Its' Here! NHL 2007-2008 Regular Season Thread

[Pyser]

Finally!!!!! Ducks vs Kings in London on Saturday.

Go devils.

Also, anyone have any info on how much the center ice package will cost this year?

[Dr. Sak]

What I know is if you order now you get $20 off. I am assuming $149 is the price now and it'll jump up to $169.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I meant to order NHL Center Ice last night, and I forgot to. I'll want to take of that tonight.

[Chief Rum]

Yeah, season is still going, in case anyone noticed...

[Suburban Rhythm]

Mike Cammalieri on pace for 164 goal season!!

[bhlloy]

I'm originally from the UK and a ton of my good friends from back home were at the game, but that was the worst gimmick in the history of pro sports. The delay, the small and crappy ice surface, the exhibition type atmosphere... Bettman shows again why he is the worst commissioner in the history of anything.

[Chief Rum]

I'm originally from the UK and a ton of my good friends from back home were at the game, but that was the worst gimmick in the history of pro sports. The delay, the small and crappy ice surface, the exhibition type atmosphere... Bettman shows again why he is the worst commissioner in the history of anything.

Hey, bhlloy, do you listen to 570 KLAC? If you can find Matt "Money" Smith's rant on Friday about Bettman and the condition of the NHL, it will make you and every NHL-loving fan smile (with some bitterness). He pretty much goes off on Bettman and gets in a piece about just about everything the man has screwed up with the game (the London trip, expansion, the strike season, Versus, etc). Brought a tear to my eye.

[molson]

The ineptitude of the Bruins franchise will continue to kill my enjoyment of the NHL.

[bhlloy]

Hey, bhlloy, do you listen to 570 KLAC? If you can find Matt "Money" Smith's rant on Friday about Bettman and the condition of the NHL, it will make you and every NHL-loving fan smile (with some bitterness). He pretty much goes off on Bettman and gets in a piece about just about everything the man has screwed up with the game (the London trip, expansion, the strike season, Versus, etc). Brought a tear to my eye.


I'll have to search that one out online, although it would probably just make me even more angry.

[Draft Dodger]

yeah, I was amazed at the botched opener. it's a banner event, meant to introduce the game to Europe...and manage to screw up just about everything (folk, if you are going to do the American anthem, don't you think it would be a good idea to find someone who can sing it?)

I'm on DirecTV and have the Center Ice. as of Thursday, the game wasn't even listed. It finally showed up on Friday - my wife happened to stumble across it and recorded it. So, with a bit of anticipation, I sit down Saturday afternoon to watch some hockey. What do I get? Infomercials. Finally, about an hour in someone at DirecTV woke up and flipped the switch (thankfully, the delay meant I only missed the first period). Meanwhile, I think the game was filmed by one of the CCTV security cams London is famous for - the game looked like ass.

What other major sport would totally botch their opening game like this? It's really amazing how poorly run the NHL is.

EDIT: it's more a minor niggle, but it really bugged me that the teams alternated being the "home" team...except they didn't bother to switch the jerseys. The Kings were the road team on Sunday, but wore their home uniforms.

[bhlloy]

They only brought one set of uniforms to the UK apparently (which I don't buy because the Kings have been in Europe for a couple of weeks in a tournament in Austria)

The whole thing was just a joke. Ice Hockey probably attracts a total of 25,00 people a week to the various British leagues and the whole setup is pretty poor. Why they couldn't have had the game in Sweden or Russia, where the arenas are close to NHL quality and they actually watch hockey is completely beyond me.

[Maple Leafs]

The loudest cheer of the weekend? Not even close. The crowd of 17,239 was on its feet for an impressive tussle midway through the second period Sunday between Ducks tough guy George Parros and rugged Kings winger Scott Thornton, the latter holding his own against a bigger foe. A standing ovation rocked the 02 Arena as they made their way to the penalty box.
But Gary, please, get fighting out of the game. You've made great progress over the years in that area, so with the league losing fans every season, keep up the great work.

[Pyser]

well i find this utterly fascinating:

Brent Sopel has left the camp of the Detroit Red Wings and signed a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Sopel signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks, believed to be worth $1.5 million.

He had been in Detroit's training camp on a tryout basis, and was offered a contract by the Red Wings shortly before signing with Chicago.




who chooses the hawks over the red wings? unless there was an huge money difference, or told him theyd pay him to play in the minors....why?!

[Pyser]

dola

tsn says the penguins may open the next season in the czech republic against tb.

not the rangers, who are like half czech...

[Suburban Rhythm]

dola

tsn says the penguins may open the next season in the czech republic against tb.

not the rangers, who are like half czech...


My immediate thought was the Rangers...because all those Czech players there now, were here 7 years ago. Jagr, Straka, Rozsival...are you Jan Hrdina isn't there somewhere going by the alias Sean Avery?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I was just looking around nhl.com, and I ran across this quote from Devils coach Brent Sutter. It was a LOL moment for me.

"The checking line, to me, is way overrated. Your best defense is still always having the puck, puck possession time. Yeah, there are certain guys that are better at working with the puck than others, but we want to be a puck possession team where we have the puck more. Defensive hockey doesn't mean just staying on your heels and playing well in your own zone. Defensive hockey is about working hard. It's about turning pucks over. It's about neutral-zone puck turnover."

Checking lines are overrated, huh? I get what Sutter is saying here, and he wants to stress puck possession, but it makes me wonder how much ice time a guy like Jay Pandolfo is going to get this year. I guess it's also safe to assume that Grant Marshall will be spending the entire year in Lowell again (not that that's a bad thing). Where does that leave Mike Rupp? Should he even bother putting on skates now?

The Devils are going to look like a different team for a while. They're starting the season with a ton of road games, so that'll wear them down. On top of that, they're apparently going to be playing a slightly different style with all this emphasis on puck possession. Then, of course, their defense will have to deal with the losses of Rafalski and Lukowich. Colin White's hurt again, too. I don't know what to expect out of the team this year.

Hmm. I guess what I'm trying to say is... fuck Scott Gomez.

[Draft Dodger]

"energy line" is usually a much better term.

[Pumpy Tudors]

"energy line" is usually a much better term.
Wasn't Kevin Stevens caught with a hooker and an "energy line" in a hotel room once?

[Dr. Sak]

Wasn't Kevin Stevens caught with a hooker and an "energy line" in a hotel room once?

Hooker and drugs. Have you seen Artie lately? He weights around 300 lbs.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Hooker and drugs. Have you seen Artie lately? He weights around 300 lbs.

I always feel bad for Kevin Stevens. The guy was a force in the league for a while. A great power-forward, he got over 100 pts. and 200 pims one year. Obviously playing with Lemieux inflated his stats, but he was a really good player.

Then he got hit from behind in some playoff game (I think), got knocked unconscious, fell to the ice, and smashed his face all up. He was never the same player again.

It was quite the downward spiral.

[RendeR]

Go Sabres!

Lets hope all those wins by the Amerks turns into wins in the NHL too, cause we've lost any leadership this team had last season.

[Draft Dodger]

yeah, Stevens was a monster for a few years. that fall was just gruesome

[Maple Leafs]

Then he got hit from behind in some playoff game (I think), got knocked unconscious, fell to the ice, and smashed his face all up. He was never the same player again.
Pretty sure that was in the Pens/Isles game seven, the Volek game. It wasn't a hit from behind and was actually a little flukey, but he was out before he hit the ice and couldn't protect himself.

[Draft Dodger]

Harry Neale will be doing Sabres games this year
http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071001.neale01/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20071001.neale01

Neale and Jeanerette should make an interesting pair.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Pretty sure that was in the Pens/Isles game seven, the Volek game. It wasn't a hit from behind and was actually a little flukey, but he was out before he hit the ice and couldn't protect himself.

Yeah, I didn't remember the play being dirty, just flukey, like you said, because he was out could before he hit the ice so he couldn't make any effort to protect himself.

It was brutal and resulted in some serious reconstruction that sort of took the physical edge off his game. He became sort of a shell of his former self, sort of like Lindros in a way.

Next thing you know he's in East St. Louis smoking crack with a hooker.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Harry Neale will be doing Sabres games this year
http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071001.neale01/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20071001.neale01

Neale and Jeanerette should make an interesting pair.

While Bob Cole and Harry Neale definitely lost a few steps over the years, they were a great team for a long time. Those two and Dave Strader and Mickey Redmon, the Wings' broadcast team from the late 80's to the mid-90's, will always be the voices of hockey for me.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Yeah, I didn't remember the play being dirty, just flukey, like you said, because he was out could before he hit the ice so he couldn't make any effort to protect himself.

It was brutal and resulted in some serious reconstruction that sort of took the physical edge off his game. He became sort of a shell of his former self, sort of like Lindros in a way.

Next thing you know he's in East St. Louis smoking crack with a hooker.

Rich Pilon...Stevens tried to hit him, and, like you said, flukey thing. Knocked out, and then fell face first to the ice.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Rich Pilon...Stevens tried to hit him, and, like you said, flukey thing. Knocked out, and then fell face first to the ice.

Ah, Dicky Pilon...

What a great name for a defensemen. He was kind of dirty too. I think I recall him fighting Ray Sheppard, twice. I think they were the only fighting majors I ever recall Ray Sheppard receiving.

[Maple Leafs]

Harry Neale will be doing Sabres games this year
http://www.globesports.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071001.neale01/GSStory/GlobeSportsHockey/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20071001.neale01


His replacement will be Greg Millen, who is already working for Leafs TV, but will now move into the No.1 spot as the lead game analyst.
Ah, good old Greg Millen. Spent years bashing the Leafs at every turn as a Senators analyst, then sold out immediately when a job opened up at Leafs TV.

[Draft Dodger]

Millen doesn't seem to be very popular with a lot of you Canadians, but I really like him.

[Honolulu_Blue]

well i find this utterly fascinating:

Brent Sopel has left the camp of the Detroit Red Wings and signed a contract with the Chicago Blackhawks.

Sopel signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks, believed to be worth $1.5 million.

He had been in Detroit's training camp on a tryout basis, and was offered a contract by the Red Wings shortly before signing with Chicago.




who chooses the hawks over the red wings? unless there was an huge money difference, or told him theyd pay him to play in the minors....why?!

The Wings offered Sopel a contract a few days before. I would have to believe it was probably around half of what he got from the Blackhawks. I think the Wings considered Sopel to be a 5-7th defensemen, who would struggle to see consistant ice time.

He obviously got a much richer contract from the Blackhawks and is likely to see a lot more ice time. I was hoping Sopel would work out in Detroit, since I think they could use his shot from the point after losing Schneider, but I guess it was not meant to be. It looks like it will be Derek Meech for the time being.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Also, fuck Scott Gomez.

