NHL 2011-2012 offseason and on!

[MalReynolds]

The "free agent frenzy" begins this friday

Here (http://www.capgeek.com/free_agents.php)is a list of the free agents.


Heading the "thin pack" of free agents is Brad Richards.

Start the craziness which is the off season!

[biosc1]

Bieksa resigned for 5-years $23 million. For a guy we were about to trade at the beginning of the year, he really turned it around. Hopefully, he stays consistent.

Vancouver also kept Lapierre who I think will be a solid 4th centre.

Now, it's just Ehroff and Salo remaining...we'll probably lose Ehroff and do we really want to keep Salo?

[MalReynolds]

more signing

Forward Brooks Laich has signed a six-year, $27 million contract to stay with the Washington Capitals.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have reportedly agreed with forward Pascal Dupuis to a two-year contract worth $3 million.

The Vancouver Canucks have signed restricted free agent Maxim Lapierre to a two-year deal worth $2-million.

According to RDS, Marc-Andre Bergeron has signed a two-year, $2 million deal with the club.

The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed defenceman Joni Pitkanen to a 3-year, $13.5 million contract.

[MalReynolds]

While the Vancouver Canucks locked up an important piece of their blueline in Kevin Bieksa on Monday, it looks like another one of their key defencemen will be testing the market.

TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie reports that negotiations between Christian Ehrhoff and the Canucks have not resulted in a deal getting done to this point, so it's looking more like he will go to unrestricted free agency on Friday.

Sources say Ehrhoff was offered the same deal Bieksa received and accepted this week. Bieksa signed a new five-year, $23 million contract that includes a no-trade clause.

According to sources, the Canucks are now apparently soliciting interest in his pre-July 1 negotiating rights, though the door isn't closed entirely on a return to Vancouver.

The 28-year-old was acquired by the Canucks from San Jose prior to the 2009-10 season. In two years with Vancouver, he posted back-to-back 14-goal seasons, the two best totals of his seven-year career.

He finished with a career-high 50 points last season and has has 53 goals and 173 assists in 500 career NHL games.




sucks for Vancouver

[Uatu]

Brooks Laich's signing was a huge surprise. Pretty much everyone had scratched him off the roster once Troy Brouwer was signed during the Draft.

He was considered the number 2 or 3 pick for Friday and was estimated to make more money leaving DC, but he stated that he couldn't leave the team. I was surprised how much DC ended up offering him, since right now cap space is what we need. I am expecting some of the dead weight to get cut soon enough. Two predictions for me would be DJ King and Matt Bradley. Not commenting anything on their ability, but they are definitely currently filling roles the Capitals don't need. I also don't think we will see much of our new acquirements from later last season. Sucks, but oh well.

Think I may pick up a Laich jersey before the season starts; dude is a great player and has integrity, and it is awesome we will have both him and Brouwer tearing things up down the center.

[biosc1]

sucks for Vancouver

Yah, it was not expected to have Erhoff re-signed.

If we're really lucky and Gillis is crazy, we may get Shea Weber :)

[MalReynolds]

Yah, it was not expected to have Erhoff re-signed.

If we're really lucky and Gillis is crazy, we may get Shea Weber :)

have fun with that


also i wasnt expecting Dupuis to be back but he is i suppose

[MalReynolds]

Brooks Laich's signing was a huge surprise. Pretty much everyone had scratched him off the roster once Troy Brouwer was signed during the Draft.

He was considered the number 2 or 3 pick for Friday and was estimated to make more money leaving DC, but he stated that he couldn't leave the team. I was surprised how much DC ended up offering him, since right now cap space is what we need. I am expecting some of the dead weight to get cut soon enough. Two predictions for me would be DJ King and Matt Bradley. Not commenting anything on their ability, but they are definitely currently filling roles the Capitals don't need. I also don't think we will see much of our new acquirements from later last season. Sucks, but oh well.

Think I may pick up a Laich jersey before the season starts; dude is a great player and has integrity, and it is awesome we will have both him and Brouwer tearing things up down the center.

i think 4.5 million is a little to much for Laich but hes a good play non the less

[Jackel]

Ehrhoff had his rights sent to the islanders for a 4th round pick. Better than nothing.

Brought to you by that storm on my Thunderbolt.

[Hyperglide]

Max Talbot to the Leafs perhaps? I like it. Rumours are Burkie is trying to obtain is rights before July 1st. He'd be a great 4th line center with Brown and Rupp (FA signing) or Orr but I really like Brent :(

[MalReynolds]

The Buffalo Sabres have re-signed forward Nathan Gerbe to a three-year, $4.3 million deal with an average cap hit of $1.43 million per season

The Carolina Hurricanes and Chad Larose have agreed to terms on a two-year deal worth $3.4 million

Two more deals

The Florida Panthers announced they have signed Tomas Kopecky to a four-year deal

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed centre Adam Hall to a one-year, $600,000 contract

The New York Rangers are reportedly preparing to buy out the contract of forward Chris Drury in a move that will make the veteran an unrestricted free agent.

The value of the buyout will be $3.7 million, with $1.66 million due next year.

The New York Post is reporting that the 34-year-old Rangers captain, who played four seasons in New York, will be bought out on Wednesday.

Drury was due to earn $5 million during the upcoming final season of a five-year, $35.25 million deal that he signed after coming over from the Buffalo Sabres as a free agent in the summer of 2007.

Drury was limited to 24 games last season because of two broken fingers and knee surgery. The Post reports that he is eligible to sign a one-year contract with bonuses because he was on the injured reserve list for more than 100 days last season.

In an e-mail to the Post, Drury acknowledged that his time in New York was coming to an end.

"It was a great honor and privilege to be a New York Ranger for the past four years, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to fulfill that childhood dream," said Drury to the Post. "The Rangers are a first-class organization with great people in the hockey, public relations, team services and community relations departments.

"I wish all the fans and the entire Ranger organization the best of luck in the future."

Drury won the Calder Trophy in 1998-99 and captured the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2001. He is a three-time Olympian who has won two silver medals for the U.S.

In 892 NHL contests Drury has 255 goals and 615 points while playing for Colorado, Calgary, Buffalo, and the Rangers.

The Penguins have made an offer to Jaromir Jagr to return to Pittsburgh and according to general manager Ray Shero, an answer is expected to come Wednesday.

The Penguins offered the winger a one-year contract on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"We'll find out tomorrow," Shero told the newspaper. "We made our offer. It's an offer that really isn't going to change. We only have so much to spend."

The five-time scoring champion was a pivotal player in helping the Penguins win back-to-back Stanley Cup championships in 1991 and 1992 and has not played for any NHL club since the 2007-08 season when he was a member of the New York Rangers.

The seven-time All-Star also played for the Washington Capitals before joining the Rangers in a trade during the 2003-04 season.

"He was an icon in Pittsburgh," Shero told the Gazette. "We'd like to see him finish his career here."

Jagr had 50 points in 49 games with Avangard Omsk of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League last season.

Earlier in the day, the Penguins re-signed forward Pascal Dupuis to a two-year contract worth $3 million. The deal will count $1.5 million against Pittsburgh's salary cap over the next two seasons.

Paul Kariya has decided to retire after 15 seasons in the NHL.

The Tampa Bay Lightning have re-signed goalie Dwayne Roloson to a one-year deal worth $3 million.

The Montreal Canadiens have traded the rights to defenceman James Wisniewski to the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a conditional seventh-round draft pick in 2012.

The Montreal Canadiens have re-signed defenseman Yannick Weber to a two-year contract.

Anaheim, CA (Sports Network) - The Anaheim Ducks announced the retirement of forward Todd Marchant on Wednesday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have acquired the negotiating rights to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Maxime Talbot, according to an RDS report.

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed defenceman Andrew Alberts to a two-year contract extension.

[Troggles]

Glad to see the Sabres keep Gerbe. It's fun watching him and Myers on the ice at the same time. The height difference between the two is enough to create another man.

[MalReynolds]

Glad to see the Sabres keep Gerbe. It's fun watching him and Myers on the ice at the same time. The height difference between the two is enough to create another man.

but its a sad day in Pittsburgh :(

[Troggles]

I really like the young core of players we have going in Buffalo. The last three rookies of the year for the AHL have all come from our team.

[Troggles]

The Sabres have acquired the rights to negotiate with defenseman Christian Ehrhoff from the NY Islanders for a 4th rd. draft pick in 2012

Nice try Islanders, but let a real team do some negotiating now.

[MalReynolds]

Nice try Islanders, but let a real team do some negotiating now.

because no one wants to be in NYI

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Blackhawks have acquired the negotiating rights to defenceman Steve Montador from the Buffalo Sabres for a seventh-round pick in either the 2012 or 2013 draft.


The Pittsburgh Penguins agreed to terms with forward Arron Asham on a one-year, $775,000 contract on Wednesday

[Dark Prince]

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello doesn’t expect to be nearly as involved in the UFA market this summer.

