Ping MBBF of the Greater Kansas City Marketing Committee

hartford?

Darn you. I had the same thought. :D


Would Baldwin make a play for them?

Any chance they might end up in Quebec?

Personally, I'd like to see them stay in Atlanta because I think even with minor successes in Tampa and Raleigh, a failure in Atlanta (generally considered the media capital of the southeast) would just renew the whole drumbeat from the snobs who want all the teams removed from the Sun Belt. This is in spite of the fact that it looks like Tampa has stabilized after a period of decline, Carolina is in Raleigh through at least 2024, and Florida, in spite of dismal failure on ice and in the stands, is pretty much going nowhere due their lease agreement, as well. Dallas has suddenly become vulnerable because of how badly Tom Hicks f'ed up things there, but the Stars, when they were successful, were among the biggest moneymakers in the league for a while, so I expect someone to step in at some point there.

Got tickets for the Ducks game last night, 5 rows back from the glass and access to the VIP lounge (free beer so I'm just recovering now) - absolutely epic night. Don't think the Ducks have what it takes to get past the Preds even with the win but damn that was fun.

Phoenix knows this is the NHL playoffs right?

What's the word with Columbus? Any chance they could be moved?

I wouldn't mind seeing a team in the Pacific Northwest. Portland, with the arena advantage over Seattle, makes sense.

As for Dallas, I don't see them moving at all. They just need to get themselves back into a stable owner (Mark Cuban?) and the playoffs.

Ugly. Should be 6 or 7 to nothing by now at least

The Mule! Talk about gritty.

I don't understand the hatred that Bettman and his cronies have for the Wings franchise. I have seen so many non-calls in this game against Phoenix, yet the Wings are getting penalties for sneezing in the wrong direction. Same shit, different year: Detroit has to beat the opposing team and the referees.

Oh, and Doan & Jovanovski are bitches.

dude are you serious?

not watching the game but if Detroit is getting jobbed then consider it karma for the past 2 decades of BJs the red wings have gotten from the league...

I can count numerous absurd penalties against the Wings in the past several years that were never called a decade or two ago. NHL officiating is fucking ridiculously bad, and if they are going to call something against one team then call it against the other as well. The inconsistency is mind-boggling.


I am not really sure what you are referring to here. The Wings are one of the best run organizations in all of pro sports, and have been for the past twenty years. It has nothing to do with the league or so-called "BJs".....

This is not limited to the Wings. Its not a team to team, or even game to game issue. Its nearly shift to shift that things change.




The Wings perfected the (Edzo reference ) subtle interference play by the second D back. All teams use it now. Detroit just does it better than anyone else. If you really wanted everything called, that should get whistled every time.

sabres game on pace for 12-11 final with about 700 penalty minutes total

Who misses a playoff game because of dehydration? Did the Bruins staff forget to supply water?

I think they are just covering for him, he's probably getting that much needed heart transplant.

I guess it does make sense to take care of him first but I hope the rest of the team isn't too far down the list.

Oh sweet lord. It's considered kosher to wait to lose a game before you start sniveling about officiating. I know you guys haven't lost a game in 20 years unless it's been because of a goalie (yours or theirs) or officiating, but it's beyond fucking old. If you're going to put your tinfoil hat on, at least stay in your basement and leave the rest of us alone.

Tonight's Bruins game went like this:

Chara a late scratch due to dehydration for a playoff game against your arch rivals. To be fair, he looked terrible on the ice in warmups but still, it's the playoffs.

Montreal scores twice in the first 2:20. The Bruins spend the rest of the 1st period peppering Carey Price with saves but cannot score. The Bruins then turn the puck over about 5,392 times in the neutral zone and try to force passes through two or three Montreal defenders again and again. The Bruins finally score a goal, first in the series, but Montreal regains its two goal lead on another bad neutral zone turnover and a bad rebound that Thomas failed to control. This team is done. They look listless and unmotivated and lack the on-ice leadership to make a difference. I fully expect them to be swept in this series.

