[Tournament] 06-07 NHL Discussion Thread

Originally Posted by Wojo

Auld gets injured over spilt water from Belfour's bottle of water. To think that Belfour would actually try to WIN the starting spot....geez.

Rumour has it that Belfour got into a scuffle with Auld and showed him whos boss. :eyebrow:

Anyways, I see that we have an interestingly high amount of Penguin fans here. You guys are lucky. To have a young core of Fleury, Crosby, Malkin, and Staal, is just...Wow.

Myself, I'm a huge Canucks fan. Don't expect this thread to go inactive now that I'm here.



Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Denicalis

HALIFAX PENGUINS.

:lolsign:

Wouldn't that be something? Seriously, how unfair would that be? All these bored people sittin' in Halifax. SMACK. Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Fleury, and crew fall out of the sky.

Whereas us jealous Canuck fans only have Luongo, Sedin, Sedin, and Bourdon.

:aargh:

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Wojo

That is excellent news. Penguins are going no where. Now all these Canadian circle jerkers can go away.

Whoa now, I'd rather they stay in Pittsburgh. You move a team when things are bad, and will continue to be bad in the foreseeable future. The Penguins are obviously going to be a strong team sooner than later, so why the hell would you move them? If they were to pick up their dresses and prance up to Canada, it would just be another knock against a league that is already struggling south of the border.

On the other hand, if we had a Canadian team with Crosby, maybe all these analysts up here would stop jackin' it to the Leafs.

But I don't waiver. Let the Penguins take flight in Pittsburgh.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Capo

See, that's not the issue. The city didn't want to fund a new arena and the new owner (The Blackberry dude) would have moved them most likely if this slots deal fell through. It's not like the Pens actively wanted to move. I mean, most of the games are near soldout, so it's not for lack of fan support.

I knew about the arena issue, but I didn't know that the Penguins were selling out. Thanks for that tidbit of info. I didn't mean to front that kind of argument, I guess it came across that way. What I really should have said is that the NHL should be pushing the city to fund an arena, but they obviously did. I suppose that I was just stating what it may look like had Pittsbrugh moved. But, upon closer inspection, it all does come back the NHL. Their inability to market the NHL proficiently in the US leads to ticket sales dropping, which is, in a nutshell, a drop in interest. This leads for the city to say, "Why should we fund a new arena?"

I know the point I'm making is confusing, just try to follow me here. :juggler:

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Game Day - Vancouver Canucks vs. Dallas Stars (November 6th, 2006)

If anyone has been following the Canucks this year, they would know that Vancouver has outworked their opponent for the majority of their games this year, and they sure as hell haven't won enough of those games.

Tonight was no exception, save 8-10 minutes of the game, mostly in the third. The knock on this team is that they just can't finish. They're incredible defensively, which is just unreal for most Canuck fans considering the style of team that we have iced for years. As of now, they're 4th in shots allowed, 6th in shots for, but only 26th in goals scored. What does that mean? That means we're not finishing.

But back the game. The first period was one of the most bizarre periods of hockey that I've ever seen in my life. The Canucks come out dominating, but can't pot one (Is and will continue to be the story of the season). So, 10 minutes in, as Kevin Bieksa is skating through the neutral zone, he decides to put one on goal. And sure enough, he catches Mike Smith off guard and outs it in from center ice. Just a few minutes later, Vancouver and Dallas take penalties close to each other. Off a face-off, Sydor puts the puck over the glass, and takes the delay of game minor. Now, off the ensuing faceoff, Boucher takes the puck and puts it over the glass for another delay of game penalty. I'm talking literally 1.5 seconds off the clock, here. And sure enough, off the next ensuing face-off, Jan Bulis takes a tripping penalty literally 2.5 seconds after the face-off. That's gotta be some sort of record for 3 penalties. :eyebrow: First period ends 1-0, with the Canucks dominating the shots 14-2.

The second period was pretty boring, and is when the game started turning into a snoozefest. Really, the only highlights were both teams killing off penalty after penalty, and Lindros scoring off a point shot that Luongo got a piece of with his glove.

The third period, the boring mood just increased exponentially. For the first ten minutes, it really looked like no team gave a shit about winning. Then, for the last 10 minutes, Dallas really turned it on, and put on big pressure. If not for Luongo making 3 or 4 huge saves in the third, this game ends 2-1 Dallas and the Canucks lose yet another one that they 'deserved' to win. With no penalties being called in the third, Brendan Morrow gets put in the penalty box on an unusual elbowing call in the offensive zone. The Canucks dismal powerplay continues to be exactly that, until a couple pretty passes by the Sedin twins set up a pinching Ohlund on the back door, only for him to hit the post. Third twin Taylor Pyatt picks up the rebound spins around, roofing it on Smith with 45 seconds left in the third.

