The OFFICIAL 2008-09 NHL Thread

[Suburban Rhythm]

It was a good game for the first two periods. The Bruins had a lot of power plays but the only call I didn't understand was the Malkin interference penalty (which was not shown on replay on NESN) because it seemed like incidental contact. I thought the hook on Kessel might be a penalty shot but then thought they weren't calling anything so that was confusing. I didn't really notice the refs against Pittsburgh all night but I'm a Bruins fan. But you're right that the Pens played poorly and Boston made the most of its chances.

At least there was contact on the interference call. That phantom hooking call blows my mind.

How in the same game a hooking call is made immediately when there was no contact. And 2 periods later, Goligoski's stick is on Kessel from the blueline in, and the refs hand was down until after Kessel took the shot. You are right, should have been a PS. It was like a PI call in football, waiting to see if the WR makes the catch first.

[Tekneek]

Want to see a phantom call? Try this (although it is not hockey):

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[Maple Leafs]

Is the first minute of the second period too early to call the US/Canada WJC the best game of the year?

[Hurst2112]

NHL.com has free video on GameCenter today and tonight. I use it to listen to games. I love the interface. The video aspect of it is even better.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Pens get thumped, 6-1 vs Florida, at home. They are downright terrible now.

Only highlight of the game:

YouTube - [HD] Brett McLean vs Sidney Crosby Fight (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQxuLumWjio)

Before Dr Sak gets here-
1) he jumped McLean
2) He punched him while he was down
3) he kept his helmet, and therefore visor, on

I hope I got them all. :p

Edit-- OT: how do you imbed the youtube vid? I used the embedded link from yt, but i just got a red X.

[DeToxRox]

Theres an embed link on the video

[kingfc22]

The NHL All-Star voting has to be the biggest joke ever. The West has only starters from Chicago and Anaheim. Ummm, hello the Sharks only had the best start in NHL history.

[Pyser]

the east starters are only pitt and montreal.

hmm.

[sterlingice]

Wow. So, yeah, only 4 teams had players voted in. That's screwed up.

West: 3 Chicago, 3 Anaheim
East: 4 Montreal, 2 Pittsburgh

Ovechkin- badly screwed, just to start off. No one gets to complain about the MLB All Star voting when compared to this ;)

SI

[Suburban Rhythm]

Also, 11 of the players, including all 6 of the East starters, broke Jagr's previous record for votes, which was slightly over 1 mil.

Crosby finished first with 1.7 mil, Malkin second with 1.5 mil.

It's always been a popularity contest.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Semin

5 for....bitch slapping?


Hmmm, embed still giving me red X. No idea

YouTube - Semin fights M. Staal - first slap fight in NHL history (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDRCpN4OMpM&eurl=http://hfboards.com/showthread.php?t=590656&page=3&feature=player_embedded)

[Karlifornia]

lol@ the all-star voting.....pathetic.

[Maple Leafs]

3) he kept his helmet, and therefore visor, on

Given the recent death of a player after his helmet came off in a fight and he hit his head on the ice, I'm starting to rethink the whole "take your visor off before fighting" thing.

[Travis]

Is the first minute of the second period too early to call the US/Canada WJC the best game of the year?

So US/Canada gets game of the year for 08 and Russia/Canada an early candidate to take the 09 crown?

[DeToxRox]

Just wait, the mighty Slovaks will show you both!

[DeToxRox]

Wings win a shootout vs Minnesota 1-0 when Dats pulled the Datsyuk deke. The best one he has done in a shootout yet (the one vs Turco in game play was just too absurd to be topped)

You'll see highlights tonight.

[DeToxRox]

BTW .. the Wild's HF Forum is a joke. For Minnesota supposedly being the new "Hockeytown" per a Minnesota writer, they haven't had a GTD since November 11th ... Some of those GTD's get up to 20 pages for some teams.

Unreal.

[Tekneek]

GTD? Do you mean GDT?

[DeToxRox]

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[DeToxRox]

Here's the Semin/Staal fight

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[Suburban Rhythm]

Given the recent death of a player after his helmet came off in a fight and he hit his head on the ice, I'm starting to rethink the whole "take your visor off before fighting" thing.

Crosby received 19 PIMs. 5 for fighting, 2 for instigating, 2 unsportsmanlike and 10 min misconduct.

I believe the 2 for unsportsmanlike is for leaving his helmet/visor on.

[samifan24]

Crosby is pathetic. He jumped McLean. I don't care if McLean agreed to fight, Crosby didn't wait for McLean to get his gloves off. First he punches a guy below the belt from behind and now he jumps a guy off a faceoff; what will Crosby do for an encore?

[bhlloy]

Here's the Semin/Staal fight

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That should be a year suspension. I've never even seen a soccer player do that :D

[Pyser]

that fight is absolutely hilarious.

[Chief Rum]

The NHL All-Star voting has to be the biggest joke ever. The West has only starters from Chicago and Anaheim. Ummm, hello the Sharks only had the best start in NHL history.

lol@ the all-star voting.....pathetic.

Maybe you guys should have voted then?

Seriously, though, that is pretty messed up. Getzlaf is having a very good year, but none of the Ducks' starters in the voting are first choice, I think, in any normal analysis of their performance this year. Getzlaf is an All Star, regardless, for how he has played, but no way Nieds should be there, and Jiggy has missed too much time and been too inconsistent this year to get in, although he should have been in last year's game.

I didn't see the final voting, but I think Pronger was third behind Campbell in D voting, too, so another Duck just missed out (and also not really deserving, although more so than Niedermayer).

[Matthean]

Wings win a shootout vs Minnesota 1-0 when Dats pulled the Datsyuk deke. The best one he has done in a shootout yet (the one vs Turco in game play was just too absurd to be topped)

You'll see highlights tonight.

Assume you mean this one.

<object width="425" height="344">


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[Maple Leafs]

I believe the 2 for unsportsmanlike is for leaving his helmet/visor on.
If that's an actual rule, it's the first I've ever heard of it.

[Suburban Rhythm]

That is the impression I got from the threads at HF. Which, I know I should believe the exact opposite after reading it there.

Last four home games for PIT:

Lost to the Leafs 7-3
Lose to Tampa 2-0
Lose to Boston 5-2
Lost to Florida 6-1

OUCH

Tanking to get that winger for Crosby.

[bbor]

If that's an actual rule, it's the first I've ever heard of it.

Ditto

[Suburban Rhythm]

Not sure what else the unsportsmanlike would be for-- he'd already rec'd 5 for fighting and 2 mins instigator.

Although, seems counter to the idea that it's realted to the Don Sanderson death. Crosby leaving his helmet ON would be in line with what it seems the governing bodies are in favor of.

Possibly because of the visor?

[Hurst2112]

BTW .. the Wild's HF Forum is a joke. For Minnesota supposedly being the new "Hockeytown" per a Minnesota writer, they haven't had a GTD since November 11th ... Some of those GTD's get up to 20 pages for some teams.

Unreal.

I don't know what those initials all mean but I can tell you, Wild fans are smart about hockey but are very faith weather.

They also drink the kool-aid quite a bit.

[Maple Leafs]

Not sure what else the unsportsmanlike would be for-- he'd already rec'd 5 for fighting and 2 mins instigator.

Although, seems counter to the idea that it's realted to the Don Sanderson death. Crosby leaving his helmet ON would be in line with what it seems the governing bodies are in favor of.

Possibly because of the visor?
The two minutes could have been for something he said, to the ref or someone else.

I'm just thinking that if the NHL actually has a rule that says you have to take your visor/helment off to fight, they would be setting themselves up for an enormous lawsuit if somebody ever got hurt. "Yes your honor, my client's husband would be alive today, but the NHL's rules forced him to remove the protective equipment that would have saved his life..."

[Suburban Rhythm]

The two minutes could have been for something he said, to the ref or someone else.

I'm just thinking that if the NHL actually has a rule that says you have to take your visor/helment off to fight, they would be setting themselves up for an enormous lawsuit if somebody ever got hurt. "Yes your honor, my client's husband would be alive today, but the NHL's rules forced him to remove the protective equipment that would have saved his life..."

That is the only other thing I thought of, mouthing off...but really, I don't even think the whining Crosby would have anything to say about that.

I think he was happy to sit out 17 mins of the 3rd period of that disgrace.

[bbor]

Unsportsmanlike attempting to undress your foe?

[samifan24]

I believe you get an unsportsmanlike minor if you start a fight and you wearing a visor and you do not remove the visor (take the helmet off). The thing that I'm not sure about is how it works exactly. I saw Nigel Dawes fought Mike Comrie last week and I know Dawes wears a visor. I don't remember who started the fight so I'm not sure. I do know I read that somewhere though.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Unsportsmanlike attempting to undress your foe?

so Marc Staal would get 2 mins unsportsmanlike and slapped around like a cheap whore?

Harsh

[Dr. Sak]

Unsportsmanlike attempting to undress your foe?

Yeah probably because the NHL doesnt want homosexuals in the league.

