I always like the Sporting News ones.

I was at the Thrashers game tonite for my first ever NHL game...

All-in-all, not too much different from an Albany AHL game (though much different from RPI games). The tribute they did for Snyder was real nice - they had a really good collection of video clips of his best moments. It was obvious that the tribute was very tough on the Thrashers - during their skate aroudn the ice after it all their heads were hanging sort of low and stuff.

But once the game started they didn't look too bad. Kovalchuk played the point on the power play. He was real godo there - made some great cross-ice passes. In even strength play, though, he wasn't as dominating.

The defense was very porous - there were always open Columbus cutters through the middle. Passe Nurminen looked wonderful in net - made some really good saves (and unforutanely I missed his one goal let in).

Marc Denis was awful - he made very few quality saves, and his two goals were untouched slappers from the blue line, with not all that much traffic. I didn't really pay attention to C-bus's young guys (Nash, Klesla).

With some luck, I'll make my way out to the game on Tuesday vs. the Isles. I"ll have to leave early, but should be able to stay about halfway through the 3rd period (if not even longer).

Hopefully my Isles will have a better game than the show they put on in D.C. tonite...

for the real, REAL record...they didn't call it the Russian Five, but the KLM line of Larionov, Sergei Makarov, and Vladimir Krutov, with Slava Fetisov and Alexei Kasatonov is the first group I would think about when discussing five Russians playing together.

WOOHOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

But they're not the Wild or Gophers... :confused:

Exactly.... :)

Yeah but Fedorov was not part of that. In Detroit, the five Russians the Wings had were called the Russian Five. Thats what they were talking about. Two totally different things.

You're right about the KLM line. Easily the most famous line in Russian hockey history. But see Ice's post. Fedorov was refering to the "line" he played on in Detroit with the players I mentioned.

Dola.

Wow! Nice way to start the season! Steve Yzerman gets the game winner with 1.7 seconds left! Fantastic!!

Steve Yzerman. There is none higher.

I never had anything against CuJo to be honest. I don't recall him ever beating the Wings in a play-offs series. (This is typically the best way to end up on my most hated list.) I feel bad for the poor guy. Sure he didn't play great in the play-offs (not saying losing the series was his fault), but he deserved better, I think. Poor guy.

bbor, M-Leafs, what is your take on the situation? I can see justifications for both takes. The first, being happy to see him fall on his face and get his comeuppance after bolting for the cash and "a chance to win the Cup." Or, feeling sorry for him because he's a good guy and played well for your team.

I was absolutely amazing! I was at Skyreach for the game, and the crowd was just charged with emotion...watching Grant skate to his net in full gear just brought back so many memories...

That ceremony was worth the price of admission alone.

Joseph bolted from my team once as well and my reaction is Tehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe :)

I read he could be sentenced to a maximum of 15 years so...

RE: Columbus
They were actually busy in the offseason because management feels they need to make the playoffs this season. I don't think their acquisitions will pay those kind of dividends.

klayman,

How's Brewer been in the preseason? He looked a little weak playing for Team Canada but I think he could still develop into one of the better D-men in the league.

Plus, he's on my FOFC team and I need to know whether he should start? ;)

If he gets the maximum, sure. But MacTavish could have got the maximum as well (I'm not sure if it was 15 years back then) and MacT's was DUI, which is worse. I'm not saying he's going to walk away without anytime, but I seriously doubt he'll spend more than 1 to 2 years in jail. He might have difficulty coming back at 2 years off, but it's still possible at his age. He'll likely be out for 1 year anyway with the injuries, so no problem there. Anymore than that, then yeah, maybe his career is over.


I guess it would matter who else you got ;) Brewer is going to get ice time in Edmonton, and he's only the real offensive D-man they have. That doesn't equate to a ton of points though. I think with Niinimaa gone, you can look for Brewer to carry the puck a little more, and he'll get probably around 200 shots this year. I don't know if he'll get more than 35 points though. We leave the scoring up to the forwards.

