberg didn't even taken his gloves off until the middle of the scrap, and Malkin just kept throwing them.

This is pretty hilarious. If what Crosby did last night, or the crap Malkin pulled tonight were the actions of the Flyers or a team like Anaheim, it would be all over how dirty they're playing and how they're just typical cheap shot sore losers. But in the Pen's case, "they're just being scrappy and gritty". It's pathetic how much the league and the broadcasting stations are in love with this bunch of crybabies.

I'm disgusted by the officiating of this series (and yet, we're still winning)...they're letting tons of penalties that *have* to be called go. They would be called if it was any other team outside of the Pens.

Then there's the whole Malkin thing. Colin Campbell is a completely useless human being. The referee calls the instigator penalty for a reason. The Ref KNOWS how much time is left and what it means. There's a reason he calls it. Of course Malkin won't get a suspension. If Malkin is out, the Pens lose a marquee player heading back to Pitt and a scoring threat. That hurts the Pens' chances of winning the Cup which is all the NHL wants, especially now.

I expect the officiating to get out of hand in game 3 because now the Pens can come back from being down 2 - 0 which makes the story even better.

[Illidaan]

I'm disgusted by the officiating of this series (and yet, we're still winning)...they're letting tons of penalties that *have* to be called go. They would be called if it was any other team outside of the Pens.

Then there's the whole Malkin thing. Colin Campbell is a completely useless human being. The referee calls the instigator penalty for a reason. The Ref KNOWS how much time is left and what it means. There's a reason he calls it. Of course Malkin won't get a suspension. If Malkin is out, the Pens lose a marquee player heading back to Pitt and a scoring threat. That hurts the Pens' chances of winning the Cup which is all the NHL wants, especially now.

I expect the officiating to get out of hand in game 3 because now the Pens can come back from being down 2 - 0 which makes the story even better.

Following that review, Campbell said: "None of the criteria in this rule applied in this situation. Suspensions are applied under this rule when a team attempts to send a message in the last five minutes by having a player instigate a fight. A suspension could also be applied when a player seeks retribution for a prior incident. Neither was the case here and therefore the one game suspension is rescinded."

LOL.. this league is such a joke. This incident only made all these front running Pen fans even more ignorant.

[beta angel]

Yep. It's ridiculous. This league is getting more and more disappointing.

[Illidaan]

Are you f'ing kiddin me?! Rofl.. 6 players on the ice for a friggin half minute. How the hell do you not see or call that? I better never see a Penguins fan ever ***** about a call not going their way again.

[Illidaan]

It's hilarious how Pittsburgh was litterally spoon fed this win tonight. Seems to be the only way they can best Detroit. Maybe next game they'll play with 6 skaters on the ice the whole game, seems to be legal and all.

Malkin should've also been suspended for this game. How many goals did he have a hand in tonight? The NHL wants their golden boys to win, it's pathetic.

Pittsburgh was clutching, grabbing, holding, and throwing dirty hits the entire game. God forbid they get called on them, Detroit might go up 3-0, and Bettman can't have that.

[beta angel]

There's not really much to say. Hossa gets dumped a few times, Franzen takes a high hit from Kunitz (clear crosscheck to the head), too many men and power plays from the heavens...

Yeah.

Whatever.

[Illidaan]

Nice article. "The NHL only uses rules that are convenient."


http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AqlHxiVmAKkZLxrKjB9p8yt7vLYF?slug=jp-malkin053109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[beta angel]

Yeah, I saw that the other day.

I think it's pretty funny that almost all of the articles written commented on the fact that "Maybe you don't want to see that kind of player suspended, but based on the rules, he certainly should have been. What's the point in having rules if you're going to just ignore them?"

[Illidaan]

Osgood got hung out to dry tonight.

[beta angel]

Yep. Completely disgusted by our play. Absolutely abysmal.

[Illidaan]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob7kXHhj8eM

He was really shot in the back by a sniper from the press box.

[beta angel]

Shocker. Crosby whining and diving.

Did you see Bettmans face after Pitt got beat in Detroit the other night?

He was clearly not happy with the fact that his team lost.

[Illidaan]

Shocker. Crosby whining and diving.

Did you see Bettmans face after Pitt got beat in Detroit the other night?

He was clearly not happy with the fact that his team lost.

I'm prepared for a disgustingly lopsided officiated game on Tuesday. Hopefully that won't be enough to spoon feed ****sburgh another win.

[InhumaneSniper]

What they are doing with Pittsburgh is the same thing the NBA is doing with the damn Lakers.

[beta angel]

I'm prepared for a disgustingly lopsided officiated game on Tuesday. Hopefully that won't be enough to spoon feed ****sburgh another win.

Yep. Should be a terribly officiated game. I think most people who don't have blinders on (i.e. those who love Pitt and those who hate Detroit) see this coming a mile away.

It's in the NHL's "best interest" to have a 7 game series where Pitt comes out on top and I have no reason to think they won't do their damndest to make sure that happens.


I'm hoping that the addition of Datsyuk, who now has a game under is belt, will be the difference maker. He's rested, he's clearly ready to go and he definitely wants to play.

[Illidaan]

Rob Scuderi and the right goal post for the Conn Smyth?

[beta angel]

What.a.clusterfuc.k

I hope everybody is ready for Bettman's Disney ending.

[Pedle Zelnip]

So, did I miss much? :)

[beta angel]

I don't even want to get into it.

[Illidaan]

I don't think Pittsburgh can win on Detroit ice. Detroit will get all of their matchups and have last change, so I think that will play a significant role in the outcome of the game.

Fleury hasn't looked good at all these last two games, so he doesn't concern me. Osgood as been tremendous on the other hand.

[Pedle Zelnip]

I don't even want to get into it.

That bad eh?

So should I just skip the game 7 on Friday as well then? :p

[beta angel]

Let's put it this way:

Game 7, Bettman will be there, it's a known quantity that he wants the Pens to win and this would just be a capper to this story:

Pens beat Wings IN Detroit...vengence for last year and the greatest player now is complete with his Cup.

I'm definitely worried about the game. I'll be sick to my stomach all day, just as I have been every other game with nerves.

[Illidaan]

Heatley wants out of Ottawa.

Flyers sign Emery! Good riddance Marty-nothing-more-than-a-career-backup-Biron.

[DaPenguinPimP]

Heatley wants out of Ottawa.

Flyers sign Emery! Good riddance Marty-nothing-more-than-a-career-backup-Biron.

I never liked emery. but I'd hate to see Heatley go.

[Illidaan]

I never liked emery. but I'd hate to see Heatley go.

Poor guy's been sucking it up through that train wreck for the last two seasons. I'd want to leave too.

[beta angel]

It all comes down to tonight. LETS GO RED WINGS!

[Illidaan]

The kids will crumble under the pressure of a Game 7 and veteran expirience will prevail.

Will Hossa still be with Franzen and Filppula tonight?

[beta angel]

The kids will crumble under the pressure of a Game 7 and veteran expirience will prevail.

Will Hossa still be with Franzen and Filppula tonight?

Not a clue.

Babcock has been mixing and matching...I imagine he'll split up Datsyuk and Zetterberg for the start but considering he gets final change, we'll see.

However, it wouldn't surprise me to see him go with Homer/Z/Pav and Hossa/Fil/Mule.

[Illidaan]

How about this Pronger for Johnson and a 5th rumor?

Some sites day it's a done deal, it had already been posted, but was taken down because apparently Pronger didn't know about it yet. Others day it's all BS.

[InhumaneSniper]

Brace yourselves......

[KTMDOG15]

It was a great season and even though I wanted the Devils to go all the way, I was intrigued that the Penguins won and rooted for them in the finals. Extremely surprised they won it all. I thought it was going to be a repeat of last year.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Well, the wrong team won it in the end, but congrats to Pittsburgh all the same.

The only thing that makes the Pens win nice for me was seeing Cooke hoist the cup. He was one of those heart and soul guys in Vancouver for so long, he deserves this.

Well, Bettman's probably doing this now (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4) after his star player gets to be the youngest captain to win it all.

[Illidaan]

I guess icing is an optional call now just like automatic suspensions for getting an instigator.

[beta angel]

I guess icing is an optional call now just like automatic suspensions for getting an instigator.

Yep. I give the Penguins absolutely no appreciation because I feel that they were helped throughout the playoffs.

This is what Bettman wanted, now he got it.

Hopefully, we'll get back to actual hockey next year as opposed to the bull**** we saw this post-season.


**** the NHL.

[KTMDOG15]

Does anyone know anything about the Coyotes situation? Honestly I dont like the idea that they could possibly be going to Canada. Even though they may not be a playoff team the state of Arizona really appreciates everything they have done.

[pdh8805]

Sigh. The better team did not win, but the team that played harder in game 7 won. No matter which team won, fans were going to complain about the refs. You can look at the non-call icing for the Talbot goal, or you can look at the non-call icing on the Detroit PP. If Detroit scored on the non-call and won then Pen fans would be the ones arguing.