[Draft Dodger]

Sam Gagner will get a taste of the NHL
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=219646&hubname=

[Draft Dodger]

Devils are so good, they don't even need captains.

http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/2007/10/no-captain-to-s.html

[Draft Dodger]

Devils are so good, they don't even need captains.

http://njmg.typepad.com/devilsblog/2007/10/no-captain-to-s.html

[Draft Dodger]

and I'm so good, I get to post twice

[Pyser]

i love just about everything sutter has done so far with the devils.

stripping elias of the captaincy (but in a very diplomatic way) is a good start. elias certainly didnt seem like a leader at any point last season, and ill take 90 pts with an A than 70 with a C any day

an entirely new, "aggressive" puck control gameplan. supposedly, no more defense-first, sit on your heels, wait for a mistake, and score on a rush. now maybe we'll have some possession on the other side of the blue line.

splitting up the checking line. this one im not entirely sold on, since ive been watching the same devils team for 13 years (big scoring line, 2nd weaker line, checking line, "energy" line). now we'll supposedly be rolling 4 lines a lot more often. this includes splitting madden out wide, and dropping pandolfo to the 4th line. but maybe matching lines has had its day in court. and having 4 lines that can score would be a great thing, since we usually only have 1 and a half.

resting brodeur more. nuff said.

things i dont like

dropping pando to the 4th line...and even crazier...taking him off the pk. i mean...what?!


that said, very high hopes for the "new" devils. but its a rough road ahead for sutter - especially with all these changes, and then going on the road for 9 straight games to compound any issues. yikes.

[Draft Dodger]

yeah, Sutter's going to be fun to watch while he warms the seat for Lou

[Travis]

Just when things seem to be getting exciting in Edmonton (possibility that we'll see a Cogliano/Gagner/Pouliot line on Thursday), they go and do something like this:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=219716&hubname=nhl

Long story short, Stortini (closest thing we have to an enforcer) is sent down (which I can understand with our forward situation), and also sent down is Ladislav Smid.

I just simply can't fathom the second move. The kid proved time and again last year that not only is he read for the NHL game, but that he is also ready to be a leader on the team, numerous times mucking it up and being the first one to defend a team mate.

I know Souray/Pitkanen/Staios are all assured spots as (imho) should have Smid and Greene barring horrific showings in the preseason. Having Smid up here to learn the nuances of the offensive side of the game from Souray and Pitkanen while continuing to grow his defensive game learning from Huddy, Staios and Greene could have seen him become maybe our best all around defenseman by years end.

Instead, we get to watch Dick Tarnstrom on opening night then two of Greene/Grebeshkov/Gilbert. Gilbert had some great flashes at the end of last season and Grebeshkov is supposed to be a bit ahead of him, but I have heard nothing to suggest either is on par with where Smid was last year. Greene should be a regular starter right now and should be a 4/5 guy already, knowing MacT though, he'll probably end up being the guy in the press box more often than not when the rest of the crew are healthy.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Just when things seem to be getting exciting in Edmonton (possibility that we'll see a Cogliano/Gagner/Pouliot line on Thursday), they go and do something like this:

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=219716&hubname=nhl

Long story short, Stortini (closest thing we have to an enforcer) is sent down (which I can understand with our forward situation), and also sent down is Ladislav Smid.

I just simply can't fathom the second move. The kid proved time and again last year that not only is he read for the NHL game, but that he is also ready to be a leader on the team, numerous times mucking it up and being the first one to defend a team mate.

I know Souray/Pitkanen/Staios are all assured spots as (imho) should have Smid and Greene barring horrific showings in the preseason. Having Smid up here to learn the nuances of the offensive side of the game from Souray and Pitkanen while continuing to grow his defensive game learning from Huddy, Staios and Greene could have seen him become maybe our best all around defenseman by years end.

Instead, we get to watch Dick Tarnstrom on opening night then two of Greene/Grebeshkov/Gilbert. Gilbert had some great flashes at the end of last season and Grebeshkov is supposed to be a bit ahead of him, but I have heard nothing to suggest either is on par with where Smid was last year. Greene should be a regular starter right now and should be a 4/5 guy already, knowing MacT though, he'll probably end up being the guy in the press box more often than not when the rest of the crew are healthy.

I don't know enough to comment on Smid, but sending Zortini down seems fine. I like the guy. I love having guys like that in the league, but the Oilers don't need him. They have enough toughness in Greene, Staois, Moreau, etc.

The Oilers will be an interesting team, as always, to watch.

This season has really snuck up on me.

I assume I have the NHL Center Ice package. I didn't re-order it, but I had it last year and I think it re-news itself. Anyone know if that's the case?

[Travis]

They have enough toughness in Greene, Staois, Moreau, etc.

Tell that to Hemsky (and Pouliot, Cogliano, Gagner, Nilsson) when we play Minnesota. Trust me, I'm not saying Stortini is the answer and would rather see them use Jacques/Greene as their enforcers, but there is no certainty in saying either of those guys is going to be in the lineup regularily. Right now we have Moreau and Staios as our main two "tough" guys. Neither is particularily big, Moreau is getting quite an injury history at this point, and Staios is likely to be our #1 D for the PK which makes it hard for him to take too many penalties himself. As it stands, Penner may be our most imposing forward, another guy you don't want spending too much time in the box.

Smid is nice as he is a D man that would stick his nose in there (certainly not a true enforcer by any means) when things get heated, could play both sides of the special teams and be very effective 5 on 5. Gilbert looks like he could be a very good player, but I just can't see how he'd be ahead of Smid at this point, especially given our lack of PK capable defensemen on the squad right now.

Going to be a fast squad with lots of skill, but so far it looks like the brass hasn't learned any lessons from the physical beatings and resulting injuries that plagued them last year.

[Draft Dodger]

I assume I have the NHL Center Ice package. I didn't re-order it, but I had it last year and I think it re-news itself. Anyone know if that's the case?

with DirecTV it does.

[Pumpy Tudors]

What's everybody watching tonight? I might watch the Ducks and Wings just to see Brian Rafalski with his new team. Ottawa and Toronto will probably put on a show. Montreal/Carolina does nothing for me, as I generally find both teams kinda boring. Dallas/Colorado sounds like fun for a playoff matchup, but I'm normally not really into the Western Conference, especially not in October. Also, it's a late start out in Denver.

It seems like the Ottawa/Toronto game is the one for me. I'll catch the first half hour of the Ducks and Wings, and then I'll switch over to Sens and Leafs. If I haven't had enough hockey by the time that game is over, I'll watch as much of the late game as I can until I fall asleep.

Hockey's back, gentlemen!

[Dr. Sak]

I have to limit my hockey tonight to get a good night's rest. The Flyers open tomorrow in Calgary and I am going to try to watch the entire game that does not start until 10pm on the East Coast.

[Draft Dodger]

Dallas/Colorado sounds like fun for a playoff matchup, but I'm normally not really into the Western Conference, especially not in October. Also, it's a late start out in Denver.


it may not materialize into anything, but these teams played twice in the preseason. Combined, there was like 12 fighting majors (sorry, 11 fighting majors and 1 crosschecking major) and 2 game misconducts. of course, I'll be watching no matter what, but it might be fun even for you lame eastern fans.

Rycroft starting tonight for the Leafs (the team I boldly picked in my FTB to go to the finals). Is it too late to change my answer?

[Draft Dodger]

I have to limit my hockey tonight to get a good night's rest. The Flyers open tomorrow in Calgary and I am going to try to watch the entire game that does not start until 10pm on the East Coast.

that's late. usually those mountain games are at 9, and those aren't much of an issue for me. the 10:00 games just seem SO much later.

[bbor]

Love the fact that the Leafs dealt for a #1 goalie(toskula) but yet...starting in net for the Leafs tonight will be Raycroft..LOL....first dagger into JFJ and the season has'nt even started yet.

[bbor]

What's the Over/Under on when Lou comes in to take over the Devils bench?

[Maple Leafs]

Love the fact that the Leafs dealt for a #1 goalie(toskula) but yet...starting in net for the Leafs tonight will be Raycroft..LOL....first dagger into JFJ and the season has'nt even started yet.
So just so we're clear, the Leafs will open the season with a lineup that features exactly one player who wasn't in the lineup last year. One. We missed the playoffs last year, in case you were wondering. One.

So yes, I can't imagine why JFJ isn't getting that extension he wants. He's clearly working his butt off.

[RPI-Fan]

I love the 10pm games. Not sure what I'll watch tonight. Have to wait until Friday for Isles opener. :-/

[Fidatelo]

What happened to Toskala? Hurt?

[bbor]

What happened to Toskala? Hurt?

Coaches decision.

[Maple Leafs]

What happened to Toskala? Hurt?
After spending some time playing behind the Leafs defence, he peeled his own skin off. He's listed as day-to-day.

[Pumpy Tudors]

So just so we're clear, the Leafs will open the season with a lineup that features exactly one player who wasn't in the lineup last year. One. We missed the playoffs last year, in case you were wondering. One.

So yes, I can't imagine why JFJ isn't getting that extension he wants. He's clearly working his butt off.
At least you're in midseason form. :D

[Fidatelo]

Coaches decision.


Seriously? Holy crap that's not good if Raycroft is beating him out for opening day...

[Fidatelo]

Dola... I hope someone in my hockey pool doesn't hear about this before friday's draft, I can't wait to mock him to high-heaven when he drafts Toskala 15 rounds too soon.

[Maple Leafs]

Dola... I hope someone in my hockey pool doesn't hear about this before friday's draft, I can't wait to mock him to high-heaven when he drafts Toskala 15 rounds too soon.
Basically, when the deal went down the Leafs said it was an open competition even though nobody really believed it. It was assumed that Toskala would win the job, but then he was awful in the pre-season and Raycroft was decent. So now they've painted themselves into a bit of a corner, and they've decided to start Raycroft tonight and Toskala tomorrow in Ottawa.

It's not a bad decision, since a.) Raycroft did earn the job, and b.) there's at least a 60% chance the Sens will bomb the Leafs 7-1 tonight and the fans will turn on whoever's in net, so might as well be the guy they already hate instead of the new guy.

I still expect Toskala to be the main guy sooner than later and get 55 or so starts.

[Fidatelo]

I still expect Toskala to be the main guy sooner than later and get 55 or so starts.

So you're saying my new strategy should be to submarine his value by telling everyone Raycroft is the starter or at best they are platooning, then pick him up as a solid back-up in the late rounds.

I like it.

[Pyser]

What's the Over/Under on when Lou comes in to take over the Devils bench?

ill take at least 150.

[Draft Dodger]

and hey, really great to have one of the 2 early games on CI broadcast in French.

I'm sure the 9 hockey fans in the US who speak French only are very grateful.

[Dr. Sak]

Two minutes into the 2nd period of the Ott/Tor game and Pierre McGuire reminds me why I hate him so much...

[Logan]

I love Free NHL Center Ice time.

[Wolfpack]

*sigh* New year, same result. Still can't win in OT/SO as Canes drop the home opener 3-2 against Montreal in OT. Not the best of starts considering Carolina will be out of town for most of October. They get Pittsburgh at home Friday, but then go on the road for six straight after that including complete tours of eastern Canada and Pennsylvania. With such a lack of home games to start with, it wa essential to take advantage of the two they had to start with to build up any momentum at all. Now that they've dropped one, it's going to put a lot of early pressure to win Friday or the Canes could be digging out of an early hole by the time they come home for most of November.

[Maple Leafs]

Hey, does anyone know how many games Heatley has played against Toronto, and how many goals he has in those games? I'm really surprised that TSN never mentioned it.

[Chief Rum]

*sigh* New year, same result. Still can't win in OT/SO as Canes drop the home opener 3-2 against Montreal in OT. Not the best of starts considering Carolina will be out of town for most of October. They get Pittsburgh at home Friday, but then go on the road for six straight after that including complete tours of eastern Canada and Pennsylvania. With such a lack of home games to start with, it wa essential to take advantage of the two they had to start with to build up any momentum at all. Now that they've dropped one, it's going to put a lot of early pressure to win Friday or the Canes could be digging out of an early hole by the time they come home for most of November.

