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Community => JD Sports Forum! => Topic started by: jjks on September 28, 2007, 12:08 AM

Title: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: jjks on September 28, 2007, 12:08 AM

Starting this thread for the sole reason of forcing you guys to have to look at me and Trotz every time you post.

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-10/1222563/Trotzy.JPG)

I went to our Meet the Team Party today and he assured me we aren't nearly as bad as the Canadian press says we are. How's everyone feel about their teams this year?

I'm honestly optimistic, and really just glad to have a team at this point.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on September 28, 2007, 12:24 AM

Quote from: jjks on September 28, 2007, 12:08 AM

Starting this thread for the sole reason of forcing you guys to have to look at me and Trotz every time you post.

(http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-10/1222563/Trotzy.JPG)

Are you sure that isn't Philip Wise?

;)

(Of course it's Trotz, he spent enough time here I recognize that mug right away!)

As far as the Pens go, I've got a great feeling about my team this year... Made some good deals in the off-season, but didn't give up anything for them... Didn't lose much to free agency... I think too that our ousting in the first-round was mostly due to jitters combined with less than stellar officiating, and a litttle lack of grit. We addressed the grit, and got the jitters out of the way... If the officiating picks up, we're gonna be set. :)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on September 28, 2007, 01:15 AM

I.....don't......have.......a........team.

Anymore >:( >:( >:( >:(

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: jjks on September 28, 2007, 01:31 AM

Quote from: Morgbug on September 28, 2007, 01:15 AM

I.....don't......have.......a........team.

How many times do I have to tell you I'd be happy to share mine with your artic ass. :-*

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on September 28, 2007, 02:11 AM

Cheer for the Penguins, they're cooler Brent.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on September 28, 2007, 10:27 AM

Quote from: jjks on September 28, 2007, 01:31 AM

Quote from: Morgbug on September 28, 2007, 01:15 AM
I.....don't......have.......a........team.

How many times do I have to tell you I'd be happy to share mine with your artic ass. :-*

Get your buddy in the picture there to fly me down for a game and we'll talk about my allegiances.

Jesse, I remember too many bad years with the Pens. The Lemieux years were awesome, but they were beating my team at the time, so no.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on September 28, 2007, 12:44 PM

I have no hope in my team but I love them anyways...and as tradition goes...."This is the year for the Leafs to win the Cup" :D

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: stormie on September 28, 2007, 02:46 PM

One thing's for sure, the Leafs should be definitely better in goal. Hopefully we won't miss Toskala too much.

As for the Sharks, I can't help but like their chances. Of course, I'd feel a whole lot better if Anaheim weren't around.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on September 29, 2007, 01:37 AM

Quote

Jesse, I remember too many bad years with the Pens. The Lemieux years were awesome, but they were beating my team at the time, so no.

Brent... We like you, and we accept you for who you are... Come join us.

In other hockey-related news, I got some nifty free tickets to the Penguin's last pre-season game, and boy what a game! We played Buffalo (who I cannot stand because umpteen Buffalo fans always make the 4 hour drive), and it flip-flopped in score all night. Very cool... Love the drama.

The Pens had a lead going into about 7 left in the 3rd and then let the tying one go at that point. Then, with a scant 28 seconds on the clock, gave up the game-winner... :(

On the bright side, my gf got the tickets from her place of business. $150 each (but free for us) in the company's private box up high. Best seats I have ever had, very ritzy... I must say, the fat cats live large up there. $150 for pre-season though must mean they would require me to remortgage in the regular season to get a pair. We also got free parking too! Usually $15 for an event, and right next to the arena.

Very cool, and despite the loss and a $7 Coors Lite, I had a great time. First game in 2 years for me, so I told her to try for a pair of regular season ticks if she can.

Oh and Malkin/Crosby looked real sharp, but Sydor was really looking like **** IMO, and directly responsible for 3 of the goals being scored. Frightening thoughts to me since I was really hoping we'd made some good moves. Still, it's pre-season so I'm not paniced... yet.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: CHEWIE on October 15, 2007, 02:44 PM

Go Blues! We might actually make the playoffs this year.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on December 11, 2007, 06:16 PM

A very cool possibility for me...

I do believe I've got tickets to the Penguins/Sabers Winter Classic game January 1st. Buffalo's a pretty short trip (3 to 4 hours), and a buddy's lined up tickets it seems, so I may be attending an outdoor hockey game! I've even got a powder blue Pen's jersey in my wardrobe all set for the game. I cannot wait for this!

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JesseVader08 on December 12, 2007, 12:41 AM

Pretty sweet. I'm definitely jealous. 8)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Mikey D on December 12, 2007, 07:39 AM

Quote from: Jesse James on December 11, 2007, 06:16 PM

A very cool possibility for me...

I do believe I've got tickets to the Penguins/Sabers Winter Classic game January 1st. Buffalo's a pretty short trip (3 to 4 hours), and a buddy's lined up tickets it seems, so I may be attending an outdoor hockey game! I've even got a powder blue Pen's jersey in my wardrobe all set for the game. I cannot wait for this!

Hope it's a better game than the ass whipping the Flyers put on the Pens last night... :-X

80+ PMs and about 20 minutes in real time to play the final three minutes? That was the ugliest, nastiest game I've seen in awhile. Only thing missing was the goaltenders fighting.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on December 12, 2007, 04:23 PM

The Pens are all over the place this year so far... One game handing out ass whippings, next game taking them. I don't know what's up other than I'd be dumping Gonchar in a heartbeat regardless what points he's putting up, and I'm glad Recchi's gone at the moment.

Some guys just don't carry the weight they know they're expected to.

EDIT: I'd also add too, we're short our starting goalie and we have a back-up who I think is only ever going to be a back-up... I could be wrong, he's so new still it's tough to say, but nobody's got big hopes for him... Oreo McFleury was just starting to get his game going, and now he's out... That sucks. The Pens can expect to get lit up by a number of teams if they don't deal for a good vet goalie at some point... We needed that at the START of the season, much less December... You can't be the Penguins with the defense they have, and rely on the kids we have now for goaltending since Fleury's out for 2 months or whatever it is. ::)

I felt the Philly game was getting slightly out of hand too with the physical stuff, and this from a pro-fighting fan... I think the refs were losing control of that game by not setting a tone with penalties earlier on, but that's me.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on December 19, 2007, 10:52 PM

So at what point does Chris Simon just get expelled from the NHL permanently? I mean, seriously... 30 games is maybe 1/3 what he should be suspended for his bull****. Guys like that are the same pricks that pick fights at bars.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JesseVader08 on December 20, 2007, 01:17 AM

Stepping on someone with your skate? Jesus, you could cause a lot of harm doing that. I haven't seen the footage or read a whole lot about the incident, but I agree JJ -- doing something that stupid is deserving of at least that many games.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on December 20, 2007, 02:56 AM

A couple nights ago in the Rangers/Pens game, a Ranger took a shot at Kennedy on the Penguins by shoving 6 inches of the but of his stick up into his face too, and the refs completely "missed" it somehow, despite it occurring right in front of them...

Last I looked, spearing was a pretty hefty suspension too... In the face, I'd think is even moreso. I'm the last guy to criticize violence in the NHL... I'm a big fan of retaining fighting as simply part of the game. I think the league's losing some control on players though, and really needs to get SEVERE with their punishments.

I saw the Simon kick on Ruutu when it happened... It's a pretty blatant stomp downward on Ruutu's ankle with Simon's blade. A big prick move, and one that I think had he not been escorted off the ice, Laraque would be facing a suspension himself right now...

Too many goons around the league in general who have no business on the ice, much less in the league at all.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on December 20, 2007, 11:37 PM

Man, Gaborik blew up tonight - 5 goals, 1 Assist vs. The Rangers. ;D

5 goals is a Wild record and Gabby is the first to score 5 in a game (in regulation) since Mario Lemieux did it in '96.

I'm going to the Red Wings Vs. Wild on Saturday, so I hope he/they can carry the momentum into the weekend. :)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on January 3, 2008, 01:16 AM

I'm stealing a post from Jeff about the Winter Classic that we're talking about in the Pittsburgh section of the Mission Log...

Anyway, my buddy Bill (Stormtrooper213) and I drove up from Pittsburgh to Buffalo for the game, and what a freakin' incredible game it was to watch, witness, be there, enjoy... A ton of fun. The snow and things just added to the atmosphere.

The worst part of the weather was getting there and going home. In PA on I-79 we hit some bad roads up near Erie because of the lake-effect... I-90 to Buffalo was clear though, so we got there fine once past Erie. We hung out where we parked a little while, had a beer with some Buffalo guys next to us, and suited up for the game...

We had about a half mile to walk to the stadium, and it was like a minefield. Buffalo fans were either nice and jovial about everything, or they simply walked up and told you the Penguins (or Crosby, or yourself) "******' suck", or something similar. I didn't help matters by having a Terrible Towel on my belt that I freely waved while we walked through all the tailgating Buffalo people...

At the first, "Penguins suck" remark, I just said "2-0 shutout last game baby!" and we kept going. You could tell the real dicks because they told you to go f yourself or something. The Towel usually got a, "Steelers aren't playing today idiot!", to which I'd reply, "The Bills aren't playing the rest of the season!", and a good laugh was had by anyone with Pittsburgh stuff on. ;D

I'd say the crowd was 75% cool though, and 25% idiots... Way more than I ever have seen/heard in Pitt for any sporting event though, even playoffs. The 25% were all VERY typical though. They all seemed to be college-aged dolts trying to act tough, and many were women who clearly felt it was their right to be as vulgar in a Pittsburgh fan's face as they wanted to be with no fear of being slapped in the mouth... They were the funnest ones to reply to though because usually any guy with them would get real pissed off about it.

Like I said, 25%'s not bad at all. Most people were real cool, especially the gang we sat around... We had a bunch of people from Pitt right around us too. On my left and right in front were about 7 or so Pittsburgh people so we made a nice annoying little cluster. And again, my Towel didn't do much but incite anger.

The game itself was fun... The snow really did just add to the atmosphere. The game dragged on forever though at times it seemed. Breaks were very long and drawn out due to conditions and ice repair/maintenance. I would've been happy with the whole thing regardless I think, but my friends and I agreed that the whole thing was capped off as perfect with a 2-1 victory after a full shootout... And the cherry on top was Crosby, who sorta blows at the shootout at times, scores the winner with a nifty set of moves! Friggin' classic!

I wanted to say thanks to Bill (Stormtrooper213) again for A) getting the tickets, which were pretty much impossible to get in Pittsburgh and selling for a ton on Ebay, and B) for driving a large chunk of the ride home. I got us from Buffalo to the PA line on I-90, but cars were off the road everywhere, and I'd been so exhausted from the drive up and the game and everything, and was on a jittery edge the whole time... He did the last leg of driving, and it took us forever to get back home in that crappy weather we had. Thumbs up to PennDOT for completely ignoring large portions of I-79 too... Way to go guys! Working hard at hardly working! :)

We had a good time though, and I think these chicks behind us were even into us... Not sure on that, but I know they at least dug Bill. ;)

Oh, and below is a post from Jeff... Bill found pictures that featured he and I. Jeff blew up the image. Lower left corner, 2nd or 3rd up from the bottom, and 2nd or 3rd in from the left is me. Bill is on my right then in sunglasses... We made Yahoo Sports and ESPN.com both I guess, AND we were on TV at one point briefly around 7:20 something in the 3rd period. What a day!

Quote

I watched the game on TV and I could have sworn that I saw JJ when they showed that sign... I thought I was just seeing things sinceI knew he was there, but now that you confirm it - it was him! :D

Here are the pics for posterity:

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/jj_famous1.jpg)

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jmccracken/jj_famous3.jpg)

It looked like a fun game... aside from the ****** ice conditions, and the snow on the ice, and all the tv timeouts, etc. :P

Ice sucked for the players too, no doubt. You could see them falling over their feet constantly from ruts. Folks up high said you could make the ruts out fairly clearly actually. The timeouts blew too. Sucked it you had to pee, or if you did nothing but have anxiety about the ride home. :-X

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JesseVader08 on January 4, 2008, 02:32 AM

That should be a game you'll never forget.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on January 5, 2008, 03:35 AM

Without a doubt Jesse... The pictures were really icing on the cake when we got back. The game itself was nothing short of incredible. I think the ONLY thing I'd rather have seen is a Stanly Cup win in Pittsburgh. I'd love to be there for that someday.

But, from a hockey player's perspective, this game I got to see was almost religious. :) Being from Pittsburgh, you just couldn't play outside really... It's cold here, but not to the point ponds really froze over (to the point you'd trust them) around here. It's something I'm hoping I could even do again if the rumors of a Beaver Stadium game turned out true at Penn State. I'd try making it up to that. Shorter trip by far, and a Pens/Flyers match-up would be even more brutal/tenacious.

Regardless though, that game played out like it was scripted. Bill kept saying he thought it was fixed, how it turned out, and it was really incredible the way it played out and ended. Crosby's not even been great in the shootout, but man did he put a move in that one to win it.

I don't think I'll ever risk a roadtrip to Buffalo in winter again though. ;D

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: DSJ™ on January 5, 2008, 11:32 PM

Canada wins gold in OT at World Juniors

Canada 3-2 OT win over Sweden.

(http://images.ctv.ca/archives/CTVNews/img2/20080105/450_cp_team_080105.jpg)

Team Canada celebrate their gold medal win over Sweden at the World Junior Hockey Championship in Pardubice, Czech Republic on Saturday Jan. 5, 2008. (Jacques Boissinot / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Four straight baby! :-*

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on January 6, 2008, 03:35 AM

The best part of the celebration was when one of the Canadians jumped a little to far over the pile up and you just see this kid fly over his teammates and into the boards. I couldnt stop laughing. it was a good game too, the Swedes really gave us a run for our money as they were all over us in the last couple of minutes.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on January 8, 2008, 10:54 PM

Penguins have the longest winning streak going in I believe 9 years... 98-99 season I think was what I heard. And Crosby trounced voting for the All-Star Game, which is a given at this point...

