The OFFICIAL 2009-10 NHL Regular Season Thread

[Dr. Sak]

WolfDawgs... er, Coyotes please :D

Phoenix overall ranking is 6th

Overall rankings are in parentheses:

1. Oliver Ekman-Larsson D (3)
2. Kyle Turris C (12)
3. Mikkel Boedker RW (14)
4. Max Goncharov D (44)
5. Kevin Porter RW
6. Brett Maclean LW
7. Viktor Tikhonov LW
8. Chris Summers D
9. David Schlemko D
10. Mike Stone D

[Dr. Sak]

Springfield Oilers, please and thank you.

Oilers overall ranking is 12th

Overall rankings are in parentheses:

1. Jordan Eberle C (6)
2. M. Paajarvi-Svensson LW (11)
3. Jeff Petry D (56)
4. Taylor Chorney D
5. Anton Lander C
6. Teemu Hartikainen C
7. Alex Plante D
8. Riley Nash C
9. Linus Omark LW
10. Johan Motin D

[Dr. Sak]

sabres please

Sabers team ranking is 15th

Overall rankings are in parentheses:

1. Tyler Ennis C (29)
2. Zack Kassian RW (53)
3. Jhonas Enroth G
4. Nathan Gerbe RW
5. Brayden McNabb D
6. Luke Adam LW
7. M-A Gragnani D
8. Mike Weber D
9. Dennis Persson D
10. Drew Schiestel

[Dr. Sak]

Caps, please.

Caps team ranking is 13th

Overall rankings are in parentheses:

1. John Carlson D (5)
2. Karl Alzner D (18)
3. Michal Neuvirth G (30)
4. Marcus Johansson C (60)
5. Mathieu Perreault RW
6. Braden Holtby G
7. Stefan Della Rovere LW
8. Dmitri Orlov D
9. Anton Gustafsson C
10. Oskar Osala LW

[Dr. Sak]

Chicago, please

SI

Chicago's overall team ranking is 4th

Overall rankings are in parentheses:

1. Jack Skille RW (47)
2. Corey Crawford G
3. Kyle Beach LW
4. Bryan Bickell LW
5. Akim Aliu RW
6. Marcus Kruger C
7. Dylan Olsen D
8. Shawn Lalonde D
9. Bill Sweatt LW
10. Brandon Pirri C

[Dr. Sak]

One note on the team ranking...it is a ranking of prospects 21 and younger. So there is some weight to NHLers in there.

[sterlingice]

Thanks kindly :)

SI

[MikeVic]

One note on the team ranking...it is a ranking of prospects 21 and younger. So there is some weight to NHLers in there.

Thanks for the clarification. The Chicago one had me confused. A 47th ranked guy and they were 4 overall, but NHLers being included helps explain it.

[johnnyshaka]

Thanks!

[bronconick]

Sharks, please, if you're still posting them.

[Dr. Sak]

Sharks, please, if you're still posting them.

San Jose's overall team ranking is 27th

Overall rankings are in parentheses:

1. Logan Couture C (36)
2. Nick Petrecki D
3. Derek Joslin D
4. Steven Zalewski LW
5. Patrik Zackrisson LW
6. Tyson Sexsmith G
7. William Wrenn D
8. Taylor Doherty D
9. Julien Demers D
10. Samuel Groulx D

[Logan]

Overall rankings are in parentheses:

NYR Team Ranking 5th

1. Derek Stepan C (16)
2. Evgeny Grachev LW (21)
3. Chris Kreider C (22)
4. Ryan McDonagh D (67)
5. Bobby Sanguinetti D
6. Chad Johnson G
7. Ethan Werek C
8. Scott Stajcer G
9. Mike Sauer D
10. Ryan Bourque C

Thanks Sak. No clue who that #1 kid is.

[Dr. Sak]

Derek Stepan C, 19 Wisconsin (WCHA)
6-0 172 lbs
24 GP 6 G 23 A 29 Pts

Stepan, who grew up in Hastings, Minn, and attended Shattuck -St. Mary's, punctuated his rise to the top spot with an outstanding performance as Captain of the US team that defeated Canada in the World Juniors.

He led all players with 14 points, including 4 goals in 7 games. Scouts describe him as a playmaker in the mold of Craig Janney and Adam Oates.

"I don't know if I'd put him in that category, but they can make a play at any time to win a game and that's what he showed," said director of player personnel Gordie Clark.

Acquired: 2008 draft 51st overall

[JonInMiddleGA]

48-year-old defenseman Chris Chelios called up by Atlanta Thrashers - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4982207)

Chris Chelios is headed back to the show.

The 48-year-old defenseman has been called up by the Atlanta Thrashers, general manager Don Waddell told ESPN.com Wednesday.

Chelios had 22 points (5 goals, 17 assists) in 46 games with the AHL's Chicago Wolves this season. He signed an NHL deal with the Thrashers on March 2. The Wolves are Atlanta's primary AHL affiliate.

The Chicago native last played in the NHL last May 27 with the Detroit Red Wings against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals.

[sterlingice]

...

SI

[Maple Leafs]

Did the Leafs make the Top 30?

[Dr. Sak]

Did the Leafs make the Top 30?

18th

[Dr. Sak]

No suspension for Cooke.

[samifan24]

No suspension for Cooke.

Ridiculous.

[bbor]

Did the Leafs make the Top 30?


LOL

[Suburban Rhythm]

Now I know was Sak does at work all day ;)

I probably post this same rant every year, but I still don't understand the rankings alot of the time. Seems like either a guy in the most recent draft is the flavor of the month. Or the old standbys. A guy drafted in 2008 who is playing another year in junior (rather than in the NHL as an 18/19 year old) is downgraded. but then you have-

Exhibit A: Jack Skille. 5th straight year in the top 50, maybe top 30 a handful of those. This isn't to say he won't still turn into a good player, but even as soon as 3 seasons ago, the Hawks were not a stacked team, and they couldn't find a spot for him.

Exhibit B: Kyle Turris. 12th overall, really? His draft year he was 3...and after being awful in the NHL and mediocre in the AHL...he's 12th?

That said, there are alot I agree with: Jacob Markstrom in Florida has raised his status every year, up to 2nd. Or a guy like Sbisa being 9, who keeps proving he should be in the NHL.

[chadritt]

Thrashers please

[Galaxy]

3-3 after one in the Stars-Sabres game. Pretty fun to watch (Miller is having a off-night).

[TurnerONU22]

48-year-old defenseman Chris Chelios called up by Atlanta Thrashers - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=4982207)

Chris Chelios is headed back to the show.

The 48-year-old defenseman has been called up by the Atlanta Thrashers, general manager Don Waddell told ESPN.com Wednesday.

Chelios had 22 points (5 goals, 17 assists) in 46 games with the AHL's Chicago Wolves this season. He signed an NHL deal with the Thrashers on March 2. The Wolves are Atlanta's primary AHL affiliate.

The Chicago native last played in the NHL last May 27 with the Detroit Red Wings against the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference finals.

I'll get to see his first game back tomorrow night.

Hopefully they inform him not to wear his Confederacy uniform tomorrow night against the Blue Jackets.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Thrashers please

Overall ranking 9th

1) Patrice Cormier (34)
2) Jeremy Morin (49)
3) Carl Klingberg
4) Paul Postma
5) Arturs Kulda
6) Daulton Leveille
7) Angelo Esposito
8) Spencer Machacek
9) Alex Kangas
10) Eric O'Dell

Poor Esposito...remember in 2005 when he was the next Crosby?

[Maple Leafs]

18th
Cool. Rebuild mission complete. Time to start trading draft picks.

[bbor]

Cool. Rebuild mission complete. Time to start trading draft picks.

Done!!

[Galaxy]

5-3 win! Myers had a 4-point night (1 goal, 3 assists). He is just exciting to watch. Love how the team finally picked up for Miller, who was not on his best tonight. Something they need to do on a regular basis.

[Wolfpack]

Canes give a good accounting against Caps in DC, losing in OT, 4-3. Caps threatened to run away and hide early with the first two goals of the game, but Carolina settled down and generally played with or outplayed Washington the rest of the way. Only got a point, though, so still eight out and continuing to cling to the slimmest of hopes. Losing those games in Edmonton, Calgary, and Florida are probably what's going to ultimately finish them off, though. Just dug far too deep a hole in the first two months of the year.

Pens in Raleigh to finish a really brutal back-to-back set tomorrow night. Wonder if attendance will be up or down tomorrow since State and UNC will be in the late session games tomorrow night in Greensboro, but both teams suck royal this year and are expected to be eliminated quickly.

[Galaxy]

Hey Sabres, do you think you could actually give a shit about tonight's game?

[Fidatelo]

I love watching Ovechkin play, and he's a great character, but its time for him to dial it back a notch. He's gotten out of hand with the dirty hits this season.

[Arles]

Sounds like there's a decent chance the Coyotes could stay in Phoenix. Their attendance has increased from about 9K a game earlier in the season to almost 12K because of their recent success. This has made a long term purchase a little more realistic:

Ice Edge CEO optimistic deal for Coyotes can be reached (http://www.azcentral.com/sports/coyotes/articles/2010/03/13/20100313coyotes-ice-edge-optmistic-about-deal.html)


The CEO of Ice Edge Holdings, emphasizing that financing is not a problem, is optimistic that the purchase of the Coyotes
can be finalized by the close of the NHL season.

Anthony LeBlanc said the "whole deal" is contingent on renegotiating a new lease with the city of Glendale.

"We indicated it was going to take us three to six months, and best case, we have this closed before the playoffs start," he said. "We certainly expect that this will be closed by the time that the Stanley Cup is awarded this year. That's our plan, but it will require the city and us working together to get the lease ratified."

The process took on a new urgency for Coyotes fans in the past few days when gloom-and-doom reports surfaced in the Canadian media. An article in the Toronto Globe & Mail riled fans and prompted LeBlanc to post a letter of reassurance on a Web site.

LeBlanc said most of the time he and his colleagues just laugh off stories such as those - "Here we go again," he said.

"But this kind of rubbed people the wrong way. Especially with everything that's going so well right now, team playing so great, getting ready for playoffs for first time (since 2002), we just felt the fans needed to hear something from us that it wasn't true.

"First off, nothing has changed. It's only been three months since the LOI (letter of intent) has been signed, and at that time we said to people it's going to take us, best case, three months."

LeBlanc said when municipalities build arenas, they expect long-term leases, which he said was fair. He added IEH, which "went into this with our eyes open" wants to renegotiate the lease to make it more attractive to the team and that it can be a "win-win" situation.

"However, the thing that's important for people to understand is, we never walked into this thing looking for handouts. We've never looked for subsidies," he said.

LeBlanc said two developments last week thrust the Coyotes' saga back onto the front burner: the NHL's lawsuit against former owner Jerry Moyes and the general manager meetings.

LeBlanc also took issue with a statement from deputy NHL commissioner Bill Daly.