I am just tired of people acting like the Pens were given this cup. Look at the PP differentials. Detroit was given their chances and so were the Pens. In my opinion, Detroit did not take their game 5 play with them on the trip to Pittsburgh. I am glad the Pens won because they really had to play great hockey to even make playoffs.

Also, I am happy Staal has finally gotten some recognition for his play. I liked how they called him the X-factor for his PK, energy, and defense at home. Not to mention Staal was one of the only few Pens who did not lose their composure in Game 5.

Oh well, it was a good series I thought. I hope we can have another rematch next season, but there will be even better teams next year in the East so am not sure if it will happen.

In other news, will there be any big moves? Who has the most space?

[Illidaan]

I am just tired of people acting like the Pens were given this cup. Look at the PP differentials.


PP differentials are no way to compare "who was thrown more bones in the series."

Scuderi and Gill were interfereing with players chasing the dump-in the entire series, and were getting away with it. Then in the 3rd of game 3, Ericsson does the same thing, barely touches the guy, and gets called for it. Pitt scores on the PP, and wins. Pens do something blatantly all game, no calls.. Detroit does it once in the 3rd of a tie game.. gets called for it. What a conveinient time to start calling something that's been let go the entire game.

2 goals scored on icing calls.. 6 men on the ice for 25 seconds..

Malkin, by rule, should have been suspended for Game 3. Without Malkin, the Pens do not win Game 3, no chance. And no one comes back from being down 3-0. But Campbell stepped in and voided his suspension, unable to give a specific reason why his suspension was voided. Because lets be honest here, there was no reason. He jumped Zetterberg, got an instigator, and earned, by rule, a game suspension. But the league just couldn't have that.

It's no secret Bettman wanted his little princess to win the Cup, and he got what he wanted. They were handed this Cup by the league.

[beta angel]

Illy, we've had out differences in the past but THANK YOU.

You pointed plenty of reasons why the Pens were handed this Cup.

One step further, Pedle is about the most even-keeled person I know regarding hockey and when he can outright state that the better team lost, that's something to think about.

It truly is as simple as this: The Pens were gift wrapped this Cup. In the eyes of most people I know, even fans of other teams, this was a tained Cup victory and never should have happened. Not this way.

[Illidaan]

Best post from the FMB/Flyers Message Board that sums it up..

This will forever be known as the Cup that Bettman gift-wrapped for his love child, Crosby. If the Pens were treated like any other team in the NHL, this series was over in 5 games and the Wings were skating with Stanley. Instead, automatic suspensions were lifted, rules were twisted, games were fixed, and the Cup got hand-delivered to the new poster-child of the NHL. You know, the same poster-child that hasn't done sh*t for improving the image of the NHL because he's one of the most boring personalities to come through the league in years, and he's one of the biggest divers and cheats the game has ever seen.

But hey, at least the 1,000 people that still live in the sh*tty economy of Pittsburgh got to celebrate last night with their year old only washed once Pens jerseys. What a great fanbase, going from the bottom of the league in attendance for 5 years straight to being bailed out by Bettman to being one of the most pathetic bandwagons in sports. Congrats to them. You know, considering 99% of them couldn't name anyone on the team not named Crosby, Malkin, Staal, or Fleury.

But hey, at least Bettman got his way, and the pitcher to his catching got to de-value the Cup with his name.

[Pedle Zelnip]

One step further, Pedle is about the most even-keeled person I know regarding hockey and when he can outright state that the better team lost, that's something to think about.


Well, I don't want to argue, but I don't believe I said that the "better team lost", but rather that I wanted Detroit to win.

I didn't watch the series (save about half of game 7) so I couldn't say one way or the other which team deserved it, or who was better. As of when I stopped watching the playoffs (end of round 2), Detroit was FAR and away the better team though.

Having said all that though, I'd have a really tough time buying the theory that the series was rigged just because Bettman wanted to see Sid hoist the cup. But again, I didn't watch the series so couldn't say one way or the other.

[Illidaan]

Well, I don't want to argue, but I don't believe I said that the "better team lost", but rather that I wanted Detroit to win.

I didn't watch the series (save about half of game 7) so I couldn't say one way or the other which team deserved it, or who was better. As of when I stopped watching the playoffs (end of round 2), Detroit was FAR and away the better team though.

Having said all that though, I'd have a really tough time buying the theory that the series was rigged just because Bettman wanted to see Sid hoist the cup. But again, I didn't watch the series so couldn't say one way or the other.

This article sums up the series.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AqlHxiVmAKkZLxrKjB9p8yt7vLYF?slug=jp-malkin053109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

[pdh8805]

I still do not see how you can say the cup was given to the Penguins... The Wings were given their chances and they just did not capitalize. I mean, saying that the better team lost means nothing. Unless you honestly think the Ducks were better than the Sharks or the Canes were better than the Bruins.

Also, everyone knew Malkin was not going to get suspended. Just like everyone knew Ovie was not going to get in trouble for the knee to knee hit on Gonchar. Or why did only 1 Flyer get a suspension for the 5 penalties that occurred in the final 19 seconds in the first round? Obviously that rule is not always followed.

Secondly, you can not blame this series on the 6 men on the ice. Why? Well the Pens did win that game, but the Wings were still owning game 4. Until, they gave up a short handed goal. If that would never have occurred, then I guarantee the Pens do not win game 4. And well, game 5 was just terrible for the Pens, so more than likely series over.

It was an upset victory for the Pens, but if you really think the game is rigged. Then why even watch? Or why not move to Vegas and make millions? I mean, everyone knows Chicago will win next year...

I congratulated all Wings fans last year for their victory, and really find it repulsive to see these excuses this year. The difference maker this year was the Ducks and Hawks. The only Pen that was even semi injured was Gonchar. I swear that half of the Wings were not even 100% for any of the games.

Do not forget that you guys never even have the Pens a chance to win. Pretty much it was either, the cup was handed to the Pens or Detroit beat all odds to win the cup. However, the Pens did win and no matter what you say, which is all merely excuses, they did earn their cup.

I just hope we do not see either of your teams next year because the Flyers will no longer have Biron letting in softies and Giroux will be a monster. Not to mention that Helm and the other young Wings are just scary.

[Pedle Zelnip]

This article sums up the series.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/news;_ylt=AqlHxiVmAKkZLxrKjB9p8yt7vLYF?slug=jp-malkin053109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns

FTA:

DETROIT – The National Hockey League rule book spells out 87 rules and hundreds of sub-rules that govern its game. There is an 88th rule that goes unwritten: The league’s braintrust can invalidate any of the others, so long as it behooves their short-sighted and selfish interests

That is classic. So true.

-------------

So looks like the 'Yotes aren't going to Hamilton:

Judge rejects Balsillie's bid to buy Coyotes (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/06/15/sp-coyotes-balsillie.html?ref=rss)

While I'm not surprised that it went this way (given the "unorthodox" route Balsillie took), and the time pressures involved, you gotta wonder how the hell Bettman's going to spin this one. This team is a money pit, there's no way they're going to have any real fan support next year (I can see the marketing slogan now: "WE'RE STILL HERE!"), so there's a better than average chance that the team will still be moved, but by someone else to a US-based market (I've heard Las Vegas mentioned). So IOW, it'll go from a non-traditional (but reasonably well-supported) hockey market to a completely non-traditional and likely only supported for the first season (after which the novelty factor wears off) market.

And all this will be instead of moving the team, getting $200+ million for it, and further intensifying the rivalry's between the teams in Ontario. Nice move NHL, way to shoot yourself in the foot.

[pdh8805]

I thought the Coyotes were going to be sold. The market sizes were just such extremes and really do not feel that Arizona is the right place for the team. Carolina was successful, but Arizona has not responded the same way at all. Must be all the retirees moving there instead of Florida?

In other news, the Wild named Todd Richards their head coach. I liked him whenever he was the Peguins Wilkes-Barre/Scranton coach. He did extremely well for the Sharks last year though so guess we will see what comes of that.

[Illidaan]

Selke:

Selke voting was 945-942 for Datsyuk over Richards, closest vote since trophy began in 1978.

Richards: 79 games played, 83 take aways, 90 blocked shots, 147 hits, 7 shorties, +22, shorthanded TOI (season) 252:48; (avg per game) 3:12

Datsyuk: 81 games, 89 take aways, 33 blocked shots, 76 hits, 1 shortie, +34, shorthanded TOI (season) 129:56; (avg per game) 1:36

[Pedle Zelnip]

Selke:



Richards: 79 games played, 83 take aways, 90 blocked shots, 147 hits, 7 shorties, +22, shorthanded TOI (season) 252:48; (avg per game) 3:12

Datsyuk: 81 games, 89 take aways, 33 blocked shots, 76 hits, 1 shortie, +34, shorthanded TOI (season) 129:56; (avg per game) 1:36

Damn I didn't realize Richards' numbers were that good. Defensively the two players match up amazingly close.

