2007 NHL Off-Season Thread

[El Mudo]

Ladies and gentlemen...the worst jersey in the history of humanity...



Thank GOD Iron Mike Keenan vetoed this


http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1200/656479404_e6fa07acfe_o.jpg

[El Mudo]

Eddie Belfour to........Swedish Elite League? (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216467&hubname=nhl)

[El Mudo]

Derek Boogaard's controversial hockey camp... (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216340&hubname=nhl)

[Kevin]

Mike Peca to the Rangers (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216122&hubname=nhl)

nice, I like Mike Peca

Hopefully he can have a Kick Ass season , then leave us for more money

:king:

Good signing.. Basically makes up for losing Cullen.. Rangers are now locked and ready to go..

Nope! (http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216629&hubname=)

[Kevin]

Rangers sign goaltender Matt Zaba (http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216534&hubname=nhl)

How many Golies do they want?? They have Montoya, Henrick, the guy backing up Henrick, and the kid they used a 2nd round pick on... Now this guy..

[spoon]

All the other players mostly...Adams is a good checking forward. And considering how Chicago never signs ANYBODY, its pretty big that theyre signing so many people


Sorry Spoon....Mike Ricci retires... (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216113&hubname=nhl)


Haven't checked the NHL thread here in a while but I did see this. I actually got to hang with him and have some beers at a San Jose area bar after a game when he played there. He was about as cool as they come, along with (get this) Steve Shields and his hot ass Playboy wife. Ricci dressed like a hick and drank like a fish. My friend knew a lot of the team bc the Sharks had the same team dentist as the 49'ers when he played there. So I talked hockey all night with one of my favorite Avs of all time and learned Owen Nolan is one hell of a prick. So much that even Ricci admitted to hating his "selfish" ass while at the bar. He came into the dive corner bar where they usually hang out wearing a shiny suit with a few money grubbing hoes in toe. He tried to hang with the group but fit in worse then my buddy and I even though we just met most of these guys. He's just a dick.

[El Mudo]

Man I SO wished I had TSN...


There's an 8 game superseries coming up between Canadian juniors and Russian juniors... (http://www.tsn.ca/canadian_hockey/news_story/?ID=216712&hubname=)


Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League, and the Russian Ice Hockey Federation are set to compete in an eight-game series in this summer featuring the best Under-20 World Junior players from Canada and Russia.


I would love to see it just so I could get a look at our Karl Alzner and Josh Godfrey for Team Canada and Olie Kolzig's eventual replacement, Semen Varlamov...It'd be a good chance for you Ranger fans to get a look at Alexei Cheraponov too

[El Mudo]

Ottawa's got a new jersey and logo

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20070823/senators_35885.jpg

[JesterOfSadness]

Rangers sign goaltender Matt Zaba (http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216534&hubname=nhl)

How many Golies do they want?? They have Montoya, Henrick, the guy backing up Henrick, and the kid they used a 2nd round pick on... Now this guy..

The goalie they got in the draft I think is still gonna play in college/juniors until someone gets traded/waivers/etc.

[mdr55]

Ottawa's got a new jersey and logo

http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20070823/senators_35885.jpg



Ugh!!!!! I prefer the old ones better.

[Thrice]

Rangers sign goaltender Matt Zaba (http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216534&hubname=nhl)

How many Golies do they want?? They have Montoya, Henrick, the guy backing up Henrick, and the kid they used a 2nd round pick on... Now this guy..

Well the Rangers as an organization have 4-5 goaltending spots to fill, right? 2 at the NHL level, 2 at the AHL level and 1 at the ECHL level. Zaba will be fighting for right to back up Montoya in the AHL.

[Thrice]

The goalie they got in the draft I think is still gonna play in college/juniors until someone gets traded/waivers/etc.

Antoine Lafleur will be playing with the PEI Rocket of the QMJHL until age 20. Then he'll most likely see time in the AHL before even being considered for the NHL.

[Thrice]

So it looks like my Los Angeles Kings plan on trying to make a push for the Playoffs next season. With the additions of Brad Stuart, Tom Preissing, Ladislav Nagy, Kyle Calder and Michal Handzus to a team that featured some of the best young talent in the West I think we have a legitimate shot at the 7 or 8 seed. Our goaltending obviously needs to be better but with the improved team defense, more size, a lot more experience and more talent overall the only thing we need is average goaltending from the tandem of Dan Cloutier and Jason LaBarbera.

Here's a quick little mock up of some possible line combinations:

O'Sullivan/Kopitar/Frolov
Nagy/Handzus/Brown
Cammalleri/Armstrong/Calder
Thornton/Zeiler/Willsie

Johnson/Blake
Stuart/Visnovsky
Preissing/Modry

LaBarbera/Cloutier

[led37zep]

I'm going to make this claim right now...Please hold me to it throughout the season.

The Los Angeles Kings won't suck as bad as they did last year.

Thank you.

[Thrice]

I'm going to make this claim right now...Please hold me to it throughout the season.

The Los Angeles Kings won't suck as bad as they did last year.

Thank you.

Shocking and bold. I like it.

[weekapaugjz]

So it looks like my Los Angeles Kings plan on trying to make a push for the Playoffs next season. With the additions of Brad Stuart, Tom Preissing, Ladislav Nagy, Kyle Calder and Michal Handzus to a team that featured some of the best young talent in the West I think we have a legitimate shot at the 7 or 8 seed. Our goaltending obviously needs to be better but with the improved team defense, more size, a lot more experience and more talent overall the only thing we need is average goaltending from the tandem of Dan Cloutier and Jason LaBarbera.