As far as how he looks, I'm down south in Calgary with you so I'm pretty much looking at the same info you are looking at (unless you shy away from watching Oiler games on tv) :)

I think that Leaf fans handled it pretty maturly.There were some idiots on the radio saying the typical he deserved it type stuff,but i think most people realize that this is a business.I also think that most people don't blame Cujo for leaving,they blame Quinn and the fucked up Leafs front office for letting him go.

Personally...i hope he lands on his feet,but i think his play has really slipped.I think it started during his last play-off run with the Leafs...he looked very ordinary,which for Cujo is very rare.

Sadly i think that he may end his career without a cup :(

Dola

Caught a bit of Fluery's start for the Pens tonight...they lost 3-0....but boy does this kid look good.....48 shots against...i know 1 game a career does not make,but i think he's gonna be the real deal.

BTW the Pens are freakin horrid....i pitty their fans :(

Hey, if you guys have any good picks for lines on games, I'd love it if you posted them

Tonite, the Kings somehow went off at -120 on a moneyline (read, I bet $12, I win $10 if the Kings win). I obviously took the bet, and obviously it held well.

Also, the Avs went off at -1.5 for +120 (I bet $10, win $12). How do you not take that bet??? The Avs of last year + Kariya and Selanne AT HOME against the freakin' BHawks?!!?!?!?

Easy money...

Unfortunately I missed out on a moneyline on the Rangers over the Wild, but I still did well on the night - 2/3.

So please, post good bets that you find...

I watched the whole and was impressed by Fleury as well. He has great positioning but gives up lots of rebounds, but they go to the corners.

The rest of the team. Ouch. The Kings were on the PP for about 1/2 the game though.

Todd

I've always liked Brewer and never understood why Milbury unloaded him. He had a poor season last year so I'm hoping he'll rebound. My defence:

Redden
Kaberle
Ohlund
Skoula
Brewer

I'm tempted to sit Skoula but am indecisive...

i'd probably go with Brewer over Skoula. Brewer's going to get more ice time and powerplay time, and that usually gets you more points. Of course, Skoula's going to get more points being on a much more offensive team.

Guess I'm indecisive as well. Of course the Oilers are on pace to score 410 goals this year :D

And the Flames are on pace for 82! :D

Well, I went to the season opener last night and it rocked. I can't remember a live game I've enjoyed as much as that. Other than the win, the highlight had to be the smooch cam focusing on two hot chicks who didn't disappoint. :D

Whoever has Kobasew on their FOFC Fantasy Hockey team has a really good player. He's only a rookie, and I know the early buzz for Calder is Tuomo Ruutu from Chicago, but Kobasew has speed to burn, is aggressive on the puck, and has offensive flair. He's also getting 2nd PP time, which turned into 1st PP time when the Iginla line had just been on the ice. He scored his first goal last night and I really don't think 20 is an unrealistic target.

Bring on the Greasers, klayman! :D

Yeah, we looked dreadful last night. No desire at all. And you Flamers always bring your A game against us, no matter how bad your team is. There go my 82-0-0 hopes.

As for the girls, last time I was at a home Flames game I was up in the lounge between periods (where else would I be?), and watched in astonishment as these two gorgeous girls held hands and playfully kissed each other as they walked to the bathroom. I damn well forgot I was at a hockey game, which is a nearly impossible task as my gf can attest to. :)

I do. I took him in both leagues I'm in. I'm not one to take rookies at all, but I have a hunch that all the pieces are in place for him to have a nice, nice season.

Leafs played as well as advertised in their opening game.

It only took till the end of the 2nd period for the Boo Birds to come out...mind you it was well deserved.

Oh well..it can only get better....right???

Yeah, Leafs looked real good Saturday night :D

I'll trade you Kaberle for Jovanovski or Lidstrom. :D

Now THAT is funny:D

Me and my big mouth. :(

Wooohooo Leafs have a tie!