So, the game ends 2-1 for the Canucks.

Shots: VAN 26 - DAL 20

W: Luongo (8-6-1) 19 Saves
L: Smith (2-1-0) 25 Saves

Official 3 Stars:

1- K. Bieksa
2- E. Lindros
3- R. Luongo

My 3 Stars:

1- K. Bieksa
2- R. Luongo
3- M. Smith

Honorable Mention: E. Lindros (DAL), Josh Green (VAN) :eyebrow:

VAN Next Game: vs. Anaheim (Thursday, November 9th)
DAL Next Game: @ Calgary (Tuesday, November 7th)

----------

I was bored.

:biggrin:

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And it really is that bad. Against Dallas he wasn't bad, but for a stretch of 3 games before that it was really, really noticeably horrible to look at.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by TheKnightOfNee

Looks like the Red Wings patched up a few of their problems as of late. They won a couple one-goal games, and now they've hit a seven game win streak with a 3-0 win over Edmonton. They've really got to work on those special teams, though. 9% isn't going to cut it on the power play.

Are you a Wings fan? They seemed to have a load of problems early on, but are looking good now. Their whole season hinges equally on the NHL's most fragile groin, and on two guys becoming top 3 forwards. I really do hope they do well, just to humble all those saying "LOL Wings suck without spenading moenyss dey cant doo shiite".



As well, a favour is in order for beating the Oilers.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by Fire On Ice

So that's...what, the third game in a row where the Sens have given up a good lead? I don't understand how they can start out so strong and then just...stop. It just doesn't make sense, we were so much better then this last year.

Ah, a Sens fan! Just what I needed. PLease, give me the scoop on Alfie!

Is he back on the first line? My pool hopes are hinging on him. And about the Sens, I'm VERY surprised to see them struggling. On paper, they don't look weak anywhere.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by TheKnightOfNee

Yep, I've been a lifelong Wings fan, growing up in the Detroit area. I hate all the people that call the Red Wings the Yankees of hockey and claim we always spend money to get good, because for a long while, they were awful. And they only spent a lot of money for a couple years. A lot of people wrote them down to around 6th in the conference last year, and they still finished first (though those playoffs were disappointing). I hope Hasek can hold together this year and give the Red Wings a good season, though I think Osgood can pull us through still if Hasek goes down.

I see you're a Canucks fan. I used to hope they would do well, then they played the Red Wings in the playoffs a couple years back and I started to dislike them more. Though, most of my hate was for Bertuzzi, who Vancouver doesn't even have anymore. So now Vancouver is fine by me once again, just as long as they keep Colorado down in that division.

Really, Bertuzzi seems to have been everything wrong with this team. With him gone, they are polar opposites of years past. It's actually quite remarkable, really. They outwork their opponents nearly every night, are great on defence. And I don't mind giving up Allen, Bert, and Auld for Luongo, and Krajicek. Krajicek has been the biggest surprise thus far, and Luongo has been amazing save 2-3 games. Some people criticized Dave Nonis for the moves he made, but I don't think he did ANYTHING wrong, save maybe the Chouinard signing. He dropped Luc Bourdon back down to Moncton, and that's looking good with Alexander Edler's strong play (Who we snagged from Detroit in the third round of the '03 draft, by the way. ). I think that the Wings have what many of the money spending teams of the past didn't have, and that is drafting. Yes, for a couple of years they threw money around, but they also began to draft VERY well. That shows with Zetterberg, Datsyuk (And Kronwall? Confirm this?).

Anyways, cheers. I always look forward to 'Nucks - Wings games. By the way, Bieksa scored form center on Monday. When he did it, the Lidstrom - Cloutier situation was the first thing that came to mind.

:biggrin:

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by TheKnightOfNee

I was amazed Florida gave up Luongo for anything. He's one of the top goalies today, and would stand on his head night in and night out in Florida to keep them in games. I think Vancouver would've made a good move getting just him, but getting another player who is doing well is even better for them.

About Luongo - Word is Detroit was prepared to offer him 8.2M as an RFA - that's 4 first-round draft picks as compensation for Florida.