If it makes you feel better, losing shootouts seems to be a Stanley Cup champion trend.

[Maple Leafs]

If it makes you feel better, losing shootouts seems to be a Stanley Cup champion trend.
No... no, it's really not.

Signed,
Leaf fans

[JonInMiddleGA]

Hey, does anyone know how many games Heatley has played against Toronto, and how many goals he has in those games? I'm really surprised that TSN never mentioned it.

Lemme see here, ESPN player bio, split stats
07-08 2G/1A in 1 game (1 GWG)
06-07 5G/5A in 8 games (1 GWG)
05-06, 9G/9A in 9 games (1 GWG)
Ottawa sub-total = 16 goals/15 assists in 18 games (3 GWG)
03-04, 1G/0A in 2 games
02-03, 1G/1A in 2 games
01-02, 4G/3A in 4 games (2 GWG)
Atlanta sub-total = 6 goals/4 assists in 8 games (2 GWG)
Career to date = 22 goals/19 assists in 26 games (5 GWG)

That's an average of 0.85 gpg / 1.58 ppg vs Toronto
Vs the rest of the league, he gets 0.48 gpg / 1.07 ppg
(158 goals/190 assists in 326 games)

[Logan]

I sensed sarcasm.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I sensed sarcasm.

Oopsie. 'Twas lost on me as I wasn't anywhere near a TV during the game (and most likely wouldn't have seen/heard the TSN feed anyway)

[Logan]

Oopsie. 'Twas lost on me as I wasn't anywhere near a TV during the game (and most likely wouldn't have seen/heard the TSN feed anyway)

No worries. When Maple Leafs discusses the Toronto Maple Leafs, a player dominating the Toronto Maple Leafs, and shitty Canadian TV, he tends to get a little snarky.

[MizzouRah]

Blues - Coyotes tonight!

[Draft Dodger]

Paul Stastny was marvelous last night as he notched his first career hat trick. He had a great game defensively as well.

any fantasy players out there, here's a tip. Jaroslav Hlinka is a 30-year old rookie from the Czech Republic (I believe he led his league in scoring last year). The Avs signed him this summer to a $600k contract, and was a mostly unknown to everyone here.

He had a strong preseason, and looked excellent last night. He's playing with Stastny at the moment, so should have a chance to put up some nice numbers. Might be worth a look...

[Dr. Sak]

For Fantasy i used my last round draft pick to pick up Peter Forsberg. I then put him on IR and picked up Andrew Burnette who had 3 assists last night. Oh yea, I also drafted Stastny in the 4th round. So good night for me!

[Draft Dodger]

The Wings were about 2,500 below capacity last night (an end sellout streak going back to 1996). The Avs were about 500 under capacity, the first time they haven't sold out a home opener since coming to Denver. They had an even longer sellout streak than Detroit's end last year.

but hey, we've got a foothold in England!

[Maple Leafs]

The Wings were about 2,500 below capacity last night (an end sellout streak going back to 1996). The Avs were about 500 under capacity, the first time they haven't sold out a home opener since coming to Denver. They had an even longer sellout streak than Detroit's end last year.
I'd assume those people were just busy lining up to buy the cool new jerseys.

[bbor]

I did enjoy the new Sens uni's.Very european.

[Logan]

I didn't enjoy the Flyers...I mean, Panthers new unis.

[Dr. Sak]

Briere scores on his 2nd shift as a Flyer!

[Bea-Arthurs Hip]

Anyone see anything on the NHL Network?

Co-worker told me Direct TV was to launch it Oct 1st . I have looked the past few nights for it with no luck.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Here's a picture of Havlat at a Chicago-area comic store:

http://www.heromaker.net/hobbies/film/unbreakable3.jpg

[MizzouRah]

Nice comeback by the Blues tonight down 3-1 to the Kings!

I have 7th row tickets for the home opener Wednesday!!!

[JonInMiddleGA]

I'm starting to wonder if Atlanta really doesn't even hold training camp or pre-season games, that the news & results from there are just some sort of ruse.

Outshot 34-15 last night (5-2 loss @ TB), outshot 40-29 in the 3-1 loss at home to Washington, at least 3 different centers have played with Kovy in the first six periods. Multiple comments from players about how they just have to get used to working with each other since there's so many new faces, etc.

WTF have they been doing for the past couple of months, just going through the motions?

[Suburban Rhythm]

Pens twice score 2 quick goals last night.
2nd period, 20 seconds apart-- Colby Armstrong on a ridiculous chance that looked like something Crosby would try, and Malkin on the doorstep from Sykora.

3rd period - Petr Sykora (his 2nd of the night) and Ryan Malone alone from the blueline in after Crosby dives to make a pass between Pronger's skates.

Of course, like last year, Pens allowed Anaheim to come back and make it close at the end, but win 5-4

[Wolfpack]

I'm starting to wonder if Atlanta really doesn't even hold training camp or pre-season games, that the news & results from there are just some sort of ruse.

Outshot 34-15 last night (5-2 loss @ TB), outshot 40-29 in the 3-1 loss at home to Washington, at least 3 different centers have played with Kovy in the first six periods. Multiple comments from players about how they just have to get used to working with each other since there's so many new faces, etc.

WTF have they been doing for the past couple of months, just going through the motions?

Meh. Washington actually looks a little more serious about playing hockey this year. Carolina rolled the Pens 4-1 Friday, but couldn't touch Kolzig last night in a 2-0 loss. Don't judge the Washington loss too quickly.

The Canes are 1-1-1 through three, but the next five on the road (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Pittsburgh, and Philly--the last two as a back-to-back) will be a good measure of whether this year will be like last year or two years ago. Anything over .500 and I think this team will be doing alright. Could actually be the toughest road stretch they face since the Southeast is at the Central this year, which means no west coast swing and the Central outside of Detroit and perhaps Nashville is still a muddle (not that the Southeast is any sort of powerhouse). Examining the schedule, I think perhaps the only other swing that may provide greater difficulty is in early December starting at Buffalo on 12/1, then the Rangers, Bolts, Habs, and ending up in Detroit on the 9th. I think this one they're on now is more difficult simply because it's so early in the season.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Don't judge the Washington loss too quickly.


It's not so much the loss, it's the manner of losing. I mean, they hung the freakin' banner on Friday for crying out loud, the least they could do is show up & be competitive. And outshot 74-44 in the opening weekend doesn't seem competitive, I don't care if they're playing the ghosts of the Montreal greats and the All-Time CCCP All-Stars.

Hartley may not make it to the All-Star break.

[RPI-Fan]

my islanders looking good in early season

[Pumpy Tudors]

The Devils just happen to have many of their early games at times that I can't watch them. At least I see that they won 4-1 the other night. I'll periodically check this afternoon's score online, but I wish I were at home to see it. Then I think they play again on Thursday, which just happens to be a bowling night for me, so I won't be home for that. It'll be a while before I get to watch my favorite team play. *sigh*

[Maple Leafs]

Jason Blake has announced he has a rare form of cancer...
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=220161&hubname=

He says it shouldn't affect his ability to play and is treatable/manageable in the long-term, which is certainly good news.

[Pyser]

The Devils just happen to have many of their early games at times that I can't watch them. At least I see that they won 4-1 the other night. I'll periodically check this afternoon's score online, but I wish I were at home to see it. Then I think they play again on Thursday, which just happens to be a bowling night for me, so I won't be home for that. It'll be a while before I get to watch my favorite team play. *sigh*

you wont even recognize them. its a pretty different style of play so far.

[Pyser]

i stand by my "San Jose Dolphins" comment in the off-season thread, and see bucci has agreed:

2. Jeremy and those jerseys
Upon further review, the San Jose Sharks are wearing arguably the ugliest uniforms in any team sport in the history of team sports. When Art Howe was wearing a polyester Houston Astros uniform in the Astrodome circa 1981, maybe that was the worst; but that is hotly debatable because Howe was so hot in '81. When I see these Sharks uniforms on television, I think I'm watching a skit from "Full House" in which Joey Gladstone goes five-hole on a stumbling Uncle Jesse. These Sharks are so 1991, so "Yo! MTV Raps." "Everybody dance now!" These things need to be put into a dumpster, set on fire and rolled down a mountain as soon as possible. Then again, maybe that's why Jeremy Roenick is off to a good start. He thinks it's actually 1991.

[Draft Dodger]

well, that explains it. I love the rainbow Astro unis.

[Wolfpack]

The Canes are 1-1-1 through three, but the next five on the road (Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Pittsburgh, and Philly--the last two as a back-to-back) will be a good measure of whether this year will be like last year or two years ago.

So far, so good as the Canes rock Toronto 7-1. Nice bounceback from the blanking at Washington Saturday. Kinda wish I'd have been able to see it, but family obligations kept me out of the house and away from the TV. Hope they can keep this ball rolling as they head over to Ottawa.

[DeToxRox]

At least JFJ has built a consistent club

[Maple Leafs]

The Toronto fans are turning on this team very fast. Booed them through most of the third period, even Toskala who actually was great (which is scary when you look at the score).

Highlight was McCabe picking up the puck in his own end, getting booed, skating behind the net at full speed and tripping it over it, wiping himself out as he sent a perfect centering pass to a Cane. Toskala bailed him out or else the Leaf fans would have stormed the ice and eaten his heart.

[Chief Rum]

Wednesday night, 11 days after they started the season, in their sixth game and first within two time zones of home, the Ducks will finally raise their 2006-07 Stanley Cup Champion banner.

I'm looking forward to it.

[bbor]

I agree with ML...Toskala has been great.Without him the score could have been in double didgits last night,and to tell the truth it was'nt even cause the Canes played that well....it was more so because the Leafs played so bad.

I can't figure out why all the pundits say the Leafs are deep on the blueline.I actually think this is the biggest weakness on the team.They have a bunch of 4-6 defencman on the team.IMHO the Leafs need to pick up a stablizing defensive guy.

[Travis]

First meeting of the season between the Oilers and the Wild. The Oilers, in an "attempt" to add some toughness to the lineup recall J.F. Jacques and insert him in the lineup for Marc Pouliot.

Call it a hunch, but I'm guessing Hemsky is still going to have a little chat with Nilsson, Cogliano and Gagner and warn them that when the lights suddenly go out that it's not a power outage, so don't look around, that it's time to duck and cover because Boogaard is *right* behind you.

For those keeping track at home, here's the projected matchup(s):

Boogaard (6'7, 258)
vs
Jacques (6'4, 225)
or
Greene (6'3, 233)
or
Souray (6'4, 233)
or
Staios (6'1, 200)/Torres (6'0, 215)

Yeah, the tag team approach didn't work well last year either. Best bet is to score 2 or 3 in the first and force them to try and play catchup to limit Boogaard's ice time. Even then, boys are going to have to have their heads on a swivel or the injury streak may continue.

