For NHL Fans [Archive] - Page 4 - Tactics Arena Community Forums

PlatinumG

11-22-2006, 09:15 PM

I dunno, PG. It might be my youngness, but I just love Mario. I really think had he been able to play as many games as Wayne he would have surpassed him. Also, Lemieux means "the best" in French, or so I've been told, and that's just badass.

What makes me doubt Mario passing/closing in on Gretzky is the fact that he entered the league at a time where scoring was closing down; whereas Gretzky came into the league in the late-80s where scoring was flourishing, to say the least. Mario's got skills equal to Gretzky, there's no doubting that, but I just don't see him as being the guy that beats Gretzky. Messier, maybe, Gretzky, no way.

All of that aside: How about Mike Smith? 4-1 record so far, 2 shutouts and absolutely spectacular play so far. You just can't find many better than him in a rookie year! Sure, it was only a 1-0 (should've been 3-0, as both goals went in legally, but the refs were blind) game, but that shows just how well he plays when the teams "on his back."

Also: I hope like hell that the NHL looks into what Scott Nichol did to Jeff Halpern. That was insane that he got away with just about everything in that sequence of events. Something needs to be done to him.

-PG

Serge

11-22-2006, 09:20 PM

What'd he do to Halpern? I didn't get to see it. :(

Zander

11-22-2006, 09:21 PM

i've been to a few san diego gulls games..it's some sort of hockey minors. only team i remember of the ones they played were the anchorage somethings.

wouldn't it be funny if they were the anchors?har-har.

Office_Shredder

11-23-2006, 01:30 PM

That doesn't make the Ducks any better. Matter-of-fact, it proves my point even more (semi-solid goaltending, and all).

How? The sharks happen to be right there with the Stars in the standings, and the ducks ravaged them. 5-0 is not goaltending, that's pure badass scoring power

PlatinumG

11-23-2006, 06:25 PM

What'd he do to Halpern? I didn't get to see it. :(

In a nutshell:

Boarding / Cross Checking
Roughing
Spearing (in the back of the neck!)
Fighting (though I guess it'd be roughing if Halpern didn't fight back)
Unsportsmanlike conduct

All in one play. Ralph and Razor watched the reply a couple of times and even they were surprised that nothing was done about it, beyond one minor penalty. It was crazy!

How? The sharks happen to be right there with the Stars in the standings, and the ducks ravaged them. 5-0 is not goaltending, that's pure badass scoring power

5-0 is never "pure badass scoring power." In this day and age, shutouts take more work from the goaltender than anyone else. What it means is that they got a solid effort from their Goaltender and D-men, and were rewarded at the other end. Granted, I didn't watch the game itself (did see the opening face-off, and final two minutes), but the Ducks don't have that "pure badass scoring power" to rely on. Teemu's a great player, with a natural scoring touch, but he's just about the only one on the roster. I've heard time and time again how Ryan Shannon is supposed to be some kind of super-rookie, but all I've ever seen from him is too much show, and no finishing ability whatsoever. That leaves...well, hell, it doesn't leave them with much at all, does it? There's nothing there up front, and the only thing that keeps them going are their goalies.

-PG

Office_Shredder

11-23-2006, 07:29 PM

The shots were 23 to 44 dude. Don't even try

Red Fire

11-23-2006, 08:14 PM

Doesn't have to be the amount of shots all the time OS, although that was a factor in that game. I still stand by that the Stars are better, they have more playoff experienced players behind them. This is season, I know I know, season is tough as well as the playoffs, but when it comes down to it, I believe the Stars would be the winners. The one thing the Stars have for them, 1 solid goaltender that plays a lot of games. The Ducks have 2 that they keep alternating, in the playoffs, that is a bad idea to do.

Pieface1337

11-24-2006, 05:41 AM

Who says they are going to alternate in during the playoffs?

Red Fire

11-24-2006, 07:08 AM

Well if they don't have a solid goaltender that can keep playing game after game now, how will that goaltender survive in the playoffs when he has an extreme amount of pressure on him and be able to keep up w/ the physical play day in and day out?

PlatinumG

11-24-2006, 02:47 PM

The shots were 23 to 44 dude. Don't even try

Shots mean what, exactly? Outshooting != Outscoring in any circumstance.

They still don't have the scoring power.

Doesn't have to be the amount of shots all the time OS, although that was a factor in that game. I still stand by that the Stars are better, they have more playoff experienced players behind them. This is season, I know I know, season is tough as well as the playoffs, but when it comes down to it, I believe the Stars would be the winners. The one thing the Stars have for them, 1 solid goaltender that plays a lot of games. The Ducks have 2 that they keep alternating, in the playoffs, that is a bad idea to do.

You're forgetting one thing: Mike Smith. In 5 games so far, he's recorded 4 wins, 2 shutouts, 1.23 GAA and a .949 Sv%! I'd call that solid goaltending, from a backup standpoint. He'll be very useful in the playoffs.

The Ducks' goaltenders are staying semi-solid (I'll hold off on calling a .902 and .921 Sv%'s "solid", but semi-solid, definitely), but I'm sticking with my initial statements.

Who says they are going to alternate in during the playoffs?

That's just what they do. If they try to play the hot goaltender until he goes cold after rotating all season, they're going to sink before they get off of the docks.

-PG

Pieface1337

11-24-2006, 03:09 PM

Congrats to Buffalo for reaching 100+ goals the quickest.

Sangro

11-24-2006, 03:25 PM

off topic: what you recommend me starting off playing; deck hockey(streethockey sorta) or ice hockey.

Red Fire

11-24-2006, 03:53 PM

Pieface1337

11-24-2006, 05:11 PM

off topic: what you recommend me starting off playing; deck hockey(streethockey sorta) or ice hockey.

Well, there both different styles of hockey.

Ice Hockey has more of a path.. but Deck hockey is only a co-ed sport? They don't actually have leagues do they?

Ice hockey can be reletively expensive.. actually its really expensive. And
you never know if you will like it or not. Have you ever gone skating?

PlatinumG

11-24-2006, 09:17 PM

Depends on what your more interested in.

But PG, I meant from the stand point that they have always relied on Turco. I know Smith is amazing, but still he isn't a Big Name like Turco is. I only meant it from that standpoint no offence to Smith who is outstanding.

True, but you don't really need to be a "big" name to put up solid numbers these days. Look at Ryan Miller. Last season he came in as a virtual nobody, and after his performance, he's almost a household name. Turco's got the name working for him, but Smith'll get there soon enough. Hell, he just one his 5th game in 6 appearances...not bad at all.

-PG

Red Fire

11-25-2006, 11:06 AM

Yes I realize that, but I am talking about this season ;)

Now as for Miller, I awaited his appearence in the NHL, but yeah I know what you mean about not having to be the "big" name people, *coughwardcough* *chokehatehimchoke*.

PlatinumG

11-25-2006, 05:14 PM

It's somewhat funny how much of a fluke Ward's making himself look these days. Granted, Carolina as a whole have been...less than admirable this season, but Ward doesn't seem to have any sort of presence like he did before.

Smith'll earn the big name as the season moves on, no doubt (5-1 as a rookie...). By the time the postseason rolls around, he'll be in a similar position to Ryan Miller and Cam Ward last season...

-PG

Red Fire

11-26-2006, 11:18 AM

As I haven't been able to watch Dallas games :( Mind telling me what games he played in?

Serge

11-26-2006, 04:29 PM

God why am I poor? The Stars are in DC on Thursday!!!! I neeeeeeeed tickets!

It's 50 bucks for a somewhat decent nosebleed seat >.<

I'm probably gonna end up in the Side Balcony :P 35 bucks a head.

sampson420

11-26-2006, 08:00 PM

Go Leafs Go.

Boo Ottowa

PlatinumG

11-26-2006, 09:33 PM

As I haven't been able to watch Dallas games :( Mind telling me what games he played in?

Oct 21st vs Phoenix 4-0 W
Oct 28th vs Los Angeles 3-2 W
Nov 6th vs Vancouver 2-1 L
Nov 20th vs Colorado 5-4 W
Nov 22nd vs Nashville 1-0 W
Nov 24th vs Los Angeles 5-3 W

5-1, 1.53 GAA, .937 sv% (352 Mins), 2 SO

-PG :)

Office_Shredder

11-27-2006, 03:47 AM

Looks like the ducks won another game on the back of their.... AHL last second call up goalie? :rolleyes:

Red Fire

11-27-2006, 06:50 AM

Looks like the ducks won another game on the back of their.... AHL last second call up goalie?

Micheal Wall? :confused:
I have never heard of him. This is bad for the Ducks, why are they rotating 3 goaltenders? Is someone injured that I am not aware of?

EDIT: Nevermind, I see Bryzgalov is out w/ a lower body injury.

5-1, 1.53 GAA, .937 sv% (352 Mins), 2 SO

He has to have a worst GAA as he is not in the running for best GAA. Backstrom is in the lead w/ 1.92 and then I believe Hasek w/ 2.04

Oct 21st vs Phoenix 4-0 W

It's easy to believe one of his shut-outs came from Phoenix :p

Office_Shredder

11-27-2006, 07:07 AM

He has to have a worst GAA as he is not in the running for best GAA. Backstrom is in the lead w/ 1.92 and then I believe Hasek w/ 2.04

He hasn't played enough games. Otherwise all the teams would call up goalies to play a single easy game, hoping to push their goalie into the 0.00 gaa and trade him for something worth a bit more :p

PlatinumG

11-27-2006, 07:51 PM

He has to have a worst GAA as he is not in the running for best GAA. Backstrom is in the lead w/ 1.92 and then I believe Hasek w/ 2.04

As Office_Shredder said, he hasn't played enough games yet. I don't know what the mark is currently, but he's only up to 6. If games weren't a factor, he'd be among the leaders.

It's easy to believe one of his shut-outs came from Phoenix :p

It's funny because it's true :bigsmile:

He hasn't played enough games. Otherwise all the teams would call up goalies to play a single easy game, hoping to push their goalie into the 0.00 gaa and trade him for something worth a bit more :p

You'd like to think the GMs would have a bit more sense than to make any sort of trade for 1-game goalie...but then again, Phoenix would take 'em...

Still...Smith is playing great so far this year, no reason to doubt that he won't continue his performance.

-PG

Red Fire

11-28-2006, 06:25 AM

Should've put him in net last night huh? :p

but then again, Phoenix would take 'em...

Ha Gretzey ... or however you spell it. I love laughing at him.... Would u join me PG in a laugh at Phoneix, Serge you too, HA PHONEIX!

Blood And Gore

11-28-2006, 06:27 AM

OMG! Did you guys see the Russian Selects VS. OHL (Ontario Hockey League)

There were so many body checks! The glass friggin broke because O'Marra was going full speed at a Russian and the Russian just ducked and O'Marra's feet went up in the air, hitting the glass beside him. Brutal dude, brutal. :happy:

PlatinumG

11-28-2006, 08:05 AM

Should've put him in net last night huh? :p

Heh, typical "Turconian" netminding, as it's been called in the past. I don't doubt that had Smith been in the pipes, those wouldn't have been goals (have you seen his glove hand? It's insane how quick he snatches some of those shots! That 2nd goal that deflected off of Turco's glove would've been an easy save for Smith!). Alas, Turco's the #1...

Ha Gretzey ... or however you spell it. I love laughing at him.... Would u join me PG in a laugh at Phoneix, Serge you too, HA PHONEIX!

It's not so much Gretzky I love to laugh at, so much as it is the entire Phoenix organization + fans (the Coyotes fans are, by far, the most moronic group I've ever seen...). So, indeed, I give them a heart-felt "hah!" for their troubles.

-PG

Red Fire

11-28-2006, 11:14 AM

I have to say though, one of the fastest gloves I have ever seen is Rick Dipeitro. Amazing how he can snatch them out of the air that fast.

Red Fire

11-30-2006, 06:32 AM

PlatinumG

11-30-2006, 07:43 PM

This was a couple nights ago, but a very good game for Florida. Auld showed the NHL again what he is capable of. Not many games so far this season has there been 2 shut-outs for goaltenders. Congrats to Huet and Auld on an incredible job. What an amazing game that was.

Didn't see either shutout, but they're certainly becoming a rarity these days. Congrats to them.

Dallas loose their 3rd straight, 4-3 :(. It was an okay game, but they just can't seem to find the net when they most desperately need to. It didn't help that the Refs seemed to be overly-happy on the whistles, but it's still up to the Stars to find the twine on their shots. On top of everything, it looks like the Stars loose Mittens for a game or two; and whoever it was on the Caps side is going to be needing a hell of a lot of stitches...

-PG

Red Fire

12-01-2006, 07:28 AM

PlatinumG

12-01-2006, 11:43 AM

That sucks PG, but at least they have been scoring goals. What is it like 82 minutes now that the Leafs haven't scored a goal? And in the last 3 games they have 2 goals and 12 against. They have to find a groove as if u go back to last friday's game, they have 7 goals and now can barely get 2.

Both teams are slumping at the moment, it would seem (now we know how it feels to be a Coyotes' fan!). I can't say I understand why the Leafs are slumping, but for Dallas it's a lack of heart/energy and a growing list of injuries. The Stars need Morrow, Ott, Daley and Mittens back desperately, but even then, it's hard to say whether or not they'll bring the energy back into the room. Gotta' wonder just how much yelling Tippet's doing during each practice these days...

-PG

Serge

12-01-2006, 06:47 PM

Didn't see either shutout, but they're certainly becoming a rarity these days. Congrats to them.

Dallas loose their 3rd straight, 4-3 :(. It was an okay game, but they just can't seem to find the net when they most desperately need to. It didn't help that the Refs seemed to be overly-happy on the whistles, but it's still up to the Stars to find the twine on their shots. On top of everything, it looks like the Stars loose Mittens for a game or two; and whoever it was on the Caps side is going to be needing a hell of a lot of stitches...

-PG
My brother is a Caps fan. :(

He couldn't talk too much smack though, as he was holding his breath once Barnes scored that goal with 3 minutes left.

I think getting Morrow, Ott, Daley and Miettenen back would bring back energy. The Stars are a veteran team, but they get their energy from those young guys (especially the Finnish ones.)

PlatinumG

12-02-2006, 03:25 PM

My brother is a Caps fan. :(

He couldn't talk too much smack though, as he was holding his breath once Barnes scored that goal with 3 minutes left.

I think getting Morrow, Ott, Daley and Miettenen back would bring back energy. The Stars are a veteran team, but they get their energy from those young guys (especially the Finnish ones.)

That brings up another point, where's Jussi been this year? He came out flying last year, now all of a sudden he's gone and decided to have a sophomore slump...If he'd come back and start scoring like he did last season, the Stars might not be in such a bad way. Though, he's still really exciting to watch on the ice.

I'm assuming Mittens'll be back tonight, but both Morrow and Daley are still listed as Day-to-Day...Ott, of course, is still out of action.

-PG

EDIT: Stars win it in the SO; no Mittens (:(), Sydor leaves the game injured, Vojtek Polak called up, Grossman starts on D, and ultimately: the 3 game slide has been stopped. They actually played a decent game this time around, and got the goals from guys that needed to step up (Jokinen and Eriksson). If they can keep this up, they'll be back in contention.

PlatinumG

12-04-2006, 09:42 PM

...So, the Stars are down 6 men, and have now lost Mike Modano (left early in the 2nd tonight). You'd think the complete Sharks lineup would beat the Stars' makeshift setup, right? I thought so, too...still, a 1-0 win for Dallas isn't too bad at all.

Joel Lundqvist (Henrik's brother) is looking like he's going to be a good player in the years to come.

-PG

Entourage

12-05-2006, 01:41 AM

GO! BRUINS!....*runs*

Red Fire

12-05-2006, 06:38 AM

GO! BRUINS!....*runs*

Yeah you better run, but that was kinda funny dude. I do like Tim Thomas, even if he isnt the best goalie.

...So, the Stars are down 6 men, and have now lost Mike Modano (left early in the 2nd tonight). You'd think the complete Sharks lineup would beat the Stars' makeshift setup, right? I thought so, too...still, a 1-0 win for Dallas isn't too bad at all.

Joel Lundqvist (Henrik's brother) is looking like he's going to be a good player in the years to come.

-PG

Nice, I love games that end in 1-0. Goalie gets a shut-out, nail bitter to the end.

PlatinumG

12-05-2006, 02:28 PM

Yeah you better run, but that was kinda funny dude. I do like Tim Thomas, even if he isnt the best goalie.

Have to agree with you there. Tim Thomas has a lot of good things working for him. He'll never be "the" goalie to beat, but he's got the talent to hang around for a few more years.

Nice, I love games that end in 1-0. Goalie gets a shut-out, nail bitter to the end.

It sure was! Especially when Turco took a penalty w/ 47 seconds to go...that was something!

