You can say that again.

Oh wait, you did.

LOL:D

Great stuff, ML.

Not sure if the Oilers are for real or not...they did this to start last season as well...but they are a lot more fun to watch than they used to be.

Wings/Sabres tonight on VS

Very nice ML.

What happened to Detroit?

Lost 40% of their offense from last season through free agency and injury.

Besides, it's one game. They got blown out by Nashville and Columbus last year something like 8-0 and 8-2 or something.

I know how that feels being a Sabres fan.

Defense looks terrible, a very poor effort from the entire team. Hopefully they can pick it up against the Kings on Thursday.

Bad news for the Sabres is Vanek is out for "weeks".

Uhm...no Chelios and the Wings are losing? Am I missing something here or is the solution right in front of Ken Holland?

;)

PLEASE STAY HEALTHY MARIAN! His goal last night was just such a smooth play.

In other news, Vinny Prospal has been a great cheap FA signing.

Wait till the hitting picks up...Prospal won't be going into corners anymore for pucks, and will vanish like a fart in the wind.

The Rangers have impressed me though.

Well historically he does alternate good/shitty years, so we're hoping to benefit from that.

Del Zotto has been incredible. His passing is top notch for a 19 year old. The only thing I'm worried about at this point (hard to be worried in a 6-game winning streak) is that the 2nd line has really struggled to score. Once everyone else cools off, which will obviously happen, they need to start stepping up.

This team really could be special if Cherapanov was here. So sad.

I hope Del Zotto keeps it up, I just picked him up on my fantasy team.

good news is he's really out "days" :)

Yeap. Could be back by the weekend.

LOL, classic moment in the Coyotes-Blues game on NHL Center Ice. They are taking their time reviewing Jovanovski's OT goal, they zoom in on him and he yells real loud "come on you fucking prick/dink/something else offensive" at the ref.

Also Kariya scores one of the most bizarre goals you will ever see, Yandle brings the puck out from behind his own net, sits there for a second and Kariya just slaps the puck off his stick through the legs of Bryzgalov who is looking down the ice.

The Sabres traded Daniel Paille to Boston for a 2010 third-round pick and a conditional fourth-round pick.

Can any Sabres fans tell me about Paille? What sort of player is he? 3rd line grinder?

So he replaces Kobasew, with less offensive ability, a little younger, and about $1M cap savings?

Paille likely tops out as a third line checker type - good wheels, responsible defensively and an above average penalty killer. Decent in the corners and on the cycle...

However, there is no consistency to his game and that's why he fell out of favour in Buffalo. One game you'll notice him buzzing all over the ice and the next three he'll be invisible. He scored 19 goals a couple years ago but that is likely his ceiling. His hands are a bit below average, especially considering the fact he was a first round pick.

I think he just needed a change of scenery. Seems like a good kid (he's a local boy, born and raised in Welland, ON, about 20 minutes from Buffalo) but he has to realize he's running out of chances to stick in the NHL and has to bring a solid work ethic into every game, not just once in awhile. He was a big hitter in junior hockey in Guelph and was a great leader there but those skills haven't translated to the pros.

If they put him on the third line with Bergeron, he has the chance to put up 45 points if he plays well. Otherwise, expect about 30 points, inconsistent efforts from game to game but solid penalty killing.

What he said.

His lack of consistency is his problem. When he's on, he can be a pain to play against. He's can punch in goals as well. Maybe a change of scenery and change of coaches will help.

I'm amazed Darcy made a move at all, usually he likes to try and send someone down to the AHL (only to see them get claimed)

Ughh! On top of Looch being out a few weeks with a broken finger, I just read Savard is out 4-6 weeks w/ a broken foot! Just Lovely!

I'd like to maybe see Zach Hamill get some burn while Savvy is out. Along w/ the increased PT Sobotka/Marchand should see, we should get an extended look at the youngsters.

We may see Hamill eventually but for now we get Trent Whitfield. Ugh. I'm not sure how this Bruins season could get any worse.

Trade ya Kessel for 2 1st and a 2nd.

If Paille is as good a penalty killer as you guys say then I like the deal. Losing Yelle, Ward and Axelsson from the PK units have killed the Bruins this year.

The Penguins Gonchar is out for about as long as Savard. Guess he was injured in last night's game.

Broken bone in his wrist, left in the middle of the 2nd period last night.