“I don’t think so,” he said (http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/devils_wont_be_as_active_on_the_free_agent_market_ this_year/).


Not a bad idea actually; need to take a break, we already had many signings last year. We just need ton concentrate on resigning some guys. I could see maybe them going after a puck-moving defenseman which is what we really need right now. Although Larsson is a great addition, it'll take time before he is developed to be NHL ready, if he doesn't make the roster right out camp.

[MalReynolds]

The Edmonton Oilers have re-signed defenceman Ladislav Smid to a two-year contract extension.

The St. Louis Blues have re-signed restricted free agent forward T.J. Oshie to a one-year, $2.35-million contract.

more signings

[biosc1]

Nice try Islanders, but let a real team do some negotiating now.

Man, 4th round draft picks are just flying around.

Not a bad idea actually; need to take a break, we already had many signings last year. We just need ton concentrate on resigning some guys. I could see maybe them going after a puck-moving defenseman which is what we really need right now. Although Larsson is a great addition, it'll take time before he is developed to be NHL ready, if he doesn't make the roster right out camp.

The UFA market isn't that deep this year. It's the RFA market that will bring some surprises.

Especially if Philly does the rumoured $10m/yr x 10 year offer to Stamkos.

[Kielaran]

Jagr is back in Pittsburgh!

[MalReynolds]

Jagr is back in Pittsburgh!

where did u see that?

[shunoshi]

Jagr is back in Pittsburgh!

where did u see that?

No deal yet; he's in talks with Pitt.

[MalReynolds]

No deal yet; he's in talks with Pitt.

gonna say i havnt seen it anywhere

[biosc1]

I heard Montreal was in the running as well, but I don't see why they would bother.

[MalReynolds]

I heard Montreal was in the running as well, but I don't see why they would bother.

because Jagr really wants to be bitched! fuck Montreal :P

Defenceman Christian Ehrhoff has agreed to terms with the Buffalo Sabres, signing a 10-year deal worth $40 million.

[Dark Prince]

Man, 4th round draft picks are just flying around.



The UFA market isn't that deep this year. It's the RFA market that will bring some surprises.

Especially if Philly does the rumoured $10m/yr x 10 year offer to Stamkos.

That would be interesting if that's true. Although, Stamkos would be nice, I think we got our wing covered with Parise :D...get it done Lou!

And yea, the UFA market isn't exactly eye popping. But, you never know; you might find a lucky one out of the bunch that could work.

[MalReynolds]

James Wisniewski has been signed to a six-year 33- million deal by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed another blueliner for next season, locking up Sami Salo with a one-year, $2 million contract.

two more off the list


The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed free agent forward Chris Higgins to a 2-year deal with a $1.9 million annual cap hit.

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Ray Shero announced that they have withdrawn their contract offer to unrestricted free agent Jaromir Jagr.

The Detroit Red Wings have re-signed Patrick Eaves to a three-year $3.6 million contract on Friday.

Flyers have signed Handzus per Tsn

Tyler Kennedy has signed a 2 year deal at the some of 2 per year!

DET signing Drew Miller to 2 year deal paying him $800K in first year and $850K in second year

[biosc1]

Rumour is, Salo sprained his finger while signing the contract.

He's day-to-day.

[MalReynolds]

im just happy Kennedy is back


well im gone out canada day and all so i will not be updating anymore unless someone else does i will later

[Uatu]

Looks like Pitt officially retracted their offer to Jagr since hes been missing. Honestly, the guy mucked us Caps up, so this might be a blessing in disguise for you, my mortal enemies.

[MalReynolds]

Looks like Pitt officially retracted their offer to Jagr since hes been missing. Honestly, the guy mucked us Caps up, so this might be a blessing in disguise for you, my mortal enemies.

hes gone to Philly! 1 year 3.3 million

[Khrymsyn]

hes gone to Philly! 1 year 3.3 million

Mind boggling...

[Troggles]

Buffalo overpays for Leino. I like the addition, just not the cap hit.

[biosc1]

Torres is out, Marco Sturm is in for the Canucks.

[MalReynolds]

Torres is out, Marco Sturm is in for the Canucks.

at least they are signing people ... all we got is Colin McDonald a 26 year old AHL player and Steve Sullivan a injury riddled good player when hes not injured

[MalReynolds]

Gotta love the "Spending isnt gonna get out of control"

[Hyperglide]

I don't know who the GM in Philadelphia is but he is now officially the dumbest GM in the NHL.

Jagr for 3.3 million and you let Leino walk?

WTF??

Talbot for almost 2 mill a year for 5 years?

Really?!?!?

There are some scrubs out there getting paid. The NHL really screwed the pooch with this current CBA and a cap floor of 48 million. SMH

[Dark Prince]

Devils (http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/comments/lamoriello_happy_to_re-sign_greene_hedberg_wont_add_anyone_without_subtra cting/)general manager Lou Lamoriello accomplished what he set out to do today by re-signing defenseman Andy Greene to a four-year deal with a cap hit of $3 million per season and backup goaltender Johan Hedberg to a one-year deal (cap hit still unknown).

Not a bad start. Let's see if maybe we can find a gem still left in this dry UFA market for a puck moving defenseman unless we can trade for one. Which I wouldn't be opposed to trading certain players.

Now resign Parise Lou!! Also need to work on getting a new coach as well.

[Ultima Thulian]

Man, both Talbot and Jagry going to the Flyers has me so pissered off.

[MalReynolds]

Man, both Talbot and Jagry going to the Flyers has me so pissered off.

Talbot im sad about but can understand he wants to stay in the area ... he doesnt want to uproot... have to sell his house and shit

could care less about Jagr they over payed him and i hope it back fires

[Ultima Thulian]

Talbot im sad about but can understand he wants to stay in the area ... he doesnt want to uproot... have to sell his house and shit

could care less about Jagr they over payed him and i hope it back fires

Agreed, but it still kinda sucks. The Hero of Game Seven and a Pens legend both playing for our biggest rival. Just kinda sucks in that regard.

[Khrymsyn]

I don't know who the GM in Philadelphia is but he is now officially the dumbest GM in the NHL.
Jagr for 3.3 million and you let Leino walk?

Paul Holmgren. Former Flyers player. The Flyers are one of the most nepotistic teams in all of sports.

As far as Jagr signing, yeah, totally a WTF moment, but frankly letting Leino go to a team that was willing to pay MORE THAN 4mill per? I'm ok with that. Leino's a nice player to have, but 4 mill seems to be a bit overpaying for him.

[MalReynolds]

Agreed, but it still kinda sucks. The Hero of Game Seven and a Pens legend both playing for our biggest rival. Just kinda sucks in that regard.

they can have fun at the bottom of the Atlantic division

[roboninja]

Talk about a transformation down in FLA.

[biosc1]

Richards to NYR 9yr for $58m.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/41184-Brad-Richards-signs-9year-585-million-contract-with-New-York-Rangers.html

Talk about a transformation down in FLA.

http://panthers.nhl.com/

[MalReynolds]

Richards to NYR 9yr for $58m.

http://www.thehockeynews.com/articles/41184-Brad-Richards-signs-9year-585-million-contract-with-New-York-Rangers.html



http://panthers.nhl.com/

sucks because pittsburgh isnt doing shit and they still need a fucking winger ...

every year the same fucking story... the draft what do they pick a fucking Dman

im getting sick of Shero now

[Ultima Thulian]

sucks because pittsburgh isnt doing shit and they still need a fucking winger ...

every year the same fucking story... the draft what do they pick a fucking Dman

im getting sick of Shero now

I think Shero has, overall, done an awesome job these past three or so years. But I agree, we need some wingers. But this salary cap hell is not easy to fight through, and we all knew it was bound to happen to us due to last years sign-ups to make up for our injured roster.

[Hyperglide]

Love, love, loving the trade by the Leafs for Cody 'Effing' Franson AND Matthew Lombardi (I know he was just a salary dump due to concussion issues) for what might be one of the worst D-Men in the entire league in Brett 'I got a ring with the wings' Lebda and some fringe prospect Robert Slaney who hasn't even played a game in the NHL.

I understand that Nashville is trying to get more capspace (which is why they let Ward go) to sign Shea Weber (3.5 off the cap for Lombardi) but, wow, :o they totally got fleeced. They could've got more for Franson, he's a great D-man! I am not being biased here at all by the way. I liked Nashvilles grit vs the Canucks in the Playoffs and Franson was one of their best behind Weber and Suter.

Agree? Yes or no?

Oh and I do like the Connolly signing but I don't think he's what the Leafs need for a #1c. Hoping there's more to come? Maybe a trade for Stastny?

[biosc1]

blah blah blah...Leaf's fan...blah blah blah

Did you say something? ;)

Good deals on the part of the Leaf's. They really need to address their scoring as well, though. Then again, good goalie + better D couldn't hurt.

[Hyperglide]

Did you say something? ;)

Good deals on the part of the Leaf's. They really need to address their scoring as well, though. Then again, good goalie + better D couldn't hurt.