"He made a comment we don't agree with," he said. "He said something about our financing. The problem isn't our financing - let me rephrase that, there are no problems - the thing that has taken longer than expected is finalizing the lease."

Saying that the sides are very close in settling the issue, LeBlanc noted that there has been an agreement on the items "in principle," but several steps need to follow, starting with putting it into a document.

"The city's lawyers have to bless it, our lawyers have to bless it, and then most importantly, the City Council has to ratify," he said. "So you could technically say, 'Well, your financing is not in place,' because our financing is contingent on the lease … so technically I guess that's a fair point, well, no, it's not a fair point; technically, it's correct, but in theory it isn't.

"I think my colleague (COO) Daryl Jones, said … 'Look, I've got a raft of term sheets sitting on my desk from a variety of banks. Banks like fees, we like hockey, but we can't do a bad deal.' "

[samifan24]

I wish the NHL would just admit hockey in the desert was a mistake and move the team back to Winnipeg or a real hockey market.

[chadritt]

Are you implying that the Jets were making a ton of money and got moved anyway? Winnipeg had problems too you know.

[Pumpy Tudors]

OH SHIT IT'S ON NOW

[chadritt]

not starting shit, just annoyed that when a non-traditional team has money troubles its a "failed experiment" but when Winnipeg has money troubles nobody says the same.

[johnnyshaka]

not starting shit, just annoyed that when a non-traditional team has money troubles its a "failed experiment" but when Winnipeg has money troubles nobody says the same.

I think the beef would be that Winnipeg is in fact a hockey market that simply doesn't have the corporate backing that the "new" NHL wanted in place. Phoenix has all the money but nobody gives two shits about hockey so they aren't spending their money to support the NHL.

What's worse?

[chadritt]

I think the beef would be that Winnipeg is in fact a hockey market that simply doesn't have the corporate backing that the "new" NHL wanted in place. Phoenix has all the money but nobody gives two shits about hockey so they aren't spending their money to support the NHL.

What's worse?

Neither is good by any means but I tend to think that at least in a place like Phoenix profit is possible, they just need multiple successful years first. Id love to see a place like Winnipeg have a team if it were realistic but im not convinced it is.

[samifan24]

I think the beef would be that Winnipeg is in fact a hockey market that simply doesn't have the corporate backing that the "new" NHL wanted in place. Phoenix has all the money but nobody gives two shits about hockey so they aren't spending their money to support the NHL.

What's worse?

Yes, this was basically my point. Of course I'm jaded because Peter Karmanos ripped my team out and moved them to North Carolina.

[Honolulu_Blue]

DirecTV and Versus have finally reached an agreement.

VERSUS will be returning to the same DirecTV programming packages it was at the end of August 2009.

[Logan]

DirecTV and Versus have finally reached an agreement.

VERSUS will be returning to the same DirecTV programming packages it was at the end of August 2009.

And 12 people celebrate :(

[Fidatelo]

I think the beef would be that Winnipeg is in fact a hockey market that simply doesn't have the corporate backing that the "new" NHL wanted in place. Phoenix has all the money but nobody gives two shits about hockey so they aren't spending their money to support the NHL.

What's worse?

Another problem with Winnipeg, beyond the lack of major corporations, is the inherent problem that Winnipeggers are really, really cheap. It's a blue-collar, 'whole-sale' city and that's where it comes into direct conflict with the current-day NHL. Do we love hockey? Sure. But only to a point, or I suppose a price-point, and the million-dollar question is what that price-point is. The city has changed a bit in the last 15 years, it is loosening up a little, but I'm not sure if it's enough.

I have no doubts that if we were to get a team, it would sell out every game for the first 2-3 years, even at very high prices. But then, if the team on the ice were to be mediocre like the Jets/Coyotes have always been, I wonder what would happen. How much would Winnipeggers be willing to spend to head downtown on a random night in January when it's 40 below outside once the sheen has worn off the building and the team?

[Arles]

Neither is good by any means but I tend to think that at least in a place like Phoenix profit is possible, they just need multiple successful years first. Id love to see a place like Winnipeg have a team if it were realistic but im not convinced it is.
There are only a handful of markets in the NHL that could have handled a team not making the playoffs from 2002 until 2009 and stay profitable. The Coyotes drew very well when they made their playoff runs in 1998-2001, but then they stunk for 7-8 seasons. Just look at this season, their attendance has increased by almost 50% since October because they started to win. In October, they were averaging around 9,000 (against major market teams like Boston and LA). For last Wednesday's game against Vancouver, they had 16,000 fans (nearly a sellout). Heck, the team was brutal last season and still averaged over 14,000 a home game.

The problem in Phoenix hasn't been the market, it's been the quality of the team. If they put a decent product on the ice and get the ownership issue straightened out, they could easily average 16,000-17,000 a night (which would put them about mid-league in attendance). As an FYI, the Jets had maxed out at around 12-13K in their best days.

[johnnyshaka]

Neither is good by any means but I tend to think that at least in a place like Phoenix profit is possible, they just need multiple successful years first. Id love to see a place like Winnipeg have a team if it were realistic but im not convinced it is.

That's fair but how realistic is it to think that, a) they will have multiple successful years, and b) if it will matter one iota?

They have a great team and are in last in attendance again this season...how many seasons do they need to be successful on the ice before they become successful financially?

Not saying that Winnipeg or Quebec City is the answer but Phoenix has already proven time and time again that they don't care about the NHL so why continue to try and fix something that can't be fixed?

[MikeVic]

As an FYI, the Jets had maxed out at around 12-13K in their best days.

Which was the capacity of the arena. There is a new arena, but sadly it didn't add a lot of seats. Maybe another thousand or so.

[Arles]

Yeah, the Glendale Arena in Phoenix is very nice (went to two games over the past few weeks and going again next Saturday). It seats 18,000 people for NHL games and has 100 luxury suites and nearly 500 club suites. I can't imagine a spot in Winnipeg offering the revenue that the Phoenix Arena offers (esp given the sweetheart lease the team is working on getting as well).

[chadritt]

Where can I find average attendance? Theres things ive heard about various teams that Id actually like solid info on. For instance Ive heard that the devils have AWFUL attendance for a good team but i dont know actual numbers or how they compare.

Edit: N/m, found 2009 data. im curious to see 2010 for phoenix though because they have picked up lately.

[Fidatelo]

Which was the capacity of the arena. There is a new arena, but sadly it didn't add a lot of seats. Maybe another thousand or so.

The old barn held 15k+.

Edit: Which made it larger than the new arena, btw.

[johnnyshaka]

Which was the capacity of the arena. There is a new arena, but sadly it didn't add a lot of seats. Maybe another thousand or so.

Thought I saw somewhere that capacity was around 15,000...or maybe that was for playoffs and were able to add additional standing room/temporary seats.

What Fidatelo said makes a lot of sense and I would think Edmonton resembles Winnipeg only on a slightly larger scale. We're a very blue collar city where we love our hockey but I'll be very honest, I think I've only paid for hockey tickets once while I've lived here (10 years) and that was for a special occasion as I had friends from out of town and wanted to take them out for the night. If I go to a game it's usually when a buddy calls who has an extra ticket (corporate season ticket holders) and even then, the last couple of seasons I haven't really been all that excited to go because what Fid said...walking from your car in -40 for overpriced beer and bad hockey just isn't my idea of fun these days especially now that I don't get nearly as many nights out with two kids!!

Five years ago (before kids), I said yes every time somebody called to ask me to go to a game...now, the stars need to be aligned and the weather needs to be decent and the visiting better have a superstar or two on it...otherwise I'm content to hangout at home and maybe watch it on TV...maybe not.

Now, if we were winning...well, it happens, I'll let you know if anything changes.

[Fidatelo]

Where can I find average attendance? Theres things ive heard about various teams that Id actually like solid info on. For instance Ive heard that the devils have AWFUL attendance for a good team but i dont know actual numbers or how they compare.

In defense of the Jets, comparing average attendance figures from their time in Winnipeg to those of teams 'nowadays' is unfair, because teams have learned how to inflate those numbers a large degree in the last 10-15 years. Those 12-13k that the Jets averaged were always actually people in the seats, whereas now you can have attendance figures showing 14k when everyone knows there are no more than 10k in the building.

[Arles]

That's fair but how realistic is it to think that, a) they will have multiple successful years, and b) if it will matter one iota?

They have a great team and are in last in attendance again this season...how many seasons do they need to be successful on the ice before they become successful financially?

Not saying that Winnipeg or Quebec City is the answer but Phoenix has already proven time and time again that they don't care about the NHL so why continue to try and fix something that can't be fixed?
That's not true. Look at 2005-06. The team hadn't made the playoffs in 4+ seasons and still averaged 15,500 a game. The next season they averaged 15,000 and this is when the NHL league average was around 16,500. In 06-07, they averaged more per home game than the Islanders, Devils, Blues, Capitals, Blackhawks, Bruins and a host of other more established markets. And, again, this for a team that was over 5 years from their last playoff appearance.

Finally, just look at this season. The city was basically told by the media that they would have no team after this season. The team hadn't made the playoffs in nearly a decade and attendance was pretty poor to start the season (crowds in the 8,000 to 9,000 range). Yet, 3-4 months later, the place is routinely getting 16,000 for a team that may not be here next season and could make the playoffs. If the Coyotes can be a competitive team and give the fans a reason to think they'll stay in town, they will go back to being around mid-league in attendance (like they were back in their playoff days).

[johnnyshaka]

Where can I find average attendance? Theres things ive heard about various teams that Id actually like solid info on. For instance Ive heard that the devils have AWFUL attendance for a good team but i dont know actual numbers or how they compare.

Edit: N/m, found 2009 data. im curious to see 2010 for phoenix though because they have picked up lately.

NHL Attendance - National Hockey League - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nhl/attendance)

[Arles]

Here's an interesting study on how the attendance has changed just this season for Phoenix. Take 3 games against the Ducks:

October 31, 2009: 6,495 in attendance (right after the first story of the Coyotes leaving being a *done deal* came out)

December 23, 2009: 10,200 in attendance (the team was getting into the playoff race and some of the leaving town stories were dying down)

March 6, 2010: 15,050 in attendance (team is now entrenched in what appears to be a solid playoff spot and playing well)

So, in a little more than four months, it went from 6,500 fans for a Coyotes-Ducks game to 15,000 fans for the same matchup. I think this shows the potential for the market if the ownership issue is stabilized and the team can be somewhat competitive.

[johnnyshaka]

That's not true. Look at 2005-06. The team hadn't made the playoffs in 4+ seasons and still averaged 15,500 a game. The next season they averaged 15,000 and this is when the NHL league average was around 16,500. In 06-07, they averaged more per home game than the Islanders, Devils, Blues, Capitals, Blackhawks, Bruins and a host of other more established markets. And, again, this for a team that was over 5 years from their last playoff appearance.