-PG

Serge

12-11-2006, 04:23 PM

Did you see that goal the other night by Petr Nedved? That was amazing this is just a bump. I figured I'd at least disguise it a little bit. It's not like any forum cops actually read this thread though. :P

PlatinumG

12-11-2006, 07:08 PM

Yeah...didn't actually see that goal, but I see he's been put on waivers...shame.

Does anyone know what's going on w/ John Leclair? The Pens talked about putting him back on reentry waivers to let someone pick him up for only half of his salary; but so far, all they're talking about is him being assigned to Wilkes Barre/Scranton...I only ask because I think he's too good of a player to be stuck down in the minors for any length of time...

Anywho, the Stars are back up to a decent level again, though the game against Phoenix shouldn't have reached OT...supposedly Mike, Morrow, and/or Lindros will be back for the next game. Hopefully Mittens won't be too far behind.

~Chris

Serge

12-12-2006, 05:03 PM

Pieface1337

12-12-2006, 05:11 PM

What is this thread, the Red Fire/PlatinumG/Serge chat thread?

:P

Red Fire

12-12-2006, 10:01 PM

Yep.
And finally, a 7 game losing streak came to an end. Who would've thought the Leafs would've won even when they changed goalies? Wow .... and good Philly game. Nittymaki did his part, the offence, well they were on a lunch break the whole night.

Pieface1337

12-13-2006, 10:51 AM

I thought that Aubin would do better then letting 3 goals in on 9 shots.

The Leafs had an ok night, they started off a bit slow. They were shooting the puck at the net from all angles, and crashed the net looking for the rebounds. Defence is still a bit of a drag, I am not feeling Gill. Slow, bad decision maker, not physical, all he is is big, and takes up room infront of the net.
Oh and how about the PP? They sure move slow, and take there time. Making some nice passes, but no one wants to take the shot when they have a clear shot.

Darcy Tucker's agent is also asking for 5Million a year. If its true I would trade him while hes worth it. Hes a player teams hate to play against, but love to play with. He is basically the guts, and glory of Toronto but 5Million is extending too far.

Players like;
Alex Tanguay =5 million
Simon Gagne =5.25 million
Rick Nash =4.5 million
Iyla Kovalchuk =5 million
Marc Savard =5 million
Daniel Briere =5 million
Maxim Afinogenov =3 million.

PlatinumG

12-13-2006, 09:00 PM

Yeah, that sucks about LeClair. He used to be one of my favorite players, what's not to love about that style of offense? I don't see why the Pens aren't playing him, if it's only a matter of money, he should probably swallow his pride and get a smaller contract.

Just out of curiosity, how many games have the Stars lost in OT since the shootout was instituted? I can't imagine it's very many. :D

The only reason they've ever given for not playing him is that all of their young talent makes him surplus to requirement (basically: Evgeni Malkin > John LeClair)

Dallas have lost only 6 games in OT since the introduction of the Shootout :D

What is this thread, the Red Fire/PlatinumG/Serge chat thread?

Absolutely! Has been for at least a year now :D.

...really, though, it just seems like we're the only ones that are interested in hockey enough to post night in and night out...

Darcy Tucker's agent is also asking for 5Million a year. If its true I would trade him while hes worth it. Hes a player teams hate to play against, but love to play with. He is basically the guts, and glory of Toronto but 5Million is extending too far.

Hah! They should trade him to Phoenix, they'd probably pay him that much.

Seriously, though, Mike Modano only makes $4.25m/year; who in their right minds would pay Darcy Tucker $5m/year, besides the Coyotes, of course? He's got very limited hockey skills, and his "tough guy" attributes are becoming more and more outdated with each passing year. He's hardly worth the money they're paying him now (personal opinion, I know his stats and he's still worthless)!

-PG

Red Fire

12-14-2006, 08:09 AM

What a very strange game last night. 4 goalie changes in total, and I speak of course about the 8-4 pounding that was dealt out but the Penguins against Philly. That seriously was the weirdest game I have ever witnessed. The really funny part of the whole game was when they went to change goalies again, and the linesman told they Nitty had to go back b/c it was an icing and no one can be changed on one, and Pits scored on that, lol.

Serge

12-14-2006, 05:44 PM

Yeah, I wish I had seen that 8-4 Pitt/Philly game. Pittsburgh's 8th goal, the breakaway that made the top ten on SC was nassssty.

Tucker is asking for more money than Modano and as much as Kovalchuk? I hope he likes the desert :P That's nuts, he's great at what he does, but even if tough guys were still as useful as they were before the shootout, they aren't supposed to be paid like the offensive stars.

Pieface1337

12-21-2006, 07:15 PM

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20061215/fu_vert_66562.jpg

LOS ANGELES (CP) - The Los Angeles Kings recalled goaltender Yutaka Fukufuji from the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League on an emergency basis Friday.

Fukufuji, 24, has not appeared in a game for the Monarchs this season. He has a 3-3-0 record with a 3.19 goals-against average in 10 appearances with Reading of the ECHL.

Should he get into a game, Fukufuji would become the first Japanese man to play in the NHL. He is one of just three Japanese-born players selected by an NHL team, and the first since Hiroyuki Miura was taken by the Montreal Canadiens in 1992.

The six-foot-one, 186-pound Fukufuji played for Kokudo of the Japanese league prior to making his North American debut in 2003 with the ECHL's Cincinnati Cyclones.

PlatinumG

12-21-2006, 11:25 PM

I remember reading about him either last season or during the lockout. He's got talent, so it'd be great if he found a spot with the Kings.

That said, Dallas played like a team for the first time in months! They actually looked like they wanted to win, and they managed to simply shut down the San Jose Sharks...not an easy task in and of itself. Congrats to Turco on achieving a franchise record 28th career shutout.

-PG

Red Fire

12-22-2006, 07:38 PM

Nice, Congrats Turco indeed
Well it'll be awhile before I post in this thread again, so you guys will have to keep me up to date on the hockey as I will be in Thailand for the Holiday Season. Merry Christmas: Pie, Serge and PG.

ExpectDeath

12-22-2006, 10:07 PM

I thought that Aubin would do better then letting 3 goals in on 9 shots.

Haha, did you ever see that joke play for the Pens? That sounds like an average night for him.

The Pens have always had inconsistant goalies since the days of Barasso and Wregget, but I really think they have something building with Fleury here.

PlatinumG

12-22-2006, 10:08 PM

Have a good time in Thailand!

I can't guarantee I'll be on top of all things hockey related, either, but I'll probably still be posting here about the 'big' events of the day/week/etc.

That said: Justice is served. Scott Nichol was suspended today for 9 games after a hit from behind. He was the one that attempted to injure Jeff Halpern when the Preds played the Stars, also with a hit from behind, punch to the head and stick to the face (while he was on the ice). So, a very big "Hah!" to him.

-PG

Pieface1337

12-23-2006, 07:33 AM

He also loses $25,267 in salary.

Well the Leafs had another upset. They came out very physical, and aggressive in the first like always. We had shut down Havlat, and kept turnovers to a minimum.
They cooled off a bit in the second, only allowing a goal.
And they completely shut down in the 3rd, like always.

We went 1/8 on the PP, the PP goal was on a 5 min major, which we only got one good chance at scoring which we did.

This is the part of the season we need to start turning things around. And having 3 key injuries doesn't help. Peca, Wellwood, Poni, Antro.

Red Fire

12-24-2006, 03:06 AM

Pieface1337

12-24-2006, 06:48 AM

AWWOOO?

:p

PlatinumG

12-25-2006, 10:03 AM

I know I said I woulnd't be able to post here, but on my 7 hour lay over in Hong Kong, I found a computer w/ free net. I was looking and WHAT THE HELL? Phoneix shut out Anahiem? The worst (well one of them) shut out the best? How is this physically possible?

Heh, I was laughing for quite a while after that one! I don't know how it happened, but it seems like Mikael Tellqvist has found himself a spot on the Coyotes lineup. I'm still not a fan of the 'Yotes, but I'll be damned if he hasn't started to turn them around.

That said, it looks like I'm off to Wyoming until the 5th or so, so I won't be around much, if at all, for a few days.

See ya'!

-PG

PlatinumG

01-05-2007, 09:39 PM

Wow, I'm the first one to respond to this thread since I last posted? Where'd the hockey folks go?

Anywho, seems as though Dallas' injury troubles are continuing as normal. Mike Smith received a mild concussion against Edmonton, so Tobias Stephan gets his first shot on the NHL bench. Good news for him, but I hope Smith comes back quickly. He really needs a confidence boost.

That aside, the Stars have been semi-inconsistent, going as far as to finally give up an OTL. Not so good news on that front. Still, interesting highlights from the Edmonton game show that Dallas still has the ability to play as well as they were at the start (hopefully with actual conversions on empty net chances).

Lastly: Atta' boy, Mike Comrie! Finally getting onto a real team, after having been stuck w/ Phoenix for so long. Good for you!

-PG

Red Fire

01-09-2007, 08:52 AM

PlatinumG

01-09-2007, 05:25 PM

Mind telling me what team Comie is on? No Hockey in Thailand, and yeah where are Serge and Pie? I had no computer in Thailand ... so yeah couldn't post. Got back last night at 9pm, I left Bangkok at 1am on the 7th .... I am on 54 hours w/o sleep from traveling ... I HATE THIS!!!

Welcome back! :)

Comrie was traded to the Ottawa Senators, for someone I've never heard of, nor can I remember his name ATM. Minor leaguer, I know that much. Good deal for the Sens.

-PG

Red Fire

01-09-2007, 09:58 PM

Thanks, and same to you. How was your vacation?

Side note, Oklahoma is now trying to get the Pittsburgh Penguins to move to their city. Wow ....

PlatinumG

01-10-2007, 10:40 AM

My vacation was good, thanks for asking :)

Where did you read about Oklahoma looking to attract the Pens? I've seen several articles about hypothetical ways to build a new arena in Pittsburgh, but nothing about Oklahoma.

...also, the Oklahoma Penguins? Eww...:D

(Hopefully they don't rename the team...I'd hate to see the Oklahoma There's Nothing in Oklahoma to Name a Team After's...)

-PG

Red Fire

01-10-2007, 01:50 PM

The Oklahoma Rednecks? lol
TSN was talking about it, even Kanses City is trying to get them now.

Serge

01-10-2007, 06:10 PM

PlatinumG

01-10-2007, 06:24 PM

Too busy for hockey? Blasphemy!

I understand the potential in bringing Sidney Crosby in, but honestly, is there even a market for hockey in a place like Oklahoma? If it were somewhere like Wisconsin or Ohio I could understand somewhat, but I still can't see an NHL team playing in Oklahoma...least of all the Penguins...

-PG

ExpectDeath

01-10-2007, 06:31 PM

I would be lost without the Penguins. I can not believe that we did not get that freegin' liscence. I love the signs all over the city though..."Sorry Pens, our city sucks."

The organization that did get the gambling liscence is going to build a casino right between the baseball and football feilds in Pittsburgh. Both the Steelers and Pirates are very upset about this, because it will cause even more traffic that there is already in the North Side and it will take away from some of their ticket holders.

Red Fire

01-12-2007, 08:38 AM

Yeah supposedly this has been in the making for awhile, Leamuiex was giving offers to give the Pitts away and when they started to do well Oklahoma jumped on it, but Kanses City has been offering for awhile but Mario wanted more money.

On a side note, great East line up. Ovechkin, Crosby, Biere, Campbell, Souray, Miller. The West deson't look too bad either espically how they have Lidstrom and Neidmeyer on the same defensive line. Luongo is going to have some tough shoes to fill and I hope he can fill them. I am seriously surprised that Roloson or Mason wasn't picked as well. They have been solid this year and last year Roloson was a key reason that Edmonton made it that far.

Entourage

01-12-2007, 02:27 PM

Bruins suck. :(

kovoi

01-13-2007, 11:30 AM

Yeah, I would hate to see the Penguins leave Pittsburgh. The other teams should help Pittsburgh pay for a new arena. The Penguins are one of the most important teams in the NHL! Everyone is just jumping over bringing Sidney to their city I'm sure...

Anyway, it would really suck to see them in the midwest, I was born in Pittsburgh!

And sorry I haven't really been around, kind of drifting away from the forums :P And I've been a little too busy to keep up with hockey...

Sergey, You're my new hero... cept for that last part... There's no such thing as too busy for hockey.

keep the Pens in Pittsburgh because it has been proven before that the three year span that a team enhabitted Kansas City... Well it was just pathetic

The Pens are just at the low end of the cycle right now, and the governing iciocy to get a new Stadium for the Stillars (Go stillars) and the God-Awful Pirates (Pirates Exhale) all at once, there might have been some incentive to start building a new arena a long time ago....

Though I do enjoys my Quaker Steak and Lube wings at Stillar games :D yum

Pieface1337

01-13-2007, 12:28 PM

Bruins suck. :(

No shit. :)

Red Fire

01-19-2007, 11:01 AM

Its about dam time that Toronto won and Raycroft finally decided to play. I cannot believe he was in third place for the goalie line up to play in the All-Star game.

PlatinumG

01-20-2007, 06:06 PM

Heh, the same could be said of a few players that are scheduled to play in the ASG...can't say Turco's recent run of form has earned him those honors, but there he is.

-PG

ExpectDeath

01-21-2007, 08:05 AM

Its about dam time that Toronto won and Raycroft finally decided to play. I cannot believe he was in third place for the goalie line up to play in the All-Star game.

Raycroft didn't look too hot against the Pens last night. The old man Rechhi got a hat trick!

kovoi

01-23-2007, 04:38 PM

Go Recchin' Ball XD

Anyway, Skills Comp. tonight... I can't wait to see Sid the Kid in action

PlatinumG

01-24-2007, 05:01 PM

Is it just me, or were both the Youngstars game and Skills Competition completely boring?

Maybe it's the commentary or something, but it just wasn't anywhere near as fun and exciting as it used to be. Maybe it was just because everything was so rushed...I dunno...

-PG

ExpectDeath

01-24-2007, 10:00 PM

The Youngstars game was VERY boring. Everyone skated half-ass the entire time. Malkin cherry-picked for most of the game, got two breakaways, and didn't score. :(

On the other hand, I think the Skills Competition was just as exciting as every year, although I think the "fastest skater" competition was really flawed. It was funny to hear Ovechkin talk, and listen to how cockey he is. And in the end, I loved the shootout. Well, this was probably because Crosby is my favorite player.

PlatinumG

01-25-2007, 03:15 PM

I guess it was just me, then...

I felt like they were rushing it, and everything was so stilted/false...It was great seeing, for example, Chara blasting 100.4 MPH on the hardest shot, but I wasn't into as I usually am...

-PG

Red Fire

01-25-2007, 03:52 PM

Oh both were boring .... just, I think it was that there wasn't the BIG names we expected to shine. I used to love watching people like Messier, and Leetch, but now the only BIG name that I think shown at the competition was Rick Nash. The game was COMPLETELY boring though, wow. It was like watching Carrot Top do an hour of stand up ....

PlatinumG

01-26-2007, 03:08 PM

Hey now, nothing's that boring!

Just the same, I don't think it was so much the lack of big names as it was just an overall lack of...well...I don't know. Perhaps too much focus on Crosby and Ovechkin?

Still, it was interesting listening to Turco during the 3rd in the ASG...beyond that, I have to say, I was not at all excited...

-PG

ExpectDeath

02-06-2007, 08:02 PM

The Penguins continue on a roll as they take put down the Preds!

Fluery has been playing phenominal the last few games, it looks like he is really maturing. Crosby never ceases to amaze me, and is still on top of the league in points. It's great to see such a young team like this in the race for the cup.

PlatinumG

02-06-2007, 08:44 PM

Gotta' agree there. And to see Mark Recchi still surging offensively to go along with the "young guns" they've got going on...it's a lot like what the Oilers of old had working for them!

Also: Great seeing Mike Smith come back for Dallas and shut down the Wild tonight! The whole team played great for the first time in months, but he in particular made some key saves. That, and MikeyMo reached 496...getting closer!

-PG

Unforgottner

02-06-2007, 08:45 PM

The Sabres are going all the way. Almost made it last year, have gotten better as a team and are brining the Cup to Buffalo.

PlatinumG

02-12-2007, 05:16 PM

Hmm...quite a bit of trading activity going on lately.

Dallas just traded Matthias Tjarnqvist and their 1st rounder in 2007 to Phoenix for Ladislav Nagy. I like Nagy as an all-around player (needs work on defense), but all-in-all, I was expecting more of a refined scorer than yet another play maker. They've got Modano, Jokinen, Lehtinen, Ribeiro, Barnes and Miettinen (Mittens!) already...I don't quite understand the logic in adding yet another one...still, if he can find a role in Dallas and put the puck in the net, I'll be happy.

-PG

Speed Demon

02-17-2007, 09:09 AM

Red Fire

02-19-2007, 04:02 PM

Forsberg is a vet, a good player yes but a vet nevertheless. The reason why the Flyers sucked this year is because the NHL is dominatedby fresh young people. If you have a "fast" team, you have a good team. I doubt he will make a huge difference to Nashville, what Nashville needs is really some great defensemen.