Here's a quick little mock up of some possible line combinations:

O'Sullivan/Kopitar/Frolov
Nagy/Handzus/Brown
Cammalleri/Armstrong/Calder
Thornton/Zeiler/Willsie

Johnson/Blake
Stuart/Visnovsky
Preissing/Modry

LaBarbera/Cloutier

i agree that the kings should be much better than they were last year. i don't think i got to see a kings game once this year, but i always enjoyed the kopitar highlights. i think he is going to be an outstanding player in 2-3 years, not that he isn't fantastic already. the only thing i see as a bad thing is their goaltending. cloutier is a fucking headcase, he can play awesome for a few games then play like shit for the next few. i don't really know anything about labarbara though.

[led37zep]

Shocking and bold. I like it.

I went to so many kings games last year and I think I only saw them win twice. I'm really hoping this season is a lot better. It sounds like they are rebuilding nicely, I'm excited for the upcoming season.

[Thrice]

I went to so many kings games last year and I think I only saw them win twice. I'm really hoping this season is a lot better. It sounds like they are rebuilding nicely, I'm excited for the upcoming season.

I actually only made it to one game last season and thankfully they won. It's going to be a really fun season. We're going to score a ton and we're going to have to win a few games 5-4 which works for me.

[Thrice]

i agree that the kings should be much better than they were last year. i don't think i got to see a kings game once this year, but i always enjoyed the kopitar highlights. i think he is going to be an outstanding player in 2-3 years, not that he isn't fantastic already. the only thing i see as a bad thing is their goaltending. cloutier is a fucking headcase, he can play awesome for a few games then play like shit for the next few. i don't really know anything about labarbara though.

LaBarbera was one of the top 2 or 3 goalies in the entire AHL last season and he would have been playing for the Kings if not for a stupid waiver wire rule that would have required him to be placed on waivers before being recalled. I know success in the AHL doesn't neccessarily mean shit in the NHL but LaBarbera had a few quality games with the Kings in 05/06.

[cougarjake13]

http://cdn.nhl.com/lightning/images/upload/2007/08/Headline_Image1.jpg


not much different from the old ones but i guess they want update the look a lil


http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2006/hockey/nhl/specials/preview/2006/09/25/nhl.southeast/t1_tampabay.jpg

[El Mudo]

Pittsburgh and Buffalo...at Ralph Wilson stadium, Jan. 1, 2008 (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216851&hubname=nhl)


Outdoor games are great....but the problem is the date....everybody and their mother is watching bowl games that day

[weekapaugjz]

Pittsburgh and Buffalo...at Ralph Wilson stadium, Jan. 1, 2008 (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216851&hubname=nhl)


Outdoor games are great....but the problem is the date....everybody and their mother is watching bowl games that day

i am going to be there. shitfaced. i can't wait.

[El Mudo]

More bad news for the Preds...Steve Sullivan out for three months (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216878&hubname=nhl)

[Thrice]

More bad news for the Preds...Steve Sullivan out for three months (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216878&hubname=nhl)

At this point I don't think Sullivan will ever be half the player he once was. I'd hate to see the guy injure himself to the point where it will affect his post NHL life. It might be time to think about hanging them up.

[Thrice]

Now that basically all the free agents have been signed and camps will start opening up in a couple weeks I'd like to give my predictions for the division winners and the 8 playoff teams in both conferences.

Atlantic
NY Rangers - The additions of Drury and Gomez have been talked about endlessly but I looking at a kid like Marc Staal and what he possibly brings to the NYR blueline and I see him stepping in right away and maybe becoming a top pairing/pk'er right out of camp. He could be that missing blueliner that the Rangers have missed since the days of Brian Leetch. This is their year.

Northeast
Ottawa - Returns nearly the exact same roster that was good enough for 105 points and a trip to the SCF last season. With Buffalo losing Drury and Briere I don't see them challenging for the Northeast title.

Southeast
Atlanta - I see Atlanta riding Kari Lehtonen to the number one spot in the SE again. As long as they keep Marian Hossa on the roster they are they favorites to take this division. I do like Florida as a potential dark horse though.

Central
Detroit - It's amazing how Detroit continues to ice an extremely competitive team regardless of fact that they've been drafting in the high 20s in the first round exclusively for the better part of 10 years. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hasek, Holmstrom, Rafalski; et al will take the Central crown once again. Look for Nashville to fall off in a big way.

Northwest
Minnesota - Gaborik and Demitra both stay healthy next year and Nik Backstrom continues to be the best goalie that nobody talks about. Minnesota walks away with the Northwest because Vancouver did absolutely nothing to improve their team from last season.

Pacific
San Jose - Two much fire power, size and skating ability for a weakened Ducks team to hold San Jose off from capturing the Pacific. The one question mark is what happens to Patrick Marleau if he can't come to terms on a new contract by the trade deadline.

Playoff Teams

Eastern Conference
Rangers
Senators
Thrashers
Penguins
Panthers
Devils
Sabres
Flyers

Western Conference
Sharks
Red Wings
Wild
Ducks
Canucks
Avalanche
Flames
Kings

Honestly I think the 6-8 spots in the West can go a million different ways. I think St. Louis, Los Angeles, Calgary, Colorado and Dallas all have a legitimate shot at those 3 spots.