I felt when Lemieux retired that there was just something missing for me with hockey. I'd become spoiled on the sport because I grew up watching the man that I still consider the greatest hockey player of all time, every time I went to see a game. When he retired, it took something from my childhood away, and it took away the reason I even picked up a stick and played in the first place...

It took a couple ****** seasons to get that spark back, but man was it worth it to me... Not even looking at the other true star-caliber players we've got in Malkin & Co., but just having the chance to watch a player like Crosby, who I'm convinced can be the greatest of all time, again in my lifetime, and in the same town, is really a blessing to me as a fan... The Penguins overall have been on fire lately, I'm watching great hockey, I got to see an outdoor game in my lifetime...

I'm not playing, but this may be the best year of hockey of my life... My body can't take the game much anymore, though I'd like to try it at some point, but not on a real competitive level of course... But yet, I can't get enough of watching it these days. Even when were losing, I was enjoying myself, but there's something about this year that's been special to me... I think that outdoor game just sealed it. I'm in hockey heaven these days. :)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jayson on January 10, 2008, 12:31 PM

News conference scheduled to announce sale of Minnesota Wild (http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=492276)

Quote

Sources close to the situation say Bob Naegele Jr., lead investor in Minnesota Sports Entertainment, the parent company of the NHL's Minnesota Wild, is selling the hockey franchise.

The new owner is said to be Craig Leipold, who just completed a sale of the NHL's Nashville Predators on December 7th.

Published reports had linked Leipold to the Wild for a number of reasons. Leipold was said to covet the stability of the Wild's season ticket base, he maintains a residence in Wisconsin, and he left the Predators in good standing with the other NHL owners.

A news conference is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. today at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on January 10, 2008, 01:12 PM

How long before he demands a new arena, despite the Xcel being ranking in the top three hockey venues in the USA? :P

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on January 19, 2008, 04:04 AM

Crosby got a high ankle sprain tonight in the game against Tampa... Sucks for the Pens who've now had 3 HA sprains this season that have sidelined the starting goalie, a hard-working forward, and now our top player... Blah.

Of course, in true Pittsburgh fashion, the media is all doom and gloom... My opinion is that they need to have some of the depth our team has hoarded away to finally step up and take charge. Malkin had a nice game tonight despite a shutout, but the rest of the team needs to step up and put the puck in the net... Malkin's a kid yet and not displayed a ton of leadership. Guys like Malone need to really get some balls and take the bull by the horns right now with this team... Armstrong, Gonchar, Malone, and the like need to really just man up.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JesseVader08 on January 24, 2008, 10:11 PM

Anyone planning on watching the All-Star game this weekend? I'd like to since I recently got a high def cable box and need to test it out on a big game like that. Of course, it depends on how much work my wife puts me to. ;)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on January 24, 2008, 10:15 PM

i think I actually have a hockey game during the allstar game :'(

owell atleast i get to play instead of watch :)

and cant forget...leafs have a new GM!!!!!! :o

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JesseVader08 on January 24, 2008, 10:44 PM

Quote from: JangoTat on January 24, 2008, 10:15 PM

and cant forget...leafs have a new GM!!!!!! :o

Why did they name him as an interim GM? Doesn't that just tell the players and staff that anything he does is temporary? I don't see how that can help the team, they'll just slack off and slide down the standings even further.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on January 24, 2008, 10:57 PM

I don't know if I'll watch or not, but I'll try to... Always seems something is interfering with me watching it every year.

In other news, it looks like Georges Laraque's in for a suspension... Nasty hit he put out there tonight, and totally uncalled for. Even the media in town is tearing him a new one tonight. I like the guy, he's underrated for his ability as a player, and really just viewed as a goon by most, but his little play tonight (on a fellow goon) wasn't anything to gloat about. Didn't help ease that "goon" view of him either.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on January 25, 2008, 08:53 AM

Quote from: JesseVader08 on January 24, 2008, 10:44 PM

Quote from: JangoTat on January 24, 2008, 10:15 PM
and cant forget...leafs have a new GM!!!!!! :o

Why did they name him as an interim GM? Doesn't that just tell the players and staff that anything he does is temporary? I don't see how that can help the team, they'll just slack off and slide down the standings even further.

isnt it becuase they are trying to get the Ducks Gm but he is still under contract for this year?

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on February 7, 2008, 06:46 PM

Crosby's up and skating with the team some, which is good news for the Penguins... Hoping that he's going to have a speedier recovery than intially thought, but also don't want him rushing it either. Penguins are dismal in their own division right now though, and that could really hurt down the stretch.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on February 26, 2008, 08:11 AM

Trade deadline is coming up this afternoon...anybody think we'll see movement? I would like the Stars to do something, but I am pretty sure, they will not. We have the worst Owner in Pro Sports.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on February 26, 2008, 04:20 PM

I was just wondering myself if anyone was giving a hoot about this?

Pittsburgh got Hossa, but it was costly and I'm not sure it was the smart move... :-\ We gave up Esposito, our 2007 draft pick, but also Armstrong and Christansen who are well liked here and productive for the most part, to get him.

We also picked up a nice hefty blue-liner, but I'm not so sure he'll have a huge impact. Our D needs a bigger guy I guess for the stretch and he wasn't much of a cost, so that's good. Hossa was painful to purchase though, and he's a free agent this summer so that sort of makes me question how good this choice was...

Hossa was the big deal for the day around the NHL in general it seems since Sundin didn't wave his no-trade clause.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on February 26, 2008, 04:25 PM

once again the leafs prove to be dumb sh!!

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on February 26, 2008, 05:22 PM

Quote from: Jesse James on February 26, 2008, 04:20 PM

Hossa was the big deal for the day around the NHL in general it seems since Sundin didn't wave his no-trade clause.

Also Richards leaving TB for Dallas was pretty big too I'd say.

As for my squad, all we seemingly pulled off is to give up a 6th round pick for Chris "I've missed 35 games due to suspension this year" Simon. Yeah, that'll help the offensive slump... ::)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on February 26, 2008, 06:12 PM

Ouch... Simon's a tool, I wouldn't even want him on my team. :( At least you gave up about his worth overall... I guess they were really wanting to unload that trainwreck.

I'm not so sure, personally, Hossa's worth a 1st round pick, 2007's 1st round pick who was being heralded as a future star, Colby Armstrong who is a consistantly great role player who is loved by the local fans/media, and Eric Christansen who was a little streaky but was great in the shootout all the time. I think the Esposito move was overkill, I think they should've gotten Hossa for Christansen, a first rounder, and a mid-grade minor leaguer who's still developing. Or a 2nd round pick maybe.

I feel sorta empty after today's trading, to be honest. :( If they don't sign Hossa long-term, that'll really sting then too as he's just a friggin' rental at this point.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on February 26, 2008, 07:39 PM

I don't know enough about Richards to know if Dallas got a good deal.

I liked Jussi Jokinen...but Dallas has been so quiet at the trade deadlines lately that I was happy they actually did something.

Maybe it will help, I just hope the Goal tender that we got will push Turco enough to be good...

And wow...Simon? At least you know your team will make Sportscenter when he shank's somebody in the penalty box...

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on February 26, 2008, 08:22 PM

"...it is a verb... You know, 'to shank'?"

Anyway, Richards is good... Of the day's deals, yours and ours were really the tops, but I think Richards is somewhat held back by simply being in Tampa this year. That is not to say they don't have good players, obviously they've got some of the better snipers in the league, but offense really comes from a lot of other places too, and Tampa just hasn't been great this year despite having some real big names. Not sure where they are, but I thought they were last in the league.

It didn't seem like Dallas gave much up to get them... I dunno what the player's mentality is, with how "tight" they are as friends and a group, but I think you guys got a pretty good deal... Messing with team chemistry can be devastating though, so if those guys Dallas gave up were lynch-pins in the locker room, that can really screw with a team overall. I know that's my current fear about the Pen's deal with Hossa.

I think the Penguins gave up one thing too many... Either they should've kept Armstrong, or they should've kept Esposito... Not both, for a guy that may not be here after this season. :( And then you'd have to decide on the team's future over the team's present cohesive and friendly nature. Armstrong bought people waiting in line for tickets pizza's a few times over the last couple years... He's a loved guy around here, and seeing him go just sucks so bad. I don't think I've felt this bad since Ron Francis left for Carolina (a travesty for the Penguins, and the sign of the bad years that followed).

That said, Hossa's simply a proven scoring machine, and a 2-way player (something I appreciate), so that's cool... I just am gonna feel this was really empty though if the Pen's don't run all the way through the playoffs with him, or if they don't run the playoffs and wind up not being able to retain Hossa for a period of time. That'll suck.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on February 27, 2008, 12:27 AM

It has been a very exciting few days here. There really have been quite a few interesting trades all over the league.

(http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a070.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a077.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a070.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a077.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a070.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a077.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a070.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a077.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a070.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a077.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a070.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a077.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a070.gif) (http://www.cheesebuerger.de/images/more/bigs/a077.gif)

I am SO ******* excited to see Forsberg and Foote back in Avalanche jerseys.

Foote really had a great game tonight. I'll miss Skrastins but I think Salei should be a good addition. Those three guys really are going to give us a more physical presence. Add to that that Sakic, Statsny, and Smyth are all coming back off their injuries, and I think it is going to be a very exciting stretch over the next 18 games. The Avs should be able put together a run here and get back into the playoff picture. It is looking like they are starting to figure out the power play again, 30th in the league is god-awful. I really can't believe they are only two points out of the playoffs with that kind of a number.

Forsberg and Foote are two of my all-time favorite players and I honestly think I'll be happy no matter what happens this season. Just seeing them back here is awesome. It was classic seeing Foote come back tonight. He had to fly from Columbus all the way up to Calgary, so he didn't even make it to the game until 14:00 into the first period or so. He walks out and comes and sits down between Kyle Cumiskey and Liles. Cumiskey had no idea what was going on and Liles did a huge double take, as he realized who just sat down next to him. Man I'm excited for the rest of the season. :)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on February 27, 2008, 01:31 AM

It was funny watching guys coming into games late. The Pens had 2 from Wilkes-Barre baby pens come in to Long Island for the game to fill the spots where Armstrong and Christensen were missing, and low and behold the one kid in tonight wound up scoring his first NHL goal... Good for him. :)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on February 29, 2008, 07:23 AM

5 assists for Brad Richards last night and a Hat Trick for his line Mate... I'm ok with the trade now.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on February 29, 2008, 04:47 PM

No points for Marion Hossa, and out with a knee injury to boot! ::)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JesseVader08 on March 1, 2008, 04:41 PM

Quote from: Jesse James on February 29, 2008, 04:47 PM

No points for Marion Hossa, and out with a knee injury to boot! ::)

Taking the big chance on Hossa (especially since he's a free agent after this season) looks like it's really blown up in their face. Hopefully it's more of a twinge than any real damage to the knee.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on March 3, 2008, 02:27 AM

They've said a week at least, so I'm guessing that it's nothing major or they'd not be saying that. The big stuff they try playing close to the vest, or they're outright honest about it (Crosby's high ankle sprain, etc.).

The Penguins are simply riddled with injury, so it's really astonishing they've accomplished what they have... Malkin's a big help and proven he's a top NHL player I think, plus a leader and 2-way player. Great news for us. The other key's been Conklin who's proven he's a top goalie I think...

There's been a ton of injuries though, and as a fan it's just tough to watch. Eaton's one of your top Defense, he's gone... Roberts has played pretty well when we've had him, but he's been gone for a while (plus he's tons of leadership you've lost too). Crosby obviously, Fleury obviously, and the list goes on really...

I think Hossa an outstanding pick up, don't get me wrong, but I think Armstrong was a lot of player to give up... They should've sweetened it with draft picks and a young prospect or something. Just something else... Armstrong's a pretty beloved guy around here. :(

Anyway, they beat Atlanta today, a good (and needed) win to go ahead of New Jersey again... Been a rough couple weeks watching them though here. Just bad playing all around. Blah. And today's game was ugly from an officiating standpoint... That's been getting into playoff mode I've noticed. Double blah.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: stormie on March 6, 2008, 01:00 PM

Here's to hoping that the Sharks can continue their recent seven-game winning streak. A streak in which they've won games over no-slouch opponents (Flyers, Pens, Wings, Habs, Sens). And what's more positive to me, is that they've won the last two at home, which maybe is showing that they're finally getting over their mental glitch (16-13-5 at home, 22-8-3 on road).

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on March 10, 2008, 03:13 PM

The Pens/Caps game on Sunday was outstanding, and Crosby came out of it with 2 goals (though one wasn't technically his). Very playoff-ish in feel. A good show for a national audience but I can't personally stand the guys that call those national games. Whatever though... Crosby's scoring again, Malkin had a couple points, they got a win they needed after being chastised by Therrien and I'm a happier camper today for it all.

I love the winding down of the season to the playoffs. It's gonna start warming up outside soon, a good night out always for St. Patty's Day, the playoffs are coming in the NHL... It's a good time of year.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on March 11, 2008, 04:09 PM

Quote from: Jesse James on March 10, 2008, 03:13 PM

A good show for a national audience but I can't personally stand the guys that call those national games. Whatever though...

I can't really stand anyone but the CBC announcers and even some of them are tiresome.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on March 11, 2008, 04:42 PM

I like my local guys... Always have the radio to run I guess, but there's always a slight delay which is annoying. I do the same thing with NFL games though... For some reason Pittsburgh's always a hated city by national broadcasters, so the Pens and Steelers always get this slight put down by whoever's calling the game. It's annoying as hell...

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on March 11, 2008, 04:51 PM

I like our local guys as well. The National broadcasters really seem to be "North of the Mason Dixon Line" types who seem upset any hockey team is south of St. Louis and more upset any would have success. Really sad when the Stars won the Cup and the announcers couldn't have been less interested (and that was when it was on ESPN or FOX, now that Hockey is on Versus, I couldn't tell you who the National guys are anymore).