[Chief Rum]

Well, it was emotional and thrilling, as you would expect a banner raising to be. The cheers were huge and the ceremony well done. We had a last long look at the Cup. And when Teemu and Scotty were introduced, the arena rocked to "One more year!" as the two of them kinda grinned sheepishly. Come on, guys, rush out to the mike and say "We're coming back!" lol

We also did something I thought I was really cool, although obviously imitated from those Canadian folks. The crowd sang the second verse of the anthem, a tradition they are trying to get going here. Not as loud as the Canadians in Edmonton or Calgary perhaps, but give it time.

Then we had a nice 2-1 comeback win, in which one of our playoff heroes Sammy Pahlsson came back from hernia surgery to be a key player tonight.

All in all, a tremendous evening for the franchise, and solid step toward trying to win a new one.

[BishopMVP]

Dirty hit by Boulirice tonight... he'll be missing some time. Flyers look good otherwise, beating Vancouver 8-2.

[Chief Rum]

Dirty hit by Boulirice tonight... he'll be missing some time. Flyers look good otherwise, beating Vancouver 8-2.

Damn, 8-2! Was Luongo in? Or did Toronto lend the Nucks Toskala?

[Chief Rum]

Dirty hit by Boulirice tonight... he'll be missing some time. Flyers look good otherwise, beating Vancouver 8-2.

Curious, BTW, because I'm not sure I have ever heard Boulirice pronounced, so I was always think "Bowl of Rice".

[Dr. Sak]

Close...

Bowl-er-reece

[Maple Leafs]

Interesting player poll on TSN tonight. They asked 45 players "Is the increase in fighting good for the game, bad for the game, or neutral?"

The results: 35 players said good, 10 said neutral. Not one single player said that increased fighting as a bad thing.

[Fidatelo]

Might want to look into which 45 players they asked...

[Maple Leafs]

Might want to look into which 45 players they asked...
Well, given that it's TSN I'm pretty sure it was a random sample. And it was an anonymous poll, so it's not like the players had to worry about looking bad.

So about the only thing we can guess for sure is that Wade "Crimson Mask" Redden wasn't on the list.

[Wolfpack]

Carolina in Ottawa tonight and the Sens are unbeaten so far after five games. Hopefully we'll get a repeat of two years ago when we were the first team to beat Ottawa and of course, if history actually repeated itself, this would in turn set off the chain of events tha result in a second Stanley Cup. This one's in Ottawa, though, so I'm not holding my breath too much (yet).

[bbor]

Damn, 8-2! Was Luongo in? Or did Toronto lend the Nucks Toskala?

Ouch

[MikeVic]

Damn, 8-2! Was Luongo in? Or did Toronto lend the Nucks Toskala?

Stephane Beauregard.

[MizzouRah]

What a game last night!

Never should of had that last beer.... or those 2 mexi-melts, chicken casadia, and spicy chicken burrito. :)

[JonInMiddleGA]

Okay, Buffalo leads Atlanta 5-0 after two periods.
Thrashers been outshot so far 20-8, with only three SOG from their forwards.

Hell, I'm starting to wonder if they aren't trying to get Hartley fired.

[Galaxy]

Jon,
Atlanta look like they didn't even show up. Buffalo managed to play special teams finally. Hopefully they can keep it that way.

[Maple Leafs]

Leafs have outscored their opponents in the past two games. Stanley's coming home baby!

A couple of notes from tonight's game:

- Funny moment when Mats Sundin was given an assist on Kaberle's goal, breaking Sittlers career points record. The game was paused, he got a long ovation, fans chanting his name, etc. One problem -- he never touched the puck on that shift. They took the assist away later in the game, but he got it back to set the Leafs all-time points record twice in one game.

- With the Leafs up 6-1 mid-way through the third, the Leafs TV "player of the game" had rookie callup Simone Gamanche leading the fan voting even though he hadn't done anything in the game. Think maybe Leaf fans are anxious for some changes?

[sterlingice]

Chicago vs Detroit: 2-0
Chicago vs rest of NHL: 0-2

:D

SI

[Chief Rum]

Chicago vs Detroit: 2-0
Chicago vs rest of NHL: 0-2

:D

SI

Thank you!

[Logan]

Not sure if it's been commented on, but I love the Caps going back to their old look. Their new (old) jerseys are great.

[Wolfpack]

w00t! Canes swept the Canadian portion of the road trip with a 3-1 win in Montreal tonight. Now it's on to Philly and Pittsburgh for a pair of back-to-backers before returning home. Very good showing so far, though. Carolina's now got a three-point lead already in the Southeast.

One very big positive has been Cam Ward. He didn't live up to expectations last year after winning the Conn Smythe during the Cup run, but he's clearly recommitted himself here in the early going, posting a 1.99 GAA and .939 save percentage in four games played, all of which earned at least a point for Carolina (3-0-1). Much has been made of the fact that he dropped 20 lbs in the offseason and so far it seems to be to good effect.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Good news: Atlanta finally found some offense, scoring five times tonight.
Bad news: The only winless team left in the NHL allowed six goals.

[Logan]

Your team might suck, but you made me laugh so hopefully that makes you feel a little better.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Your team might suck, but you made me laugh so hopefully that makes you feel a little better.

{shrug} I'm already getting to the point that it's so bad that it's kind of funny even to me. They're just a really bad team right now, with a stupifyingly bad GM and what may be a bad coach at this point (something I couldn't have imagined saying just two years ago).

Hopefully the ECHL Gwinnett Gladiators will be contenders again this season.
They're at least a half hour closer to me, in a better building, a hell of a lot cheaper, and without fail simply a more entertaining & user-friendly experience in every way, so if they can contend like they did two years ago then I'm good for hockey all season.

[Pyser]

the devils-thrashers game was just sloppy, sloppy hockey all around. i didnt feel good about the devisl winning, but damn if it wasnt a fun finish.

[chrisj]

Good news for Oiler fans: The teams youngest players, Sam Gagner (18) and Andrew Cogliano (20) are looking like legit NHL forwards with a great future ahead of them.

Bad news for Oiler fans: Just about everyone else on the team has taken 2 steps back in their development/skill set.

[Suburban Rhythm]

Pens put up 50+ shots on the Leafs Saturday night. And only gave up like 26. Maybe that's because they were in the Leafs end so much, but...the Pens D is awful, 26 shots against is actually an improvement.

Toronto just looked...plain bad.

[Chief Rum]

So with Bowl of Rice getting 25 games, who here can name at least five of the eight other 20-plus game suspensions handed down by the NHL for violence on the ice?

[bhlloy]

McSorley on Brashqueer, Simon on Hollweg, Downie on McAmmond, Gordie Dwyer for punching a linesman and I'm drawing a blank on the rest - didn't Tim Hunter get suspended for a while once?

[TazFTW]

McSorley on Brashqueer, Simon on Hollweg, Downie on McAmmond, Gordie Dwyer for punching a linesman and I'm drawing a blank on the rest - didn't Tim Hunter get suspended for a while once?

Bertuzzi.

[bhlloy]

Duh. I even thought that, and then didn't put it down. Doubly bad as that is all the OC press talked about for two weeks after he was signed.

[Chief Rum]

Pretty good. It was Dale Hunter, BTW, bhlloy.

Only two unnamed, and one of them sounds hilarious. I might have to look it up to see how true it was, because I don't remember it.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Pretty good. It was Dale Hunter, BTW, bhlloy.

Only two unnamed, and one of them sounds hilarious. I might have to look it up to see how true it was, because I don't remember it.

I remember that Dale Hunter hit. Turgeon scored, he was skating along the board, arms raised in triumph. There were spotlights swirling around, horns blasting, the crowd was going wild...

Dale Hunter comes out of nowhere and blasts Turgeon into the boards dislocating his shoulder.

Hunter's excuse was that he thought the play was still going on...

[Honolulu_Blue]

So far the Wings have been all right. Other than not being able to maintain 2-0 leads versus Chicago and that pesky Robert Lang, the Wings have pretty much held their own.

There are some reasons for concern. This team is being carried by one line: Zetterberg-Datsyuk-Holmstrom. For a while last year, between around December through February or March, that was the hottest line in hockey. Then Zetterberg got hurt.

At the moment, they could be the best line in the game again. Other than Draper (4 goals), no one else is really scoring. The Wings let Bertuzzi, Lang, and Calder walk, thinking that guys like Hulder, Filpula, Cleary would step up and add some offense. So far, that hasn't been the case.

[Maple Leafs]

Didn't May get 20 for a slash at a guy's head? I don't remember it being that bad, but it was right after the McSorely slash so he got hammered.

[Draft Dodger]

Avs are 3-0 at home, outscoring their opponents 15-5. In those 3 home games, 2 guys have hat tricks (Sakic and Stastny) and Milan Hejduk has 2 2-goal games.

On the road? 0-2, outscored 8-1. Last year, they were a solid road team.

They are about to enter a critical stretch - 15 of the next 18 games are in their division. They have 5 against the Flames, 4 against Edmonton and Minnesota, and 2 against the Canucks. A nice streak would be good here, but, knowing the NW, the teams will all continue to be amassed in a big clusterfuck


Hunter, by the way, was traded from the Nordiques to the Capitals a few years before that hit for a first round draft pick. That trade is still paying dividends for the Avalanche today.

[Pumpy Tudors]

I remember that Dale Hunter hit. Turgeon scored, he was skating along the board, arms raised in triumph. There were spotlights swirling around, horns blasting, the crowd was going wild...

Dale Hunter comes out of nowhere and blasts Turgeon into the boards dislocating his shoulder.

Hunter's excuse was that he thought the play was still going on...
I don't know how Dale Hunter could ever say that he thought play was still going, at least not with a straight face. I just watched video of it (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xte-Vtxg-m8, about 40 seconds in), and he actually stopped playing, watched Turgeon celebrating, and then popped him. I'd forgotten just how much of a cheap shot that was. My goodness.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Dola

I just read on Yahoo that the Devils are looking to trade Richard Matvichuk. I haven't seen much of the Devils yet this year, but if Matvichuk doesn't fit into Sutter's system, it'd be nice to let him go now. It seems like such a waste, though. Matvichuk only played in one regular-season game last year because of the salary cap (although he was steady in the playoffs). The guy basically only got to play one season in New Jersey and wasted all of last year without any ice time. I don't see what the Devils can get for him, especially since it's been announced that he's not wanted anymore.

For even more comedy, Yahoo lists Danny Markov as a potential signing for the Devils. If Markov signs with New Jersey, that would be his sixth team in the past six seasons. I don't know a whole lot about him, but with Maple Leafs and a couple of Red Wings fans here, maybe somebody can tell me why nobody seems to want to keep this guy?

[Maple Leafs]

Markov is awesome. The guy is legitimately crazy. His career highlights include:
- Getting suspended in the minors for shooting the puck at a referee
- Getting suspended in the minors for attacking a mascot
- Standing at the blueline and doing the Jagr salute at the Penguins after the Leafs knocked them out of the playoffs
- Getting hit in the face with a slapshot in the playoffs against Ottawa, then trash-talking their bench as he skated off with blood spurting out of his head

Seriously, I would love to have him back on Toronto. He's easily one of my favorite non-Leaf players.