I admit it might help them out, but not by a lot. I, myself, would've liked Forsberg to go to Detroit, just because they have some of the oldest players playing in the NHL.

Side note, who else thinks Montreal is done for the season now that Huet is injured?

kovoi

02-19-2007, 11:25 PM

Dealing w/ the Montreal ordeal, you never know because sometimes an unknown back up goaltender could come out as a star...

And let's go Pens

PlatinumG

02-21-2007, 06:01 PM

Thursday night, the Predators pulled off one of the biggest trades of the 2006-07 season, acquiring superstar center Peter Forsberg from the struggling Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Scottie Upshall, defenseman Ryan Parent, a first-round pick in the 2007 Entry Draft and a third-round selection in the '07 draft.

What do you think of Forsberg going to the number one ranked team in the NHL. The Preds are now obviously an even larger threat, if Forsberg can stay healthy.

And the Leafs have finally made it to the 8th spot and are really only 5 points behind the penguins for 4th in the conference. Still a tight battle, and hopefully the Leafs can keep playing solid, and get some of the shootouts going their way.

I'm not a fan.

As Red Fire said, he's a veteran forward with a role that's only going to become more limiting, so whether or not this rental proves to work for them is really going to become reliant on Paul Kariya helping him to find chemistry on the team. I saw him play the other night w/ Kariya and it just looked like he wasn't sure what to do or who to look for. Yes, he's still new and settling in; however, you'd expect someone like Forsberg to at least know the role he needs to play...

Dealing w/ the Montreal ordeal, you never know because sometimes an unknown back up goaltender could come out as a star...

And let's go Pens

True. Look at what Danny Sabourin did w/ the Canucks last night. He played, shot-for-shot, as well as Giguere. If the Habs can find someone like that in their system, they'll be fine.

-PG

Pieface1337

02-22-2007, 03:15 PM

Thursday night, the Predators pulled off one of the biggest trades of the 2006-07 season, acquiring superstar center Peter Forsberg from the struggling Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for forward Scottie Upshall, defenseman Ryan Parent, a first-round pick in the 2007 Entry Draft and a third-round selection in the '07 draft.

What do you think of Forsberg going to the number one ranked team in the NHL. The Preds are now obviously an even larger threat, if Forsberg can stay healthy.

And the Leafs have finally made it to the 8th spot and are really only 5 points behind the penguins for 4th in the conference. Still a tight battle, and hopefully the Leafs can keep playing solid, and get some of the shootouts going their way.

I don't mind the Forsberg trade all that much. He is a bonus when healthy on offence, and is going to help alot in the playoffs with his expirience. Not only is alot of weight taken off his shoulders, but he also is reunited with his line from Colarado. He doesn't have to put pressure on himself to put up points to win the game, there are plenty of players who can do that.
;)

Some good news for the Leafs is that our injured players should be making a return soon. I can't really see any changes made before the trade deadline, atleast not when JFJ is GM. One deal I wanted to see happen was possibly getting R.Smyth from Edmonton, for Tucker and a young guy and/or a pick ? I am always hoping for some sort of move that can get a productive goal scorer for Sundin.
We really needed that last win to give us 68 points, and 7th spot. Instead we are sitting at 10th place, but luckily a couple games back from Montreal and Carolina.

What are your guys thoughts on Guerin and Tkachuk ? Should the Blues try and trade them while there value is up ? and what would you see the Blues getting in return ?
I wouldn't mind Guerin coming to Toronto and playing with Sundin. I can see him play 3-4 more years. He is still in great shape, and still has his scoring touch, but its his consistency I am worried about.

PlatinumG

02-22-2007, 06:34 PM

Some good news for the Leafs is that our injured players should be making a return soon. I can't really see any changes made before the trade deadline, atleast not when JFJ is GM. One deal I wanted to see happen was possibly getting R.Smyth from Edmonton, for Tucker and a young guy and/or a pick ? I am always hoping for some sort of move that can get a productive goal scorer for Sundin.
We really needed that last win to give us 68 points, and 7th spot. Instead we are sitting at 10th place, but luckily a couple games back from Montreal and Carolina.

Smyth for Darcy Tucker and a throw-in? You can't be serious. If anything, Tucker would be the throw-in on that trade, with the likes of O'Neil or at the very least, a 2nd rounder. That'd be like Dallas going out and looking to offload Barnaby for the likes of Patrice Bergeron or Radek Bonk. Smyth's not one that they're going to throw away, though...so, it's just not happening.

What are your guys thoughts on Guerin and Tkachuk ? Should the Blues try and trade them while there value is up ? and what would you see the Blues getting in return ?
I wouldn't mind Guerin coming to Toronto and playing with Sundin. I can see him play 3-4 more years. He is still in great shape, and still has his scoring touch, but its his consistency I am worried about.

Rumor mill states Guerin's going to move elsewhere (I'd wager Montreal or Calgary) en route back to Dallas in the off-season. I'm not buying it, but that's what's out there ATM. With the cap going up next year (proposed, not finalized) by another $3M or so, it's possible that Dallas could sign both him and Nagy (though he's intent on moving elsewhere), and getting a proper player to fill the Lindros/Arnott gap.

Anyway, back to Tkachuk. I could see him going to, say, New Jersey or *gulp* Detroit, but realistically, I'd put him on a bubble team, like Edmonton or even Colorado.

-PG

Unforgottner

02-23-2007, 01:37 PM

Did anyone see the fight between the Sabres and Senators last night?
Even the goalies got in it, and there were 100 total penalty minutes.

PlatinumG

02-23-2007, 04:31 PM

Did anyone see the fight between the Sabres and Senators last night?
Even the goalies got in it, and there were 100 total penalty minutes.

I missed a goalie fight?! :(

Aww...I was watching the Sharks game, because I thought maybe, just maybe, the Blackhawks could've given them a run for their money...couldn't have been more wrong, and ended up missing a goalie fight for it. Boo!

So...Dallas gain Shane Endicott from Anaheim for future considerations (sources are saying a can of Dr. Pepper, but nothing's confirmed yet). More not-scoring talent to add to Iowa's 4th line.

Edit: ...so...Dallas went a picked up ANOTHER defenseman, that we don't need in Nolan Baumgartner. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player to have at either level (AHL or NHL), but we don't need to solidify the defensive core anymore than it already is (already rotating 7 defensemen, with a few making real pushes from the AHL level). There is talk saying that Armstrong's working on a package deal with Baumgartner, Endicott and possibly another or a draft pick for something better...but even then, once Morrow comes back, Dallas will have what they're truly lacking just now...this deal confuses me.

-PG

PlatinumG

02-27-2007, 07:22 PM

Well...trade deadline excitement!

Smyth to the Islanders
Guerin to San Jose
Norstrom to Dallas
Perrault to Toronto
Bertuzzi to Detroit

...Kapanen to Phoenix via Waivers :(

All-in-all, a few huge names moving around. I'm not a huge fan of Dallas' move for Norstrom. I like the immediate impact that he'll have on the roster, but another 1st rounder for another guy that we can't guarantee will be in a Stars uni in September, and also giving up Modry, who's been at home in Dallas for a few games now...skeptical, but it could work out.

-PG

Unforgottner

03-01-2007, 03:34 PM

Dont forget Biron to the Flyers.
I think the Biron/Miller rotation the Sabres had was key for them to get to the playoffs, but now without Biron...I'm not so sure.

Shaddix

03-01-2007, 03:39 PM

And don't forget this swap, the Brad Boyes-Dennis Wideman swap between the Bruins and the Blues will have a major impact for both teams in the future.

PlatinumG

03-01-2007, 08:30 PM

Dont forget Biron to the Flyers.
I think the Biron/Miller rotation the Sabres had was key for them to get to the playoffs, but now without Biron...I'm not so sure.

I'm prone to agree with the likes of Darren Pang and Darryl Reaugh on that debate, the "two number ones" system is going to be too much of a crutch going into the post season. Teams need a solid number one, and a capable backup. Having two starting-quality goaltenders isn't a smart system to use. It's the same system San Jose were using prior to Toskela's injury, and it's the same system they're return to; however, it's more than likely going to be the reason they have an early playoff exit. It's a crutch, and nothing more. Minnesota will find that out next year, too, if they keep hold of Fernandez and Backstrom.

Conklin wouldn't have been my first choice for a backup (hell, I'd go so far as to pick Ron Tugnutt before Conklin), but he'll give Miller incentive to keep healthy and stay at the top of his game.

-PG

PlatinumG

03-09-2007, 11:51 PM

So...Chris Simon. Need I say more (or, to be punny...Moore)?

He's been suspended indefinitely, but what action should the league take here?

I think the league should follow the example they set w/ Marty McSorley and get rid of Chris Simon all together. What he did was callous, with no intentions other than to injure Ryan Hollweg. It has no place in hockey, and with instinctive reactions like that, neither should he. Ultimately, I'm willing to bet that the NHL will simply give him a Bertuzzi-esque punishment and force him to cry on camera; however, the only rightful thing for this particular incident is to get rid of him...ban him from the NHL.

Also: MikeyMo sits at 498. 2 Away from 500, 5 away from "the big one."

EDIT: And the Survey Says -- Minimum of 25 games / $80,000-ish. BOO! He should be made to forfeit at LEAST 40 games, if that's the road they're going to take. He's never going to learn from his actions if he misses so few games.

EDIT: ...well, I'm not going to triple post, but wow...this thread makes me feel so damned alone...Anywho, MikeyMo scored number 500 tonight! Only 3 away from becoming the all-time goal scoring leader among US-born players. Only 19 points from Phil Housley's record, too!

-PG

kovoi

03-15-2007, 06:03 PM

Well except for Dom Moore *sad to see him go* Sid the Kid and the rest of the Pens are staying where they belong :D

Second in the Atlantic Division and chasing

Let's go Pens!

Deepsea

03-15-2007, 07:08 PM

....My dad took me to see the Wolves Game. I forgot what team they were playing but, I was just sitting and watching the game. We lost 3 - 5, we basically got killed at the end of the game. I loved the entertainment, there was about 2 fights that night, an attempt fight, maybe 1 punch got in. Then a real right broke out. Shit was I suprised to see how hard they were each attacking each - other. Not even 1 guy got up to break the fight it was like non-stop. One hell of a game. There was little kids sitting behind me tho, annoying the hell out of me.

PlatinumG

03-15-2007, 10:27 PM

Well except for Dom Moore *sad to see him go* Sid the Kid and the rest of the Pens are staying where they belong :D

Second in the Atlantic Division and chasing

Let's go Pens!

They're going to be an awesome team until those contracts come up for renewal...:D

Speaking of awesome, MikeyMo got 501 tonight...only 2 away from the record!

My dad took me to see the Wolves Game. I forgot what team they were playing but, I was just sitting and watching the game. We lost 3 - 5, we basically got killed at the end of the game. I loved the entertainment, there was about 2 fights that night, an attempt fight, maybe 1 punch got in. Then a real right broke out. Shit was I suprised to see how hard they were each attacking each - other. Not even 1 guy got up to break the fight it was like non-stop. One hell of a game. There was little kids sitting behind me tho, annoying the hell out of me.

Fights usually go until one of them is put into a "dangerous" situation, then it'll be broken up. Used to be one of the better parts of the NHL game, but it's still pretty standard in most of the other leagues in the Western Hemisphere (don't see a whole lot of it in Europe...).

-PG

PlatinumG

03-17-2007, 08:44 PM

*removing long, drawn out rant about Jordin Tootoo. Still feel he should've had a harsher suspension, and CERTAINLY shouldn't have come back for the very next meeting between Dallas and Nashville, but I'm still removing my rant...*

EDIT 2: Season's Finished...time to break out the playoff threads.

EDIT 3: ...Maybe one day someone will actually revive the REAL hockey thread...instead of me having to triple post again...

Pieface1337

05-20-2007, 06:07 AM

Well, I still say that it'll be Anaheim and Sabres for the Cup, with the Sabres losing AGAIN.

Remember this post.

12

Pretty close.

Office_Shredder

05-20-2007, 06:08 PM

Pretty close.

If you're going to pick the best team in each conference to make it to the stanley cups, pretty close doesn't really cut it

NeverKnowsBest.

05-20-2007, 06:11 PM

I play ice hockey ^^ so it's boring watching it.

Office_Shredder

05-20-2007, 06:17 PM

I play ice hockey ^^ so it's boring watching it.

So do I, and watching it means you can learn how to get better (if you can't see how the pros are doing it better than you, then fine, whatever :rolleyes: )

Memory

05-20-2007, 06:33 PM

ExpectDeath

05-20-2007, 06:38 PM

I play ice hockey ^^ so it's boring watching it.

No....Just...No.

Watching hockey is still fun for me and I have been playing for about 10 years now. It is the most exciting sport to watch, in my opinion (unless you are watching ANY Devils game). Like Office_Shredder said, it's a great tool to use to get better. You can watch how the pros opperate power play, defensive and offensive positioning, and even goalie techniques.

If you're trying to brag about you playing hockey, it was a failed attempt. Nice try though?

Office_Shredder

05-20-2007, 07:18 PM

Did you see the Detroit anahiem game.

Detroit outplayed, outskated, outshot and completely dominated the whole game and then gave up two ugly goals to lose it.

Sucks, i was hoping for a Detroit Ottawa series.

Don't count detroit out yet (though I'd love to...), they can still easily win two in a row

NeverKnowsBest.

05-20-2007, 07:52 PM

Yeah i watch it, but i really dont watch tv much period. Oh shit your from New Nersey. I bet we could have played close to each other. Ever been to Atlantic City or vineland ice arenas?

Unforgottner

07-01-2007, 06:44 PM

Sabres lose Brierre and Drury today. Brierre to the Flyers, Drury to the Rangers. Gah :dry:

Dodger

07-01-2007, 08:21 PM

Not a bad day for the opening Free Agency day today.

Schneider got picked up by Anaheim, thats a bit sad to hear, supposively that will mean Scott is retiring.

Briere grossly overpayed by Philly. $10 mill for next year, thats pathetic.

Rafalski to D-Town.

I have to say Tampa Bay has the weirdest signings. Ouellet for them.

Toronto picked up Blake. Pretty good having him coming off a 40 Goal season. I don't think he is the savior offensively for the Leafs, but lets hope he can put up another 40+ Goal season playing with Sundin.

Rangers, WOW. Gomez AND Drury. Both for around 7 Mill. Whats that 21 Mill between 3 players, Jagr-Drudy-Gomez. Ouch. But hey, they are looking good. I wonder if there going to resign shanny.

Rangers, and Flyers look to have had the busiest day. They are looking pretty damn good for next season.

Kariya, Bert, Smyth, and other UFA are still out there to be signed. Can't wait for Day 2 of Free Agent signings.

†frost†

07-01-2007, 11:34 PM

ok,i dont watch pro hockey but i do watch college hockey and i say Go Fighting Sioux from Grand Forks,ND!!!!!!!!!

Hatchet Warrior

07-01-2007, 11:47 PM

You need to settle down little one.

†frost†

07-01-2007, 11:56 PM

little one huh?

Hatchet Warrior

07-02-2007, 12:33 AM

Or fat wun. Your call really :p

PlatinumG

07-30-2007, 07:33 PM

What a weird off-season so far...

The first day was fun to watch (except from a Dallas fan's perspective...), but I can't say I've been all that impressed. Overpay overkill and weird moves for weird players.

Dallas in particular have done a fantastic job of dishing out the weird contracts. Brad Winchester, Trevor Byrnes, and Toby Petersen were the first 3 official free agent moves? Barnes, Lundqvist and Barch were good resigns, no doubt about that one, but I just don't understand the logic in bringing in these other guys. Todd Fedoruk's another one.

We've still not got the scoring touch we need, but at least we're loaded on defense and will definitely have one of the toughest checking lines out there (Winchester - Fedoruk - Ott)...that's about it.

I think Dallas paid too much for Ribeiro at $2.5M, and Mitten's arbitration award could've been a bit better (I was very scared he'd be North of the $1M mark...), but where's the scoring coming from? MikeyMo can't do it all...

Ah, it's been a while since I've posted here...good to see the hockey thread hasn't completely died out yet...

-PG

*Sanosuke*

07-30-2007, 07:41 PM

GO! Atlanta Thrashers!!!!!!!

Red Fire

08-11-2007, 04:19 PM

*** Damn ... what an off-season. B and D broken up on Buffalo. One went to the Flyers. Chelios is coming back for another season (he seems to be having a Rolling Stones type of effect on the NHL :p). Toskola is now on Toronto and Raycroft is back-up (wonder how long Fergs will let that shit, bloody shithead he is). The Rangers are looking like the team to beat now, they have an amazing line-up and one of the best goaltenders of our time. All I can say is ... October 2nd Dont Delay!!!!!