Look for Edmonton to be the worst team in the league next season.

[El Mudo]

Southeast
Atlanta - I see Atlanta riding Kari Lehtonen to the number one spot in the SE again. As long as they keep Marian Hossa on the roster they are they favorites to take this division. I do like Florida as a potential dark horse though.



Yeah because a Capitals team that added one of the best playmakers in the game (Nylander), another big center with 30 goal power (Viktor Kozlov) plus added one of the best young players in the world (Nicklas Backstrom), has one of the better goaltenders in the lig who's long in the tooth but still has juice left in the tank (Olie Kolzig), plus added good depth to a young but good defense (Alzner if he makes the team, Tom Poti), plus one of the best two way forwards and leaders in teh game (Chris Clark) plus has some guy named Alexander Semin who has 50 goal power...and oh yeah, there's some other guy named Ovechkin who's pretty good too

Stop sleeping on the Caps...

[Thrice]

Yeah because a Capitals team that added one of the best playmakers in the game (Nylander), another big center with 30 goal power (Viktor Kozlov) plus added one of the best young players in the world (Nicklas Backstrom), has one of the better goaltenders in the lig who's long in the tooth but still has juice left in the tank (Olie Kolzig), plus added good depth to a young but good defense (Alzner if he makes the team, Tom Poti), plus one of the best two way forwards and leaders in teh game (Chris Clark) plus has some guy named Alexander Semin who has 50 goal power...and oh yeah, there's some other guy named Ovechkin who's pretty good too

Stop sleeping on the Caps...

I don't see it. The Caps are too young(defense) or too old(goaltending) where it matters most. The offense will be there but the fact that you're touting Tom Poti as a good signing for your defense says it all. The Caps allowed the 3rd MOST goals in the Eastern Conference last season and did nothing to improve their blueline. Poti plays the game like a forward. Karl Alzner is not ready to make an impact in the NHL. Shaone Morrisonn and Steve Eminger need to step up and play to their potential before the Caps even think about sniffing the Playoffs.

[El Mudo]

I don't see it. The Caps are too young(defense) or too old(goaltending) where it matters most. The offense will be there but the fact that you're touting Tom Poti as a good signing for your defense says it all. The Caps allowed the 3rd MOST goals in the Eastern Conference last season and did nothing to improve their blueline. Poti plays the game like a forward. Karl Alzner is not ready to make an impact in the NHL. Shaone Morrisonn and Steve Eminger need to step up and play to their potential before the Caps even think about sniffing the Playoffs.



-Poti's there to QB the power play, which is something that was desperately needed

-Most of the defense spent last year on IR...Pothier, Eminger, Erskine and Morrisonn ALL missed significant time last year...PLUS Olie broke down and missed most of the second half...they were right in the thick of the playoff chase before he hurt his knee

-Do we have a lot of kids on D? Yes, but theyve been playing together for a while now, plus Milan Jurcina was a GREAT addition from Boston, and him and Erskine bring in a lot of size and toughness...plus, with the amount of firepower we have on offense now, the defense can afford to be a little slack at times, although I don't think its as bad as everyone claims it is/will be

-Plus, you knock the Caps defense, but have you looked at Atlanta's?

2 Garnet Exelby
28 Niclas Havelid
22 Ken Klee
5 Steve McCarthy
39 Karel Pilar
77 Alexei Zhitnik


And other than Hossa and Kovalchuk, who's going to score for them? At least after Semin and Ovechkin there's Chris Clark and Matt Pettinger and Viktor Kozlov and Nicklas Backstrom and some other weapons like Francois Bouchard (if he makes the team) and Eric Fehr (who has a TON of talent)


I rest my case

[spoon]

Atlantic
NY Rangers - The additions of Drury and Gomez have been talked about endlessly but I looking at a kid like Marc Staal and what he possibly brings to the NYR blueline and I see him stepping in right away and maybe becoming a top pairing/pk'er right out of camp. He could be that missing blueliner that the Rangers have missed since the days of Brian Leetch. This is their year.
It's a tough call here for me but I'll have to agree with the Rangers as they're just better in net right now and have the vets to lead them when times get tougher. Yet your Staal comment is confusing. Is he a top shutdown d in your mind to play the PK or a Leetch type who with qb a pp and be an offensive d? I doubt he'll have the type of impact you think in his first year as rarely a D does. Even the great ones need time to play one of the toughest positions on the ice at this level. However, it'll be close as Pitt continues to grow and I think their coach did one hell of a job turning a terrible young team from a bottom team to a true cup contender.

Northeast
Ottawa - Returns nearly the exact same roster that was good enough for 105 points and a trip to the SCF last season. With Buffalo losing Drury and Briere I don't see them challenging for the Northeast title.
Here I really want to go Toronto as they made some nice moves but Ottawa is a regular season dynamo. If only they could finish just once Mdr wouldn't have to kill his first born in shame.

Southeast
Atlanta - I see Atlanta riding Kari Lehtonen to the number one spot in the SE again. As long as they keep Marian Hossa on the roster they are they favorites to take this division. I do like Florida as a potential dark horse though.
As long as TB keeps it's team in tact, I believe they'll take this division. I agree that Lehtonen is improving but he lost a ton of confidence in the playoffs last year when his idiotic coach went with the backup in a game where his team left him out to dry. I haven't seen a worse move by a coach the whole playoffs than that one. If they don't keep it intact, look for Atlanta to win a close lesser division. I wouldn't count Washington out this year but for them to move up that far would be a huge transition. Yet this is the division to do it in.