Hey I was on the Canucks Bandwagon for the playoffs don't be like that! :D

Oh btw Gillis made the wise choice not to sign Ehrhoff. Buffalo was nuts to sign him for 10 years. :confused:

I like your team going forward. If Higgins can play consistently like he did in the playoffs I think he will contribute well.

[biosc1]

Canucks still lack toughness...which apparently helps you win cups.

[biosc1]

Oh my...Heatley to the Wild.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=568410&navid=DL|NHL|home

Late Sunday night, San Jose GM Doug Wilson found a familiar trading partner in Minnesota GM Chuck Fletcher to make the second blockbuster between the two teams in just nine days. This time, Wilson moved star forward Dany Heatley to Minnesota in exchange for Martin Havlat, another star forward.

I have always disliked Heatley's work ethic.

[roboninja]

A true LOL at the Heatley trade, looks good on him.

I agree the Franson & Lombardi deal was good for the Leafs. This is the way Burke can use that financial muscle to the team;s benefit. Even if Lombardi stays on LTI (so his salary does not count against the cap), he still has to be paid.

[shunoshi]

Jesus, looks like we're basically trading teams. Good riddance to Havlat though. The guy has great hands and vision, but his body is made of peanut brittle. Good luck keeping him healthy, Sharks.

[Kielaran]

Wow, I was offline for a few days and shit hit the fan. I had thought the Pens had Jagr because of a poorly worded headline on the news in a bar where I couldn't hear it.

At first I was pissed, but god riddance. If he is back to play his games, then let him go somewhere else.

As for Talbot, good for him. I think Philly really overpaid for him, but he fits the physical playstyle, so best of luck to him. As for him being 'the hero of game seven'...yeah, but what has he done for us lately. I would rather throw Engelland in there to fight and anyone else in to shoot.

Philly confuses me though. Their team was definitely a contender for the cup recently and all these moves basicly revamped the whole thing. Maybe it will work, but I think they would have been much better off with small changes.

The Pens need to keep some room in their cap too. Crosby and Fleury come up in two years and they would be smart to sign them early. (or at least Crosby. I don't have the Fleury love that everyone else has.)

Lastly, I am surprised with the Shero hate. He has always done well for the Pens, especially heading toward the trade deadline (though this year was fairly slow for the league overall). There are far worse deals going on right now.

[Uatu]

GMGM made a steal over the holiday. Here is hoping the Avs blow hard this year so our future picks are nice.

GO CAPS!

[Khrymsyn]

Philly confuses me though. Their team was definitely a contender for the cup recently and all these moves basicly revamped the whole thing. Maybe it will work, but I think they would have been much better off with small changes.

No worries. The moves confuse most of the fanbase here too. Quite a few people I know are a bit peeved at dropping Richards and Carter elsewhere.

Only thing I can think of is Ed Snyder didn't like them on a personal level for some reason and gave the orders to his GM to drop them somewhere/how... Because frankly, doesn't really make sense to trade away the 2 faces of the franchise unless there's something behind the scenes going on.

[Uatu]

Everyone at the hockey forums I post at is laughing at Philly. Even the fans on there are angry.

After the Caps goalie changes people are saying the two teams did the exact opposite deal.

[biosc1]

No worries. The moves confuse most of the fanbase here too. Quite a few people I know are a bit peeved at dropping Richards and Carter elsewhere.

Only thing I can think of is Dan Snyder didn't like them on a personal level for some reason and gave the orders to his GM to drop them somewhere/how... Because frankly, doesn't really make sense to trade away the 2 faces of the franchise unless there's something behind the scenes going on.

I like to call that the Jeff Brown syndrome.

If you player sleeps with the wife of another player, you have to trade him away. Perhaps Carter/Richards tag-teamed another player's wife?

[Dark Prince]

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello announced on a conference call this morning that the team has signed 2011 first-round pick Adam Larsson to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The deal includes no performance bonus package, but carries the entry-level maximum NHL salary, including the signing bonus and any games-played bonus, of $925,000 per season. That will be Larsson’s salary cap hit if he is on the NHL roster.

Pretty excited about this and from what I read during development camp, he was taking tips from Stevens, so it should be awesome to see how he turns out :D

[Dark Prince]

The Devils (http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/devils_to_hire_pete_deboer_as_head_coach/) finally ended all of the waiting and suspense this afternoon and announced in a Prudential Center news conference that they have hired Pete DeBoer as their head coach.

DeBoer, 43, spent the last three seasons as head coach of the Florida Panthers before being let go at the end of 2010-11. The Panthers went 103-107-36 under DeBoer, including 30-40-12 in 2010-11, and never qualified for the playoffs under him. His only winning record with Florida was in 2008-09 when the Panthers went 41-30-11 for 93 points, but lost a tiebreaker with Montreal for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.

Devils hire our new head coach finally and now are able to get the ball rolling on things. Hopefully to sign Parise as soon as possible before arbitration. Looking forward to seeing what comes of this and hopefully not another revolving door halfway through the year.

[Khrymsyn]

Devils hire our new head coach finally and now are able to get the ball rolling on things. Hopefully to sign Parise as soon as possible before arbitration. Looking forward to seeing what comes of this and hopefully not another revolving door halfway through the year.

Oh, you know that you're going to see either Lamoriello or Lamaire by mid-December.
;-)

[roboninja]

DeBoer should be okay. He was one of those up-and-coming coaching prospects, but he got Florida stink all over him.

[Dark Prince]

DeBoer should be okay. He was one of those up-and-coming coaching prospects, but he got Florida stink all over him.

Yea, that I'm sure is behind him. Now he has a team with real talent on his hands so hopefully he can continue the magic the team had towards the end of last season.

Oh, you know that you're going to see either Lamoriello or Lamaire by mid-December. ;-)

......who knows? :p

[Dark Prince]

http://blogs.northjersey.com/blogs/fireice/mike_doc_emrick_leaves_devils_television_booth_to_ join_nbc_versus_full_time/

Going to miss you Doc :(

[Hyperglide]

Not sure why it wasn't posted yet, but, I hate the new Winnipeg Jets logo. Looks very bland and uninspired. Looks to military as well. Like they just took the CAF logo and slapped on an CAF-18 hornet over top of a Canadian Flag and called it a day. They phoned this one in.

FAIL!

http://www.yourwinnipegjets.com/pictures/newlogo.jpg

More here:
http://tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=372277

Thoughts?

[Jackel]

I know it's been a while but do you not remember the old one? This is a much improved step up.

[Hyperglide]

I know it's been a while but do you not remember the old one? This is a much improved step up.

A flaming bag of shit would be an improvement over the old one. :D

[Jackel]

A flaming bag of shit would be an improvement over the old one. :D

Good Point. I do agree with your earlier thoughts that it feels like a bland logo and I hate the font of the Jets on the lower right logo.

[MalReynolds]

i thought it was alot better then the old one but they could have totally done better

[Ultima Thulian]

Canadian hockey teams are not known for imagination. For fuck's sake, they have one team called the "Canucks" and another called the "Canadiens." They aren't even trying.

[biosc1]

Canadian hockey teams are not known for imagination. For fuck's sake, they have one team called the "Canucks" and another called the "Canadiens." They aren't even trying.

Hey now..there is history behind both those names...do some research before I come down there to cross-check you in the teeth!

[MalReynolds]

Canadian hockey teams are not known for imagination. For fuck's sake, they have one team called the "Canucks" and another called the "Canadiens." They aren't even trying.

Maple leafs :P

[Ultima Thulian]

Hey now..there is history behind both those names...do some research before I come down there to cross-check you in the teeth!

I don't doubt that, but let's not pretend they are somehow imaginative names.

American names aren't much better. We try to sound way too tough, kinda like some Tommy Toughnuts-type in a bar. "Thrashers," "Predators," etc. We're practically a step away from the Arizona Queer Bashers and the Cincinnati Serial Rapists. It's absurd.

[MalReynolds]

You think the Jets logo is bad .

http://theahl.com/files/stjohns11_1000.jpg

[Khrymsyn]

Not feeling the Jets circle logo, but that one in the upper right of those 3 I think looks pretty good/appropriate.

Ultima, you think the NHL US names are "tough guy" sounding? Look at the minor leagues like the AHL and NAHL. You'll find stuff like the Chicago Hitmen, Oklahoma City Barons, Minot Minotauros, and St. Louis Bandits.
Though, I have to admit, I like the name of the Odessa, TX team, the Jackalopes.
heh

[Ultima Thulian]

I hear ya, Khrymsyn. It's crazy. But I am digging "the Jackalopes." Makes me chuckle, for whatever reason.

[biosc1]

My brother-in-law moved around the ECHL for a while, those names are pretty "tough" as well...

Who needs the LA Kings, when you have the Trenton Titans? Well, actually, LAs affiliate is the Reading Royals which is kind of not a tough name.

Phoenix Coyotes? How about the Elmira Jackals.