[Draft Dodger]

Crosby received 19 PIMs. 5 for fighting, 2 for instigating, 2 unsportsmanlike and 10 min misconduct.

I believe the 2 for unsportsmanlike is for leaving his helmet/visor on.

If that's an actual rule, it's the first I've ever heard of it.

yep, if you get an instigator penalty while wearing a visor, you get an extra 2 for unsportsmanlike conduct.

EDIT: sorry, looks like I didn't scroll down far enough. Samifan has it right.

[Draft Dodger]

Rule 47.6 Face Protection - If a player penalized as an instigator of an altercation is wearing a face shield (including a goalkeeper), he shall be assessed an additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Should the player (including a goalkeeper) who instigates the fight be wearing a face shield, but removes it before instigating the altercation, the additional unsportsmanlike conduct penalty shall not apply.

there you go

[Dr. Sak]

Pens get thumped, 6-1 vs Florida, at home. They are downright terrible now.

Before Dr Sak gets here-
1) he jumped McLean
2) He punched him while he was down
3) he kept his helmet, and therefore visor, on

I hope I got them all. :p



Gotta give the guy credit...at least this time he didn't punch the guy in the balls :)

[Galaxy]

Sabres host the Sens tonight. First game since their first and only match early in the season. It'll be interesting since this happen in that game:

YouTube - Adam Mair raids the Sens locker room (starring Jarkko Ruutu) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqzOtW4zpBc)

[Maple Leafs]

Sabres host the Sens tonight.
And, like every time they play the Sabres, the Sens are in a freefall and ready to completely implode with just one more loss.

And, like every time they play the Sens, the Sabres will lay down and die rather than put them (and everyone else) out of their misery.

(Ever since Pominville, that is.)

[Galaxy]

And, like every time they play the Sabres, the Sens are in a freefall and ready to completely implode with just one more loss.

And, like every time they play the Sens, the Sabres will lay down and die rather than put them (and everyone else) out of their misery.

(Ever since Pominville, that is.)

No arguments here. :)

Hopefully Rivet's return brings the toughness we need and can give this team much needed leadership.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Senators - Sabers, what should be an entertaining Caps - Philly tilt, and the Wings - Blue Jackets.

I have a busy night in front of me...

[Maple Leafs]

Senators - Sabers, what should be an entertaining Caps - Philly tilt, and the Wings - Blue Jackets.
You forgot Bryan McCabe's return to Toronto.

[Honolulu_Blue]

You forgot Bryan McCabe's return to Toronto.

Sweet Baby Schenn!

Thankfully, I have two DVRs, each with two tuners, so that's 4 recordable hockey games.

My wife will be thrilled that the first thing I do when I get home from work is run around the house setting up the DVRs to record 4 hockey games. This after a week of pretty much constant football games broken up by a few days spent doing nothing but drinking beer and playing video games with friends.

[Dr. Sak]

There are so many Flyers hurt that they might not have the 18 skaters to dress tonight.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Senators - Sabers, what should be an entertaining Caps - Philly tilt, and the Wings - Blue Jackets.

I have a busy night in front of me...

What, no love fo Pens-Thrashers, featuring Crosby v Valabik part II

[Dr. Sak]

Maybe this time Crosby will teabag him ;)

[Suburban Rhythm]

Maybe this time Crosby will teabag him ;)

So he learned something from Richards at the WJC a couple years back is what you are saying?

[Maple Leafs]

There are so many Flyers hurt that they might not have the 18 skaters to dress tonight.
Boo hoo. Leafs have been playing with like four NHL players all season.

[Dr. Sak]

So he learned something from Richards at the WJC a couple years back is what you are saying?

Weak

Boo hoo. Leafs have been playing with like four NHL players all season.

Hilarious

[Galaxy]

Wow....Rutuu just bit Peters in the thumb. And Peters got the penalty?????????

[Tekneek]

Wow....Rutuu just bit Peters in the thumb. And Peters got the penalty?????????

Ruutu will be suspended for that. Marc Savard did something similar a while back and was suspended for 2 games.

[Galaxy]

Ruutu will be suspended for that. Marc Savard did something similar a while back and was suspended for 2 games.

But how does Rutuu not get a penalty? At least both should get a penalty.

[Galaxy]

This game is going to start to get a little ugly, I think.

[Tekneek]

But how does Rutuu not get a penalty? At least both should get a penalty.

Mistake by the refs. If it was caught on video, the league will get him.

[Galaxy]

Mistake by the refs. If it was caught on video, the league will get him.

Thanks.


Pretty physical first period. Sabres up 2-0. Both teams look like they want to kill each other.

[bbor]

Boo hoo. Leafs have been playing with like four NHL players all season.


4 is being a bit generous IMHO.

[Maple Leafs]

4 is being a bit generous IMHO.
Luke Schenn counts as three.

[Maple Leafs]

Wow....Rutuu just bit Peters in the thumb.
Just to be clear, though, on the Ottawa Senators cheap shot suspension list it's still Groin-Kicking 2, Biting 1.

[Galaxy]

Sabres won 3-2 after crapping it up in 2nd, and to a degree, the 3rd.

[Maple Leafs]

Sabres won 3-2 after crapping it up in 2nd, and to a degree, the 3rd.
This loss will certainly give the Sens something to chew on.

[Galaxy]

This loss will certainly give the Sens something to chew on.

Petersfingers?

[Wolfpack]

As expected, the switch back to Paul Maurice has made Carolina much more defensive than they used to be. Remarkably enough, it seems to be working as they're now 9-4-2 since the switch. Carolina beat New Jersey at home tonight for their longest winning streak so far this year at four games. Alas, they're stuck in the division with probably the hottest team going right now in Washington, so they're not really gaining any ground on them, but for now they're in the thick of things in the East and that's about all that can be asked for given how the season has gone so far, I think.

[Dr. Sak]

Good news for Pens fans is that they won last night...bad news is that Ruslan Fedotenko broke his hand on Colby Armstrong's nose.

[sterlingice]

Boo hoo. Leafs have been playing with like four NHL players all season.

Gold :D

SI

[samifan24]

Good news for Pens fans is that they won last night...bad news is that Ruslan Fedotenko broke his hand on Colby Armstrong's nose.

He does have a big nose.

[TurnerONU22]

Senators - Sabers, what should be an entertaining Caps - Philly tilt, and the Wings - Crunch.

I have a busy night in front of me...

Fixed that for you, especially after Nash went down in the first. Jackets now have 4 of their top 6 out, 6 of their top 9 out. :(

[Draft Dodger]

nice article by Georges Laraques on fighting:

Laraque: My last word - Sportsnet.ca (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/blogs/2009/01/05/laraque_last_word/)

[Maple Leafs]

Nice piece in SI on Sean Avery and why everyone hates him:
The crude dissing of his former girlfriends was merely the - 01.12.09 - SI Vault (http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1150404/1/index.htm)

[Maple Leafs]

Fixed that for you, especially after Nash went down in the first. Jackets now have 4 of their top 6 out, 6 of their top 9 out. :(
Man, you guys should totally find a rebuilding team and trade them a bunch of good prospects for some NHL talent.

Cough.

[Dr. Sak]

Man, you guys should totally find a rebuilding team and trade them a bunch of good prospects for some NHL talent.

Cough.

All 4 guys?

[Honolulu_Blue]

nice article by Georges Laraques on fighting:

Laraque: My last word - Sportsnet.ca (http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/blogs/2009/01/05/laraque_last_word/)

Nice piece in SI on Sean Avery and why everyone hates him:
The crude dissing of his former girlfriends was merely the - 01.12.09 - SI Vault (http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1150404/1/index.htm)

Both are very good.

[TurnerONU22]

Man, you guys should totally find a rebuilding team and trade them a bunch of good prospects for some NHL talent.

Cough.

I'd love for Howson to swing a deal for Antro and Kubina, but I don't see Kubina waving his NTC nor do I really care for his contract. Also, I wouldn't want to give up Filatov, Voracek, ect..

Possibly 1st+Goubalef+?????+Backman's expiring contract for Antro and Kubina

[Maple Leafs]

I'd love for Howson to swing a deal for Antro and Kubina, but I don't see Kubina waving his NTC nor do I really care for his contract. Also, I wouldn't want to give up Filatov, Voracek, ect..
You're right about Kubina (and Kaberle) waiving their NTCs. Both may be willing to waive since they won't have any NTC-protection in the summer, but I don't see them doing so to go to Columbus.

[Dr. Sak]

Maybe Kaberle will do it to go to Philly for Jeff Carter...oh wait that was last year :)

BTW...Leafs just traded for Brad May.

[TurnerONU22]

You're right about Kubina (and Kaberle) waiving their NTCs. Both may be willing to waive since they won't have any NTC-protection in the summer, but I don't see them doing so to go to Columbus.

I sadly agree :( I would just love a RH shot on the PP to help. Hitch has made comments that teams definitely adjusted to this (plus our LH shots have no slap shot) and I'm sure is one reason that our PP is 30th.