As to why nobody is signing him, basically two things. He wants a lot of money ($3.5M) which is a little higher than his skills would warrant. And also, he's had problems with alcohol in the past that may or may not be under control.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Dola

I just read on Yahoo that the Devils are looking to trade Richard Matvichuk. I haven't seen much of the Devils yet this year, but if Matvichuk doesn't fit into Sutter's system, it'd be nice to let him go now. It seems like such a waste, though. Matvichuk only played in one regular-season game last year because of the salary cap (although he was steady in the playoffs). The guy basically only got to play one season in New Jersey and wasted all of last year without any ice time. I don't see what the Devils can get for him, especially since it's been announced that he's not wanted anymore.

For even more comedy, Yahoo lists Danny Markov as a potential signing for the Devils. If Markov signs with New Jersey, that would be his sixth team in the past six seasons. I don't know a whole lot about him, but with Maple Leafs and a couple of Red Wings fans here, maybe somebody can tell me why nobody seems to want to keep this guy?

Markov was great last year for Detroit. He was a steady defenseman and has a bit of an edge to him. I liked him fine. The only reason he is not back in Detroit is because he was asking for too much money. He signed a 1 year, $2.5 million deal last year. The Wings were looking to bring him back at about the same, but Markov was looking at a longer term deal at a higher price. Considering the Wings went out and signed Rafalski to a big deal and had some capable 5-6 defensemen in their system (Meech, Quincey, and Ericsson), they didn't feel the need to meet Markov's demands.

The Wings' tactics seem to be to pay their "big" guys a lot, like Lidstrom, Datsyuk, Rafalski and soon to be Zetterberg. They then look for the rest of the team on the cheap. They low ball everyone, bring in some unsiged free agents and hope someone sticks. It worked pretty well with Cleary. They tried the same with Sopel this year, but he bolted for Chicago. I can't blame him. He got $1.5 million from the Blackhawks, which, I am guessing, is about twice what he would have received from the Wings.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Markov is awesome. The guy is legitimately crazy. His career highlights include:
- Getting suspended in the minors for shooting the puck at a referee
- Getting suspended in the minors for attacking a mascot
- Standing at the blueline and doing the Jagr salute at the Penguins after the Leafs knocked them out of the playoffs
- Getting hit in the face with a slapshot in the playoffs against Ottawa, then trash-talking their bench as he skated off with blood spurting out of his head

Seriously, I would love to have him back on Toronto. He's easily one of my favorite non-Leaf players.

As to why nobody is signing him, basically two things. He wants a lot of money ($3.5M) which is a little higher than his skills would warrant. And also, he's had problems with alcohol in the past that may or may not be under control.

Agreed on all accounts. He's also a chain-smoker, apparently, so there is some concern for his overall endurance.

Last year, early in the season, he put an amazing open ice hit on some Oiler. I don't recall who it was, but Markov just obliderated the guy. One of the best open ice hits I've seen in years.

Moreau went after Markov in a fight to get back at him and ended up dislocating his shoulder before the fight ever started. It ened Moreau's season.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Thanks for the info on Markov. I'm sure that Lou won't make a move until Matvichuk gets traded, so I hope that the trade takes place soon.

[Honolulu_Blue]

Thanks for the info on Markov. I'm sure that Lou won't make a move until Matvichuk gets traded, so I hope that the trade takes place soon.

Matvichuk is only 34? I thought he was a lot older than that. I think the Wings could use an infusion of that kind of youth along their blueline.

[Draft Dodger]

so, watching the Hunter hit on Turgeon took me to the Downey one punch KO of Boulerice which took me to the Boulerice cross-check on Kessler.

It was the first time I saw the Boulerice crosscheck, and it raised a few eyebrows with me. Mostly because I saw Duvie Westcott do the same thing to Scott Parker (*insert ML "they still make that" joke here) on Saturday. Towards the end of the 5-1 game, Westcott and Wyatt Smith were tussling a bit behind the net. It wasn't even enough of a scrum to stop the play. Parker skated by and Wesctott, I think assuming he was going to come to Smith's defense, went into counterattack mode and crosschecked Parker in the face. Parker got a bloody mouth out of the deal, and Westcott got tossed from the game. Apparently, since Parker is not a skilled player and doesn't play for a Canadian team, there is big outrage over the incident, and it doesn't even sound like Westcott is going to get suspended, even though the hit seemed every bit as bad as the Boulerice one.

[TurnerONU22]

so, watching the Hunter hit on Turgeon took me to the Downey one punch KO of Boulerice which took me to the Boulerice cross-check on Kessler.

It was the first time I saw the Boulerice crosscheck, and it raised a few eyebrows with me. Mostly because I saw Duvie Westcott do the same thing to Scott Parker (*insert ML "they still make that" joke here) on Saturday. Towards the end of the 5-1 game, Westcott and Wyatt Smith were tussling a bit behind the net. It wasn't even enough of a scrum to stop the play. Parker skated by and Wesctott, I think assuming he was going to come to Smith's defense, went into counterattack mode and crosschecked Parker in the face. Parker got a bloody mouth out of the deal, and Westcott got tossed from the game. Apparently, since Parker is not a skilled player and doesn't play for a Canadian team, there is big outrage over the incident, and it doesn't even sound like Westcott is going to get suspended, even though the hit seemed every bit as bad as the Boulerice one.

I actually missed this because I had went to bed already, but Westcott isn't a dirty player at all. I was a little surprised hearing that it was him and not Tollefsen. Not much else to add, but from the Columbus Dispatch this morning:

As Parker neared, Westcott pulled away from Smith and put both arms and his stick in the air to defend himself from Parker. Parker appeared to get struck in the mouth by Westcott's right glove and the butt end of his stick.

"I saw Parker coming at me out of the corner of my eye," Westcott said. "I got my hands up to defend myself because I thought he was coming at me to rip my head off.

On another note, we'll gladly take a bag of pucks if you want Adam Foote back, he's worthless back there anymore, because he can't skate and now won't hit.

[Draft Dodger]

Parker was actually out there because of Tollefson - with the game out of reach, his only motivation seemed to be to take a run at Avalanche players who don't fight after the whistle.

In fact, in the Westcott incident, Parker himself got a roughing penalty (probably just to get the crazy man off the ice). Right on cue, Tollefson was out there on the next shift, running down the smallest Av on the ice. Parker, already at his boiling point from the cross check, went absolutely apoplectic that Tollefson conveniently chose a time when Parker couldn't be out there to pull that crap. He opened the door of the box, and looked like he was pretty close to jumping back on the ice. He didn't...but the tossed him anyway. Smart move.

I don't think Westcott is a dirty player either...but if we're going to suspend players for hits to the head like that, we shouldn't just stick to the goons.

oh, and what's the story with Chimera? Kicking players and getting bitchy when he gets taken into the board? Is he always a douche?

[Draft Dodger]

and, thanks, we'll pass on Foote.

to be truthful, I have never been the Foote fan that most Avs fans are.

[TurnerONU22]

Parker was actually out there because of Tollefson - with the game out of reach, his only motivation seemed to be to take a run at Avalanche players who don't fight after the whistle.

In fact, in the Westcott incident, Parker himself got a roughing penalty (probably just to get the crazy man off the ice). Right on cue, Tollefson was out there on the next shift, running down the smallest Av on the ice. Parker, already at his boiling point from the cross check, went absolutely apoplectic that Tollefson conveniently chose a time when Parker couldn't be out there to pull that crap. He opened the door of the box, and looked like he was pretty close to jumping back on the ice. He didn't...but the tossed him anyway. Smart move.

I don't think Westcott is a dirty player either...but if we're going to suspend players for hits to the head like that, we shouldn't just stick to the goons.

oh, and what's the story with Chimera? Kicking players and getting bitchy when he gets taken into the board? Is he always a douche?

Yeah, Tollefsen is probably our toughest player right now, especially with Shelley scratched and rookie Jared Boll was out with a shoulder injury. He's more a 'dirty' player than Westcott is by far and he's very good at agitating.

That doesn't sound much like Chimera, but I think its probably a team that was frustrated in their performance, which was the worst (by far) of the season, and looked much more like last years team. Chimmer's definitely an emotional player, but sometimes skates much faster than his head can go, resulting in some stupid plays.

BTW, here's the latest update on Duvie:

Blue Jackets defenseman Duvie Westcott was fined $1,000 by the NHL today -- but not suspended -- for his blow to the face of Colorado winger Scott Parker.

NHL VP Colin Campbell took into account that Westcott has no previous record with the league and has never been suspended. Westcott explained his view of the situation with Campbell, that he merely lifted his hands and stick in the air to defend himself. Campbell must have believed him.

Westcott is eligible to play Wednesday when the Blue Jackets host Dallas.

[johnnyshaka]

Good news for Oiler fans: The teams youngest players, Sam Gagner (18) and Andrew Cogliano (20) are looking like legit NHL forwards with a great future ahead of them.

Bad news for Oiler fans: Just about everyone else on the team has taken 2 steps back in their development/skill set.

Boy, watching that game Saturday brought tears to my eyes. Power play was as useless as ever and while we certainly have enough skill players to run a good one, why we don't alter our approach is beyond me. Obviously teams know when Stoll and Souray are on the points that they are the primary focus so teams make sure that they keep two guys high...perfect, now you've got three forwards low to work on the two remaining players...that should equal at least one good scoring chance every power play but instead they insist on plunking somebody in front of the net that is of no use because they can't get the puck back to the point for a clear shot!!!! Adjust for chrissakes!!!! I thought we finally got rid of Simpson, our supposed power play specialist, but maybe it's been MacT running the PP all along!!!

Also, the goal where two defensemen ended up behind the net on a 1-on-2 only to have that guy end up in front of the net all by himself to pot the rebound was an absolute disgrace.

Let the kids play because I'd rather see a 20 year old make that mistake and hope he learns from it...because it's obvious that the vets are just lost out there.

Mind you, one vet I'm really impressed with is Sanderson. He's got great wheels and I'm convinced he'd be a better fit on the first line with Hemsky instead of Horcoff. Will it happen? Probably not...but if it does, you heard it here first!!! Unless somebody else said it first.

[Fidatelo]

Geoff Sanderson is kind of a Todd Marchant clone, isn't he? Or is it the other way around? Or am I off base?

As for the power play, I've watched a couple Oiler games so far and had the same thoughs: the point is covered, so start working down low. It isn't rocket science.

[Travis]

The biggest problem with the PP right now is that it has Horcoff on it.

Being a tad more serious though, why they insist on having one forward (away from the puck) sitting in the corner on pretty much the goal line is beyond me. They let Hemsky run things from the side boards, and at that point they were trying to get Penner into the slot, meanwhile Horcoff is playing backside one timer 5 feet off the goal line, but 20 feet away from the net meaning there is absolutely no screen and Hemsky is forced to pass because the goalie has no problem seeing him release a shot. You're already giving Penner and both D as passing options, park Horcoff's ass in front of the goalie and give Hemsky the option for a potentially screened shot and actually have somebody inside the defensemen to battle for the rebound if there is one.

Sanderson has been fantastic so far and actually skated on a line with Hemsky already, so while they've actually tried that (I think Cogliano was the other third of that line for a while), I hope Sanderson goes back on Reasoner's line soon. Reasoner is still an effective setup man and it's nice seeing him have a bit of a trigger man on his line (also assuming that Moreau will fit onto that line when he returns, giving us a very good checking line in the process with a bit of offensive punch). If Torres and Horcoff don't get it going, they should have their butts stapled to the bench. For all his talk of being a #1 center, Horcoff has one nice looking goal and 2-3 other "good" plays on the season so far, then a long list of looking lazy and disinterested. Pouliot, Nilsson, Cogliano, Gagner and Schremp are all better suited to play skill line minutes and are the future of this team. The sooner they learn the tricks of the trade (thank goodness we have Hemsky to somewhat mentor them unlike when he was having to figure his way through things), the better this team is going to do.

