NHL Thread - 2010-11

[JuiceOS]

Michael Wilbon is an idiot

today he was saying some shit like Lemieux is the most important owner in hockey and his opinion holds more weight than the commisioners

isnt Gretzky an owner?
isnt Yzerman a GM?
I KNOW Cam Neely is a team president

Lemieux is better than them huh?

 

[Megatron]

Few hockey questions/observations, since I'm still a hockey nub:

1. What is up with the Blackhawks? Defending Champs aren't even in the top 8 in the West. Was it because they had to clean most of their house after their title this offseason? Because with Kane and Toews I figured they'd at least be an 8 seed. Granted, there's still many games left and there only 4 points behind, but I figured they'd still be a top team.
2. Is the Canucks, the leader in points, the best team? Luongo is a good goalie and the Sedin twins are good, but I've heard a lot of good things about the Flyers and wonder what all of your guys' takes are.
3. The West is the best conference in all of sports. There's 13 teams that have a realistic shot at a playoff berth, and only 1 (the Oilers) is out of the race completely. The West in the NBA, AFC in NFL, and AL in MLB don't compare. While they all have good teams, they have more shit teams then the West, who only has one truly bad team, and another who's in a terrible stretch of 11 losses in a row (Avs).
4. Who is a team that isn't in the top 8 of their conference right now but, if they get in, could be serious treats for the Stanley Cup? I wanna say Chicago, but if the Blues get in, with a guy that's proven he can be great in the playoffs (Halak), I think they could go with anyone.

Thanks for anyone with answers, I'm really trying to get more into hockey, because I do find it fun to watch when its on.

 

[Davi323]

Only gonna answer questions 1 and 2.

1. The Blackhawks got what they wanted last year, a title that Chicago fans can talk about. They have never been interested in building a real dynasty, they follow the same theory as the Florida Marlins. As soon as you win, have a fire sale, take the money, and continue to screw the fans over. They got rid of half of their team, saved a ton of money in cap space, as far as the owners are concerned, mission accomplished.

2. No, the Canucks are not the best team in the NHL. Neither are the Flyers. The Flyers record is inflated by playing in the craptacular Eastern conference, playing against inferior competition. Put them in the West, take away at least 15 points in the standings. They are a good team, but they are a big fish in a little pond, so to speak. The Canucks are blowing their load prematurely. They are doing the exact same thing the San Jose Sharks are masters at...spending all of their energy in the regular season, and not having much left when it really matters. The best team in the NHL is still the Detroit Red Wings. They have remained consistently good every year, have more experience than anybody, have the best GM in all of sports, and have the most depth. They routinely run 4 lines, and their 4th line is usually better than the other team's 3rd. These guys are the gold standard.

 

[JuiceOS]

does anyone think the trades Boston have done make them any better?

 

[Buffalo Dave]

Few hockey questions/observations, since I'm still a hockey nub:

1. What is up with the Blackhawks? Defending Champs aren't even in the top 8 in the West. Was it because they had to clean most of their house after their title this offseason? Because with Kane and Toews I figured they'd at least be an 8 seed. Granted, there's still many games left and there only 4 points behind, but I figured they'd still be a top team.

Of course the offseason moves impacted the team, they lost two very key players RW Dustin Byfuglein and Goalie Antti Niemi. Byfuglein was huge in the playoffs for the Hawks. Niemi stood on his head and played very well for them. Add in that Huet had to be loaned out to clear salary cap space. So they lost both goalies that played for them last year, which is a big blow to the team. Injuries are playing a little factor as well, some of the top players have missed some time. I follow the Hawks a little bit, since they have Kane who is from Buffalo.

2. Is the Canucks, the leader in points, the best team? Luongo is a good goalie and the Sedin twins are good, but I've heard a lot of good things about the Flyers and wonder what all of your guys' takes are.