Finally, just look at this season. The city was basically told by the media that they would have no team after this season. The team hadn't made the playoffs in nearly a decade and attendance was pretty poor to start the season (crowds in the 8,000 to 9,000 range). Yet, 3-4 months later, the place is routinely getting 16,000 for a team that may not be here next season and could make the playoffs. If the Coyotes can be a competitive team and give the fans a reason to think they'll stay in town, they will go back to being around mid-league in attendance (like they were back in their playoff days).

Arles, I'm not bashing Phoenix in any way as I love the place after visiting for Spring Training and golf and would love to go again...but nothing I've seen past or present, tells me that it is a sustainable hockey market.

It just doesn't past the sniff test when I hear attendance figures like you're quoting and looking at the stands during the highlights...something doesn't jive. 16000 fans doesn't look/sound like it used to...but I guess these days the NHL likes to subscribe to creative accounting to suit it's interests...if they want to look good for new, potential business they'll say they had 16,000 tickets "sold" but if they want to report earnings to creditors then they only had 10,000 come through the gates.

Either way, that franchise is not out of the woods, yet.

[Arles]

Yeah, I agree it's not a top NHL market. But, given the state of their stadium and their history of attendance when the team is moderately competitive, I wouldn't put Phoenix as a top market to move. A lot of the people in Arizona (esp in the winter months) are from areas in the midwest/east and are pretty big hockey fans. If they can just get this ownership/lease issue straightened out, they should be in a pretty good position to compete for many years.

[johnnyshaka]

Here's an interesting study on how the attendance has changed just this season for Phoenix. Take 3 games against the Ducks:

October 31, 2009: 6,495 in attendance (right after the first story of the Coyotes leaving being a *done deal* came out)

December 23, 2009: 10,200 in attendance (the team was getting into the playoff race and some of the leaving town stories were dying down)

March 6, 2010: 15,050 in attendance (team is now entrenched in what appears to be a solid playoff spot and playing well)

So, in a little more than four months, it went from 6,500 fans for a Coyotes-Ducks game to 15,000 fans for the same matchup. I think this shows the potential for the market if the ownership issue is stabilized and the team can be somewhat competitive.

Not to make light of the situation but I wonder how much of the increase coincides with the tourist population of Phoenix increasing during those times? I know my brother-in-law was a game in Dec when he was there (paid $15/ticket) and I did the same when I was there a few years ago in March and paid similar prices.

I'm sure it's a bit of a reach but I would think wintering Canadians probably would find cheap hockey tickets a welcome distraction after a long day at the ballpark/on the links...no? ;)

I have no doubt there's a buzz in the city now that the Coyotes are playing well but the real test will be if they can sustain that to start the following season.

[Arles]

Most of the snowbirds come here in October and leave after spring training. Plus, the Glendale Arena is about as far as humanly possible from the main spring training facilities in Tempe, Mesa and Scottsdale. It's certainly possible some spring training people could decide to make the 40+ mile drive in rush hour traffic across the valley to see a Wednesday night game against Anaheim, but I'm guessing that's probably not too likely.

As to next season, the hope right now is that they are here next season. If that's the case, I expect attendance will be pretty solid. We've been told since last August that the team would be gone at the end of the season and that's put a big damper into attendance.

[johnnyshaka]

Why stay away if the team is near leaving? Shouldn't the beginning of the season be the time to "show" the league that they want the team to stay by showing up?

I know the Oilers were close to packing up a few times and if it weren't for some local Richie Rich's who bucked I'd likely be cheering for the Oklahoma Oilers or something like that.

[chadritt]

Being told theyre near leaving is one thing, being told theyre going but would still like your money is another.

[DeToxRox]

Ovechkin suspended 2 games.

[johnnyshaka]

Being told theyre near leaving is one thing, being told theyre going but would still like your money is another.

Fair enough...but it didn't have to come to that in the first place...show up form the get-go and all of this could've been avoided.

Easier said than done but that's what happens when you take something for granted...but then again, I'm still not convinced that Phoenix really ever like(d) the Coyotes enough to take them for granted.

[Galaxy]

Ovechkin suspended 2 games.

A fuckin joke. He already got tossed once this year for a boarding hit on Kaleta and a his knee-to-knee hit that got him suspended.

[Oilers9911]

Ovie should have gotten between 5 and10 games for that. Matt Cooke should have gotten 10-15 for his chickenshit act.

[Suburban Rhythm]

A fuckin joke. He already got tossed once this year for a boarding hit on Kaleta and a his knee-to-knee hit that got him suspended.

I thought the match penalty for the Kaleta hit was rescinded?
In either case...actually surprised he got anything.

Cue all the foil-wearing nut jobs who believe the 'Penguins favored by the NHL' bullshit who will point out Ovy got two more games than Cooke.

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA

speaking of "foil wearing" , I don't know if I saw this posted

The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA - Chiefs spark disappointment, but not shock (http://www.tribune-democrat.com/editorials/local_story_050150321.html)

Few people reacted with shock upon reading in this newspaper that the Johnstown Chiefs would be leaving for Greenville, S.C., following this season.

Sadness. Disappointment.

Even anger.

But not shock.

Certainly, longtime Johnstown hockey fans have been through this before. As beat writer Mike Mastovich laid out, three previous franchises had played here and moved on – the Blue Birds in 1941-42; the Jets of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s; and the Wings/Red Wings of 1978-80.

Fans of hockey in this town have experienced the tumultuous relationship with their team – much like those of fictional film accounts based on the Johnstown Jets in “Slap Shot.”

Is the team going to fold, or leave town?

Indeed, as that famous line from the movie goes: “Who own da’ Chiefs?”

[Fidatelo]

Ovechkin suspended 2 games.

Wow, that's not enough. He should have gotten 4-5. I guess it was halved because he is a superstar.

[Fidatelo]

I know the Oilers were close to packing up a few times and if it weren't for some local Richie Rich's who bucked I'd likely be cheering for the Oklahoma Oilers or something like that.

The thing that saved the Oilers was their history. If you switch the on-ice results between the Jets and the Oilers during their mutual time in the league, right now Winnipeg still has a team and Oiler fans are still trying to decide if it's ok to cheer for the Flames or not.

[johnnyshaka]

The thing that saved the Oilers was their history. If you switch the on-ice results between the Jets and the Oilers during their mutual time in the league, right now Winnipeg still has a team and Oiler fans are still trying to decide if it's ok to cheer for the Flames or not.

You are probably right about that...because 99% of us are still clinging to that history and the hope that we can reclaim even just a little of bit of it!!

[MikeVic]

Oops, I don't remember the old Jets arena much. I just remember when the new one was built, I thought the attendance would have gone up but it didn't really.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Comcast/DirecTV agree on deal- Versus back on Direct

Thank God...I was getting worried as we got closer to the playoffs. That, and I missed Brian Engblom's mullet.

[Fidatelo]

Oops, I don't remember the old Jets arena much. I just remember when the new one was built, I thought the attendance would have gone up but it didn't really.

The attendance for what? The Moose? They don't even open the upper decks for most Moose games in the new arena if I remember right, so even if the new arena was bigger the attendance figures wouldn't have moved.

Not that I've been to many Moose games, I just cannot get into that team. I'd much prefer a WHL team over the AHL to be honest.

[Dr. Sak]

Thank God...I was getting worried as we got closer to the playoffs. That, and I missed Brian Engblom's mullet.

He got rid of it.

[bronconick]

Why stay away if the team is near leaving? Shouldn't the beginning of the season be the time to "show" the league that they want the team to stay by showing up?



Not really. Winnipeg's attendance dropped from 13k to 11k for the Jets' lame duck season of 1995-96, a year in which they made the playoffs, (barely). Once you're being told the team is leaving, I wouldn't bother spending the money.

[MikeVic]

The attendance for what? The Moose? They don't even open the upper decks for most Moose games in the new arena if I remember right, so even if the new arena was bigger the attendance figures wouldn't have moved.

Not that I've been to many Moose games, I just cannot get into that team. I'd much prefer a WHL team over the AHL to be honest.

I thought I read somewhere when it first opened that the max capacity was something like 1-2K higher than the old Arena. I've been to two Moose games, one being a playoff game a couple of years ago. It was OK, but not the Jets.

[Ksyrup]

Comcast/DirecTV agree on deal- Versus back on Direct


What an utter load of shite.

I'm glad Versus is back on DTV, don't get me wrong, but I can't believe the misinformation/disingenuousness of the news reports about why this happened. The line between PR and news blurs, yet again.

The typical explanation:

According to three sources who had information about the negotiations but who could not speak publicly, the high profile of hockey after the Olympics as well as anticipation for the upcoming cycling season where Versus will televise both the Tour of California and Tour de France where Lance Armstrong is expected to race, played a part in a contract agreement being reached.


You know what not ONE of these articles discusses? The little matter of THIS:


"Posted March 14, 2010 9:15pm
WASHINGTON — A federal court Friday upheld regulations that require cable TV companies to make sports programming and other channels they own available on equal terms to rival TV providers such as satellite companies.

The ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia leaves in place the Federal Communications Commission “program access” rules, which are intended to ensure that cable companies cannot withhold highly desirable programming that they own from competitors.

The rules require Comcast Corp., for instance, to make channels that it owns — including E! Entertainment, Versus and the Golf Channel — available to rivals such as DirecTV Inc., Dish Network Corp., AT&T Inc.’s U-Verse video service and Verizon’s FiOS video service."

Gee, I wonder if one had to do with the other... http://s1.images.proboards.com/rolleyes.gif (http://javascript<b></b>:add()

[JonInMiddleGA]

You know what not ONE of these articles discusses? The little matter of THIS: ... Gee, I wonder if one had to do with the other...

Not necessarily, since that incredibly stupid ruling seems destined for appeal (unless they've just decided to say fuck it & roll over since I saw the initial reaction stories).

[Ksyrup]

The timing is too coincidental to not be related. Given how quickly this happened, my guess is they had already agreed to do this if the ruling came down against the cable companies, or they just rolled over this weekend. Sorry, but I doubt the Tour de France really factored much into this.

Although I'd be curious... what kind of ratings did Versus get for college football games (in, say, 2008, while on DTV) as compared to stuff like hockey or bike races? I remember seeing the Stanford upset of USC on Versus that year. My guess is college football is so popular that it hurt Versus more to be off of DTV during the fall then it would have this spring. But that's just a guess.

[Pyser]

i think th tour de france and stanley cup playoffs played a big role too, though. there were a lot of us out there watching hockey games online, which sucked. wouldve been a big deal if no directv viewers could watch playoff hockey

would like to see a numbers breakdown though of who won. or who wanted what money before and what the settlement was in the end

[JetsIn06]

Was at the Flyers game on Saturday with the last-second goal to win. Not a Flyers fan, but it was my first hockey game since I was about 4 or 5.

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[samifan24]

Chicago's Brian Campbell out 6-8 weeks thanks to Ovechkin's hit.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The timing is too coincidental to not be related. Given how quickly this happened, my guess is they had already agreed to do this if the ruling came down against the cable companies, or they just rolled over this weekend. Sorry, but I doubt the Tour de France really factored much into this.