Our only RH is Commodore, but he's been impressive this year, actually living up to that all that money he was makin' rain :). Here's a shocking stat:

Defensive P at Even Strength:
T1 Shea Weber 18
T1 Commodore 18
3 Rafalski 17
4 Duncan Keith 16
5 Markov 15

[Tekneek]

Ruutu gets two games for the bite.

[Tekneek]

It is interesting to see the stories coming out about how Avery is a jerk on and off the ice. I never bought the spin that he was only an ass on the ice and a perfect gentleman, nice guy, and great teammate off the ice. It just did not add up to me, given the actions and comments he has made over the years.

[Maple Leafs]

Sundin returns tonight.

Will be fun to watch him take a cross-ice pass, stare into an open net, then spend six months deciding whether or not to shoot.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Good news for Pens fans is that they won last night...bad news is that Ruslan Fedotenko broke his hand on Colby Armstrong's nose.

And Dupuis left with an injury in the 2nd.

So, the wingers left on the roster:

Sykora, Satan, Kennedy, Cooke, Talbot (C playing wing), Godard, Tim Wallce. Which means we get to bring up Chris Minard again.

Of that group, Sykora would be in the top 6 on most teams. That is it.

[Draft Dodger]

Last night in Nashville, the Avalanche we're missing 5 of the 6 players who started the season with them capable of playing center (Sakic, Stastny, Laperriere, McCormick and Guite). And the one remaining center is Tyler Arnason, who doesn't really count.

[samifan24]

I'm sure the site will get pulled, I'm not sure how it hasn't already but you guys may want to stroll on over to hockeywebcasts.com.

[bbor]

Sundin returns tonight.

Will be fun to watch him take a cross-ice pass, stare into an open net, then spend six months deciding whether or not to shoot.


That's what semi-retired people do.

[Maple Leafs]

In honor of his first game back, let's dig into the archives...

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[Chief Rum]

Boohoo for injuries. ;)

Missing Selanne, Perry (suspension), Beauchemin, and Huskins, and Jiggy has been in and out of the lineup all year. Meh...most teams are dealing with injuries (although, yeah, some of these teams are really taking a hit right now).

[Travis]

Amazingly enough, once the Oilers were trailing the Canucks last night, MacT made a couple line moves that actually managed tot decrease the offensive potential of 3 out of his 4 forward lines.

Surprise, surprise, no comeback ensued.

I really hope they make a trade soon as apparently the official word is that they'll make a deal before considering firing MacT. It'll be nice when hurdle one is out of the way.

[Maple Leafs]

Travis, what's the deal with Oiler fans booing Sundin every time he touched the puck?

[Dr. Sak]

The Pens just signed Jordan Staal to a 4 year deal worth a total of $16 million.

[Hurst2112]

The Pens just signed Jordan Staal to a 4 year deal worth a total of $16 million.

Look out cup! Here come the Pens!!!!!!

/sarcasm

[Travis]

Travis, what's the deal with Oiler fans booing Sundin every time he touched the puck?

Wasn't at the game and wouldn't have done any booing myself, but I'm assuming it was for how he handled his "comeback" and the fact that he signed with a division rival. I don't listen to much sports talk radio anymore so didn't hear anything on the way into work this morning on the subject though so anything I say is pure speculation.

[Travis]

Look out cup! Here come the Pens!!!!!!

/sarcasm

Better than signing Horcoff to a 4 year, $26 million extension like the Oilers did prior to this season.

le sigh.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Better than signing Horcoff to a 4 year, $26 million extension like the Oilers did prior to this season.

le sigh.

If I was a Pens fan I would be pretty happy with that deal. $4 million a year for the next four years is a pretty good deal for Staal.

It's also not bad from Staal's perspective. He's getting well paid and if he continues to develop he'll be in line for a massive pay day when he's still only 24 or 25.

[samifan24]

Can you name the NHL players with over 2,000 career PIMs (http://www.sporcle.com/games/nhlalltimepenalty.php)?

I got 14 of the 54 players.

[johnnyshaka]

Can you name the NHL players with over 2,000 career PIMs (http://www.sporcle.com/games/nhlalltimepenalty.php)?

I got 14 of the 54 players.

Ditto...and can't believe I didn't get at least two others as I share the same last name as Tim and Dave. :banghead:

[Maple Leafs]

29/54, although with at least 20 more wrong guesses.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I had 24. I missed some various obvious ones.

[Maple Leafs]

Wow, Craig Hartsburg just threw Alfredsson and Spezza under the bus, hit the gas, and then backed over them a few times.

Basically said that the third-liners are playing their hearts out, but the star players cost the team the game and "it's not the first time".

Sounds like he already knows he's fired.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I cant get enough of this type of stuff. It's gold!

"I think [Sergei Kostitsyn] is not Belarussian now, he is French because I never fight with Belarussian guys," Grabovski said. "I don't know why he wants to fight with me. If he wants to fight, we'll go in the street and every minute of every day I'll wait for him and we'll fight."

[Draft Dodger]

I cant get enough of this type of stuff. It's gold!

"I think [Sergei Kostitsyn] is not Belarussian now, he is French because I never fight with Belarussian guys," Grabovski said. "I don't know why he wants to fight with me. If he wants to fight, we'll go in the street and every minute of every day I'll wait for him and we'll fight."

I don't know much about this feud, but Grabovski sounds like a cool guy to have on a team. But it sounds like he wasn't very liked by the coach / players / fans in Montreal.

[Maple Leafs]

I don't know much about this feud, but Grabovski sounds like a cool guy to have on a team.
I base this on nothing other than watching the way he carries himself, but he actually seems like kind of a dick. He just gives off that vibe.

As I said in a blog post, Grabovski-Kostitsyn would have made Semin-Staal look like Clark-McSorley.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I base this on nothing other than watching the way he carries himself, but he actually seems like kind of a dick. He just gives off that vibe.

As I said in a blog post, Grabovski-Kostitsyn would have made Semin-Staal look like Clark-McSorley.

Hopefully, we'll get to see if that bears out on Feb. 5. That Semin-Staal "fight" was one of the funniest things I've seen in a long, long time. I watched it about a dozen times and it still didn't get old.

[samifan24]

Yeah, what the hell is up with Grabovski and Kostitsyn? Why do they hate each other so much? Why is Grabovski pushing linesmen around? Grow up.

[Dr. Sak]

By the way, Leaf Fans, congrats on 500 months of Cup-free hockey!

[TurnerONU22]

Steve Mason for the Calder!!!

or even better....

Steve Mason for the Vezina!!!

The Maseiah basically puts the Syracuse Crun......Columbus Blue Jackets on his back tonight as they become the 2nd team to beat the Capitals in regulation at the Verizon Center. 45 saves for Mason as he made some incredible stops throughout the evening and the Jackets stay in the race with a 3-0 win.

[Suburban Rhythm]

First Sundin chooses, and now...


Shanahan to the Devils.

[DeToxRox]

Gotta give props to my boy Matt Hunwick who's family I've known since I was like 15. EAT IT JUSTIN WILLIAMS!

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[samifan24]

Hunwick really hammered Williams with that big right. Haha, Jack Edwards gets so excited.

[DeToxRox]

Hunwick really hammered Williams with that big right. Haha, Jack Edwards gets so excited.

Ha yes. It's funny because Hunwick (and Williams for that matter) is not a fighter, but that was a good shot.

I talked to his brother yesterday and he was telling me Matt wouldn't shut up about it. Apparently he told Chara he'd start cleaning up his messes.

[DeToxRox]

Wings are playing as good as they have since the Summer in the last two weeks. Last night they dominated Buffalo, but Miller was outstanding with 45 or so saves. Still, they got a big 3-1 win and are really beginning to exert themselves defensivley.

[samifan24]

Ha yes. It's funny because Hunwick (and Williams for that matter) is not a fighter, but that was a good shot.

I talked to his brother yesterday and he was telling me Matt wouldn't shut up about it. Apparently he told Chara he'd start cleaning up his messes.

Hunwick has been a good contributor when the Bruins have needed it most this season.

[RendeR]

Wings are playing as good as they have since the Summer in the last two weeks. Last night they dominated Buffalo, but Miller was outstanding with 45 or so saves. Still, they got a big 3-1 win and are really beginning to exert themselves defensivley.

I suppose we just have to let Detroit have the Red Wings. I mean they can't suck at EVERY sport...can they?

[Travis]

And if anybody needs a reminder of why MacTavish needs to move on, as Hemsky misses his 5th or 6th game with a concussion, Liam Reddox makes his 3rd or 4th start on the top line at RW.

Now don't get me wrong, I like Reddox, but the guy tops out as a third line checker, right now being a 4th line energy type player who is pretty responsible in his own end, by no means a guy who should be logging first unit time.

It'd be one thing if we didn't have any puck handling skill players to put on that line to try and play Hemsky's role, but they have Robert Nilsson, Sam Gagner, Marc Pouliot and Gilbert Brule on the big club right now with Robbie Schremp on the farm.