Long winded? Yes. Frustrated with the coaching staff? Yes. Happy with the current direction of the roster? Definitely.

[johnnyshaka]

Geoff Sanderson is kind of a Todd Marchant clone, isn't he? Or is it the other way around? Or am I off base?

I think the only thing they have in common is blazing speed.

Once upon a time Sanderson was a good goal scorer while Marchant is nothing more than a third line center who will never hurt you defensely and can chip in with the odd goal here and there.

Sanderson is not the same guy he was in the mid-90's but you'd have to think that he's got the mental capacity and the skill to play with the young guys and not look too out of place, offensively. He is a defensive liability, so sticking him on a checking line really wouldn't make much sense...but we're talking about MacT here...that isn't his strong suit.

[Dr. Sak]

The Philadelphia Flyers placed suspended right wing Jesse Boulerice on waivers Monday, according to a report on Canadian web site TSN.ca.

[Maple Leafs]

Leafs and Sabres played the game of the year tonight. Well, maybe not the game of the year, but definitely the period of the year. The Leafs lead 2-0 halfway into the last frame, and six minutes later it was 4-4 and headed into overtime. Then we got five minutes of end-to-end action before Bryan McCabe drilled home a one-timer with three seconds left to win it.

Cough.

Anyways, it looks like the Leafs could be the most entertaining team in the league this year. They can skate, hit and score, and they're absolutely hopeless defensively. Let's just say this won't be their last 5-4 game of the year.

[Simms]

...before Bryan McCabe drilled home a one-timer with three seconds left to win it.

I'd cry if that weren't so funny.

[bbor]

So with Bowl of Rice getting 25 games, who here can name at least five of the eight other 20-plus game suspensions handed down by the NHL for violence on the ice?

Tom Lysiak for taking out a ref on a face off.The suspension basically ended his career as he was never the same player again after he came back.

[MikeVic]

Didn't Bertuzzi get suspended for a while after his rabbit punch?

[Honolulu_Blue]

Perhaps they will rename the Gemini Awards, the MONSTER Awards.

TSN's esteemed NHL on TSN broadcasts won two trophies Monday night at the 22nd Annual Gemini Awards celebrating excellence in English Language television, including Pierre McGuire, who was named Best Game Analyst.


This marks the first Gemini Award for McGuire, who was previously nominated in 2004. One of the game's most passionate and knowledgeable analysts, McGuire, who joined TSN in 1999, has been selected numerous times by The Hockey News as one of the game's 100 most powerful and influential people. A former NHL coach and scout, McGuire won two Stanley Cups with the Pittsburgh Penguins.


The NHL on TSN was honoured with a second Gemini Award for Best Sports Analysis or Commentary Program, Series or Segment. Mark Milliere, Vice-President, News & NHL on TSN, accepted the award on behalf of the NHL on TSN team. This marks the second consecutive award for Milliere, who last year won for Best Live Sporting Event for TSN's coverage of the 2006 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship gold medal game.


TSN is nominated for three additional Gemini Awards. Brian Williams and James Duthie are nominated as Best Host or Interviewer in a Sports Program or Sportscast. Williams is being recognized for his work on the six-part amateur sports series Bell Spirit of the Game, while Duthie, a five-time nominee, got the nod for his role as host of the NHL on TSN.



The winner will be announced on October 28 in a televised ceremony from Regina. TSN.ca, Canada's leading sports website, is also nominated for Best Cross Platform Project, with the winner being announced at tonight's ceremonies.

[Dr. Sak]

TSN's esteemed NHL on TSN broadcasts won two trophies Monday night at the 22nd Annual Gemini Awards celebrating excellence in English Language television, including Pierre McGuire, who was named Best Game Analyst.



The voters had to be deaf and had no knowledge of the game of hockey.

[Simms]

I've debated doing this on and off for probably the last two years of reading these threads, but I'm going to come clean and confess that I don't get the hate for Pierre Maguire.

He's not my *favorite* announcer by any means -- he looks like a weasel and he talks more than he should (or needs to), but in terms of analysis, he's very very good. I don't know if NBC dumbs him down a bit for the American audience (I haven't done a side-by-side comparison), but I generally enjoyed him on TSN and even at his worst down here, he's no worse than "tolerable" to me.

Your mileage may (obviously) vary. :)

[Maple Leafs]

Maguire has been a regular on Ottawa radio for several years, going back to before hsi NBC stint. From this, I know two things about him:

- He's a shameless self-promoter who will tell the audience whatever it wants to hear. He'll go on Ottawa radio and badmouth the Leafs, then hang up and go on Toronto radio and talk them up. He does this, apparently, because he's still desperate to get back into the NHL in a coaching or front office position, and wants to be a popular choice of the local fans when jobs open up.

- He doesn't sound anything like he does on TV. It's pretty apparent that, at least early in his TV career, he had people yelling in his ear "Be more animated! Be louder! Let's see some personality!" When he first started on Canadian TV it was really obvious how uncomfortable he was with all the yelling, not sure if that still comes across in the US.

[Draft Dodger]

I'm with ML. the self-promoting crap drives me insane.

I don't think his analysis is a spot on as you might think, either. I feel he tends to have some stuff prepared in his mind, and then try to fit what happens on the ice to match that. I think he's got a decent hockey mind, but really has crafted himself into much more talented than he is.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thrashers lose again, 4-0 to Philly. Still don't have a single point, much less a win.

[Draft Dodger]

Meanwhile, HUGE win for the Avs tonight. The Flames go up 4-0 early in the 2nd period. Budaj gets yanked, Theo goes in, and the team has looked pretty lousy up until then. This one is clearly over.

And then, the Avs get a quick goal from Marek Svatos. Scott Parker and Eric Godard fight. Godard is visibly afraid to fight, and Parker drops him easily, and it seems to rally the Avs. Before long, Andres Eriksson scores an own goal to make it 4-2. Brunette makes it 4-3 and then Kurt Sauer ties it before the end of the 2nd period. Sauer had no goals last year, was a healthy scratch for most of the first part of the season, and now he's getting loads of ice time and scores the first goal for the Avs defense this year (only TB and SJ still have no goals from their D). The Avs go on to win in the shootout.

Smyth ties a franchise record with 11 shots. Theodore stops all 17 shots, plus 2 of the 3 shootout shots to get the win. Huge.

[johnnyshaka]

Always love to see the Flamers lose...and when they lose ugly, it's even sweeter. I wonder when the Red Mile will start calling for Keenan's head?

As for Pierre...I'm in the "I hit the mute button when I see his face" camp. There is only one Don Cherry and that's Don Cherry. I wish he'd stop trying too hard to be edgy and "in your face" about the most insignificant detail. And whoever came up with the idea of sticking him between the benches is an assclown to the nth degree. Why not have him lace up the skates and coast around the ice during the game instead? Pffft. Let the players be while they're playing and get the commentators back up in the press box where they belong.

[Dr. Sak]

The Flyers are 4-1 so far this season, they did not win their fourth game last season until November 15. So the Flyers are almost a month a head of last year's pace.

The KGB line (Knuble, Gagne, and Briere) line looks really good but Jeff Carter and Mike Richards have stepped up their play. Lulpul last night made some great passes and along with Jason Smith the Flyers are not missing Pikannen at all.

Biron has been solid and finally I can watch a game without holding my breath everytime a shot is taken.

[Tekneek]

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=220818&hubname=

Bob Hartley fired...

[bbor]

I've debated doing this on and off for probably the last two years of reading these threads, but I'm going to come clean and confess that I don't get the hate for Pierre Maguire.

He's not my *favorite* announcer by any means -- he looks like a weasel and he talks more than he should (or needs to), but in terms of analysis, he's very very good. I don't know if NBC dumbs him down a bit for the American audience (I haven't done a side-by-side comparison), but I generally enjoyed him on TSN and even at his worst down here, he's no worse than "tolerable" to me.

Your mileage may (obviously) vary. :)


I'm with my man Simms on this one.I rather enjoy his insight into the game.

[Wolfpack]

Thrashers lose again, 4-0 to Philly. Still don't have a single point, much less a win.

Geez, that's nucking futs. You guys have scored a goal this season, right?

I also just saw the Hartley post. Any idea what it'll take to fix things there? I'd have a hard time believing the season is unsalvagable just a half-dozen games in.

[JonInMiddleGA]

I also just saw the Hartley post. Any idea what it'll take to fix things there? I'd have a hard time believing the season is unsalvagable just a half-dozen games in.

First thing that has to happen (short of winning 20 straight) if they want to get the fans back to being at least hopeful is that the moron who is going behind the bench needs to be on the first plane out of town. Don Waddell has done very little right in his tenure here and he's managed to get us into year eight of a five year plan without a single playoff win. The fact that he's going to coach while they look for a coach tells me he isn't going anywhere soon and I believe that means neither are the Thrashers. And that makes me both sad and angry.

As much as it pains me to say it (because I was really a big Hartley backer upon arrival) this does feel like perhaps it is the right move. I think he had lost the team. There have been rumblings occasionally through this awful start that captain Bobby Holik hadn't so much lost the team as that he never had them in the first place. Basically, I'm not sure anybody was running the show and it seemed like most of the players were just going through the motions (ironically, Kovy seemed like an exception this year, and he's often seemed like the most unmotivated guy on the team).

They've got a "goalie of the future" who is looking like the future may never come. They have very little in the way of NHL quality defensemen, they've got a collection of role players who can't seem to find their role beyond posing as major league caliber players, and they've got a pair of outstanding forwards. The minors are borderline okay but we have little in the way of historical success in coaching anybody up.

Damn if I know how to fix them short of going empty cupboard as quickly as possible. And the franchise probably wouldn't survive in Atlanta if they have to sell us on another five year plan.

[bbor]

First thing that has to happen (short of winning 20 straight) if they want to get the fans back to being at least hopeful is that the moron who is going behind the bench needs to be on the first plane out of town. Don Waddell has done very little right in his tenure here and he's managed to get us into year eight of a five year plan without a single playoff win. The fact that he's going to coach while they look for a coach tells me he isn't going anywhere soon and I believe that means neither are the Thrashers. And that makes me both sad and angry.

As much as it pains me to say it (because I was really a big Hartley backer upon arrival) this does feel like perhaps it is the right move. I think he had lost the team. There have been rumblings occasionally through this awful start that captain Bobby Holik hadn't so much lost the team as that he never had them in the first place. Basically, I'm not sure anybody was running the show and it seemed like most of the players were just going through the motions (ironically, Kovy seemed like an exception this year, and he's often seemed like the most unmotivated guy on the team).

They've got a "goalie of the future" who is looking like the future may never come. They have very little in the way of NHL quality defensemen, they've got a collection of role players who can't seem to find their role beyond posing as major league caliber players, and they've got a pair of outstanding forwards. The minors are borderline okay but we have little in the way of historical success in coaching anybody up.

Damn if I know how to fix them short of going empty cupboard as quickly as possible. And the franchise probably wouldn't survive in Atlanta if they have to sell us on another five year plan.