Not sure how I feel about the Bobby Ryan suspension. It looks bad, but the the puck is there. Colin called it reckless.

Should have been a game though I am fine with two. The issue I had with it is there is no reason for anyone to ever make that type of motion with their foot on the ice, ever. What was he going to do if he didn't hit his foot, just step on the puck?

There are so many things wrong with your ridiculous post, where should I start?

1) I am married with four kids and don't even have a basement.
2) I wasn't sniveling about the officiating, just calling it how I see it. I will be happy to point out bad calls for every other team as well if needed, but as a Wings fan, I tend to concentrate on my team, not yours.
3) If my post somehow offended you, and you feeel the need to insult me and tell me to "stay in my basement", please feel free to stop reading my posts. Fair enough?

k thanks

I think his explanation was that he was trying to kick his foot away and just got it all wrong. I honestly don't think Bobby Ryan is that kind of player to try to hurt somebody like that intentionally, but it didn't look good

As a Ducks fan I have no problem with 2 games. There are some things in a game of hockey that are so dangerous that a clear message has to be sent, and stamping on a prone player with a razor sharp skate is definitely one of them.

Yeah I agree with that. I don't believe there was intent, but he was incredibly reckless.

I think the Rangers scored with 0.1 seconds left in the 2nd period

No goal...

Ping Roma: This is a team getting screwed by the refs. If this was the NBA we'd have five posts by now saying the fix is in and the league wanted to see a seven game series between two big east coast markets.

I'm with you...I think that's a good goal. Unless war room has above the goal view with clock, not sure how they determine time.

Official called it a goal, though I admit I don't know rules there as far as with the clock. He may be signaling its across the line, but has no idea on the clock.

Also, a Pens fan and Flyers fan agreeing on a goal for the Rangers...something wrong here.

From Toronto: The official burn-in clock on the overhead camera had time expired before the puck crossed the line.

Caps offense looks really flat today. The passing in particular looks lackadaisical. With the exception of a lot of stupid penalties the defense has been pretty good.

They showed that view on TSN. Was definitely 0:00 before puck could be seen in net.

Nice chance for Collie to make a statement on the Torres on Seabrook hit.

Under normal circumstances, the call on the ice may be enough. But blindside head contact, and it's your first game back from a prior suspension?

He got 4 last time, I'll say 6, which would take him until sometime in the middle of the 2nd round.

I didn't realize Chris Rooney broke his fibula on that fall in the Caps/Rangers game. That's a tough guy to skate off after that.

Steve Downie should be missing a game or so. Hit on Ben Lovejoy really similar to the flying hit on Dean McAmmond that got him 20 games a few years back.

But since Lovejoy got up from it, might be one game.

Kunitz should join Downie on the suspended list with that elbow on Gagne.

They'll both get a spin of the wheel.

But since the victims skated away, all suspensions divided by 4.

Nice to see the Bruins finally show up for one tonight

Are you referring to the Wings or the Rangers?

Bruce Boudreau is a complete idiot. I realize he is trying to bait the Rangers and take the heat off his players, but c'mon....talking shit about the other team's arena during a playoff series? I lol'd at him and his seven chins when I read this...


NHL playoffs: Washington Capitals coach Bruce Boudreau rips MSG after New York Rangers victory - ESPN New York

If he doesn't get suspended for that... well let's just say the league is doing everything they can to get Crosby back in these playoffs. Kunitz is one of my favorite non-Ducks but that was inexcusable - he's been taking lessons from Matt Cooke.

Both Kunitz and Downie with hearings today.

Funniest thing I've seen in awhile on NHLN-- Kelly Chase on the Downie hit.

(Paraphrasing here): "I love what Downie did...Lovejoy is 6'3", Downie around 5'9". So, to play with these guys, you've got to get up to their level"

WHAT?

The head contact seems incidental, but you just can not leave your feet.

Kunitz...that is the Cooke on McDonagh hit all over again.

I think he was referring to the Rangers getting the calls in that game. I don't think there was a call I could point to as being terrible, but we certainly got plenty of PPs.