Central
Detroit - It's amazing how Detroit continues to ice an extremely competitive team regardless of fact that they've been drafting in the high 20s in the first round exclusively for the better part of 10 years. Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Hasek, Holmstrom, Rafalski; et al will take the Central crown once again. Look for Nashville to fall off in a big way.
It's not so amazing when you look at the division they do it in and see how long they've lasted in the playoffs each year of late. Don't be drawn in to this team bc once they get to the playoffs teams stop playing them soft and end their run. I easily pick them to win this division once more but with Murray behind the bench in St. Louis, they're sure to have that rivalry back in full force. Here's to hoping for a miracle as Nashville seems primed to take the Blues spot as one of three constantly awful teams in this division. Who couldn't beat out the Blues, Blue Jackets and Blackhawks each year? Awful division no doubt.


Northwest
Minnesota - Gaborik and Demitra both stay healthy next year and Nik Backstrom continues to be the best goalie that nobody talks about. Minnesota walks away with the Northwest because Vancouver did absolutely nothing to improve their team from last season.
I have to question your sanity here on this one. I'd take Calgary, Vanc and Colorado over Minnesota even if they made some good moves which they haven't. Backstrom is severly untested and hasn't played a full season yet and Demitra is a great shooter, but doesn't even come close to fitting their style of play and makes their coach insane. I love their grit overall but this team has to play at top level every damn night just to stay with the others now that the other three are fortified with great players and continue to get better. Sure the Canucks don't have much O, but when your goalie is fucking amazing and you have possibly the best D outside of Anaheim it won't cost you too much. Also, the Flames now have O and a very solid D core. They lost Hamrlik, but they're still solid at the position with a top flight tested goalie. And is there a more improved team in the west then the Avs? I don't think so. Tie in the fact that young players like Stastny, Wolski, Budaj, Svatos, Liles and Richardson got some great experience last year; Svatos and Leopold are finally healthy; additions of Smyth, Hannan and Czech lead scoring leader Hlinka and you're looking at true growth. Now if Q uses Rogaine Theodore way too much again all bets are off and he'll fuck up another season. My pick right now is real tough here in a real tough division. I can say for sure Edmonton is done before the first puck drops, but the rest are pretty tight, especially the top three. I'll have to go with Calgary right now because they have the best balance of the three needed aspects of a team. The Avs have the great offense, the Canucks have the great D, but they both have issues on the other side of the puck.

Pacific
San Jose - Two much fire power, size and skating ability for a weakened Ducks team to hold San Jose off from capturing the Pacific. The one question mark is what happens to Patrick Marleau if he can't come to terms on a new contract by the trade deadline.
It really comes down to the two guys on Anaheim contemplating retirement. Sure they'll experience a cup swoon early, but if they all return their team is a huge contender to repeat. The sharks are the senators of the west if you ask me. Tons of talent and always head into the playoffs with a ton of promise and someone always takes them out. They have nothing to show for a long run of great teams and I don't expect it to stop this year. Yet if the ducks don't keep their boys, look for them to take the division.

Playoff Teams

Eastern Conference
Rangers
Senators
Thrashers
Penguins
Panthers
Devils
Sabres
Flyers

Rangers
Senators
Lightning
Penguins
Toronto
Atlanta
Flyers
Devils
In the east a ton of teams might be in it for the last three spots as the caps and sabers may surprise people this year.


Western Conference
Sharks
Red Wings
Wild
Ducks
Canucks
Avalanche
Flames
Kings

Red Wings (shit division gives them another pres trophy)
Anaheim (if they keep their Nied and Teemu)
Calgary (3rd bc their division is the toughest from top to bottom with the pacific a close second)
San Jose
Colorado
Dallas
Vancouver
St. Louis (darkhorse pick but the division has to send at least two teams)

Honestly I think the 6-8 spots in the West can go a million different ways. I think St. Louis, Los Angeles, Calgary, Colorado and Dallas all have a legitimate shot at those 3 spots.

Look for Edmonton to be the worst team in the league next season.

My views are in red! Av red!

[spoon]

-Poti's there to QB the power play, which is something that was desperately needed

-Most of the defense spent last year on IR...Pothier, Eminger, Erskine and Morrisonn ALL missed significant time last year...PLUS Olie broke down and missed most of the second half...they were right in the thick of the playoff chase before he hurt his knee

-Do we have a lot of kids on D? Yes, but theyve been playing together for a while now, plus Milan Jurcina was a GREAT addition from Boston, and him and Erskine bring in a lot of size and toughness...plus, with the amount of firepower we have on offense now, the defense can afford to be a little slack at times, although I don't think its as bad as everyone claims it is/will be

-Plus, you knock the Caps defense, but have you looked at Atlanta's?

2 Garnet Exelby
28 Niclas Havelid
22 Ken Klee
5 Steve McCarthy
39 Karel Pilar
77 Alexei Zhitnik


And other than Hossa and Kovalchuk, who's going to score for them? At least after Semin and Ovechkin there's Chris Clark and Matt Pettinger and Viktor Kozlov and Nicklas Backstrom and some other weapons like Francois Bouchard (if he makes the team) and Eric Fehr (who has a TON of talent)


I rest my case

Sorry mudo, the Thrashers had no trouble scoring last year and kept a lot more rubber out of their net with that young GT and D. Thrice has some good points about your team but that doesn't mean they can't grow a ton over the course of a year. I definitely think they'll be around the playoff cutoff point this year, and again they're in the right division to do it in.