It's getting really hard to watch this team play and seeing the lines the coach comes up with and his apparently willingness to stick with a first unit PP made up of nothing but shooters (Penner/Horcoff/Cole/Souray/Visnovsky) with a bunch of playmakers on the second unit (Nilsson/Gagner/Cogliano/Gilbert/Grebeshkov). Second unit has scored two PP goals in the past week with the top unit maybe not even having that many shots on net.

Frustrating doesn't even begin to describe it at this point.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I suppose we just have to let Detroit have the Red Wings. I mean they can't suck at EVERY sport...can they?

Good point. It's not like the Pistons have been all that successful or that the Tigers were in the World Series a couple of years ago or anything...

[Wolfpack]

Gotta give props to my boy Matt Hunwick who's family I've known since I was like 15. EAT IT JUSTIN WILLIAMS!

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*sigh* Story of my sports day yesterday in some respects (and day in general even). Had to go into work in the morning, then flipped between this disaster and State's whipping at the hands of Clemson in basketball on the radio in the car on the way back home before personally witnessing both demolitions on TV from my couch. Capped it with the Panthers getting humiliated last night. Great day, let me tell you.

At any rate, since I was so kind to point out that the Canes were on a four-game win streak before losing at Florida the other night and then plainly getting embarrassed yesterday, perhaps a reverse jinx could work?

[Draft Dodger]

hey ML, did you happen to see that Raycroft is 9-1?

[Maple Leafs]

hey ML, did you happen to see that Raycroft is 9-1?
Fuck you.

[bbor]

Fuck you.

I agree :D

[DeToxRox]

Winter Classic drew most viewers since 1975
by The Associated Press
Monday January 12, 2009, 4:06 PM

NEW YORK - The Winter Classic drew the biggest television audience for a regular-season NHL game in nearly 34 years.

The Detroit Red Wings' 6-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks at Wrigley Field on New Year's Day attracted an average of 4.4 million U.S. viewers on NBC, the network said Monday.

That's the most since a Philadelphia-New York Rangers game on Feb. 23, 1975, according to Nielsen Media Research.


Great for the NHL. Was a fantastic game to watch. Now let's book Detroit/Toronto in the Big House, and I'll go pick up Maple Leafs personally so he can see what an NHL team is like.

[samifan24]

My guess is Boston-Montreal at Fenway Park.

[DeToxRox]

My guess is Boston-Montreal at Fenway Park.

My guess is New York/Boston at the new Yankee Stadium next year. People keep saying Fenway is impossible right now with the construction in the offseasons. I do want to see a game there though.

Another rumor was Flyers/Pens in Happy Valley, which would break the NHL attendance record until they decide they want Wings/Leafs at the Big House.

[Fidatelo]

This might be a dumb question, but what/where is "The Big House"?

[samifan24]

This might be a dumb question, but what/where is "The Big House"?

It's the football stadium at the University of Michigan.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Another rumor was Flyers/Pens in Happy Valley, which would break the NHL attendance record until they decide they want Wings/Leafs at the Big House.

I think they'd shy away from repeating teams this early.

Plus, we'll have to wait at least 3 more years now. The old man there wouldn't let them ice over his field.

[Chief Rum]

Ducks-Kings at the Rose Bowl. Just to freak everyone out.

[Dr. Sak]

I think they'd shy away from repeating teams this early.

Plus, we'll have to wait at least 3 more years now. The old man there wouldn't let them ice over his field.

Parking would be a bit of a problem too. All the lots that are fields, you couldn't park in during winter.

[DeToxRox]

http://www.tsn.ca/blogs/darren_dreger/?id=263297

The New York Islanders are going to Kansas City.

The Islanders have agreed in principle with the Los Angeles Kings to play an exhibition game in Kansas City in September.

This may not seem like that big of a deal in light of the fact other NHL teams have used Kansas City in recent years as a neutral cite for preseason games.

However, according to league sources this game could be perceived as a veiled threat of potential relocation if plans for a new arena on Long Island aren't soon finalized.

Since purchasing the team in 2000, Charles Wang (a Long Island resident who has built most of his businesses there) has refused to threaten to move the franchise if he didn't get an arena deal. However, it's believed Wang is growing frustrated by the fact there has been little progress by local politicians on the Lighthouse Project and Wang's plan to transform Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum and surrounding 100-plus acres.

The New York Islanders are nowhere close to moving. But, according to some this mere exhibition game in Kansas City will be considered a major wakeup call to Long Islanders (and their community leaders) who allegedly think the team will stay without a new arena deal.

The Sprint Center in Kansas City is operated by AEG, whose CEO Tim Leiweke is a governor of the Los Angeles Kings.

In 2007, Leiweke made a strong play for the Pittsburgh Penguins, offering Pens ownership free rent at the Sprint Center if the team, mired at the time in a similar arena debate, moved to Kansas City.

Scare tactics worked in this case because in March of 2007 the Penguins and government officials agreed on a $290 million arena deal to keep the Penguins in Pittsburgh.

Shortly after the decision to stay in Pittsburgh was made Leiweke expressed his desire to the Kansas City Star to bring an NHL franchise to the city:

"I hoped things would move more quickly. But no teams have moved since we started on the building. It's very competitive out there. Municipalities don't want to lose their teams."

The New York Islanders don't want to leave Long Island, however as this negotiation with local politicians drags on the potential for speculation to become reality will grow as well.

[Maple Leafs]

Isn't this like telling your fat ugly girlfriend that if she doesn't shape up, you're going to dump her for a different fat ugly girl?

[DeToxRox]

Isn't this like telling your fat ugly girlfriend that if she doesn't shape up, you're going to dump her for a different fat ugly girl?

Nothing more to add to this, other then 100% correct.

[Pyser]

the kansas city islanders does have a nice ring to it...

[sterlingice]

the kansas city islanders does have a nice ring to it...

Just as logical a name as the Utah Jazz ;)

SI

[Pyser]

los angeles lakers

[samifan24]

I'm surprised the Islanders are still on Long Island. They don't draw and the entire front office is a mess. I never like to see a team move since I know how much it hurts the lifelong fans but I'm surprised the Islanders have lasted this long.

[Travis]

Oilers trade Garon (RFA after this season) to the Penguins for Sabourin (UFA after this season) and Ryan Stone (RFA after the season).

I don't get this trade at all from the Oilers stand point. We still have 3 goalies on the roster and add *another* 3/4 liner to the glut of 3/4 liners we have on the team/in the system.

Financials are essentially a wash but call me severely underwhelmed and very disappointed in this move.

[DeToxRox]

Oilers trade Garon (RFA after this season) to the Penguins for Sabourin (UFA after this season) and Ryan Stone (RFA after the season).

I don't get this trade at all from the Oilers stand point. We still have 3 goalies on the roster and add *another* 3/4 liner to the glut of 3/4 liners we have on the team/in the system.

Financials are essentially a wash but call me severely underwhelmed and very disappointed in this move.

Are they gearing up for another run at Hossa?

[Draft Dodger]

Oilers trade Garon (RFA after this season) to the Penguins for Sabourin (UFA after this season) and Ryan Stone (RFA after the season).

I don't get this trade at all from the Oilers stand point. We still have 3 goalies on the roster and add *another* 3/4 liner to the glut of 3/4 liners we have on the team/in the system.

Financials are essentially a wash but call me severely underwhelmed and very disappointed in this move.

the timing is a little odd too; Garon was great last night

[Travis]

Are they gearing up for another run at Hossa?

If they're going to do that they'd have to shed salary. The only way this trade makes any sense is if the Oilers didn't have confidence in Garon to shoulder the load but like what Sabourin brings and now deal Roloson (in a move that doesn't bring back a goalie).

Past that, all this move does is keep the goaltending mess the same and add another body to the glut of forwards already in the organization.

I'm fully expecting the presser to say that they've had their eye on Stone for a while and are happy to get him but this in no way improves their NHL lineup or their financials in any way that I can see right now.

[Dr. Sak]

Sabu stinks too. I wonder who is going to be playing behind MAF now.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Sabourin has had 2 chances to make a name for himself in the past 2 seasons. Earlier this year while Fleury missed about a month, he started out hot, then fall apart, and has been awful since.

Last season, he was tabbed as the starter when Fleury had the high ankle sprain. He faltered the first game, Conklin came up from WBS, and the rest is history.

Stone is a former 2nd round pick (the Penguins haven't had a 2nd round pick make an impact since 1967). He looked like he'd a have shot to make the 4th line this year out of camp, since the team lost guys like Malone and Roberts. Other guys simply outplayed him. He broke his wrist 3 seasons ago, and has quit fighting. He wasn't a big fighter, but an OK middle weight, good along the boards, OK skater. Maybe could become a Matt Cooke-lite guy, 8-10 goals moving between the 3rd and 4th lines and playing on the PK.

[Dr. Sak]

Hey Suburban...Matt Cooke has really stepped up his game this past week. He might make a name for himself in front of the net on Crosby's line.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Hey Suburban...Matt Cooke has really stepped up his game this past week. He might make a name for himself in front of the net on Crosby's line.

He's doing really odd stuff...skating, going to the net, and shooting the puck.

Therrien will move him off that line shortly.

I like Cooke, but you still have problems if he's in your top 6.

