The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

[Qb]

It's that time again folks! Things kick off tomorrow night with four games:

Montreal/Toronto
Vancouver/Calgary
Washington/Boston
San Jose/Colorado

The last two games will be televised on everyone's favorite hockey network, Versus, in stunning high-definition. The first two will be on CBC for our Canadian cohorts. I know I'll be watching WSH/BOS, great game between potential contenders to kick off the season...

Just so we're on the same page, please use this thread for general NHL discussion, such as game results, minor news, rumors, etc. Separate threads for big stories such as major trades -- once they actually happen -- are OK, but as always, it is up to staff discretion when it comes to merging/closing threads. And keep an eye out for future sticky-threads for the Olympics, trade deadline, and Playoffs.

Now drop the [bleeping] puck!

[Money99]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

It's that time again folks! Things kick off tomorrow night with four games:

Montreal/Toronto
Vancouver/Calgary
Washington/Boston
San Jose/Colorado

The last two games will be televised on everyone's favorite hockey network, Versus, in stunning high-definition. The first two will be on CBC for our Canadian cohorts. I know I'll be watching WSH/BOS, great game between potential contenders to kick off the season...

Just so we're on the same page, please use this thread for general NHL discussion, such as game results, minor news, rumors, etc. Separate threads for big stories such as major trades -- once they actually happen -- are OK, but as always, it is up to staff discretion when it comes to merging/closing threads. And keep an eye out for future sticky-threads for the Olympics, trade deadline, and Playoffs.

Now drop the [bleeping] puck!

I'll be stuck watching Tor/Montreal. I'd much prefer to watch Wsh/Bos. But I don't have the center Ice package so I'm screwed!

[Fiddy]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

wooooooo

its that time of the year..

cant wait to watch all these games!!

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

First game of the year stands on its own, often as what not to expect from a team throughout the rest of the season.

It's great though, tons of energy, tons of excitement, usually pretty entertaining games.

[Scottdau]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

I'll be stuck watching Tor/Montreal. I'd much prefer to watch Wsh/Bos. But I don't have the center Ice package so I'm screwed!

How do you get to watch your Wings games? Also, I am screwed too. I read in the paper that DTV and Verus are in a fight, so they are not showing the Sharks game. I have center Ice, but will they block out that game?

[tyler289]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

Best sport in the world starts tomorrow. Can't wait. Too bad the Caps have already majorly screwed up with their roster once already.

But...even so, I have high hopes. Anything less than a Stanley Cup is a failure for this year's team. From here on out, I expect a Cup (not like, oh we're the best, more like, the talent's there, we've been close, no more excuses).

The thing is, as excited as I am for this year's team, I see next year's Caps being much, much better. Theodore will be gone, we'll lose some terrible defensemen, prospects will be playing, tons of cap room...oh the possibilities.

Here's to a great year!

[DrJones]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

I'll be stuck watching Tor/Montreal. I'd much prefer to watch Wsh/Bos. But I don't have the center Ice package so I'm screwed!

A couple months ago, when TSN first announced their TV schedule, both of tomorrow's Versus games were on there. Weeks later, they disappeared. I'm guessing the MotherCorp squawked.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

I'm going to do a 2 team parlay tommorow. I'm going to be a homer and pick the Nucks over the Flames but I don't know what other game I'm going to pick. All of the games are too close to call. I know the Sharks vs. Avs is a mismatch on paper but Sakic's jersey is being retired and this will probably give the Av's a lift. I'm leaning towards picking the ... gulp .... Leafs as my 2nd pick.

The Rangers are presenting the Top 10 List on Letterman tonight. Henrik Lundqvist also has a 4 page Nautica ad spread in the current issue of GQ.

[Scottdau]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

Sharks make Rob Blake the Captain and Joe and Dan Alt. Captains. I like this move. One; Blake is a good leader and 2; now Marleau can worry about hockey. This will be good for him. Nice move Todd!

[Perceptor]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

Definitely watching the 'Nucks and Flames tomorrow night. I agree Scott that Blake was the best choice for captain and hopefully the Sharks actually have a deep run. They are a fun team to watch as a neutral.

Tyler - I agree with you too. As much as I like the Caps' talent, they need to ditch Theodore. Varlamov might not be totally ready to take the job full time, but the Caps will be fun to watch

I can't wait for the season to start

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

Good PR for the NHL with Rangers doing the Top 10 List on Letterman. It was pretty funny.

Madonna was the first guest and the Rangers carried her out on the stage with Hockey Sticks. Once she sat down, Letterman asked her "Have you ever ridden Hockey players before? Too many Messier jokes.........

I'm sure you can find the video on youtube or cbs.com

[FlyingFinn]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

No Versus on DirecTV is really killing me... I guess I am going to have to find a local watering hole with cable to watch my Caps tonight.

What really worries me is that DirecTV and Versus won't get this sorted out before the playoffs this spring. If that happens I will be forced to switch to cable/fios.

[baseball66]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

well there is a 3 week free preview of ci on expressvu so anyone with that can watch all 4 games tonite in hd.

[Qb]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

The thing is, as excited as I am for this year's team, I see next year's Caps being much, much better. Theodore will be gone, we'll lose some terrible defensemen, prospects will be playing, tons of cap room...oh the possibilities.

As high as the pundits are on the Capitals this year, I can't help but agree with your thoughts that the Cup would be a more realistic goal for next year. Don't get me wrong, they're a good team and will likely win the division and once the playoffs start, anything can happen. But I see too many questions and "ifs" on the team...

But the points you brought up about young players maturing (prospects and those already in the NHL) and gaining some roster flexibility are huge. It's going to come down to making smart personnel decisions, like signing Mike Knuble. I'm not sold on their D, so even with Alzner & Carlson on the way, they have to address it moving forward. And of course, they need stability and consistency in goal. Maybe Sim-yon can provide it, but it'd be a lot to ask of a 21 or 22 year-old goalie... just ask Marc-Andre Fleury, who certainly had his ups & downs over the past few years.

[tyler289]

Re: The 2009-10 NHL Regular Season

As high as the pundits are on the Capitals this year, I can't help but agree with your thoughts that the Cup would be a more realistic goal for next year. Don't get me wrong, they're a good team and will likely win the division and once the playoffs start, anything can happen. But I see too many questions and "ifs" on the team...

But the points you brought up about young players maturing (prospects and those already in the NHL) and gaining some roster flexibility are huge. It's going to come down to making smart personnel decisions, like signing Mike Knuble. I'm not sold on their D, so even with Alzner & Carlson on the way, they have to address it moving forward. And of course, they need stability and consistency in goal. Maybe Sim-yon can provide it, but it'd be a lot to ask of a 21 or 22 year-old goalie... just ask Marc-Andre Fleury, who certainly had his ups & downs over the past few years.

Definitely agree. Leonsis, despite the fact that he is a jerk and 100% full of himself, has a point when he says the team will contend for the Cup for years. I want a Cup this year - I mean, we got real close to playing for the chance - but next year is the real "we're gonna be nasty" season, if everything goes to plan.


And speaking of cap room, there are reports that Nylander has been signed in Russia...
It's probably nothing, but the chance to lose his cap hit would be fantastic.