Talk in town is that they won't win a game all year.

Sounds like Mogilny could be out for a while. Groin injuries, never, ever a pretty thing especially for a hockey player.

Hey! I just noticed something...

I am now "Hockey Boy"!

Mayhap I would have preferred "Hockey Man" or "Hockey Stud" or, even, "Hockey Lad", but I'll take it, as to avoid confusion with my "good" twin.

Congrats, Blue!

I think Dead thing supporter would have been better:D

Who knows with Mogilny's injury...the Leafs guard injuries closer than latex on my cock:)

From what we've heard about your wife and your "handle", I imagine you must be referring to the "Snug Fit" line Lifestyles is offering nowadays. ;)

Hatcher's out for 4 FREAKING months. Damnation!

I knew it, I knew it, I knew it. As soon as he went down with the "knee sprain" I knew something was wrong. Just like Fischer last year.

:mad:

Yep, just read that. 4-6 months, actually. I knew it wasn't good when he didn't even come back, but that's worst-case scenario.

Sucks for Hatcher. Good for the rest of the league.

Ahem.....Four to SIX months:D

Just had to push the knife in a bit deeper:)

Bad news for Bluenotes fans...Maccinnis has a deteached retina..he may be gone for awhile also.

and in other news, the Leafs still haven't won a game :)

Thankfully, none of these guys are on my FOFC team.

I have lost Zhamnov and MacInnis already :(

FM

Wow. Just got back from the Flames Sabers game...possibly the worst hockey I've seen played in a long time.

Apparently you havent seen a Ducks game this year eh ? :D

noooooooooo........ klayman is right. Absolutely brutal...........

It's hard to believe that was a Sutter team. Very little effort and the top line is invisible. Iggy is not driving to the net, Conroy is always looking for Iggy, and McAmmond is watching the play.

I hope Sutter brings the riot act and sends these guys a message.

$7 million US for 0 points in 4 games is unacceptable.

Not enough hockey talk!

On the eve of watching the worst hockey I've ever seen:

Here's an article on 10 things to improve the NHL. I won't quote it for the lazy people as it is too large (sorry bbor :) )

Personally, I feel most of this list is crap. Brett Hull as commissioner? What a joke. Brett has admitted time and time again that he is not a hockey fan, which is what we truly need (feel free to start up a campaign for me if you are so inclined :) ). And the shootout is not the solution to any question that the NHL might have.

Wider ice surface (which will decrease obstruction) is a must as well as increasing the size of the nets and decreasing the size of goaltender's equipment. I also like the full 2 mins served on the powerplay suggestion. I would add a shorter season into the mix as well (which would happen with contraction, but should happen even without contraction) and bring back the playoff rivalries.

As far as bending the stick blades, that's just stupid. Today's players have enough problems hitting a target without the puck going all over the place.

Thoughts?

I saw the WORST hokey game ever tonight...Lasfs and Isle....horrid game.

Leafs keep this up and they will get a nice top draft pick next spring...if there is a next spring.

Not only that,but a few more losses like tonight and Mr.Quinn will be looking for work me thinks.

BTW Klayman...the only suggestion i like that does'nt disrupt the history of the game is to widen the rink,only problem is that the owners would never go for it,lost revenue and all eh.

How about letting teams decide if they want a wider rink or not? (similar to how baseball stadiums are different sizes, although teams would only really be able to pick one size or the other) Could be interesting, although I don't see it ever happening.

There is a team in the QMJHL that actually has made their rink wider though. I guess the idea is to build a team suited for the rink to try and give their team an advantage... don't think it's really worked out well though.

I'll be at the Stars-Leafs game tomorrow night. Watch for me on TV!! I'll be way up at the top, where the snow doesn't melt.

Hockey?
 

How about, my Rangers suck...again....and thank goodness I don't have to read about it every day in the papers because I don't live there. Pardon me for bumping into Lindros and shattering his collarbone.