Actually, I guess that's not true. He's OK in your top 6 if he's the guy who retrieves dump ins, similar to the role Dupuis played with Crosby-Hossa last year. For now, with Crosby and Geno playing together (Sid's supposed to be ready to play Sunday vs the Rangers after missing last night) he's a fit. As soon as Malkin is moved back to center, and Satan is on Crosby's wing, it doesn't matter who the 3rd guy on that line is.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Dola

Seeing Wings/Zetterberg close to a 10 year/$75M deal.

Doesn't that $7.5M avg break the self imposed Lidstrom-cap ceiling?
And, do they really want to be paying him $7.5M (or $7.5M cap hit anyway) when he's 38?

I know I shouldn't question Ken Holland's judgement....but I am.

[Tekneek]

Deslauriers will be the backup in Edmonton. They have been carrying three goalies all season.

Sabourin was a throw-in that will be put on waivers.

[samifan24]

I thought there was some talk of Edmonton moving Sabourin to another club? Either way I don't think the Oilers will keep three goalies on the roster again.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I thought there was some talk of Edmonton moving Sabourin to another club? Either way I don't think the Oilers will keep three goalies on the roster again.

Yeah I've read where he was told not to report to EDM. So either he'll get moved (Isles?) or waived and sent to Springfield, or wherever it is their AHL team is now.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Dola

Seeing Wings/Zetterberg close to a 10 year/$75M deal.

Doesn't that $7.5M avg break the self imposed Lidstrom-cap ceiling?
And, do they really want to be paying him $7.5M (or $7.5M cap hit anyway) when he's 38?

I know I shouldn't question Ken Holland's judgement....but I am.

I think the $7.5 is right around the Lidstrom ceiling thing. That said, as much as I love Zetterberg, a 10 year deal at that price is simply too long. I am not a fan of this mega-long deals. I understand the need to lock up your best players and for the desire for cost certainty going forward, but any deal that keeps paying a player premium dollars well after they're 35 is questionable.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I think the $7.5 is right around the Lidstrom ceiling thing. That said, as much as I love Zetterberg, a 10 year deal at that price is simply too long. I am not a fan of this mega-long deals. I understand the need to lock up your best players and for the desire for cost certainty going forward, but any deal that keeps paying a player premium dollars well after they're 35 is questionable.

And I assume this means no Hossa?

What about Franzen?

[Honolulu_Blue]

And I assume this means no Hossa?

What about Franzen?

It's really hard to say what's going to happen after this year. Realistically, I think the Wings will be able to re-sign some one player from each of the following to groups:

Group A: Hossa, Zetterberg

Group B: Hulder, Franzen

Obviously the Wings are leaning towards Zetterberg. They are loyal that way.

Re-signing Franzen could be tricky. The Wings had a rough go when they signed him to his current deal, back when he was a third line checking type.

Hulder is an RFA, which gives the Wings a bit more leverage. If someone signs him to a decent offer sheet, and the Wings can't match, at least they'll get something in return.

The Wings would love to have Hossa back and, by all accounts, he loves it here, but I just don't see that being a reality. Just not enough of the pie to go around.

At the end of the day, if Holland manages to keep both Zetterberg and Franzen and gotten something for Hulder, he's done a good job.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Franzen I could see getting $5M from someone who really needs a scorer (Canucks, Islanders)...and then be upset when they realize what they've paid for.

No knock on Franzen, he'd probably still score 30, but that 30 is different on a team without Hossa, Z, Datsyuk in front of him.

Hudler would be a great fit in Pittsburgh, but we are in no position to be going after RFAs. We'll be bringing in Jason Williams (CBJ version) and Richard Zednik in on one year deals to replace Satan and Fedotenko :(

[samifan24]

The poor Islanders signed Wade Dubielewicz because both DiPietro and MacDonald are out for a long time. They invited him to practice and we all ready to go when they learned that he had to pass through waivers before they could sign him and then learned that Columbus had claimed him. Normally I'd give a team the benefit of the doubt in this case but this is the Islanders. Is it really possible that they simply forgot that he would be subject to waivers? How does that even happen to an NHL franchise?

[bbor]

The poor Islanders signed Wade Dubielewicz because both DiPietro and MacDonald are out for a long time. They invited him to practice and we all ready to go when they learned that he had to pass through waivers before they could sign him and then learned that Columbus had claimed him. Normally I'd give a team the benefit of the doubt in this case but this is the Islanders. Is it really possible that they simply forgot that he would be subject to waivers? How does that even happen to an NHL franchise?

Garth Snow.

[samifan24]

Between Garth Snow and Mike Dunham, I think the Isles lead the league in former goalies in the front office.

[JPhillips]

It's too bad the cap is eventually going to play havoc with all the young talent on the Bruins and Caps. That could be a great rivalry over the next decade. The two games at Verizon this year have been great battles.

[DeToxRox]

Franzen I could see getting $5M from someone who really needs a scorer (Canucks, Islanders)...and then be upset when they realize what they've paid for.

No knock on Franzen, he'd probably still score 30, but that 30 is different on a team without Hossa, Z, Datsyuk in front of him.

Hudler would be a great fit in Pittsburgh, but we are in no position to be going after RFAs. We'll be bringing in Jason Williams (CBJ version) and Richard Zednik in on one year deals to replace Satan and Fedotenko :(

I love Franzen, but he is hurt; a lot, and as you said, it's a lot easier to play with Z and Dats then it is if he goes to the Isle to play with ... Exactly.

The Z deal is a risk. If he had no back problems, I am fine with it, as 38 is not an old age for a hockey player. He could still be a 60 point guy at 38, but that's if he can even play 70 + games by then.

Still, he's in line to be the next captain, and I feel it is needed to keep that stability within the organization.

He is a warrior out there, and the players love playing with him.

Plus, even in her 30's his girlfriend being around 10 years is boss.

[bhlloy]

So CR... not to gloat or anything but was I right about Bobby Ryan?

Kid has been absolutely ridiculous, he's already playing almost at the level of Getzlaf with more of a scorer's instinct. Even I couldn't have imagined him having the puck handling and skating ability he's shown so far - I thought of him more as a power forward who could also skate a bit. Either way, I'll take it.

I'm quietly confident of our chances for the rest of the season, even with how good the Sharks and Wings are. When Selanne comes back, should have 4 top notch offensive options, which we haven't had in forever. And we haven't missed Beauchemain as much as I thought we would (where the hell did Montador come from, he is looking really good) If you had told me at the start of the year we would have this many injuries (7 rookies/young AHL guys in the lineup last night?) and still be flirting with the top 4 in the conference, I'd have been pretty happy.

[Chief Rum]

So CR... not to gloat or anything but was I right about Bobby Ryan?

Kid has been absolutely ridiculous, he's already playing almost at the level of Getzlaf with more of a scorer's instinct. Even I couldn't have imagined him having the puck handling and skating ability he's shown so far - I thought of him more as a power forward who could also skate a bit. Either way, I'll take it.

I'm quietly confident of our chances for the rest of the season, even with how good the Sharks and Wings are. When Selanne comes back, should have 4 top notch offensive options, which we haven't had in forever. And we haven't missed Beauchemain as much as I thought we would (where the hell did Montador come from, he is looking really good) If you had told me at the start of the year we would have this many injuries (7 rookies/young AHL guys in the lineup last night?) and still be flirting with the top 4 in the conference, I'd have been pretty happy.

Heh...it's funny, but maybe we have established our roles with respect to each other, where you're more optimistic, and I am more pessimistic, and we can act as checks on one another. I am encouraged by what you say here, because none of it is wrong, and the team has been through a lot. Ryan suddenly looks like a Calder candidate.

(Prepare for pessimism)

That said, we have played more games than anyone else in the West at this point with 47 points, and we're just at the top of a large group of teams, all of whom have at least a game in hand on us, and most two or three. We are near the top four in position, but we're not really near the top four in points. I view the Sharks, Wings, Flames and Hawks as being on another level above the rest of the West right now.

All that said, you're right that to be where we are with all the injuries we have had is impressive. Ebbett particularly looks like a keeper among the kids, although I wish Festerling would provide more of a scoring touch as a D-man, something he did in the minors but hasn't here. We also need Hedican and Morrison to play a little closer to their billings, and Jiggy needs to bounce back, too (or we need to go with Hiller). The checking line needs to be more consistent, and so do the special teams. Plus, we just need to get healthy, which we haven't been able to do.

Teemu coming back (and Huskins and Marchant) will help in some of these areas, but outside of Teemu, I don't see any of them having a big enough impact to make us turn that corner, so we need a lot of the above to happen, IMO, especially since we can't really do much in a trade up against the cap.

This team has made a disturbing habit of taking and then giving up leads, like that awful game against the Wings which we should have won. It has happened a countless number of times, almost always in the third period, and it's very troubling, because it's hard not to blame things like that on heart and on coaching, and those are tougher things to fix in midseason.

Sorry to be Captain Bringdown. The rest of the way is going to be a lot of fun to watch as a fan, but I am very cautious about how I am feeling about this particular team's makeup right now.