The shorthanded TOI is more of a factor of the teams they played on though with Detroit being one of the least penalized teams naturally Pavel's not going to get a lot of PK time compared to someone on a heavily penalized team.

[Illidaan]

Glad Ovie won the Hart, he deserves it.

[pdh8805]

Glad Ovie won the Hart, he deserves it.

+1.

Ovie never gives up on a game and is truly what makes the Caps go.

[Illidaan]

If the Caps make the most of this free agency and sign a few real good blueliners with all the money they're saving from Fedorov and Kozlov going over to Russia, and hopefully dump Nylander off somewhere, they'll be scarey good next season.

[Pedle Zelnip]

If the Caps make the most of this free agency and sign a few real good blueliners with all the money they're saving from Fedorov and Kozlov going over to Russia, and hopefully dump Nylander off somewhere, they'll be scarey good next season.

Still might need a goalie, Theodore didn't exactly impress (again), and Varlarmov is still unproven.

[pdh8805]

Still might need a goalie, Theodore didn't exactly impress (again), and Varlarmov is still unproven.

From what I saw of Varlamov, I think that he may do well in a season. However, we have all heard that before so we will see if he is the real deal or not in only 4 months! Illy is right though, they are scary close to being "the" powerhouse in the East. This offseason in general is going to be pretty interesting.

[flipdangerdoom]

It's official. The Canadiens have been sold back to the Molson Family for $500 million. Let's hope this ushers in a similar era to when the Family owned the team from 1957-1971.

[Illidaan]

Still might need a goalie, Theodore didn't exactly impress (again), and Varlarmov is still unproven.

Varlamov is the real deal IMO. They should dump Theodore's salary and put that into the blueline. A good defense can make any goalie that much better, which is what the Caps need to make a priority this offseason. That's why I'm not high on Harding or Backstrom, they're unproven outside of Minnesota's system.

Varlamov was awesome in the playoffs overall for just being thrown in there and having to play behind a pitiful defense. If they can get some guys to help clear the porch and clear those rebounds, they're in business.

Like with Emery, he's a budget number one goalie (but still a #1 unlike Biron), IMO, nothing spectacular, but putting him behind the pairings of Timonen - Parent, JayBo (if they land him) - Coburn, and he'll look like a god.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Varlamov is the real deal IMO. They should dump Theodore's salary and put that into the blueline. A good defense can make any goalie that much better, which is what the Caps need to make a priority this offseason. That's why I'm not high on Harding or Backstrom, they're unproven outside of Minnesota's system.

You may be right, we won't know until he plays a full season. All I'm saying is that history generally isn't kind to the phenom early type of goalie (Carey Price for example?). I agree he played outstanding in the playoffs, but to be fair, it was a relatively no-pressure situation for him -- while expectations for the team were high, nobody expected a rookie tender like him to carry the team like he did. If he choked people would've just said "ahh he's a rookie", but if he plays well then it's a pleasant surprise.

Much different from next season when people will expect him to perform at that level for an 82 game season + playoffs.


Like with Emery, he's a budget number one goalie (but still a #1 unlike Biron), IMO, nothing spectacular, but putting him behind the pairings of Timonen - Parent, JayBo (if they land him) - Coburn, and he'll look like a god.

Well with Emery it's not the talent that's ever been the question, so it'll be interesting to see how he gels with the Philly locker room. I personally always liked the guy so I hope it goes well.

------------------------

So latest in the twin-talk: the twins want $63M over 12 years. I think the per-year number there is right (about $5M a season), but 12 years is definitely long. Looks like Gillis feels the same way, so the twins may very well be UFA's soon.

But I tell ya that Zetterberg deal really set a precedent, now everyone and their grandma is looking for really long-term contracts.

[Illidaan]

So latest in the twin-talk: the twins want $63M over 12 years. I think the per-year number there is right (about $5M a season), but 12 years is definitely long. Looks like Gillis feels the same way, so the twins may very well be UFA's soon.

But I tell ya that Zetterberg deal really set a precedent, now everyone and their grandma is looking for really long-term contracts.

If they front-load the contract, the cap hit will gradually decrease over the years. I'd definatly want the twins long term, starting out at a 5.25 mill cap hit, just as long as the contract is structured right. So their cap hit will go down once they get into the mid 30's and start losing a step or two.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Lots to talk about (especially for it being off-season), but first, replying to Illy:

If they front-load the contract, the cap hit will gradually decrease over the years. I'd definatly want the twins long term, starting out at a 5.25 mill cap hit, just as long as the contract is structured right. So their cap hit will go down once they get into the mid 30's and start losing a step or two.

12 years would put them at 40 years old at the end of the contract. I think the twins probably have 8 good years at most left in them. It's just too long of a contract for two guys who are 28 years old, and have yet to prove that they are bonafide #1 elite players. Like I said, the price per year is right (I'd even go as high as 6-6.5M for them), but not for that length.

-------------------

2009 HHOF inductees announced: Yzerman, Hull, Robitaille, and Leech. Hell of a class, one of the best I've ever seen. Growing up as a kid Hull was my favourite player back in the Hull & Oates days, so it's good to see him get inducted.

Very Detroit-themed class as well: 3 of the 4 (all but Leech) played in D-town in 02 when they won the Cup.

-------------------

Sportsnet here did a nice little tribute to Stevie Y, and it's amazing to look back on his career. I never realized that he wasn't the player Detroit was hoping to draft in '83, instead they wanted Patty Lafontaine (who grew up near Detroit), but the Isles picked him before the Wings had their pick. As great a player as LaFontaine was (I to this day think he is far and away the best american-born player of all time), I think the Wings ended up with the best player of that draft. ;) Top 10 all-time in goals, assists, and points, and just outside the top 10 in games played (#12). And of course the longest serving captain in NHL history. Top it off with a few Stanley Cups (including one as a non-player in 08), a Hart Nomination (it's amazing that he never one that, a testament to the fact he played during the glory years of Gretzky/Lemieux), an olympic gold medal with Team Canada, and you have one of the greatest careers in the history of the sport.

Oh, and he's a BC boy. :) (mad props to my province) :p

Actually that's not entirely accurate: technically, he was born in Cranbrook, BC (which is where my sister-in-law lives and is also home to the Neidermeyer boys), but really Yzerman's an Ontario boy as that's where he grew up.

And I didn't realize this until today when I was looking at the list for players drafted in '83: Yzerman was drafted the same year as Dominik Hasek (who went 199th overall). Crazy eh?

-------------------

Latest in interesting free-agent news: Gaborik of course is a UFA this off-season, and has reportedly purchased a new house in West Vancouver. As well, recall that Pavol Demitra is one of Gaborik's good friends (they played together during Demitra's hay-days in Minnesota), and the rumour mill is going into overtime with speculation that Gabby's going to sign in Vancouver. Depending on the cap hit, I gotta say that would be huge for the Canucks. Let Sundin leave, replace him with Gabby, and then have Gabby/Demitra as the #2 unit behind the twins (assuming we sign them). Kessler would be a great 3rd on that line as well. Demitra struggled in his first season in Vancouver, and something like this would go a long ways in reinvigorating him. But again, this is all cap-permitting.

At any rate, if it is a case of Gabby's planning on coming to Vancouver, buying the house wasn't very smart. Perhaps that shows a bit of naivety in regards to the media: Vancouver media is much more invasive than Minnesota media. Wait until after you come to town before buying the home, or if you want the house now have a friend/wife/girlfriend buy the house in their name with you footing the bill and keep everything on the down low. Why give the media ammunition for speculation like that?

------------------

Heatley of course wants out of Ottawa, and has given the Sens a list of teams he'd be willing to go to (he has a no-trade clause so any deal must be ok'd by him). Supposedly Vancouver's on that list. I am less of a fan of this move. It's a trade, rather than a FA signing, so the price would be pretty steep, and I don't see Heatly fitting in here particularly well. Maybe he'd be a good fit with the twins, but I have my doubts about that. I think you need a complementary player to play with the twins, not a go-to guy. And there's no way you can justify a player like him on your 2nd line (and besides if we took the cap hit from him, it'd mean unloading likely Demitra or Sundin so who would play with him?)

The other teams on his list included (from what I can remember): Boston, LA (like seriously, WTF?), Chicago, Detroit (who doesn't want to play there?), San Jose, and the Rangers.

------------------

Flames did the expected, and named Brent Sutter the new head coach. I still think that Keenan deserved another chance, but it's tough to criticize this choice as Sutter's another really, really good coach. The brother angle will be interesting, if the team struggles next season will Daryl can his brother after only one season (like he did with his last 2 coaches)? If he doesn't, you know there'll be cries of "favoritism".

[pdh8805]

Big day for Philly! Where is Illy!!!

[Pedle Zelnip]

Big day for Philly! Where is Illy!!!