Gives Pittsburgh a chance to see what it's like with Letang and Goligoski running the PP. Gonchar is in the final year of his deal, and Letang's entry level deal up end of this season. Speculation is Gonchar wants to continue (end?) his career in Pittsburgh- he's won here, well liked, Geno attached to him-- but this let's the Pens see if they can drive the price down a little.

Pairings will probably shift around a little, Letang-Orpik on the top pair now.

Caught this in the SI Vault, Pierre McGuire list of top 15 prospects in 1999, who will be the best in 10 years (now).

Ten Years From Now... - 11.22.99 - SI Vault

Well the Bruins are falling apart...

They'll break out when they play the Flyers this week.

Stuff like that makes me feel better about having no prospects or draft picks.

Or young players or veteran players.

Could be worse. The Canes don't look like they've come together. Just gave the Isles their first win of the year in a shootout. *sigh*

Like bbor said... we could have traded our 1st round pick, so even losing all season wouldn't give us anything.

Penner has 3 points going into the 3rd period and 12 points on the season...holy shit!!

Yes, his key to the city is currently being fabricated.

EDIT: Make that 4 points...just scored his 2nd goal of the night to tie it up...WOW!!

And Penner adds his 5th point of the night with an assist on the go ahead goal.

Forget the key to the city...I now live in Pennerton, Alberta!!!

Wait...is it a contract year?

No...it isn't...that's what is so amazing about his start to the season!!!

:lol:

Only Gagne and Tanguay have really turned into top players from that group. Fisher is above average. Several of those players are not even in the NHL anymore.

McGuire is an idiot.

Jackets completely gifted the game to Edmonton, after being up 4-1. The top line can't play a lick of defense, and missing Hejda (who has to be a top 5 shutdown defenseman) and Commodore isn't helping either.

We were missing some guys, too...no Souray or Staios and with Brule down with the flu that meant we had to dress MacIntyre...a 4th line ECHLer.

I'm definitely glad I didn't change the channel after the Torres goal, that's for sure!!

I wonder how MacT feels knowing that his best move as a coach for this team was getting fired.

Went to the Rangers-Devils game last night and was able to see the worst game of Marc Staal's career. Awesome.

What's next, a team blowjob session? The entire Lightning team needs to turn in their mancard.

Puck naked: Tampa Bay Lightning strip it off for team unity - ESPN

In anticipation of the Leafs/Canucks game tomorrow, a few of bored fans were able to get #KyleWellwoodIsSoFat into the trending topics list on Twitter today.

This is what happens when for some reason you decide to give a team a full week off in the middle of October.

The Jackets blow another 2+ goal lead on the road, but come back to win thanks to Fedor Tyutin's crazy goal late in the 3rd. Here's the winning goal:



This highlight doesn't show Giguere "reinjuring" his groin on the goal.

Great job by Panthers players of skating around with their heads down and their thumb up their asses after Mike Richards absolutely destroyed the best young player in their organization and possibly ended his season. It's only October and you are already mailing the season in and playing for yourselves? Good job. Somebody had to take over for the Kings now the Kings are decent and actually playing with some backbone.

how about them Avs?

The Avs and Bronocos both supposed to suck, both playing lights out.

Love the way the 18 year olds are playing. Still worried about depth and consistent offense, but Andersen is playing great and we finally have some young talent again.

In other news, the Wings are continuing their free fall into NHL mediocrity. I am hoping things will pick up, but with injuries and the salary cap finally catching up to us, the future is looking cloudy right now.

Nothing in here about the Richards-Booth hit?

As an avowed Flyers hater...tough to pin that on Richards. The only problem I have with it is it was a head shot. But, currently, it's not illegal.

Richards has been portrayed as a new-age Bobby Clarke, playing right on the edge, and maybe sometimes going over it. But I don't think there was anything intentional about that hit. He catches Booths shoulder, and it's not even a discussion.

Now, him running Fleury a few weeks back...different story. :p

Richards/Booth is no different than any number of other hits we've seen over the years. Vicious, dangerous, and legal according to the rulebook.

If the NHL doesn't want hits like that, they can change the rules. But they don't.

Yeah pretty clean IMO by the book, Booth has his head down at Richards shoulder . Down to the Panthers to stop players making those kind of hits on their star players not the league. Shame the Panthers are a bunch of pussies.

Ruutu on Tucker and Ott on Crombeen not so much.

Most interesting hit of the weekend was Scuderi on Chimera... personally i'm in the "clean hit, unfortunate outcome" camp because if Chimera doesn't land on his head nobody even mentions it. But it's worth bringing up because I'm not sure I've ever seen somebody go that low to finish a check before.