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on March 11, 2008, 09:20 PM

I feel the same way about the Denver guys, Peter McNab (who some of you may know since he is a former player and does National occasionally) and Mike Haynes. They are easily the best team around IMO, albeit a biased one. McNab has always seemed like a really genuine guy who really loves hockey. They are great about presenting a very neutral commentary while still favoring the Avalanche, if that makes any sense. They always have a lot knowledge of the other teams and speak highly of a lot of the opposing players. I can't stand watching Versus or NBC anymore these days. I wish National broadcasts would use the hometown annoucers of the teams playing.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on March 11, 2008, 09:52 PM

I love having former players do color commentary... That's something Pittsburgh didn't have till recent years. Our guys are Paul Steigerwald & Bob Errey (with the Pens during the cup years) on TV and Mike Lange & Phil Bourque (also with the Pens in the cup years) on the radio. The thing that sucks in a way, is that Lange is a Hall of Fame broadcaster already I believe, but he's now doing radio because the Penguins were wanting to save money at the time... He took it because he likes Pittsburgh and wanted to stay, but as far as I'm concerned there isn't a better hockey announcer in the league and hasn't been one this good in decades... Again, maybe a little biased, but Lange's sort of appreciated around the league and it's a shame he's not doing the TV work here. That said, he's pretty great on the radio and sometimes I'd rather listen to a game than watch.

Always in my car too anymore so that sorta works in my favor I guess, especially on weekends.

Pens are another national game this weekend coming up I guess, which sucks, so I will have to try and jive the radio with the tv or just shut the TV off and listen I guess. :(

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on March 12, 2008, 08:54 AM

Quote from: Ryan on March 11, 2008, 09:20 PM

They are great about presenting a very neutral commentary while still favoring the Avalanche, if that makes any sense.

That makes perfect sense. That is the way Daryl Reaugh and Ralph Strangis are here in Dallas. Very respectful of the teams we play, but they have enough fan in them that when/if the Stars score you can hear it. Not a truly Homer Call, but still a good healthy excitement. They will also be rather critical when the Stars get into a slump.

The local stations here tried to synch up their broadcast with the television feed for some NFL games last season, I wish the NHL broadcasts would do the same...

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on March 17, 2008, 12:53 AM

Quote from: Mikey D on December 12, 2007, 07:39 AM

Hope it's a better game than the ass whipping the Flyers put on the Pens last night... :-X

80+ PMs and about 20 minutes in real time to play the final three minutes? That was the ugliest, nastiest game I've seen in awhile. Only thing missing was the goaltenders fighting.

I think the Penguins got some payback today. ;) It was ugly too, but not as bad as that other game... A late hit after a whistle on an icing was about the most "ugly" the game got really and the refs settled that down quickly because it was such a classless move... It didn't really spiral. Laraque's suspended too, so I guess that takes some of the goon out of the game.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: DSJ™ on March 19, 2008, 08:01 PM

Did anyone catch the Toskala bad beat goal from the Toronto/New York Islanders game last night? Oy! :-X ;D

Bad Toskala Goal From 197ft (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGr_LvNv31Y)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on March 20, 2008, 12:44 AM

Oh man that hurts to watch, but wow what a knuckleball that was bouncing in... I give some sympathy to the goalie because that thing was about as wildly bouncing as a puck can go. No excluse, but just a little bit of "I feel your pain" for him. I feel bad for the guy.

Who won the game? That's the real question. :) It was a slugfest of two of the ******** teams in the east there.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: DSJ™ on March 20, 2008, 06:49 PM

Toronto won 3-1 (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/boxscore?gid=2008031812), they came back from that 1st. period goal.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on March 20, 2008, 09:44 PM

Wow that looks like what Marty Turco puts out on the ice every game lately, I'm not sure we shouldn't just play with 6 forward skaters the entire game.

1st Round Playoff exit for my Stars Again this year. (who do they think they are...the Cowboys?)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on March 20, 2008, 10:58 PM

At least the Leafs won that game... A loss, especially by one goal (ouch) would've just hurt so insanely bad.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: DSJ™ on March 30, 2008, 12:49 AM

Good God! The Oilers are alive! :o

Still a ways to go yet tho. :-\

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on March 30, 2008, 06:57 AM

The Avs' amazing comeback win the other night didn't help you guys too much. ;)

In all seriousness though, the Oil have been areally fun team to watch over the last few weeks here. I wish Dallas would have continues their slide (sorry Paul) I would love to see all five teams from the best division in hockey make the playoffs. This has sure been an excited last few weeks in hockey. The Colorado and Minnesota game should be a great one tomorrow. If the Avs can win their next three they may be overtake the Wild in the Northwest. I've already got the playoff beard going. :)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on March 30, 2008, 03:06 PM

I personally hate the scoring system in the NHL... In the East Carolina's 3rd on the list (unless someone in their division passed them, which I doubt) and yet they've been nowhere near some of the other teams, including the Penguins, yet have shown above them in the standings. I simply hate that and don't see how that's possibly a fair system...

Pen's beat the Rangers and their incessantly whiney fans, so that's good today. A real playoff team challenge and with a W so I'm happy about that. :) It soothes that 5-1 loss to the Islanders. Dunno why but we always have bad luck on the island.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on March 30, 2008, 10:07 PM

Quote from: Ryan on March 30, 2008, 06:57 AM

If the Avs can win their next three they may be overtake the Wild in the Northwest.

You got 1 point, but we got 2 to lock us into the playoffs... :-*

Quote from: Jesse James on March 30, 2008, 03:06 PM

I simply hate that and don't see how that's possibly a fair system...

Well, there has to be some reward for winning your own division. If not the #1-3 seed, then what?

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on March 31, 2008, 01:10 AM

Quote from: Jeff on March 30, 2008, 10:07 PM

Quote from: Ryan on March 30, 2008, 06:57 AM
If the Avs can win their next three they may be overtake the Wild in the Northwest.

You got 1 point, but we got 2 to lock us into the playoffs... :-*

Touche. It was a great game today. I would have loved to see the Avs complete the comeback again but at least they got 1 point to stay ahead of Nashville and jump in front of Calgary. I'm hoping the Avs can finish in the 3rd or the 6th seeds so they are likely to play a Northwest opponent the first round. We'll get you guys next Sunday though. ;)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: stormie on March 31, 2008, 02:18 PM

Let's hope the Sharks can keep their momentum into the playoffs. They haven't lost in regulation since February 20, going 17-0-2 since. Scary good.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on March 31, 2008, 03:49 PM

Quote from: Jeff on March 30, 2008, 10:07 PM

Well, there has to be some reward for winning your own division. If not the #1-3 seed, then what?

If your division's bad enough you can win it with 10 or more points less than the other division winners... Do you really deserve a reward?

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on April 2, 2008, 01:10 AM

Quote from: Jesse James on March 31, 2008, 03:49 PM

Quote from: Jeff on March 30, 2008, 10:07 PM

Well, there has to be some reward for winning your own division. If not the #1-3 seed, then what?

If your division's bad enough you can win it with 10 or more points less than the other division winners... Do you really deserve a reward?

I'm kind of see where you are coming from Jesse- winning in a weak division like the Southeast isn't really something that should classify you as an elite team. But I'm with Jeff on this one.

Look at the Northwest division for example. The top three teams, Minnesota, Colorado, and Calgary are only separated by a total of three points with one or two games left a piece. This isn't because the division is weak, it could possibly be the toughest division top to bottom in the NHL. All five teams are still very much in the playoff picture, at least three will make it, and very likely we could see four Northwest teams in the playoffs. And the fifth will likely be only a few points out of 8th. This is a very tough division to play in because you have to face four other playoff caliber teams in your division 32 times over the year. Because the division balances itself out so nicely it really makes it hard for any one Northwest team to dominate.

Then you have to look at the Central division. Detroit is a great team, I'll give them that, BUT they aren't the top team in the West despite the number 1 seed and the fact that they are currently leading the NHL in points (that honor would belong to San Jose). You have to look at who they play in their division. With the exception of Nashville, the other three clubs have been perennial losers for the last few years and can't compete with Detroit. Looking at that division there is no way Detroit should come up with much less than 50 points. So yeah the division champs in the Northwest may win the division with 10 points fewer than the other division leaders, but it isn't because they are just the best of the worst.

I think in order to balance the playoff picture out the division winners deserve some sort of benefit (other than just a playoff spot). And other than the #1-3 seeds there really isn't much else. I think that it really does help breed more excitement towards the end of the season, which is ultimately good for the sport. Division titles actually mean something and aren't just bragging rights. It really fuels a lot of the excitement in these late season divisional games when the title can be up for grabs on any given night.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on April 2, 2008, 01:16 AM

Or they could just go back to old divisional alignments with respectable hocky names rather than this geographic based crap. :-X

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on April 3, 2008, 10:51 PM

Quote from: Ryan on March 30, 2008, 06:57 AM

If the Avs can win their next three they may be overtake the Wild in the Northwest.

(http://www.jedidefender.com/jsmentek/photos/avatars/wild.gif) ;D

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on April 4, 2008, 05:41 AM

Congrats to all the Wild fans on the boards here. Minnesota had a good season and deserved the win. Now here's to hoping the Avs finish in the 6th seed. The Wild are a beatable team, and I always love seeing divisional opponents meet in the playoffs. So Sunday could very well be a preview of things to come. I would not be wanting to play San Jose in the first round this year...

I'm kind of bummed Vancouver dropped out. For as much as I hated them when they had Bertuzzi, Crawford, and the gang, I actually kind of like them these days.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: jjks on April 4, 2008, 07:25 PM

Needless to say I'm happy that the Canucks **** the bed. As long as we get the Wings in the first round, I'm happy. We can hold our own with them. Sharks, not so much.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on April 6, 2008, 11:10 PM

Here goes nothing... and I mean nothing (I'm terrible at this picking stuff ::)).

EAST

Montreal over Boston (4 games)
Pittsburgh over Ottawa (7 games)
Philadelphia over Washington (6 games)
New Jersey over Rangers (6 games)

Montreal over Philadelphia (5 games)
New Jersey over Pittsburgh (7 games) sorry JJ :-\

New Jersey over Montreal (7 games)

WEST

Detroit over Nashville (5 games) sorry Jamie :-\
San Jose over Calgary (7 games)
Minnesota over Colorado (6 games) not sorry Ryan ;)
Dallas over Anaheim (5 games)

San Jose over Minnesota (5 games) sorry me :'(
Dallas over Detroit (7 games)

San Jose over Dallas (5 games)

THE CUP

New Jersey over San Jose (6 games)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 7, 2008, 12:54 AM

Quote

New Jersey over Pittsburgh (7 games) sorry JJ

>:(

Really though? I think short of Brodeur stealing it, they're not an elite team in most other respects... Brodeur's the wild card though. Goalie's make all the difference sometimes.

A lot of folks were hoping for a Philly/Pitt showdown in the opener in this state, but that didn't happen... They played like **** today so while I like to remain confident, I also hate how they sometimes decide to show up and play maybe 20 minutes of decent hockey any given day.

I can't make predictions worth a jack so I'll refrain. I almost always am wrong when I do. :-[

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on April 7, 2008, 01:03 AM

Quote from: Jesse James on April 7, 2008, 12:54 AM

Really though? I think short of Brodeur stealing it, they're not an elite team in most other respects... Brodeur's the wild card though. Goalie's make all the difference sometimes.

Yeah, my picks sort of bank on "Good Brodeur" showing up in playoff form. If Brodeur isn't "on", then I don';t think they'd beat the Pens. Pretty much all NJ's chances are on him (which sort of shows my lameness in picking by choosing them to win it all ::)).

Montreal vs. Penguins would be a good match-up for the East - the storied franchise vs. the "new kids" of Crosby/Malkin.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 7, 2008, 01:38 AM

Brodeur's still arguably the best and if any goalie can steal a series (or every series) it's him, so by no means do I discount your pick completely Jeff... It's very much possible and I think he's proven he can do it. Our goaltending is still 100% unproven in playoff time. I can only hope the firepower would overpower Brodeur, and the Pens do seem to have his number (if we've got anyone's at least). Lemieux used to tear him up and I loved every minute of it growing up. :)

Tonight's sports talk was circled on who's really behind the 8-ball with the team iin the playoffs... The GM, the coach... I think everyone would be on shakey ground, but less so with Shero (GM) as he's done a lot to keep his job. Therrien though, I could see them looking for a change if there was a bad showing in the playoffs, but I really think the playoffs are going to test the worth of our goaltending... Fleury ate it hard in 2007, so he really needs to show he's a franchise guy right now.

Not to say he isn't playing phenomenally well right now... Just saying, I remember last year all too well. ::)

I'm kinda down after tonight's performance is all... It was sad, and uninspired. Like they really didn't give a **** where they placed, so they just handed 1st to Montreal. It irked me. The other night the same sports show was talking about how easily the Penguins can just seemingly not care about a game. Those losses to the friggin' Islanders really hurt after tonight.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on April 9, 2008, 10:57 PM

God I love playoff hockey. :)

Jesse, you have to have liked what you saw tonight. It looked like a great game from the highlights I've seen so far.

If the Theodore can keep his play at this level he can steal this series. Both goals so far were beautiful. Despite the score at the moment Minne is playing some great hockey too. This is going to be a really fun series to watch.

EDIT: Jinxed that... :-X :P

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on April 10, 2008, 12:10 AM

Quote from: Ryan on April 9, 2008, 10:57 PM

Despite the score at the moment Minne is playing some great hockey too.

:'(

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on April 10, 2008, 12:13 AM

Quote from: Jeff on April 10, 2008, 12:10 AM

Quote from: Ryan on April 9, 2008, 10:57 PM
Despite the score at the moment Minne is playing some great hockey too.

:'(

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 10, 2008, 03:08 AM

I'll just say I wasn't disappointed. It was a physical game from the start though so it's gonna be a long, tough series.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: knashdx on April 10, 2008, 10:20 AM

Quote from: Ryan on April 10, 2008, 12:13 AM

Quote from: Jeff on April 10, 2008, 12:10 AM
Quote from: Ryan on April 9, 2008, 10:57 PM
Despite the score at the moment Minne is playing some great hockey too.

:'(

:)

Just the first game. This is a Best of 7 Series. It ain't over yet

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on April 10, 2008, 03:49 PM

The best part of Last nights games...I did not have a rooting interest in any of them. It is great to be able to just enjoy some good Hockey, in spite of the VS network not having HD for the games.