It almost had to be a factor since it's the most watched show on the network (which ranks 61st out of 74 carried by DTV)

Although I'd be curious... what kind of ratings did Versus get for college football games (in, say, 2008, while on DTV) as compared to stuff like hockey or bike races?

This article (http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=sbd.main&ArticleID=135635) references their dismal 0.3 rating in 2009 being flat from the previous year but down by 7.6% to 326,000 total viewers for the 25 game average.

That's fewer viewers than even this past weekend's Izod Indy Car race that aired on Sunday morning, almost as bad as the NHL (which, incidentally, actually had ratings declines for the first couple of post-Olympic games on Versus, no sign of any bounce for anyone on any network).

As one article put it, having your football games on Versus is about like having them air from Garth & Wayne's basement. It's a non-entity for the network, a non-entity for DTV.

[SackAttack]

Chicago's Brian Campbell out 6-8 weeks thanks to Ovechkin's hit.

I still think if an action is worthy of a suspension, and that action causes another player to miss time, the offender should be forced to miss every day that the affected player does, and that the suspension should be added to the end of that.

Bullshit that Ovechkin misses two games while Campbell misses potentially two months.

[johnnyshaka]

I still think if an action is worthy of a suspension, and that action causes another player to miss time, the offender should be forced to miss every day that the affected player does, and that the suspension should be added to the end of that.

Bullshit that Ovechkin misses two games while Campbell misses potentially two months.

Say Campbell gets up and plays the rest of the game and is just fine...should Ovie be suspended?

The punishment should fit the intent, not the result. If it's determined that Ovie intended to hit Campbell from behind while he was defenseless then Ovie should get "X" number of games regardless of whether or not Campbell was hurt.

[samifan24]

I still think if an action is worthy of a suspension, and that action causes another player to miss time, the offender should be forced to miss every day that the affected player does, and that the suspension should be added to the end of that.

Bullshit that Ovechkin misses two games while Campbell misses potentially two months.

I agree, especially in instances where a player misses a lot of time. I call this the Todd Bertuzzi rule (and not the Matt Cooke rule).

[chadritt]

Thats so easy to exploit though, youd need 3rd party doctors that both teams would be willing to agree with or else you have some scrub put on IR while Crosby cant play in the playoffs (totally made up example obviously)

[bhlloy]

Am I the only one who really doesn't think the Ovechkin hit was that bad? I hate the way he generally plays to hurt people and I think he's the second dirtiest player in the league this year (after Cam Janssen) and I have absolutely no problem with him being suspended in general. But I have to say at first glance that hit looked unfortunate rather than really malicious. If Campbell gets back up (hell if Campbell isn't such a good player) it's nowhere near a suspension.

[Suburban Rhythm]

He got rid of it.

You'd think news like this would have posted in this thread before now

[Galaxy]

What's the rule in terms of a goal off the glove/hand? Is it like the skate/leg?

[Wolfpack]

The Canes get beat down by the Bruins at home, 5-2, effectively reducing their very slim playoff chances to none (down 10 with 13 to play and Washington's coming in on Thursday). On the plus side, Cole showed up for a game for the first time in a good long while (injuries and general ineffectiveness most of this season) and Jamie McBain made his NHL debut and got an assist for a hard slapper that rebounded to Cole for a goal.

It was a longshot to make the playoffs, of course, but I'm glad they didn't just roll over and die after that horrendous start. Certainly made the second half of the season much more interesting. Gotta hope now that the teams around them keep winning so they can get that number three pick in the draft (who knows, the Leafs are four back...there's hope yet for #2, even). Will certainly be an interesting offseason this year to see who goes from amongst the veterans and how many of the youngsters we've got make the permanent jump from the AHL next year.

[BishopMVP]

Am I the only one who really doesn't think the Ovechkin hit was that bad? I hate the way he generally plays to hurt people and I think he's the second dirtiest player in the league this year (after Cam Janssen) and I have absolutely no problem with him being suspended in general. But I have to say at first glance that hit looked unfortunate rather than really malicious. If Campbell gets back up (hell if Campbell isn't such a good player) it's nowhere near a suspension.No. I wouldn't have a problem with a boarding penalty, but sometimes guys just land awkwardly (as Travis Roy's example drilled into us up here). It's not in the same league as something like Cooke's or Janssen's headhunting.As one article put it, having your football games on Versus is about like having them air from Garth & Wayne's basement. It's a non-entity for the network, a non-entity for DTV.Just wait until ND games get moved over... I'm sure those numbers will skyrocket to idk.... 0.8.You'd think news like this would have posted in this thread before nowBarry Melrose is doing his best to keep up hockey's reputation.

[Suburban Rhythm]

What's the rule in terms of a goal off the glove/hand? Is it like the skate/leg?

Not 100% on the true rule, but short version, yes.

I think they are even more likely to disallow one off the hand though. While you can redirect a puck with your skate, as long as you don't kick, if you intentionally reach out for the puch, chances are it would be overturned.

A puck bouncing off a guy's glove in front would be treated same as any of deflection, good goal. A puck off a glove where he waves at it, probably getting called back.

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA

Three observations from the Pens-Devils

1) Devils really should wear the red white and green more

2) Pens jump out to 1-0 lead...only to turnover the puck twice to give up goals on breakaways.

3) I get it's the thing to do, boo Crosby when he touches the puck. At MSG, fine. Wachovia, fine. But when 30% of the seats are empty in the building, it doesn't have the same effect.

[Pumpy Tudors]

DOLA

Three observations from the Pens-Devils

1) Devils really should wear the red white and green more

2) Pens jump out to 1-0 lead...only to turnover the puck twice to give up goals on breakaways.

3) I get it's the thing to do, boo Crosby when he touches the puck. At MSG, fine. Wachovia, fine. But when 30% of the seats are empty in the building, it doesn't have the same effect.
I can't even hear the booing. Awful.

My boyfriend Parise just made the score 4-1. LLLLLOOOOVVVEE IT!

[Suburban Rhythm]

I can't even hear the booing. Awful.

My boyfriend White just watched the score go to 4-1. LLLLLOOOOVVVEE IT!

Fixed

Also...Pens plan of attack after going up 1-0 should have been continually ice the puck. Devils couldn't generate any breakaways if the puck was already in Pittsburgh's zone.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Fixed

Also...Pens plan of attack after going up 1-0 should have been continually ice the puck. Devils couldn't generate any breakaways if the puck was already in Pittsburgh's zone.
LOL, good point.

Oh, and bite me. :)

[bbor]

Colin 'Toothbrush' White

[Pumpy Tudors]

Colin 'Toothbrush' White
I ain't using him like a toothbrush.

[SackAttack]

Thats so easy to exploit though, youd need 3rd party doctors that both teams would be willing to agree with or else you have some scrub put on IR while Crosby cant play in the playoffs (totally made up example obviously)

Maybe. But, again, comes down to - is it suspension worthy? If it's not, none of the rest applies.

If it is, then you issue the suspension, but also require an impartial medical opinion on the affected player. If that opinion requires the affected player to miss time, so does the offender - and THEN the suspension starts.

If the other team refuses third-party medical access to their player, then the suspension is served normally, no extra time added.

But like I say - all of that assumes that the league considers the action in question to be worthy of a suspension.

[Fidatelo]

I will just go ahead and state that the length of time a player is injured for should have little or no bearing on how long the offender is suspended. If someone smashes his stick over my head and I miss 1 game or 100 games, he should basically get the same suspension (give or take a small margin). I don't remember ever telling criminals that they have to be in jail until the person they harmed is healed, so why should a hockey player?

[Dr. Sak]

I also like the idea that was floated around by Edzo that if you have a player suspended by a headshot his roster spot should not be filled so you have to play a man short. So instead of getting someone called up, you screw your team over for a few games by doing something stupid.

[Honolulu_Blue]

It will be interesting to see what happens tonight during Boston/Pitt. I have a feeling nothing major will happen. Someone fights Matt Cooke and that's the end of it. Too much attention and build up already.

Speaking of "happenings" that hit on Seabrook by Wizneiwski was something else. Wizneiwski takes a run from 40 feet away, leaves his feet, lifts his arms up to hit Seabrook in the head against the board and appears to knock him out. Hopefully, Seabrook will be fine, you just never know with concussions.

Corey Perry's hit on Sopel for the game winning goal was more entertaining than dirty.

[Dr. Sak]

I think Bettman and Campbell will be at the game in Boston so nothing will happen.

[Logan]

I know it's true, but I always find it funny when it gets mentioned that players will be on their best behavior because of the people in attendance. It's like it's the 17th century and there's no other means for word to spread.

[bhlloy]

It will be interesting to see what happens tonight during Boston/Pitt. I have a feeling nothing major will happen. Someone fights Matt Cooke and that's the end of it. Too much attention and build up already.

Speaking of "happenings" that hit on Seabrook by Wizneiwski was something else. Wizneiwski takes a run from 40 feet away, leaves his feet, lifts his arms up to hit Seabrook in the head against the board and appears to knock him out. Hopefully, Seabrook will be fine, you just never know with concussions.

Corey Perry's hit on Sopel for the game winning goal was more entertaining than dirty.

I can't justify the hit by Wiz. Very dirty and he should get at least three games. How the hell that is a 2 minute penalty... unreal.

Sopel took a pathetic dive and while usually the refs would even the penalties up, I'm glad they didn't and it cost the Hawks the game. Maybe next time he'll play the game the right way.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I will just go ahead and state that the length of time a player is injured for should have little or no bearing on how long the offender is suspended. If someone smashes his stick over my head and I miss 1 game or 100 games, he should basically get the same suspension (give or take a small margin). I don't remember ever telling criminals that they have to be in jail until the person they harmed is healed, so why should a hockey player?
I completely agree.

I also like the idea that was floated around by Edzo that if you have a player suspended by a headshot his roster spot should not be filled so you have to play a man short. So instead of getting someone called up, you screw your team over for a few games by doing something stupid.
I completely agree.

Now how about you two become Devils fans?

[JPhillips]

If a hit is obviously illegal why don't we just get Arnie to throw the offender out of the building?

[Honolulu_Blue]

I can't justify the hit by Wiz. Very dirty and he should get at least three games. How the hell that is a 2 minute penalty... unreal.

It's 8 games for Wiz.

[Galaxy]

Man...The NHL needs to fix this problem. The Tampa-Sabres game is rather interesting.

Get rid of the fuckin' Instigator penalty. ALLOW the players to stand up for their teammates.

[bhlloy]

I figure Wiz gets 4 games for the hit and 4 games for the Matt Cooke hit. Sounds about right in Bettman's world. And while I'm not in a million years trying to condone what he did and he's an idiot... it's very interesting that if the refs call the Seabrook hit to the head on Perry like they should, none of this happens.

I see Thornton got a 10 minute misconduct after fighting Cooke. Did he go nuts or something? Or was it just the obligatory 10 minute misconduct for daring to lay a hand on somebody in the presence of tv cameras and the glorious commissioner?

[bbor]

Go Leafs!

