At 2/27/06 07:00 PM, da_pope wrote: At 2/27/06 06:58 PM, Major_punk wrote:

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.

I still like him as a coach. But I might just be biased because I'm a leafs fan. =P

Should have gone with one of the Sutter brothers... Well mainly Darryl.

The guy who coached the world juniors to back to back world junior champions?

You got my vote.

At 2/27/06 07:10 PM, Major_punk wrote: The guy who coached the world juniors to back to back world junior champions?
You got my vote.

No. His brother... The Coach of the Flames.

Man, Finland hadn't lost a single game, had five shutouts, the top 2 scorers in the tourney, the tourney MVP and they fell short by just one goal short. That's a heartbreaker.

Hopefully Prucha can come back in a week or two. Reports indicate that Sturm will be back, so I hope he picks up his play, since i just grabbed him.

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

But the 'old' team was 4 years older and the game has got a lot faster, especially when you lose a season to a lockout. I was a little dissapointed that they didn't get the balance right, as you need the young stars to learn from the more experienced players during tournaments like this.

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. =|

I hope they ease up a little, but you don't want it to go backwards to the old style, where NJ could work their neutral zone trap.

At 2/27/06 09:13 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: Man, Finland hadn't lost a single game, had five shutouts, the top 2 scorers in the tourney, the tourney MVP and they fell short by just one goal short. That's a heartbreaker.

It sucks, but that's just how the game works. I still think the Swedes played really well and either them or the Fins would have deserved the gold, considering the gold was going to either Canada or the Czech Republic before we started.

I had a surprisingly good fantasy night tonight.
Sturn is turning into a great pickup for me, he got a goal in his first game back, and he got the game-winner tonight.
So is Colorado's Brett Clark, he potted the only goal in their 1-0 shutout of Adam Foote and the Blue Jackets.
Cristobal Huet continues to impress, he picked up a shutout for me tonight, which is his 3rd in his last 7 starts.

Elias has missed his last two games, which is a little worrisome. He's better than a point-a-game, so I can't carry on without him for too long.

At 3/3/06 12:42 AM, VeryProudofYa wrote: So is Colorado's Brett Clark, he potted the only goal in their 1-0 shutout of Adam Foote and the Blue Jackets.

Thank god for David Aebischer. Without him (and his shutout) Roggle would ahve passed me last night. Come to think of it, he earnt Roggle an extra 5 points, for giving Brett Clark the game winner, as well as an extra 5 for me with the shutout.

Still, it was a good game

funny thing happened to me, i was wearing my custom embroidered chicago jersey while i was biking down the street, and these men wearing yelling something at me. i thought they were saying racist things so i ignored them. but i realized they were saying 'chicagos going down'

is chicago really going down?

than i noticed theyre having a hockey game tonight.

now im in fear of wearing my clothes because rowdy canucks fan may yell at me

At 3/3/06 09:44 PM, sb1 wrote:

now im in fear of wearing my clothes because rowdy canucks fan may yell at me

hm, depending on where you live, hockey is VERY serious business.
As to wether or not they're going down, for the game, it looks like not. They're holding a 3-0 lead midway through the third.

But for the season, yes, they are. They burned out their salary on Khabibulin and Aucoin as if they're itching to make a cup run. I DO think they're headed for the cup, not now, but it will be in 4-5 years when their young talent has developed more.

At 3/3/06 09:54 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: hm, depending on where you live, hockey is VERY serious business.

I saw some guy get the shit kicked out of him for burning a cardboard cut-out of Iginla yesterday at the Flames/Blues games.

Oh man, I slid into 8th, Sandis Ozolinsh saved the day with his game winning goal in only his second game back after missing 3 months with a knee injury and substance abuse counseling.

Looks like i won't be in 8th for long, Coop's lineup is STACKED today.

At 3/4/06 02:50 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: Looks like i won't be in 8th for long, Coop's lineup is STACKED today.

Yeah, I had a good evening. I really need to see Svatos break out of his scoring slump, as he hasn't scored since the Olympic Break.

I was wondering: Is there going to be an All-Star break this year or did the Olympics serve that purpose well enough?

At 3/6/06 06:46 AM, mr_trivia wrote: I was wondering: Is there going to be an All-Star break this year or did the Olympics serve that purpose well enough?