[Thrice]

-Poti's there to QB the power play, which is something that was desperately needed

-Most of the defense spent last year on IR...Pothier, Eminger, Erskine and Morrisonn ALL missed significant time last year...PLUS Olie broke down and missed most of the second half...they were right in the thick of the playoff chase before he hurt his knee

-Do we have a lot of kids on D? Yes, but theyve been playing together for a while now, plus Milan Jurcina was a GREAT addition from Boston, and him and Erskine bring in a lot of size and toughness...plus, with the amount of firepower we have on offense now, the defense can afford to be a little slack at times, although I don't think its as bad as everyone claims it is/will be

-Plus, you knock the Caps defense, but have you looked at Atlanta's?

2 Garnet Exelby
28 Niclas Havelid
22 Ken Klee
5 Steve McCarthy
39 Karel Pilar
77 Alexei Zhitnik


And other than Hossa and Kovalchuk, who's going to score for them? At least after Semin and Ovechkin there's Chris Clark and Matt Pettinger and Viktor Kozlov and Nicklas Backstrom and some other weapons like Francois Bouchard (if he makes the team) and Eric Fehr (who has a TON of talent)


I rest my case

You rest your case on a goalie who broke down last year and is now a full year older and half truths.

1. Yes all those defensemen you mentioned did spend SOME time on the IR but to say that they all missed significant time is just wrong. Morrisonn and Pothier played in 78 and 72 games respectively. That is not significant time for either. Eminger played in 68 games which was a career high for him. John Erskine is garbage. He's a big body who isn't afraid to drop the gloves. On a deep team he wouldn't even be a 3rd pairing guy. He really is that bad.

2. The youth on the blueline is going to be a major factor in the team not making the Playoffs. You tell me what you see the 3 defensive pairings being. I see it breaking down like this:
Poti/Morrisonn
Pothier/Jurcina
Green/Eminger
Which of those units is going to be responsible for shutting down an opponents first line? Afterall a defenseman should in fact be adept at playing defense. I can't really say that half of those kids you've got playing on the blueline are solid defensively at this point in their careers. Also the amount of firepower the Caps have is debatable. Ovechkin, Semin, Clark and Nylander are proven commodities to varying degrees. Viktor Kozlov's career high is 25 goals scored in a season. Over his ENTIRE career he's only scored 20 goals in a season TWICE. Nicklas Backstrom is a very talented kid but to assume that he's going to come into the league next year and set it on fire is ludicrous. He's going to have growing pains and there's a very real possibility that he will spend time on the 4th line. So your theory of "the best defense being a great offense" works when you've got the forwards that Buffalo had last year. Not when you have the question marks that Washington has.

3. Atlanta had essentially those same defensemen last season and they didn't have many problems keeping goals out because of an absolute stud by the name of Kari Lehtonen standing on his head between the pipes. Add in a kid who was dominating at times in the SEL, Tobias Enstrom, and Atlanta won't have many problems on the blueline. Atlanta will need some young forwards, namely Bryan Little and Brett Sterling, to step up and help with the offense but Kovalchuk, Hossa, Kozlov are proven scorers that can carry a team, as they did last season.

Bottom line is Atlanta is still a better overall team than Washington. Keeping opponents off the scoreboard is the easiest way to win in this league and Washington won't be able to do that with a 37 year old goalie and an under developed blueline.

[Thrice]

My views are in red! Av red!

By comparing Staal to Leetch I meant more in terms of leadership and a cornerstone to build the team around than a pure statistical comparison. Staal's never been known for his offensive prowess. I think Staal has all the physical tools and mental toughness to have every bit the impact Dion Phaneuf had his first year in the league but for different reasons. Phaneuf was the hard hitter goal scorer while Marc Staal is a strong, defense first, stabilizing force that will kill penalties and play positionally sound hockey every shift.

Also Minnesota is stacked with offensive talent and while Backstrom has only had one season in the league the guy did post a .929 save percentage which is ridiculous even if it was only in 41 games. Minnesota's system is defense first so Backstrom won't have to play that out of his mind for them to win. Also if Backstrom does stumble Minnesota has Josh Harding waiting in the wings. About Demitra driving his coach insane, I don't think Lemaire had many problems with Demitra once Gaborik got healthy. When Gaborik(57 points in 48 games) was healthy the two formed 2/3rds of one of the most dominant lines in the league the last 1/2 of the season. Throw in PM Bouchard, Brian Rolston, Mark Parrish and Benoit Pouliot which should make for a very strong Top 6. Minnesota is a very talented team and they play a perfect style for their current roster.

[spoon]

By comparing Staal to Leetch I meant more in terms of leadership and a cornerstone to build the team around than a pure statistical comparison. Staal's never been known for his offensive prowess. I think Staal has all the physical tools and mental toughness to have every bit the impact Dion Phaneuf had his first year in the league but for different reasons. Phaneuf was the hard hitter goal scorer while Marc Staal is a strong, defense first, stabilizing force that will kill penalties and play positionally sound hockey every shift.