I hope you beat the string of being-at-the-game-and-watching-the-worst-hockey we seem to have going. Of course, with the Leafs playing that's not likely :)

You're gonna be watching the game from Canada?? :D

speaking of which, it snowed In Quebec City today DAMNIT!!! There was a good inch or two on the windshield of my car after work... 25 minutes later, back home, nothing anywhere... I'm not ready to get into the 6 months battle with snow yet...

FM

OUCH!

We had a Balmy 16 degrees here today in TO, Froggy:D

Yeah, it bites! I've still got my all season, all worn out tires on my car. Gonna switch 'em this Saturday. Gonna have to do some very careful driving.

Since you're in Canada, that 16 is the same 16 I know, Celsius, right?!? :eek: OH MAN!!! (in a whiny Bart voice)... This gonna be another loooooooooong Winter... :(

FM

err...ya celsius...i've been Americanized by this board:(

GO BLUES!
Down 3-1 and end up scoring 4 unanswered!
OHH BAAAAAAAAAAAABY!!!!

yeah, was gonna say, nothing to boast about 16F :p Well, it was just about 0 today, -3 or -4 with windchill (thus the snow) and should be -6 or so tonight with the windchill... The woodstove is warm and we're ready :)

FM

Since I'm practically from Columbus (10 mins away), I've gotta throw in here that I love the moves that the CBJ's made during this offseason and I think that having MacLean a full year behind the bench, a full year of experience for Nash, and some nice acquisitions (Sydor, Marchant, ect..) that this team will be a lot better than last year's "team". Before they came here to Columbus, I knew very very little about hockey and wasn't too interested in it. Now, its my favorite sport, going to the Blue Jacket games top any other regular sporting event, and I'm pumped to see them make a run at the playoffs. Now, here's a couple questions for those that have a lot more hockey knowledge than I do:

1. Am I being realistic about thinking of the playoffs? Or are they still a year away from having a good shot at it?

2. What's your opinion of Rick Nash, I know he's gonna be an awesome wing, but is there someone that is established right now, that his style is compared to?

3. What's everyone's opinion on their new 3rd jersey? Personally, I think its sweet because its very simple, yet very fitting at the same time. If you haven't seen it, you can go to their website and its on the front page

Columbus Blue Jackets Website

I actually really like Columbus. I think they have a shot at the 7-8 spot, but the playoffs aren't a sure thing for them, that's for sure - just somewhere after Detriot, Dallas, Colorado, Vancouver and St. Louis.

I agree! He argues for calling more obstruction penalties (#1) saying that calling more penalties will disrupt the flow of the game less than the obstructors do. THEN in calling for going back to one ref (#7), he says there are too many unnecessary penalties. Wha?

I like what Columbus did in the offseason.They made some good aquisitions.Maclean is a smart GM/Coach,he is on the radio in Toronto all the time.

I would'nt expect him to be the coach for longer than this season,i see it purely as a cost cutting move until after the CBA is settled.

Regardless...if all things fall into place they could land in the 7th or 8th spot.

Since no one else has done it...


Seriously, tho- the team might actually be heading in the right direction for the first time in... quite a few years. Now, maybe it's just ownership being cheap, but after the debacles with Theoren and others, they've just decided to go with a youth movement. Lots of young talent, especially with the forwards. Tuomo Ruutu looks like he might be the real deal and it would be nice to have someone who can actually score. Maybe he'll be the next Amonte or JR, you know the only guy on Chicago who can actually score a goal. God forbid, this franchise actually get some offense... but I digress. A talented but very green offense with a less-than-mediocre defense... well, it's going to be a long season. Again. The franchise is becoming more and more removed from their playoff streak of 28 straight years.

This team isn't going anywhere this year unless Thibault is the second coming of Patty Roy and while he's won me back from the ranks of those that thought he was a worthless, overhyped piece of trash- he's solid, not a once-in-a-generation/best-of-all-time player.