PlatinumG

08-11-2007, 06:52 PM

Aye, it's been a good one so far.

I'm waiting for Dallas to make a move, though. It's going to HAVE to come through trade because there's just no one out there with the offensive punch that Dallas needs (save Selanne, but the odds of him moving within the Pacific are miniscule). As Doug Armstrong said, they still have "about $4 million to spend on a scorer, and we will make that move, just not in July..." Well, it's not July anymore, so I'm waiting...

-PG

DarkMethod GL

08-11-2007, 07:27 PM

I think the Flyers had a good offseason. Go Flyers!!!

PlatinumG

09-18-2007, 01:23 PM

Well, we're into the preseason now.

It MUST be time for some real hockey talk...;)

-PG

Gypsy

09-18-2007, 04:08 PM

Well, we're into the preseason now.

It MUST be time for some real hockey talk...;)

-PG
That would be true, if anyone actually knew what channel it was even on. ;)

Shaddix

09-18-2007, 06:06 PM

That would be true, if anyone actually knew what channel it was even on. ;)

OLN

Unforgottner

09-18-2007, 06:09 PM

I might be going to the Great Outdoor Classic on New Year's Day in Buffalo! :)

Shaddix

09-18-2007, 06:10 PM

I might be going to the Great Outdoor Classic on New Year's Day in Buffalo! :)

I just said what channel it was on, didn't say I liked it, lol

PlatinumG

09-18-2007, 06:53 PM

Most of the preseason games aren't going to be on TV, but alas, that's what the internet is for :D.

It's always good getting back to this time of year...now to get to the REAL stuff.

-PG :)

Unforgottner

09-18-2007, 07:31 PM

I just said what channel it was on, didn't say I liked it, lol

...
that has nothing to do with what channel it's on.

Shaddix

09-18-2007, 08:01 PM

...
that has nothing to do with what channel it's on.

Well that channel is outdoors stuff, so I just figured that's why you added that in.

Unforgottner

09-18-2007, 08:05 PM

Well that channel is outdoors stuff, so I just figured that's why you added that in.

http://sabres.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=337526

Tickets are sold out. Looks like I'm not going :(

PlatinumG

09-18-2007, 09:45 PM

Shaddix

09-19-2007, 01:09 PM

PlatinumG

09-20-2007, 12:48 PM

So do they still have the hunting/outdoors stuff anymore?

I believe they do, yes, but not nearly to the same extent as they used to.

-PG

ExpectDeath

09-20-2007, 12:55 PM

Yep, sold out almost immediately! Very impressive.

Also, Shaddix -- OLN = Versus, they changed names ;).

Dallas won their preseason match tonight, 6-5 over the Blues! That's a step in the right direction.

-PG

The 1,500 tickets alotted to Pittsburgh were gone in less than 30 minutes. My friend still may be able to get them with his season ticket package. On that note, I'm going to the Pen's preseason home-opener this weekend which I'm pretty pumped for.

PlatinumG

09-20-2007, 09:58 PM

You'd be very lucky to find tickets at this point, I'd say. Outside of scalpers, I don't think you'll be lucky to find anything, and even they'll cost you no less than a 100% increase. Good luck, though ;)

Have fun at the Pens game! I'm all set for when the Stars roll through Phoenix this year, so I'll get a few games myself :)

-PG

Red Fire

10-29-2007, 09:11 PM

Okay, Mathieu Garon. I spoke about him before and before he was on a very low-rated, low-scoring team. But now ... he is on the Oilers and showing his true true colours. He is young and has a looooong way to go to become the next great Canadian goaltender, but he is on the right track.

Now Philly .... you did horrible last year, and now this year you have the guns, the defense, and the goaltender and what do you do? You go and get a ton of suspenions .... honestly.

Okay ... I think the BIGGEST news this year has to be Columbus and Washington. Both, are very underrated, both were not that great last season, but something has happened this season and wow, Columbus is doing great currently and even Washington is.

Amazing season so far!

The Coder

10-29-2007, 09:29 PM

I used to be huge on hockey, I've kinda died on it. If I can score some free tickets to caps games off my friend, I may get back into it. Otherwise, no.

max2k106

04-28-2008, 09:50 PM

Why aren't we discussing hockey . . . . . it's playoffs.

Red Wings are gonna win . . . . . . .

Hatchet Warrior

04-28-2008, 10:04 PM

Dude, no wings will lose. Sharks are taking it, just watch.

max2k106

04-28-2008, 11:23 PM

Don't get me wrong. I love the sharks. They got my boys Thornton and McLaren . . . . old Boston boys we for some god-awful reason got rid of. But lets be serious, they're down 2-0 to the Stars, I don't see them making a comeback. 5-2 is a tough score . . .

ExpectDeath

04-28-2008, 11:36 PM

Detroit sucks. They'd be better off playing with the team of the cast of 60 Minutes.

The Sharks suck. They are down 2-0, and both of their losses came at home.

The real pick is the Penguins (just like every year), The Pens are young, talented, and are supported by a hot goalie right now. Their powerplay is unstoppable, and lately their penalty kill has been great. Malkin has stepped up in the absence of Crosby in the last half of the season, and now with Crosby back, they are a a force in the NHL. The trade for Hossa and Dupuis has greatly benefited the team; and the line of Crosby, Hossa, and Dupuis has been great.

max2k106

04-28-2008, 11:39 PM

Woa, cool your jets there Maverick. Your argument for why the Pens are hot is wonderful, just lovely. Now whadaya say you give me some proof of why the Wings "suck"?

P.S. - I can't wait until Malkin shows up Crosby, by GOD I can't wait.

Ovechkin vs. Crosby, discuss.

ExpectDeath

04-28-2008, 11:44 PM

The Wings don't really suck, I just can't stand the way they play. They probably have the best shot, other than the Pens, to win the cup. The Wings are like the Yankees of hockey - Extremely over-payed, old, "allstar" caliber, players thrown together on a team, expected to win every year.

I can't wait to see Pens vs Wings in the Cup Finals though. It will be a great series.

max2k106

04-28-2008, 11:50 PM

You gotta admit though . . . . Datsyuk's got some crazy moves.

Lidstrom's getting old but his shot is still on target, and Zetterberg is kickin' ass in the scoring department. It's tough . . . . . very tough to decide who would win, the Pens or the Wings, though I think it IS safe to assume it will be those two at the finals.

Pens have a sick goalie, but the Wings goaltending is absolutely STACKED with Hasek and Osgood . . .

And you avoided the question . . . Ovechkin or Crosby?

ExpectDeath

04-29-2008, 12:02 AM

Datsyuk and Zetterberg are my favorite players on the Wings. They are both extremely talented and on the same line (from what I remember). Datsyuk has had SOME crazy goals, and sick moves, it's fun to watch him play. Lindstrom is old yes, and still is very talented. I really think he is one of the best defensemen of all time. Osgood and Hasek are pretty good. I can't stand Hasek's playing style, but it has worked for him for his 37 years in the NHL.

Crosby vs Ovechkin...Malkin. Crosby makes great plays, sure. He makes more highlight real goals, sure. Malkin has become a more rounded, better scorer, and has over shadowed Crosby all this year (in my opinion). He doesn't have the point total of Crosby last year, but I think he did more for the team this year than Crosby did last year. Without all of the injuries the Pens suffered at the end of the season, I think they would have has a chance at the President's Trophy (over-taking your precious Wings).

Malkin vs Ovechkin...Not sure. In the Pens vs Caps series this year, I think Malkin took the edge. I am almost positive that he outscored Ovechkin in each of the contests, and I am sure that the Pens won the series. But, Ovechkin has taken a bottom-ranked team to the top, and hell - they even made a run in the playoffs. My hands are tired, so I needa break for a little.

This is fun though. Hah I have been hitting reload waiting for you to reply.

max2k106

04-29-2008, 12:14 AM

Hahaha, I'm SO glad you said Malkin. If you said Crosby, I'd hate you so much.

As for the Red Wings being my "beloved" Red Wings, my team is actually the Bruins. I'm from Boston. Yeah we suck . . . I just like following Datsyuk 'cause I'm amazed by his skill and Lidstrom 'cause I used to be a defenseman way back when I started playing hockey and he was my idol, right after 77 of course.

The thing with Malkin (or Crosby, right now I think they can be substituted) vs. Ovechkin is that Malkin has a LOT more to work with than Ovie. Ovechkin has had a rookie center for most of the season (granted Backstrom is in the finals for the Calder trophy), before they got his Russian buddy Fedorov and his other winger Kozlov has cooled down. His defensemen aren't the greatest in the league either.

Looking at Malkin, he's got Malone on his left, Sykora on his right and Gonchar behind him. A line like that does a lot of damage. There's a lot of talent there, whereas on Ovie's line, he seems to be a young-gun on a line of somewhat decorated old-timers who have lost their touch. However, he continues to perform and led the league in scoring this season. I gotta go with my boy Ovie on this one.

Though I gotta admit . . . I am a little pissed off at Crosby for his mid-season injury which cost him playing in the All-Star game. I would give anything to see Ovie and Crosby play on the same line. Imagine the damage that could be done . . .

ExpectDeath

04-29-2008, 12:24 AM

I agree, Ovechkin's team is lesser than the Pens, which has allotted to much of Malkin's success. But I really think that Backstrom and Federov are just as good, if not better than Malone and Sykora.

Hah yeah it sucks that Crosby got injured right before the Allstar break. But the Allstar games aren't very exciting anymore. The players are just out there gliding across the ice. Sure, it's great to see all those elite players together on lines, but it would be amazing for them to put in some effort. I used to love watching the Skill Competitions, but now they are just a joke. They limited the time for it, and the players put in no effort.

I gotta go back to bed though. I'm gettin tired. I'll be back for more after school tomorrow. Hopefully this will spur some interest in the hockey thread again. I used to love to read Red Fire's posts here.

max2k106

04-29-2008, 12:36 AM

Backstrom is great, but he IS a rookie and definitely has made mistakes (the most memorable one against the Pens . . . he put the puck in his own goal in the third period with minutes left to give the Pens the winning goal).

And Fedorov . . . I'm Russian, so I absolutely LOVE Russian players (one of the reasons I want the pens to make Malkin the permanent center on the first line, keeping Crosby on the second) but lets be serious . . . this guy is OLD. I mean, he played with Fetisov on the Red Army line on the Wings. I don't think he has what it takes anymore and the only reason I think he's playing as Ovie's center is because Ovie (though he's been in the NHL for 3 seasons now) still has SO much more potential and the companionship of a fellow Russian superstar who has gone through similar things that Ovie has gone through can help him get there a lot faster. Plus three Russian speaking forwards on the same line can't hurt the communication between them.

ExpectDeath

04-29-2008, 03:54 PM

Yeah, I remember that game. I was dying when they showed his reaction.

I really think Fedorov is there more for the leadership for a young team than anything. He is also an asset on the power plays. He can provide disipline to Ovechkin, and help him tune his game.

Haha Henrik Lundqvist has gauranteed victory, so let's see how that works out. Lol @ Henrik's first name really being Joe. How crazy would it be to see the Pens sweep two teams in a row...

http://i28.tinypic.com/20h9029.jpg

max2k106

04-29-2008, 06:23 PM

Rangers suck. Jagr is old news. Henrik needs to pick a real name . . .

†Tao Veteran†

04-29-2008, 06:26 PM

Why aren't we discussing hockey . . . . . it's playoffs.

Red Wings are gonna win . . . . . . .

Detroit sucks. They'd be better off playing with the team of the cast of 60 Minutes.

The Sharks suck. They are down 2-0, and both of their losses came at home.

The real pick is the Penguins (just like every year), The Pens are young, talented, and are supported by a hot goalie right now. Their powerplay is unstoppable, and lately their penalty kill has been great. Malkin has stepped up in the absence of Crosby in the last half of the season, and now with Crosby back, they are a a force in the NHL. The trade for Hossa and Dupuis has greatly benefited the team; and the line of Crosby, Hossa, and Dupuis has been great.

Wow, you guys are ALL havin some nice dreams, eh? Don't worry, you'll all get a warm wake up call once Montreal takes the cup. ;)

max2k106

04-29-2008, 06:27 PM

Wow, you guys are ALL havin some nice dreams, eh? Don't worry, you'll all get a warm wake up call once Montreal takes the cup. ;)

Montreal? Are you kidding me? Aren't they the ones that let the GOD AWFUL Bruins get to game 7 and are behind 2-1 against the very average Flyers?

ExpectDeath

04-29-2008, 08:22 PM

@Rabbi

No...Just no. The Canadians are too inconsistent. They have a rookie goalie, who is streaky. Incompetent defense, and a low scoring offense. I don't see how they can make it past this round against a better team in the Flyers. Hell, I can't believe they pulled it out in game 7 last round, against the sad excuse for a playoff team a.k.a. the Bruins.

@the pens performance tonight

Very fun game to watch. The Rangers out played and out shot the Pens, I think it was, 39-17. Fleury played VERY well, and the Rangers missed out on some great opportunities. They had back to back 5-3 power plays, which not only did they not handle very well, but the Pens penalty kill was dead on. The power play was also very good. Malkin showed up tonight with two goals and one assist. He is on top of the scoring race with 13 points in just 7 games. Fleury is also 7-0 in the playoffs this year, which I think is outstanding. This achievement is much due to the great play ahead of him, though. The defense has been throwing their bodies in front of shots and playing their hearts out all playoffs. I can't wait 'til the Pens sweep the Rangers. *brings out broom*

max2k106

04-29-2008, 09:56 PM

Sharks lost again . . . looks like its gonna be Dallas vs. Detroit in the west.

Pens are on a roll too. No matter who wins the Habs vs. Flyers series (Probably the Flyers, the Habs can't pull it off) they're gonna have no shot against the Pens.

Gypsy

04-30-2008, 11:34 AM

I'd like to see the Flyers win their current series, to knock out the last Canadian team.

max2k106

04-30-2008, 01:02 PM

The Flyers will beat the Canadiens. The Habs are in a slump and the Flyers are playing well . . .

ExpectDeath

04-30-2008, 01:07 PM

The Flyers will definately win the series in my opinion. The Habs don't have a strong enough defense or goalie to go any further in the playoffs. Biron and Brierre (sp) have been playing very well for the Flyers, and I think they will lead them to the next round.

max2k106

04-30-2008, 01:13 PM

Who's gonna win the Hart? Iginla, Malkin, or Ovechkin?

Personally, I think it's between Malkin and Ovie. My opinion is definitely biased, but I think Ovie is gonna take it. He led the Caps to their first playoffs in years and led the league in goals and total points. On a team like the Capitals, I think that's quite a feat.

Malkin is great, but, as I stated earlier, he has a lot of talent around him. Also with Crosby being out for a couple of weeks, Malkin got the chance to shine and I think that's really the reason that he's a finalist for the Hart. Had Crosby not been a little bitch and stayed on his skates, Malkin would still be playing 2nd line (even though he deserves to be the first line center 'cause he's better than Crosby) and not getting as much recognition as he does now.

Gypsy

04-30-2008, 01:21 PM

It would probably have helped him to get out of the first round. Lol.

Red Wings are looking good and that's all I care about. :)

ExpectDeath

04-30-2008, 01:23 PM

TaoParis

04-30-2008, 03:25 PM

I'd like to see the Flyers win their current series, to knock out the last Canadian team.
Same.
Just baught a Flyers team jersey. People seem to hate me at school now:huh:

I was wishing to see the sharks win the cup or get to the finals:dry:

max2k106

04-30-2008, 08:24 PM

So Flyers won again . . . . . . . wow. Habs are SO inconsistent.

Sharks will lose tonight.

ExpectDeath

04-30-2008, 08:28 PM

Haha just as I thought. I hope the Sharks lose. I want to see Pens, Dallas, and Detroit sweep their series.

max2k106

04-30-2008, 10:26 PM

Ugh, Sharks won . . . now I have to wait another game? Come on . . .seriously San Jose? You're not gonna win this series . . . just drop it.

ExpectDeath

05-01-2008, 01:22 PM

Really...I think they said last night that 6 teams have EVER come back from a 3-0 deficite. I can't wait for the Pens game tonight! Gunna sweep New York in New York. Pansy Avery is out, and I think Gary the God Roberts is playing.

max2k106

05-01-2008, 10:36 PM

So much for that sweep . . . but at least the Wings swept the Avs :-)

Score is 8-2 with like a minute left in the 3rd right now.

zz99

05-02-2008, 06:19 AM

It would probably have helped him to get out of the first round. Lol.

Red Wings are looking good and that's all I care about. :)

What?

All the crap you give me about Detroit, and here you are rooting for them?

At least you recognize talent when you see it. :cool:

Once again, two championships for Detroit in 2008.

Gypsy

05-02-2008, 08:40 AM

What?

All the crap you give me about Detroit, and here you are rooting for them?