Eh Pumpy?

[johnnyshaka]

Yeah, what bbor said...GO LEAFS!!!

[Pumpy Tudors]

help

[EagleFan]

help

???

[Suburban Rhythm]

These are pretty funny

From Edmonton and Toronto, comparisons of water usage from Feb 27 and Feb 28 (gold medal game) at the same times of day.

http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/310199/edmonton.jpg

http://torontoist.com/attachments/toronto_david/20100318torontowaterusagehockey.gif

[DeToxRox]

Red Wings tied the Oilers with .2 seconds left in the game. I feel bad for the Oil at this point. I hope they get Hall to make up for this year.

[DeToxRox]

Edmonton wins the shootout but we got a huge point so I am not mad at all. Talk about stealing a point.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Edmonton wins the shootout but we got a huge point so I am not mad at all. Talk about stealing a point.

While getting the point is nice, Edmonton had lost 5 straight going into last night's game, their starting goalie had never won an NHL game, was something like 0-8 going into last night with a GAA over 4.00, and the Wings were coming off 3 days rest.

Their start to the game was inexcusable. There is no reason the Wings shouldn't have won that game.

[chrisj]

And the Oilers have beat the Wings all 3 times they have faced off this season.

Detriot maybe the only team that hasn't had a win over the Oilers this season. :D (at least for teams that have played 2 or more games against us)

[DeToxRox]

Zetterberg just scored in OT with 0.3 seconds left.

Back to back nights .. get the fuck out.

[Wolfpack]

Zetterberg just scored in OT with 0.3 seconds left.

Back to back nights .. get the fuck out.

Seems to be a recurring theme today. Carolina beat the Pens today when recently-called-up rookie Jamie McBain hammered a shot past MAF from beyond the dots with 0.9 on the clock in OT.

Arrgh. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. :D

Carolina's back to six down, but now only have 11 games to make that up. Based on tiebreakers, they actually leaped past three teams with today's win and are now 11th which is the highest they've been in the standings since sometime in October before the 14 game losing streak did them in.

They're also now getting past the really brutal part of the schedule (two games against Pittsburgh and Washington and a game against Phoenix in the last two weeks) as they have to play tomorrow at home against Buffalo, but then they get a run of games with Tampa and Atlanta over the next bit mixed with a final meeting with Washington. Still, the margin to stay in the chase is pretty much nil at this point. The Canes probably need to finish 9-2-0 (86 points) to even merit a chance depending on other teams continuing to fall down around them.

I'm so torn. I dearly love the fact that they've played their hearts out over the past two months, but I'm increasingly sure this is now going to be a heroic effort to finish 9th, which would be the worst of worlds because we don't get into the playoffs while robbing ourselves of a high draft pick at the same time.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Seems to be a recurring theme today. Carolina beat the Pens today when recently-called-up rookie Jamie McBain hammered a shot past MAF from beyond the dots with 0.9 on the clock in OT.

Arrgh. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in. :D

Carolina's back to six down, but now only have 11 games to make that up. Based on tiebreakers, they actually leaped past three teams with today's win and are now 11th which is the highest they've been in the standings since sometime in October before the 14 game losing streak did them in.

They're also now getting past the really brutal part of the schedule (two games against Pittsburgh and Washington and a game against Phoenix in the last two weeks) as they have to play tomorrow at home against Buffalo, but then they get a run of games with Tampa and Atlanta over the next bit mixed with a final meeting with Washington. Still, the margin to stay in the chase is pretty much nil at this point. The Canes probably need to finish 9-2-0 (86 points) to even merit a chance depending on other teams continuing to fall down around them.

I'm so torn. I dearly love the fact that they've played their hearts out over the past two months, but I'm increasingly sure this is now going to be a heroic effort to finish 9th, which would be the worst of worlds because we don't get into the playoffs while robbing ourselves of a high draft pick at the same time.

I was at the game...the number of people standing in the building already, ready to run to the bathroom during the 2 min commercial break before OT, was comical.

On the post game, Crosby said the shot hit his glove, causing it to dip...but that is probably just Crosby trying to get his name involved. :p

I think Carolina and Atlanta are playing some of the best hockey of that cluster at the bottom, but I think the hole is just too deep. Plus, without Ward, would they stand any chance vs the Caps round 1?

[Wolfpack]

I was at the game...the number of people standing in the building already, ready to run to the bathroom during the 2 min commercial break before OT, was comical.

On the post game, Crosby said the shot hit his glove, causing it to dip...but that is probably just Crosby trying to get his name involved. :p

When I looked at replays of McBain's shot, I think it actually might have been tipped by a Carolina player on the way in (I think Bryan Rodney). From what I've seen, he did manage to at least wave his stick at the puck as it came past him and it seems like the direction changes slightly afterward. He certainly seemed to react briefly like he clipped it a bit, but maybe he wasn't sure, either, because he didn't continue to act like it and instead joined in the celebration around McBain.

I think Carolina and Atlanta are playing some of the best hockey of that cluster at the bottom, but I think the hole is just too deep. Plus, without Ward, would they stand any chance vs the Caps round 1?

I don't know. We didn't have Ward for the past two meetings each with Washington and Pittsburgh and we won 3 of four from both teams and the other was an OT loss to the Caps, thus the continued discussion of Carolina as a faint playoff contender. The playoffs are a whole other critter, though, especially as I think Washington and Pittsburgh would probably "care" more, if you will.

Regardless, it's moot if Boston (or Atlanta, or the Rangers, etc) continue to find ways to win as Boston did today. While we can certainly influence Atlanta's chances in the next week with a back-to-back set, we don't play the Rangers again and we only have one more with Boston in our last game of the season when things may be moot. We took matters out of our own hands a long time ago. I still want to believe, though. (And after that disastrous suckfest by NC State in the NIT against UAB, it's all I've got left to root for before the long summer break--well, there's the Bobcats, but my level of caring about them is miniscule compared to the Hurricanes.)

[Suburban Rhythm]

Philly literally has no goaltender now...I mean we say that every season, but it's true now.

So, that gives Carolina a little more hope for the teams ahead of them.

[bhlloy]

Selanne gets goal #600 at home vs the Avs. Ducks are now playing great with (almost) nothing on the line... if only they hadn't choked the two games after the Olympics away

[DeToxRox]

Sharks are in playoff form.

[Wolfpack]

Okay, I think it's over now. Bad, bad 5-3 loss to Buffalo that wasn't as close as the score indicated. First game that Peters has looked out-and-out horrible since he got called up (got yanked for an injured Manny Legace, to put it in some perspective) and probably the worst time to do it with Boston winning today, which means the deficit is eight with ten to go and I think there isn't a 9-1 stretch left in this team to merit any hope to make it now. (I said that after they bombed out against Boston last week, but I mean it this time...I think.)

Meanwhile, Atlanta's apparent attempt at crashing their playoff hopes into the ground has failed as they've rallied for four wins in a row after losing the previous six, completing a back-to-back sweep of Philadelphia and somehow find themselves a point behind Boston for the last spot.

[yacovfb]

Sharks are in playoff form.

They aren't this bad in the playoffs. Maybe if they enter the playoffs as a 4 or a 5 they will actually have some motivation once they get there.

[Dr. Sak]

Philly literally has no goaltender now...I mean we say that every season, but it's true now.

Honestly, the goalie is the least of Philly's problems. The team is unmotivated and lacks any sense of urgency. They are going to be an easy out for some team in the first round...if they make it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Meanwhile, Atlanta's apparent attempt at crashing their playoff hopes into the ground has failed

Never underestimate the power of Don Waddell.

[samifan24]

The team is unmotivated and lacks any sense of urgency. They are going to be an easy out for some team in the first round...if they make it.

Take out the part about the goaltender and these sentences describe the Boston Bruins perfectly.

I can't wait for the Bruins to get rid of Dennis Wideman this offseason.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Honestly, the goalie is the least of Philly's problems. The team is unmotivated and lacks any sense of urgency. They are going to be an easy out for some team in the first round...if they make it.

Now...No Carter!

Broken foot, out 3-4 weeks.

Flyers are doing it all wrong, you don't trade your 1st round pick and then tank. Take a lesson from your friends on the other side of the state.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Dola

I was one of the people who was ready to hand Ryan Miller the Vezina and some Hart votes a few weeks ago. Now...is Ilya Bryzgalov the guy, on the FIRST PLACE Phoenix Coyotes? FIRST FUCKING PLACE. Unreal.


And, NHL Network free preview all this week thru Saturday.

[DeToxRox]

Crosby doesn't like Zetterberg.

[DeToxRox]

Off The Record : March 18 (http://watch.tsn.ca/off-the-record/off-the-record---march-18/#clip278022t)

Claude Lemeuix and Darren McCarty sit down together and discuss all things related to their feud. It's three videos so once the first ends the next automatically loads.

Crazy seeing them all buddy buddy.

[Wolfpack]

Never underestimate the power of Don Waddell.

That's true. I guess I should have clarified and said "this time around" or something like that. :D

Seriously, do hope the Thrashers get in if we don't. Gotta have another "non-traditional" market team to get behind (besides, apparently, the Yotes, Kings, and maybe the Sharks) when the playoffs roll around. I suppose I could lend support to the Caps, but that'd have to be a last resort against someone like Pittsburgh or Detroit or something and only because Carolina traded Scott Walker and Joe Corvo to Washington. It'd be nice for them to get a ring, especially Walker.

Oh, and it'd also have the added bonus of having Waddell likely keep his job, which would keep Atlanta from ascending much higher in the Southeast than they already are. ;) :D

[Sublime 2]

Take out the part about the goaltender and these sentences describe the Boston Bruins perfectly.

I can't wait for the Bruins to get rid of Dennis Wideman this offseason.

IMO Dream offseason would be to get rid of Wideman, Ryder, and Timmy. Timmy, to a lesser extent, but that contract is not going to look pretty sitting behind Rask the next few years. Not sure if you can get him to waive his NTC anyways, but Chiarelli better try.

Would love to retain Seidenberg as well...he's made me completely forget about Morris, a guy I thought I'd love coming into the season.

[MikeVic]

Curious to see what Flyers fans thought of yesterday's game. The highlights made it seem like they were robbed.

[Dr. Sak]

I couldn't really tell if it was a goal or not. The one angle looked as if it was in, I thought i saw white but I couldn't be 100% certain. So I understand why it was called a no goal.

[gstelmack]

These are pretty funny

From Edmonton and Toronto, comparisons of water usage from Feb 27 and Feb 28 (gold medal game) at the same times of day.

I missed this earlier, but the movie "Flushed Away" is built around this whole premise, although it's England in the World Cup.

[Galaxy]

Went to the Habs-Sabres game last night (club seats no less). The first 57 minutes and the Sabres sucked. Sloppy, selfish, and no energy at all from Buffalo. Then in the last two minutes, they scored 2 goals to make it 2-2 and won it in the shootout.

If Buffalo can beat Ottawa on Friday, it should pretty much lock up the division title.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Just a note about how bad the viewership for the NHL on Versus actually is.