I know I just heard about Pronger going there and was like "Well, Illy's going to be happy". :p

Hell of a price they paid for him, 2 1st rounders along with Lupul and another player? Yeowch.

[Illidaan]

I absolutely LOVE this trade. The Flyers did overpay for Pronger, however, that doesn't mean the trade was bad. It was a very good move for the team. The Flyers are a "now" team, not a team who's waiting for guys to develope then start their run in 5 or 6 years.

They already have their young future who will carry the team for many, many years, so draft picks are expendable to them, they don't any more prospects. Richards, Carter, Giroux, JVR, Parent, Coburn, that's their future.

They desperately needed to solve their defensive problems, and they acquired the absolute best solution for them. A big-minutes, punishing, intimidating, HHOF, elite blueliner.

Timonen - Parent
Pronger - Coburn.
Carle - Who cares.

Hands down, one of the top 3 bluelines in the NHL.

Philly should send a fruit basket over to Anaheim's front office for taking Lupul's contract off their hands, that guy blows, and his new contract would've handcuffed them for the next 4 years.

For the Flyers, the time to win is always now and they addressed their most immediate need while ditching enough salary in Lupul to allow them to acquire one of the league’s elite defensemen.

If they still had Lupul, it would have been very difficult to fit a free agent (Jay Bouwmeester, maybe?) under their cap. In addition, they have drafted so incredibly well in the last few seasons they were in a better position than most teams to give up a top prospect and two first rounders. Having drafted Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Claude Giroux and James van Riemsdyk and acquiring Ryan Parent recently made losing some good young talent more palatable.

This blogger has it right. For the Flyers, the time to win is NOW. Sbisa doesn't do that for you. Maybe in 5 or 6 years, but that's not Philly's style.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/26956-Tom-Lynns-Blog-Pronger-deal-deja-vu-all-over-again.html



I'm going to wake up tomorrow and the first thing I'm going to think is.. HOLY ****, CHRIS PRONGER IS A FLYER! beta's hatred Philly just went to a whole new level probably, lol.. ;D

[BlackMagik]

So I am not huge hockey fan...I honestly rarely watch it compared to all the other sporting events I go to or watch. For those of you who enjoy hockey, why do you like it? Or maybe I should say, what am I missing? Just looking for some input. I thought I might find it more interesting if I understood what other real fans enjoy about it. Any replies appreciated!

[Pedle Zelnip]

I absolutely LOVE this trade. The Flyers did overpay for Pronger, however, that doesn't mean the trade was bad. It was a very good move for the team. The Flyers are a "now" team, not a team who's waiting for guys to develope then start their run in 5 or 6 years.

No I agree entirely, I wasn't trying to imply that it was a bad trade -- not at all, this is exactly the perfect trade for them. And I think it's the perfect fit for Pronger too, his style suits Philly perfectly. And it's a perfect trade for Anaheim too, they're a team that's rebuilding, and a couple primo draft picks along with a guy who can help them now in Lupul (who has experience playing in Anaheim). Looks like a win-win deal to me.

At any rate, the Flyers are a dramatically better team today than they were yesterday.


Hands down, one of the top 3 bluelines in the NHL.


Yeah I'd agree with that, what's your other 2?

So I am not huge hockey fan...I honestly rarely watch it compared to all the other sporting events I go to or watch. For those of you who enjoy hockey, why do you like it? Or maybe I should say, what am I missing? Just looking for some input. I thought I might find it more interesting if I understood what other real fans enjoy about it. Any replies appreciated!

Well traditionally I always thought hockey was the perfect blend of strength, skill, and speed. That is, it combines the best parts of other sports -- it has some of the physical aspects of football, along with some of the skill/finesse of basketball. And given that players are on skates, there isn't another sport that comes close to touching it for speed IMHO.

Having said that, I'm less of a fan of the game today than I have been in some respects, as it does seem that the physical side of the game is being phased out over time. The players are bigger today than they were in the 80's and early 90's, yet there are far fewer big hits today than in those days.

Truth be told, I probably became a hockey fan due to the fact I grew up in Canada, and especially being on the lower mainland, I was surrounded by hockey nuts.

[Illidaan]

Yeah I'd agree with that, what's your other 2?

1. Detroit (naturally): Detroit for their 5-6 pairing being superior, and the overall experience of their top 4.

Lidstrom - Rafalski
Kronwall - Stuart
Ericsson - Lilja/Lebda

If the Flyers hold onto Carle and Jones, they’ll be their 3rd pairing. Jones is a turnover machine, and Carle is an OFD without the D.

Experience wise, Coburn and Parent are both rather young and inexperienced compared to Kronwall and Stuart. Parent is very young, but still very, very good. He’s got a ways to go to hopefully develop into the next Robyn Regehr, but has all the groundwork laid.

Coburn has all the makings to be the next Pronger, he just lacks the intensity and physicality. I hope playing with Pronger will rub off, and get an intense mean streak instilled in him so he’ll start using his size to his advantage. 6’5”, 220lbs shouldn’t go to waste. He’s got a cannon from the point, too, which he was utilizing a ton in the 07-08 season, but it disappeared this past one for some reason.

After looking at who other teams are yet to resign, or are going to potentially lose to free agency, I can’t really say who the 2nd would be anymore. And I also didn’t want to sound like too much of a homer saying the Flyers have the 2nd best blueline in the NHL, only behind Detroit. ;) TBH, I think if Pronger is paired with Timonen, that will be the best defensive pairing in the league.

But assuming Calgary gets Bouwmeester signed and doesn’t give up Phaneuf or Regehr in the process, wow, look out..

I hope the Flyers do get rid of Jones or Carle (who are both overpaid), and free up 1-1.5 mill with a cheaper replacement for them so they can get a legitiment winger to replace Lupul on their 2nd or 3rd line. 1-1.5 could land Recchi who's still good for 50 points / 80 games a season, or Kotalik for around 2 mill who's been a solid, consistent scorer his whole career, which is what they need to fill Lupul's roster spot.

So I am not huge hockey fan...I honestly rarely watch it compared to all the other sporting events I go to or watch. For those of you who enjoy hockey, why do you like it? Or maybe I should say, what am I missing? Just looking for some input. I thought I might find it more interesting if I understood what other real fans enjoy about it. Any replies appreciated!

When I was 4 years old, my pop told me to pick a sport because all kids should start playing a sport at a young age, I was told. I thought about it.. football was too slow.. basketball and baseball were for sissys because there was no physical contact and no one fought.. so I picked hockey and it all went from there. And like Pedle said, no other sport combines speed, toughness, and finese like hockey does.


Edit: Pronger's agent working out an extension, also a soundbite from Pronger saying he'd like to retire in Philly. Hopefully his wife feels the same way!

http://csnphilly.com/pages/landing_09?Prongers-Agent-Confident-in-Working-Out-=1&blockID=61098&feedID=704

Good article:

But acquiring Pronger gives the Flyers something that the Detroit Red Wings and the Ducks themselves proved vital to success in the postseason: Two stellar defensive pairings.

Pronger and whatever D-man he's pairing with will be one; Braydon Coburn and the vastly underappreciated Kimmo Timonen is the other. In a conference that has some elite teams with multiple lines of offensive weaponry -- the Penguins as the obvious example -- having that defensive talent to match is essential.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/For-Flyers-the-Pronger-price-was-one-worth-payi?urn=nhl,173283

[Pedle Zelnip]

And Gillis gets it done -- the twins have signed. $6.1M a year for 5 years. That's just about perfect. Would've been nice to have a little less of a cap hit, but I don't think you'd be able to get the twins for less than that per year unless you signed them very long term.

Bittersweet day though: Ohlund goes to Tampa Bay. He'll be a great mentor for Hedman, but very sad to see him go. In his best days I always thought he was the most underrated d-man in the league.

[Illidaan]

AWESOME cap hit on Hossa, wow. 5.1. Nice job by Chicago locking up Hossa for such peanuts a year.

[beta angel]

Yeah. Plus another 1.2 million for Tomas "Can't Stand on my Skates" Kopecky.

Toews, Kane and Keith are all free agents next year, they still have a ton of cash tied up with goalies...


Unless there is a whole ton of magic, the Blackhawks may have strangled themselves. Especially since the Cap is probably going down next year.

[Illidaan]

Mike Knuble just made himself public enemy #1 in Philly. What a turd, Guerin and Tkachuk are team players. Both took paycuts and 1-year deals to stick around, and they're both better than Knuble. Flyers offered him a multiyear deal worth up to 3 million a year in very easy incentives, but he said he's worth guarenteed money and didn't take it. What a douche.. you're dead to me Knuble.

[beta angel]

Lappy to the Flyers. That's a good pick up for Philly, imo.

He's a hard-nosed guy, has enough skill to work with most players...real good pick up.

[Illidaan]

Now we just need a 3rd or 4th liner center/faceoff ace/penalty killer and we're set.