Don't those two contradict each other? I know I'm biased here, but that's nonsense. On top of that, we end up on the PK after that situation, because Dorsett was in the middle of a line change, and then came back out to challenge Scuderi. How Scuderi didn't get called for something is incredible.

Of course, Scuderi doesn't want to go (and doesn't either, later in the game, when Umberger challenges him). If you have the gall to go low on someone, at least answer the bell.

Here's the video:

Well if you can show me the bit in the penalty book that specifically makes it illegal to go low on a hip check, then yeah I guess I am contradicting myself. I honestly have no idea, I don't even know which penalty you would call right there.

Booth was bent over. What's Richard's suppose to do go even lower? That's pretty much the same hit Scott Stevens gave to Eric Lindros (and others) and those were deemed legal.

Hmm...Richards is gay?

I am agreeing with you. 100% legal.

I just don't understand the NHLs reluctance to make all headshots illegal.

Dola

The weird part of the whole thing, Booth looks over at Richards as he's approaching the blueline, about 3 seconds before the pass. I don't know if he expected Richards not to follow through or what. But he looks back, makes the pass, and gets crushed.

Booth being an American, I am waiting for Don Cherry to ask what Booth was doing with his head so close to Richards' shoulder to begin with.

That reminds me of the good ole days when I was 4' and playing against kids who had hit puberty. Hip/shoulder checked at least 2 below the waist and got them to flip over me. Don't recall ever getting a penalty.

I know in lacrosse it's legal to check that low - you just never see it because it's such a desperate sell-out move your team is screwed if you miss at all. I don't see why hockey rules would be different, and I don't think they are.

Official Rules - Rule 45: Clipping - NHL.com - Rules

Got him on the thigh. Legal.

Kovalchuk out for a month with a broken bone in his foot

a.k.a. "The Darcy Tucker Rule".

Leafs get off the shnide...woohoo...CR can't be happy.

So, uh, when's the parade?*





*Sorry. It had to be said.

Keep forgetting to chime in on the Wings, so here goes:

The team's lack of ability to hold leads is nuts (5 games with blown leads so far) but I am going to assume that eventually gets fixed since defense is Detroit's biggest strength.

On offense, Z and Dats not scoring is hurting the the team as much as anything. Obviously they'll pick it up and I am sure a nice 7-3 type stretch will follow.

Goaltending has been okay. Not bad, not great, just okay. Not much help a lot of the time, but then when they do have help they let a weak one slip.

Overall I think we'll be a 4 - 5 seed, and a threat if Ozzy steps up in the playoffs.

Not time to panic yet, though if we get 2-3 weeks more into the year and are playing like this, then I'll be more concerned.

I agree with you for the most part, but I am probably a bit more worried about things. We have not looked good at all in most of our games, and if not for some great saves by Osgood, we could have lost to Chicago and Washington earlier in the season as well.

The funny part is when I hear the morons already yelling for Babcock to be fired. Like he has anything to do with injuries, subpar defense/goalie play, the salary cap, and Zetterberg/Datsyuk forgetting how to score.

That pretty much sums up my feelings as well.

Sabres beat Devils 4-1 and improve to 7-1-0-1. Miller has to the best goalie in the league so far this year.

Sabres playing really well so far. It seems like they backed off after they got the 2 goal lead then pushed a little harder in the 3rd. Would have like a more consistent effort but a good road win.

News and notes

Malkin out 2-3 weeks, shoulder injury. Most likely, John Leclair broke into his house and assaulted him, because that's the only guy who's been able to knock out Malkin since he entered the league.

Crosby with a hattrick vs the Habs last night. Crosby has 3 career HTs...and two came on 10/28. 2009 vs Montreal and 2006 vs. Philly (the 3rd coming in the playoffs last year when he and Ovechkin both had hattys)

Chris Kunitz scored his first of the year...and 2nd in 41 games, including playoffs!

Dola

In a totally absurd move...the Flyers recall RandyJones from the AHL, subjecting him to re-entry waivers. He is claimed by the Kings...leaving Philly on the hook for half his salary for the remainder of the season ($1.375M, less prorating for the 10-12% of the season played so far).

I don't understand this. AT ALL.

Jones was stashed in the minors to keep his $2.75M cap hit off the books. By recalling him, they are burning that $1.375M space with no player to show for it.

Sak, is there something I am missing? I know Gagne might be hitting LTIR, but that shouldn't effect Jones.

After a rather forgettable weekend for the Oilers, the welcome the Wings to town by busting out of a three game goal scoring slump...5-2 after 2...and, yes, Penner is leading the way with a goal and 3 helpers thus far.