Tonight will be a different story...not only do I have to stay up to watch the Stars play..I predict at least 1 overtime for sure. Nothing like staying up till 2am just to watch the Stars lose in OT. Oh well, first Round Exit as usual (why break the Dallas Pro Sports Trend?)

But at least I can enjoy the other games.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on April 11, 2008, 11:35 PM

Wow. Another fan-*******-tastic game in Minne tonight. Plenty of harding hitting nad back and forth action. This has been so much fun to watch. Now it is time for Sakic to add to that record of his...

EDIT: :'( Darn. The Wild earned that one. It sure was a great game to watch. Now the Avs have to go back home and continue their dominace here in Denver. We've won 9 out the last 10 at home and have 27 home wins one the year.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on April 12, 2008, 12:19 AM

Quote from: Ryan on April 11, 2008, 11:35 PM

EDIT: :'( Darn.

:)

The stress is going to kill me if every game goes into OT... :-X

I believe we were 2-2 in Denver this year, so we have a good chance of stealing one back out there...

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 12, 2008, 01:25 AM

I mother f'd the TV for almost the entire 3rd period... Between the refs putting away the whistles for most of the game, and the Penguins blowing a 3-0 lead like they did, I wasn't happy... Fortunately a blatant high-stick to Ruutu's eye had to be called and it worked to our favor...

But seriously, it was the putting away of the whistles that caused the high stick in the first place. Guys were getting careless because they thought they'd get away with it since the slashes, hooks, trips, and interference were all going to the wayside... Ruutu didn't lose an eye or anything, but it's proof of how people can get hurt because the refs decide they don't want to call a game like they should.

Penguins registered the most shots in a playoff game in franchise history tonight... I think we had like 53 by the game's end. That score should've been more lopsided but Gerber was playing like a madman and that's not good for us. A hard-earned win, and if they keep taking the foot off the gas like that, they'll get burned.

And Ryan Whitney is a real liability on the blue line some days. Gonchar was last year... Now that he's doing better, Whitney's the problem. Go figure.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Mikey D on April 12, 2008, 08:36 AM

Flyers come out like **** in the third period and blow a two goal lead and lose 5-4. :'( (Although that winning goal by Ovechkin was pretty ******* sweet).

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on April 12, 2008, 09:17 AM

I know this will sound odd coming from a Native Texan...but Playoff Hockey has got to be the one of the best viewing experiences ever and the fact it is every night for several months, may make it better than Football. I do miss when ESPN had the games though.

I was shocked to see Dallas get 4 goals the other night. More surprised that Bertuzzi only got 2 minutes for being 3rd Man in and Instigating and I can't confirm this, but I think he pulled a knife or brass knuckles out, I guess the league will wait till he injures somebody. I know it is the Playoffs, but like Jesse said, you can't swallow the whistles or it will get out of hand.

I am hoping that the win will give the Stars the confidence to get the puck past Giguerre in the rest of the series. I'd really like Sergei Zubov back as well, even at his age, he is a leader on the Power play.

I am little shocked that New Jersey is stuggling like they are..I have them in the Eastern Conference finals in my bracket at the office...

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on April 12, 2008, 02:39 PM

Quote from: Paul on April 12, 2008, 09:17 AM

More surprised that Bertuzzi only got 2 minutes for being 3rd Man in and Instigating and I can't confirm this, but I think he pulled a knife or brass knuckles out, I guess the league will wait till he injures somebody. I know it is the Playoffs, but like Jesse said, you can't swallow the whistles or it will get out of hand.

No they won't... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz9RE9RGrVY)

Bertuzzi is nothing but a thug. He has no place in this league after the **** he pulled against Moore there. He certainly hasn't gotten much better in the time since either.

Quote

I am little shocked that New Jersey is stuggling like they are..I have them in the Eastern Conference finals in my bracket at the office...

I'm not really. For whatever reason the Rangers have been their kryptonite all year. They beat them seven out of the eight times they played in the regular season this year. I think NJ would have definitely been looking a alot better right now had they faced any other team in the East in the opening round.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 12, 2008, 11:16 PM

Jersey's a team that just doesn't look good on paper or the ice most of the time. Like I was saying with Jeff and his picks, I don't look at them beyond Brodeur. They can steal a game from anyone, but it's usually a goaltending extravaganza that steals the game, not the team. I think they would've had trouble with a lot of teams in the East even if Brodeur was playing above par (for himself). Steal a series from someone perhaps, but he wouldn't last forever, and he's got a team that just can't get it done in front of him right now.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Rob on April 13, 2008, 12:52 AM

Quote from: Paul on April 12, 2008, 09:17 AM

I was shocked to see Dallas get 4 goals the other night. More surprised that Bertuzzi only got 2 minutes for being 3rd Man in and Instigating and I can't confirm this, but I think he pulled a knife or brass knuckles out, I guess the league will wait till he injures somebody. I know it is the Playoffs, but like Jesse said, you can't swallow the whistles or it will get out of hand.

I am hoping that the win will give the Stars the confidence to get the puck past Giguerre in the rest of the series. I'd really like Sergei Zubov back as well, even at his age, he is a leader on the Power play.

Any interest in trying to grab some cheap seats for one of the next couple home games?

If you don't already have tickets that is.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Matt_Fury on April 13, 2008, 01:59 PM

Quote from: Ryan on April 12, 2008, 02:39 PM

No they won't... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz9RE9RGrVY)

Bertuzzi is nothing but a thug. He has no place in this league after the **** he pulled against Moore there. He certainly hasn't gotten much better in the time since either.

I stopped watching hockey after the lockout, but seeing something like that punk...how the hell is he still playing?

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on April 13, 2008, 08:09 PM

Quote from: Matt_Fury on April 13, 2008, 01:59 PM

Quote from: Ryan on April 12, 2008, 02:39 PM
No they won't... (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz9RE9RGrVY)

Bertuzzi is nothing but a thug. He has no place in this league after the **** he pulled against Moore there. He certainly hasn't gotten much better in the time since either.

I stopped watching hockey after the lockout, but seeing something like that punk...how the hell is he still playing?

I know you guys probably will not agree with me but my view on him is completly opposite. I think he is still a great player, who doesnt produce as many points however he still helps his team win the small plays and the games at times. In terms of Moore i think hes a little cry baby that deserved what he got, he went after the Canucks captain and injured him..why is it that everyone forgets that? didnt you guys also notice that fact that another 4 guys jumped on him...but oh yeah of course it was only Todds fault. karma came back to bite him in the @$$.

Back on topic though, im really surprised with the Habs so far. they have been doing a lot better then a i thought they would. The calgary series is also pretty intense. And as much as I want to see Crosby lose in the first round the crappy Sens have let me down, owell can't have it all.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on April 13, 2008, 10:22 PM

Quote from: JangoTat on April 13, 2008, 08:09 PM

I know you guys probably will not agree with me but my view on him is completly opposite. I think he is still a great player, who doesnt produce as many points however he still helps his team win the small plays and the games at times.

He's still a serviceable player in the NHL, yes.

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In terms of Moore i think hes a little cry baby that deserved what he got, he went after the Canucks captain and injured him

Uh, have you seen the play? He leaned into him for sure, probably even a cheap shoulder shot (NOT an elbow). Someone just might have set themselves up by leaning out of position. I believe Moore did get a major penalty on that play AND he fought at least a couple of Canucks prior to the Bertuzzi incident. Short of blowing all the 'Nucks there wasn't much more he could have done to pay the price.

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..why is it that everyone forgets that?

No one forgets it, you just refuse to look at it objectively and opt to neglect everything else that happened.

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didnt you guys also notice that fact that another 4 guys jumped on him...but oh yeah of course it was only Todds fault.

Todd sucker punched him from behind. From behind. From behind. Got it yet? Big, tough Bertuzzi popped a guy without even having the testicles to face him. AFTER he'd fought other Canucks and taken his lumps. OOOH, what a stud hockey player Bert is.

Four guys didn't jump on him, one guy jumped on Bertuzzi. You remember, the pissant thug that popped a guy from behind and then followed him down, driving his face into the ice? So he didn't have the patience or the balls to hit Moore while he was facing him and he HAD to drive his face into the ice and fall on top of him? Yeah, totally justified. Tell me why mister tough Todd didn't skate around in front of him and drop his gloves, grab Moore by the shirt and start swinging. The second Moore would have seen the gloves go down he would have known here we go again but no, Bertuzzi had to hit him from behind with his gloves on. Sportsmanlike I'd say, hell I'm surprised that Bert didn't get the Lady Byng for that play too. ::)

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karma came back to bite him in the @$$.

And if Karma is really fair, Bertuzzi will lose the civil suit as well, because he's nothing but a chicken**** thug for that move.

But that's ok, you think ending a guy's career is fair play, well, so be it.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 14, 2008, 02:11 AM

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And as much as I want to see Crosby lose in the first round the crappy Sens have let me down, owell can't have it all.

I'm always marvelled by anti-Crosby sentiments... He's probably one of the nicest guys in the NHL but he still has a wealth of hatred against him for no real reason other than he's good. He's not a goon, he's not a cheat, he's not a clutch/grab kinda guy, but he's someone people either love or hate and I can't really explain it at all.

The Bertuzzi thing was pure cheap too... Goons are goons, and if you're lucky you get a good muck/grind goon for a 3rd or 4th line and you don't waste a slot on them, but I'm leaning towards Bertuzzi being like Simon... He's outlived his usefulness in the NHL to me. McSorely used to be an asset but there came a time he too lost his usefulness as an enforcer. The blatant cheap stuff just doesn't have a place in the game. It doesn't serve to antagonize, it doesn't serve to get under the other team's skin. It just brings hockey down a peg.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on April 14, 2008, 06:31 AM

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I'm always marvelled by anti-Crosby sentiments... He's probably one of the nicest guys in the NHL but he still has a wealth of hatred against him for no real reason other than he's good. He's not a goon, he's not a cheat, he's not a clutch/grab kinda guy, but he's someone people either love or hate and I can't really explain it at all.

I don't know I guess i got a little annoyed when he accepted captain, which isnt something i find he deserved. And i never said he wasnt good i just plain dont like him, mostly from small stuff that he does during the game that annoys me. Like come on do you really need to go on your knees for almost every other shot when your near the net...no. Between him and Ovechkin i think the latter is better, crosby will hit and run away and have other guys fight his battles while Ovechkin will stick up for himself and still produce the numbers.

It terms of Bert im not gonna argue it, everyone sees the situation in a different manner and its not like i expected you guys to see it the way I do anyways. But i have to admit it really pissed me off when I heard about what Bert was blaming his move on. THAT I did not agree with, however my opinion still does not change about the things before that.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: stormie on April 14, 2008, 11:35 AM

The Flames/Sharks series is just a revisit of the matchup between these two a few years back...and it's pissing me off. The Flames are unable to match the Sharks with skill, so they make up for it in brute strength. They're literally just shoving themselves to a win. It's old-style hockey and the reason why the Sharks haven't ever been able to go very far in the playoffs. If only they'd just get a little angry or something and start hitting more. It's just so frustrating. All the credit in the world to the Flames, though. To hit (and bloody) the Sharks' captain is akin to smacking a snarling dog on the nose. It sort of takes any fight out.

Come on, Sharks. Start hitting! >:(

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 14, 2008, 02:54 PM

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Like come on do you really need to go on your knees for almost every other shot when your near the net...no.

No offense, but he's the guy in the NHL, not you, to say that. ;) His move of going to one knee has produced a lot of odd angle goals. Can you really supply more of an argument then to the methods and techniques he uses to score? He seems to only do it when he wants a lot of power on a shot and lift... From my experience then his knee drop would acheive that on the short angle, and it's proven to work by his paycheck.

As far as hitting I don't know anyone who says Crosby "hits and runs away". He got into it the other night with a Senator... Believe me though, Ovechkin isn't gonna be "fighting" people any time soon either. Nor will Malkin, or any other superstar. You don't pay superstars to break hands on helmets and faces... You pay your muscle to do that for you, so it's again not a fair assessment to say Ovechkin's doing his own dirty work with fights. Crosby's finishing every check this series, and he's taking plenty of swings back at his shadows... Nothing could be tougher that I've seen, plus he still has to remain disciplined in all of it and not take a penalty.

As far as the C goes, I don't know who would've or should've gotten it if not Crosby... The team overall was inexperienced at the time and young so your options were limited. Roberts doesn't lead with his voice as much as he does with his style of play, nor does Gonchar... So your vets weren't good captain choices. Crosby showed leadership qualities his first season, so what argument is there against him earning it? To me he's the natural choice like Lemieux was for us... He's done a good job too. The only other guy (at the time) that maybe could've gotten it was Recchi, and he's been dumped on waivers since because he wasn't putting forth much effort on the ice... Not leadership quality there IMO.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on April 14, 2008, 04:27 PM

Quote from: Jesse James on April 14, 2008, 02:54 PM

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Like come on do you really need to go on your knees for almost every other shot when your near the net...no.

No offense, but he's the guy in the NHL, not you, to say that. ;) His move of going to one knee has produced a lot of odd angle goals. Can you really supply more of an argument then to the methods and techniques he uses to score? He seems to only do it when he wants a lot of power on a shot and lift... From my experience then his knee drop would acheive that on the short angle, and it's proven to work by his paycheck.

Thats not true. I play hockey (oh what a shocker) and I have been in those situations many times and I nor my team mates have ever had to go down on one knee to get a goal. All he is doing is trying to show off.

And as far as the C goes, I don't beleive a rookie deserves to hold it, no matter how good they are they are still new to the NHL, if he had gotten the A then thats fine. I know Gonchar is basically gonig down the gutter but I felt that Recchi, even though hes useless now, would have been more deserving atleast until a new player came along. Heck Roberts isnt all that bad of a leader, he has league and playoff experience and he has already held the A before while playing top line for several years. Roberts could have made a great captain until Crosby could become prepared for it.