A story today (http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/03/24/versus-penguins-wings-telecast-skates-to-networks-best-ever-regular-season-nhl-viewership/46041) mentions how Monday's Penguins-Wings matchup set a new all-time high for audience for NHL on Versus with a 0.7 HH rating and 622,000 total viewers. That's the most watched regular season game on any cable network since 2004.

By comparison, this week's episode of TNA Impact had 1.2 million viewers.

[Suburban Rhythm]

PPG reporting Pens - Caps as 2011 Winter Classic at Heinz Field

Sort of torn. This just opens up more criticism for the tin-foil wearing crew that believe the Pens get anything they want. And would be nice to see different teams have an opportunity before repeating teams.

But, there are also a limited number of places that you can realistically play the game, and this is the NHL's showcase rivalry in the US anyway.

Plus, as a season ticket holder...I am biased

Winter Classic likely at Heinz Field (http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10087/1046280-61.stm)

[bronconick]

It's NBC Sports. They go by the old 1783 map that shows that the US ends at the Mississippi river.

[sterlingice]

It's NBC Sports. They go by the old 1783 map that shows that the US ends at the Mississippi river.

I'm definitely going to have to steal that line. Consider this your copyright notice ;)

SI

[Dr. Sak]

Thank you NJ Devils for being the fat chick the Flyers used as a slump buster! I am now rooting for the Devils to win out and get the 2nd seeds and the Flyers get the #7 seed :)

[Pumpy Tudors]

Thank you NJ Devils for being the fat chick the Flyers used as a slump buster! I am now rooting for the Devils to win out and get the 2nd seeds and the Flyers get the #7 seed :)
Why do you say things that you know will hurt me?

[Dr. Sak]

I wasn't calling you fat Pumpy!

[Galaxy]

Just a note about how bad the viewership for the NHL on Versus actually is.

A story today (http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/03/24/versus-penguins-wings-telecast-skates-to-networks-best-ever-regular-season-nhl-viewership/46041) mentions how Monday's Penguins-Wings matchup set a new all-time high for audience for NHL on Versus with a 0.7 HH rating and 622,000 total viewers. That's the most watched regular season game on any cable network since 2004.

By comparison, this week's episode of TNA Impact had 1.2 million viewers.

I love VS. The announcer kept calling Tim Kennedy "Tyler Kennedy" until he realized it in the 3rd period in tonight's game.

[Dr. Sak]

You have to excuse the announcers, they are so use to having the Pens shoved down their throats by Gary Bettman that they sometimes think they are calling their games when they actually aren't since TYLER Kennedy plays for the Pittsburgh Bettmans...errr Penguins.

[Suburban Rhythm]

You have to excuse the announcers, they are so use to having the Pens shoved down their throats by Gary Bettman that they sometimes think they are calling their games when they actually aren't since TYLER Kennedy plays for the Pittsburgh Bettmans...errr Penguins.

It is a tough face to forget

http://thosepuckingpenguins.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/tk2.gif


In other news, Gary Bettman and the NHL handed the Penguins $14M to pay Kris Letang over the next 4 years, I am guessing under the table so it doesn't count again the cap, cause that is how the Pens get treated.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I know how the announcers must feel. You get something shoved down your throat so much, it's really all you can remember. For example, last night, I called my wife Zach Parise.

[DeToxRox]

I know how the announcers must feel. You get something shoved down your throat so much, it's really all you can remember. For example, last night, I called my wife Zach Parise.

Funny because last night I showed your wife my Colin White.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Funny because last night I showed your wife my Colin White.
Aptly named, since I imagine a very lazy eye and an uncanny knack for being far away from the real action.

[Dr. Sak]

In other news, Gary Bettman and the NHL handed the Penguins $14M to pay Kris Letang over the next 4 years, I am guessing under the table so it doesn't count again the cap, cause that is how the Pens get treated.

I'm glad you finally admit it.

[Galaxy]

You have to excuse the announcers, they are so use to having the Pens shoved down their throats by Gary Bettman that they sometimes think they are calling their games when they actually aren't since TYLER Kennedy plays for the Pittsburgh Bettmans...errr Penguins.

I kept yelling that at the T.V.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I'm glad you finally admit it.

He's helping Philly too. There is a little known clause that once you start your 8th goalie of the year, they no longer count against the cap.

[DeToxRox]

My eyes deceive me as I watch the Wings tonight, but it sure looks like we're actually beating the Oilers.

[DeToxRox]

Forget the standings, the Oil are the best team in the NHL.

[Travis]

Heh, I was watching the Detroit feed online in the second and with 5 minutes to go in that period, one of their broadcast crew proclaimed that Edmonton wouldn't sweep Detroit this season, then tried to amend his statement with, "if things continue on as they're going so far."

I had a chuckle when he said it as the odds of this happening were pretty slim, but if the Oil do win he's going to be hearing about that comment for a while.

[DeToxRox]

Heh, I was watching the Detroit feed online in the second and with 5 minutes to go in that period, one of their broadcast crew proclaimed that Edmonton wouldn't sweep Detroit this season, then tried to amend his statement with, "if things continue on as they're going so far."

I had a chuckle when he said it as the odds of this happening were pretty slim, but if the Oil do win he's going to be hearing about that comment for a while.

Wings managed to pull it out somehow against the USSR.

BTW Trav I am going to be headed out to Plymouth Saturday for Game 2 of Seguin vs Hall, I'll make sure to get you a scouting report. ;)

[Honolulu_Blue]

I am glad to see the last of The Oil for the season. Sheesh.

[DeToxRox]

Just something to ponder .. Wings worst season in 20 years and they are only 2 points behind 2nd in the East.

The more you know.

[Wolfpack]

I know there was virtually no chance the Canes would have gotten in the playoffs anyway, but to f* it up themselves like they did tonight.... :banghead:

The gist of it: Canes had managed to grab a 3-2 lead on Ottawa through some timely, somewhat fluky goals and had the Sens in an EN situation. First foul-up: Cole gets a hold of the puck near the blue line with about 45 secs to go, but instead of calmly dumping it out, manages to completely screw himself up somehow and fumbles the puck away to the Senators who manage to keep the zone and press on for another 30 seconds, which leads to much more serious foul-up #2: Whitney, with delusions of grandeur in his mind actually cleared the zone, but for whatever reason launches a shot at the empty net from beyond the halfway line, resulting in an icing. This means a dog-tired Staal gets toasted on the face-off draw, which the Sens immediately capitalize on and score because Legace didn't stitch his glove well enough. Canes end up losing in a shootout.

:mad: :banghead:

Can't remember the last time I've been this pissed about a loss.

[Dr. Sak]

In other news...Flyers just signed Sebastien Caron aka goalie #7.

[Suburban Rhythm]

In other news...Flyers just signed Sebastien Caron aka goalie #7.

He's helping Philly too. There is a little known clause that once you start your 8th goalie of the year, they no longer count against the cap.

I was only kidding...I think.

[Pyser]

man am i glad this didnt happen:

SUNRISE, Fla. -- It may sound like a fish story, but if so, then Glen Sather sure has come up with a whopper.

The Rangers' GM told Slap Shots on Thursday that he "shook hands" on a trade last year that would have brought Steven Stamkos from Tampa Bay to New York less than halfway through the brilliant 20-year-old center's rookie season.

We reported last year that the Lightning had dangled Stamkos through the early months of the season, during which the first-overall selection in the 2008 Entry Draft struggled badly, getting two goals (with five assists) in his first 21 games. There were questions in the organization about his readiness for the NHL.

The Rangers started working on the Tampa house-of-cards ownership during the teams' trip to Prague, where the clubs opened the 2008-09 regular season with a pair of games. Sather got the ear of co-owner Len Barrie, a former NHL player. Conversations continued after the clubs returned to North America.

By the time the Blueshirts visited Tampa on Thanksgiving of 2008, the talks had become serious. Barrie was asking to choose two or three from a wish list that featured Michael Del Zotto, Evgeny Grachev, Ryan Callahan, Brandon Dubinsky and Dan Girardi.

The deal, according to Sather, was struck. The Rangers would be getting Stamkos, who has scored 46 goals thus far this season, tied for second in the NHL with Alex Ovechkin and just one behind Sidney Crosby in the race for the Rocket Richard Trophy.

Oh, no, they wouldn't.

"How close did we come?" Sather asked rhetorically, repeating the question we posed to him as the Rangers practiced in Tampa on Thursday. "We shook hands on it, that's how close.

"I'd been on it since Europe. I had an agreement with Len Barrie. I asked him if he had the authority to make the trade, and he assured me that he did, because he was an owner.

"But the next day, I found out that he didn't. He went to run the deal by [GM] Brian Lawton, who wanted no part of it. As I understood it, the way it was told to me, Barrie was still going to make the deal, but then he was told that he couldn't unless he got the approval of [co-owner] Oren Koules.
"Koules shot it down," said Sather. "That was the end of it."

Koules and Barrie further could not agree on a trade last June that would have sent Vincent Lecavalier and his massive contract to Montreal in exchange for a package featuring goaltender Carey Price. Dysfunction in that case benefited Sather, for it allowed him to then move Scott Gomez to the Canadiens.

That Lightning ownership is gone. So is the opportunity to trade for Stamkos.

"We had him," Sather said. "Well, I thought we did."


Read more: Rangers had done deal for Stamkos - NYPOST.com (http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/rangers/shaken_not_stirred_T6N63otVVq92kFkpEFVBMI#ixzz0kAreHefw)

[Logan]

man am i glad this didnt happen:

SUNRISE, Fla. -- It may sound like a fish story, but if so, then Glen Sather sure has come up with a whopper.

The Rangers' GM told Slap Shots on Thursday that he "shook hands" on a trade last year that would have brought Steven Stamkos from Tampa Bay to New York less than halfway through the brilliant 20-year-old center's rookie season.

Sounds like Sather pulled an April Fools joke on Brooks who ran with it.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Wow. Just ... wow.

Theo Fleury, Sheldon Kennedy outraged by pardon for Graham James, coach who allegedly abused them - ESPN (http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/news/story?id=5056809)

Y, Alberta -- Theo Fleury and Sheldon Kennedy, two former NHL players who say they were sexually abused as teenagers by a junior hockey coach, are among those angered at the revelation the convicted sex offender was pardoned in 2007.

Graham James, 58, pleaded guilty to sexual assault after two of his former players, including Kennedy, told of the abuse they suffered at his hands from 1984 to 1995.

The Canadian Press reported that it learned James had been granted a pardon by the National Parole Board when a previously unknown accuser of James came forward and contacted Winnipeg police.

"I look at the time from when Graham was charged, convicted and sentenced and now it's written off his record," Kennedy said. "It was a matter of roughly 12 years and I see people struggling with this -- not just Graham James' victims, but victims of child abuse who struggle with this for years and years and years."

Dimitri Soudas, a spokesman for Prime Minister Stephen Harper, said the government was "shocked" to learn of the pardon.