Also Minnesota is stacked with offensive talent and while Backstrom has only had one season in the league the guy did post a .929 save percentage which is ridiculous even if it was only in 41 games. Minnesota's system is defense first so Backstrom won't have to play that out of his mind for them to win. Also if Backstrom does stumble Minnesota has Josh Harding waiting in the wings. About Demitra driving his coach insane, I don't think Lemaire had many problems with Demitra once Gaborik got healthy. When Gaborik(57 points in 48 games) was healthy the two formed 2/3rds of one of the most dominant lines in the league the last 1/2 of the season. Throw in PM Bouchard, Brian Rolston, Mark Parrish and Benoit Pouliot which should make for a very strong Top 6. Minnesota is a very talented team and they play a perfect style for their current roster.

Very talented I disagree, but their coach is one of the best and they do play a d first style that fits the team in order to fill that talent gap. Put the Avs top six up against their top six:
Sakic, Smyth, Brunette, Hejduk, Stastny, Arnason/Svatos/Wolski (u pick #6) and I say their much better. Gaborik is a great player and he has the Av's number to say the least, but every year a really good team in the division doesn't make the playoffs. This year I believe it to be the Wild.

[Thrice]

Very talented I disagree, but their coach is one of the best and they do play a d first style that fits the team in order to fill that talent gap. Put the Avs top six up against their top six:
Sakic, Smyth, Brunette, Hejduk, Stastny, Arnason/Svatos/Wolski (u pick #6) and I say their much better. Gaborik is a great player and he has the Av's number to say the least, but every year a really good team in the division doesn't make the playoffs. This year I believe it to be the Wild.

The Avs pinning their hopes on the shoulders of Peter Budaj is the biggest reason I don't see them winning the division. The additons of Hannan and Smyth were nice but I don't know if they are enough to catapult them to the top of division.

[spoon]

I agree that the Avs overall may not be ready to take back the division, yet they'll be fine in net. The Avs have a ton of prospects ready for the NHL once again, but you now how often a D prospect has Dion P like impact in their first year. So I assume the Avs will go with these D pairings early:
Liles/Skrastins
Hannan/Clark
Leopold/(Sauer/Finger/Cumminsky)

As you can see the #6 D is weak at best. The best call here to me is going with Finger as he played a solid D first type game and didn't make mistakes like the others. With Liles, Clark, and Leopold, the Avs have their offensive D. What they needed/need are physical type D which is what they got with Hannan. And there is a ton of press in Colorado that Fopa is really down to Philly, Colorado and Sweden for his pick. The Avs stated they can't break the bank for him and he is content on a returning home discout according to the papers to give it one last run with Joe. He has been skating in Colorado the last few weeks to test his ankle as well. I know he's injury prone, but having Forsberg as your 3rd line center is fucking crazy!!

[Thrice]

I agree that the Avs overall may not be ready to take back the division, yet they'll be fine in net. The Avs have a ton of prospects ready for the NHL once again, but you now how often a D prospect has Dion P like impact in their first year. So I assume the Avs will go with these D pairings early:
Liles/Skrastins
Hannan/Clark
Leopold/(Sauer/Finger/Cumminsky)

As you can see the #6 D is weak at best. The best call here to me is going with Finger as he played a solid D first type game and didn't make mistakes like the others. With Liles, Clark, and Leopold, the Avs have their offensive D. What they needed/need are physical type D which is what they got with Hannan. And there is a ton of press in Colorado that Fopa is really down to Philly, Colorado and Sweden for his pick. The Avs stated they can't break the bank for him and he is content on a returning home discout according to the papers to give it one last run with Joe. He has been skating in Colorado the last few weeks to test his ankle as well. I know he's injury prone, but having Forsberg as your 3rd line center is fucking crazy!!

Having Forsberg on that team might be overkill. I don't know if he can play the type of game that the Avs would need him to play as the 3rd line Center. He just can't seem to stay healthy which is an absolute shame because in his prime the guy was just a dominating force in the offensive end. He could skate, shoot, play physical, loved to get dirty. Then the injuries came and he turned into a pussy. It'll be very interesting to see how it plays out.

[El Mudo]

You rest your case on a goalie who broke down last year and is now a full year older and half truths.

1. Yes all those defensemen you mentioned did spend SOME time on the IR but to say that they all missed significant time is just wrong. Morrisonn and Pothier played in 78 and 72 games respectively. That is not significant time for either. Eminger played in 68 games which was a career high for him. John Erskine is garbage. He's a big body who isn't afraid to drop the gloves. On a deep team he wouldn't even be a 3rd pairing guy. He really is that bad.

2. The youth on the blueline is going to be a major factor in the team not making the Playoffs. You tell me what you see the 3 defensive pairings being. I see it breaking down like this:
Poti/Morrisonn
Pothier/Jurcina
Green/Eminger
Which of those units is going to be responsible for shutting down an opponents first line? Afterall a defenseman should in fact be adept at playing defense. I can't really say that half of those kids you've got playing on the blueline are solid defensively at this point in their careers. Also the amount of firepower the Caps have is debatable. Ovechkin, Semin, Clark and Nylander are proven commodities to varying degrees. Viktor Kozlov's career high is 25 goals scored in a season. Over his ENTIRE career he's only scored 20 goals in a season TWICE. Nicklas Backstrom is a very talented kid but to assume that he's going to come into the league next year and set it on fire is ludicrous. He's going to have growing pains and there's a very real possibility that he will spend time on the 4th line. So your theory of "the best defense being a great offense" works when you've got the forwards that Buffalo had last year. Not when you have the question marks that Washington has.