[pdh8805]

Ottawa, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Detroit, and now Chicago. Hossa must like the boobirds?

[Illidaan]

I bet Biron is about to jump off a bridge right about now. His two top teams that were reported as being interested (COL/EDM), both got better deals. Better talent, and at a much cheaper price. That fool read the market all wrong, and thought someone would actually offer him the ballpark $5M he was looking for. How could he honestly look himself in the mirror and believe he's worth that much?

Glen Sather everyone! How about this guy? He finally makes a smart move and gets rid of Gomez' salary.. then he goes and signs Gaborik to an even LARGER contract. Does he not realize that there is a salary cap in place and you can no longer buy your team? He finally un-handcuffs the Rangers by getting rid of one albatross contract, and now he's right back in the same spot he was before, but worse.

Giving Slats cap space is like giving a teenager a bottle of vodka and the keys to your car. When Gaborik's per year was announced at $5.75M, I thought hmm.. pretty good, he didn't just hurl astronomical ammounts of money at a player to get them. Then official word came out that it was $7.5M and I just lol'd.

[beta angel]

Agree.

I can't believe anybody would pay Gabby that much money. While he's a great player when he's healthy, he's yet to put in a full season. How can you justify that? You're basing everything on a hunch that he's suddenly going to be healthy.

He's going to be injury prone in the East moreso than the West now, because the East has, historically, been the bigger and harder hitting teams. Having to play both Philly and Boston multiple times over the year...i'll be surprised if he doesn't get his clock cleaned a few times (assuming he's on the ice for more than 10 games).

[pdh8805]

Rangers are really showing interest in Scuderi as well. Penguins will only offer 2.5-2.75 mil. The Rangers on the other hand are considering offering 3.5-4.25 mil.

Edit: Scuderi just signed with the Kings for 4 years. Do not know the numbers yet, but that seems to be a good addition for them.

[Illidaan]

Good pickup by L.A. They're really looking to make a splash, and they have the cap room to do it.

Flyers need to sign Marchant, Peca, Bonk, or Malhotra. All they need is a 3rd line center/faceoff ace and they're in business.

Gagne - Richards - Briere
Hartnell - Carter - Giroux
Carcillo - _____ - Laperierre
Cote - Powe - Asham

Timonen - Parent
Pronger - Coburn
Carle - Jones

Emery
Boucher

I'm loving the look of that roster.

[beta angel]

I'm still not sold on Emery. That's my biggest question mark for the Flyers at this point.

I will, however, say that i'm going to start watching that team over the season. I loathe to say this Illy, but you've got me almost rooting for them...especially since my renewed hatred for the Pens has had to rear it's ugly head.

[pdh8805]

I am still interested in seeing what the Caps do this offseason. (besides Knuble, lol).

They seem to be a blue liner or two away from being a completely dominating team.

(Looks like Flyer/Caps games are going to be a little bit more entertaining this year)

[beta angel]

I want to personally thank the Vancouver Canucks for picking up Mikael Samuelsson.

I have never been a big fan of his, the guy hits the net 1 out of every 10 shots. 1 out of 30 of those shots seems to hit something OTHER than the goalies logo and or pads.

Defensive liability, lazy in his own zone...

Enjoy. I will not be missing him.

[BlackMagik]

Thanks for the answer to my question guys...I think I will be watching more hockey next season. May even see a game in person, as I hear that is the best way to see hockey.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Thanks for the answer to my question guys...I think I will be watching more hockey next season. May even see a game in person, as I hear that is the best way to see hockey.

DEFINITELY. I really wish I could get to more games myself, as there's nothing quite like the rush of seeing the game in real life.

That's the onlything I hate about being in BC -- it's too f'n expensive to go to a Canucks game (like $100 a ticket for good seats). In my case too it's not so much the cost of the tickets, but the tickets + the ferry over to Vancouver & back + food at the game could easily run in the ballpark of $500 for me & my wife. If we had that much money to blow on an outing she'd insist on me taking her away for a romantic weekend, not a hockey game. :p

Where I live has a team that's in the league just below the minor league, and my wife & I sometimes go to games there as then it's affordable (like $10-20 a ticket).

-----------

Edit: heard on the radio today going into work that Kovalev has signed with Ottawa. Talk about the perfect fit: the league's best primadonna playing for a team full of them. :)

[BlackMagik]

DEFINITELY. I really wish I could get to more games myself, as there's nothing quite like the rush of seeing the game in real life.

Where I live has a team that's in the league just below the minor league, and my wife & I sometimes go to games there as then it's affordable (like $10-20 a ticket).

Same here. I have always found, while it might be more meaningful to go to a professional game, the minor leagues or lower are far more affordable, and thus, more fun. Unless I someday come across an unbelievable about of expendable income, the only place I think I might see a professional event is at Fenway in Boston. We have the Hershey Bears here in Pennsylvania near by so I am in luck for hockey.

[Illidaan]

That's the onlything I hate about being in BC -- it's too f'n expensive to go to a Canucks game (like $100 a ticket for good seats)

At Wachovia Center, every seat is a good seat. ^_^

I've been to several arenas on the east coast, and no one has really mastered the building layout like Philly has in terms of "every seat being a good seat". The upper half of Madison Square Garden's upper bowl is limited viewing. x_x

[Pedle Zelnip]

At Wachovia Center, every seat is a good seat. ^_^

I've been to several arenas on the east coast, and no one has really mastered the building layout like Philly has in terms of "every seat being a good seat". The upper half of Madison Square Garden's upper bowl is limited viewing. x_x

Okay but the "not good" (which are actually still good) seats at GM Place are still f'n expensive. Last time I checked I think the cheapest seats to a Canucks game were $55+.

Edit: ouch, the best seats are now $131. Yeowch.

[beta angel]

When I come up to see the Wings play, I usually end up shelling out around $500 for 2 tickets, because getting decent seats for those games is impossible from ticketbastard.

In other news:

Joe is finally gonna call it quits.

I feel like he was the last of a breed and his retirement, while I loathe the Avs, is a huge loss to hockey in general. I hope he sticks around in some way because he's one of those character guys that can provide *so* much to a team by just being there.

Thanks for the memories Joe.

[Illidaan]

Okay but the "not good" (which are actually still good) seats at GM Place are still f'n expensive. Last time I checked I think the cheapest seats to a Canucks game were $55+.

Edit: ouch, the best seats are now $131. Yeowch.

$50-$60 seems to be the standard for the cheapest seats in big hockey markets like Vancouver & Philly. I bet you could probably get some upper bowl seats in Atlanta or Phoenix for like $10.

Flyers signed Pronger to a 7-year/$35M extension, making the trade even better. $5M a year cap for Pronger? Yes please.

Hudler going to Dynamo Moscow next season?

[Pedle Zelnip]

When I come up to see the Wings play, I usually end up shelling out around $500 for 2 tickets, because getting decent seats for those games is impossible from ticketbastard.


Yeah, and it's the same for the Leafs and/or Habs when they come to town.


Joe is finally gonna call it quits.

I feel like he was the last of a breed and his retirement, while I loathe the Avs, is a huge loss to hockey in general. I hope he sticks around in some way because he's one of those character guys that can provide *so* much to a team by just being there.

Thanks for the memories Joe.

+1. Hell, plus 10000000+. Truly one of the classiest guys to ever play the game.

And unlike Stevie Y who was born in BC but grew up elsewhere, Joe was a born and bred BC boy (he & I share the same birth town).

One of the most gifted players I've ever seen play, and a natural "lead-by-example" guy. Softspoken, but could dominate a game if need be.


Flyers signed Pronger to a 7-year/$35M extension, making the trade even better. $5M a year cap for Pronger? Yes please.


Damn, I heard it wrong the first time: I originally heard it was $7M a year for 5 years and thought WTF was Philly thinking. But yeah $5M a year for a Norris winner who's still got a lot of life left in his legs? That's a good deal.

[beta angel]

Yep. Happy Huds goes to Moscow. Well, that's some cap room for Holland to work with. Irritating now, though, because with that extra bit of cap room, Hossa probably could have been re-signed.

*shrug*

Holland will figure something out. I'm not worried about it.

[Illidaan]

Sather strikes again.. $3M per year for Kotalik.

Edit: Tampa signed Niitty for $600k. This kinda saddens me, we took Boucher for $900k when we could've had Niitty, who's better, for $300k less.

I'm a big fan of Niitty, I think Detroit should've gotten in the small pool of teams trying to land him, unless Howard is going to backup next season. $600k for a goalie of his caliber is amazing.

He's as good of a backup as you're going to find, and has the natural talent to become a legit #1 in this league if given the opportunity. Hopefully he'll get that chance in Tampa, and show Philly what they were missing by having him ride the pine while Biron stunk the place up.

[beta angel]

Howard is definitely the backup this season.

