Reminds me of a joke. "Where's the red-light district in Toronto?"
"Behind the Maple Leaf's net!"

It works with most any hockey team, I just heard it first with Toronto.

At 1/28/06 07:32 PM, da_pope wrote: At 1/28/06 07:29 PM, Major_punk wrote: From the east: The Toronto Maple Leafs.

Oh ya... Hows it feel not being in a playoff spot :P

It's a change to put it lightly, it seems the Leafs always make the playoff's like it's just natural and automatic.
But not this year. This year it's gonna be a dogfight and the only players who are willing to get in there and be gritty and tough along the boards are injured... or in Florida.

Well I could probably answer that seeing how my team wasn't in the playoffs for seven years in a row... Excluding last year where they where the conference champs :P

A Calgary fan I see, when they were up against Tampa in the finals that's the team I was rooting for. Anyway I wish them luck this year.

So I suppose to start it off... what do you guys think of Don Cherry?

Cherry is my favorite Racist,

Racist? You didn't buy into that bullshit in the local papers that was written by authors who know nothing about hockey did ya. I hope not.

Im kidding, but seriously to me Cherry deserves a gold 12 foot statue.

oooh, some news

You knew it was going to happen, Doug Weight has been traded to the carolina hurricanes. He's a skilled setup man that'll help out on the man advantage

Sillinger has also been traded from the Blues, he's headed to nashville. He's a master in the faceoff circle and has been striking powerplay gold this season.

The Ducks aren't so mighty anymore, starting next season they'll be known as simply the Anahiem Ducks. There may or may not be jersey changes.

So...as for the Toronto Maple Leafs:

ITS ABOUT FUCKING TIME

Even though they won, its a real hollow victory. They're still taking ridiculous penalties that could (and probably should) have cost them the game tonight. They need to step it up soon.

In other news:
Jovanovski is going to have to have surgery and will miss the Olympic games in Italy next month. What does this mean? Well, it means Bryan McCabe will most likely be heading to Torino in February! Woo!

At 1/30/06 10:23 PM, -Gooch- wrote:

Only if his injury has healed in time. I don't really know if he played in tonight's victory against Florida or not. I'm guessing he didn't, since rookie Jay Harrison got to play again.

Nah, hes still out with the groin inquiry, but hes real close to coming back. Here in the
Toronto Sun it says:

"McCabe was in full practice mode yesterday at Lakeshore Lions Arena, aiming to play tonight in Sunrise, Fla., against the Panthers or tomorrow in Tampa Bay. "

So he might even play tommorow.

At 1/30/06 10:49 PM, Major_punk wrote: So he might even play tommorow.

They said on Sportsnet during their coverage of the game today that McCabe is expected to play in tomorrow night's game. I for one am very glad he's coming back. Its been a long tough road without him.

At 1/30/06 05:52 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: You knew it was going to happen, Doug Weight has been traded to the carolina hurricanes. He's a skilled setup man that'll help out on the man advantage

Man did Carolina ever get robbed for a rent-a-player. they got Wieght and some no name for 2 players and 3 picks (one of which being a 1st rounder). I'm a little pissed that Calgary didn't get Wieght but I'd never want to give that much for a band-aid.

On another note I can't belive my Flames lost to a torn apart Blues team... jesus christ we we're playing there fucking farm team and couldn't get the job done. Why can't the flames ever play better against shitty teams... They basically play to the level of there opponent, so if they play a elite team they'll play like an elite team, if they play a shitty team they'll play like a shitty team...It's so sad :(

At 1/30/06 11:26 PM, da_pope wrote:

At 1/30/06 05:52 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: You knew it was going to happen, Doug Weight has been traded to the carolina hurricanes. He's a skilled setup man that'll help out on the man advantage

Man did Carolina ever get robbed for a rent-a-player. they got Wieght and some no name for 2 players and 3 picks (one of which being a 1st rounder). I'm a little pissed that Calgary didn't get Wieght but I'd never want to give that much for a band-aid.

Yeah, I would agree with your assessment on that trade pope. I actually heard rumors of him going to my Flyers, but I guess Bob Clarke didn't want to give up that much, which would most likely have included good rookie players Mike Richards and/or Jeff Carter.

At 1/27/06 01:56 PM, da_pope wrote: Thats 8th place right there! MOTHER FUCKER.

I'm determined to keep hold of 8th, thank you very much (unless I can move up the league, that is)

At 1/30/06 11:26 PM, da_pope wrote: Man did Carolina ever get robbed for a rent-a-player. they got Wieght and some no name for 2 players and 3 picks (one of which being a 1st rounder). I'm a little pissed that Calgary didn't get Wieght but I'd never want to give that much for a band-aid.

*jaw drops*

Well, it seems we have out 'stupid trade of the season award' right here.