Boudreau's comment would be funny if it wasn't so stupid. Really, a 15 year old acoustically-tuned arena is more modern and louder than a 40+ year old building that is currently being gutted during a massive renovation? Pretty interesting.

If Bruce Boudreau is an idiot for talking shit about ther other team's arena during a playoff series, I guess you would have to add Scotty Bowman to your idiot list, because he did the exact same thing. I believe it was Colorado's arena at the time when he was coaching Detroit. He complained about the locker rooms and the lack of room on the bench. In fact, the Wings even built a small bench extension that they brought with them.

I know Bob Cole has lost a step, or two or three over the years, but I still love hearing him call games. Listening to/watching the third period last night between Montreal and Boston was fantastic.

When Boudreau has 12 Stanley Cup rings I might take him more seriously.

While not playoff related, the NHL and NBC are making a big announcement today.

It looks like the NHL will be staying on NBC/Versus (soon to be called "NBC Sports Channel") for the next decade or so.

NHL set to announce new TV deal - The Globe and Mail

To be honest, I am perfectly fine with this.

I have no real problem with the NBC/Versus coverage of the NHL. It’s not perfect and they could still refine some things, but with ESPN carrying baseball, basketball, football and college football, I think the NHL would get squeezed out time and time again on that network.

Also, what NHL luminaries are over at ESPN that would be such a huge improvement over what Versus/NBC offer? Barry Melrose and Matthew Barnaby? Riiiight.

I just think ESPN’s docket is too crowded. Even if ESPN did have the NHL, it would still be treated as the red headed step child far too often. It would definitely get more exposure on the networks than it does not (that bar is low), but it would still be paltry.

Also, ESPN has really gone down the tubes ever since around 2004 or so. Unless there is college footbal or NFL football on, I never watch any of their networks. Sportscenter has become and over produced bore of a show. If I want NFL news/highlights, I will turn on the NFL Network. If I want NHL highlights/news, I turn to the NHL network.

As for “growing” the sport via ESPN. Let’s face it. Hockey is a niche sport. It’s a wonderful, fantastic niche sport, but I am not sure how much more it can grow. Look at what’s happening in Phoenix and Atlanta. Those were both efforts to “grow” the sport in the US. So long as the NHL can continue to function as it is and there are enough revenues, I am quite content to have the sport be the wonderful, little niche sport that it is. Move Phoenix back to Winnipeg. Put Atlanta in Hamilton and lets move on.

I'm with you on ESPN being too crowded for hockey. Not to combine threads, but it's why Big East football fans are so adamant about the TV deal being shopped to other networks, at the very least to obtain better terms even if they end up sticking with ESPN. Otherwise, the majority of BE football will go to the same place that the majority of hockey would...ESPN3.com.

He did have a dozen donuts during the interview, doesn't that count for something?

Agree with all of this except the part about moving the Coyotes back to Winnipeg. I am moving to Phoenix this summer (wife got a job and is from there), and I want an NHL team within viewing distance, plus I can then see some Wings games when they come into town. Sorry Winnipeg....:cool:

Well played sir. :lol:

NHL & NBC Sports Group Announce New 10-Year Deal; All Stanley Cup Playoff Games to be Televised Nationally - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers

10 years, expanded playoff coverage. NBC remains exclusive broadcast network, Versus remains exclusive cable outlet.

It's about time somebody decided to air all playoff games nationally in the US. I can't remember if it was last year or the year before, but there was a season where none of the Devils playoff games aired nationally. I get that there are ways to find streams online and whatnot, but I'd much rather watch on my television. Assuming the Devils make the playoffs next year, I will get to see all 7 games they'll play, from the energizing first shift to the soul-shattering heartbreak at the end.

Thanks, NBC!

One game each for Downie and Kunitz.