3. Atlanta had essentially those same defensemen last season and they didn't have many problems keeping goals out because of an absolute stud by the name of Kari Lehtonen standing on his head between the pipes. Add in a kid who was dominating at times in the SEL, Tobias Enstrom, and Atlanta won't have many problems on the blueline. Atlanta will need some young forwards, namely Bryan Little and Brett Sterling, to step up and help with the offense but Kovalchuk, Hossa, Kozlov are proven scorers that can carry a team, as they did last season.

Bottom line is Atlanta is still a better overall team than Washington. Keeping opponents off the scoreboard is the easiest way to win in this league and Washington won't be able to do that with a 37 year old goalie and an under developed blueline.



1) Got my injuries confused....sorry about that....but Erskine was GREAT for us last year, and losing him took all the size off the back line until we got Jurcina from Boston, and then again, Olie got hurt in the second half, and that killed us. Olie has ALWAYS been extremely durable, and I think that was really a fluke last year


2) I think the defensive pairings will break down similarly to what youve posted, but I don't think Green is going to stay up....he's at the point where he needs to play a lot, and he's only gonna do that in Hershey, so I look for a combo of Erskine and Ben Clymer, who theyre moving to D. And I dont think the D is "underdeveloped"...these guys have been playing together for almost 4 years now, theyre all talented, and theyve taken their lumps, and theyve got some good continuity together as a unit


3) Viktor Kozlov's career high is 25 goals scored in a season. Over his ENTIRE career he's only scored 20 goals in a season TWICE.

Most of that breaks down to the fact that he's been hurt a lot...if he can stay healthy, he's going to push 30...especially with some of the forwards he may be paired with

4)Nicklas Backstrom is a very talented kid but to assume that he's going to come into the league next year and set it on fire is ludicrous. He's going to have growing pains and there's a very real possibility that he will spend time on the 4th line

Alex Ovechkin had no problem setting the lig on fire....and i'm not saying Backstrom is Alexander Mikhailovich Ovechkin, but he's got a lot of talent, and he's not going to be "the man". Plus, putting him on a line with Semin takes a ton of pressure off him...and we're really solid on the back two lines defensively with Gordon/Bradley/Pettinger Brashear/Sutherby/Clymer/Laich. Boyd Gordon shut down El Sid last year.

And we've got other good young scoring forwards like Tomas Fleishmann, Jakub Klepis, Francois Bouchard, and Eric Fehr...all of whom have a LOT of talent, and who will get their opportunities

[cougarjake13]

anyone care to do some yahoo fantasy hockey ????

[Tenbatsuzen]

Pittsburgh and Buffalo...at Ralph Wilson stadium, Jan. 1, 2008 (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=216851&hubname=nhl)


Outdoor games are great....but the problem is the date....everybody and their mother is watching bowl games that day

Has there been any movement on Rangers/Islanders at Yankee Stadium? I remember hearing something that it might be the last event there before they take down the old Stadium.

[El Mudo]

Has there been any movement on Rangers/Islanders at Yankee Stadium? I remember hearing something that it might be the last event there before they take down the old Stadium.



Haven't seen anything on TSN...

[spoon]

Has there been any movement on Rangers/Islanders at Yankee Stadium? I remember hearing something that it might be the last event there before they take down the old Stadium.

Bad matchup! I'd rather NYR vs. NJ and vs. Buf last year would have been sweet. However, I'm fine with the NHL just fixing their schedules vs these marketing ploys.

[Thrice]

I don't know if anyone is following the Canada/Russia Super Series but so far Canada is dominating. Here are some highlights:

Game 1
<object width="425" height="353"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BLJhrmiUIy8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BLJhrmiUIy8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object>

Game 2
<object width="425" height="353"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HRYKq-RDG40"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HRYKq-RDG40" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object>

This one is for the Ranger fans - Alexei Cherepanov gets lit the fuck up by Brandon Sutter
<object width="425" height="353"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x7WTtWHOmf4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x7WTtWHOmf4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object>

[MHasegawa]

Great move by Gagner, Oilers baby!

[El Mudo]

I don't know if anyone is following the Canada/Russia Super Series but so far Canada is dominating. Here are some highlights:

Game 1
<object width="425" height="353"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BLJhrmiUIy8"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BLJhrmiUIy8" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object>

Game 2
<object width="425" height="353"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/HRYKq-RDG40"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/HRYKq-RDG40" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object>

This one is for the Ranger fans - Alexei Cherepanov gets lit the fuck up by Brandon Sutter
<object width="425" height="353"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/x7WTtWHOmf4"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/x7WTtWHOmf4" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="353"></embed></object>



I HATE HATE HATE not having TSN....how's Semen Varlamov playing?