Correction Luongo is a great goalie. His numbers in Florida aren't the best, put he played on some bad Florida teams, and carried them to a lot of wins. he was in so many 2-1 losses it wasn't even funny. The team just couldn't score. But back to Vancouver, I think they have the edge on Philly on being the better team. Vancouver is damn near the top in every team category. Philly is definitely a very good team, but I still give the edge to the Canucks. It wouldn't really surprise me to see these two in the Stanley Cup Finals. The Sedin brothers just dominate out there, Kesler is a monster. Their defense is one of the top D's in the league if not the best.

3. The West is the best conference in all of sports. There's 13 teams that have a realistic shot at a playoff berth, and only 1 (the Oilers) is out of the race completely. The West in the NBA, AFC in NFL, and AL in MLB don't compare. While they all have good teams, they have more shit teams then the West, who only has one truly bad team, and another who's in a terrible stretch of 11 losses in a row (Avs).

Can't argue that, we'll see some teams with very good records miss the playoffs.

4. Who is a team that isn't in the top 8 of their conference right now but, if they get in, could be serious treats for the Stanley Cup? I wanna say Chicago, but if the Blues get in, with a guy that's proven he can be great in the playoffs (Halak), I think they could go with anyone.

For the East, I'd say if they make it in, New Jersey. Yeah they are 10 points back right now, but are the hottest team in the NHL, doing this without Marty B as well. Plus the bottom two teams Rangers and Canes have been on a downslide also, two teams in the hunt Buffalo and Atlanta are playing shitty too, Jersey keeps gaining ground. Jersey has been there so much, so they always pose a threat if they make it. For the West I have to say Chicago. Given they are the defending champs. But you may be right with the Blues, Halak was great last year. I think this question will be better asked after the trade deadline, just to see what teams make moves to improve, then we can see where they sit.

 

[kronikfish666]

The Western Conference has always in my personal opinion been the hardest and the best in all of sports. It always comes down to the last game of the season in the west!

 

[Janice]

The trade deadline is approaching and for some reason it has only seemed to be just that little bit bigger for hockey fans, not trying to say anything about the amount of dedication other sports fanatics hold but simply stating what I see as the obvious. I'm really just getting into the whole hardcore for hockey phase and while some may say that some people do take this day of trades a little too strong, it really proves as a last ditch effort of sorts for teams who just need those few pieces to get a playoff position. It is also a really good reason for stressed out hockey fans to take a nice day off, but if you're in school, then you're kinda screwed. Here are some statements you can think about and hopefully maybe answer if you're feeling up to it, just trying to bring the "Second Christmas" into discussion.

1. What position or roles are your favourite team lacking at this moment? Even if you think there is absolutely nothing because your team is the simple definiton of perfect, well, I'm sorry to tell you that there has to be something. Give some explanation if possible too, why do they need this certain position more than another?

2. Is your team a buyer or a seller at the upcoming deadline? A buyer in a team that wants to improve now and is willing to deal prospects or draft picks for that very important, missing piece of the puzzle. And a seller? They are the teams who are sort of in rebuild mode, they're looking at the future and want those draft picks and prospects, and if they have to give up a solid veteran or a fan favorite, so be it.

3. If you were the General Manager of the team you have loved for ever and ever, a pipe dream for many, who would you be interested in? Of course within reason, it's fine and dandy if you want Steven Stamkos but "wanting" and "actually having a chance of getting" are two different things. Say what you would be willing to give up, this is your time to show your skills, hey, the Senators are pretty desperate.

4. How many trades do you expect your team to make from now until February the 28th? Will they have no activity or a lot? It always changes, the cap doesn't help of course, but there are teams out that are desperate enough to make quite a few over the amount of time left.

5. How on your team is an untouchable? Meaning a player who can't be moved because he means much too much to his team or because a GM, former or present, already plastered him with some monster of a contract that no team would ever believe of taking. Some teams have only one, some of the better ones have three or four. List them!

 

[Mac Attack]

This is the Penguins year to win the entire Stanley Cup.