[Draft Dodger]

Ryan Smyth and Milan Hejduk each scored their 300th goal last night, just the 2nd time in NHL history that teammates had done it in the same game (Ivan Boldriev and Danny Gare did it in 83)

[johnnyshaka]

Ryan Smyth and Milan Hejduk each scored their 300th goal last night, just the 2nd time in NHL history that teammates had done it in the same game (Ivan Boldriev and Danny Gare did it in 83)

Was really hoping to see Smyth get his when the Oilers were in town. Regardless, great to see him reach that milestone.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Unless there's been some breaking news I missed, Brendan Shanahan will play for the Devils tonight in Nashville. I'm excited about it. I'm not sure exactly what he'll bring to the team yet, but it'll be fun to see.

As the days pass, I'm even more excited about Brodeur's return in the next six weeks or so. Sure, he may need a couple of games to shake the rust off, but he'll be rested for the stretch run and the playoffs. If the offense can stay anywhere near its current pace, a well-rested Brodeur should make the Devils a strong contender in the East. The experience of guys like Holik, Rolston, Shanahan, and Elias should help keep the youngsters focused.

Now if we only had a defenseman with some skills on offense. Paul Martin tries sometimes, but the Rafalski days spoiled me.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Dola

And did I just see on TSN's website that the Sharks called up Claude Lemieux?!

[Suburban Rhythm]

Dola

And did I just see on TSN's website that the Sharks called up Claude Lemieux?!

Yep. Heard it on XM.

Shanahan. Claude Lemieux. I'll start the 'Mario Lemieux, best shape of his life' rumor...

[Suburban Rhythm]

YouTube - Marc Andre Fleury with Terrible Towel (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m51w9nmSaxQ)

[MikeVic]

Awesome!

[samifan24]

The St. Louis Blues beat Boston in a shootout today, except that the game never should have gone to a shootout in the first place. The Blues scored the game tying goal with less than 1.5 seconds left in regulation when David Backes knocked the puck down with a high stick. The referees deliberated for a good five minutes. They showed a few different angles on TV and it looked to me that Backes stick was above the crossbar when he hit the puck.

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_nhl_experts__20/ept_sports_nhl_experts-191039375-1232409735.jpg?ymHiqqAD3eXx.1aW

[Suburban Rhythm]

They must have been confused and thought it was Crosby again.

[samifan24]

How has David Krejci still not been added to the Eastern Conference All Star team? He's 12th in the league in scoring! He's the only player in the top 12 (more than 12 players because of ties) not on an All Star team. How does this happen?

[Pyser]

shrug. elias is 9th last time i checked and he isnt going either.

and hey, the devils have played about 85% of their season without brodeur, and are in first place. so, yeah.

[Dr. Sak]

For the second straight year the NHL All-Star game will be without one of the game's biggest stars as Sidney Crosby has pulled out of this weekend's mid-winter classic in Montreal. Crosby, who currently sits second in league scoring with 60 points, has taken the advice of Penguins doctors and will rest injured knee over the All-Star break. He will be replaced on the Eastern Conference team by Martin St. Louis.

[Dr. Sak]

Wow I didn't know Rick DiPietro was out for the year.

[samifan24]

shrug. elias is 9th last time i checked and he isnt going either.

and hey, the devils have played about 85% of their season without brodeur, and are in first place. so, yeah.

I had no idea Elias wasn't going. Elias, Krejci and Daniel Sedin are all in the top 15 in scoring and we have guys like Mike Komisarek and Mark Streit going to the All Star Game. So stupid. It won't really matter, though, because now that Crosby's out, I bet the ratings will be pretty poor anyway.

[Honolulu_Blue]

For the second straight year the NHL All-Star game will be without one of the game's biggest stars as Sidney Crosby has pulled out of this weekend's mid-winter classic in Montreal. Crosby, who currently sits second in league scoring with 60 points, has taken the advice of Penguins doctors and will rest injured knee over the All-Star break. He will be replaced on the Eastern Conference team by Martin St. Louis.

Not to mention that the only representative of the reigning Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings will be Mike Babcock. Both Datsyuk and Lidstrom pulled out.

To be honest, I could care less. The last All-Star game I remember watching was the one where Owen Nolan called his goal when he went in on Hasek.

[Dr. Sak]

Gary fires back...

Pittsburgh has no intention of testing NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's threat to suspend those who choose not show in Montreal for this weekends All-Star festivities.

Penguins captain Sidney Crosby is en route to Montreal and will arrive early this afternoon to fully participate in all off-ice All-Star activities.

The NHL says it will enforce an understanding that all players who decline to show after being named to the All-Star teams must miss at least one game before or one game after the All-Star weekend.

If so, Detroit's Pavel Datsyuk and Nicklas Lidstrom may be forced to sit the Red Wings next game if they don't immediately change their All-Star break plans and report to Montreal

[Logan]

Now that they're officially out, follow up article stating that Datsyuk and Lidstrom will miss the next Wings game.

Nicklas Lidstrom, Pavel Datsyuk must sit out Detroit Red Wings' next game - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/allstar2009/news/story?id=3855534)

Interesting policy, I think I like it.

[Suburban Rhythm]

COLD WAR OVER?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/capitalsinsider/ovie.jpg

Malkin later assisted in the breakaway challenge-

YouTube - Alex Ovechkin Breakaway Challenge 2009 NHL All-Star Skills Competition (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjPknaRUrTU)


Rumored that Ilya Kovulchuk played the role of mediator... he must have poured the vodka.

Edit to add-- Those pants make Ovechkin looks REALLY excited to make up! :lol:

[Dr. Sak]

Is anyone watching the All-Star game?

[Chief Rum]

Is anyone watching the All-Star game?

I would like to, but I don't get Versus on the TV near my computer, and I have some things to take care of today. I'll probably exit the room with my computer and watch the game for a bit on the TV that does get Versus. Is Ovechkin wearing a Canada flag hat?

[Dr. Sak]

Not right now he isn't. But there is some weird opening ceremony going on right now.

[DeToxRox]

Not NHL but Todd Bertuzzi has company as scum of the earth.

Here is a great summary from mgoblog plus the video:

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I tried not to write this post exactly like this. I waited, and tried not to go completely nuclear.

I sit four rows behind Steven Kampfer's parents. I know this because last night, when Steve Kampfer laid on the ice after being assaulted from behind by Andrew Conboy and then slashed in the head by Corey Tropp, one group of enraged Michigan fans was even more shocked than the rest of the crowd. Kampfer's mother went down to the State bench and started screaming. An usher came up to restrain her, and she cried out "that's my son." Another relative was looking around incredulously, crying, panicking, her hands waving in the air pointlessly. It's the kind of random motion you make when something has to be done and you're totally helpless. Kampfer's dad left, and I thought about following him.

Later Comley would relate that a Michigan fan broke into the locker room and tried to fight Tropp; multiple reports say it was him. I wish I, and about 200 students, had been there, too. But that's the difference between men and pigs like Conboy and Tropp: we weren't.

I thought maybe I'd be less livid after sleeping on it. I'm not. What happened last night was the most disgraceful thing I've ever seen at a sporting event, and if either of those two animals ever plays against Michigan again I'll be hoping they break their necks. That is not a kind or noble or understanding thing to say, but it's true. That was disgusting. Both should be kicked out of the CCHA, period.

Someone who should also be gone: Kevin Hall. Hall watched Conboy pull all sorts of crap, including punching Tristin Llewellyn in the face as he looked at it directly, and didn't put a stop to it. Given the opportunity to boot him off the ice with a ten minute misconduct for unsportsmanlike, he instead turned it into a minor and let Conboy loose with under a minute left. He lost control of the game. He's an idiot. He should be fired.

And let's not exonerate Comley here. He recruited Conboy and knew exactly what he was getting. Conboy's older brother was booted out of SCSU for anger management issues (side note: how big of a prick must their father be? I can only imagine) and he racked up huge penalty totals across three years of juniors. He's their leading PIM guy this year, and the announcers in the above clip euphemistically call him State's "police/enforcer," by which they mean talentless thug. During the game it became clearer and clearer that Conboy was just looking for heads to add to the wall, but Comley kept throwing him out there. Down two goals with under ten minutes on the clock, Comley went to a guy with five points on the season.

Then Comley managed to impugn a couple of Michigan players' class for talking crap to him after all this in the postgame presser. You can say whatever you want about how nice a guy he is and what an ambassador for the game he is, but that's pathetic. That's someone in denial about what happened and his role in it.

As for Tropp: a two-handed slash to the head of a prone, motionless player should be cause for ejection from the team, expulsion from school, and criminal charges. I hope the Kampfer family presses charges, and I look forward to seeing Tropp's arrest for meth addiction in my local electronic newspaper in 15 years.

Update: MVictors has frame-by-frame stuff on the incident; Yost Built also has a right-on take. On review, the Tropp thing is even more unbelievable: you can watch him cock his stick, see Kampfer is prone on the ground, and then wait for a better shot.

