The NHL Thread

[Jeff]

Did our preliminary ticket draft this past weekend...   my 1/4 share got me -

Blues, Ducks, Predators, Avalanche, Red Wings, Jets, Blackhawks, Panthers, Oilers, Flames, Senators

Always changes a little as the year goes along.  Things always pop-up and games get traded around (plus we'll be trying for tickets for the outdoor Stadium Series game too).  So far, I like the mix - 5 from the Central, 3 from the Pacific, and 3 from the East.

Excited to see the McDavid kid when the Oilers come to town. Not terribly excited by FLA and OTT games, but those were an artifact of trying to pick weekend games to finish off my set.

[P-Siddy]

Nice.  I'm going to try to get tickets for at least the Blackhawks and Rangers when they hit town.

[Morgbug]

I wouldn't mind Florida - good young roster but pretty close to an assured win also. 

We did our draft last week:

Exhibition season:
Oilers Sept. 25
Senators Sept. 29

Regular season:
Flames Oct. 16 (home opener)
Lightning Oct. 23
Flyers Nov. 7
Avs Nov. 23
Penguins Dec. 27
Wings Dec. 29
Sabres Jan. 10
Sharks Jan. 12
Coyotes Jan. 26
Stars Feb. 23
Islanders March 3
Canadiens March 5
Predators March 8
Canucks March 22
Wild April 3 (last home game of season)

[Jeff]

Here we go - heading to the Wild/Sabres pre-season game tonight!  Can't believe it's hockey season already.

I'm excited to see the Eichel kid and then the 3-on-3 OT session.  I know it's just pre-season, but him and McDavid were so hyped, it'll be interesting to see one of them in person finally.

 

[Morgbug]

Here we go - heading to the Wild/Sabres pre-season game tonight!  Can't believe it's hockey season already.

I'm excited to see the Eichel kid and then the 3-on-3 OT session.  I know it's just pre-season, but him and McDavid were so hyped, it'll be interesting to see one of them in person finally.

 

Already?  I was thinking finally.  State of hockey.  Pfft.   

Curious to see if McDavid makes the road trip to Winnipeg on Friday as that's my first game.  Got some weird team here tomorrow night but I'm not going.  18 games this year.  So far. 

[Jesse James]

I listened to Pens game tonight...  Was fun to do that while I cleaned up around the house a bit.  The game sounded boring as toast to watch though, but still fun for me anyway.

Play again tomorrow and it's to have a better line-up against Carolina.

I'm anxious to see Kessel's first outing with Crosby on the ice...  Heard from the new facilities for camp that he was absolutely flying around, and looked pretty deadly already.  Looking like he's with Crosby no matter what, as only the other lines saw shifting around.  Weird having Dupuis/Kunitz as potential 3rd line guys. 

Just a lot of weirdness here overall as Sarge is here on a tryout and stuff...  Goofy times.  But yeah, thank god hockey is back.  And the Steelers thumping of the 49ers was fun yesterday too.    First time in a long time that all 3 teams in town had people interested on high levels.

[Jeff]

I'm excited to see the Eichel kid and then the 3-on-3 OT session. 

I know it's just a pre-season game and Darcy Kuemper, but man this was pretty to watch (in real life, the video is kinda choppy).  Sucks that it was the GWG against us, but man Eichel smoked Spurgeon to get free.

Already?  I was thinking finally.  State of hockey.  Pfft.   

 

Got some weird team here tomorrow night but I'm not going.

If you guys could go ahead and let Backstrom look awesome so it increases his trade value, that'd be swell, thanks!  Don't get me wrong, I still love Backstrom for what he's meant to this org over the years...  but I just don't like the idea of carrying 3 goalies all year.

[Jeff]

If you guys could go ahead and let Backstrom look awesome so it increases his trade value, that'd be swell, thanks!

Thanks, Jets - I knew you guys would come through for me!

[Morgbug]

If you guys could go ahead and let Backstrom look awesome so it increases his trade value, that'd be swell, thanks!

Thanks, Jets - I knew you guys would come through for me!

I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest that scouts recognize it was neither teams A lineup.   

[Jeff]

Shhh!  It was obviously his steely Finn determination to regain his form and his not-yet-depleted talent.  Surely worth someone's 5th (6th?) round pick...

[Morgbug]

Though we got league average goaltending overall last year from Pav and Hutch, we're probably one of the teams that could actually use him.  Don't get your hopes up though, won't happen.  Hutch is dirt cheap and Pav is not, but the Jets have shown no indication of doing anything with Pavelec other than playing him.     Two more years of him I'm afraid. 

Pleased with our minor league guys in Hellebuyck and Comrie though.   

[Jeff]

Thanks, Jets - I knew you guys would come through for me!

Once again, the Jets were nice enough to provide me and my littlest with a fun night.  We left at the end of the second to get her home by bedtime, but since it was already 7-0, we didn't miss much.

[Jesse James]

Pens play Tampa tonight in Johnstown where Slapshot was filmed.  The Hanslns are in town puttin on the foil!  Brought their toys!

Wish I had tickets.   Only like an hour and a half ride towards State College.

[I Am Sith]

Torres gets 41 game suspension.  Can't say I'm surprised or sympathetic.  About time this goon gets a substantial punishment...

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nhl-puck-daddy/sharks--raffi-torres-suspended-41-games-for-hit-on-jakob-silfverberg--video-211128112.html

[McMetal]

Pens play Tampa tonight in Johnstown where Slapshot was filmed.  The Hanslns are in town puttin on the foil!  Brought their toys!

Wish I had tickets.   Only like an hour and a half ride towards State College.

Old time hockey! Eddie Shore!