Teemu Selanne became only the second Finnish player reach 1,000 points, which he did by scoring two goals in 4-3 win over the Kings.

And I think that Carolina thinks this is their year, since the made such a wild trade. But, Weight had a big point total and nobody on his team skilled enough to finish his plays. I think if the Canes win the cup, it will be with Weight's skill and setup ability.

Well, the Leafs lost again. But at least it was a shootout loss, so we still get a point. My Leafs are tearing at my heart this year.

In Olympic news, Nedermeier (spelling?) may not be representing Canada at Torino this year. So, that would mean 2 of our starting defensement would be missing from the Olympics. With Bryan McCabe taking Jovanovski's place on the main roster, the question is, who would Gretzky and company bring up? I've heard rumblings of Dion Phaneuf, the rookie from Calgary. I'd like to see Phaneuf on the team, but I don't think this Olympic games are right for him. Granted, he does have experience on the international level (World Juniors), but the Olympics may prove too intense for such a young player.

yeah, scott niedermayer has some torn cartilage in his knee. After watching him night in and night out it's difficult to imagine how well he'll skate when his knee is healed.

oh, just saw this

Update: It looks like Tkachuk (hand) isn't quite ready to return to the lineup tonight against Calgary, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The winger has missed 21 games with a fractured hand.

Recommendation: The Blues didn't completely rule out Tkachuk's return Monday, but it looks much more likely he will return Wednesday when the Blues travel to Detroit.

Well, today's the game vs detriot and I've pulled him off IR, I hope he plays as well as he did before.

At 2/1/06 08:43 AM, VeryProudofYa wrote: Well, today's the game vs detriot and I've pulled him off IR, I hope he plays as well as he did before.

It will take Keith Tkachuk a while to get back into a groove, so don't get holding your breath, VPoY.

Avs won last night. We need a bit of a winning streak to get back into the division contention.

At 2/1/06 08:50 AM, Coop83 wrote:

At 2/1/06 08:43 AM, VeryProudofYa wrote: Well, today's the game vs detriot and I've pulled him off IR, I hope he plays as well as he did before.

It will take Keith Tkachuk a while to get back into a groove, so don't get holding your breath, VPoY.

Avs won last night. We need a bit of a winning streak to get back into the division contention.

Well, when he came back from the rib injury he hit the ground running and scored about 14 points in 8 games.

Canes dominated the Canadiens. I went to watch it on my center ice package and it was in FRENCH.

:(

10th place, whoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I'm edging out da_pope by a measly half a point

Anyone else besides myself think the NHL is Amazing this year?

Who'd of thunk that the Rangers, Hurricanes, and Predators would all be doing so well.

Then again, Carolina was on a hot streak even before lockout.

Anyone else remember when Ottawa was the worst team in the league?

I would'nt dare say that now though,

At 2/3/06 10:07 AM, AngleSlamX wrote: Anyone else besides myself think the NHL is Amazing this year?

It is great now, isn't it?

Who'd of thunk that the Rangers, Hurricanes, and Predators would all be doing so well.

Rangers maybe, but Canes and Preds were WELL off the radar.

Then again, Carolina was on a hot streak even before lockout.

True, but Eric Staal has had a massive breakout year

Anyone else remember when Ottawa was the worst team in the league?

Technically they still are. They haven't done that well in the playoffs, which is where their demons lurk.

I would'nt dare say that now though,

I'm waiting for the playoffs. Not long now, until it gets intense.

Man, my region got lucky on the NBC NHL broadcasts.
THe Wings Avs game ended just in time to cut to the beginning of the Blues Dallas overtime.
Tkatchuk fed Jackman for the winner just in time to cut to the Pens Isles game. Which ended up going to a shoot, where fluery went for a poke-check TWICE. He, of course, missed both attempts and Satan finished up his regulation hat trick with the difference maker in the shootout.

A few shutouts last night too.
San Jose
Boston
Chicago
Colorado
Washington.

San Jose's was their second this season overall, and second in three games against the Ducks.
The Avalanche were shutout for the first time at all this season.

At 2/5/06 10:01 AM, VeryProudofYa wrote: The Avalanche were shutout for the first time at all this season.

I'm not bothered that we were shut out on Saturday. I'm REALLY bothered that we lost to Detroit.

At 2/3/06 10:07 AM, AngleSlamX wrote:

Anyone else besides myself think the NHL is Amazing this year?

I liked the NHL better before the lockout and new rules.

It seems to me that some players are scared to put the stick on the body and that's a terrible way to play hockey.
Hockey is a gritty kind a game I used to love to see players break free from a hook like a runningback breaks free from a tackle but now you don't see that anymore.

No, most of the players when they feel a hook think "penalty!!! =)" and they try to sell it best, who enjoys watching a player throwing his arms in the air from a small tug on the jersey, some players even act like they were shot from their reaction of a hook.