Update II: Impartial Wisconsin fan and former UMD announcer Bruce Ciskie at Fanhouse:

Oh, and [Tropp] slashed a player who was probably unconscious at the time. There's a special place in hockey hell for people like that.

[DeToxRox]

And to note, in October Kampfer was brutally assaulted by a UM Walkon Football player, where he had skull and neck injuries, and was in a Halo. His career was in jepoardy, let alone this season. He makes a remarkable comeback, and then this.

[Logan]

Is anyone watching the All-Star game?

Watching despite not having Versus HD.

[Dr. Sak]

Watching despite not having Versus HD.

Wow that stinks. Hockey looks so much better in HD.

[Logan]

Looooooong intro.

[Logan]

Wow that stinks. Hockey looks so much better in HD.

You're telling me. At my last apartment, we didn't get MSG in HD which meant not a single Ranger game in HD. Get that now though, so it's an improvement. I don't know if TWC offers Versus HD at all...

[Dr. Sak]

I have Centre Ice so unless the Flyers play the Pens or are on Versus/NBC I don't get any hockey in HD.

[Maple Leafs]

Re: the Kampfer assault.

Are we allowed to use this as an example of what can happen in a league with no fighting, or are the anti-fighting guys the only ones who are allowed to jump on a tragedy to help enforce their argument?

[Dr. Sak]

I wonder if Savard will drop the F-bomb again like he did when he was miced up in the skills competition last night.

[samifan24]

I wonder if Savard will drop the F-bomb again like he did when he was miced up in the skills competition last night.

I didn't hear that. When did it happen?

[Dr. Sak]

I didn't hear that. When did it happen?

The breakaway challenge...he was skating in...lost control of the puck...went fuccck...then scored.

[DeToxRox]

This is worse then the Rookie/Sophmore game. No one is even trying to skate. Can we just end this? Please?

[Dr. Sak]

I'd be pissed if I was a goalie.

[Groundhog]

Wow. I'll admit that I never watch Ice Hockey, but I just caught 5 minutes of the All-Star game. I've never seen a professional sport played with less passion, intensity, or excitement.

[yacovfb]

Wow. I'll admit that I never watch Ice Hockey, but I just caught 5 minutes of the All-Star game. I've never seen a professional sport played with less passion, intensity, or excitement.

So you don't watch the Pro Bowl or NBA All Star game then, I take it?;)

[Groundhog]

So you don't watch the Pro Bowl or NBA All Star game then, I take it?;)

To be honest, I've never watched a Pro Bowl, but the NBA All Star game, as much as I detest it, is still many times more interesting than what I saw go down on the ice today.

[Travis]

It's too bad the whole game wasn't played the way the last 5-10 minutes of the third period was played, that was starting to get pretty good. I did enjoy the commentary by Luongo during the third.

[Galaxy]

To be honest, I've never watched a Pro Bowl, but the NBA All Star game, as much as I detest it, is still many times more interesting than what I saw go down on the ice today.

All-Star games are a horrible judgement of a player's passion. I wish all-star games got axed.

[Chief Rum]

Wow. I'll admit that I never watch Ice Hockey, but I just caught 5 minutes of the All-Star game. I've never seen a professional sport played with less passion, intensity, or excitement.

Jeez, Groundhog, why pick the worst possible game to watch as your first time being exposed by hockey? Are you intentionally trying to avoid getting interested? Are there any cricket exhibitions between club teams I could watch, too? lol...

[DeToxRox]

Zetterberg extension announced tomorrow:

12 years, 72 mil

It will be 12-year deal worth slighty more than $72 million, making it the longest and most lucrative contract (in total value) in franchise history. The Wings were able to sign him for a salary-cap figure of slightly more than $6 million per season by adding two years at the end of the deal worth just $1 million per season.

[NoSkillz]

As a Sabres fan, I just want to thank the Oilers for deciding to take an extra day of vacation after the all-star break.

[samifan24]

Didn't the Red Wings learn from the DiPietro contract? 10+ years is way too long of a contract in the NHL.

[Pyser]

6m a year? wow. glad its so long though. how old is he?

[Pyser]

dola, tsn says:

A report says the Detroit Red Wings have agreed to a contract extension with left-wing Henrik Zetterberg that could pay him more than $7 million a year for 10 years.

[johnnyshaka]

As a Sabres fan, I just want to thank the Oilers for deciding to take an extra day of vacation after the all-star break.

Didn't see any of it but listened on the radio for a little on my way to hockey...promptly turned it off.

Did the Bills score that many points in a game during the 2nd half of the season??

[Honolulu_Blue]

6m a year? wow. glad its so long though. how old is he?

He's 28. So, he'll be getting paid $6 million per year when he's 40.

12 years is too long, especially for a guy with known back problems. I tend to dislike any contract longer than, say, 7 or 8 years.

That said, the per year cap space is very reasonable and who knows what the NHL landscape will look like in the year 2020? Maybe there will be no cap, maybe contracts wont be guaranteed anymore, maybe $6 million per year will be a pittance thanks to the cap going up, up, and up thanks to hockey's sudden surge in popularity and thriving U.S. economy thanks to the all-knowing wisdom of President Obama (and the amazing mystical powers of the once thought to be extinct unicorns).

This deal is very good for the Wings in the short term as it gives them a top class player at a very reasonable salary. The deal only becomes problematic 6-7 years down the road. Given the current make-up of the team, I think it was a wise move. The Wings have a good thing going now. There's no reason to compromise that by trying to plan for a future that is completely unknown.

[Hurst2112]

Zetts for $6 million per year.

Marion Gaborik, your financial future has just been set. Good luck to you and your agent.

[boberot]

As a Sabres fan, I just want to thank the Oilers for deciding to take an extra day of vacation after the all-star break.


No doubt. That looked like the Oilers were going through a loose practice while the Sabres were playing an actual game.

Unfortunately, I have this feeling it will take the Sabres four games to generate their next 10 goals.

[Suburban Rhythm]

He's 28. So, he'll be getting paid $6 million per year when he's 40.

12 years is too long, especially for a guy with known back problems. I tend to dislike any contract longer than, say, 7 or 8 years.

That said, the per year cap space is very reasonable and who knows what the NHL landscape will look like in the year 2020? Maybe there will be no cap, maybe contracts wont be guaranteed anymore, maybe $6 million per year will be a pittance thanks to the cap going up, up, and up thanks to hockey's sudden surge in popularity and thriving U.S. economy thanks to the all-knowing wisdom of President Obama (and the amazing mystical powers of the once thought to be extinct unicorns).

This deal is very good for the Wings in the short term as it gives them a top class player at a very reasonable salary. The deal only becomes problematic 6-7 years down the road. Given the current make-up of the team, I think it was a wise move. The Wings have a good thing going now. There's no reason to compromise that by trying to plan for a future that is completely unknown.

I believe there are some predictions the cap will stay the same or even drop next season. I'd guess this is based on, while the number of season tickets this year haven't changed from last season or this season, less people will be buying walk up tickets?

Also, I agree, 12 years is too long. But $6M number. The difference between he and say Crosby, $2.7M, is a solid 2nd line guy for most teams.

Assuming he's still there at 40, people won't be as upset with giving him $6M as they will with whatever they are paying Chelios at age 58.

[Maple Leafs]

Marion Gaborik, your financial future has just been set. Good luck to you and your agent.
I think you mean former agent.

[henry296]

Was there really a fight 3 seconds into the Penguins - Rangers game tonight?

[Suburban Rhythm]

Was there really a fight 3 seconds into the Penguins - Rangers game tonight?


Yep...Rangers started with their 4th line, so Therrien started with the Pens. Godard - Orr drop them from the opening faceoff. After a little dancing, Godard caught Orr right on the chin and dropped him. Orr bounced up from his knees, but Godard won it.

[samifan24]

Was there really a fight 3 seconds into the Penguins - Rangers game tonight?

That must date back to that Sunday day game they played a few weeks back. I caught some of it and Orr and Godard both went after skill players on the other team and wouldn't fight each other.

[Maple Leafs]

I'm going to be live-blogging tonight's Leafs/Avs game over at TheScore.com tonight. I'll also be drinking heavily.

Feel free to drop by and watch a major Canadian sports network lose their license.

http://liveblogs.thescore.com/Event/NHL_-_Maple_Leafs_vs_Avalanche

[Chief Rum]

Take this FWIW, since I am a well-known Ducks homer.

But given that the 2005 draft has actually turned out to be a very good draft (it wasn't just Crosby and a bunch of guys, well, it was, but not as bad as thought)...

Consider some of these players from that draft currently starring or playing key roles...

Anze Kopitar
Devon Setoguchi
Paul Stastny
Carey Price
Andrew Cogliano
Jack Johnson
Guillaume "I Punked Roy" Latendresse

And more guys are still coming from this class, just about ready to break into the league or get bigger roles.

And despite all that, having watched this kid dominate for some two months now, I am now content that the Ducks actually made the right pick with the 2nd overall in Bobby Ryan.

[samifan24]

I'm a big Bobby Ryan fan now, especially because he's tearing it up for my fantasy team in the FOFC Yahoo league.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Take this FWIW, since I am a well-known Ducks homer.