I do like the name Toledo Walleye...I can't stop thinking they all have 'wall eye'.

http://www.echl.com/stats/statdisplay.php?type=standings

[Dark Prince]

Saw some dust bowls rolling around in this thread so I figure I'd revive it to spark a debate perhaps. The Research and Development Camp will be held next week and these are the purposed rule changes that will again impact our beloved sport.

1) Icing is no longer allowed while shorthanded
2) Goalie is not allowed to race out of the net to cover the puck
3) Possession on a delayed penalty is considered only when penalized team is outside of their defensive zone with the puck
4) Powerplays last the full two/four minutes regardless of a goal being scored

Blog post on Yahoo (http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Four-NHL-rule-changes-that-would-revolutionize-p;_ylt=AoQpp21VMtDhl4hLDCbZ3NB7vLYF?urn=nhl-wp10401)

I'm a bit pissed about rule 2 and only think the NHL is further giving the evil eye to goalies for no reason.

[Khrymsyn]

1) Icing is no longer allowed while shorthanded
Not liking that idea... I mean, sure, it makes it tougher to kill a penalty if you take away that possibility, but wow... isn't that a pretty fundamental change to how PK's been done? I mean, it's always been "dump from zone" as the primary defense to a PP since I've started watching hockey anyway...

2) Goalie is not allowed to race out of the net to cover the puck
Hate it. IMHO, kill the trapezoid, let goalie do whatever the F he wants, but if he leaves the crease, he's another player and governed by the same rules as other players. If he wants to skate halfway into the zone and risk a hip check? I say more power to him.

3) Possession on a delayed penalty is considered only when penalized team is outside of their defensive zone with the puck
Hmmmm... so basically instead of just touching, you've got to touch outside your D zone? Actually, might not be a bad idea.

4) Powerplays last the full two/four minutes regardless of a goal being scored
This combined with #1 would very heavily alter scoring IMHO. For the better? Not sure on that.

[roboninja]

I don't mind the "no icing while short-handed" one. Serving a penalty should not allow you to do more things; it is supposed to be a punishment for the infraction.

Other than that, I cannot see anything there that would work really. I do like the other idea of thinner nets, opening up more ice behind the nets.

[Troggles]

A combination of Rules 1 and 4 would lead to some very lopsided games, I think.

[Ultima Thulian]

I'm down with rule #1 and I can live with #2 (though I'm not crazy about it), but rules #3 and #4 can take a hike.

[shunoshi]

Numbers 1 and 3 are the only ones that really fly with me. I don't think the delayed penalty time will really effect much.

They've already made it so the goalie can't play the corners. Now they want to make it to where he can't cover the puck outside the crease basically? BS. Like Khrymsyn said; dump the trapezoid and let the goalie play it where he wants...but as an equal, meaning you can check him as you would another player.

As for #4, F that. Full 5 minute majors is fine. But when you get scored on, the penalty is done. If you combine this with the other special teams rule changes, you could easily lose a game due to a 2 minute tripping call that's a borderline dive. Not a good idea.

[MalReynolds]

Lots of Hockey players dropping dead lately

Former NHLer Wade Belak has been found dead in Toronto, according to a Nashville Predators spokesman.

The cause of his death is as of yet undetermined.

The team released the following statement:

“The entire Nashville Predators organization and family is shocked and saddened by the sudden and untimely passing of Wade Belak. Wade was a beloved member of the organization, a terrific teammate and wonderful father and husband who will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Jennifer and children Andie and Alex. We offer our full support to them at this very difficult time.”

Belak played 15 games last season for the Predators, finishing with 18 penalty minutes and a minus-1 rating. He was placed on waivers by the club in February of this year. He retired shortly after clearing waivers unclaimed.

Former NHL tough guy Georges Laraque joined TSN Radio's Cybulski & Company shortly after the news of Belak's death broke and spoke about the pressures of being an enforcer on the ice.

"Now I think people will realize the tough job of playing in the NHL and the tough job of being a heavyweight," he said. "It takes a lot mentally. It's really hard."

He went on about the realities that come with punching your weight for a living in the NHL.

"When you retire after being a heavyweight for as many years as you played, most of those guys didn't make [much] money, so there's no options for them after," Laraque said. "So, after you have all this pressure of playing and fighting for a living, now you have to fight to live when life after hockey is over."

Many of Belak's former teammates took to Twitter to express their disbelief.

"Wade Belak was one of funniest dudes I had ever met. Just was with him earlier this summer. Can't believe it Thoughts and prayers to his fam," tweeted recent Preds teammate Blake Geoffrion.

Former Maple Leafs teammate Owen Nolan also expressed his shock via Twitter.

"I'm lost for words. Wade Belak RIP my friend," his tweet read.

The 35-year-old Belak spent parts of 14 seasons in the NHL with Nashville, Toronto, Florida, Calgary and Colorado. In 549 career games he scored eight goals and added 25 assists, while racking up 1263 penalty minutes.

He was originally drafted by the Quebec Nordiques in the first round, 12th overall, at the 1994 NHL Entry Draft.

Boston Bruins forward Marc Savard may have played his last NHL game.

Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli delivered some bleak news to a Boston newspaper on Wednesday.

"Marc Savard won't play this year," Chiarelli told the Boston Globe. "Nothing has changed in our monitoring. He'll be examined and he'll be declared unfit to play.

"Based on what I see, what I hear, what I read, and what I'm told, it's very unlikely Marc will play again," Chiarelli said.

The 34-year-old centre had 10 points in 25 games last season before missing the rest of the year with a concussion.

He was originally hurt by a check from Pittsburgh's Matt Cooke on March 7, 2010.

After missing training camp with post-concussion syndrome, Savard battled his way back into the lineup only to be felled by a hit from former teammate Matt Hunwick in the second period of a January contest.

"Now, knowing the uncertainty of this injury, there's always a chance (he could play)," continued Chiarelli. "But based on what I'm told, it's very unlikely he'll play. As an employer, I support him and hope he gets back to living a healthy life."

On August 1, Savard had his day with the Stanley Cup and told TSN about his continuing health problems.

"It's obviously been a long road for me; I'm still suffering with a lot of daily issues right now, it's been a tough go," said Savard. "I'm just trying to get through and not worry about hockey right now, just worry about my health because I have three young kids and they're important to me."

Savard is signed through the 2016-17 season.

[Hyperglide]

Mal you beat me too it. I just wanted to take a moment and express my condolences to the Belak family.

He was for a time a player on my favourite hockey team and even though he wasn't the flashiest player or scored a lot of goals, it was his off ice demeanor and way he carried himself I will remember. Belak was a good guy and it's sad he is dead.

RIP Belak. Hope you and Rypien and Boogaard are playing shinny up there in heaven.

[MalReynolds]

A passenger jet carrying a KHL hockey team has crashed while taking off in western Russia, killing at least 43 people, according to officials. Russian media reports that several foreign players were on board.

The emergency situations ministry said the 120-seat Yak-42 plane carrying the Lokomotiv Yaroslavl team crashed Wednesday after leaving an airport near the city of Yaroslavl, on the Volga River northeast of Moscow. It said at least one person has survived but is injured.

Russia Today reported on its website that several of the victims were foreign players for the club, but the news agency did not list any names.

The 2010 official photograph of the KHL's Locomotiv Yaroslavl. It is unclear how many of those pictured were on board a passenger jet that crashed Wednesday northeast of Moscow. Locomotiv Yaroslavl
The team's website lists Canadian Brad McCrimmon, a former NHL player, as head coach, and says the team includes Canadian player Ramzi Abid, who played 68 NHL games for the Phoenix Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Atlanta Thrashers and Nashville Predators between 2002 and 2007.

Shortly after news of the crash emerged, Riley Armstrong, who was also listed on the team's roster, posted a Twitter message saying he was not on board the flight because he is attending a team training camp in St. John's.

"I'm safe but thanks for the kind words," he said on Twitter. "Pray and think of the players and their families on that flight."

CBC Hockey Night in Canada's Elliotte Friedman reported that some of the names being speculated about are from an old KHL roster.

"Let's just wait a little. What an awful tragedy," he said on Twitter.

The team's 2011 roster also includes former Vancouver Canuck Pavol Demitra and former Ottawa Senator Karel Rachunek, as well as former NHLers Josef Vasicek and Karlis Skrastins. But it is unclear whether any of those players were on board the plane that crashed Wednesday.

Russia's emergency situations ministry says a Yak-42 jet similar to the one shown crashed immediately after takeoff on Wednesday as it was carrying the Lokomotiv KHL hockey team from Yaroslavl, Russia en route to Minsk, Belarus. (Courtesy Pawel Kierzkowski)
The team was heading to Minsk, the capital of Belarus, where it was to play Thursday against Dinamo Minsk in the opening game of the season of the Kontinental Hockey League.

The KHL is a league of several ex-Soviet nations rivalling the NHL in terms of salary and attracting high-calibre talent to Russia in recent years.