What have you done.

I know...I feel shame. But, it was nice to see them score a friggin' goal...it had been a long time!!!

Well, the Wings lost in the shoot out. They always seem to lose those things. Still, given that it was 4-0 and 5-1 at one point, I will gladly take the point.

Sabres make it official that Tyler Myers will not be returning to the juniors and is staying in the NHL.

Is that a surprise?He's been one of the best rookies in the NHL this season.

If it was any other team, no. But the Sabres management? It shouldn't be, but you have to hold your breath.

In Darcy we trust?

I noticed the sabres sched for the next 5 weeks and they only play saturday and wednesdays.That's f'd up.Who made the schedule this year?

The Leafs played 2 games in 2 weeks and this week they play 5 games in 7 nights.

Darcy, Larry Quinn (the big boss), and even Lindy at times.

They play Friday, Saturday, and Wednesdays for the next 5 weeks (as they play Toronto tomorrow).

I don't know. The Sabres have a strange schedule. They opened the season on Saturday, then have to wait until the next Thursday to play game 2. The Sabres are tied with Atlanta for playing 9 games, the fewest in the league so far.

Filppula out for 8 weeks with a broken wrist. This season is quickly turning into a lost cause.

Gagne could be done for the year. Plus the Flyers are at 49 contracts, so they couldn't really sign anyone now because they'd be at 50 and not be able to make any more deals.

It was a chance they took, I'm not really worried because with Gagne's money gone that'll more than make up for Jones' loss of cap space. They have caps space and it isn't like there is a FA out there or even a trade out there that will next the Flyers someone over 4 million.

I am not happy with this but not really upset.

Edmonton people.

Do you guys know who was doing the color or play-by-play for the Edmonton v. Colorado game the other night?

One of the two kept doing these god awful puns. Over and over again with this horrible delivery. Who was that? He needed to be punched. Hard.

I'm assuming you're referring to Craig MacTavish's illegitimate son, Gene Principe.

And yes, Princess needs to be put removed, permanently. We've been putting up with his crap for entirely too long around here. He's a ridiculous moron who is only entertaining when he interviews Dustin Penner because Penner will pretty much tell him how much of an idiot he is without Principe really catching on to the fact that he's getting verbally assaulted.

Dola, and if it wasn't Principe (as he usually doesn't do color or PbP, just segments during periods/interviews with coaches on the bench/etc), well I probably just don't notice this other guy because he would pale in comparison to the train wreck that is Princess every time he's on the mic.

I think it was him. Almost positive now.

It was awful. So very, very bad.

Ron MacLean delivers witty puns at the end of Coach's Corner that are generally amusing. Gene Principe's puns aren't just bad, his delivery is awful.

Eh, if you think a team with Dats, Z and Lidstrom can't sustain at least a 6-8 seed pace until they're healthy I dunno what to tell you.

Wings should have everyone back for the playoffs, and if that's the case, I don't care where they're seeded, they will be able to do damage if they play their game.

I would tend to agree with you if we had decent goaltending. Howard looks awful most nights and ditto for Osgood. We don't have the scoring like last year to cover up defensive/goaltending mistakes, and it is showing.

hahaha, way to have faith in your STAR STUDDED BEEN AWESOME FOR 15 YEARS TEAM, romagoth

try looking around the league and think about how good you have it. season a lost cause? calm down, brother.

Any chance the Wings give the Canadiens a call about a goalie?

I think our best option for a backup right now is Daniel Larsson who is currently the starter in Grand Rapids. It seems like he was the better of the tandem he had with Howard up there last year and might make the most sense to try.

Ozzy is the goalie though, so we'll see how that works.

I saw that about Gagne, but I don't see how that would affect or necessitate recalling Jones, other than, if a move is coming to get a replacement for Gagne, that would have been contract #50.

In which case, don't you dump a guy making $500K and eat that contract before you eat $1.375?

As far as salary cap space, I don't believe it's a dollar for dollar opening to replace Gagne. This is the best I could find.

http://nhlscap.com/cap_faq.htm#calc_cap


So, what I get from that is #1 better be certain they are shutting down Gagne for the season before making a move and #2 the replacement player won't be making $5M, or whatever Gagne's salary is

Does JVR get that spot for now?

I thought Osgood was a Hall of Fame goalie or something?

(;) )

Rather crappy game by the Sabres. Thank god Miller played great and Toronto left their brains at home with all the dumb penalties.