Bylsma presser was pretty funny-

"We have Eric Tangradi as an option, Mike Comrie is an option, Nick Johnson is really close (returning from concussion), he may be an option...Eric Godard also skated today"

It's also similar to the hit Kunitz put on Kimmo Timonen a few years ago in the playoffs which you called a good hockey hit :)

Not sure if this is good or not. 10 years definitely adds some stability for the NHL and from what I hear the ratings on Versus has steadily increased. I just think that if you had it on ESPN you would get more carry over viewers from ESPN's other programming, while I believe Versus is strictly a destination channel.

I just VS would put a bit more effort into its NHL coverage. It just feels and sounds rather second-rate to me. Starting with Mike Emrick.

what the foxtrot

Wow...I thought I was bad saying that Doc wore women's glasses...Galaxy just kicked Pumpy square in the nuts.

Don't mess with me when I'm angry.

Without watching both, Kunitz is inside the zone, about the faceoff dot (maybe deeper?). Downie is out by the blueline.

If anything, the Kunitz hit is illegal now because Crosby, I think, is right on him, and as the rule's written now, can't make the hit while already receiving lateral or back pressure. AKA the Colby Armstrong special.

Nice start Sharks... @&$!*

:(

It's funny. I've been on the board while the second period has been going on and it seemed like every time I looked up from reading a thread, another goal was scored. 5-3 LA now and there's still three minutes to go in the second period. :eek: Good run by the Sharks to get back into it, though.

edit: Scratch that, now 5-4 with 1:25 to go in the 2nd. This is nuts.

edit again: Now 5-5. :eek:

Holy crap! What a comeback.

This is setting up to be an awesome 3rd period.

Guess I won't be getting much sleep tonight. I will not miss the end of this game between the Sharks and Kings.

Same here. Being in the Eastern time zone sucks for a game like this.

Seems like something's gone wrong, though. Nine minutes have gone by and nobody's scored yet. What's up with that?

Not for the lack of either teams trying. I have never seen so many odd man rushes in one game in my life.

Is the Staples Center actually sold-out?

And man, I flipped the game off when LA had that big lead.

I was stunned to see the number of idiots around us leaving the Honda Center during game 2 in the last 5 minutes of a 4-3 game.

I guess beating LA traffic is more important than watching the end of the playoff game you paid hundreds of dollars for...

Burn

Wow.

That was crazy.

Bummed for the Kings. That Ducks-Kings series I keep hoping for seems less and less likely. They'll need to rebound quick and then try to do it all again uyp in San Jose.

As for the Ducks, I hope they show what they're worth tomorrow.

"CAN YOU HEAR US???"

Great 2nd period for NYR.

I just got in a twitter fight with Damien Cox and he blocked me. Pussy!

HAahahahahh

Cox is the biggest ASSHAT in the world.

Arron Asham has 3 goals in the playoffs so far.

Let that sink in a minute.

I believe he had 4 last year.

Good thing Philly hung onto Carcillo

Carcillo has 1 playoff goal...and how many games did Asham play this year in the regular season?

3rd period...not so much.

Overtime.

About 30 games, missed about 20 with a concussion, plus shoulder issues all year.

OT in Tampa too

Paul Davorski breaks up a 2 on 0 breakaway for the Rangers.

I'm legitimately nauseous.

I'm happy with it. My problem with ESPN is that I feel it would get buried behind other sports that are more popular. While Versus will build their entire network around it.

I don't feel quite as bad, since the Pens lead the series 2-1.

But I am still anxious.

Texting back and forth with an old work friend, we decided NHL playoff OT is like eating 5 Big Macs, 3 Whoppers and a Baconator. In 4 minutes. While having sex. On a rollercoaster.

I haven't decided whether the "hockey will get more exposure and someday gain immense popularity" people are better or worse than their soccer counterparts.

Soccer is a cheap and simple game to grow. Hockey not so much.

James Neal in 2OT.

Pens lead 3-1

Gaborik in 2OT...only he poked it off Jason Chimera while Lundqvist was trying to cover up.

Shitty way for a 2OT game to end.

A true cheapie.

Excellent series sweep by the Wings, now for some rest for the vets. Zetterberg and Franzen should both be available for the 2nd round series.