McCrimmon, originally from Dodsland, Saskatchewan, is a former assistant coach for the New York Islanders, Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers and Detroit Red Wings. His NHL career spanned 18 seasons and 1,222 games with five teams, including the Flames, the Boston Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit.

Sad day for hockey fans in russia

[Dark Prince]

RIP to Vasyunov who was on the Devils and thoughts and prayers to all families from the players too the flight crew.

Crosby holding a press conference: http://video.penguins.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=616&id=122355

[biosc1]

Pretty crappy. Saw the RIP Demitra stuff this morning.

What's worse is that his wife is / has been seriously ill for the past few years as well.

[Hyperglide]

I was just about to create an entire thread for this. It kind of deserves it. Almost the entire cabin was killed. Only 2 survived and they are in critical condition.

Soo sad. A lot of former NHLers on that team and Pavol Demitra was one of my fave hockey players and I had him in my Hockey pool with Marion Gaborik when they were on the Wild a couple of years ago and he cleaned up for me!

[Uatu]

Really glad Varalmov decided to stick with the NHL, that was his prospective KHL team...

[Hyperglide]

Really glad Varalmov decided to stick with the NHL, that was his prospective KHL team...

Hindsight is 50/50 but I bet you he's counting his chickens.

[MalReynolds]

Death will come soon MUAHAHAHAHAH... i mean shit...

[roboninja]

Reading some horror stories now about KHL team flights from former players and coaches, talking about how many of the charter planes had seats bolted down haphazardly, would rattle and shake things lose on landing, etc. One player called every flight a roll of the dice, and he thought about going down all of the time. Tragic.

[biosc1]

Russian President finally admitted today that they may need to introduce foreign made planes to replace these rust buckets.

It may be less money, but playing in the German League may be more appealing now.

[Hyperglide]

Great tribute made today to the Lokomotiv hockey team by the Minsk team:

NmqtS1fDCuQ

Very classy.

[Dark Prince]

Great tribute made today to the Lokomotiv hockey team by the Minsk team:

NmqtS1fDCuQ

Very classy.

I was just about to post that. Yahoo Sports also has another video showing off the entire ceremony here: http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/blog/puck_daddy/post/Video-Dynamo-Minsk-8217-s-hockey-funeral-for-L?urn=nhl-wp12157

Very sad, no one heard from Kovalchuck, as he is supposedly out of the country I believe I read. So my bet is he is probably back in Russia for this.

[Hyperglide]

Definitely the highlight of the funeral (if you can call it that) is where each player from the Minsk team shot a puck into the net for their counterparts. That was very emotional and moving. I think it was seeing the players that got to me. Some were just bawling. :'(

[biosc1]

I'm actually interested in watching the game today. My brother-in-law who is going to be a linesman in the Canucks rookie game tonight.

I told him I would live-tweet his errors ;)

[Jackel]

Are the games in the Young guns tournament being live streamed anywhere?

[biosc1]

Are the games in the Young guns tournament being live streamed anywhere?

Sportsnet? All the games are being streamed through the site, only today's and yesterday's are/were actually televised.

http://canucks.nhl.com/club/page.htm?id=63786

[Jackel]

Awesome. thanks!

[Hyperglide]

Leafs are kicking ass at the Rookie Tournament. Really liking Blacker, McKegg and Gardiner. Future and present are looking good :)

[biosc1]

Leafs are kicking ass at the Rookie Tournament. Really liking Blacker, McKegg and Gardiner. Future and present are looking good :)

Aw, you should know better. The Leafs in September are not the Leafs you should be putting your hopes on ;)

[Troggles]

ttigJnJV4XY

[Hyperglide]

2011-12 NHL Season Preview. 30 Teams in 30 days (http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/feature/?id=48956).

[diablopath]

I want to go buy NHL 12, but I'm hesitant. I haven't bought a sports game since....Madden 09 or something, and I regretted that.

[MalReynolds]

if the penguins can get crosby back and stay health i wouldnt want to be on defence for any other team

[MalReynolds]

Kunitz-Crosby-Neal
Sullivan-Malkin-Kennedy
Cooke-Staal-Asham
Tangradi-Adams-Letestu

Letang-Orpik
Martin-Michalik
Lovejoy-Engelland

and heres the Spears...

Dustin Jeffrey(had 12p in 25 games)
Richard Park
ALEXANDRE PICARD
MATT NISKANEN
SIMON DESPRES (whos ready for the NHL and cant play because theres so many D-men)
JASON WILLIAMS (could be good if he stays Healthy)
PASCAL DUPUIS

[Ultima Thulian]

Pens are looking sick. If we keep healthy, we'll be a force to be reckoned with.

[MalReynolds]

I hate going on the penguins boards ... they always find someone to complain about.... new guy now is Jordan Staal

[biosc1]

Went to the Canucks - Oilers preseason last night.

Canucks looked pretty decent. Sedins looked good, Hodgson looked great, and the LOV line (Laperriere, Oreskovich, Volpatti) was fun to watch.

For the Oilers, one guy named Gilbert had the balls to wear 77...and Paul Coffey he wasn't. Andy Sutton is gigantic...massive. Hall and Nugent-Hopkins looked good, though Hall really disliked being hit/grinded which is too bad...welcome to the NHL ;)

Overall, it was really weird being in the arena again for the first time since last year's playoffs. Felt very anti-climactic.

[Hyperglide]

Leafs ended the pre-season in a stinker. Helm and Abdelkader were skating circles around the Leafs D.

Also Komisarek sucks. Hey bio. I'll trade Komisarek for Bieksa kay?

[MalReynolds]

id say your gonna have to get use to the leafs sucking :P

[Hyperglide]

id say your gonna have to get use to the leafs sucking :P

Easy solution Trade Komisarek to the Islanders and put Gardiner in his place. That kid is in beast mode right now.

Also rumours swirling that Ales Hemsky is going to the Leafs ? I guess it's a so-so move.

[biosc1]

Leafs ended the pre-season in a stinker. Helm and Abdelkader were skating circles around the Leafs D.

Also Komisarek sucks. Hey bio. I'll trade Komisarek for Bieksa kay?

Burke would do dirty things to all the management of the Canucks if he thought it would improve his chances of getting Bieksa, he loves him so much.

[Dark Prince]

Anyone watching opening night? Canucks and Pens just underway tonight.

[Hyperglide]

Leafs undefeated. Optimus Reim already in beast mode!!!

Only 81 more to go! Woot Woot!

[MalReynolds]

they played well last year remember?

[Jackel]

Another year, Another shitty performance in the shootout by Lou!

[MalReynolds]

i dont care how they win but as long as they win Go Pens

[biosc1]

i dont care how they win but as long as they win Go Pens

mutter...mutter...Luongo just doesn't bother playing some days.

[Hyperglide]

Gotta love the mean streak Komisarek is getting back. I love it when he plays his old team. Travis Moen got trolled. I like the look on Armstrongs face to see Moens reaction ha ha..

Fired up!
On5MYWfVBk4

[Dark Prince]

Really excited for the Devils opening night tonight, soo many expectations and if they can pick up the trolling they were doing the last half of last year :D

[MalReynolds]

be watching the penguins play Flames tonight :O

[Dark Prince]

Arg, Devils getting off to a sluggish start in the home opener. :(

Here's hoping they start syncing against Carolina tomorrow.

[biosc1]

They are doing a huge Jets pre-game which is pretty fun / informing to watch.

[Dark Prince]

Oilers-Pens game last night was pretty good, taking it all the way to the shootout.

Looking forward to my Devils taking on the Canes this afternoon. Hopefully they sync up fast and kick ass. Though I won't be able to watch thanks to work :(

[biosc1]

Oilers-Pens game last night was pretty good, taking it all the way to the shootout.

Looking forward to my Devils taking on the Canes this afternoon. Hopefully they sync up fast and kick ass. Though I won't be able to watch thanks to work :(

Work? It's Canadian Thanksgiving. As a hockey fan, you should tell your boss you deserve to take this holiday!

[Hyperglide]

Kessel with his first hat trick as a Leaf. About time. And it took beating down the lowly Senators to do it.

Oh and this happened earlier in the game:

-S6BUad1BNE

Welcome to the league Stephane Da Costa. Compliments of Dion PhanOOOF!!!

[MalReynolds]

i cant wait for orpik to be back... seems like everyone afraid to hit lol

[Dark Prince]

Work? It's Canadian Thanksgiving. As a hockey fan, you should tell your boss you deserve to take this holiday!

Haha, that would be awesome if I could've thought of it like that.

Luckily they still got the win and Captain Zach strikes!

JojCATqlVqY

[MalReynolds]

To good pieces of news today for penguins fans

The Pittsburgh Penguins have re-signed forward Chris Kunitz to a two-year contract extension.

The deal will run through the 2013-14 campaign and has an annual cap hit of $3.725 million.

Last year the 32-year-old had one of his best NHL seasons, ranking second on the team with 23 goals – the second-highest total of his career – and adding 25 assists for 48 points in 66 games.

PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby appears to have taken another step forward in his recovery from a concussion.