So far, he's been unimpressive and McCollum looks to be like a better prospect, but Detroit is out of options with Howard. He has to play or go away at this point, based on his contract.

So, we'll get some looks and hopefully, he'll start getting more confident being more involved at the NHL level.

[B14ck N1nj4]

Sather strikes again.. $3M per year for Kotalik.

Edit: Tampa signed Niitty for $600k. This kinda saddens me, we took Boucher for $900k when we could've had Niitty, who's better, for $300k less.

I'm a big fan of Niitty, I think Detroit should've gotten in the small pool of teams trying to land him, unless Howard is going to backup next season. $600k for a goalie of his caliber is amazing.

He's as good of a backup as you're going to find, and has the natural talent to become a legit #1 in this league if given the opportunity. Hopefully he'll get that chance in Tampa, and show Philly what they were missing by having him ride the pine while Biron stunk the place up.

He most likely will get the chance to play in games here in Tampa. The team has been having goalie troubles ever since Khabibulin left. However, they have been doing a great job during the free agency to strengthen their defense. This could be a good year for them. (At least better than the last two)

[Alucrid]

I'm still not sold on Emery. That's my biggest question mark for the Flyers at this point.

I will, however, say that i'm going to start watching that team over the season. I loathe to say this Illy, but you've got me almost rooting for them...especially since my renewed hatred for the Pens has had to rear it's ugly head.

Good, because the Penguins suck. They were going to win the Stanley Cup eventually, I'm just glad they got it out of the way already. I've never been one to follow drafts but I can't wait to see Emery play. I'm going to school if Philly so hopefully my school (or I) can get some cheap or free tickets to some Flyers games.

[Illidaan]

LOL.. 1.4M.. not quite the ballpark 5M Biron was looking for.

I hope RDP stays healthy and he spends most of the season in the AHL. Actually, no, I hope he's in net against the Flyers and gets lit up. Then he can go back down. ;D

[Illidaan]

Flyers are planning to sign Tollefsen pending a physical, meaing Jones or Carle will be gone, and also have their crosshairs on Sykora to finish up the offensive lineup.

If both of them are landed, I'll accept nothing less than a SCF appearence.

[beta angel]

Flyers are planning to sign Tollefsen pending a physical, meaing Jones or Carle will be gone, and also have their crosshairs on Sykora to finish up the offensive lineup.

If both of them are landed, I'll accept nothing less than a SCF appearence.

Sykora could be a real good fit...I don't know anything about Tollefsen.

[Illidaan]

Sykora could be a real good fit...I don't know anything about Tollefsen.

Article on Sykora about Bylsma and not returning to the Pens..

It’s never a good thing when you are coached by a former teammate. On top of that, he used to be a player who drifted around as a fourth-liner. I was younger than him, played on the top line, scored goals, was the little star. Now the roles got reversed, and from the first moment I had a feeling that he let me ‘eat it.’ I honestly say that I have not had liked him even as a teammate. Which does not happen to me often…

That made me laugh. ^

http://www.hockeybuzz.com/blog/Brian-Metzer/Sykora-to-Czech-Newspaper---I-wont-be-back/54/22177

Tollefsen's the big, bruising defender from the BJ's. He was hurt most of last season.

[archie110]

Flyers are planning to sign Tollefsen pending a physical, meaing Jones or Carle will be gone, and also have their crosshairs on Sykora to finish up the offensive lineup.

[Pedle Zelnip]

So my team resigned Wellwood today, terms not disclosed.

I'm cautiously optimistic about this one. Wellwood had a very up and down regular season, but was top notch during the playoffs. If he can maintain that level of performance during the season then I'll be ecstatic.

I'd be very interested to know how much the contract's worth.

[Illidaan]

So my team resigned Wellwood today, terms not disclosed.

I'm cautiously optimistic about this one. Wellwood had a very up and down regular season, but was top notch during the playoffs. If he can maintain that level of performance during the season then I'll be ecstatic.

I'd be very interested to know how much the contract's worth.

1-year, $1.2M.

I bet you're happy with that. Very cap friendly and cheap for the potential of the player.

[Illidaan]

Bobby Clarke article on his time as GM and the changing of the league, the salary cap, etc. There's some real good quotes. ;)

“We didn’t do what Pittsburgh did; lose seven years in a row so they could get good. They did it twice, in fact. They went through six or seven different owners. We’ve had one owner.”

“It’s somewhat embarrassing that three of the last teams (in the 2009 playoffs) missed the playoffs six or seven years in a row; Washington, Chicago, and Pittsburgh,” he said. “Now they’re good and the teams that try to win all the time get penalized..."

http://thehockeynews.com/articles/27383-Backchecking-Clarke-continues-legacy-in-front-office.html

[Pedle Zelnip]

So the expected was announced: JR hangs up his skates after 20 years in the NHL.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=463609

Love him or hate him, I don't think the league will ever be able to replace the "colourful" JR personality.

Edit: more links on the retirement:

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/08/06/sp-roenick-sharks.html?ref=rss

I suppose now they're be some "is he HHOF worthy?" talk, but I think it'll be a good while before he'd make it in. No Stanley cups, and with the likes of Adam Oates and Doug Gilmour still waiting I can't see JR getting in before them.

[beta angel]

JR is not a HHOF guy. His numbers are good, not great but without the Stanley Cup win, I just can't see it. Now, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, sure.

[Pedle Zelnip]

JR is not a HHOF guy. His numbers are good, not great but without the Stanley Cup win, I just can't see it. Now, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, sure.

US HHOF he's a first ballot sure-fire in kinda guy.

I think his numbers are good enough for HHOF (500+ goals alone should get you in), but the problem's been that there's been a rash of really great players who've retired in the last 5 years or so, so there's this backlog of people who are just more deserving who haven't gotten in yet.

[Illidaan]

Having a Cup shouldn't matter one iota whether or not someone gets into the HHOF. It's not JR's fault his teams couldn't seal the deal, it's the team's as a whole. It doesn't mean he wasn't good enough or not deserving a Cup.

If Neely is in, Roenick is definitely going in.


And thanks for finally posting. I didn't want to have to.. *gasp*.. triple post!

Eaves and Williams, nice pickups by Detroit. I'd be very pleased with acquiring those two. I'd consider Williams an upgrade from Hudler even. A lot more physical and gritty.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Having a Cup shouldn't matter one iota whether or not someone gets into the HHOF. It's not JR's fault his teams couldn't seal the deal, it's the team's as a whole. It doesn't mean he wasn't good enough or not deserving a Cup

If Neely is in, Roenick is definitely going in..

Neely > Roenick by a mile. 50 goals in 50 games (even if he only played about 50 games that season) is far beyond anything JR did. And while JR was one of the toughest players in the NHL in his hayday, Neely was the textbook definition of punishing power forward and could've squashed JR like a grape (even with bad knees). :p


And thanks for finally posting. I didn't want to have to.. *gasp*.. triple post!


Yeah you can tell it's off-season. :)

Anyone else hear about the supposed broo-ha-ha that Alex Burrows got into in a summer league? Supposedly he hit the goalie with his stick and now the goalie's thinking about suing.

Details have been very sketchy so I'm thinking (particularly given Burrows' personality) that this is a case of a nobody trying to milk some money out of a "superstar athlete".

[beta angel]

Eaves and Williams, nice pickups by Detroit. I'd be very pleased with acquiring those two. I'd consider Williams an upgrade from Hudler even. A lot more physical and gritty.

If Eaves can pot 10 goals this season, he'll be a success. I don't know much about him, so i'm hoping that he'll suddenly flourish in our system like players tend to do.

Williams...i'm a bit more...uneasy about.

He didn't want to come back to Detroit in the first place, he was a douche when he WAS in Detroit...so, we'll see.


Williams hasn't played a real physical game for a few years now (which is surprising as hell, because that's how he started out), but he's more physical than Hudler yes. However, i'd take Huds over Williams (however, not at the cost the arbiter provided) because Huds has better defensive skill with that offensive upside.

Biggest gripe about JDub is that he is lazy in his own end...we don't need that. However, one thing we can look forward to is that he has a damn fine ability to *pass* the puck and has a good, hard shot. More than anything, I think JW takes the place of Sammy, which is...ok I guess.

[Illidaan]

Neely > Roenick by a mile. 50 goals in 50 games (even if he only played about 50 games that season) is far beyond anything JR did. And while JR was one of the toughest players in the NHL in his hayday, Neely was the textbook definition of punishing power forward and could've squashed JR like a grape (even with bad knees). :p

Well, so could Lindros. He didn't score 50 in 50, never even scored 50 in a season, but was just as dominate of a power forward as Neely, if not more. And he'll probably get snubbed getting into the HHOF.

50 in 50 is a point feat, just like 500 goals and 1000(or 1200 in JR's case) points. Milestones like 500G/1000P should be shoe-ins for the HHOF. Neither Neely or Roenick have any hardware to help their portfolio, and you can't really use "this guy would squash the other guy" as a measuring stick.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Well, so could Lindros. He didn't score 50 in 50, never even scored 50 in a season, but was just as dominate of a power forward as Neely, if not more. And he'll probably get snubbed getting into the HHOF.

