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.