"The National Parole Board made this decision without our government's consent or knowledge," he said.

Parole board spokeswoman Caroline Douglas said the pardons process does not generally take into account the nature of the crime, even those the public finds particularly upsetting.

"We cannot discriminate based on the crime committed," Douglas said. "Very few people are ineligible for a pardon. Everyone else is eligible no matter their crime. We have to follow the law."

Fleury, who played with Kennedy for the Calgary Flames, has lodged a complaint about James with police. He went to Winnipeg authorities in January after publishing a memoir last autumn that detailed years of alleged abuse by his former coach.

"I'm shocked and mystified. Imagine somebody who commits that kind of crime being pardoned," Fleury said in a statement Sunday. "I thought we had an open justice system. It's just more proof our society has a lot to learn about protecting the victims."

"Obviously nobody was proud of the decision or it wouldn't have been a secret," Fleury said, according to The Canadian Press.

James was sentenced to 3½ years in prison in 1997 and his whereabouts are unknown. Records show he was one of 14,748 Canadians given a pardon in 2006-07, while 103 people were refused.

Former Calgary MP Art Hanger, a 22-year member of the Calgary Police Service and member of the Canadian Justice Foundation, called the latest development "reprehensible."

"I mean, this man used his authority as a coach and attacked youngsters -- vulnerable, vulnerable boys. For the most part, these kind of characters cannot be cured.

"There is no indication in anything that he has done to place himself into the good graces of the Canadian public. I don't understand the parole board's thinking."

Ron Jette of the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Network called the pardon "justice undone."

"You have to ask yourself," Jette wondered, "what were they thinking?"

The Canadian Society for the Investigation of Child Abuse, of which Kennedy is a board member, reacted with dismay.

"We think it's sad whenever a person who is alleged to have been abusive in a position of authority doesn't face all of the consequences," executive director Lynn Barry said. "It is very important that those people be held accountable."

[Fidatelo]

Ya that is disgraceful. The fact that we don't even know where the guy is... just disgusting. I'm hopeful that the outcry from this is loud enough to get some changes made in the system. That dude should have a scarlet "P" burned into his forehead or something.

[Chubby]

Sabres clinch the division, WOOT!

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thrashers officially eliminated from the playoff race.

[Honolulu_Blue]

The West is set now. Calgary is out. Poor Calgary. A bad team with a lot of bad contracts, no first round pick next year.

[johnnyshaka]

Or second round pick.

[Pyser]

and a quitter for a coach

[Maple Leafs]

Poor Calgary. A bad team with a lot of bad contracts, no first round pick next year.
Ha ha, what a disaster!

Wait, what?

[bronconick]

Another regular season banner for the Sharks! Yay!


*starts digging around for antacids for next week*

[Dr. Sak]

Flyers and Rangers have a home and home to end the year that will decide each teams' playoff fate.

2 pts by the Flyers clinches a spot for them since they have more wins. 4 points by the Rangers and 1 or less by the Flyers gets the Rangers in.

Congrats Ranger fans on making the playoffs.

[Logan]

Ha. Should be a fun finish. So my unintelligent mind computes that the worst we can do is win one in regulation and win one in OT/shootout?

[Dr. Sak]

Ha. Should be a fun finish. So my unintelligent mind computes that the worst we can do is win one in regulation and win one in OT/shootout?

Yea. If you guys win both in OT/Shootout the Flyers still have the tiebreaker with overall wins.

[Wolfpack]

Good end to a bad season in Raleigh as the Hurricanes were picked to host the 2011 All-Star Game next January. The Canes then cap the day by winning the last home game of the year, 5-2, over Montreal and preventing them from clinching a playoff berth. It was hat-giveaway-night, so naturally the place erupted in a blizzard of hats when Staal scored his third on an empty-netter. Staal also assisted on the other two goals (both scored by Chad LaRose) for a five-point night.

One more to go at Boston, then the long offseason. *sigh*

[Suburban Rhythm]

It feels dirty...but I am pulling for the Flyers. If they can someone grab the 7th spot, that would be perfect. Then if the Pens can take 2nd, another intra-state matchup. If the Devils take 2nd, the Flyers will sweep them.

Win Win for me

[Wolfpack]

The Canes start the season with a team-record-tying 14-game losing streak of ineptitude. They end the season with ineptitude, surrendering a league record 3(!!) shorthanded goals on one power play against Boston. Comically, Carolina had closed the gap to 3-2 and actually nearly tied the game, not of their own doing, but because the Bruins nearly suffered a mind-blowing own-goal after a delayed penalty was called on Carolina and Rask had been pulled for a sixth attacker. The puck actually reached the line before getting cleared away. (On an aside, who would get credit for that goal? Last Canes player to touch it before the penalty was awarded?)

At any rate, a microcosm of the year, dig a hole and quickly with staggering ineptitude, gamely fight back to make things interesting, but ultimately can't make it all the way back at the end.

Oh, well. Time to root for the other Sun Belt/non-traditional market teams in the playoffs to bring the Cup back from behind enemy lines. :D

[samifan24]

The puck actually reached the line before getting cleared away. (On an aside, who would get credit for that goal? Last Canes player to touch it before the penalty was awarded?)

Yes. Carolina looked horribly disorganized in their own zone all game. It looked like the Bruins were playing Albany out there. Jerome Sampson? Zach Boychuk? Drayson Bowman? Casey Borer? Bryan Rodney? If these guys are in Carolina, who's left in Albany?

[Logan]

At basically the very last minute*, I ended up getting to the Rangers-Flyers game last night when the guy who usually gives me his tickets had to head to the hospital to take care of his father. As good as the game was, the highlight for me came when the game got tied at 3 and two Flyer fans in our section finally started opening up their mouths. One guy was wearing a blue sweater and the other guy a green t-shirt. The guys behind them were giving them shit about how when they go to road games, they're man enough to wear their teams' colors. Sweater guy said nothing, but his friend turned around to all of us, pointed at his solid print t-shirt and said "Eagles green!"

It was one of the dumbest things I've ever heard anyone say.



* - technology is awesome. My friend is sitting in a hospital waiting room and can email his tickets to my phone, which I then use to forward the email to my other buddy who is in his office and cant print out the tickets.

[bbor]

3 SH goas on one pp?? R U kidding me?

[Wolfpack]

Yes. Carolina looked horribly disorganized in their own zone all game. It looked like the Bruins were playing Albany out there. Jerome Sampson? Zach Boychuk? Drayson Bowman? Casey Borer? Bryan Rodney? If these guys are in Carolina, who's left in Albany?

To be fair, the Rats have pretty much made up a sizable portion of the roster of any given night for quite a while now (due to trades and injuries) and most fans think it was because of the Rats and not in spite of them that we even got a sniff of playoff contention after the opening month debacle. Heck, Brandon Sutter was sent to Albany to start the year. Of the ones you mentioned, Bowman, Borer, and Samson have had the fewest minutes. Boychuk and Rodney haven't been down except in brief stints for the last couple of months, e.g. the Olympic break. Also, it wasn't the Rats that lost those 14 games in a row at the start of the year, but the vets.

Remarkably, the Rats have actually made the AHL playoffs in spite of all the callups and most of the Rats that can go back are going back now that the season's over.

Will be interesting to see if JR will try to use his bushel of picks and someone with a pulse as bait to move up in the draft or whether he'll use those picks to restock the soon-to-be Charlotte Checkers for next year as most fans want current Rats like McBain, Boychuk, and Rodney to become permanent Canes players (and continue to whittle down the remainder of the older, players on the roster like Brind'Amour, Cole, and Samsonov).

[Wolfpack]

3 SH goas on one pp?? R U kidding me?

I wish I was. I didn't witness it myself. I was out on errands and listening to the radio. I went into one store and the game was 0-0 and came out to find out that it was 3-0 and that they all came on shorties from the same power play. In seeing the highlights, Ward did get hung out to dry on a couple of them, but he should have had the save on two of them (the backhander that started it and the third one that he was able to get a piece of but not stop). Still blows my mind.

[samifan24]

3 SH goas on one pp?? R U kidding me?

To be fair, it was more a complete breakdown in Carolina's end than the Bruins dominating the run of play. Ward should've stopped Paille's shot but he had no chance on Wheeler's since it was a one timer. Begin's was a long pass followed by a rush. I think he let the last one in because he was rattled. IMHO Maurice should've called timeout after the second goal.

[samifan24]

PS- Brandon Sutter is nasty.

[Wolfpack]

PS- Brandon Sutter is nasty.

The guy does all the dirty work that Staal tends to avoid like the plague unless he's really on his game and not sulking too much. I'm still dumbfounded that he didn't start the year in Raleigh given how he pretty much owned the second line once he came up more or less permanently after the first couple of weeks of the season. It didn't hurt that injuries and Brind'Amour's continued plunge off a cliff skill-wise gave him the room to do so, of course. He's the clear #2 center going into next year and beyond. If he can figure out face-offs and breakaway situations, he's going to be a tremendous player. (This can be said of a lot of Hurricanes players because Brind'Amour is the only good face-off guy we've got and he's a fourth-liner now and everyone outside of Jokinen and maybe LaRose is utterly wretched in breakaway situations.)

[DeToxRox]

HA! Matt Cooke .. you got knocked the fuck out.

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xW9Sp-WndwA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xW9Sp-WndwA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[DeToxRox]

Also, Stamkos with #49 and #50 tonight. Kid is a monster. He and Ovechkin are going to be doing some serious battling for the Maurice Richard the next 10 years.

[Wolfpack]

HA! Matt Cooke .. you got knocked the fuck out.

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xW9Sp-WndwA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xW9Sp-WndwA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Just...damn.... I wouldn't be chuckling so much if Cooke really got badly hurt there, but yeah, Kane scored a knockout that his namesake would've been proud of. :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

HA! Matt Cooke .. you got knocked the fuck out.


Glad you found something, I was looking for a good picture to post as well.

[JonInMiddleGA]

The background to that, naturally, is that Kane had dared to check Cindy in the first period. They spent the rest of the period & the start of the second going after Kane who responded with what is almost certainly the signature moment of an otherwise meh season in Atlanta & quite possibly cements him as the new face of the franchise (such as it is) far more than anything else that's happened all year.

[DeToxRox]

Kane's dad was also an amateur boxer. Ya'd think Cooke would have figured out he was going after someone who *gasp* dare defend himself.

[bhlloy]

Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. Hilarious.

[Chief Rum]

Kane just shot up my list of favorite players from "just another guy" to "hoping he ends up on the Ducks one day". :)

[Chief Rum]

FYI...for anyone who cares.

Tomorrow's game between the Ducks and Oilers might be one to catch if you have Center Ice. It's an altogether meaningless game, playoffs-wise, but two of the game's greats could be playing their last games.

Teemu and Niedermayer have been expected to call it quits this offseason.

Niedermayer's a true champ, although, IMO, he's obviously not the same as he once was (still good, though, for stretches).