50 in 50 is a point feat, just like 500 goals and 1000(or 1200 in JR's case) points. Milestones like 500G/1000P should be shoe-ins for the HHOF. Neither Neely or Roenick have any hardware to help their portfolio, and you can't really use "this guy would squash the other guy" as a measuring stick.

Hey that's a sensible answer to a blatant troll post. How the hell are we supposed to get in a fight about hockey players if you're not going to take the bait and start flaming? :p

Kidding aside, I still think Neely is far more deserving of the hall than Roenick (or Lindros for that matter). He was just so much more dominating of a player. But to each their own. :)

[Pedle Zelnip]

Blackhawks' Kane busted for robbing, assaulting cabbie

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/08/09/sp-kane-arrested.html?ref=rss

I always thought Kane was a punk, but geez, rookie of the year with a multimillion dollar salary and he beats up a cabbie over twenty cents?

[Illidaan]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Patrick-Kane-Taxi-Cab-Company-Shirt_W0QQitemZ250480650727QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item3a51cf69e7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Get'em while they're hot!

[XI AlphaMale IX]

Rich athletes do some of the dumbest ****ing ****.

[Pedle Zelnip]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Patrick-Kane-Taxi-Cab-Company-Shirt_W0QQitemZ250480650727QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_D efaultDomain_0?hash=item3a51cf69e7&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Get'em while they're hot!

That's f'n hillarious. If I lived in the US I'd totally pick one up.

[InhumaneSniper]

This made me lol
Sorry, but I gotta chime in. I am a BRAND NEW hockey fan. I make no qualms about it. Knew the game existed; never got it. I grew up outside Philly, lived abroad, and movd to Pittsburgh two years ago. My sister has season tix, and went to my first game. WOW! Hooked! I regret all of the years I missed, but between the ravenous hockey fans in the Burgh, the NHL network and the net, I've learned a hell of a lot. The whole Philly-Pittsburgh thing? Trust me on this; I'm an Eagles/Phils fan, and from experience...ALL PHILLY FANS HAVE THE "WE'RE AN UNDERDOG" CHIP ON THEIR SHOULDER. No Super Bowl rings. Phils FINALLY won one. Sixers..well, basketball's not even a real sport. As for the Burgh bandwagon, chide away! 15,000 people show up outside of Mellon Arena for playoff games, along with 17,132 inside. And why not? the team is dynamic, exciting and passionate. The Pens are making hockey fans; are the Flyers? FOR THE RECORD; in my limited experience, teams don't throw seasons. Ask the Islanders if they threw any at the end of this past season to snag Tavares. I seem to remember a March run that tallied wins against the Red Wings, Blackhawks, Habs and Devils. The feud will continue. My best friends are Flyers fans. When I go to Philly, I sport my baby blue Crosby jersey, and egg em on! Great job with that Briere contract! Hartnell? Really? Emery? Wow! Good luck. Two cup appearences in two years. One in the bag. The right coach. Ray Shero. A devoted fan base. Sid. Geno. Flower. Gronk. Let Bobby Clarke know he's got a message from Max Talbot: "Shhhhh"

He went to a game two years ago and now he's a die-hard fan of the most devoted fan base? The fan base that was garbage until two or three years ago? He's been a fan for their two winning seasons. lol

Oh and another thing, what do you guys think about Heatley to the Sharks. I think it's a pretty nice trade if it goes through.

[Illidaan]

This made me lol


He went to a game two years ago and now he's a die-hard fan of the most devoted fan base? The fan base that was garbage until two or three years ago? He's been a fan for their two winning seasons. lol

Oh and another thing, what do you guys think about Heatley to the Sharks. I think it's a pretty nice trade if it goes through.

LOL, where was that post made? Guy's a complete moron, doesn't have a clue what he's talking about. Pittsburgh has half of their salary cap (litterally) invested in 4 players now, and he's bringing up Hartnell's arguably reasonable contract and Emery, a legit #1, for 1.5M? That's too funny.

I'd rather have my franchise put a winning team on the ice every season than be the laughing stock of the NHL for half a decade (they did the same thing before Mario, as well) until they finally get enough top two overall picks to pull their joke of a franchise out of the basement. If they didn't suck so bad for all those years, and have no money because they had no fans, they'd be the Kansas City Penguins right now.

On the Heatley situation, someone with a big contract is going to have to go with his 7.5M coming in. SJ is against the salary cap and still need an entire 4th line and a backup netminder.

Although I think the best thing for them would be to get rid of Thornton, I think Marleau will have to bite the bullet to bring Heatley in. His contract is big, and he'll be a UFA at the end of the season, so it makes him the most logical candidatem to go. Cheechoo too, cause of Clowe's new contract.

IMO, they should lock up Marleau now, long term/low cap hit, and shop Thornton. If I were a SJ fan, I'd disown the team if I had to watch another one of his playoff performances, they could get a lot for him, and they also need to plan clearing cap space to resign Setoguchi at the end of the season.

Even though he's amazing and is flourishing in SJ, Boyle's contract screwed them pretty bad cap wise.

Either way, an offensive roster overhaul would be good for the Sharks, and bringing in Heatley would be a great start.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Oh and another thing, what do you guys think about Heatley to the Sharks. I think it's a pretty nice trade if it goes through.

I think that would be a "we're going to blow the team up, and here's a player to start over with" move, rather than a "here's a nice addition" move.

So I'm not sure Heatly would be interested, I would think he's looking to go to a winner, not a rebuilding team. Like Illy mentioned, SJ has some holes they need to fill, and don't have a lot of cap space. If they keep the likes of Thorton & Marleau, and then add Heatly, it's going to be really tough to fill in the holes on the blueline.

[beta angel]

For San Jose, they need to define who their goalie is going to be in the next few years, because Nabby isn't getting any younger.

Guys like Thornton, Marleau and Cheechoo are consistently inconsistent and Heatly isn't going to fix that. On top of that, there's the wunderkind of Setoguchi, who came out of nowhere last season. Is he going to be the next Mule or is he going to be a 1 year wonder?

The Sharks, to me, still have a lot of questions going into the season and Heatly (and the rest of the NHL) knows this.

[aaaollebull]

Hello guys! My favourite NHL team is Ottawa Senators, have been so since I played my first EA NHL game, NHL 2001. I´m from Sweden so my personal favourite player in the team is not unexpectedly Daniel Alfredsson.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Hello guys! My favourite NHL team is Ottawa Senators, have been so since I played my first EA NHL game, NHL 2001. I´m from Sweden so my personal favourite player in the team is not unexpectedly Daniel Alfredsson.

Welcome to the thread!

[Illidaan]

Foppa attempting another comeback?

[aaaollebull]

yeahh, he´s going to try again. He had made a new operation in the foot'/feet for a couple of mounths ago. Last winter he played 2 games for my hometeam MoDo in Sweden. He scored his first match, with a beautiful backhand. I hope he´s gonna make it.

[aaaollebull]

Welcome to the thread!

Thank you very much! Hope I can have some interesting hockey-discussions with you guys.

[Illidaan]

Unlike Favre calling it quits, coming back, calling it quits, coming back, I fully support Foppa's attempting to come back. He wants to play, but that glass foot of his is just kickin' his butt.

The few games he played in 2008, and during Colorado's short playoff run, he was a beast. He's still got plenty left in the tank if he can fix this foot problem.

I hope he comes back. Flyers need another center, too. :)

[Pedle Zelnip]

And big Bert goes back to D-town:

Bertuzzi returns to Red Wings (http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/08/18/sp-wings-bertuzzi.html?ref=rss)

Not sure about this one, he didn't have the greatest stint last time in Detroit. He's the kinda guy who needs to be on the #1 unit to be successful (I think that's why he did well in Calgary playing alongside Iggy), and he'll be low on the totem pole in D-town.

[beta angel]

There's a reason I didn't bring this up.

I'm trying to ignore that it happened.

[Pedle Zelnip]

There's a reason I didn't bring this up.

I'm trying to ignore that it happened.

LOL, see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil or some such? :p

[beta angel]

Sort of. It's more an annoyance that this d-bag is guaranteed ice time when he probably doesn't deserve it (especially since he doesn't fit our system very well) while guys like Leino, Helm and Abby are having to fight for a spot when they came into the playoffs and worked their asses off.

We're now going into training camp over the cap, which means Bert is in...it's a question of who goes away.

While I enjoy the depth we've had (and still have), i'd much prefer bringing up our own guys over Bert.

[Illidaan]

There's a reason I didn't bring this up.

I'm trying to ignore that it happened.

I'd glady take him off your hands :)

[beta angel]

He'd get boo'd off the ice in Philly.

He just doesn't have it anymore.