No, the Olympic break co-incided nicely with what would ahve been all-star weekend, so it was axed. It's a shame, but I'd rather see a full schedule and sacrifice the all star weekend to accomodate the olympics. I guees most of the members here would ahve agreed before the olympics :P

Moving into the stretch means we have a chance to analyse the season so far and predict the winners of the annual awards. (I guess that Oscar fever is rubbing off on me :D)

Here's my predictions:
Art Ross (NHL Leading scorer) Jaromir Jagr
Bill Masterson Trophy (Perserverance & Sportsmanship) No idea, but it's nothing to do with stats.
Calder Trophy (Best Rookie) Alexander Ovetchkin
Clarence S. Campbell Bowl (Western Conference Champs) It's hard to bet against the wings, but I'll pick San Jose (I just got that feeling)
Conn Smythe Trophy (Playoffs MVP) Who knows? We've got tos see post season action for that baby.
Frank J. Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward) Difficult choice, but I'll say Jere Lehtinen for now.
Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL MVP) Jaromir Jagr (possibly Joe Thornton) as both have propelled their teams
Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year) Darryl Sutter
James Norris Memoril Trophy (Best Defenceman) Niklas Lidstrom has been strong once again
King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Leadership and Humanitarian Contribution) See Bill Masterson Trophy
Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Gentlemanly Conduct) Joe Sakic. I'll stick with my captain, since I know he's a gent ont he ice.
Lester B. Pearson Award (NHLPA MVP) Jaromir Jagr or Joe Thornton
Lester Patrick Trophy (Outstanding contribution to Hockey in the USA) Again, I don't know.
Maurice Richard Trophy (Top Goal Scorer) Jaromir Jagr. He's only scored 50+ goals in his career twice, I think this season is number 3. The record for the award winner (59 by Pavel Bure in 1999) and with it his career mark of 62 could be under threat.
President's Trophy (Best record in the NHL) Carolina or Detroit
Prince of Wales Trophy (East Champions) I think this will be either Carolina or New York (R)
Vezina (Top Goalie) Hasek or Kiprusoff (shutouts make the man here)
William M. Jennings Trophy (Fewest Goals Against) Henrik Lundqvist.

OK, who has everyone else got?

At 3/6/06 07:51 AM, Coop83 wrote:

Here's my predictions:
Art Ross (NHL Leading scorer) Jaromir Jagr

Agreed, it's his to lose right now

Calder Trophy (Best Rookie) Alexander Ovetchkin

Again

Clarence S. Campbell Bowl (Western Conference Champs)

If Legace had more playoff experience I'd take the wings, but for now it's Dallas.

Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL MVP)

Jagr or Staal have solid shots, but I'll take Ovechkin. Just look at his percentage of the teams total offense.

Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year)

If Andy Murray on the kings can get his team deeper into the playoff race, I'd take him

James Norris Memoril Trophy (Best Defenceman)

I think it Might be Zubov's year.

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Gentlemanly Conduct) Joe Sakic.

Lester B. Pearson Award (NHLPA MVP) Jaromir Jagr or Joe Thornton

I think Staal will take it

Maurice Richard Trophy (Top Goal Scorer)

jagr

President's Trophy (Best record in the NHL) Carolina or Detroit

Carolina will be hurt with the loss of Cole, Detroit gets the nod from me

Prince of Wales Trophy (East Champions)

Depending on how many players can get healthy and stay healthy, Philly. But if things go the way they have for them, then I like the Rangers.

Vezina (Top Goalie)

Kipper, he has no offensive support and his team is at the top of the Northwest. Plus, Hasek is sidlined with that injury he sustained in the olympics.

William M. Jennings Trophy (Fewest Goals Against) Henrik Lundqvist.

At 3/6/06 05:46 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: Jagr or Staal have solid shots, but I'll take Ovechkin. Just look at his percentage of the teams total offense.

But when all's said and done, he has still only guided his team to being 28th in the whole NHL. I couldn't make him MVP without seeing his team in the postseason.

Though what you said about Kipper, means he has a shot at MVP for his exploits.

Whoo, some good games on tonight. Colorado was in danger of falling to the lowly blues when Sakic broke out of a slump and netted the tying goal, allowing them to pick up the win in the xtra session.

The Kings came back and defeated the Wild to keep themselves in the playoffs.

Edmonton managed to pick up a point tonight and their lead was trimmed to 3 points in the Western race.

the Ducks/Sharks game was fantastic.

The first period started with the Ducks picking up a goal, but things would open up in the second.

The Sharks pulled into a tie, then took a 2-1 lead in the second, but Andy Mcdonald picked up 2 goals 90 seconds apart to reclaim the lead for The Ducks.
Three minutes into the third the sharks pulled into a 3-3 tie, and it would be ten more minutes before Perry would steal the puck from a Shark penalty killer, dance around him, and put his team up 4-3. But on the very next play the Sharks tied it.

It went into overtime where not much happend right at the start, but Joe Thorton got a break-away and cruised down the ice before being denied by Jiggy. On the Ducks next chance, Ozolinsh blasted a shot that was too much to handle for Nabakov, and Marleau knocked it into his own net.

Jiggy had a fantastic game with 44 saves on 48 shots.

Holy Fuck.
I pray that my precious Flames don't have to play Nashville in the playoffs. We can't beat them!

At 3/8/06 01:21 AM, VeryProudofYa wrote: the Ducks/Sharks game was fantastic.

It's a shame the season series is almost over for them Anaheim leads 4-2-1

At 3/8/06 01:41 AM, da_pope wrote: Holy Fuck.
I pray that my precious Flames don't have to play Nashville in the playoffs. We can't beat them!