He appeared at the Penguins morning skate Thursday wearing the same black helmet as his teammates -- a sign that Crosby was cleared for contact by doctors.

Crosby had been wearing a different colour helmet than teammates since the start of training camp.

It wasn't immediately known when the 24-year-old might be ready to return for a game.

Pittsburgh hosts the Washington Capitals at Consol Energy Center on Thursday night.

Crosby last played on Jan. 5.

[Hyperglide]

Jesus Christ Tavares had 4 points in 1 period! Lightning are really going to struggle this year with their 42 year old Goalie and weak defense.

[Troggles]

To good pieces of news today for penguins fans

3 good newses as Malkin dressed for tonight's game, too.

Finally get to watch the Sabres play again tomorrow. It's felt like an eternity since last saturday.

[Hyperglide]

Leafs haven't played since saturday how do you think I feel? A fuckin' week off.

This made me chuckle.

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/851/winnipeg.jpg

[Troggles]

Leafs haven't played since saturday how do you think I feel? A fuckin' week off.



I know exactly how you feel, since it's been the same amount of time for the Sabres.

[MalReynolds]

the NHL is fucked this year when it comes to how much time people have off ...

[Hyperglide]

Illegal hit, late hit, or should Pominville keep his head up?

SfBhmDzbwmI

I think it's clean, it happened so fast that Allen player didn't have enough time to avoid Pominville. Commentators are obviously homers, Allen didn't hit his head. Also he should've had his head up. If it was another half a second to second later it would've been to late. Thoughts?

[Jackel]

By the precedents the league has set, I'd say that is definitely an illegal hit to the head. They have shown time and again that even in a situation where a player *should* have his head up and be concerned about his own safety, that the onus is on the player making the hit.

[Libuke]

Illegal hit, late hit, or should Pominville keep his head up?

SfBhmDzbwmI

I think it's clean, it happened so fast that Allen player didn't have enough time to avoid Pominville. Commentators are obviously homers, Allen didn't hit his head. Also he should've had his head up. If it was another half a second to second later it would've been to late. Thoughts?

I think it was a clean hit, I saw no head contact and it sure looked like he was going to play the puck and in fact he does off his skate.

[Troggles]

I say it was a clean hit, but he did all he could to make it look dirty.

[Jackel]

Take a look at the 50 second mark of the video, you can clearly see the right shoulder contact the head of Pomminville.

edit: thanks diablopath :p

[diablopath]

I think you a noun, Jackel.

[MalReynolds]

What the f?

pittsburgh penguins defenceman kris letang will have a hearing with the nhl on tuesday after he was assessed a boarding penalty on monday night.

Letang hit winnipeg's alexander burmistrov in the third period of the jets' 2-1 win over the penguins. He was given a minor penalty on the play.

Nhl senior vice-president of player safety and hockey operations brendan shanahan has given out ten suspensions so far since the beginning of the pre-season. Only one has been assessed since the regular season got underway, a two-game ban to minnesota's pierre-marc bouchard for high sticking.

Letang, 24, is off to a fine start this year with one goal and six assists in seven games. He has never been suspended before in four full nhl seasons.

[biosc1]

What the f?

He'll be okay. No previous, penalty on the play, etc...

You should be more upset that Winnipeg beat them ;)

[MalReynolds]

meh the team doesnt have Three of its best players

[biosc1]

meh the team doesnt have Three of its best players

On the other hand, Winnipeg has no "best players" ;)

Don't mind me, I'm just bitter the Canucks haven't bothered to realize the regular season has begun.

[MalReynolds]

Winnipeg has a good few Young guys
Burmistrov
Kane
Scheifele
Wheeler
Bogosian
Enstrom
Byfuglien

and Pavelec who stood on his head... id say it was one of his best games

[Troggles]

Thought this was a pretty good read for sports fans:
http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2011/10/hockey-fans-guide-to-world-series.html#.Tp14S7FFYz8.reddit

[biosc1]

Ha, this was funny because it's almost true.

you'll know that Phil Kessel has decided to try this year.

[Hyperglide]

Winnipeg has a good few Young guys
Burmistrov
Kane
Scheifele
Wheeler
Bogosian
Enstrom
Byfuglien

and Pavelec who stood on his head... id say it was one of his best games

Don't forget they got Ladd.

Leafs unbeaten streak has ended hopefully they take care of business against the Jets tomorrow and finish up this 5 game home stand strong.

Someone other then Lupul/Kessel/Phaneuf needs to score for Toronto though and also my boys gotta pick it up on the PP.

[Dark Prince]

There's good news and bad news.

Good news: Marty's shoulder injury should be healed up in 7-10 days

Bad news: Marty's injured :(

I hope Moose can keep up his stellar play, he's been our go to guy in our shootouts lately.

[MalReynolds]

Washington finally gets beat by Edmonton?

[Khrymsyn]

Gotta love a hockey game where there's more scoring than baseball.
Jets vs. Flyers
9-8... holy lack of defense batman!

[diablopath]

Thought this was a pretty good read for sports fans:
http://www.downgoesbrown.com/2011/10/hockey-fans-guide-to-world-series.html#.Tp14S7FFYz8.reddit

World Series: For the second straight year, the Texas Rangers have won their first two playoff rounds under the leadership of popular manager Ron Washington.
NHL: Nobody with "Washington" on their jersey ever wins two playoff rounds in the same season.
Ouch. Maybe this year, eh?

[Troggles]

Ouch. Maybe this year, eh?

Starting to sound like a Cubs fan.

[Dark Prince]

Gotta love a hockey game where there's more scoring than baseball.
Jets vs. Flyers
9-8... holy lack of defense batman!

When I saw that score I was like WTF? Was everyone just walking up to each others goalies and just throwing the puck in till time ran out?

[Hyperglide]

Ouch. Maybe this year, eh?

It's sad because it's true. Texas just lost the World Series 6-2. How can you be 1 strike away from winning the World Series TWICE and lose? Texas choke artists should be their new name.

[Hyperglide]

Gotta love a hockey game where there's more scoring than baseball.
Jets vs. Flyers
9-8... holy lack of defense batman!

Seems like Philadelphia has addressed all their Goaltending problems eh? :D 9 goals on 25 shots. Ouch.

Goaltending clinic going on last night. Oh and Bob had a .666 save percentage lol.... omen?

[Khrymsyn]

Yeah, I dunno what's going on with goaltending, but the goalies are definitely not completely at fault. Our defense has been completely atrocious. That kinda tends to happen when half of your starting team is barely old enough to drink...

[roboninja]

Edmonton. First in the West, baby!!

[shunoshi]

Damn, I love Mikko Koivu. Here's the sequence that lead to the OT game-winning goal last night against Detroit.

sSnzN4JOFro

Kronwall got smoked! As an aside, hopefully he isn't seriously injured.

[Troggles]

We ran that clip during our morning show here. That was super awesome.

[roboninja]

Great check by Koivu. Detroit lost yet again tonight to the Flames.

Edmonton leading LA 3-0 right now. Keep it going.

[Dark Prince]

Great comeback win by my Devs last night in Philly. :D Although the refs really need to get the hell out of the way. They blocked two of our defenseman from making plays near the bench.

And that shootout goal was still ridiculous, but either way the win is better then nothing :D

[diablopath]

I saw this clip earlier this week, made me laugh pretty heartily. It's not NHL, but c'mon, it's hockey.

3qaH6mDvliY

[Hyperglide]

Hi guys!

Whose 1st in the entire league?

Trolololol!!

[Dark Prince]

Hi guys!

Whose 1st in the entire league?

Trolololol!!

Lol

Accroding to yahoo standings, you're tied with Chicago in the West. :P

[MalReynolds]

being 1st in the league doesnt mean anything ask Washington? didnt help them :P

[biosc1]

Hi guys!

Whose 1st in the entire league?

Trolololol!!

Hey, Toronto's problem has not been Oct - Dec, it's when they decide to go shopping for golf shoes starting in January.

[Hyperglide]

Hey, Toronto's problem has not been Oct - Dec, it's when they decide to go shopping for golf shoes starting in January.

Aww bio that's so cute!!

Would it make you feel better if we beat down the Bruins for you tonight? :D

[Dark Prince]

Nice job Devils for shooting down those Jets!!!! :D HEN-RIQUE!!

Now we need to continue to break those Canes next week :)

[Hyperglide]

Aww bio that's so cute!!

Would it make you feel better if we beat down the Bruins for you tonight? :D

LOL maybe I should rephrase it

Would it make you feel better if we GOT beat down BY the Bruins for you tonight? :D

Utterly pathetic effort last night. And to top it all off Seguin get's a Hat Trick. SMH. Hopefully the buds bounce back against Florida on Tuesday.

[roboninja]

Tough games for all of the Canadian teams last night.

[MalReynolds]

worse for toronto

[biosc1]

LOL maybe I should rephrase it



Utterly pathetic effort last night. And to top it all off Seguin get's a Hat Trick. SMH. Hopefully the buds bounce back against Florida on Tuesday.