Teemu's my personal favorite player. I have met him in person and shook his hand, and his contributions on the ice and his personality off the ice are almost without match. There has been a groundswell of support, it seems, for Teemu to come back one more year, given how well he has played this year, and he hasn't been 100% saying he will retire. That said, I still think tomorrow is the last NHL game for the Finnish Flash.

[Dr. Sak]

Sad to hear about Teemu and Niedermayer. If you get a chance check out the clips of Modano's last game in Dallas. Had the game tying and shoot out winning goal in the game against the Ducks.

[Chief Rum]

Sad to hear about Teemu and Niedermayer. If you get a chance check out the clips of Modano's last game in Dallas. Had the game tying and shoot out winning goal in the game against the Ducks.

Yup. No surprise, I am sure, but I was watching that one.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Wings end up finishing 5th in the West and will face Phoenix. I actually think, of all of the top 4 seeds in the West, the Coyotes are the toughest draw. Bryzgalov has been solid all year and has been lights out in the playoffs throughout his career and Phoenix has a balanced, grinding type team that excels in the playoffs. Given the Blackhawks' goalie situation, San Jose being San Jose, and Luongo's shaky play, Phoenix was last on my teams that I wanted to see the Wings face. Oh well.

The Flyers make it in and the Rangers are eliminated... in a shootout. 82 games comes down to a shooutout.

[Dr. Sak]

Going into a shootout with a playoff spot on the line...who would you rather have King Henrik...or Bobby err Brian Boucher? Boucher stops 2 of 3 and the Flyers make the playoffs.

Sorry Logan...this was a time I was glad to be wrong and I feel bad that you had to watch that DVRed game with this ending.

[Greyroofoo]

I hate it when the season comes down to a shoutout...

[Dr. Sak]

I hate it when the season comes down to a shoutout...

I couldn't agree more.

[Dr. Sak]

And why didn't Gaborik shoot in the shootout?

[Honolulu_Blue]

And why didn't Gaborik shoot in the shootout?

Maybe he was injured? It is Gaborik we're talking about.

[Dr. Sak]

Flyers got the Devils...the matchup Philly fans were hoping for.

[Chief Rum]

I hate it when the season comes down to a shoutout...

While I understand where you're coming from, that's like saying the result of a football game is decided by a kicker missing or making a field goal at the end, or a bad pitch by a pitcher in a baseball game that some jacks for a three run homerun.

No, the whole season is reason for a team making (or missing) the playoffs. The bad losing streak in November. The poor cap management that left a team with depth issues when injuries hit. Some winger on another team nutting up and getting things down for his team at the right time. It all works into it. You see the shootout, and you say cause and effect. But it's everything that goes into it. Don't make the shootout to be the bad thing just because it is, time-wise, the last factor in a multitude of factors, most of which were probably far more impactful than a shootout, to determine whether a team makes it into the playoffs or not.

[Logan]

And why didn't Gaborik shoot in the shootout?

2 of 18 on the year.

Thanks Sak, it was tough to watch especially when I told my roommate in the middle of the second period that the only chance we had to win was if the game ended 1-0. And then as soon as the Flyers tied it up, I was...literally...praying for it to go to a shootout.

That second goal Lundqvist gave up five-hole was very uncharacteristic of him. And I'm glad Jokinen couldn't even get a shot off after circling around like a dbag trying to get more speed.

[Greyroofoo]

While I understand where you're coming from, that's like saying the result of a football game is decided by a kicker missing or making a field goal at the end, or a bad pitch by a pitcher in a baseball game that some jacks for a three run homerun.

No, the whole season is reason for a team making (or missing) the playoffs. The bad losing streak in November. The poor cap management that left a team with depth issues when injuries hit. Some winger on another team nutting up and getting things down for his team at the right time. It all works into it. You see the shootout, and you say cause and effect. But it's everything that goes into it. Don't make the shootout to be the bad thing just because it is, time-wise, the last factor in a multitude of factors, most of which were probably far more impactful than a shootout, to determine whether a team makes it into the playoffs or not.

Whiffed Completely

[DeToxRox]

Wings/Coyotes open Wednesday night.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Flyers got the Devils...the matchup Philly fans were hoping for.

And some non-Philly fans.

[Suburban Rhythm]

DOLA

Full round 1 schedules

http://www.kuklaskorner.com/index.php/hockey/comments/round_1_dates_and_times_announced/

[Chief Rum]

Whiffed Completely

lol...you're right, I did. Nice catch by both you and Dr. Sak.

[Arles]

Wings/Coyotes open Wednesday night.
I'll be there.

[Logan]

With my knowledge of the NHL these days 90% confined to the Rangers (the remaining amount scattered between the Atlantic Division and a few other Eastern Conference teams), I turn to you guys for this question: Let's say the Rangers felt like due to a lack of high end scoring talent outside of Gaborik and having tough contracts still remaining, they couldn't get to that next level before Lundqvist starts to go downhill. And they feel bad for him. Really bad that he's had to carry this team all these years, so much so that they are open to dealing him.

Realistically and hypothetically, what kind of package could they expect back? He just turned 28 and is signed for $7.75MM, $6.875MM, $6.875MM, and $5.125MM over the next 4 years. The team is basically set at defense and is in desperate need of a #1 center (which I imagine many would be).

I'll hang up and listen.

[Dr. Sak]

Top end goalies are a premium. His cap number isn't all that bad but the problem may be finding someone to take him without you getting a lot of dead cap weight back. But if Scott Gomez could get traded with some return...Henrik could get a nice package of prospects/picks and a serviceable player or 2 IMO.

[DeToxRox]

I'll use Philly as an example, even though I don't see the Rangers making a deal with them:

I think Henrik could fetch you Jeff Carter and a 1st.

Something like that.

[johnnyshaka]

Goalies like Lundqvist are few and far between...if it's me, I'd keep him and roll the dice and try to find a piece or two to compliment the young d-men and Gaborik.

But...if you have your mind set on dealing him...well, target teams who need goaltending and who might be considered close to winning...PHI pops to mind. Do they have any pieces they'd be willing to part with? I'm sure they'd like to move Briere but I'm guessing if the Rangers are moving Lundqvist they want to get younger, not older. So, Carter or Gagner as they are both nearing free agency?

If I'm Sather, I think Carter has to be the centerpiece with a high pick or two as well...is that enough?

[johnnyshaka]

Oh, and Souray wants out of Edmonton...management didn't check on him as often as he would've liked while he was out of action after hurting himself in a fight...for the umpteenth time.

[Logan]

That's about what I thought the response would be...and it's probably not enough to get Sather to move him (unless Redden joins him in the deal). This team is pretty much stuck: Lundqvist will always have them in a position where they won't due poorly enough to get a high pick that would bring in the needed talent, and they need Hank to be Hank every minute of every game in order to make a playoff run, and unfortunately, he's human.

Also unfortunate is that I think the actual long term plan for this team is along the lines of johnny's "roll the dice to find some extra offense."

[Logan]

Oh and I might be crazy for thinking this, but I'd part with the picks and sign Backstrom to an offer sheet.

[DeToxRox]

Not playoff related but I am beginning to think Yzerman will be the new GM of the Lightning.

We shall see but it makes sense.

[bbor]

Not playoff related but I am beginning to think Yzerman will be the new GM of the Lightning.

We shall see but it makes sense.

Hmm...With Gretz as the coach?

That would be interesting.

May be enough to put asses back in the seats too.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thrashers clean house ... sort of.

Entire coaching staff is fired, Waddell named team president, Rick Dudley promoted to GM.

Thrashers fire coaching staff | Atlanta Thrashers (http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-thrashers-blog/2010/04/14/big-thrashers-news-waddell-moved-up-dudley-in-coaches-out/)

[Pumpy Tudors]

Wow, I wonder what the Thrashers will do with former Oakland/Tampa Bay tight end Rickey Dudley as the GM.

Oh.

[DaddyTorgo]

Would have rather the Bruins got the #1 and could make the choice, but I'm happy with either of the two guys who seem to be interchangeable at #1/#2. Both premium offensive talents who can both score and create (equal on pts this year in OHL right?). So that should provide some much-needed offensive spark.

[bbor]

I've got a ?? beside Seguins name.....just because if he is as good as people say,why was'nt he on the world jnr team?

[Draft Dodger]

I've got a ?? beside Seguins name.....just because if he is as good as people say,why was'nt he on the world jnr team?

worked out pretty well for Matt Duchene

[DaddyTorgo]

I've got a ?? beside Seguins name.....just because if he is as good as people say,why was'nt he on the world jnr team?

Good question. Personally I guess Edmonton needs a center more than a winger so I assume they'll be taking Seguin, leaving us with Hall, which would be fine by me. Then again, B's taking Seguin would enable them to rejigger their pivots a bit, which would be nice. Since they dumped Joe we haven't had a true #1 center (Bergeron could have maybe been one before the missed time), so it'd be nice to get someone with that potential at least.

Win-win for the C's.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Wow, I wonder what the Thrashers will do with former Oakland/Tampa Bay tight end Rickey Dudley as the GM.

Couldn't be any worse than having Waddell in charge.

[bbor]

worked out pretty well for Matt Duchene

True,true.

I don't think there is a chance in hell that EDM take Seguin rather than Hall though.Even if EDM really needs a C.

[Travis]

Don't be so sure of that really. Penner took a step forward this year (significant because of Hemsky being hurt, so the hope is that the two of them give Edmonton a true first line next year) and they have a couple of top 6 type LW in the system (Linus Omark and Magnus Paajarvi Svensson). Omark is an outlier, but MPS (fingers crossed) should be a top 6 type.

In the middle they've got Sam Gagner and not much else. Personally I'm still not sold on Gagner ever being more than a second line player but he does have time on his side. I'd like to see Gilbert Brule get a prolonged look in the middle next year (played well in stints with Penner, but between a lot of usage on the wings and a couple bouts of illness, his time in the middle was abbreviated at best), but there's not a lot in the pipeline as far as centers go.

Hemsky and Eberle are likely the top 2 RW on the team going forward (whether Eberle arrives next season or the one following remains to be seen) and there is always a chance Gagner finds himself over here (if/when Hemsky is no longer with the team) if he can't continue to improve on the dot.

Long story short, the need for center's in Edmonton is pretty ridiculous. If the difference between Hall/Seguin is as small as the scouts seem to say it is, hard not to believe that the position won't factor in as a possible tie breaker.

[DaddyTorgo]

like i said - i'd be happy with either here. probably more NEED for Hall in the system, but either would be welcome.

[Sublime 2]

Good question. Personally I guess Edmonton needs a center more than a winger so I assume they'll be taking Seguin, leaving us with Hall, which would be fine by me. Then again, B's taking Seguin would enable them to rejigger their pivots a bit, which would be nice. Since they dumped Joe we haven't had a true #1 center (Bergeron could have maybe been one before the missed time), so it'd be nice to get someone with that potential at least.

Win-win for the C's.

Wait...what's wrong with Savard? Granted, he may not be the same player for a while after the concussion, but why wouldn't he be considered a #1 center?