As of right now we are one pint behind second place in the East Flyers. We have a lock on 4th overall seed and seem to be getting better now that Crosby is at least with the team although he is not playing. After the Winter Classic (which I attended) was over it seemed all was lost for us Pittsburgh fans, buit I know the fighting spirit of Pittsburgh and I know we want the Cup. Winning the Cup without Crosby or Malkin would be a huge success for the Penguins and I think that at the level that they are playing at right now they can win it all.

 

[kronikfish666]

I still don't think that the Pens can do it. On the east I see a team the Capitols being the conference champ and maybe a long shot on this one but Vancouver on the west. But I for one could never cheer for Vancouver in the final.

As for my team another year down the sh*tter but hopefully tonight they get to be the spOILERS against Calgary. HAHAHAHA how sweet it will be!!!!!

 

[Mac Attack]

As for my team another year down the sh*tter but hopefully tonight they get to be the spOILERS against Calgary. HAHAHAHA how sweet it will be!!!!!

You had to go there... and the one problem I have with that is I was supposed to be at that game but my friend (Quinn Peplinski) who if you reconize the last name is the son of the former captain of the Flame's, during their Stanley Cup run couldn't make it so I am stuck watching it on T.V right now. Also I happen to be living in Calgary so I am a Flame' fan and I do wish the Flames to get in the playoffs. However I am very nervous because the Oilers have been very good as of late.

 

[People's Champ]

Sorry but this will not be the Pens year. This is about the Sharks. Nobody was sure how things would turn out when Nabby was released, but everyone knew it was time to part ways with him. The Sharks were terrible to begin the season and were sitting in 13th place at one point. Throw Niemi between the pipes and the Sharks have been rolling. 26-5-4 since January 15th. They have a toughness about them that they haven't had before, so don't look for any team to try and bully their way past the Sharks. I expect the Sharks to take the Cup this year.

 

[LoudClearVoice]

Sorry but this will not be the Pens year. This is about the Sharks. Nobody was sure how things would turn out when Nabby was released, but everyone knew it was time to part ways with him. The Sharks were terrible to begin the season and were sitting in 13th place at one point. Throw Niemi between the pipes and the Sharks have been rolling. 26-5-4 since January 15th. They have a toughness about them that they haven't had before, so don't look for any team to try and bully their way past the Sharks. I expect the Sharks to take the Cup this year.

I am a Wings fans and the team I fear the most in the West is NOT the Canucks but the Sharks.

They are absolutely rolling right now.

So, I have to agree with you. With the playoffs starting next week, the Sharks have got to be the favorites.

My Wings have played like shit for most of the second half of the season but if everyone's healthy they can beat anyone so it should be interesting.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

Sorry but this will not be the Pens year. This is about the Sharks. Nobody was sure how things would turn out when Nabby was released, but everyone knew it was time to part ways with him. The Sharks were terrible to begin the season and were sitting in 13th place at one point. Throw Niemi between the pipes and the Sharks have been rolling. 26-5-4 since January 15th. They have a toughness about them that they haven't had before, so don't look for any team to try and bully their way past the Sharks. I expect the Sharks to take the Cup this year.

In terms of on paper, yeah, the Sharks probably have the best odds to take it all the way, but you've got your own playoff demons to exercise before anyone starts laying down money on San José and a Stanley Cup victory, man.

Yeah, I get that Nabokov was scapegoated for being the one to fall through, and to a large extent he did, but there were 18 other guys on the ice in that time that shouldered that load too.

Vancouver is in the same boat, IMO. They're a mansion built out of playing cards. All it takes is one gust of wind to blow the whole fuckin' house down.

 

[People's Champ]

In terms of on paper, yeah, the Sharks probably have the best odds to take it all the way, but you've got your own playoff demons to exercise before anyone starts laying down money on San José and a Stanley Cup victory, man.