[El Mudo]

New Canucks uniform...



http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20070829/naslund_63183.jpg



Good idea, but its ruined by the VANCOUVER written across the top

[Fallon]

I like it. It's different.

http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/08/aug2807_luongo_tt.jpg

This looks shitty.

http://images.smirkinchicken.com/display/ds:morgdad:1186401196:NewJerseys-Tops.jpg

These are nice.

http://images.smirkinchicken.com/display/ds:morgdad:1187272582:jersey_1_articl.jpg

[cougarjake13]

New Canucks uniform...



http://images.tsn.ca/images/stories/20070829/naslund_63183.jpg



Good idea, but its ruined by the VANCOUVER written across the top


looks like the hartford whalers

[El Mudo]

looks like the hartford whalers




I like the mix of the old school colors and the new school logo...thats fine...but the VANCOUVER just ruins it for me...its too much


I would love for them to go back to this one


http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/vintagejersey.jpg


And I always liked this version of the uniform

http://www.canuckscentral.com/images/hburecheer.jpg

[cougarjake13]

I like the mix of the old school colors and the new school logo...thats fine...but the VANCOUVER just ruins it for me...its too much


I would love for them to go back to this one


http://cdn.nhl.com/canucks/images/upload/2007/07/vintagejersey.jpg


And I always liked this version of the uniform

http://www.canuckscentral.com/images/hburecheer.jpg


yeh i liked the uni's they had against the rangers in the cup finals




you know what i see most in hockey that i dont see in other sports ??

complete uniform changes in colors

like with the canucks, there's no more orange or yellow

it be like the giants switching from red blue and white to green and white like the jets

[El Mudo]

New Flames Jersey


http://cdn.nhl.com/flames/images/upload/2007/08/jerseyfront_460.jpg


Basically the same, but I LOVE the additions of the Alberta and Canadian flags....


I WILL be buying a red Flames Jersey once I get my new Caps jersey...Ive always thought that flaming C was one of the best logos in all of sports

[MHasegawa]

New Flames Jersey


http://cdn.nhl.com/flames/images/upload/2007/08/jerseyfront_460.jpg


Basically the same, but I LOVE the additions of the Alberta and Canadian flags....


I WILL be buying a red Flames Jersey once I get my new Caps jersey...Ive always thought that flaming C was one of the best logos in all of sports



its nothing but glorified toilet paper...

[spoon]

Funny, the Sens and Canucks new unis blow while Montreal's and Calgary's new unis stayed pat with the new jersey style only. Love the flags also. Still waiting on the Av jerseys.

[ralphbxny]

Any pics of this years new uniforms...Ranger website and Modells are saying not available till next week to see?

[Gwen]

Is it time yet? I can't wait much longer for hockey to start, even though I now have football I only enjoy it 'cause I know it means hockey is coming.

[Gwen]

Also, I don't know if it has been mentioned in the thread yet ('cause I am too lazy to check back) but the Rangers are set to retire Leetch's #2 on January 24.

[ralphbxny]

Also, I don't know if it has been mentioned in the thread yet ('cause I am too lazy to check back) but the Rangers are set to retire Leetch's #2 on January 24.

Yeah the Rangers are saying they will not be releasing tickets to the public for this game. All tickets were sold to season ticket holders.

I am already pissy about this!! I should have never given up my season tickets!

[Kevin]

Rangers are #2 Favorites in Vegas to win the cup at 9-2 odds.. Ducks #1

[spoon]

Great site to check out the awful new jerseys around the league. Hate to say it, Buf and those that stayed pat are the best. Anyone that made updates, made it worse. They all seem so generic and ugly.

http://www.geocities.com/capn89/

[spoon]

Rangers are #2 Favorites in Vegas to win the cup at 9-2 odds.. Ducks #1

Well, give us the full rundown. I'm way too lazy to look that up!

[MHasegawa]

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb85/NHLProject/capnOIL1.jpg


AWFUL!!!

[spoon]

better than most. but the lines are weird and why do the striped stop and mimic bracelets?

[Earlshog]

I have my Fantasy draft this Sunday. Anyone have any sleepers / rookies they have a strong opinion about.

[spoon]

On the avs I think Wolski will have a big soph year and they've been talking a lot about Hlinka (30 year old rookie from Europe) as a good third liner/ late pick since he is ready to play as is. There is also a big buzz on Chris Stewart, a young kid who reminds a lot of people of Iginla, but I don't see him getting a ton of ice time early with Q.

On other teams I really like St. Louis to rebound nicely this year so take a look at their depth players for steals too. Anyone on SJ or Pitt of course (top two lines that is) and more which I'll hit later.

[Kevin]

Well, give us the full rundown. I'm way too lazy to look that up!

Odds as of Sept 10...

Anaheim Ducks 4-1

Detroit Red Wings 7-1

Ottawa Senators 8-1

Pittsburgh Penguins 10-1

Nashville Predators 40-1

San Jose Sharks 8-1

Minnesota Wild 17-1

Vancouver Canucks 17-1

Buffalo Sabres 15-1

New Jersey Devils 20-1

Dallas Stars 25-1

New York Rangers 9-2

Calgary Flames 25-1

Atlanta Thrashers 30-1

Colorado Avalanche 20-1

Toronto Maple Leafs 40-1

Montreal Canadiens 40-1

Tampa Bay Lightning 30-1

Carolina Hurricanes 40-1

Edmonton Oilers 60-1

Florida Panthers 55-1

St Louis Blues 60-1

Washington Capitals 60-1

New York Islanders 50-1

Los Angeles Kings 40-1

Boston Bruins 45-1

Columbus Blue Jackets 75-1

Philadelphia Flyers 15-1

Chicago Blackhawks 60-1

Phoenix Coyotes 100-1

[MHasegawa]

NHL looks to change schedule for 08-09 season (http://tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=218638&hubname=)

Hopefully, they have it where 1 team plays all 30 teams at least once a season.

[spoon]

That looks to be the plan. Great news.