At least you recognize talent when you see it. :cool:

Once again, two championships for Detroit in 2008.

I just don't care about the Pistons or the Lions. I was raised on Red Wings hockey and Tigers baseball.

A Wings Pens final would make for great hockey.

Iron Funk Jr.

05-02-2008, 02:44 PM

Ovechkin will win it. Iginla hasn't done anything THAT special this season. He has been a leader for his team - sure - but he has a well rounded team with a good goaltender that helped him on their way to the playoffs.

Malkin and Ovechkin is like 30%/70% respectively to win the Hart, in my opinion. Malkin did step up this year. Crosby did not perform as well as he did last year, and Malkin picked up the slack. He became more a defensive and team player. He stepped up as a leader by playing his heart out every game. In the absence of Crosby, Malkin took over sole leadership of the team and carried them to like 15-3 the month that Crosby was gone. He even made it up to 103 points (I think it was), which blew my mind.

Ovechkin deserves the Hart though (as much as I hate to admit it). He was the best player in the NHL over the course of the entire season, although Malkin was the best player in the last half of the season. Ovechkin took a mediocre team to the playoffs, and made a good run with them. He was a well rounded player. He can hit, score, pass, kill penalties, and plays a great powerplay from the top of the umbrella. Ovechkin led the league in scoring, only like 7 ahead of Malkin though. Ovechkin put the Caps on his back this season, and I think he deserves the trophy.

Actually, I think this is Iginla's best season of his career. Iginla is definitly one of the best player's in the league, but he just couldn't top ovie this year.

Ovie DID take the Caps in the playoff's, but not really that strong. Sure, they won their division and placed third in the conference, but the only reason they placed third in the conference is because they won their division by 1 point I think, and the seeding is all weird so it put's them in third. If you look at it by point's, I think they placed 6 or 7th? Still, an acheivement none-the-less.

Ugh, and btw, my favourite team is in fact Colorado. I was so dissapointed how they went out. I really hope Sakic doesn't retire on this sour note, as I think alot of other Canadian hockey fan's think as well.

I just don't care about the Pistons or the Lions. I was raised on Red Wings hockey and Tigers baseball.

A Wings Pens final would make for great hockey.
Pen's and Wing's eh? That would be such a high scoring series. It would be unbelievable. Detroit uses a unique offensive system. They take on pass out of their zone into the offensive zone then work their magic. The penguin's are full of good offensive talent, so man, would there ever be alot of goal's in that series lol. That would be a fast paced, soft, high scoring series. Not the greatest of hockey, but kind of fun to watch.

ExpectDeath

05-02-2008, 04:17 PM

max2k106

05-02-2008, 08:08 PM

Whats with the stare? :cool:

Yeah, so San Jose has another shot to make the 2nd round even longer tonight . . .

I wanted them to win, I wanted them to win so much, but come on, 3-1, they're not gonna win the series, might as well give it up. Please?

P.S. - Iginla is a shmoebag. Ovechkin for God.

Iron Funk Jr.

05-03-2008, 12:56 AM

@Max
*sturn stare*

@Iron
If you know the past few years for the Caps, and how HORRIBLE they have been...If you know how little help Ovechkin has on the team...If you know how much progress he has made since he came into the league...The Hart Trophy is awarded to the most valuable player in the league, and I really can't see anyone else that fits this mold better than Ovechkin.

@Your analysis of the Pens/Wings
I'm not sure what you mean when you say "They take on pass out of their zone into the offensive zone then work their magic". I don't think there is any other way to play offense. You attack the offensive zone when you have the puck, get it into the zone, and pass around to work the defense and find openings. There isn't much to their "unique offensive system."Both the teams do have tons of offensive talent, but to say that there would be "alot of goals in that series lol" is kind of outrageous. Throughout the playoffs thus far, Fleury and the Pens' defense have been amazing. Fleury has out-played Lundquist (one of the "best" goalies in the league). I'd like for you to take a look at the top two GAA leaders in the playoffs. Oh...They are Osgood and Fleury. It just so happens that Fleury and Osgood play for the Pens and Wings. It would be a fast paced series, with two amazing offenses clashing against one another, but you need to watch these teams play to know that they both have VERY good defenses and good goaltending.

Sorry for the rant, but your post really set me off. Don't diss my Pens and expect to get away with your head.

Please re-read my post.. I clearly said Ovechkin should win the Hart trophy. By all mean's, he has been the best player this year, and definitly one of the best player's since he's entered the NHL three year's ago, but he does have some young talent around him.
Backstrom and Semin are great young forward's that do help him. But Malkin is also a clearcut candidate for the Hart trophy as well. Maybe, not as defined as Ovechkin, but still a complete legit candidate to win the Hart. When Crosby got hurt for the 32 games or whatever it was, he stepped in as leader, as a sophomore, and led this team not only in the playoff's, but almost first place in the eastern conference, on his back. Alot of pressure for a second year kid..
The thing with Ovechkin is you have to look at it unbiased... It's Washington.. Every other team in the league looks at it as a night off, and may possibly just take it a little easy on them and Ovie included. (I'm not trying to diss Ovie the least bit, but just trying to make an unbiased opinion) Next year will be different though.. He's gonna have to fight hard every night. He won't get a night off anymore, because everyone has recognized what Washington can do, and their gonna be under the microscope from now on...
So, many of the point's he got were maybe easy point's. Also look at his division he's in.. Tampa, Florida, Atlanta, and Carolina. Out of all those team's, Carolina has been the ONLY somewhat consistent team in that division. Washington play's what? 6 games against each of those teams right?
That's some easy point's if you ask me. But hey, he's a great player with a lot of heart, and in a Russian, that is very, very hard to come by. Prop's to him for coming this far in such a short amount of time.
BTW, just for the record, Ovechkin is my second favourite player only behind the great Joe Sakic.

Also, there is different type of offenses if you knew anything about hockey.
You can play a zone to zone offense like Detroit run's where it's quick passes from each end of the ice and try to get odd man breaks..
There is the dump and chase. Dump the puck in at the blue line, and grind it out at the boards...
There is some team's, like the flames somewhat, where they take it in passed the blue line with three guy's going in at once, and try to create chances like that. Offense isn't a one-dimensional game AT ALL.

Also, about your arguement with the two goaltender's Osgood and Fleury. Sure their good goaltender's, but you have to look at some different thing's when talking about their GAA and what not... Let me explain...
Osgood has only played in 6 games.. Not even full games. In the first round, Hasek was pulled twice I believe and Osgood was put in half way through each of those two games, but still got the win's. So techniquely that isn't completely legit..
As for fleury, you have to look at the team's he's played.. Like Ottawa? Come on.. They were the worst team going into the playoff's. Everyone expected him to play well and for the Pens to sweep. Also, if you were a true Pen's fan, you would know that Fleury has a history of dumping it in the playoff's and completely just leave's for lunch...

So, as you see... You haven't completely followed through with your arguement's, but good try. I learn from the best. :cool: Let's see your comeback...

Really...I think they said last night that 6 teams have EVER come back from a 3-0 deficite. I can't wait for the Pens game tonight! Gunna sweep New York in New York. Pansy Avery is out, and I think Gary the God Roberts is playing.

Where did you hear this information? I believe you've been foiled by the television god's... Only three team's have ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win the series in all of sport's history ever. I believe they were...
The 1975 New York Islanders came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat your precious little Penguin's, the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Detroit Red Wing's, and in 2004 the Boston Red Sox came back from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Yankees to win the 2004 ALCS. [/end pwning]

Whats with the stare? :cool:
Iginla is a shmoebag. Ovechkin for God.

Even though you may be right, and I do like Ovechkin more then Iginla, Iginla=Canadian ; Ovechkin=Russian. Nuff said.

max2k106

05-03-2008, 01:14 AM

Please re-read my post.. I clearly said Ovechkin should win the Hart trophy. By all mean's, he has been the best player this year, and definitly one of the best player's since he's entered the NHL three year's ago, but he does have some young talent around him.
Backstrom and Semin are great young forward's that do help him.

Backstrom held him back when he did start for him, and Kozlov is his right winger. Semin isn't on the same line as Ovie . . . Ovie's got Fedorov for a center and Kozlov as his right winger . . .

And Iron Funk . . . I don't like your attitude towards Russians. You think they're inferior? You think they're worse players because theres less of them in the NHL than Canadians? I don't know if you ever heard of this thing called the iron curtain, or how hard it was/still is for players from the old Soviet bloc to get into the NHL. And lets take a look at the leader-boards shall we?

Points: #1. Russian (Ovechkin), #2. Russian (Malkin)
Goals: #1. Russian (Ovechkin), #2. Russian (Kovalchuk)
+/-: #1. Russian (Datsyuk)

In goalies, arguably the best goalie in the league right now: Nabokov. He led the league in wins this past season. And though you may say he's from Kazakhstan . . . lets be serious, he's Russian. He's Russian like all my friends from the Ukraine are Russian . . .

So how is it hard to come by a Russian with that is "a great player with a lot of heart?"

Iron Funk Jr.

05-03-2008, 01:18 AM

Backstrom held him back when he did start for him, and Kozlov is his right winger. Semin isn't on the same line as Ovie . . . Ovie's got Fedorov for a center and Kozlov as his right winger . . .

I know, but in the first couple games of the playoff's against the flyer's, he played with them alot, especially on the PP. Backstrom show's the composer and awareness of a much older, experienced player. Also, Semin is starting to play a more physical game and getting more comfortable with the speed of the league.

Backstrom didn't necessarily hold him back. Noone hold Ovechkin back. He's a beast, and noone could stop him. They just didn't have any chemistry.

max2k106

05-03-2008, 01:30 AM

Also, Semin is starting to play a more physical game and getting more comfortable with the speed of the league.

Plus his name sounds a lot like semen . . . know what I'm talkin' aboot ya racist bastard. ;)

ExpectDeath

05-03-2008, 08:47 AM

@Iron
You can't really put down a team's performance during the season just because of the division they play in. Sure, the division they played in got them their playoff spot, but they had a good enough record to be in contention with any other team in any other division for a spot. And if they were close to another team in the standings near the end of the season, things could have been much different. I never said that you DIDN'T think that Ovechkin didn't deserve to win, you were just trying to put down this accomplishments. As for ALL of the points you made about Malkin; they have all been made, and there was no need to re-state them. And I DO know something about hockey. I have played hockey for 11 years, although I have played goalie most of the time, I think I have a GREAT knowledge of most of the systems in the game. You said "take on pass out of their zone into the offensive zone then work their magic" which is the basic premise in each of the breakout systems. I'm not sure how much "pwning" you did when you "pwned" me about the 0-3 shit. All I was saying is what I THOUGHT an announcer on TV said. So don't try and get all high and mighty there pal. Stick with singing, Metro, I think it better suits you.

Iron Funk Jr.

05-03-2008, 10:20 AM

Lol wow. I wasn't trying to make it seem like I was putting down Ovechkin's performance. Quote this: HAND'S DOWN, OVECHKIN WAS THE BEST PLAYER IN THE NHL THIS YEAR. I hope I'm making myself clear here. I didn't mean to be errogant or anything, but I hope you understand, hockey is... Well, life lol.
I wasn't meaning to put down Washington's performance this year, but what I'm saying is, they definitly got it alot easier then alot of teams. They have the softest division in the league, other then maybe Detroit... Standing's wise, and how the seeding work's in the NHL, they placed third. If the NHL was different, and used strictly point's to determine who makes the playoffs, Washington would have placed 6th or 7th I believe.
About, the comment you had with me mentioning Malkin... I haven't read all 47 pages of the thread so how was I to know that it was mentioned. Doesn't hurt to strengthen my arguement...
Also, about the offensive system Detroit uses, I think I clarified it in my second post. The really long one. What I ment to say was that, they pass it really fast, one pass bam. All of a sudden it's in the offensive zone. Detroit usually tries to get alot of odd-man rushes. Did you see game 4 against Colorado? That's a perfect examply of what I mean. I think they have like 6 or 7 odd man rushes in the third period alone. They pass it quick out of there zone, one pass. That's it. If I need to try and explain further, I will lol. I know it can get confusing, but I know what I'm trying to say.

I've played hockey for 9 year's as well. Was going to join Junior B this year, but a broken ankle prevented me from doing so. Also, the singing thing... Heh, I can't sing to save my life haha. It was a joke thing that two of my friend's did as well lol, except I was the only one who advanced.

Plus his name sounds a lot like semen . . . know what I'm talkin' aboot ya racist bastard. ;)

His name doesn't SOUND like Semen at all. It's is pronounced completely different. If you have a dirty mind then, all the best to ya...

max2k106

05-03-2008, 10:58 AM

His name doesn't SOUND like Semen at all. It's is pronounced completely different. If you have a dirty mind then, all the best to ya...

Really? . . . Cause I speak Russian . . . . . . do you?

ExpectDeath

05-04-2008, 03:18 PM

Pens pull out of the series in 5 games. They completely dominated the Rangers in game 5, other than the 2 minute span that the Rangers scored two goals in. The Pens forced the Rangers to take penalties, and cashed in on one of the power play opporitunities. Hossa had the best game since joining the Pens, with 2 goals (one being the game winner in OT). I can't wait to see the cross-state rivalry games next series against the Flyers.

Hoolwath

05-04-2008, 03:20 PM

Where is Hossa from?

Name the country.

Name it.

zz99

05-04-2008, 05:05 PM

Also, about your arguement with the two goaltender's Osgood and Fleury. Sure their good goaltender's, but you have to look at some different thing's when talking about their GAA and what not... Let me explain...
Osgood has only played in 6 games.. Not even full games. In the first round, Hasek was pulled twice I believe and Osgood was put in half way through each of those two games, but still got the win's. So techniquely that isn't completely legit..

No, Hasek played the first four games, and was playing like crap, then Osgood was put in for the next two games of the first round, and then they decided to have him start int he second round.

max2k106

05-05-2008, 12:39 AM

So the Sharks are out . . . Detroit vs. Stars. This is gonna be an epic series. I think the Wings are going to take it. The way they've been playing has been great. They've been scoring a lot of goals and just ran over the Avs. The Stars had a tougher opponent in the Sharks, but still, their wins were very very close, especially the last one, went into 4OT.

I give it to the Wings in 6.

As for the Pens vs. the Flyers. The Flyers are on a hot streak right now. But the Pens are clearly the superior team and are playing extremely well as well. Pens in 6.

CPC

05-05-2008, 12:43 AM

As much of a Sharks fan that I am, I've always been disappointed in their playoff games. At least they made it past Calgary this time...barely. =/

Iron Funk Jr.

05-05-2008, 05:17 PM

Backstrom held him back when he did start for him, and Kozlov is his right winger. Semin isn't on the same line as Ovie . . . Ovie's got Fedorov for a center and Kozlov as his right winger . . .

And Iron Funk . . . I don't like your attitude towards Russians. You think they're inferior? You think they're worse players because theres less of them in the NHL than Canadians? I don't know if you ever heard of this thing called the iron curtain, or how hard it was/still is for players from the old Soviet bloc to get into the NHL. And lets take a look at the leader-boards shall we?

Points: #1. Russian (Ovechkin), #2. Russian (Malkin)
Goals: #1. Russian (Ovechkin), #2. Russian (Kovalchuk)
+/-: #1. Russian (Datsyuk)

In goalies, arguably the best goalie in the league right now: Nabokov. He led the league in wins this past season. And though you may say he's from Kazakhstan . . . lets be serious, he's Russian. He's Russian like all my friends from the Ukraine are Russian . . .

So how is it hard to come by a Russian with that is "a great player with a lot of heart?"

Do me a favor please. Quote my post where I said Russian's are inferior. Please. I never once said that. In fact, I think I said Ovechkin was the best hockey player in the league this year and is my second favourite player. I also said, Malkin was a clear cut for the Hart as well. I agree with you that Nabokov is going to win the Vezina. That's arrogant to accuse me of saying something I never did.

This year, the Russian's absolutely killed it. Usually you don't see it. You might see maybe two or three with a ton of point's during the regular season but that's it. But Ovechkin has got it. Also, even Jagr said, you can't win the cup without Canadian's. Canadian's are the toughest hockey player's in teh world without a doubt. Noone can argue that. But it was the European's year this year. That's a fact.

But please, either quote the post where you magicaly think I said Russian's were inferior or stop being an ass and smokin' crack or wtv your on. Your making a fool of yourself, and fighting a losing battle bud.

@ED. Giving up so easy? Haha

ExpectDeath

05-05-2008, 05:19 PM

Calgary is butt. The Sharks started off the series very poorly. Nabby and the Sharks were too inconsistant to make it past last round. The Stars deserved to win that series with the hard work that they put in every game. Last nights game was nuts...4 OT's.

Wings vs Stars
Wings will win in 5. They are scoring, playing great defense, special teams are clicking, and Osgood has been playing well. I really don't think that the Stars are deep enough to battle against all of the scorers on the Wings. The Stars don't have enough fire power to go goal for goal with the Wings, and I don't think their defense/Turco can stand up to all the super stars.