And I dont know small stuff like "the crosby pickup" move really piss me off because Crosby wasnt the guy who did it first, and yet everyone I know who talks about hockey always refers to that as HIS move when indeed it is not. Plus the notion that media sometimes portrays him as the best when it comes to deking...id like to see him face Robbie shremp ::)

In the end i just have a profound Hate for the guy. Hes over hyped by media and that just really annoys me though. And as a always say this is just my opinion, you guys may not a agree with it but its not like im holding it against anyone. Crosby is a good player dont get me wrong, however in the end I dont think hes going to be as great as everyone says he will be.

and thats my 2 cents on Crosby lol.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 14, 2008, 06:07 PM

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Thats not true. I play hockey (oh what a shocker) and I have been in those situations many times and I nor my team mates have ever had to go down on one knee to get a goal. All he is doing is trying to show off.

OK, again no offense is meant to you, but this was kind of my point with my post... You don't have an argument with any validity to your claim. I played hockey in my youth too and coached it this past winter season. That doesn't mean you're in the NHL and can claim Crosby is "just showing off"... Watch the goals sometime, I'm sure they're on Youtube or something. When he goes to his knee for a shot it's usually off the right circle and a sharper angle. He does it to get good wood to the puck and not comletely miss his scoring opportunity, and to get power/lift to the shot since goalies usually can cover the bottom post but not the top...

And again... his paycheck indicates he's doing the right thing I think. His stats should cover any other doubts though I'd wager.

If I had a guy like Crosby who made sure he made the play like that, or a guy who missed 25-50% of his scoring chances from the same position, I'd take Crosby... I think most people would.

But like I said... He's the one in the NHL, and the one actually accomplishing these things, so really is it fair to just claim he's showboating because "I played hockey and I know you don't have to do that"? That's all I'm saying... That's NOT a valid argument, that's just anger.

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And as far as the C goes, I don't beleive a rookie deserves to hold it, no matter how good they are they are still new to the NHL, if he had gotten the A then thats fine. I know Gonchar is basically gonig down the gutter but I felt that Recchi, even though hes useless now, would have been more deserving atleast until a new player came along. Heck Roberts isnt all that bad of a leader, he has league and playoff experience and he has already held the A before while playing top line for several years. Roberts could have made a great captain until Crosby could become prepared for it.

First, Roberts wasn't with the team when Crosby was named Captain... So it's a moot point. Second, Gonchar's going down the tubes? He was one of the top scoring defenseman of the NHL in '07-'08 and his defensive game was tremendous compared to last year... Not saying he's a leader, just arguing he's "going down the tubes" right now. He's stepped it up 100% for whatever reason. He's still not a leader though... He's not talkative (by all accounts I've heard) on the bench, and doesn't seemingly speak English well enough to consider piping up. Just what I've heard about him though so it might not be true...

Third, Recchi at the time was even my more logical choice, but Recchi has not lead by example... Speaking from experience, you don't give the C to the guy based on age or experience, you give it based on leadership on and off the ice, and by all accounts Crosby deserves it then. He's proven to be a good two-way player, he's proven to have the ability to take control of a game himself from an offensive standpoint, and he's very aggressive in the offensive zone... He's also talkative to his teammates, and a leader on the bench.

Also it should be noted Crosby was NOT a Rookie when he got the C... You're wrong on that. He was in his 3rd year in the NHL when he finally wore it during a game. He was offered it after his second season, and he wore the A during his second season because LeClaire lost an A due to his ****** veteran play for that season... So really, this all boils down to his young age being a concern. So far though that's proven 100% unfounded. He had a season wearing the A to talk with the officials and really earned becoming the team Captain.

Roberts is there now... Do you strip the C from Crosby who has done a good job and give it to him? I don't even think he wants it actually since Roberts admittedly fires the team up in the locker rooms and with his style on the ice. No, they made the right choice, and one based in the work ethic and effort Crosby made. It's a slight to what he's accomplished at this point to say otherwise.

I wasn't so sure at the time even, but it's turned out to be a perfectly fine decision made by Therrien.

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And I dont know small stuff like "the crosby pickup" move really piss me off because Crosby wasnt the guy who did it first, and yet everyone I know who talks about hockey always refers to that as HIS

That's not Crosby's fault... People do that all the time. When I was growing up playing, people cited things as Gretzky's move, or Bourque's move, instead of giving credit to Richard or Howe... That's human nature to cite recent reference. Crosby's making certain plays his own because he's the player doing them the most, just as Ovechkin's style is being cited as his own, or as Federov's was cited as his, etc., etc. It goes down the line of great players... It's not their fault, and they're almost certainly not the first to create them unless they're really outlandish stuff (Like Lemieux's between the legs and behind him shot/goal).

As far as the media goes, there seems to be plenty of split with opinion on who the "best" is... I hear 3 names mentioned constantly, especially after this season, so it's hardly a bias this point.

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In the end i just have a profound Hate for the guy.

That's fine, and like I said it seems to be a love or hate thing... Little in between.

At the end of the day though that's what makes your arguments for why you think he's overrated or a bad player, kind of weak. It's something I've found people have against the Steelers too so I'm used to it. Folks either love them, or they hate them, and then their arguments are always unfounded and generally lame to listen to about why the Steelers suck...

I view this as much the same. You hate him so you think he's a weakling that doesn't get tough, you think he showboats when he scores so he's not respectable, you think he shouldn't have been a captain for whatever reason, but there's no real basis to it other than you hate the guy. And that's cool not to like someone because of perceptions I guess, but that doesn't make it right. I try to take the player at face value instead...

He's not going to be as great as everyone predicted? Newsflash... He already is. I just don't see how people can watch him and say he isn't.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 14, 2008, 09:54 PM

Pengies won game three... To say they weathered a storm in the opening period is an understatement though. The Senators were flying, hitting, and just putting a weight on the Pen's shoulders. It was brutal to watch at times, lots of hitting, and it got uglier as the game went on... It opened up though the Penguins started burrying pucks then. Yay! :)

The crowd was going nuts about every little thing too... You would've thought you were in the Garden or on Long Island with the way they were booing everything they thought should've been a penalty. The crowd threw some **** on the ice in the 3rd in frustration which sucks, but it didn't slow the game down and it wrapped up 4-1... Sweet. Crosby's sniper goal was a back breaker.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on April 15, 2008, 12:32 AM

Quote from: Jeff on April 12, 2008, 12:19 AM

The stress is going to kill me if every game goes into OT... :-X

Someone will be winning 3-2 again tonight... :-X

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 15, 2008, 12:56 AM

I'm watching you guys' game on Vs. now... I love the OT games as long as we're not in them. :P

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on April 15, 2008, 01:10 AM

Quote from: Ryan on April 15, 2008, 12:32 AM

Someone will be winning 3-2 again tonight... :-X

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 15, 2008, 01:28 AM

It's nice to see you guys being all civil. :)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on April 15, 2008, 01:35 AM

**** Minnesota.

:P

Just kidding of course. Another great game tonight. Needless to say I wasn't pleased with the outcome but it was fun to watch. The Avs had a few too many defensive zone turnovers and problems clearing the zone in the third for my liking. That shorthander hurt. Tough break for Finger on that OT goal, had it bounced the other way like he though it was going to, it would have been icing. It was a great play by Minne to keep following that one up and beat out the icing. We'll get you guys tomorrow. :)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on April 16, 2008, 07:13 AM

So much for 3-2 in overtime. :P

It was another really fun game to watch tonight. There were a few great goals. Minne looked pretty out of it tonight. They were making a lot of uncharacteristically sloppy turnovers. The hittong/intensity did seem to pick up over the course of the game quite a bit. I loved seeing McCloud and Stephane Veilleux go at it in the box and on the ice. I wasn't to happy they only gave Veilleux a 2 minute minor for his boarding on Statsny. He hadn't even touched the puck and Veilleux left his feet to drive Statsny head first into the board. The should have been a five minute major and a misconduct for sure. Luckily Statsny wasn't hurt and that really was the worst of the cheap stuff. It should be another great game Thursday. I have a feeling Minne will get it together after a loss like that and it will be a much closer game than tonight's. Statsny needs to get on the board at some point, he has been shut down four games in a row now. Foote and Sauer have done a great job containing Gaborik, now someone needs to play some defense on Koivu.

Looks like it was a great game up in Calgary tonight. I wish Calgary could have held the lead there and made it 3-1 in the series. Oh well, it is another great series between those two teams.

Jesse you have your broom ready for tomorrow night? ;)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: P-Siddy on April 16, 2008, 08:36 AM

Ryan... spot on about the Wild. We simply stunk tonight and it was hard to watch. Just didn't seem like the Wild could set up an offense to work at getting the puck in. It was kind of like we gave up on winning the game (realistically, it would have been hard to come back anyway) and decided to see how physical they could get instead. Or maybe the Wild figured they'd get put all their mistakes in one crappy game and move on.
Let's see how Thursday's game turns out (almost had tickets from the wife's work :'( ).

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 16, 2008, 04:35 PM

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Jesse you have your broom ready for tomorrow night?

:-X

I will say that Ottawa put up a large wall-size image of last year's Pens/Sens handshake at the end of the series, somewhere in their building where all the Penguins saw it. They didn't help themselves by doing that.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 16, 2008, 09:38 PM

(http://www.frameworth.com/pics/nhllogos/penguins.jpg)

Go Pens. ;D

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: stormie on April 18, 2008, 01:11 PM

Quote from: Ryan on April 16, 2008, 07:13 AM

Looks like it was a great game up in Calgary tonight. I wish Calgary could have held the lead there and made it 3-1 in the series.

>:( ;)

Finally, finally, the Sharks are starting to play the way they're capable. Both Marleau and Cheechoo are showing up and it's paying off. Let's hope they can close out the series on Sunday. Maybe see the Preds in the second round?

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JesseVader08 on April 18, 2008, 07:34 PM

It looks like my Bruins are at least keeping things interesting by pushing the series to at least 6 games with the Canadiens. Everyone expected the Habs to sweep them, but they're putting up a good fight. But even I'll be surprised if they can win the series.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on April 19, 2008, 10:02 PM

Quote from: JesseVader08 on April 18, 2008, 07:34 PM

It looks like my Bruins are at least keeping things interesting by pushing the series to at least 6 games with the Canadiens. Everyone expected the Habs to sweep them, but they're putting up a good fight. But even I'll be surprised if they can win the series.

Im surprised the Habs cant seem to beat them. It was such a close game today too, and im pretty sure it was the first time Price has ever lost 2 straight games. Hopefully the Habs can avoid pulling an "ottawa" and win game 7.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Mikey D on April 20, 2008, 07:50 AM

I just want the Bruins to lose so I can get my baseball back in HD. :P

Flyers couldn't put the Caps away yesterday. Looks like they'll have to do it in Philly tomorrow.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on April 20, 2008, 12:23 PM

Congrats to Ryan and his Avs. :'(

I really thought after Game 3 we had a great chance, but after the whuppin' in Game 4 then the close call at home in game 5, I knew it wasn't looking good. Ah well, the teams were pretty evenly matched towards the end of the year, so it was a good series overall with both teams having the chance to win 5 of the 6 games.

Plus, the team that knocked the Wild out last year (Ducks) went on to win the whole thing, so maybe the Avs can do the same and send Forsberg/Sakic/Foote all into permanent retirement with a win (and then we never have to see them again :P).

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on April 20, 2008, 08:23 PM

Quote from: Jeff on April 20, 2008, 12:23 PM

Congrats to Ryan and his Avs. :'(

:)

It was a great series just like we were expecting to see. Minne had a great season and deserved their first division title. You guys have plenty of young talent and should be good for years to come, so I'd fully expect to see the Wild compete for another division title next year. Hopefully for your sake you guys can hang on to all of your good players over free agency this offseason.

I'm amazed the Wild only held the lead for about 4:30 in the entire series and it went to six games. It really goes to show how well they managed to hang in there and how great Theodore played. We could have easily lost the lead/tie several times and would have had try to come from behind on Backstrom and Minne's (admitting injury depleted) D. I can't believe Schultz came back last night, that took some real heart.

The Avs have had me so excited lately. They look like a completely different team since the deadline. As great of an addition as Forsberg has been, I think it is the additions of Foote and Salei as well as the play of Theodore that have completely turned this team around. Holding a player like Gaborik to 1 point in a six game series is incredible. Theodore has been on his game since January and now with some added toughness on the blue line he has the support in front he needed. Sauer has really picked up his play as well and has done a fabulous job shutting down the opposing team's top line when he is paired with Foote. Our powerplay which was completely dismal throughout most the entire year has been looking a whole lot better, especially against a good penalty killing team like the Wild. If they can stay hot I think we have a chance of going really deep in the playoffs this year.

Unless Calgary came find a way to come back in their series it looks like the Avs will be headed to Detroit. We got swept by the old rivals in the season series this year, but all of those games were before the deadline. I really think we can give them a run for their money in the playoffs. Plus with Foote and Forsberg back in town and Parker about ready to come off his injury we may see the fire re-lit in that rivalry.

Quote from: Jeff on April 20, 2008, 12:23 PM

Plus, the team that knocked the Wild out last year (Ducks) went on to win the whole thing, so maybe the Avs can do the same and send Forsberg/Sakic/Foote all into permanent retirement with a win (and then we never have to see them again :P).

If all three of them retired in the same year I think I would lock myself away in my room and cry for weeks. :'( Foote really looks like he has a few years left in him. Gaborik is young and faster than Foote, and Foote was able to completely shut his down. Sakic never seems to age and I hope he is here for a few more years. If Forsberg can stay healthy ( big if there... ) he seems like he might have another year in him still. This may be the best shot we'll have at the Cup in the next few years though, so I really want to see it back in Denver this year.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Mikey D on April 22, 2008, 10:36 PM

(http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/teamfanatics_1994_63011205)

Great series and a great final game. Gotta love game 7 overtime games. Bring on the Canadians.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 22, 2008, 10:45 PM

Rangers up next for my Penguins. Jagr comes home... I think he's gonna find Pittsburgh has changed a bit.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on April 22, 2008, 11:23 PM

Quote from: Mikey D on April 22, 2008, 10:36 PM

(http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/teamfanatics_1994_63011205)

Great series and a great final game. Gotta love game 7 overtime games. Bring on the Canadians.

Like wise. That should be a good series, then again i just want to see downie leveled lol.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on April 23, 2008, 08:28 AM

Yay...San Jose won...now the Stars' "Away" games get to start at 10pm again, nothing like missing the 3rd period or OT because it is midnight..