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I posted this in the video request forum already, but I figured some of you might like it. It's every game from ever team this year, but the games do take a few days to upload. You can watch any games, including a few classic games. Also, you can go anywhere in the video and it takes 2 seconds to load. Basically, there's no buffer time, so, if you missed a sweet goal, head over to NHL.com to find out when it happened and skip to that park of the video.

http://video.google.com/nhl.html

Cheers.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by TheKnightOfNee

I didn't know they had NHL games on google video. That's great news, because I've been working a lot of evenings and have missed a good number of games already. Thanks for the link. =D

No problem. I usually check that site out to see if these Crosby and Malkin kids are for real. They sure look like it to me. And they'll only get better. :eyebrow:

Good thing there are no Ducks fans here, or I'd be ragged on harsh right now. :doh:

P.S - Ronz, about the Chara picture...Look at that blade on his stick! No curve!

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Brent

Nah, he has a bit of a curve if you look closely.

Yeah, at first it just looked like tape, I didn't realize the stick blended into itself.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by Wojo

Penguins really need to make some kind of a trade for some defense. Otherwise they are doomed to fail like the last 4 years. The season is still early yet, they are still 7-6-2 which isn't bad, but I feel like I'm witnessing my team self-destructing before my eyes.

Oh, so you're a Canucks fan?

Oh, wait. You were talking about the Penguins.

We lost to the Flames 3-2 tonight, in a contest where we had a 2-0 lead halfway through the game.

I am very close to pulling my Luongo avatar, he's beginning to piss me off. That and the fact that it just doesn't suit a gaming forum. Now taking suggestions for an avatar.

In all seriousness, we're going to need a fucking miracle to even compete with the Wings on Tuesday. Oh, wait, we always compete. We just fucking lose, no matter how badly we outplay. We've only been outplayed 3 times this season, tops. I'm already ready to write this season off and trade Naslund, Morrison, and Cooke for some draft picks.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by The Dopefish

In other news, the Wizard of Cros and Russian Exile 2006 are the leading vote-getters among forwards in All-Star voting, and Marc-Andre "Don't Call Me Theo" Fleury is first amongst goaltenders.

The All-Star Game will reportedly be the first time we'll be seeing the new "form-fitting" jerseys which, unless people pan them, will be seen in action all over the NHL next season. I plan on panning them.

We're in agreement on the panning. However, didn't Team Canada sport the torso huggers in Torino?

And look what happened there. :eyebrow:

Speaking of the all-star game, has anyone heard about this campaign started by a Buffalo Sabres fan to get Rory Fitzpatrick into the show? It was all brought to life by user "Lecherous" on HFBoards.com, who created the site VoteforRory.com in hopes to get the career journeyman into the game. The campaign started out as a hybrid between a joke and an attempt to mock the NHL's brand-new online voting system, but has turned into a campaign to get a player who has worked hard at every level and paid his dues into the all-star game.

Apparently, guys have been bringing "Vote For Rory" signs to games all over North America. :doh:

For anyone who doesn't know, Fitzpatrick currently plays for the Canucks and is a strong 6th defenseman, but anything above and he is out of his element. Rory's currently out with a fractured ankle until late December.

Speaking of the Canucks, this team is in desperate help for scoring. Things weren't made better in last night's 4-0 loss to the Oilers, when they lost Pyatt (Shoulder, 2-4 weeks), Rypien (Partial groin tear, 6-8 weeks), and Salo (Neck spasms, 7-10 days) to injuries, all leaving after the first period. They managed to lose to a struggling Edmonton team despite outshooting them 36-18. We're now the worst goal-scoring team in the league, at around 2.07 GPG. Roberto Luongo is probably the only reason that we're anywhere near .500 (13-14-1, 27 points), and only 3 points out of first in the Northwest.

This team needs an offensive change, and soon. But the main problem is that with our current injuries and scoring (depth) problems, any GM would bend Dave Nonis over the table in trade talks. The word around town is that Canucks pro scouts attended the Montreal-Boston game, creating some speculation that we're in the hunt for Sheldon Souray (Woo hoo, a defenseman. Oh yeah, he's got 10 goals.)

Some believe that on the way out would the the glass-made Salo, Naslund, or Ohlund. Vancouver fans will continue to bitch about Morrison and Cooke, though.



FELIPE NO

Snazzy? No one for The Snazzy Line?

Anyways, I still think that the line should be broken up in favor of the Sedin Pie line, with Markus on the second line, with some sort of trade for a capable (There's a difference between capable and elite) center. Preferably one on the larger side. Or if it comes down to it, I'm willing to deal Naslund for some young talent. As I said above, Montreal rumours are going nuts right now.

Canuck fans need to get the idea in their heads that the sooner we begin to rebuild, the better. The longer we wait, the worse the state of the franchise gets, and the harder and longer the road to rebuilding comes.

And for chrissakes, fire the pro scouting.