At 2/6/06 08:46 AM, Coop83 wrote:

At 2/5/06 10:01 AM, VeryProudofYa wrote: The Avalanche were shutout for the first time at all this season.

I'm not bothered that we were shut out on Saturday. I'm REALLY bothered that we lost to Detroit.

and what a lost it was! Legace goaled like a king!

People notice all the Shout Out lately?

Habs - 2
Wings -1
Nashville - 1
Tampa - 1
Anaheim - 1
New Jersey - 1

At 2/6/06 11:26 AM, Snowy_Beast wrote:

At 2/6/06 08:46 AM, Coop83 wrote:

At 2/5/06 10:01 AM, VeryProudofYa wrote: The Avalanche were shutout for the first time at all this season.

I'm not bothered that we were shut out on Saturday. I'm REALLY bothered that we lost to Detroit.

and what a lost it was! Legace goaled like a king!

People notice all the Shout Out lately?

Habs - 2
Wings -1
Nashville - 1
Tampa - 1
Anaheim - 1
New Jersey - 1

Yeah, shutouts are up from the beginning of the season.
Before the new year there was a shutout every 14.3 games, now it's every 7.0 games.

At 2/6/06 11:23 AM, Major_punk wrote: No, most of the players when they feel a hook think "penalty!!! =)" and they try to sell it best, who enjoys watching a player throwing his arms in the air from a small tug on the jersey, some players even act like they were shot from their reaction of a hook.

I'd prefer the players to try to carry on playing, as then they might get a scoring chance out of it and a penalty as well. Kind of like basketball, with a shot and the foul.

At 2/7/06 08:42 AM, Coop83 wrote:

At 2/6/06 11:23 AM, Major_punk wrote: No, most of the players when they feel a hook think "penalty!!! =)" and they try to sell it best, who enjoys watching a player throwing his arms in the air from a small tug on the jersey, some players even act like they were shot from their reaction of a hook.

I'd prefer the players to try to carry on playing, as then they might get a scoring chance out of it and a penalty as well. Kind of like basketball, with a shot and the foul.

Well yeah I would prefer that as well, and more often than not I believe they do carry on if they think they can still do something productive. I wouldn't go so far as throwing a basketball analogy there because I think basketball's rules has it set up that a slight graze which affects the game in no way could be called a foul. Hockey on the other hand is more of a contact sport in which most infractions impede play and they allow a lot of incidental roughness associated with a contact sport.

So uhmm... anybody place bets with Tocchet?

At 2/8/06 02:21 AM, phileeguy wrote: Well yeah I would prefer that as well, and more often than not I believe they do carry on if they think they can still do something productive. I wouldn't go so far as throwing a basketball analogy there because I think basketball's rules has it set up that a slight graze which affects the game in no way could be called a foul. Hockey on the other hand is more of a contact sport in which most infractions impede play and they allow a lot of incidental roughness associated with a contact sport.

It's a fair comment. I'm getting angry with some of the 'obstruction' calls layed down in the rugby, because they are slowing the game down, and the refs aren't cracking down on the really nasty aspects of the game, like spear tackles (picking the guy up and slamming him down into the turf) If something like that happens in the NHL, there are suspensions, fines and possible criminal proceedings.

Anyway, the Avs scored another vital divisional win last night, beating Edmonton 5-2 I like the way that all of the team is playing, rather than having one guy run away with the scoring lead, as that way if he gets injured, the team doesn't lose all of the momentum.

Fuck Canada, Fuck Pronger.

At 2/23/06 11:51 PM, da_pope wrote: Fuck Canada, Fuck Pronger.

Silly decision by Canada not to include the good players from the 'evolved' NHL, like Staal. I'm still sitting on the fence about Crosby.

Anyway, congratulations to Sweden (and the burying of the Tommy Salo incident)

Bring back the NHL. Go Avs!

At 2/27/06 09:11 AM, Coop83 wrote:

Silly decision by Canada not to include the good players from the 'evolved' NHL, like Staal. I'm still sitting on the fence about Crosby.

Hmm maybe, but even in Salt lake Canada was accused of going with an 'old' team and they turned out pretty damn fine. I had no problem with the team that went to Turin.

Bring back the NHL. Go Avs!

Yep, the final stretch with roughly 25 games until playoffs. It'll be sweet and i'm curious to see if the refs with lighten up on the hooking calls then to. =|

At 2/27/06 06:58 PM, Major_punk wrote:

At 2/27/06 09:11 AM, Coop83 wrote:

Silly decision by Canada not to include the good players from the 'evolved' NHL, like Staal. I'm still sitting on the fence about Crosby.

Hmm maybe, but even in Salt lake Canada was accused of going with an 'old' team and they turned out pretty damn fine. I had no problem with the team that went to Turin.

I'm pissed that they got Quinn to coach.
Should have gone with one of the Sutter brothers... Well mainly Darryl.