Yah, I rolled into a bar last night and looked at the score. I had to get closer to the tv to be sure that I was seeing what I thought I was seeing.

[Hyperglide]

Yah, I rolled into a bar last night and looked at the score. I had to get closer to the tv to be sure that I was seeing what I thought I was seeing.

You win some and you lose some. And sometimes you just lay an egg.

EDIT: Ken Hitchcock in as St. Louis' new Head Coach. Wonder how long it takes before Oshie, Stewart and Berglund get benched? There's a reason Hitchcock was out of the league for so long. Same reason as we Keenan kept getting fired. Well at least this means Bruce Boudreau isn't the largest Head Coach in the league anymore. :D

[biosc1]

It's hard to keep a coach with this record:

533-350-70 with 88 ties in 1,041 NHL games as a head coach with the Stars, Flyers and Blue Jackets, winning the Stanley Cup in 1999 with Dallas

Out of the league for long.

[Khrymsyn]

My favorite memory of Hitchcock comes from the press conference after this goal :
sRJAOAUJRg8

Hitch's response?
ojN5DFlT9Gw

[Dark Prince]

ERbs30fepQs

This Henrique kid, I swear he's going to be huge. Got us the game winning goal again tonight against Carolina :D Can't wait to see the highlights for that one since I missed the game tonight.

[MalReynolds]

qdeavA4g1X0

[shunoshi]

qdeavA4g1X0

Jesus, hope there was a charging call there...not to mention a suspension. This is a perfect example of the type of hit the league is trying to eliminate.

[biosc1]

Jesus, hope there was a charging call there...not to mention a suspension. This is a perfect example of the type of hit the league is trying to eliminate.

Hordichuk did that against Seabrook in the playoffs last year. I'm glad he is not on our team anymore.



This Henrique kid, I swear he's going to be huge. Got us the game winning goal again tonight against Carolina :D Can't wait to see the highlights for that one since I missed the game tonight.

Man, that was some pretty crappy neutral zone play there...how many times did both teams give the puck away?

[MalReynolds]

Jesus, hope there was a charging call there...not to mention a suspension. This is a perfect example of the type of hit the league is trying to eliminate.

20 game suspension

[biosc1]

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=135331

What a goal!

[MalReynolds]

see malkins goal?

[MalReynolds]

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=135331

[biosc1]

Yah, that was a good one as well. I love when a player makes something out of nothing.

[shunoshi]

Amazing goals there. Looks like you guys need a spare goalie (http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=135400). ;)

[Dark Prince]

Amazing goals there. Looks like you guys need a spare goalie (http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=135400). ;)

I'd say you'd need this goalie :D

R7FdBGyRbPs

[shunoshi]

Well, the Wild have climbed to first in the league. I'm trying to not be excited since the season's only 1/4 done, but the only other sports team I have to root for is the Vikings...

...

Go Wild!

[MalReynolds]

Guess whos back? CROSBY

[Jackel]

Guess whos back? CROSBY

Yep. I'm benching him in my fantasy pool. I'll wait and see how he comes out playing.

[MalReynolds]

bad for you seeing he has a goal and two assists ... looking like he'll have like 10 points tonight the way hes playing

[Jackel]

So I've seen lol. But I'd rather be safe than sorry. Besides I'll still have him for the rest of the season.

[biosc1]

Yah, that was an impressive night even if it was against the NYIs.

[Troggles]

I'm loving the Bruins-Sabres game right now. Not only because we have the lead for the moment, but no one is afraid to challenge anyone tonight.

[Dark Prince]

I'm loving the Bruins-Sabres game right now. Not only because we have the lead for the moment, but no one is afraid to challenge anyone tonight.

Then you should be watching Devils - Jackets, Janssen just leveled a guy into the bench earlier in the first period alone. Devils are fired up!

[Troggles]

Then you should be watching Devils - Jackets, Janssen just leveled a guy into the bench earlier in the first period alone. Devils are fired up!

Well, I'm a Sabres fan, so I'm going to watch this anyway, but after Lucic's cheap shot took out Miller I've been waiting for this game.

[Hyperglide]

The Leafs are the real enigma this year. How can they beat the Lightning and Caps 7-1 in one week and yet get blown out by Boston twice this year and lose to Florida 5-1 ... lol.. Oh and Kessel and Lupul were 1st and 2nd in the league in scoring before today. I know it's only 22 games into the season but that's pretty damn funny considering other Leafs fans even were calling Lupul a 'stopgap.'

[Dark Prince]

Well, I'm a Sabres fan, so I'm going to watch this anyway, but after Lucic's cheap shot took out Miller I've been waiting for this game.

Ah, this is true. The game ended up being a thriller to the end with the Devils winning in the shootout for the 2-1 victory.

They're also still first in the entire league in penalty killing and perfect at home :D

[Uatu]

The Leafs are the real enigma this year. How can they beat the Lightning and Caps 7-1 in one week and yet get blown out by Boston twice this year and lose to Florida 5-1 ... lol.. Oh and Kessel and Lupul were 1st and 2nd in the league in scoring before today. I know it's only 22 games into the season but that's pretty damn funny considering other Leafs fans even were calling Lupul a 'stopgap.'

Well, Boston is just a tough team, one of the best from the East, and since this season the Panthers have pretty much become the ghost of the Caps. Look at their lineup, its a graveyard for former Caps players. Last I checked they were at the top of our division. Crazy.

[maharahaj]

Found out a buddy of mine and I got tickets to the Flyers/Rangers winter classic! Can't wait. To top it off, I'm a Flyer's fan and my buddy loves the Rangers.

[roboninja]

Found out a buddy of mine and I got tickets to the Flyers/Rangers winter classic! Can't wait. To top it off, I'm a Flyer's fan and my buddy loves the Rangers.

Well that should be sweet. Enjoy!

[Hyperglide]

Hot stove ticket which seems to have pissed a lot of Dallas fans off (from what I read at another board). Do you think this is a dirty hit or clean hit? They first said it was a flying elbow lmao. Then they are saying it's an illegal hit to the head as per rule 48 and should be suspendable. You can see Schenn tucks his elbow in and only the elbow comes up on the follow through. That's physics. If you have a 200 lb guy coming at you and you knock his ass on the ice you need to keep your balance some how.

I say it's a clean shoulder to body hit. Vincour had his head down and was hunched over. What is Schenn supposed to do? Let him skate around him and let Vincour have a glorious scoring chance? Schenner is not a dirty player and Vincour has done this before. Putting his head down going over the blueline.

Also there was no intent to injure was not a blindside hit and wasn't late. If he gets suspended this league is a joke.

VXBcBTfYncc

[Ultima Thulian]

Agreed. Looked clean to me.

[MalReynolds]

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=138086

i hope hes suspended

[MalReynolds]

Montreal forward Max Pacioretty will have a phone hearing with the NHL Monday morning for his hit on Pittsburgh defenseman Kris Letang during the third period of the Penguins' overtime win in Montreal Saturday night.


he better get suspended for that

[Hyperglide]

he better get suspended for that

Out of all people it had to be the guy who got rocked last year by Zdeno Chara... That was a totally irresponsible head shot. I hope he gets about 3 games for that.

Also, Letang got his revenge as he scored in OT. Was kind of controversial though as Carey Price had the puck covered for about 3 seconds before Neal dug it out and passed it to Letang.

There's a rule though, it's unwritten. Unless the whistle is blown the play is never dead. :D

q4TgriY_cGM

[biosc1]

There's a rule though, it's unwritten. Unless the whistle is blown the play is never dead. :D


The part that is questionable is where the referee was. By not blowing the whistle, he assumed that Price did not have the puck under control.

Maybe there was a play earlier in the game when the referee blew the whistle too early and this was payback?

[biosc1]

VXBcBTfYncc

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=138086

i hope hes suspended

I seem to be noticing more and more "Scott Steven's" hits this year? Over the blue line take outs.

[MalReynolds]

seeing as the whole rest of the game im pretty sure Montreal was playing the refs ... penguins must of been like "If you give use the next goal we will double what they are paying"

[Dark Prince]

Does anyone think this was a bad call (http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=137929)?

[biosc1]

Does anyone think this was a bad call (http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/console?catid=35&id=137929)?

Yes. My reasoning is that it's hard to lose your edge in that situation and he seemed to go into an unnatural stance that he wouldn't have been in if he wasn't trying to kick it in.

Now...my personal opinion is that kick-ins should count anyways ;)

[MalReynolds]

then it would be soccer not hockey

[Dark Prince]

Yes. My reasoning is that it's hard to lose your edge in that situation and he seemed to go into an unnatural stance that he wouldn't have been in if he wasn't trying to kick it in.

Now...my personal opinion is that kick-ins should count anyways ;)

You see that was my reasoning as well. Someone else that is debating the issue on FB seems to think that it was a good call and that it is a distinct kicking motion. I've been debating the guy who doesn't seem to understand that Parise isn't kicking the puck in, it's simply that the puck was propelled by his skate while he was loosing his balance.