Sounds like a job for Pat Quinn

[Draft Dodger]

that's Hartley's 2nd quick firing. The Avs canned him 31 games into the 2002-2003 season. Whispers then were that he was let go because he'd lost the team...

[Pyser]

he did win the division last year, right?

then again, they were swept, so thats 0-10 in their last 10...

bummer for him

[JonInMiddleGA]

Whispers then were that he was let go because he'd lost the team...

Honestly DD, I don't know that I ever had a feeling he really had this team in the first place. Not in the beginning, not now, not even during the stretch run last year.

He tried, I'm pretty convinced of that. One of the problems (in my mind at least) was that there wasn't much success from the players brought in that apepared meant to be "his guys". DeVries & Holik come to mind off the top of my head. Not stars, but guys that were on board with his system. Fans were ready to give DeVries away for a bag of pucks, and I'm not sure that we wouldn't throw in some pucks & a couple of powder blue jerseys just to rid ourselves of Holik.

His handling of goalies was downright bizarre at times and although I'm to the point where I think Kari Let-one-in is going to be ultimately be a flop (being too fragile physically & mentally), Hartley found nothing that ever seemed to help him either. Maybe that's not the coach's fault, but it is perceived at being part of his job nonetheless.

Throughout the off-season, we kept hearing how this year's team would be smaller but quicker. Instead, the only thing that appears quick about them is how fast they tanked.

[JonInMiddleGA]

ESPN's Scott Burnside sums up the sorry state in Atlanta pretty well
http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=burnside_scott&id=3068340

[Wolfpack]

Damn if I know how to fix them short of going empty cupboard as quickly as possible. And the franchise probably wouldn't survive in Atlanta if they have to sell us on another five year plan.

That's a shame, really. Even as a rival, I feel like Carolina in some respects needs Atlanta to be successful because Atlanta is the big city of the South (Miami notwithstanding as culturally, it's nothing like the rest of the South). Theoretically, Atlanta should get a lot more media attention, but if the media's talking about a failing Atlanta team destined to relocate, it'll dredge up the SOS about hockey not being viable in the region regardless of how well Carolina or Tampa do at the gate. (Nashville to some extent already has this ball rolling with that fiasco in the sale of the team going on.)

[JonInMiddleGA]

That's a shame, really. Even as a rival, I feel like Carolina in some respects needs Atlanta to be successful because Atlanta is the big city of the South (Miami notwithstanding as culturally, it's nothing like the rest of the South). Theoretically, Atlanta should get a lot more media attention, but if the media's talking about a failing Atlanta team destined to relocate, it'll dredge up the SOS about hockey not being viable in the region regardless of how well Carolina or Tampa do at the gate. (Nashville to some extent already has this ball rolling with that fiasco in the sale of the team going on.)

I think it's probably a realistic possiblity. Hell, I like hockey quite a bit, have for a lot longer than the Thrashers have been around, but damned if I can justify paying their prices for decent seats, going through the hassle of a downtown arena that I don't really like, etc. to see a team that might not even be a top contender in the AHL (or at least doesn't look like one).

I have significantly more fun for a lot less money (although not as much less as it used to be) going to ECHL games at a better venue closer & more convenient to me, and see a team that's very competitive for it's level. And I say all of that as somebody who actually likes the sport. I can only imagine what it'll be like trying to convince anyone to actually come to games if they go through some sort of rebuilding phase with a team that never really accomplished anything in the initial construction.

[johnnyshaka]

Awesome...Souray's out with a separated shoulder.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=220828&hubname=

[Pyser]

devils won their last 2 games 6-5 and 5-4

i dont even recognize this as hockey. its madness for the devils.

whens the last time brodeur gave up 9 goals in 2 games and won both?!

[Suburban Rhythm]

that's Hartley's 2nd quick firing. The Avs canned him 31 games into the 2002-2003 season. Whispers then were that he was let go because he'd lost the team...

So they are what, 6 games in?
So Ivan Hlinka still holds the record for quickest firing after beginning a season, at 4 games?

[Draft Dodger]

Awesome...Souray's out with a separated shoulder.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=220828&hubname=

that's rough. who's going to take bad penalties for the Oilers in his place?

[MikeVic]

Awesome...Souray's out with a separated shoulder.

http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=220828&hubname=

DAMNIT. There goes my flier on him in the hockey pool I'm in. And we can only drop one player for another once a month. Damnit.

[johnnyshaka]

that's rough. who's going to take bad penalties for the Oilers in his place?

Don't worry, Torres is still in the lineup.

[Pumpy Tudors]

devils won their last 2 games 6-5 and 5-4

i dont even recognize this as hockey. its madness for the devils.

whens the last time brodeur gave up 9 goals in 2 games and won both?!
I wished I could've seen the game last night against the Penguins. I only managed to catch the final five minutes. It's great that the Devils are actually scoring goals, but it's unsettling to see them give up so many. If they have to count on John Madden to keep scoring goals, or if Parise's assists start to dry up, I wonder if the Devils will be able to compete. Also, where is Sergei Brylin's ice time?

They need a real defenseman out there, too. From what I know of Vishnevski, he's OK, but I'm not sold on the others except maybe Oduya. Who is Mike Mottau?!?

I can't complain too much, as the Devils have scored tons of goals in the past two games. It's just that I'd like to see them be even better.

[Travis]

that's rough. who's going to take bad penalties for the Oilers in his place?

Oh don't you worry, Torres and Horcoff can fill that role without a hitch.

[Draft Dodger]

two votes for Torres. nice!

[MikeVic]

Who is Mike Mottau?!?

Mike "Pow Pow" Mottau.

[Maple Leafs]

So wait, the Oilers have a sudden need for a defenceman who can play a lot of minutes, score power play goals, and take bad penalties?

I think we may be able to work something out...

[johnnyshaka]

So wait, the Oilers have a sudden need for a defenceman who can play a lot of minutes, score power play goals, and take bad penalties?

I think we may be able to work something out...

Does he make at least $5 mil/year?? If so, I'll get Lowe on the horn ASAP!!!!

[Maple Leafs]

Does he make at least $5 mil/year?? If so, I'll get Lowe on the horn ASAP!!!!
Does he ever!

Only problem is he has a no-trade clause. Players are cool with going to Edmonton, right?

[DeToxRox]

Does he ever!

Only problem is he has a no-trade clause. Players are cool with going to Edmonton, right?

As long as they're single

[johnnyshaka]

As long as they're single

...and have already signed an offer sheet from another team.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Thrashers beat the Rangers 5-3 for their first points of the year.

Of course, them being them, Lehtonen left in the first period with a groin injury, and Hedberg allowed 3 PP goals in the final 10 1/2 minutes.

[Maple Leafs]

Crazy final minute in the Toronto/Florida game. With the score tied 2-2, the folliwng happens:

- Ian White carries the puck into the Florida zone and gets driven into the boards from behind by Jozef Stumpel, a pretty obvious boarding call. The ref's arm stays down.

- White gets up, drops his gloves (for the first time in his career, I think) and grabs Stumpel, who does nothing. Not really a turtle, but he just doesn't react at all. White doesn't throw a punch, let's him go, and skates away. Again, no call from the ref.

- While all this is going on (and remember, White is a defenceman), Jay Bouwmeester dekes out the rest of the Leafs team, goes in alone on Toskala, and misses an open net when Toskala just barely brushes the puck with his stick.

- The Leafs come back up the ice and score the winner with 30 seconds left.

Good times, good times.

[DeToxRox]

Henrik Zetterberg is the most under the radar star in the NHL. Just scored to retake the scoring lead in the NHL and has a point in every game so far this year.

[Wolfpack]

Sounds like a bizarre night in the NHL based on those two posts. At least the Thrashers are on the board. And of course any losses by Florida, Tampa, or Washington are good ones and all three happened tonight. :D

Canes have a pivotal back-to-back starting tomorrow in Pittsburgh and then Saturday in Philly. Then it's home for three next week against Vancouver, Buffalo, and Montreal. Might try to make that Montreal game as a birthday present to myself.

[Pyser]

the devils defense is atrocious.

i cant imagine lou is happy with sutter right now.

at all.

[Dr. Sak]

the devils defense is atrocious.

i cant imagine lou is happy with sutter right now.

at all.

Can you imagine how much worse it would look with a different goalie in the net?

[johnnyshaka]

Henrik Zetterberg is the most under the radar star in the NHL. Just scored to retake the scoring lead in the NHL and has a point in every game so far this year.

You're joking, right? The best player for a Stanley Cup favorite year in and year out is not somebody I'd consider "under the radar" by any means.

[DeToxRox]

You're joking, right? The best player for a Stanley Cup favorite year in and year out is not somebody I'd consider "under the radar" by any means.

I hardly ever hear anyone talk about him. Maybe it's just here but I hear Datsyuk mentioned 10 times as much in the media here then Z.

[JonInMiddleGA]

You're joking, right? The best player for a Stanley Cup favorite year in and year out is not somebody I'd consider "under the radar" by any means.

Depends upon the radar perhaps.

I'd bet he has less than half the name recognition in the U.S. as, just picking somebody at random, Ilya Kovalchuk. Considering how low that number would be, half of it would be pretty far under the radar.

[johnnyshaka]

If you've seen the Red Wings play you know exactly who Z is because when he's on the ice he's the most exciting player out there.

[Maple Leafs]

Please, Red Wings fans, don't go all Pats-fan on us and start talking about how your star players don't get respect, everyone underestimates you, "haters blah blah blah", etc.

[Pumpy Tudors]

NOBODY APPRECIATES JAY PANDOLFO

[bbor]

the devils defense is atrocious.


Brodeur is'nt playing well?:)

[Pumpy Tudors]

NOBODY APPRECIATES MIKE RUPP

[MikeVic]

NOBODY APPRECIATES MIKE RUPP

Who? Did you mean Uwe Krupp?

[Dr. Sak]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!!!!

[Honolulu_Blue]

You're joking, right? The best player for a Stanley Cup favorite year in and year out is not somebody I'd consider "under the radar" by any means.

I think this is a pretty fair point. I don't think it's whining about not getting respect at all. (see, e.g., Pat's fans). I think Zetterberg is a bit under the radar for a guy who really could be one of the top five players in the league.

[Pumpy Tudors]

Who? Did you mean Uwe Krupp?
NO, I MEAN ANOTHER GUY WHO HAS A STANLEY CUP-CLINCHING GOAL

[MikeVic]

NO, I MEAN ANOTHER GUY WHO HAS A STANLEY CUP-CLINCHING GOAL

I thought Clint Malarchuk was a goalie?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I thought Clint Malarchuk was a goalie?
IS THIS THING ON???

[MikeVic]

IS THIS THING ON???

Ok, all I saw that time was something about Boris Mironov.

[sterlingice]

IS THIS THING ON???

:D :D :D

SI

[DeToxRox]

I think this is a pretty fair point. I don't think it's whining about not getting respect at all. (see, e.g., Pat's fans). I think Zetterberg is a bit under the radar for a guy who really could be one of the top five players in the league.

Ditto. That is what I was trying to say.

[Wolfpack]

Blah. Canes squander the 3-1 lead and lose in a shootout. The Pens shooters made Ward look absolutely goofy in the shootout, pretty well negating all his heroics in the third when the Pens were outplaying Carolina. 3-1-1 now for the trip with tomorrow's game in Philly left.