I am going to go out on a limb and say San Jose sweeps the Stars or wins it in 5. Oh well, the Stars made it past the 1st round this year.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: stormie on April 23, 2008, 01:13 PM

Finally, the Sharks put away (out, if insipid cliche is necessary) the Flames. That series was just too tough...for me. Jeremy-frickin'-Roenick!

And now, the Stars. This team actually scares me more than the others. Undoubtedly, though, great hockey to come.

One thing I'm not looking forward to is anymore game 7s at San Jose. I live about a block away from the arena (so close that people park in front of our house--which is permit parking only ::)--just to avoid the arena parking fee), and for a solid half hour after the game last night, the air was thick with honking horns and screams of "whoooooooo!" Plus, just after the game let out, I witnessed some asswipe in a Sharks jersey spraypainting some of the parked cars across the street. I guess I'll have to keep vigil over our cars for all future big games. :P

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 25, 2008, 10:19 PM

What an opening game... Yeesh. I really thought the 3-0 hole was gonna turn into a routing at one point. Thank god for explosive offense. :o

Oh, and I'd like to add that the color commentator both in the game and during intermission were both royal ********... The one dude comparing Ruutu and Avery was beyond annoying. Apparantly he's never seen someone pick a fight in the NHL before a faceoff. Whoever that guy was, he's raw douchebaggery.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Mikey D on April 29, 2008, 09:02 AM

A win is a win, but damn the Flyers were lucky to get out of that one last night. Wide open nets, missed pucks and unlucky shots for the Canadiens going the other way could have easily made this a blow out game. And sooner than later giving the best power play team in the league all those chances is going to bite them in the ass. I know the black and orange like to play physical but they have to reel in a bit and stop taking stupid penalities. Luckily for them, the Flyers have a hot goalie right now.

Like I said, a win is a win. Just have to start playing better.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 29, 2008, 09:59 PM

Pens had a bad 2nd period, so it's good they took game 3 on simply hard-assed work.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JesseVader08 on April 30, 2008, 01:47 AM

Who would have ever though Johan Franzen would be the playoff goal leader?

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on April 30, 2008, 01:53 AM

Hey, it's not our fault that the Penguins like to share. ;D

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on April 30, 2008, 06:20 AM

Quote from: JesseVader08 on April 30, 2008, 01:47 AM

Who would have ever though Johan Franzen would be the playoff goal leader?

:(

Man it has been a rough series so far. Theodore was sick in game 1 and every played like **** in front of him the first period, then we got hot in the 2nd and 3rd but could quite put it past Osgood to tie it up. Game 2 was just horrendous pretty much all throughout. Tonight was another tough one, we played great in the second and third, and after getting that first goal I thought we might have it. The Avs really had a good game for the most part tonight, they made some ****** mistakes though taking way too many penalties. There were a few big missed calls at the end. On one of the Avs third period PPs Forsberg was blatantly tripped and there was no call, so we should have had a 5 on 3. I'm going to Thursday's game which should be exciting I really hope they can at least win that one. The Nuggets who won 50 games just got swept and were the first team ever to have 50 wins and then get swept in the 1st round. The Rockies got swept in the World Series after winning 20 or 21. The Broncos missed the playoffs for the second year in a row. All that combined would make for one tough sports year. I still hold out some hope that they can come back no mater how astronomically small the chance may be. :-\

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Mikey D on May 1, 2008, 09:43 AM

One win away from eliminating the #1 seed and advancing to the Eastern Conference finals, a year after having the worst season in Flyers history and being the worst team in the league. That's a hell of a turnaround. The Broad Street Bullies are playing with a ton of confidence right now and have one of the hottest goalies in the playoffs. That's a good combination to have.

Just stop blowing two goal leads, *******. Guess I can count on high stress levels in May as well as January and October now. And that's a great thing.

Go Flyers

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on May 1, 2008, 03:50 PM

montreal has let me down. playoffs are practically over for me. :'(

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 1, 2008, 09:55 PM

Bah... The officiating was pretty biased tonight I felt, probably because of the 3-0 lead the Penguins had, so that was annoying to see... It's the worst part about playoff hockey I think. The Penguins were pretty undisciplined at times though too and it took away the momentum. Sykora and Dupuis would be getting chewed out by me tonight for not controlling themselves. Still though it's one game and had to happen eventually, I just felt there were a TON of wishy washy calls and they didn't go our way. ;) That's the NHL for ya.

I've finally figured out why the color guy on Vs. hates the Penguins too, it's Eddy Olczyk. I had forgotten that was his gig since the Penguins dropped him as coach (rightly so). He's one bitter dude. I loathe national games.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on May 2, 2008, 03:17 AM

Quote from: Ryan on April 30, 2008, 06:20 AM

I'm going to Thursday's game which should be exciting I really hope they can at least win that one.

God that was horrible. :'(

Go Penguins? :-\

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Mikey D on May 4, 2008, 08:09 AM

FLYERS!!

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Rob on May 4, 2008, 11:42 AM

I bit the bullet and picked up some Stars tickets for tonight after the OT loss the other night.

So, go Stars!

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on May 4, 2008, 04:27 PM

Quote from: Rob on May 4, 2008, 11:42 AM

I bit the bullet and picked up some Stars tickets for tonight after the OT loss the other night.

So, go Stars!

Wish I could go too...or even get that channel where we are.

Versus SUX, no matter what Gary Bettman thinks.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 4, 2008, 08:53 PM

Versus Sux is an understatement... Any national game blows.

Anyway, it wasn't a sweep but it was nice to see the Rangers go bye bye tonight... Nailbiter and hard series for sure. The 4-1 numbers don't accurately show what a rough series it was.

Go Pens... Time to deal with our cross-state rivals now. ;) Let the fist-fights at Penn State commence!

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Rob on May 5, 2008, 03:01 AM

4 Overtimes, what a ******* game.

I'm going to bed!

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: stormie on May 5, 2008, 09:44 AM

For the second straight year, my Sharks exit in the second round. I really had high hopes, but maybe next year. Too little, too late.

Good going, Stars. Stick it good to the Red Wings.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on May 5, 2008, 10:00 AM

Rob, you got your moneys worth. Awesome game and I love overtime. I do agree that a short overtime and the shootout is a good thing for the regular season (with some minor complaints) but nothing beats a multiple overtime playoff game 8) So many memories of drinking so much beer while watching games late into the night.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Rob on May 5, 2008, 12:21 PM

Yep - it was awesome. Definitely the longest game I've ever been to (since it was apparently the 8th longest ever?).

With 61 saves, Turco was completely incredible all game long. It was a beautiful thing to watch.

Nabokov was pretty amazing too for that matter.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 5, 2008, 05:45 PM

Is anyone growing a playoff beard with their team?

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on May 5, 2008, 05:54 PM

I was... :(

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 5, 2008, 07:11 PM

Nice...

I like seeing people support their team that much. Not many folks I know are growing one. Mine's looking quite sharp if I may say.

Jagr rockin' the Hitler Mustache was a little odd I thought.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on May 5, 2008, 08:01 PM

Quote from: Jesse James on May 5, 2008, 05:45 PM

Is anyone growing a playoff beard with their team?

I was too... but mine didn't even last as long as Ryan's did. :(

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: P-Siddy on May 5, 2008, 08:47 PM

Quote from: Jeff on May 5, 2008, 08:01 PM

Quote from: Jesse James on May 5, 2008, 05:45 PM
Is anyone growing a playoff beard with their team?

I was too... but mine didn't even last as long as Ryan's did. :(

i think we had playoff stubble.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Rob on May 6, 2008, 03:52 PM

NHL Star Called up to the Big Leagues (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/nhl_star_called_up_to_big_leagues)

:)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on May 8, 2008, 07:53 PM

ugh versus only tonight....and announcers who LOVE the Redwings..not that Detroit does not deserve the accolades but come on, give me my Ralph and Razor...

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 8, 2008, 08:04 PM

Methinks Ed Olczyk is a Flyers fan as of Friday. Just got a hunch.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 10, 2008, 01:48 AM

No Edzo tonight, which made the game much more palletable on Vs. Good game too overall. Brutal checks all game long, and dare I say some of the biggest hits of the post-season thus far (IMO at least). Highlight reel checking in the opening of the Eastern Finals.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Paul on May 10, 2008, 10:34 PM

Perhaps if the Stars forfeit the rest of the series, I can avoid the Versus guys till Detroit sweeps whoever they play in the finals...

They are crazy good right now and Dallas looks like a team that has not been in the playoffs this year, much less beating 2 decent teams.

But it was nice to have an early start. Got to see them lose before 9pm local time.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Rob on May 10, 2008, 11:10 PM

At least the stars looked competitive tonight. Maybe they can grab a few wins at home and make a series out of it.

If they don't win on Monday it's definitely over.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Mikey D on May 14, 2008, 11:41 AM

Please, Flyers. Just win one ******* game. Pretty please.

Honestly, they've had an amazing turnaround and I'm happy for that. And their core group of players will be around for awhile, so they should be competitive in the years to come. It just seems they get hit with injuries at the most inappropriate time. Similar to 2004, they lost their top two defenseman and against a team as fast and talented as the Pens, that's trouble.

I don't have the immense hate of the Pens as some Flyers fans do, so I'll be rooting for them in the finals. (And no, the Flyers aren't coming back from 0-3. The Penguins ain't the 2004 New York Yankees).

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on May 14, 2008, 10:57 PM

I didnt want to admit it but.. I have no choice but to cheer for the Penguins in the finals :-X. With both my teams out in the 1st and 2nd round, and my Dallas stars basically getting pistol wipped sid the kid and company are the ones I will be backing. Only for two reasons though. 1. Gary Roberts deserves to retire with one more Ring. And 2. the tradition of a team led by a Canadian captain winning the Cup every year must be upheld. Damn you Crosby..damn you. :-\

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on May 16, 2008, 11:07 AM

You forgot, your team didn't actually make the playoffs. Again. :P

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on May 16, 2008, 03:15 PM

Man, when the Wild got knocked out in the first round, I totally lost interest in this year's playoffs.

I bet I've watched maybe 2 games total since then... maybe I'll get back into it so I can watch the Red Wings pound the Pens. :P

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 16, 2008, 03:22 PM

Don't count on that happening... We've so far pretty much pounded opponents every analyst felt would do the pounding on us. ;)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on May 16, 2008, 03:57 PM

Quote from: Jesse James on May 16, 2008, 03:22 PM

Don't count on that happening... We've so far pretty much pounded opponents every analyst felt would do the pounding on us. ;)

Which is ok for fans to think. But if the team itself develops that attitude they'll be down 3-0 before they even realize it. Not really a lot of playoff experience on these Pens, is there (that's actually playing)? Gonchar? Nope. Hossa? Nope. Crosby? Nope. Malkin? Nope.

Great team, but many teams need to get that taste in the finals before winning. Maybe not this year. I'm looking forward to a great, great series.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on May 16, 2008, 09:05 PM

Quote from: Morgbug on May 16, 2008, 11:07 AM

You forgot, your team didn't actually make the playoffs. Again. :P

who the leafs? HAHA! I would rather not get my hopes up with them. My teams were the Flames and Montreal. The Flames because my favourite player is Iggy and Dion, and Montreal, well I have always loved montreal, I used to watch them play all the time with my grandfather. I like the Leafs dont get me wrong, but they are really despressing to watch.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: DSJ™ on May 16, 2008, 09:33 PM

You mean there is other hockey on besides the IIHF world tournament. Sunday will be a good game against Russia! :-*

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 17, 2008, 02:08 AM

Quote from: Morgbug on May 16, 2008, 03:57 PM

Which is ok for fans to think. But if the team itself develops that attitude they'll be down 3-0 before they even realize it. Not really a lot of playoff experience on these Pens, is there (that's actually playing)? Gonchar? Nope. Hossa? Nope. Crosby? Nope. Malkin? Nope.

Great team, but many teams need to get that taste in the finals before winning. Maybe not this year. I'm looking forward to a great, great series.

I dunno, Pittsburgh's being consistantly ranked the underdog, and they're not winning by large margins... They have a system that's working, they have defense that NOBODY is even looking at until the Eastern finals came about, and they've got physical presence that's flown under the radar.

Don't mistake my post, the Penguins are going to be rated the underdogs again, and rightfully so considering the Wings were tops in the league and we didn't even cut tops in the East, but I think people underestimate the Penguins, and I think the Penguins know people underestimate them, and they like it that way. Call it a Pittsburgh thing maybe, but it works with the Steelers when everything seems to be against them too. So far the Penguins, or so they say post-game, like to take it one game at a time, they like to play their style, and try not to get ahead of themselves.

I think in game 4 Thursday they were starting to do that and they came out not as desperate in the first, but they still turned it around and made it a game, they just did it a period too late. They did it against a pretty good team overall though in Philly and I think that's been good.

For experience, there's a couple guys there with it and they get the nods for their experience. Roberts play is off/on, so he's been a factor. I don't know the cup-winners total on the team though, so that level of experience I'm not so sure, but I think that any playoff experience adds to the team overall. Guys with cup final experience are great, but any depth on that issue is a positive to the team overall and there's a number of guys who have playoff runs under their belt now, and younger guys who've only got that one series of course. I don't honestly think inexperience is a factor right now though, personally.

The mantra in Pittsburgh, at least among the people who've been around the sport long enough, is that we've still got to finish a series. The typical bandwagoner fans with any sport are jumping ahead, but the people who have always cared are taking the Pen's advice and looking at it one game at a time.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Rob on May 17, 2008, 05:08 PM

Quote from: Jesse James on May 17, 2008, 02:08 AM

Don't mistake my post, the Penguins are going to be rated the underdogs again, and rightfully so considering the Wings were tops in the league and we didn't even cut tops in the East

You think the Penguins will be underdogs if they're facing the Stars? :o

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Mikey D on May 18, 2008, 07:42 PM

Congrats JJ. Good luck to the Pens in the finals.