I was worried about the Wings heading into the first round. The team had three glaring weaknesses since the All-Star break, all concerning the defense and all inter-related. First, they had trouble clearing the puck out of their own zone. Time and time again they just threw the puck up the boards only to have it intercepted and dumped back low. Second, teams could endlessly cycle down low on them. I am not sure if it is the defensive scheme or the players, but it happened a lot. Third, bad give aways in their own end. I think it was a combination of not being able to clear and being tired from chasing the other team cycling down low that led to some horrendous giveaways.

All three reared their ugly head in the first 10 minutes or so of Game 1 against Phoenix. It looked horrible. They finally managed to right the ship in the second period of that game and, besides some really bad penality killing, they never looked back.

Datsyuk has been playing some of his best hockey all year. He was a force of nature in the first two games. Hanzal shut him down, more or less, in games 3 and 4, though he had an amazing assist on the first goal last night.

Howard was solid. He didn't really give up a bad or soft goal all series and made some really excellent, timely saves. He completely out played Bryzgalov in each and every game. I saw some statistic that compared Bryzgalov's playoff numbers - wins, goals against and save percentage - against everyone else and those same numbers against the Wings. It pretty much told the story. He got some bad breaks, but also let in several very bad goals.

The biggest improvement for the Wings, over last years, has been the play of Helm and Abdelkader. Abdelkader was centering the second line, since Zetterberg was injured, and Helm was probably the Wings second best forward, after Datsyuk, in every game. His speed put constant pressure on the Coyotes defense. It was great to see those two young players take a much more prominent role. Kronwall has also stepped up his game. He was the leader in ice time for all Wings defensemen. Lidstrom's ice time has been reduced considerably, which is a good thing for him. Time marches on for everyone.

It was very much a "team" win in this series with 13 different Wings scoring at least one goal in the four games.

I think the time off will be good. The Wings didn't have Zetterberg or Franzen last night. Fewer games mean fewer bumps, bruises or worse. As we all know the Wings have been an "old" team since about 1997.

The Wings could still work on those issues I mentioned above, as they flared up from time to time, and definitely need to sort out the PK.

Quick, which Bruins team will show up in Montreal tonight?

It would be kind of poetic if the Coyotes move to Winnipeg after this sweep. If I remember right, the last Jets playoff series was against the Red Wings too.

Indeed it was.

Wings need to stay out of the box and limit the sloppy play through the neutral zone, especially if we end up playing San Jose next. They have guys who can actually make us pay as opposed to the Jets. Our PK needs to step it up as well.

Some of my own thoughts on what I've seen thus far from the Wings:

1. Jimmy Howard might be playing his best hockey of the season, but the defense in front of him still looks a little leaky to me, which is a significant reversal from what we've seen over the past decade or so (Osgood -was- a serviceable netminder, but had really good defense in front of him). Time is finally catching up with Lidstrom. He's still good, don't get me wrong, and there is still no one else I'd rather have quarterbacking my power play. But Kronwall is probably the closest thing they have to a lock-down defender now.
2. As has been mentioned, the penalty kill needs to step it up a little bit. It's been far too passive for my taste ever since Babcock took over. Even a little bit of token pressure on the point-men can pay big dividends, so long as you don't over-extend.
3. Offensively the team is clicking really well right now, so I expect a lot of 4-3 results the rest of the way. Nearly everyone seems to be getting into the mix in the offensive zone, and I -really- like the change they've made with Holmstrom, moving him 6-12 inches further out from the paint. He's still effective, but we haven't even sniffed one of those horrible disallowed goals yet.
4. Helm continues to impress. The stretch last night when he took out Yandle, then fed Eaves for an easy goal was a thing of beauty. Bright, bright future ahead for him (hopefully in a Red Wings jersey well past next year).
5. I would pay money just to watch Pavel Datsyuk handle the puck. They should start playing Ragtime over the loudspeakers at the Joe every time he gets the puck on his stick in the offensive zone.