[Draft Dodger]

fucking Jose Theodore.

Avs start out tonight the same way they did against the Flames. Badly. Blackhawks take an early 3-0 lead (one goal, from Jonathan Toews, was an absolute beauty). Avs eek out a comeback, tie it up in the 3rd. Kill of a couple dumb penalties, are on their way to OT...and Theodore lets in a soft one with just over a minute left.

He shouldn't have been in the game. Joel Quenneville continues to swap goalies faster than Charlie Sheen changes hookers. Fucking fuck fuck.

[BishopMVP]

I'd wager any player under 30 other than Crosby and maybe Ovechkin could be classified as under the radar in the US.

Random question that occurred to me last night while watching one of the UMass-Lowell players consistently creep within 3 feet of the faceoff circle and be waved out - has anyone ever seen a penalty called on a player for that? I know the ref can throw the guy taking the faceoff out, but can he/would he ever do anything to the wings?

[Simms]

So I missed the game tonight as we had some shopping to do, and then the family went out for dinner. Awaiting the check, I checked my cell phone to see that the Leafs led 3-1 after two periods. I let out a "w00t" and my wife apologized for keeping us out and missing the game.

"Eh ... no worries. It'll probably be 5-3 Chicago by the time we get home anyway." We both laughed.

Not really laughing anymore. :(

[DeToxRox]

So I missed the game tonight as we had some shopping to do, and then the family went out for dinner. Awaiting the check, I checked my cell phone to see that the Leafs led 3-1 after two periods. I let out a "w00t" and my wife apologized for keeping us out and missing the game.

"Eh ... no worries. It'll probably be 5-3 Chicago by the time we get home anyway." We both laughed.

Not really laughing anymore. :(

Has anyone looked consistently good for the Leafs this season so far?

[Maple Leafs]

Has anyone looked consistently good for the Leafs this season so far?
Antropov has been great. Sundin has been good every game except the Sabres debacle. Steen has been solid but not outstanding.

That is all.

[DeToxRox]

Antropov has been great. Sundin has been good every game except the Sabres debacle. Steen has been solid but not outstanding.

That is all.

Any chance of Pogge playing this year?

[Maple Leafs]

Any chance of Pogge playing this year?
Very doubtful.

Pogge is at least a year away by all accounts, and to be honest he's starting to lose his blue chip lustre. He'll still play in the NHL but he may not be the sure-thing stud he was made out to be. In any case, I think the only way he shows up this year is either due to injury problems or if the team goes into firesale mode. After all, it's bad enough to throw two veterans like Raycroft and Toskala out there behind that defence, why would you want to do it to a kid?

[DeToxRox]

Zetterberg with a helper on Maltby's 2nd goal tonight to keep Z's point streak alive.

[Pyser]

4 more goals allowed tonight by new jersey.

its a freakin epidemic

[Tekneek]

The Thrashers' players are apparently no longer afraid that Don Waddell is going to run them out of town. Maybe they have quit on Don as well. If the ownership has any sense, they will make Don coach the team for about ten games and fire him if he isn't at least above .500. Don't let him hire a new coach w/o making sure the problem isn't the GM or you are just delaying the inevitable.

[Maple Leafs]

4 more goals allowed tonight by new jersey.

Or as they call it in Toronto, a shutout.

[Chief Rum]

Has anyone looked consistently good for the Leafs this season so far?

Teams playing against them?

[Maple Leafs]

I swear, if the Leafs lose at home to the Thrashers I'm going to go slingblade on this place.

[johnnyshaka]

Oiler fans showed some class with a great ovation for Smyth on his first trip back to Edmonton.

[Honolulu_Blue]

I swear, if the Leafs lose at home to the Thrashers I'm going to go slingblade on this place.

I reckon it's time to get Maple Leafs to the nervous hospital. Mmm...

[DeToxRox]

I swear, if the Leafs lose at home to the Thrashers I'm going to go slingblade on this place.

Just think about John Tavares.

[Maple Leafs]

Just think about John Tavares.
Except we know the NHL is going to wait to see who finishes last before they decide if he's eligible. And since the Bettam regime always loves to screw Toronto, we have no hope of getting him.

[Maple Leafs]

I reckon it's time to get Maple Leafs to the nervous hospital. Mmm...
Luckily this is the Bettman NHL, where one team can win but the other one doesn't lose.

Still, a tie at home against the worst team in the league isn't much to get excited about. In fact, if I hear one Leaf player or coach talking about moral victories I might start cutting myself.

[bbor]

What a brutal display of hockey displayed by ATL and TO.

Ugly,ugly,ugly.

[sterlingice]

Luckily this is the Bettman NHL, where one team can win but the other one doesn't lose.

Still, a tie at home against the worst team in the league isn't much to get excited about. In fact, if I hear one Leaf player or coach talking about moral victories I might start cutting myself.

Does this mean it's time to only let you use safety scissors and circles of paper?

SI

[Maple Leafs]

Does this mean it's time to only let you use safety scissors and circles of paper?

Mrs. Leafs has already taken away my shoelaces.

[DeToxRox]

Zetterberg with another helper to continue his streak of a point in every game this year.

[Wolfpack]

Canes paddled the Sabres in the third period to win going away, 6-2. Carolina's gotten a point in all but one game this year and are now seven points ahead in the Southeast (granted, they've also played the most games so far) and one behind Ottawa (tied with a couple of others) for best in NHL. Three-game homestand finishes Friday against Montreal.

[Simms]

Just think about John Tavares.

Except we know the NHL is going to wait to see who finishes last before they decide if he's eligible. And since the Bettam regime always loves to screw Toronto, we have no hope of getting him.

Hmmm....

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/NHL/article/270412

[Suburban Rhythm]

Beaten to the Tavares story by 10 mins...

No risk/huge reward move

[Dr. Sak]

Next article will have the Leafs petitioning the NHL to allow them to build a wall of bricks in front of their net.

[JonInMiddleGA]

Next article will have the Leafs petitioning the NHL to allow them to build a wall of bricks in front of their net.

And, it being Toronto, they'll probably approve the request.

[Maple Leafs]

I could have sworn I read the same article about Crosby.

Sign a guy to a pro contract before he's been drafted... what is this, EHM?

[Simms]

And, it being Toronto, they'll probably approve the request.

And they'd still find a way to give up 3 goals a game.

[MikeVic]

And they'd still find a way to give up 3 goals a game.

http://icanhascheezburger.files.wordpress.com/2007/03/feel_burn.jpg

[Maple Leafs]

The Tavaras story has already been shot down:
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/2007/10/25/tavares_leafs/

[Maple Leafs]

Jiri Tlusty will save us all.

[Johnny93g]

Jiri Tlusty will save us all.

Amen!!!

How did Stralman look tonight? I wasnt home to watch the game. Did Kronwall play too? If so, how was he?

[Pumpy Tudors]

I was bowling last night during the Leafs-Penguins game, and my wife went up to the approach to bowl a frame. The score of the hockey game was tied at 1. She rolled her first ball, and when she turned around to walk back to the approach, I said, "Toronto scored." She picked up her ball off the ball return, rolled for her spare, and just as she was about to sit down, I said, "Toronto scored again." She happened to have a Malkin jersey with her at the time, which she then threatened to throw into the trash in disgust.

Also, the Devils got shut out by the Rangers, so with the exception of the one game I bowled 27 pins over average, last night sucked.

[Fidatelo]

with the exception of the one game I bowled 27 pins over average, last night sucked.

Dude you went bowling, what the hell did you expect? :)

[Honolulu_Blue]

Not much new on the Wings' front. The team continues to roll pretty as it has the 15 years or so (outside of being unable to beat Robert Lang and the Blackhawks). At the moment they continue to be a one line team with Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Holmstrom providing the bulk of the offense. Those three have 16 goals and the rest of the forwards on the team have 12. Guys like Hulder and Filppula will eventually have to start producing, but with around $5 million under the cap expect the Wings to be active at the trade deadline once again as they wil be looking for some additional scoring.

Rafalski has fit in very nicely. He's 4th on the team in points with 2 goals and 8 assists in 10 games.

Hasek is "day-to-day" with a sore hip. That's never a good thing, but Osgood has been playing very well (better than Hasek actually), so they will survive.

The Wings re-called Igor Grigorenko from Grand Rapids. He is their top forward prospect and is in an interesting situation. He was a highly touted prospect a few years ago and then got into a bad car accident that derailed his career a bit. He seems to be back on track and finally came over from Russia this summer. He arrived at training camp completely out of shape. He was unimpressive in pre-season and has been equally un-impressive while playing in Grand Rapids. Besides being out of shape, he doesn't really seem to care that much. He has a lot of talent and some decent size and given the beforementioned lack of scoring outside of the top line, I think the Wings would love for him to develop.

The trick is that, he has the option to return to Russia by November 1. He has a contract with his old club that will pay him about $1 million a year. Odds are, if he's in Grand Rapids (making $70,000), he will likely bolt for Russia and that will, in all likelihood, end his career with the Wings.

If the Wings decide to keep him on the NHL roster, however, they will have to send either Matt Ellis or Aaron Downey down to Grand Rapids. Ellis is an incredibly hard-working forward who has a nice little 4 game point streak going (2 goals, 2 assists). He has been the captain of the Griffons for the last few years and by all accounts was the heart and soul of that team. It'd be really hard to send a guy like that down and keep a guy like Grigorenko. Downey has also worked hard and been a good team player. He adds an element of toughness the Wings' have lacked for a long time, not counting, of course, the six game Brad Norton Era.

It will be interesting to see what the Wings will do in the next week with this situations. Based on comments by the Wings' brass, if Grigorenko doesn't turn things around very soon, I would not be surprised to see him back in Grand Rapids and, therefore, taking the trip back home to Russia. It would be great if he stuck it out, but I find that unlikely.

The Wings re-signed Kris Draper to a 3 year deal that averages out to about $1.65 million a season. That's less than he's making now, but I think it's about right. Draper is an invaluable asset to the team. A great penalty killer, great on face-offs, and all-around good guy. He's easily one of the most personable athletes in Detroit. I never thought he'd test the free agent waters, but it's good to have him back in the fold.

Rumors continue to swirl about someone from the front office leaving to join Toronto. Over the summer it was all about Scotty Bowman. Over the last week or two, they have pretty everyone else possibly joining the Leafs, including Jim Nill, Steve Yzerman, and even Ken Holland.

[Maple Leafs]

How did Stralman look tonight? I wasnt home to watch the game. Did Kronwall play too? If so, how was he?
I only saw the third period. I don't think Kronwall played. I didn't really notice Stralman, so I guess that's good.

Funny how we play our best game of the year without McCabe and Tucker.

[Suburban Rhythm]

I only saw the third period. I don't think Kronwall played. I didn't really notice Stralman, so I guess that's good.

Funny how we play our best game of the year without McCabe and Tucker.

That was key...McCabe was responsible for the Pens being on the PP I think like 6 times last weekend. Not that they could have scored on the PP last night...

[bbor]

Tlusty is an idiot.Scoring 2 goals in his first game.Leaf fans are going to ruin him now.They already expect him to be a 50 goal scorer now.Toronto radio did a call in for peoples favorite Toronto athlete of all time.....guess who got the first vote.I hate Leaf fans.