A great season and a remarkable turnaround from my team that fell just short. Like I said before, the pieces are there and they should be competitive for the years to come.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 19, 2008, 02:53 AM

Thanks Mike... A lot of Philly guys I talked to were now sorta rooting on the Penguins which I think is cool. Philly easily played the hardest series with us this year. I don't know stats but I bet it was the series with the most hits/checks per game being thrown around. That's a stat I'd dig seeing I think, compared to the rest of the playoffs. And for the most part it was pretty civil too... Weren't many games with scrums after every whistle really, and it didn't have much ugliness to it, just good hockey. I think the Pens were pretty pissed off after the loss though.

About the Pen's and possible Stars match-up, that's a different egg all together Rob, however they're saying the goaltending match-up of Turcco/Fleury would be more evenly matched. By "they" I mean local sports analysts. They feel Dallas isn't the dominant team in the West, most feel Detroit will win, but they think it's the Detroit depth at so many positions that keeps them going, and that their goaltending has coasted. I dunno... We get so little coverage of the West here that it's tough for me to judge fairly. Detroit's flying, but they're stunned right now. I think tomorrow's game is gonna be interesting to say the least. Dallas has the momentum, but you never know when that's going to shift.

I think a Dallas/Pittsburgh match-up gets a more even view from the analysts I've seen/read lately, but these are the same guys that said the Senators would be a really tough series and would go 6 games at least (but most did pick Pitt), and that the NYR and Flyers were simply going to steamroll over Pittsburgh... How many times did we hear, "this is New York's year!", and stuff like that? I recall it was too often, even on national coverage nights. ::)

Anyway, I dunno what to say other than I feel like a kid again... like I did when I was at the height of my days playing hockey, though I know I'm too old for that now. I just have the rush in me that I had in 91 and 92 when Pittsburgh was winning cups and I was really starting to play in more organized leagues in my area despite my health at the time. It's a nice feeling to have again, and now I can take the kids down to the park to pass the puck around a bit... It's not a game, but it's nice to take some shots at the net again and stuff.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Rob on May 19, 2008, 09:51 AM

That was definitely an awesome way to close out a series. I love it when Philly-fan gets kicked in the nuts like that.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on May 19, 2008, 10:15 AM

Quote from: Jesse James on May 19, 2008, 02:53 AM

I just have the rush in me that I had in 91 and 92 when Pittsburgh was winning cups

>:(

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Scott on May 19, 2008, 10:51 AM

Quote from: Jeff on May 19, 2008, 10:15 AM

Quote from: Jesse James on May 19, 2008, 02:53 AM
I just have the rush in me that I had in 91 and 92 when Pittsburgh was winning cups

>:(

>:( >:(

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 19, 2008, 03:29 PM

Sorry...

:-X

Sorry to CorranHorn and his Blackhawks too. :-X :-X

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: CHEWIE on May 20, 2008, 11:30 AM

If Hull was still playing, I'd be rooting for the Wings... (or Stars if we were talking late 90s)... but now, good luck Pens... you're gonna need it!!!

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 27, 2008, 01:36 AM

Meh, you callled it Brent...

The Penguins aren't out, but at the moment as a fan it feels like it. :-\ They've played embarassingly poorly against Detroit, and I think they're sugarcoating it to themselves sometimes. No whining, no crying, the Pens simply have been outplayed by a better team. At the moment I think it's Detroit's to lose... I agree with Crosby's remarks tonight about Osgood, but it's nothing that would've altered the outcome of the games so far.

We'll see how things go back in Pittsburgh, but unless Malkin steps up his game and becomes a sore threat on that second line, I really don't see them coming back. Not that everyone else doesn't need to step up, but this was a bad time for Malkin to just shut down because he's "tired". ::)

I do think experiences is hurting them, but ultimately I think defensive depth has more to do with it. Detroit's system is virtually flawless unless they simply don't show up to play hard. That coupled with Osgood stealing the chances from the Pens, which I called could be a major issue, and it's just snowballed for two games now. It hurts, but such is life. It's good at least playing a team you know is on par with you unlike the Sens whose crowd just whined before the puck was even dropped and felt the Penguins were getting some edge form the league over them.

On a wholely separate note, it's being mentioned in the media here locally that Detroit's "hockeytown USA", yet there were tickets available apparantly for the games that Pittsburgh fans got at a relatively late date from the box offices there. Just something mentioned here that I found interesting... You can't get a ticket here for less than $350 for the last series, so I shudder to think what the finals are selling at, yet they were available in Detroit? Maybe they like the college stuff better than the pro's.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on May 27, 2008, 09:17 AM

Quote from: Jesse James on May 27, 2008, 01:36 AM

On a wholely separate note, it's being mentioned in the media here locally that Detroit's "hockeytown USA", yet there were tickets available

Yeah, that's why Sports Illustrated took the "Hockeytown, USA" title away from Detroit this past winter and gave it to another city that was more deserving (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/michael_farber/12/04/hockeytown1210/). 8)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on May 27, 2008, 10:32 AM

I'm not sure I called it really. It's just an observation that many good or great teams need to lose in the finals before coming back and winning them. I think the talent on the Pens is amazing, quite possibly the best team in the league. But they're lacking playoff experience at the moment.

When I wrote what I wrote I was thinking of a couple of guys on the Wings that have been there before: Hasek, Osgood, Lidstrom and Rafalski previously with New Jersey. I couldn't honestly remember if there were many other Wings that had won cups. I don't think that Zetterberg or Datsyuk were around for the last Wings cup, but might have been. There are probably a couple of other guys there that were though. Still, just having Lidstrom and Rafalski as two top tier defensemen that have been through it before is huge. Leadership, experience, wisdom. The Pens, at this time, lack that. I don't think they will next year and if they can keep the core together, it could well be a nifty little dynasty.

We saw the start of Saturday's game before we went to the Rush concert. When Fleury fell in the gate we all knew it would be one of two things: He'd get a shutout or get hammered, nothing in between. Ouch.

I'm not convinced the series is over. Home ice is huge. I think Osgood can be beat, but it's not so much the goaltending as the defense I've been impressed with.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on May 27, 2008, 03:49 PM

Agreed, and IMO Fleury's been the best Penguin save for his goal he let in on the wrap-around in game 1... Otherwise, he's been as dominant as usual, he just is getting zero help from his forwards. Two goals in Game 1 were gimmes by the Pens who just didn't care at that point it seemed. :( Especially the last one when Gonchar wasn't even taking a body.

I don't think the series is over either, but it's a hell of an uphill climb and I'm even a die-hard faithful to be saying that I think it's virtually impossible. If they storm back and tie it, I think it's a whole new series, but they'll have to take both games at home... They'd have momentum swinging back to Detroit and that's clearly important right now. I think only taking both home games can swing the steamroller our way and undermine the Detroit defense and their experience. You get them on their heels and I think you can steal that one in Detroit, then really have them by the throat. So I remain hopeful... I like to think I'm a realist in most cases but I'll never give up on the Penguins, even if it was a bigger deficit.

Right now a HUGE problem for the Pens too, and this is why I still debate some of the experience issue, is that many of them just aren't clicking on all cylinders. Malkin keeps saying he's exhausted from previous series, and guys like Dupuis keep missing every opportunity handed them on a silver platter. And stupid penalties from guys like Ruutu, Malone, etc. are keeping us from gaining any kind of rhythm. All seem like HUGE contributing factors to the current state of affairs. There's a ton they need to do right, that they simply haven't done yet in this series.

BTW congrats to Minne getting the nod over Michigan... Everyone in Pittsburgh is finding it rather sad that their team's in the finals and had tickets available. I tried 3 times to get tickets to different series, and within 5 - 10 minutes, 2000 tickets sold out. People camped out the night before they went on sale down at the arena to get them. Even if Detroit wins I completely don't respect their fanbase for not selling out that arena. That's a lame-ass thing to me. It's something fans here pride themselves on, that even during our dead last years in the league our arena was selling out or near it most nights in the regular season. There was some really ugly stuff going on in those years too.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on June 2, 2008, 10:18 PM

Obstruction... No call.
Slash and break a stick... no call.
More obstruction... no call.

Kennedy hooks someone and the refs call.

You can't tell me the officiating is anything but horrible in this series. I like to think there's no chance of bias, but even I'm at a loss for words at this point. It's just like the last game where they slapped I think Malkin with a penalty late after putting the whistles away all game... This is ******* sad.

And I'll add something to this...

The guys calling the game clearly hate the Penguins for the most part, and rarely credit them with anything positive, but even they are calling all these missed calls by the refs tonight. It's just sad.

Here's the guys that should raise the cup first...

(http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0WTefcKq0RIFRoAAeWjzbkF/SIG=13dohtag5/EXP=1212546186/**http%3A//cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/Globe_Photo/2007/08/30/1188522376_9347/300h.jpg)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on June 2, 2008, 10:40 PM

At 1.48 left I thought the Pens gave up. Now we're headed to OT! :o

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on June 2, 2008, 10:42 PM

Took everything they could get and every cross-check to the head that Detroit could throw at their heads too, judging by the replay.

Anyway they really did look dead... After they got that immensely bull**** call handed to them, and thus a goal, against Kennedy, they just looked like they didn't care. Then Detroit went up 3-2 and it just felt like anything you tried to do was gonna be met with either a dumbass call or a team that's just in your face every play. They worked their asses off for that last 1:30 or so to get the tying goal though, seriously. They had to fight through some serious stuff just to get a chance there.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Rob on June 3, 2008, 12:51 AM

Excellent finish... hoping for a game 7. 8)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on June 3, 2008, 12:53 AM

Man, 3 OT's and finally Sykora (of all people, as I've been bitching up a storm about him alongside Malkin) got the goal.

The Penguins have to take it one game at a time, that's something being spoken here like a mantra... Back home, one more to make it a new series. Nothing more, nothing less...

As hockey goes, this game was attrocious though... And all my bitching about officials shouldn't be confused that Detroit is, without doubt, a fantastic team and far superior to all 3 Eastern opponents we faced. Those teams put up no fight while Detroit is clearly dominant most of the time against us.

They put sticks int he right places, they bat down passes out of the air, they are fast onto every loose puck... They're still getting away with an assload of penalties every game, far lopsided against us IMO, but they're also a dominant team... It doesn't help that half our guys just seem out of it too (Malkin, Sykora, Gonchar at times, Ruutu, etc.).

I'd add too that the game's pace picked up in the OT ironically and was a bit better. Much more entertaining to watch. I muted the TV though as I cannot stand hearing one more time how good they are and how bad we are by comparison.

Oh and another Edit here... It's ironic that the game is on NBC, which NBC has THE worst sports coverage for hockey in Pittsburgh. They're easily the worst news outlet locally to cover hockey, yet they cover the Stanley Cup Finals... It's painful to watch sometimes because the head of the NBC sports group here only ever pays attention at this time and now he's acting like he's king hockey. **** that guy in the ear with a jackhammer.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on June 3, 2008, 01:20 AM

You won't like me for saying this, but not really having a preference who wins, I just thought the refs swallowed the whistle. I might say that Detroit took more advantage of it than Pittsburgh did, but I saw lots of hacks, shoves, crosschecks and other stuff from Pittsburgh as well. (Not couting the crosscheck to Talbot's head after the goal, that is). That game so easily could have gone either way. Tons of pucks rolling through the crease and just wide; crossbars, goal posts. :o

That was a gooder. Woulda been a good way to end the season :-X ;)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on June 3, 2008, 01:31 AM

Oh don't get me wrong Brent, I agree... I felt like they did swallow the whistles.

Which if you're gonna do... Hey, so be it, but what I hate seeing is those ******** swallow the whistle long enough to cough up one penalty against us at the end of the game. It's tough to argue that point then... They did the SAME thing in the last game. They called Malkin I believe it was for an obstruction penalty, after letting a game of obstruction penalties go by the wayside...

Personally I see more Detroit Clutch & Grab, which to me simply means they're not the powerhouse everyone says they are, they just don't abide by the rules and refs let it go. But there were indeed a lot of penalties not called both directions. I think the Penguins take more cheap shots though with things like roughing, etc. The Wings hitting has been simply incredible for the most part. They obstruct more... To me that lessens my opinion of their supposedly flawless defense. If they're flawless they don't need to do that.

Anyway though, no argument from me there, just I think I see more Detroit stuff not called, and regardless of my opinion you cannot swallow the whistle for 50 minutes, only to call an obstruction call on Kennedy in the last 10 at some point and hand Detroit the game... You just can't do that. Be consistant, regardless if you're calling penalties or ignoring them... Just be consistant so everyone knows if they can cheat or not.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: CHEWIE on June 3, 2008, 03:02 PM

I didn't see this going 6 games... who knows, maybe the Pens pull it out. Still though, they have a tough road ahead of them.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on June 4, 2008, 09:13 PM

Was the game winner from game 5 a 5-3 or 5-4. I was soo tired I can hardly remember most of it, but it was a great game. Still feel wierd cheering the the Pens, especially since I wanted them out for most of the playoffs lol.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on June 4, 2008, 10:45 PM

So very, very close. Wow. Great series Pens, I can see a rematch last year if both teams can stay intact.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on June 4, 2008, 11:03 PM

(apologies to JJ in advance :-\)

As a Red Wings Fan from 1993-2000, I was very happy to see them hold on and win. West is Best! :D

ps.
M-A Fleury is going to be feeling that 3rd goal for a long, long time this summer... :-X

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on June 4, 2008, 11:18 PM

I don't think it'll phase him much... The goal was the fault of defensive coverage, not him. They shouldn't have even had a shot on net, much less a 2nd crack at it, so I'm disappointed more in how people played in front of Fleury at times. To me, Fleury's MVP for the Penguins, hands down. That series wouldn't have gone past 4 games if it weren't for him.

I'm obviously disappointed, but I think the Penguins were easily the best in the East, and I think they were the only team that gave the Red Wings any kind of hell in the playoffs too, and give them hell the Penguins did. They made them earn the cup, which is how it should be.

The Red Wings still were a far superior team... I think we're superior skill-wise, but they have a vastly superior system, they had superior leadership, and they just ultimately were the better team and someone the Pens couldn't overcome in the end. I wish we had games 1 and 2 back personally, as I think we handed two wins to Detroit, and just dug a hole we couldn't get back from.