Pens vs Flyers
Pens will win in 6. Every game this season has been very close. The rivalry has been awesome this year, especially with both teams being exceptionally good. I know both teams will come out VERY physical not only to set the tone, but to also get back at each other for cheap shots during the season. Malkin will shine this series, and I think the defense and Fleury can hold the Pens on top this round. I can't wait to see the Pens' power play TEAR apart the Flyers' piss-poor penalty kill. Hossa is on a hot streak; and Dupuis, Crosby, and Hossa have been clicking. This will be a great series to watch.

max2k106

05-05-2008, 11:23 PM

Do me a favor please. Quote my post where I said Russian's are inferior. Please. I never once said that. In fact, I think I said Ovechkin was the best hockey player in the league this year and is my second favourite player. I also said, Malkin was a clear cut for the Hart as well. I agree with you that Nabokov is going to win the Vezina. That's arrogant to accuse me of saying something I never did.

This year, the Russian's absolutely killed it. Usually you don't see it. You might see maybe two or three with a ton of point's during the regular season but that's it. But Ovechkin has got it. Also, even Jagr said, you can't win the cup without Canadian's. Canadian's are the toughest hockey player's in teh world without a doubt. Noone can argue that. But it was the European's year this year. That's a fact.

But please, either quote the post where you magicaly think I said Russian's were inferior or stop being an ass and smokin' crack or wtv your on. Your making a fool of yourself, and fighting a losing battle bud.

@ED. Giving up so easy? Haha

You didn't blatantly state that Russians are inferior. Rather you implied it. You said that Russians don't have the heart for the game that Canadians do, which is absolutely false. And Jagr saying you can't win the cup without Canadians is like me saying you can't win the Super Bowl without Americans. It's just that there are way more Canadians in the league than anyone else really . . . because hockey is so popular in Canada. You can say you can't win a World Series without having Latin American players on the team. You can't win a horse race without a horse on your goddamn team for Christ's sake. Jagr's quote means nothing. He's old and senile and should quit playing while he's still respectable.

And about Canadians being the toughest hockey players in the world . . . anyone and everyone can argue it. It is a belief. They may be "tough" because they can hit big, but that doesn't make them the better players. They're just a different type of player. You should know this. European players usually play with more finesse and glide rather than knock each other into the boards. I'm not saying that hitting people is bad, I personally love big hits, it's part of what makes the game fun to watch, but you have to understand that there are different playing styles and the type of hockey that is dominantly played in Canada is a little different from the type of hockey that is played in Russia. Just like different types of players (power forwards, enforcers, snipers, etc.) there are different playing styles. For example, what makes Ovechkin great is that he combines the power style of strong checks and rattling hits with skating, deking, and shooting abilites.

I wasn't being an ass, I was simply defending the integrity of the Russian players against your statement that they have "no heart."

1. I'm not smoking crack nor do I ingest any illegal drugs.
2. If standing up for the integrity of your fellow countrymen is foolish, then a fool I am.
3. What battle? There is no battle being fought here. I just found your statement to be offensive and commented on it.
4. I'm not your "bud," pal.

he's a great player with a lot of heart, and in a Russian, that is very, very hard to come by.

If something is hard to come by in a large group, that means that most of the group is NOT what that one thing is. By stating that Ovechkin is a great player with a lot of heart and that it is hard to come by these characteristic in a Russian, you CLEARLY implied that Russians are inferior.

P.S. - Who the hell do you think you are?

Iron Funk Jr.

05-06-2008, 06:49 AM

This is a hockey discussion thread, and I was defending my opinion. It IS true. For year's and year's, european hockey player's have been good during the regular season, but come playoff time, they dissapear. Now, since their not letting anymore european player's play in the WHL, your probably going to see alot less in the NHL in the future.

max2k106

05-06-2008, 10:56 AM

what is "it"?

Iron Funk Jr.

05-06-2008, 05:13 PM

what is "it"?

I was referring to your opinion about how Russian and European hockey player's have just as much heart and determination for the game as Canadian's do.

Oh, and back to Jagr's quote saying you have to have Canadian's on your team to win the cup. When's the last time a team with a Russian as captain won the cup? NEVER.

I'm going to completely back up my entire arguement with this next statement... It's going to hurt alot, so brace yourself...

Only one team EVER has won the stanley cup with a non-Canadian as their captain. That mean's every single cup winning team has had a Canadian as a captain. The only exception to this, is the Dallas star's won the cup with Derian Hatcher as their captain, and he's American. American's train the same as Canadian's.

So who are you to say, that Russian's have just as much determination, will, and heart as Canadian's when it comes to hockey. Sure they are really, really, good hockey player's, and probably the best hockey player's in the world other then Candian's or American's, but be honest here.. That is a pretty impressive stat that NOONE can argue with. Not even you...

Nuff said. :cool:

max2k106

05-06-2008, 06:31 PM

I was referring to your opinion about how Russian and European hockey player's have just as much heart and determination for the game as Canadian's do.

Oh, and back to Jagr's quote saying you have to have Canadian's on your team to win the cup. When's the last time a team with a Russian as captain won the cup? NEVER.

I'm going to completely back up my entire arguement with this next statement... It's going to hurt alot, so brace yourself...

Only one team EVER has won the stanley cup with a non-Canadian as their captain. That mean's every single cup winning team has had a Canadian as a captain. The only exception to this, is the Dallas star's won the cup with Derian Hatcher as their captain, and he's American. American's train the same as Canadian's.

So who are you to say, that Russian's have just as much determination, will, and heart as Canadian's when it comes to hockey. Sure they are really, really, good hockey player's, and probably the best hockey player's in the world other then Candian's or American's, but be honest here.. That is a pretty impressive stat that NOONE can argue with. Not even you...

Nuff said. :cool:

No see. The problem with your arguments is that you assume WAY too much, and you think, I'm not sure why, that the beliefs in your arguments (which for the record, have more holes in them than Sonny Corleone) are final and that is that. One thing before I tear your post apart. If you had just said that Canadians are better than Russians in your last post, I would've of course debated with you about that, but some respect for you would have stayed with me. That is DEFINITELY debatable. However, American's being better hockey players is JUST NOT TRUE. Americans will never be as good as Russians are at hockey because the sport isn't very popular in the US. Same thing for football (I think I've already made this point, but I'll make it again). Russians will never be as good as Americans are at football. Why? Because finding a football player in Russia is like finding a Red Sox fan in a Yankees uniform.

Theres one thing you have to understand when you think about Russian captains. The majority of Russian players in the league come straight from Russia, knowing little or no English, and in order to be an effective captain, you have to be able to communicate with those whom you lead. Canadians (coming from America's hat) already know how to speak English (that being their main language, except of course in the French part . . . wherever that is). Canadians being overall better players than Americans AND also knowing English, I am not surprised that most of the captains are Canadian.

Once again, I'll take the example of Ovechkin. He was offered the position of captain, however he refused because he said he wanted to learn English better before they gave him the honor, so they made him an alternate.

And who am I to say that Russians are just as good as Canadians and Americans? I'm just a hockey fan. But if that doesn't give me the right to say that Russians and Canadians are equal in ability, you sure as hell don't have the right to say that Russians have no heart or determination. And your little "impressive stat" that nobody can argue with, it means nothing. Those teams that don't have a Canadian captain differ a little bit from the norm, that is all. I can give you plenty of stats just like yours. For example, most teams in the MLB don't have a captain (in fact I think only 3 or 4 do, I'm not sure). Does that mean that those teams with captains are doing something wrong or they are bad because they stand out from the rest by having captains? No. In fact two of them are the best baseball teams in history: The Sox and the Yankees (sorry for all the baseball talk, but the season started a couple of weeks ago and I'm a fan).

. . . . . . you're really bad at this. This is too easy.

Iron Funk Jr.

05-06-2008, 11:15 PM

No see. The problem with your arguments is that you assume WAY too much, and you think, I'm not sure why, that the beliefs in your arguments (which for the record, have more holes in them than Sonny Corleone) are final and that is that. One thing before I tear your post apart. If you had just said that Canadians are better than Russians in your last post, I would've of course debated with you about that, but some respect for you would have stayed with me. That is DEFINITELY debatable. However, American's being better hockey players is JUST NOT TRUE. Americans will never be as good as Russians are at hockey because the sport isn't very popular in the US. Same thing for football (I think I've already made this point, but I'll make it again). Russians will never be as good as Americans are at football. Why? Because finding a football player in Russia is like finding a Red Sox fan in a Yankees uniform.

Theres one thing you have to understand when you think about Russian captains. The majority of Russian players in the league come straight from Russia, knowing little or no English, and in order to be an effective captain, you have to be able to communicate with those whom you lead. Canadians (coming from America's hat) already know how to speak English (that being their main language, except of course in the French part . . . wherever that is). Canadians being overall better players than Americans AND also knowing English, I am not surprised that most of the captains are Canadian.

Once again, I'll take the example of Ovechkin. He was offered the position of captain, however he refused because he said he wanted to learn English better before they gave him the honor, so they made him an alternate.

And who am I to say that Russians are just as good as Canadians and Americans? I'm just a hockey fan. But if that doesn't give me the right to say that Russians and Canadians are equal in ability, you sure as hell don't have the right to say that Russians have no heart or determination. And your little "impressive stat" that nobody can argue with, it means nothing. Those teams that don't have a Canadian captain differ a little bit from the norm, that is all. I can give you plenty of stats just like yours. For example, most teams in the MLB don't have a captain (in fact I think only 3 or 4 do, I'm not sure). Does that mean that those teams with captains are doing something wrong or they are bad because they stand out from the rest by having captains? No. In fact two of them are the best baseball teams in history: The Sox and the Yankees (sorry for all the baseball talk, but the season started a couple of weeks ago and I'm a fan).

. . . . . . you're really bad at this. This is too easy.

ROFL! Let me tell you what I already stated.. (and I'll quote that I already stated this if you like...) Russian's are the best European hockey player's in the world. Where did you get this "fact" that most Russian player's come straight from Russia? I would like to see please. I know, that a ton of Russian and European player's play in the OHL and the WHL (if your an actual hockey fan, you'll know what those are without having to google it) and the only reason I said American's were better hockey player's, is because they train the same as Canadian's, and use the same training methods. BTW, I'm pretty sure I'm winning. I don't assume. I get fact's and then burn you with them. You are using assumption's, and biased opinion's to back up your weak arguement. I'm also a stern baseball fan, if you would somehow attempt to take a jab at me at that, but like the hockey thing, you will fail epicly. Please just go home, study your notes, then come back with a somewhat feeble attempt.

Also, did you hear Zetterberg's interview when they knocked out the Avs? He speak perfect english. Why is he not captain hmm? Your arguement, about them not being captain because their lack of english skills is pathetic and false. Please quote me the site and url where you found this information, then I will be pleased, but until then please GTFO =)

max2k106

05-06-2008, 11:44 PM

ROFL! Let me tell you what I already stated.. (and I'll quote that I already stated this if you like...) Russian's are the best European hockey player's in the world. Where did you get this "fact" that most Russian player's come straight from Russia? I would like to see please. I know, that a ton of Russian and European player's play in the OHL and the WHL (if your an actual hockey fan, you'll know what those are without having to google it) and the only reason I said American's were better hockey player's, is because they train the same as Canadian's, and use the same training methods. BTW, I'm pretty sure I'm winning. I don't assume. I get fact's and then burn you with them. You are using assumption's, and biased opinion's to back up your weak arguement. I'm also a stern baseball fan, if you would somehow attempt to take a jab at me at that, but like the hockey thing, you will fail epicly. Please just go home, study your notes, then come back with a somewhat feeble attempt.

Also, did you hear Zetterberg's interview when they knocked out the Avs? He speak perfect english. Why is he not captain hmm? Your arguement, about them not being captain because their lack of english skills is pathetic and false. Please quote me the site and url where you found this information, then I will be pleased, but until then please GTFO =)

It's hard arguing with an idiot . . . it's like trying to get a new player off of a flush draw . . . . . . ugh, so aggravating, but gives me something to do.

1. "Russians are the best European hockey players in the world." Nice statement. That "in the world" part wasn't necessary. I know that Europe is "in the world."

2. Sure, there are plenty of Russians in the OHL and WHL (I'm just gonna take your word on that one, I don't follow those leagues), but the fact remains that there will always be more Russians in Russian leagues than in Canadian leagues. Just like there will always be more Americans in American leagues than there will be in Russian leagues (I don't even know if any Americans are in Russian leagues to tell you the truth.) And have you ever tried to learn a new language? Kinda hard huh? Especially English, one of the hardest languages to learn. In response to your Zetterberg statement. I have a friend that's an international student from Sweden and she speaks fluent English as well. Wanna know why? Don't let this one surprise ya! . . . Almost all children take English as a class in school in Sweden. "Why not Russia?" you say . . . well, I don't know if you've ever heard of this Cold War thing, it happened only a little while ago. And guess what? Russia is in NO hurry to be friendly to the United States (especially with that dumbass Putin and his pet puppy Medvedev running the show).

3. Because you train like someone doesn't mean you're skill level is the same. I have read Doyle Brunson's book on poker and have played the way he recommend I play. Does that mean I'm as good a poker player as he is? No.

4. You DO assume. You assume that your arguments are foolproof, which no argument is. You also assume that because there are less Russians in the NHL than Canadians, that they are worse players, which is just not true.

5. Your facts are useless. As I stated earlier, your facts are on par with the following statement: "You need a horse to win a horse race." And you do not "burn" me with them. If you "burned" me I wouldn't be able to deconstruct every argument you have thrown my way, as I have done.

6. I am using no assumptions. Nor are they biased. How is my argument biased if I'm not saying that Russians are better, they always have been, and they always will be? I am simply stating that your argument, which is that Americans and Canadians are better than Russians, is false.

7. Good for Henrik. I'm not saying all of the Russians can't speak English. I'm saying it's a lot easier for Canadians and Americans to speak English because . . . WHALA!! . . . it's their native language. And why isn't Henrik a captain? Because Lidstrom is a beast . . .

8. "Go home, study your notes." I'm just gonna laugh at that, hotshot. The following statement, unlike my other posts, IS an assumption: I assume you watch ESPN every night, mike&mike every morning, and read all your sports columns just to find out what all these guys out there in the media think about this and that, and since millions of people hear/read them everyday, you assume their right so you take on their views.

To conclude: Congrats on mentioning the OHL and WHL in there. I bet you feel really good about that one huh? Mr. big shot hockey fan follows leagues that aren't as popular as the NHL, woooo!
Yes, I do know what the OHL and WHL are. However, I don't follow them because I don't care much for Canadian leagues . . . nothing against Canada, I just like what I like and those two leagues aren't part of it.

Iron Funk Jr.

05-07-2008, 07:20 AM

It's hard arguing with an idiot . . . it's like trying to get a new player off of a flush draw . . . . . . ugh, so aggravating, but gives me something to do.

1. "Russians are the best European hockey players in the world." Nice statement. That "in the world" part wasn't necessary. I know that Europe is "in the world."

-This isn't english class.. I was too frustrated to think straight.

2. Sure, there are plenty of Russians in the OHL and WHL (I'm just gonna take your word on that one, I don't follow those leagues), but the fact remains that there will always be more Russians in Russian leagues than in Canadian leagues. Just like there will always be more Americans in American leagues than there will be in Russian leagues (I don't even know if any Americans are in Russian leagues to tell you the truth.) And have you ever tried to learn a new language? Kinda hard huh? Especially English, one of the hardest languages to learn. In response to your Zetterberg statement. I have a friend that's an international student from Sweden and she speaks fluent English as well. Wanna know why? Don't let this one surprise ya! . . . Almost all children take English as a class in school in Sweden. "Why not Russia?" you say . . . well, I don't know if you've ever heard of this Cold War thing, it happened only a little while ago. And guess what? Russia is in NO hurry to be friendly to the United States (especially with that dumbass Putin and his pet puppy Medvedev running the show).

-Ok, well maybe your partly right here, there are alot more Canadian's in the league then Russian's. I'll give you that, but think about why? Because they get scouted and drafted more, because people are more interested in the style of hockey they play, what they can bring to the table, and because, well, their Canadian's.

3. Because you train like someone doesn't mean you're skill level is the same. I have read Doyle Brunson's book on poker and have played the way he recommend I play. Does that mean I'm as good a poker player as he is? No.

-This isn't the poker and I wasn't saying the skill level is the same. I was just mentioning they train the same. That they train the same tough, gritty, game that Canadian's have used forever. (or atleast try to)

4. You DO assume. You assume that your arguments are foolproof, which no argument is. You also assume that because there are less Russians in the NHL than Canadians, that they are worse players, which is just not true.