I agree with the playoff demons, but at the same time, this Sharks team just feels different. They are rolling at the right time, and had to overcome adversity to get where they are now, instead of the normal blow through the regular season. Again, the playoffs are a different beast, but the Sharks are playing a different type of hockey than they normally have, a type that can win in the playoffs.

Yeah, I get that Nabokov was scapegoated for being the one to fall through, and to a large extent he did, but there were 18 other guys on the ice in that time that shouldered that load too.

IDR, you and I both know they were not going to blow this team up. They have too much talent to just rebuild . Yes, they faultered in the Conference Finals, but Nabby really let us down. And he was going to get too much money without the results that that kind of money required. Change was necessary.

Vancouver is in the same boat, IMO. They're a mansion built out of playing cards. All it takes is one gust of wind to blow the whole fuckin' house down.

I don't think anyone takes Vancouver seriously.

 

[People's Champ]

So once again I start up the hype machine for the Sharks and already they are in a must win game. Typical. Since the 1st period of Game 1, the Sharks have been outplayed by the Kings and it hasn't been close. I was at both of those games, and the Sharks are lucky not to be down 0-2. The team looks like the same team at the begining of the season instead of the one that made that great run late.

While he saved 34 shots, Quick didn't have to work hard Saturday night. Those shots were all one timers, as the Kings played excellent defense, not allowing and rebounds for the Sharks to get. The entire team is going to have to step up if they are going to reach theirs goals of a Stanley Cup.

 

[Post]

Dear God, the Wings need help. 2 goals in to games equals golf reservations for all of next week and through July.

The Wings need to sack up, get pucks on net, stop getting bullied on the boards, and pressure the Shark defense better. At least try to put up a fight.

San Jose may have only won both games by a goal each, but they clearly dominated both games and controlled the pace and flow. San Jose is getting great performances out of everyone...they are a scary team and want it bad.

The Wings need to shake up that line up. Ericcson can't skate, shoot, or pass. Abdelkader is becoming a liability. Put Modano in. Play Salei and Kindl...do something different Babcock b/c what you are currently doing is not working against the Sharks!

 

[justinsayne]

Wings should be fine, this isn't the first time they been down 0-2 in a series, they've been there before and have come back to move onto winning the cup, this team is and has always been built to play playoff hockey, they just came back from and 8 day layoff, so dropping a game or two to a though SJ team doesn't surprise me, it's not like they've been getting blown out, they've been in every game till the end, if Detroit goes down 0-3 then you should start worrying, until then have a little faith in the boys in red

 

[hatehabsforever]

Another exciting win for the Bruins last night. Tim Thomas has been unbelievable in the playoffs this year. Up 2-0 after winning both games on the road, things are looking promising for my beloved Bruins. After all, they couldn't blow a big series lead against the Flyers, now could they?

 

[People's Champ]

The Wings should worry. All of a sudden the Sharks are 9-2 in the last 11 games against the Red Wings. The Sharks are no longer afraid of the Wings. Nemo is playing fantastic in goal, making great saves and being the guy the Sharks were looking for when they signed him. Hard to see the Sharks losing 4 of the next 5 to the Wings.

 

[Big Sexy]

The Wings should have had game 1. Questionable calls at the end of the third and start of OT didn't help but that's the way it goes sometimes. A series never really starts until the home team loses so the Wings just need to take care of business at home and hopefully the breaks start going their way.

 

[Post]

Wings should be fine, this isn't the first time they been down 0-2 in a series, they've been there before and have come back to move onto winning the cup, this team is and has always been built to play playoff hockey, they just came back from and 8 day layoff, so dropping a game or two to a though SJ team doesn't surprise me, it's not like they've been getting blown out, they've been in every game till the end, if Detroit goes down 0-3 then you should start worrying, until then have a little faith in the boys in red

I am officially worried...nope way past that. Not much of a chance now. I hate to sound like a downer, but I do not see the Wings taking 4 in a row angaist San Jose.

I will say this though, I am proud of how Jimmy Howard has played this year in the playoffs. I really don't think he has given up a weak/bad goal. Deflections are tough to stop.