Anyone in for Canuck chat? I know there's a bunch of Pen fans, but I've only noticed one Canucks fan other than myself in the community. Even though I usually side-track to Canuck talk, I'm willing and able to converse about other teams. What I'd really like to get going in here are some interesting trade proposals, whether based on rumours or completely imaginary.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by Wojo

Yeah seriously come into chat. We could use another member to piss off the rest of the chatters while we talk hockey.


Also there are rumors that we were trading for Naslund some how. I have no fucking clue who the Pens would offer in return.

I'm somewhat confident those rumours were started in Vancouver, seeing how they involved Naslund + 1st + Defenseman for Malkin.

:lolsign:

What happened to the Sens today? I watched the game only to have a rare peek at the Caps, because on the West Coast we maybe get to watch them 3-4 times a year if we don't have Center Ice.

The Sens basically self-destructed in the third. Blown coverage left and right, lazy penalty after lazy penalty, and just no fight. Gotta love Spezza (Was it him?) pulling a Roger Neilson with the white towel hanging off the stick to protest the penalties, though.

I have to say, like everyone else, I tuned in for Oveckin's sake, only to be surprised by this kid, Semin. I knew he was good, but damn is he shifty. And WHAT a shot! But I don't mean to entirely discount Alex, as he made an incredible pass on the Caps' 5th goal for his third assist of the night. This team could be real strong in the future, like the Penguins. I see Washington having a more experienced as well as talented defense by then, though, so I may give them the nod over Pittsburgh. The only area lacking for Washington in the future is goaltending, so if they can improve that (Draft someone, NOW!), I'd give them the nod over Pittsburgh in regards to who will be better in the near future.

Sorry, Pen fans.

Oops, I just thought of a trade proposal! More of an idea actually. Would Washington be interested in Cory Schneider?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I hate the Leafs so much. I hate Darcy Tucker even more. This 6 game winless streak has been one of the happiest periods of my life, even with the Canucks losing players as fast as [Insert joke here].


Has anyone seen the two TSN broadcasts with Chris Cuthbert and Glenn Healy calling the games from ice level between the two benches? First it was Buffalo @ NYR, then Ottawa @ Washington. I thought they were neat ideas, although some important stuff can be missed in the corners, or on the opposite side of the ice. On the other hand, it offers opportunities to spot subtle details that you can't see from high up. I guarantee they have a crew upstairs relaying info to them to ensure that they don't miss anything, anyways.

It was also pretty cool to see Cuthbert Standing literally a foot away from Ovechkin with Chris and Glenn cracking jokes about Alex.

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Nice to see the Canucks squeeze one out against Carolina last night. The score ended up 4-3 (OT). They jumped out to a 3-0 lead, only to have Carolina storm back in the third. Erik Cole basically put the team on his back (1 goal, 2 assists) and lead the 'Canes back in it. I definitely like to see that, because Cole is my favourite player in the whole league. I don't even own an F'ing Canucks jersey, but I'm sitting here typing with my Erik Cole jersey on.

In overtime, Scott Walker flipped the puck up and over the boards, with Daniel Sedin scoring on the ensuing powerplay. Henrik threaded a beautiful pass to Daniel, who found room in front of the net for the tap-in. Yannick Tremblay, who was called up from Manitoba a couple days ago added a goal and two assists in his first game as a Canuck (!).

Some of you might know the name, he was playing for the Thrashers before the lockout, but after playing in Europe for the lockout, decided to stay over there for another year before signing with the Canucks this summer. He has a pitiful career +/-, but many believe that is because of playing for the then-lowly (expansion) Thrashers.

Brendan Morrison added three assists, and the Canucks scored all four of their goals on the struggling powerplay. It was nice to see Morrison play well, he's really been struggling this year.

Interesting Facts:

-The Canucks are 11-1 against the Eastern Conference since the lockout, losing only to New Jersey last year.

-They are 6-0 in overtime this year, and 2-1 in shootouts.

Tonight should be a stellar night in the NHL. Concerning those here, Pittsburgh is playing Atlanta as I type, Detroit is in the first against Toronto, Vancouver visits Calgary at 7 pacific, and the NYR already downed Ottawa 3-1 today. Lundqvist was stellar, by all accounts.

Of interest to me is tonight's Anaheim @ Tampa Bay game. Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier are red hot, and Anaheim is Anaheim. It should be fun to watch, but I see Anaheim coming out with it due to Tampa's weak goaltending. For the sake of a 56-person hockey pool I'm in, lets hope Andy McDonald and Ryan Getzlaf have big nights.