-Please quote every quote, or atleast a good few, where you think I assumed and I will back it up with fact. Also, please quote where I said "Less russian's in the NHL mean's their worse" Please, find me the post where I quoted that and I'll give you that one.

5. Your facts are useless. As I stated earlier, your facts are on par with the following statement: "You need a horse to win a horse race." And you do not "burn" me with them. If you "burned" me I wouldn't be able to deconstruct every argument you have thrown my way, as I have done.

-Dude, you haven't deconstructed any of my arguement's. You have made false pretenses to make yourself sound half-lyrical. Also, without Canadian's, hockey doesn't exist. That is just plain fact, and if you can't get that through your thick skull, then wow... Everyone know's that Canadian's are vital. After all, this IS CANADA'S GAME.

6. I am using no assumptions. Nor are they biased. How is my argument biased if I'm not saying that Russians are better, they always have been, and they always will be? I am simply stating that your argument, which is that Americans and
Canadians are better than Russians, is false.

-Who won the last olympic gold medal? Nuff said.

7. Good for Henrik. I'm not saying all of the Russians can't speak English. I'm saying it's a lot easier for Canadians and Americans to speak English because . . . WHALA!! . . . it's their native language. And why isn't Henrik a captain? Because Lidstrom is a beast . . .

-Please quote me the site and URL where you find the information, that Russian's aren't captain's because they can't speak english. Again, this is an assumption.

8. "Go home, study your notes." I'm just gonna laugh at that, hotshot. The following statement, unlike my other posts, IS an assumption: I assume you watch ESPN every night, mike&mike every morning, and read all your sports columns just to find out what all these guys out there in the media think about this and that, and since millions of people hear/read them everyday, you assume their right so you take on their views.

-I do not watch espn. I live in Canada, and we get TSN. It is a Canadian sport's show, where all they do is 95% hockey, and I work in a sport's related environment. All we do, is talk about hockey, so I know my stuff.

To conclude: Congrats on mentioning the OHL and WHL in there. I bet you feel really good about that one huh? Mr. big shot hockey fan follows leagues that aren't as popular as the NHL, woooo!
Yes, I do know what the OHL and WHL are. However, I don't follow them because I don't care much for Canadian leagues . . . nothing against Canada, I just like what I like and those two leagues aren't part of it.

-Wow, this one got me over the top. First of all, I would like to say the WHL, and OHL are just as important as the NHL, or any of your russian dynamo leagues or the USA u-18 camp or wtv. It is the step below the NHL, and where all the player's get drafted from, so without these, there would be no drafts. Wow...

max2k106

05-07-2008, 08:25 AM

-Ok, well maybe your partly right here, there are alot more Canadian's in the league then Russian's. I'll give you that, but think about why? Because they get scouted and drafted more, because people are more interested in the style of hockey they play, what they can bring to the table, and because, well, their Canadian's.

On this point of the argument, neither of us is going to waver the least bit about Russian players' involvement in those leagues.

Everyone know's that Canadian's are vital. After all, this IS CANADA'S GAME.
Nowhere did I say that Canadians are not vital to the game.

-Who won the last olympic gold medal? Nuff said.
Sweden? Not sure how that proves anything . . . If you wanna talk about gold medals, Russia (under the Soviet flag of course, since independent Russia has only existed for a short amount of time) has won 7 gold medals. Canada has won 7 gold medals. 7 > 7? No, 7 = 7

Russians also had a big role on the Unified Team (a team of states from the old Soviet Union) that won in 1992, so if you wanna count that . . . . . . . .

Wow, this one got me over the top. First of all, I would like to say the WHL, and OHL are just as important as the NHL, or any of your russian dynamo leagues or the USA u-18 camp or wtv. It is the step below the NHL, and where all the player's get drafted from, so without these, there would be no drafts. Wow...

It is a fact that the NHL is more popular than both the WHL and the OHL. If you ask everybody in the whole world what the NHL is, what the WHL is, and what the OHL is, I can pretty much guarantee that more people will know what the NHL is than either the OHL or the WHL. That's professional sports . . . The NHL is the league. Also, I didn't say that they aren't as important, I was saying they are less popular.

By the way, you're cute when you're angry. :)

Iron Funk Jr.

05-07-2008, 04:55 PM

On this point of the argument, neither of us is going to waver the least bit about Russian players' involvement in those leagues.

Nowhere did I say that Canadians are not vital to the game.

Sweden? Not sure how that proves anything . . . If you wanna talk about gold medals, Russia (under the Soviet flag of course, since independent Russia has only existed for a short amount of time) has won 7 gold medals. Canada has won 7 gold medals. 7 > 7? No, 7 = 7

Russians also had a big role on the Unified Team (a team of states from the old Soviet Union) that won in 1992, so if you wanna count that . . . . . . . .

It is a fact that the NHL is more popular than both the WHL and the OHL. If you ask everybody in the whole world what the NHL is, what the WHL is, and what the OHL is, I can pretty much guarantee that more people will know what the NHL is than either the OHL or the WHL. That's professional sports . . . The NHL is the league. Also, I didn't say that they aren't as important, I was saying they are less popular.

By the way, you're cute when you're angry. :)

Ok, well let me bring up this last tid bit of info. Somewhere in this huge mess, you brought up the cold war and Iron curtain. That was back in the 70's... Ages ago... Remember the Canada and Russia super series? They did this becaue they wanted to involve Russia in the hockey world. Who won? Haha yeah, Canada.

Why is Russia's population atleast 10 times the size of Canada's, yet Canada continues to produce far more NHLers then Russia?

Anyway's, I don't know about you, I think we got off on the wrong foot haha. Even though debate is really good, and that was one heck of a debate, I'm ready to get over it and agree to disagree.

All in all, hockey is a great game. I'm sure everyone can agree on that. We've each had our strong point's and weak point's. We've each outsmarted eachother, but all in all, it was one hell of a fight haha.

So I'm trying to be the bigger man here. What do you say? Put this aside and what not? Or keep goin' at it? lol

zz99

05-07-2008, 05:29 PM

"When the Soviet Union first participated in the Winter Olympics in 1956, they were immediately successful, and would win 7 gold medals in the nine appearances of the nation. Including the successor teams of the Unified Team in 1992 and Russia since 1994, Soviet or ex-Soviet hockey teams have won 12 medals (8 gold) in 14 total appearances."

Canada has only won 1 gold medal in the last 50 years, whereas Russia has won 6 in the last forty years.

Felt the need to point that out.

max2k106

05-07-2008, 07:53 PM

Anyway's, I don't know about you, I think we got off on the wrong foot haha. Even though debate is really good, and that was one heck of a debate, I'm ready to get over it and agree to disagree.

All in all, hockey is a great game. I'm sure everyone can agree on that. We've each had our strong point's and weak point's. We've each outsmarted eachother, but all in all, it was one hell of a fight haha.

So I'm trying to be the bigger man here. What do you say? Put this aside and what not? Or keep goin' at it? lol

I don't think we got off on the wrong foot at all . . . I just like mean, dirty, long arguments/debates. :)

Iron Funk Jr.

05-07-2008, 10:08 PM

I don't think we got off on the wrong foot at all . . . I just like mean, dirty, long arguments/debates. :)

Me too, but you really started to get me to the point, where I was really actually livid lol. Oh well, it was one heck of a dirty, long, INTELLIGENT, arguement. It's actually nice to have an intelligent conversation with someone even if I was getting really pissed off haha.

"When the Soviet Union first participated in the Winter Olympics in 1956, they were immediately successful, and would win 7 gold medals in the nine appearances of the nation. Including the successor teams of the Unified Team in 1992 and Russia since 1994, Soviet or ex-Soviet hockey teams have won 12 medals (8 gold) in 14 total appearances."

Canada has only won 1 gold medal in the last 50 years, whereas Russia has won 6 in the last forty years.

Felt the need to point that out.

Lol don't even get me started zz... Do I have to mention the Super series which took place in 1972? I believe Canada actually won...

zz99

05-08-2008, 03:47 PM

Me too, but you really started to get me to the point, where I was really actually livid lol. Oh well, it was one heck of a dirty, long, INTELLIGENT, arguement. It's actually nice to have an intelligent conversation with someone even if I was getting really pissed off haha.

Lol don't even get me started zz... Do I have to mention the Super series which took place in 1972? I believe Canada actually won...

Soviets won in 72, I believe.

And I only pointed it out because you used teams with Canadians as their captain winning more stanley cups as a reason as to why Canadians have more heart, but that wouldn't make sense if the Soviets have won 7 gold medals in the last 50 years, as opposed to Canada's 1.

Iron Funk Jr.

05-08-2008, 05:33 PM

Soviets won in 72, I believe.

And I only pointed it out because you used teams with Canadians as their captain winning more stanley cups as a reason as to why Canadians have more heart, but that wouldn't make sense if the Soviets have won 7 gold medals in the last 50 years, as opposed to Canada's 1.

The Summit Series was the first competition between full-strength Soviet and Canadian national ice hockey teams, an eight-game series held in September of 1972. Canada won the series four games to three, with one tie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summit_Series

Dude, rofl. Your a noob.

Here's a little old-school background about the Olympics in the past 40-50 year's. In the Olympic's, professional athlete's used to not be aloud to compete. This would mean all the player's in the NHL. While all of Canada's best player's were in the NHL during the Olympic's, they would not be aloud to participate and Canada would have to make an amatuer team of player's who couldn't make the NHL. On the other side of thing's, not many Russian player's were in the NHL to begin with, so Russia would use their best player's in the entire country. This would pretty much secure them gold medal's. So basically it was Canada made up of a bunch of amatuers who couldn't make the NHL vs. Russia's best player's in the country.

zz99

05-08-2008, 07:45 PM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summit_Series

Dude, rofl. Your a noob.

Here's a little old-school background about the Olympics in the past 40-50 year's. In the Olympic's, professional athlete's used to not be aloud to compete.This would mean all the player's in the NHL. While all of Canada's best player's were in the NHL during the Olympic's, they would not be aloud to participate and Canada would have to make an amatuer team of player's who couldn't make the NHL. On the other side of thing's, not many Russian player's were in the NHL to begin with, so Russia would use their best player's in the entire country. This would pretty much secure them gold medal's. So basically it was Canada made up of a bunch of amatuers who couldn't make the NHL vs. Russia's best player's in the country.

So then, you agree that heart has nothing to do with it.

If canadians had so much more heart than Russians, then not having their professionals play in the games wouldn't have prevented them from winning more than the two silvers and no golds they won in the forty year period.

Oh, and by the way, Russia has a professional league of it's own. I don't know what you read on wikipedia, but not all of Russia's best could play in the olympics either.

Iron Funk Jr.

05-08-2008, 08:47 PM

So then, you agree that heart has nothing to do with it.

If canadians had so much more heart than Russians, then not having their professionals play in the games wouldn't have prevented them from winning more than the two silvers and no golds they won in the forty year period.

Oh, and by the way, Russia has a professional league of it's own. I don't know what you read on wikipedia, but not all of Russia's best could play in the olympics either.

Please, quote where I said heart has nothing to do with it? Also, Russia has many league's. None as high as the NHL. Canada has many league as well. The OHL, WHL, CHL, many minor leagues. Your wrong my friend. Why not read that last 5 page arguement page me and Max had. That just about covers all your arguement's.

Actually I know far more about sports than you will probably ever know, most of it just happens to be in football and basketball. But anyways, it doesn't matter, becuase your own post proved my point
Rofl dude, first of all, your the one who was wrong about the super series. Canada won, and you clearly said Russia did. I can quote if you like. Also, your assuming you know more then sport's about me. You don't even know me so how would you come to that conclusion? Also, this is the internet bud. You can say anything you want, but truth of the fact is, if you don't know something, your going to google it, so your arguement's are completely void.

Also, you didn't even know about the olympic rule where profession athlete's couldn't play in the Olympics. If so, tell me what year they changed it so all athlete's could? Also, list me all the Russian hockey league's you know WITHOUT google or the internet. You also think you know more about basketball and football? Rofl, maybe basketball, but football, doubt it. Try your luck at baseball if you feel too. That's my fav sport btw.

Selected

05-09-2008, 05:01 AM

Iron Funk Jr.

05-09-2008, 06:55 AM

Back to the NHL.
Red wings played a great game yesterday. 4-1 for the wings after at the end of the 2nd period. I did not watch the game so i do not know that final score.
Can't wait to see how the flyers will do against the Penguins.

Flyer's vs. Pens. Here's what I think.

A gritty, big, tough team with a good defense and some great Canadian's up front with a developing goalie who's either been on a bad team or a back up his entire career, but is emerging as a true starting goaltender, vs. a fast, scoring, young team with a so-so goalie who usually flunks in the play-off's.

My money is actually on the Flyer's for the upset. I would have never thought of them to even get passed the first round, but they've showed they have the heart and determination to do it, and will be representing the east in the final.

ExpectDeath

05-10-2008, 06:51 PM

Selected

05-10-2008, 06:56 PM

Flyer's vs. Pens. Here's what I think.

A gritty, big, tough team with a good defense and some great Canadian's up front with a developing goalie who's either been on a bad team or a back up his entire career, but is emerging as a true starting goaltender, vs. a fast, scoring, young team with a so-so goalie who usually flunks in the play-off's.

My money is actually on the Flyer's for the upset. I would have never thought of them to even get passed the first round, but they've showed they have the heart and determination to do it, and will be representing the east in the final.
Only 3 players could make the Flyers win the series against the Pens.

Biron: An extremely strong goalie. He covers every angle of his goal and his not scared to get in front of the puck or dive like a crazy child to save a goal.

Briere: His speed and his wrist shots are just amazing. The opposing goalie has to be very strong to stop his pucks and the defense's have to be quick moving to check him out or take the puck away from him.

Hatcher: I put him there because he is a rough, dangerous guy. This guy can knock out any Pens strong fowards like Crosby, Hossa, Malkin and Staal. That's probably what he will be trying to do in the next few games.

A-99

05-10-2008, 07:05 PM

I'd just like to say Dallas pwnz. Lol. They defeated teams rated higher than them twice I believe and are going strong, Detroit's stacked as usual though, so I dunno if they can beat them.

Regarding Philly, I'd very much like to see them own the Pens. Pens have a lot of skill and are a pro team, but someone needs to beat them, and since Philly beat Montreal (the only Canadian team with a shot for the cup) they've earned my respect. Crosby is a baby and I hate him. If someone is ever going to surpass Gretzky, it sure as hell better not be a cocky little windbag like him.

Toronto will have it next year >.> ahahahah. Hopefully with John Fergaidiot gone we can go somewhere <.<.

Selected

05-10-2008, 07:40 PM

Dallas lost again.
Bad sports men also.
Had to hit osgood ofcourse.

ExpectDeath

05-10-2008, 10:14 PM

Osgood embellished the HELL out of that. Sure, it was a dick move by Ribero to hit him in the first place - But he got hit in the damn chest with a stick. I have a 10 year old BEAT chest protector that stands up to slashes and 85 mph slap shots daily without a flinch. I am SURE Ossucks has top-of-the-line equipment, and he dropped to the ice, crying, like a damn sissy. Grow a pair old man.

Iron Funk Jr.

05-11-2008, 12:34 AM

"so-so goalie who usually flunks in the playoffs" How much has he "flunked" this playoffs? He does have a great team in front of him, but he has played in the top 3 this playoffs (goalie-wise). The Flyer's aren't really an underdog this series. Sure, they are ranked lower but they have played well the last half of the season, and into the playoffs. Even look at the season series between the Pens this year. Each game was a toss-up. I still don't understand how you can't see the Pens as an all-around team, not just a "scoring" squad. They have had one of the best goals against averages throughout the last half of the season, and throughout the playoffs thus far. The Pens WILL win this series, puck philly.

Dude, philly had like a 12 game losing streak or something like that in the last month or two at the end of the regular season. Also, I said Fleury usually flunk's out of the playoffs. I didn't say he did this year.. Wow, I'm saying it might happen again. I hate band wagon jumper's...

Also @ selected. A team isn't made up of a couple of player's. It takes the entire team's effort to win. Also, Biron is not an outstanding goaile. He is playing good right now, but hasn't proven himself yet. He is doing that now though.

ExpectDeath

05-11-2008, 07:27 AM

Dude, philly ended the season 7-1-2 in their last ten or something like that. In that 10 game span they beat the Rangers twice, the Devils, and the Penguins. Get your facts straight, sir. "I didn't say he did it this year...Wow, I'm saying it might happen again. I hate band wagon jumpers." Haha you sounds like a damn two year old. I am just saying that it won't happen again this year, so get off his case. I'm not sure if you are trying to call me a bandwagoner, but I have loved and watched the Pens for 12 years. I have lived in Pittsburgh all my life, and I have always loved hockey.

ExpectDeath

05-13-2008, 08:04 PM

Iron Funk Jr.