SI

Well, the Hawks could always get Joseph. He was waived again a few days ago...

I don't think Mr.Wirtz would like to pay Cujo's salary eh.

I don't think anyone wants to pay Joseph's salary...

Actually they were down 3-0

stupid oilers. :(

Someone has to take his salary. Please! Anyone, anyone? What the Wings are hoping to do is trade him and pay a portion, I would say around 30-40% of his salary to help coushin the blow. I just hope the Rangers keep sucking or someone elses goaltending goes kaput. The Wings need some more punch upfront. They have looked completely listless over the last two games and the loss of Hatcher for the year doesn't help. I have no idea what the Wings could get for CuJo some names like Lang and Nedved have been floated. I assume it will be some veteran forward with a big contract of his own. It would be a contract swap, the Wings picking up the difference between CuJo's contract and the forward's. That's the only way I can see this working. No one is going to bail out the Wings.

It's nice to see Colorado losing so badly, 6-3 in Edmonton (go Oil!) and 4-1 versus Boston. They are giving up waaaay too many goals. It's what most people expected (and I hoped for), the young tandem isn't holding up too well. Unless things improve dramatically Colorado will have to make a trade for a veteran netminder (Khabibuhlin? Burke? Kolzig?) to have any shot in the play-offs. That being said, I don't know if the blame falls squarely on the young goalies' shoulders, Colorado's defense isn't all that great from the blueline out. Blake, Foote, and Morris are good, but after that? Chris McAllister, Skoula, and a bunch young guys? As for checking forwards? Jim Cummins? What?? Is there a decent penalty killer outside of Forsberg?

Good to see Hemsky scoring at about a point a game pace. Have him in a fantasy league. The kid needs to shoot more though. He really does.

For whatever it's worth, the Caps will be trading Steve Konowalchuk to the Pens tonight. That probably means that Mike Grier will be the new captain.

I think Rick Nash is the real deal. He put on about 15 pounds in the off-season and I don't think he's stopped growing. He'll be one of the top power forwards in the league eventually and I can see him being on the Canadian National Team somwhere in the future.

I also really like Marc Denis. He's a workhorse and Maclean will get them playing better defense. Brathwaite will also lessen Denis' workload which should keep him fresher.

I picked Nash and Denis for my fantasy team so I may be biased. ;)

And I do like their new jersey...

As far as rules changes are concerned, what I would really like to see is:

1) serve the full two or four minute penalty;
2) play 4-4, 4-3, 3-3 if penalties allow (the old Oiler's rule from the early 80s)
3) pull the nets away from the boards back to where they were (get the action in front, not in the corners)
4) automatic icing

dola

and for the love of Christ, get the goalies playing with properly sized equipment circa 15-20 years ago...

Wow....Leafs beat Dallas....nice work.

WTF is with the new Stars Uni?

Yeah, that thing is NASTY. Makes me yearn for the mid-90's LA Kings alternates ;)

close.

I don't think it's the goalies' fault. Sauve did play pretty bad against the Oilers, but it was his first NHL game. The Avs seem to be trying to score 10 goals a game - they need to put some emphasis on their own end.

I love the acquisition of Konowalchuck - seems like a good guy to have on the team.

Personally, I'd like to see the Avs experiment and split up all that talent onto 3 lines, not two. Put Forsberg and Hejduk on 1, Selanne and Kariya on another, Sakic and Tanguay on a 3rd. Not sure it will ever happen, but that's what I'd like to see.

I think the Avs biggest problem is their coach.Who the hell leaves that kinda line up in the hands of a rookie coach?

Seems like a waste....Perhaps you need a Ted Nolan in there????

I'd love to have Ted Nolan. Of course, I'd prefer to have Hartley back, but that's another story.

Ted Nolan. There has to be something seriously wrong with the guy. Well, there had to be. As of late, from what I've read, whenever he's been interviewed for a job teams have found him completely out of touch with the league. He seems reluctant start again in the minors or take on any role that isn't NHL head coach. It's too bad really, but something has to be wrong there.