He won't go into high-traffic areas, he's weak on the boards, he certainly won't hit...

[Pedle Zelnip]

TSN's Top 10 Biggest Goalie Gaffs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36M9fW32dak

Some classics in there. #9 is sure to **** Illy off, but I can't gloat as I still have nightmares about #4 (which is also one that I'm sure Beta loves to see).

[Illidaan]

TSN's Top 10 Biggest Goalie Gaffs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36M9fW32dak

Some classics in there. #9 is sure to **** Illy off, but I can't gloat as I still have nightmares about #4 (which is also one that I'm sure Beta loves to see).

I'm about to click on it, but I'm sure Biron's behind-the-back-toss to Crosby to single handedly lose the game is up there.

Edit: Ah, this was from a couple years ago so Biron's wouldn't be up there. Biron did the exact same thing last season against NJ that Osgood did against the San Jose there.

IMO, the Roy Statue of Liberty gaff should've been #1. Because it wasn't an unfortunate bounce or anything, he just straight up dropped it trying to showboat.

The best part about the Niitty goal there was Hitch's post-game interview.. :D

YouTube - ken hitchcock comments on nittymaki

[Pedle Zelnip]

IMO, the Roy Statue of Liberty gaff should've been #1. Because it wasn't an unfortunate bounce or anything, he just straight up dropped it trying to showboat.

Yeah I'm agreed on that one. I loved Roy (greatest goalie of all time IMHO), but that was totally a moment of him getting caught hot doggin. :)


The best part about the Niitty goal there was Hitch's post-game interview.. :D

YouTube - ken hitchcock comments on nittymaki (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojN5DFlT9Gw)

Yeah that was pretty funny. :) Gotta like it when the coach just wants to throw his arms up in frustration.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Sorry for the double post, but hey this thread cannot die!

Interesting poll on CBC as to who should wear the C for team Canada in February. Everybody on here (which admittedly is only 2 more votes) should go vote for Neidermeyr or Iginla. If Crosby wears the C I'll have to boycot team Canada for idiotic management and pull for Team USA, what with Burkie as the GM and all. :p

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/08/24/spf-yourview-canada-captain.html?ref=rss

[beta angel]

1) This post will not die. We're just biding our time until the only sport that matters comes back from it's offseason.

2) Olympically speaking, I will be (as I always do) rooting for the two teams that I have genealogical ties to: Germany and Russia.

DEUTSCHLAND DEUTSCHLAND UBER ALLES!!

[aaaollebull]

Interesting poll on CBC as to who should wear the C for team Canada in February. Everybody on here (which admittedly is only 2 more votes) should go vote for Neidermeyr or Iginla. If Crosby wears the C I'll have to boycot team Canada for idiotic management and pull for Team USA, what with Burkie as the GM and all. :p


I think Iginla should be the captain. I think he´s a great player and leader on the ice.

[Pedle Zelnip]

1) This post will not die. We're just biding our time until the only sport that matters comes back from it's offseason.

2) Olympically speaking, I will be (as I always do) rooting for the two teams that I have genealogical ties to: Germany and Russia.

DEUTSCHLAND DEUTSCHLAND UBER ALLES!!

I'm thinking only one of your teams has a hope in hell. :p

[Illidaan]

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=487033&navid=DL|NHL|Home

17% voted for Crosby. What an embarrassment.

[beta angel]

I'm thinking only one of your teams has a hope in hell. :p

I'm well aware, however...I have to root for Germany. I root for Germany in every international competition.

Russia will be well armed and should be able to advance quit a bit, barring any random upsets from Finland or the like.

[Illidaan]

I'm well aware, however...I have to root for Germany. I root for Germany in every international competition.

Russia will be well armed and should be able to advance quit a bit, barring any random upsets from Finland or the like.

Niitty's gonna finish what he started in '06!

[Pedle Zelnip]

I'm well aware, however...I have to root for Germany. I root for Germany in every international competition.

Russia will be well armed and should be able to advance quit a bit, barring any random upsets from Finland or the like.

Actually, obviously I have to root for Canada, but I think the Russians will be the strongest candidate to take the gold. They've really started to come on strong of late in international play, and the fact that the 3 Hart nominees this past year were all Russian shows just how talent rich that country is.

[beta angel]

Actually, obviously I have to root for Canada, but I think the Russians will be the strongest candidate to take the gold. They've really started to come on strong of late in international play, and the fact that the 3 Hart nominees this past year were all Russian shows just how talent rich that country is.

Ayup. Totally agree. I can only hope Canada implodes because of all the in-fighting due to who actually get's the 'C', who deserves the 'C' and the 21 year old greatest player of ever in any sport and what he 'deserves'.

:P

[Pedle Zelnip]

Ayup. Totally agree. I can only hope Canada implodes because of all the in-fighting due to who actually get's the 'C', who deserves the 'C' and the 21 year old greatest player of ever in any sport and what he 'deserves'.

:P

LOL, yeah I don't think we'll implode for those reasons. I think it'll be more because of the pressure of playing in BC than anything else.

[beta angel]

LOL, yeah I don't think we'll implode for those reasons. I think it'll be more because of the pressure of playing in BC than anything else.

Nope. Only for the reasons I listed. heh.

[Illidaan]

I want to be a fly on the wall next to Crosby and Richards in the locker room.

Edit: I just started playing it out in my head while finishing up these new Mass Effect achievements..

Richards: So… why’d you hide behind the ref when I dropped the gloves with you back in the ‘08 playoffs?
Crosby: I don’t like physicality! I’m trying to get Papa Gary to take it out of hockey so I can score even more! Leave me alone you… you… bully!
Richards: Pxssy.
Crosby: Hey! Take that back!
Richards: Pxssy.
Crosby: Jaroooome! Mr. Richards is picking on me again!
Iginla: Shut up pxssy, a real captain would’ve fought him in that situation. Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two from me during these Olympics.
Crosby: Waaaaaaaaaahhhh!
Niedermeyer: God damnit, who made him start crying again? Spezza, go take him outside to get another juice box.
Spezza: Why me again?
Niedermeyer: You’re lucky to even be here, just do it.
Spezza: *Grumbles*
Niedermeyer: And don't gimme' any lip or you'll be on diaper duty too for when he bumps into Pronger during drills.

[Pedle Zelnip]

I want to be a fly on the wall next to Crosby and Richards in the locker room.

Edit: I just started playing it out in my head while finishing up these new Mass Effect achievements..

Richards: So… why’d you hide behind the ref when I dropped the gloves with you back in the ‘08 playoffs?
Crosby: I don’t like physicality! I’m trying to get Papa Gary to take it out of hockey so I can score even more! Leave me alone you… you… bully!
Richards: Pxssy.
Crosby: Hey! Take that back!
Richards: Pxssy.
Crosby: Jaroooome! Mr. Richards is picking on me again!
Iginla: Shut up pxssy, a real captain would’ve fought him in that situation. Maybe you’ll learn a thing or two from me during these Olympics.
Crosby: Waaaaaaaaaahhhh!
Niedermeyer: God damnit, who made him start crying again? Spezza, go take him outside to get another juice box.
Spezza: Why me again?
Niedermeyer: You’re lucky to even be here, just do it.
Spezza: *Grumbles*
Niedermeyer: And don't gimme' any lip or you'll be on diaper duty too for when he bumps into Pronger during drills.

You and I have disagreed on Crosby in the past but that was pretty f'n funny. :p

[beta angel]

LOL. That.Is.Awesome.

[Pedle Zelnip]

Newest olympic team Canada poll: Who should start in goal?

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/hockey/story/2009/08/26/spf-yourview-canada-goalies.html?ref=rss

As much as it pains me to do so as a Vancouverite (and thus a big Bobby Lou fan), I gotta go with Brodeur as he's got far more international and big game experience. If he struggles though, they better give Bobby Lou his shot. And Bobby should get at least some games in during the tourney as he's likely going to be the go-to goalie for team Canada past 2010 (how much longer can Marty last?)

Funny note showing how inept CBC reporters can be: the photo says that's Chris Mason, yet the poll says Steve Mason.

Edit: for the record, my #3 would be Cam Ward, though having Ward and Brodeur in the same locker room after last years playoffs would be almost as entertaining as Crosby/Carter. :)

[beta angel]

Too much Masonry for me.

Marty is the man, but I actually have to (and believe me, this hurts) go with Luongo. I just think he's the guy at this point...Marty is definitely the number 2, but i'd give Luongo his shot.

[Illidaan]

San Jose is either clearing cap space so they can fill out a roster, or clearing cap space to fit Heatley under.. hmm. Obvious salary dumps.

How do you like the additions, Pedle?

[beta angel]

DAMMIT. I actually really *LIKE* Ehrhoff. I'd been wanting him to come to Detroit for years, so that's a disappointment.

Now I have to hate Schneider again, too...which is a bummer. Stupid Canucks. :P