[biosc1]

then it would be soccer not hockey

I seriously doubt if you would see a lot of "kick-ins" if this was allowed. It's not terribly hard for a goalie who has the bottom covered to stop the puck.

I suppose the biggest issue would be crease crashers, so I seriously doubt they would implement them in the future.

[Troggles]

Kicking towards a goalie with sharp blades is not advisable. We'd see a lot of injuries to goalies and defensemen if they allowed kicking to score goals.

[MalReynolds]

Max Pacioretty got three games

[roboninja]

3 games is about right IMO.

Oilers are up 1-0 on Nashville. Hall is out with his shoulder injury. I'm hoping for good news on that MRI.

[Destro]

I think the three games is appropriate...however I'm still up-in arms at the NHL this year, even after the "change" of personel. It seems like most who should get suspended do, however some, who usually happen to be wearing a giant B on their chest, tend to get away with stuff. There's also a huge lack of consistency where they take too much the "case-by-case approach" and end up contradicting themselves. guess the lack of consistency is annoying: for example (one of many), this situation is very similar to the one that saw Chris Campoli get knocked out for a number of games early on in the season. Shannahan states in his video that no suspension was given because Campoli put himself in a vulnerable position by crouching and reaching for the puck. Didn't Letang put himself in a vulnerable position by crouching and putting his head down? How can one be a suspension and the other not? They either both are, or both are not, its pretty simple. I'm not saying the rules shouldn't be applied, I'm just saying it should be applied to everyone and all the time, no matter the team, the time of year, or the moment in the game.

[Ultima Thulian]

I agree, Destro, to an extent, but a lot of these hits are tough judgment calls to begin with. Luke's hit, for example, looked clean to me, but some disagree. Likewise, I feel the hit on Letang was definitely not clean, but again, some disagree (though the dissent in this case is in the minority, since blood was drawn and all that). It's difficult to levy a penalty evenly when it's so open to interpretation.

[Destro]

I can understand that it's a hard judgment call to make, but if the NHL is going to use the arguably same explanation for two different hits, they should, in theory, have the same result? (I also HATE the idea that a hit will get more of a suspension if blood was drawn, injury, etc...)


Another prime example from this season (I'll leave last season's multiple BS calls alone) is the Lucic on Miller hit. Now, whether or not that call was suspension worthy, my problem was when Shanahan called out all the other players and basically said: "what
Lucic did was totally legal, but if anyone else does it you're going to get suspended". That, to me, just shows the randomness of these decisions. If you're going to create a precedent, stick to it.

[biosc1]

I think the three games is appropriate...however I'm still up-in arms at the NHL this year, even after the "change" of personel. It seems like most who should get suspended do, however some, who usually happen to be wearing a giant B on their chest, tend to get away with stuff.

You're not the only one noticing, though, as a Canuck guy, I may be biased.

Having said that, I found the Lucic hit fine. Sure, he didn't need to hit him so hard, but Miller was taking away the puck from Lucic who was on a breakaway. At that point, that far out of the crease, Miller was essentially a defenceman. He could have stayed in the crease and faced the breakaway, but he chose not to.

Almost reminds me of the old Hasek days when he would be out past the faceoff circle to cover the puck in his glove.

[Destro]

You're not the only one noticing, though, as a Canuck guy, I may be biased.

Having said that, I found the Lucic hit fine. Sure, he didn't need to hit him so hard, but Miller was taking away the puck from Lucic who was on a breakaway. At that point, that far out of the crease, Miller was essentially a defenceman. He could have stayed in the crease and faced the breakaway, but he chose not to.

Almost reminds me of the old Hasek days when he would be out past the faceoff circle to cover the puck in his glove.

Yeah, but whether the hit was fine or not, if it's fine for one person, shouldn't be fine for everyone? (this is regarding Shanahan's warnings to other teams that that won't be tolerated).

[MalReynolds]

NEW YORK -- Pittsburgh Penguins forward James Neal has been fined $2,500, the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for high-sticking Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban in NHL Game No. 331 Saturday night in Montreal, the National Hockey League's Department of Player Safety announced today.

The incident occurred at 7:10 of the third period. A minor penalty for high-sticking was assessed on the play.

The fine money goes to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.


find it funny that Subban tripped Neal but Neal gets the penalty and the fine for the consequence of the trip? like WTF... NHL needs to pick it up there refs have been shit the last few games ive seen and omg the league is on drugs when it comes to suspensions and inconsistency isnt even the word

[Destro]

Agreed! (as my last few posts would show). I feel/fear that this was the league's way of apologizing/making amends not for the Pacioretty suspension, but for the botched OT goal lack of game stoppage...because, as a Habs fan, I can't really even see WHY Neal would get fined for that.

[MalReynolds]

pretty said when a habs fan agrees that he shouldnt have gotten fined Subban got what he deserved for slew footing Neal

[Destro]

pretty said when a habs fan agrees that he shouldnt have gotten fined Subban got what he deserved for slew footing Neal

Let`s not go nuts, either. I never did understand the league's (and it's fans) hate on Subban, because I garantee that if Brad Marchand did the same thing, no one would say he "got what he deserved".

[biosc1]

Let`s not go nuts, either. I never did understand the league's (and it's fans) hate on Subban, because I garantee that if Brad Marchand did the same thing, no one would say he "got what he deserved".

Yah, I like Subban. Does he trash talk and show a lack of respect at time? Sure, but he is also still very very young.

[Destro]

Yah, I like Subban. Does he trash talk and show a lack of respect at time? Sure, but he is also still very very young.

Oh god, totally! I guess the point I deviated to is that there are a LOT of young players who do the same thing every year, but for some reason, when he did it, everyone cried foul. And by everyone, it seemed to have started with Mike Richards, who didn't end up being the most well-liked guy in his own dressing room anyway.

ANYway, I think we can all agree that the NHL`s process for suspensions and such is still a joke, no matter how they sugar-coat it. I appreciated the transparency at first, but it now makes it even easier to see where they contradict each other with the different rulings in 3 months.

[biosc1]

On an unrelated note, I just took a look at the standings (I usually don't care much this early on) and it's still such a tight race for a lot of teams (even though it is still early). Only a handful of non-contenders at the moment (ANA, CBJ, NYI) but they can still turn it around.

[Destro]

It's an exciting time, and it's great because at least 25 teams can be hopeful. With injuries and most teams' lack of consistency, it's still anyone's puckgame

[MalReynolds]

anyone think Crosby can catch up with Kessel? Kessel has 31 and crosby has 11

[biosc1]

anyone think Crosby can catch up with Kessel? Kessel has 31 and crosby has 11

Absolutely. I expect Kessel to slow down and Crosby to have a fire under his butt.

[Destro]

Also, and no disrespect to the Leafs, but Crosby has a much better supporting cast

[Dark Prince]

After a horrible effort against Colorado, we're set to take on the Wild tomorrow night. :D

Just hope HYFipX1Scas

this doesn't happen again

[biosc1]

Boudreau is now the coach of the Ducks....which is strange because I find him to be quite similar to Carlyle.

[Jackel]

Sometimes just changing the coach will shock the players into putting the effort needed for some wins.

[MalReynolds]

still really dumb?

[MalReynolds]

BOSTON -- Centre David Krejci, the leading scorer in the playoffs last season as the Bruins won the Stanley Cup, signed a three-year contract extension with the club on Thursday.

Krejci, 25, who had 12 goals and 23 points in the Bruins' 25 post-season games, was Boston's second-round choice in 2004.

A six-foot, 188-pound native of Sternberk, Czech Republic, Krejci has four goals and 13 points in 20 games this season, as Boston has recovered from a slow start to lead the Northeast Division. He had three points in a 6-3 win over Toronto on Wednesday.

For his career, Krejci has played in 318 games, with 62 goals and 227 points.


Over paid much?

[shunoshi]

After a horrible effort against Colorado, we're set to take on the Wild tomorrow night. :D

Just hope HYFipX1Scas

this doesn't happen again

Haha! I remember that game. Yeah, should be an interesting one tomorrow night.

[roboninja]

I thought Krejci's contract was fairly reasonable.

[biosc1]

I thought Krejci's contract was fairly reasonable.

More than just the stats, he is apparently quite a solid overall player.

[roboninja]

More than just the stats, he is apparently quite a solid overall player.

Plus he's a proven playoff performer.

[biosc1]

Plus he's a proven playoff performer.

Oh...I know :(

[roboninja]

Ooooo, sorry, forgot who I was talking to there. I'm an Oilers fan, so I know that losing-Game-7 feeling.

[Troggles]

So... new conference alignment:
http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=604852&navid=DL|NHL|home

I like it, for the most part, except that one eastern conference is sandwiched inside of another.

Yo dawg...

[biosc1]

I'm not sure I agree with the 8-8-7-7 layout...I feel like that's uneven for some reason.

Honestly, just swap Nashville and Winnipeg. Simple.