Playoff hockey is always different. I'm hoping I don't have to see the Avs face the Wings, as we can't beat them (but few teams can)

Théodore is going to Colorado....

I hope that the Avalanche knows that Josee isn't Patrick Roy...

At 3/8/06 08:44 PM, Snowy_Beast wrote:

Théodore is going to Colorado....

I hope that the Avalanche knows that Josee isn't Patrick Roy...

Crazy...

Hes had a lot of criticizm lately from playing poorly and the hair replacement "steroids" issue.
Mabye this is good for Theodore, not sure if it's good for Colorado though.

The Theodore swap will both help and hurt me, since it means Abby will split playing time withh Huet, Coop will get less points. But since Huet will be playing less, I'll get fewer points. That leaves me with one starter, and two splitting time.

Edmonton getting Roloson is bad news for all the bubble teams, because that was their main weakness, now the team to pass is the kings.

Théodore...

I'm so happy about this trade, and the good thing is that Bob Gainey said they might trade even more for a big player... like Bertuzzi or Selanne... who knoes!

At 3/8/06 08:44 PM, Snowy_Beast wrote: Théodore is going to Colorado....

I hope that the Avalanche knows that Josee isn't Patrick Roy...

OK, I'll say that I'm opposed to this trade, because JT is injured and Abby was beginning to play better. I'm not to sure about the Budaj / Kolesnik platoon while we wait for Jose to recover from his heel injury.

Plus, this messes with my fantasy team a little >:(

I'm very pissed off at Sutter right now.
Lundmark is all we got... We might as well have kept Rineprecht.

Everyone in the Western Confrence playoff race got better besides the Flames and Avalanche.

O'well... At least the as got worse.

The Ducks cleared out some cap space, got a few more prospects and draft picks, and still managed to get a few slices of pie for the final push.

I have a feeling that Jiggy will be traded in the offseason, and they're only holding on to him in case he makes another incredible run like he did a few seasons ago.

At 3/9/06 08:29 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote:

I have a feeling that Jiggy will be traded in the offseason, and they're only holding on to him in case he makes another incredible run like he did a few seasons ago.

Ahh, good memories... I'm sure the worlds second favourite team was the Ducks just for those few weeks as everyone else got knocked out. =)

So what do you guys think the chances are that the Maple Leafs will miss the playoffs this year? It doesn't look very bright for the buds.... =(

At 3/9/06 11:39 PM, Major_punk wrote:

So what do you guys think the chances are that the Maple Leafs will miss the playoffs this year? It doesn't look very bright for the buds.... =(

Almost 100%

Eddie's too old, they need to start getting prospects by way of trading or something, because they'll have a tough go of rebuilding in a few years. I don't understand why they brought in an older defenseman at the deadline, since it's clear they needed to start hunting for prospects.

At 3/9/06 05:28 PM, da_pope wrote: O'well... At least the Avs got worse.

Just kick a man when he's down. Just what I fucking need right now.

At 3/9/06 11:45 PM, VeryProudofYa wrote: Eddie's too old, they need to start getting prospects by way of trading or something, because they'll have a tough go of rebuilding in a few years. I don't understand why they brought in an older defenseman at the deadline, since it's clear they needed to start hunting for prospects.

No, the leafs are too old. They need lots of young blood to breathe a new lease of life into the team, which coped well with the old speed NHL, but now it's faster, they can't react as quickly.

At 3/9/06 08:32 AM, Coop83 wrote:

At 3/8/06 08:44 PM, Snowy_Beast wrote: Théodore is going to Colorado....

I hope that the Avalanche knows that Josee isn't Patrick Roy...

OK, I'll say that I'm opposed to this trade, because JT is injured and Abby was beginning to play better. I'm not to sure about the Budaj / Kolesnik platoon while we wait for Jose to recover from his heel injury.

Lacroix made a tricky move! It may cost him his job......... but it may save it, as well.

Time will be the judge of this. But Josee will cost 5.5 and 6M for the next 2 years! He better deliever cuz Avalache will be stuck with him and he's enormous contract!

At 3/10/06 10:54 AM, Goddess_Of_War wrote: Lacroix made a tricky move! It may cost him his job......... but it may save it, as well.

The same can be said about each and every deal that a GM makes.

Time will be the judge of this. But Josee will cost 5.5 and 6M for the next 2 years! He better deliever cuz Avalache will be stuck with him and he's enormous contract!

In short, the Avs have traded a talented, inexpensive (relatively) fit, goalie who has form on his side for an injured, expensive, potentially brilliant goalie who is in the middle of one of the biggest ruts of his career. The move could be exactly what both goalies need to become really good.

I hope for the Avs sake that it works for Jose, but I will continue to monitor Abby, to see if he does better or worse.

I have similar feelings about this compared to the deal which took Chris Drury from Denver. He would have been great with Hejduk and Tanguay on the same line together.