I loved Tony Granato as a player. He had a special place in my heart after playing so well for me in my first ever Strat-O-Matic hockey league. I had the 1991 Kings and the line of Gretzky-Granato-Sandstrom was unstoppable, with Granato scoring well over a goal a game. It's sad to see him coaching the Forces of Darkness.

I heard something about him possibly having the biggest ego on the planet. After what happened between he and the front office in Buffalo I think a lot of GM's are leery of working with him.

Exactly. Ted Nolan had two problems:

- He tried to backstab his GM, which meant he was going to be blacklisted for a season or two

- In the meantime, he refused to take a minor league or even assistant coaching job anywhere. So now that teams would be willing to hire him, they can't, because he's been out of the loop so long.

The guy was a great coach, but he brought this on himself.

I go to check the box score for my fantasy team's stats for the day and what do I see:
Man, it must be a bad year when you don't even get credited for a goal you score.

SI

Damn the Oil got their @ss handed to them tonight.

Any word on Comrie returning?

At least the Oilers are doing their part in allowing 6 goals a game the last 2 games. :rolleyes:

Comrie won't help this team at all. Last I heard, he doesn't want to come back here at all.

Kovalachuck...wow...

I'm glad he was available as a free agent at the start of the in my fantasy hockey league :eek:

I think it is usaual for goalies to be ahead of shooters at this point of the season.

As goalies play more and wear down,and as back-ups play more games...as well as forwards finding their range i think goal scoring will go up as the season progresses.

I'm calling it now...Fluery for the Calder...this guy is freakin amazing.

If he gets on a good team he could break some goaltending records.

Yay for Yzerman, Hasek, and the Wings. Way to put it to Dallas, lads!

It's great to see Smith fired today, but I fear that as long as Wirtz is the owner, the team will continue to suck. At least this is a step in the right direction.

SI

Until Wirtz dies and Pulford is gone, Chicago isn't going anywhere.

Lafs win 3rd in a row...Torontonians are planning sir Stanleys parade route :)

On a more serious note./...the Lafs honoured Gilmour tonight,very nice ceremony.

Antone catch the Oil/flames game?

1st fight 2 seconds into the game
2nd fight 12 seconds into the game
3rd fight 34 seconds into the game

3 fights in 34 seconds...Awesome.A total of 14 fighting majors were handed out.

Someone send me tickets to the rematch...i wanna go!

Isn't that going to be the outdoors game as well?

unless there's more than one outdoor game, I thought the Habs were part of one...

FM

One outdoor game. Edmonton vs. Montreal. That's it. There is no other outdoor game scheduled for the NHL.

Oops, I thought it was going to be Edmonton/Calgary outdoors. My bad.

Yeah, that was an awesome game! The BOA is back!

The Greasers didn't want the Flames for the outdoor game because they figured it wouldn't give them enough media exposure. I think NYR was the original team sought.

On another note, where does Jarome Iginla fit among NHL wingers? The year he won the Art Ross and Rocket Richard trophies, he basically did it by himself. I realize McAmmond and Conroy had career years but that was a by-product of playing with Iggy I think.

Last year he was injured early which hurt his productivity in the first three months. When he got healthy, he scored at a ridiculous pace and still ended up with over 30 goals.

So is he a 30+, 40+ or 50 goal forward? I remember thinking during the Olympics when he was playing with Sakic and Gagne, what if? If he had sweet passer like a Weight or Oates and didn't have to create everything himself, I think he would definitely be elite. Stuck with the Flames (as much as I hate to say that), I don't think he'll evolve beyond a consistent 35-40 goal scorer and rugged winger. Although, in today's NHL, that's pretty impressive.

One note to add on last nights Oil/Flames game.Oliwa...noted NHL goon scored his first goal in 4 years...on a break away...and holy shit what a move he put on Salo...he looked like Gretzky.