Also, I see a good game coming tonight between Vancouver and Calgary, but all hands are pointing to the Flames to take it. The Canucks have a horrid divisional record (3-7-1), and the Flames have won 8 straight at home.

What games do you guys like tonight?

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Wojo

God damn. That went from one of the worst games I've watched this season to one of the best games I've watched.

How the hell did we come back to win from a 4-0 deficit to win in SHOOT OUT nonetheless? What a great ending.

And I'm sitting here practically crying because I wanted to watch it so bad.



Oh well, I'll wait for it to go up on NHL Google video.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Win, lose. Win, lose. Win, lose.

I could do this forever. Apparently the Canucks can, too.

They've now had something like 7 or 8 games alternating wins and losses.

Tonight they played host to Pheonix and the return of Ed Jovanovski. Pheonix had the early jump for the first 5 minutes, but we basically took over after that for the rest of the first period, scoring 4 times. Morrison, Bieksa, Bulis, and Ohlund (PP) scored the goals. Bulis now has 3 goals in 3 games since being put on a line with the Twins, after Canuck fans have been lambasting him all year for his floating and senseless plays.

In the second, Kesler had a tip in goal on a Bieksa point shot, making it 5-0. The game was really nothing after that, because the Canucks went into a 1-2-2 boring as hell shutdown mode. I swear, sometimes you piss me right off Vigneault. When you're up like that, you keep it coming. Pheonix scored halfway through the second, and once more with like 20 seconds left in a game (Canucks D didn't cover the stretch pass, sent Scatchard in on a breakaway.) Game ended up 5-2 Canucks. After being the last ranked team in goals per game, its nice to have 12 goals in the last 3 (7 on the previously struggling powerplay).

Bieksa - 1 goal, 1 assist
Kesler - 1 goal, 1 assist
H. Sedin - 2 assists
D. Sedin - 2 assists
Morrison - 1 goal
Ohlund - 1 goal
Bulis - 1 goal, and a post late in the game. >.<
Cooke - 1 assist
Krajicek - 1 assist

Luongo - 28 saves on 30 shots. (He quietly had a good game)

1st Star - Kevin Bieksa (1 goal, 1 assist, also led all players in ice-time)
2nd Star - B. Morrison
3rd Star - R. Kesler

*3 stars as per Sportsnet and NHL.com.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Alfie's back? That should help my pool, thanks. How did Vermette play tonight? He's one player that I like to keep an eye on. Another thing to note, is there a certain reason why Emery got the start tonight after 6 GA on 14 shots? I assume just because he's wanted more than Gerber to be in net right now and they figured that he'd be fine.

I didn't get to see any of the Canucks-Wild game tonight, but it is good that Luongo made 28 saves, we won the special teams battle and ultimately the game, 2-1. I still can't believe that Trevor Linden is on the first powerplay unit with the Twins.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Thanks guys for letting me know how the game went.

Heres a little something for you Pens fans:

Report: D'Angelo wants to buy Penguins

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by The Dopefish

Nevermind. When the NHL updates the Western Conference voting tomorrow, Fitzo will be #2, according to Versus.

Double Post:
Penguins looked bad against the Blues tonight, losing 4-1. Lots of Pens fans have been calling for Michel Therrien's head for a while, and this may get it.

Double Post:
Bruins put the hurt on the Sens, 7-2 win. The Sturminator got a hat trick, Patrice handed out 5 assists.

Great game by Bergeron. But in my opinion, he's been what everyone has expected (Which is awesome, by the way).

But the guy who is really surprising me is Marc Savard. 98% of the hockey world said that Savard would bomb without Hossa and Kovalchuk on the wing, with whom he was able to have a 97-point year. When he signed for $5M in Boston, people laughed hysterically. Now look at him! 1G, 2A tonight, and that makes for 40 points on the year already in 31 games (10G-30A). He's on pace for a 106-point season on a so-so Boston club. This guy is quickly scoring (Or assisting) his way into my good books (And apparently those of Bruin fans as well). I figure I'll check out a couple Bruin games on NHL Google.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Hockey presents from Christmas:

One blue Vancouver Canucks vintage jersey (Luongo)
One blue Vancouver Canucks vintage jersey (Unnamed)
Two Canucks tickets to the January 7th game vs. Florida Panthers (Bertuzzi, Allen, Auld [Even though Bert is injured ])

The plan for the second jersey is to exchange it for a white vintage and get Bieksa or Mitchell on the back of it. Maybe Henrik Sedin. But i was leaning towards Bieksa because I want to have a name that not many others have.

Did you guys get anything to do with your favourite teams?

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