 

[People's Champ]

Big, big win for the Sharks last night. On the exact same day as last year, the Sharks did the exact same thing to the Red Wings. They took a 3-0 lead in Detroit by beating the Red Wings 4-3 in OT. What an exciting game. The Sharks were never rattled and took care of business. Niemi was great in goal, making some big time saves throughout the game and in OT, when Detroit was pressing matters big time. A big penalty kill for the Sharks and they come away winners. I would not be surprised to see them sweep in Detroit, although I'm sure the Red Wings will do everything to avoid that. Big win though for the Sharks.

 

[hatehabsforever]

Huge win for the Boston Bruins last night. First they exorcised the ghosts of past failures against the Montreal Canadiens. Then they avenged last season's horrific collapse against the Philadelphia Flyers. Thomas has been clutch, Lucic has surfaced from oblivion, even the power play is starting to click. Can't wait for the next round against the Tampa Bay Lightning for a shot at the finals for the first time in a couple of decades.

 

[justinsayne]

Huge win for the Boston Bruins last night. First they exorcised the ghosts of past failures against the Montreal Canadiens. Then they avenged last season's horrific collapse against the Philadelphia Flyers. Thomas has been clutch, Lucic has surfaced from oblivion, even the power play is starting to click. Can't wait for the next round against the Tampa Bay Lightning for a shot at the finals for the first time in a couple of decades.

I'm kinda torn when it comes to the Eastern Conf. finals this year, as both teams I am rooting for in the East are now facing each other, one one hand I want to see TB win just out of my love for Steve Yzerman, for me it would be cool to see him win his first cup as a GM, plus the Bolts are kinda fun to watch. On the other hand it's been so long since Boston has won a cup, or even been to the Cup finals, kinda would be nice to see them get it done as well, so I guess I'll just hope we get some good hockey out of this series, and who ever wins I'll be happy

As for the West, it looks like Detroit it all but done, I just don't see them coming back and winning four straight against SJ this year, this isn't the same SJ team we've seen the past few years, these guys are ready for the playoffs this year, and they're hungrier than ever, I could easily see them going to the finals and winning it all, and if/when they knock Detroit out, they'll be the Western Conf. team I'll be rooting for, they're just fun to watch, and they have Heatly, the former Wisc. Badger, so I gotta root for him

 

[hatehabsforever]

I'm kinda torn when it comes to the Eastern Conf. finals this year, as both teams I am rooting for in the East are now facing each other, one one hand I want to see TB win just out of my love for Steve Yzerman, for me it would be cool to see him win his first cup as a GM, plus the Bolts are kinda fun to watch. On the other hand it's been so long since Boston has won a cup, or even been to the Cup finals, kinda would be nice to see them get it done as well, so I guess I'll just hope we get some good hockey out of this series, and who ever wins I'll be happy

As for the West, it looks like Detroit it all but done, I just don't see them coming back and winning four straight against SJ this year, this isn't the same SJ team we've seen the past few years, these guys are ready for the playoffs this year, and they're hungrier than ever, I could easily see them going to the finals and winning it all, and if/when they knock Detroit out, they'll be the Western Conf. team I'll be rooting for, they're just fun to watch, and they have Heatly, the former Wisc. Badger, so I gotta root for him

I am not remotely torn about this year in the Eastern Conference. I have been a lifelong Bruins fan and I have been very pleased with them this season and I think they have a really good shot this season. Tampa should be tough, but all Yzerman love aside, I hope the Bruins prevail.

I'd love to see a Bruins/Canucks final. As a Canadian hockey fan, have to cheer for Vancouver to get to the finals, but then it's Bruins all the way. I also wouldn't mind a Bruins/Sharks final. Joe Thornton versus his former club who originally drafted him. Apathetic to Nashville, and Detroit has won many times in recent years, time for some new blood. Especially if the new blood is wearing black and gold.