6 games, and down to the wire. And I think we won the better of the 6 games (the 3 OT win), so hey that's at least something to remember from the series for Penguin fans.

I stand by my earlier statements, but ultimately Detroit was just a better team and deserved to win. It's a shame for us, but this'll only be the first time these Penguins are in the finals. I doubt it's the last. Even with who we'll inevitably lose this off-season, I think if they keep the core guys down the middle (Malkin, Crosby, Staal, Fleury), they'll be fine.

Great series, great games (especially the last two), and like I said, Detroit earned it and Pittsburgh forced them to do so... That's the way it ought to be every year.

Time I guess to go shave... :'(

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on June 13, 2008, 12:05 AM

Hart - Ovechkin
Vezina - Brodeur
Norris - Lidstrom
Adams - Boudreau (Caps)
Calder - Kane (Hawks)
Selke - Datsyuk
Byng - Datsyuk
Masterton - Blake

Surprised by Brodeur's win this year.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on June 13, 2008, 02:06 AM

Me too, to an extent... I mean, I don't think Jersey had a snowball's chance without him, but at the same time I think there were many mroe deserving goaltenders in the league this year... I mean, it wasn't like the Penguins were playing just such stellar defense in front of both Conklin and Fleury... And Fleury's season after he came back was stellar just as Conklin's was before he came back... Was Brodeur really just that good? I didn't keep up on his stats, but really Jersey didn't do **** this year, nor were they expected to by anybody. :-\

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: stormie on June 13, 2008, 09:52 AM

Damn, I'm real disappointed that Nabokov didn't get the Vezina, especially after the season he had. Brodeur and Nabokov had almost identical stats, but I think the nod goes to Nabokov since he led in W, GAA and SO. Plus, Brodeur's already got a enough Vezina's

GP GS MIN W L OTL GA GAA SV% ENG SO
Brodeur 77 77 4635:03 44 27 6 168 2.17 .920 8 4
Nabokov 77 77 4560:56 46 21 8 163 2.14 .910 6 6

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on June 13, 2008, 10:04 AM

If it's any consolation for you guys, Brodeur did help at least one team win a championship this year... 8)

Thanks again, Ryan! :P

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on June 17, 2008, 07:46 PM

Quote from: Jeff on June 13, 2008, 10:04 AM

Thanks again, Ryan! :P

Glad I could help... :-X

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on June 17, 2008, 10:47 PM

Couple teams are being mentioned as hounding us for Malone, including your ~~Stars~~ Wild, Jeff... He's a solid player if you guys get him. You'll be lucky, believe me. He's a local product too, so it'd be disappointing to see one of our local guys leave town, but at this point he's become expendable and expensive.

Word is the Penguins made a pretty big deal to Hossa, and if he takes it then Malone's not even an option for us. :'( This crap's already painful and the 1st isn't even here.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on June 21, 2008, 05:19 AM

Does anyone give a poop about the draft? I can't say I do because the Penguins don't get a pick till the 4th I believe, but the trade stuff going on has me interested for sure. Plus Malkin's been on everyone's rumored trades talk all day, though I think almost all of it was 100% bull****. The Penguins would NOT be looking to deal Malkin to any team in the East, and I think the West is only a hair more likely. I think they're trying to secure him long-term.

The Russian thing that came up seems plausible, but knowing that he defected, I doubt he wants to go back... A higher salary in Russian, still means you'd have to live in Russia... It's kinda like pizza. Even bad pizza is pizza... America may be bad pizza in terms of a lower salary and taxes, but you're still in America playing in the NHL. Russia's league isn't going to do well, IMO.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on July 1, 2008, 06:48 PM

Quote from: Jesse James on June 17, 2008, 10:47 PM

Couple teams are being mentioned as hounding us for Malone, including your ~~Stars~~ Wild, Jeff... He's a solid player if you guys get him.

Looks like Rob is the lucky one...

On a positive note though, the Wild seems to actually doing something, which is nice. I guess things didn't work out with Rolston, but at least we got something for sending his rights to TB for a few days. And, it sounds like we're bringing back Brunette which I wasn't expecting, along with a trade for Zidlicky to help on D.

Should be interesting to see how things shake out in a day or two with all the big FA signings...

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on July 1, 2008, 07:35 PM

Yup, Tampa got 3 Penguins... Malone's good and they'll like him. Roberts they'll either love at times or hate at times. he's a cool guy for you when he's doing what he does best but when he's not "on" he's kind of a waste on the bench.

The shocker is Hall. That stung for us... He's a great faceoff guy, a great mucker on the boards, and he can make great plays at times.

The Penguins are supposedly locked in with Malkin at this point, and that's awesomeness for us. Now to lock in Staal and Fleury. They signed Dupuis which is cool. He's not much for production but he's a great PK guy and he can wear a team down offensively and cover his ass in the defensive end. I'm a big fan of the 2-way players in the league ever since we were spoiled with Francis for so long, so I'm glad he's at least coming back.

I think the gravy for the Penguins would be signing Hossa and Orpik. If they can do that they're sitting pretty after this FA season.

There's rumor again sprouting about Jagr maybe coming back to Pittsburgh, which I'm not a fan of. His best days are over.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on July 2, 2008, 04:59 AM

Quote from: Jeff on July 1, 2008, 06:48 PM

And, it sounds like we're bringing back Brunette which I wasn't expecting,

:'( :'( :'(

I'm really disappointed to see Bruno go. He was one of my favorite players and really was a great asset to this team. I can't say I'm too thrilled with the Avs signings so far. I would have liked to see Sauer stay on another season, he worked so well with Foote. Finger, I kind of liked but I'm not crushed to see him go. I've got mixed feeling on Theodore, he had a ****** series against Detroit but he was the reason the Avs beat the Wild and they played as well down the stretch as they did. But before that he had been a waste of the money we paid him. I don't know if Budaj is ready to be a full time starter though, and I don't know that Raycroft will be able to either... Huet would have been a better choice I think. I don't really know anything about Per Ledin so I can't comment good or bad there. Same with Darcy Tucker. I've heard of him, but we don't see the east too often so I've hardly seen him play and don't know a whole lot about him. I am thrilled Foote and Liles resigned, I really hope Sakic comes back for at least one more year. He is my all-time favorite athlete in any sport and I think he has a few more years left in him.

Quote from: Jesse James on July 1, 2008, 07:35 PM

I think the gravy for the Penguins would be signing Hossa and Orpik. If they can do that they're sitting pretty after this FA season.
over.

Looking at what we have lost so far I'm actually hoping the Avs will nab one or both of them. Sorry Jesse. :P

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on July 2, 2008, 04:12 PM

Quote from: Jesse James on July 1, 2008, 07:35 PM

I think the gravy for the Penguins would be signing Hossa and Orpik. If they can do that they're sitting pretty after this FA season.

So much for that... Hossa signs with Stanley Cup Champs (http://redwings.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=367553)

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on July 2, 2008, 04:20 PM

Quote from: Ryan on July 2, 2008, 04:12 PM

Quote from: Jesse James on July 1, 2008, 07:35 PM
I think the gravy for the Penguins would be signing Hossa and Orpik. If they can do that they're sitting pretty after this FA season.

So much for that... Hossa signs with Stanley Cup Champs (http://redwings.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=367553)

:o :o :o :o

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on July 3, 2008, 12:42 AM

Yup, Hossa gone, but Orpik signed...

Which to be honest, I'd rather have Orpik. We have to have someone steady at the blue line like him over a 2-way offensive player. I'm content at that tradeoff.

Plus the Penguins are looking at it as freeing up a LOT to maybe get two competent younger wingers for depth. Malkin got signed too, and that was a hell of a lot bigger issue. I don't think a person in Pittsburgh expected Hossa to remain here. He wants a cup, and I think he was put off with all the names lost in the recent weeks here in Pittsburgh.

Honestly though, I'm more disappointed Ruutu went to Ottawa than anything. I loved him. That's a big loss, plus no Laraque around. Pens should look to sign Avery maybe. :) He's a tool but he's basically Ruutu's equal in every way and he has a little more scoring potential I think.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: JangoTat on July 3, 2008, 12:10 PM

I just hope Sundin goes to Montreal.

And who is this Jeff Finger guy that the leafs got? I have never heard of him before in my life yet for some reason the leafs find it appropriate to give him a 4 year deal ??? It is kinda wierd to see Cujo back though. I used to love him as a goalie when he played for the leafs before but I have my doubts in him now.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Ryan on July 3, 2008, 04:47 PM

Finger was a rookie on the Avs this past year. I liked him and I kind of wish the Avs would have kept him a bit longer. He was a decent player and was a great agitator/scrapper.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on July 3, 2008, 11:10 PM

So the Pens went immediately to pick up a couple potential high scorers... I thought at the time of free agency about a number of people that could fill Hossa's shoes because nobody expected him to get offered the deal I guess the Penguins offered him. Most of us here, including the sports writers in town, all wrote him off as a rental for last season and nothing more.

Anyway, he's gone so I knew the Penguins would be looking at names, and low and behold Satan came up and that was one of my picks. People ragged on him because of his production, but for the love of god look where he played! People ragged on Malone for production too as he was here in the really **** years it took for us to get Crosby/Malkin... Then look, he blossomed. I think Satan has the potential to fill the net if he's paired with someone actually decent at center, and so I was thinking he was a good choice. Feditenko is a much bigger pick up IMO though and a lot of people think he'll basically give us that gritty forward we lost in Malone and I'm happy about that.

And to top it off Fleury signed for a pretty low salary if he plays to the level he did last year... If he's that good or better in 5 years, it'll seem almost offensive to pay him that little. That guy just earned a ton of respect in my book, as did Orpik and really Malkin too, who didn't take what he probably would've easily gotten in another city desperate for an anchor player.

To me, a lot of talk is going to Hossa, but the Penguins I think have done quite well without him. Nobody expected Orpik back and so I was ecstatic over that. it'd be nice to see them try to acquire a couple slightly inexpensive role players, but at this point in the game the Pens just need to sign Jordan Staal who is one of the greatest up and coming players in the league IMO, and he's the last of the "down the middle" anchors I think.

Beyond that it's all gravy at this point to me... It seemed like it may go bad early as Robers left, and Hossa, and Malone, and then Laraque who is underrated IMO... But man, we came out smelling good today I think, and if we get Staal then everything I wanted done was accomplished and then it's just hole filling time and with a lot of FA's still on the market. The Satan thing is a bit of a gamble, but I honestly think you can't beat a guy down too much due to where he played. The NYI are a joke as a team and had nothing going for them really. So I'm hopeful Satan can blossom with an actually decent line around him. That would just be perfect.

A LOT of folks in Pitt are pissed about Hossa though... And rightly so. he was sort of a dick about the way he handled things, and I guess the reporters here are saying that was 100% his manager... ??? I don't doubt that at all, but man you should try to leave on good terms I think. That's why guys like Jagr are such tainted goods to a lot of teams.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jeff on July 7, 2008, 05:08 PM

Owen Nolan (http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/24000039.html?location_refer=Sports)? Hmmm... I guess they thought we needed someone to fill the role of "wily veteran" now that Rolston is gone. Should be interesting to see how much he has left in the tank at this point...

And Blackhawks Vs. Red Wings at Wrigley (http://www.startribune.com/sports/wild/23999864.html?location_refer=Wild:highlightModules:2)? I may just try to make the drive to Chicago to see that... :D

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: jjks on July 11, 2008, 12:59 PM

Radulov bolts for Russia! (http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=243143&lid=headline&lpos=secStory_main) Words fail for how pissed I am right now, he's still under contract with us! I was already worried about this season, and now we lose one of our most promising wingers. What a waste of a 1st rounder.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on July 11, 2008, 02:41 PM

I'm annoyed with the whole Russia/Euro league thing too... It's something the NHLPA's supporting because it's mo money for everyone there, and basically they've been playing dirty to try and get anyone (even under contract) to bolt for their league(s) with tax free cash (again, playing dirty because that's horse **** on a geopolitical level).

I'd think going to a ****hole country to play hockey would be worse than making a little less and staying in the U.S. where life is decent. I guess to some guys they figure they'll play a while and probably get the hell out of dodge when they're done.

I was shocked Straka took a deal because he's still a solid player... Jagr makes sense because, as he showed in the playoffs, his best years are long gone now. Your guy is young Jamie, so that's double shocking to me that he up and left like that. Sad for the NHL too and hockey in general because those leagues really don't mean **** ultimately.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Morgbug on July 11, 2008, 03:13 PM

Jesse, I'm not sure if you're making millions of dollars you really perceive any of the ****hole country aspect there any more than you worry about the homeless in US. I'd agree the standard of living in the US is generally higher, but there are class differences overseas as well and these guys will be living like kings for all intents and purposes. These are athletes after all, not really known or encouraged to be deep thinkers or altruistic for the most part. And maybe they can do more for their families over there than they can do here, or just see them more.

It sucks, but the NHL really doesn't have that much prestige going for it I'm inclined to think. What it had was money, but it seems that can be matched. How long that league will last remains to be seen.

Title: Re: NHL 2007 - 2008
Post by: Jesse James on July 12, 2008, 01:21 PM

Really though, Kazahkstan? I know Borat's not an accurate representation of the place, but who in their right mind would want to play there over the U.S./Canada in the NHL?

The money makes all the difference in the world I guess but I'd still think living in a country in N. America with massive wealth would just be more appealing to a young man with loads of cash. Not to sound like a "pompous American" or anything... I'd just think you could be stuck in places that make Columbus or St. Louis suddenly look like Disney World by comparison.

The family thing, I could see being an influence mentally though, but it seems a lot of these guys may not be playing near their home country anyway.

It's definately going to hurt the NHL in the long run... I guess, being poor, I just look at how good even the middle or lower-middle class have it here and think if I had the chance to play for more there or less (but still a ****load) here, I'd stay here. Jagr always had a boner for the Czech Republic as his home though, so maybe that is/was all the incentive a guy like him really needed to be closer to his home.

I'd think with their cash though it'd be easier to transplant family to where you are... People with a lot less seem to accomplish it. I dunno.

I noticed too though that a lot of these guys are being offered part ownership stuff, and other incentives like that as well. That can't be hurting their decisions either.

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