But given that the 2005 draft has actually turned out to be a very good draft (it wasn't just Crosby and a bunch of guys, well, it was, but not as bad as thought)...

Consider some of these players from that draft currently starring or playing key roles...

Anze Kopitar
Devon Setoguchi
Paul Stastny
Carey Price
Andrew Cogliano
Jack Johnson
Guillaume "I Punked Roy" Latendresse

And more guys are still coming from this class, just about ready to break into the league or get bigger roles.

And despite all that, having watched this kid dominate for some two months now, I am now content that the Ducks actually made the right pick with the 2nd overall in Bobby Ryan.

The Pens got Kris Letang with the first pick of round 3. He's played huge minutes this year when both Whitney and Gonchar were out.

[DeToxRox]

I am loving the 05 draft the Wings had ..

Kindl, Abdelkader, Ritola and Helm are 4 of the Wings top 7 or 8 prospects. Kindl has been up and down, but seems to have gotten it this year in the A, but still is behind Ericcson as far as next guy to hop in the top 6 permanently.

[Maple Leafs]

I love Luke Schenn and want to have 10,000 babies with him.

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[Galaxy]

Is it just me or does Anaheim have crappy ice?

[DeToxRox]

Give Schenn the C already.

That kid is awesome.

[Galaxy]

Quite a physical game in Sabres-Ducks.

[Galaxy]

Jeez....

This could get pretty ugly into the third.

[bhlloy]

I'll definitely have to catch the last 2 periods on FSN when they replay it having seen the box score (had to leave after the first). Sounds like a chippy game. I expected some big time ruckus after seeing Peters was in the lineup.

Gripe time... how the hell can the Ducks have played 53 games when the next team in the conference has played 51 and most teams have played 49 or 48. I understand scheduling is an inexact science, but that's freaking ridiculous. I'm stoked to see them in fourth and then realize they could actually be 11th in terms of games in hand.

[Honolulu_Blue]

So, the Wings finally break out of their 5 game losing streak to beat St. Louis 4-3 in a shootout. It was a pretty crappy game. The Wings gave up the lead 3 times, gave up 3 power play goals, and only had 21 shots on net.

The Wings' three goals came on their first eight shots on Manny Legace. After the game Legace said the following:

"I was God-awful. The guys played great. I'm the reason we lost. I was the worst guy in the NHL tonight."

Ah, Manny. Those are echoes of his famous, “I feel like going out and hanging myself," quote after the Wings lost to Edmonton in the first round in 2006.

I like Manny well enough. He's a decent enough goalie and by all accounts a great guy. I used to feel sorry for him, but now I think he's just a bit overly dramatic.

[Logan]

As I wrote in my FTB answers:

The Rangers are retiring his [Adam Graves] jersey this year, and I have all my potential ticket sources trying to squeeze me in somewhere. If I don't end up with anything, I'll stubhub a solo ticket if I have to, but I'll be there.

Buddy of mine from work came through with an extra ticket for tonight! Very excited to be there. He's the last main piece from the 94 team that will have his jersey retired so I expect it to be pretty special. Plus, he was really loved more than even Messier.

[Pumpy Tudors]

maybe the 94 team can go fuck themselves imo

[Honolulu_Blue]

1989-Nov-02: Traded from Detroit Red Wings: Petr Klima, Adam Graves, Joe Murphy and Jeff Sharples to Edmonton Oilers for Jimmy Carson, Kevin McClelland and round 5 pick in the 1991 draft.

One of the Worst. Trades. Ever.

[DeToxRox]

My girlfriends little bro plays on one of the teams Klima coaches ... All he does is swear at his two sons in Czech.

[Logan]

maybe the 94 team can go fuck themselves imo

Noted. May I have your thoughts on Graves and the '97 team please?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Noted. May I have your thoughts on Graves and the '97 team please?
help

[DeToxRox]

Pumpy is it true that every time Mike Grier is checked you die a little inside?

[DeToxRox]

BTW

Is Eklund even trying anymore? I saw him report that the Wings want Toskala. Because they can afford that 4 mil price tag.

I know he is terrible, but at least before he had awful trades that worked within the cap. Now it's just awful trades without even considering the cap.

[Logan]

Pumpy is it true that every time Mike Grier is checked you die a little inside?

Thought that was reserved for Colin White.

[Pumpy Tudors]

HELP

[DeToxRox]

Thought that was reserved for Colin White.

Pumpy only hates him because of his last name.

His favorite player is still Mike Grier, or as Pumpy calls him, Ice LeBron.

[Honolulu_Blue]

My girlfriends little bro plays on one of the teams Klima coaches ... All he does is swear at his two sons in Czech.

Well, if they're anything like their dad they probably float around a lot and play shitty defense, so... I'm sure they have it coming.

[RendeR]

Jeez....

This could get pretty ugly into the third.


I was actually enjoying how much more physical they played. I really love watching Kaleta get into it and I'm glad they're letting him drop the gloves more. The guy plays with no concern for his body at all.

As for the game, I want to beat Pronger in the face with a large hammer. His smug attitude just pisses me off.

Unfortunately the Sabres just never got back into a rhythm in the 3rd. Ducks dominated the last two periods and we forgot how to pass the puck.

overall a good road trip for the Sabres though. They're hanging tough in the fight for those last 2 playoff spots. I worry about a pittsburgh streak towards the end of the season though. That teams got too much talent to be floundering so badly this year.

[DeToxRox]

Well, if they're anything like their dad they probably float around a lot and play shitty defense, so... I'm sure they have it coming.

His kids are pretty decent.

His wife is as well.

[Logan]

HELP

The best part is I know I'm going to see highlights of Graves' wraparound at least twice during the ceremony.

And then I'm gonna go home and catch up on the DVR. You know, the Graves special on MSG at 5pm. And then the next Graves special at 6. And then the actual ceremony.

That means that there will probably be upwards of 10 times tonight where I see THIS PLAY:

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[Honolulu_Blue]

His kids are pretty decent.

His wife is as well.

That's my boy!

[DeToxRox]

HB - How have you liked Leino in the two games he's played? He has shown some great offensive skill, and can really fit into what the team does. Honestly, if there were a way to get rid of Sammy right now, I'd feel comfortable with Leino in the top 9 forwards from here on out.

[Pumpy Tudors]

i'm pretty much done here

devils playing against some bitches tonight i dunno who maybe the capitals or something anyway go devils peace

[Dr. Sak]

Bye Bundle Dick

[Honolulu_Blue]

HB - How have you liked Leino in the two games he's played? He has shown some great offensive skill, and can really fit into what the team does. Honestly, if there were a way to get rid of Sammy right now, I'd feel comfortable with Leino in the top 9 forwards from here on out.

I've been impressed. That goal he scored against Washington was super impressive. I totally agree. I would gladly jettison Sammuelsson. While I have nothing against Sammy, I also have nothing for him. He doesn't frustrate me like Lilja does or Lang did, but he also rarely thrills me. I'd be more than happy to have Leino take his place among the top 9.

[Logan]

i'm pretty much done here

devils playing against some bitches tonight i dunno who maybe the capitals or something anyway go devils peace

If it makes you feel any better, watching that video reminded me of the awful Liberty jerseys. Of course, those weren't as bad as the god-awful white Liberty jerseys.

[DeToxRox]

If it makes you feel any better, watching that video reminded me of the awful Liberty jerseys. Of course, those weren't as bad as the god-awful white Liberty jerseys.

http://mattgunn.files.wordpress.com/2007/06/fishstick_islanders.jpg

Thank God the Isles showed a drive to be better then the Rangers at something.

[Logan]

Fishsticks!

[henry296]

Logan - Will they also show the slash on Lemieux 10 times too? :) That's my best memory of Adam Graves.

[Galaxy]

I was actually enjoying how much more physical they played. I really love watching Kaleta get into it and I'm glad they're letting him drop the gloves more. The guy plays with no concern for his body at all.

As for the game, I want to beat Pronger in the face with a large hammer. His smug attitude just pisses me off.

Unfortunately the Sabres just never got back into a rhythm in the 3rd. Ducks dominated the last two periods and we forgot how to pass the puck.

overall a good road trip for the Sabres though. They're hanging tough in the fight for those last 2 playoff spots. I worry about a pittsburgh streak towards the end of the season though. That teams got too much talent to be floundering so badly this year.

Yeah.

One problem I've noticed is when they try to get physical like last night, they seem to over-do it to the point that it takes away from their game.

[Logan]

Logan - Will they also show the slash on Lemieux 10 times too? :) That's my best memory of Adam Graves.

Don't know what you're talking about!

It was a really fun night...right up until they dropped the puck. Then the Rangers played like shit until Naslund tied it up with 10 seconds left.

The ceremony was awesome though and was a great experience.

[Maple Leafs]

Nik Hagman had the goal of the year last night. Get bodychecked by the ref, kneed in the head, get hit in the face with the puck, then get up and deke out the entire team to score.

I bet Ovechkin steals that for the next skills competition.