05-13-2008, 08:09 PM

Well, looks like the Pens won again. Hossa took the show with two goals tonight. Both Malkin's and Crosby's line played nuts tonight, unlike the past two games. In the first game, Malkin's line played amazing, and the second Crosby's line picked up the slack. Tonight, they had a well-balanced attack. Turn-overs killed the Flyers. They couldn't play well in the defensive zone, nor withstand the Pens odd-man rushes. The whole Penguins' team played well, I really think it will be tough to stop them from here on out.

@Iron
Still waiting for your response.

I'm gonna put this out there. Remember out last arguement that you were losing? The one you suddenly dropped because you couldn't handle the pressure? Yeah, I'm still waiting for a response from that.. Also, your last post directed to me can't be talked about or anything because it's over the internet and you claim to be a loyal pen's fan and play hockey for 12 year's or wtv, when we both know that anyone can say anything over the internet to seem cool. For all I know, you could be a 74 year old lady... I was trying to act like the bigger man and not act like a 2 year old like you claim me to be.

I didn't pay attention to the Pen's because their in the Eastern conference and we all know, that is where all the wusses go. The real smash-mouth hockey player's play in the west :cool:

max2k106

05-14-2008, 12:35 AM

My guess for the Stanley Cup finals: The NHL will rewrite the rules to allow Ovechkin to play as a one man team. He plays against the Wings in the finals, checks Zetterberg through the glass, knocks him out of the game, sends a slap shot to Lidstrom's face, and convinces Datsyuk to join his side. Then he'll score 6 goals per game, Datsyuk getting every assist . . . yeah . . . . . . . . . . .

Iron Funk Jr.

05-14-2008, 06:17 AM

max2k106

05-15-2008, 05:40 PM

Madars

05-16-2008, 02:39 PM

Argh, I hate game 4s where the down team is just being a dick and not losing. Can the Red Wings just win already? We all know they're not gonna give a 3-0 lead up. 3-1 isn't bad . . . but they better not lose the next game.

Penguins . . . . sweep again? I think so. Game starts in like 2 minutes here :-)

Dallas aint going out like punks for sure but they still wont be able to defeat Detroit wich is one of the best teams this year in my opinion.

ExpectDeath

05-19-2008, 01:24 PM

Ruh-roh. Penguins are in the finals.

sooner4life

05-19-2008, 02:10 PM

Even though I live in north Texas, it's still surprising how many people think Dallas can win the series...

ExpectDeath

05-19-2008, 07:30 PM

Who in their right mind would think that?

Turco is streaky. They can't win a series against a team like Detroit with an iffy goalie like that.

sooner4life

05-19-2008, 07:33 PM

Turco is proving your point as I type. 4 goals for Detroit and counting.

A-99

05-19-2008, 07:42 PM

Dallas gave it a good run :). Detroits just too stacked...like always :P. But, then again, they're the only team who can take out the Penguins.

Shaddix

05-19-2008, 08:33 PM

man I love hockey, althought I hate the Penguins mostly because they were given the team by the NHL, but after going to the Bruins-Canadians game 6...just wow; im gona try and get some season tixxxxxx

sooner4life

05-19-2008, 11:14 PM

Dallas did good for a 5th seed team. I say Detroit wins the cup after 7 games.

max2k106

05-20-2008, 11:01 PM

6 games Detroit

Lord Sesshomaru

06-04-2008, 09:59 PM

Redwings take the Stanley Cup back to Hockeytown again! :yahoo:

zz99

06-04-2008, 11:08 PM

Redwings take the Stanley Cup back to Hockeytown again! :yahoo:

yessssiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiir

We had a party tonight.

Too bad the Pistons had to lose to Boston.

zz99

06-09-2008, 06:11 AM

Please, quote where I said heart has nothing to do with it? Also, Russia has many league's. None as high as the NHL. Canada has many league as well. The OHL, WHL, CHL, many minor leagues. Your wrong my friend. Why not read that last 5 page arguement page me and Max had. That just about covers all your arguement's.

Hmm, I forgot all about this.

You completely failed to counter my argument.

Rofl dude, first of all, your the one who was wrong about the super series. Canada won, and you clearly said Russia did. I can quote if you like. Also, your assuming you know more then sport's about me. You don't even know me so how would you come to that conclusion? Also, this is the internet bud. You can say anything you want, but truth of the fact is, if you don't know something, your going to google it, so your arguement's are completely void.

Yeah, because I don't know everything about hockey I don't know as much as you. :rolleyes:

I DO know more about sports than you do. End of discussion.

Also, you didn't even know about the olympic rule where profession athlete's couldn't play in the Olympics.

Yes I did.

If so, tell me what year they changed it so all athlete's could? Also, list me all the Russian hockey league's you know WITHOUT google or the internet.

CHL, RHSL

You also think you know more about basketball and football? Rofl, maybe basketball, but football, doubt it. Try your luck at baseball if you feel too. That's my fav sport btw.

I doubt it.

And it is YOU that assumed you knew more about me, not the other way around, so stop being a hypocritcal douchbag and get your head out of your ass.

ExpectDeath

12-28-2008, 02:10 PM

Anyone around here interested in hockey?

A-99

12-28-2008, 02:13 PM

Go leafs. My favourite team since I was 4, but since they are so desperate to continue their horrible streak without the Cup... Go Stars.

ExpectDeath

12-28-2008, 02:16 PM

The Leafs stink! I can't stand the Stars, mainly because I hate Turco. I can't stand his style of play, and he is extremely inconsistent.

I'm going to the Pens vs Bruins game on Tuesday! I can't wait. I paid 220 bucks for tickets for me and my girlfriend for her birthday. Great seats, it will be awesome.

A-99

12-28-2008, 02:19 PM

Lol the leafs are absolutely horrible, surprisingly a bit better without sundin though. However, CBC (I'm canadian) was the only hockey channel I had when I was young and so I'm brainwashed into the leafs lol.

Stars I love because they're consistently good, but not always stacked like detroit. And they're generally more respectful than most teams.

Pens and Bruins should be good, I hate both teams but they're both very skilled. /jealous ahah

ExpectDeath

12-28-2008, 02:26 PM

You would think the Leafs would have some great young players after getting to draft so high for years in a row, but the only player I see potential in is Antropov. He even hasn't been playing very well this year. Their goaltending has always been questionable at best. Toskala is sub-par, and Joesph is like 56 years old. I don't think Curtis has a win yet this season.

I love watching the Pens though. They are such a talented, young team. All of their games are exciting, because they play such a fast-paced system. MA Fleury is just amazing. He makes some saves that just leave me in awe.

A-99

12-28-2008, 02:35 PM

Unfortunately I can't argue much about stats. I'm going to school in the states, and my area football, soccer, baseball, and basketball dominate the hockey coverage. I could look online while at school, but I'm not really motivated ahaha. you'll need someone else to argue against you upon stats. But yeah, leafs suck, but they'll always be in my top 5.

Pens only really got good the last two years, like ottawa they have a lot of young talent....only Ottawa's fallen of a cliff.

PlatinumG

12-28-2008, 08:38 PM

I'm (pleasantly) shocked this thread still exists.

Yep, I'm still into hockey and still loving my Dallas Stars! Not such a good start to this season, sadly, but they've been playing like the true Stars recently, and with the Avery thing out of the way, it seems the team is able to focus simply on hockey once again. I'm ecstatic to see Loui Eriksson come out so strong, as he's been one of the more underrated prospects until this stretch. He and Richards make a great team on the ice, and what I saw of them and Lundqvist seemed like a perfect combo. Hopefully that line can get some serious playing time together.

With regards to Turco being inconsistent -- he is what he is. Either you're going to love him, or you're going to hate him. I love, because he's by far the greatest puck-moving goalie in the NHL (people say Martin Broduer is better, but I disagree...he just can't move it like Turco). Yes, he's inconsistent during the season, and this year in particular it's hurt Dallas; however, when it matters the most, he is rock solid and can stop everything thrown his way. You have to take the bad with the good, and his upside is far too much to pass up on. Tobias Stephan has shown he will be a very solid goalie, as well, which has been the case of most Stars backups of late (Ron Tugnutt as the lone exception), so all's well in goal for the time being.

The Leafs...well, I don't know what can be said about them. They lack true NHL-caliber players (they've got Antropov and Hagman, but then it's down to players like Stajan and Grabovski) to couple with their kids, so it's likely that they'll pull a move similar to Pittsburgh and grab some older guys in the offseason and try to mix-and-match until they get a decent mix. Whether that happens within the next couple of years or over the next decade is really down to Brian Burke and the entire coaching staff. They're the ones with the say what happens, and the ones that are supposed to know what they're doing. At this rate it'll be up to their "second team" (if that happens) to bring Toronto the cup...

Ottawa need to drop their big 3, desperately. Heatly's awesome, and Spezza can be an absolute wizard when he wants to be, but Alfredsson's past his prime, and none of them have the drive to go for it. They had some relative success when they broke them up, but until they move one of them or Alfy retires, it's going to be a similar situation (though wrapping up over $18 million in cap space between Heatly and Spezza wasn't particularly smart for team building purposes...).

Great to see this thread is still alive :)

Baseballboy

12-28-2008, 08:43 PM

I was wondering who won the game between the Pens and the Canadiens last night? I had to leave home and it was 2-2 when i stoped watching it!

A-99

12-28-2008, 08:56 PM

I was wondering who won the game between the Pens and the Canadiens last night? I had to leave home and it was 2-2 when i stoped watching it!

Orrrrr you could check out Nhl.com or some nhl stats site instead of spamming! yay ideas.

The Leafs have tons of money but they simply waste it recklessly. Like Pavel Kubina was signed 2years for like what 6 million? What a waste of money, he's absolute shit. and he gets injured like every flippin' day:

Dec 6, 2007: Missed 10 games (right knee injury).
Nov 11, 2007: Right knee injury, sidelined indefinitely.
Mar 6, 2007: Missed 5 games (broken finger).
Feb 24, 2007: Broken finger, early March.
Nov 16, 2006: Missed 15 games (knee injury).
Nov 11, 2006: Knee injury, day-to-day.
Oct 10, 2006: Knee injury, late November.

Thankfully the old morons like Ferguson and Maurice are gone. Hopefully Wilson can do something for the team and start back on a road of recovery.

And I'm also hoping the Stars can make a good comeback as Plat pointed out. They've got Lehtinen, Modano (not as good as used to be), Morrow, Eriksson, Turco (who is waiting to turn his magic back on ^^), and Ott's not to shabby. I'm also a big fan of Zubov and Sydor, as they're old vets and have been around for a while, but unfortunately their skates aren't as sharp as they used to be :(.

PlatinumG

12-28-2008, 09:07 PM

The Leafs have tons of money but they simply waste it recklessly. Like Pavel Kubina was signed 2years for like what 6 million? What a waste of money, he's absolute shit. and he gets injured like every flippin' day:

I can understand them wanting to sign Kubina, but they did pay sign him for way more than he'll ever be worth. He's a relatively decent defender, though, and paired with the right partner he could still be a very solid presence on the back line. Seeing as the Leafs don't really have a suitable partner for him, though, they've wound up with a multi-million dollar pair of skates to throw out on the ice each game...c'est la vie.

And I'm also hoping the Stars can make a good comeback as Plat pointed out. They've got Lehtinen, Modano (not as good as used to be), Morrow, Eriksson, Turco (who is waiting to turn his magic back on ^^), and Ott's not to shabby. I'm also a big fan of Zubov and Sydor, as they're old vets and have been around for a while, but unfortunately their skates aren't as sharp as they used to be :(.

Zubie looks to be done for the year, sadly. He's just had another surgery, which'll likely put him out until March or so. Seeing as he'll then need time to get back into form, it's likely Dallas simply won't play him again this year. Personally, I'm thinking this might be the end of #56, unless he takes a serious pay cut next season. Lehtinen falls into that category as well. Dallas has had over $8 Million of their cap sitting on the sidelines for the vast majority of this season between these two players (makes you feel really bad for the Wild w/ Gaborik, eh?), and it's just beyond excessive that players that command that much of Dallas cap should be paid to sit around for the past two seasons. If you're in Les Jackson's shoes, the logical next step is to either resign them on the cheap or let them go UFA. It's likely that if the latter happens, they'll both retire.

On the positive side, however, bringing Sydor back to Dallas has done incredible things for him! He wasn't too impressive in his last stint with Dallas, which left most people wondering what they would get this time around; however, he's been incredible with Niskanen and really helped to solidify the defensive core. Shame we had to loose Boucher to do it, but he was having a very off year, so it worked out for all parties.

Now here's hoping Brendan Morrow isn't still fighting the ACL injury into next season!

-PG

ExpectDeath

12-29-2008, 10:57 AM

With regards to Turco being inconsistent -- he is what he is. Either you're going to love him, or you're going to hate him. I love, because he's by far the greatest puck-moving goalie in the NHL (people say Martin Broduer is better, but I disagree...he just can't move it like Turco). Yes, he's inconsistent during the season, and this year in particular it's hurt Dallas; however, when it matters the most, he is rock solid and can stop everything thrown his way. You have to take the bad with the good, and his upside is far too much to pass up on. Tobias Stephan has shown he will be a very solid goalie, as well, which has been the case of most Stars backups of late (Ron Tugnutt as the lone exception), so all's well in goal for the time being.

Ottawa need to drop their big 3, desperately. Heatly's awesome, and Spezza can be an absolute wizard when he wants to be, but Alfredsson's past his prime, and none of them have the drive to go for it. They had some relative success when they broke them up, but until they move one of them or Alfy retires, it's going to be a similar situation (though wrapping up over $18 million in cap space between Heatly and Spezza wasn't particularly smart for team building purposes...).

Yeah, that's true. When Turco plays well, he can keep it going. But it seems like it's one BAD game to every three or four good games. I would really like to see the Sens drop Alf to add some depth to their lineup or to add a solid goalie.

I was wondering who won the game between the Pens and the Canadiens last night? I had to leave home and it was 2-2 when i stoped watching it!

Canadiens won 3-2. Carey Price played very well. The Pen's defensive zone coverage was questionable, and the Habs capitalized on their chances.

I can understand them wanting to sign Kubina, but they did pay sign him for way more than he'll ever be worth. He's a relatively decent defender, though, and paired with the right partner he could still be a very solid presence on the back line. Seeing as the Leafs don't really have a suitable partner for him, though, they've wound up with a multi-million dollar pair of skates to throw out on the ice each game...c'est la vie.

Zubie looks to be done for the year, sadly. Now here's hoping Brendan Morrow isn't still fighting the ACL injury into next season!

-PG

Yeah, you're going to have to pay a good amount for any free defensemen. I think Kubina was an okay decision. He can play the line pretty well, but probably not 6 million well. The injuries have really hurt the Stars. Playing with Zubov and Morrow could have really helped them out this year. I'm kind of jacked about Zubov being injuried - I drafted him in my fantasy league.

Glad to see you posting again PG. I was just coming on this morning to post how I wanted you, Max, or Iron Funk to come back.

PlatinumG

12-29-2008, 09:53 PM

Yeah, that's true. When Turco plays well, he can keep it going. But it seems like it's one BAD game to every three or four good games. I would really like to see the Sens drop Alf to add some depth to their lineup or to add a solid goalie.

I'd like to see Mike Smith go to a team that actually has potential. Ottawa would be an incredible match, even if Spezza or Heatly went the other way (most likely Spezza). That'd free up some cap space (or allow them to pick up Smith plus someone the likes of Prospal, seeing as Tampa has the cap space available to suck up the difference) and make Ottawa competitive again. A solid #1 and they'd still have two of the big three, there's not much more they would realistically need.

True, Turco does offer some truly horrific games at times, but I still prefer him to the likes of a Rick DiPietro or Chris Osgood type of player. If I were Les Jackson would I trade him, if I could get any goalie in the league coming the other way? Only for Nabokov. Other than that, he's too good to really warrant a trade. Not that Dallas is in trouble between the pipes, with Tobias Stephan, Tyler Beskorowany and Matt Climie knocking on the door.

Yeah, you're going to have to pay a good amount for any free defensemen. I think Kubina was an okay decision. He can play the line pretty well, but probably not 6 million well. The injuries have really hurt the Stars. Playing with Zubov and Morrow could have really helped them out this year. I'm kind of jacked about Zubov being injuried - I drafted him in my fantasy league.

He's a solid choice, no question, but he's most definitely not a $5 million player. I'd definitely pick him up if he's available, but there's only so much you pay for a player like that.

I've got to say, I wasn't impressed with Zubov in his short time with Dallas this year. He was always second guessing himself and looked very stiff on the ice. If he's going to come back either later this year or next season, he really needs to get himself back into his real game mentality.

Morrow would make this current Dallas team near invincible :D

Glad to see you posting again PG. I was just coming on this morning to post how I wanted you, Max, or Iron Funk to come back.

It was only by pure chance I came back, actually. I stopped by to check on things and found the hockey thread alive and well...does feel good to be posting here again, though :)

-PG